One step implant procedure with Alloderm - Anyone?
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I sewed a bra insert last night and tried it out. It was too pointy and there was a ridge around the outside circumferance that showed through from under the bra. Guess I'll have to clean out my drawers and continue with the search to find bras that fit the new me. I probably wouldn't have been happy with implants and "pillows", but at least I have this idea tested and can now stop thinking about it!
I cooked a new recipe in my crockpot yesterday called Thai Pork. It was easy, tasty and had a spicy peanut sauce. We don't have ample Thai restuarants in Tulsa, so I've had to find substitutions.
Thunderstorms last night and today. Lots of thunder and lightening, but I slept the best I have in several nights. Have a great day everyone!
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Hi everyone--
I, too, was surprised to learn that muscle was cut in order to create a pocket for the alloderm. No wonder it hurt so much under the breast...and then I found out yesterday when I went in to have this seroma drained, that the alloderm was stitched both to that muscle and to the lining of the ribs to anchor it. The fluid build up of that seroma was putting pressure against those stitches, hence the terrible rib pain. Am feeling some relief now, though still sore...and you ladies were right about not going back to work this week. Now it's official...doctor's orders to rest, rest, rest and avoid using this right arm so this seroma can resolve itself. Of course, typing on a laptop is not using my right arm at all...only my right hand...right?
The PS must have drawn a small turkey baster full of fluid...really, it was gross how much was in those cavities. No sign of infection, though. He'll check me again Monday; I'm to call if pressure builds again by Friday.
I did laugh at the man's joke when I asked why the pain was most intense at the rib and not the breast--he said, " oh, that's just where I shoved my knee as I wrestled to get that implant in there." Kind of morbid, but at the time, I needed the laugh!
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Hi Everybody,
Just finished work. The preschool started yesterday and there was still a lot of crying for mommy today. They are so little and cute though. It's been one of those days and now I have to cook.
Okiegal, You make me laugh with your nipple inventions. I have never cooked with a crock pot..I'm going to have to try it one day.
Tracy, I'm happy to hear your taking more time off. Happy too that the fluid is gone. Hang in there..it gets better. A funny doctor helps.
It's cool outside today. Some rain expected tonight. DH has a meeting tonight so I'm going to bed early. I'm feeling tired.
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Hi to all. Tracyanne, love your dr's sense of humor! Glad to hear that you're more comfortable without all that fluid.
Checked out Dillard's lingerie dept today. Same thick molded foam bras, most with underwires. Same bras with thin cups, also underwires. Went next to a different JC Penney. Over in a corner, found a sparse selection of old-fashioned soft bras with soft thin padding. Dinosaurs in today's bra market. Bought the two that were in my size, maybe to donate to the Smithsonian in a few years. Or to sell as collector's items on Ebay.
Chatted with the saleslady and inquired about laundering the molded foam bras. She said wash them on gentle cycle and do NOT put them in the dryer. Neither the Warner bras nor the Barely There bras have any laundering instructions. I thought all clothing items came with such instructions. Anything that can't survive a washing machine will not find a permanent place in my wardrobe. I'm not big on handwashing except for my washable sun hats.
Got pretty wet today dashing around in pouring down rain. We have incredible deluges here in the deep south.
Okiegal, the Thai pork recipe sounds interesting. Maybe you could share the recipe in a PM? We have several Thai restaurants but I can't seem to get past ordering the most common item on the menu, Pad Thai. I'm back to chief cook and bottlewasher. Cooked chicken marsala last night, easy and delicious. I seem to favor cooking in a skillet during the summer when my dh isn't cooking on the grill. In the winter I like oven cooking or simmering stews and soups on the stove.
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Carole, I'm glad you found the kind of bra you like, it sounds like they are very comfy dinosaurs. It took me a long time to adapt to the newer style. I went digging in my 'lingerie' drawer again this morning, and found more old bras that consist of an underwire and some lace. I'm wearing one of them with the addition of the elastic band I wore to push the implant down. Maybe it will encourage fluffing. Maybe?
I keep the bras out of the dryer. With our sunny weather most of my laundry is dried on a clothesline. Solar powered dryer! It's sunny and maybe about 80 today. I really want to water my lawn.
