One step implant procedure with Alloderm - Anyone?
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Meg9, I enjoyed reading about your trip to the beach! Could imagine how nice it was to be outside near the water on a fine day. You're right. We have to embrace life day to day and be grateful for our blessings.
At my husband's "nudging," I put on my New Balance shoes this morning and went for my first post-op walk. Up and down our long driveway and a short distance up and down the street. About 3/4 of a mile. My normal walk pre-surgery was 3 mi. It was 80 degrees at 8am and humid with just a whisper of a breeze. DH also suggested that I resume some leg work-outs. We have our own little gym. Plus I could try some lunges.
Today he's getting me out of the house. We'll drive over to Biloxi, MS, to a nice casino for lunch and some minor gambling on the video poker machines. We usually limit ourself to $20 each.
Hope we all have a good day!
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Hi Meg9 - I wish I could go to the beach! I really miss it....lived in Los Angeles for 22 years, it was a summer staple that I really miss. We have lakes here, but there's no way to replace the ocean! I'm grateful for my brother's pool.
I was reading about Post Mastectomy Pain Syndrome this morning. Apparently up to 65% of women have some mild or extreme manifestation of this syndrome as much as 60-90 days after surgery and sometimes up to one year after. I am wondering if I (and you) fall into this broad category? It's reassuring that your PS said what you are experiencing is normal. For PMPS, it's important not to let it get worse or to go untreated. Apparently, if you catch it early, it's more easily and successfully addressed. I don't say any of this to worry you, but to encourage you, if in fact, you feel you need to pursue this further. I took an Ibuprofen this AM to see if it will help. Apparently, that's one of several treatments.
Carole - Good for you! A little exercise. Sounds like a fun day! For me, it's a little bit of "touch up" house painting and staying out of the heat. Have a great day everybody!
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Carole - It's great that you are doing so well so soon.! I returned to my exercise slowly. I'm trying to walk and ride my bike 4 times a week now. I have not started weights yet. There is a lot of healing going on the inside that we don't see.
Okiegal - How is the elastic band working? I'm going to look into PMPS before I see my PS. We did not open our pool this year...I usually take care of it. I was wondering what is it like swimming with these breast. Sink or swim? lol
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Meg9 - I ditched the elastic band after about an hour! So much for that.
I'm inclined to think at this point that my tingling/itching is part of the healing process, but I will mention it to my PS when I see him next just to get it on record in case it starts turning into PMPS.
My swimming excursion was about 3 weeks ago. Sorry to report it didn't help my bouyancy...but I have plenty of excess adipose tissue elsewhere! I was on the swim team in high school, love to swim laps, but had to take it easy as my pecs were (and are) still on the mend. I did dive into the pool though....I was scared that I might hurt myself, but everything was fine.
Need to go work on my stamina!
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I walked again this morning, only 8/10 of a mile. Slowly. Yesterday was a nice outing to the Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi. I played a video poker machine with $20 for a couple of hours and cashed out with my $20. So entertainment at no cost. My husband lost his $20 and an extra one. We had a late lunch. I had a big, delicous hamburger. Last night my husband slept in our bed with me for the 1st time. After the surgery he was afraid of disturbing me with his snoring, plus I was really spread out with all my pillows. Meg9 and Okiegal, how long did you sleep with pillows under your arms? I tried it without the pillows last nght and ended up getting a couple of small sofa pillows and using them. It seems to put a strain on my breasts without the pillows. My instructions are to continue sleeping on my back because of the alloderm. I'm doing one exercise, fingers walking up the wall.
Today I might venture behind the wheel of my car for the first time. There's a shopping center with a Target and a JC Penney about 3 mi. from my house.
Tomorrow morning I go back to the dr.'s office for the NP to take another look at my nipples and incisions. She has been keeping a close eye on me. I may have to use a salve to stimulate blood circulation.
What amazes me about this whole bilat with recon is that there was so little pain. The on-q pump that was hooked up to me the 1st 4 days really did the job of numbing my breasts. After it was removed, there was still no pain, just some twinges and aches and discomfort.
I think I'm the old lady in our trio. I'm 66 yrs. old.
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Back from a relaxed 24 minute walk.
