Exchange City
Comments
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fairport lady - I too had Bi-Lat MX due to non-cancerous situation. It was a radical, yet correct decision for me and my DH. I had my BMX on Aug5, 2009 and required help for about the first 4 or 5 days after surgery, and after that it was more my DH's need to help than anything. The hospital's Ctr. for Breast Health told me I could have someone from their organization come in daily to help with the drains, if I wanted this. I decided that DH would want to do it and he took great pride in charting the drainage and discussing it with PS. You might want to think about something like this (A Breast Health person) if you can't have someone 24 hr. a day. I had my TE exchanged to implants on Oct. 2 and then on Dec. 18 had larger implants placed as well as nipple and areola construction. I was lucky not to have to have the Chemo and Rads. I assume you will not need these either, which can make your schedule a bit faster or easier. Hope this info helps.
To everyone else, have a Happy New Year and let's hope 2010 is better than 2009!
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fairportlady: Welcome! I think as Dani above clearly revealed, even in less than a year we seem to forget about the aftermath of the mastectomy or mastectomies. It is a journey indeed, but one we can take with both the encouragement and support of so many who went before us, as well as the support of those who are moving right along with us in the journey. Peg who is a regular here opted for BLM also, as a result of atypical ductal hyperplasia....I'll let her tell you her story.
I think I am excited to report that I will be getting nipples on February 16th! Or am I? I know it is a milestone that everyone says really makes the breasts finally seem more "real" to them, but I am not feeling in any huge hurry. I like not having permanent headlights with clothing. I wore a dress to a party last week which looked better without a bra and I did not have to worry about nipple covers or headlights. So I really need some cheerleading about this phase of the journey. I just KNOW I am going to go kicking and screaming into the nipple surgery. I am just yawning and so "ho hum" about it....I am only really moving forward because DH is so excited about this phase of reconstruction. He had it on his calendar within an hour of the doctor's office calling the house....
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Kathy, welcome. Maybe I was a little worse off than others. I needed my husband for everything the first week, I couldn't even sit up alone. By the second week it was nice to have someone to do things like bring me some water. By the third week, I cold drive but not comfortably. By the fourth week, I was so ready to be independent and normal it wasn't even funny!
Deborah, I have to side with your DH on this one, I'm excited for your nipples and can't wait to see what they'll look like. Your pictures are so great I can't imagine how real they're going to look with nipples!
Julie
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Hi Nae;
I think I am guna take your advice and go bra shopping next week..... there is a secret/ suprrise /joyful event that I think has been a missing factor for me since our exchange Nov.24......
Saturday..... A happy new year treat.... I will shop until I find a bra that gives me a size label label I can smile about!!!:)Thanks doll!
xoxo
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Whippetmom!!!!
N I P P L E S R O C K !!!!!!!!!!!
GO FOR IT-
xo
p.s. Feb. 16 is my birthday,,,i think my opinion should count for double!!!!!lol
p.s.s I don't have fipples yet.... but, nipples rock-so fipples do too!!!!
p.s.s.s DH knows what he is talking about.... I would weigh in his opinion.... and see if he will devulge the secret, higher, carnal, knowlege known as 'MALE OPINION', LOL
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Whippetmom - I agree....go for the nipples! I'll bet your ps can make them not so "perky" if that would help.....it's essentially the "icing on the cake"......a finale......and a present for your dh...... As for my bras, two were Fantasie t-shirt bras (I needed something seamless 'cause my Freya's show through everything) and my splurge was a lacy, black balcony bra by Harlequin. Hoping to wear it tonight! Then I promise to "take a Betty" and detox.....
Dani- Yippee for you, girl! So glad everything went well for you!
gcarter - AMEN!!! I - and my dh - cannot wait to put 2009 to rest! From my bc to the deaths of my dh's dad and his best friend, it has not been a year we wish to revisit. 2009 was most definitely the "year of the breast" for most of us, so I guess 2010 will be the "year of the nipple!"
Wishing all of you beautiful ladies a safe evening and the hope for a healthy and blessed 2010!!
