Nipple Sparing Mastectomy with immediate reconstruction
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Thank you! I do feel more comfortable with my decision now, espesially since my bf approves and supports it 100% (and we've gone through A LOT of bad reconstruction pictures, and also scary healing pictures). He was the one giving me shots in my stomach every day for 2 weeks for my fertility preservation, so I think he'll be able to change my bandages as well
My PS also suggested this website where women share their reconstruction experience (I cheated a littel, and watched only ones with BMx, so I don't start overthinking and considering other options) and everyone sounds like they are very happy with their decision and have absolutely no regrets. Some brave women even decided to have prophylactic BMx, either because of BRCA testing or family history. I admire them!
https://www.yourbreastoptions.com/en-us/Breast-Reconstruction-Testimonials/Videos.aspx
I do dread rads and in my case there was different opinions on whether or not I will need them after Mx - 7 out of 10 Kaiser radiation oncologists said "yes" and 2 specialists from UCSF said "no". I really don't want it as I know it can make reconstruction more complicated, so I guess we'll have to decide after examining the tissue post surgery.
Again - I am soooo grateful for all the support and advice! I'll hope be back in touch soon (hopefully they have wi-fi in Kaiser rooms
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I haven't been on this board in a long while. Tina, I read your posts and all the advice so lovingly given. I am sorry you are facing this terrible diseas and such a tough decision at such a young age! I'm wishing you a smooth surgery and easy recovery.
It's been over two years since I had a unilateral NSM on the right with immediate reconstruction. I had silicone implants with Alloderm on the right.
I read with interest the talk about sensation. Both my breast were numb after surgery, even the native breast that was just augmented! That breast has healed and the sensation came back after one year.
My NSM breast (the foob) remains numb at the nipple and areola, but feeling is slowly, slowly returning. Initially, the breast was completely numb. When I touched my foob, it felt soft in my hand, but on my chest it felt like a stiff blob. Now that stiffness is being replaced with a more normal feeling when I touch the foob. It is not as normal feeling as my native breast, but it's so much better than it was last year.
Healing takes a long, long time so be patient. My breasts look much better now than they did one year after surgery. I have a long scar across my Foob from the middle of the areola to the side; it's a bit tight and it pulls at the skin. I can't feel the tightness and therefore I never addressed it. I wish I had as I think it might have helped with scar healing to put something on it.
Good luch to all!
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Speech- It's great to hear from you. So glad that everything has turned out so well. It's rare for someone to come back and post when things turn out positively so thank you!
Tina13- Thinking of you and wondering how you are. Those first few days can be a little challenging but just know it gets better every day. (((gentle hugs)))
I had my pet scan today. I will get the results on Monday. I'm impressed they get back to me so quickly. Gotta love MD Anderson. It all went fine other than the hour and a half of "solitary confinement" they put you through before the scan. After you get the dye they have you wait in a little room and you can't read, watch tv, use your phone or anything. That was the most challenging part of the whole thing! Didn't realize how addicted I am to my devices!
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Tina13, thinking about you like crazy this week. Hope you are doing well, mind, body, and spirit!!! When you're up to it fill us in on how you're doing. I received, so much valuable, practical advice in the days after my surgery from all these wise women. Handy tips on stripping the drains to all kinds of Big potty talk (the pain meds do a number on your bowels) Hope you feel comfortable picking our brains with anything on your mind. Anything at all!! You are not alone!
Hugs!
Kate33, I always smile when I see that cheery face of yours. So glad you got that Pet Scan behind ya. Wishing you a peaceful weekend, and wonderful results on Monday.0 -
Tina13 hoping all is well for you and you are recovering nicely.
Kate33 I am glad you don't have to wait too long for results from your PET scan. Praying for B9!0 -
Hi all!
Happy Thanksgiving Canadian Ladies!!!
Day 8 post chemo and physically I feel well. I got my labs and my WBC was non existent but my onc didn't give me Neulasta. Not sure why. The range they should be according to my paper is 5.0-9.0 and mine was 0.7. Neutrophil count should be 1.8-8.3 and mine was 0.1. So I'm on an antibiotic to prevent infection. A super duper dose of Diflucan to fix the super duper yeast infection I have and a gel for the awful bumps I have on my face, scalp, back and neck which she said chemo induced acne. REALLY?!?!? Ugh. Still no nausea thankfully. She said to hold off on shaving my head until the itchy bumps go away. Blah.
