Exchange City
Comments
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((((((Karen))))))))
I am thankful that pain meds do work for you...
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((((((Laura))))) I'm thankful you have DH. I'm so glad you vented and bawled, it has been a tough year and a half, and a tough week, and things didn't go the way you wanted, and you probably need more time off of work, but feel the pressure to keep it all going. In Vegas, let's see if we can find a way to all burn our Superwoman capes and just love oursevles, our families, our lives, and each other--with our shifting boobs, bloated tummies, sore body parts, tight finances, family pressures, and fears. We are amazing and beautiful women, I look at your pictures and see women I am honored to know, even if it is virtual--I wish we all met under different conditions, but maybe we have all come together to share the burden, so none of us has to travel in isolation.
OK, bedtime for me, yes Laura, I like the pain meds, I can't tell you how good it feels not to hurt.
Love and Hugs--Healthy, Happy, weekends!
Karen
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You have US Athena... we will be your caregiver...ok?
Karen.. wonderful post... you are so right!
Deb... you are still not posting... I hope you are ok and just taking a little more time to heal.
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Hi ya ladies. Well, I have 4 weeks from monday! Then my new and improved PS gets to go "find" my girls and bring them back home!
I am getting a tattoo tomorrow. Im very excited about this. My girls got me this for my birthday!
I hope your doing well Laura, I called you a couple times and left a message. Deborah, I hope everything is healing nicely for you too.
Teresa
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Laura -- I am so sorry that you are still having problems with your eyes. You have been the ROCK for us all throughout the past months; amd you so deserve to take some time out for yourself. Sometimes you need to have that avalanche of emotion to release the pent-up pain and grief, before you can see the rainbow waiting to emerge. Hang in there, honey! Our love will keep you strong!
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Hi Dani! I know you're looking forward to your new improved girls! I'm happy for you for getting a date.
Laura, hope you heal up soon! Good for you for venting!
I'm going to have lunch in San Marcos today with one of my chemo sisters and I'm SO excited! It's one of those extremely beautiful days to be at the river!
Hope everyone has a great day!
Deen
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Estepp-I measure about 33 1/2 so I should be a C or D. I took a good look at them again last night and I guess they aren't so bad. I guess I was just expecting them to look different than they do. I will have to sit tight and be patient. I'm sure when I am able to wear a real bra they will look better. Hope you are feeling better today. It's alway good to vent. It always makes you feel better to get it out!
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Deen--Have a fun day.
Athena--It is probably just nerve endings, keep a record of it, how often, duration, degree, etc. so when you see your PS you can talk about it. It is actually hard on our arms--the positions they put us in for surgery. I had/have LE on my cancer side--pretty minimal, but where a sleeve when I fly or think I'm going to be doing heavy lifting--which I won't be doing for awhile now, never had any tingling. Lots of cording and I'm still working with that (almost a year after BLM) on both sides if I don't stretch regularly. If there is pain, or swelling call your doc.
Don--I'm almost 6 months out of my exchange and I occasionally think I don't like how they look, but actually as each month passes I think they look better--I know you don't want to hear it, but time, give them some time.
Deborah--I hope you are recovering well. (((((Gentle hugs)))))
Best---Karen
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I am back....spent yesterday offline....now having withdrawal pains....
All of the packing material was removed at my post-of yesterday - thankfully! I looked like Mrs. Doubtfire in clothing. I looked like I had a 44 triple D chest on stick legs. My sister got some good photos which I will post this weekend. So my breasts look very full. It appears that all of the contour defects have been addressed. I am quite swollen and it will take a month for me to know how it really will look. The PS said it will take three months before they know if it all "takes."
This was an entirely different method than the one my own and original PS employed with the first fat grafting. In this present case, the PS used a very large needle to transfer the fat. So large, that I have suture points all over my breasts and also he had to suture certain areas where he harvested fat. He just went everywhere looking for fat. Everywhere except the INNER thighs, where he could have found fat heaven....but alas, no. The anesthesiologist told my sister, "It is like having many knife wounds" in terms of recovery and how I would look....
But I drove myself to the doctor yesterday and drove home from San Diego and I have been off pain meds [except for Tylenol] for two days and so I am doing pretty well, despite how I look. I even met Peg for breakfast after my post-op and went with her to see her new house, which is just beautiful. So it was a full day and I came home to my DH who had homemade lentil soup waiting for me.
Deborah
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Deborah: Question... Do you have implants? MY PS wants to lipo some fat off my thighs and add around my implants after they settle (3 or 4 months). I've never been quite sure what he meant. Is that what you had done? He plans to do that and graft niples at the same time.
