Exchange City
Comments
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Well I guess THIS city never sleeps!
Kimberly - I've had ongoing expander pain that has gotten worse with each fill. Aftert my last fill (very last of them all) I called my doc cause the pain was just so miserable at the ribs and the sternum (where the ribs attach) and she informed that for some women this is what happens - and that relief may not come until exchange. That said, the intensity of the pain did become less with time. I took lots of hot showers, stretched as much as I could without inducing MORE pain, and when it was really bad, yes, did the Ibuprofen thing.
Deborah, Wendy - I think the thing I was eluding to in my last email - I have a feeling it is something I just have to keep a close eye on and if it becomes worse go in and see my doc. I'm due for my pre-op on 1/8 for my exchange on 1/20, and I'm hoping whatever is going on doesn't worsen. For a bit I've had some pain and have noticed broken capillaries in the lower pole portion of my radiated breast (not at all near my incision site). I figured it was just the intense stretching going on with the expander and that my breast was straining with it all. However in the past days the capillaries are forming a darker red circle around a small, white dot that is starting to split - i.e. the skin is splitting open a tad, tad, tad - in a perfect circle... I am forced to wonder if the expander is trying to make its way out. I'm trying not to panic, and I'm just keeping it moisturized with aquaphor and a dab of antibiotic. If it gets worse and not better, I will call the doc, even if I have to go to the oncall over the x-mas weekend (ugh). Truly though, I'm hoping whatever is happening is minor and temporary - like maybe I wasn't moisturizing often enough (I moisturize morning and night) and the skin got irritated? Dunno. Got a close eye on it.....
It'll all pass eventually, for all of us......
Thanks for your concern dear ones!
Geena
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Wishing everyone out there a happy holiday season. I know it is rough on many of you and I have you in my thoughts and prayers.
I am now a week out from the nipple and larger implant exchange and am really liking what I see. For those looking to protect the nipple, my PS had me make little "turbans" of gauze. Take a 4X4 gauze and open it all the way up and then fold it into a triangle, like a scarf or bandana, then twist it and wrap it in a turban fashion, I coil mine around the nipple, then keep going to cover the whole aerola complex. It sticks to the neosporin that I have to put on them first. I also cover the whole thing with a 2X2 gauze and put on my sports bra. It seems to work pretty well.
Had a real scare yesterday when I used the restroom at work and felt a stitch from the donor site at upper thigh pop. I was expecting that the stitches would loosen, but when I got up from the toilet there was blood running everywhere and I looked in the mirror the best I could to find that the whole wound had opened up to a big gaping ugly site. I cleaned up the blood and as luck was on my side, I was at work in the hospital so got myself to the ER as quickly as I could. BP was 162/101 by time I got there. PS office was closed, but ER doc called PS who, again as luck would have it, was at his office a few miles away doing paper work. My DH got me to him ASAP and he stitched me up, again. We were lucky, the Christmas Angel was certainly shining upon my shoulders to get the PS to do this. Of course the ER doc could have, but he wanted the PS to see what happened and they have a good relationship. I think it probably will be cheaper having gone to the PS office. It was comical with him trying to find everything himself without his usual nurse to help, but he managed nicely and DH watched everything closely so he could rebandage me. I got to go to work 1/2 day today and now am relaxing and taking it easy. Must still get a few presents wrapped.
Good luck to all having surgery next week.
Sending gentle hugs and good thoughts to everyone.
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Geena: What a time for this to occur! I would keep doing what you are doing but it is sounding a little like a seroma. Increase your protein intake right now - just in case. Can you CALL the on-call doctor tonight, just to let them know what you are experiencing?0
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Firni -- it was the nurse who said not to put lotion on my scar. Maybe it's too soon? I really don't know (just made a mental note to do as I was told lol). I will ask my PS when I see her next and see if she differs
Kimberly -- hope the Advil helps... I do also find that stretching helps.
Geena -- hope it is not a seroma. I agree with Deborah, call the on-call doctor just in case.
Delilahbear -- Wow! Your lucky day indeed! Glad it was taken care of so quickly.
Cheers,
Lilah
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I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Healthy Happy New Year
I pray for all my sisters that are going through a tough time right now especially my Vegas tata sister Susie
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Happy Christmas everyone!
I took Advil last night - I think I overdosed on it - I ended up taking 6 pills thinking 200 mg was 2 pills but after realized that one pill was 200. YIKES so I guess I took 1200 mg at a time. Time to give my kidneys & liver a rest today!
