One step implant procedure with Alloderm - Anyone?
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Shoshi, have you heard something about Emotional Freedom Technique? It is easy to do and many people say it helps for pain relief. Check it on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jvvePh4Dbw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFn8tX5xD4s&feature=related
I am tapping from time to time
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Shoshi....I am so frustrated for you! It seems like you are at a road block. Did your 2nd opinion give you a prescription for anything? Was a muscle relaxer his suggestion or yours? I spoke to someone at my implant company (months ago) and she said there are three (very broad) reasons for pain, according to their study. 1) problems with surgical technique, 2) poor placement or implant too large 3)Capsular contracture. I think these are reasons they found for pain after the initial healing phase.
Their study reported only about a 1% rate of infection and it stated, in part:
Infection - In rare instances, acute infection may occur in a breast with implants. The signs of acute infection include erythema (redness), tenderness, fluid accumulation, pain, and fever.
Their information also included a warning about the very rare incidence of Toxic Shock Syndrome. If your 2nd PS thinks you might still have an infection, shouldn't you go see your primary PS again? I know you are so sick of this. You are in a very special subset of patients, you will have struggle to find get answers. We are here for you and you are in my prayers!
Fortunate1, that's odd that SoCal is backward on PT. I thought that was only OK. No one has mentioned PT to me, ever. I took it upon myself to start doing stretches ASAP and finally started doing hand weights about 7 months after surgery.
My sister and I are struggling to stay on WW. We are doing it without meeting or online support. We have both paid for and attended so many meetings in the past that we could run our own. We have decided to pay ourselves! We give ourselves "reward points" that are worth $1 each. I hope to be at $20 dollars by the end of this week. We are focusing on process and not weight and will only "weigh in" once per month. Meg9, are you journaling? Is your thyroid working properly? Are you anemic? It's frustrating to try so hard and stay at the same weight. Maybe you are replacing fat with muscle?
I need to step away from the computer and get back to work on my chairs...they won't paint themselves! Have a good day everyone!
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thank u for all u support...its nice to have it...my ps is going to prescribe a muscle relaxer for me which will be called in today...so i try it for a month & go to pain mangamnet dr & see how things r in a month from now....i will try & go back to work p/t Monday & maybe that will help too...i am wits end right now & just cry & cry...when my husband is not arnd ...maybe i see a shrink...maybe getting my prozac may help who knows....i just wish i understood why is it always me...when i the brest reduction i had probelmes after, foot surgery too..the only one i didnt have probelmes w/ was my hysterectomy...so to even think abt going thru another surgery & i have to get the left breast fixed in the near future.............maybe it just bad nerve endings or bad muscles...........thanks again ladies...
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Shoshi, glad to hear you will have some muscle relaxers today. Some people are more sensative to pain, I wouldn't feel guilty or depressed about it. And it doesn't mean you are crazy, although I know you are having a lot of emotions connected to all of this and probably feel "crazy" right now. If you have a "shrink", go see one! Get to the bottom of all of this, find some answers, heal and get help getting on with your life. You'll be glad you did.
I'm waiting for glue on the chairs to dry. Exciting, huh?
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hello everyone....shoshi...glad you were happy with 2nd opinion doc....take the muscle relaxers, and pain killers. go to pain magmt. and see if things improve. when is the pain mgmt apt. he/she might find the right combo of meds for you and they might include an antidepressant like prozac. hang in there. i'm_ok posted a link that might be helpful. just to remind you, i had alot of pain for 5 straight wks, i did go back to work a little under 3 wks but i was on pain meds. your pain might improve once the infection has completely cleared, and i guess the ps feels that will happen, i wonder why he felt you didn't need antibiotics? i know you received them IV in the hospital and at home, maybe he felt that was enough, and the infection is "unerlying"....what ever that means.....hope you start to feel better soon....fortunate...it's good to know there's hope for my little slacker.....your son really stepped up to the plate...good for him. .....regarding PT, before i had surgery my bs set up home care for me so that PT could come to my house, but when i got home i didn't want any home care and i had too much pain for PT, i just wanted to stay in bed. i think because i went back to work pretty soon, i was just naturally stretching and using all the muscles, i never really experienced any range of motion problems, my issue was pec muscle PAIN, which i don't have any more, but that's what i want shoshi to know....i didn't have a little pain that some advil would help....i had major pain, so i know what it is like, and i really feel for you, but i know it gets better, if everything is ok medically, then you need to get some meds to help you through this, i think pain mgmt is the way to go, and maybe PT can help you with some gentle stretching exercises.....okie, i hope you took before pics of the chairs......
