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  • deekaay
    deekaay Posts: 254
    edited July 2010
    Judy, one month from today is your surgery!!!!  The countdown is on for you.  How is the new lat flap healing?  deekaay
  • kate33
    kate33 Posts: 1,936
    edited July 2010

    I'm reading "Five Lessons I Didn't Learn From Breast Cancer" and the author has a quote in there from a friend's blog discussing why she remains active in the breast cancer support community, instead of moving on, as many people expected her to do when her treatment was over.

     "A friend described finishing treatment for cancer is like coming back from a long, horrible trip and getting off the plane.  You walk out only to find your friends and family have already left the airport.  Just when you're done, and you need support almost more than you ever did, many in your life will assume it's over.  That it's time to grab some dinner at Chili's and talk about other things.

    I consider it my duty- actually, my honor, really- to be there waiting for people when they get off that plane."

    So just wanted to thank all the women on all the threads, but this one in particular, for being there when we all get off the plane. 

  • rebetata
    rebetata Posts: 213
    edited July 2010

     Kate I can so relate to your last post.

    Thank you for posting that.

    Rebecca

  • musiclovermom
    musiclovermom Posts: 245
    edited July 2010

    Kate33 that is why I still go every week to my local support group!

    Some one might need me!

  • Firni
    Firni Posts: 521
    edited July 2010

    Kate, that is an accurate analogy of how it feels to be done.  Now I can tell people something they can relate to when they ask me "Why are you still obsessing over this?"  Thank you

  • Estepp
    Estepp Posts: 2,966
    edited July 2010

    Kate,,

    I needed to read that. Thank you.

  • Hannahbearsmom
    Hannahbearsmom Posts: 266
    edited July 2010

    Kate:  Thanks for sharing that quote from the book you are reading--it was very well stated. How is the book otherwise? 

    TCK

  • Anna_M
    Anna_M Posts: 88
    edited July 2010

    Laura, thinking and praying for you and your family~

  • jkz
    jkz Posts: 158
    edited July 2010

    Kay,

     I am not sure where the cup size comes from... anyone else now that answer?

  • kate33
    kate33 Posts: 1,936
    edited July 2010

    Your welcome everyone!

    Hannahbearsmom- A lot of the book is pretty funny.  She says, "When you have breast cancer, the first question people ask is "What are they going to do to you?".  And by that I had the clear impression they meant, how much surgery was I going to need?  Everybody assumes your going to live, it's just a question of what you're going to look like in a low cut dress."  

    She does recommend this site in the book! 

  • didel
    didel Posts: 733
    edited July 2010

    Kate33 Thanks for the quote...sounds like a book I outta pick up.

    Di

  • MBJ
    MBJ Posts: 3,671
    edited July 2010

    kate:  Sounds like a great book!  I'm not even done and everyone has "left the airport" lol!

    kay:  I went out tonight with friends and everyone kept staring at my chest!  Never had that happen before.  Little do they know I have to stuff the other side so they match.

  • m-star
    m-star Posts: 340
    edited July 2010

    MBJ~lol but i bet you felt good huh?! =D

    KATE~ airport?? my "friends" never even came to wave me off! Yell

  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Posts: 433
    edited July 2010

    deekay- The countdonw has started and the healing is going reallywell.  Fingers crossed.

    Kate;  Great quote.  I'm going to get that book.

    Laura- keep hanging in. 

    Everyone else--We'll be at the airport--in VEGAS!  JUDY

  • MBJ
    MBJ Posts: 3,671
    edited July 2010

    Kay:  I cannot tell you how many of my friends think a mastecomy is like getting a boob job.  Well, I do live close to Hollywood.  There is so much press today about how women now don't die from breast cancer as easily as before, that they just think it's not a big deal anymore.  Only the women who have been through it because they lost their mothers or who have been through it themselves have rallied around me.  Many of my strongest supporters are my clients!  I don' take it personally--many just don't know what to say or how to act.  Some act as if you are contagious.  Most of the people at the gathering last night didn't know I had cancer--they just think I chose to shave my head and grow in a bad perm. LOL! 

    Judy:  I am thrilled that everything is finally going great for you!  Wish I could join you in Vegas.  It sounds like alot of fun.

    Laura:  Sending you many good thoughts.  ((((Hugs))))

  • kate33
    kate33 Posts: 1,936
    edited July 2010

    I feel like I had to take a cab to the airport when I left and am now in a "holding pattern" trying to land!  So ready to get off this f*****g plane!  

  • didel
    didel Posts: 733
    edited July 2010

    Kate33 I am with you!! I am hoping once I have this incredibly uncomfortable TE out of me I will start to feel "normal" and be able to get back to some of my activities I just can't do right now (for many reasons)

    MBJ: The first time I went out since surgery I think I totally confused a room full of people. While all my friends were supportive I felt them STARING at my right side like "Oh I thought it was gone??What's the bump?? How does she have cleavage?? They were completely perplexed after a while it amused me.Didn't their mothers tell them it was not polite to stare? And yes one of my girlfriends who took me to all my doc appts told me at the PS office as I was crying my eyes out (first visit when reality set in) she said "I know you're really sad but I would be so happy to be getting new boobs at 43, you will never be saggy". Now I know part of that was SUPPOSE to make me feel better but it so didn't. It trivialized what I was going through.

    I've definitely learned since completing Chemo in May most people think I am done with cancer and should be getting on with life even though reconstruction isn't for another 2 months. This is the only place I can come and chat with people that really get it so THANK YOU LADIES!!

