Australian Sisters
Comments
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I'm headed for surgery on the 28th of September!
The big question is.... what type of surgery.
After looking at me the PS has recommended bilateral free tram flap because he feels that with that he could get me the best outcome that I will be happy with. His after photos of his patients are AMAZING! With the nipple reconstructions and areola tatoos you could not tell that they were not natural breasts!
He will do implants if I want but I would need WIDE implants based on my chest width which means I would end up with large breasts (at least a D) when I am currently a C and would prefer to be back to my old A-B.
I think I will go with his recommendation even though I really didn't plan on such a major surgery. But, he's the expert and highly regarded. I know that over in the USA tram flaps are being performed less and less in favour of DIEP but there are not that many PS' doing those here in Australia at the moment and the reality is that I'm not an athlete and don't think I would ever notice the slight loss of muscle use in my abdomen.
They have given me a list of women (including one athlete who had tram) who have had either tram flap or implant surgeries with him so I can call and speak to them to help me decide...
Jenn
Next appt is Monday 27th August when I have to have made my decision...
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Yay Jenn! You have a date. I'm sure that you'll work out the best surgery for you. Sorry - I can't make any recommendations, it's not something I've looked into at all.
Trish
xoxo
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Yay Jenn! Great to get that date and I'm sure you will have made the right decision for you by the time your appt. comes around.
Like Trish I can't recommend anything as I didn't have recon either.
Trish that snow sounds great but glad its over your way and not here with me........ lol. Stay warm! Sounds like it is your Aromasin causing the drowsiness and taking it at night the solution. I had the same problem with Femara until I started taking it at night.......worked for me so here's hoping it works for you.
Sitting in the Bakery Cafe having a yummy banbury and coffe.....mmmm! 40ks for a coffee and cake? No. I needed to drive over to Clare to change a pair of jeans I bought for DH yesterday. He has lost so much weight now his pants are just falling off his butt.....lol!
Have a good one girls.
Love n hugs. Chrissy0 -
Enjoy your coffee and cake Chrissy - lucky you!
I've noticed now that with my weight loss - I now have one breast that is smaller than it was, and my foob definitely looks bigger. lol didn't think of that when I started.
Chrissy - I didn't take my Aromasin this morning, and today I feel fine - so I'll be taking it at night from now on. So far fatigue is the only se I've noticed - and if that's the only one I get I can live with that. Especially if taking it at night means I sleep better - sure beats insomnia lol
Trish
xoxo
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Isn't it funny how different we are in Australia compared to the USA? In the USA everyone wants/gets reconstruction immediately where here most people seem to wait or not get it at all. If the PS wasn't willing to do the reconstruction now I would have quite happily gone off and just had the BMX in September and consider reconstruction later...
I am just off home from work. The weather here in Sydney is horrible this afternoon - driving wind and rain and no sensible person would even try to pull out an umbrella in this. The traffic is bound to be crappy too and I bet it will take me somewhere around 2 hours to get home :-/
I have university homework to do in the morning so may be out of touch tomorrow...
Jenn
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Trish - I told you I take it at night
Sleep is no longer the problem it was for me.0 -
Jenn, I'm grateful not to have had to deal with mastectomy and the thought terrifies me. If I were faced with it I would definitely feel more comfortable with immediate recon. But that's just me.
I'm hopeful your solution will give you peace. You deserve it!
Good luck with studying tomorrow.
Good thoughts to everyone.0 -
Ooo Jenn are you home yet? Hope the study goes well and you stay warm and dry.
I had planned on having a recon but the PS told me that I needed to lose 30kg before he'd do anything and that was eight years ago.......... I'm still working on it......lol. Providing I don't die before I lose it all, I may still have it done but then I guess he'll find another excuse.....oh well I've got to the point I don't really care any more and one hung low is just fine.......lol
Have a good one all!
Love n hugs. Chrissy
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2hrs 15min to get home... Stopped at the wine shop on the way home and have a glass of french beaujolais in hand.
What is the meaning behind your new piccy Chrissy? I am about 20kg over my ideal weight but I gather this is an advantage for the flap surgery...
I still can't get over the work this PS does. Really, looking at the photos of his previous patients you could not tell at all that they had anything done!
Jenn0 -
Jenn the pic is one my GS drew and I just love it! Thought I would share for a while before I go back to drab ole me........lol
Keep talking and I'll want to know just who this wonder surgeon is. I wonder if my health fund would cover an out of state recon.......you have my mind going over time here.
Wow that trip home sounds like a doozie......sure hope it's not that way everyday! Enjoy the wine, I'm off to phone number two GS as it's his 16th birthday today. (not the Artist)
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It's a wonderful piece of art Chrissy :-)
Jenn0 -
hi everyone!
just checking in! have gone back to do a bit of study at tafe. doing a certificate in IT at adelaide tafe to hopefully increase my skills and chances of getting a job. also i know we arent allowed to advertise here but i just want to mention i have signed up to become an avon representative in adelaide.
