Exchange City
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Welcome 42squared. I'm relatively still new, too.
Here's to all you ladies that need to vent. No better place than here.
Kate33 can I make a t-shirt out of your slogan? I love it!
And to all who've had surgery/rashes/infections and difficulties (I won't name names, cuz I'm afraid I'd leave someone out!), may they all be worked out in time.
I had my final fill-up yesterday before exchange surgery the 24th. My TE's are 450's and he filled me up to 475! For the first time he gave me 100cc's (the others have only been 50 or 75). I've never had such awful muscle spasms. Could hardly get out of bed this morning. Took a pain pill that I've only been taking at night for the last few weeks. Mis-er-able.
PS had told me 2 weeks ago that he would put in a 400cc implant. Now, as of yesterday, he said a 500cc would work. As it is I feel like Dolly Parten already. I said I didn't want to be really big. He kept assuring me I wouldn't. Asked why he jumped from 400-500. He said he thought I could handle it. I'm not so sure! Although I was pretty small before BMX, and want to go bigger, I don't want my new foobs being the first thing everybody sees....haha
Deborah, you said 400 would be good, maybe even 425. What do you think of 500??? lol
I also asked about rippling. PS said it's not that unusual and even augmentations have rippling. He said that if it was bad, he'd do the fat injection. I have such thin skin, I'll probably have rippling, altho, he said he would do his best.
So glad for all the updates, as it arms me with more info and realistic expectations. I think DH is thinking this is going to be a breeze. But, I don't think so. He was commiserating with me last night, while laughing, too, every time I moved. I sat on his chest and asked how he liked it! We were both laughing so hard and he was saying, oh,oh,oh, I can't breathe. I said, Welcome to the club!!
Thank you new friends. Strength for the day and new hope for tomorrow!
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happymom: My PS started out saying 375, Deborah said at the least 475 and I ended up with 550 and they do not look huge at all. They look perfectly sized to my frame. Sorry your PS did 100 cc at the end! The closer I got to the end the more it hurt!!! Hope you get what you want!
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MBJ: He thinks he can get a pretty close match.
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Yes!!!
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!!!!His office just called me back and said that he prefers to see me one more time in a month before he schedules the nipple reconstruct, just in case he needs to do some work on the other side. That actually makes me feel a little better since it will give him time to schedule all the work he needs to do from the beginning instead of seeing him the day before surgery and then ending up having to reschedule the surgery, especially since getting on his calendar is going to be tough once you start throwing the holidays into the mix.
Plus, the new post-BC me gets antsy when I haven't seen a doctor in a couple of weeks. lol
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almagetty: LOL!! I have my next visit on the 20th and then we will schedule the nipple. Since that coincides with the holidays, I maywait until January to do it.
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I want to get everything in this year so that I don't have to meet another out-of-pocket deductible.
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Katey- It's good to know that we will still seem favorable changes even 6 months out from exchange!
42squared- Just wanted to say welcome, too! Don't want to kidnap you from this thread as it is amazing, as are the women on it, but just wanted to also tell you about another thread for those that have had nipple sparing MX. Great women on there, too! Here's the link-
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/745796?page=43#idx_1282
almagetty- LOL! Definitely don't want to be studied by the government! That's for sure! It kind of already sounds like my neighborhood, though- 3 people with cancer on my street alone. We're always joking that we built on Indian burial ground or a nuclear test site!
happymom- I actually got my slogan off a t-shirt! You can find them at cafepress.com. Here's the link-
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Thanks, Kate! Actually, mine would have to look like this: (---) (@). haha
Almagetty, I know what you mean about trying to beat the deductible! And, I've seen more drs in the last 2 months than I have in the last 5 years. They do become rather like an umbilical cord and pacifier all rolled into one. I think I might go through withdrawal.
And thanks, MBJ. I remember reading you're tall, right. So glad yours are coming along and seem to be the right size. Mine look so far out there now, it's like vavava voom!
Hubby came home with my happy pills. Will be glad when I don't have to sleep propped up on my back!
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Kate: There have been 3 women in my 8 unit apartment complex all diagnosed in the last year! I always complain that they put something in the water.
Dee: Hey, we have the same look: (---) (@) LOL!! Yes, I am 6', but my breasts never matched the rest of my body. Now I am more in proportion to the rest of me. My DH was scared because I kept telling them "bigger, better, more" and he was afraid I would look like a porn star and cause traffic to stop, but he is now relieved how natural they look and also that, although larger then what I started with, they look like I was born with them. Those expanders are quite exagerated but once they are replaced with implants and they are soft, they don't quite project as much.
Enjoy the happy pills.
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I'm sooooo jealous of you all with your soft breasts. I can't believe I will have had this expander in for 13 months and didn't need radiation! My last fill was in February.
I swear, I still think about suing that plastic surgeon for leaving me stranded in the hospital. But, then I realize it's all for the best - I have a better doctor out of it and hopefully the wait will be worth it.I'm SO SO SO sick of trying to sleep on this rock though! I love coming here and reading the stories of softness!
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MBJ, Laura, Kate, ahhhhh, your kind, supportive words were so soothing in my hour of need. Man, those feelings just came tumbling out. Finally, tonight I explained to my dh what was up with me last night. He knew I was weirding out but I didn't really want to get in to it then. I am really a strong person, but as you guys know, every so often the accummulation of bc stuff and other stuff, just reaches critical mass. And, it doesn't have to be big deal stuff, when it hits, it hits.
