Exchange City
Comments
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Peg-
I'm 10 days out from my bilateral mx w/TE. The swelling seems to be decreasing but the empty TEs are killing me. Did it help in the long run to still wear the compression bra or tight cami? I want to just relieve the pressure. I have been off the pain meds for almost 5 days and had to resort to the Vicodin today because of the tenderness. The ibuprofen doesn't even touch it. Also doesn't help that the drains are still producing 60 to 70cc each a day. Sorry to be so negative. Today seems to be the day that it has all hit me.
Any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated.Thanks!
Beets
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Beets--I answered your PM.
Regarding pain, maybe you got off pain meds too soon--I was on them for at least two weeks. In fact my PS was encouraging me to stay on them longer than I did. I was taking Dilaudid 2mg at 4-6 hour intervals. Also, my PS didn't want me taking Ibuprofen because it can cause bleeding, like aspirin, you might want to double check with your PS to see if you should be taking that.
I wore my mx cami for weeks after surgery because it was so soft, I didn't use anything with compression.
I would suggest that you talk with your PS and start off with smaller fills and see how you do. I only had 50cc at a time, it took longer, but I think it helped. Also, I began seeing a PT about 3 weeks out because I had/have some LE in one of my arms. I ended up seeing her the entire expansion process because she helped relieve some of the pressure and tightness caused by the expanders.
Hang in there, you've been through a lot in the last 10 days, and since dx, it is OK to feel all the things you are feeling and to have tough days.
Hugs--KarenW
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Beets ~ I agree with KEW. I think getting off the pain meds may have been too early. The meds helped me to rest and sleep when I needed to, which is what you need to do to recover. If you are so uncomfortable you probably need to be back on them. Ten days out is still very early. Don't expect too much of yourself. You just had MAJOR surgery.
I did wear a compression garment for I think 2 weeks to a month- as long as my PS wanted me too. The pressure will gradually ease up over time.
I'll be thinking of you and let us know how you're doing.
Peg
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Hi ladies,
I feel I have to defend my local support group!:) We are very nurturing and supportive for eachother. We have all agreed to keep it positive, even when ranting and venting as much as we want. I wish I would have found it when I was doing chemo, it would have helped me through some terrible chemo-induced depression. So please don't judge ALL support groups the same way.
By the way, I ALWAYS recommend this site to all of my BC pals, as it is a great support group and I've met some invaluable people here. Thanks to all!
Deen
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Beets, My TEs were really uncomfortable, ok, painful when they were empty. The iron bra feeling. As I started to have fills, they felt much better until the last couple fills. You also have drains yet which adds a whole 'nother element of discomfort and pain. Take your pain meds. No one gets an award for suffering. Once your drains are out, you will feel better and hopefully once those TEs get something in them to raise them off your ribs for a while, you'll feel even better. KarenW is right about the Ibuprofen. It may be increasing the drainage. Check with your PS. I'm praying you get relief soon.
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Allison, if you haven't already called your PS, call him today. You might be able to get in to see him on Monday. If you have a leak, it won't hurt you and being this close to your exchange date, your PS most likely won't do anything about it, like remove the TE and put in a new one. But he should know what is going on and check it out. He may want to replace the saline that has leaked out. Seeing your PS will also ease your mind. With exchange in a week and a half, you don't need extra worry and stress.
Shoshi, sorry you aren't feeling better yet. Colds do seem to hang on forever especially with additional stress. Get lots of rest, eat chicken soup and drink fluids. Also lots of deep belly breaths to help reduce stress.
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Lisa -- I am deeply impressed that you read all 264 pages of this thread! I tried but then leaped to the end
Welcome and gl with your exchange - how exciting to have it coming up so soon (though I'm sure you feel it's not soon enough).Laura -- how lucky that your doctor let you have Mojitos (or any drinks) while on chemo! I was advised not to drink at all so I did not (well I did have 1/2 a glass of red wine about a month into chemo)... I have just finished chemo (WOO HOO) and am planning a very nice, very large martini on Thanksgiving. I cannot wait. Herceptin continues until next summer but so far, I seem to be fine with Herceptin (no SEs). Now, aside from the RMX in December to get through and fills/exchange, etc, I am just waiting for a sign of hair returning!
Cheers,
Lilah
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Alitman ~ I, too, was concerned with my TE leaking. My PS told me if it seems like my mound was getting smaller then come in. She advised me that TE's do soften eventually. This is where I am at. As I posted earlier, it feels soft & squishy. I see her next week for a 1 month f/u from my last expansion. Actually, the softness is making my foobs look more symmetrical now. My skin does not look so taunt. Everyone is different so please talk/see your PS if you notice any changes.
Beets ~ I agree with Kew...I took heavy duty pain meds for at least the first 2 wks. then weaned down to Ibuprofen & Valium for muscle spasms. Having the drains still in place makes it all the more uncomfortable. It does feel progressively better once the drains are taken out. I hope you begin feeling better.
NAE
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LILAH......ROFLOL... I think there was confusion...
I thought you meant " Mojo" while on Chemo... LOL LOL.... not drinks.... I am laughing so hard right now at my confusion... " Mojo" is what we call sex on BCO.....I meant have... " Mojo" while on chemo is what helped me get through.....LOL....
