Exchange City
Comments
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jrgolumb, kbram and Val - Best of luck with surgeries this week! Keep on rockin'!
Texas357 - Somewhere on this thread someone recommended a link to a video that shows exactly how to massage foobs - maybe do a search for it? It was mentioned recently...
Laura - I too wish I could join the festivities, but tis not to be right now. Hope your renovations are going well - I'm sure if the decor is anything like your writing, it'll be fab!
Karen - I won't be taking pics til later in the week, so posting probably won't be done until the weekend. I am well - thanks for checking in. Feeling blobbish with so little activity, but trying to put some good solitary and pensive time into what next for myself re: work. It is good to have this space.
Julie - I'm going to check out that book - love the title!
Geena
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Karen -- thank you I'll look forward to your report! (And March seems like a mere blink of the eye from now
Got fill #5 today -- am up to 540 cc's! -- the nurse said I could start coming every other week if I want from now on... guess she thinks I'm almost there. LOL. I am not so sure about that! She said I could schedule my exchange for April/May if I want -- and I just MAY do that this week.
On the subject of pre-exchange nerves... I can imagine what that is like and why. Something about being in a State of Fill leaves you feeling open and relaxed because you know that where you are now is temporary. Exchange is NOT temporary (or ideally isn't meant to be)... so there are higher expectations. Totally understandable. I'm sure I'll be a wreck when it's my turn.
Hope everyone who had or is having surgery this week is feeling good, resting comfortably, and looking fine!
Lilah
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Geena, I have watched the video and feel that I'm doing the massage correctly. Just a bit nervous about the swelling.
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Texas and Geena -- I watched the massage video too, and think I'm massaging correctly. I have had no swelling or soreness after massaging, but it doesn't seem to be slowing the formation of scar tissue. My BC surgeon recommended vitamin E with Trental for 6 months, so I'll try that along with the massage and stretching exercises. I hope that your swelling and soreness doesn't continue, Texas, but if it does maybe you should check with your PS just to be on the safe side.
Someone else asked about implant brand and CC -- both of my implants have been Mentor silicone. The first one contracted and the second one has begun to contract. PS said that some people just grow lots of scar tissue and I seem to be one of them. --bonnie
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Texas - I would talk to your PS if you're getting swelling then - just to find out if this is normal. In a past life I was a massage therapist and if I had a client who complained of swelling after a massage - especially if it was light - I'd want them to see a doctor. I'd understand swelling if I were working on an injury site and were working with friction to break up scar tissue, but for a lighter touch, even on an injury site -- I would ask.
BonnieK - What is the vitamin E and Trental? Is that by prescription? I too have mentor silicone.
Geena
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I'm not sure when they become available.
I am actually nervous about this since I have a gummy in the left side, what if they are not available when they Dr. does the DEIP on the right (which will need an implant anyway). They must make some accomodation for someone in my situation,I would hope.
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Website for massaging is:
http://www.womensplasticsurgery.com/postop_massage.html#
Home with a cold today, but in comparision to a year ago when I stayed home after chemo, this is a piece of cake.
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Samiam & jrgolomb, hope your exchanges went well and you're resting up!
kbram - Good luck tomorrow !
Terri
Edited to add: I massaged for the first time yesterday. Left side a bit sore but all in all not too bad. Thanks for the video!
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Wendy -- ask your doctor if you are really concerned about availability. I am not sure it's a concern at Sloan-Kettering (also it's a new year, so perhaps there is a supply per year?) When I attended the breast reconstruction seminar at Sloan they said NOTHING about there being a limit on availability. Don't you think they would have if it were an issue?
Lilah
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Its more an issue of the FDA permitting use.I think the Study is over, so I am not sure if the implants can continue to be used while final approval is pending.I'm not sure of the FDA status or the test run time. I really need to research it.
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Not sure if anyone can help but there's a new forum on the pic site in Under Construction for "newbies". A sister asking for info on DIEP....
Can anyone here give here some info?
