NOLA in September?
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Nordy, that is funny...It's really not...But I SO FEEL you! Sounds familiar...the fact confusion.
I know having this done will bring you peace but know it's not exactly voluntary ((()))). You are fabulous and do NOT forget it...how could you w/ those rockin hot tatas?
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Marcia! you enlarged! Thank you! You look Marvelous! I mean it! beautiful background but mostly beautiful lady! Looks almost like a beauty pagent pose...and you win!
Ok girls, SPRING, affirmations w/ Marcia....reactivate those please, I went looking for them a week or so ago when I was trying to explain to someone what a riot we are... what/where? were they again? Spring remind me? either repost or cut and paste? please, please..please.....eeks nobody likes a beggar!
Pam you're flying today. Do you have any affirmations you will ask for?
Were you w/ us when we were going on about all that? Or do you have a computer w/ you? What you need to do (per Peggy Huddleston) is know/feel the love support/prayers...and I'm not just blabbing this stuff...research shows better outcome/healing knowing you have...heck just HAVING those prayers! My friend Jackie claims to be an atheist(but she is one of the best people I know) and even SHE believes in that.Ok, I'm up w/ the chickens but have a full day-first time to go see my counselor/therapist(we talked 2-3 weeks ago by phone because I was on lortab)...I have a voodoo doll I bought in NOla that is "god of straighten her out".
Later I have a hair appt. Last appt was Sept 19th...day before I left for NOLA. I know she will see my new twins. Her daughter(an RN friend) works for a PS here who does DIEP and he's good(and actually sang praises for our MD's in Nola) just, well you know his surgeries(w/ a helper doc) are 13 hours, and he does lots of other PS stuff(including a face lift for Kerry, my hairdresser-she looks great and the nicest most unpretentious woman- she's from East TX, not plastic dallas)......No one else is CRBS.... just No one....and no regrets!
Ok ladies, a VERY fabulous Tuesday! 6 weeks post op for me today woo hoo! Supposed to be mid 70's and sun here-another real beauty on the way!
xoxo,jennifer
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Thank you Jennifer. I do feel so much Support here. it is wonderful!
48 hrs from now- I get knocked out....for new knockers ;o
I cant wait! I am all set & am not going to think about anything right now.
I missed the Affirmation talk.
No one is allowed to have Drains when I come home! Only Nov Ladies- Go tit! (hows that for a typo) Got it!
Pam
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My best wishes to you, Pam!
And I'm liking the "no one is allowed to have drains when (you) come home"! I'm 5 weeks today on the hips. (I'm sure Nordy is laughing at that!!)
Nice "typo" too! haha
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Ok, Stephaine aka macksix................THANK YOU! I just watched the link to the video. PLEASE post...I know it's not NOLA BUT>>>>very good, not for the fainthearted, blood and guts galore....actually, as I've said over and over I like my(our Nola) incisions MUCH, MUCH better! I watched all BUT I still didnt exactly GET where the outer portion of the flap....what it is connected to. You guys it is 1 hour 7 minutes long BUT if you wanna see a DIEP perforemd at Beth Israel? In NYC it's quite informative! Ok sending link to my LE therapist.
Stay tuned Spring will chime in anytime now w/ the affirmations
...I just KNOW she will!xoxo, jennifer
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I watched that Vidoe last week. I asked dh if he wanted to watch it too- Poor guy. No thanks- he said.
I thought it was Fascinating. it is blood & Gore. Just look away if it gets to much at some of the points in the video.
Pam
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What is the VIDEO that you all are talking about?
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I need this video link? Please repost! I must have missed!
AnneW, sorry! I updated the "lisa" entry above to you. (I hope I haven't bumped a real Lisa! Sheesh!) I claim chemo brain!
Pam, I also felt like I couldn't believe I was really doing any of this, yet I knew I was going to do it. So I think your feelings are "normal"! ha!
I cannot tell you how GLAD I am to hear about other "muffin tops" !!!! Glad to know this is taken care of in stage 2! y yoga pants won't stay up, they keep sliding down to below the muffin top!!! ugh.
