Exchange City
Comments
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KEW - I, too, intend to have a party to thank the village that has rallied around me this past year. I just wanted it to be when I was COMPLETELY done, so who knows when that will be? I love the idea of the poetry books and also love Deborah's idea of the friendship quotes books. I'll file those ideas away...
Kristen - you sound like you're starting to feel better - hope so! I remember hearing on tv last year about stores and banning you after returning too many things without receipts....now I know it can really happen!
Belz - congrats and AMEN!
Kimberly - be careful, my dear.....bra buying can be addictive.....Deborah almost sent me to a 12-step program for it......
Just got back a little while ago from lunch with one of our EC friends, LizziesNuNu -it's such fun to meet our fellow bc sisters in person - I wish we could ALL go to Vegas!
I'm off to go "model" for a bc fundraiser tonight....not a fancy event, though......all of us are bc "survivors" (sorry, I still don't like that word)......don't know if it'll be emotional or fun......could go either way.......
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Kimberly, I am not wearing the chic shaper now but did wear it for the first couple weeks to keep things in place. I think it's great for that, I'm hanging onto it for nipples, my PS says no bra for 3 weeks after nipples which concerns me so I figure, this keeps the nipples uncovered but keeps my implants supported. FYI, Sarah's Key ends up a little sad, I'm usually overwhelmed with sad books and like to be warned, but this one didn't overwhelm me.
deekaay. If you want a small C, I would think that 550 might be a bit much. On a 32 550 tends to be more D'ish. Also over filling that much seems too much. I was overfilled by 125cc and have some excess skin that is going to have to be removed (which means extending my scar). Deborah?
Kew, When I've written thank you's I on of those magnetic folding bookmarks in with the card that has a survivor poem. I'll pm the poem to you. I also made some magnets with the pink ribbon under a piece of glass stone/half marble things. Not sure if either of those makes sense but if you're interested, I'll try to explain more.
Julie
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Hi Ladies! Whew - we lost our internet service for two days and WOW that's a lot of posts to read. Just wanted to poke my head in and wave and say YAY for the recent surgeries!
Karen - what a fab idea for a party and a gift... are you looking for one poem for all or specific poems for individuals? I think both of the suggestions you got sound excellent.
Grakkenmom - SO glad you are feeling better. Deborah truly IS a treasure.
Val - I love the thought of you in a show as a model! You GO girl.
Julie -- interesting that there is excess skin. Did they overexpand too much or is it just how it goes? My PS plans to overexpand by 100 cc's... just what I don't need is excess skin
Hugs to all -- sorry if I missed some but I'm overwhelmed with catching up!
Lilah
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Hi Ladies!
I have been trying to keep up with this thread. I read but have only posted once. Every time I come on and want to respond, 3 pages have gone by! The wit, wisdom, and support on this thread is unbelievable. I had a BiMX with LD flaps in Sept. ( I know that somebody on here is fighting that choice now). It was not my first choice of surgeries and I was not as well informed as I am now. I had my exchange & nipples done in Jan. (My PS does a quite unique surgery and incision was round and center so there was no question where nips would go.) It has been a long road, but I am very happy with my results.
Erika- I just wanted to let you know that I had a hyster/oomph in Nov. in between the other surgeries. I am 47. With history and problems with cysts & fibroids it was a premptive strike on my part. Please don't worry. Even though it was another surgery I am SO happy I did it. I had a full bikini cut incision. I really wanted a tummy tuck, but that would have been $9,000 extra! I admit that I had brain scramble for awhile, but who knows if that is from too much anesthesia, Tamoxifen, or hormones. Hot flashes are minimal. I am taking Effexor which helps with mood swings & hot flashes. The best part is no more debilitating periods & PMS. Good Luck.
Lisa
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Karen, I've always loved the Footprints in the Sand poem.
Footprints in the Sand
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,
You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?The Lord replied, The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.
