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Exchange City

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Comments

  • Alitman
    Alitman Member Posts: 95
    edited November 2009

    Day three and I've not taken any pain meds for two.... Not bad.  I have some slight discomfort on my sides but my PS warned me I would.  I have looked at the girls and they appear so very flat - I am trying not to get worked up about it because I know they will "fluff".  for the first time in years they are at least even in size and location.  My swelling appears to be mostly under my arms and the skin seems pretty loose.  I don't know if this is supposed to happen or not - these are so very different from the TE's - they are soft and squishy and NOT HEAVY. 

    Allison

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

    Allison:  Did you tell us which style and number of cc's your PS used at the exchange?  Just wondering....

  • Nedeza
    Nedeza Member Posts: 351
    edited December 2009

    Carolyn & Annie7216 ~

    How are you two doing?  Hope all is well.  Day 4 for me & feeling a tad better...my chest & back shoulders are sore.  Not feeling quite nauseated.  I am really missing my Black Friday sales though!  My DH took our boys out today so I am alone just chillin'!

    Mykidsmom ~

    Thanks for your explanation about nip reconst.  I have asked about this topic w/ my PS yet.  I see her next week for post op so will inquire at that appt.  What is this "fluffing" mean?  I have heard it mentioned many times here...

    Whippetmom ~

    Have a nice getaway vacation!  I love going down to Carlsbad...& onto San Diego which is my family's favorite vacation spot for a quick trip.

    Alitman ~

    Wooohooo!!  That is great that you are nearly painfree & you are doing so well!  Everyone heals differently this for sure!

    Estepp ~

    Don't work too hard.  I know this must be a busy season for you!

    Take care ladies!!!

    NAE

  • Carolyn2008
    Carolyn2008 Member Posts: 53
    edited November 2009

    Hello All,

    Thanks for all your thoughts... Exchange is now done but have been nauseated since I have been home so will catch up here tomorrow I didn't have a chance to speak with the Dr but she told my DH that all went well so that is the good news will talk tomorrow.  

  • geneskirt
    geneskirt Member Posts: 56
    edited November 2009

    I think it is GOOD to rest beyond 'required' with the exchange surgery.  The excitement amd lack of 'pain' has me feelin more capable than my healing body ts up to. I'm feelin chilled and worn out if i don't stay close to my bed..... keep reminding me til i have to go back to work on tuesday, to HEAL!!!!!!!!

  • Alitman
    Alitman Member Posts: 95
    edited November 2009

    Whippetmom - I have Mentor smooth round high profile gel 800cc implants - at least I thnk that's what I have - that's what it says on the card.   My son read the card and said "OMG - these have a tracking device in them!!!!"   He was thinking it was like GPS - I am still chuckling over that one.

    Allison

  • KEW
    KEW Member Posts: 450
    edited November 2009

    Allison--Your son is so funny!!!!  Mine said "What is that?  A license?"  Oh, yeah, this is not an easy journey for boys who don't want to think of their mom's parts!  I have Mentor 800's as well.  I hope you post on the picture forum, I'd be curious to see your outcome. 

    Hugs--KarenW 

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

    Carolyn... fellow rads sister... I have been praying for your outcome! Feel better in the belly girl.. and let me know about the rads side... MASSAGE MASSAGE MASSAGE after about three weeks.... keep that rads boob moving to soften it up and keep it from forming too much scar tissue..

    Peace and puppy dogs.....

  • Nedeza
    Nedeza Member Posts: 351
    edited November 2009

    It must be a "boy" thing...my sons thought I have new ID cards now!

    Glad to hear everyone is now recovering well.  Less discomfort but wondering should I be icing them still??

    God Bless!

  • VolleyGirl
    VolleyGirl Member Posts: 19
    edited November 2009

    Good evening (or morning actually) to fellow Ta Tas: 

    I sort of ran/walked a 5K Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning with my 7 year old daughter and my foobs are a little sore today. I had on a sports bra and I didn't run hard or fast to try to keep things in place as much as possible. I was told not to do any "strenuous" exercising and it definately wasn't strenuous. Up until now I had only been walking and doing lower body exercises.