Carole - sounds like you had a really nice time yesterday. It's so nice to get out of the house and start getting back to normal. I think I started taking small independent trips (driving) at about 3 weeks. Power steering makes all the difference, but it was still a bit challenging.
I keep reading about everyone not having much pain with their BLM. I must be the odd ball. I took pain medication for 7? weeks or so. I had the same pain pump and it worked great, but I had shooting pains for quite some time. Now it's just tingling/prickly.
I'm still sleeping on my back (that's my preferred position) and with pillows. At this point, I just still like to sleep that way. I've noticed that rolling over on my side is almost starting to feel normal again, so I'll probably leave the pillows behind soon....but they are so cuddly!
Age is just a number and 70 is the new 50, right? You still sound pretty viable to me! Hope your visit to the NP goes well. Sounds like your nipples just might make it. That would be great!
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Meg9, I was checking out some of the discussions on Surgery, Before During & After and saw one thread about drinking cold and hot liquids after a mx and feeling the liquid go down. Apparently this sensation is common. You might want to read some of the posts.
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Okiegal - I was thinking the electric band was going to be painful to wear. I miss swimming this summer. I think it would have helped build the strength in my arms. They are still week...I can't lift anything more than a few lbs without feel a pain in my chest. Walking is a good for us. Today I went to the outlet mall and out for dinner...a lot of walking, but it's always good time to be shopping!
Carol - Sounds like you had fun! I can't believe how good your doing so soon!
I still sleep with three pillows...one pillow under my head and one under each under arm....these pillows are larger travel size pillows It does take the pressure off your chest. I do turn on my sides now, but it's not comfortable.
I started driving locally around week 4. I volunteer and wanted to get back. It was a little challenging at first, especially when backing up...it was hard for me to turn around. I was sure I was going to crash into something. lol
I never had a q-pump, only percoset for the first three weeks and then Tylenol. I haven't taking pain medicine in a long time. My BS wanted me to the stop pain med after the second week...I thought he was nuts.
I think my natural breasts acted like insulators on my chest...now that they are gone when I drink something hot or cold the feeling is much stronger as it goes down.
Good luck with your visit tomorrow..I hope everything works out well.
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My incisions are looking better and so are the nipples, but the NP prescribed 10 % nitro bid salve, which is used with heart patients. I'm not sure what it does for them. Anyway, the salve should stimulate blood circulation. The side effect is a headache. Our local pharmacy didn't have it in stock. My poor husband is out making the rounds of pharmacies to get the prescription filled. I called as he drove, and one Walgreen has it.
Tonight a golf friend and her husband are giving me a dinner party with other golfers and their spouses invited. I'm humbled by such generosity and kindness. Today two weeks ago I had my surgery. Last night was the first dinner my husband and I cooked for ourselves. Actually it was pretty good. A big green salad with lots of veggies and barbecued baby back ribs.
From Thurs. through Sun., there's golf on tv, so I have something to watch. Plus I'm reading a 2nd Dick Francis novel. He's a very good storyteller. I feel good, but am not so brimming with energy that I get bored taking it easy at home.
Have a great Friday!
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Meg9 - I'm definately still weak. I would like to start some very light upper body weight lifting exercises or other strength building exercises. I'll see if my PS is on board with that idea next week. He really hasn't said much about limitations lately. I like the idea of shopping counting as good exercise!
I took a Percocet each night for the last three nights, trying to rid myself of the tingle. Doesn't see to be working. I really hate taking these drugs, but am glad to have them to at least try. Can't imagine having had only a 2 week supply.
Carole - The healing phase is slow, but certainly not without it's pleasantries...hope you have a nice dinner party. How lovely.
Have a nice weekend ladies!
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Okiegal - I don't think I'm ready to start upper body weights yet. I am concerned about capsular contracture and I think that upper body weight training will add to my anxiety. Every now and then my chest muscles twitch. My PS said I could use very light weights to start...2 lbs. I think I will stick to walking and biking for a while.
I think my BS and PS were concerned with prolong use of Percocet. That why they did not renew my prescription. Tylenol only.
Carole - I hope you have a great dinner party. It's times like this when you truly know who your friend are. From the beginning I had so much support from friends and family... cards, flowers, meals, fruit baskets, visits, prayers and offers to take me to doctor visits. All made it easier for me and my family.
