Exchange City
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Tomorrow is my exchange surgery. I go in at 6:00 a.m. This has been a long journey for me (18 mos.) and I'm thrilled to finally be at this point. My PS will do a pocket revision on the right, and then will insert 600 cc style 45s.
Of all things, though, I awoke this morning to a cold house. My heat is not working! It will be at least tomorrow before we can get a repairman out. Fortunately, I have a separate unit upstairs and can "move" there if necessary. I'm assuming I will be able to climb stairs. For those of you who have had an exchange, were you able to navigate stairs on your surgery day?
Thanks!
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Good luck tomorrow SamIam! Yes, stairs should be no problem although you of course won't be able to yank yourself up using the handrails.
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samiam - you'll be fine with the stairs (I was fine, and had to navigate a staircase with a turn to get to my bed)- just have someone "spot" you, since you'll probably be a bit loopy from anesthesia. Good luck tomorrow - we'll be pulling for you!0
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Samian - Just as Val and Texas said - no handrails and get spotting - the anesthesia makes for some good "drunken" walking. Also, bring anything down that you know you'll regularly need to waist level so you don't have to reach up. If you need to move anything heavy around, do it now (I moved some massive pillows to my bed so I could sleep upright if needed). 18 months! That is such a long wait. I'll be thinking of you!
Geena
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Blessings to all with surgeries this week!
NAE
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One thing I wish I'd done: asked someone to go with me to the grocery store. I didn't think the cart would be that heavy to push, and I had to forgo things that were on upper shelves. Also, the cartons of milk were a bit heavy for me to lift into the cart.
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Also...never knew how HEAVY all those dept. store doors were! Good thing for those handicap buttons to open doors...has come in handy!
NAE
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Hi ladies, Here is a dumb question -I've been trying to alter/ad information to "my diagnose" area of my profile but I do not see how! I went to edit profile but it does not give me options to enter additional information! Can anyone guide me on this? Thanks for your help! Erika
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Erika ~
If you want to add addition "bio"...like at the bottom of your postings...go to "my profile" & scroll down to the bottom where it says "signature". It is there where you can add... I don't think there is anywhere in the "my diagnosis" area to add your own comments. Hope this helps & this is what you are asking?
NAE
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Hi ladies.
Jean, could you please add me to the surgery list? I am scheduled for nips and fat grafting on Tuesday, January 26. Thanks and prayers and good wishes for all scheduled this week.
Here's to getting done!!
Hugs, Kathy
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Hi Nedeza - That is exactly what i am trying to do, Thank you!
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I haven't been keeping up with all of the posts but I do skim them and I think about all of you daily! I'm with Teresa, Feb is our month...I will be getting nips Feb 17th and also a little lift on my right side. Seems as though there is a bit too much skin there, so he will be doing some contouring. Unfortuately this cannot be done in the office, but I'm assuming it wont take too terribly long.
I'm with a lot of you with memory loss! I HATE IT! I have noticed since I have started Arimidex my memory loss as well as words not coming out right. It could also be from the anaesthesia since I started the med a month after surgery (Nov). I remember before I started chemo they told me to have my teeth checked since chemo can do a number on my teeth. Well I never did and I had been suffering with one tooth especially, but never wanted to do anything about it since I was going through the ickiness of the chemo and going through so many surgeries. My crown of one of my root canal teeth kept falling off. I went in Monday to have it checked and I was hoping just hoping that they would just clue it back on. No such luck. It was broken all the way to the bone. They had to pull it asap. It was not an easy pull since no tooth to grab on to. She had to cut away a lot of the bone. I have not been a happy camper all week. I go for a post op tomorrow and I will have them check the rest of my teeth. I'm afraid what they will find.
Now I'm having another problem. I have been falling asleep constantly while around a lot of people, during conversations and such. I hope it isn't anything too serious, I'm hoping for just being over tired.
Karen I will email you the sessions I will be attending during the Komen event in Portland. We definitely need to meet up!
