One step implant procedure with Alloderm - Anyone?
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Hi, everybody. I had a busy day today, and it was HOT outside. Dh and I agree that this month seems hotter than August. We walked together this morning and I was drenched in perspiration by the time we finished our walk. Meg, I used to walk very fast, between 12 and 13 min. miles, but I'm slower now, between 15 and 16 min. miles. I'm 5 ft. 7 in and have a long stride. I wear a WW pedometer, which is kind of fun. It keeps track of the time and distance and no. of steps and also the food pts. earned. I enjoy walking and love hiking. Dh loves to bicycle. When we travel with the rv, we take our bikes and ride biking trails. He goes on hikes to please me and I bike with him! We both like eating so weight control becomes a challenge.
A golfing friend took me to lunch at a cute new restaurant today. Then I went to Walmart with a long list. It's inconvenient not to be able to lift several heavy bags on my arrival home. I made numerous trips out to the car. There's one area on my chest that still bothers me. Actually it's almost under my right arm, where the 4 nodes were removed. It feels stiff and a little sore if I press on it with my fingers. I also feel it when I raise the right arm high.
At first when I would get dressed and go out, I felt somewhat self-conscious about my breasts, but I'm getting over that.
Okiegal, your walk sounds like a lot of fun. I definitely want to participate in one.
Tracy, I hope you had a happy birthday.
Fortunate1, my fingers are crossed.
I've never had clinical depression or taken an anti-depressant before now. Even though I'm taking the Effexor generic for hot flashes, I'm finding it does even out my moods. I don't get irritated easily. The dosage isn't doing the job on the hot flashes since I started taking the Arimidex. It may be helping but my body temperature is definitely burning hotter. Which means my body was producing some estrogen.
Take care and have a great evening.
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It's a lovely evening here, hot, but clear and sunny with an evening breeze starting up. I was a good girl and got some work done, in between lazy distractions, but better than nothing. More work tonight.
Carole, you're so good and disciplined to walk in the morning. I like the idea of the pedometer. I've always meant to get one, but.... haven't. I tell myself that I will take a walk first thing in the morning, when dh leaves for work. But I don't. My self control is pretty bad these days.
What did you have at the cute new restaurant?
I hope your body adjusts to the Arimedex quickly. At least there's the comfort that it is truly suppressing estrogen for you.
Until tomorrow....... sleep well
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A busy day yesterday with a routine trip to my gynocologist, massive amounts of rain (4-5" in the afternoon/evening) and a leak in the roof among other things. My Dr. is a very nice woman. She dropped by to check on me when I had my BMX and told me "you have really good results" yesterday. That was nice to hear. I guess most of us don't get to show off "the goods" to very many people. Just a select few. Makes me wonder again whether I should bother with doing the nipple reconstruction. Wondering if I will ever decide!?! She asked if I had done the BRCA testing. My BS hasn't mentioned it, but I will discuss whether or not this is necessary when I see her in October.
Meg9 - Glad to hear you found a recipe for your crockpot. I have an awesome and easy recipe for a cranberry pork tenderloin. I enjoy cooking to a point. I'm happiest when I can find an almost effortless, but excellent recipe. If I could find an effortless way to do grocery shopping and clean up, I would love cooking!
My exercise yesterday seems to have aggravated the "pins and needles" sensations so now I'm thinking this is not related to menopause, but is associated with the healing phase. I've been reading about "subcutaneous fascia" and think that it is somehow irritated. Carole, I wonder if your "carpel tunnel" issues are also somehow part of the healing process. Let's hope so, becasue that means it will most likely heal.
Fortunate1 -I seem to have endless creativity when it comes to procrastinating. And you are all a great distraction!
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Fortunate1, during the summer here in the south, you almost have to get out and exercise in the morning. As I've already complained, our Sept. weather has been oppressively hot. Remember, too, that I'm retired. When I was writing fulltime, my self-made schedule was to get up in the morning, pour myself a cup of coffee and go directly to my office. I didn't take phone calls, didn't encourage any interruptions. At that time my sport was tennis. I took off Fridays, which was league day and could involve travel to clubs on the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain (New Orleans side). We carpooled and always had lunch afterwards.
