Exchange City
Comments
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Cannot catchup.... and did see those asking questions DID get responses.....
I am glad to see Lilah and MBJ got you ladies to the PICTURE FORUM! I did not receive and PM's this week about it.... so if I did miss anyone... let me know.
BONNIE..... lordy lady... I am so sorry you are dealing with this STILL! I swear.... some of us just cannot catch a break in the healing process..... like you and Judy.... SS for you two and anyone else who is dealing with never healing on time..... SS
XXXOOO LAURA
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Bonnie- I am also allergic to penicillin and sulpha but I used Bacitracin ointment with no ill effects. I hope you are using an anti-bacterial gel in the shower. I got 2 infections during the whole process and I swear it was from contaminents in the water. So then I washed my incisions with the gel and as soon as it was rinsed, the water went off! Also a fresh towel every time made me feel like I was being extra clean. Not to say you've done anything to put yourself at risk...just hints to throw out there for the germ-obsessed like me. I left a birthday party early last night because one of the girls at my table had an ear infection from a previous cold...and I'm almost 8 wks post chemo! Another reason to postpone going back to work!!! And thanks for the info regarding work and what to say when I interview....helpful to know others are also apprehensive about returning to the rat race. Oh I will miss my daytime TV....NOT!!
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Kansasmom, since you are ER/PR- the hormones probably aren't a huge risk for you. I'm highly positive for both ER/PR so none of my docs would even consider it. I sure would like some relief tho.
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Bonnie,
The very BEST thin that ever happened to me in this whole thing was switching PS's in the middle. I got a better man, better care and a LOT better resutls.
SWITCH!
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happymom - Congrats on the nipple reconstruction! So glad things went well for you! I'm getting mine on Thursday and I've thought, what am I nuts getting them during the holiday season? Christmas 2010 ... the Christmas we'll never forget ... Madonna boobs and all!
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Bec9861- I love the saying, too, but also haven't had the courage to wear the t-shirt out in public! LOL!
MBJ- Thanks for all the info on Iodoral. I really appreciate it!
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Ruth -- I am using an antibacterial called Hibiclens and being extremely careful to keep the area (and everything else) as clean as possible.
CoolBreeze -- What if I never have another reconstruction procedure? Do you still think I should switch PS's now? It's certainly worth exploring.
Happymom -- Congrats on the nipple recon -- made me smile to think of that Madonna look!
Kate33 -- I think it would be fun to wear a t-shirt like that in certain public areas, but I'm old enough that I don't always give a rip what other people think. It would be so much fun to see their reactions!
I just changed the gauze pads and tape on my chest and it was really painful just to touch the skin. Overall, I feel better so that part is positive.
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Bonnie -- maybe you should call your BS just to have her look at it... I'll bet if you called the office and told them you're in pain and have an infection and feeling that you need another doctor's eyes on it, that your BS would find a way to squeeze you in. Just a thought and then I will leave you be
I think we all have to do what we think is best and in our own time.0 -
Lilah --you are very possibly right about this and your advice is very much appreciated. -b
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Dear mykidsmom,
Please mark me as DONE! I got back a little while ago from my bilat exchange.Smooth Mentor high profile 375. Piece of cake. Have one drain on both side, don't care, ace bandage around me, everything is cool. So glad to get those friggin' TEs gone!! Will take photos and post to TIMTAM as soon as I get these drains out.
Best wishes & Happpy Holidays, too, Melissa
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Bonnie: I agree with Lilah: Go get that second opinion! Best decision I ever made was to change hospitals and doctors!
Kate: You are very welcome. I would recommend joining the Yahoo Group for Iodine so you can get some support there, too.
Orchidgal: Congrats!!!!
Happymom: so jealous. I used to own one of those Madonna bra tops back in the day. LOL!
DawnHope: Very good luck to you and your procedure!
Kansasmom: I disagree with your dr. I would only take bioidentical hormones--ever!
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Thanks everyone for the compliments on my avatar.
Deborah - I have to admit that the blonde hair in my avatar is my real hair! LOL! Thanks for the compliment on the brunette wig. I have officially become brunette, which is my natural color. I've been blonde for years (before my latest dx with BC). My hair started going gray at 26 years old. Egads!!!
DorothyK - I hope you're able to get your exchange surgery before 2011. I had mine last year on Dec 15th. My insurance is adding a deductible, which I never had. I have secondary insurance through my DH, so I hope I don't have to pay much out of pocket. I won't be done with rads until mid January and I still need a hysterectomy! Yikes! Anyway, I hope all goes well with you. The exchange implants are so much better than the TE's!!! Good luck!
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Man, my drain output is going up instead of down! :-(
I just called and left a message for my PS nurse to see if there is anything else I should be doing to make it stop or at least slow down. I'm not doing any strenuous activities. I'm wearing the bra they put me in after the exchange almost 24/7 even though it is very uncomfortable around my ribs and where it hits the drain.
Grrrr ... just grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
If anyone has any recommendations or suggestions, please let me know.
Kitty - you look sooooo young! Very nice pic!
Kate - so you actually have the t-shirt too? Yeah, I just don't want to wear it out somewhere and have someone see it who has lost someone to BC and have it seem insensitive. It is definately dark humor.
Kansasmom - I'm sorry, but I have no idea if HRT would be a good idea or not. It would seem like since you are ER & PR negative it shouldn't be a problem. If it's helping with your hot flashes and you're sleeping better & your doc thinks it's okay then I would be comfortable with it if I were you.
happymom - I'll look into accupuncture or effexor. Does effexor make you sleepy?