It sounds like you are in good hands with your NP. Do you see your PS also. When I have my appointments with the PS she always looks at me.
Hope you all have a great weekend!
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Meg9, you bring up a point that bothers me a little. I have not seen my PS since the morning of the surgery. He has two NPs. One sees his breast patients. The other NP, a man, sees his hand patients. Dr. C. is a hand specialist as well as doing breast recon. and augmentation. I've been often to the office, like every 3 or 4 days, because the NP has been concerned about my healing issues. Every time I go, someone takes close-up photos so Dr. Celantano can view the photos. Apparently, he's very much in demand as a surgeon. I saw Dr. Lagarde, my cancer surgeon and wife of Dr. C, the next day after surgery when she came to discharge me from the hospital. Other than that, I haven't seen her either. She also is very much in demand. Aside from working with her husband, she works with the NOLA drs. who are known all over the US for their microsurgery recon. There are threads on this website about NOLA. So I'm being seen, but not by my surgeons.
Yesterday I got a prescription for 2% nitro-bid salve to apply to some dark areas on the nipples and one dark area on the left incision. This salve is nitroglycerin salve used by angina patients. It's to increase blood circulation. It causes a dull headache like a sinus headache. I'm to use it twice a day. I sure hope it does the job. Once I heal properly, I can get on with my life much better. Go outside into the heat and humidity and do a little gentle chipping and putting. Aren't priorities interesting?
I have to tell you about our dinner party menu. Our host is from Abbeville, LA, cajun country, and Rixby is from a LA French background. He likes cooking and prepared the food. The soup was a delicious crabmeat bisque with a creamy base. The main course was sauce piquant with shrimp. Sauce piquant is a spicy dark sauce made with a roux. Side dish was macque choux, a corn dish made with fresh corn that is cut off the cob. It was all delicious. I did pretty well as far as enough energy for the occasion, but at 9pm I suddenly found myself tired and told my husband I was ready to go. This morning I'm tired. Didn't get up until about 8:30 am.
A friend called to see if I wanted to go to see a movie this afternoon, and I put if off until next week. This weekend I will take it easy and do my nitro-bid applications.
How easily did the two of you heal? I know neither of you, Meg9 or Okiegal, had nipple sparing so that simplified things.
Hope you both--and anybody else checking in--have a fun weekend.
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Hi Carole - Sounds like you had a great time at the dinner party...good food and good company. I spend the day yesterday at our favorite restaurant on the Hudson River not far from where I live. It was my DH birthday. We had a great time sitting on the outside deck...the weather was prefect...the sailboats were out.
I hope the nitro-bid works. My PS is only in the office 2 days a week. On those days is when I make my appointments. She also has a partner. If she is not available, you can see him if it is an emergency.
My scars healed very well. From the beginning my scars looked good. All my stitches were invisible...stitched with clear thread. My surgery was on a Tuesday and I went home on Thursday....on Friday a visiting nurse came to my home and changed my dressings....which were yellow medicated strips of gauze that went over my stitches only. A strip of this gauze also when around the drains. A square white piece of gauze laid on top..not taped. Dressings were changed every other day....I was told to keep it dry. I sponge bathed until the drains came out...about 14 days. Today my scars are very thin, pink lines that go horizontally across the center of my breasts. When the visiting nurse saw my scars she commented how how good they looked. Within the first couple we weeks I also saw my BS twice. He was also very pleased and said everything looked good. I felt great comfort in being regularly checked by my doctors. After that I also saw the oncologist and GYN.
After six weeks I started using Mederma cream that my PS gave me. I think it helped.
It is another beautiful day outside and the DH returns to work on Monday, so we are heading to the river for lunch.
Hope you all have a great day!
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Checking in here....
I too was concerned about long term use of Percocet as were my parents. Mostly unnecessary, I think. I read something about addiction and pain meds on this site and was reassured. One does become habituated to Percocet, so you need to taper off slowly if you've been taking it for an extended period of time. Addiction is another matter, it has a more psychological component and would be characterized by someone taking more than the perscribed amount, stealing pills, getting multiple perscriptions, etc. I don't have the motivation for such things! I really don't like feeling drugged and it has a depressive effect on me. Not pleasant, but it was effective for pain relief.