I will continue to be with all of you gals during your exchanges this week! HUGS and prayers to ALL!!
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Jazzy ~
Don't know if you've read my prior postings regarding dental health. I'm a dental hygienist. I did post the fact how important it is to keep up with your dental health. Chemo/rads can reap havic on your teeth...as you've found out...sorry to hear this! Chemo/rads can cause your salivary glands to slow down the process of saliva production....thus dry mouth syndrome occurs. Having dry mouth raises your risk for future problems especially rampant decay. I recommend that all my patients undergoing chemo/rads use a concentrated form of Fluoride only Rx'd by your dentist. Prevident is one of them...it is a toothpaste...switch this out with your present toothpaste. Also, Gel Kam is another product with the same concept. Ask your hygienist/dentist regarding care while you are undergoing BC treatment. The OTC pastes do not have enough Fluoride to protect your teeth. If you are experiencing dry mouth...there are OTC products out there...one of them being BIOTENE. If you can tolerate chewing gum...Trident or any sugarfree gum with Xylitol. Xylitol is an ingredient that inhibits the growth of bacteria causing plaque. Chewing gum also helps to produce saliva.
Good luck on your dental care tomorrow! Don't forget to ask about the prescription Fluorides!
NAE
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Hey Ladies-- I'm new to this site. Dx in Feb 09. I have had 8 rounds of chemo( 4 of them being the " Red Devil"), had bilateral MX with immediate reconstruction. Started Herceptin in October and will have my exchange on 2/8/10. None of these things made me nervous so why am I so nervous about the exchange? Can anyone relate?
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Badmama - I think you will find that a lot of us can relate. My exchange was almost a year ago, and I still remember the worry. The BMx is kind of our of our hands, and the TE's are temporary, but the implants are (hopefully) the final step. So we are concerned about how they will look. I can tell you that my surgery was a breeze and the implants are very comfortable and look just fine. Best wishes!!
And best wishes to all getting surgery this week. Take care. - Jean
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Hey, Jazzy! Great to hear from you! Sorry about the dental issues..... good luck with the lift and nips!
Welcome, badmamajama! You absolutely bet we can relate about the exchange anxiety! With rare exceptions, we've all felt the same.... I'm just having a simple revision/exchange on one side this week and I'm nervous, even though I've already been through it once and know what to expect and how I'll feel. The wonderful women here will help you through it, though!
Texas357 and Geena - excellent pointers, especially about the grocery. I also had help to dry my hair since I couldn't lift the blow-dryer and brush high enough to style. Silly thing, but it made me feel more normal to have somewhat decent hair!
Julie - where, pray tell, did you find the "boob sling" in Walgreens? I searched my local store high and low, but no luck. Admittedly, it was a bit difficult to discern in which aisle they might be hiding.....feminine care?......extremity support?........ I'll maybe try a larger store...... Also, I forgot to mention in my earlier post (regarding pics) that whippetmom, denrulzbc, (and several others who I just can't think of at the moment) also have pics from various stages after their exchanges.....
I just filled all my prescriptions for my post-op drugs - good and bad (vicodin and soma=good; keflex=bad(always get a lovely yeast infection - even with eating yogurt).... can't believe I'm heading for my 4th surgery and general anesthesia in 13 months...... it's just good to know you ladies have been there - or are in the midst of it........
Good luck, tomorrow, jrgolomb!
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Good luck with this week's surgeries Val and Samiam and the rest who are scheduled this week -- hope the way is easy and the results fabulous.
Lilah
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Volleygirl ~
How did your nip surgery go??? Hope all is well w/ everyone recovering from their surgeries!
Take care!
NAE
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NAE: I wonder if you should share the information about dental health on the chemo threads? I actually copied and pasted and sent it to my sis, who is a dental hygienist also - asking her to order me some of those RX fluoride products you mentioned. Thanks for sharing!!!
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Deborah ~
Where's this thread?? Would love to give some FYI...it's become a personal issue for me now to help all I can. I don't think too many people understand how much our dental health effects our medical health & visa versa. I know to many... teeth are the last thing on the agenda when it comes to other health issues but IT is just as important! Thanks for you suggestion!