Okiegal, the pork sounds great. I love peanut sauce. Yes, please share.
Tracy, You must feel so relieved to have all that fluid out. No wonder you hurt. That muscle cutting (my PS delicately called it 'releasing') and creating a pocket by adding enough alloderm to accommodate an implant is what lets us avoid the tissue expanders. I'm glad your PS has a sense of humor. We just have to laugh. And I'm glad he agreed with us about taking more time off!
Meg, your tiny students sound cute.
Sleep well, with rain patters on the roof. I'll be out at a communal kiln firing with flames, smoke, roaring sounds, happy people, and lots of beer. I wish I liked beer more. Love the people, though.
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fortunate1-I thought I was the only one using an elastic bandage to push the alien down! Glad to see I'm not alone LOL BTW I had alloderm put in when I had my TE put in, or at least that's what I thought...
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TracyAnne - glad to hear you have received some relief and hope you are feeling better. Your doctor sounds like a fun guy. Mine is much more serious and reserved.
Meg9 - You've never cooked with a crockpot?! You haven't lived! I love doing a little prep earlier in the day and then opening the pot to an almost finished meal in the evening. The children sound so cute! My little sewing experiment was funny. The final "pillow" was slightly conical and about the size of a small cookie. I used some white fabric from an old pillow case and hot pink thread! If it had worked, I might have even embroidered a nipple for laughs.
Carole - I've been to J C Penney's, Macy's, Kohl's, Walmart and finally Target. Haven't made it to Dillards yet, but have noticed the same thing: lots of foam padding and underwires. Yesterday afternoon I purchased an inexpensive, firmer, foam padded underwire bra at Target. I know that there is an empty area, but it was comfortable enough and inexpensive. I think there is a virtual monopoly on the market by a few companies. Maidenform, for example, sells the same bras at all of the different department stores and then sells what seems like the exact same bra for much less at Walmart, under a different name. So, although you may see hundreds of bras, there really isn't that much variety when you really start to compare them. I think I mentioned in an earlier post that I fall into the size of a 38B or 40A. These are almost non-existent sizes. I working at losing weight, but my biggest problem is that I have wider shoulders and a larger chest than the average woman. This makes my breasts proportionally smaller. Before my surgery when I was discussing size options with my PS, I made a reference to my breasts as small. I wondered if my surgeon thought I desired bigger breasts because he reassured me that I was normal. I probably was, but you wouldn't know it from the sizing issues I've encountered over the years. When you have to buy a 36 Almost A (my thinner days)...well, you think of yourself as small. It's even more frustrating now that there's the flat area in front.
Fortunate1 - Sounds like a fun time at the firing. I love beer...good beer, that is, and crowds and arty parties.
Finally, everyone. Here's the recipe.It's a combination of two I found on the internet with a few of my own thoughts.
Crockpot Thai Pork
Spray crock pot with cooking spray and add:
2 red bell peppers, seeded and sliced into strips
1 white onion, sliced into rings
1.5 - 2 lb. boneless pork loin (or tenderloin), cubed or cut into 4 slices.
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons white or rice wine vinegar
3 tablespoons water
1 tsp red pepper flakes- this is mild, add a little more if you like spicy
1/2 cup creamy peanut butterCook on low 6-8 hours.
Stir in 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter with juices to make a sauce.
Serve with Jasmine rice, chopped scallions, lime wedges, and chopped dry-roasted unsalted peanuts if desired. (I skipped all of this and it was still great.)
Notes: You can also add the peanut butter at the beginning. Next time, I will add 1-2 tsp. of fresh chopped ginger. Also, I would like to try this recipe with chicken thighs and may even attempt a vegetarian version with sweet potatoes, tofu and...? I'm sure it would work great on top of the stove or in the oven.
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Okiegal, thanks for the recipe. I'll definitely give it a try. My own alteration will be to puree the onions! I cook with onions but don't like to see them in big slices or chunks. I don't eat raw onions except for finely chopped green onions.
