January 2014 Surgery Sisters
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bc101...I have no idea ! I am going to call the ps and ask him..I guess he made the decision while I was on the table and I was to out of it to remember to ask
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Hi all,
Glad to read every one is doing ok.
I guess, now it is my turn to address my year mile stone. Tomorrow is the day that I had my Bmx. But tonight is the night I felt I was being prepared to being sent to my destiny. Earlier in the dayI went to the hospital to have blood tests and an ekg done. I spoke with the nurse that gave me several bottles of antiseptic washes to use the night before and in the morning. My husband washed me...so lovingly. Clean me, clean sheets and clean jammies. I never thought I would be able to sleep...but with snuggles from my husband I did sleep. I had to get up at 5am and take another antiseptic shower...sigh...off to the slaughter. I was scared to death. When I arrived at the hospital my brother was waiting for me. later on he said I looked like the preverbal "deer in the head lights" uh ya!!! lol so fast forward...for some reason my blood pressure dropped so low during surgery and after, that I had a nurse in my room all night. Looooved her...was she really there or was she an angel? We talked about her little kids and my big kids and schooling....lots of stuff...for hours. ??? We all know about the dreaded DRAINS..ugh...zingers, divots, etc...
And now here I am. One year later. I think about what has changed about me. Did cancer change me? You know what....not really. My friend says I am more confident, yes...I do speak my mind, when it warranted. But other than that I really don't feel different.
At any rate..tomorrow, the day of of my BMX, we are going to the Highland games Day, a fun festival in celebration of our Scottish heritage. We will meet my son Sean there along with his friends. Can't wait.
My daughter in law received her US citizenship yesterday!! Go Koi...so proud of her. My son and Koi will be home in a few weeks. My family will be together for the first time in 5 years. 5 long years. I am so grateful that my sons survived deployments in the middle east and now we get to be together again...yay!!!!!
When it comes down to it.....family, friends, love, living in the moment....what else is there....health, well yes....but if I have just one day to live, I want to be with my kids. It has been way to long that we have been separated. AND now they will be home.
K, dinner is ready...gotta go
love you all
Eve
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AnnMarie - glad you are on the mend! I too found the swap surgery not as bad as BMX. Eat extra pineapple - it helps prevent bruising.
Ann - at least you have an answer re the pockets and a plan of action is beginning to form. I'd have taken a pair of scissors to myself by now...lol. Jk You've been really patient.
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Eve - congrats on your 1 year mark! It sounds like you are at a really good place right now ...Yay!! So happy for your son and the upcoming family reunion. You are both survivors! How wonderful for you all and what an awesome thing to look forward to in the new year. HUGS!!!
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Eve,
Congrats on your one year. Enjoy all the smiles, laughter and memories with your family. It's what gets us through!!0 -
congrats to all on your anniversaries! Wow, we made it! I plan to go back and read our posts from a year ago and reflect on everything that has happened.
On my flight home today I has the chance to watch "Decoding Annie Parker". I thought the title was interesting and I had no idea it was about a woman going through BC and the doctor who researched and found the brca 1 gene. Well worth watching but keep the tissues handy.
Eve, so happy to hear you will have your family all home together. A true reason to celebrate
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Wow...i think my email notifications got turned off. I decided to check the site, and see I missed some posts!
Mary, that does sound embarrassing but I'm sure it is now just a fun story to tell. My back is sore, but its hard to say if it's from the fall. I have my PT eval on the 28th, and am hoping to leave the crutches behind after that.
AnneMarie - Congratulations on a successful exchange surgery. It just gets better from here 😊
So ladies...I have some news. I started communicating online with a guy just before my knee surgery. We graduated to the phone a few weeks ago, and had our first date last Saturday. I had dinner at his house last night, because he thought it would be easier for me if he cooked and I just relaxed on the couch with a glass of wine. I had said that I felt like Jimmy Stewart in Rear Window, so he rented the movie for us to watch, which I thought was sweet. He walked me to the car, and I had my first real kiss in well over a year. So this morning I've been reading about the best way to tell someone you are dating that you are a BC survivor. I'm extremely nervous, so please say a little prayer for me. 💜
Hope all of you are having a lovely weekend so far.
