One step implant procedure with Alloderm - Anyone?
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Hi everyone--
and hooray to I Am OK on getting those drains out...that stinging small point of pain where the tube was held in with a stitch or two was awful those last few days til it came out. By the time it was all over , though, I was actually pretty proud of myself for being able to manage the drains myself. At first I asked my husband to empty them because I was just too squeamish to look.
Unfortunately I have that point of pain back again with radiation--the doctor says it's because the radiation is irritating the scar tissue that is there from where the drain was. My breast aches down deep all day now, though ibuprofen eases it. Doc says irritation/inflammation down deep from the chest wall radiation, and that it will heal soon after treatment. Same with the pain at the side from fluid retention and the bra pressing against it...it will heal but I just have to endure it for now. I think I'll be braless under my sweatshirt at my daughter's high school football game tonight...cold enough to dress in layers so I'll just hide my asymmetrical boobs underneath and be much more comfortable.
Shoshi, the skin is opened with an incision (in my case, a 3 inch incision right across the nipple area) and the skin is then separated from the breast tissue and the breast tissue lifted out through the incision. The PS then works through that same incision, stitching in an alloderm pocket, anchoring it into to a little space he makes for it by cutting chest muscle just below the breast, stitiching it to muscle and lining of ribs...then the implant put into the alloderm pocket and the skin sewn back over all of that. So, my implant is 100% covered with my own skin, and the only incision is the line across the middle. Like others here, I will have nipple construction done, but I haven't asked too many questions about the how-to's of that...just focusing on one thing at a time and know I'll get there in a month or two. At the time of that surgery, I will have my natural breast lifted so that the two match better in position. I am very pleased that they already match beautifully in size/volume...when I wear a bra, there is no need to pad one side or the other to make them the same size...but that breast that nursed three children certainly sits a lot lower on my chest for now :- )
My reconstructed breast is very firm, but not hard. It is softening with time, just enough to make me feel like I'll be happier with it with each passing month.
It's been just over two months since surgery for me, and I have to say that I had a hard time looking at my breast too closely or for too long at first. In the last month or so it's become just a part of me, and I look at it without embarrassment or hesitation.
Meg, I'm sorry you have you have the flu. Just hunker down this weekend and read a good book, watch a good movie...sleep lots. How awful to ache head to toe when you've already had enough of aches and pains. My dh hates it that I go for the good ol' Vicks Vapo-Rub, but it sure helps and I just tell him to hold his nose or sleep on the couch :- )
Fortunate 1, you had such a long wait through diagnosis! How agonizing...thanks to my doctors, only six and a half weeks passed between finding the lump and having the mastectomy. My longtime family physician made a personal phone call to the breast surgeon to get me in a full three weeks before "the next available appointment" the receptionist was offering me.
Best wishes to everyone here--I try to read every day though I'm not always up to posting after getting home from work. I wouldn't call this tiredness "fatigue" yet, but I do feel worn out much of the time and just ready for my jammies and my bed by 8:00 p.m. We're watching the tv show "Lost" through Netflix...are on season 3 episode 5 and I love having that to escape to...
but tonight it's high school football and all the fun that goes with it :- ) That will be good for me in a different way. G'night all.
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Hi everyone, just a quick hello. There is way too much to do and I'm ushering tonight. Sometimes fun things can get in the way..... boo.
Carole, yes I do mix my own glazes. You should see the place. Pots everywhere. Today I came home to a letter from the museum show. No show for me. It's very disappointing. Maybe I'm too 'vessel oriented'. That's art-speak. I do run with a very talented much showier crowd. Double BOO.
Sweet dreams all.
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Triple BOO, Fortunate. For me the ideal piece of pottery is both beautiful and useful, although I must admit to displaying some gorgeous casserole dishes. Recently I did use one for serving when we had company for dinner. I could actually have used it in the oven but didn't.
The promised front came through and it's in the 50's this morning, but still overcast outside. However, the week ahead looks ideal. Sunny every day with highs of low 70's and cool temps at night. Doesn't get much better than that. Hoping to get in some golf.