    Annie7216 - Glad you are doing well after your exchange.

    Geneskirt - I was never told exactly what the surgical bra's purpose was, just that I needed to wear it day and night for 2 weeks then just during the day (or maybe it was just during the night) for the next 2 weeks. I didn't wear it the other night for the first time and my foobs seemed to really spread out and separate and I didn't know if that was normal so I am back to wearing it at night, at least until I see my PS in 10 days. Also, you mentioned a pain at your IM fold. I had that too where they revised the pocket. It was very painful for the first week. Now, after 2 weeks the pain is gone entirely. I also gained 10 pounds from the exchange surgery but that is also gone. Yeah! IV fluids, do you think?

    Nedeza - How nice to have a husband who likes to cook? My DH is awesome but cooking is not his forte. I guess his talents lie elsewhere. :) By the way, someone on this thread mentioned Smooth Move tea to get things moving. I was going to get some but after 2 days I found I didn't need it. Regarding ice packs: I was not told to do that but I didn't seem to have any swelling either. Lastly, just think, a year from today you will be back to normal and out with the millions of other crazy shoppers on Black Friday.

    Cheri2 - Good luck in the spring in your triathlon and then with your surgery. I've always wanted to do one. Triathon, not the surgery. (smile) Have you done a triathon before?

    mbtic01 - Good luck with your exchange and ooph surgery on Monday.  

    Take care ladies.

    Jeana

  • Nedeza
    Nedeza Member Posts: 351
    edited November 2009

    Volleygirl ~  My goodness girl!  Only two weeks since exchange & you did a 5K?   Kudos to you! 

    I'm not so backed up any longer...believe me prunes have been my BFF & it worked!  Feeling better right now & heading to bed.  Rest is what we all need to heal quicker.  I am suppose to go back to work next Thurs.  I need to drive one of my sons to school  Monday so I hope I will be able to drive by then.

    Good night ladies!

    NAE

  • Cheri2
    Cheri2 Member Posts: 185
    edited November 2009

    Jean- It is nice to remember that/ keep it in mind.  What a difference a year makes.  This time last year, I had the world at my finger tips.  Job was going very well, training for that tri was going very well.  Family life was going very well.  Now, a year later. Diagnosed with cancer, dealing with that.  Job not so good (I am in PR and voice over acting- the economy has taken it's toll on both) Family life not so good.  I need to know that one year from now, I will be vindicated!!!  I will remember that on my next run!!! Thanks for the perspective!

    Deborah-it is NICE to be back.  It is like checking in on a party and see it is still going on in full swing!! LOL  and all my friends are still here.  Just needed a break from all things cancer for a couple months to "regroup" and life has been busy, of course!

    Karen- I always wonder how my boys will deal with all this talk of their mom's boobs when they are older (10 and 13) I really hope this hasn't scarred them for life!!  Poor baby's.  They know way more about my boobs than any boy wants to know about their mom's parts!

    Hi Jeana!  No I have never done a tri before. I have done a lot of 5Ks and 8Ks.  I had signed up last year around this time.  I looked in my running log and at this time last year I was running 3 miles and swimming 1/2 mile all in the same day.  Or biking for an hour and then running for 2.  I can barely run 3 miles without stopping.  (and they are very slow miles!!!)  I have joined a group of ladies called the trigirls and we meet weekly and talk about our progress and run, swim or bike together.  Hopefully this will motivate me!  It is hard to start over but I have to do this for myself.  Even if I never do another one!  It is a sprint tri - so it is easier.  A 1/2 mile swim, 16 miles bike ride and a 5K at the end.  

  • Texas357
    Texas357 Member Posts: 332
    edited November 2009

    I've been massaging several times a day and now the lymphedema is flairing up. My new breast (the radiated one) is swollen more and I don't want scar tissue to form but I also need the swelling to go down. Suggestions?