Thanks.
Jane
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I posted this another thread in response to a question, but I'm going to paste it here so we have it if needed. I'm writing a paper on this for school. Your state laws matter, too.---KarenW
As passed in H.R. 4328, the Omnibus Appropriations bill FY 99 Conference Report 105-825;
Public Law: 105-277 (10/21/98)
TITLE IX--WOMEN'S HEALTH AND CANCER RIGHTS
SEC. 901. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998''.
SEC. 902. AMENDMENTS TO THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT
OF 1974.
(a) In General.--Subpart B of part 7 of subtitle B of title I of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1185 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
SEC. 713. REQUIRED COVERAGE FOR RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY FOLLOWING
MASTECTOMIES.
(a) In General.--A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer providing health
insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, that provides medical and
surgical benefits with respect to a mastectomy shall provide, in a case of a participant or
beneficiary who is receiving benefits in connection with a mastectomy and who elects
breast reconstruction in connection with such mastectomy, coverage for--
(1) all stages of reconstruction of the breast on which the mastectomy has been
performed;
(2) surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to produce a symmetrical appearance;
and
(3) prostheses and physical complications all stages of mastectomy, including
lymphedemas; in a manner determined in consultation with the attending physician and the
patient. Such coverage may be subject to annual deductibles and coinsurance provisions
as may be deemed appropriate and as are consistent with those established for other
benefits under the plan or coverage. Written notice of the availability of such coverage
shall be delivered to the participant upon enrollment and annually thereafter.
(b) Notice.--A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer providing health
insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan shall provide notice to each
participant and beneficiary under such plan regarding the coverage required by this section
in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary. Such notice shall be in
writing and prominently positioned in any literature or correspondence made available or
distributed by the plan or issuer and shall be transmitted--
[[Page H11161]]
(1) in the next mailing made by the plan or issuer to the participant or beneficiary;
(2) as part of any yearly informational packet sent to the participant or beneficiary; or
(3) not later than January 1, 1999; whichever is earlier.
(c) Prohibitions.--A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer offering group
health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, may not--
(1) deny to a patient eligibility, or continued eligibility, to enroll or to renew coverage
under the terms of the plan, solely for the purpose of avoiding the requirements of this
section; and
(2) penalize or otherwise reduce or limit the reimbursement of an attending provider, or
provide incentives (monetary or otherwise) to an attending provider, to induce such
provider to provide care to an individual participant or beneficiary in a manner inconsistent
with this section.
(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent a group
health plan or a health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage from
negotiating the level and type of reimbursement with a provider for care provided in
accordance with this section.
(e) Preemption, Relation to State Laws.--
(1) In general.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to preempt any State law in
effect on the date of enactment of this section with respect to health insurance coverage
that requires coverage of at least the coverage of reconstructive breast surgery otherwise
required under this section.
(2) Erisa.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect or modify the provisions
of section 514 with respect to group health plans.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1 of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1001 note) is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 712 the following new item:
Sec. 713. Required coverage reconstructive surgery following mastectomies.''.
(c) Effective Dates.--
(1) In general.--The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to plan
years beginning on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
(2) Special rule for collective bargaining agreements.-- In the case of a group health plan
maintained pursuant to 1 or more collective bargaining agreements between employee
representatives and 1 or more employers, any plan amendment made pursuant to a
collective bargaining agreement relating to the plan which amends the plan solely to
conform to any requirement added by this section shall not be treated as a termination of
such collective bargaining agreement.
SEC. 903. AMENDMENTS TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT.
nbsp; (a) Group Market.--Subpart 2 of part A of title XXVII of the Public Health Service
Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg-4 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
SEC. 2706. REQUIRED COVERAGE FOR RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY FOLLOWING
MASTECTOMIES.
The provisions of section 713 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974
shall apply to group health plans, and health insurance issuers providing health insurance
coverage in connection with group health plans, as if included in this subpart.''.
(b) Individual Market.--Subpart 3 of part B of title XXVII of the Public Health Service
Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg-51 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
SEC. 2752. REQUIRED COVERAGE FOR RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY FOLLOWING
MASTECTOMIES.
The provisions of section 2706 shall apply to health insurance coverage offered by a
health insurance issuer in the individual market in the same manner as they apply to health
insurance coverage offered by a health insurance issuer in connection with a group health
plan in the small or large group market.''.