Bonnie - I'm glad you are doing better. I know how you feel about switching doctors. If I were in your situation part of me would probably feel like I didn't want to "make waves". However, after going through all I've been through this past year and if I were in your shoes and having a doctor be less responsive than he should be, I'd just have to say I needed to find someone else. I can be a bit of a wuss in situations like that so I might make up some reason like - I found a doctor that was more convenient for me to see or something. Anyway - do what you feel best about but don't let them put you off anymore. That's just wrong!
To all you other ladies - congrats on your progress and good luck with recovery!
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Wow ladies sorry I can't comment more specifically to all (running out the door) but Kitty you look great! Orchidgal: wahoo! And MBJ: why am I not surprised that you once owned and wore one of those Madonna bras?
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Melissa- Congrats on being done with your exchange. Hope the Boob Fairy was kind, gentle and generous. Welcome to the land of Yipee Squishees!!!
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Lilah: And that was before I had breasts! LOL!!!
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I just wanted to stop in and say Hi I can not keep up but I pray regularly for all my sisters.
Rebecca
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Bonnie
I don't think another PS would turn you away. The good ones like to fix what other doctors have a hard time with. It's why they choose the profession, I think.
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Hi Rebecca -- how are you doing?
MBJ -- LOL!
Thanks Claire. I'm feeling a little better today and it seems reasonable to be hopeful that the antibiotics are working. The pain is also better than yesterday and I slept pretty well last night, so things are looking up!
I'm not convinced that you are right about seeing another PS because I did that a few months ago for a second opinion and one of the first questions he asked was whether I had a contentious relationship with my current PS (I didn't). He brought it up in several ways during our consultation, so I don't think I'm too far off base to say that most specialists in the same city know each other and watch each other's backs. That's not to say I won't look for another PS, but if the current one can get me through this infection that would be much better timing.
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Bonnie- Glad that things are improving and hope they continue to do so!!!!
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Bonnie- Just thinking....do you have access to or have you ever used a Certified Breast Cancer Navigator? If not, you might check with your health center or cancer center to see if they have one. These very knowledgeable and experienced nurses can help with questions, secure appointments to doctors, or access other resources in your community. They could be your advocate and provide assistance in deciding what you want to do in the future and what doctor you would want to see. My experience was that navigation services were complimentary. The navigators were a great sounding board and offered excellent advice. In their role, they do not work for a specific doctor, but they can provide good direction and recommendations. They were available 24/7 by phone and they were very good about calling back. Just an idea...
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Bonnie I am doing good. Thank you for asking.
I am so sorry you have another set back I will keep you in my prayers.
Everyone else I will also keep you in my prayers.
My update is my nips will not happen until maybe April I will have another round on fat grafting in February so seems I may never finish as I am looking for perfection. LOL
Much love to you all,
Rebecca
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I see this SOOOOOO much here..... after 2 1/2 yrs on BCO.
I see many of us feeling bad... or feeling scared... to change PS... Mid way....... or at the end... wanting a redo.
We all pick our "staff" in a time of vulnerability... BIG TIME. We really have no choice. Some of us have time to really CHOOSE a PS, most of us DO NOT!
Sweet ladies.... this is normal.... and you should no feel bad. Not at all. You are doing good things for yourself.... and you should not have HAD to look for another PS, but you did. This is not your fault at all!
I posted this about a year ago...... and wanted to post it again for our new Exchange City sweethearts!
You are loved and you have every right.... to choose new doctors if you need to. This is your life and your body. You are doing nothing wrong.... you are doing everything RIGHT!
XXXOOO
Laura
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Hey KittyCat....
From one DARK HAIR girl... who was BLOND for about 10 yrs..... before BC....
You, like myself, look younger with your natural color!
I was told that I looked about 5-10 yrs older with Blond hair........ ( NOW THEY TELL ME..LOL)
Younger or older though, you look beautiful with both colors....:).... just younger with dark hair.
So so many women ( actually MOST) look YOUNGER with blond hair...... but then there are those of us..... who don't. LOL...... anyway... as mine gets long... FINALLY AFTER 2 freakin' years....... it REALLY looks dark as there is more of it...hehe... I even decided NOT to put those few Carmel highlights in it... I just colored right over them... and now... I am dark and lovin' it!
Rock the Brown!
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kansasmom -- thanks for reminding me about the Navigator system. We do have access to that system and it was a very good resource for me several times, so I may just call again. However, today I decided that the very best way for me to handle things at this point is to talk to the PS directly in a pleasant way about my concerns and see how he reacts. I don't want to just disappear -- that would be too easy for him. Now we'll see if I have the nerve to actually go through with this at my next appointment ...
rebecca -- so glad you are doing well and have decided to seek perfection. Why not???
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Hi everyone! I wanted to share that as of today I am purse-puppy free!! (that is what I called the wound vac)..it feels so good to be free of it..Now I am just waiting for the rest of the wound to fully heal, which will be in about 2 weeks or so, and I'll be over this...thanks for all your good words..I'm almost human again!! JUDY
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Judy - Glad that thing is GONE!
Prayers for complete and total healing!
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So happy for you, Judy. It must feel SO good to be rid of the purse-puppy!
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Judy~Human ???????????????
Hmmmmmmmm
are you sure sister???
ROFLOL..... just kidding of course momma.....
I am beyond happy you are on the mend...... FINALLY! Just in time for Christmas! YES !
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Bonnie: I was terrified to change dr's. My first PS was at one of the so called "best" hospitals in the area, very cutting edge and he was supposed to be the best in his field. He was, however, the biggest jerk on the face of the planet. I cried hysterically every time I went to him and went through a few months of tests and chemo before changing dr's at the last minute. Best thing I ever did for myself. I didn't tell my current dr. why I wanted to change--I told him I just wanted to hear what he would do. I think he thought I was trying to get out of having a mastectomy, but I just wanted a compassionate dr. who had my back.
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