One step implant procedure with Alloderm - Anyone?
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Ally, I'm supposed to take Arimidex, an AI drug, for 5 years. Most pre-menopausal women with ER+ bc take Tamoxifen, also for 5 years. Post-menopausal women take an Aromatase Inhibitor if they can tolerate the SEs. The AI drugs are supposed to stop all production of estrogen. The unhappy female body protests by developing joint and muscle pain and other SEs. Tamoxifen has its own SEs. There are discussion forums on both Arimidex and Tamoxifen.
Arimidex is very expensive if you have to pay for it. About $300 a mo. My prescription drug plan requires me to pay $35 for a month's supply. It's the "dreaded little white pill."
I don't know whether DCIS women take these meds. It may depend on the drs. I continue to be amazed at the variations in instructions from plastic surgeons around the country. I was not given permission to go braless until I was 8 wks post surgery and was told not to wear any bra with underwires or uplift during this 8 wks. Yet some women come home from the hospital and are soon going braless. The only exercise I was allowed to do during the first weeks was the fingers walking up the wall. My PS was very concerned about not doing anything to damage the Alloderm pockets. Also, I have never been encouraged to massage the implants. When I inquired about massage, I was told I could if I wanted to. I'm the type of person who would like a handbook with definite DO's and DON'T DO's but it's obvious there's no nationwide concensus among PSs.
To those of you who recently had your reconstruction, there's a lot of swelling at first that makes your breasts look fuller. Eventually some of that swelling subsides and the breasts can look more natural. Some of the symmetry can also disappear. If you choose, you can have some revision procedures to achieve better symmetry. YearoftheHat, who started this thread, went back after a year for larger implants that made her more like her natural figure prior to bc.
You'll be amazed how quickly memory of the early bc journey fades. At least that's how it is with me. I was told to keep a journal and didn't. So now it's hard to remember the whole process of healing and returning to normal. Or reaching the "new normal." I am conscious of my new breasts but not unpleasantly so. When I take the address posture in playing golf, I can feel the sides of my breasts and prior to reconstruction I didn't feel them because they were smaller and very pliable. Early on all attention is focused inward, and we are almost totally self-absorbed, but that gradually changes. I know my husband must have grown a little weary of my self-absorption but he was always patient and tolerant. For a couple of months I spent hours on BC.org. Now I'm spending less time on this really wonderful website. My world has opened up again to include many interests and responsibilities.
Time for a glass of wine in front of the fireplace! Then the big dinner decision. Left-over chicken-sausage gumbo? Or left-over chili? Have a great evening, all.
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Nice choice to make, Carole.
I was just on the phone with my "cancer twin" here. She is still exhausted a month out from radiation. So the radiation induced fatigue we've heard about might last a while. Take care of yourself Tracy, don't overdo.
Ally, my onc's choice of drug for me is Femara. It is only given to post menopausal women and is also an AI. I had very little estrogen left to suppress, due to a hysterectomy, so my hot flashes faded quickly and the joint pain was minimal. Lucky once again.
DH and I are going for a festive ramble tonight, in a neighborhood that has been made newly 'cool' by an influx of creative young people. He likes it even more than I do.
Tomorrow is one last whip cracking day for my students before finals week. They're crazy behind, and I feel like I'm dragging them to the finish line.
Hey, what color is my tassel?
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I'll want a tassel, too!!
We had snow flurries during the night. Awoke to patches of white on the neighbor's roof and little scraps on the ground here and there. Dh and I dressed warmly and took a 2-mi. walk. This afternoon we're going to a movie with another couple and out to dinner afterwards.
Okiegal, when is your birthday? We talked about a virtual party with everybody bringing something. Today is my sister Linda's birthday.
Happy Saturday to all!
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hello everyone.....virtual birthday party for okiegal...sounds great...i'll bring the tassels.rainy, nasty day here in new york....this will be my first nite out since surgery...going into the city to a b'way show called royal family...don't know much about it....the man i've been dating since july got tickets awhile ago....what to wear with these drains.....feeling much better today....it's been 2 wks now and i'm actually starting to feel human.....hope everyone is well......ally
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Ally, I hope you enjoyed your night out. I'm glad you're doing so well. I would not have been up to going out at 2 wks especially with drains. I was lucky enough to get my drains out at 9 days and didn't go anywhere during that time except to the dr's office. It was summer and I wore 2 large cotton blouses that buttoned down the front. How was the play?