No bad symptoms and it worked as this morning I am not as sore as I have been all week. Hopefully each day will get better until my next fill.
Geena - have you ever heard of INTRASITE GEL? I had to get some from the pharmacy - just ask for it. I used it on my incisions when they were not closing up. My PS gave me info on it and I have to say it worked so much better than neosporin for healing. I am still using it on my scars as I am concerned that they will open during expansion.
Hope everyone is well and have a great day!
I am off to see Sherlock Holmes this afternoon!
Kimberly
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Joyeux Noël to all who celebrate, happy chinease food and movie day to those who don't, and for mutts like me, would it be weird to bring latkas to Christmass dinner?
Wendy
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Hi all,
Wow, on Christmas day even, people are coming through. This site is amazing. ((((Deborah))) (((Lilah))) (((Kimberly)))
A scab IS forming over the white opening, which I'm taking as a good sign. I think I'll give it another day (cause HONESTLY? I sooooooo don't want breast cancer stuff to have my Christmas day TOO!!! Yeesh!). If it is improving, I'll call my doc on Monday. If not, I'll call oncall doc tomorrow. We'll see.
Meanwhile, I'm going to take a walk, gather my things, go have a meal with some family, then later with friends. Have a beautiful Christmas, or for those of other denominations, lovely day off -- all of you dear ladies...
Peace,
Geena
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Wendy--Anyone can bring latkes to my house any time! I think they would be a great addition to a Christmas dinner. Don't forget the sour cream! Glad you are feeling well enough to go out!
Geena--I hope things continue to improve throughout the day.
Have a wonderful day everyone!
Hugs--Karen
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OMG Kimberly!!! Take only 600 mg! I am glad it worked though. Enjoy SHERLOCK HOLMES! I think we will go see that tomorrow as we are going to friends' for Xmas dinner this afternoon.
Big Apple -- I love it! Latkes for Christmas! Nothing wrong with that
(((Geena))) aw so glad a scab is forming -- that seems promising. I think a call to the doctor on Monday even if it's ok would be smart (to check in). Hope you don't feel the need for more this weekend and can focus instead on enjoying the holiday
Cheers all!
Lilah
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Have a BLESSED CHRISTMAS!!!!
NAE
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Merry Christmas Ladies!
Dianne0 -
Merry Christmas everyone!
Love ~ Peg
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Just a note about advil for my fellow pain sufferers - PLEASE be careful when taking it! Advil can be very dangerous for your esophagus and stomach if you take too much over a period of time. I completely blew out my esophagus and stomach last winter by taking too much advil for severe neck pain, and for 6 mos. I had constant burning from my throat to my stomach because the advil had worn through the lining and irritated the nerves. I can finally take advil again, but VERY carefully, always with food and never more than 600 mg per day.
The limit for tylenol is 4000mg per day, and if you sometimes take Darvocet or Percocet, you have to do the math carefully, because they contain tylenol (acetaminophen) as well. When my TE pain is bad, I write down all of the meds I take to avoid any overdose...
best wishes for a pain free holiday!
Kristen (always a worrywart)
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Wishing all of my TaTa Sisters a very Merry Christmas and/or Happy Holidays!
I love all of you beautiful women and thank God for bringing me to this web forum last year!!!
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I am having a most wonderful holiday ever........ My kids and I have been snowed in for two days. I would normally consider this a bad thing but I am really enjoyiubg having everyone here for meals and conversation. I've cooked more in the last two days than I have in the last two weeks. In addition to my own two boys, we have a friend of one of the kids and a girlfriend of one of the kids..... The dynamics are a bit weird but it is still fun.
Allison
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Merry Christmas to all!!
Love, TCK
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Merry Christmas as well to all, I hope your day was good for those that celebrate.
Wendy, You would fit well into our Christmas Eve group. We celebrate Christmakah. My BIL is Jewish by culture, doesn't practice, which is sad. We have the best time and the house is always open to anyone that needs a meal and a good time. We have the tree, the Mennorah and all the love that one can have. It has been this way for over 20 years, so it's all good. (Latke's Yum!)
Geena, I hope you are OK and call the Dr and get peace of mind. I would rather you have a false alarm, than let something that needs attention slip by. Just my opinion.