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I spoke with my PS's partner (mine is out of town til Tuesday) and he said it is nothing to worry about - just wait til Tues and try to get in to see him. So far, my mound has increased by 3 inches around and 2 inches across - so the mound is definately NOT getting smaller - it is very clearly larger than the other TE'smound. I feel like I would be more comfortable if I poked a little hole in the skin to let the fluid out, but I won't do that - who knows what other issues I might make by doing so.....It kind of reminds me of my Grandfather after thanksgiving dinner - he would sit back in his chair and say - if ony I could stick a knife between my ribs like I used to do with the cows to relieve the pressure..... Oh well Tuesday is only 3 days away
Allison
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Thank you Peg, KEW & Firni. I ended up taking the recommended pain meds last night and slept the best I have in days. I can't tell you how nice it is to have the support of those that have already been through this. Sometimes I need someone to tell me it is okay to slow down and be human not wonder woman.
Thanks again.
Beets
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Oh, Beets--We've all tossed our capes! The Sisters here are all wonderful women, but I think most of us have given up trying to be Wonder Woman. I'm so glad you got a good sleep, stay on the meds for awhile and remember as Peg said it was major surgery. Sometimes I think we try and minimize the trauma to our bodies, let alone out emotions, and we push forward as if we've a mole removed. I wonder if we minimize it because the surgery has been on our breasts, and although our society is obsessed with breast, we as women who've had bc, are somehow not supposed to grieve our loss. I've had friends who are obsessed with their appearance say to me "they are only breasts." I don't think they would be thinking that if it were their breasts. Maybe we stop taking meds too soon and start doing more than we should too quickly because we are trying to protect our friends and families. I really hope we all try and care for ourselves at our own pace in our own time.
So many surgeries this week! I wish you all good healing and remember to be good to yourselves!
Have a good week everyone.
Hugs--KarenW
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Allison: You cannot wait until Tuesday! If the TE is leaking you should see DEFLATION - not expansion! The body should be absorbing any saline leakage. I am afraid this could be edema from some other cause. Please go in tomorrow....call and get an appointment tomorrow. I might be totally off base....but I think this is important to address tomorrow.....perhaps even TODAY!Deborah
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Estepp ~ By all means I meant the drink (mojito) but some "mojo" sure helps too...especially after having a few mojitos!
NAE
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Beets, we are all wonder women having gone thru this, but not in the way we used to be with capes and all. I'm glad you're slowing down, taking your meds and giving yourself permission and time to heal.
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Debragood ~ Best wishes to you tomorrow! We are both having our exchange surgeries tomorrow.
I am so nervous! I can't sit still. My laundry is done, no dishes to do, DD (2 years old) is at my in-laws for three days while I have my surgery and re-cooperate. Football is on so DH is watching that. My mind is thinking of so many things. I all can think of is how disappointed I will be with the implants. All I read is how bad they look after-wards! I know they will take time to drop & fluff, I think that's what all the ladies say. I have even warned my DH not to expect my "2new1s" to look good. I am preparing for the worst I guess.
I guess I will be posting how it went in a few days.
{{{{{{Gentle hugs}}}}}}}
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2new1s - Please do not expect the worst! But when your PS comes in tomorrow morning to see you before surgery, tell him you want to wake up with beautiful breasts and you want him to put in the perfect size and you want the best symmetry he can achieve. Tell him you want to look like one of his breast augmentation patients!. We need to let them know that we have HIGH expectations....
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2new1s, I think we all understand your anxiety and nervousness about tomorrow. I wish you weren't going into surgery thinking how awful the implants will look. The reality is that the implants will change in appearance over a period of time. That doesn't mean they'll look bad right after surgery. If you have something to help you sleep, go to be early tonight and let your mind rest. Hopefully you'll be pleasantly surprised after your surgery. Hugs to you.
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Allison - I agree w/ Deborah, it sounds like swelling to me. You should see a doctor tomorrow!
Shoshi - I will list your surgery for 12/15. What procedure(s) are you having?
For those of you scheduled for an exchange. They will look different than the TEs at first, sort of flat. But they will be so much softer and more comfortable right away! And they will settle and look much better after a short time. Especially if you go forward and get nips. At least that's what I found.
So many surgery sisters this week. Hugs to you all!!
11/16 - 2new1s - implant exchange and pocket revisions
11/16 - debragood - Exchange surgery
11/18 - mhm12351 - lift on the left/nips on the right
11/18 - spinnaker - Exchange surgery
11/18- Texas357 - Exchange surgery
11/18 - Liz000 - Mx w/ immediate reconstruction
11/19 - econmom - Exchange surgery
11/19 - kbram - "clean-up surgery"
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hi ..thx for adding me..it means a lot to me...my surgery is Dec 15 for BMX w/ immediate reconstruction..using 1 step (as of now..LOL). Thx...
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Deborah - Your resizing web site worked like a charm! Thanks!!!