The movie Blind Side was good. Of course, everybody already knows the story about the wealthy white family adopting a poor black teenager with athletic talent. It's a feel good story. Sandra Bullock did a fine acting job. She's a good actress but just needs more challenging acting roles. Now I'll have to get the book the movie is based on and read it.
A wonderful Sunday to all.
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carole....i don;t know how i went out....if we didn't have these tickets...i never would have gone out...i haven't been anywhere except the docs office too...the show i saw, royal family was wonderful...i fell in love with all the characters.....i am soooo tired today that i will probably stay in bed most of the day......wish i could fast forward and skip the recovery period....but, i am encouraged at how well you ladies are doing....hope i get some energy tomorrow......carole...my father is 83 and still plays golf at least 3 days wkly....have fun
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OY NOT AGAIN!! once again i lost everything i just wrote..ugh!!
ok my neck is feeling a lot better thank goodness...i havent needed any pain med for several days..
so i have a few questions
For those of u who choose NOT 2 wear a bra, have ur implants fallen at all?? When ur outside & its cold r u foobs cold 2 the touch How abt sweat? do u sweat more over there?What is fluffing?
Besdies 3D & grafting what other options r there for nipples?
Thx ladies & i'm glad everyone is feeling good!!!
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Hello ladies!
Tracy, Ally,Liz and Shoshi, I am glad you are feeling better now.
Liz, I felt really tight about 3 weeks after surgery, but remember you new breasts will change almost every day. Yes, at first they were fuller at the top. 3 weeks later my PS told me to push recons one down very gently to better match to my own. It helped, but it is still a little bit higher. So now, 7 weeks after surgery PS gave me Veronique breast wrap
http://designveronique.com/cgi-bin/ic/dv2/5103.html
I am using it at night only for recons breast to push it down, and even after 2 days I started using it, it looks more natural, fuller at the bottom, almost as my own. Also, now it is much softer than in the begining.
Meg, hope luncheon went well, you are doing great job for you church.
Ally, I am glad you went out and enjoyed the show, we all need some positive emotions and you got them. You drains will be out soon.
Carol, I like Sundra Bullock, probably need to see this movie too.
Shoshi and NewBride, waiting for the surgey was the worst part for me. I just tryed to keep myself busy, cleaned up all my 14 windows
.Okiegal, I hope you finished you project. Even we missed it, Happy Birthday!
Fortunate1, you students will be fine, they are almost always doing everything at the last moment.
YearoftheHat, you are probably busy with sofa project, good luck!
Happy week everyone!
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Good morning everyone!
Such a busy weekend. There was a party for my nephew and his new fiance and hectic shopping for an outfit (because I never have anything to wear!) Yesterday I was surprised by an unexpected concert at Sunday morning services. The choir and a full orchestra sang traditional Christmas carols accompanied by scriptures from the Old and New Testament. It was absolutely gorgeous. I was touched by the profound beauty and power of the lyrics, music and compositons from ages past. Amazing.
Ally, I'm glad to hear you ventured out. It's incredible how easily we become fatigued early on. I remember feeling like I had aged 20 years. Fortunately, the clock turned back and I am now only facing my 50th birthday....on Dec. 14th. Anyone bringing Chocolate or Champagne to the party? You're all invited! Sounds like it will be quite a crowd.
Shoshi, glad to hear you are doing better. "Fluffing" is when your implants drop down into their intended position. At this point your swelling will have subsided, the pectoral muscles will have stretched and your implants will take on a more natural and soft look and feel. I haven't noticed my implants being cold, but it's supposed to get down to 17 degrees one night this week so I'll report back. Brrrr. Maybe they will keep me warm? I'm really trying to dream up a way to keep the plants from freezing. I'm going to see if I can find an old coffeemaker at the thrift store...or an old crockpot or something I can put on a timer to radiate heat.