Deliahbear. How scary! That would have freaked me out a lot. How fortunate that you were in the hospital. Are you OK now? Jan
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Geena & Deliahbear ~
OMGosh! My thoughts & prayers for you!
Wendy ~
Take care & glad you came home in time for your Latke's....
!!Sending everyone warm hugs & blessings!
NAE
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Happy Holidays to everyone!
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To Jan and everyone responding to my last post about the ER/PS visit.
Thanks for the good thoughts, I am so fortunate to have found this site where everyone understands when things go both good and bad.
I still have a bit of drainage from the new stitches. DH has been bandaging it just like the PS did so it is covered, but I still freak out when I have to sit down or go somewhere. Yesterday I took a waterproof pad everywhere I went for Christmas Day. We have white leather upholstery in our car and I sat on the pad, took it to my Mother's and carried it everywhere I went and then took it to a friend's home where we had dinner. Felt like Linus with his blanket, but I so did not want to ruin anyone's furniture or car interior. See PS for regular follow-up on Tues. Think I'll just take it easy over the weekend and maybe the drainage will stop.
Anyone have severe itching around the nipple sites after their surgery. I think mine are healing ok, but really itch and the bacitracin doesn't help. Think I'll ask about the INTRASITE GEL that Geena mentioned. Is it by prescription only? I am so allergic to most pain meds, latex and other stuff that I am afraid the bacitracin is next on the list. I'm even allergic to Tylenol and the Advil is not good for some major GI stuff I have off and on.
Hope everyone who celebrated had a nice day with friends and family yesterday.
Looking forward to a better 2010.
Nancy
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Man, we have had a brutal week,
I Motion that Mani Pedis and Facials are needed accross the board.
Can I get a second?
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Wendy, yes mani pedis and facials and full body massages and trips to Hawaii and dark chocolate and.... and..... Oh, and I love, latkes. Add them to the list!
Kimberly - The INTRASITE gel is something Nancy knows of. I don't know if you need a prescription, but I looked it up on the web and it strikes me as something you probably do need a prescription for. I'm so glad your PS is going to check you out on Tuesday!!
As for me, I was obsessively checking my breast yesterday and then this morning. Indeed, a scab is forming, but I know this whole thing begs the question, why is this going on in the first place? I'm calling the doc tomorrow to get her to squeeze me in Monday morning before my work. This will give me peace of mind, as Jan mentioned.
Today - sleep.
Thanks for all of your concerns!!!
Geena
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Bigapple09: I'll second that
. I hope that you are healing well.Delilahbear: Wow! That was some scare for you. I'm glad that it didn't hinder your holiday plans and that the new stitches are holding well.
Geena: How are things looking today? Hope the area has continued to improve with you TLC. Take it easy.
Musiclover: Hope your pain is gone. How was Sherlock Holmes? I have a 10 year old so we went to see The Chipmonks Squeakquel--She's not old enouch for Sherlock Holmes. I would like to see it though.
TCK
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I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.
I have posted updated pictures on the picture forum showing the bigger girls (with saline implants) for anyone that is interested.
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MooreTennis: I was just on the picture forum and saw your new look. Very nice-great symmetry and natural. I'm happy that were persistent and got what you wanted. Enjoy!
TCK
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Motion carries.
Genna: if there is any fluid at all draining from the opening, call the Dr right away, it could be a sign of infection and you really want to make sure that you stay on top of that, especially with all of these bugs going around.
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Oh ladies - Wishing all a Happy Holiday and hugs for those that are healing and / or hurting!! Take care! - Jean
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BigApple09,
I am doing the mani pedi at home! I love going to the salon but do have the foot bath and all the products at home to do some heavy duty pampering myself. The only thing missing is the person massaging my legs for me and the heated towels! Sure do miss that! I think you deserve some pampering yourself after all you have been through.
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Nancy, I can't begin to imagine the thought of just sitting and having a bleed like that. I had a skate flap nipple made last Monday, I don't have itching much, but the tape is killing my skin. I need to go buy some more corn pads
to protect the girl. I hope mine doesn't shrink much, because it matched the other side now. Wendy, I am in for the mani-pedi and add lunch with some "sisters" and I will be there!!! Wouldn't that be a blast?
Geena, Thank you for calling the Doctor, I think that you are wise to get it checked out.
Have a great day everyone, I am going out for a walk! I need to burn off some energy! Ahh, Dani, just read your post about the massage! Yep, a spa day! That is what I need. Great idea.
Jan
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