(c) Effective Dates.--
(1) Group plans.--
(A) In general.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to group health
plans for plan years beginning on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
(B) Special rule for collective bargaining agreements.-- In the case of a group health plan
maintained pursuant to 1 or more collective bargaining agreements between employee
representatives and 1 or more employers, any plan amendment made pursuant to a
collective bargaining agreement relating to the plan which amends the plan solely to
conform to any requirement added by the amendment made by subsection (a) shall not be
treated as a termination of such collective bargaining agreement.
(2) Individual plans.--The amendment made by subsection (b) shall apply with respect to
health insurance coverage offered, sold, issued, renewed, in effect, or operated in the
individual market on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
This Act may be cited as the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, and
Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999''.
(g) For programs, projects or activities in the Department of Transportation and Related
Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999, provided as follows, to be effective as if it had been
enacted into law as the regular appropriations Act: AN ACT Making appropriations for the
Department of Transportation and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30,
1999, and for other purposes.0 -
Deborah,
Sounds like you are doing terrifically! Sorry for all the punctures. Please keep us posted as I will be doing this in June, and I want to talk with my PS about the way your PS did it. Don't do too much!
Congrats on the new house Peg!
Hugs,
Karen
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janloy: Yes...I have implants. What I have had done is what your PS is thinking of doing for you...0
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Joyce: What is this about "acceptable outcome"? Acceptable BY WHOM? Excerpting from what Karen posted above:
"(2) surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to produce a symmetrical appearance"
That means YOU and you should appeal if your insurance is denying coverage....
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BTW - Deborah looks fabulous - even 3 days after surgery!
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It's so wonderful to read all of these stories of successful exhanges - it gives hope to people like me that someday we'll get there too!
I'm 17 days out from mastectomy with TE and still experiencing discomfort. I've had some days of pretty bad pain - two days ago, in fact. Today I'm feeling better but I can feel that expander in me and it is uncomfortable, especially if I move wrong. I have trouble lifting my right arm, mostly because I seem to have some sort of weird folded tissue there. Sleeping is still difficult, I find it hard to get comfortable.
I would have thought by now I'd be mostly healed? Is this TE going to be this uncomfortable for as long as it's in? My first fill is scheduled for the 19th. Did anybody else have problems with it?
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I have a feeling Deborah always looks fab!
Ann/Coolbreeze--You've had major surgery especially with the placement of the TE's. Let your body do what it needs to do, it was a solid month before I really felt better. I'm also sorry to tell you that the TEs will probably never be comfortable--we describe them as turtle shells, I thought I had two Volkswagen bugs parked on my chest. It really takes will, determination, and acceptance of the expansion process to get through it, but it will be so worth it at exchange. Your job now is to heal. If you are having arm issues I will suggest a PT which I often do, mine really helped me through expansion, with some mild LE, and cording. I was still struggling at 17 days to find a comfortable way to sleep at night. Please take the time to heal.
As far as fills, I went very slowly only 50cc a time, and it was not as hard on me as I've read some other women have had when they have larger fills. It is really different for each of us.
((((hugs))))
KarenW
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Hi Coolbreeze! So good to hear from you! I have to say that it is a process to get to a point of feeling "good". Until I found this thread, I was lost. With all these lovely sisters answering my concerns it has helped me termendously cope with this & all the unknown. It took me nearly 8 weeks to become pretty much pain free...became much more comfortable once my expansions were completed which was nearly 3 weeks ago now. Everyone on EC assured me that what I was going through was all part of this journey. I am feeling very comfortable at this point. During the expansions, it was not comfy at first and sleeping difficult since I am not a back sleeper. In the past 2 weeks I have regained my energy to do more...I went back to the gym which really helped me! I do cycling and step classes. I am feeling "fit" again! As one of the "sisters" have said....there is a light at this end of the tunnel...sooo true~!
I know 8 weeks seems long...this varies with everyone...be patient...you, too, will see this light!
Many hugs! NAE
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Thank you KEW and Nedeza,
I've only had one other surgery in my life - appendix out one year ago in August. (('m starting to have an August phobia) I recovered from that in four days when they said two weeks, so naturally, I had it in my head that I was superwoman! LOL. I'm pretty surprised to be feeling this kind of pain and discomfort 3 weeks after surgery - I thought I'd be back at work by now. No way.
It is very hard to know what normal is and isn't - having no breast and a plastic balloon under your muscle isn't exactly a common experience we talk about around the water cooler, like childbirth.
What did women do in the days before the internet, to share with others going through it? I am old enough to remember - but I can't.