The last movie I saw was "Julie and Julia". I really enjoyed it. "Blindside" sounds like it might be next.
Carol, of course you can have tassels... I want mine to be magenta!
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okiegal...are u a writer like carole...your posts are so great...very visual...and i get these images in my head and laugh out loud at some of the images. hope your veggies survive the cold....."50" that's a milestone, when i turned 50 i could hardly say that word out loud.i'm glad i'm not the only one that feels 20 yrs older right now....glad to know in a few months i'll be back. i_am_ok thanks for words of encouragement. fortunate1 are u still taking femara....u seem to be back to your life, (new life). liz, tracyanne i hope you are feeling well. meg....hope things go well with the new pastor.....i'm feeling a little better today than yesterday...just can't wait until tomorrow when i can get rid of these 2 drains.........ally
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Hi everyone, I had a full weekend, firing and classes and family. But always, first thing on Monday, I want to check in with all of you.
Our walk was fun. I'm coming down with a cold so we almost skipped it. The whole newly-hip-neighborhood was decorated and festive. Lots of lights and music and crowds. Everything warm and creative. In a coffee house a man was playing Besame Mucho on his trumpet - across the street a mandolin orchestra(!) playing carols - marshmallows being toasted over an open barbeque - little dogs in christmas costumes and lots of babies in strollers - street food, yum. It was sweetly off kilter in the nicest way. Very non corporate, very human. This is a marked contrast to December Nights, in San Diego's Balboa Park, a much beloved celebration with 300,000 of your closest friends.
Good news, we found another weekend caregiver for Dad. The main caregiver stepped right in to show her the routine. I don't think she's much of a cook, but is so much younger and stronger, able to help him as needed. Fingers crossed.
It's raining here - good, as long as it's clear for the weekend and our first sale. The rain smells great.
Shoshi, there is another option for nipples that my PS is considering for me. I wasn't left with quite enough skin to do one of the mini flap nipples. He's thinking about using a gortex nub implanted under the skin plus tattooing. I don't know why he isn't talking skin graft. I hope to clear up some of those mysteries soon. My implant does sometimes feel cold.
Ally, I'm so glad you went to the play, on the way to normal! Okiegal, Lessons and Carols, one of my favorite services. I_am_OK, Carole, Meg, Tracy, we'll have a fine party - I aready have a chocolate cake prepared. Year, can we sit on your sofa bed with the new aqua velvet upholstery?
I can't decide about the tassels, either brilliant red or emerald green for me.
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Ally, I forgot. Yes I am still taking Femara. It's the usual AI five year plan. I have had only the most minor temporary side effects, probably because I had a hysterectomy years ago. There was very little estrogen left to suppress.
Hope you lose those drains today!
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Hi to everybody. It is snowing heavily. I'm so glad that I don't have to drive anywhere today (chains required). I think I'll spend the day putting up Christmas decorations and catching up with all of you.
Ally, I'm so pleased that you felt good enough to go out on a date. It's great that you got to do something besides MX stuff for a little while even if it did leave you tired. I love a good live performance too. You lose your other drains tomorrow, don't you? That should allow you to rest more comfortably and get your stamina back even faster.
Shoshi, I'm glad your neck is feeling better. There's just too much to do right now without having mobility problems too, huh? You are right about the Exchange City girls. They are a wealth of useful information and very nice besides.
Liz, I hope you are doing well. Is the pain you are still feeling related to your SNB? I've heard that it can actually be more painful than the MX itself. I like the idea of stepping into a cami. I'll be sure to ask my PS about that.
Okiegal, I wish I had your foresight regarding gardening. The last of my poor tomatoes are under a blanket of snow right now. Do you have a recipe for fried green tomatoes? Maybe they would be good with garlic and olive oil too. And hey! I hope I don't miss a party. I can't do anything with tassels yet but I'll try to find a couple of propellers. Okay?
Meg, I'm not even going to ask if the poinsettias made it because I know that like everything else you are in charge of, they turned out just great. So the next thing for you is probably some kind of Christmas program. Right? I'm betting it will be wonderful.
