Exchange City
Comments
-
Hello ladies - Sorry it took so long for me to post. My surgery took about 2 hours yesterday, so my PS had to use general anesthesia. And that always puts me under for the day. I slept most of the day yesterday. But today I am up and working from home, or at least I have been. Now I am going to go take another nap. I am so psyched to have completed my nips and areola grafting! I was able to take a shower this morning and have a peak. Even w/ the stitches and blood and such, I look almost "normal." It is so nice to see nips again. My PS only made very small nips and then grafted tissue from my stomach c/s scar around the nips and over the top of my mastectomy scar. She then puts sutures throughout the grafted tissue. As she says, normal areolas are rough in texture so mine will be too. I am very pleased. And my nips even hurt a little, so I have some sensation there. Mostly, though, it is my stomach that hurts. Thanks for all the well wishes from my friends here.
I am so sorry that some of you are down w/ a bug. I had a nasty cold three weeks ago, and I am still coughing a bit from it. Rest and drink plenty of liquids.
Coolbreeze - I chose to have a bilateral mastectomy for LCIS w/ the LCIS only having been found on my left side. It is a very personal decision. But know that you can always decide to remove the second breast later. At this point I think you need to move forward on at least the side w/ BC. Best wishes.
Take care all. TIme for a nap. - Jean
0 -
Diane--I have not seen that book thank you so much for sharing it.
Jean--YAY!!!!!!
Laura--I hope you are feeling better, I can tell I only have a cold. One of the locals high schools has a 20% absentee rate due to the flu. Lucas' cross country coach canceled tonight's team dinner because he wants to keep the kids apart as much as possible--big race tomorrow and Wed. Weird times.
Hugs--KarenW
0 -
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers ladies.
Surgery is scheduled for the 21st, one side only.
I'm sad and glad at the same time. Sad, because I don't want to lose my breast, but glad because I am in some serious pain now and it's time to get it out and find out what exactly is going on. I just hope the long delay didn't cause a worsening of the cancer. My surgeon, when he saw me in late August, said he guessed stage II. Hopefully, that will be the result.
0 -
Try not to worry Ann... I am sure you will stay a stage 2 or maybe even BETTER! Hang in there. I am glad you made your decision and have your date !
Hugs !
Alicia
0 -
Ann (Coolbreeze) - I hope you don't mind that I added you to the list of upcoming procedures. Are you going to get a tissue expander w/ your surgery? I am so glad you have a date. Best wishes!
0 -
Thank you for adding me, MKM.
Yes, I'm getting an expander. I'm trying to think of this as an interesting and unique experience rather than something tragic. 0 -
Ann, The 21st is my 53rd birthday and with your sugery, it will be your birthday too. You will have taken the first step to recovery. I am not saying it will be easy, but there are a lot of sister cheerleaders here rooting for you.
Nax, I couldn't find a bra other than the barely there bra's. I am small breasted and those were the only ones that worked for me. I know there is someone here that has had the same situation as you and can answer the question.
Alicia, You always have a kind word and warm wishes to share. Wendy and Alicia, How is the weather in LI NY? It is snowing like he** upstate!
Laura, and Val and all, Thanks for the wishes for a good time with the boys. The healing power of two little arms and sometimes 4 little arms clammoring for a hug is amazing. It is snowing right now! It is COLD outside, but the hearts are warm on the inside. Thanks you guys.
JAN
0 -
Jan: Have a wonderful time with your boys. What a treat! And we are having a heat wave here in So. Cal....so enjoy the snow! 95 degrees here....whew!!!
0 -
Aw Jan thank you ~ enjoy your boys. I find my kids hugs also have healing properties !
It is COLD here and rainy. YOUR snow is just nuts. KEEP warm. Hubby made a fire and went to get us Chinese food ~ YUM.
Hope you all have a great night !
0 -
Just logged in to check on everyone before going home for the weekend and got Jan's Happy Birthday wish in big bold letters ~~ what a surprise!!! Thank you Jan!! 51 has been good to me so far . . . . 50 was the year from heck.