I'm off to finish cooking for my party tonight.....lots of fru-fru food....such fun! Talk to you next year!
Val
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You ladies are so upbeat and encouraging - thanks for sharing your stories. I am joining your ranks - will need at least a unilateral mx at the end of Jan. Am going through genetic testing next week. It's odd, I actually wonder if I would be happier cosmetically with a bilateral - I am a larger breasted woman with a thin frame, so asymetry will be obvious. In fact, I had my only child at 40 and since then the "girls" are ver asymetrical - looking in different directions and at a lower latittude. If I only need the left done, I will have immediate reconstruction and a reduction/lift on the other side. I just can't picture it on me. I am 44 with a loving husband and am very active - although that is changing temporarily (I like to play volleyball - that's not happening now!) so it's important to me that I feel good about myself. I have always been very modest so I don't worry about needing to be "showy", but I want to wear a t-shirt and not look lopsided. I guess it's a bit of a crapshoot. Not like I chose this path. My surgery is still far enough away that I am a bit distanced from the sense of loss that will no doubt come. But for now, I appreciate reading all your enthusism and support for all of going through this process. Thanks ladies. So glad to have a forum like this to find others going through this really crazy situation.
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Thanks to all of you! It is so encouraging to hear that the post op period is a distent memory to many! I am much less apprehensive just reading everything from you! I wonder if anyone has had experience with nipple-sparing mastectomy? I know it isnt an option in all cases, but I was planning on that. Thanks for being so welcoming, so glad to join you and happy new year
Kathy
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Welcome to Kathy and CyndiS. 2 new New Yorkers! What a treat. Kathy where is Fairport? I know where Buffalo is, I fly in there aobut 2 x a year to go see my daughter in Jamestown.
Jan
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Happy New Year to everyone here at EC!
Kathy ~ Our paths seem very similar. I had atypical ductal hyperplasia and opted for a PBM (Prophylactic bilateral masectomy) last November 2008. I had been through years of worry and terrible biopsies etc.....so for me it was the right choice and I'm glad I did it. I felt like it was a matter of time before I would get cancer and after my BMX the pathology came back that I did have DCIS.
I had nipple sparing as well and am also glad that I was a candidate for that. I think that helped me make the decision. I did not have anything in the expanders at the time of BMX so as not to put any additional pressure on the nipples. You can send a private message (PM) anytime if you have any other questions. You go to the top of the screen - hit private message and type in Peggio.
Geena & Kew ~ You both have such beautiful spirits. Everytime I read your posts I get a sense of peace. I have to believe that all that good karma you are sending out will come back to you!
Love to all ~ Peg
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fairportlady: My sister had a nipple-sparing - she posts here sometimes but her photos are on the pictures forum. Also, Peg who is a regular here had a nipple-sparing and well, there are a few others on the pictures forum. You need to be a bco.org member for a month at least typically before gaining access to the pictures forum. It is a separate and privacy protected forum.
Val: I have my eye on the Fantasie tee-shirt bra! I guess I will have to break down and buy one, now!
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(((((Peg))))
Love--Karen
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Deborah: I am so glad you are getting fipples! I cried the first time I saw mine; it looks so real, and I hadn't realized how much I missed having one. I am so glad I did it.
Has DH started singing the William Tell overture again, LOL?!
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Laura: I am so sorry you are still in such pain. I wish I knew something that would help you. But please, don't think there is anything wrong with how you look. You are beautiful, inside and out.
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To all my BC sisters:
I found this site for the first time in February. I was getting nervous about my upcoming exchange, and got the information and support here that I needed. Even though all of my surgeries are done (I think), I still come here, to offer any help that I can, and to visit my sisters. To be part of this sisterhood, to experience the love, support, and caring that are found here, has gotten me through this, the worst experience of my life so far. Being able to actually meet so many of you in Vegas last September was one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had, and I can hardly wait to return to Vegas next fall! Thanks to all of you who have become a part of my life. Let's look forward to a new, better year, and as Tiny Tim would say (yes, I know it's a Christmas story, but I'm claiming a bit of poetic license), "God bless us, every one!"