A movie and dinner out with another couple tonight and a small family get-together at my mother's house tomorrow at noon.
Meg, hope you're feeling good by now. Hi to all.
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hi ladies, yes i am sure that u can only post 5 responses in a 24 hr period which is so stupid if u ask me.
i have done so much research lately..found videos, pictures , stories, Dr stuff..wow...what 1 can find when u have all day!!! i know this surgery will take a bit to recooperate..but not having to "worry" will be the best thing. They have a forum here of what to do b4, during & after surgery..for those of u that have had the surgery, i am sure ur expertise would be helpful to others..
i hope everyone had a good weekend & is feeling well...
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Greetings everyone. I just want to add quick hello. It was 9:30 at this time yesterday which is bedtime for me. Our weekend here was gorgeous, we even had an almost full moon for Halloween.
I brought my coffe table over. It's the one piece of furniture that didn't make it over during the original move. It makes the place look much more put together.
I-am-OK, you would be proud of me. I walked for an hour and a half today. It was wonderful. I took and shower and put on makeup afterward and I looked and felt like a truly healthy person. The walk did me a world of good. Then I made some beans, did some budgeting and watched a silly movie. My friend called and I talked to her for a while too. It's been a great weekend.
I'll catch up with you all during the week. I hope everyone os feeling well.
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Hello Everyone,
Thank you all for your well wishes. I'm feeling better tonight. I slept for two days...no energy and the worse sinus headache. When the fever finally broke, the aches went away. I watched a few movies...The Good German, The Proposal and Management.
Fortunate1, Sorry about the museum show...I'm sure something will come up soon. The pieces you showed us are beautiful!
Okiegal, How are you healing? Is all the redness gone?
Tracy, I wish there was something to make the soreness from radiation better. My friend told me she never wore a bra during her treatments....just a light cotton t-shirt. I'm glad you're getting some relief from ibuprofen. How many more treatments? I hope it's over soon.
I am OK, Happy to hear your drain is out! That area will be a little sore for a while. I still have a dimple where the drains were. I also had a little staining on my bra, so I kept a piece of gauze over the area for a few days. I don't think the dimples will go away...they look the same now as they did 5 months ago.
Shoshi, I'm glad you had the time to do more research, but if you have any other question just ask us. My implants are by Mentor. They are cohesive silicone gel, high profile. They are not gummies. I think they are a firm compared to my natural breasts. They are flat in the nipple area. My current bra size is 36B.... I was 36C. Also, my implants are warranted for 10 years. I hope they last much longer. This is another reason why I'm not interested in addition surgery to correct any imperfections. If I find someone who does 3D nipple tattoos well, I think I would consider it.
Yes, you can only post 5 times in 24 hours.
I hope everyone else is doing well and had a good weekend.
It rained yesterday and this morning. We had very few Trick or Treaters and too much left over chocolate! My DH will bring it to his office tomorrow. I have to work tomorrow. I hope you all have a happy Monday.
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ok, ladies, here goes my question here. Who has had the 1 step & the nipple graft(?) & tattoo? any problems? i have been reading so many problems w/ the nipples even more then w/ the implants themselves.
i did read during my research that if u do the nipple sparing, there is still a chance u can get cancer if u have LCIS. anyone care to comment on this?
Meg, can u tell me more abt ur surgery? u are what i want to b. are u happy w/ ur size? how long ago did u have them done? i was told that after 10 yrs u may need new ones..i'll worry abt that down the road i guess...but have been told that if u have silicone, u will need MRI's..even Mentor suggests that. so what imperfections do u have Meg? what kind of bra do u use?
I hope everyone had a nice weekend & everyone is healthy again!! Thank u all for being here!! I really do appreciate it!!
