TEs. A Beginner's Primer
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So I had my te taken out yesterday and I already feel so much better. I have to say though the anesthesiologist this time was heavy-handed and it took me quite a long time to recover because if that
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I agree JLF. I woke up from surgery with my chest feeling better than when I was put to sleep!! Everyone said how much better implants were than TEsbut it's hard to imagine. But it's soooooooo much better!!
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My exchange won't be until December, but I am so excited!
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Tes are not fun. Implants feel so much better. It did take me a long time to sleep on my side though.
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My exchange SX is the day after tomorrow. Scared, excited, nervous. I want this to be my 4th and last SX this year.
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AudreyB - keeping my fingers crossed for you for a successful surgery.
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I hate TEs and I've only had them since 8/6. My drains are nothing compared to these things. I'd rather have them as there is no pain or discomfort with them. I get the digging in factor, sometimes it's worse than other times- the sides or bottom front. Not enough to pop any kind of med cuz I'm not into popping pills. I did Norco for 6 days and ditched it and should have sooner cuz there wasn't any diff when I missed doses. I can't believe these have to be in for months! Fills will probably start early Sept when the last 2 of my 4 drains are pulled. Got 2 pulled today and didn't feel a thing. I figure from timelines I see in this thread, it's about 6-8 months? I have chemo and I'm sure rads coming. Not sure of any schedules yet.
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My left cancer side TE has behaved marvelously. My right TE has been the problem child. I was filled to 400cc during BMX 5/6, then had 4 fills, 3 100cc fills and one 50cc fill. The right TE has twisted sideways so the port is at the outside right, under my armpit. 24/7 discomfort. My last fill the PS was filling from the side. I am so glad my exchange is tomorrow, because I'm pretty much done with the uncomfortable digging in my right underarm. I am praying my exchange is as good as everyone says regarding relief.
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Audrey. . .you should get a good deal of immediate relief from EX. Artista, hopefully you will get some relief once you get a fill or two. Sometimes with my TEs, I simply had to find something to take my mind off of them. Moonflwr can give much better advice but I found that exercise and my favorite music during helped my psyche and made me forget the TEs for awhile each day.
Scottie
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Best of luck Audrey! My exchange is the 24th and I'm counting the days. Regarding questions about time from BMX to exchange, I think it really depends on the PS. My surgery was May 21 and I was filled to 300 on the table. PS waited a month to start fills and I had two at 60cc and the last at 100cc. I pushed for the 100 because I was so eager for exchange. 100 was a lot for me though and I've been paying for it. I go 3 weeks between fills generally. I'm at 500cc and I can't imagine going bigger. My skin is pretty thin and I kind of feel like I'll pop if I had any more fills. The TE experience has really been rough for me. It's a tough thing to describe to people and I find it so interesting that some of us find it hard and some don't.
Audrey, how long do you expect to be out post-exchange? I'm taking two weeks. Everyone says this procedure is a piece of cake compared with BMX but in my experience, no surgery is easy and we're still dealing with incisions, internal stitches, etc.
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Thanks Scottie,
I just go two long cylinder pillows that I think will work like the full body pillow. I will try those out and if they don't work, I'll go for the full body pillow. As it gets closer, seem to be getting more nervous.
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Marketingmama, I'm feeling well. Localized incision pain and a sore throat from anesthesia tubing. I'm just resting and taking it easy. No stretching, pushing or pulling. I'm planning on going back to work next Thursday and Friday, then a weekend off. PS said I could drive this weekend if I wanted. The relief of having the expanders out is amazing. While it was doable and I went about my everyday life, working etc. I felt my expanders every second of every day, 24/7. It is so nice not to feel that pressure. My girls look good even this early on, and they feel nice and cool to the touch. Not cold, but my skin over the expanders was always hot so it's a nice feeling to be cool
I agree, it's hard to explain to someone how expanders feel. It's great that we All understand here. I felt the relief as soon as I woke up in recovery. I know how your feeling right now, that your SX will never get here. Once August 1 came around, every day seemed endless.
Best wishes.
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Audrey, so glad to hear all went well and the girls look good. I'm with you, I hope mine don't drop and fluff but I don't think they have room to move anywhere. Trex arms for a few days just so you give the muscles a chance to relax. I'm amazed that you are going back to work so soon. Kudos. I finally go back next Monday at 4 weeks. I'm a creature of habit and don't like when my schedules are disrupted.
Scottie
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Low and slow is the way to go with fills. You are in charge not the dr.