I agree with what Melanie said about Marcia looking marvelous!!! Marcia is the motivation! : )
Trisha, about the scars: I had a breast reduction prior to all this, so I have plenty of scar lines too. I feel like "Edward Scissor Hands" as Stephanie once said!!! ut, I know eventually these red lines will turn white and I'll also get used to them and move on with life. And apparently will look fab!! I mean, LOOK AT MARCIA!!!! : )
Stephanie, YAY YAY YA for no more drain "necklace" in the shower! I took the longest shower once I was "free". You just want to dance around naked!!!
Nordy, is the drain out? Pop the champagne cork!!!
OK I am going to recreate the Marcia affirmations for Jennifer:
- Start of surgery: you are doing very well and you can think about wearing a bikini like Marcia.
- Half way through surgery: Your body is lovely and now you can shop for a bikini like Marcia's
- Ending surgery: Your body rocks and now you can wear a bikini with Marcia!
It was something like this!
Spring.
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I missed the pic...Just went to look...Wow Marcia! You look Fantastic
Thanks for posting the Affirmations Spring.
I better go throw my Bikini in the suitcase. JK.
I dont have one anyways. LOL
yes, Im still here. Trying to keep busy until we leave. got some laundry going. Did the dishes. I vacummed for my last time this year
Suitcase just needs my make up thrown in & Im all set...i think.
I better go play with Deja -kids are at school : ( was so sad to say goodbye.
Pam
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YES Spring - I was the same way, could not believe I was going thru it, so out of my comfort zone, so totally for ME! So NOT my character to go to NOLA, to take all that time and energy just for me..........I remember sitting in the staging area waiting to go to the OR and I remember thinking, I could just get up and walk outta here, I could tell them I changed my mind........and as they rolled me away, I thought I will just sit up and say ......NNo............then I woke up in RECOVERY! What a HOOT! I was close to a major panic attack and then I was on MORPHINE! So EASY! Looking back, I was really stressed about it, looming over me like a cloud for weeks, NOW I AM SO GLAD AND well on my way to being "MARCIA" like!!!
PAM - you will do fantastic, you have done all the work to get there, made all the right choices, TRUST yourself. You DESERVE this! ITS ALL YOU!
((((((((((PAM))))))))))))
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Hi all - boy this is a busy thread! Takes a while to get caught up! I have had my drains out now for almost 4 weeks. Have been back to my local doctor twice for aspirations - the first time was horrible (310ccs on the R and 130ccs on the L). Last week was much better (150 on the R and nothing on the L) - but have to go back next week for another check. I am so glad the drains are out but am really not enjoying the bi-weekly punctures! I'm really hopefull that next week there will be no fluid left in there to drain.
Nordy!!!! I cannot belive they put drains back in! I think I would have had lost it if they had to put drains back in. Sending out good thoughts and hoping that you are now drain free today!!! I can totally relate to the confusion with your family medical history - mine is so fractured it's hard to get any solid information..... Glad you go that sorted out before your surgery in December! Hopefully, you feel better about your decision now!
So glad to hear that some of you have muffin top issues (not that you have them, but that I am not alone in my fat woes). I don't have the muffin tops (had the hip gap done) but now I have this big ol stomach sticking out and nothing around the back side to balance it out. Even though I am DREADING going back for surgery again, I am really looking forward to getting rid of some of this fat in Stage 2..... AnneW - can't wait to hear about how your stomach lipo goes since I too don't want to have a full tummy tuck (although Dr. M has said she will need to take a look and decide what will work for me - so may end up with that anyway).
Marcia---- CONGRATS on the one year anniversary!! Many years ago I struggled with this too and have been 'free' for 10 years! Love your picture - wish I could see it larger, would give me something to look forward to when the rest of the surgery is done.
THE VIDEO - I watched that thing 3 times! Then I sent it out to a couple of my friends to watch. A couple of them watched it and they thought I was crazy for watching it before surgery........I guess I just really wanted to know what the process was (too analytical). I think that is why I was so calm when I went in the morning of my surgery.
Pam - good luck and safe travels!!!! I'll be thinking about you on Thursday!
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PAM<<<<<<<<<<HUGS>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You WILL do great! You are in the best of hands, GOD's!! You will have no regrets and no pain!! Update us when you can. You will be in our prayers!!
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What's the link for that video? I'm sure I could google it, but y'all are so much better!!
Anniese, yay for less drainage!! We'll get together for lunch after turkey day so I can give you the face to face lowdown on Stage 2.