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Shoshi
Have you consulted an infectious disease dr? They are much better with infection questions than PS(s) etc.
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So weird that I occasionally miss big blocks of posts when I check in. Just now I went to the Previous page and found recent posts I hadn't read, including yours, Okie, about your mom and sister eating in a restaurant in Lafayette.
Shoshi, I'm not a medical person, and I do not understand exactly what's the cause of all your pain and misery. But I am full of sympathy and hope that you get better soon without having the implants removed. What a shame to go through all that you have and find yourself back at ground zero.
Today was a bright, sunny day with highs in the 50's. Since it was too wet for golf, Dh suggested we drive over to Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi, about 1 1/2 hrs. one way. Just walking through the lobby of the casino is worth the drive. The display of flowers is gorgeous. Today there were literally thousands of red-blooming cyclamens. We did some small-time gambling along with the other senior citizens, had a combination lunch/supper and then drove home along the beach route. Very sad to see all the foundations without big homes, devastation caused by Katrina. At least most of the debris has all been cleared away by now.
Must pat myself on the back. I ate out today and stayed within my allotted WW points! No small accomplishment. Meg, are you tracking your meals? With all your exercise, you should be edging down your weight. Of course, it's more difficult to lose weight when you're only over your goal a few lbs.
Good night to all. I must resume my free online bridge course. I'm finding my study of bridge very interesting but doubt that I'm smart enough to master this complicated game.
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Carole: I have no doubt that you can master bridge!
Shoshi: Try to hang in there and keep your impants if you can.
Physiotherapy is a big thing here post mastectomy with reconstruction or not. Therapy starts after 3 weeks post-op. I was going three times a week initially. My PT has helped me to heal physically and emotionally as well as dealing with the ROM and scar issues.
Another beautiful day today and hope to go for a skate on the big lake.
Hope everyone has a great day.
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Hello Everyone,
Shoshi, Sorry to hear your pain continues. I hope you don't lose your implants and have to start over. I'm not sure with all the pain you have experienced that you would tolerate expanders and additional surgery. I remember reading that some women cannot tolerate implants and have them removed. They do not opt for reconstruction again. I would go to the pain management doctor and Big Apple had a good suggestion also. UpCreek had good results from a PT. If your pain is not from infection or CC I would try all avenues before removing the implants. I wish you the best.
Carole, I'm sure you will master bridge. Do they play at your club? I am not working at the church any more, but I am still involved with the shelter and feeding the homeless. I am making a lap robe (I hope to make more) for the nursing home and I'm looking for a craft to make for the holiday boutique. We have changed churches, but I still have my friends there.
Fortunate1, UpCreek, Ally, IamOK, Good to hear you are doing so well. IamOK, The next time I feel hungry I think I'll start tapping!
BigApple, Have you had your appointment with the new PS? Good Luck.
Okiegal, Good plan to pay yourself in $ instead of points! I would take the money and go out to eat!
I walk 3 miles M-F and lift 3lb weights right afterward. Then I stretch. I weigh myself every morning. If I lose nothing it reminds me to watch what I eat and to make sure I exercise. If I lose weight I'm encouraged to continue.
I have had my blood checked and I am not anemic nor do I have any problem with my thyroid. My white blood count is still low...maybe that has something to do with it? I think my metabolism has slowed down from being sedentary for so long because of bmx.This morning I have lost 1lb. Maybe it's a beginning!
NewBride, Thinking of you!