My 7 year old has strep and Im trying to tend to her while not being too close. Kind of difficult. Tomorrow we are supposed to go to Audobon Zoo and insectarium in New Orleans for my 4 y/o birthday. Big plans this weekend...hope I can keep up and not get sick.
Have a good weekend ladies. ((((((Hugs))))))). 💐🌸🌷🌺0 -
Hi Ladies am i ok or just normal?
I have had breast cancer 2x lump r breast and rads refused Tamoxifen, 5 years later returns same breast at lump site then nipp spar mastectomy done lift on other side. Started Tamoxifen at time developed blood clot rt calf had to stop coumadin x 4 months back to UCSF put on tummy shots every day drug comparable to Lovenox. Was let go from nursing job april 2012 people there mgmt did not like me old school nurse do not cut corners. Gone on numerous intrview close to 12 no call backs to say no or yes. I have to start Lupron or get ovaries out now so I can get on Arimadex as i am premenopausal, my best friend says she cant handle my drama her last text to me was Im done. Well I went to see the specialist at UCSF an ob who works with my breast cancer mds and was told Unable to dialate cervix something blocking like fibroid. No period last month except 3 days weird spottimg month before niagra falls for 7 days, meanwhile I have anxiety low back pain uterine cramps like period cominy . I have an appt on 15 back at UCSF for pelvic ultrasound And plastic surgeon appt. my nippl sparing breast the nipple has moved facing right not center and has shrunk in size and become hard. I felt like I was loosing it took a Xanax felt better all I know since I was diagnosed with cancer it has ruioned my life am I normal Im scared I will never get a job and I cant even fit in my jeans. This ob felt a lump on left uterus and ultrasound coming up. What u think ladies? I have no friends they deserted me, my sis says be glad there are worse people off than u. Thanks for reading.
Elizabeth0 -
Elizabeth my heart aches for you. I'm sorry you feel so alone but, So glad you're comfortable posting on this website because there is no shortage of wonderful, loving, and special ladies here who genuinely care! I was diagnosed in July, had my NSBMX 9-24, and have literally been carried by the strength, and kindness of these incredible women on this website. I am eternally grateful, and will spend my entire life attempting to repay their gift.
We have a little bit in common. I too have a dvt history not from the use of tamoxifen but rather as a result of a long flight a decade ago. Part of my BMX decision was based on my not being the best candidate for tamoxifen.
Im 46, and also had gyn problems that came out of nowhere. Last November, I missed 2 periods. Thought I was going into peri menopause. Then started bleeding, and just didn't stop. It wasn't a heavy flow just steady. Did an US which revealed a very large polyp. Was scheduled to follow up with my Dr the next week but just shy of my apt I began to hemorrhage, and ended up in the ER, and had an emergency D&C. Pathology had b9 findings. Weeks later I began bleeding again! Dr did another US, and reported I had a thick uterine lining, and a large ovarian cyst. He recommended removing the cyst, another D&C, and pelvic ablation. ( btw, not a big fan of this ablation stuff in retrospect) so in I went for this second surgery, D&C, ablation, ovarian cyst removal, and a appendectomy. This second pathology revealed pre cancerous uterine lining. Complex hyperplasia with atypia. How could that be when my last path a month and a half earlier was b9?! The grand finale was a complete hysterectomy with a gyn oncologist. Final path showed that nothing had advanced into a cancer, remained pre cancerous so no further treatment was required. Surgical menopause is a bit rough though. I found a lot of support at the hystersisters.com website.
Then of course 2 months later the BC bomb was dropped on me. Doctors had been keeping an eye on what was reported as very stable calcifications on my last mammo 2-2012 but decided that in light of all my gyn issues it was reasonable to biopsy. So grateful they did!
Hope my detailed response wasn't TMI, I sometimes struggle with whether or not sharing so much is helpful, or just plain overwhelming. I'm wishing you the very best with all your circumstances, both your health, as well as your job search. Great nurses are hard to come by. You sound like a keeper. I hope you land the right interview with management that is able to recognize, and appreciate someone with your experience!!!
Please keep us posted on how you're doing! We care! We truly want to hear your thoughts, worries, and concerns.
Hugs,
Kellie0 -
gunner
I'm so sorry all of those things has happened to you. My heart was breaking as I read your post. Of course you are scared anxious and overwhelmed how could you not be? You are having normal feelings and a very strong woman and handling it the best you can. I know you don't feel strong but you are and will realize one day.
