Exchange City
Comments
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hefty lefty: It kind of still hurts, maybe because I am thinking about it. Yes, bubble the whole time and pain the whole time. I didn't take anything for it, should have. Well, I was getting fills at the time and I would take muscle relaxers for a couple of days so maybe that helped.
Shouldn't you be seeing your PS soon? I bet he'll have a better suggestion. I just talked to PA about it, didn't even occur to me to ask PS. Surely there is something.
Vickie
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HeftyLefty - When is your next PS appointment? If you're not comfortable waiting that long and the office isn't far perhaps they wouldn't mind you just popping in for a quick look-see?
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Last night I felt a lump in my left breast (the cancer side) in the upper-outer quadrant. I can't say that I've actually poked around all that much since exchange so might have been there all along. However, I had my annual exam last week and my GYN did a pretty thorough breast exam. It is easier to feel depending on my arm position so was it there and she just didn't notice or has it popped up in the last week? Arrrgh.....it always seems to be something!
During exchange my PS removed a "little corner" of the sling from the other side because he felt a little lump on the outside. I'm hoping this is nothing, but obviously it's something because I can feel it.
Anyone else have palpable lumps or bumps as a result of the exchange?
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So glad to hear from recent "exchange girls" that things are going generally well. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences! I go in Wednesday morning and am steeling myself for the surgery AND the aftermath. I will not expect "perfection" as many of you have advised...
Angelique- So sorry to hear about your painful IV site - and the worry it has caused you! (As a "worry wart" , i know that can be the worst part sometimes.) I had the pain and hardness at my IV site once. The hospital nurse told me it was a clot of leaked blood (like Jan said, not the worrisome kind) and it would go away on its own, which it did in a day or so. Mine didn't get worse, it just gradually got better. I did a little research just now to see if I could find some information that woul clarify and comfort, and found this at surgiprep.com:
Question: I had an IV placed in the top of my hand for approx. 3 hours. a bruise appeared the next day, but no pain/swelling. Now, 5 days later my wrist (below the site) and forearm are VERY sore and swollen, like I can follow the vein up my arm, my wrist is very stiff and swollen. Should I be concerned???
Answer:
It sounds as though you have developed phlebitis, or thrombophlebitis. This is a condition of inflammation of veins that may also be associated with blood clot formation in the vein. Phlebitis is fairly common after IV placement. You should be concerned if the condition is not improving, if you have a fever, if the glands in your axilla (armpit) are swollen, or if you feel generally unwell. Uncomplicated phlebitis normally heals on its own, and the treatment is "symptomatic" - that is, things which improve symptoms, like simple pain relievers and local heat. In some cases however the phlebitis can become septic - infected. This can be a very serious problem needing urgent treatment with antibiotics. You should seek attention as soon as possible from your healthcare provider to make sure you are not developing this more serious condition."
Either way, Angelique, I think you should go in and let your doctor evaluate it if it is still swollen and painful, and certainly if it is worse. After all we've been through, we don't need any extra concern and worry, so I wouldn't feel a bit guilty about seeking a professional opinion on this... ;-)
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Oh TinaT, sorry to hear about your lump. Most likely it is nothing, but how can you not worry. Why not call and get an appointment and get it checked out. I have really been trying to get to know what my implants and the tissue around them feels like (at least until my surgery last week). We will be the ones to best know what is normal for us. I certainly think lumps, bumps and scar tissue are very possible after the exchange or any surgery.
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Yikes, Tina! I'm thinking of you and hoping and praying it's "nothing". I have no experience with this and will wait to hear what the others might know...
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Chistine47 - It is so nice to hear that I am not the only person with caves for armpits. I can only shave half of my armpit on both sides. The razor just won't fit in my cave. Fabulous news that your fat grafting fixed your cave
. I am optomistic that it will get better. If it does not I see laser removal of hair in my future - just part of my journey I guess.Ladies - love to you all! All your posts remind me that this journey continues on after Ex and it is reassuring to know I am not alone. Prairiemermaid - thinking of you and best of luck for your exchange on Wednesday, Tina - pray that lump is easily taken care of, Hefty-Lefty - I hope your hand feels better soon, and heathermcd - congrats on you exchange, I have not been through it yet, but sense the days after must be an emotional rollar coaster.
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I should have mentioned that my next PS followup is already scheduled for the end of the week so I'll just keep an eye on it until then. Thanks all!!!
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I have been hearing/reading that they can change for the next 3-6 months. Are you having nipple reconstruction? What is it about the shape that you don't like?
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Tina: Hoping the lump is just a result of all the reconstructive surgeries. I have lumps and bumps all up and down along the side from the bottom of my breast all of the way to up under my arm. For me, it's all just scar tissue. Doesn't feel at all like a cancerous lump. Hope this is all it is and nothing to be concerned about! Gentle hugs.
For all of the new exchanges: Congratulations, step away from the mirror and give it time. I am a uni and it took about 4 months for my left MX side to more closely resemble my right side. It's not perfect, but it's close. Gentle hugs and fast healing to all of you!!!
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MBJ - Thanks, I hope that's all it is. Just a little nerve-wracking that it's just one spot and feels sort of like the size and shape of a lima bean. I didn't notice it before but I honestly haven't been poking and feeling too much while waiting for swelling to go down and things to settle in. Perhaps I should have started sooner so I would have know how it felt right after exchange. Man, it's always something, right???0
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Tina: Hang in there-I have so many, I constantly have to remind myself of what they did to me. Lots of scar tissue to contend with.