The sun is shining and it is 38 degrees. Off to walk...I hope everyone had a good day.
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Good Morning everyone. My visit with the PS went well. At first he said that I should wait a while longer and let the scar heal a little more, and then decided to send me off to meet the tattoo artist. He does that... the switch... often and makes me wonder. I called back to check and yes I have approval to go for a tattoo. The tattoo person has an office in the same building so I went right over without an appointment to take a look and hopefully see some photos. She wasn't there but her staff was able to bring up images from her computer. They looked good, varied, not the same look for everyone. So I will make an appointment to meet, talk and look some more. If I'm satisfied I can have it done then. She does not charge for BC patients. I've heard of this before, and even though it's nice I sure won't let it affect my decision. Subtle, subtle, no pepperoni.
Okiegal, I read and rejoiced, but failed to comment. I am so glad you have a reason for your pins and needles, and a reasonable expectation of relief. How are the chairs? Watching paint dry..(or pots!)... would be a long process here. It is so damp, I wonder if this is like Carole's normal weather. Wet and more wet in southern LA? We usually have dry and more dry so I'm not really complaining.
Shoshi, you sound better. One of your comments caught my eye. You said that you had more pain than normal for your breast reduction and foot surgeries. Could this be a clue for a pain doctor to ponder? Hang on.
Meg, Bravo on the lost pound. Walk fast so it can't find its way back to you.
Bigapple, how are you? How are the reconstruction plans going?
The sun is out between giant clouds, I'm going out to see if the studio floor is dry. Back later.
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Hi everyone..thank u for all ur prayers & listening...no tears today...i have a major pain med meds that i have as a stash when i was going to the pain clinic for my neck ..so ysterday my dog & I had a hard time togetehr & she is a big dog & i strained myself so bad that i was in agony yesterday. i had to take a 3rd percoset ..that is b/c i already took 2 a 1'/2 hr b4 the incident w/ my dog..& by the time i was done wow!! My son literally had to put sock on me...i could not get out of bed..after dealing w/ my dog i went back upstairs & could not move..i woke in a lot of pian & said take the betetr stuff & that has helped..but its very hard to work on this meds..but i may have to..driving is very hard right now.....
I am going to look into finding an infectious disease dr..i saw one after my breast reduction & she said i was fine...she said keep my nails short, wash my hands a lot....LOL so i gonna see who is arnd....i have a friend whos husband has parkinsons & she may have one...its been suggested that i get tested for diabeties/Lupus just in case..maybe i am borderline either 1 & that is why i am having problems.
getting rid of the implants is my last resort..i do have a friend that have TE & then implants & couldnt take it..the pain was so bad. Threy removed them & replaced tehm in 3 months & now she is fine...but i doubt that would happen to me...plus thats a lot of surguries to go thru in a short period of time..
hope all is ok w/ everyone else here...the weather is getting warmer here..so i am gonna have trouble b/c i cannot wear a bra at all...& b/c the left side is shifted it looks weird in a shirt that is more form fitting...so i guess i'll have to make sure i have secral short sleeve loose tops soon...b4 it really shifted u coudnt tell but it has shifted even more..but lets concentrate on getting rid of the pain 1rst!!!
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It's a beautiful sunny morning again with a high predicted in the mid 60's. Perfect weather for painting. The chairs are coming along slowly. It's surprising how long it can take to paint a chair. There's more surface than you realize. I'm applying 5-7 different coats, plus a flower and edge detail.
Shoshi, it's good to hear from you. I hope you are feeling better today. You'll have to watch out for those home related physical challenges! Glad to know you have a variety of doctors to contact. Wendy's suggestion to visit an infectious disease doctor sounds good. Five months after surgey, I went to an internist for a general physical and discovered that I was anemic. She prescribed prescribed a high dose iron supplement and within several days I felt much better mentally and physically. None of the other doctors had picked up on anemia eventhough they had ordered pre-op blood testing several times.