  • Cheri2
    Cheri2 Member Posts: 185
    edited November 2009

    Are you wearing a compression sleeve to keep the swelling down?  Sitting with your arm above your head?

  • janloy
    janloy Member Posts: 32
    edited November 2009

    Hope everyone survived Thanksgiving, surgeries and recuperation. I'm off work from my exchange for one more week (total of 4). This bothered me as it seems so different from everyone else but I am coming to terms with it. My PS did a lot of work on my non-cancer/non radiated side. Lat-dorsi procedures were done on both sides in July when TE's were put in. PS did a lot of internal sewing to bring my non radiated side up to match my radiated side and I think he did a great job. I do think he was overly cautious but I am now beginning to realize there were reasons for it.

    I FINALLY bought myself a camera yesterday. I will have hubby take pictures today or tomorrow so you can see what you all think. We have so many "experts" here. I did have pictures taken right before my exchange on a disposable camera that I left in Chicago. You may never see those but at least you can see where I am at now.

    Love and prayers always,

    Jane

  • mbtlcsw01
    mbtlcsw01 Member Posts: 250
    edited November 2009

    I so enjoy reading everyone's posts.  2 more days til my exchange/oophorectomy and I'm getting more and more anxious about the surgery.  I always do the pollyanna thing thinking all this is going to be easy with no problems.  This time, I'm more on the "worst case scenario"  thinking.  I'm getting 800 Mentor high profiles.  I'm soooooo excited about getting these (as someone else so rightlfully said) coconuts off my chest and something soft and more real in their place. 

    Can you bear with me to tell a bit of my recent story?  As mentioned before, I have 3 sons (and I truly agree with Karen and others about the way sons react to all this:).  The middle son went thru drug/alcohol rehab here in Tampa 4 1/2 years ago.  During that time, my oldest son decided to blame me and my DH for everything that went wrong in his life.  We had almost no contact with him for over 2 years.  I also found out he and his wife plan to have no children. My youngest son lived in the same town as the oldest (in Gainesville, FL).  He was drinking and using all the while at that time.  Long story as short as possible, middle son has been clean/sober since rehab, met a beautiful girl he is in love with who has 2 children.  The youngest went into same rehab facility in mid Sept of this year and has done wonderfully well.  Oldest son has asked forgiveness from his father and myself for his bad behavior in the past.  In the matter of two weekends, we have had:

    reconcilliation with my oldest son; middle son happy and hoping to marry soon and have a child with this wonderful woman, and my youngest  has been rescued from his addiction.

    I'm having a hard time with so much good news.  I find my emotions blunted almost unable to cry.  I think I've just been thru so much bad stuff for so long, I had almost given up hope of good things to happen.  Thanks for listening.  I plan to watch football today, go shopping.  The youngest in treatment has an overnight pass for tomorrow night to be with us all day Sunday, spend the night and then be with his dad while I'm in surgery.  He did show up for my dbmx drunk over a year ago.  He is grateful to be able to help this time around.

  • Jan1
    Jan1 Member Posts: 281
    edited November 2009

    Mary,   What a wonderful story about faith and forgiveness.  I hope that your sons can stay the course with sobriety and maintain the loving relationships that can anchor them in times of trouble.  I will keep you in great thoughts that the surgery goes well and that you heal well.  

    Jan

  • Alitman
    Alitman Member Posts: 95
    edited November 2009

    MB - I can certainly understand how hard it is to accept good news when you have had so much bad.  Your strenghth is unbelievable.  Take every blessing as it comes and enjoy it!!

    Allison

  • geneskirt
    geneskirt Member Posts: 56
    edited November 2009

    Mary;  you story touches me in a deep way.  I can extract what you are trying to emphisize;  I think we are brought thru 'seasons' in our life that expand us.  I to, have felt SURPRISE recently as good things have seemed to transpire in my life.  Like a sudden shift in the last month for me.... and it keeps happening.....!!!!???? :) Do you suppose its all part of God's greater balance?  It is a silent, numbing, gratitude.... joy, that seems to have repaced the 'hard' stuff of the last yeat. 

