Come join others currently navigating treatment in our weekly Zoom Meetup! Register here: Tuesdays, 1pm ET.
Weigh in: What are the best and worst gifts for people with breast cancer?
Share with us: What are your proudest moments of 2024 and personal goals for 2025?
Take our poll: How are you feeling as we near the New Year?

Exchange City

1…2122242627…1387

Comments

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited February 2009

    Monique - that was such a sweet thing for you to do - to go make sure PinkyLee was doing okay after surgery....especially since she was feeling so fragile.   

  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 509
    edited February 2009

    Lois

    I have the Naturelle by Allergan style 20 silicone implants.  They are smooth round with a high profile of 4.9 projection.  They ended up the same size and projection as my expanders. I am very satisfied.  I have pics posted on the picture forum.

  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 509
    edited February 2009

    Redlocks

    Sorry you are not happy and you should be mad.  Some doctors want to do what they want and do not listen to the one who is forking out the money......I know we all hate these 5 words but here goes "give it a little time"  you might be surprised.....

    Oh Boy, we have to love those dear husbands....that made me smile....he wanted so much to help you....he is a sweetheart but I am sure it did not go over too well with you.

    Bless you

  • Cathee
    Cathee Member Posts: 62
    edited February 2009

    Fairy49,

    I am keeping all fingers and toes crossed for you on Tuesday. Good luck!!  

  • Bukki
    Bukki Member Posts: 103
    edited February 2009

    just catching up on all the news......I am still laughing about the comment that Yvonne made about testicle expanders.....got my visit with oncologist today and still feel confused....seems to be every time another doc gets involved I get another conflicting opinion....I am going to pray for guidance and then go see my trusted ole family practioner on Monday... I trust his advice more than all the rest put together. ......was told there wasn't any infection just places that were not healing.....so still hoping and praying for exchange on 3/4.......and keeping all you lovelies in my prayers and thoughts.....you are my heroes.... and hope all of you are getting some sleep  .Elaine

  • fairy49
    fairy49 Member Posts: 536
    edited February 2009

    Thanks Judy!! I have EVERYTHING crossed!!

  • fairy49
    fairy49 Member Posts: 536
    edited February 2009

    Thanks everyone!!

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited February 2009

    I just wanted to share I got through the day ok but it was so busy I almost forgot.  It sounds like I might have next week off so going to try and get a lot caught up and work on our project in the basement

  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 448
    edited February 2009

    Yvonne - Testicle expanders!! That gave me quite a smile.

    Lorraine - I will be praying for you. I can totally relate to not knowing how you will handle more. But then, we do don't we? Anyhow, I am praying that all will go well and you will get exactly what you want!!!!!!!!!!!

    Jax - You are dealing w/ all that you are and still crossing your fingers for others. What a doll!

    Sandy - You are always giving us your great expert advice. We all REALLY appreciate it! Thanks so much for helping all of us out! I know it was a tough day for you yesterday, but you are well and that's what counts!

    Bukki - Best wishes w/ your GP. I hope you get what you need from your trusted doctor!

    My TE's are bugging me these days. They are so THERE all the time. Is that how you all feel?

    Lots of surgeries next week. Best wishes to everyone! - Jean

  • qutypy
    qutypy Member Posts: 7
    edited February 2009

    My exchange is scheduled for May 13th. Hoping for c size foobs with silicone. My Mx was Jan 22nd. I haven't had any fills yet, not sure the PS is going to fill them. I bought a bra this week and the cup was a C, so I'm happy to leave them the size they are. I still have a lot of weakness in my hands, and limited range of motion with my arms. Does anyone have any info about this?

    Thanks ladies!!! 

  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 448
    edited February 2009

    Qutypy - Have you started any stretching exercises? They have helped my range of motion a lot! I have added your surgery to our growing list! Take care. - Jean

  • Cathee
    Cathee Member Posts: 62
    edited February 2009

    qutypy,

    I had my mastectomy  Oct 13 and my exchange Feb 17.  I have what is called frozen shoulder.  Can't raise my right shoulder or put my hand on my hip.  I went to Phyical therapy when I had my TE in, but quit because of the muscle spams.  Now after my exchange I am able to do all the exercises.  Ask your doctor for stretching exercises.  They really do help and it can get worse if you don't do anything.

    hugs

  • Dejaboo
    Dejaboo Member Posts: 761
    edited February 2009

    I have my Foobs Crossed for everyone next week  Surprised

    I have been working on a testicle expander since Sept....Well Actually I plan on Sewing my PS testicles & Penis to his leg...  And saying to him  "I really dont see what the problem is.  So What if you cant really wear clothes right.  I cant do anything to fix it.   Pain?  I dont see why You have pain?  You must have Body Dysmorphic Disorder!"  LOL

    Laura- Hope you are ok..Havent seen you post since Thursday.

