Any October 2011 Surgeries out there want to wait together?
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ACK! I posted last night to thank you all for the good wishes... but it's not here now! Guess I should have double-checked!
Anyway, just got back from my exchange. All went smoothly with the exception of a 2 hour delay (I was so freakin' hungry!!!!) No pain.. and I know I shouldn't complain about this, but I really am a bit disappointed in that I feel MUCH smaller than I expected. I was only filled to 330 cc but PS was able to fit 425 cc high profile implants. I really thought that the size would have been comparable but it doesn't appear to be. That said, I refuse to complain about such a minor detail in the grand scheme of things. So far, no allergic reaction to the IV Vancomyacin antibiotic they used in lieu of a post-oral antibiotic.
I need to stay in the surgical vest until next Wednesday---- and no shower until then. YUCK (but at least NO DRAINS!!!)
Rachel~ How are you feeling my friend? Did you do okay with the Neulasta? Have been thinking of you lots!
Eema~ So sorry to learn of the infection in lefty. All clear now? Any update on the positioning? Has lefty dropped at all?
Off to finally get some food! Thank you again for the good wishes!
~AJ
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Thanks. I'll probably take something before going to bed. Made it through okay today (almost 8 hours at work... I KNOW I'm going to regret that tomorrow or over the weekend), but took my last Emend, so I'll have to rely on the lower-level stuff. Achy from Neulasta, but the Claritin and Tylenol also seem to keep things down. Right now I'm just exhausted. Early night for me!
AJ - How did everything go? It must be great to have that done. I wore a regular bra again today, and my TEs are pretty rock-like. I hate that.
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Rachel- Sorry re: the achiness
Let's hope a good night of sleep is in the cards!
BTW, did your PS give any restrictions on types of bras? I believe my only restriction will be underwrite when I get out of this vest.....0 -
AJ - I must have been posting the same time you did! Glad things went well. You'll be out of that vest in no time. I have heard a few women complain that their implants were smaller than they expected. I saw a few who said they got a D cup, and I'd never guess it.
As for bras, my PS said anything other than underwire is fine (and I goofed last week... I forgot it was underwire, so I pulled it off halfway through my workday!!)
The regular ones I have, which almost fit again (
) are just a tad tight along the bottom, so they tend to press up. I was worried once last week that I might have pushed edges of the TE around, but the PT didn't find any problems. I've gone mostly back to the big sports bra, but I've really, really enjoyed wearing nice clothes, including a few with low necks. It's really helped with the confidence. I was talking with one woman this past weekend at a holiday party, whose mother just wrapped up chemo and radiation after a mx, and I was talking about how well my recovery went, and she sort of looked down, and up, and down, and said... so, your surgery... and I grinned, pulled my shoulders back and said "I had a double mastectomy." Her jaw dropped, and then I added "and reconstruction." She was in hysterics (she's a good person, so I knew I could do that with her without freaking her out). I had a spaghetti-strap top on that was so low my port was visible... and good-looking cleavage. It was a good moment.Anyway, all the best with your recovery. And to all my October sisters - keep on hanging in there.
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Hi all a few questions as I read through everyones post. For those of you that did TE how often did you have a fill up? Also what were you allowed to wear? Bra type? My PS will only let me wear a cami with a shelf says any bra even a sports bra may press and constrict.
This is really hard for me to dress at all since I only had one side done I have one normal and one TE with only about 150 ccs. I feel that the normal one is heavy and killing my shoulders. Any suggestions?
Also very glad to hear that everyone is doing well and coming along with there recovery!
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amom- I had NSBMX and wore a sports bra the whole time I had TE's. My fills were once a week and I got 60 cc at each fill.
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Hi amom!
I think every PS has a different opinion on this, but mine preferred looser fitting sports bras. I wore them 24/7 with my TEs.
My fills were once per week using 60 ccs each time. I was initially filled to 150 cc per side at the time of my BMX. When was your surgery? I can imagine that the asymmetry must feel quite uncomfortable
I would def address the discomfort with your PS at your next fill.