    What a wonderful story of Thankfulness you give us to reflect on this W/E.  I will pray that more reconciliation and restoration of both relationship and body continue with you and your family.  Enjoy your exchange procedure!!!!:)

  • Nedeza
    Nedeza Member Posts: 351
    edited November 2009

    mbtlcsw01 ~

    My thoughts & prayers are with you!!   Yes...it IS God's greater balance!  This reconciliation is HIS way of telling you there are miracles!  May our Lord continue to bless you!

  • annie7216
    annie7216 Member Posts: 30
    edited November 2009

    Mary

    I'm glad a beautiful piece of happiness has come your way! May it continue for a long time.

  • annie7216
    annie7216 Member Posts: 30
    edited November 2009

    Hi everyone

    This is Day 3 for me and I still have used no pain meds and feel pretty good, although a little more tired than usual. It's hard to fel excited even though I know that I should be. I mean , I am almost thru with surgeries, except for nipple recon. But I think the exchange brought me back (mentally) to where I was after the BX. So although I am healing well, it apprears, physically, I still have a way to go mentally.  It doesn't help either that I can't shower!

  • Nedeza
    Nedeza Member Posts: 351
    edited November 2009

    annie7216 ~

    This is day 4 for me & I am feeling better.  Still felt nauseated yesterday & am hoping I am done with that part!  I feel the same about our feelings mentally/emotionally. I have been trying to stay physically & mentally strong on this whole journey but sometines I want to just let it go!!!  Let my emotions go!!!  I've had moments...now & then.  I cannot believe we've come this far!!  The results are amazing!  I think my rambling is a result of Vicodin & Tamoxifin!  Sorry...ladies!

    Ok...pick myself up again!!!

    Love you all!!  Thanks for all your support!!

    NAE

  • Cheri2
    Cheri2 Member Posts: 185
    edited November 2009

    Mary- continued healing in your family!  God is good!!!  I think mentally preparing for worse case scenario's is more the norm than polly anna.  Don't worry about that- God is showing you, he is working to help you!!!  

    Annie!  I was fine all the way through!  No depression, no worries at all about "the final result".  I had my TE surgery in late August and I have been so very depressed just this month.  (I am dealing with some family issues, as well but my depression has more to do with the loss of my breasts) I have heard from others too, that it is normal.  I have started taking vitamin B complex- it has helped my stress level a lot.  Try it!  (what is there to lose?)  But, I do think there is a mourning process!

    Hang in there! 

  • Nedeza
    Nedeza Member Posts: 351
    edited November 2009

    Cheri2 ~

    I have 2 sons myself, ages 9 & 12.  They have been my "ROCK" !!  I've often wondered how this is going to effect them...later.  After all, my oldest posted my pics for me & has helped me in many ways through this whole journey.  They have given me the most heartwarming hugs when I needed them.  I think this will make them better boyfriends, husbands, eventually fathers because they will be sensitive to the needs of their ladies in their lives.  God works in many ways...& this is one of them.

    I also believe there is a mourning process.  I just keep my faith in God to get me through this!

    Many hugs!

    NAE

  • annie7216
    annie7216 Member Posts: 30
    edited November 2009

    Nae

    Your sons will definitely benefit from this experience and I am sure that they will be better boyfriends, husbands, etc because of this. I know that you want to protect them and I understand that, but I think they are stronger than we realize. I'm happy to hear that they are such wonderful supports for you. Thank you for responding to my post about my feelings. I know it will pass, and I'm trying to hang in there and to count my blessings. 

  • annie7216
    annie7216 Member Posts: 30
    edited November 2009

    Cheri2

    Thanks for pointing out that this has to hit us at some point. I was doing really well before my surgery, but the surgery brought me down a few notches. I think getting back to work, and just getting out of this house will help enourmously. Thanks for your suggestion on the B vitamins.

