new and future flat sister, with questions
Comments
-
hey y'all!! Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving......me n pups surely did
Christmas card list sounds wonderful. Put my name on it. This year passed so fast!!! And we are all still here! Yay!!!
Wish my Vwould shrink. I lost 52 pounds on weight watchers and wel... Things just sag everywhere.
Glad to see new products out for foobs and the such. Insurance pays for 1 every 2,years and 4 bras a year.
Will check in later. As always it is so good to see y'all!!!
O2
0 -
**waving at O2** glad you had a nice Thanksgiving.0 -
O2, The docs saying to lose weight never mention sagging or that your loose skin will develop massive wrinkles
0 -
Hey 02, that was a great effort to lose that much, but alas the sagging skin is a pain isn't it!
Just did a big post on the other thread. Glad everyone had a great Thanksgiving! M x
0 -
Hi Bobo, Everyone is different. I had an uncomplicated experience with my bilateral mastectomy. Barring complications, you might expect something like mine:
- I was in the hospital for 24 hours: surgery at 4:30 or so the first day, checking out in the late afternoon the next day.
- I have a desk job, but I went back to work after two weeks. I felt well enough to go back after one week. If I had to stand all day, I might have needed to stay out a week or two longer. I hated being home by myself thinking terrible thoughts. It was better for me to be busy and distracted!
- I could bathe and wash my hair immediately. It was a little tricky securing the drains. I pinned them to a shoelace around my neck.If you're advised to wait, you may be entitled to a visit by a visiting nurse, who can help you bathe.
- I don't drive, but going home from the hospital in a taxi, I used a pillow between my chest and the shoulder strap, and that was pretty comfy.
- I wouldn't think you'd need to wait to have your hair washed as long as the salon was clean and hygienic. I don't have my hair washed by anyone else, so I don't have personal experience to draw from.
- I slept in my bed with a wedge and a pillow on either side to rest my arms on for a week or two.
- The drains were a nuisance but not a serious problem. You'll be taught how to strip the tubes and measure the fluid that collects in the bulbs. It's not that hard. Again, a visiting nurse is often sent out to see how you're doing with this.
- I could have managed alone after the first day or two. It helps to have someone around to shop and cook since you need to take it easy the first few days. No vacuuming or dusting or rushing around doing errands.
- The main restriction on activity is to get rest. If you're too active before your drains are removed, it can increase the fluid output and delay the drain removal. Don't lift heavy objects the first week or so. And some women have trouble raising their arms over their head. That said, I was back on my yoga mat two weeks after my mastectomy and enjoying a challenging practice pretty quickly.
- Re vegetarianism, I eat a small quantity of fish and chicken, so I'm not an expert on this. In my experience, though, it's really helpful to drink lots and lots of fluids, especially water, to flush out the anesthesia and other drugs you may be given. I never took any of the prescription or nonprescription pain killers I was offered, but the anesthesia was somewhat nauseating, and drinking water was helpful in eliminating it.
Good luck! Megan
0 -
Just introducing myself to this group. I am scheduled for my BMX without reconstruction on 12/12. Am very thankful for this group to help me feel confident about my choice. 61 years old (going on 16) just diagnosed 11/21. Can't wait to say goodbye to the girls that have become aliens
0 -
Hi Chloesmom! Welcome to the group. You got questions,,, we probably have answers!
0 -
Hi Cholesmom, Welcom! I totally understand how you are feeling. I couldn't wait to get mine off, when I was Dx. I stilll have one natural, which can be a tad challenging at times, but I have learned how to dress and I have quite the "wardrobe" of foobs. Ask away, there is nothing off limits here and with the combined Dx, you'll find one of us that has probably experienced what you're asking about.
Take it easy...let us know how you're getting on!
0 -
thanks for warm welcome!
0 -
That's a big fish in your picture. What was it?
0 -
Welcome chloe'smom! You are so lucky. We have the resident foob expert here, Ariom. She also is an expert on camis! That is, if you decide to do foobs. Some sisters rock the flatness. We think that is totally cool as well. XXX
0 -
Alaskan salmon. The only fish I ever caught. Yum!
0 -
Chloesmom...welcome!! The relief you will have once you are on the other side of surgery is indescribable... it isn't even 10% as scary as you think it will be... honest.
We're here for whatever you need, questions answered, rants to listen to, where to best to retail therapy. We have potty mouths at times, but hopefully that isn't something that bothers you.
What's the thread motto? Shit on a chapstick.. crap on a chapstick.. something like that lol.
0 -
Crap on a chapstick. Although I saw Poop on a Popsicle in a Carl Hiaasen book. I liked that one too.Lovely salmon!! I went salmon fishing once,,, decades ago!! Best time fishing ever!
You need post op recovery advice? You know about drains, right? Ask us! Check out the threads on the surgery area too. Lots of good advice around.
0 -
I like poop on a popsicle too.. umm.. not literally mind you...
0 -
on another thread we say chit. Keeps the mods happy
0 -
Trying to plan my bag for hospital. Since I won't have extra skin for nipple sparing will this change the type of garment they want you to wear post op? I am looking though my soft camis that don't have a shelf bra. They didn't say anything about those medical ones. They did say to bring a lanyard to hook the drains onto.