I'm thinking I might buy a book with my "reward points". Specifically, "The Art of Choosing" by Sheena Iyengar. I heard an interview with her the other day. I've always been indecisive (which I attribute to being creative). Perhaps it will give me insight? Then again, maybe I'll buy something else. I don't know, I guess I haven't really decided!
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Yes, Fortunate, we have a lot of damp (humid) weather in south Louisiana. But not today. It was gorgeous. Sunny, mid 60's at warmest part of the day. I played golf at 10 am with two women friends. Afterwards went to Walmart with a list and, as usual, bought items not on the list. Hope everyone had as nice a day as I did. Hugs to all.
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Thick black clouds rolling in. The garden looks wonderful, lots of spikes on the orchids. I'm headed out to the cold damp studio where I'll crank the little heater up to full and attempt to make something beautiful for flowers.
I love hearing about your days, a peek into someone else's life far away. Hope there is golfing in the sunshine again, that the chairs look wonderful, and that Shoshi feels well.
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Hi Thanks for asking Meg, I see the other PS on the 16th, between my schedule and his that was the best we could do. Because of trials and conferences the soonest I could have surgery would be 5/19 anyway so, no big deal waiting. I'm kind of used tot he way things are right now. I am continuing to lose weight and work out, I'm down over 15 lbs and two jeans sizes now, and ran 5 miles yesterday, so if nothing else my body will be very strong and health for the next surgery.
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Good Monday to everyone. We had a good weekend. Sunny and in the 50's due to El Nino. Missed all the Colorodo Lows and Alberta Clippers this year. Went to the cottage and skated, had a sauna (very short time for me as I read somewhere that you shoudn't have saunas or hot tubs with implants), walked, bbqued and relaxed. Back to work today and will see ps this Thursday for 3 month check-up.
I agree with Fortunate1--it's nice to hear from everyone and how they are doing--good or bad. If it's bad we can think of you and if it's good news we can share in your happiness.
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Good Morning everyone,
Big Apple, WOW! You are doing great...running five miles...losing all that weight! You also have such a good attitude.
Fortunate1- Good luck with the tattoos.
A friend called and asked me if I knew of a PS who does the one-step. She had the one-step done about a year ago and wants revision surgery. Her PS said her insurance co will not pay for revision surgery. Have any of you found that your ins co will not pay for revision surgery?
The weather has been sunny and warmer (45 degrees). Friday I went out to lunch with my brother. I stuck to my points! Yesterday after church DH and I took a walk along a wooded walking trail. The winding gravel/dirt trail is fairly narrow and has little bridges over small creeks. We were the only ones there. Our plan is to try to make it back every weekend. It was so nice to be outside and not freezing!
I hope everyone is having a good Monday.
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BigApple, wow! 15 lbs. 2 jean sizes. You have my admiration.
Meg, your walk after church sounds delightful. So does your weekend, Upcreek.
Fortunate1, a heater in your studio! You have orchids growing in your garden? My dentist would be envious.
Today I took some pictures of the tulip magnolia tree blooming in my front yard. It is lovely. Also some close-up pics of camellias and pretty pansy faces.
Yesterday I played golf in the sunshine with DH and a golfing friend, Norma. Slacks and a blouse with 3/4 sleeves was warm enough. Today is also mild, in the 60's, but overcast. It's also my birthday!! DH and I picked up my mom and took her to lunch at a seafood restaurant she especially likes. My younger sister Michelle met us. We enjoyed the company and the food. I had an oyster poboy, dressed, which means with lettuce and tomatoes. The oysters were delicious. Needless to say, I was not "on program."
Now DH is off to play tennis. I'm catching up on BC.org and after that will resume my online bridge course. Eventually I will try playing online with robots. I'm too timid to play with people until I get some practice.
Meg, this is the first I've heard of an insurance co. not paying for revision. That doesn't sound right.
A happy Monday to all.
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Meg, there's a law allowing reconstruction and the revisions necessary for symmetry. I bet insurance companies have ways around it.
Carole, can you post a picture of your magnolia blossoms? I just love them. Yep, lots of orchids thanks to my father in law. They're in pots and are surprisingly tough. My teeny little space heater in my studio is a must, but I enjoy the heat from it so much that sometimes I stand in front of it and don't get anything done. It's still rainy here, tonight at class it will be so cold.
