Exchange City
Comments
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MFrog,
My ps took care of the 'dog ears' at the exchange. I reminded him prior that I wanted them gone when I woke up from surgery, so not sure its an automatic thing. The cut lines went from my armpits around to my back, but those chunks are gone. The lines will be under a bra or bathing suit and should fade soon. Good luck.
Ruth
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Hi Ladies,
I haven't been here in weeks and weeks and I see so much has gone on.
I'm doing ok...unfortunately I have developed some heart problems and have to hold off on my final touches (nipples and tattoos). I had some heart issues before surgery...the trauma and stress of the two bc surgeries weakened my left ventricle. I am now on heart meds
and can't have any more surgeries for a while. The good news is that my cardiologist feels that I can strengthen my heart muscle over the next several months....I'm hoping for the best 
So Smudge and I are taking lots of walks...I'm doing gentle yoga.I wont even begin to try to catch up with each of you name by name but it is so nice to touch base and see how you are all doing. Wishing the best to everyone that is coming up on a surgery and wish you all the best.
I have started a new topic on the photo forum called "nip and tat pics"
I hope this topic will be a place where we can post nip and tat pictures to help those who are moving towards this final step. By having all these photos in one place it will make it easy for us to find reference photos ....I'll be one looking in for what my options are when I am able to have the procedure My ps does nips in the OR and even though I may be able to get away with no anesthesia he does not want to take any risks until my heart is strong...so it looks like I have to wait until at least January.
I just have to say Gail....your little doggie is the cutest! /'.'\
Lilah love the hat!
Kate33 such a cute picture of you and your pup.....
Kay congratulations on your exchange date! Wooohooooooo!
So many nice new photos
So I'm going back to reading and catching up with your jillions of posts
Strength and healing to all,
Laura
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jizogarden: I am so sorry to hear that you are having heart problems! I come from a family where both sides are prone to heart attacks and I have found that just diet alone can cure what ails the heart, at least froma medical standpoint! There is lots of info on the internet regarding this and I know that so far it has worked for both myself and my husband (we both have heart murmers). The thing is, you have to eat a high protein, low fat, healthy carb, high vegi, high antioxidant diet. If you go to perriconemd.com and do the 21 day challenge, I bet you will get your heart in great shape in no time at all. You can also pick up his book Forever Young which has great ideas and suggestions for keeping the heart and body healthy, no matter if it's just weight issues, cancer, menopause or heart problems. I would avoid all processed foods, eat only whole foods that are organic and high in Omega 3's: lots of fresh fish and wild salmon, only grass fed beef, organic chicken, organic vegis if it's affordable. I had my cardio before my last surgery and even I was impressed with how great my heart looked! I am in such a low percentile for my age it would be almost impossible for me to have a heart attack and they could also barely detect my murmer, which last year was very obvious. All with diet. Best of luck to you!
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Girls: Happy EXCHANGE DAY to me!!! I leave in about an hour for the hospital. Ohhhh. Yippee for squishee's. Will let you know how it goes in a few days.
Lilah--so glad your treatment is over. Happy days!
And was so sorry to hear about Dr. Weiss' dx. How ironic.
Great Foob day to all!
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happymom: Have a lovely trip to Foobville where the Boobfairy will bestow upon you yippie squishees!!!! May she be very generous!
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Happy for you happymom! Best of luck. You're going to feel so much better!
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Astorm: I love your little dachsund's picture! So cute! I had one growing up and they are such wonderful animals!!!
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Thanks, MBJ. He is wearing his custom handknit sweater in the pic. I'm actually more of a cat person and I've never had a small dog (9 lbs!) before but I have to say he is the sweetest little thing. He wants nothing more than to crawl under the covers or sit in your lap and give you kisses. He gets so excited whenever one of us comes home! My DH was worried about getting a puppy while I was having surgery, etc. but I think he was sent by a guardian angel.
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AStorm, what a nice puppy, love the custom sweater:)
Sweetie, I know you posted here somewhere about exchange coming up, I'm so happy for you. we all know the nervous feeling beforehand, you have asked questions and searched for so much info since day 1. Best wishes to you!
Mstar, yippee, the date is set!!
Happymom, great results and quick healing to you!
Lilah, drink lots of water and eat some oranges!! you NEED to be all better!
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HappyMom - your implants will feel awesome - just like everyone says - soft and squishy.
Lilah - congrats on finishing herceptin. I had it for a year and it was nice to be done. Rather anti-climactic. I got the book about the "making of herceptin", what a great med.