NAE
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Jazzy... goog to see ya... SS about the teeth...
1/25 - Samiam - Exchange surgery..... you ARE gonna do great.... !
1/25 - jrgolomb - Exchange surgery .......as ARE you !
1/26 - kbram - nips and fat grafting!............ this WILL be the end for you... WAHOOOOOOOO
1/28 - val61 - Left side revision .......... and matching boobies for you love!!!!!
Ladies.. have a great week...
TA TA's coming Friday.. ( I wish you all could come)....I will call you ALL TOMORROW~
Love you girls!
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NAE: I'll link you the information in a minute. But if you post....this issue is going to come up...I think there has been discussion on this issue in the past on some threads...
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Thanks, Estepp! Sure wish I was coming to the slumber party, though! You girls will have a fabulous time, I'm sure! Good luck with all the renovations on your salon!
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Whippetmom:
So, is it possible and/or safe to overfill my TE's to 700 cc's? When the max is 550 cc's?
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Val Wish you were coming too!! BUT... YOU can come to Vegas this year lady... and go down to San Antonia and get DianaT ( BCO sister) and bring her with....:)
Vegas 2010 is gonna be AMAZING!
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Badmamajama,
As we all have stated, yeah, you get nervous. I think mine was because the TEs were soooo uncomfortable, that I was afraid my expectations were too high. I also think it brings back all the memories of the MX and how helpless we felt. Don't worry though, I was only down for about a day. I did need help with opening the pill bottles again though, and of course housework. Other than that, the good thing is it passes quickly.
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Jassygem,
Yep have some of the same problems with the memory. I lose words, and ( like right now) anyway, I've been on Arimidex since Sept. the first weekend it was so bad I couldn't figure out how to get out of my DH's new car. I will say it comes in spurts now as far as memory loss. Also, seems that it's just language, not forgetting what I've done or need to do etc. I have sporatic joint pain, seems mostly in fingers and hips, the hot and cold flashes are easing, and the insomnia is getting better also, my onco said this would happen. I think I'd ask my onco about the falling asleep.
There is a thread about Arimidex on this sight if you haven't found it already.0 -
Oh Geez, I'm so behind. I will try and catch up over the next few days.
Lilah--I will do a summary of what he says at the conference, since I can't seem to get him to say anything in my visits! It is not until March, so be patient.
I'm so sorry I have not been around. Between work/school/ and wireless issues at home I just haven't been able to make it work. I love all the Sisters very much and it is so good to see newbies coming.
Wendy/Deborah--Do we know when the gummies may become available and it there will be anything at is similar to the 800cc I have in now?
Geena--I will go looking for your post surgery posts first chance I get. I hope you are well.
I will catch up, but I'm at work so I have to go!
Hugs--Karen
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Samiam, Congrats on this next step. Lots and lots of positive thoughts going your way today. Stairs, no problem!
Jazzygem, OUCH!! The sleep thing, I had some chronic fatigue issues a couple years back, it's unrelated but I read a book that recommended a variety of herbs that made a world of difference. I think it was called from Fatigued to Fantastic.
badmamajama, What a road you've been down! The exchange was very nerve racking for me, I think in part it's an accumulation of everything coming together for what seems like it should be a simple step and you've had A LOT to come together. Hang in there! You know while I was in the hospital I had horrendous anxiety and didn't realize it until the next day (when I was still having anxiety and took a valium). If you need something before surgery to calm your nerves, ASK!
Val, it was such a fluke that I even saw the bra thing! I don't remember where it was exactly but if you don't want to order it online, send me a PM and I'll run over there today and mail it to you.
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To those of you who are post-exchange and have started massaging: have you had any swelling after massaging? My radiated side gets sore and swollen. I know I need to be "vigorous" for the massaging to do any good, and I'll swear I'm not pushing to the point of pain while I'm doing it.
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