Mary Stevenson, 1936
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Grakenmom: Thank you for your kind words....but I am just as blessed to have been able to help in some way!!!
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No Val, I was going to arrange for an INTERVENTION for your bra addiction!
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deekay: There are only a small percentage of us who are over-expanded to the degree your PS recommmends. It all depends on how your skin is responding to expansion and if you can convince your PS to stop now and use at least 550 cc implants. Julie mentioned that 550 ccs might be a "D" on you if you have a 32 bra band, but I have you down as a 36 bra size with a 34 inch ribcage. Am I wrong about those statistics? Also, you are tall....I don't think you will be happy with less than 550 ccs. I also don't think you want too much drape or "ptosis" - which is the term used by surgeons. So this is an important issue to discuss with him.0
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KEW ~ Someone sent me Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert when I was recovering from surgery. Great book, humorous, insightful, educational, true story. I loved it and found out later that my 43 year old heavy construction worker brother also enjoyed it.
Colleen
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rzxcd - So happy you had a great exchange too! I love my PS - he did a great job too!
I don't know anything about your rib issue but hopefully you are no longer in pain.
Yippee Squishy for you too! I LOVE these implants! So much more comfortable than the TE's!
Enjoy the new girls!
Kimberly
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Hannahbearsmom - Yes, BETTER DAYS ARE AHEAD I know--they're just not IN my head yet. After surgery, when I have 2 foobs of the same size, I'll do better. Right now it's 1 tall and 1 short and it looks silly. Oh well, in a few more days I'll have an equal pair. Hopefully!!
Kimberly - I have the bras, now all I need are the foobs.
BTW - I'm sure there are ladies who had an implant placed in a healthy breast. When you had the exchange, how did the healthy one fare? Was it very uncomfortable? This is what keeps preying on my mind. I'm not worried about my Mx side -- it's my healthy side. I know this may seem odd but it's what keeps niggling in the back of my brain. Isn't it interesting how the bc plays with your head. Enjoy the rest of your evening. Chris
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I read through this thread regularly, but came on here tonight to see if anyone had feedback on getting ovaries removed or having a hysterectomy. I have a clear cyst on my left ovary that is slowly growing. It's about 4 cm right now. I had a color ultrasound. There was no color running through it and the radiologist said it didn't look suspicious at all. Ironically, he was the same radiologist that dx my BC!
Anyway, my OB thinks I should have the cyst removed. Usually, I see her PA, who has been awesome (without her persistence, my BC would not have been found). the PA talked to me about the possibility of getting a hysterectomy. She wasn't 100% sure this would be the right option for me, but they are concerned since I am BRCA1+. I am only 40 years old and the PA is concerned about me going through menopause so early.
I have an appt with my onco on Monday. It's just a follow up appt, but perfect timing. I took a CA125 test a few months ago and scored a 2. I just took another CA125 test last week. My OB wants to get my onco's opinion on this. He wasn't 100% sure that a hysterectomy was a good option for me after my BMX because the same kind of cancer can also be found in the abdomen.
I was 100% sure I wanted a BMX, but I am not sure I want a hysterectomy. I don't know if I want to be forced into menopause without hormones. My sister had early menopause and so did my cousin (they are only 4 and 5 years older than me). Maybe it's not that big of a deal.
It was good to hear about Deborah and Erika. I wish you both luck and look forward to some feedback on what I'm going through.
By the way, my sister had her bone biopsy last week. Keep her in your thoughts. We find out the results next week. I really hope she doesn't have bone mets so soon after her battle with BC last year. She just got genetic testing and is also BRCA1+, too.
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Chris - OMG! 3/4 is this week! yea! Yippee Squishy for you too!
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Yeah for Yippee Squishies! They sure are nice. And you will quickly forget the turtle shells!!
