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Comments

  • gavinsgrandma
    gavinsgrandma Member Posts: 115

    Hi Jeannie, welcome to the July, club but especially the 7/18 club, I bet it will be nice to get those crazy things out😄I did not realize they did TE's with DIEP. Next week will be a week of getting ready for our surgeries, mind,body, spirit, house and laundry😄



    Shary🌻

  • Jeannie57
    Jeannie57 Member Posts: 1,314

    Haha! I'm taking my mind off it by going with a friend to one of the San Juan Islands for two days, then we'll have friends visit up until the 16th. Somehow I'll shop, clean, take care of my garden and chill, too....



    I had TE's put in when I had my BMX a long 16 months ago. Lots of treatment and healing and now I'm physically strong and ready!

  • sgreenarch
    sgreenarch Member Posts: 253

    Good luck to all you Ladies who have upcoming surgeries. Claire, so glad to hear your surg went well and that your feeling, more than ok!

  • claireinaz
    claireinaz Member Posts: 714

    @gavinsgrandma, I've found that if you recover from one surgery quickly you'll probably recover from all surgeries quickly. Just hold that picture of you getting yourself to the bathroom that first night in 2005 in your head and use it again as soon as you wake up from THIS surgery.  The sooner you can swap from a narcotic pain med to a non-narcotic (actually, toradol always works better for me than morphine, so you might want to write that name down and take it with you) the better.  The sooner you can get out of that noisy hospital zone and into your own home where you can sleep deeply, the better.

    I'm also using arnica (homeopathic, under the tongue pellets) to reduce swelling more quickly. I walked two miles yesterday and have tested myself on bikram poses--should not be a problem to get back into the yoga studio for regular practice this Wednesday...I already miss it. 

    Ladies who have upcoming surgeries--good luck.  It's not as bad as you might believe.  Now I'm off to the grocery store. We are out of food and I need some healthy meals!!!

    Hugs ((()))) Claire in AZ

  • claireinaz
    claireinaz Member Posts: 714

    PS what did help with pain, I'm assuming, was that my PS had lidocaine on a wire feed pumping into each of my breasts.  He took them out the morning I left.  It was a local anesthetic, and the pumps were a PIA because I had three things dangling from each breast--those pumps one on each side and then two drains per breast ( I came home with one on each side).  But I think it probably addressed the pain as well as anything else could have.

    I am not using any special contraption or clothing to deal with the drains. I put htem in the pockets of my shorts or tuck into a waistband of a skirt.  At night I tuck them into my bikini underwear.  It works fine so far. I don't like "layering" any clothing any other time, and although we live at 7000 feet and it drops to below zero here as much as it does rise above 90 degrees, we don't living with a.c. in the North Country of Az.  Our temps average in the summer in the mid 80s, so having less on my body rather than more is desireable. 

    If anyone else has questions feel free to ask them here or PM me. 

    Claire

  • gavinsgrandma
    gavinsgrandma Member Posts: 115

    Claire, I am so proud of you, it sounds like you are doing really well, it is funny how different things work for different people, thanks for the pep talk, I am getting a bit nervous but I am going to set up a massage, pedicure and manicure for the Tuesday before my surgery, those things always help. I will ask about the torasol vs morphine and do you feel that the arnica is helping? P.S I used to do yoga years ago and it is one thing I want to pick back when I am able, thought I may even do some yoga this week maybe Sun Salutation and some mild stretching.



    Shary😄

  • melmcbee
    melmcbee Member Posts: 371

    Claire, Im so happy about your fast healing. I never doubted it since you are in amazing shape and take care of your body. You are an inspiration.

    Good luck to Shary and Jeannie with your upcoming surgeries.

    Healing hugs to all

  • claireinaz
    claireinaz Member Posts: 714

    Shari, the arnica most likely is helping. My PS gave it to me, so he thinks it helps.  He gave me surgical strength and I bought the pellets at my natu. food store on my own.  I do so much yoga, I feel that it's saving my life!  I was so stiff lying in one place on my back for even one night that doing some familar stretches made me feel normal and I could test my ROM as well.  However, GO SLOW!  Post surgery is not the time for a back injury. 

    I also would suggest bringing a pair of gym shorts or pj pants with elastic in them to the hospital. At the last min I threw a pair of gym shorts in my bag and I put them on as soon as I got to the room so that if I went to the bathroom, I wasn't exposed.  Easy to pull down with all the drains dangling when you need to pee and easy to get back up. 

    They seem to hyperventilate about blood clots these days, even though I'm pretty highly conditioned. I asked not to wear the compression stockings. I waved away the ugly beige socks they issued me and wore my own colorful ones.  They reminded me that I was still ME and made me remember who I was  Smile

    Thanks mcelbee for your kind words. ~ hugs

    Claire

  • jojo68
    jojo68 Member Posts: 336

    Wow! Claire you are a trooper! I had double mastectomy with immediate Diep and did not recover like you, that's for sure. I'm great now, but had 4 drains and could not stand straight up for 2 weeks due to the "tummy tuck" of the Diep! Your breasts will always be hard like that...it's nice not to have to wear a bra!