I, too, am fairly broad-shouldered and medium-to-big-boned. Tall at 5 ft. 7 in. My breasts were always small for my frame. Now they're rounder and bigger at the base, taking up more space on my chest but not protruding enough to fill the tips of the B cups. The comfy dinasaurs I bought yesterday are 38 A. The cups are roomy for an A. The 38 B looked more like a C cup. Size can vary with brands. I plan to look at Walmart's and Target. The sports bras I bought at Walmart for $8 are really nice. Thanks again, Meg, for the recommendation.
I never wore a bra around the house. In my younger days I went braless most of the time. The plus about small breasts is they don't sag much!
Fortunate1, your communal firing brings back memories. Dh and I went to Penland School of Crafts in NC some years ago. I took a pottery class and he took woodworking. All the potters in the class did a wood firing. It was really neat. We stayed up all night feeding the kiln. I have some of the humble little pots I made. They weren't very good since I was a beginner. I love the concept of "gift of the kiln." You get unexpected results from firings, good and bad. I like beer on tap in a frosty mug when I'm hot and thirsty. But I can't drink a lot of beer. Once my bladder gets activated, I spend most of my time making trips to the bathroom!
Penland was a fabulous craft school. The location in the mountains is beautiful. I enjoyed visiting all the studios. The weaving studio was gorgeous with wonderful light and all the different looms. The glass studio was dark and fiery and exciting. Real characters in that class. For our farewell party, the glass people made everybody a souvenir. Ours was a headless, footless female torso. Artistic people are fun. The meals were delicious. Homemade bread, garden salads served in big wooden bowls. Hmm. Good memories. No foreshadowing of bc in my future.
For what it's worth, okiegal, my breast cancer dr. tells her patients to avoid all soy food, which would include tofu. I asked about dairy, and the NP said dairy is okay. I used soy milk on my cereal for 4 or 5 years.
Overcast here today. Rain in the forecast. Walked 2.2 mi. this morning. The old self is emerging.
Have a wonderful day.
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Good morning to all,
Thanks okigal, I'm going to try it. My addition will be fresh cilantro on top. I still have a crock pot in the back of my deepest cupboard and I have noticed that they are making a comeback. The conical breast pillow sounds wonderful, especially with an embroidered nipple. Don't stop yet. For one sided me it would be like an eye patch.
Carole, There was no party for me last night after all. Something came up, DH needed me. I'll hear about it today and will go to the kiln opening Saturday evening with a bowl of food in hand. I envy you your Penland experience. It is a mecca for craftspeople. Maybe someday I'll make the trip myself.
Welcome, makingway. I believe alloderm is used in a lot of ways. I guess with a tissue expander you wouldn't have to stretch the muscle as much. I suspect everyone with an implant has to deal with the flat spot. For me it makes for a bit of a mismatch though the overall effect is pretty darn good. Adjusting to the new.....not always easy.
Off I go. Today I get to water my lawn, yippee! I could use a big thundering rainstorm. I might be able to check in later, but if I don't, have a lovely day everyone.
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Fortunate1 - Yes, how could I have forgotten Cilantro? I even have it in the fridge. I'm sorry you didn't make it to the firing.
Okay, with the interest in the nipple pillow/eye patch I may give it another try.Give me some time...I think it's going to take some experimenting. Maybe I could get my Mom involved. She likes to sew...
Have a great day everyone and if I don't get back to the forum today, a great weekend.
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Hi Everybody,
I have an appointment this afternoon my GYN and then I think I'll go to the mall and buy myself a crock pot to try okeigal's recipe. I'm alway looking for something new to do.
I volunteer as my church secretary and the preschool is adjacent to the church office. All the little one crying for mommy are distracted by taking a walk with their teacher. They usually end up in the church office to meet me. They are really cute and so tiny. Soon they will be happy and stopping by to say hi..with no tears.
While at the mall I will continue the bra search. Maybe something new will pop it. Okiegal might come up with a real nipple invention and make it rich.
It's getting late..have to go.
Have a great weekend!
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Meg9, your church has a jewel in you, for sure.
Okiegal, definitely continue in the creation of the nipple pillow. I'm waiting for the photo.
Welcome, Makingway. Hope you'll stick around and join the discussion.