Take Care!
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amom - My PS has been pretty easygoing. I actually got no real instructions but took the advice of ladies on these boards and got the front-open sports bra by Fruit of the Loom. I wore it 24/7 until my drains were out, then started taking it off at night. I do occasionally wear a cami, but not necessarily with a shelf. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the only restriction my PS has given me since I asked him is no underwire bras. That said, it's usually best to follow the advice you get individually. Maybe ask him for some alternatives if you find something that you think will fit his criteria but be easier for you. Since I had a bmx, I didn't have to worry much about my sides not matching. My fills were also 60 ccs each. Good luck!
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Yet another allergic reaction to my antibioticss. Apparently, my body doesnt like Vancomycin either. The red rash and uncontrollable itchies are back with a vengeance. Ugh!
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AJ. So sorry to read that you are having allergic reaction again ugh.
Amon. My PS had me wear a sports bra or the surgical bra for the first month after surgery. Then i switched to soft unpadded no wire bras. I did my fills week with 60 to 80 cc. My last fill was after a two week break and 100cc. I am at 500cc. My exchange is in 3 1/2 weeks to 460cc extra high profile.
Today I had to waste a vacation day seeing doctors. Ugh. I had my 2+ month post op check up with oncology surgeon - yea she is very happy with how I am doing. I went from their to my OBGYN for my yearly check up-- I hadn't seen her since she hooked me up with my oncology surgeon - yea she thought everything look good. I finished up my day with my yearly check up with my dermatologist for my skin check - yea it was good too. The only downside to the appointments is when I told the doctors that I have not been sleeping more then 4-5 hours per night they called in a precription for sleeping pills. I told my doctor I am not big on taking stuff like that but she said to take it now and then so I can get a full night sleep a couple of nights per week my body need it.
Have a good weekend all.0 -
AJ- sorry to hear about your latest reaction. I feel your pain; I am allergic to literally all antibiotics except clindamycin. That is what i had to take for all 4 of my surgeries this year. Hope the itchies leave soon.
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(((((AJ)))))
Hope everyone has a good weekend!
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I have read alot and caught up with most posts...I think!! It sounds like everyone is kind of getting used to their foobs, fills, and looking forward to our new 'normal'.
I pretty much do anything that I want to -- I clean the poopey horse stalls, haul firewood, vacuum, and even slept on my stomach!! I still cannot sleep a whole night through, however, due to the ever present hot flashes and some weird incidences of aches in my joints...
I have had a few 'rounds' with mysterious aches and pains in ALL of my joints since having my BMX. At first I thought it was due to the cellulitis in my left foob. But it has happened two other times since. I mean it is downright, flu-like feeling. I feel as if I have been pummled with a bar of soap in a pillowcase. I mentioned it to the PS and she just said, well you don't look infected. okay, dismissed. So what the heck is it and why has it happened more than a few times?? I was thinking I may need to go in for some blood work from my regular doc to rule out arthritis or something. It hurt so much that I couldn't hardly sleep and kept having to take tylenol alternating with 800 mg motrin. It was in my shoulders, fingers, wrists, back, ankles....etc... blah!!!!
I had another fill yesterday and I believe it is my final fill. I am currently 550 in each TE. My doc said the TE's are a bit bigger than the actual implant so we overfilled a tad as I don't want to be any bigger than I am now with the TE's. I am happy with the look. I have started Weight Watchers to get as much weight off before the swap as possible. My next appointment with the PS is in late February, so that gives me time to shed those easily gained pounds. (Why is it SO easy to gain and SO hard to lose...ugh!!)
I returned to work half days and will begin full days this coming week... Wish me luck!!
