Exchange City
Comments
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Geena: This bc.org member had the nipple reconstruction with a flap and Alloderm - you might want to contact her....
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Wendy- I am so sorry about this for you. Darn breast cancer. Gosh, I am just so upset for you!!! You are right, scarves can cover it and sweaters and such (at least it is winter!) I think when something like this happens it is just a punch to all of us because we are really routing for one another. I really did feel like my stomach dropped upon hearing your news! God Bless you and I am glad you are finding peace!!!
KEW- that is funny!!! My westie would have had a field day in those feathers.
Terri- so glad it is finally done for you!!! Congrats on the implant- woohoo!
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Wendy - So sorry that you lost an implant. This time last year 12/16/2008 (not that I'm counting) I lost my right TE to infection. I had to go back to work a few days later and wondered how I would deal with 1 690 cc high and hard expander - and 1 concave side. I started by pinning a fiberfill prosthesis(homemade with fiberfill layers cut the shape of a breast) into my blouse. It gave me a little "fullness", was very soft, and got me through the first couple of weeks. After that I was able to get fitted and wear the real one.
I had to wait 7 months for replacement because I had a lot of tissue damage due to the infection. The time actually passed pretty quickly. At the time of removal ... it seemed like it would be forever. I cried a lot back then. When I look back it was just a bump in the road. I wish you the best as you get over this hurdle in your journey.
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Deborah, that sounds like the procedure my PS uses. She plans to use Alloderm combined with a flap/origami. I'm just anxious to get to that point!
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I finished my last chemo the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, and I am scheduled for my exchange January 20. A little excited and a lot nervous, so ready to be put back together.
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Totally off the wall question...I am battling with weight gain due to chemo and hormone tx...How do you convert cc's to pounds? I would really feel better if I knew my new ones added x # of lbs to my frame.
I am so sad to hear of all the complications and losses this month...Gentle healing hugs to all!
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Wendy,
I am so sorry. It seemed that you were way past the danger time frame for something like this to have happened. Even the heating pad incident wasn't very recent, was it? Did it just not heal?
I applaud your attitude. I am sorry that you have to experience this set back but will pray things heal quickly for you.
Dianne
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Terri! Great news! It sounds like you got what you wanted and needed for Christmas. Your DH sounds like a gem.
Nancy, Thinking of you! Can't wait to read how it went. Your latex reverse bullet hole"nip" story is so funny. You really did repurpose these little gems now, didn't you?
Samiam, I am so amazed at how many sisters have had issues with implants for one reason or another and have lost them. Your reassurance and words of comfort were so nice. It is amazing how we don't forget the dates that have impacte our lives.
To the sisters with procedures this coming week, YIPPEE, the finish line is getting closer. There were 29 procedures scheduled for December on our list. It's been a very busy month
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Michelle, ccs are a measure, sort of like ounces -- and an ounce of feathers would be different than an ounce of chocolate. Interesting question though. I looked it up. Two 300 cc silicone implants weight approximately 1.4 pounds total.
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Liliah:
Was it at the new breast center or the old evelyn lauder one on 64th street?
I want to track down this fluffy thing.
Still in the hospital, having a hard time not crying today. They had to switch me to vancomycian because the infection keeps spreading and it is staph they don't knw ifits MRSA yet. THe vanco blewout a vein in my hand and kept pumping under the skin,itwas pretty freaky, the vein inmy arm appears to be holding up.Hopefully the snow wont be bad and my daughter can come and visit.
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Bigapple- I am so sorry for what you are going through. I can't imagine how you are feeling - devastated I am sure. But you are strong and you will get through this too. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Allison
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Deborah - Thank you for checking into that for me. Of course I just thought you would go through the files in your head and know the answer!!
I still think you should write a book -- seriously -- one that is user friendly and about the reconstruction journey -- from someone who's gone through it. That's my 2 cents..... Anyway, the alloderm nipple procedure seems to be a separate one so thank goodness cause I can only take one decision (implants? Size? Shape?) at a time. On Implant Size - I read somewhere online recently that 90% of women tend to choose implant sizes too small and wish later that they had gone bigger. At first I wondered if "research" was written by a man -- but then my PS also said, when I kept stressing I wanted small - that she has had many women upset when she goes small and they seem "too small" to them. Then I read that I guess something I will have to be aware of when I go in to see the PS for my pre-op and make the final decision about size - is that 20% of the implant disappears when it goes into the body - so really the projected part is only 80% of the total implant size.
