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Comments

  • val61
    val61 Posts: 969
    edited March 2010
    wbuggie - I read what Julie mentioned, and I'd be glad to give you my dissertation on bras.  My ps is a bra fanatic, so I figure that gives me license......I personally think that there's something to it, but that's just my opinion.....essentially, my ps uses an underwire bra, worn extremely tightly with the straps as tight as possible 24/7 for the initial 3-4 months after exchange.  The underwire not only helps define and form the IMF, but it offers lateral support for the implants.  His idea is to "keep the implants up and in."  I'll be glad to extrapolate further....just let me know......Smile
  • Lilah
    Lilah Posts: 2,631
    edited March 2010

    Jazzy -- SO glad to see you rallying!  You are so right - you are more than your breasts and however they turn out you'll get through this!

    Val -- thanks so much for sharing what you heard at that luncheon.  It's something I don't always like to think about, frankly, and though I know it's true that we are never really cured -- I still think that while we can't be reckless going forward (take good care of ourselves, etc) we DO have to try to live like it is behind us.  I fear that I will be one of those who get depressed when the commotion dies away... but I guess I'll cross that bridge if/when I come to it.  Good to have a heads up though :)

    Katey -- Aw sorry about the blister.  But that's what I call turning a sow's ear into a silk purse!

    Re: scrapmom -- what about those chic shapers that several of you have tried?  Would that help her exert pressure against lateral movement?

    Lilah

  • juliempw
    juliempw Posts: 191
    edited March 2010
    Katey, Brenda and Lilah, Thanks.  I'm more optimistic today.  As I told Deborah, I think I prepared myself for the worst assuming that I would need another surgery and somewhere along the way that became me looking for a reason for the other surgery because I expect it.  It's twisted but that's how my mind works.  :-)Suzanne, I've been meaning to tell you how much I love your picture.  Every time I see it, it makes me smile.  Something about it just makes me feel happy, I can't explain it. Katey, LOL, fever blister, dang!  You know I have not seen a single person stare at my breasts yet and EVERYBODY knew.  I've had some cute comments from people who know me well enough to make them, even had a close friend almost grab them in a meeting just out of curiousity but no staring.  Jazzy, Beautifully said!!Val, Really, more than 5 years?!? Bummer!  Perhaps another reason I want another surgery is that I'm trying to give myself more processing time.  Wow, I am seriously messed up!  LOL!I'll take some time later to post a synopsis of my email discussion with Deborah so that future ladies can see my crazy logic.  Thank you all for listening! Julie  
  • mhm123151
    mhm123151 Posts: 11
    edited March 2010

    Jazzy, thanks for the link to the Dash Movie. It is just what I needed today. It really does put things in perspective.  It is so beautiful!

  • val61
    val61 Posts: 969
    edited March 2010

    Jazzy - I just read your post and clicked the link - Amen to the dash!

    Katey - I went through that during the holidays, trying to figure out what to wear to a couple parties.  For one I decided to cover up a bit, but for the next (my dh and I were hosting), the girls were prominently displayed - and let me tell you, they got plenty of attention!  Luckily we're a close-knit group and they all (girlfriends AND their husbands) felt perfectly comfortable commenting!

    Julie - I can completely relate.....like I said, I'm already fearing withdrawal symptoms after my recon is done......when I didn't see my ps for all of November, I felt like I was missing something.....then I've been there practically every week since mid-January - except this week - and it feels weird......and no I don't have a crush on him....lol.....just me being weird....

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Posts: 6,028
    edited March 2010

    Lilah - I was thinking the same thing for scrapmom - the Chic Shaper. 

    I know that feeling so many of your are expressing about coming to the end of the reconstruction journey.  I expressed this to my PS and he told me I am able to come back anytime I want for tweaking.  I said, "even five years from now?"  He said," there is no expiration date on breast reconstruction after cancer."   I find that pretty reassuring....

    I have photos of nips up on the pictures forum.  Best to look at AFTER dinner.

  • Kristinka
    Kristinka Posts: 223
    edited March 2010

    Deborah, I had an early dinner so I took a peak at your fipples.  They are perfectly wonderful!