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Ann, I remember my mother talked with nobody. Not one person brought over dinner, she acted as if nothing happened. I look back and don't know how she dealt with the isolation. I took 12 weeks off for this surgery--two weeks before and 10 after and I'm glad I did. My PS REALLY limited me he wouldn't let me reach over head until after 8 weeks, and I have a clutch that I couldn't shift--kind of like now--I need a new car. If you don't have enough leave to cover what you need see if they have leave donation at your work, and also check into FMLA which protects your job and benefits for 12 weeks per calendar year. I'm a single mom and need to work, but I also really needed the time to heal physically and emotionally. I took 6 weeks off for exchange, but that was because I had an abdominal hysterectomy/oopherectomy/appendectomy. The exchange part was easy--the other I definitely needed the time. I think where you work matters too, I work in an intensely suffocating environment with a bunch of scientists and a boss who expects us to be available 24/7 365--he emails work stuff on Christmas Day--so just being at work takes energy for me. Other people might be in a less challenging environment and can heal while working.
Don't gage your self against anyone but yourself, just heal and get to know the changing new you.
Hugs--Karen
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CoolBreeze: You will have to find your new "normal". I found the tightness of the TE made me feel stiff all the time but exercise really helped. I stretched a lot. I did not have mine put in until a year after my mastectomy though so I didn't have that to deal with. I can tell you there was an immediate relief when my TE were exchanged for my implants yesterday.
Best of luck.
Jane
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No KEW, I do not always look fabulous. Take today for example. I have been housebound all day...but now my husband is up here watching Notre Dame football at decibel levels beyond tolerance. I also have to be the self-appointed Legion of Decency with him in the correction of foul language when Notre Dame misses a play he feels certain HE could have made....and so this is driving me nuts. I have to go get cleaned up and get out of the house until the game is over. I have to go somewhere where I won't be spotted or recognized in my body binder. Maybe the library.
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Deborah ~ won't be recognized in the library ~ too funny!!!
Missed too much while off in Yosemite. I will NEVER be able to catch up so I am not even going to try. Maybe when I get back to work . . . . . .
Take care everyone!!
Colleen
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Deborah -- your comment made me laugh out loud! I work in a library and we never look twice when someone comes in wearing a robe, slippers, pajama bottoms, etc. We do watch out for guys in trenchcoats though, if you know what I mean -- LOL. -bonnie
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I have a question and am not sure if this the right place to ask, but here goes...
My implant has developed mild contracture over the 6 months it has been in place. It doesn't look great, but isn't that terrible either -- just very round and way too firm. The problem I'm having is intermittent discomfort that seems to be under the implant and also skin that feels burned, but looks fine, in a couple of places on the perimeter. I'm seeing the PS next week, but wonder if anyone else has experienced these feelings 6 months after exchange?
Thanks and have a great weekend.
Bonnie
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Deborah ~ I hope you are feeling good!
Laura ~ I am hoping that you are feeling good since you had a little meltdown. Sometimes it just all needs to come out.
Kew ~ Hope your shoulder isn't causing you too much pain.
Everyone else have a good weekend~
Alicia
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Kew ~ Hi, you mentioned you took off 6 weeks after exchange??? Is that the norm? I am aware that everyone is different.. I am wondering though what is the norm for taking time off after the exchange? I took approx. 5 weeks off after the MX. With my work, I have responsibities to my patients & want to be able to take care of them as soon as I am able...plus it has been good therapy for me too talk to other women who, especially, have gone through what I have been through. It does help to have a working environment that can cater to your needs as well. Fortunately, I have that.
Coolbreeze ~ Hang in there!
Well, my DH & I took a little time away for us this afternoon (we have two young boys). My goodness, I am having a "hangover" from the mojitos!!! Need to close my eyes!!
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Ladies - I have sad news to share for a fellow BCO sister and good friend of mine. She has a 7 cm bc removed in 2007 w/ a serios partial mx, followed by radiation. Fast forward to this year. And she has decided to do a unilateral mx of that breast. And a modified tram for reconstruction. The surgery is coming up in December. She will be in the hospital for days and off works for weeks. And yesterday she found out she is being laid off! She is not married, so her job is her sole income. My heart goes out to her!! Please send your prayers her way. Thanks. - Jean
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Jean ~ Certainly! May our good Lord continue to support & guide her through these difficult challenges! My thoughts & prayers go out to her!
God bless,
NAE
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Jean ~ Certainly! May our good Lord continue to support & guide her through these difficult challenges! My thoughts & prayers go out to her!
God bless,
NAE
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