Exchange City
Comments
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Great news, Alo 123....the antibiotics are working! Isn't it great to be able to voice your concerns in a forum where you can elicit feedback that is experienced and knows your concerns...and it was the right feedback?! YESSS!
God Bless!
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Wow - this is an incredibly busy discussion board - I am still confused about all the terms but I'll figure it all out eventually - I will send my specifics (when I find my tape measure( to 4greatkids (I think that is the right person). Thank you all for the very warm welcome and the nice words about things being ok even though it doesn't feel that way all the time.
Firstmate-I recently moved away from Scottsdale - I live in Nebraska now- congrats on the nips.... I am curious - did you ever think about not getting them? I am leaning away from having them added when I am done with the exchange and am curious about your thoughts.
Allison
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Gibby..Pam.. and Robin.. THIS IS YOUR WEEK! Go gettem sisters.. wahoooooooooooooooooooo
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Val-
((Val)) I am so sorry your getting this suprise! Sounds like you already have gotten some great advice from other ladies. I will confirm the FISH test that Deb explained is the reliable source for the HER2neu. If it is not in your pile of records It would be good to get your hands on that report for your own records. Your oncology office should have it. I had a couple oncology consults and none of them would rely on the initial Her2 report - they insisted on seeing the final FISH test.
I found this on the http://www.nccn.com/ website for you: The Oncotype DX is a test that evaluates 21 genes in the breast cancer tumor. It may be recommended by your doctor if you have estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer to determine whether you should receive chemotherapy. The results of this test show whether you have a high, intermediate, or low risk for recurrence. If your risk is low, the adverse side effects of chemotherapy probably outweigh its benefits. Even for women with small estrogen receptor-positive/progesterone receptor-positive and HER2-negative tumors who have no lymph node involvement and who have not had the Oncotype DX test, the benefit of chemotherapy in addition to hormone therapy may be relatively small.
So Debs question if you had Oncotyping done is a great one. Even if you didn't have this test, your tumor was tiny, it wasn't agressive (Grade 2), and you had no nodes. These are all really FAVORABLE. I do know there is a specific decision tree that oncologists use They plug in the size, receptors, grade, nodes and it gives them a chemo/no chemo/borderline decision. You might want to ask your oncologist to show you the results of that input. Let us know how the call goes to the doctor. We are thinking of you.
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packergirl: I second everything you have to say for Val- I remember the oncotype discussion at the time and since my onc is a really aggressive treater and since I could not have rads, he went with chemo. He did not leave it to chance or to me to make the choice.
every time I see him, he goes over all the scores once again, I am sure your onc will elucidate why he made the decisions he did. It may well be that in your case, chemo would have been one of those kinds of not helping/might hurt decisions.
Waiting to hear how it all works out for you (and it will!) I did not have HER2Neu but I know the first time I did and the FISH was negligible, making it virtually negative for me. It's a much more specific test.
Good luck!!!!
Hi Laura, don't those eyes look awesome!
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Thanks, ladies...feeling better after my crazed venting to y'all. Yes, my dh is an MD, but he wasn't around til much later this evening - per usual for we "medical families" - so it was just me and my paranoid imagination. The PR thing does concern me a bit, though. How do you go from negative to positive? This was the initial path after my mastectomy, so the follow-path and FISH test wouldn't be in this chart. (Thanks, Deborah, for the research on that, btw.) That will be at my onc's, whom I will be calling first thing in the a.m. So, as y'all suggested, there were probably more definitive studies which changed the initial report. My dh does not seem at all concerned since my nodes were negative - I double-checked the sentinel node report for micromets, just in case - and I'm on tamoxifen.
I'll let you all know what happens tomorrow. Night all.....
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Hi everyone,
Surgery went well. I am not really having any pain to speak of, under my arm where he removed a little excess skin is uncomfortable. I did notice tonight that the center of both of my breast are a little red. My partner thinks its going to be bruising. Im not so sure so Im going to pop into the office tomorrow and have them look.
When I first saw them today I was a little disappointed. I guess because the projection is different. But the more I look at them the more I realize that they look like normal breast now LOL.
I really hope Im not getting an infection.
Teresa
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Wow, this is a busy forum!!!
