January 2014 Surgery Sisters
Comments
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Bc101,
I don't have a MO and I doubt my pcp would know. I guess if neither bs or ps feel its due to BMx I could call my pcp...
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Good luck with your fill today Mommy. I'm getting one today too.
I know how you feel about going back to work....I'm supposed to go back on April 1..I'm nervous too!
Laurie
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mommy, congrats on sleeping through the night in your bed! Progress! I still sleep propped up on pillows and have a small, heart shaped pillow I received from my nurse advocate before surgery that I put underneath my armpit on the side nodes were taken and cuddle to me and that seems to help, too. If you happen to have one of those vibrating pillows, like the foot massage pillows, try turning it on and hugging it to yourself. I found the vibrations soothing when I had a cervical fusion 2 years ago and have used it a few times with this recovery. I also found the scapula exercises in my BC recovery book help with my back pain. I realized I was hunching and rolling my shoulders forward because of TE discomfort which was straining my back and shoulders. Maybe these will help you, too!
Laurie, good luck with your last fill. How exciting!
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Levassell,
Good luck on the fill! Possibly your last, my first lol. I'm really nervous about work. I teach and I'm on my feet the minute I walk in. I'll be observed for my evaluation etc!! I just don't feel ready! My mom and husband are like don't worry about it now you got 3 weeks.... Ya I'm not feeling like I'll be ready in 3 weeks. Financially I just might have to bite the bullet and suck it up and go but I know I'm going to be miserable. I can't be up for long without being uncomfortable. Oh well, we will see...
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Mmtagirl,
I'll have to look up those exercises!! I've only been told to do the wall crawl, arms out straight, arms up straight in air and to sides.
Last night my husband propped up the pillows for me. It was nice to be able to rub his arm and hold his hand at night! Of course when it was time to get up I couldn't lol!! He had to push me out of bed!!
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Good luck on your fills Laurie - how many cc's are going to get? Hope it all turns out and you are pleased with the results.
Mommy - It it were me, I'd call my PCP to start with. Maybe she / he can recommend PT or something else.
Just got back from my first PT appt. at my local clinic. She did a lot of massage - just the opposite of my PT at my cancer clinic. Those appts. are always sort of just moving my arm back and forth and if I even get massage it's only a teensy weensy bit. I have a minor amount of cording, so I'd like to be more proactive in treating that. This new PT person is a little more aggressive than I thought she'd be. But time will tell, I guess, if I feel better. Ugh! Good news is that she said everything is 'normal' for having gone thru major surgery and ALND. So...that at least was good to hear.
It's actually above zero today - feels warmish at 12 degrees!
Off to the library...
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Yeah....I'm done with fills. I'm over-filled right now. She will take out some next month....and that will make them feel softer. Then in July I get the ports taken out and my nips constructed. That will be a year from DX. I think I can see the light at the end of this journey!
Laurie
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Awesome!
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Well no fill again today!
I have one small spot on the bottom of the incision that isn't healed and my ps doesn't want to push it. It's a little opening! I asked if she could stitch it up but she said no we will try next week... she told me to come off the narcotics, just do Motrin and Tylenol daily for pain and Valium only after the fills. I talked to get about my back pain again and lack of range of motion so she wrote up a script for pt.
So disappointed!!!!
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Awwww Mommy....that is so disappointing....do something nice for yourself today.
Laurie
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Levassell,
Wish I had the $$ to. Lol being out of work sucks! I'm actually about to email my principal to update her and let her know I may need an extension depending how I feel in the upcoming weeks. My husbands not going to be very happy but I honestly don't think I'll make it through the day. My ps told me to stop dialaudid and Valium and only take Motrin and Tylenol from now on, except after the fills, when I'm finally able to get them she said take a Valium. She wrote out a script for pt so I start that this Thursday,,, maybe that'll help. I just want to give my principal a heads up that there is a possibility of me needing more time or going back part time or something....
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Mommyathome, good luck with your fill (I still haven't had mine yet).
I am going back to work on Monday, granted my follow up with my PS goes well on Thursday (it'll be six weeks on Tuesday, so it's probably time... I do miss the social interaction.
I found an MO and she gave me the RX for Tamoxifen, but did not want me to start it until after my implant exchange. Reason being: she starts her patients on it about two months after their surgery, and depending on further surgery, the patients stop taking it two weeks before. So in my case, I may be having the implant exchange sometime late next month or early May, so she would rather I wait until after the exchange (she doesn't want me to start and then stop). I saw my ob/gyn last week (damn yeast infection) and he was surprised I wasn't on Tamoxifen already. What do you all think?