I'm still having the stinging, shocking pains in my upper torso that started last week. Some are fairly strong and then there are lots of little pin pricks, randomly and almost everywhere. I haven't noticed that the Percocet helps at all, at this point. I had stopped taking it completely, but have tried one or two to no avail. I'll talk to my PS tomorrow and hope that he has enough time to give me an answer and that I don't sound like a crazy person.
Meg9 - I also have a sensation of things feeling tighter and my bras feel uncomfortable again. I'm wondering about capsular contracture, but my implants feel fairly soft to touch and I imagine that the PS will say they are fine. I don't know, maybe this is all a PMPS thing.
I have probably seen my PS four times since my surgery. The receptionist, took my drains out (with direction from the RN) she is studying to go to medical school. I think a lot of these things aren't very high level which is why they can delegate to others, but it is nice to be able to ask questions of the MD. My PS just moved to a new office last week and will have a new nurse, so I hope I don't meet with chaos tomorrow. I may have to be assertive.
As for healing, I had some sort of skin reaction to the prepping solution as well as the tape used for bandages. I had terrible itching and lots of peeling skin. My incisions were covered with paper tape which I removed myself at 10 days (per instructions). For the most part, they are healing nicely. Not perfect yet, there may be some minor revisions necessary. The most perfect area of the left side is in the middle. Exactly where they will create a nipple. Why couldn't the sides be the perfect part? I can only imagine how difficult it must be to get the edges of swollen tissue to line up and heal perfectly...almost impossible? But overall, I have staight pink lines. They look pretty good, I'll wait. No one has mentioned using Mederma yet. Maybe I'll go buy some.
Carole - my mouth was watering reading the discription of your dinner party! Hope your nipple is responding to the treatment and that you are feeling a little better each day. I think after about week four, I really started to feel dramatically better. But it's amazing how long the healing/recovery process is.
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Okiegal, these stinging, shocking sensations you're having aren't just in the breasts? You said they were in your "upper torso." I'll be interested to know what you PS says about them. I'll have to read about PMPS. How bothersome is this? Are you able to go about your routine and do whatever you want or need to do?
I just came in from walking. This morning I did a little more than 1 mi. Didn't get out until 8am, and it's already very hot by then. There's one side street that's shady so I walked up and down it several times. Shade makes such a difference.
My main focus is healing. Twice a day I apply the nitroglycerin cream to a few problematic areas around the nipples and incisions using a q-tip. Then I cover the areas with provided thin sheets of paper. 5 min. later I have a dull headache that lasts an hour or hour and a half. I can feel my pulse in my ears but it's still a normal pulse, for me about 66 beats a min. This cream is used by angina patients to bring blood to the chest. The cream stays on 6 to 8 hrs. I apply it once during the day and again before going to bed at night. On Wed. I go to see the NP again. I'm hoping she'll be pleased with the way I look, for a change. Every time I see her, I feel like I've flunked healing. I've always been a good healer, so these issues have to do with the surgery, not with my body's healing capacity. The BS told me she didn't have an easy procedure with me because my breast tissue was so dense.
Interesting that our thread was on the list of active topics and yet just the three of us are checking in.
Not much going on with me on this Mon. After I have breakfast and a shower, I'll apply the nitro-bid cream and sit out the headache. I have a few chapters of a James Patterson novel to finish. HONEYMOON is the title. About a black widow type of woman who kills off her rich, handsome suitors. A real page turner and not much cognitive function required! My dh is off to Walmart with a list.
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Hi Carole - I have two categories of pains. I have some random, fairly intense, sharp pains in my upper torso. Mostly the breast area, but also on the sides and sometimes to the back. They aren't excrutiating, but definately noticable. Occassionaly, I suppress an "ouch". They are less noticeble if I am busy. The other category are tiny "pin pricks" that seem to happen almost anywhere. These are definately less noticeable if I am busy. All of them are random, not throbbing. I was fine for two weeks after stopping the Percocet, then this started. Don't really know what to think. I am trying to go about my normal routine, but am concerned about "overdoing it".
Seems like it's just the three of us, but I would invite others to join in!