I want to thank all of you for the excellent tips about what to get, what to wear, what to ask, what to ask for, etc. I have quite the check list now and am feeling as good about this whole thing as is possible. Now it's just down to the waiting, I guess. At least the holidays will keep me occupied for some of the time.
I think I'll bundle up and go for my walk now. Maybe I'll make a couple of snow angels.
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fortunate1 ...where u live in san diego sounds great...what a nice celebtration ... very different...not the usual neighborhood fair.....you've been through alot..hysterectomy and mx....you've survived it all and it you're doing great....did you or any of the other ladies have muscle relaxers after mx, i think i rmember reading that.. i plan on asking my ps tomorrow about it, as i feel this extreme tightness on the upper part of my breasts or implants...i'm not sure if that is where the alloderm is, or if it is muscle that is tightening...it is not relieved with pain medication, maybe it is the skin stretching because my natural breast were not up that high, anyway i;ll talk to ps about it. ...it felt good to get out for a short while today, bank, food store, and now i'm back in bed already......have a great evening.......ally
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Hi Ladies,
Nice to know everybody is doing well. It seems it's cold everywhere, even here in NC. I was really reluctant taking my daughter to her Christmas play practice tonight. (Her first one. She missed all the practices because of my MX.)
Ally, I was on muscle relaxer for some time, started right after my MX. My BS told me it would help relieve the pain. I stopped it 3 days after coming home because it made my blood pressure very low. (I stayed in the hospital for two days because of it.) My breast, especially the top part is really tight, and very hard. I assume the alloderm goes under the implant. As other ladies here said, I hope we'll feel better as time goes by. Good luck for your PS appointment today!
Newbride, glad to know you like the step-in cami. I think I"ll wear them for some more time. I don't know where my soreness comes from, probably is from SNB. Also I haven't seen my PS yet so I"m not cleared to do those exercises. Once I start thoseI hope I'll feel better, like raising my arm...It seems you are very well-prepared. I even didn't have a list before I went to the hospital.
Fortunate, you really had some fun time this weekend! Nice to know you like the new caregiver for your dad too.
Okiegal, now I have a good excuse to eat more chocolate. How about some Lindt truffles?
I-am-OK and Carole, thanks for the info. about the new breast. I'm glad it'll look more natural after all the swelling is gone. I'll see what my PS is going to say when I see him this Friday.
Meg, how was Sunday?
take care everybody,
Liz
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I too enjoy reading all of your comments. What a lovely way to start the day.
Ally, here's hoping you are FREE today! And yes, I took muscles relaxers (Soma). My PS prescribed them with my pain meds from day one. I took them for three months. He was incredulous that other doctors wouldn't do the same and remarked, "Why would you want to get one of those (woman in pain after a mstectomy) calls?" I couldn't have agreed more! Make yourself very clear to your PS. Whine, tear up, exaggerate....do what's necessary! My motto is "Why suffer?"
Fortunate1, your festival sounded wonderful! What a great way to start the holidays. Were you at my service? It was called "Lessons and Carols". Loved it. Very glad you have found a caregiver for your dad. And on another note, I would thoroughly research your nipple options. The gortex nub will never be soft, am I right? The reconstructed "flap" nipples get softer as they heal. Like so many women, I don't want to walk around with "headlights" 24/7. Currently, mine are a little too noticable for my taste. I like wearing comfort bras, but they don't show with a padded undewire.
Snow angels for NewBride and busy holiday prepartations! Being busy and living life, that's the secret to warding off worry. Carol is right. As you heal and as time goes by, you forget all of the consuming details. Life moves on and so do you. I didn't keep a journal and am glad I didn't. These posts are as close as I've gotten and it was much more helpful having others to connect with rather than ruminate alone.
My sister is the real force behind the garden, I just help out. She found a recipe for "Green Tomato" chutney. We have several jars. It's very good on squash. Shall I send you a jar, NewBride? Yesterday, I found a crockpot (without the lid or insert) at a thrift store for $2.16! It was on warm all night. I'll have to turn it up for tonight.
NewBride....glue a few sequins on your propellers and I'm sure we'll want you at the center of our chorus line! We'll hide you in back until the grand finale!
Mmmmm, Lindt truffles. You're in, Liz000!