Love and hugs,
Diane
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Diane, a big smile crossed my lips as I was reading your post. I am so happy and excited for you. If this guy is good however and whenever you broach the subject it should not be an issue. An important part of your life and who you are as a person, for sure. Fingers crossed it all works out for you
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Thank you Ann. 💜
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Diane - oh wow, how exciting! That IS big news and thanks for sharing the details with us! I am a hopeless romantic, but that being said, I don't have any illusions about love. If he's okay with your being a survivor, then you know what kind of man he is.
Speaking of romance...one of the projects I'm working on now is a Valentine scrapbook for my mom. It includes vintage valentines I've been collecting over the years, mixed in with the letters that mom and dad wrote to each other before they were married. They aren't exactly love letters ... just tidbits from their lives back then. They lived in different states for awhile. I think my dad is the one who saved them - even after 50+ years of marriage!
I wish you all the best!
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Wow a whole year has passed. Amazing!
Ann, I did go back and read the posts. What a difference in all of us. I think it was your husband that said" You have made it to the corner, just not all the way around the block" I have always thought about that. I feel as if I have finally walked from my house to my home.
Diane, A kiss tells a lot. A look into someone's eyes and if they hold your gaze says a lot. But if that someone listens to what you are saying and gets you a movie.....that's a keeper. Why would you be afraid to say you are a BC survivor? To me ...it says that you have perseverance, you've experienced fear beyond words and conquered it. You are special because of BC...and TDK....a black belt, Wow! look at that. If this guy is worth the effort, he'll treat you with the kid gloves and tenderness you so deserve. No fear, lady. He will be running towards you not away. By the way I went to South Rail's website and listened to their music...loved it. They are coming here in 2 weeks(?) If we can go see them we will. So sorry about your fall. ouch! A former sister in law, on her first day of work at a big tech company, went to the bathroom. K nothing special about that. It was on her way back to her desk that things went south. Her dress was caught in her pantyhose exposing everything on her behind...along with a tail of toilet paper. Oh my! While she was mortified, her sense of humor ingratiated her into the company rather quickly.
Yesterday, Saturday, my actual surgery anniversary found us at the Scottish Highland festival. What a glorious day. The weather was sunny and perfect. There were at least 4000 people there. After finally finding a pace to park we made our way to the event. I have to say I love cell phones. I called my son and he met us by the whiskey tasting tent...It IS after all a Scottish festival. Sean brought his friends along and it was hugs all around. A true celebration. The brogue and beer were flowing freely. I can tell you that men in KILTS are totally hot. lol A lot of the women were dressed in gowns..16th century style...I may do that next year. Although I don't have that fabulous cleavage anymore.....but little is good too.
I just had the best time. And YES!!!!!! being with my son is just awesome...with Steven to be home soon too. I am so grateful for and proud of my sons. I just smile from ear to ear thinking that I will soon get to be at home with them.
ok ladies, Seattle Seahawks are losing badly....need to go and yell at them...lol They are my secondary team behind the 49ers.
Love you all
peace
Eve
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Mary...forgot to add.....I love your idea for your mom. What a wonderful gift. I have quite a few of the letters my mom and dad wrote to each other when he was a traveling salesman waaaaay back. Wow, really gave me an insight into who they were before my brother and I were born. My parents were told they would never have kids. In reading the letters I am not sure that they should have. Although I am pretty happy that I am here.again, you are such a good daughter....love you .
E
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Hi Eve: I love that you might go see Lara play...I'm guessing in Orlando? She was so much more powerful in person than in the recordings...especially her Jealousy song.
The Scottish festival sounds like a blast! I love hearing that my sisters are kicking it!
Mary - What a great idea for your mom. I think she will really enjoy reading all those letters.
I so appreciate all of the positive feedback. I will never apologize for being a survivor, but I am very nervous about all my scars and the total lack of feeling, which is bound to affect things. He's already been so nice. I have a feeling it will be okay, but you never know what sort of past each person brings, and choosing to be with someone with a history of BC is very different than staying with someone you love, so I have a wait and see attitude.
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hey AnneMarie...How are you doing with the new foobies?
Just so you know...I came here to whine today.
