One step implant procedure with Alloderm - Anyone?
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Have a good weekend everyone, especially Shoshi and NewBride. Wendy, have a great time at the NYC get together, a wonderful idea.
I'm going with a friend to a cat show. I like cats, like the friend, it's something new, and a chance to wear a new sweater, too. Presto, a Saturday plan. Still high on making it to one year.... can you tell?
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Hi Ladies. This is my day 3 post-op report Pain continues to be minimal. I take 1 Vicodin about every 8 hrs. Mostly for pain at the drain site. Drainage seems to be tapering off and becoming more sero than sang. 30cc overnight. Down from 40cc the night before. I guess I average between 90-100cc over a 24 hr period right now. Is that alot or a little? Do any of you recall your drain records? I believe that what swelling I've had is beginning to subside. Bruising still appears minimal with the exception of 1 dark bruised area right next to the nipple. The nipple has darkened somewhat. I do have some redness but it doesn't feel hot compared to my "good" breast and it does'nt seem to be getting worse. The imlpant area is hard and tight. One of the women on the nipple sparing thread described the feeling as "engorged". I would say that's pretty accurate. I also fequently have this weird buzzing sensation here and there, mostly in the nipple area. I don't think my PS implanted his i fone by mistake (ha ha) but thats kind of what it reminds me of. Have any of you experienced anything similar? I did take a shower last night. It was a little scary but the incisions are covered with clear tape over the gauze so they can't get wet. It looks like my incision will match Carole's. Under the areola and extending about an inch or so toward the armpit.
AnnL, Tonight I will finish the SinEcch (arnica) that my PS provided for pre and post-op use. Like you, I also used 30c arnica pellets for 4 days pre-op. Are you still using arnica post-op? I also have arnica gel that I may use topically if I can get up the nerve to actually rub anything on the new "foob".
Fortunate1, Right now I can't even imagine being a year out from MX. It must be absolutely wonderful. And you have done so well. I'm so happy for you. Enjoy the cat show. Enjoy everything else too 'cause you're a YEAR out from MX! YAY! Party like a rock star.
Shoshi, Now I'm so jealous. You got your drains out. I only have one but I just can't stand that gross little grenade. Could they be any more disgusting? Or painful? I wont even let DH see mine. I hide in the bathroom to empty the nasty thing and won't change clothes in front of him.
Meg and Ally, Where can I find the video that you are talking about? I saw the Channel 2 footage featuring Dr. Israeli. Is there something else too?
Today DH took me to local hair salon so I could get my hair washed and styled. Sweet woman would not take my money. Turns out her DH is a cancer survivor too. Is'nt it nice how we all stick together and help out where we can?
Enough computer for now. Gonna try to be like i_am_OK and maybe go for short walk. I hope everybody is having a good day. I'll be back later.
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New Bride, you sound great! Loved your description of the nasty drain. I started tapering off the arnica after 4 days or so post surgery. It took me a while to rub anything on my new "foob" too, but that sensitivity is gradually going away. I never did use any of the gel, just the tablets under my tongue. Don't forget to drink plenty of water! My new avatar is of me on my horse, 15 days post surgery, and I hope someday I will hear from you about riding again.
fortunate1, your sweaters sound cute. Have fun at the cat show.
Shoshi, good for getting the drains out! That was a really good day for me too!
The main remnant of surgery for me (unilateral, and no lymph node) is some tightness acress the top of the foob. I really only notice it at night when I go braless, and I am most comfortable when I am wearing a sports bra. I am still wearing the compression band for a while every day. I see my PS on Monday, and I am going to ask him why can't you "train" a foob with the right bra???? My skin on the the foob is very tight across the top, which is why I guess the foob is kind of flat. Also, it is still higher than the real one, but once I have a bra on, everthing looks ok.
1996: Lumpectomy with 15 nodes removed + radiation. Sept 2009: lumpectomy in same breast. Jan 5, 2010: unilateral mast with immediate silicon implant and Alloderm.