Get well Laura ~~ thank goodness we can't catch anything from each other!!
Will get caught up on everyone else tomorrow. Have a great weekend all!!!
xo Colleen
0 -
Nips or no nips? Is anyone considering option out of nipple recon?
0 -
Astorm - I am opting for either no nips at all or 3-D tatoos. I will have my exchange in Nov and I had my bilat mx in June of this year - I think that is enough surgery. I don't miss the nips but I also have to confess that I haven't been seeing anyone and I am not married. Who knows, I might feel differently if I had someone in my life. For now, I only have to think about pleasing myself.
Allison
0 -
I have a question...... Is it "normal" to continue to have discomfort after you are all done with fills? I had my last fill about a month ago and I am just waiting for the exchange in Nov - My issue is that I am still having some discomfort - not huge pain - but enough to wake me at night. It seems to be at its worst first thing in the morning when I start moving around. I haven't read about anyone else having this - so I thought I would toss it to the sisters..... Any thoughts?? I am also having a lot of itching - but it is weird 'cause I have no feeling on the skin where I itch... More thoughts???
Allison
0 -
Ladies..
As I have so much to read tonight here and I still feel terrible.. and starting to cough...grrrrrrrrrrr
I just want to post on two things that really stuck out... well.. ok... a few things
JEAN... WONDERFUL for you.. I hope you will choose to show your outcome... it sounds wonderful!
ANN ( COOLBREEZE).. I wanna add another side here.
IT IS TRAGIC. Mourn NOW girl! I had FREAKIN" FAB breasts. So much so.. I did a photo shoot to remember them... They were not large.. but they were perfect. My PS said so too! And I was PISSED.. the night before my mast. I did make the choice to remove my 100% healthy pretty breast.. I felt it was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO tragic.. that the night prior to the mast.... I lost it... I was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO mad and I never get mad... My body let me down to a point, I had to amputate a BEAUTIFUL body part. ( we all did.. not just me)
So PLEASE , go ahead and mourn it now sister... take pictures.. whatever You NEED TO DO.
Cancer changed my body so...as many of us. I am 14 pounds overweight now.. ( over what the highest I should weigh). My ocno told me I am actually overweight.
I have a black and white photo.. of me. Bald.. naked.. 98pds.. before I was amputated. To some.. this picture is horrifying.. to me.. I was SO beautiful. I will Cherish this picture ALL of my years.
Anyway.. I just wanted you to feel this tragedy. You deserve to feel it and be totally pissed off.
OK...
Teresa... Dr. Rast is looking forward to meeting you next week...
.. he is a sweety and he does great work.... Denise.. as you know.. Dr. Rast is looking into something for you. I will call Sarah Monday to see what she found out...
Love you all
Over and out!
0 -
Allison... until your exchange you can hurt.. heck yes... exchange will feel sooooooooo good!
I still itch like a crazy person in my armpit. I still have no feeling there.. but inside it.. I sure do.. makes me nuts...PS told me today this is my nerves trying to come back there too!
Kew/karen.. Love the new picture you hottie! Before we know it you will be dating a hot college guy... age..... ummmmmmmmmmmmm... lets see.... 28.. yes... 28 is good...:)
0 -
Hi Ladies; I'm back from the PS consult with more info; Please review and comment;
B/L TE - 12.5 cm , Over-Expanded to 490cc - so currently wrapping up in a 34 (D?)
Rib Cage 29"
P/S is Proposing Mentor Contour Gummies, High Profile with a) 440 cc @12.5 cm Med Height
OR b) 490 cc @13.0 cm Med Height.
Any thoughts? His comments were; my skin is VERY expanded, concerned about being able to 'close' if he used the 490, but will consider it during surgery. Concerned regarding the 13 cm over the 12.5 as well, and it not suiting my 'frame'. FYI: I'm 5'5 and 120 lbs.
Does 50 cc's and .5 cm translate into a big difference? lol, pardon the pun.