I have found a drawback to weight loss and a unilateral. My reconstruction has gone from looking smaller than the natural breast to looking a little bigger. Not obvious to the casual viewer, but it's still another hit from the "can't win" stick. Really, really like the weight loss though. This weekend my son said it looked more like 20# than 10#. I think that was more the result of buying trimmer clothes. I'm tapping into my inner shopper, enjoying that too.
Bigapple, May 19 is sooner than I thought. You will be strong and prepared... and slim.
Oh, back to work, drat!
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAROLE! 0
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hello everybody.....you all sound wonderful. my computer is not working so i am on my work laptop.....office frowns upon personal use, but what the hecht. must be something about the warmer weather that has motivated me to walk/jog, wendy glad you are feeling good, jogging....my 3 month apt there is 3/23....too bad, we missed each other by a week. upcreek...good luck with your 3 month check up..... fortunate, did you make an apt. with the tatoo artist yet? ...okie, how are the chairs coming along.....carole...how is the bridge going....you're one busy retired person....hope shoshi is feeling better...3months is another milestone....i'm feeling well, no problems carrying packages, laptops, files, etc...you ladies were right....it does get better, a few wks ago i never thought i would be jogging.....glad to be home now just relaxing...work was hectic today.
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ok 3 times a charmer they say. this is my 3rd time trying to post now but i keep getting away from this page for some reason & i lose everything. OK so i went back to work today p/t. Emotionally its the best , physically.....i am hurtin & i barely did anything. Istill have over a week b4 i see pain dr..UGH!!! the wierd thing is when my right breast hurts my right shoulder blade does too & i have an old old old injury that took a looooooooong time to heel there..so this is NOT good...i'm sure its the muscles.
BIGAPPLE once again & always u r amazing...i am a basketcase compared to u & u have been through so much more already & still have more to go thru..how u do it...tell me ur secret or ur drugs!! LOL
ALLY 3 MONTHS & UR FEELING good. r u wearing a bra yet..i cant...i am wearing to work button down blouses w/ a tank underneath...i could wear a form fitting shirt except 4 my left breast that has to be fixed when& if the right one ever feels better...
so cAN SOMEONE please explain exactly what is CC? Capsular Contracture...(excuse my spelling) my rt breast has fallen a bit down its not as high up..which i heard is normal...just curious if this could b a start to cc..just after 2 months it not as high up..i know reg breasts if u dont wear a bra can "sag" but i didnt think impants do....its not bad, but i notice it...
ok i'm gonna send b4 i lose it all again
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CAROLE!!!! Hope ur day was gr8 0 -
happy birthday carole....hope you had a wonderful day......shoshi...i just started wearing a bra about 2wks ago....i don't know that much about cc....the foobs change alot the first few months..at 3 months out...they are pretty stable.. they haven't changed that much the last couple of weeks.....i think in the beginning they are pretty high up, and then they drop into place....maybe your right one just dropped sooner than the left...hope your first day back at work was ok.....it gets better.
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happy birthday carole....hope you had a wonderful day......shoshi...i just started wearing a bra about 2wks ago....i don't know that much about cc....the foobs change alot the first few months..at 3 months out...they are pretty stable.. they haven't changed that much the last couple of weeks.....i think in the beginning they are pretty high up, and then they drop into place....maybe your right one just dropped sooner than the left...hope your first day back at work was ok.....it gets better.
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Good Morning,
Carole, I hope you had a Happy Birthday! You are one busy retired person! Do you have your road trip planned? No flowers in NY yet.
Ally, 3 months! I'm happy you are recovering so well! I am using one of my son's computers. Mine must have a virus...takes forever to open and is very sloooow. DH will look at it over the weekend.
Shoshi, I'm glad you're back at work! CC is scar tissue that surrounds the implant. It can cause the implant to get hard and misshaped. There are 4 stages...some women require surgery to correct it. Most PS suggest massaging the breast to break up the scar tissue. CC can happen at any time. You can Google CC to learn more and see pictures.