Tracyanne, my PS told dh and me during initial consultation that he "released the pec muscles" away from the chest wall and created a pocket for the implant with Alloderm. He didn't tell me he would use his knee to wrestle the implant into the pocket, though! Too funny! If you saw my PS, the image would be funnier. He's more than chubby. He must wear the XXLarge scrubs for short men.
Fortunate1, I dashed around in the rain again today. No need to water our yard. The grass is out there growing visibly in a greenhouse atmosphere.
Hope everyone enjoys the weekend.
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Hi all, a good day at work for me today. I'm glad. If the work hours are cut in half, they should be good hours. I was kept running the whole time for lots of interesting questions. Tomorrow after work I'll go and see if the soda kiln has good gifts for me. After that, if I can pull it off, fireworks at the stadium. I adore fireworks.
Dad was very quiet today, not inclined to talk. We are are a quiet family, so I shouldn't be surprised. But I worry. I picked figs and sapotas for him from his back yard. I'm at a loss sometimes.
It's hot again. I'm going to do my watering earlier than I'm supposed to. Who will possibly care -or see- what I'm doing in my back yard.
We're having a relatively normal week, aren't we? I hardly gave my breast a thought, but I have to admit I'm going to put on that elastic band again.
Bye for now. Enjoy the weekend.
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Oh no, what have I done? The pressure is on with the nipple pillow!
Hope everyone out there enjoys the new recipe as much as I did.
Again, have a nice weekend.
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Fortunate1, what is a sapota? What's the purpose of the elastic band? I keep gently pushing on the top of my right breast, trying to encourage the implant to drop. Maybe I need an elastic band. Did the PS give it to you?
I didn't get up until 8:30 this morning. It had been pouring rain for an hour and the yard was full of puddles. Dh and I cooked breakfast together. I happened to remember my recipe for a healthier version of the Jimmy Dean sausage and egg skillet breakfast. Dh later went out to his workshop. One little chore led to another and I ended up doing some housecleaning and laundry. I even tested out vacuuming and found it doable. I did feel the chest muscles contracting.
Knock on wood, but the post-op fatigue seems to be mostly gone. In another week or two, I'm hoping to ease back into hitting some golf balls. I don't know how soon I'll be able to lift my golf bag, though. It's heavy. Possibly will need to play with a partial set of clubs.
Fortunate1, I empathize with your concern for your dad. My mother is a widow and lives alone. She doesn't complain a lot, but I know she gets lonely. I'm thankful that she has a very resilient personality. The hardest part for her is not being completely self-sufficient, but she makes the best of her situation.
Let us know whether the kiln was generous and gave you some beautiful pieces.
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Okiegal--I'm passing your Thai pork recipe on to my husband...he and my son are the only cooks in the family. When our son is home between college semesters, the grocery bill goes up not because he eats so much but because he eats so fancy! He buys ingredients I've never heard of, but it all tastes delicious.
I'm guessing the ps will put a drain back in tomorrow. The swelling came back, though the pressure is not as bad under the breast now as it is toward the collar bone and then underneath around toward the back. Lots of joint pain--bad joint pain that is keeping me awake--and muscle pain...maybe infection? but not fever, so hmmmm....I hope the doctor has some answers. Also pain during intercourse, like my ovaries...so bad we had to change what we were doing. I've never had that pain before.
Will not let my mind play games with me...the pathology was extensive DCIS with no sign of invasion, just the 0.1 mm margins for two foci of cancer at bottom/back of the breast by chest muscle...and anyway, if this pain was in any way cancer related, why would it come on so fast and so head to toe? It wouldn't. Something else is going on.
I'm so used to going to the doctor as a well woman, with maybe the occasional strep or sinus infection. It's going to be very uncomfortable for me to go in with a list of "this hurts and that hurts and could it be this and could it be that and I am miserable." Guess I'd better get over it, cuz it's the truth. I am a cancer patient recovering from surgery and soon to be undergoing six weeks of radiation. I have a mammo (ordered by onc) next week and then see her on the 29th. If I'm still hurting all over, I'll let her know.
PS appt is at 9:30 tomorrow...will post when I get home. Thanks to all here for the support!