  • claireinaz
    claireinaz Member Posts: 714

    Thanks, Joellelee. I never had to wear a bra really since I was very small....I wanted to be able to do that again and not have to worry about protheses, etc. etc. so that's why I decided for reconstruction.

    I'm getting stitches out tomorrow--8 days after surgery.  I think taking arnica, bromelain, and vit C wich helps tissue regeneration has made a difference.

    C

  • melmcbee
    melmcbee Member Posts: 371

    Claire do you have any links to slow, easy yoga. Im not in best health due to treating my body bad all my life and would love to do some easy poses. every time I try to follow a video it puts me out of breath. Just curious and thanks

  • claireinaz
    claireinaz Member Posts: 714

    I don't, mcelbee.  You might try googling "chair yoga"...I just jumped into yoga by starting with bikram and am not familiar with the different kinds.  Maybe ask again on the "excercise" thread?  someone on these boards should be able to help you!

    Smile

  • jojo68
    jojo68 Member Posts: 336

    Claire, what stitches are they taking out? They didn't take any out for me...must have dissolv

    ed?

  • claireinaz
    claireinaz Member Posts: 714

    Jo--The stitches just below my nipples (they line the aereola) for my bmx....there are ones below the skin that dissolve.  Did you have recon or just a BMX?  Mine was a one-step with no expanders...

  • jojo68
    jojo68 Member Posts: 336

    My nipple areola stitches dissolved on their own...I had double mastectomy with immediate Diep and immediate nipple recon.

  • Lily55
    Lily55 Member Posts: 1,748

    i am so jealous of people  who get immediate recon as it is by far the best option...........I am about to embark on fat grafting to creating a new "breast" as have decided that is only way I will get an ok looking "breast" naked afterwards and hoping it will work, in fact i am trying to program myself that it will be fine etc.....

  • jojo68
    jojo68 Member Posts: 336

    Lily! Why is that the only option? Please forgive me for being clueless!

  • breastcancersyn
    breastcancersyn Member Posts: 3

    I did receive multiple opinions and most were standard of care. The problem is that the biology of the tumor clearly defines that chemo will NOT be effective. I don't want to give it a 'gun' and it does more harm than good. I am going on to radiationand then look at integrative therapies.

    What immune building therapies have people done? Thanks

  • Molinda
    Molinda Member Posts: 17

    Ladies,

    Your healing hugs and prayers have been felt and appreciated! DEB, Melanie, Shary, Kay and everyone else who singled me out personally in your posts, I can't tell you what a blessing your kind words and love have meant to me over the past week. What a week it has been! My modified radical mastectomy was a success! The additional nodes that were removed came back completely clear! Finally a piece of good news found in the sea of hell! Surgeons feel that everything looks good and even though the rode ahead is going to long and bumpy, I am ready to fight the fight including all of the good, bad & ugly! Whatever it takes to be completely free from this monster. It's going down!



    Hugs and love to all of you corageous ladies!

  • Lily55
    Lily55 Member Posts: 1,748

    Plastic surgeons i consulted all said i would only look ok in clothes or bikini post recon not otherwise....

  • newfmama
    newfmama Member Posts: 46

    Mo! I'm so relieved to hear you are doing well & had good news with pathology. I've been so worried about you & have kept praying. I hope your recovery from surgery goes well. You sound stronger now and that is a relief.

    Claire, so glad you are doing so well. You are amazing.

    To all the other ladies, hello & keep up the chatter.

    Have a great weekend.

    Hugs to all.

  • gavinsgrandma
    gavinsgrandma Member Posts: 115

    Mo, I am so glad you are recovering with optimism and a sense of humor, great news on the LN, big hurdle jumped there😄😄😄😄😄😄 It really does help to know we are not alone and at times it does feel like we are in a sea of Hell. But kick this monsters A.. We Shall!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Have a great weekend ladies, we care going camping again and this time my daughter, son-in-law and my precious Gavin are going, so Grrma as he calls me plans to give him lot's of hugs and kisses💋



    Shary🌻

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 2,845

    "Plastic surgeons i consulted all said i would only look ok in clothes or bikini post recon not otherwise...."

    Isn't that true of all recon, unless it is in connection with a prophy?

  • Lily55
    Lily55 Member Posts: 1,748

    Immediate recon can be fine too but fat transfer can create a natural looking breast shape with sensation, they were the only photos I saw that looked natural and there is no scar either as its all done via needles....in my case I would have a lot of scars and I tend to over scar so fine scars on others are more likely to be thicker on me........so i am going for fat transfer.....