The new little restaurant is called Bistro Byronz, and it wasn't crowded. Many of the shop spaces in the large new commercial development aren't occupied yet. The owner came out and chatted with us. Margaret and I had a glass of wine to celebrate getting together after my bc ordeal. We both ordered the Byronz salad, which was mandarin orange slices, dried cherries and roasted pecans on spinach leaves with a raspberry poppyseed dressing that's their house dressing. Also chicken cut into bite-sized little squares. I ate less than half because the plate of salad was too ample. I'm determined to drop the couple of lbs that I've gained before they invite some company lbs to join them.
I'm wearing a brace on my right wrist at night. Here lately I'm turning on my right side during the night to get a break from lying on my back, but it's more difficult to keep my unbraced left wrist straight in the side position. Each day I'm doing exercises I got from a medical website and also taking some ibuprofen. I'm convinced the carpel tunnel is a byproduct of the BMX surgery.
Which reminds me of a grisly experience. Recently I decided to do some research on Alloderm and found a medical site with videos of surgery using the Alloderm. I couldn't watch the surgeon in one video as he "loosened" the pec muscle away from the chest wall. The few seconds I did watch made me appreciate how much skill and knowledge are required for our surgeons to do our procedures. No wonder the reconstructed breasts don't match perfectly.
It's already hot outside, and today my plan is to take a few clubs to the driving range and see how it feels to hit some balls. I'll also take my putter. So I'd better get moving around here.
I enjoy our communication. Hope everybody has a satisfying day!
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Ah yes, the alloderm/lifecell site. I watched every one of those videos. I am usually a bit squeamish, but I was so curious.
The salad sounds delicious. And your self control at only eating half, amazing. I gained back a couple of pounds. I'm going to say good bye for now and take a walk before the clouds burn off.
Except for one more thing. The answer to too much cooking! I taught my husband to cook. It's a great creative outlet, he loves it, and he has gotten very good. We cook and shop together. I wash the dishes, he puts them away. We buy cookbooks for entertainment. We both have a ball in the kitchen.
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Hello Everyone,
Okiegal, I agree that activity brings the pins and needles on. Every time I resume exercising I feel the pain. My gyn said I looked good also. I wondered what else could she say, but her expression seemed genuine. If I was able to find someone who was known to be the best at nipple tattooing, I would consider it.
Carole, I think the carpal tunnel symptoms are from bmx. Many women have the same complaint. I still struggle to open a prescription bottle. I have this little ball you squeeze that has helped. My dh picked it up at the drug store.
I too saw that video of the "one step" surgery. I couldn't watch it. It was like a horror movie. I asked the DH to look at it and he couldn't watch it. We are more the Disney type.
As you can tell. I'm working on...trying to work on my newsletter. I have nothing done. I don't know what's wrong with me, but I am sooo easily distracted. I spent hours on the phone with friends this morning. Yesterday, I was planning to walk and work on the newsletter and instead I....I don't know what I did, but nothing got done.
I got on the scale this morning and I gain another 1/2 pound. It's so depressing, but it doesn't stop me from eating everything in site. Before bmx I was so disciplined about what I ate, but now I just eat whatever without thinking about it. It's been really hard for me to get back to the routine I had before bmx.
Fortunate1, My dh enjoys cooking and making a mess. I wash and put away the dishes. I can't really say I enjoy it.
I absolutely have to get back to work ...I need to finish....I think I'll make some popcorn and walk the dog first.
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Anyone who saw me eating lunch today wouldn't admire my discipline! I was on my way home when Dh called to determine my whereabouts. He was almost finished with his golf game and wanted to know if I would like him to bring home some lunch. I said, Sure, surprise me! He brought oyster poboys and french fries, which are on the Hardly Ever Eat Them list. These were home-made fries with the peelings on, and they were good. The oysters were breaded and fried and on crisp French bread. Goodness knows the calorie count on lunch. But I enjoyed every mouthful. Dinner will be a salad.
Dh helps me in the kitchen quite a bit. Sometimes he cooks a meal himself. Usually the cleanup seems to fall mostly to me.
The session on the driving range was about what I expected. Two plus months away from golf hasn't improved my ball contact or distance. In fact, my distance was rather pathetic. Afterwards I went to Talbots to see if there were any summer bargains left. I missed the sales in July and August. Not much on the rack in my size but I did buy a pair of cropped pants in a pretty pastel aqua color.
It's rumbling outside and looks dark and stormy.