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Same here, Tracyanne. I thought I was completely healthy the day I went to the Breast Center to learn the results of my needle biopsy. Sure, I was a little nervous, but the words from the radiologist, "Your test results were positive," stunned me. Sure hope you get some answers about the pain you're experiencing. Were you taking HRT prior to diagnosis and then stopped taking it? That was my situation and now I'm starting to have more achiness in the bones and joints. The HRT was making me feel really good. I miss it.
Hang in there.
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Good morning everyone! I'm so flattered by everyone's excitement with the Thai recipe. It's always nice to be able to share a good one. There's a fun website at: http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/ The creator and author, Stephanie O'Dea, committed to using her crockpot everyday for an entire year. I'm not a frequent visitor, but she has some good recipes and has also published a book titled, "Make It Fast, Cook It Slow". It's a fun visit, if you are looking for ideas.Who knows, Meg9, as a newbie Crockpot chef, you might find a new favorite to share?
TracyAnne - Wow, sounds like you are having a hard time. I thought your recovery would go twice as fast and more easily than mine. I would be interested to hear what your PS says about your pain. Most of my pain was correctly attributed to healing and stretching muscles. I have a call into my anesthesiologist about the continued head to toe random pins and needles. He has a fellowship in pain management. I plan on exercising again today and will see if that exaccerabates the situation. Aren't you about four weeks post op? My PS wouldn't remove my drains until they were down to 15mls. Said he knew they were uncomfortable, but that I would be even more uncomfortable if he removed them. I'm sorry you are on that side of things.
Yes, Fortunate1, how did the firing go?And Sapotas?
The weather's been impossible gloomy for the last week. Carole, I think we are experiencing some of your hurricane season. I would love some sunshine...looks like I'll have to wait a few more days.
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I just walked 2 mi. on the street and dropped a lb of perspiration. Dewpoint is high. Humidity is high. Encountered a man who was also walking. He commented, "It's invigorating to breathe water, isn't it?"
I feel so daring as I sit here at the computer braless! When I stripped off my wet clothes, I decided to wait until after a shower to put on another bra. It feels funny. My breasts are tight. This coming Fri. will be 8 wks. out. I go to see the NP tomorrow. Will take a whole page of questions to ask her.
Last night I made a remark to dh about my breasts being mismatched. He said, "Well, nobody else has a pair just like them!" I don't know whether I'll buy into having the right implant repositioned. What's the guarantee that the breast won't come out with a worse shape? I assume the PS was doing his best to created a matched pair when he did the recon.
BTW, I was amazed when I got my insurance statement on the recon. surgery. I expected a sum like $10,000 or so. It was only $5000. The charge was so reasonable that Medicare and BC/BS paid almost the entire amt. Still haven't gotten a statement on the BMX surgery. I assume that's a separate charge.
Today is overcast with chance of thunderstorms again. I plan to meet my pregnant niece in Hammond, about 25 min. from here, and shop for some baby clothes.
Tracy, hope you're feeling better.
Hi to everybody else.
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Good Morning All! Okiegal, I bought myself a 5 1/2 qt crock pot yesterday and 2 cookbooks! Do you really have to brown the meat in a pan first? My food shopping is already done for this week, but at my next visit to the supermarket I will buy the ingredients to try your recipe.
I was at Target and they have reusable silicone gel petals, they are nipple covers. I think they are a little to thin to make a difference for us, but they also had strapless silicone gel adhesive bras. They were thicker and may be usable. Victoria Secret has some in different sizes also. I'm happy with the Warner - add a size bra. It works for me.
Tracey, sorry you are in such pain. I still have some swelling on my left side that my arm hits... then it hurts. This is also a problem for me when I'm sleeping. Can they put a drain back in after it's pulled out? I hated my drains until the NP said, "Would you rather have that stuff in you." I never complained again.
I too considered myself a healthy person. I had never had surgery, stitches or even broke a bone. I had never been hospitalize. The morning of my BC surgery, my PS called me a virgin.
I finally have my appointments with my BS and PS on Wednesday. It's been almost 3 months since I've seen them. I am a little worried about what the PS will say when she looks at me. I've been thinking about all the questions I should ask her. One question is if revision surgery would require drains. I know the nipple tattoo will be discussed also.