    How did your PS do them?  Where did he get the skin?  i'm supposed to meet my PS in 2 mos. to discuss fipples - exhausting to even think about another surgery.  Was the procedure done in a hospital?  How long did it take? What kind of anesthetic?  I'm sure you already explained all this but I wasn't listening... 

  • reeltchr
    reeltchr Posts: 139
    edited March 2010
    Tomorrow is the day. Thanks to everyone for the encouragement and support. Next time I post I'll be Yippee Squishy Wink. Have a good one - Chris
  • Kristinka
    Kristinka Posts: 223
    edited March 2010

    best wishes to you, Chris! you won't miss those TEs for a second.

    and please take care during recovery...I overdid it today driving my son around the Bay Area and I'm back on narcotics and valium tonight!  silly me. 

  • kittycat
    kittycat Posts: 1,155
    edited March 2010

    I should hear from my sister tomorrow about her results from the bone biopsy!  Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers!!! 

  • musiclovermom
    musiclovermom Posts: 245
    edited March 2010

    Good Luck today Chris! Yippee Squishy!

  • Katey
    Katey Posts: 496
    edited March 2010

    Jazzy!  You have it so right, we have to concentrate on living!  The Dash - wow, that sure helped resolve my dry eye issue.  I'm going to hang on to that link to remind me once in awhile. Thank you.

    Val, you are so lucky to have found doctors that make you feel so secure.  They are such a gift when you find one! I kept going to mine till he gently told me it was time to move on! But still remember so many words of reassurance! And unbelievably I have been lucky enough to find new empathetic doctors.

    Julie, you're not alone, our minds all twist in bizarre ways as we deal with bc.

    Kittycat, you and your sister are in my prayers today.

    reeltchr!  Can't wait to hear how you are!!! Thinking of you today!

  • Delilahbear
    Delilahbear Posts: 206
    edited March 2010

    jazzygem - thanks for the post on "The Dash". It is hard to look at it with dry eyes, but certainly puts life in perspective and is very thought provoking.

    Nancy 

  • CDB
    CDB Posts: 34
    edited March 2010

     Fairportlady,

    I have the same exchange date as you, 3/26.  Three weeks to go!  If you PM Mykidsmom she'll add your name to the list.  I wish I had gotten lasered before surgery.  But at least the cold weather shirts hide my horrible shaving!  I think when I'm all done with exchange and healing that'll be my finishing touch!

    Another question for after exchange... does anyone know how long till you can swim?  I am so looking forward to warmer weather and getting outside!  Daylight savings starts March 14.  Yeah more daylight!!

    Wishing the best for all, whether recovering or up-coming.

    Cindy

  • scrapmom40
    scrapmom40 Posts: 29
    edited March 2010

    I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who replied regarding moving the t/e's.  I have been trying every day, and nothing.  So I am just going to leave it alone.  It tends to be more sensitive/sore from me always trying to push it over.  My PS does also have me massaging around the bottom, but that does not seem to be helping either.  I am not that concerned since it is not the final implant.  I just want them to both look the same when all is said and done.  Can't worry about that now.  I will cross that bridge when I come to it.  I went and purchased new bras yesterday.  I decided to go with no underwire.  I figure that is the best thing to do (plus no underwire is more comfortable I think).

    Thanks again for your replies.  I truly appreciate it.

    Karen

  • fairportlady55
    fairportlady55 Posts: 152
    edited March 2010

    CDP/ Cindy....Hooray for you!! I am counting the days till 3/26!!! I had my pre op visit tuesday and my PS was so enthusiastic, both he and the Nurse told me more than once that I will wake up feeling soooo much better than I do now with these over filled hard-as-a rock TEs!!!

    I sent mykidsmom (Jean) an e mail and got an auto response that she was away...I will PM her here as well. As it happens, Jean and I were good friends in highschool, reconnected all these years later because we both had prophylactic BMX....she is the one who told me about this wonderful site. The truth is stranger than fiction, huh?