My mother is being dropped from Home Health services because she's stable enough not to need skilled nursing care. The director of the company called me today and said how sorry she was. The cutbacks in Medicare and Medicaid began back in 2003 under the Bush administration, and the auditors are getting very strict, she said. Medicare doesn't pay for "custodial" care for an elderly handicapped patient living alone. My mother is 87 and gets around her house in an electric wheelchair. She is able to transition and can walk a short distance. My mother will miss the visits from her nurse and aide because she's a sociable woman and enjoys visiting with them. I'll have to fill in for the aide and help out with showers several times a week.
Meg, popcorn is one of my WW snacks. I buy the Redenbacker's Smart Pop and flavor it with butter spray. Dh and I share a large bag.
Hope everyone has a good evening!
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I've been good, sort of. I did take the walk. And I did work, some. More tonight, maybe.
Carole, Fried oysters are a seldom seen favorite of mine. I would have eaten every bite too. Have you ever had sweet potato fries? Yum!
Is there any other organization that provides visitors for 'shut ins'? I know what you mean. My Dad has a caregiver, but I think I have to visit more to keep him interacting and not just sitting there.
Meg, I had to laugh at the juxtaposition of breast surgery videos and Disney! I wonder if they've ever been in the same paragraph before?
Tattoos? Today was a 'draw one on' day for me. Very good this time, but it's sad to see it on a flattened breast next to a real one. Have any of you thought of buying the expensive custom made stick on nipples?
Until later......
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Meg and Okiegal--I just got back from my first session at the gym in six weeks, and you're right about the pins and needles. My PS saw me yesterday and said I could start going again, with no limitations except my own discomfort...I took it very easy--didn't do much at all and used the lightest equipment, walked briskly on the treadmill--but those pins and needles! So sharp.
Carole, I wonder if you're feeling pretty sore now that it's been some hours since you were on the golf course? I can't imagine swinging a golf club any time soon--I was eyeing some of the equipment like the butterfly thingy where you have your arms straight out to the side and bring the two handles together in front of you, and I thought to myself, I may never do that again. I think I have a mental block now of pulling too much on that pectoral muscle, ever.
Have been tearful today because I have my oncologist-ordered mammogram tomorrow morning, both breasts...to get a baseline on the reconstructed, and to look again at the other side. She says she wants to keep a careful eye on me and I guess she means it.
I am not one to give in to irrational thoughts, but I find my eyes getting wet and my heart beating a little faster at the thought of a mammogram. It isn't that I think something new could have grown in these two months since the last ones, but rather that something may show up this time that didn't before--you know what I mean? either because it was missed or because it was so small? I did have microcalcs a year ago on my "good" breast that turned out benign...but will they be there again and mean something different? Aargh.
Then I calm myself and remind myself that both breasts were also looked at with MRI and ultrasound...that's three screeening tools...and there was nothing in the left breast.
I will just get through the morning by breathing deeply and thinking calm thoughts.
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Tracy dear, I hope that you sleep well, no bad dreams. I thought it was something we two might share in particular, fear of the remaining breast. But I think this thug of a disease will have all of us fearful for a long time. Yes take confidence in the knowledge of the mammogram, ultrasound, MRI and an attentive oncologist watching over you.
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Tracy, my PS cautioned me to NEVER do the butterfly exercise again! He was very definite about it. He said he has seen women who do that exercise end up with the implants under their arms. If you stand in front of a mirror and press your palms together hard in a prayer pose, you can see the breasts jump sideways toward your armpits. The implants are in a pocket but they're movable. It seems too soon for a mammogram. How many weeks since your MX?
So far I'm feeling no soreness from my hour on the driving range today. I planned to go out tomorrow and play at least 9 holes by myself, maybe 18 if I felt up to it. Reserved a 10 am tee time, but we had a hard downpour late this afternoon. I suspect it will be cart path only and very wet tomorrow. If so, I'll cancel. I won't participate in the Wed. ladies day golf events until I feel a little more confident.
As I mentioned yesterday, there's just that one area where the nodes were removed that bothers me. I'm starting to go braless for periods around the house just to get used to the tightness. I still wear my stretchy bra at night for sleeping.
I wasn't given any demonstration or instructions about massaging the implants. How often do you do the massage and what exactly do you do? Gently push from side to side? I got the impression that I could massage if I wished, but it wasn't stressed as something important. I figure if it might be beneficial, I should do it.