Thinking of NewBride and hope everyone is well.
I have an appointment with my BS tomorrow. The last I saw him was 6 months ago...this should be my last visit. Maybe I'll get an answer to the trembling left arm and poking in the left breast. I also want to ask him if he can refer a PS and PT. I'm nervous to bring up the whole PS fiasco. They are all a team at the breast center...BS, PS, OC and Radiologist. I think he should know, but I doubt he will believe it. It is upsetting to talk about.
It is sunny and warm today...50 degrees at 10:00am! Off for my walk...I lost 1 more lb!
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Hi everyone! I've been busy with the chair project. As usual, it's going slower than I expected.
Happy Birthday Carole! Hope it was a nice one.
I bought two new bras this weekend...and they actually fit! However, I may take them back. I wore another old underwire for a few hours on Sunday and was sore all day on Monday. I'm wondering if it's because it was an underwire or if it was too tight? I thought it fit fine. I'm wondering if having too much pressure on the implants (which I can't really feel) causes circulation to slow down. I felt almost bruised yesterday, but I'm much better today. Also, I noticed on Saturday and Sunday that I had next to NO stings! It was such a relief. I didn't realize how different I could feel. Maybe I've reached another one of those healing milestones. I wouldn't have believed it could take this long, but now I realize that complete healing takes a lot longer than 8 weeks.
The weather is getting warmer here...and rainy. More spring like, which means more outdoor exercise possibilities. BigApple and Fortunate1, you are such inspirations with your weight loss success! I've lost 3 pounds, but want to lose much more. We have to start somewhere, right?
Meg9, I would keep my comments brief and discreet about why you want to find a new PS. No use getting upset and wasting your brief time with the BS. It's understandable that sometimes things don't work out. I'm sure the BS has seen this before for various reasons.
Just wanted to check in. Soshi, I'm glad you are feeling well enough to go back to work a bit and that you only have one week until you can see the pain management doctor.
Have a great day all!
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Good morning all,
First, CAROLE! happy happy happy birthday. I'm a firm believer in celebrating my birthday whenever friends and family want too, not just on the date. Some years that has made me feel like a queen over several weekends.
Ally, glad you are feeling so well. That's what the one-step is supposed to be, quick and comparatively easy. There must be so many women out there somewhere, thriving, that didn't find these boards. Me, I've had it really easy, physically, but am so very glad of the company of you all. What a gift you are.
I haven't called the tattoo artist yet, don't know what's stalling me. Soon.
Shoshi, Capsular contracture would make your breast pull up and get steadily harder (scar tissue contracting around and squeezing the implant) so you're probably safe on that one.
Meg, Let the BS know, briefly. Even if he dismisses it as personality differences or some such thing he'll hear it and the next complaint will mean more because of you. And, you want his help in finding a new PS. I am so sorry that will be upsetting, so sorry. AND, congrats on the weight loss, more to come.
Blue skies with fast moving clouds here. Lots of wind. Dramatic and beautiful. Brought in some pretty daffodils.
Mwah! (big kiss) Beautiful day everyone, I'll probably be back later.
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Happy belated birthday Carole! Hope you had a great day.
Okiegal: Looking forward to pics when you are done your project. Bras are a sore point with me too right now. Can wear one but not for long.
Fortunate1: Tattoos--go for it, why wait? Will let you know what my ps says by the end of the week.
Meg9: Good luck with your appointment.
Ally: Are you getting your computer fixed or do you need a new one?
BigApple: Congrats on your exercise and weight loss.
Hi to Shoshi, NewBride.
Question for all: Still sore after three months but no pain. The soreness is definately muscular. Do those pecs finally settle down at some point?
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Upcreek, 13 months out.... pec, shoulder and neck muscles still get sore. Just sore, definitely not pain. I think I need to use them more, and definitely stretch more. I am undisciplined to the max.
I'll call the tattoo artist tomorrow. You're right, why not? (I'm scared)
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