But that's in January. And it is currently December and I have a car tire to fix and Christmas baking to do.
Thanks for all the help, Deborah!
Congrats on taking the next step in all the surgeries that went on in December, beauties!
Peace,
Geena
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Geena: My two cents? Let your PS determine what looks best and yes, try to go a bit larger than you think you want to be because your PS nailed it regarding size. Indeed, the reconstructed breast is different than the augmented breast and it is difficult to achieve volume. So I would think at least 350 cc's if not 400 cc's....
Wendy: Oh my dearest....I am so, so sorry about this setback. We will get you on the road to recovery....
Terri: Amazing. 700 cc's? Well, you can look at sam1991's photos to see what you might look like. So looking forward to your first photos!!
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Wendy ~ Praying for you every day!!! Let's get those healing drugs working and your body well.
Deborah ~ I wear the BGP's not the low rise. Think I bought out the last of those but I do have some friends with "low rise" friendly bodies. Ha!
Baking all weekend with daughter, sister, and niece. Sounds like a lot of laughing, love and a big mess. Need some Christmas spirit and smells around here!!
Thinking and praying for all of you while I am stirring and slaving over a hot stove!! Seriously, all of you are on my mind every time I see my own foobs ~ we are one!!!
xo Colleen
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Wendy: Hang in there! Sorry to hear that you have had to go through this! I hope you are feeling better real soon!
my560sel: Glad to hear you had your exchange surgery and all went well! Glad to hear that you can be patient with the expectations of what the final outcome will be. It sounds like all is going well for you...yeah, your done with this part!
Nancy: Hope your surgery went well. Love your story..a great laugh which we all can use!
It's been one week now since exchange and a very emotional week at that! My exchange side still looks smaller and flatter than my augmented side and I sure hope this will improve with time.
Does everyone else's experience with this prove this to be true???? How long does it take for them to settle and fill out more???
My PS removed the drain on Wednesday and told me to start massaging the exchange side towards the center to keep it from settling into my side. I am also wearing a mastectomy bra 24 hours a day to keep the implant in place (I guess this is the reasoning).
Best of luck to those going into surgery this week. Hope all goes well for each of you!
Merry Christmas to each of you!
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Bigapplep09 - I know exactly how you feel about the vein being blown with the Vancomycin for infection. When I had my BMX I developed a fever of unknown origin and they put me on 500ml vancomycin IV 3 days in a row. They blew my IV site each time. They tried the pump to put it in at a steady rate and that blew it so they just had to use the old drip method. It did seem to knock out the infection which was in my lungs from the anesthesia, I guess, as the lung x-ray did not come back looking too good and did it every hurt to cough to get the crud out. I then was on 500mg Cipro for a week after I got home. Fortunately the fever and infection went away. I hope that your daughter made it to visit. I don't miss the snow much in FL, but then we have other weather situations to deal with.
Jan1 - I am glad you enjoyed the "reverse bullet hole story". I know it is a little wierd, but I have felt that humor has gotten me through this whole journey more than anything else. I have been so lucky since my MX's were prophylactic due to many multiple bx which were intraductal papillomas and very dense on both sides. I could not deal with the annual emotional stress and knowing that this can turn into DCIS and not be caught until too late. My Gen. Surg. has been very glad we went ahead with it as she sees some of her patients who wait too late. Know back to the bullet holes. I had my DH take some pictures prior to surgery with the markings and then with the bullet holes and we both agreed they looked good where the nips were to be placed. When the PS got to the OR pre-op, I told him the bullet holes looked good in the mirror and on the camera so go ahead with where he marked to place the nips. It was a long day as the OR had 109 cases scheduled so they had to change rooms and I was over an hour late going into OR and saw clock in recovery it was 7:30pm and my surg was sched for 1:30pm. Got home at 9:30pm and we only live 1 mile from hosp. This is good because I work for the Blood Bank and gen lab at the hospital.
I am doing okay this morning. Wrapped quite tightly in ace bandage with lots of fluffy gauze. He had to stitch covers to nips as they finally decided I was becoming increasingly sensitive to latex so used all non-latex equip. The Anesthesiologist used non-latex tube and what a difference. No sore throat this time. They exchanged my 750 HP for 960cc MPP and PS told DH that the muscle was now quite thin where he stretched it so I have to be really careful and will have to have good support with bra 24/7 until he says otherwise, but I know I will be happier with the fuller coverage. When DH took before pix with my arms lifted, he finally saw what I was complaining about and told the PS he now agreed with me that the exchange was the thing to do. Can't wait until Tues. for a peak at the new implants and nips. Of course my butt is sore from where the grafts were taken, but that will heal.