Kittycat, you're asking for opinions. In my unmedical opinion...well, let me start again. I was first diagnosed at 32, it was always believed to be genetics and when I finally got over the fact that I wasn't going to have a 2nd child my gyn and I started thinking ovary removal. The BRAC test was invented, had it and much to my surprise it was neg. If it was positive I was going to go thru with surgery, I just did not want to take any chances. It's good that you're meeting with your oncologist, and you might also contact the genetic counselor that did your test and talk to them about it. Menopause isn't that bad. Even with years of night sweats, it's manageable. Gabapentin or effexor are known to help. I miss my period about as much as I miss my TE's!!
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Deborah, you are right on the money on my stats, 5'10", 34" rib cage. It is amazing you keep all our data straight and jump in with guidance! This Breast Whisperer rep is well earned.
My current fills are 650cc in left LD side and 710cc on prophy side. My skin is very tight, I think. If I want to wind up at 550-600cc implant, I think I want to talk to doc about just catching the left side up if needed and stopping expansion at that point. I haven't seen my PS since my post op so I don't have the opportunity to ask him questions along the way. I think I need to make an appt. A fill or two ago, the nurse (and resident) who does my fills said, "Your almost done" meaning I was 100cc over the target which I learned is their norm. I reminded her that my doc had said 200cc over expanded for me. When I asked why, she said because I presently dont have a IMF and that will help him create one. That's what got me thinking about the drape. Your are right, I would like a little normal drape, but never had much drape with small, dense breasts so it doesn't seem like a big deal.
The nurse also mentioned that the PS may put in a different profile implant on each side because I have tissue on my bc side from the LD. This was news, too, which I think I need to hear more from my dr. I don't remember reading on here or the forum that LD women got difference size implants. I'll keep you posted...Thanks again for your advice! deekaay
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Hi all,
I..... just..... cant.... keep up......
Just a check in - I've been overwhelmed with lots of work, some issues with elderly parents, my thyroidectomy scar that is attached (via scar tissue) to my trachea (soooooo lovely when I swallow), being low thyroid (they'll check my levels in two weeks) and new breast pain. Ultimately all is well just - I just haven't been up to being on the boards right now. I hope that's OK.
I'm 5.5 weeks out from my exchange. My PS allowed me to start stretching and massaging my scar tissue last week and ever since, even though I've been going gently, I am in pain. Radiated breast ONLY. Of course. My other breast just rolls its eyes with impatience. The scar tissue I have around the breast pocket is extremely dense, thick and risen up. I've been taking enzymes on an empty stomach in the morning because apparently they work to break down the scar tissue. But bottom line is continued discomfort - sometimes deep in the pocket. I'll call my PS to make sure this is normal. I'm assuming this is normal. If not, can y'all tell me?
I see both my PS and thyroid doc in May to correct my body's ongoing anomalies. I can only be entertained, otherwise it's down the rabbit hole for me! Now if Johnny Depp were down there, I'd happily go, but since that's not the case, it's chin up and brunch with my dear friend Elizabeth instead.
Thanks for listening, dear ones.
Geena
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deekay- I am no expert, but I did have a skin sparing biMX with LD flaps & TEs. I was a 40D or DD before surgery and was filled to 540cc at the time of my surgery. I was filled to 660ccs. My old bras fit me but I felt I stuck out more than before. My PS was planning on putting in Allergan style 40 high profile 650ccs. I had an 11th hr. change of heart & after discussing with him right before exchange surgery, decided to go a bit smaller. The surgery was longer & more involved because he did a bit of a reduction, but I had 550's put in. My D bras still fit but I project 2 inches more than before. I'm not sure what a drape is, but the shape is extremely natural.
Good luck with your PS.
Lisa
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Geena,
So sorry you're having these problems. I didn't have radiation, but I've read from others that the massage will eventually help. Have you considered going to a PT? This might be good for your head as well as your foobs. Hope you get feeling better soon.
kittycat, I had my ovaries removed at my exchange. The chemo and later Tamoxifen, now Arimidex, already had me having menopausal symptoms, so nothing really changed. I also am BRCA+. I realize that our markers are different, though, so you probably don't have to take these meds. As far as the surgery went, it was a piece of cake, and they took my uterus also. Very little scarring. I hope that your onc will have some good info for you. Praying for your sister.
deekay, I had TOO much drape, and am still not happy with that, so you really want to make sure you and your PS are on the same page with that. Good luck.