I started PT today for the lymph node scar area, so hopefully the massages will help. My mobility is pretty good, but the pain from the scar (pulling and pinching) was so excruciating at times, that I had to do something about it. Speaking of lymph nodes, can anyone recommend a good electric razor? The PT suggested I use one, instead of a disposable, because of lymphedema risk from possible nicks or cuts. I need a good shave, getting a little bit too long, LOL.
Claire
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yay Laurie....so did you ask about exercise? can you go back to golf? Sure hope so. Are you happy with the foobs. I bet you look awesome. For all of my being happy about keeping my nips and implants...I hate how I look. It's just weird. Kinda wish that I had new implants...oh well too late now.
so sorry mommie, keep hanging tough. I wish I could make everything resolve itself RIGHT NOW! for you..so you cold just walk away and get back to your life. Yes, as laurie stated do something nice for yourself.
I am lazy, lazy today. I shampooed the bedroom and livingroom carpets yesterday. Felt sooooo good to be physical and everything smells so clean. I hate the doggy smell......she doesn't do anything naughty in the house (not that smell) just closed up for the winter smell.
Of course I probably over did it....some tingling in my hand on the lymph node side. yikes do not want the dreaded lymphedema. BS said I shouldn't have to worry about it...but you just never know.
Mary...warm at 12 F. It's 79F here. he he he. I remember when I lived in Iowa and Colorado also....brrrrrrrrr But I had the right clothes for it and loved the seasonal changes...here in Florida its chilly for a few weeks and then just dang hot. Ok Laurie, I know I am a whimp...lol
We are planning our garden. Yum, fresh tomatoes, peppers (hot peppers are the focus this year) and herbs, rosemary is my favorite. I love digging in the dirt...
The last 2 days have been depression free for me. yay! I truly think moving around and walking pushing the myself to just do stuff has really helped. I went back and read some of the old posts, boy was I scared...really scared. Part of me still is...don't know if that will ever really go away. I am staying in denial...for sure. Cancer? what cancer?
rock on ladies
hugs
Eve
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Claire,
How many nodes did you have removed? just wondering. My BS said not to worry about lymphedema, and nothing about electric razor. Was your final dx DCIS? mommie your final dx was DCIS/LCIS correct?
Just wondering why you have to do the tamox ? and If I may ask ..did you have the oncotype test done?
I am having a hard time deciding on whether to take an AI. With my pre BC health issues...I just feel damned if I do and damned if I don't.
Eve
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Momaton,
Yes, my left breast was dcis and LCIS and ADH. My prophylactic side they found ADH and LCIS. They did not recommend tamoxifen due to se or radiation because my bs feels she got it all. I don't go to an oncologist just bs every 3-6 months and ps weekly.
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I would also like to know a good brand of electric razor. The one I have, a Remington wet/dry, is awful! It was also suggested in all my literature to use an electric razor. I had 15 nodes removed, so that could be why. Of course, I'm having cording issues which makes it even harder to shave under that arm since I can't raise my arm up at the proper angle to make it more accessible. All this won't matter in a week or two when I lose my hair, but for the future I'd like a decent one.
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Claire - My MO had me start Tamoxifen 6 weeks after my bmx surgery because I was going to have a delay in starting rads. I saw him today and he said I should stop it when I start rads and then start back up when I'm done. So who knows - I think all doctors are different in what they prefer! Mine obviously didn't feel comfortable with me going a long time without starting the Tamox, but he doesn't have a problem with me starting it and stopping it either. LOL I didn't know you had to stop it before surgery... good to know.
Eve, you crack me up. I love reading your posts.
Well, my MO didn't see any reason (other than having $##%$@#$ cancer) for me to be so tired. My blood counts were good, my weight is steady, blood pressure was normal, I haven't changed meds.... so why do I feel like I can't even get off the couch???? I was feeling good up until last week.....then it's like I hit a brick wall. Migraine Saturday and extreme fatigue ever since. I feel chilled, too, but no fever or any other symptoms. Very weird. Oh well... I guess if something was going on like an infection it would have shown up on my white blood cell count. Maybe my body is just telling me to slow the heck down.