I would be curious to hear if anyone else has had unexplained aches in their joints since having TE's.0 -
ILUV2knit- I had exactly what you are describing while I had the TE's. My joints ached and my muscles spasmed. There was no way to sleep comfortably without my body seizing up on me.My PS responded the same way but she prescribed valium as a muscle relaxer; it did not help. I actually had to cut back teaching to 3 days per week. As soon as I had my exchange it all went away. I truly believe that my body was rejecting the TE's like a foreign body. I worked with myofacial release( the therapist said it felt like my body was in shock) , accupuncture, yoga therapy and reflexology during that time and nothing relieved it.It actually got much worse around the time of my last fill. The only thing that helped was when I got rid of them. I hope yours goes away sooner than that.
I am so much more comfortable with the implants but not 100%. I am definitely still aware that they are there but I do not have the aches and spasms that I had with the TE's. Sometime down the road I may decide to switch out for something else (fat grafting or using my own tissue) but for now I just want to be done with surgery. I have had 4 in the last 8 months and that is enough for now.
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Hey Ladies. Today we shaved my head. All of my long, beautiful hair is gone. It started falling out on Thursday and just didn't stop, and hurt like hell. Jerry cut it, then took the clippers to it down to a two. I am so depressed. I feel like a mangled mess. Sorry, just came to vent. Chemo sucks ass! Hope you are all doing well. Looks like some of you are having some yucky issues....I will be praying for you as always.
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Luv2knit--- have you doctor check you vitamin D levels. I have been dealing with joint pain since this summer ( during Chemo). My doctor checked my D levels and they were very low. I have been taking vitamin D and they just upped the amount since am still having issues with pain at night.
Slgarcia05 -- one of the worst days through this process is the day you lose your hair, but I can tell you it sill grow back. We shaved my hair first week of June I ended Chemo end of Aug and I now have 1/2 inch of hair so far. I still have days when having my long hair gone depresses me, but as I try to remind myself the hair will grow back.
Have a good Sunday everyone.0 -
Shaved my head friday night. it was coming out in major clumps....it was time to go! But its a cold New England morning today and im now reminded how my hair kept my head and neck warm! I miss my hair but as several of you have said, it will grow back. I can deal with that.
Kind thoughts to all.
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Shannon - I'm with you. I probably have just about a week before my hair goes, so I completely understand. You'll fly through this, and then you'll have your hair back any way you choose to let it grow. I've actually started to enjoy my new haircut, and might consider sticking with it when I'm done with all this. I hope you're avoiding some of the other SEs of chemo. And you're always welcome to vent here.
Day 6 of chemo, and I'm doing okay. I can tell my body isn't up to what it's used to, I was achey and a little tired, but I've managed to avoid nausea. Looking at the sink full of dishes, though, and wishing I had a magic elf to take care of it. But I'm glad I can still enjoy a bowl of oatmeal.
Stay warm everyone. I'm thinking of you.
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Sending hugs to all my October sisters who are dealing with chemo and hair loss, side effects, etc. You are all remarkable women and I cannot wait till I am reading your "all done with this crap" postings.
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Ginger48-Thaaaaank you for sharing your experiences with the aches!!! I seriously thought I was becoming a hypochondriac or something. Today I felt better, but I haven't gone a day without taking extra strength tylenol twice a day and sometimes getting up at night. I have the valium too, and the only thing that does is making me tired.
Shannon-try not to despair. Your beautiful locks will come back!! Like others have said on here before, just give up a year of your life to have the rest of your life. Hair is just hair...your beauty is from within! (((hugs)))
Rachel- LOVE your new photo and your new hairdo!! Short works for you!! cute!!!
okay, I have my lunch packed for tomorrow, the horses are out for the night to make my morning easy ---my big work day is coming tomorrow! I am getting up at 6 and walking on the treadmill, then showering, and out the door for work. A full day...how will I survive it??? Maybe I will actually sleep a whole night tomorrow!!?
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Ginger48 - Hear, hear!
iluv2knit - How's the day going? I hope you're getting some rest at least throughout the day.