Diagnosis: 9/15/2009, IDC, <1cm, Stage I, Grade 1, 0/15 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-0 -
NewBride: You are so coherent for 3 days post-op! I don't know what arnica is--am in Canada and will have to look that up. I drained about the same as you the first few days and then it tapered off. I had the drains removed in 8 days but they could have come out sooner.
Shoshi: Glad your drains are out. It will get easier every day.
AnnL: Good to hear you are healing so well.
Fortunate1: Congrats on your one year anniversary.
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Good day. I can now tell you all that cats come in an astonishing array, more varied than I realized, new unfamiliar types. I had fun.
Ann, give that muscle some time, it will relax into a nicer shape, and feel better.
My happy anniversary. Do you remember when I reported another anniversary, of when I went to my PCP to show her the lump? It was October 28! Can you believe it took from before Halloween to Jan 22 to get the d*mn surgery? Such delays! I was such an innocent, and so scared. You are much better informed than I was, and that is the way it should be..
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good morning ladies.....new bride...you sound great....i definetely had that tightness you describe...i still do sometimes, but it does get better. i think i had 2 drains in for one week and then 2 drains in for 2 1/2 wks....AnnL....i am 8wks post op and the foobs look different everyday. they do drop and look more natural, but it takes awhile. they look very different now then they did 8wks ago. right now they look incredibly similar to my old foobs, just a little different shape....but 8 wks ago they were very high, and flatter looking. new bride the channel 2 animated video is the only one i know of. you can ask your ps and bs for the operative report, it is detailed on what was done. early on my nipples were much darker, in fact the right one turned black. the ps told me not to worry about. i was to apply bacitracin and a dry sterile dressing daily. now they are back to the color they used to be, however they look a little different then before. my incision was at the bottom of the areola, strangely enough i didn't have pain there. i still don't know how they did everything through that small incision.....shoshi...i hope you are feeling better today.....have a great sunday everybody.....most people here will be watching the jets football game
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Hello to all. DH and I managed to take a walk to the end of my road and back yesterday. 2 miles. Not bad but it took at least twice as long as it usually does. That's OK. It was good just to get out of the house for a little while. This morning we went to church. It was nice to be able to thank them for their prayers and show them how well they worked for me. Thanks again to all of you too as you've been right there with me the whole way. I continue to hold all of you in prayer as well.
Now on to the day 4 post-op report. Swelling appears to be down somewhat. Yay! I know this because now I can see where the drain runs. Yuk! Drainage is about the same. Maybe a little less. The incision for the drain itches like mad but i can't scratch it 'cause OUCH! Continuing with Vicodin which fortunately seems to help with the itching as well as the pain in the drain area. Redness on the foob is still there but doesn't seem to be worsening, It seems to be confined to the area under the clear tape for the most part. Nipple is still dark but also not worsening. I think I will call PS tomorrow just to see if he's concerned and also to see if he wants to call in more Cipro for me as I will run out before my first post-op appt with him.
Here's something I didn't think about beforehand. As I was hooking up the PS bra my fingernail caught on something. It was the numb skin of my foob. I 've now cut my nails quite short so that I won't unwittingly scratch myself. The numbness thing is pretty strange for me. Can any of you tell me about how long it took you to get used to it?
I guess that's all for now. I think I'll try for a nap and check back later. I hope you are all having a wonderful day
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Ally, I forgot to thank you for the nipple and skin info and wasn't sure if i'd run into you on the nipple sparing thread.
AnnL, Thanks. Yes I will remain hydrated. I'm always drinking something - water, juice, herbal tea. No alcohol 'til I'm more healed. I think I will continue arnica for a few more days too. And I've already talked to DH about a new horse for later. Nice to see you riding again. Do take it easy.
upcreek, O-o-o-oh so lucky to get your drains out so fast. 8 days. That would be great. Nice of you to recall your drain record too. Personally, I think I'll want to burn mine.
Shoshi, are you better today?