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Mommyathome - Meant to say that the same thing happened to me with fills....my incision wasn't healed enough for my PS liking so I had to wait. And mine is a 3 hour drive each way! Luckily we were able to email him pics to show him and he told me when to come back. I'm sorry you are having such a rough time. {{hugs}}
Laurie - YAY for your last fill!!!!!
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macintx - I have the same problem. The cording makes shaving nearly impossible. Not only because I can't raise my arm to the right angle, but the cording sticking out making my underarm area totally screwed up. Not a smooth, flat area to shave at all!
I haven't used an electric razor since I was a teenager.... someone help us out and mention a good one!
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Lighthouselady,
My ps is about 30-40 minutes away. It's just that emotional roller coaster. Going in with that anxious anticipation feeling and then walking out feeling defeated. Man, that sucks!! I just was hoping to get a few fills in so I know what to expect before I go back to work. My dr does fills on Tuesday's so I'll be expected to work Wednesday regardless of how I feel. I feel once I go back they are going to expect 100 percent and I'm not there yet and don't feel like I will be in 3 weeks.... Everyone keeps telling me to think positive... I get it but I also need to think realistically because they'll have to cover my class and see if the sub I currently have will want to extend his position another week or so....
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Mommyathome - {{hugs}} I know you are really stressed about the work situation, and I can't totally relate because I only work part-time, but maybe you should give the people at your job more credit. I'm sure most know about your situation, right? It's not like you've been sitting on a beach in Jamaica drinking Coronas for two months. You had cancer and you had major surgery. Not things to be taken likely. I think the pressure you feel is probably somewhat put on yourself to BE 100% when you go back. Nobody is going to fault you if you're tired or hurting. Can you teach part of your day sitting down? Maybe that would help with the fatigue. I'm not trying to be a couch psychiatrist or anything.... just get the feeling that you're expecting more of yourself than what others will?
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well holy crap, Michelle....
If I were you...I'd be dog tired all of the time, and frankly if I wasn't I'd fake it.
You have been fighting longer and harder than any of us.
No reason to be tired...uh! really?
Ok my dears,
I think I seriously need to hold a class on not only how to be a princess but on why you deserve to be a princess.
tuition is free
tiaras included.
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I want a tiara!
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Me too! Me too!
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I bought a Panasonic Close Curves wet/dry razor. Had never used an electric before, it took a bit to get used to. I think it works fine.I use it under the shower.
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Michelle, For you, our princess.
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Mary,...For you, our princess.
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I love it!!!!!!
I wore my bright pink knit hat to my MO appointment today and I swear he (MO) must have said five times "Wow, that's a really pink hat." Imagine if I showed up with my tiara on??? LOL
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K,
the princess thing is, well I hope not stupid. The tiara thing is meant to give us power where we have had that sense of normalcy taken from us.
I had that taken from me at a very young age....abused...until I was 16 and realized it was wrong.
I've spent a lifetime becoming a princess.
Being a princess....
means being....
helpful
loving
kind
non judgmental
strong
having empathy
being a princess means
being a warrior for ourselves....and especially for others that aren't able to be strong for themselves
allowing ourselves to hurt
allowing ourselves to heal on our schedule
Being a princess means
getting off our rears and taking responsibility for our healing
it is knowing what is good for us
it is asking for help and accepting it
it is looking in the mirror and crying for what is lost and cheering what we have gained
it is the fear of dying
BUT MOST OF ALL IT IS THE JOY OF LIVING
love
Eve
please add your thoughts.....
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Awe Eve - Thank you! I think I might need a Tiara, even though no one but the cat will see it, since I'm alone. I just had my 2nd and final fill of 200 CC's! Holy Crap these things are tight! Danger, Will Robinson. I hope they don't explode. I can tell it's going to be a long night, since they are already starting to hurt, and it was only about an hour ago that I left the PS's office. I'm pretty sure my PS thinks I'm a bad-ass now, LOL. He did say that his assistant would call me with a date for my exchange, which should be early April now.
Mommy- I'm so sorry you are having a rough time. You can't always be positive, but keep going. Hopefully the PT will help. I didn't get my first fill until the Friday before I went back to work the following Monday, and it was okay. Michelle is right...they will be nicer than you think. I was surprised at how nice people, who normally aren't particularly kind, have been since my surgery.
Michelle - Of course you are tired. You are a warrior princess for sure. Wear that Tiara proudly!!
Okay...heading for a warm shower, PJ's, and the reclinder.
Love to all!
Diane.
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