Hi to all the rest...have a great day!
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Good morning to all,
Ally, I did take a muscle relaxer, but only in the hospital - so two days. It must have been a strong one. My muscles were so relaxed that I had difficulty peeing, kind of had too squeeze it out, an odd surprise. I had nothing at home but a pain med that I took once. My muscle was sore - upper outer area. I was bandaged up tightly. The PS actually moved the implant (painlessly) into the desired position at an office visit a few days later and wrapped me in a velcro fastened bandage to push the implant down. I found myself massaging the sore muscle a lot, but the pain wasn't severe. Okiegal and Carole are right, it's almost hard to come up with the details of the early days. Memories are fading a bit. It's funny how different, and how similar our treatments and experiences are.
Okiegal, I used to sing in an Episcopal church choir and loved Lessons and Carols. One of the best services of the year for me. I'm playing hooky these days. Nights and weekends with DH are too valuable. Change of subject - wish I could see the garden, with the cover and the crockpot. Thats so inventive!
About the nipple options, I'll be asking a lot of questions, you bet. For me, the 'good' side is almost always on high beam. Without a heavier bra I have one pointy high beam and one flat and smooth. If the gortex nub really is just a little nub, it might be OK. In my mind right now I'm afraid of almost any change, fearing that I won't like it.
Gorgeous clouds here today. It's a nice change from yesterday's wind and rain, power outages and water under the door. Last night for class I wore a bra, silk camisole, turtleneck, sweater, and padded jacket in the cold classroom and workyard. I was warm, and my cold didn't get worse. I'm afraid my first annual backyard sale could be washed out. Oh well, we really do need the rain.
Hey Tracy, how are you doing?
I'm going to make chocolate chip cookies today. I'll save some for the party.
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hi Ladies..wow i have a lot of catching up to do & this is just from last nite & today...lol
Carol: I love Sandra bullock..was that movie good?
IAMOK..the strap thingy that the DR gave u, is it comfy & how long do u have to wear it?
NEWBRIDE..SNOW..where do u live..can u send some to MD where i am..i love the snow!!!
OKIEGAL...sounds like u have been busy between the party & teh concert ..lucky u..so what did u wear..&thanks abt the info ont he fluffing...
LIZ..what is this step in cami?
ALLY...ud ont look 50 or even 40 ..:-) I ma hoping u got the stupid drains out..
FORTUNATE: how r u feeling? u said u were coming down w/ a cold. I am so happy u found a new caregiver..i remember how important that was w/ my dad. What s FEMORA & what is a GORTEX NUB?
ok ladies lunch is over:( gotta get back to my chicka dees..i hope everyone is doing well & hope u r all enjoying the upcoming holidays....
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Hello Everyone,
Happy to read that everyone is doing well!
Ally, Good luck with your appointment! When I first came home from the hospital I was pleasantly surprised that both breasts were even, full, round and perky! They looked a little high, but PS said that would change. It took me a couple of weeks to look at myself without a bra, but a home visiting nurse said she was impressed at how they looked and felt. I felt tight across my breasts for a long time. I thought it was the bra I was wearing, but tight feeling was from the swelling. I was instructed to wear a bra for 6 weeks! As the swelling subsided my breasts changed shape, size (smaller) and dropped a little. The stretched out skin created "dog ears" at the ends of my scars. I was disappoint that my breasts felt hard and did not move. I felt like a mannequin, but as time went by, all that changed. My breasts are softer, sag a little and jiggle!
Liz, The Alloderm is used to make a pocket that the implant sits in. I did not have nodes removed at the time of my bmx. My BS said he did not what to put me through a procedure if it wasn't necessary. If after the bmx the margins were not clear, then he would go back to remove nodes. Soon you will feel better like the rest of us.
New Bride, My PS gave me a brochure where I ordered a mx cami. It didn't work for me because it was for women who did not have reconstruction. It was a soft t-shirt that you can step into and it came with pockets where you could fill the breast area with padding. It also had pockets to hold the drains.
I love the snow. I'm hoping for a white Christmas! I do not like driving in snow. It's the best when it snows and everyone is home! Last Saturday we had a little accumulation, about one inch, but I enjoyed watching the big flakes coming down!