  • claireinaz
    claireinaz Member Posts: 714

    I didn't know they could create an entire breast from fat grafting...I asked about it but my PS was against it for some reason that I can't remember, but will use supplemental fat to help my symmetry when I'm fully recovered.

  • Lily55
    Lily55 Member Posts: 1,748

    Hi Claire - there is a thread on here where they are doing it adn this surgeon has done it for last few years also with the aid of BRAVA suction he says it is possible and results look great on photos I saw....since I like to hold on to fat I just hope it likes to stay where it gets put!!!

    THey also do it in Miami from scratch

  • Nocompromises2013
    Nocompromises2013 Member Posts: 136

    Hi Ladies

    I have just trawled thru this long thread. Great to read purely ILC related posts

    I noticed a 'shadow ' on my R breast just appeared one day. Saw Dr 3 days later. She thought it nothing couldn't really see what I was worried about but sent me for a mammo ( my first ever). They could see something straight away then US I knew they could see stuff cos they kept going back to the same spot and took loads of pictures. Instead of FNA I was told I would need core biopsies and 3 of them as they could see one 20mm mass something else and a suspected lymph node

    Had the core biopsy next day ( well 8 of them in the end) and then went off on holiday to Borneo (june 1st) knowing something was very wrong.

    Got an email from my GP half way thru holiday saying bad news confirmed she had booked BS for 2 days after we returned home with surgery pencilled in for the next day if needed ( june19th)

    When I saw BS he decided my 20mm suspected lump was really 50mm and axillary lymph nodes definitely affected. So given no choice UMX next day plus full anxillary clearance. I asked about BMX but he said not necessary only a 1% chance in other breast!!!

    Path eventually came back 3x ILC 20mm, 3.5mm and 1.5mm plus one 10mm node that was still encapsulated phew. And also a minor patch of DCIS wtf????

    Am nervous re what left breast might have instore

    I started chemo 3 days ago 21 days post Mx. And managed to play 18 holes of golf yesterday ( right arm recovering really well ) whilst not in Clareinaz 's league I want to stay fit and healthy. And my surgery recovery has been trouble free so far

    Unsure about recon at moment but tempted to ultimately have LH breast bored out to keep both boobs perky IF I even bother. Wasn't impressed when playing golf with a prosthesis it kept moving about but I did only have it balanced in a crop top so that's my own fault hehe

    Good to meet u all happy (!!!!) to be here ... Trying to kick Cs butt (that's the cancer not Clare haha)



    SueinWA. (West Australia)



  • claireinaz
    claireinaz Member Posts: 714

    Welcome Sue in WA!!!

    Here's the thing--every time I did something physical during chemo rads or really anytime (I hiked to the top of the highest peak in my home state of Arizona--12,633 feet--on my 1 year dx. anniversary and it wasn't easy...)

    I feel as though I'm flipping cancer the middle finger.  Saying "screw you!"  every time I run, or hike, or do strenuous yoga, or lift weights, or laugh, or push myself to recover from surgery ...whatever!  It feels SO good, so empowering, and I love doing it.  The added benefits are reducing my recurrence risk, weight control, etc etc. But mostly it's that big "HAH!" to cancer.  And I'm addicted to that feeling. 

    Glad you are with us...but not glad of the reason.  Wink Hugs

    Claire

  • claireinaz
    claireinaz Member Posts: 714

    Hi all,

    Just wanted to let you know i got my final pathology report. It was mostly good and neither surgeon was hyperactive about it. However, I prove the statistic that ILC has more of a tendency to be multi-focal...because I had nothing, I mean nothing, in the right breast (the one that was originally affected and had the lumpectomy plus 33 tx of rads); I had mild lobular hyperplasia in the left nipple biopsy, not a big deal because that type never goes viral. But I did have, in the left breast tissue, proof of ATYPICAL lobular hyperplasia, meaning my risk for those cells to turn into cancer was 4-5 times higher than normal.  Of course there was no sign of this on any scan, mammo, 2 MRIs, PET or otherwise b/c it was too small.

    I'm glad I got the BMX.

    Hugs

    Claire

  • Nocompromises2013
    Nocompromises2013 Member Posts: 136

    Well done. Spunds like you dodged another bullet :)))

    That's one to remember when I decide whether to recon ...one or both



    I agree giving C. The bird whenever possible

    even whilst we were waiting for biopsy results, we kept active and busy scuba diving on my 50th birthday trip. Nothin like wondering where your next breathe of air is coming from or whether the reef shark fancies a little nibble to stop you stressing over bc. With hindsight. The best we did was still go on that holiday whilst waiting for results. Gave us time away from everyone to accept what these next few months held instore and how our lives might change because of it

    My cancer diagnosis will not define me. Hopefully It only makes me stronger.

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