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Shoshi, a recurrence or new cancer is possible no matter what kind of surgery you have. Nipple-sparing, non-nipple-sparing. BMX. Some women have developed bc in the skin after MX. Some develop bc on the chest wall. Under the arm. The percentages are very low but these cases happen to the few unlucky. I've read about some of the nightmares here on bc.org. My bc dr. has had two patients with BMX done by other drs. come to her with bc in the chest wall. Not to scare you (or me!), but there's no bc foolproof surgery or tx out there.
That's why I'm supposed to have ultrasound screening every 6 mos. If there is a recurrence, we want to catch it early Nothing has been said about MRIs.
Your picture is cute, and you look very young. Someone started a thread recently asking for women to check in and tell their age. It's very sad to me that so many young women in their 20's, 30's, and 40's are fighting this battle. At least it didn't catch up with me before my 60's.
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Good Morning all,
Meg9, what a lovely picture! Nice to see you. Very glad to hear you are feeling better. I also had a dimple on one side. My PS referred to it as an "adhesion". My looked like a small belly button. It's not a big deal to get it removed.
Shoshi, you should make a list and talk to your doctors about your specific risks and needs. There is only so much you can do on your own and I don't want to mislead you. In my instance, with my risk factors and family history, I don't need any MRI's, ultrasounds or mammograms to follow up or monitor. I asked my BS about this and she said that we would monitor for lumps and then if one was found, investigate with ultrasound, etc. Because we have different diagnoses going in, we have different recommendations about how to monitor/follow up. My BS trained at Sloan Kettering and is relatively young, so I trust her expertise. Sounds like you are doing your research. Good job!
As for the nipple reconstruction....the infection is gone, so I am now in the healing phase. Friday afternoon, the "pins and needles" seemed to suddenly disappear. I don't know if it's the Neurontin finally kicking in or a sign of healing. Either way, I'm so relieved. Imagine running around with a slight headache for weeks with no relief. A slight headache isn't debilitating, but you just feel so much better when it's gone!
The nipples look rather flat and conical. Think of a cone with the top removed and then stretched at the base. I'm not real impressed right now and they are uneven (horizontally) about 1/2 inch. The one that got infected is smaller and they don't seem like they are both centered. Time will tell. I get all of the remaining stiches removed on Thurs. I guess this may require revision as well.
Tracy, here's wishing you stamina and strength for dealing with your radiation aches and pains. I hope it is short lived.
Year, you are inspiring me to go for a walk on this beautiful fall day. I wasn't around for the Trick or Treaters, so that means to much candy in the house!
Fortunate1, sorry to hear that your work wasn't chosen for the Museum exhibit. Those things can be such a roll of the dice. It just means you will have work showing somewhere else! You never know what that could lead to.
Have a great day all. Time for that walk!
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Good morning, incredibly gorgeous morning. Okiegal will know this one - a several days into a Santa Ana morning. Painfully dry, but so crisp and clear.
Shoshi, We have all had the one-step. No nipple saving for me, I would have jumped at the chance had it been possible. Carole is right, there are no guarantees, but you are at stage 0. That's great!
Meg, You have a picture, so cute! Glad to hear you beat the flu. I finally found a flu shot, hope it does the trick.
We had a gorgeous Halloween, with the crisp weather and the almost full moon. There were costumed adults roaming the streets - very entertaining. DH and I were dressed in boring usher black and white. We had to turn off every light and lock up securely, no little trick or treaters and no leftover candy for me to eat, thank goodness.
Tracy, a friend of mine also wore nothing that could rub her breast during radiation. She had skin problems, raw and painful. I thought that it would take a long time to heal but as soon as the treatments ended her skin started repairing itself amazingly quickly. She's still tender, but the skin is closed and looks good.
Year, a great testamonial to walking, which I will skip again today. I will catch up later, just not too much later if I'm smart.
Off to work. Until later.
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Good Morning ladies!
Yearofthe Hat, I am proud of you, and you must be proud of youself, and I am sure you are indeed a truly healthy person! Just keep walking!
Meg, I am glad you are feeling better, take care and try to take rest as much as possible. Nice avatar!
okiegal, such a good news the pain and infection are gone! Have a nice walk!