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Hi everyone,
i had to share soemthing funny w/ all of u. For the 1rst time today i put on a for fitting pull over shirt & i u couldnt tell that i wasnt wearing a bra. on the side there is a dimple, but if u werent looking ofr it you wouldnt know its there. I still am more comfy in butoon down , but i had to see.i still hurt & am far as good as u ladies...wow riding horses. i drove for the 1rst time 2day & it hurt, but i have to c the bS tomorrow b/c i was NOT happy w/ how non-chalant the PS was w/ my swelling & just Motrin & i have no restrictions....i can put my hands to a certain extent over my head but thats it. There r 2 area that are very sore & get very painful, throbbing, stinging.....& i'm also not feeling good this weekend. i devloped a cough..i'm hot/cold & nauseous a lot & that is w/out taking the medicne.
so what is this cream u ladies keep talking about? I dont have a nipple, but i have tiny bump where the nipple was.
do any of u upload pix on the exchange city site of wht u look like. I have a lot of xtra skin & he siad he will fix that in a few months...he better..LOL
Big Apple I am so glad ur in such good spirits w/ everything u have gone thru..,.u r my role model!!!!!
Fortunate i i hope in a yr from now i'll fee; the same way u do!! & BTW Happy Anniversary!!! :-) I wish it wasnt my rt side that hurt so much it would make it easier to type.
so how many of u waer a gra & why? when did u go back to work?
thx & have a g8t Monday
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Hi Shoshi:
Thank you so much.
I wore a bra right away. i have a small frame and the weight of the implants (which are smaller than my breasts were) was putting strain on my shoulders and neck, Even though the bra is not needed for "support' it sort of is needed to distribute the weight. I also kept my nipples which continue to be perky so without a bra I look a little obscene, truth be told, they can still be seen through the bra, but not as much (its been a life long issue, even when I was a D I wore lined bras so that they did not show).
Also wearing the bra got rid of some of that tight feeling at least as long as I was wearing it.
I hope everyone is doing well.
((((Everyone)))))
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Hi all,
NewBride, you sound like you are recovering quickly! Wonderful news! And Shoshi, even though you are moving slowly, I'm glad to hear you are moving and that you are seeing your BS. Not having nipples really makes it easy to go bra-less, eh? That was a real pleasure this past summer, but mostly I feel more comfortable with a bra. The support helps diminish the "strange sensations" I've been dealing with.
I checked out a very informative book at the library, Living Well Beyond Breast Cancer, by Marisa C. Weiss, M.D., and Ellen Weiss. Dr. Weiss is the president and founder of this site. How did I not know about this book? I recommend buying a copy if you have any questions at all about treatment or living after BC. I also, at this point, recommend that everyone educate themselves about lymphedema. After reading the chapter about LE and doing quite a bit of reading online, I'm convinced (self diagnosis
) that I have a very early or mild stage of LE. I want to do everything I can to beat this back before it progresses. I'll call my BS today and complain about swelling after exercise. Hopefully, I will get her attention. I was reassured somewhere along the line that I was not a candidate for LE because I only had a SNB, but now I realize that anyone can get it. The chances are lower with SNB, but because I had a bi-lateral MX, there was plenty of disruption to create problems. AnnL, having had 15 nodes removed, you will want to educate yourself on preventative measures, as well. I would think you might be at a higher risk. It's a mysterious, unpredictable condition....yet another one (sigh)... because everyone is a little different. For example, some people have fewer lymph nodes and some have a lot more.
So...I think it was the push ups I did the other day or maybe the walk with a not so supportive bra, combined with the weight workouts that set everything off. None of my muscles were sore, so I didn't think I was overdoing it. However, Saturday, the area between my breasts hurt so much that I couldn't open a pill bottle. I guess this is where the pec muscle inserts. Both armpits were swollen and my implants felt tight and swollen, but didn't look like it. They still feel that way.
Fortunate1, again, thanks for the info about the PMPS question. I feel like I have figured out what is going on, finally. Now I can pursue answers and a treatment. Your cat show sounds fun....I would have to take an allergy pill!