Today is my one year BMX anniversary. A little sad, but I'm still here, aren't I?
Yay! Deen
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deekay: Yes, I think you might even want 600 ccs. I just don't want you to be disappointed. I can see the point about over-expanding 100 ccs perhaps to enable the PS to have additional tissue to recreate the IMF. Deen is right though about the possibility of too much droop. Only your PS can evaluate this on your behalf. You do have TEs with a projection of 9.0 cm and so you have an extra 3 cm of tissue over and above the projection of the future implants to work with. I cannot comment on the different profile issue. That might be necessary, altlhough it is important to convey to your PS that you want sufficient volume and you want symmetry - equally as much upper pole fullness in both breasts. Nail him down on the style and volume as closely as possible BEFORE surgery....He should be taking in sizers of varied volume to try out in the OR.
Geena: It seems to me you need a lymphadema PT to help you out with that painful rads breast. You do not need lymphadema to go to this type of PT. They just have the knowledge required to give you the optimum relief from the painful aspects of mastectomy. You might want to visit the Post-Mastectomy Pain Syndrome thread my sister started...it is a very active thread in the "surgery" forum - to gain some insight and some treatment recommendations.
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Hi Kitty cat - My diagnosis is similar to yours! I have a 2cm mass but no color in the area. CA125 #8.
My GYN said it may be an old dermoid cyst and he'd watch it for longer if it weren't for my bc diagnosis and family history of bc. I tested negative for BRCA1&2 but all my doctors (family Dr., onco and GYN) said if I tested positive the best would be to do full hysterectomy/ooph. For my situation GYN said it is best to remove my right ovary at this point instead of trying to biopsy it, and it would be my choice to remove both but he'd recommend both out. All my other doctors said the same thing.
I've been also worried about surgical menopause but I talked to all my doctors, family, friends and ladies here and other threads, and I came to the conclusion that it is best to go ahead with ooph since I'm already 49 and will soon be in menopause anyway.
I am still worried about outcome and the waiting period is agonizing, plus this ovary situation took me by surprise while I'm just getting over the bc ordeal. I've been struggling with it for two weeks, but now I decided to snap out of it and face the facts!
Since I'm ER/PR+ and HER2- removing the ovaries will be another tool together with tamoxifen as a treatment to prevent cancer since the ovaries produce so much estrogen.
I learned that menopause symptoms can be easily controlled with Paxil, Prozac or any other light dose of antidepressants. So, I'm scheduled for a laparoscopy surgery via robotic Da Vince device (less invasive and small scars on the abdomen) on March 8th.
I hope this info helps some! Good luck in your decision
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kittycat: Here is an article which was published last month. It separates the risk factors for BRCA1 and BRCA2 and appears supportive of earlier published material regarding the risk reducing options and recommendations. It is not a one-size-fits-all decision though. You want clear information from your medical team re: how you are going to be able to address the symptoms of surgical menopause.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/716050
Oops...I forgot....that link will not work unless you are a member. I'll copy it and PM it to you.
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Geena, I'd check with your PS. Is it healing well otherwise? I've been told to do vigorous massaging and that can cause the rads breast to be slightly tender or even a bit achy but not painful.
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Deen and Deborah - Thanks both. Yes, I will call my hospital's lymphedema team tomorrow. I had hoped I could work on it myself, but I need some expertise here. I'll also check out the thread Deborah reccommended later on today. (So is that Deen's thread?)
Geena
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It is "Deeds" who started the PMPS thread Geena. She is my sister...