I'm a RN too can cant believe your job let you go. How long we're you off work? I haven't worked since March and off until 12/5/12 or longer if I want. I'm an old school nurse so I understand about not being like by the higher ups for refusing to do things I don't agree with. Can you work registry until you find a job?
As far as having friends abandon you I get that too. They say they will be there but walk away when you need then most. They can't handle everything and have that option but we don't. I have never shared everything with one person tell each a little bit so they won't get overwhelmed. I'm a single mom and only real support I have is from my girls 21 & 18 even with family close by.
This site is wonderful with great women who understands what we are going through. Remember you aren't alone and normal. We are here for you. Stay strong
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Hi ladies,
I have been a RN in kong term care and subacute nursing. I live in a small hick town and am
too old for 12 hr shifts Jobs are far and few, im either over or under qualified. I started this cancer journey in 2005 now its 2012 and its still not over. Im sick ofnursing right now. I really like the responses you guys have given me it has cheered me up. How can I tak a job if I have to get ovaries out and I regret I did not do a double mastectomy, but the expanders were pure hell god so here we all are on our little special journey that is colored pink this month.
Sleep tight all thanks for the cheers xoxo0 -
Hi Everyone! Ok, I did it! Had my BNSMx on Wednesday and oh man did it hurt after!
I wasn't able to take full breaths, or move, not talking about getting up my bed... I went into the surgery room about 2.30 pm on Wed and woke up around 8.30 pm... I was crying all night and wasn't really able to sleep - maybe because I was scared, or was in so much pain (pain meds they were giving me didn't seem to work that well), or maybe because I felt so helpless.. My bf staying in the hospital room with me both nights and helped a lot, and so did the staff at Kaiser, they were seriously amazing... I was released on Friday night (tho I did want to stay longer) and slept sort of sitting on the couch for 2 nights.
Omg, one of the best pieces of advice you ladies gave me was that scratching thing! I was itching like crazy after the surgery and it was my best friend
After that they gave me some meds and itching stopped..I am feeling a little better now - I am able to get up on my own from the sitting position, walk a little, and take deeper breaths. I haven't seen my breasts (or whatever is left) yet, and honestly this is one of the scariest things right now.. My bf took a peak, but he didn't tell me anything, that makes me worried actually =?
Tomorrow I have a appt with a PS nurse who is supposed to change my bandages and hopefully remove my drains (drains are another 'fun' part of the surgery!).
I was so looking forward for my strength to return, so I can go back to this forum and chat with all you wonderful ladies again! Your help and support meant so much to me! Thank you for being here for all of us! XOXO
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Tina-
So good to hear that you are up to checking in here. You have been through so much do quickly.
Each person's experience is so different. I am sorry you had so much pain. Thankful your bf could be with you. Having my husband with me meant so much to me at that time.
Also glad to hear that you had a good experience with the Kaiser staff. Feeling taken care of and being taken care of in the hospital is such a comfort. Just wish they could have stopped the pain for you sooner.
Get entry of rest and stay ahead of the pain now that you are home.
Hugs.
Diana0 -
Glad you made it through okay Tina and that you had a pleasant experience in the hospital. Hope you aren't in too much pain and that you are healing well.
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Hi tina,
I bought a recliner slept in it for 3 months, wonderful could not lie flat or sleep in beds. Friends might loan u the lazy boy was my lifesaver. I hope you have a restful night with
tolerable pain , I took ativan,600 mg i b profen together helped chest muscles relax and lived off vicodin, crap pain med, at times i just cried in recliner after my fills nothing cut the pain I finally meditated and went to a happy place in my mind. Have a goodvone.
Elizabetg0 -
TINA!!! Welcome home! Thank you for checking back in with us. Ive been thinking about you all week. You sound in good spirits despite everything you've been through. Yes the drains are a pain, but luckily temporary, they'll be gone before you know it. Do your best not to over do it. I started off strong my first couple of days home, then hit a brick wall. As these other ladies suggested, staying ahead of your pain with a regular med schedule is great advice.
Know that we are here for ya. Everyone has their own unique circumstances but we also have an awful lot in common so if there's anything you need, just ask away.
Huge healing wishes,
Kellie0 -
gunner - Sorry you're having such a rough go of things. I wish life would let us deal with one problem at a time, but never seems to work that way - sometimes it just gets piled on. Yep, it's an interesting experience for sure. Like many of us here I was saddened that a few good friends and close relatives have really kept their distance. Both had recent losses to cancer so I guess it was too overwhelming or too painful or ??? On the other hand, it's been amazing that a few women more on the "fringes" of my life have really stepped up and have been so supportive.