With my love,
Diane
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Hi gals. I am new here and have a question for you. I had a double mascetomy n Feb. Had TE's put in in April one had to be removed. My Q is I have several lumps on top of the Tissue Expander just under the skin. Did any of you have this. Doc said he didnt know the other Doc said it may be fat and he wants to cut it out. In the mean while I am a wreck worrying. Thanks
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Deborah, you can definately have the honors of being Godmother to my foobs! LOL. I made you question your thinking but you were right all along, the originals were wrong for me.
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buddy1: Why is fat still remaining after a mastectomy? Sounds to me like fluid - could be just fluid or air entrapment or seromas, but I presume the docs have assessed for this? Are they pink or red or a different color than your skin elsewhere or warm to the touch? No fever, right? Could you post a photo on the pictures forum? I am hoping you have a PS who is experienced with breast reconstruction and has used tissue expanders hundreds of times and is making the proper assessment.0
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There is no color change or fever. There are little bumps. I was thinkjing maybe the TE is getting old. (just hoping) I am getting very scared.
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This always comes up in the pic forum...what is NOLA??? A certain procedure? Just curious
!NAE
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I am wondering if you are seeing/feeling some unfilled areas of the tissue expander? Are you filled to capacity with the TE's? Have you had radiation? Has your PS actually examined and palpated the bumps? When is your exchange? If you are really worried, I would call Monday and make myself a real nuisance and get an appointment with someone who can give you some answers. Sometimes you have to be your own healthcare advocate.
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NOLA is New Orleans Louisiana - the abbreviation used for the location of the most widely known and experienced breast recon facility in the U.S. Known for DIEPS and GAPS and other microvascular/microsurgical procedures.
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Thanks Deborah...as usual!
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Happy New Year to all BC buddies here! What a wonderful group of caring souls sharing an incredibly crappy situation that also has given some amazing blessings. I have learned so much from this site that I think my onc feels like he has to be on his game when I come in with my list of questions each appt. Not sure he loves that but all of the time but oh well:)
Here is to 2010 and new life experiences (emphasis on life) especially new foobs and fipples!
Peace to all.
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Happy New Year to all!! My first 20 minutes of the year have been spent obsessing about the foobs of my dreams.
I just posted a couple photos and could really use some help in deboggling my brain. Do these things really matter that much!?
Julie
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Whippitmom..Yes I am wayyyy filled to capacity. I did have radiation but it was on the other side. I have had this in since Feb. the lumps have been recent. i finished chemo in july and finished rads in october I am taking arimidstat. my ca test was 13 at the oncologist. I know that is no guarantee it will show in the blood work. I am trying to stay positive.
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Good morning and happy new year to all of us. I am hopeful that everyone here will have a wonderful 2010 and leave the worst of the previous year behind.
Allison
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Happy New Year to my sisters. I thank each and every one of you who have shared your heart and soul on this thread. It has helped me more than you will ever know to continue on this journey. Blessings to all in this wonderful new year.
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Deborah, I am glad that you decided to do the fipples. I figured out something for me personally after getting the one I needed done. The mx breast could have been my elbow as far as I was concerned. I didn't own or think of it as a breast but as a fluid filled lump. With the addition of the nipple bud it has become more personal for me. I cannot wait to get the tattoo to finish off the process. When you think about it, the nipple and areola are what makes most breast unique to each person. Most foobs with out nipples look very similar taking size into consideration. Here is to you and your next adventure.
Buddy 1, Get answers and do not settle until someone can confirm what the new lumps are. Most likely nothing that is an issue, but the stress and worrying about it isn't good for your head or immune system. You have to be your own advocate, otherwise, your healthcare provider won't put any more concern into your issues that you do. Beat that drum!!!!
Jan
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Laura - On my 1 yr "anniversary" from my mastectomy, I cried through the entire surgeon's appointment. He was so sweet and supportive, but I could not stop crying! I think the 1 yr is a very emotional time for all of us. I feel for you! Hang in there and know that you are loved!
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