Terri
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Wendy -- let me know what you find out, in that case. My PS at Sloan told me she plans to use the gummies... THIS year... so they must still be available.
Lilah
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Back from fill #4 today. Not too bad, was able to stay at work. During the fill, I felt this unusual, uncomfortable feeling on my left side a few inches down from my arm pit. It made me jump. The nurse said it was my Lat D muscle! It must be the part that is tunneled around. Very weird. She gave me a rx today for Skelaxin, a muscle relaxer. Sounds like something out of Hell Raiser! Anyway, I took one tonight when I got home and it's helping somewhat. Ache in back is less and I don't feel sleepy or dopey. I am so very glad fills 3 and 4 have been more manageable than the first two. I'm at 510 and 540 cc's. I asked the nurse today how do I get an idea what size I want to be and she said best to go try on bras in different sizes. I guess that is a practical way to get an idea. I wish I'd read the rice in the baggy suggestion before I had fills. Now that I have these TEs, there's no adding baggies. I feel like I am close to a size I would like, but I don't know what size that is. I can still wear my old bras but the front middle is pulling out from my chest so I know I am bigger than I was before. The whole process is surreal!
Wishing all of you post exchange a comfortable recovery, deekaay.
P.S. Regarding the DIEP procedure, refer sister to bc.org Breast Reconstruction forum. There are a number of threads on DIEP and related issues. I learned lots of good stuff there.
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Terro = I kno wthere are a lot of threads on BCO.ORG where the ladies have had a DIEP. Perhaps you can look for them. Sorry, I don't know much about the procedure.
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I haven't been posting lately but I have been keeping up with everyone. My mood has not been the best - I had my exchange on 11/24 and got new bras in late December. My band size is bigger than it was before but also the cup size is bigger (I had an A and a B and now I have matching Cs). The foobs are soft and they move around quite a bit. My PS says this is what he was hoping for - much more natural this way. I had been so undecided about nipples but with all the talk of how they make the foobs seem more real I have decided to get them. I hope the foobs become more important to me when the nips are done - right now, they may as well be elbows - I haven't "connected" with them. Does that make sense?
Allison
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Texas - please ask your PS about the swelling...My right foob is fuller, heavier and aches more then the left and I have alot of discomfort in my back...I am in the process of finding a lymphodema therapist because my onc is concerned that it could be truncial LE...oh cancer the gift that keeps on giving....
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JEAN... I just LOVE seeing your posts....our little EC topic starter... WAHOOOOOO (HUG)
Texas and all RADS/Implant only... massager's:
I massage daily. My implant is soft enough.. skin... hardish... and the massage... HURTS.... my skin HURTS.... it has been three months since my final exchange... Pain is more normal with us sisters....
TEXAS... girl.. I wish I could see your picture's... so I know what you are dealing with. I could at least tell you if you were normal.... or better than normal.. or... in need of your PS again.... I worry about you girl!
Ladies.... I am having a " slumber party of Ta Ta's from BCO here Thur-Sunday.... Anyone wanna come...:).... anyway... I will not be online during this time... I just wanted you to know.... so you do not think I fell of the planet...:)
Take care of yourselves... !!
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PS: RADS SISTERS and Massage... I agree with the others 100% and just saw this... SWELLING is not so normal.... LE is a big risk to us rads girls... LET YOUR DOCS know. A GREAT knowledgeable gal here on BCO... knows her way around LE..... if you need her name...PM me... I will get you to her!0
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Alitman ~
So good to hear from you! We share the same exchange date...remember? Jan1 said the same thing about not feeling connected...until she got her fipple. I think this will make us feel whole again? My foob side is finally feeling like it is a part of me...it is not feeling foreign to me as initially. I am feeling so normal now that I don't know if I want to go through the lift on my healthy breast any more. Right now..I feel pretty darn good yet if I want symmetry I know a lift is needed. Hope you are doing well? I've been thinking about you!
NAE
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SPEAKING of JAN1....... WHERE are you lady?
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I was thinking about Jan1, too.......hope you're okay!