Carole, it is great how you have bounced back. I'm feeling more like my old self also. This morning I have cleaned the kitchen and one bathroom. I've done a little pressing and I plan to finish up the rest of my cleaning today. My DH has been doing the vacuuming, but I will attempt that myself also. My newsletter deadline was yesterday...I think I rather clean house then work on it!
Fortunate 1, What are sapatos? Something like avacados?
Both of my parents eventually went into a nursing home. That was much harder for me then having them in their own home. I'm glad your father and Corole's mother are independent.
I was looking at family photos this weekend and I realized something when looking at pictures of myself before and after BC. There is something more then my old breast missing...sadly, I see something missing in my smile and eyes also. Maybe I'm just tired and the old happy me will come back.
It is a beautiful day out today. The temperature this morning was in the low 50's. It will warm up this afternoon to the mid 70's. Some leaves have fallen in my yard already, even before changing color.
Have a great day everyone!
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Good morning, I have to run off for a while today, but I will tell you about the mysterious sapote. I'm not sure Dad even has it right. It's a tropical fruit, light green, that ripens to yellow. When it's ripe it is very very soft and difficult to pick without getting yellow pulp all over yourself. The flesh is like some sort of sweet fruit pudding. The tree is full of unripe inedible green fruit and the ground is covered with 'too late', splatted yellow pudding. They are delicious.
Back later.
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Okiegal, my PS pulled the drain (only had one) after two consecutive days of 25 ccs and then a day of 20 ccs. That was 12 days post-op...I wonder if it should have been in longer.
It's been an emotional day because of the pain and because when I saw him this morning, he said it was all swelling--as in inflammation--and very little fluid. No needle and syringe, no drain put back in.
I wanted an easy fix to this problem, and instead got prescription motrin and sincere sympathy that I was one of the ones who have this trouble with seroma and inflammation. Said the seroma put pressure on everything, and even though that is drained, my body isn't done reacting to that pressure. He can feel the inflammation up and to the side; can't feel the inflammation at rib cage because he said there are stitches deep in there and the area is not palpable from the outside. The rib cage is actually more painful today, with the pain stretching out more horizontally under the breast than just at one specific pressure point.
He reassured me that this will get better, and I do believe him...I have no fever and no sign of infection, just the swelling from inflammation. He said to take the motrin (800 mg ibuprofen) at breakfast, dinner, and before bed even if I start to feel better and see him in one week. Said I could still take the soma and hydrocodone as needed.
Had a good cry, talked several times to my hubby, and am feeling better. PS said work is my choice since we are no longer seeing the fluid build up, but cautioned that it would likely cause more pain at this point and that I"m the only one who can decide if the pain management is sufficient/compatible with my job. Have decided not to decide about work today...today is for feeling my feelings and tomorrow is for thinking rational thoughts.
I think my husband would like to see me try to return to work sooner rather than later, in part because he sincerely thinks the physical will improve with the emotional and he knows I enjoy my job and coworkers very much...but...I wonder if there's not more to it. I wonder if he just wants everything back to normal, back to the no-cancer days, back to the way things were...I don't think he's concerned financially because I do still have 19 paid days of leave left...hmmm...I just feel like he'd feel better if I went back to work. And I don't think he'd feel better just for my sake, but for his sake, too. This 8 week stretch of mammo, MRI, biopsy, appointments, decision-making, surgery, more appts and all the waiting and worrying is taking a toll on him and I think he is ready for it to be over for both of us. My going back to work would help it feel like it's over.
Carole, I like what your husband said about no one else having breasts like yours. It sure does help when loved ones can smile and make us smile, too. And Meg, I'm glad you shared your observation about the photographs. I think the happy you will come back and shine through again, but that it may be a happy, changed you...a happy you, but one that has weathered a difficult time and has experienced some transformation as a result. That can be a good thing--to come through something and gain perspective, compassion, strength from it.
Thanks y'all for your support.
Tracy
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I'm wearing my new wrist brace that I bought at Walgreen's today for $25. Mostly I wanted it to wear at night. Typing isn't too easy. It's so bizarre that these carpal tunnel symptoms started after my BMX surgery. I'm thinking it must be nerve damage. Today when I walked I might have overdone it with vigorous arm exercises because this afternoon the SNB area at the end of the right incision and up into my arm pit hasn't felt good. I came home from shopping and took some ibuprofen.