((Kittycat)) Welcome here, you are funny, you will fit right in. The "sisters" here are so amazing, they have covered me with light on some pretty dark days.
((Annie)) Prayers answered, girl, I think God knows your name well by now. Great news!
((Judy)) You will be on the "Hooter" train before your next birthday! Choo Choo
((Celine)) You made me cry, Sister is still in induced coma, but she isn't any worse, they will possible attempt to close again tomorrow. Thank you for the prayers everyone. My poor cell phone has gotten a workout. I come here to bask in the security of my other sisters!
((Val161)) How weird. I think the ladies are right, you are only holding part of the story regarding your patholgy reports. and now for the rest of the story. . . Let us know what you find out.
((Deborah)) ((Laura)) you always go the extra miles to reasure and advise when the fear strikes into the core of a persons being. I could read the compassion is so many responses to Val161 is so many posts by other "sisters" as well. I am blessed to be able to come here.
((Robin)) Friday is almost here !, I cant wait to hear from you on how it went. I can't wait to get mine.
(( Alo123)) I am relieved that the antibiotics worked and that you are on the mend. I am glad that you didn't wait to call the Dr.
Jan
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Jan, I hope your sister pulls through all of this. I'm sending you BIG HUGS!!!
Val, didn't your breast surgeon go over your path with you? I was so paranoid about my path report - maybe because my PCP decided to call me over the weekend and demanded I come see him immediately because he also got the report. Anyway, my BS gave me a copy of my report, which I dissected and then gave to the oncologist and made him explain it to me in more detail. Hopefully your onc can give you some sound advice and an explanation for all of this.
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Teresa.... good vibes for no infection girl!
(((((exchange city ladies)))))
Wish me luck today with my grandkids and RAIN outside.....ugggggggggggg
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Rads girls... and non rads girls too....:)
I have posted 5-6 week after exchange pictures on the picture site. I have two pictures. They look like same one noticed...lol.. but they are not.
You can see how I am progressing after having 6 weeks of rads with a full TE and then exchange three months later. ..and then 5-6 weeks after exchange.
I will continue to post my results for you rads girls... who want implants only.
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sftfemme65 - I guess we will watch them change together. Hopefully both of us will grow to love them. (I all ready like them). I'm glad you are doing well and having little discomfort.
Alo- Yea! I'm so glad you are healing. Boy, that was a close one! I too am glad we have such a great place to ask questions and get accurate information!!! Thank you everyone!
Jan1 - Prayers to your sister!
Val - Hang in there! You will get this straightened out. There has to be a good explanation for this!!! Hugs!
Annie - Congratulations on your all clear!!!!!!
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Allison - I imagine there is a huge difference between Scottsdale and Nebraska.
Yes, I did consider not getting nips. Two PS said they would look alot better with nips, as it hides the scarring. I hope so!
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Alo - Don't forget the yoghurt on those antibiotics. It does help!
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Hi ladies, haven't been posting but I've been lurking a lot!
Yvonne, glad to see you back! Hope you and Laura have great fun with the grandbabies! Can't wait until April comes with my first grandbaby!
Jan, my prayers are with you now!
Why does it seem like most women are not happy with their new implants? It's funny, because my PS told me at my first appt that most reconns come back for some type of revisions.
I'm scheduled for fat injections/lipo next Wed, to see if we can fill out my upper pole areas. He said the only other thing to do would be bigger implants, which I can't even think about, as these are already so heavy. If I need to, I can do another lift if the fat grafts don't work. He said he will double up on the fat, to allow for some reabsorbtion.
Good luck to you ladies going for exchanges and nips! Happy healing to all!
Deen
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Hi - I'm new to this thread. I've been reading the last 20 or so pages - lots of good information! I had my expanders placed on July 6th 2009 (bi-lat mx Aug 2008); I've had 3 fills and I'm up to 620mLs I believe. My exchange is scheduled for Sept 28, 2009 and I can hardly wait! I'm so tired of have "stuff" in my armpits and a lovely set of coconuts - I feel like Popeye!
I too am surprise at how many women are unhappy with their implants. How many women have been happy with their exchange and did not require revisions?