Fortunate1, Good luck at your yard sale. I hope you don't get rained out. I'm glad you found a caregiver for your Dad you're happy with.
I am OK, Are you comfortable wearing the belt? I told the NP at one visit that I thought my breasts were pushing out to the sides and she said, "push them back in"! There is no exact science to this whole procedure.
Shoshi, I do feel colder with out my breast. One plus...when I get a chill,...no more head lights! During the summer after bmx, I could feel a cold drink as it went down. It was a strange feeling.
Carole, Do you get a dusting of snow often? I think hot pink is a good color for your tassel!
Okiegal, Good luck with you garden! Your Sunday service sounded great.
I've been thinking about your 50th birthday party....Do you remember when Madonna wore those cone shaped bras! To avoid that flat look, I'm planning on wearing one with a red tassel! Totally out of character for me, but should be fun!
Sunday's installation service went well. The church hall looked festive with Christmas table cloths, plates, napkins and poinsettia centerpieces. We had plenty of good food...from sloppy Joes, chicken legs, meatballs, baked ziti, turkey, ham, deviled eggs, numerous salads, etc. The dessert table...chocolate cake, Cuban flan, brownies with raspberry filling, apple tarts, fruit,...
Before grace was said, our council president was to be recognized for the work she has done over the past months when we didn't have a permanent pastor. I knew this was coming because I planned it! A member, who is an artist, was to present a painting as a thank you. There I was minding my own business, when they called me up also!
They thanked both of us for all we have done; and we each received a beautiful painting and a bouquet of flowers. I was very surprised! It was very nice...but I am better at giving then receiving. The painting is in tole style on canvas. It looks...Dutch-folk art. Shades of red, yellow and orange flowers on green stems and leaves. There is a heart that says peace and love inside it. The bottom of the heart points to a frame that has my name. It is really beautiful. We all enjoyed a great day of fellowship.I hope you all have a great day!
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OMG.....i'm free....got those drains out.....i feel human again.....i never thought i'd be so happy about anything....my ps was funny today....when he walked it in i said ..you have to take these drains out NOW...he said to the nurse......no i think we have about 4 more to put in today....lol...glad everyone is busy and doing well....i'm ready to get back to life.....i'll be getting my hair cut tomorrow and then back to work on thursday...if i can't make it through the day...i'll leave early.....thanks ladies for helping me get through these last few very difficult weeks....i know i want to be there for shoshi and new bride, and even though it's been a short while, i feel very close to all of you, and it's been such a pleasure getting to know such interesting, compasionate women.......ally
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meg...it's so wonderful that you received a beautiful painting and boquet of flowers for all the work you did.....i'm similar to you, i prefer to give than receive.....but i learned that you have to let people give....they want to show their love and appreciation, and that's a good thing...and the painting you described sounds so beautiful...you will cherish it.i became an art lover from my aunt who is like my sister...she is an artist in florida (natalie levine studios.com)....her paintings make me so happy...i have them all over my house...and every picture tells a story...congradulations...u deserve it....ally
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Ally, How great! No more drains! It was truly a turning point for me when my drains came out. I felt so much better. You should try to be careful not to over do it. Does your job involve lifting? There is still a lot of healing going on. I checked out your aunt website. She has been blessed with a wonderful gift. Her work is truly beautiful. My niece is an artist also... (Dorian Lee Remine.com) She too is very gifted. We are lucky to be surrounded by such talented.
I have to be at work early tomorrow. Hope everyone has a good Wednesday!