Time for bed. I've started reading Doris Kearns Goodwin's book about Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, No Ordinary Time. I read most of her book about Abraham Lincoln, Team of Rivals. Didn't finish it because I find the Civil War too sad to read about it. Goodwin has a wonderful writing style and makes history very human and interesting.
Sleep well!
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Tracy - It's so easy to be worried about things, real and imagined. I can drive myself crazy. And then, like you, need to comfort myself with the facts and information that is the result of very sophisticated technology. You are in good hands with your doctors. I hope your mammogram wasn't too painful. Did they do one on the surgical side too? That thought alone would bring me to tears!
As for the exercise, I only did four light sets of upper body using hand weights at eight and five pounds. I figured that was light enough, but I guess in addition to the 4 sets (10 reps) of abdominal exercises, I over did it. None of my muscles were sore, but by Monday evening, the pins and needles had returned along with some slight aching in the chest area. Tuesday morning, I still had stinging, so I took two Naproxen Sodium(anti-inflammatory) and that helped. Took a muscle relaxer from my stash last night and felt better this morning, but I still have some stinging. I'll go for a walk or something today and leave the upper body for tomorrow. I'm not sure how to proceed. I want to improve my muscle strength and get back to normal. I'm doing better overall, but I thought at almost four months out, I'd be healed. It's frustrating, but I suppose time, tincture and a little more patience is required. I've had no advice or restrictions from either of my surgeons. I think the Butterfly exercises would be very difficult at this point. There are other ways to exercise all of the same muscles, but more gently. I found another thread on this site about these same questions here.
Fortunate1 - Before I was okayed for the mastectomy I was really worried about symmetry. I worried that I wouldn't be able to adjust to having only one nipple. I can understand your dissatisfaction, but I'm surprised these days, at how accustomed I've become to a "blank canvas". I don't think a flat circular nipple tattoo will esthetically satisfy me, so I'm leaning towards reconstruction. But with the resulting 3-D effect, I'm concerned about the esthetic, day to day issue of "show through". Of course, none of this bothers me unless I'm looking at myself in a mirror! Could I be more indecisive? Have you thought about a decorative tattoo? Might be kind of exotic!
Carole - I began massaging my implants at about 4 weeks, I think. Here is a video from a surgeon in California. It's pretty much the same technique the nurse at the PS's office showed me. I massage 2.5 minutes per breast, twice daily most of the time. I found a cheap kitchen timer/clock at Target. So far, so good. I'm very impressed with your physical recovery and golfing. I would think that sport takes quite a bit of upper body exertion. Glad you are doing so well.
Meg9 - It's so hard to get back into the groove of eating healthy. My motivating factor was that my clothes were all getting too tight and I was too cheap to go buy anything new! After the first few days of being back on program, I felt so good that I couldn't believe it had taken such mental effort to get started. Now, three weeks later, I wonder why I ever let myself gain weight in the first place. No looking back, it's water under the bridge. Journaling, planning ahead and new recipes really help me stay on track. Plus, my sister and I are keeping each other accountable.
I have an eye doctor appointment this AM, better get going.
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Hi Everyone,
Carole, I totally understand your situation with your mother having been there myself. My parents never qualified for any assistance, so we hired aides until they went into a nursing home. I recently saw an ad in a church bulletin where a woman was advertising for employment as a companion. I would have jumped at that opportunity had it been available. Maybe you can check that out in you area.
I can't believe you are up to playing golf already! Good for you! I My dh didn't want to pay the landscapers to trim a very long hedge in our yard, $470.00 so he decided to do it himself. I went out to help him this weekend and I have been paying for it since. I have always had this pain on the left side of my left breast. The BS said that it was from the large nerve cut during mx. I'm thinking there is still healing going on.
I do not have a routine to massaging my breasts. My ps did said it is important to break up scar tissue which causes CC. I massage them at different times of the day...when I remember. When I'm busy, I forget they're there. When I do massage, I hold the entire breast and lift up and side to side. I think the idea is to move the implant so scar tissue doesn't attach to it causing CC.
Tracy & Okiegal, I think my weight lifting was one reason why my breasts were so hard for so long. They have soften some, but when I exercise using my chest muscles they become very sore, hard and that tight feeling comes back. Last night I had difficulty sleeping. Also, I have noticed that when I lay on my back...they spread out to my sides; and when I lay on my side they touch each other. This just started...they have been very stiff.