    Good luck to you and ALL the others of us with upcoming surgery!!!------Kathy 

  • scrapmom40
    scrapmom40 Posts: 29
    edited March 2010

    Jazzy - I just wanted to say I loved the dash video.  Thanks so much for sharing.

    I hope all that have had surgery over the past week are feeling good and wish you all a speedy recovery.  Good luck to all of you that have upcoming surgeries scheduled.

    I have to agree . . .  I think this group does have a great bunch of women who are all very nice and helpful.

  • Annabella58
    Annabella58 Posts: 916
    edited March 2010

    Hello darling ladies, I am afraid I began the red pasties thread....I have them, the heart shaped sequin and tassel jobs.  I forget where I got them, but arimibrain makes me forget many things.

    Tho I do like the "meat pie" analogy....

    I haven't had the nerve to wear them yet, as I am so disparate in size.  Thelma (larger, placid, not a trouble maker) is down at my hip and Louise (feisty, troublemaker, took them over the cliff) is perky.  But they are in this together, right?

    What I really have to stop is referring to them this way to my poor oncologist who is baffled by my bizarreo sense of humor.  I think if we couldn't laugh at this stuff, by now I'd be in the laundry closet eating my own hair.

    Anyway, off to Fla and an MRI when I come back to make sure the girls are not up to anything (does anyone besides me feel like a cow with udders hanging down thru a milking stool during this procedure?) and then a fun filled CAT scan on the 22nd to make sure the polyps they have been following in my lungs have not done anything.  So please send up a little prayer for me gals, that all is well in both departments.

    Squishy, soft boobs, lovely nips and outrageous rackosity to all of you.  I love you so much.

    xoxo

    annie

  • don23
    don23 Posts: 213
    edited March 2010

    Deborah - I sent you a pm.

  • Texas357
    Texas357 Posts: 332
    edited March 2010
    Annie, you crack me up!Tongue out
  • Maggie66
    Maggie66 Posts: 71
    edited March 2010

    Karen, you probably have the info you need ... but wanted to tell you that my TEs really migrated under my arms. Since I had the exchange, the pockets are in the right place. Your PS can revise as s/he swaps out the TEs for implants.

    Julie and everyone, I just started seeing a cancer counselor who said that the time after treatment is often the toughest time for us. She recommended a book I just got called After Breast Cancer: A Common-Sense Guide to Life After Treatment by Hester Hill Schnipper. I ordered it from Amazon. I've just started reading it and it really resonates. Since my appts are no longer every week, I have more time to think ... which can be a hard thing and a good thing. Just having one session with this counselor made a big difference for me -- didn't have to overexplain as she just "got" it. I found myself saying, "Oh duh!" for stuff that was right at the surface but that I couldn't see until I said them out loud. Quite a journey, isn't it?

    Take care everyone,

    Maggie

  • cs7777
    cs7777 Posts: 303
    edited March 2010

    Re the feeling of being lost after our treatment - definitely resonates.  I just had MX and then my recon (no rads or chemo), and after I saw the BS a few days after the MX she said "ok, see ya in 3 months".  It felt like I was dumped, after such an intense relationship before the surgery.  Wierd.

    On a different topic, I want to offer some info to anyone possibly interested in the Allergan 410 (gummy bear) implants.  It turns out Allergan doesn't provide a comprehensive list of PS's participating in their clin trial online, so to find such a PS you may have to call Allergan.  (Some PSs note on their own websites that they're part of the trial, but most don't.)  If you're interested, call Allergan's Santa Barbara location, 800-624-4261. Just tell them you're a breast recon patient looking for a PS who's participating in the 410 implant trial, and they'll transfer you to someone who will give you the names and numbers of the participating PSs near you.  I was pleasantly surprised at how responsive and nice they were on the phone.  Note that there are trial sites in only a few states right now, I think CA TX, MO, IN, MI, and NJ, but I won't swear there aren't others.  Not trying to push these implants, just hoping to save someone the hassle of a fruitless search online. 

  • suzdtoflois
    suzdtoflois Posts: 16
    edited March 2010

    I Love you all so much!

    Julie - thanks for the nice comment on my pic - that was my first public appearance without a wig, scarf or hat - it was a company Christmas dinner - it has grown out a bit.