Meg9, always remember how blessed you are to have been Stage 0. No treatment, no hormonal med. As I recall, you didn't even have SNB, so there's no risk of LE. Let that spark come back into your eyes!
Fortunate1, those sapotas sound intriguing. CA is like the biblical land of "milk and honey" with all its fruits and vegetables and beautiful blossoms. I love the bougainvillea flourishing in people's yards. On a different subject, did your dr. give any explanation for prescribing Femara rather than Arimidex? I'll be getting my prescription for the latter tomorrow when I see the NP. I'm thinking I might wait until Oct 1 to start taking it if she okays that plan.
My niece and I had lunch at a Mexican restaurant. Love Tex-Mex with all those calories!
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Hi again,
Tracy, I'm so sorry you're hurting. I hope you wait a while more before going back to work. I bet you'd feel like you'd have to tough it out even if it hurt too much. When the pain is better the distraction of work could be more effective. Be easy with yourself.
Meg, no photos of me to compare, but I think it could be similar to your experience. I had an interesting little jolt yesterday. I was at a gallery opening. It was new work by an artist I've known for many years. I have always seen beauty and fantasy in what was intended to be somewhat darker in mood. Yesterday it looked unbearably sad, harsh, tragic, still beautiful. I really don't know what changed, the work or me. Quite possibly the work, but I suspect I have changed even more. We will come out of all this stronger.
The kiln did give me a nice gift. The best was a lovely little mug, now in the possession of DH. Beautiful orange flame marks and an glossy amber at the top and interior, probably a close relation of your wood fired pieces, Carole. The food and conversation was entertaining and I got a recipe for really easy really good flan. We then went and parked by the side of the road near the stadium to see fireworks, soooo beautiful. A good night.
Yes, my PS gave me the band (a compression band?) to push the implant down until my pectoralis relaxed. Maybe 40" x 3" with velcro at one end. It still feels good even after all this time to massage the muscle at the top, in front near the armpit. When I work, it gets sore.
I don't know why he chose Femara over Arimidex. It does seem to be touted for good results lately. A friend was pleased about it. She had shuttled through several medications and bad side effects before her onc put her on Femara. I think they're just different versions of the same thing.
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This probably won't work. I'm an idiot with computers.backyard.jpg0
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Yep, an idiot.
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TracyAnne - I agree with Fortunate1. Try to make the best of things by extending your recovery time a bit more. We are all tempted to return to our normal life ASAP, but healing takes time and life will return to normal at it's own pace. I kept thinking I was "ready" to do this or that and would find out otherwise. It's a dance. A few steps forward, one back. But there's hope and you are getting there. Each week you will feel noticeably better and then you'll be able to make a confident return to work and make that jump forward that you desire. You sound like a person who really thrives on being around others. Do you have some friends, neighbors or family members you could visit or hang out with? It might be a nice time for them and for you. A little recovery gift to yourself? I also found myself to be quite emotional in the weeks preceding and following surgery. I think it was a combination of fear, stress, the demands of recovery and pain medication. I'm feeling much more normal now.
I finished another "nipple pillow". It was better, but it's not a satifactory solution to the issues of bra fit. I think the only viable solutions would be a custom made bra, more flesh or a custom molded, foam, glue on prothesis. Believe it or not, there are very inexpensive sewing patterns and notions for sale online. Lots of women with fit issues? For now, I'll satisfy myself with firm, foam undrewire bras for special occasions and their more comfortable cousin, the stretchy cotton bras for everyday.
Meg9 - How exciting! A new crockpot and two new cookbooks. I usually pick the recipes that don't require additional cooking or prep before being added to the pot. I find that crockpot cooking is very forgiving. You can cook fast or slow, double spices, leave out ingredients, add some. They just tend to work out somehow.