And, does 'exchanging' identical volume and width make for predictable results? That almost seems too 'easy'?
And, does the nipple surgery later require a healthy amount of skin that isn't over stretced? I don't want to comprimise my healing now, and future surgery's, for max'd volume now.
I can;t BELIEVE i'm doing this.... that i'm 'H E R E'..... feels surreal! :)xo
0 -
Linda - I thought your areolas were grafted. Do you have to have them tatooed as well?
0 -
Laura - I have been sick ever since Vegas. I must have caught something from all the recycled air. Hope you feel better soon. Being sick sucks! I hope this won't interfere with your surgery???
0 -
KEW - I just saw that you are sick as well. Poor thing! Sending healing vibes your way!
0 -
Jean - Congrats on your final stage - nips and areolas. I bet it feels fantastic to have finally reached this point!
0 -
Robin.. Sick since Vegas.. OMGOSH... ssssssssssssss... girl.. that stinks!
My surgery is Oct 28th.. so If I am not better in a few more days.. I will start anti-biotics... or see a doctor.. LOL.. I just CANNOT miss surgery... I need to get back to WORKING.... without missing...LOL...
At my doctor today ladies..
I will be..having a capsulectomy in the falling boob... some scar tissue removed from my rads boob.. 550-600cc implants in to help correct loose skin and rippling....skin cancer removed from my nose.. three moles removed from by belly ( benign) and my last fat pads removed from my eyes..... and then, back to work in a week...LOL... dh thinks I am nuts... oh well.. I am tough.
Deborah.. I asked my PS about my nice scars I have now.. he said he always cuts away the old scar and creates a new one makes a new line.... so I will still have those nice scars you spoke of...:) and no scar tissue. He told me all PS should create new scars on mast patients so there is no scar tissue and pretty scaring... FYI
0 -
I am doing alot of catching up here, as I was babysitting the grandkids all week while they were on spring break. It is EXHAUSTING, but the only thing that saved me this week from deep depression. You can't be depressed when you are dealing with rowdy little kids.
Congrats to all those that are happy with their exchanges, getting revisions, or new PS for a fresh start.
And good luck to this weeks surgery girls! Sending best wishes your way.
Also, I am scheduled for the next stage. Put me on the list for areola tatoos on Oct 26th. I am really nervous. How do I know what color to make them? Do I choose that or does the aestitician? Also the size? How is that determined? One nip is still larger than the other, but the PS said he'd reduce it 4 weeks after the areolas are done if it doesn't shrink on it's own.
0 -
ROBIN.. SPRING BREAK??????????
If you are going through some depression lady... PLEASE PLEASE PM me or call my cell phone.. you have to still have the laminated card I gave you...I will listen. call my tomorrow night.. I get home from work at 5ish...I have no idea about nip tats... PM Facecrafter.. ( judy).... she will talk with you about color.. I just know she will!
((((((((((HUGS ROBIN)))))))))))))))
0 -
Hi!
Thanks for the healing thoughts. I just found out there is swine flu at work, makes me want to stay home next week, I only have a cold.
Ann--I agree with Laura, I am still waiting to let out the anger I feel, it comes out it bits and pieces, but I have not dealt with it. I guess I'm afraid if I let it all out I'll explode, which would probably be really good for me. I also agree with taking pre mx pictures. I did not, I was numb--in shock, and just didn't think about it. I stood in front of the mirror the night before, and looked, touched, and talked to my breasts, but I don't have any pictures and I really, really regret that.
Laura--You don't look overweight in your recent photos from Vegas, you look stunning as I said before. You must have been very thin before. Check your BMI, calculators are on the web. Is it appropriate for a woman about to turn 50 to date a 28 year old? Too close to the age of my oldest son, and my grad students. I like men my own age, you know who can remember Nixon, bell bottoms the first time, Coke in bottles (the legal kind), the fall of Saigon, and who may have seen the Rolling Stones in concert when Keith Richards still looked alive! But thanks--I can look....at least! I hope you feel better soon.