    Kittycat - you and your sister are continually in my prayers.

    Annie -  "Thelma & Louise" I have them too - LOL!!!

    Hugs to all!

    Suzanne

  • Baxter
    Baxter Posts: 91
    edited March 2010

     Hi Ladies,

    I haven't had much news so I haven't been on the boards much. Last Thursday I had my monthly  visit with my PS. I was expecting him to say...see you in a month. But he said we could set a date for my exchange!. In asking him about the timeline, he said he was doing the c-v nips at the same time. I was so psyched!

    That same day my husband learned he got a new job. We have been self employed so we have catastrophic coverage with a high deductible. The bummer thing is that his employer's plan has a 3 month waiting period.  This job is such a blessing, but I just let myself get too excited about getting this done. You all know my tedious story. So by having expanders or implants in since my first mastectomy in October 08 you can see why I was so excited.

    Anyway....my surgery date is Friday 6/11. Both expanders will be removed, he will then place the HP (High Profile not Hewlitt Packard!) smooth round silicone implants, and do the c-v nipples. That means after 21 months of a second cancer diagnosis and all the set backs,  I will be all done except for the tattooing!!!!!!!  YIPPEE!!!!!!!!  

    When I get through with this I am going to post pictures  from the very begining in 08 and show you ladies just what an amazing transformation this has been.

    Candi

    Candi

  • KEW
    KEW Posts: 450
    edited March 2010

    I'm too far behind!!!  Annie it is so good to see your posts--love your sense of humor, your onc's loss if he doesn't appreicate it.  Hugs and prayers for scans to be good.

    Thank you to everyone who gave some suggestions for gifts to give those who helped my boys and I so much.  I will keep you posted.

    Val--Thank you for sharing your lecture experience---I think I've been really struggling with nobody allowing me to talk about the fact that it can come back...it is too scary for the people close to me, but I feel really isolated because nobody will let me talk about it. About using drugs for more than 5 years, that was my onc's plan from the start--Tamoxifen for 3-5 years then an AI for 5 more.  Lilah you are right about living life.  Janet you too, I've really been doing a ton of soul searching as you all know trying to decide to do a revision, I feel so lucky that I kind of sailed through all the surgeries to date that I wonder if I should just accept the way the girls look or push it.  The nice thing is knowing that in a month or a year, I can decide to have it done, there is no pressure to do it now.

    Welcome to all the new sisters!

     Hugs--Karen

  • val61
    val61 Posts: 969
    edited March 2010

    Hope you ladies have had a wonderful day!  The sun is finally shining here....62 degrees....just lovely.....

    Maggie - Quite a journey, indeed....... thanks for the book info - I'm going to get a copy asap.....counseling sounds like a viable option, too......time will tell, I guess....

    Victorious - I realized I forgot to say "hey, 'sis'" back to ya!   btw...when will your exchange from the 410's be? I think Kristinka has the same implants your ps is considering for you and she's quite happy with them....let's pray that plan B isn't necessary....    As for the chest-elevated sleeping, my ps is all about that, too....still sleeping that way now - maybe next week......though I must admit my hair looks pretty darn good when I wake up!

    Reeltchr - hoping you're home soon, resting, and loving the softness!

  • val61
    val61 Posts: 969
    edited March 2010
    Candi - Hewlett Packard - love it!
  • Katey
    Katey Posts: 496
    edited March 2010

    Annie!  I love the Thelma and Louise story!  Just want to know where Brad fits in!

  • Kristinka
    Kristinka Posts: 223
    edited March 2010

    Brad fits in right here, b/w Thelma and Louise! 

    http://www.lostinthepast.net/motion/thelma/TL250bp.jpg

  • cnemeth
    cnemeth Posts: 136
    edited March 2010

    Annie ~ love Thelma and Louise along with your description of them.  Hysterical!!

    Katey ~ I am thinking that if you wear the right top that no one will notice the cold sore.

    Four pages of catching up to do.  I laughed and cried all the way through.  You are an incredible group of women!!  Can't wait for Vegas and the chance to see you in person!!!

    Take care,  Colleen

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