Maybe talk to anesthes. before the procedure and state concern about throat after wards- ask for a smaller tube.
Each fill feels different- so if one has caused alot of discomfort the next might shift things and make them easier to deal with. You sort of just get used to them in there. It takes weeks tho at least, IMO, so dont expect to necessarily feel great with them in== remember after mx and bmx- you were sliced and diced!! Its going to hurt!
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Audrey, congrats! Glad you're feeling OK and feeling a big difference (vs TEs). That's very exciting to hear! Any special instructions while you recuperate? Much pain?
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Not much pain but incisions are definitely sore. I can feel the pain going right across each breast. I can shower tomorrow (48 hours) and I can wear a regular bra tomorrow too (no underwire). I hate this surgery bra. Lol. No exercise but I can walk. This recovery is nothing like BMX recovery. I don't think anything will compare to that, just the helplessness of it all. I just made a sandwich for lunch. Simple tasks are easy. And I am resting full time. In my recliner watching tv, nodding off, just letting myself heal.
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Audrey -- It's great to hear that you are not in much pain and that you experienced relief once the TEs were out. You are doing it right by taking it easy and resting in your recliner. I am so encouraged by your experience. I have several months to go yet. The TEs don't bother me much during the day, but trying to sleep is still an ordeal.
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Good to hear Audrey! Look forward to joining you on the other side. Katcar, I found the TEs challenging but doable. I even was able to side sleep at a point. However, after my final things definitely got worse. It seems to really vary by person though so hopefully I was the exception.
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I think the biggest problem I have with my TE now is the fact that a lot of my clothes don't fit well. Also, the TE got in the way when I was trying to hit golf balls.
There was a time when I was in a lot of discomfort and some pain, although never horrible pain. It all calmed down now, even most of the discomfort. I guess I lucked out.
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I was able to side sleep with my TEs but would wake up constantly. I could not sleep through the night. Once I went back to work I was exhausted all day every day. The last month my right TE was digging into my armpit and since I had two sentinel nodes removed on right side during BMX I think the TE was causing more pain there too. Also the outside of my right breast was sore all the time because the port was at the side (TE twisted around. I could feel the hardness of the port and there was a constant itchy feeling but I never scratched because I was numb too and didn't want to hurt myself. I just realized now all that discomfort is gone now too, I'm so comfortable. Last night I slept in bed but on my back. I got the best night sleep since BMX. Although I'm sure Rob didn't as I tend to snore on my back lol. All in all while the TEs were uncomfortsble, I got through it and now it's in the past. I wish the same comfort for all of you.
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Yeah, one thing with the TEs is the inability to sleep on the side. Sucks because I love that. Sleeping on the back, I have to actually get up 2 times in the night to stretch out. Wiggling around doesn't help with the sore type pain of being in 1 position for so long. Can't wait to be able to sleep through the night but it will be months with chemo and rads on tap.
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I haven't been able to side sleep since BMx. Hoping as my recovery from EX continues that will change. I have always been a side sleeper. Still the total body pillow I got about two weeks after BMX allows me to curl up somewhat on either side. When we travel I have to take it with me. The stares when checking in/out of hotels are hilarious.
Scottie
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got my first fill on the 20th. 120 ccs in each. Felt some pressure at the time but yesterday and today have been very uncomfortable. I'm glad I saved some pain medication because otherwise I don't want to move
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Rosie. . .that's a large fill. Slow and go. Maybe ask for less next time. I had pain with only 60ml fills. Take it easy.
Scottie
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should be able to side sleep after awhile- might take a bit. I got to the point where I was side sleeping, back, stomach even. I think for most women its 'normal' after awhile....I felt better after my exchange but not the huge aaaahhhh that many women feel.
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I started side sleeping on the opposite side after about 2 weeks. At exactly 3 weeks, I could sleep a bit on the affected side. Got 60mls today--up to 195 now. I was expecting him to put only 30. A mere 105 to go! Not feeling too much discomfort so far.
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Golf is my big worry too. When were you able to get back to golf? Is it better with implants?
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I would like to get back to swimming. PS warned me that it would be hard.
Scottie
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Scottie, I can imagine that swimming would be hard but also really good for you.
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Sknitter, golf was.my worry too. I have just one TE, will have an exchange in a month and for now my PS cleared me for playing golf. I was never really good at it and was sure that I would do horribly after such a long break and with the TE in the way, but I was pleasantly surprised.
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