    Pam

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited February 2009
    Pam:  You are HILARIOUS!  I got quite a hoot out of that.  The visuals of your sewing abilities were priceless!!! 
  • psalmist
    psalmist Member Posts: 61
    edited February 2009

    Ladyredlocks - I wonder if you PS had those implants leftover from another surgery and never used them.  That's very cynical of me, but maybe they can't send them back once they are ordered. 

     Pam - that's great!  I love the mental picture... : )  Made me smile today, thanks.

    Jean - My foobs have bugged me for months; I kept thinking they would all but disappear like a contact lens does in your eye, but NO.  They keep reminding me daily of their presence.   Tuesday's coming!

    Fairy - you and me, sister.  We're on for Tuesday.  I'm praying you have a great report and that all goes smoothly for you.  NO infection or complications!!

    Bukki - Glad to hear there is no infection, but how frustrating that some places are not healing!  Perhaps your GP can give you some insight.

    Yvonne - Your PS and Ladyredlocks' PS sound like (pardon moi) JERKS.  I love my PS - he listens to me and he was very careful about pain management during my expansion because (lightbulb, Dr. Duh) it is a REAL issue for many of us.  

      qutypy - I had some cording issues after my lymph dissection and couldn't raise my arm but halfway.  The surgeon told me to "crawl up the wall" several times a day and aggressively stretch it.  It was the LAST thing I wanted to do, but voila - it worked!

     Sandy, I'm so jealous!  : )  You are talking nipples on the day of my exchange.  So happy for you to be nearly completed!  Thanks again for posting your journey on the photo site.

    COUNTDOWN!!  Three days... 

  • qutypy
    qutypy Member Posts: 7
    edited February 2009

    Testicle expander is too funny! I hope you make it out of something scratchy like velcro...How awesome would that be!!! Thank you everyone for the feedback regarding stretching. I have been pretty lax about it. Right is great, left side is noticeably limited. I have an appt. with breast surgeon this week and will ask her for some ideas.. Testicle expander......He He

  • Ladyredlocks
    Ladyredlocks Member Posts: 24
    edited February 2009

    Good morning everyone... thank you so much for the support, compassion and laughs (I love the visual of sewing my PS appendage to his leg "thats close enough - right?  you can live with that!). 

    Anyway, I'm better today.  Spent some time in the garden yesterday; cut back a few ferns, cut back some of the herbs (tangent question - does anyone know if your supposed to cut back the dead branchy stuff off your thyme bush this time of the year? does new growth come from below or on old wood?).  And I cried (its so freeing to cry out loud outside).  I feel more grounded today - less mad - more moving to acceptance.  And I'm back in the garden today moving shrubs, building our vegetable garden boxes and weeding the herb garden.(with helpers to do the digging and hauling - another tangent - I love this economy for it motivating young people to look for work outside the box - I've had such a hard time getting yard labor in past years - even for $10 cash an hour - but this year - no problem!)  

    You all are in my thoughts and garden prayers today (especially Pinky [how you doing sweetie?], Vinogal, Fairy49, Psalmist, Cindysnewfoobs, Bukki and HuneyB2) ... touch base with you later today...

    {Hugs} Susan

  • Jeansbeans
    Jeansbeans Member Posts: 24
    edited February 2009

    HI Ladies, To all of the Ladies having their exchange this week, GOOD LUCK and LOVE your new FOOBS!  Thinking of you all with Gentle Hugs,  Jeanie

  • joanne2
    joanne2 Member Posts: 1
    edited February 2009

    Susan... we just had 6 inches of snow yesterday,... I am jealous!

    Pam  Take your show on the road!  I could see a stand up routine just for us cancerland adventure folks! That's way too funny.. Thanks!