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meg...i checked out your niece's web site....she is so talented....it's amazing that some people can just create that kind of beauty. fortunately my job does not involve heavy lifting. i supervise licensed nurses and home health aides in the field. and i'm in the office doing alot of patient charting, also the ladies in my office, and the agency i work for are very supportive and helpful.. i just wish that i didn't have pain, but i still do. okiegal i spoke to ps regarding muscle relaxers and he felt that they would make me too dopey, and i was so happy to get the drains out that i didn't pursue it, i wanted to know if you remember the name of the muscle relaxers that you were on, i know there are several different ones, the man i've been dating for the last 5 months is a gynecologist and he said he will write me an rx for any muscle relaxer i want. my ps did a nice job with the surgery, but just does not understand my low pain tolerance, even though i've told him several times. i've been able to cut down the percocet to morning and night and in between i take advil, but i still feel this incredible tightening, that the ps explained was from the pectoris muscle....the ps also said that at my next ps apt. he will show me massaging to do that will supposedly soften implant. did any of you ladies do massaging, and did you find it helpful....have a great wednesday........ally
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Ally, I took (generic) Carisoprodol 350mg, 3 times per day. It made me extremely sleepy the first day, but I adjusted quickly. It has other side effects, like constipation, but I had the opposite problem. You could try it and see if it helps. I found that it helped to take smaller doses of my pain medication regularly. I could only take 5mg of Percocet at a time or I would get nauseous. It's my understanding that it's better to take your medication at a steady rate to lessen valleys (pain) and peaks (drowsiness). You might also try taking less of the Percocet, but on a more regular schedule and see if that helps. I'm sure your Dr. friend can help you figure it out if you haven't already tried this. Certainly, the less you can take of all of these drugs, the more alert and normal you will feel, but I'm guessing part of your pain is still swelling and "trauma" from surgery.You'll have to experiment and see what works and then adjust your medication as everything continues to get better.
I began gentle massaging after about week 3. I think it made a difference in softening things up. I can't say if it helped with muscle spasms, but I think some women say it does at some point.
It's extremely cold this AM. Nineteen degrees and supposed to go down to ten! The crockpot is turned on low in the garden. I'll check it and maybe turn it up to high....hope this works.
Congratulations, Meg9. Your congregation and co-workers sound wonderful and that they know when to give a well deserved and heartfelt "Thank you"! I'm clapping, too!
Fortunate1, ahhh, you were in the choir....you must have had your hair up...I didn't recognize you.
You reminded me how much work (and time) the participants contributed. I'm even more grateful.Best to the rest...!
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Hi everyone, Brrrr, cold morning with more rain on the way. But our cold is a damp 50s, nothing like 19! My little sale is getting challenging. I will display work inside the studio and maybe the house for the hardiest customers this weekend, and we'll hope that it will be clear for a "rain date" next Sat. Not an auspicious beginning, but it is a beginning non the less.
Ally, I found massage very helpful. I still rub the pec at the upper outer edge when I have overworked it. It really helps. This might sound silly but I often had my hand resting on the new breast and that sore muscle, as though I was getting acquainted with my new body. Probably for the same reason, I peeked at it a lot, the new me.
Shoshi, Femara is an aromatase inhibiter, one of the drugs used in ER+PR+ women to suppress estrogen production and hopefully prevent a hormone driven BC recurrance. Femara is for post menopausal women. The gortex nipple option - don't have much detail on that. It's apparently an under-the-skin gortex bump to make a nipple in those who don't have enough extra skin to gather up and create a nipple from their own tissue. It won't shrink or soften, so it had better be pretty small. I'll ask more about my options next week at my PS appt.
Okigal, your new nipples have remained large? No shrinking? Are you happy with them? Tattoos?And the choir, I think we should sing in the choir at Meg's church.
How's everyone else? It must be too cold for golf, Year is possibly in a blizzard, ditto for Tracy, and the rest of our little group. Warm hugs for all of you.
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Hello Everyone,
We got about 4 inches of snow overnight. The schools were on a two hour delay this morning. It is very cold and raining now. Forecast is for more cold weather and rain. Brrr Chills, but no headlights....new normal.
Ally, my PS suggested massaging at 6 weeks to break up scar tissue. Scar tissue will cause capsular contracture or CC. I think massaging also helped to soften the breasts. Like fortunate1 the top outside muscle feels tight sometimes. The DH reminds me to stand straight sometimes. I didn't realize it, but I was slouching. I think the muscle was pulling my shoulders down. Dh thought it was because I was in pain and never said anything the first couple of weeks.
Sorry you're in pain. When I began to feel pain, I took another pill before the pain got worse. I found that when I was sleeping or sitting still it didn't hurt as much.