I understand that it must feel so frustrating to want or need to work and have so many medical unknowns coming up. I hope health insurance isn't an issue. It would be so much easier to deal with all this if there was some definite finish line in sight, but doesn't seem to work that way.
Sounds like you have every right to feel stressed and frustrated. Try to deal with one day at a time. Please take care of yourself!
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Tina13 - Yay! Good to hear from you. So you made your decision and sounds like you're OK with it. Things were happening so fast for you on so many fronts that it's no wonder it kind of came crashing down right after surgery. So many emotions tied up in all of this not to mention that anesthesia is just plain rough on the body. Tears, fear, pain, feelings of loss of control, anger at your body for betraying you.....all perfectly normal emotions! It is likely to feel like a roller coaster for a while.
I remember the tightness, I don't know if it was from the MX or the fact that my TEs were filled with 350cc that day. Did your PS put much saline in your TEs? After that initial tightness I actually had no problems with the expansion process.
I think it's very tough for the partners in our lives. They want to be supportive and sympathetic and I think they realize that we are paying close attention to their reactions so they're walking on eggshells trying to say the right things and hoping not to say the wrong things. Their world has been turned upside down as well so it's just not easy for anybody
Don't be disappointed if the drains don't get pulled tomorrow. As you know, it depends on how much fluid is draining. The drains are a pain, but they do their job and you don't want to get a seroma by having them come out too soon.
Great to hear that you had good care at the hospital. I had the same experience and it sure made those first couple of days a lot easier. I've read some horror stories here of really awful nursing care.
Be good to yourself and take care!
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Tina13: drains are a pain, and mine came out after 3 days after my lumpectomy because it looked like everything was going well. Now I wish they had left them in for a few more days. Perhaps because of early removal (one never knows the true cause), I developed a couple of very painful seromas (fluid build up within breast where lumps were removed, one was like the size of an internal swollen egg). So by the time I found out I would need to have a double mastectomy, I had a very painful condition. I was so sad to have the last 3 weeks of my real breasts in such a state before having them removed forever. So it might be good to be patient with the drains if they keep draining away fluids! Sending positive thoughts your way!
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Tina13, stay on top of the stool softeners or Colace with stimulant. If you don't go for 2 days, take a laxative. You do not want to let that go too long.
So glad you are feeling ok. Take it easy.0 -
I had a similar experience. I had a few good friends who dropped out and just went away. Most stayed though. I've made a conscious effort to not put everything on to one or a few people. I try to spread my net wide. And it is surprising to see folks you barely know step up to help.
Kate: Did you get your results yet?
I am scheduled for my BMX on 11/6 (yes, I know election day). Getting nervous so trying to talk to others who have been through surgery to find out how hard the recovery process is. Mine is a BMX with straight to implant. I'm practing how to get out of bed without using my arms and listening to a meditation tape for surgery from healthyjourneys.com. Couple women said that was a huge help. Glad to have the time to get ready for this, but then I think too much.
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Tina13, you made it thru the hardest part! Once you get rid of those annoying drains, you will start to feel alot better. I also had a hard time taking a deep breath right after surgery and every time I got a fill for my TE. It was a little uncomfortable. Rest up and eat plenty of good protein to speed up the healing.
Happy Healing!
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Gunner here,
My thing is friends, myvgirlfriend I just loved said Im done in a text and that was it. I admit
I constantly have a demanding life with unemployment, going to docs, now its the possible hyst coming up so I can get on ariMadex. I am a RN shevis a LVN I will not settle for a shit job like she has she is afraid to go get a mammogram she is way overdue , I miss her
friendship. I have gone on lots interviews the only offer I got was a volunteer position at a homeless shelter. Lovely. Maybe she dumped me why she said she was tired of my drama.
Happy Tuesday0 -
gritgirl- Thanks for thinking of me. Just met with the onco yesterday afternoon and it was good news! She doesn't see any uptake on the pet scan so says NO cancer! I'm so relieved. She said if I'm still having the sternum pain she recommends a repeat of the bone scan in 3 months.
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Kate, great news!!!!
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Kate--woohoo what great news.
Tina13 glad to see you on the other side
gritgirl good luck on your upcoming MX. Read all the good information and you will do fine. these boards are great
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TIna 13-sending you healing vibes and BIGGGG HUGSSSS
Kate-Great news
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