    Gutypy   Hi again!  For stretching... try getting on your back and slowing getting those arms in a relaxed state over your head (watch out for gravity!)  eventually elbow to the top of your ears (well head, ears if you have very short arms!), elbows straight..  use pillows (or a wall) above your head to allow the needed support to get those arms outstretched so you can relax, breath and still allow a little stretch..as you continue, your range will improve in a less painful manor.  I can't remember if you're bilat or not.. help your arm back with the non-involved side or slowly rotate the arm out to the side if you get "stuck".(I think I have it a little easier being that I work in PT for a living!)

    I'm doing good and go for my second fill this Wednesday.. I have full range in my left and just about have my right one back, but still "pulls" a little by the time my arm is straight up...wow, I can change a light bulb!

    Take care everyone!

    Joanne

  • karen9516
    karen9516 Member Posts: 20
    edited February 2009

    PinkyLee- I am so sorry that your doctors office made things worse for you. Sounds like the need some sensitivity training STAT! I know how you feel my exchange is March 1. I am excited but nervous about surgery. Don't worry everything will all be a memory soon and I will say a little prayer for youKiss

    Can anyone tell me if your doctor gave you more pain meds after your exchange. Only one kind works well for me and even though I have some left running out makes me nervous. I just want to know I have them if I need them. I am a nurse and I know how doctors and nurses are about giving pain meds, Some of them think everyone is a druggie.

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited February 2009

    qutypy can we ask how many cc your PS put in at the time of surgery?

    If your a C now I'm guessing you were bigger than that before your surgery.

    Doing the exersises are so important as other gals have shared

    I remember the one where I would lay on my back, holfing a yard stick or some type of long rod.  Start with it at your thighs and slowly bring it up to where it's tight.  At 1st I remember I could only get my arms to my ears but slowly over time you'll be able to get it all the way to the floor behind you.  I think someone else had mensioned the one where you just walk your fingers up and down the wall.

    If you need more I know there used to be a thread with several exersises

    Pam thanks for making us all laugh : - )

    Psalmist I had my last exchange Dec11

    This Tues going to talk about getting nipple done

    I'm doing a adventure camp April 5-6 so will probably wait till after that to have it done

    I would not suggest to get nipples done at the same time of an exchange becuase your implants can settle than there is a chance your nipples won't be even. 

    Karen my PS gave me pain med after myu exchanges but only needed them for about 1 day but like you said it's good to have just in case you need them for longer

    OK ladies time to get some stuff done around my house.  I've been gone all day helping at a ball tournament

  • Bukki
    Bukki Member Posts: 103
    edited February 2009

    okay ladies you are all Great,,,, I have trouble following one or two threads..... some of you must be SUPPER GIRLS TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THESE THREADS...... I admire and applaud you all ....I do pray and think of each of you often!!!!!...... but can"t seem to be in your same league....just know I admire all of you and respect that you take time to share so much and support all of our sisters.....still plan for exchange on 3/4.....got the house all in order this morning....gonna indulge , and drink a whole bottle of wine now...love Elaine

  • Ladyredlocks
    Ladyredlocks Member Posts: 24
    edited February 2009

    Afternoon all! 

    karen9516, my PS gave me 20 Vicodin post exchange - I took one Wednesday night after we got home from the hospital but transitioned to Tylenol Thursday and have been using Tylenol since (except right now I just took a Vic cuz I think I pushed it a little too much in the garden - I'm pretty ouchy so laying here stretched out on the sofa riding a Vicodin wave and catching up on the chat).  I am surprised he gave them to me - this is the same guy that thought I should go through expansion without painkillers... go figure...

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited March 2009

    Ladies.. I have been reading for half and hour...LOL.. I love this thread!

    I have been working and shopping and dealing with a very sick employee... ( 29 and very messed up)..

    Hi to all the new ladies !!!!!  Hi to all the Old ladies....!!!!! ( snicker )

    Vino and Lorriaine... IT HAS TO WORK OUT !!!!! It WILL work out!!!!

    Susan.. you are very nice.. I would have hit my PS.. smack in the face... yes ladies... my ornery side.  If you are not happy in that two month time frame they give us.. YOU GET ANOTHER PS and get what you want... bam! Ride that wave tonight sister!

    (((( Cathee)))).....do you want to share what your are not happy about.... If not.. TOTALLY understand!

    Monique thank you for the fill in.. how nice you stopped to see her!

    Yvonne- Testicle expanders !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hysterical.. are you kidding me...... ROF............ hysterical................ my kinda gal!

    Elaine.... bottle of wine.... where do you live, I'm comin' over...