I think we will always worry about future testing. One oncologist I visited for a second opinion said that he had cases of recurring bc after mx, but it is rare.
Fortunate1, where do you buy these peel and stick nipples? It wold be interest to see what it would look like.
I have to get back to work...Have a great day!
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Just a quick Hi....
Meg,I googled nipple prosthesis and got some interesting info. You can buy nipples made to match your own, or 'ready-made' less realistic ones. Maybe I'll try it. Kind of interesting, kind of strange. I was wondering because since my breasts don't match in profile, would a nipple reconstruction just make it look more fake? When I paint one on it looks so real from the front, and very unreal as I turn. I'm not sure I'd care about nipples at all if the profile shape was a better match. Like Okiegal I am very accustomed to the blank canvas, very unambiguous. I did think about a decorative tattoo, don't think dh would like it. He misses the nipple.
Indecisive = me
Tracy, how did it go?
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Tracy, I'm wondering how your mammgram went, too. Was it just your natural breast that was being imaged? In a few months I'm due for a mammogram which is supposed to be my last. It's to provide a baseline image of the underarms. Before I put my implants into the vise, the tech is going to have to reassure me that the pressure will be gentle.
Meg, my breasts spread a little to the side when I lie on my back, too. That's why I'm still wearing the stretchy bra I wore home from the hospital (it has been laundered multiple times, of course!). When I turn on my right side, the breasts come closer together. So there is "movement" of these reconstructed breasts.
I've re-read Year of the Hat's initial post several times. She said her breasts were "well-positioned but lumpy." I was pre-surgery when I joined this thread and could only imagine what she was talking about. Now at almost 9 wks out, I have some "lumpiness" and "rippling," especially on the right side, which is not as well-positioned as the left. I think I'll have to go back and watch those gory surgical videos because I don't understand how the implants are behind the pec muscle and yet they provide a shape under the skin. Mine are soft and springy and have been from the beginning. They actually feel like a young woman's breast. But sometimes I can feel edges. Very puzzling.
For the first time post-op, I wore my 1 lb. wrist weights when I walked this morning. No ill effects so far. I always do some arm exercises. I didn't play golf today because it was cart path only and the courses were very wet after the rain yesterday afternoon.
This morning after walking, dh and I rode over to Biloxi, MS, to the Beau Rivage Casino, played the video poker machines for a couple of hours and had another fattening lunch, Reuben sandwiches. It was so cold with A/C in the casino that a hot sandwich was tempting.
Tomorrow I take my mother to her hair apptment. It's about the only day of the week that she gets out. My brothers and sisters talk to her on the phone quite often and visit occasionally, but they rarely get her out of the house. Fortunately, she loves the CBS soaps and watches them every weekday. She isn't upset about being dropped from the home health services.
I feel so left out in this nipple discussion! I'm almost sure I would go for the constructed nipples and tattoed aureoles. My cousin Iris has flower tattoes. She did the TEs and was expanded to a Size C, her size before bc. I didn't scrutinize her breasts but they looked really nice when she whipped up her blouse to show me her tattoes!
Good night all.
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No one here? I hope everyone is having a lovely evening. And Tracy, that your mammogram was painless and that your new baseline is of perfect health.
It is too hot for words here today. Too hot to cook. It's still light outside and I'm going to go out and turn on the sprinkler, a forbidden act that no one cares about.
Until tomorrow, good night.
Oh, Carole, hello. If I weren't such a slow typist we might have posted at the same time. Don't feel left out on the nipple dilemma. You are sooooo lucky.
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Hi everyone--just a quick note to let you know that all was clear, and that only the surgical side was tested. The oncologist wanted evidence that all the cancer was gone...she felt no need to test the "healthy" breast again so soon--after all, radiation is radiation, right? not good for you, I guess.
No pain, because there was only the most minimal compression, and even that was not on the breast itself but more the pressing under the clavicle and along the side, you know?
Very, very emotional experience though. I cried, before during and after. More on that tomorrow--I have family waiting on me tonight. Thank you all for the support!
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So, the mammogram. Being there was an emotional experience that surprised me in its intensity. I knew I was nervous, but I didn't realize until I got there that I was downright scared. I've rarely felt so vulnerable.
It started with the paperwork...updating the health history. I know I had a mastectomy. I've told lots of people I've had a mastectomy. I've written about having a mastectomy...so why did tears spring to my eyes when I checked the box labeled mastectomy under "Have you had any surgical procedures?" My hand just froze for a second before I could even make the mark.