I'm leaning towards having 3-D tattoos and no nips - I feel like I've had enough surgeries the past 13 months.
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Welcome Wink! I can't answer your question on how many women don't require any revisions, I am still in TE's. I am jealous of how fast your going to get your exchange.
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Expanders removed on 6-11-09 and implants placed at that time...It has now been almost 3 mos and I'm still having tightness and discomfort. Is this uncommon? I will see PS on 9-18-09 to discuss options. Am not satisfied with implants, too small. Also need to have dog ears worked on more. Just curious if my "fluffing" discomfort is normal. Thanks for your time.
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Thanks for all the welcome backs!!! You are a wonderful bunch of ladies!
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Well ladies I'm signing off for now. I leave for Oakville in the morning for pre-op and then surgery at 10:00 Friday morning. I'll get back to you all next week sometime. I'm not sure when I'm coming home yet. I also have to take my computer in for a clean up. It seems I have a virus!!! I'm soooo excited!!! Good luck to all of you who are going this week and next and I'll talk soon.
M.J.
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Best wishes gibby - Pam - & firstmate
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ditto to what Peg said!!!
I think it is sad many women have to have revisions. With rads.. I am really afraid if messing with what I have now. I will talk to PS Sept 18th... so we will see...
I "might" have fat grafts.. LIPO sounds horrible.. DEB.. if I do this.. can I work the next week?
Welcome new ladies... you will love this thread! Now only inforative.. but friendships !
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Annie---I'm glad you're OK!!!!
Val--Let us know how you are doing. I'm sorry if you already posted and I've missed it.
Jan--Thinking of you and your family.
Yvonne--Welcome back!
Laura--Why do you need fat grafts? I'm still trying to decide if I need them.
Hugs,
Karen
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Thank you for all of your prayers for Sally, they are working! I spoke to Dave tonight, they were able to close the abdomen in today's surgery. There is a small opening for the vacuum and other treatments. They will start bringing her out of the medically induced coma tomorrow and weaning her off the ventilator. I just pray that this goes easy for her as some people get very agitated when this is done.
Yvonne, I missed you dear, and somehow skipped your name on the list when doing my replies.
((Wink)) Welcome! There are no strangers here, . . . .except me, I am a little "stranger" than some!
((Laura)) I am so jealous that you have access to your grandbabies. I am the cyber grandma, I hope you had the best day ever with these cuties.
For all the ladies needing fat grafts, can I sign up to be a donor?
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Jan.. there is a special God for G.mas....LOL.. I survived me three day babysitting week with the 3 and 2 ys old...
Karen.. I have a few ripples...
only when I bend over...0 -
Laura,
when was your exchange? have you noticed any fluffing or size increase since the surgery?
teresa
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Laura--I had chin lipo. It wasn't bad, and it got rid of my extra chin. There was some bruising and swelling, but not much pain. It felt like the skin on my neck was pulled very very tight, and I couldn't put my head back very far for a while. I have a feeling that lipo from the tummy would probably hurt more, though--just a guess. I would glad to donate my tummy fat to you or any sister that needs it.
I'll just sign up to be a donor, along with Jan!Diane
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Teresa.. my surgery was July 20th.. and no... Ihave no gotten bigger.. why?
Diane.. thanks for sharing...
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My breast surgeon mentioned today a new silicone implant he thought would be very good. I googled it and only see info on an FDA approved implant for clinical trials in the south. Considering we are in NYC, does anyone know about another one that he might be referring to??
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biscuit: Is he one of the docs in the Allergan or Mentor clinical trials for anatomical cohesives? If Allergan, it would be the 410 implant. Does that ring a bell?
Laura: I think I had a bad experience with lipo.....I'm doing it again and I am sure it will be easier the next time. Yes, you can be back to work a week after this procedure. You will still be wearing a compression girdle - but since you stand up so much in your job, this should be a lot more comfortable than if you had a desk job. You will just want to get off your feet and sit down every hour if you can....and put your feet up for ten minutes. You will want to take some "feet up" breaks that first week back to work.
Jan: I am so pleased to hear positive news. What a terrifying event for your sister [who is not even aware of what has befallen her, thankfully I guess] and for your family. Are you still flying to see her?
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