The sun is shining this AM. Lovely.Have a good day all!
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Okiegal - someone here put me onto a really good website about LE. The "positioning" papers are excellent and I personally follow the ones for people at risk since I've had 3 nodes removed. A lot of reading but well worth it. http://www.lymphnet.org/lymphedemaFAQs/positionPapers.htm
I also do the hand pump several times a day (lift affected arm above hand and pump your hand 30 times. If I start to feel the heaviness in my upper arm, I also do a little lymphedema massage that was shown to me by my massage therapist. Both of these exercises help tremendously and the heaviness disappears quite quickly.
My surgeon never even discussed LE with me. I only learned I was at risk from reading these board. However, my new surgeon said that anyone with even one node removed is at risk. When I have my prophylactic mastectomy on my right side, she will not be doing a SNB. I told her I did not want any nodes removed unless tests prior to surgery show I have cancer. I've had the Breast Screening Gamma Imaging test and an ultrasound and so far both show no cancer. I'm having my digital mammogram when I return to Canada in April. I can't have an MRI because I have metal in my body (left tissue expander).
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new bride....i'm about 8wks post op and my foobs are still numb. i was wondering the same thing as you. do they ever de-numb? okie....i checked out the lymphadema thread and you're right that it can occur with only one node removed, of course, the more nodes the greater the risk. we're all so different. mostly everyone here is more comfortable with a bra. i can only wear one for a couple of hours. hi Mantra...thanks for checking in with all that great info.
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Hi Ladies
The day 5 post-op report is pretty boring. Evil drain continues to torture me at about 70cc per day but that is down from 100cc and I've only taken 1 Vicodin so far today. I do periodically have these hot needle type pains that remind me of the weeks following my stereotactic core needle biopsy. I guess just part of the healing process. I hope they go away soon. Appt. with BS tomorrow. I get her operative report and pathology report then. Hoping for good news. My nurse navigator (sort of like the BC concierge that Wendy suggested) was able to give me a little preview on my pathology. According to her all margins are clear. I need to hear from BS that they are large enough to satisfy her but right now it looks like I might be cancer free. Let's hope so, huh. PS office just returned my call. PS will see me tomorrow too in response to my concern about redness and to call in more antibiotics if necessary. Hoping that goes well also. As soon as I know - you'll know and then we can all celebrate (or sympathize).
Ally, I've talked to a few local survivors who still have numbness even 3yrs post op. They do say that you get used to it quickly, though. None of those ladies had nipple sparing and from what I've read on the nipple sparing thread, sensation seems to have returned to at least some of them. Might just be coincidence or maybe a TE vs. 1Step thing but definitely worth asking about. Maybe Carole can tell us about that as she had nipple sparing performed at NOLA .
Shoshi. Getting set free from your drains must be wonderful. You are sounding alot better. Good luck at the BS. We can compare notes after I see mine too.
Okiegal, I have always admired your common sense approach to everything. I think you will continue to do well as you run down this LE thing. Already you've found good info and practical advice. Mantra sounds like an amazing asset to have along side in the quest for information. I think we're all going to learn something valuable regarding LE and our possible risk for it. I'm waiting to hear the next Dr.'s words on the subject. Please keep us informed of your progress with this.
Well that's all. Gotta get a shower and wash the PS bra for tomorrow. Guess I'll try out one of my "okiegal" bras. I'll check back a little later.
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Here's a three week post op report. Saw my PS yesterday, who said everything looked fine. He said the real and fake boob were looking more symmetrical, and he is right, they are better, but from reading this forum, I am patient about that. It is not that the fake one is "high" -- they are the same at the bottom -- it is fuller on the top half. I guess what happens is that the skin on the bottom half stretches. That is by the laws of gravity, so I guess it's just a matter of time! The PS said to keep wearing the compression band, and my instructions are "if it hurts don't do it". There was a tiny little stitch that had not dissolved on the good breast side, which he cut off. He said to come back in three weeks, and we would talk about a nipple. Right now the idea of more surgery is not appealing, but I will see how I feel. A few months ago, I did not at first think I wanted reconstruction at all, but now I am very glad I went the Alloderm/implant route.