Shoshi, I had my drain removed on 12-th day after surgery. I had the only one on my reconsraction side. I felt pretty good with drain in and was able to walk the first day after sergury. I started to drive on the 6-th day.
Carole, My DH had high cholesterol several years ago. He was able to low cholesterol more than for 60 points only by dieting. I have not heard about red yeast rice for lowering cholesterol. What I know, lentil, spinach (fresh or cooked) and red wine are very good for lowering cholesterol, and lentil is champion in that.
Yesterday my DH and I had a hike, the fist one since my surgery (17-th day). Nice weather, beautiful view, what can be better! It took 1 hour 50 minutes, almost the same time as usually.
I hope you all have a great Monday!
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Good evening all,
I'm tired. Too much work and not enough food is making me stupid in the studio. I came in to eat a little and visit with you.
Okiegal! Your pins and needles are gone? That's the best news I've heard in a while.
Thanks to all for the sympathy about the exhibit. Things always work out somehow. I'm planning a small sale with three other women potters in Dec. I'm going to gather my buddies around me and figure out what's next. It will be good.
Shoshi, I mis-spoke. You're not even stage 0. Even with no guarantees your outcome should be the most promising of all. Keep reading and asking.
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Hi Everyone,
Okiegal, No pins or needles! Maybe you just needed a little more time to heal. What an up and down ride reconstruction is. Do you think your nipples are uneven because you're still swollen? Maybe you need a little more time for the nipples too.
Carole, My DH had high blood pressure and cholesterol since he was in his early thirties...he is 60 now. He takes medication daily. When he had more time and jogged daily. During that time, he did not need to take his medication. You are very active, so I don't think lack of exercise is an issue for you. Could it be a side effect of arimedex?
Shoshi, I am not exactly happy with my size B, but I am grateful for what I have. I do have to get used to my new flat look in clothing. My breasts are a little uneven in size and shape. In clothing it is not noticeable. I think with the one step most will need revision surgery, especially if your looking for perfection. I will not have nipple reconstruction, but I am considering 3D tattoos. If you read this thread from the beginning, I think you will find many answers to your questions. We have all shared our recovery experiences here. We are all different and our doctors have different have different follow up treatments also.
I will go for a MRI in May...one year from my bmx. After that, I will have an MRI every two years. These MRIs are to examine the implants. I will see my BS in May also. I have been seeing my oncologist every three months.
You have the time to get well informed and that is a great advantage that I did not have. Good luck to you in making your decisions.
I'm thinking of everyone else and hope everyone is doing well.
It was a nice day today...sunny and cool. I'm feeling very tied...my throat is still sore.
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CAROL: thank u for the compliment of me looking young. I am 47 & been dealing w/ this since i was 40. Even b4 then when i was in my 20's i had a big lump on the side of my right breast & they had to remove it. i was told that it was benign but many yrs l8r it came back.Thank u also for explaining abt cancer & teh nipple sparing. i did not know all this.
MEG, why do u look flat or feel flat? why & what kind of revision surgery will u need. I have read all the posts from i think all the forums already, but everyone has different answers & i like to hear them all & everyone opinion. I hope i am not bothering anyone w/ all the questions i do ask. :-)
FORTUNATE: from all my readings w/ my LCIS & Density i am considered stage 0..but i really do not think abt what stage ..i am just thinking abt & learning abt this all b4 Dec.
I-AM_OK..wow 12 days how come so long? You were able to do stuff w/ it in. I remember when i had my reduction. as long as the drains were in, i was NOT allowed to do anything. No driving, showering...
well i have 3 more posts i am allowed in my 24 hr period & i have to respond to other forums that i post on. :-)
Thank u all again for everything!!! It's great to b able to come here & read & talk abt all this stuff. I really have no one i can talk to.