To all - enjoy your weekend...
Karyn
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RE: massaging the implant - my PS has recommended this but didn't explain how to do it. Can anyone make a suggestion? Is there a right or wrong way?
Thanks
Karyn
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Jan: I will look forward to seeing how your implants are shaping up for you. Let us know here once you have posted photos!
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Karyn - according to my PS, I am supposed to push in on the implant (against the chest) on the sides, bottom and top of the impant (only one direction at a time) so that the implant is sllightly displaced.
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Lilah- Thanks for the photo comment- that is my baby, Piper. I also have her sister, Scout! Hope you're cold is feeling better and you have a great time in L.V.!
jizogarden- So sorry you hear about your heart problems. Hope those long walks with Smudge make it all better and you can finish up your procedures soon!
happymom- Just wanted to say that I hope the exchange was smooth and uneventful today and that you were soon back home in your jammies feeling soft and squishy! Gentle (((hugs)))!!!
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Forgot to add- I got a call from my BS's office today. I have my 6 month post-MX appointment in a few weeks. They were calling to tell me I was going to be seen by her nurse practitioner, not her. Is this normal? I feel like I'm kind of being passed off. What do they normally do during the 6 month follow up? Are there any tests ordered? I have to drive 4 hours round trip to see her so if it's usually a big waste of time, especially if I'm not even going to see the BS, I'm wondering why I should bother. Just wondered what everyone else's experience was (those that are that far out).
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Katey-thanks so much! You remember me-all the questions! I never stop asking and it was because of BC.org and the women here that I gained so much understanding of everything from what type of surgery I should have to get rid of the cancer to what type of implants. I couldn't have done it without all the women here. I truly understand what this sisterhood is all about!
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jizogarden - sorry to hear you haven't been feeling well. Take care of yourself. I also want to say thank you for starting up the new topic in the picture forum. I think it will really be helpful. I just had my nips and grafted aerolas done today so I definitely will post when things look better. I am all bandaged up and have no idea what they look like.
I have to add that a while back I had purchased some fake nipples on amazon.com to be sure that this is what I wanted to do. They were the perfect size so I brought them with me today to show the PS that is exactly what I wanted (at least for the aerola part, not the nipple part). He did put them on and made markings around them and put them in his pocket if he needed to see them again during surgery. I was a little embarassed at first but glad that I brought them with me. He said it was a good idea and where did I get them - ha! I told him he could keep them because I no longer have any use for them. I sure hope that mine are the same size as the fake ones.
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Astorn - thank you for the information on how to massage the implant.
Karyn
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kate33 - I saw my BS for the six month follow up after the DMX a couple of weeks ago and she didn't do much. No blood tests, just looked me over, showed me how to feel around the implants for lumps and bumps, told me what it would look like if the cancer were to recur in/on the skin. She answered any questions I had. I found it helpful. I can understand your feeling of being blown off. I had that problem with my PS. I rarely ever saw him. It was his assistant that did all my fills.
I would go;don't blow off the appt. I wish they understood that we need their attention, that we're afraid and we need their attention as much now as we did when we were going to have our surgeries. I'm sorry.
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Hi everyone!!
3 hours post-op and I'm HOME. NO DRAINS!! I'm SQUISHEE!!! And apart from some pain, I'm doing great!! Thanks for all the kind thoughts and prayers.
I can actually put my arms down by my side. I see PS tomorrow morning. All I have is a bit of gauze over the incision and a sports type bra. Will get more instructions tomorrow, I'm sure, but he said underwires will be fine and as far as he's concerned, after a month, I can wear whatever I want too. I'm very pleased.
One concern, even though BP, IV and such were done on my non-cancer left side, my right arm is feeling a bit heavy and uncomfortable. Prayerfully hoping it's just from the surgery. I'm so thankful to God for giving me peace and feeling surrounded by his love, more than I deserve.
So thank you, my sisters for all the well wishes and prayers. I've already taken pics (with the sports bra). Hubby has poked (gently) and has said, ahhhhhhhhh. hehe.
Time for happy pills!!!
Those waiting for your exchange....it will be sooooooo worth it!!!
Hugs to all and goodnight!
Dee
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Kate, I am on 6 month follow up with onc, BS, and radiologist. All of these are NP visits by very competent, experienced women that I really like. I only see breast surgeon when it's time to plan for surgery so I hope I'm done with her although I love her. Most of the visits is for a good "feeling aournd" like someone else said. You have such a long trip for the follow up but if that is your only follow up, I would go. It is nice to leave with the "cleared" feeling. Can you turn it into a long weekend and break up the drive?