0 -
Bring a lanyard??? Good grief!! Well, every surgeon is different. I've heard some ladies on here say that their BS put them in a compression garment immediately afterwards,,, mine did not. http://www.tlcdirect.org/Post-Surgery-Mastectomy-Camisole-Bra-American-Cancer-Society-TLC-Direct?did=65I bought 2 of these and lived in them for 2 weeks. Yes, a bit pricey. But there are pockets to hold the drains,, they are nice and soft,, and you have these cotton foob-type stuff that you can stuff up top too. I did use a lanyard to hold the drains when showering (not all doctors let you shower with the drains in,, check on that), but otherwise I used this garment. It will be difficult to put tops over your head for a while,, so have some button down shirts to wear. I got some at Walmart. Something else to hold drains is a Home Depot nail belt. It has 3 pockets,, each one just the right size for one drain, and it costs like $2. You can't beat it. And you can tie around your waist and put the button down shirt over it to hide it.
I would definitely ask them about post surg. garments. They may have other suggestions.
0 -
I agree with everything Glennie says.I didn't have one, but I love the sound of that Home Depot belt thingy! I wore button shirt, but I didn't have any compression stuff. It might be worth making a call and asking the receptionist. My surgeon removed the thick plaster dressing the morning after my surgery, told me to have a shower and to go home. I had that clear tegaderm (sp)film stuff and one great big drain. The tubing on my drain was really long so I could drape it around my neck, carry it a shoulder bag, or clip it to a lanyard, but I got lazy with it at times and let it drag behind me, I hated that thing!LOL
The soft camis are a good idea if you can step into them, but if you have to put them over your head, you may want to wait a while, lifting your arms high is not encouraged at first. It is a good idea to put things you will be using regularly, in the kitchen, or even the bathroom, at counter height for the first few weeks.
My numero uno, most important item, for the Hospital is throat lozenges. I was ravenous when I woke after the surgery, but my throat was so dry from the breathing tube that swallowing was just about impossible. All they had for me was sandwiches, so the Nurses were running alll over the place trying to find a throat lozenge so I wouldn't choke on the bread!
I have to tell you that I agree with ldesim, too, the surgery was nothing like I expected either. I was up and walking the halls most of the night chatting and having coffee with the Nurses. I didn't have any pain meds at all and even called into a shopping mall on the way home the next morning, to buy shoes. In saying that, your body will let you know when you have overdone it and you will, overdo it! We ALLl suffered from overdoing it. LOL
0 -
My doc bandaged me for the first 48 hours, then I was allowed to remove that. She didn't want me wearing any sort of bra for 6 weeks. I'm a uni and the remaining girl thought she'd been set free for life. Poor thing was so disappointed when I got a bra and foob.
I pinned my drains to a fabric belt and could use the bathroom without disturbing them. For my shower, I pinned them to a long shoelace. I have seen women getting bmx recommend satin pj's because they slide better in the bed.
0 -
Welcome Chloesmom. You have come to the right place for support! These wonderful women have been in the bag for me through alot the last year. The landyards works great with safety pins to hold drains.To all, I say hello and I am sorry I have been gone for a while. Chemo has been kicking my butt and my numbers keep crashing. I have had 2 transfusions in the last few weeks and am hoping to start the last round Tuesday. I can still be done by Christmas.... On the 23rd, but still by Christmas. I do know I am wearing out and have two pairs of suspenders holding up my big girl panties.
Andrea will you send me the Card List? Thank you for your card and the lovely inside. Glennie.. Ava is a doll. Thank y'all for the card.
We are still getting used to two pups instead of three. It is hard still to not miss our Rottie.
Much love to you all..
Stacey
0 -
Thanks for all the encouragement. Got my bag packed with lip gloss, lozanges, big shirt, etc. Got a silky nightshirt for when I come home. Am surrounded by wonderful people.
Last night got a note from a friend who is a transman with tips on post op care. So sweet! Who would imagine this would be happening. It's all so surreal! he shared how it was a hard choice but a necessary one for his sanity. I kind of feel that way as they are aliens to me now. They are trying to kill me and I am fighting back
Bagged up my bras for the clothing bank except for a few that will work with foobs and the beautiful one I wore with my wedding dress 37 years ago. It was padded 34A. Wonder if this would be harder if I had been bodacious to begin with? .5 w1/2 days to go!
0 -
Hi Stacey!! Sucks about chemo knocking your butt. You are bad ass ninja woman, for sure. Hang in there. We are all in the bag for you with every treatment. Still on schedule to be done by Christmas! YAY! Sorry about your Rottie,,, it is so hard to lose the furbabies.Ava went to see Santa today. So I'll post her picture on this thread.
Chloesmom: Glad you are gettting all prepared. One other thing: sleeping.. Some women sleep in their recliner, cuz it makes getting up easier. Hard to use arms to push after MX. If no recliner, I recommend a bed wedge that you can buy at Bed Bath & Beyond (and other places, I'm sure) Having that angle makes it a little easier to get out of bed. Since I live alone, I was worried about that. So I got a wedge, and I read about dropping my feet off the edge of the bed first, and then pushing with my heels to give me leverage to get up. It helped.