I had my moment of melodrama (chemodrama?) this morning. I had woken up early Sunday morning with cramps as the constipation finally gave up. But, I also had a lot of bleeding, which seemed more like period-type bleeding. I'm off the pill for the first time in ages, plus chemo hormone craziness, so it didn't really surprise me. However, it happend again this morning, same thing, but when I stood up, I felt dizzy and had to sit down real fast, and was absolutely pale white - even my lips had no color in them. The on-call onc said to head to an ER because I might have low hemoglobin (ya think?), so I grabbed my neighbor (who's been a saint to me through all this) and she took me over to the local ER. As I figured, it really is probably just my hormones figuring out what's going on, but it gave them a chance to check my red and white blood counts - both low, but not scarily. However, I decided to stay home today. Exposure at this point would not be good. So I'm okay, and a little embarrassed, but later my onc nurse said it was the right thing to do.
Now it's off for a nap to boost those powerful little white blood cells. They need all the help they can get.
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Sending love andbig hugs to all of my October friends.
Shannon and Mardibra- I hate that hair loss has to be one of chemo's side effects. You are so brave to be proactive with the shaving. Here's hoping for super speedy hair growth after treatment.
Rachel- I'm so sorry for your scare today. You absolutely did the right thing re: going to the ER.
Margie- Heres hoping that you're able to get some sound sleep
It's so bad for our bodies when they are lacking sleep.
Iluv2knit- How did your work day go? Sorry you've been experiencing crappy issues- hope that you continue to feel better with each day.
Nothing new to report here. Still itchy and irritable but hanging in there. Just waiting until Wednesdays PS appt to see the new "girls."
Big Love to All!
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Got pathology from ooph today...all clear. Yay!
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Ginger - Great news!
Round 2 - went back to the ER with a temp of 100.5. Alls well, but it was another 4+ hours of waiting and annoyance. They just asked me to keep a temperature diary over the next few days to monitor it and call my onc tomorrow. Hoping this is it for now.
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AJ - Wishing you and 'the girls' all the best!
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Hey I haven't been here in a while but I think about all you ladies and your families often. Stay strong and keep fighting. Mrs Clams is doing great. She has round 2 (nipple recon) next week and she's been back to work for 2 weeks now. She still gets sore and tired every day by 3:00 but she's been a trooper. Hope you all have a happy holiday and new year.
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Holy Moley Rachel! Haven't you had enough already?!? Time for you to have a smooth ride!
Ginger - congrats on the clear results! That's HUGE for you.
And to everyone still going through treatment, best wishes to you for smooth times in the future.
My treatment continues. I'm home from the UMX w/DIEP all went well, although the 14 hour surgery was longer than expected. PS is apparently a perfectionist, which I guess I shouldn't complain about too much. Its just about bed time now, it's been a longer busier day, but I'm going to try to skip the percoset tonight and see if I can sleep. Although I think it's the recliner sofa not the bed for me tonight.
Take care all.
-Judy
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Judy -- yea to having UMX w/DIEP done. Rest and enjoy everyone taking care of you.
Mr Clams -- good to hear from you. Wow nipple time already. Good luck to Mrs Clams.
Rachel -- UGH... chemo is bad enough but then to have issue with a temp is a pain. I am sending good thorughts your way for the issues to go away.
Ginger -- that is great news.
Even though we are in the busy holiday time - take time to rest and listen to your body.
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Mr Clams - Great news. Wishing your family a great holiday season.
Judy - That sounds great. These guys who know their stuff are fantastic. Best of luck on your recovery.
Margie - Thanks. Hope everything's going well on your end.
I'm not complaining too much. I feel I had such an easy BMX recovery and first week of chemo that somethign was bound to come up. This is just such a different experience than surgery, though, so it's frustrating to imagine 5 months of 'possible' SEs that you have to watch for and expect... or not. But I keep telling myself that the alternative just wasn't worth the risk for me.
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Cookie- hope you got some sleep in that recliner! I have graduated to the couch. This lymphedema is keeping my shoulders pretty stiff and I cannot get comfortable in the bed yet.
Mr Clams- thanks for checking in; send my best to Mrs. Clams.
Rachel- hope that temp is down and that you do not see it go up again!
AJ-Hope iItchy and Irritable go away soon! They need to go on a looong vacation...
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