During the day, I wear a good sports bra, and everything feels compressed but ok. I still like the Champion zip-front the best. It is a smooth synthetic material that lets your clothes drape, unlike the cotton ones that stick to your shirt. It has a bit of shape so that I am not completely squished down in front.
At night I go braless to sleep. For some reason, I was a bit uncomfortable last night. Maybe because I rode my horse for 30 minutes or so yesterday, and gave us both a bit more of a work out. He is not a particularly smooth horse to ride, and is hard on my back. Not rough on my breasts because the sports bra takes care of that. Nevertheless I was a bit sore all over, and of course, once I started thinking about being uncomfortable, I really was. My implant side felt a little sore and the implant felt heavy. I took two Ibuprophen, drank some ginger tea with honey, drank some water, and was ok. Now I feel fine. It is odd that the breasts would still have some soreness, but maybe that is part of things shifting a bit and taking shape.
I do want to add that although I feel like my ROM and strength are fine, the idea of specifically exercising my pectoral does not sounds like a good idea at all. I feel a slight tug when I do things, such as opening a heavy stall door, that use it, but I would not want to do pectoral weights, etc. The best exercise for me, is whatever I did before, that way, I know I am not straining any new muscles.
With regard to lymphedema, I did have 15 nodes removed back in 1996 when I had the first lumpectomy, and want to remind everyone that what made things so easy this time (because I did not have any lymph node surgery). I worried a lot back then, and followed instructions, such as not getting injections, blood pressure cuffs, etc on that side. I do not remember any problems. I do remember that I was in the process of clearing my pastures, including dragging a wheelbarrow around and picking up rocks. I remember going out and doing that one-handed at first, and grandually using it normally, because it would have stressed me more to just sit around. The reason I am saying this, is that I never really "protected" that arm in the exercise sense. I guess there is still a risk of getting it, and I worried again when I had the mast/recon on the same side in Jan. So far ok, lucky I guess, knock on wood.
I hope I am not sounding like I have all the answers. I have been lucky and blessed. I am putting all this in my report because when I was facing all this, I read lots of scary reports. I wanted to read the good and the bad. I want future people to know that things can and do go smoothly lots of times.
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Mantra, Wow, thank you for your specific and informative post! You are an angel! I"ve already done the exercises. I have a call in to my BS and some notes to read so that I don't sound like a crazy whiner. Since I upped the Neurontin that she prescribed, I think I'm doing worse with the "tingles" and I feel more swollen. I'll have to research if additional swelling is a side effect. I'm also wondering how menopause and thyroid hormones influence all of this. Also, because weight loss can help with LE, I am now highly motivated to stay on WW. It's kind of a revelation to look at this from an LE perspective and not a neurological one. Although I hate to think I may have LE, it would be great to finally have a diagnosis for this ongoing issue of "pins and needles".
NewBride, I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed for good margin news! Sorry about that drain. I had one of mine for 3 weeks. Hopefully, yours will slow down much sooner than that.
AnnL, you are doing great. I'm sure you will continue to extend your bounderies as the weeks progress and your healing continues. My implants and muscles felt wierd at first, but they feel like they work fine now which is why I thought I was good to start light weight lifting. I think I'll avoid the pectoral muscles from now on.
Ally, I was quite numb at first, but I've had a lot of sensation return. Plus, I guess, I've gotten used to the way it all feels. You sort of forget that you are missing sensation. In fact, I think I have more feeling than I actually do, if that makes sense.
Looks like we have some more nasty winter ice and snow coming in the next few days. The temps will be down to 10 degrees at night. I think I better harvest the lettuces and forget about the futile winter lettuce project.
Hope you all have a nice day.