So, I gotta tell you, the image of a pj party with you guys with a few a adult beverages, sounds like a blast. We would have a good time, for sure. Laura, your pj's would have to be some kind of cheerleading ensemble. That's how I always picture you in our little EC world, the cheerleader. Last night, as a substitution, I crawled into bed with a bucket of Blue Bell Dutch Chocolate Ice Cream and had my way with it-very therapeutic. This morning I got up, brushed myself off and got on with my life. I barely thought of my surgery or my boobs today. Thanks for being there. luv, deekaay
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kate33: thank you so much!! i'll check that thread out too.
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Ah, great Deekaay... your day went good...that is what we wanted! I am not cheerleader honey, I just hate seeing anyone hurt..... EVER.
AStorm.... hope today went well for you!
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Thought I would check in! It's been a while since I last looked or posted. This thread is still as wonderful as I had left it...to move on.
Just wanted to chime in on Almagetty....one word....PATIENCE! A word to live by when you're on THIS journey!
Bless everyone!
NAE
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Thanks, NAE. Patience isn't an easy thing, is it? But I'm trying. Reading about and seeing your journey on the picture forum helped me tremendously. Thank you for sharing!
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Deekay & Astorm: Hope you are both doing well!!!
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deekaay- So glad you're doing better. I can totally empathize as I reach critical mass (perfect description, BTW) a couple times a week I think. If I didn't have this site I would be probably be paying a therapist enough money to fund her vacation home. LOL! Don't ever feel bad about feeling bad. In the words of my very wise mother who wrote this to me-
"Bravery is not always about being stoic but rather, after collapsing into tears, picking yourself up out of the puddle, drying yourself off and continuing on your way."
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kate: I love that! You have a very wise mother. If cancer has taught me anything, it is that I don't have to be strong all of the time. Sometimes we have to completely fall apart in order to come back together again.
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aww Kate33 and MBJ that was very well said
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I have a question to anybody who has fat grafting done. Are you happy that you had it done or do you not see any difference. I'm not sure if I want to go through with it and just needing honest opinions. I am getting the nipple/grafted aerola and my PS said I could get the fat grafting done at the same time if I want. He said he has had much success with fat grafting. I'm still not sure if it would be worth it given the fact you have be under general anesthia but with just the nipple/aerola would be just twilight sedation. I have a slight step off on my left side which can only be seen when I have nothing on or when I have a low cut t-shirt on. Any opinions would help!
Donna
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I was wondering if anyone could give me some information on the TE's and fills. I currently have a TE in the left breast and my PS wants to wait until after chemo and radiation to start filling. I am having my port removed between the end of chemo and the start of radiation which wont be until the end of October. Is it normal for them to wait or can they fill while you are having chemo? Just found out that I have to have 28 rounds of radiation and I dont want to put off the fills if I dont have to. Getting somewhat anoying with a prosthetic and just wanting some kind of closure to part of this. Thanks for any input it is much appreciated.
Jen
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don23- I was wondering the same thing about fat grafting as I'm considering it to help cover some rippling issues. Hope we get some responses!
JenC- Not sure about your question but I'm sure others will come along to answer!
Off topic- Is anyone having trouble logging onto the picture forum? I click on the link in Timtam's email and it tries to connect but then says it can't connect to the server. Have been trying for days!
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JenC I had my TE's filled then did chemo. I would say I was fully healed from surgery and my body had accepted the TE before they started chemo. I did not have radiation so I am not sure how that is affected but I would think they would want to stretch your skin before radiation.
Good luck with treatment!
Diane
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Kate 33, wiser words were never spoken. thank you!
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donna: I had fat grafting when I had my exchange and I notice the difference in my step off! He said one more time (when he does my nipples) should do the trick. I am not sure how much of the fat lasts, but it truly made a difference for me and I am so happy to have this option.
jenc: I am no expert, but I chose my PS because, if I did have to have radiation, they would do my fills first. It is very difficult sometimes to stretch radiated skin and I know when I did research on it, Sloan Kettering recommends rapid expansion, then deflating for radiation then slowly refilling to capacity. I am quoting from memory, so don't quote me exactly. I had chemo first, then MX/Recon and it turned out I didn't need rads, however, this is the route I would have taken to get my skin stretch prior to radiation for best results. I am sure there are others with more knowledge and experience than myself who will chime in here.
Kate: I haven't had an issue with the new site but I haven't tried today yet. I did have to override and re-save my "favorites" so that I no longer had the old info for logging on. I hope this helps!
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MBJ- I've never been able to log on in the first place from that link that timtam sent. Not sure why. The first time I tried it said "invalid password" and then I realized I was trying to put in my old password rather than the one in the email. But when I tried again, using the correct info, it just never connects to the server. Very strange!
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I just went there and it was fine. I would re-try again. Computers are so finiky!!!
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Going to go get properly fitted today at Nordstrom's so wish me luck!!!
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Good luck, MBJ!
Kate: I was just accepted to the Timtam site yesterday, but I've been on the site yesterday and today with no problem. Maybe you should PM Timtam?
jenc: I did not have chemo, but my PS' office made it a point to tell me several times that they expand during chemo.
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