That's how I have looked for two days. Stupid flu/cold. Yuk YUK and Yuk!! Although I have to say I am eternally grateful for indoor plumbing. Nate and I often talk about going off the grid. We love Alaska...and have looked at property in northern Idaho. You know, solar, wood, with a river running through it. But in the last few days, I have definitely nixed the idea of having to use an outhouse. I can't imagine getting up in the middle of the night, feeling sick, and having to run outside whilst looking over my shoulder for bear, in 20 below weather...not, no way, no how! My indoor plumbing princess tiara is ON!!!!! lol.
ok, I am going to take a nap and dream of young men in kilts.
ttyl,
Eve
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Eve, sorry to hear you aren't feeling well. I've been down in the dumps, too. But not physically. It's the dreaded mid-winter cabin fever syndrome! Eeeek! In between job searching, I am trying to keep occupied by clearing out the clutter in my house. I have a really hard time getting rid of things. Of course it doesn't help to have scrapbooking and sewing projects scattered about the dining room!
I'd have a hard time with being off the grid. I love the internet too much. Speaking of which, I'd better shut this thing down and get back to "work."
Hope you feel better soon!
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lol Mary,
Your dining room sounds a lot like mine.
So sorry you have the winter blues. Cleaning out stuff is cathartic for me. I just learned my lesson to not throw out ANY craft/art stuff. I always find a need for it at some point. No my hubby is a keeper. Armbands from concerts, tickets from footballgames and years and years of paystubs....I finally got him to shred all of that. I do find when I create an opening in all the clutter it just has to be filled up again..lol I just fill it up with really quality good stuff now. Anyhow, it will be spring before you know it.
We'd still have power and the internet...smart phones too. plus how can I do without HGTV or nate without football...oh, perish the thought. Just want 50 acres + grow our own veges, hence the need for a big green house. A cow or two and chickens ...so off the grid but not in a doomsday prepper kinda way.
well, crud just lost the curser on my lap top...sigh
just so not in the mood to deal with it.E
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momaton...I hate them
They are wayyyy to small. I used to be a 34D before I was diagnosed. The ps said he would be able to make them pretty close to that.....these belong in a training bra ! I am not use to being in the itty bitty titty committee lol. I see the ps on Tuesday for post op and Im telling him he needs to do a revision surg asap !I JUST realized something, Im totally on the wrong January thread..I didn't notice till just now that I should've been on the Jan 2015 thread..oops, sorry hope no one minds
How is everyone doing ? Can anyone here tell me anything about nipple recon ?
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AnneMarie - I'm so sorry to hear you're unhappy with the new foobs. You might want to ask your PS about fat grafting. I thought I read somewhere that you can increase at least a cup size with FG.
At one point when I was getting fills and wasn't filled very much, I thought I wanted to stop there, except that I wanted more cleavage, not a wider boob. They felt so WIDE at first. My PS said he could do the cleavage I wanted with just fat grafting. I later changed my mind and went bigger with the fills - then thought, OMG I'm waaaaay too big! But I decided what the heck and went for whatever implants my PS had in mind for me. Thankfully, the foobs 'settled in' and are just right now. Either that or I'm just used to it! It's soooo hard to judge size when you're going through fills. I hated that part...the not knowing.
If you haven't already done so, check with whippetmom and get her opinion - she's the foob whisperer. I've heard many women say they need time to "drop and fluff" into place. If not, the good news is that just about anything can be fixed.
That's okay about being here! We don't discriminate. It's all good!
Let us know what you find out.
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Ok since the first of the year:
MO visit-- bloodwork all good. Check. Optometrist with eye dilation for eye mets-- all good. Check. Work health assessment-- check. PS today-- my radiated skin in his assessment is remarkably good.. Top 2%, not that I am bragging, lol! Exchange is being scheduled for May. Check. Check!
Sorry you don't like your foobies, AnneMarie. Hopefully that will settle in. We are still happy to have you join us, January sister!
Hope you are feeling better, Eve. I wish I was crafty like you and Mary. I have no patience, although, I did a painting class in November. It was called "sip and swirl". We brought our own wine and snacks and the art studio provided pizza and salad along with an artist who showed ushow to paint a winter scene. I have mine hanging in my bathroom, lol.