Night Sisters!
KarenW
0 -
(((((Robin))))) Tender, loving, thoughts your way.
Love--
KarenW
0 -
Jan:
It is so cold in NYC its out of control, its mid October I wore a heavy coat and gloves today. We went to dinner just across the street from the apartment and it took me at least 30 minutes to get the chill off from crossing the street.
Whippet: Its so funny, ever since I taught pre k when I was in college, I have referred to little kids in school as walking petri dishes.
First mate, you can't get sick from Vegas, according to the commercials what happens there stays there... wait... tv commercials don't tell the truth, no way. Feel better too.
I went to the doctor today, the nurse was very freaked out when I showed her the alien. When Dr. Disa came in, he looked relieved when he saw it, he said its a form of scar tissue that it has to do with the lymphatic tissue etc., that its normally seen up higher or in the arm (like the cording problem I had in April) the rx is more PT and aggressive massage. Its freaky looking and hurts like heck, but at least its a fairly benign issue.
Wendy
0 -
Wendy, so glad to hear it is not something of greater concern. The cording keeps coming back for me, but my PT taugh me how to handle it, so I do the exercises and stretches most days, also Pilate's helps keep me well stretched. Keep warm, and go to sleep, geez it is really late there!
Hugs--KarenW
0 -
Please girls get better soon!!
I'm with Laura on the mourning of the breasts. Man I sure mourned mine...still do. I loved my BIG boobies and I miss them. I'm trying to move forward, but it's not easy. Being here sure helps tons!! Thanks so much girls for ALWAYS being here! The love, compassion, and support is priceless!
Jean it's so nice that you were able to check in! It's WONDERFUL that you are doing well!!
HUGS girls!!!
0 -
Geez... I actually sleep one night and you girls are POSTING away !! Too much to comment about. To all the sickies feel better ~ Tea with Honey and Chicken Soup ~ I too took pics of my boobies before the mx. I have yet to look at them for fear I will have a breakdown. My daughter saw me yesterday in a camisole doing my hair for the first time (I am always covered up with a big sweat jacket) She was like mommy you look so little, your tummy is so flat you LOOK good and young. Boy do I love her ~ LOL I miss my boobies but more I miss the sensations of my nipples. Like it has been so cold here the past few days ~ and I feel like my skin is crinkling up like the presurgery feeling to make my NIPS hard ~ but oh yeah ! THERE IS nothing there, well except for these flat rocks they call TE's.
Wendy glad you went to the dr. and got good news. Well at least it is a benign thing that hopefully will get better.
Estepp I agree with your DH, your nuts going back to work in a week after all of that. But more power to you sista ! You inspire me.
Karen stay home from work ~ NO SWINE FLU FOR YOU !! NO way ~
Robin NIPS soon woo HOO !!! What kind are you getting, skin graft flaps tattoo?
Happy Bday Colleen ~
And anyone else I missed gentle HUGS !
So everyone have a great day ~ FEEL good and get some fresh AIR!
0 -
Alicia:
I miss my boobies too, Allan always tells me that these are so much more flattering to my frame since they are smaller, but I really liked mine, despite my age and having had a baby they were still holding their own and they were so soft compared to these gummies. I'd kind of like it if I said I miss my boobies and someone would say I know you do and I am so sorry. I know that Allan wants me to not miss them, but well I do, and I think its hard for other people to let us mourn them, they just want to make us feel all better, but all better probably means we need to go through all the stages of grief and loss.
The whole feeling thing is so weird, I feel like a radio with a faulty receiver, sometimes I have feeling, sometimes I don't. I kept my nipples and its weird, sometimes one gets hard from the cold and the other does not and sometimes neither does. The weirdest thing is that if you touch the back of my arm sometimes I'll fell it down the sides of my gummy boobie.Other times I could hit something with my bobbies and not even feel it. I need a new receiver, or maybe a booster like they make for car radios.
Wendy
0