Anne
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BTW~Pam I am thinking of you and I hope everything goes extremely well!!
Beth isreal Diep Link (WARNING NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED!!!!)
http://www.orlive.com/chp/videos/breast-reconstruction-deep-inferior-epigastric-perforator
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Hi Ladies.... I have been hovering on your thread for some time.. it has been very helpful...you all have such strength and great senses of humor!! I'm happy to report that.....
I am scheduled for a delayed Bilateral SGAP on 2/23 with Dr. D in NOLA... Scared but excited... worried about the drains... always worried about drains... .. just the word "drain" gives me the willies... lol
I think I've PM'd a few of you ladies... thank you for your support and help... any helpful hints would be greatly appreciated!!!... especially from the SGAP ladies.... Boobs are on my bucket list!! It seems I might be able to cross them off in 2010!! Woohoo! Very happy...... very nervous....
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Anniese - I cant answer for Nordy, but I had to have my stomach drains put back in too. As much as I HATE the drains....they are still better than how miserable I felt with the fluid building up when they came out. Also, the pressure of the fluid was causing my stomach incision to open up in a couple of places which was WAY scary!! lol I had to keep reminding myself that the stomach muscle was still there, so didn't have to worry about anything else coming out of that hole! hehehe Had original surgery on 9/10, drains put back in on 10/19 and still have them (sigh)...hopefully not too much longer, but it is what it is, and it is still a small price to pay for what I got out of this procedure! Those of you who are just going - my situation was VERY unusual! Most of the ladies go straight thru with flying colors. Just hang in there, and it will all be fine very soon. You are in our prayers and our hearts!
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Drain FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!
Now, if I can just stay this way!!! Whew!
Pam - it is all YOU. You will be great, and we will all be thinking about you on Thursday!!!! Lots of thoughts and prayers headed your way!!!! (((((((Hugs))))))) Glad your hubby got things worked out w/insurance!
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Nordy how many weeks did you have those drains ?? I am thrilled that you are done with them.
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Great news Nordy!!!
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GO NORDY!
(and hoping I don't have to go as long as you. oh man...)
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Hello ladies!
NORDY!!!!!!! Woo hoo doin'
the happy dance for you! PLEASE dont overdo (you juicy girl,you)QUESTION for Plainjane re: "
if the tamox is doing it's magic or if I inhibited it taking benadryl a couple times and trazedone a few times to sleep....those jack w/ the Cyp2d6 which metabolizes Tamoxifen into the active metabolite (endoxofen) and renders it less effective"
do you know if this is true for Arimidex as well? If so I am in deep doody~ I have been on Trazadone & or Tamox/Arimidex for the entire 4 years and 3 months on AIs/Serms...OMG I have bone loss, pain etc etc and if I have inadvertantly shot myself in the foot in this way I will just FREAK!
OMMM (am meditating), OK am calmer now..
Thank you all for your more than kind comments on this soon to be 54 YO body. I have been lazy these past few months and havent been able to exercize but I promised DR S that I would do my best to hold up my end of the deal by exercizing and eating right...I will try my best to get back into my routine soon..
Congrats to Holtbolt on setting her date! You have made a wise choice and will be treated like family at the Center..
Good to "see" you all...
Love ,Marcia PS I actually did quit smoking just to get to NOLA...its been 2 years and 4 months!
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Nordy!! CONGRATS...go roll on the bed..better yet go take that looooong overdue shower..(wait a few days before the luxury of a bath..lol)
Pam...going to do great girl!!
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Yahooo Nordy!!! That's fantastic!
Marcia~I didn't quit specifically to go to NOLA, but once I did quit, I was given the go ahead from my insurance and had a date within 6 weeks. It was like the Universe opened up and gave me a gift. Congrats on 2 years and 4 months!!1
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So...those of us who quit smoking (2 years and 8 months here) are the members of two great clubs here, and have two things to celebrate!! Congrats to us all on being smart enough to be here, ex-smokers or not!
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Marcia, I think ....actually I'm almost sure it's JUST Tamoxifen......I know little if anything about arimidex except that it can cause some bone and joint pain for some......BUT, those drugs are our friends....their other side effects are NO CANCER....and you do weight bearing exercise...that is good for those bones.