My ps never said a thing about massage - I didn't have rads, but I know a lot of your ps's recommended it.......I'll try to remember to ask him about that......
deekaay - a similar thing happened to me with a couple of my fills - the dreaded muscle spasm - though mine were just the pecs as I don't have a flap. Very freaky.....not painful, just weird.......Glad to hear you're progressing, though. The bra search is difficult with the TE's - that pulling in the middle you describe does make it difficut, doesn't it?
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Hi ladies - Just a quick good morning and best wishes to our surgery sisters. Jazzygem shared her wonderful news, she has a surgery date! I will add her shortly. I am jealous of the slumber party girls, what fun that will be! I bet Laura will need to sleep until Wednesday after her weekend! Fairport/Kathy tells me that she is doing pretty well, but she totally understands why we are all so "in love" (LOL) w/ TE's!
Hugs ladies! - Jean
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Hi ladies - I did not have rads but bmx, exchange and chemo. My ps says to massage for 30 minutes a day - spread it out but definitely do it to reduce the risk of capsular contracture. Makes sense to me and I don't mind doing it as it makes me feel more connected to these girls.
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Busy week for you exchange girls. To those having surgery sending you luck, prayers and great results.
Alicia0 -
Thanks to everyone for the good thoughts and wishes for my surgery today. It is a late one (3:00) so I have some time to kill this morning. Maybe I will try to do something constructive and clean my bathroom! I will be fine if the darn IV does in the first time!! Wish me luck!! Will check back in later. Prayers for everyone having surgery this week. Good luck!!
Kathy
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Kathy - The best to you today! I agree about the IV. My rule is three strikes you're out - next practitioner, please!
Allison - I'm just out of my exchange, but I don't think your comment about the foobs feeling like they might as well be elbows (LOL) is far off. I don't know what I'm going to feel yet, but I do know I've had concerns about how I will relate to them, how they will be (or not be) part of my intimate experiences with boyfriends (when I enter THAT world again). I've been trying to talk to them a little bit (now THAT may sound crazy) - but just sort of some "precious regard" stuff to help me start to see these things as new, different and valuable parts of me. I don't want to keep regarding that part of my body with whatever... dread, fear, anger. I DO think I'm starting to feel sweet towards them... we'll see. What an interesting trip, man!
Geena
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Good morning ladies! Just catching up and relating to everything I'm reading! Prayers go out to those of you having surgery and those of you healing now.(mind and body!)
Six months out from exchange and still not liking my new ones. They are heavy and I'm always aware of them being there. I just am scared that I might get an infection if I have another surgery. That has always been a fear for me. I need to get a second opinion and for some reason I keep putting it off. I HATE dealing with Drs.:(
On the other hand, it is a beautiful day here and I plan on enjoying it!
Hope everyone has a great day,
Deen
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Deen - I'll be there are extra precautions one can take to avoid infection - even alternative things before surgery. Maybe if you find out what you can do you'll feel more empowered and be able to move forth. I hear you on the doctor thing. Ugh.
I'm so done with PAISLEY! I was looking at my wardrobe and the three paisley tops I wore INCESSANTLY while I had my wacky TE's in. It was suggested I buy paisley for its camoflauging effects - and it worked! Tricky on the eye, hiding all the bumps and bobbles, sort of groovy. But wow! I may never wear it again! I feel I have to make something of these shirts though - maybe some sort of pillow or art thing for memory. Anyway, I am looking forward to getting back into some of my old Geena clothes.
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Morning ladies--I need some input on something. I have developed hard little beads just under my scars, all the way along and on both sides. They are spaced evenly so I am thinking they are the stitches that haven't yet desolved. I am 6 weeks post exchange today. Anyone else have these? and will they go away?
Thanks, Bobbi
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Geena, I can so relate to you about clothing! I have a large, button-up blue blouse that I call my "surgery shirt". I wear it for all surgeries......today is number 7!! I told my PS I was going to burn it when I'm through with it all. Oh well, it serves it's purpose. Take care.
Kathy
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