It seemed like such an awful thing seeing it listed on paper...almost like a mean thing. I can't think of any other way to put it: like a mean thing was done to me. I know that's not true, but that's how it feels sometimes.
Then there was "Have you ever been diagnosed with cancer?" Yes. "Yes" for cancer is the box I will check on every medical form from now on. That's still surreal.
I felt pretty shaky by the time my name was called, but the mammogram technician couldn't have been more patient and understanding. I got several sincere hugs throughout the process, especially at the end. There had been a few tears when she took me back to the exam room, a few when I realized we wouldn't be checking the left breast just for peace of mind, a few more during the procedure...and a lot of tears afterwards when she told me all was clear.
They were not tears of relief. I couldn't absorb that good news yet; I was still just feeling the overwhelming rush of emotion that came with being in that place again, wearing that gown, waiting for results. It was like reliving the beginning of the bad dream that has been these past eight weeks.But, I made it through. I hope the psychological aspect of all of this gets better with time. I guess I'm still pretty raw--it's only been two months since diagnosis and five weeks since surgery.
Carole, thanks for passing on the warning about the butterfly exercise. I had a sense of foreboding about it just looking at the machine again anyway. I'm seeing a physical therapist for an unrelated hip problem, but she has started working on loosening up that pectoral muscle, too--right there between breast and shoulder. My PS encouraged it; said her massages and manipulations couldn't hurt anything even though what she does to loosen it up actually does hurt. After just one session, I could reach up an extra three inches than before.I appreciate all of you sharing your experiences about exercise, weights, diet, and nipples! And speaking of diet, were those of you who had radiation told to avoid anti-oxidant vitamins during those weeks? I've been seeing that advice elsewhere...
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Tracy, I'm sorry the mammogram was such an ordeal. Your description of the experience should help prepare me for some of the emotions I'll have to deal with.
None of us had radiation, thank goodness. No breast tissue to radiate and, luckily, no tumors close to the chest wall.
Glad you mentioned going to a PT. I need to ask for a referral to a PT who has worked with bc surgery patients. I've read posts by other women who said they'd been cautioned not to strengthen the pec muscle after MX, but a good PT should know the limits.
I see you're Stage 0, DCIS. Great stats for that diagnosis. 100 percent curable!
Okiegal, I saw your Nipples thread on the Active list this morning! Checked it out and read the posts. Seems most ladies are happy with their results.
Happy Thursday to all!
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Wow, I feel so....uniformed? None of my doctors have warned me about much of anything. I should be grateful, I guess. No warnings about specific exercises, eating soy foods or anti-oxidant vitamins. I thought those were all good things? Ignorance is bliss...except when you do the wrong exercise...too many times! Just realized that the anti-oxidant concern is for those with radiation which I didn't need.
TracyAnne - I was wanting to give you a hug just reading about you experience. I'm glad to hear that it wasn't painful. My mammograms were always dreaded events for that reason. It's comforting to know that everyone was so kind to you. I think you are going through a difficult adjustment phase, but am confident that you will look back in a few months and be much more relaxed about all of this. You are still very close to your surgery, I too was much more emotional in that time period. I started to bounce back at about week 8.
For those who are interested, there are a few new posts at my old "nipple reconstruction" question. Carole, did your cousin have a tattoo on only one side? Would she want to (privately) share a picture?! I have a hard time imagining how I could create a design that would look right on both breasts. I saw a picture of one woman who had the same flower design tattooed twice. It looked pretty good. So many options, so much indecision!
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Hi All,
Tracy, I wanted to cry reading about your emotional day. Two weeks ago when I went for the D&C, I felt the same way. There we were again back to the same hospital...same 5th floor pre-op area...same walk down the hall to the elevator to the surgical floor. I think the events of what we've been through are going to be with us for a long time. I did not cry, but I felt sad that we (especially my DH) were back again so soon. Then waiting for results. ugg!
I will not be looking forward to having my MRI in the future. I too will worry about some new problem and I don't feel comfortable yet with the thought of someone other then my doctors looking at my breasts.