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Hello everyone,
I'm back after an invigorating but somehow relaxing road trip vacation. I could almost forget about BC and reconstruction some of the time, but only sometimes and it's good to check in with you. It looks like I have a lot of reading to do to catch up. All three of you healing together. That's what makes this place such a gift. Let me know how I can help. I am six months past surgery now, hard to believe.
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Welcome back, fortunate1! It has just been the three of us, myself, meg9, and okiegal, for quite a while. Yearofthehat has disappeared and others as well. My surgery was 2 wks and 3 days ago on 7/24. I'm doing well except for some skin and nipple healing problems. I had the nipple-saving surgery and it was touch and go for a while as to whether the nipples were "saved."
Where did you go on your relaxing road trip?
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Carole,
Oh, so very lucky to have the nipple sparing surgery, I'm envious. Reading through the posts, it seems like a chancy thing, but so worth it. They wouldn't consider it for me, drat.
We wound our way through Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, seeing gorgeous landscapes. Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Hells Canyon, Beartooth Highway, the Palouse. Lots of pictures of mountains, fields and big skies with clouds. A chance to be with my husband with no work to interfere. We were thinking it was a "little" trip, no foreign countries or big museum filled cities, but the scope of that countryside is huge and powerful, not a "little" trip at all.
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Glad to have you back fortunate1 and that you had a wonderful trip. Now, is there anyone else out there that would like to join us? We are all in various stages of recovering from one-step Alloderm reconstruction. Perhaps we should start a new forum/question/group?
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Hi All,
Welcome back fortunate 1, sounds like you had a great trip...peaceful. Tomorrow will be 10 weeks for me. Your at six months!...how are you feeling?
Okiegal - I'm not feeling any sharp pains anymore. Mostly sore, but not enough to take any pain med...not even tylenol. I still feel the tightness in my chest and I wonder if it will ever totally go away. Same with the burning sensation on my skin. When I'm busy I don't notice it as much.
Have your breasts changed shape? Have you read about developing a "dog ear"...I think my right breast is starting one. It would have to get really bad for me to consider corrective surgery. I'm looking forward to my PS visit...not until Sept.
Carole - Do you see any improvement using the cream? Sorry about your headaches. You said you had areas that were red. Did they tell you what is causing the redness?
I think the reason why there are not many on this forum is that many PS do not do the "one step." I know that my PS has been doing the "one step" for only 2 years. Not a bad idea to start a new forum about the "new step" just to let others know we are here.
I spent today gathering information for a monthly newsletter I write. The last one I wrote was in May before my surgery. I just can't seem to get motivated. I tire easily, but some days are better then others.
Hope you are all feeling better each day!
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I was up and about in the house most of the day. Took care of the stack of papers on my desk, paid some bills online, did some laundry and a little light housework. I've started helping out with preparation of dinner and clean-up. Probably a mistake, right?
Meg9, I do see some improvement using the cream. I don't know what caused the brownish-red areas. I guess lack of blood circulation. Sorry to hear that you still feel tightness in your chest at 10 wks. I was going to ask you and Okiegal if the tightness had gone away. It's kind of funny, but right after my surgery I thought the little stretchy cotton bra was tight. After a few days I realized the tightness was inside my chest and the bra wasn't terribly tight! I think some of the swelling is subsiding. So far I like the shape of my breasts. They're much larger in diameter and take up more space on my chest than my natural breasts did.
Fortunate1, my dh and I travelled in those same states last summer and visited national parks. We drove the Beartooth Hwy, which is one of the most magnificent drives I've ever taken. It's right up there with the road to Hana in Maui. It was my first time in those western states, and I really fell in love with them.
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Carole - hope you didn't over do it yesterday!. Guess you can take it easy today. It's hard to know how much is too much at first...just have to push the boundaries and take naps!
I'm still amazed that this "one-step" is considered unusual. It's really not that unusual of a procedure. In fact, I imagine that it is very similar to what my mother had done 25 years ago except now there is the addition of Alloderm to create a more stable placement of the implant. I'm SO grateful that my PS recommended it for me. Of course, not everyone is a candidate, but my PS indicated that a lot of women do not tolerate the entire tissue expander phase well. I think they have a lot more discomfort and pain than we are experiencing. Women just want them out ASAP. Plus they have to deal with a second surgery. My Dr. also seemed to think a lot of plastic surgeons still use TE's because they are accepted and that's just what they do. Sounds like a little more open mindedness is needed.
