Exchange City
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I had expanders back in 2006, exchange for D cup size in 2007, those were taken out 11/2009 for CC, replaced with bigger ones (doc decided that's what he wanted), week later infection, right one taken back out...will be prepping to now see if Dortis can be done after they fix my botched tram flap...2nd opinion doc told me last week that looks like I can have dortis done without problem, however, he would have never opted to do tram (I had ileostomy reversed in 2008) because of all the internal colon and intestine surgeries...my god, at least I now have another option, thought that my dortis would be out of the question becasue of all the radiation I had at right breast site...any advice or suggestions or anyone have similar performed? Been a long road, but I see it all comming out good....thanks gals!
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LG300: Welcome! I did quit my job at the time of diagnosis and also did some consulting in my down time. We are in the same boat--I have just started looking, and I have to say, I have no energy and I don't have any idea how I will work a full time job again! I also do not know how anyone went through this and worked at the same time. It sounds as if you had an especially rough time with so many surgeries. It doesn't say where you live--are you currently on disability?
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Roberta: Welcome! We all heal differently. Have you joined the picture forum, which is separate from this site? It really helps to see pictures of those who have been there and to share your own so that you know what to expect and to get help if there are problems. I know that there are a few women on here who had radiation and implants. Estepp is the first one who comes to mind and I am sure she will be on here and can be some help to you. Gentle hugs!
OneToughWoman: Wow, you have really been through it! There are a couple women here with failed implants due to radiation or other problems who will be along to help you shortly.
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Roberta - I did not stop taking my tamoxifen before my surgery. I even asked because I have read that some women have to stop taking it about a week before. I was told not to stop taking it. I could even take it the morning of my surgery if I wanted to. Everything worked out okay for me.
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To anyone who wants their surgery put in the list in the header (Alma
-- send a PM to Mykidsmom and tell her the date and what kind of surgery you're having. She will add the info to the list. She may miss it if you just post here... so the PM assures you that it will get listed!Roberta -- I worked all through chemo and took a week off after MX and again after exchange. I found the exchange especially hard to recover from because I also had a reduction on my native breast and there was a lot of bleeding (bruising); a LOT of swelling too. It took weeks to go down and even 6 months later I can feel the remnants of the hematoma. I also had low red blood count after exchange surgery which made me incredibly tired (had to take iron pills to beef my RBC up). I actually think I had two weeks off after exchange, now that I think of it.
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Almagetty: Just PM mykidsmom to post your surgery date!
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Thanks Lilah - I was the same way - worked off/on through chemo and radiation so was thinking that this should have been a piece of cake. I'm experiencing the same - lots of swelling/bruising. I did sign up for the picture forum MBJ and will have to get some time to look over there.
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Roberta -- I was surprised by how much harder the exchange was on me... I think it's a combo of extra work done (compared with others) and, possibly, a cumulative thing (four surgeries in one year for me because I started with two lumpectomies). Who knows? Just take care of yourself and you will feel GOOD soon!
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Later this morning I will see PS again to have the drain removed -- I hope. Overnight the fluid turned really dark (almost black) and and I've never had that happen before so please hope with me that it's not some other weird thing happening in my contrary body.
Anyone ever come back from surgery with an opposite sore shoulder? I don't know what position they had my arm in, but it's hard to lift it because of shoulder pain, especially in the morning. Hope there are no more surgeries in my future, or at least for a long time...
Take care, everyone.
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Hugs Bonnie!!! I hope the dark color isn't a cause for concern... and sorry about the other shoulder hurting. Ask your PS and consider doing some exercises to stretch through the ROM issue; small movements repeated (like arm circles, flapping like a chicken, wall crawl) can help a lot.
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Well welcome to the new ladies to the group. SandyMcFra tomorrow is your big day I will be praying for you.
My pain is much better now. Most of the swelling is gone I think. I will be so happy when the bruises are gone I look like I was beat.
I can not believe it is November the 1st. Well I hope everyone is healthy and happy.
Rebecca
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Welcome all newbies. Those who have had a long journey, hang in there. Those who are having exchanges soon, praying all the best for you...it will be SO nice to have squishee's instead of rocks!
Those who have had exchanges recently, glad you're doing well. Rebecca, glad you're feeling better. Anyone heard from Hummingb1rd? Or did I miss her post?
Bonnie, the dark color could just be old blood. Keep us posted when you get home this afternoon. Thinking of you!
Getty, my PS will do my nip the same way. I'm just wondering if I'll need fat grafting under it to make it look conical like my NSM on the left. I'd hate to have a somewhat flat surface with a bud sticking on top! haha
Sandy, all the best for you tomorrow!!
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I posted some new pics since my revision. THey are not that good because I took them in the mirror but they have to do for now my DH is at work.
Rebecca
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Dee: My PS is doing the fat grafting beneath the new areola. I'm so happy about that! Do I dare hope that I'll get a slight cone?!?
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You are right, Happymom -- the dark color was just old blood and the drain was removed totally painlessly an hour or so ago. I'm SO glad to be done, at least for now. Tomorrow I'll see my primary doc to figure out what's to be done about my low TSH, but that's not a big deal.
My best to everyone who is having surgery this week and healing thoughts to those of you recovering from surgery.
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Hi Roberta: I saw your post about your exchange surgery and Tamoxifen. My recovery from my exchange surgery did take a while. I think it depends on what type of what of work your PS did during surgery. My surgery was intensive. Mine was called a Skin Advancement Flap surgery with infamammary fold surgery. Hopefully, I put the terminology correctly. At the time of exchange, my PS basically sutured my pec muscles to my rib membranes so the recovery was very painful and slow. Getting up after I was laying down was impossible and sleeping was a real B*#CH, just like after my BMX.
