Come join others currently navigating treatment in our weekly Zoom Meetup! Register here: Tuesdays, 1pm ET.
Take our poll: Caregivers, what do you find most difficult about caregiving?
Weigh in: What are the best and worst gifts for people with breast cancer?

Exchange City

1…7374767879…1387

Comments

  • nurse_79
    nurse_79 Member Posts: 4
    edited April 2009

    Hi girls! I am posting for the first time, and could use some real support! I am an emotional wreck right now, my bf just left for a 15 month deployment. But basically right now i am expanded fully to 950 ml, my PS wants to put in 600 ml implants for me...my questions is: I do not have much cleavage, its like they are very imobile in my chest. Once the final implant go in, will they settle and relax like real boobs? All i want is to have a little felxibility and cleavage from the implants, maybe i am worrying when i shouldn't have too...I am hoping some of you guys can give me some insight on this. Thanks so much for reading my post, and taking time to listen to me :)

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited April 2009

    hi ladies just hopping on before heading to my mom and dads

    hotmedic14 sorry to hear your bf left and will miss out on feeling those soft boobs you'll get after your exchange.  When you mention immobile, if your talking about how your TE is hard as a rock and doesn't move...yes that is very normal.  After your exchange your implant should be soft and you should be able to move them.  I'm imagining you video taping this to send to your BF but knowing the gov they probably check everything so maybe not a good idea lol.

    when you mention you don't have cleavage is that because your TE are too far apart?

    If so, your PS can move your implants closer to give you cleavage.

    I think you will have no worries and everything should turn out great : - )

    Do you know the style of implant your PS plans to use?

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited April 2009

    HAPPY EASTER!!!!   HE HAS RISEN INDEED!!!

    Sandy - I like the new action shot avatar!!

    I ditto with the "love and special wishes" and prayers going out to all of the women having surgery next week!  Wow!  So many next week!!  Including our OWN Jean [mykidsmom].  How exciting for all of you!

    Laura - You are going to start feeling better again very soon and we are all so THANKFUL!!

    Deborah 

  • dani42
    dani42 Member Posts: 206
    edited April 2009

    I just wanted to pop in and wish everyone a Happy Easter.  Wishing all of you healthy days ahead.

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited April 2009

    Sprtwareor............... GOOD LUCK tomorrow sister! Second time is a CHARM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Sprtwareor
    Sprtwareor Member Posts: 23
    edited April 2009

    Tomorrow's a big day for you and me both, Laura!!  Let's celebrate!!!  After a long nap. hehehehe

    First, I guess, we're supposed to eat the whole container of cool whip?? Is that right? We might need some help with that Sandy . . .  YOU are the resident expert on cool whip!!!

    Best of luck to all my sisters this week. There's a BUNCH of us. May it go smoothly for each of us, with really soft foobs for those getting exchanges, exquisite suturing for those of us getting revisons, and extra pretty expanders for Facecrafter. 

    Feel the strength of our togetherness, sisters!!!

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited April 2009

    just had to share I realized my small tupperware bowl also works but I'm sure you'll all be glad to hear I wore the foam peice my PS gave me when I went to my parents house instead of wearing a bowl

    Best of luck tomorrow gals

    whooo hooo Laura will be done with rads : )

    I think this will be a good week we got a lot going on this week

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited April 2009

    Thanks all... :)

    Sandy.. are you the funny one in your family.. I bet your mom and sisters laughed their butts off at the tupperware and ANY bowl for that matter....ROFLOL

  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 433
    edited April 2009

    Whew.  Laura is done tomorrow, YAY!   Extra pretty expanders for me, too, eh Marilyn?  Thanks for that thought!

    And Sandy, you arejust bowl-ing them over...LOL 

  • YvonneB
    YvonneB Member Posts: 149
    edited April 2009

    I used a lot of cool whip this weekend Sandy and I couldn't help but giggle everytime I opened a container!! What a nut you are!!!

  • ktym
    ktym Member Posts: 673
    edited April 2009

    Good luck to everyone going in this week. 

    Hotmedic: sorry to hear your BF will be deployed this week, but I sure thank him for his service to this country.   You are in the right place for some support.  