I did tell my boss today & she was very sweet & understanding & agreed waiting for the summer is taking a chance I should not take.
have a great nite all & a great day tomorrow
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Shoshi, I believe you are "staged" after surgery when the pathology comes back on your tumor or area of tissue that's being examined. Staging has to do with the size of the tumor and whether it is inclosed or has moved from where it began. My cousin's tumor was IS (in situ) but it was large enough that she was Stage 1 rather than Stage 0.
You're very welcome on this discussion forum and are free to ask whatever questions you want to ask. Based on the experiences of the "regulars" on this thread, I think it's highly unlikely a woman gets an ideal reconstruction in one step. Ideal means the implants are positioned very well, not too far left, not too far right. One implant isn't higher than the other. Etc. Then as time goes on, the positioning can change. Still, I'm much happier with a breast shape than I would be without a breast shape. It's a matter of being thankful for the better (not best!) option.
Hope everyone has a great day. It's gorgeous weather here, and dh and I are off to play golf. We're taking out push carts and will walk instead of renting a cart. Save money and get our exercise!
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Hi Everybody,
Shoshi, Please feel free to ask any questions you have. You are not a bother. When you had your breast reduction were your nipples removed? My sister looked into breast reduction and was told her nipples would be removed.
When you have the "one step" the implants are placed in immediately after mx. Your muscle is cut and Alloderm (skin) is used to create a pocket for the implant to sit in. Like a kangaroo pouch. Once the muscle and Alloderm are stitched covering the implant...your skin covers the muscle and alloderm and is stitched horizontally across your breasts leaving a scar. This procedure leaves the front of your breast (nipple area) looking flat. When you look straight in a mirror your breasts will look somewhat normal in shape. When you turn to take a profile look, your breasts will look flatter then a normal breast.
When reconstruction is done with expanders (implants that are placed behind your muscle and increased over a period of time), your chest muscle is stretched until you reach the size you want. Once you reach the size you want, you will have a second surgery to remove the expander and have permanent implants placed. I believe that the results are breasts that are not as flat as in the one step. Everyone here had the one step. I think the exchange forum would have more info on the final results.
I have not had revision surgery and I am not planning to. I am OK with the imperfect breasts and I'm grateful that I got to this point without any complications. The only thing I am considering is 3D nipple tattoos. If I find someone in my area that does them well, I will have them...I think!
Carole, Enjoy your good weather and golf. I am OK has probably walked 3 miles already today! I'm working from home today and trying to catch up on house cleaning. I plan to take a walk first. It is cold today. We had frost on the car windows this morning so I better bundle up. I hope everyone has a good day.
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Thanks for the tips on the soft clothing during radiation. I dug out my two post-surgery bras--if one can call them that!--and am wearing one today. They cost $7 at Wal-mart and are made of soft cotton with hook and eye closures up the middle...no stitching or ribbing or wire to irritate the swollen side of the breast. They don't offer the support I need for my other breast, but they do hold, and as long as I dress in at least two layers I'm pretty well camouflaged.
Mainly, y'all, I'm just tired of being sore--of having pain, even when it is mild--of having a particularly sore spot here or a running pain stretching there or an ache here...you know what I mean. I know I have much to be grateful for, and most of the time I keep it all in perspective, but it does get to me. I swear I've consumed more tylenol and ibuprofen in the past three months than I have in my whole life put together. The pain started after the biopsy and has been here in one form or another ever since.
Radiation ends Nov. 20. I thought I'd be in a hurry for the next step--nipple construction and a lift on the other side--but now I'm thinking I'll want a break from any boob issues for awhile! We'll see...largely depends on how my skin ends up anyway. May take time to heal. It's approaching that dusky red that the onco said it would, but no blistering or other breaks. Fluid/swelling has left it slightly larger than before--making it a not-so-perfect match for the other side--but I expect it will return to the pre-radiation size afterwards. The alloderm seems to be getting some soft spots--I"m getting a small depression above the incision--but the onco says it's distortion from swelling and not to fear that it will be permanent.
Treatments leave me somewhat nauseous now, but it comes and goes during the day.