Xoxo, ann
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Ann,
Yay! Glad to hear things are going really well for you! Eye dilation for eye mets??? Wow, that's a new one....never heard of that one before.
The crafts thing can be an obsession. It's a good way to spend those long winter nights. Most of it is for mom. I"m always trying to think of projects to do with her and different ways to reach her.
So you guys, I'm really excited to say I took a Yoga class -- two days in a row!! It's so great to be getting out there again - FINALLY!! It's been a long time and I'm really out of shape, but I'm determined to keep it up. After all the joint pain, rotator cuff, shoulder pain, and lymphedema issues I didn't think I'd ever be able to do down dog or warrior pose ever again. Modifications are the key. I found a class in town that I really like. She talks the whole time about Yoga, the philosophy, the names of the poses. It's like getting a counseling session along with the stretching.
AND get this - I signed up for an 8 week mindfulness-based stress reduction seminar.
This year is going to be sooo different from last year
. Namaste!
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Thank you for having me ladies ! And I agree with the process of filling, you just cant tell. At my final fill, I was 460 cc's...I looked freakin enormous ! Maybe that's why Im let down ? I spoke to my ps's secretary yesterday and she told me not to judge what I see right now..in a few weeks I will be happier, we shall see !
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My NP told me basically the same thing, although she said to wait 6 weeks before "looking". I had forgotten about that until your post. When I first came out of surgery, leftie actually looked square! They were very ugly at first. So, yes, give it time. I'm 6 months out and I think the final result is finally now just settling in. I had a LOT of swelling after my exchange.
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I guess I need to check here more often .... that sounds so nice, Diane. Hoping that the guy turns out to be great and you have an enjoyable time with him. I cross my fingers for you.
Alexandra
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Thanks Alexandra. Even if it doesn't go anywhere, it's been nice to have someone treat me like a woman for a change. He's been very quiet this week, so we'll see. I still haven't had the "talk" with him, and am thinking I'll put it off a while longer, assuming he's still around.
AnnMarie: I was a DD before BC, and felt a little let down after my exchange because they seemed much smaller and flatter than my TE's, but give it time. After my fat grafting, things are better, and I'm actually wearing the same bras I wore prior to BC. Hang in there. Mary is right, they can fix anything.
Eve - I hope you are feeling better. It's no fun to be sick.
Ann - I'm not surprised at all. You ARE a rock star! I'm sooo happy that things went well.
Mary - You GO girl! Yoga will be fantastic for you. Hopefully, I'll be joining that train soon.
2015 seems to be lining up to be a challenge, but I'm not giving up, and can hardly wait to get to PT next week, so I can get started on rehab.
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Ladies,
Well, I just got the results from my bone density scan- not good! I have osteopenia. Dr wants me to meet with an endocrine dr to see what I can do for my bones. Seeing that my cancer was estrogen positive, hormone therapy is out. Trying to find time in my busy schedule to plan in times to go to gym and eat healthier. Man I just feel like I can't catch a break. Need to make appt with endocrinologist for osteopenia, neurologist for my persistent headaches- MRI showed sequela of migraines, cardiologist because my t waves are flat, ps for pre op for fat grafting I feel like my world is spinning in a downward spiral right now!!!! I'm scared. I'm only 42 years old!!! This is just too much to handle all at once!!0 -
I have had osteoporosis from the beginning and I am on hormone therapy. My docs started me on Prolia, but then later switched me to Zometa to help with bone loss. At no time did they ever suggest not doing the AIs. There's lots you can do to help with bone loss. I take Calcium and Vitamin D everyday and eat foods that help with bone loss. Exercising, of course is always good. The lifestyle changes are good for me.
Hope your other tests turn out okay!
Mary
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Is your doc recommending Tamoxifen instead? Sorry you're dealing with so much at once.
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Mary,
What does ALS mean? They used hormonal therapy even though your cancer was estrogen and progesterone positive? All my doctors said no to that0 -
Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are typically used to treat hormone positive breast cancer. I don't understand why your doc said that. You might want to ask him to clarify.
http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/hormonal/aro...
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