    Di

  • MBJ
    MBJ Posts: 3,671
    edited July 2010

    kate:  Great analogy!  This has been the longest year of my life.  Sometimes it feels as if the rest of the world has moved on and I am still stuck here trying to deal with stuff.  It's good to see that you are back to your fiesty self Laughing  Everyone told me, you are strong and you will do fine but I have to tell ya, I am so tired of being strong.  Someone else can take over and be strong for me now, thank you very much.  I am so tired of all of this BC crap.  A holding pattern, indeed.

  • m-star
    m-star Posts: 340
    edited July 2010

    MBJ~ LMAO at growing in a bad perm!! ha ha! I need spat my dinner out then when i read that!!

     KATE~We'll all bring you in to land hun! And we'll EVEN get your luggage off the carouselle!! Laughing

    DI~ I got many people saying things like that to me too before surgery.Women would come in to my work (im a hairdresser) and it was quite obvious i was naturally flat chested and they'd say "well at least you'll get a good pair of boobs out of it"!!!  I mean....ok....i did agree to an extent,but i'd rather have not been high risk so i could keep my OWN boobs! Another one (when i was explaining what and why i was having it done) looked at me suspiciously and said..." well its not like you're having it done just so you can have bigger boobs...is it?"!!! I could have knocked her clean off her feet with 1 punch! insensitive cow! Yeah i would REALLY put myself through all this just for a pair of boobs,which i could have got done on the NHS anyway!!!

    some people.......

  • MBJ
    MBJ Posts: 3,671
    edited July 2010

    kay:  When I first found out that I was going to get to do reconstruction, my husband reminded me that I told him early on in our relationship that I would never be getting a boob job so don't even think about it!  So, you are right, if we wanted one we could have had one.  This is so not a boob job--not even close.

    kate:  We will all be there to pick you up in the foobmobile, drinking champagne to celebrate--okay, maybe red wine, I hate champagne, but we shall celebrate!

  • junebug1967
    junebug1967 Posts: 4
    edited July 2010

    Hello everyone,

    This is my first post but I have used this website through my journey of treatment of DCIS in Aug. 2009.  After bilateral mastectomy with tissue expander in September then exchange for silicon implants in March 2010, I had my nipple reconstruction two days ago.  I took the bandages off today to shower and was very upset to see the right one had a section of blueish black skin!  Does this mean the nipple is going to die?  Please is anyone has any knowledge about this I would appreciate it,as I won't be able to call my PS until Monday.

    Thanks so much!

    Linda

  • vmudrow
    vmudrow Posts: 415
    edited July 2010

    It's my 30th wedding anniversary today!!  I told my DH that the last fill I got on Wednesday was for him (just kidding).  We went on a 2 week cruise in April for our anniversary (so we could go before surgery) - so tonight it is a movie (Inception) and dinner. 

  • musiclovermom
    musiclovermom Posts: 245
    edited July 2010

    Junebug

    I just had my nips done on 7/6 took off the bandages and have big ugly black scabs! I am a scab picker too! but will not touch these!

    I am now able to shower and put lotion on. the skin is peeling off my skin grafts but I think it will be fine. I have plenty of blood flow!

    I posted a scabby picture on the forum if you need to compare!

    Big Hugs!

    Kimberly

  • Firni
    Firni Posts: 521
    edited July 2010

    Junebug.  My nips had blackish scabs on them too.  For about 3 months.  They took a long time to heal, but they did.  Everything survived.    When do you go back to your PS?  I'm sure you would feel better if your PS could reassure you.

  • junebug1967
    junebug1967 Posts: 4
    edited July 2010

    Kimberly,

     Thanks for sharing your experience with the nips and thanks for the hugs!  When did you first take your bandage off, was the skin discolored then?  I only have the discoloring on the rt side.  

    I also don't know how to look for the scabby picture, where do I go for that?

    Thanks, Linda

  • junebug1967
    junebug1967 Posts: 4
    edited July 2010

    Firni,

    I wouldn't say mine are scabs, just discolored tissue on the rt one.  The left one looks like good pink skin.  I don't see my PS for 2 weeks to take out the stitches but I will call and see what he thinks first thing Monday.

    Thanks for sharing,
    Linda

  • Firni
    Firni Posts: 521
    edited July 2010

    Linda, I hope all it is is that the ink from the markings is showing or it's some nasty bruising.  Good luck.  Let us know what your PS says.  Can you email him a picture?

  • jkz
    jkz Posts: 158
    edited July 2010

    Wow this is the first time I've seen postings about scabs and nipples turning black.. I still am waiting to have my exchange surgery so I have a while before the nipple reconstruction. This is a word of warning about what to expect.. They stitch the nipple on? I can't wait til I have access to the picture forum. I did contact fumi and she said as soon the problems are resolved she will give me access. I can't wait. :)

  • Estepp
    Estepp Posts: 2,966
    edited July 2010

    Happy 30th sweet sister! You are a blessing to marriage. I am proud to hear this for you!

    OK... BreastCancer... Boobjob... and we ALL LIVE now..  BC is the best type to get......

    I HATE all these sayings.

    I am LUCKY to be here now. I had a fast moving BC that was all in my nodes...

    I do not have amazing fake tits..... seriously.

  • MBJ
    MBJ Posts: 3,671
    edited July 2010

    vmudrow:  Congratulations and a very, very happy anniversary to you!

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