It's good to see pictures of everyone! I'll do some digging and see about posting...maybe one of my "school" photos from work :- )
Carole, my breath just caught in my throat reading about your BS and the two cases of recurrence at chest wall. That's the worry about my DCIS...two foci of cancer 0.1 mm from chest wall, and though no invasion was found, the docs say it is always possible something was missed in the 6 x 4 x 4 cm tumor and hence the radiation to the chest wall.
Meg, will the breast MRIs replace mammography, or be in addition to? I see my onc on Dec. 1 and she said she will then schedule a baseine mammo of the recon breast.
Thanks for the support, y'all. Hugs to everyone.
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Meg, when i had the reduction, they removed the nipple, but used it after they were done...
what is 3d tattoos for the nipple?
Thank u for answering my questions..
if anyone here has any good questions to ask either Dr, please share them with me. I already asked many, but have come up with several more...any input would be great. i am hoping to move my PS appt from the end of Nov to earlier, so i can ask more questions 7 do more research if needed b4 the surgery.
Thx!!
shoshi
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Good morning everyone,
Another beautiful day in paradise. I was up in the middle of the night last night to check a kiln and the moon was so bright that it cast crisp shadows and my garden looked ethereal. The constellation Orion showed even in the bright moonlight. If you have to get up at 4:00 the world should look like that. It was All Souls eve, quite a night to see.
Hi Shoshi, intrepid researcher. There is a thread that could be of help to you - Abreviations for newbies, updated. As for the drains, again we are all different, but most can't wait to get them out. I was allowed to shower, and drive after a while. The flatness of our reconstructed breasts is from the fact that the implant is under the chest muscle. The muscle flattens it. It rounds out eventually as the muscle relaxes. This also varies a lot between women but I don't think anyone gets the pointed soft cone shape back. The newer fully cohesive 'gummie bear' implants are very firm, enough I guess to push out a more natural breast shape. The trade off seems to be very firm breasts.
I'm thinking of you Tracy, and hoping for no radiation problems. You seem to have an extra long course of treatment. For a very good reason. Success for you. I can give you a cyber hug... it can't hurt.
The kiln calls, back later.
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Fortunate1, I hope the kiln yields beautiful pots.
Tracy, I'm sorry you're having to endure radiation. Comforting vibes sent out to you. It amazes me that so many people don't realize that rads is a lot to go through, just like chemo.
Meg, I love your picture! It's so nice seeing what people look like.
As soon as I check out the other threads I follow, it's off to the bathroom to fill up the whirlpool tub and take a hot soak. I walked 18 holes today, and my feet are weary along with the rest of me! It was a delightful day, and I hit some good golf shots along with some bad shots.
Year, did you use your new drill this weekend? We're waiting for a project report!
Hope everyone has a good evening.
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Ah, the whirlpool sounds so good. Carole, cone nines flat, tens thinking about it. Nice flames at both peeps. Sound familiar?
Better get back soon, but first I'm hungry.
Bravo, Bravo for all the walkers.
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Hi everyone. Does any of you sit in front of a computer for eight hours everyday? I do. I wonder if that's why I'm not always keen on getting on-line at home.
Carole - you would like a project report, hm? It's on hold darnit. I'm saving my acorns for a rainy day and don't want to purchase the materials yet. Thanks for asking!
Someone is actually going to look at my car-for-sale tomorrow. I hope I sell it soon.
I need to rest my eyes. Have a great night all.
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Neat cat, Year! Rest up and have a peaceful night.
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A beautiful morning here in OK.
Tracy, you are on my mind! I'm so sorry to hear about your ongoing pain. Do you have anything stronger than Tylenol? Good pain control is important. Ongoing pain can be such a drag (for lack of a better term). Just remember, it is limited and you'll, hopefully be done soon. Nipple reconstruction can wait. Better to do it when you are ready and excited instead of apprehensive and tired. Be kind to yourself! Meg9, you have a great attitude. Accepting of the imperfections and not in a hurry to "fix everything". I'm going to try to imitate you. I want to stop thinking about all of this stuff so much.However.....