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Hi, everyone. Sun. was my 6 mos. BMX/1Step anniversary. Time passes and the memory grows dimmer. Someone asked about sensation in the breasts. I'm not conscious of being numb but I am. Recently I got an ice cube and touched it to my breasts and didn't feel any coldness. Also, I didn't have my surgery at NOLA. It was an option that I didn't take. I had to travel only 15 min. to a local surgery center where DH and I both have been patients on other occasions.
Despite the numbness, the nipples contract in response to cold air or hot water in the shower. I wear a bra for coverage when I go somewhere but always go braless at home. I'm most comfortable without a bra. This may be habit because I never wore a bra around the house. One of the first things I do on arriving home is shuck the bra!
I'll check out the LE info. I believe it's even possible to get LE without any node removal, but not likely. A friend in FLA who had a lumpectomy and no SNB is careful with that arm, doesn't allow blood pressure cuff on the arm, etc.
On more pleasant topics, I went to Lowe's yesterday and bought pansies. DH cleaned up the outsides of the patio planters with his power washer. I planted the pansies and a some dianthus plants, too. Cleaned the fountain and got it going. I had turned it off during the freezing weather. So the patio looks nice with cheery little pansy faces. We're having a sunny week with moderate temps.
Today I'll do my weight workout. Dermatologist apptment this afternoon. No golf today because of muddy conditions but lots of things to do, including taxes.
Have a great day.
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Hello Everyone, After reading all your posts it's seems like everyone is on track!
Okiegal, I hope you finally found an answer to your pain. At least you know what you're dealing with and hopefully you can prevent your pins and needles from getting worse. I noticed immediately that my arms were swollen...they still are to some extent. Also, shaving under my arms is very different.
Ann and New Bride, You're really doing great! When I asked my PS what my limits were, she replied, "Your body will let you know." She did put a limit on lifting weight for a while...no more then 3 pounds. I had phantom nipple pain for months. Without looking I can point to exactly where my nipples would be...strange. My breasts have some feeling, but nothing like before. NewBride, Keeping my finger crossed for clear margins!
Shoshi, I hope you find relief from your back pain. My drain area was sore for awhile. My scars were red for awhile before turning pink. PS gave me Mederma cream that helped a lot.
Carole, I wish the weather was warm enough to start planting. The last frost here is usually around the end of May!
I'm feeling a little down today. The poking in my left breast is becoming more of a problem. Actually an area of my breast feels stuck. I'm thinking it might be a stage of CC. Knowing that the only solution for CC is surgery I'm reluctant to make an appointment with my PS. I don't think I could take hearing the news that it is CC. Also, thinking about nipples and tattoos and more procedures after all this time is depressing. I'm wondering why I didn't have nipple sparing mx? Does it ever end? For the first time I cried this morning. It's strange, but I think a lot of what has happen over the last eight months it hitting me now. In the beginning my BS and PS were concerned when I said that I didn't feel like it was happening to me. I felt like I was on the outside looking in. My PS and NP said it would hit me sooner or later and I didn't believe them. Well, I think it's beginning to hit me now...it's very out of character for me to be down and self absorbed. Sorry for being a downer today. Hopefully this will pass and tomorrow will be a better day!
I hope everyone else is having a good day!
Mostly cloudy today and in the low 40's, but it feels like it is in the 30's.
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Meg, I'm so sorry you're having a "down" day. It happens to all of us. I'm trying to relate to the sensation you're experiencing when you talk about a sensation of being poked in your left breast. Like something is poking you from the outside in? Or the inside out? You've been worried about CC from the very beginning.
Our spring planting season hasn't arrived either. It's usually about March 15th. Pansies are hardy plants and aren't bothered by freeze and frost. I usually plant them in late Nov. or Dec. but didn't get around to doing it until yesterday. They thrive and are at their prettiest in the spring. When the hot weather comes, they've done their thing and have to be replaced with summer flowers.