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Trish - I deleted my post above which was directed to you because I have totally lost it and didn't even remember I take my aromasin in the morning. I don't find I'm tired during the day, but am tired at night - tired enough to have stopped the melatonin.
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Sue I didn't see your deleted post, so don't worry lol.
I had a much better day yesterday, nowhere near as tired, and took the Aromasin last night and slept like a baby. I guess for me taking it at night is the go.
Mel good for you for going to tafe, I'm sure it will help you.
Funny, I never even once considered having a recon. I don't handle anesthesia well, and won't voluntarily have one if I can do without it. I don't "like" having a breast missing, but it doesn't worry me and my DH isn't concerned either.
Before I forget, I've made a booking at the Olde Magpie Cafe for four next Saturday for between 12 and 12.30 :-) it's in my name - well my last name which I won't post on here, but Jenn and Kylie I think you know it from Facebook. Joy pm me if you need it.
Very cold, overcast and windy here today, so a good day to sit with a good book and the fire going.
Oh and Midnight! I keep forgetting to say congratulation on one year!! Here's wishing you many, many more years to come xox
Hope everyone stays warm and have a good weekend.
Trish
Xox0 -
Trish, thanks so much for making the booking. I look forward to seeing everyone.
It is so windy here, everything is blowing about. It sounds like it is much worse in Sydney, so take care Jenn. Your trip home sounds very stressful. Enjoy your wine.
Sue, I hope your sleep returns to normal soon. I always think that because I don't sleep at night I mustn't need it, therefore I shouldn't be tired during the day, but it never works that way.
Have a great weekend everyone.
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Katopet - I do sleep well - I didn't when I was taking Arimidex. It's like I'm back to my old self since I switched.
Went and had the hair done this morning - streaks and cut - looks great. Still no sign of any curls coming back - I got my money's worth out of that treatment.
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Hi Girls. I'm back. I haven't read through previous posts as I am just too tired to do much now but I hope you're all well.
Had a terrific week but boy I am physically sore from tip to toe from early starts, lots of driving and not much rest in between but I had a really great time and we raised over $300,000 !!!! Wouldn't you know it the only mountains we crossed and my SIL (driving) and I had the only accident out of the whole fleet. Too fast on very loose gravel. I don't think I have ever been so scared in all my life as the car fishtailed one way then another before we did a 180 turn and flew off the road backwards and landed about 10 metres from the road. Luck was on our side as if it had have been the side wheels that went over first we would have rolled. As it was we actually landed relatively gently on all four wheels on a whole heap of scruby bushes. Heck we didn't even disturb our open cans of soft drink which were in the console. I did manage to find a massage therapist en-route and got my neck and shoulders straightened out the next day as my neck had seized and I was feeling sick. 30 mins later I was as right as rain. God clearly doesn't want me at the moment LOL. But we learnt a big lesson about driving much slower and the rest of the trip we were good as gold.
How was your lunch in Berrima??? dying to hear. xxx
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Wow Kate, you had a lucky escape, am glad you got outta that one pretty well, i hope your neck gets alot better, probably whip lash. it happens so quick though aye, one min you driving then you skidding all over the joint. NOt your time yet tho Girl, you have alot to accomplish, Take care Kate.
We are getting dronwded today, yesterday was a gorgeous day, today it is wet wet wet. Hubby has brought a bubba lamb home, mummy has died, so i will be feeding it. we have a bus out back and it is out there, will go and check on it, have to feedbirds and cats as well. so will catch you up. take care ladies. hugs
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Gee Kate you were lucky! Good to hear you're back in one piece though. And so much money raised - well done! I've been reading the blog, sounded great, did you write them?
Yhe lunch is next week lol, will tell you then :-)
All good here, sunny but still windy. Hope you don't get too wet Midnight.
Trish
xox0 -
Wow Kate that sounds like a whale of a time including your skid out! Just glad that you are safe and well.
Oh Midnight, that poor little lamb I'm so glad your DH found the little thing. I loved hand feeding lambs.......just love the way they head butt the bottle like they would their mamas udder and they sure know when it's time to feed! Hoping you don't get too wet between the house and the bus.
The weather here is turning in to spring......yahooo! The days are really nice and the nights are freezing! Thank goodness for a warm fire and an electric blanket to warm the bed......lol.....mind you I have to turn it off as soon as I get into bed or I roast......lol.....don't think DH would welcome the look of a roasted me.
Have a good one ladies!