  • Vinogal
    Vinogal Member Posts: 114
    edited April 2009

    Good luck to all the ladies having procedures done this week.........good luck and healing to all!

    Had a good Easter weekend.......but found myself in tears last night.........so I went to change the damn nursing pad that I continue to need......only to find another small opening that is draining the dreaded seroma fluid.......I just can't help but wonder why?........I keep thinking this will be all be behind me soon.......but to see it getting worse and not better is so disheartening.......sorry to be such a downer.....just feeling very down right now.....I will see PS tomorrow......not sure what she can do?

    Laura.....yay for your last rad......now on to healing for you!

    Cheers and hugs to all!

    Jax

  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 448
    edited April 2009

    (((((Jax)))))

  • nurse_79
    nurse_79 Member Posts: 4
    edited April 2009

    THanks so much Rockwell for making me laugh about the video I can send to my boyfriend! What a great idea........I think my final implants will be mentor mammary gel? Not sure...any recommendations? I defenetely want silicone, because i feel since i have no breast tissue the silicone seems to fill more like breast tissue. Yeah my TE are just hard as rocks and dont move pretty much, plus they are way up into my clavicles, and armpits...sucky! I was ready to exchange last month, but i am in the midle of moving, so i thought i better wait untill after i move, so i can just rest up afterwards....Thanks for everyone who responded, i look forward to checking this site, and get to knowing all you ladies!

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited April 2009

    Jax if you've been following Yvonne's story it has taken her a long time but we are all hopeful that she is healed.  It may take a while but we all hope the same thing for you. 

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited April 2009

    hotmedic I thought of your BF and other friends when I read this earlier

    http://www.gratitudecampaign.org/shortmovie.php 

    This is pretty cool.....(30 second video)... Have you ever had one our military personal walk past you and you wanted to convey to them your thanks, but weren't sure how or perhaps you might have felt a bit awkward about it?  Check this out.   Recently, a gentleman from Seattle created a gesture which could be used and has started a movement to get the word out. Please everybody take just a moment to watch.... The Gratitude Campaign; ....and then forward it to your friends!   THEN START USING THE SIGN.

    well I have to sign off but Colleen (just saw your name at the bottom) several of us would be more than happy to give you some advise.  One question we always have is do you know what style TE you have in?  This will help us give advise...

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,028
    edited April 2009

    JAX:

    I have been doing some research regarding wound healing, seroma formation and breast cancer patients - especially patients who have gone through chemotherapy.  Protein and mineral stores are depleted and compromised already - and then there is protein and mineral loss thorugh the serous fluids with the seroma.  So increasing protein and mineral intake is essential for wound healing.   Try increasing the protein in your diet significantly and take some additional vitamins and minerals and see if this helps any.  Here is one excerpt from an article I was reading...

    Nutrients

    "All phases of wound healing depend on adequate supplies of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Proteins are the building blocks of cells. Wounds with exudate can lose protein, lowering albumin levels. Carbohydrates provide a source of cellular energy for the wound healing process. Vitamin C is essential to collagen synthesis. Vitamin A is required for an adequate inflammatory response and has been used to counter the catabolic effect that glucorticosteroids exert on wound healing. Given its role in rapid tissue growth and protein synthesis, zinc is thought to be involved in wound healing as well."

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited April 2009

    OMG Colleen I just caught your age.  It's still a shock to me to hear how many young gals have breast cancer.  I found out I had cancer when I had my 1st mamo at age 40. 

    Have you been to the pix forum to see PS can do wonders as in move implants closer.  A important thing we talk about here is you have to look more than just the cc of a implant.  My 1st implant actually had a few more CC than what my TE had but when I checked the dim of my TE and my implant.  My implant was smaller and I wasn't happy so I had a 2nd exchange.  For us to give our input we'll need to know the size of your rib cage.  Someone with a wider rib cage needs a wider implant as smaller rib cage can have a narrow implant like the high profile Mentor offers or the style 45 or 20 that Natrelle offers.  PS I see you posted your e-mail in a past post.  To be safe I would maybe suggest you edit that post and take it out so you don't get junk mail.  Sorry to say they say stuff like that can happen.  Maybe edit to tell gals to PM you and than offer your e-mail that way through a PM so not everyone can see it.