    Pam... another hysterically funny lady.... Lovin' it!!!!!!!!

    Jean.. yes... these TE are now totally in the way...I now have a Hate/Hate relationship with them... and by the time I ever get the exchange.. I may have ripped them out myself  ... don't think I won't! grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

     Sandy Sunshine... back to helping the sisters with the size... and  Deborah too... SOOOOO NICE!!!!! And Linda too.... You ladies ROCK!

    For the ladies who are not getting the pain pills they need with the fills.... grab the "testies" of your PS's and SQUEEZE. Hold them like that for 5 minutes. ( even if he passes out)... then.. let go. Then ask him for the D*$# pain pills. That is the most HORRIBLE thing I have heard. I had a running script for Demerol for 6 weeks. ( that got me through ALL fills) and he even asked me if I needed more just to make sure. I did not.. but would have been LIVID if I was in pain and ANY doctor refused me pain meds. ( If I was a druggie.. then I could understand.. but ALL our doctors know who is and is not a pill popper.. COME ON it is 2009. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....I am SO SO SO sorry for your pain... so sorry! It should not be that way.

    Ladies.. I am going to finish taxes tomorrow. Home and Corp... I should be done and COMPLETELY mental by 5ish. Pray for me... no... pray for my dh and son..LOL!

    I have had issues at work.. ( some normal some icky)... so when I got on here.. saw all my girls... read all your stories and saw all your love for each other and I felt sooooo happy! THANKS!

    Laura

  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 509
    edited March 2009

    Hey Laura

    Glad to hear from you!!  We all have been laughing up a storm on this thread....

    Regarding your hate/hate relationship with your expanders, I remember reading several months ago that someone asked if she could have her expanders to take home  after her exchange and I think I remember that they gave them to her.  You could do that and then burn them as you are laughing  with a glass of wine in your hand....LOL    Hope the taxes go well for you.  We will be working on ours tomorrow......have a great night....

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited March 2009

    GREAT IDEA Linda.... a burn party... oooooooooooooooooohhhhhh, I am thinking about it now... planning ahead... great idea.....:)

    Hope your taxes go well too.... enjoy the rest of the weekend... I am getting on the treadmill in the morning... I may not be running... but I am walking up a storm... rads will most likely slow my step down... but If I keep the fast walking all through rads.. I just might start the running right after!

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited March 2009

    Just thought I would share there is a gal on the pix forum that is getting rid of her old bras and most were only worn a couple of time.  I know they were a C cup but not sure of the band size maybe 34.  If anybody is this size check the pix forum out.  Linda I forget what you ended up at didn't know if you'd be interested...

  • qutypy
    qutypy Member Posts: 7
    edited March 2009

    Hi Rockwell girl. I believe my TE are 350..I could be wrong, trying to remember what he said...He did say at the last appt. he probbly wont fill them additionally. Just do the exchange. I was a D before surgery so I would like to be a full c. I don't know what to ask for. I have a hollow area on my chest on each side that I am hoping he will attend to with the implants. I have so many questions prior, then I go blank at my appointments. Not like me at all, but maybe this is who I am now. I try to be more assertive, but feel like the world is staring at me and my foobs.

  • Cathee
    Cathee Member Posts: 62
    edited March 2009

    Thank you for asking Laura.  I am feeling better about the new foobs.  I still have sutures so that's not pretty but I will be getting those out on Monday.  I think I had too high of expectations because I can't really pinpoint why I don't like them.  But I am willing to give them time.  Time will tell.

    Sandy - you are such a wealth of info.  If I do consider redoing them, I am not sure there is a wide enough implant that offers a little more projection.  I Need at least 16cm width. I do have nice cleavage.  And they look nice in a t-shirt.  That was my goal...so I need to remember that.  I guess I am getting better at liking them.

    This is the only place I get to whine.....my friends are  always telling me what  great spirit I've had thru all this.  Can't let anyone down and let them think any different.  It's very comforting here with you ladies.  It's a soft, safe place.

    Thanks to all 

  • Cathee
    Cathee Member Posts: 62
    edited March 2009

    I just thought of something...I just started taking Arimidex this month and my onco Dr said it might cause "mood swings!!!"    Duh...Ya think????  I feel much better now.

Categories

Join Us on Zoom: Upcoming virtual meetups. Read more...
Give your account some personality! Add a profile photo.