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Hi 2 new1s and blessings tomorrow. I hope for the best for you and look forward to your report when you are able. I'm going in on 11/30 for my exchange and oophrerectomy. I'm excited and anxious. My te's have not been all bad. They are even and filled to 920 cc's. I'm so ready to be done with this. Blessings to you. Mary
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OK so I just lost my post. Yeesh. I have to get better at negotiating all of this. I went back to get clear on who wrote what and lost a post I was waaaaaaaay into. So, you fall and you dust yourself off and start dancing again? Here goes:
All I said was - Debragood and 2news1 - I really do think our job prior to surgery is to stay in our most positive mindset. I wish you both lots of self-care tonight and awakening feeling READY. I'm excited for you both.
Beets - Kew and the others are so right. I work with people who are addicted to oxy and percs and hydrocodone and you can BET I didn't want to take those pills. Well thank GOODNESS I listened to these ladies and simply surrendered. My body needed some peace and those pills, for a very short time, helped me on my healing journey.
KEW - !!! - How are you? How's the MSW work going? PM if you ever want to talk or share.
Deborah, Dani42 and Angel10 - thank you for your words on God/Higher Power/the Universe and protecting my light from toxicity and really upping my self-care. The challenge for me is making my living, paying my bills, using this work I do as a means to do this in a way that feels purposeful - but ALSO not let myself fall prey to it. In two weeks I've already arranged to shift my schedule so that I start seeing clients a bit later and will have morning time to start to pursue my "heart" goals. I am clear that unless I put this time in, towards shiftng the course of my life, things won't be lookin too good. I'm excited and I also know it will require a level of self-discipline. I'm thinking of seeing if I can find a life coach who is covered by my insurance just to keep me on track. And yes, Dani42 - the BEACH!!!! I live about 15 minutes away from a small beach owned by Rhode Island School of Design that I am able to go to easily - GOLDEN for feeling better. I just have to get myself there more!!
Deborah - I am going to call my doc about the pain - I am worried about my ribcage. We'll see. I'm soooo excited for you - nips and tatts soon!!!
Peggio and Estepp - Thank you for your stories and support. Peggio - your words were very validating, especially in light of the fact that you have had a good result. I just want to feel free in my body - want to breathe. I know this will come upon exchange, regardless of the visual. Estepp - yes, the radiation absolutely alters the experience. It's like I look at this breast of mine and it's a crapshoot - whats it gonna do next? The adventure is challenging, but seeing your results helps a lot!
Jean - Yes, hopefully I'll be able to give you an exchange date soon! Fingers crossed!
Peace all,
Geena
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2new1s
Maybe I am an exception but I thought my implants looked good right from the start. Of course they do look a little flat on the front because we no longer have nipples that protrude out but that is to be expected. I did not have any bruising and I was just thrilled that they looked better than the expanders. I did need a revision on my proplylactic side because it had dropped a little lower than the radiated side and since I was getting nipples I needed them to be more symmetrical. I am still pleased with my foobies especially with the cherries added.....I am finished!!!
I really hope you will be pleased with your results.
We do have a lot of sisters having surgery this week. The best to each of you. Prayers going out for you.
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What an exciting week for so many! Good luck ladies...check in when you can and let us know how you do when you are up to it!
Think positive...expect positive....stay positive...but be patient!
11/16 - 2new1s - implant exchange and pocket revisions
11/16 - debragood - Exchange surgery
11/18 - mhm12351 - lift on the left/nips on the right
11/18 - spinnaker - Exchange surgery
11/18- Texas357 - Exchange surgery
11/18 - Liz000 - Mx w/ immediate reconstruction
11/19 - econmom - Exchange surgery
11/19 - kbram - "clean-up surgery"
God Bless!
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hi everyone,
Liz"s surgery is 2morow & she is nervous...maybe someof u can send her ur wonderful words of wisdom...:-) u ladies are the bestest
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Laura -- LOL!!! OMG I had no idea (and clearly misread the original post) -- glad I could give you a good laugh though!
Cheers,
Lilah (noob)
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NAE... see what we started...LOL..... Lilah... it is good for a laugh though huh....LOL
Ladies.. SO many exchanges this week... GOOD LUCK AND MUCHO prayers from me. That is promised!
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FINALLY.... I was able to post some pics of my journey thus far. My darling son helped me post them. He is amazing for helping me!!! The only thing he wanted was to make SURE this is all private & that it is not going to be pasted anywhere else...definitely looking out for me! We resized them, as Deborah recommended, but guess we should have resized them a lot more!!! Sorry the pics are still SO HUGE! Look for me under "My Journey So Far ~ Revised".
I decided to post because I have been happy with the way my unilat. MX is looking. After asking numerous questions on the EC about sizing & such, I am taking the advise of just telling/showing my PS exactly how I want to look in the end. I also want the newbies to know that it is possible to look the best possible even with TE's.
Thanks sisters for making me feel so good!!!!!
NAE
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Lilah I'm with you, I was real confused when Laura said a little MOJITO...and then said mojo is what got her through chemo...lol I wasn't too sure what she meant either. HAHA!!! I suppose a little of both would work too!!! I had drinks while on chemo...I figured it wasn't any worse than what was going inside of me. As far as mojo goes...I think I've lost my mojo. :-(
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