0 -
Here's Ava with Santa.
0 -
Hi JS, I am thinking of you and hoping the planets align and this is over for you before Christmas! You've had a rough time, but I admire you for getting back up and slugging away, every time it got bad. You'll do great, I have another pair of suspenders for those big girl panties, should you need them! LOL I can imagine it is hard without your Rottie, are the other two pups handling the loss OK? How is Sailman?
The last time Colin took the boat out there was a problem with the electric motor, so he has been stuck here on land, unable to sail. I think it was fortuitous really, because I didn't like him getting into a harness and swung into his seat on the boom, with a stent that goes from his kidney, all the way down into the bladder. He goes to Hospital now, on Wednesday to have that removed. Hopefully the stones will be removed and he will be better than ever and he can sail whenever he wants to. Hugs to you!
Hi Chloesmom, one more thing, don't forget to take a pillow for the ride home from the Hospital and any outings in the car. You need a little padding to save you from any jolts from the seat belt.
It sounds like you have it all together! That was a kind gesture of your friend, who understands the emotions and has been through a massive change too. There are some wonderful people, who step up and surprise us, but I guess I should also say, there are others that may surprise in other ways.
One other thing that I meant to mention and I know it sounds really weird and a bit silly, but it worked for me. I stayed alone in a Motel near the Hospital the night before my early admission because I live over an hour away and my Husband is a quadriplegic, so getting him up, to get to the hospital by 7am wasn't an option. Anyway, I was pretty stressed the night before, even though I was totally OK with what I was doing, I felt I had to disengage from my right breast, so I actually spoke to it. I said, "You've let me down, so you have to go!" I swear, a calmness came over me and I managed to sleep. I was fine the next morning when I went to have my SNB, which was easy and painless, then up to surgery and I felt like I was bulletproof! Seriously, I was joking with the Surgeon and the team, while they got ready for me and the rest I have mentioned earlier. As ldesim said, the relief you feel, when it is all over, is unbelievable.
I got rid of lots of bras, but I had a stash of special ones, that I couldn't part with and I have only recently, let the last go. It was a bit of a process for me. I guess having one natural one left, I thought I may use them again, but they don't work for me. I am so impressed with the difference in Mx bras and clothing that I would never use my old stuff again. I am also more "Bodacious" LOL with a "D" on my remaining side, If you decide not to go flat, we have lots of experience here, with bras, clothing and different types of foobs!
Less than a week for you, be kind to yourself and do stuff you enjoy while you wait. I bought in some treats for myself, like the latest magazines I like and my fave Naked Ginger sweet, some Chilli chocolate and other odds and ends. Not that you'll be lying around all the time, you'll be surprised how you can get around and do things. All the best! M x
The rain has been coming down in buckets all night. the temperature has dropped and I put the heating on this morning. We can't even see the lake, much less the island, or the dunes. There is a total grey out and the roads are flooded, Nature!
I won't be going anywhere today and Dex won't be botherd, he hates getting his feet wet, so he won't be watching my every move waiting for his leash to appear. I might clean out the pantry, I am sure there is stuff lurking in there which has gone past the use by date.
Well. I will check back later ...M x
0 -
Awwww glennie, posting at the same time, Ava is so sweet, what a great pic!
I forgot about the bed wedge, Glennie, the other one that is great if you can get one, is the "V" pillow. I still use mine when I am sitting for a while on the couch and for about the first year, I just dragged it around with me, like a kid with a "blankie" lol I found it was good to be able to wrap it around me, for napping on the couch. M x
0 -
OMG, Chloe'smom, here we go again with the V pillow. There was a V pillow craze on the thread a while back. I got one even though I'd already been through the mx. I must say, for a while there is was 'V pillow this' and 'V pillow that.' Now we have graduated to talking about actual vaginas for the moment. That is why I had to invite you over to this other, more refined thread. All of this being said, I love my V pillow. I say the more pillows the better.
In the bag for Colin #1 on Wednesday! M, will it be an all day thing? I am assuming it is out of town.
0 -
Hi Bobo, I cant help it, I still love that V pillow! Definitely more refined over here.
Colin has to go to Melbourne, 4 hours drive or 45 minutes in Air Ambulance, I think they only use that if it is an Emergency or if there is someone else going from here who is an Emergency. The surgery is on Thursday, but he will be admitted on Wednesday and will stay a day or two in the Hospital, before being transported back here. They wanted him to have it done at the big city hospital with the whole team and all the equipment there. It can be done at our Hospital here, the Surgeon operates here once a month, but Colin's disability changes things a bit. Fortunately, the follow up stuff, can be done here when the surgeon is in town.
0 -
JCP has the v or boomerang pillow. Sx isn't bad at all. You'll be surprised. I think I was doing laundry within a few days. You will nap.
I carried my drains in a dish towel around the house and in hoodie pockets away. I didn't get any garmets either. Call the American cancer society. I think they will set you up.
0