  • Firni
    Firni Member Posts: 521
    edited November 2009

    Texas, make an appt. with your LE therapist and see if she/he can give you some suggestions on how to balance the swelling and the massage.  It's always something.  I sure do hope you get this figured out!!!

    Hopefully the roller coaster of emotions will slow down considerably after all the recon is done, and we aren't going to the dr. or into surgery all the time.  Until then, it's normal and ok to feel great some days and down on others.

  • Nedeza
    Nedeza Member Posts: 351
    edited November 2009

    As someone else posted previously ~~ we are still vulnerable to our feelings...& it's OK.  I will never forget when I surprised my DH for his B-day with an overnight trip out of town...this during my expansions...he was so elated & began talking about intimancy....I immediately began to cry. hysterically! Cry  DH took me in his arms & asked, "What's wrong?"...I said, "I don't feel pretty any more...to you."  He gave me the biggest hug & assured me I WAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN ever!!!  Knowing that I am here & will be here for the rest of our lives together meant more to him than how I thought I looked....I just LOVE him all the more!!! God has blessed me with a wonderful man!  You see...I am having an "emotional" moment!!  I have not told this to anyone....just had to let it out...

    Okay...I need to go shopping now!!!! Laughing

    NAE

  • KEW
    KEW Member Posts: 450
    edited November 2009

    Mary--I'm so happy that there is healing in your family, especially during the holidays.

     Cheri-- Many pages back I wrote about feeling very sad in the couple of months prior to my 1year anniversary.  It was becoming fairly profound, but the majority of it lifted the night before  my 1 year as I was taking the train back from school and looked at the hospital and the room I had been in after mx, and I suddenly felt OK, something lifted.  I'm still scared, still worry, but the grief of losing my breasts is gone, although I still grieve being free, free to change jobs and not worry about health insurance, free to dream of what I might be doing in 20 or 30 years.  I miss trusting my body.  I'm still coming to terms with those things but it is improving everyday.  Six weeks after mx, I went to a bluegrass festival--still feeling kind of wobbly and not knowing my place in the world--was I still Karen?  Breast Cancer patient? Should I have done chemo?  Was I still a woman?  Was I going to die?  Anyway, at these festivals it is common to turn and great the people around you.  When I turned gingerly to the couple behind me she noticed my pink bracelet and asked if I was a survivor.  I told she and her husband that I was 6 weeks out of blm.  They told me she was a 17 year survivor--didn't do chemo just Tamoxifen (like me, but I had an ooph, too), and that she was doing very well.  Her husband chimed in "sometimes we even forget she we went through all of that."  Then they told me they were in town from Toronto for the festival.  They may have technically been Canadians, but to me they were angels, sent to help me through those very dark and difficult days.  Ladies we will get through all of the changes and loss, our children, husbands, friends, and family are going to get through this, with hope better than before. However, the grief is part of the process and cannot be overlooked, it doesn't mean we are weak, it is a sign we are healing and moving forward.  I'm trying to embrace it and meet myself where I am, not where anyone else wants me to be.

    Exiting soapbox now. 

    Jean--You as so right about my PT.

    On another totally silly topic.... 

    I went bra shopping this morning at VS and picked up a couple of underwires now that I've been told I can.  I tried on the new Miraculous bra, it is supposed to make you look 2 sizes larger--OH MY!!!!!!  I looked like Jessica Rabbit!!! It must have made me look like an E or F cup.  It was hot, but I didn't have the courage to buy it....but I know it is there.  It actually gives great support and push up and almost eliminated my step-off, but man they were big.

    Breastless, and others, sorry I have not sent my paper.  I will soon, I've been waiting to get it back and see if there are things I need to correct before I send it out.  Thanks for your interest. 

    Laura--Don't over work!!!! 

    Hugs--KarenW 

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