Jizo, take care of that heart!
Happymom, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh...feel the softness.................
MBJ, love your diet tips. I am working my way there. Can't quite give up the ice cream addiction, but love the fish and healthy veggies.
Best to all, deekaay
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Jizo -- sorry to hear about your heart problems. Hope they get resolved soon.
Kate -- I saw my BS for 6 month follow up (after MX) and will see her again in January (though am seeing her in October so she can remove my chemo port). She always sees me WITH her nurse but she is always there. I can understand how you feel, especially if you have a 4 hour drive! Did you express your feelings when they called?
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Kate: I rarely see my PS, just hi assistant, of course my trip is 20 minutes not 4 hours, but I too would just go and have the relief of knowing you are okay. The surgeon would only be called in if their were complications but I get wanting to have some reassurance. Mine just blew my 1 month follow up and made it my 2 month follow up so I won't see him or his nurse for another month now. I don't know what they will want to do at 6 months after exchange. Is the MRI standard for us now?
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deekay: My weekness is chocolate, dark chocolate, so I try not to eat sugar by itself so it has the least amount of impact. I am no saint at all.
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Kate - remember that you are in charge of who takes care of you and your body. Insist that you see the BS until you feel comfortable enough seeing the PA. I insisted and have an appt. with my BS in Nov. At this time I am going to be talking about follow up scans etc. and I think a doctor is more knowledgeable in this area. BTW my original BS left this group because of their policy about the PA seeing patients for follow ups. She wanted to take care of her own patients. Unfortunately, because of a non compete agreement with the group, she had to leave the state to pactice
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It's been a month since my exchange surgery. I got a infection, but it's pretty much cleared up now. I do not look even, I know it will take time, but how much time? I can't wear most of my clothes yet and they are too form fitting and you can see the difference. I am hoping things even out soon. I know they won't be exactly the same, but close I hope.
I go back for a checkup in 2 weeks, can't wait. The pain is finally gone, but my lifted side still twinges a little. I bought a couple bras (just like the one he had me fitted for) but they don't fit right yet. Implant side doesn't fill out the cup and I went from a C to a B cup. It's too flat yet.
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I got 2 infections and an additional drain for a week, so my one boob is 'behind in healing'. My ps feels like it will definitely catch up, even tho it has a bunch more scar tissue.
The 'regular' bras won't fit my 'coconuts', but the Victoria's Secret bras did!!, and one of the styles was 2@$40. I can't wear them just yet because the nice thin strap rests right on my port. When I can't stand the surgical bra another minute, I use the sports bras at WalMart (where we go to cry, lol) size 44 (yes) and then I cut off the extra material like under my arms and the neckline. It holds everything in place and was ok'd by my ps.
Oh did I mention that I got pancreatitis again after chemo? Sooo painful. I did some more research and of the 9 doctors I've seen for this, none 'discovered' that the chemo premed Dexamethasone (anti nausea steroid) has that listed as a side effect. Grrrrr. I guess I'm going to have to go 'organic'. I really don't like having to take so much responsibility for my health care, but its not even a choice anymore. We're paying our doctors a lot and personally I feel they could be doing a more thorough job.
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Soooo 2 weeks from today I will wake up with new boobs!! I am starting to have major anxiety about this - so sweetie2040 - I know how you feel. I too feel like I might be to big - but am trusing Deborah's expert opinion. I'm just trying to stay calm and keep myself busy. Thanks everyone for sharing all your experiences!
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happymom828-so glad you home home and doing well!! God is faithful! I'm going next week and it's great to hear all the good stories of ladies having no issues. I can't wait for you to see your results. Get some rest and enjoy this beautiful weekend.
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Thanks for the advice everyone. I may call the BS's office on Monday and see if they can schedule me with her instead. I think maybe I do need that reassurance. And I've never even met her NP, though I'm sure she is very nice. Claire- It never occurred to me that it may be the policy of the cancer center that I be seen for follow ups by the NP. I guess I shouldn't take everything so personally! LOL!
valerie- Even though everyone goes through the pre-exchange anxiety it doesn't make it any easier! I had the "C.C. Stress" too (too big? too small?). I don't know why they can't show us some kind of computer image of ourselves with different size implants. They did it on "Nip Tuck" all the time! LOL! At the very least we should be able to test drive these puppies before we drive them off the lot!
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