Okiegal, Good luck with your winter garden. I have never thought of having a winter garden. I wouldn't know when to water! Is the crock-pot keeping things from freezing?
It is strange, but I can place my finger exactly were my nipple would be. Almost like I can feel it from the inside...really strange.
Fortunate1, I hope your sale works out well. You had water restrictions recently... right? Now it has to rain! Uggh!
On my way to the mall to finish shopping for the Christmas-At-Sea Program...then I have to finish writing my Christmas cards!
Hope all are doing well!
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hi everyone.....it seems like we're all having some strange weather...it was pouring here this morning....okiegal thanks for the soma tip, in fact that is the one the ps mentioned yesterday, but i couldn't remeber it...bf called it into the pharmacy for me. i was taking the pain meds every 4 hrs that really wards off the pain, however yesterday and today i started to cut back, but i realize now that was a mistake, i was much better when i was taking it. i'd rather feel drowsy, constipated, etc,,,then have pain, i just can't really do anything when i have pain, and meg thatnks for the standing up straight tip. I realize that i have been slouching too, i guess it just feels more comfortable to slouch, but in the long run that causes problems. i'm going to be aware of it now.okiegal i'm glad u got new nipples, that probably makes a big difference in how you look. was it painful? they were able to spare my nipples, but because they are in a different place now, and the areolas are healling from the incisions...they don't really look like my nipples. and i have some scabing on the areolas. do most of you ladies feel you are bigger, smaller, or about the same as you were before.....i'm curious if these boobs will change in a good way or bad way, i'm not really sure if i like them...wasn't thinking about it before too busy dealing with bc and recovery.....it sure would be a nice bonus if it turns out that i'm happy with them...fortunate1 are you selling the work you do with your kiln...what type of stuff are you selling....i hope the weather improves for you...but there is always the rain date.......anyway thanks good friends...back to work tomorrow......ally
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Hello Everyone,
Shoshi, Meg, yes, this belt is comfortable, but anyway I am wearing it only at night. I have to wear it at least for two weeks. I see my PS every two weeks, hopefully next week I'll get some instruction what to do next.
Ally, congratulations you drains are out! I didn't take any muscle relaxers at all. Three weeks after surgery I felt extreme tightness too. I was thinking to take muscle relaxer I was prescribed, but then decided not to (every time I am taking medicine I am thinking how it affects my liver and kidney
). Instead of I was doing some exercises to relax my chest. My PS suggested to lay down in bed with pillow under back, set back shoulders and try to relax for several minutes. Also, stand straight, take a deep breath and at the same time set back shoulders, then bend down with you breath out and relax shoulders and arms. I started massaging as soon my drain was out. NP showed me what to do. Using you palms, gently push breasts 5 times from sides to center, then from bottom to top, then from center to sides, and finaly from top to bottom. Repeat 3 times a day. I found this massage very helpful and did it more than 3 times a day when I felt tightness. By the week 4 I felt much better.We got freeze and snow too. Unbeleivable. Yesterday, during weekly hike with my friend, we had to return back from our trail. The snow and ice were so heavy and there were a lot of broken bushes and branches on our way. But it was a fun!
Today I had appt with oncologist. She said my PET scan was good. This is good news. Bad news is my PAP test came back with some abnormally cells, I am awaiting for biopsy result.
I wish all you the best!
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I-am_ok...the massage you describe is probably the one the ps will teach me next week. he didn't want to start this visit due to removal of the drains, the drain incision has some drainage, and he thought it would be better to start next week. i just read some of your earlier posts...it's amazing how well u did.i'm a walker/jogger too. outside and treadmill. this friday will be 3 wks since my surgery and i haven't walked at all....i hope to get back to it maybe this coming weekend. early after my surgery i took a very short 1/2 block walk...it was really nice out and i just wanted some air, but after that i stayed in bed most of the time....glad your pet scan went well. did you have a colposcopy after pap for abnormal cells?....about 10 yrs ago i worked in ob/gyn so i know a little bit about that stuff..........ally
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ally, yes I have already had a colposcopy. Gyn said that someting is going on there, but we need to wait till biopsy result comes back, so then we will discuss treatment.
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