Gentle hugs and prayers to those enduring any procedures this week and those with the difficult situations to cope with, especially with the holidays approaching.
Delilahbear AKA Nancy in Florida
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Deborah: Ditto on writing that book....you are amazing and such a great help and comfort to all of us, bless you.
Wendy: Hope the weather holds out for your daughter's visit. You seem to be keeping your spirits up, I know it's hard with all you've been and are going through. I hope all this resolves itself soon and you're on the road to recovery when a new page turns on Jan 1.
Colleen: Baking and cooking .. agghhh! I haven't done a thing yet for Xmas and that includes shopping. I'm so behind but I have to get out there for my little ones, the grandkids still believe in Santa!
Nancy: It was a long day for you and I'm happy everything went well. Loved the bullet hole story!
Although I said I was going to be patient, I can't stop looking at myself in the mirror. The swelling has come down some and the implants don't look as wide, but they are still wide enough to bother me near my underarms. The projection isn't as good as I thought it would be but maybe that's just because I'm used to looking at the huge TE's I had. I'm trying hard to keep my emotions inside because I don't want to disappoint my DH. He was so happy for me that this surgery rollercoaster ride was finally over. And I know, I know they have to drop and fluff. I'm just hoping they do and that I don't fall into some freak category of .0000000000000001 % that doesn't do the drop and fluff thing!
Terri
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Kittycat: I've been reading your posts before and I've been meaning to tell you how much I like your screen name. My daughter ,who is now 10, received a black stuffed cat with white paws and white on it's face and tip of tail, back on her 1st birthday. It is her beloved "Kittycat" who sleeps with her every night. Whenever I see your posts it makes me think of her Kittycat. I am glad that you are feeling better post exchange. Have a restful, enjoyable weekend. TCK 0
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Wendy - Oh my goodness, I am so so sorry. All kinds of hugs and healing prayers are going your way my dear!!! Please know that we are all there w/ you providing you with all kinds of support from the Ta Ta sisterhood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Today is my one-year diagnosis anniversary, and although I was rather dreading this day coming, it hasn't been half bad! I went to Pilates, got called to "float" (work) at Neimans (I get the discount then, lol), and am about to go to a Christmas party at the home of my dearest friend who has seen me through thick and thin this past year. All in all, I think it's been a perfect way to realize that my life is good, and although my "new normal" is different, I'm thankfully HERE to celebrate Christmas this year!!!
lizziesnunu - I haven't been online in a few days, but saw that your surgery is at the same place I had mine. In fact, I live about 2 minutes from that center! I'm wondering if we perhaps have the same doctors? I'll be on a plane to Indiana on the day of your exchange, but if you have to come to town, please do call me....or if you just want to chat..... I pm'd you with my cell #.
(((((Wendy))))))
Terri - It's WAY too early to be disappointed, sweetie! It's only been two days.... please give it some time...... I didn't get to even peek at mine for over a week since I was completely bound in that foam tape until then - which was probably a good thing.......As for the "drop and fluff," I'm not sure if that's what's happened to mine, but really just last week (nearly three months post-exchange) they started to feel bouyant......before they just sat there motionless even when I walked....now they bounce a bit... Patience....patience.....
NAE - you asked about resuming exercise.....I teach aerobics, and I didn't start that back for about six weeks. I did return to pilates at about 3 weeks, just doing lower body stuff, but laying down on my back wasn't comfortable. My ps recommended a recumbant bike as the best cardio - there's nothing to cause the "new girls in town" to jostle around. He was emphatic that there be "complete immobilization" - no bouncing at all - which (for me) required - and still does - one underwire sports bra with a soft sports bra (not just a pull-on) over it.
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Texas - that you so much for the looking up the information on cc to lbs for me...
Wendy - You are in my prayers!
Terri - give it time...my foobs really didn't drop & fluff where I was really happy until 5 weeks after exchange...Your's well be AWESOME too!
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Wendy- prayers are still coming your way. Cry if you need to- it's OK! My thoughts are with you.
Terri- give it time. My surgery was the end of August and they get better and better looking all the time.