Although the tingling had abated, it seems to be back somewhat this morning. I did about 15 very wimpy (bent leg) sit ups yesterday to see if anything would change. It seems that this ever so slight exercise may have aggravated things! I'm not even sore, but will do more sit ups today and see what happens. I know this sounds crazy...trying to illicite "pain", but tomorrow I have an appointment with my PS and I want to be able to give a factual report. Call it my little experiment.
Carole, what a lovely day you had. Are you still tired today? Sounds like life is really almost back to normal!
Year, love the cat pic. I'm totally allergic to cats, but find them to be very funny animals and pets. I love watching the neighbors cats venture into our backyard. Sitting in front of a computer all day would make me crazy. I've done it, but couldn't do it every day. Sort of disqualifies me from a lot of careers.
Fortunate1, so how did the last firing turn out? Anything worthwhile? I may be crazy, but a midnight trip to the kiln sounds exciting!
Hi to Shoshi, I AM OK and anyone else I've forgotten!
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Hi Everyone,
Have to get to work in a few minutes. We have a baptism this Sunday. There seems to be some confusion on the order of things during the service. Not having a permanent pastor for the past few month has had its obstacles.
Year, Love your cat. I always had one growing up. I used to dress it up in my doll clothes. I had one cat while married, but my son is allergic so we always have a dog or two. My 16 year old golden retriever passed before my mx. We will be burying her remains in our yard this weekend..if it doesn't rain again. The little dog in the picture is 6 years old and weighs 5 lbs. He is very affectionate. Sadly, he still looks for the golden.
Okiegal, Good luck with you PS appointment. I think your pins and needles must have something with your nerves if exercising brings it on. My left arm is still messed up a little. My arm visibly trembles. Only acts up after lifting weights...last for a few hours and then goes away.
Tracey, Sorry for your pain. Two more weeks. Maybe your doctor can give you something to make you more comfortable. My MRI's will be to check the implants only. First MRI will be one year from bmx, then every two years. Both BS and PS said no more mammograms. MRI would pick anything up.
Carole, enjoy your good weather. It was 30 degrees this morning and going to be a high of 50 and sunny this afternoon.
I hope everyone else is having a good day.
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Hi everyone. Hope this is a terrific day for all of you.
Okiegal, true, midnight kiln duties are really nice when it's beautiful outside. Cold and grogginess can take the romance out of it in a flash. This time was one of the good ones. I will be able to open the kiln this afternoon and see what I accomplished. Fingers always crossed.
I think your little experiment is right on. It seems sometimes that the docs ignore things they're not used to. Your pins and needles are affecting your quality of life. Say so. Maybe that will bring your concern front and center.
Tracy, you're in my mind today, and I'm sending ~**comfort**~ your way, you just swathed in comfort.
Meg, you look so cute with your little dog. It sounds as though you are the 'go to' person in your church until the new pastor arrives.
Year, your cat is pretty, a Rorsach inkblot kitty. A friend of mine had a cat named Mickey, for the perfect Mickey Mouse shaped spot on his forehead. Very silly. Mickey ruined the effect with his habit of sleeping under cars, greasy black oil spots everywhere.
Carole, hope there's a golf game in nice weather for you. And a nice walk for I_AM_OK.
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Enjoyed reading everyone's posts when I got in this afternoon. My car was clean as I backed into the carport. Before I went to the carwash, I could have been written up for having the dirtiest Camry in most parking lots! I also had the oil changed.
Today was another beautiful day. The high temp. was in the upper 70's. On Mon. the rain chances start going up again. But at least we've had this perfect week to enjoy.
Okiegal, that tingling must be maddening after this many months out from surgery. My damaged nerves that were causing the carpal tunnel symptoms must have healed because the symptoms have mostly disappeared. Maybe my exercising my hands and wrists helped. I know you would like to know what you can DO to make the pinpricks go away permanently.