Love n hugs. Chrissy
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Hi all,
Home again after two thought provoking days at a conference. Then had two days in Wellington which is a beautiful city when it's fine. It has steep hills around the harbour. Wandered down part of the way and was delighted to see several native birds, kaka a parrot, kereru the woodpigeon and tuis which are now spreading up into the suburbs from a sanctuary area. Today went out to Pataka the museum and art gallery at Porirua which is quite amazing. So different from the Porirua I knew as a first year teacher some 40 years ago. Had to get a new suitcase to come home, love shopping in Wellington itself!! I know some of you Aussies will know the place. (I went to university there and we lived there for many years.)
Very tired and sore but that's fine as I know it's because I have done far too much. Have given in and am seeing the RA specialist this week but don't want to take any new medication after the last lot.
It was very dark when I got in but the daffodils looked beautiful must take a picture tomorrow.
Hope you have all had a good weekend, I am off to soak in the bath.
Big hugs
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Welcome back Kate :-).
Yes Alyson I have been to Wellington. Saw the Beehive, cable cars, rose gardens but need to go to Ti Papa.0 -
Aly, glad your conference went well and that you enjoyed your time in Wellington. Take care now and rest so you can recover from all the activity. Did you take some pics?
Hi Racy.
Love n hugs. Chrissy
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Hi Kate, so glad you didnt get hurt and had a good time. Aly hope the bath soaked all those aches away.
Hi to everyone else too, hope your all feeling well.
Im busy with work but feeling really good. Realised the other day I havent had a fit/pre fainting episode since I started the liquid calcium and probiotic pills so can't wait till I see my BS and onc and get the next round of tests done to ensure feeling good doesnt equate to hormones being bad. Sad that BC makes us worry when we feel bad and worry only slightly less when we feel good.
Editted to say Im watching the mens marathon and very glad to say I dont feel that good lol. 42 kms's is 40 kms too far for me
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I was late this morning dropping DS at school as we were watching the closing ceremoney. Very entertaining.
Kate, it sounds like you had a wonderful experience. The accident must have been scary and I am glad you came out fine. We have heaps of dirt roads here, my car is always filthy, and it is easy to forget how fast I am going. I have scared my self silly a few times.
Aly, what a wonderful trip you have had. Rest up and recover soon.
Linda, wow your treatment sounds like it is doing a fantastic job. The fact you are coping at work so much better must be a great relief.
I hope everyone had a nice weekend. Chrissy our days are starting to get warm also, the spring flowers are coming out a bit early this year.
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Greetings Ladies in the land of OZ. hope you had a great weekend. we have another damp one again today, hubby out feeding animals at bil farm getting incredibly wet. Lilly the new lamb will be due for her 2 oclock feed soon, i bet she had a warm night in the bus. we have special lamb milk and the cats all seem to come around to get the leftovers from what does not fit in bottle. she wags her little tail when she is drinking away. we hand reared a lamb, who is now a mum and grandma too to her lambs lamb. she used to love it when we got MCdonalds and she loved the chips and she loved milo in her milk, i called her Mary, she was a black lamb, and toast with mamlade on it she loved. She has joined the other ewes now and when i call her. she runs up to me and pees, knows her name though, as does a few of them we have reared, so hope you lovely ladies are ok and having a good day.
B4 i go, a little joke, why did the dog fail his driving test.?
answer. he could not make a ewe turn, lol
catch you. cheers.
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I have ditched the hats unless it is really cold even though my hair is only about 1.5 cm long.
I arrived at school to pick up DS for the first time without a hat. One of the children went up to DS and said 'Your Mum has had a hair cut' - out of the mouths of babes!
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That's a big step Kylie. Good for you, you're just going to keep going forward now. Well twice on my trip away when I asked where the toilets were I was sent to the mens! not good for the ego, but an easy mistake to make. I don't look at all feminine at the moment. My hair is just short and steel wool colour but it's growing quite quickly and I'm pretty sure that by the time I go to over to Brisbane for the reunion, I will have enough to have had one trip to the hairdressers for a decent colour. .... can't wait! xxx
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Kylie, I got to a point too, where I just decided to not wear a hat, and I think it was at about the point you are at now. I found it liberating not to have to worry about covering my head all the time.
I did have one poor fellow that I hadn't seen for quite some time, and was standing next to me at a meeting, suddenly realise it was me and exclaimed "why did you cut your hair so short!?" he was so flabergasted that I would do such a thing lol. I explained that I didn't cut it - it was actually regrowth after chemo and the poor man nearly died. He was so embarrased and kept saying he was so sorry and how insensitive he'd been. I just laughed it off - he didn't mean to hurt me.
Trish
xoxo
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Think of the short hair as being a badge of honour. You earned the right the hard way and it will grow soon enough. I guess thats one thing that falls by the wayside for most of us as we progress through the whole BC experience, we lose whatever vanity we had in the first place hey ladies.
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