I got a postcard reminder today for a mammo! It's been one year since my mammo which found my cancer. I guess they don't know I don't have my boobs anymore. I need to go to my GYN but just don't have it in me yet (I went to my doc last in Dec last year) My one year anniversary of diagnosis is February 13 (friday) and I had been dreading it VAL but am trying not to give it that much power. Christmas has been hard- I keep reminding myself this time last year life was normal and I wasn't diagnosed yet. I am glad to hear you got through it with no problem- hopefully that will be it for me too!
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val61 ~
Thanks for the "working out" advice! I really would like to start back...I never really liked working out with weights...I do love cardio. I love the eliptical machines...there are some with no arm movement. I like the "cycling" class (stationary). Both workouts require that you DO NOT bounce for it to be effective...a good incentive. I really miss seeing my gal pals at the step classes too. Why is it recommended to avoid all the "bouncing"??? Anyway, I see my PS mid January so I won't do anything too soon that may jeopardize my new "girls"...
!Bigapple09 ~
My prayers are with you!!!
This "drop & fluff" thing...I look forward to this...just 4 wks. post exchange. My aug. side looks very nice but my MX side...as Val said...feels "motionless". One thing I have had to learn through this journey is PATIENCE...to take it one day at a time.
There are sooo many on our "list"...I send each & everyone of you my thoughts & prayers!!!
Hugs,
NAE
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I finally have an exchange date!!!!! Jan 25. I hope it works!
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(((val))).... I thought of you today....
The date of my mast is approaching. I hope it comes and goes and I DO NOT remember. Some of you, I shared my story privately.. "in Vegas" or on the phone... boy was it a rough time..for ALL of us!
We all struggle... oh boy do we... but this year... this Season of Advent ( if you believe).. is a healthier happier one...
Wahooooooooooooooooooo for us sisters!
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Big Apple -- I went to 300 East 66 Street (Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center) -- and asked for the Boutique (believe I took an elevator to second floor but ask at desk). When I went in to store I asked for a "Fluffy" and they asked me what size; I was prepared to pay for it but they gave it to me for free. It's a nice little boutique, actually! Lots of stuff for BC patients. And the Fluffy is very comfy! PM if you need more info.
So sorry you're still in the hospital -- but hey that Memorial Hospital is nice! Are you on the BC floor? When I was there they were full and I had to stay on the 5th floor (which was very nice)... but went up to BC floor for exercise classes.
Maybe your daughter can run over to the Breast Center (I have no idea if that's the old or the new one!) -- the address above is just around the corner from the hospital. Bet it would be nice to have it to look forward to. I know it made me feel good to go and get it before my surgery, so that I would know I would have a means to avoid looking funny in public.
Hope they stop the infection ASAP!
Cheers,
Lilah
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Hey...Estepp...how are you doin'? How's business? My DH is working his behind to get his 2nd location open by January...which is around the corner! I wish I could help him but he is in the food service & I'm in the teeth service....they kinda go hand in hand I guess! LOL!!!
Lilah ~~
I hope you don't mind me..."stalking" you? LOL!!! It is 11pm here & quiet time for me to go online & I see you've posted on the other (mutual) threads which I've followed with a post...hee.hee!
Keeping everyone in my thoughts & will pray for all my sisters tomorrow!
NAE
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Laura, thanks for thinking that I am small - LOL! My chest measures at 30 inches, so I wear a 34 band bra. I was a 34 very full D or DD depending on the bra maker. I tried on a 34D bra that was too small on me in my augmentation days (first foob job). And.... it fit - well except that I don't fill out the projection, but I filled out everywhere else (my foobs are still wide and flat). I tried on another 34D in another brand and I filled it out (almost overfilled it). So we'll see on the bra size. It would be nice to wear a 34D because I have a ton of those size bras (before I truly fluffed on the aug and went to a DD).
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Geena - I think the size thing has a lot to do with the fact that implants look smaller than real breasts esp under clothes. This applies to augmented breasts and I'm sure it also applies to reconstruction too (since we have less projection). When i had implants I was a very full 34D or a 34DD. NO ONE would have guessed that I was that big. I looked like I had 2 perky C's! I started out a 34B and most people did not know I had implants put in. Now in a bikini - that was different VAVOOM!!! My breasts looked huge!!! I would not wear a bikini in public places or around friends because people would just stare. I had a lot of projection though (and had moderate profiles - go figure). Looking back on my augmented breasts, I asked the PS to go smaller (375 cc's instead of 425) and I actually would have wanted them even smaller than that after they fluffed. I am a rare case (and I live in Vegas - where we have the largest amount of implants - not per capita - but overall). Amazing, huh???
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Nedeza - Stalk me all you want!
Cheers,
Lilah
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