I'm not looking forward to my dermatologist apptment. I think I have a carcinoma on my right thigh. I had one quite a few years ago and this growth is similar. Oh, well. Not as bad as BC!
I
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Meg9, I know what you mean. We "get through" the tough part and then, bit by bit, we mourn and finally accept the changes. Sometimes it isn't easy. I hope your spirits pick up. I would encourage you to call your PS or BS and investigate what some of your sounds and sensations are all about. Keep a log, so you can be specific. I'm pretty sure that surgery is the last resort for CC, so it wouldn't hurt to investigate.
It took me a while to call my BS yesterday. I felt better in the morning, but by the afternoon, I was starting to feel a lot more stinging. I kept procrastinating because I didn't know what to say. It all sounds so strange and I'd already told her about it at my last appointment in Oct. So, I called and left a message. The BS called me back and I have an appointment for Monday afternoon. She said to do whatever I can do to make things swell up and that she would look at it with ultrasound to see if it is swelling tissue or fluid. She quickly offered that I could come vaccuum her house
.I asked if it was LE, she said no, that LE usually starts in the hand. Meg9, if your arm are still swollen, that's something else to talk to your doctor about. We'll see. I'll keep you all posted. I hope something is discovered. I really want to quit thinking about this.
Carole, your pansies sound so pretty! I hope your appointment goes well.
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Okiegal, I thought one could get LE in the trunk also. And you might not be "usual", anyway. I'm glad you have her attention.
Ally, I too have had some sensation return. My PS compliments me on the amount of sensation I have, usually when he has pricked me somehow. It's a surprise. My sensation is creeping in from the sides, the center is completely numb. But I have also gotten used to it.
I wear a bra all the time. I like the feeling. It flattens and smoothes the natural breast a little, keeps the nipple from showing and just makes me match very well. Ann, I am small too, and after a year I still have more fullness at the top of the reconstructed breast. It did continue to soften, but I think it might just be the nature of the implant shape, not the same soft slope.
Meg, Hugs for you, I've been in that sad spot too. I want my old normal back. By the way,I sometimes feel my breast "thunk" a little like its moving over a rib or something. It doesn't hurt, but it's weird. Not as pronounced as what you're experiencing. I agree with Okiegal, make the call.
NewBride, fingers crossed for a good path report.
Hey Shoshi, how are you doing today?
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Hi all, especially to Meg, because I am sharing a down day with you. I actually felt kind of sick all day, like the beginning of the flu. Sore all over, and queasy. It does not help that I have a rainwater system for my house, and I had to fish out a dead squirrel from the tank. I was filling it from the top with a hose and up on a ladder and saw it in there. It is a huge 10,000 gal tank. Ugh! I called my rainwater system guys today, and they said I am probably ok because of all my filtering, but still, the idea makes me sick. I ordered a drinking water service and will use that from now on. It will take me a long time to quit feeling queasy, and I was just starting to feel a little less queasy about surgery, drains, wierd foob, etc. My tolerance is low! Anyway, Meg we will talk tomorrow and see if we are feeling better!
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hello ladies...meg i pm'd you. okie.....glad you will be seeing the bs....if you need some added swelling....you can come vaccum here too...lol.....regarding all of our strange sensations....i tried a bra again today, after 2hrs....i had to get it off....it makes my whole body ache...pretty strange.
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OK Ladies. I'm going to try to be brief. Today at the BS was bad. Pathology revealed a 1.1 cm invasive carcinoma that some how missed detection by 2 mammograms. a stereotactic core needle biopsy and review by 2 different breast surgeons. How the H*LL does that happen? As you might imagine, I'm pretty upset. My decisions regarding no SNB and putting off surgery until after the holidays were based on DX of a few calcs containing DCIS. I just don't see how a "1.1cm nodule' was missed. Any insight there? Now I most likely face chemo , according to BS. I have appt with OC on Fri. BS "can still so SNB but it is much harder". Great. She mentioned something about a PET scan to check for further invasion. Terrific. Another IV. i_am_OK, you had one of these didn't you. I would like to know about it if have details to share.