I think, as Fortunate1 mentioned, our perspective has changed. That's not a bad thing necessarily. It happens at many stages of life. I feel like I have a more negative, but realistic attitude these days...like time is running out. Maybe it's a number of things, I'll turn 50 in December and am thus at one of those "milestones" of life. I also need to find a new job/ career. Somehow, I need to move forward with expectation, hope and purpose, but I feel at a loss. I don't know where I'm going. I feel like the wind has left the sails and I need to start rowing. It sounds so arduous, but every journey begins with one step, right? So, I'll take steps and row and trust that God and life has something to offer and that I'll find it along the way. I think the wattage will return to all of our smiles again. We're the lucky ones, the ones with a treatment and, most likely, a cure.
Carole, I think B6 is recommended for Carpel Tunnel as an additional treatment. I had a similar issue last fall with Cubital Tunnel Syndrome. It's taken about a year to heal. I had to stop sleeping with my arms bent.
"Sopote" sound very interesting! To post a picture, don't you click the little tree picture at the reply toolbar? I bet you tried that. The other idea is to create an online link to a picture. You highlight a word in your copy, then click the little chain icon above. Insert the web address to the link and hit the "insert" button. Example: read about sapota here.
Need to go for a walk. Have a great day everyone!
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Hello Everyone,
Tracy, I think as women we are born care takers. Sometimes it's hard for us to stop and take care of ourselves. Mr friend who had bc 5 years ago told me when I was dx that it's about me now. She said take all the time you feel YOU need and not to worry about everybody else now. I did just that. As I felt stronger, I got slowly back into my routine...step by step. I am fortunate that I have a supportive dh, family and friends. They made it easier for me.
Okiegal, I haven't had the time to take a good look through the cookbooks yet, but I plan to use the crock pot this weekend.
I agree that we have a different perspective on life now. We have been through a lot and it is still new to us. I think we are disappointed with the outcome of our reconstruction and apprehensive to change it. I meet with my BS and PS tomorrow. I don't feel like going and talking about revision surgery or tattoos. I wish all doctor appointment were over with, but I do have a lot to be thankful for...like Carole said, no chemo, no meds.
Okiegal, I will be 54 in December. I never mind my birthdays...my mother once said, what the alternative? My family always celebrate birthdays. I think you are in a difficult place now with career choices to make and in a very difficult job environment. My sister is in a similar situation and feels much the same. It has to get better.
Fortunate1, You were a little hard on yourself! It took me weeks to figure how to put my dx in my profile.
Hope you all have a great day!
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Good morning all,
Yep, you click the little tree picture, but it didn't work for me. I think I'm not getting the picture from iphoto to the desktop in the right way. I'll just have to describe it, a backyard photo for Carole, of our immense bougainvillea looking like a big fuchsia cloud.
okiegal, I think of your nipple pillows as a work of art, our missing pieces.
I'm in a slump today. I have been asked to write a professional self assessment. I wrote one last year and I think it might have been triggered again by the alternate semester work schedule they have me on. I'll have to ask. But anyway, how does one self evaluate one's professional development in a year as horrible as this year has been? Dad's fall, surgery and slow decline, Mom's illness and death, and my diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer? Well I learned a lot, but I certainly ignored my professional development. I barely exhibited, took no pertinent trips, no conferences, no great developments in the studio. All I can say is that I survived it and was still able to effectively teach my classes. That's it.
I think I'll go and call the dept. office. Back later.
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Okiegal-- you're right about people. I am one who enjoys reaching out and interacting, whereas my husband is more of a private, loner type. One of the nicest things he has done for me is to ask right after diagnosis "what do you need from me?" and I was able to answer "I need the room to reach out, connect with people, have lots of visitors." He has done that for me, for example, by setting up a Caring Bridge website with me and making it available to my coworkers, his coworkers, our friends and family. I've had movie nigths with girlfriends and Sunday brunch with coworkers...both things that are unusual for our twenty-six year old marriage. Good for him.
Girls, I read my surgical report today for the first time. I've read the path report many times, but somehow overlooked the surgical report detailing what procedures were followed and how it all went. I know that an incision was made, breast tissue was separated from skin, and the breast tissue was removed. But I started crying when I read in black and white that an incision was made, breast tissue was separated from skin, and "the breast was then amputated." Amputated!
The power of words, right? my breast was amputated...? it just feels so violent. Just a hard re-realization this morning that a bad thing happened to me, you know?
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