Regarding the Tamoxifen, my oncologist told me to stop taking it for surgeries and to stop two weeks prior. She told me that it's due to blood clotting risks. Hope that helps and best wishes with your recovery!
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Bonnie - sore shoulder might just be from it being in one position for quite awhile, I think they like to keep you as still as possible during surgery?
Coming home from the PS today I felt like crying - I think it is just because this whole process is almost over (and I didn't even have bc), but it seems weird going to the doctor almost every week for 6 months and then just stopping ( although he did say he wants to see me once a year). Is it just me or has anyone else felt like this?
All of you with breast cancer are really an inspiration to me and I am awed by your strength, humor and courage!!
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vmudrow: Hugs! I soooo know how you feel. I was sharing the exact same thing with a friend the other day. I am no longer running around from dr to dr every day and I think that now that things have slowed down I have finaly allowed myself to feel something, and it's alot of loss and sadness and just OMG what have I been through in the last year! Hang in there, I am sure it will get better for all of us!
Bonnie: Just saw your two posts and those were my thoughts exactly: old blood. What a relief to get the drain out. BTW: When I had my MRI my shoulder hurt for two weeks after from being held in one place. Can you ask your ps for a little bit of PT?
Rebetata: Sorry you are all bruised but I am glad the pain is under control. I cannot believe that my MX bruise finally went away as it was pretty ugly. Be gentle with yourself and it will heal in time. Going to have a look!
Sandy: Good luck tomorrow and may the breast fairy bestow upon you beatuiful tatas!
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Sisters...I just found out that I have rheumatoid arthritis. My RA tests came back positive. I am pretty flattened by this tonight I thought the doctor was crazy to run the test, believing my painful ring finger was due to Tamoxifen or a little arthritis. I took the breast cancer diagnosis like a champ, but RA is worse than breast cancer to me, as my mother was crippled by RA. I covet your thoughts and prayers. I need to meet with the doctor to discuss treatment next week. I'll sort through it...I'll wrestle the darn beast, and I'll be okay. I just felt I needed to tell my girlfriends about this and you guys are IT....
Deborah
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I will add you to my prayer list. I am so sorry to hear about this.
Much love and hugs,
Rebecca
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Deborah, I am so sorry that you have to go through this. I will be thinking of you. Hang in there! Big hugs from Maria
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whippetmom - I'm so sorry about the RA diagnosis. I too will pray for you. I know you were concerned about the possibility of LE. But now this ... praying for you!
My mom was diagnosed with stage IV bc in 2000. About six months later she was diagnosed with high blood pressure and had to start taking blood pressure pills. She'd endured 8 rounds of chemo, 30 radiation treatments, MX and she handled it like a trooper. It wasn't until she had take that blood pressure pill that I saw her break down and cry ... it pushed her over the edge.
You've been so strong and it is that ONE more thing that pushes us over the edge ... you're not alone in that. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted ... Ps 34:18.
[edited for typos].
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Almagetty - Thanks for your message and good luck with your NAC surgery next week. Sounds like we had similar experiences with extensive DCIS and multiple surgeries.
MBJ - Thanks so much for your message. Nice to know I'm not the only one dealing with both lack of energy and job search stress (although I'm very sorry that you're going through this as well). Also, I read your later post about feelings coming to the surface lately. I've had the same experience. I was so focused on my surgeries and day-to-day pain for months that I didn't really experience the emotional pain. Now that the physical pain is getting better, I'm starting to feel (or finally notice) the emotional pain of this ordeal. It really surfaced when I first watched the pink glove dance video - I was hysterically crying for the first time in months.
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Deborah --- damn I am SO sorry to hear this... I am sending you hugs and prayers and the hope that there are good meds to help you keep RA at bay. (((Deborah))) It's just SO not fair.
Rebecca -- I had a gigantic purple bruise on my reduction side that took almost two months to completely disappear and then hematoma's there that still are being reaborbed (though very very tiny now) so I feel your pain
You WILL heal though.Diane -- wow I don't think I realized quite the work you had done... but you DO look incredibly good now so I'm guessing the pain passed?
Valerie -- I'm sorry you feel so badly... I hope that feeling will pass. I still feel like I'm doing a lot of doctor visiting still but I am sure when it goes down to once a year I'll feel funny too.
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Whippetmom: I am so sorry to hear about the RA diagnosis. Please know that there are many of us who will be praying for you and that the doctor finds an effective treatment for you.
Hugs and good thoughts,
Jan
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((((Deborah))))): I am so sorry to hear this news! I do know how crippling RA can be and I hope and pray that there is something they can do for you! Please let me know if I can help in any way at all--I am only an hour away! Big hugs!
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LG300: I am always surprised at when and how it hits me--all of a sudden there I am-bawling like a baby. It does feel good to let it go though, doesn't it?
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MBJ: It does feel good to let it go - very cathartic. I was trying to stay positive and handling things so well, I didn't even realize all the emotions that had been building up inside.
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(((LG300))): Yeah, that just about sums it up doesn't it? Part of the new normal, I guess.
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Deborah - so sad to hear about your diagnosis of RA I have a friend that was just recently diagnoised also - no fun. Another (younger friend) is trying to go off her medications so she can get pregnant. I have heard that the medicines they have work so much better than in past years - although no one wants to put more stuff into their bodies - praying you find something that works well for you!!!!
MBJ and LG300 - glad to hear I'm not the only one crying for no reason - I'm feeling much better today - I think we all need a good cry once in awhile.
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