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Karen -- I loved EAT PRAY LOVE... great book, takes you on an adventure through Italy, India and I can't remember the final destination (Bali)? I also loved A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS... very moving but gripping story of the life (fictional) of two women in Afghanistan before, during and after the Taliban. If you want to cry about something other than cancer as well as laugh and feel joy, this is a great book.
Kimberly - I celebrate YOUR joy -- it is such a delight to read your posts.
Kristen -- I know it was a few days ago (but I'm still catching up) and just wanted to say: LOL on being banned from returning stuff to Target for a year! If I were you I'd go return something the day the ban is up
Geena -- I am SO sorry you are hurting... and yet continue to be in awe of your ability to rise above it. I would be breaking things right now, yelling at my Toaster Oven, screaming (in my car) during traffic, etc. I really hope massaging will make you feel better, but I'm worried that it's your rads breast. I am glad you will consult with the doctor. It's good to check in and be very protective/careful with that rads breast. Deborah's suggestion of an LE PT is GREAT!
Lisa -- welcome! I am in NJ as well so it's nice to meet a local sister
I am impressed that your implants projected MORE than your original breasts! I didn't know that was possible -- especially as a fellow former DD. I am a uni and will have lift/reduction of my healthy remaining breast when I have my exchange, so overall will end up smaller... kind of looking forward to the clothes I'll be able to wear that I never could wear before!Lilah
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Hi Hallnj5 - Thank you for your input. I really appreciate it. I'm now putting my thought and energy on ‘Life without periods & PMS'.
I think I am, finally, almost finished crossing the ‘Fear & Worries Bridge'!
I hope you'll still get that tummy tuck you're looking for, and less costly. Have a great end of weekend!
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Erika- You're welcome! Another thought- I had several pelvic US the year before I was diagnosed with BC. (I had kidney cancer the year before BC). I learned that we all get cysts on our ovaries when we are ovulating. They usually go away when we get our period and it's when they don't that they have concern. One US showed a cyst on the right side and the next US showed a cyst on the left side. I actually had my gyn call the radiologist because he had confused the sides and was comparing size from one scan to another of 2 different cysts!
Lilah-Where in NJ are you?
Lisa
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Deen,
Can you follow up your last post where you said you ended up with too much drape with a comment on how much more filled your TEs were compared to your final implant cc's? I worry that my PS has overfilled me more than needed and while I want the softness and slack that should come with the smaller implant I don't want it sagging down to the floor either!
C.
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Deborah, With my overfill and extra skin. How soon would I see drape and how much do you think there will be?Lilah, I was overfilled by 125 cc. The plan was 100 over but I changed my mind about implant size at the last minute. My PS commented that he may have to remove some of the skin but I don't see him until next week so I'm sorta in the dark right now.Geena, Glad to see you and sorry things have been so rough lately. Hang in there! Julie0
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Hi all my dears, I haven't been on here in ages...hope you guys are all well and enjoying new and burgeoning "girls"...
Laura where are you? Hi Deborah! Hi Karen, you sound like you are doing great!
I am working hard, but I miss you guys! Have my MRI (yearly since mammo did not catch my 2nd cancer) and lung polyp cat scan on 3/15 and 3/22, so I'm going to be doing some praying for sure. Always such a freak out time of year for us all, these scans...argh.
Arimidex so far, is treating me OK. Still have clicking hip (like a skeleton dance) but since it's not anything but clicking, that's fine.
Karen, how'd you do after the hyster/ooph? I found that to be the easiest part of all this garbage so far....and I am endlessly glad to be finally done with my monthly visitation. I just look older, but hey, ater all the stuff we've all been thru, why wouldn't we? And with all the stuff we've been thru again, it's NICE to be older, right?
Kristin, banned from Target? That' is hilarious. Wear a disguise and go back. Make sure you make it obvious.
I too, tried the Chic Shaper. I looked like Dolly Parton on steroids. Or like I had an ass in my clavicle. Interesting thing, that little torture device.
love to all of you, I've missed you!!
Grackenmom, big hugs to you.
xoxo
annie
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