My attitude about this is...it is what it is, and I can't change it, so I better make up my mind to get through it the best I can for myself and my family. I consider myself very lucky that my cancer was DCIS with no invasion, no chemo, no meds. I worry about recurrence in my breasts and any place else. My recent visit to my BS and PS have made me lose confidence in them and I'm thinking of finding new doctors. I'm not sure what to do. I just keep reminding myself that the worst is over and to be grateful for that.
Carole, I never had ridges or lumps. When I feel my breasts they are smooth all over. I do have a little bulge on the right side of my scar. It looks like streached out skin from the time I was swollen. I think it may be the dog ear some talk about. My PS had no interest in correcting it.
Fortunate1, I will have to find the time to check out the nipple stickers...just to see what it would look like if I decided to go through with it.
Earlier in the week we were sleeping with two blankets..temp during the night dropped in the low 50's. Yesterday and today the air conditioning is on. This weekend I'll buy and plant mums.
Back to work for me..Have a great day!
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Fortunate1, I just check out a site on nipple prostheses. They do look realistic, but glue on! It made me laugh! I can imagine it falling off at the doctors office or in the dressing room at the mall or maybe in my bedroom. Can you imagine the look on someone's face who caught me picking it up! I can also see me taking forever to make sure they were stuck on perfectly! I really don't mean to make light and I hope no one is offended, but I never thought of nipple prostheses!
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Good morning - this is my first post here. I am also indecisive about reconstruction - does any one know where there are "after" photos of this procedure? I know I can't have DIEP or Tram as I am a diabetic and very slow healer. So it is the "traditional" inplants or the one step. I can't have three incisions required for either one of those. I tried expanders done at the same time as the bilateral mastectomy only to return to the hospital in a month to have them removed due to infection. My bmx was 12/19/08 and expander removal on 1/19/09.
Meg9 - that has been my new mantra since diagnosis - it is what it is.
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Tracy, I'm sorry the mammogram was so emotionally difficult. Your description brought tears to my eyes. Checking the cancer box, yes. All the women reading their magazines, waiting to be done so they could go home cancer free. I know it has gotten so much better after 8 months(!), I hope the underlying fear goes away eventually. Hugs for you.
No one has told me anything about not exercising the pec. Since I have to use it anyway, it's just as well. Is it the same movements that make the muscle move that are the problem? If so, I'm doomed. I wonder if it's what causes my soreness?
Meg, Definitely not offended. I wondered too about the nipple falling off. Unfortunately I can imagine the look on someone's face. In the bedroom I hope dh would just laugh, but outside, horrors! Maybe the glue is really good. I'm thinking of getting the reforma ones just to see what it would look like to have a nipple on this breast at all. The PS spoke about giving me a little 'nub'. I see him on Monday. I will be curious to hear his ideas. I think if I had my fantasy choice I'd change the shape of the breast and not care about a nipple at all.
It's already too hot to take a walk, but the studio is still cool. I have a radio.... could dancing count as my exercise?
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Welcome Kathleen,
I think the one-step is the least invasive method I've heard of. We still have questions and problems like all the other reconstruction methods, but the recovery is much easier. I don't know if it is good enough to get around the diabetic slow healing. I hope your doctor can guide you through.
Ask anything, this is a great group.
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Fortunate1, dancing DEFINITELY counts as exercise! You can conduct your own personal jazzercize session! I always count walking from the parking lot into a store, pushing a grocery cart up and down the aisles, and on and on.... Life is full of exercise.
Hi, Kathleen. I've seen you on one of the other threads I follow. Don't recall which one. Older bc ladies, Arimidex, or 2009 Sisters. I'll be 9 wks out from my BMX/One step tomorrow, and I'm doing well now. But my incisions were slow to heal properly. The left incision had to be trimmed and resutured 3 wks ago. And I'm not diabetic. In fact, I always considered myself a good healer.
I'm not sorry I had the 1-step, but if I had to rate the appearance of my reconstructed breasts at this point on a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give them a 7.5 or 8. Still I'm happier having a breast shape than being flat. As for "after" photos, my PS has an album of before and after pictures, and I looked at those. You're limited as to bra cup size with the 1-step. A full B is about the biggest you can expect. With the TEs, you can go larger, as you probably know. Good luck with making your decision. Feel free to ask any questions.
I'm about to join in with the Facebook mania. I created an account a couple of months ago but haven't fooled with it yet. So many of our nieces and nephews and friends are on Facebook that I might as well fritter away some additional computer time.
I had a pleasant day with my mom today. Despite a 40 or 50 percent chance of rain, the sun ahone most of the day and we stayed dry.