You'd need to talk w/ a pharmacist- esp if you can find one who really knows womens health/BC. And find out HOW Arimidex is metabolized........all the Tamoxifen stuff is ? relatively new(the CYp2d6, blah blah blah).....I had to bring articles to my MD's tho because initially they told me ok to take zoloft w/ it 'no problem!' and after reading mostly on another thread on BC.org I was NOT comfortable doing that.
Isn't Anne W on Arimidex? and I think she's....I bet she knows? anybody? I want to know now too. I have no idea what the plan is med wise (for me) after I complete 5 yrs Tamox(God willing). Didn't really want to know. And just hasn't been a priority, one thing at a time. Maybe when I see the med onc in Feb I'll ask. I was sort of hoping I'd be done....for the love of God it was 5mm! clear margins, no nodes. I'm sure she'll show me ASCO guidelines.
Marcia, I bet you're fine...and you did NOT shoot yourself.....bet someone here will chime in on AI metabolism. Even w/ the Tamox....women were taking all that stuff that's now on the 'do not take' list......I think there is still a lot of mystery.
Nordy-as we say in Texas; FELICITACIONES! (congrats)!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Speaking of TX...I did some shopping today and I think am ready for dec.....small stuff for nola people and any of you lovelies I get to see hook up w/.in Dec. Trishia gets first pick.
Jamieh thanks for posting the link to the DIEP OR live video.
Holtbolt congrats on your date!
Anniese...you are so tough. So is Gin.
Pam, you're going to be busy today, but please check in....kidding it would be nice tho if your hubby or someone gets on to let us know you're ok?
And yes, to me the experience was surreal....I just kept saying afterward esp "Did this REALLY just happen?" Did we really just do this? and Dr. D said "yes we did!" yaaaaay!
Spring
Thank you for reviewing the affirmations!OK, going to recheck the eggos today and praying for no cysts...or non worrisome ones? Yes, I'll take it all out if need be but probably won't be necessary.
Think I'll get a couple hours more sleep. sorry so long AGAIN!
xoxo,jennifer
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Marcia, your feet are still intact!!! AIs are metabolized totally differently from tamoxifen. Keep taking those drugs, girl. Better living through pharmeceuticals, I say!
Anne
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Okay, seriously, do we not LOVE this thread? I can't wait to get on here to see how everyone is doing everyday!!!!
Iamc - I do hope that you DO NOT have to go as long as I did with the drains... good heavens. No one should have to go that long!!! But, as Gin says, "It is what it is."
Warrior - I can't remember the last time I had a good long bath... With the lymphedema I try to stay away from all things hot and potentially exacerbating... but how I long for a nice hot soak!!! I did treat myself to a nice spa pedicure last night... ahhhhhh, I now have beautiful toes and (almost) beautiful feet.... I don't think an hour was long enough to make my feet beautiful!!! (just one of those things that I was not blessed with, my family has neanderthal feet... LOL - we always look like we have been walking around barefoot!!! -then again maybe that is because I spend most of my life without shoes on... )
Marcia - SO happy to see you on here! I don't know anything about the metabolism of any of these drugs (I'm triple negative... so not a lot of extra meds to take), so can't help, but it looks like your source for this is Anne - so... what she said!!!
K, running to start another busy kid filled day. Pam - you are going to be busy today, I will be thinking about you every step of the way!!! As with all of you, I always wish I could be there to lend a hand, but am there in spirit! You have all of us here thinking and sending positive thoughts, prayers and vibes your way!!!! You go girl!!!! Tomorrow night this will all be one big memory, awash in a sea of good pain meds... LOL! Expect your butt to be numb from the On-Q balls! I remember thinking, did I have another c-section, because my backside was so numb and initially felt really funny to move (like it does with a spinal or high dose epidural)! Which is interesting, because although there were no abdominal incisions, I did get twins out of the surgery... LOL... just not the kind that one would expect!
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Well I got my date tody I am scheduled for 1/26/10. Now I have 11 weeks to get my insurance company to come around to see things my way
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Wooohooo Jaimieh!! That's fantastic!!! You will do it! I have no doubt.
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Okay, I can't keep up with you girls!!!
I am adding HoltBold and Jaimieh above!
Congrats to Nordy on drain free!
And all you EX-smokers! Woot! (now with hot bodies too! Woot Woot!)
Pam, thinking of you dear. Hang in there.
Spring.
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