Tracy, I hope you were able to get some enjoyment out of your day. Same with Shoshi and I am Ok. Fortunate, I'm waiting to hear about your firing. How many weeks' work goes into one kiln firing? I had forgotten all about cones until you jogged my memory.
Meg, you're definitely the "go to" person at your church. Is it a pretty church with stained glass windows? I haven't been to church in years and keep thinking every year around New Year's Resolution time that I should starting attending church services. I grew up Southern Baptist and would like to find a church with more dignity and ritual. There's a lovely old Presbyterian church about 10 min. from my house, and I've thought about going to one of their church services, but the only service is at 8:30 am on Sunday morning. I was inside it once for a wedding and the santuary has a kind of plain beauty. There's also a new Lutheran church that's quite traditional and attractive on the outside.
Year, give your cat a friendly petting for me. Dh and I are cat people. Our last cats were brothers who didn't look alike named Pat and Mike. They were great friends and died only a few months apart when they were very old. I have a picture of them on our electronic picture frame.
Pork tenderloin and baked sweet potatoes for dinner tonight. We'll clip some fresh rosemary from the pot on the patio to season the pork.
Hope everyone has an enjoyable evening.
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Hey, where is everyone? The room is empty! I hope everyone is out enjoying themselves.
My firing was so so. It was a disappointment at first, some colors and effects not what I had in mind. But after a while you see the beauty, just not the exact thing I had planned. I'm loading the kiln again today. Carole, a cycle takes about a month and a half, usually longer these days.
Off to work.
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Hello Everyone,
It has been a very busy, but pretty good day. I have been trying to get together a fundraiser for a Christmas- At-Sea Program. It is for the Seafarers Internationl House. About 1,500 merchant marines will be in ports across the northeast and not with their families for Christmas. The International house is giving out satchels. We are to fill the satchels with: a sweatshirt, t-shirt, winter cap, one pair of socks, a bar of chocolate, a $5 international phone card and a Christmas card. Today, I was able to acquire funds $$$$ for this cause. I am so excited! It has to be done as a team project and I have to give them the receipts for what we purchase. Now I have to get enough people to make the team. I don't think that will be a problem.
I also got my first pay check today. That was really strange.
Carole, My church has ten stained glass windows. We have a large cross that suspends over the altar from a very high ceiling. In the center of the cross is a smaller brass cross that was from the original church that burnt down 54 years ago. That cross is 103 years old. I wrote a history journal for our 100th Anniversary. It took me a year to research and write. So, I am known as the churches historian!
Fortunate1, I never realized a cycle took so long. Your work is truly a labor of love and it shows. I think I would have a hard time parting with it.
Okiegal, I hope your PS visit went well and you have some answers for the pins and needles. Will you be going for tattoos soon?
Year, I hope you sold your car! I would get tired working on a computer all day too.
It was in the 30's this morning and a high of 55 this afternoon.
I hope everyone else is feeling well. Good night friends.
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Today was a good day. The weather was mild and sunny. I was comfortable in jeans and a short-sleeved shirt. While my mom was having her hair done, I visited Berrytown produce stand and bought some nice eggplants, turnip roots and plums. Then I took my mother's grocery list to the Winn-Dixie supermarket. Right inside the entrance was a big bin of large artichokes on sale for $1 each. What a bargain! I bought 4.
For lunch, my mom and I split an oyster poboy. This afternoon I cooked a big eggplant parmesan casserole, which dh and I had for dinner along with steamed artichokes. Yum, yum.
Tomorrow I'm playing golf with my Friday group. I'm taking my push cart with plans to walk. I'll be tired afterwards, but we have no plans for tomorrow night. Tired is okay. I like playing golf and getting my exercise at the same time. Not much exercise in riding in a cart.
Meg, your church sounds beautiful. Fortunate, sorry your firing didn't live up to your expectations, but I'll bet the rest of us would be awed. Tracy, hope you're feeling okay. Hi to everybody else. Hope everyone has a restful night.
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