Meg9 - I think a lot of the little pains and tightness that I still feel are a result of the pectoral muscle adjusting, healing and stretching. I'm guessing that in about 2 more months, I'll be feeling much more normal. As far as "dog ears", Im not exactly sure what that is....one of my incisions seems like it has slight peaks at the ends. I'm thinking that any unsatisfactory healing can be taken care of when the PS does the nipple reconstruction, but I don't know. I'll see my PS today, hope I don't sound like a crazy lady when I tell him about my little pins and needles. I'm sure he's heard it before and worse.
How would we start a new forum? Post a "Any One-step Reconstructions?" question. Any ideas?
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Okiegal, I haven't taken a daytime nap since the day after my surgery. I'm not a napper. For several days I did mostly sit propped up in bed and rest and watch tv. This morning I walked a little farther, 1 and 1/3 miles. Could have walked farther but I'm not supposed to perspire.
I'm on my 2nd week of effexor, and it's really working to eliminate the hot flashes. Plus I'm not feeling depressed and down, so maybe it's helping with the mood swings, too. I really don't mind my peaceful days here in the house. Today I have a few more little housecleaning chores like cleaning the toilets. My dh vacuumed the carpets a couple of days ago. I don't know when I'll be able to vacuum.
Our One-step thread has been on the Active List a couple of times, so it should be visible enough. I suspect the TE procedure is more popular because the breasts can be made bigger.
I'll be interested to hear about your appointment with your PS. Tomorrow I go back to see the NP.
My dh is off to play golf. I'll have breakfast and a shower. That takes me almost to noon!
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Our one-step with alloderm thread has been viewed 1162 times with 115 posts. A lot more people check out the threads than post on them.
I started a thread recently asking for those with the same diagnosis as mine to share their oncotype dx numbers. I've had 22 responses with 273 views. I really appreciate the way women on this website share information and offer support.
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This has been a very encouraging thread for me to read this morning. I am currently scheduled for a left mx with reconstruction on the 25th of August. My consult with the PS is on the 17th and I am hoping for a one step procedure....I just want to get on with my life with as short a recovery as possible and no more surgery!!! Thank you for sharing your stories of recovery. My prayers are with each of you.
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Hi ReneeJean,
Thanks for joining us. I too wanted this to be over ASAP and that led me to choose the "one-step" procedure. Overall, everything has gone very smoothly for me and I'm happy with the results (10 weeks out). I think the most nerve racking phase was pre-surgery. Waiting for test results, etc. Good luck with your PS appointment and please feel free to ask ANY questions that you have. This website is such a resource...glad we offered a little comfort!
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Welcome ReneeJean, I'm almost 3 weeks out. Other than some incision healing issues, I'm doing great. Your diagnosis is identical to mine. Good luck and I hope you check in again.
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Hi All,
Welcome ReneeJean, Happy to hear that we have been of some comfort to you. That's what this is all about. My daily visit to this forum has given me peace of mind many times. I have been given a lot of support from family and friends, but thankfully they have not walked in my shoes. I do have three friends who have had BC..one 5 years ago - no reconstruction; one 2 years ago- reconstruction with expanders and one who was dx after me. She will be starting chemo at the end of this month - no reconstruction. There is a special sisterhood between us now. Although we had different types and stages of cancer...we understand what it's like when you pick up the phone and the dx is cancer. The good news is we went through it and we are doing well. I will be thinking about you on the 25th..I hope you let us know how you are doing!
Oh! I think I said yesterday was 10 weeks since my surgery....if was my eleventh week!
Carole - I noticed that this forum is being viewed by many also. I think it's a great if others are learning from our experiences. I hope your cream continues to work for you. How great is it that the effetor is helping you also! How long before you get your oncotype dx results?
Okiegal - Good luck with your appointment today!
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I think this IS the thread for questions about the one-step procedure. I have found it to be quite a haven, it's good to have you all to share the slightly different concerns. Since it's not as commonly done yet, I think the few will find us.
Carole, oncotype test.......20.5 for me. Didn't even know one could get a half.
I am feeing very well after six months. Ah, more later, a knock on my door.
Back soon
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