One minor victory to report. It appears that I am healingt pretty well from surgery. PS is pleased with his work and feels I might be able to keep my nipple. He gave me a script for Silvadene 1% cream to be applied twice daily. Of course BS is looking further into pathology so what PS thiinks may be moot.
Please continue to pray for me. I'm so scared. Thanks
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NewBride, I sent you a PM. Try not to be scared. Silly advice, I know. A dx of IDC doesn't automatically mean chemo. Surely your ONC will recommend the oncotype dx, which is a big indicator of whether chemo is a advisable. My tumor was 1.2 cm IDC and I did not have to do chemo. The PET/CT wasn't traumatic at all except for the anxiety of waiting for the results. You will be in my thoughts.
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The dermatologist inspected the pink growth on my right thigh and did a biopsy to send off for analysis. I expect the growth to be a basal cell carcinoma because it's actually on the scar of the old basal cell that was removed years ago. Possibly a slow-growing recurrence. I'll get the biopsy report in a week. I also got "zapped" once on the face and on a couple of other places on my legs.
Okiegal, I would love for you to come and vacuum at my house!
Hope everyone has a restful night, especially NewBride.
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new bride....i'm so sorry you had that bad news, and have these other things to deal with. just reading caroles post has put me at ease, i hope it does that for you. sometimes with dense breast tissue....mamos don't show everything making it necessary to have mri. carole mentioned that the pet/ct scan was not too bad.....you're in my thoughts....you're a strong person and an incredibly good healer
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NewBride, I am so sorry you got hard news. It seems like you have a team that will be finding the right path for you, and I bet they won't keep you waiting long.
The PET/CT scan is easier than an MRI, in my opinion. Even the IV seemed easier. Could it eliminate the need for a SNB?
I agree with Carole on the Oncotype test. It enabled me to pass on chemo, too.
I wonder if your invasive nodule was lobular cancer? Mine hid out until I found it myself.
Snuggle up to NewGroom and sleep as well as you can.
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Oh, what a day.
NewBride, like TracyAnn says, this is not fair. I am so sorry, but what can we do? Only to be positive and hope for the best. At least, you have this options for chemo .Look at me. There is no chemo available for tumor i had, and radiation is not helpfull in most cases. I wish I had an option for chemo in case I need it. I hope you will not need chemo, but just in case, YearoftheHat who started this thread had chemo and now she feels great. I found my tumor myself, and all biopsies before surgery were benign, after ultrasound and mammo I was told it was benign, so path report after lumpectomy was a shock for me. In booklet about BC they mention that any biopsy can give a false negative result. When I first read it I believed it was not about me, but I was wrong. Don't be scared about PET Scan. IV is only for short period of time, the needle is so thin, and again they'll give you a numb shot first. Whole procedure took about 1.5 hours, but about 1 hour I was waiting in the bed. The worst part for me was low carb diet one day before procedure, but as girls said overall it was not so bad.
Carole, you caught the growth on time, so you'll be fine.
okiegal, we should take care about ourself. My PS told me that I have to listen to my body, and if I don't feel comfortable with something, do not do it, so please no more heavy duty.
ally1423, probably you bra is not comfortable enough? or you just need more time to healing? I am wearing bra when I am out of home, at home I am usually braless.
Meg, AnnL, today was not a good day for me too. I am not in a good shape now. No hikes since Jan 4. I have some cold symptoms for about three weeks. Not very bad, and one week ago I thought it was over, but now looks I have a second round. It makes me crazy that I need to take medicine again. Moreover, I feel some pain under my "good" breast especially if I touch my ribs. It is not so bad, but I am thinking about CC and other SE.
Time to sleep, I hope tomorrow everyone will feel much better than today.
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I did not sleep well last night. Although I only know all of you through this site I felt all your fear, pain and sadness yesterday. I am sorry that you are going through this. Thanks for sharing and I'm sure I can speak for all of us here that you have our support and concern.
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