  • ngcm05
    ngcm05 Member Posts: 12
    edited April 2009

    Hi guys!  Just wanted to touch base after my exchange surgery on Friday.   Swear I got drive thru boobs!  I was there at 6am, in surgery at 7:30 and on my way home by 11:00!!  I didn't have any pain and haven't taken any pain meds.  I took the Percocet the first night cause' I hate sleeping on my back and thought that would help me fall asleep.  No complaints.  I had 800cc in the TE's and they put in Mentor 750ccs.  I think I am a solid D cup, but can't tell.  They don't look that much different than my expanders did but are soo much softer.  So, overall, pretty easy!  Take good care!

    GG

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited April 2009

    WHOO HOOO Happy news for GG : - )

  • Jaimieh
    Jaimieh Member Posts: 925
    edited April 2009

    GG thanks for the laugh (at the drive thru bobbies..lol...)  Glad everything went well :)

  • ktym
    ktym Member Posts: 673
    edited April 2009

    Rockwell girl, thanks, I already have forwarded it on

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited April 2009

    GG.. CONGRATS!!!!!!

  • playmysti
    playmysti Member Posts: 14
    edited April 2009

    Hi everybody.  Haven't been in here for awhile.  On 4/3 got my new boobs.  Having trouble getting used to the feeling and the tightness.  I sure do hope it gets better than this.  Kinda concerned to cause I got a small flap of skin on the side of the breast where I had the lymph nodes removed.

    Does it get better?

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited April 2009

    Hi Laura...Love U GF : - )

    your last day of Rads today HEA : - )

  • rockwell_girl
    rockwell_girl Member Posts: 517
    edited April 2009

    Mary it's only been 10 days so I think YES things will get much better

    Did you have the tightness with the TE also?

    from a old post I see you were filled to around 500cc

    did your PS go with a larger implant than what you were with your TE

    Was your PS able to move your implants closer than what your TE were.  From your old post I read you were hoping for that.

    if your saying you don't like that flap of skin your PS can do a revision and remove some of it

    are your implants a little soft, I hope so : - )

    mine are but I do still feel a slight tightness on my cancer side but nothing too bad

  • traceyz
    traceyz Member Posts: 98
    edited April 2009

    Marilyn I hope you are doing GREAT!!

    GG...You GO GIRL!!!! Im really happy for ya! Heal well!

    Tracey

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited April 2009

    Amen to Rads being OVER!!!! Time to move on with my LIFE!! You all have been the best support I could ever imagine.. you humble me. I will not lie.. it was harder than I shared with most.. BUT.. it is OVER OVER OVER.. and if it helped save my life.. so be it!

    Love to you all.... my sisters !

    JAX... honey this is NOT FAIR! Try Debs Vitamin advice... up the protein and minerals!  I am so sorry you are dealing with this... it is worse than any rads crappola I dealt with. You are in my heart.. and it is heavy for you now. Please let us know how this continues.. Have you tried the Oxygen room? We have that here. It promotes the skin healing. If I have this issue after exchange due to my rads.. I will do the oxygen room if my insurance pays..

  • playmysti
    playmysti Member Posts: 14
    edited April 2009

    rockwell_girl

    They actually were 600cc. and they put a 600 cc inplant in.  Yes the PS was able to move them closer but I am so sore between my breasts...like he was stand on my chest ha.  For one thing I went from a b to a c and it sure is different.  The side I'm having the trouble is the cancer side as well.  They had removed that breast back in June and the other one when I had the expanders put in.  They just don't feel as soft as I had thought they would.

    I see my PS on Thursday and will get his thoughts.  I just hopeI didn't go too big.

  • Sprtwareor
    Sprtwareor Member Posts: 23
    edited April 2009

    Feeling great!  Looking even better. No more wide boobs in the armpit look. Yippee!!!! My PS was ecstatic with how they came out. I've done a little peeking, and what I see looks great! The divets are gone.  Can't wait for the grand unveiling tomorrow or the next day, as soon as I feel up to a shower. Right now, I'm off for a nap . . .

     Happy for you Laura!!!  Now you're ready to move forward. Yippee!!!!

Categories

Join Us on Zoom: Upcoming virtual meetups. Read more...
Give your account some personality! Add a profile photo.