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I didn't dance, bad girl. I stayed indoors with a glass of iced tea. My laundry has flash-dried on the line. My biggest accomplishment of the day was to speak sternly with a medical billing office about the third bill sent for a co-pay that was already paid.... twice (and even refunded to us once). My BS has the worst run office I have ever encountered, and not just in billing.
Tonight I'm having some fun. My son's father-in-law is flying in from Texas for a visit. DH, daughter-in-law and I will pick him up soon and go out for pizza at a hip place downtown, of the industrial chic variety. DH is doing most of the cooking for a gathering on Sat night, yay!
And both classrooms I'll be in are well air-conditioned. Who could ask for more?
Good evening all.
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Good morning,
Welcome Kathleen, My mother was a diabetic, so I understand the healing issues. My advise to you he to find out as much as you can. My "one step" was done on the same day as my mx. Google AlloDerm..that is where I found the most information on the "one step."
Carole, I opened a face-book page months ago and I was looking for some guidance from my son to help me out. We never found the time and then bmx. I don't know why, but I seem to be challenged starting it up.
I took a walk last night. Would you believe that in an hour I only walked 2 miles. Then I came home and ate a chocolate pudding with graham crackers! What's wrong with me! I would never eat like this before.
Okiegal, I drank silk (soy milk) for as long as I can remember. When I found out I had bc I stopped. I read that flax seed is not good also. I don't know what to do about chest exercises...I'm still waiting on that. I do walking and lift light weights for my arms and legs....sit ups and that is for now. I'm taking my time.
I was on you nipple reconstruction site. I'm going to find someone in my area who is known for doing good tattoos. I'm not ready yet, but I think it good to look into now.
Tracy, I hope your feeling better.
Fortunate1, Sounds like your going to have a great weekend. Enjoy your company.
I'm going to show the DH the nipple prosthesis site when he has the time this weekend. I mentioned it to him late last night when he got home and he gave me a strange look...a familiar one....like, are you nuts!
) He would be supportive no matter that I decide.Gook luck with you PS appointment on Monday.
It's 8:00 am and I'm off to work. It's going to be a busy day. The newsletter is finally done and I'm off to print it.
I hope you all have a great weekend!
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Good morning everyone and welcome Kathleen!
Fortunate1 and Meg9, I hadn't thought very much about the consequences of fake nipples...the dressing room scenario was funny.
Overall, I'd rate my satisfaction with the one-step Alloderm results (visually) as an 8 right now. I'd rate it higher if I had nipples and if my incisions were faded. My breasts aren't perfect, but they are close enough. My biggest disappointment is that I can feel the implants against my muscles and I'm still concerned that strength will always be an issue. Fortunate1, why is it that you get sore? Do you overuse your muscles? I would hope that by six months, we would be back to normal. Is this a new normal? Sounds like you have a fun weekend planned. My nephew is going to propose to his fiance this evening and will celebrate with family and friends afterward. I'm excited, it's the first of my nieces and nephews to take this step. She's a very lovely young woman. I hope she says "yes"!
On another note, I tried on some of my old underwire bras again yesterday and they seem to be fitting better. I'm wondering if the incision is getting softer and more pliable. The JC Penneys comfy standbys still had empty spots in the front, but at least I don't have to get rid of everything. No dancing for me today, but I will exercise and try not to over do it.
I'm on facebook, but haven't really become a regular user. Some people really love it, I'm not there yet. A generational thing, a personality thing? We'll see.
Have a great weekend all!
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I think this is our facebook for right now. The way I check in to see what's up with you all each day, it would be like that, don't you think? I am on facebook too, but I don't check in like I do with you. Hardly ever, in fact.
Okiegal, I don't know why I have the sore spot, it's a question on my list for the PS. It's where the tumor was, at 2:00 on the right (recon.) breast. There is a hollow area there and the skin is thin. I can feel the implant if I raise my arm. It's where the muscle flexes, too. I imagine the BS scraping me out extra well there, the margins were small, 2mm on the skin side. Maybe the BS messed with the muscle a bit, too. I'll see if I can get some answers. It doesn't stop me from doing anything, it's just always tender.
We had a great time last night. Dh and father-in-law are off to the beach, body boarding and other beach stuff, like having donuts at a favorite spot. I'm once again almost late, so it's goodbye for now.
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