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I saw my PS this morning and will be scheduling my exchange tomorrow (when I can reach his scheduler). I'm aiming for the 21'st or 28'th of October. Hefty, you are right, I am not going to take the chance of traveling. I was hoping I could, but after talking with him again this morning, I'm not going to take that chance. He is going to do the exchange on a Friday and has also suggested some liposuction from the area just under my arms-and said that will be a bit more and probably a little more uncomfortable-so no trip for me.
I am very excited though-and can't wait to get this next step over. I'm very tired of these "boulders" on my chest and am hoping the implants will, not right away, but eventually, feel better.
I'm so impatient! And yet I've had a relatively easy time. Now, if the mood swings would just slow down. Can't wait to post my exchange date! Hoping to do so in the next couple of days. Pat
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Ok incision under my native side hurts. We walked today and it was sweaty and red. Burns like stinging. I had exchange on the 8th. Also my left side is still bigger than the masectomy side. Is t
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Tina, did you have any fat grafting? That can definitely cause lumps. I have few from that.
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Prairiemermaid: Thanks for being my research assistant. I usually go foraging the internet for answers, but lately, I have found that reading too much can be a dangerous thing for an anxious and active mind. So, after reading your post, I put a second call in to the PS nurse and this time around -- I think she heard the panic in my voice - she was able to explain things to me a little better and calm me down.
Today, looking back on it, I think it was a little "breakdown" from EVERYTHING I have been through. Relatively speaking, I have been doing pretty well since BMX and recovery and have been strong, at least on the outside. I think yesterday, post-surgery let-down just brought everything to the surface. Ugh! Glad I got that out of the way.
So Thank You for helping me get past that little meltdown! I really appreciate it!
TinaT: You have also been helping me as I journey through reconstruction phase, so Thank You! Tina, as far as the lump goes, you should find some comfort in that you were just examined by your gyn, and you are headed to the PS this week. I will pray for you that this is just from scar tissue or some other benign cause.
Thank you kickitmom and MBJ for your well-wishes.
Pat: I am now one week since exchange, and while I have been able to function pretty normally, I don't think I could have travelled. So you are doing the right thing, playing it safe, by not travelling right away. I am excited for you that you will be scheduling your date soon!
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HeftyLefty - We all keep saying and reading that BC is a roller coaster ride. I knew going into all of this that there would be bad days and better days. I've also done pretty well overall, but I know that there's still stress and pain just under the surface and some days it only takes a little scratch to find it. Lets face it....it's just plain hard!
I hope your arm is doing better!!!
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Ladies -- sorry I've missed a few days of posts (I was at the Ta Ta Sisterhood Reunion)... but Tina I just wanted to say: I have this very small, tiny, hard lump on the outer quadrant of my implant. It has been there since about a month after exchange (i.e. since swelling went down enough to feel it) and my Onc, my BS, and my PS all say it is scar tissue formed around a stitch. I did not have fat grafting either. So here's hoping that is all it is in your case. Do follow up with your doctors, of course, but hopefully it's just scar tissue that you could not feel before now due to swelling (that has since gone down).
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It's official! My exchange date is October 28'th. Seems like a long way away, but I'm so relieved to have it scheduled. I know I will have some questions and anxiety before then, but for today, I'm just happy it's scheduled and I'm moving to the next step!
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rehm046, horray on your date! Anxiety, I hear you, we all do. Sounds like you are ready, and you will do great.
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Yeah, Pat!
Look past the anxiety, and envision yourself in a world without TE's!! 0 -
rehm046 my date is the 25th not far from your date. We will have to compare notes. I am staying in the hospital for one night. I had my preop yesterday. They gave me the wipes to use before I go and the little pamphlet with the dos and donts before surgery. And now it has become very real to me and I am fine but a little nervous, especially since my husband will be one handed for my recovery due to an in jury. Usually my sister comes to help me after surgery but she has to work. SO just trying not to worry now and look forward to the new me. Hoping that at least in my clothes I may even look better than before.0
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OK, i am seeing my PS on Friday to discuss exchange dates. Here are my questions for you ladies - I had radiation and the radiated side is now a bit smaller. Should I ask for another small fill or will she be able to fix that during surgery? Anyone else go through this? I really don't want to be lopsided!
How many months were you out from rads when you had your exchange? Right now I am 3 months out. If I do it in December, I will be 5 months out. Do you think that is a long enough time? I can't do it in January and would have to wait probably until March, due to my schedule. That would be 8 months, but that is a long way to go. However, I want a good result and tissue transfer is not an option for me. Thoughts?
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Carrol2-I rem u from the hair board and you look great now!!! Hair all back and nice! You go girl!!! Life will come back to normal.
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Hi Lilah!
How was Vegas?! I posted on Foobville that my DH was in the hospital for possibly suffered a heart attack. He's better at the moment but definitely a health scar we don't need! Anyway, thus it has been very hectic these last few weeks!
How was Vegas anyway? How many attended?
NAE
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Reporting in 1 week post exchange and repair of symmastia. Even with drains, extra pocket work and suturing required to repair symmastia (uniboob), this surgery has, indeed, been so much less traumatic than the BMX+TE's 4 months ago. The worst part for me is keeping pretty inactive to give the symmastia repair time to heal. Sure my new foobs are still misaligned slightly and swollen, and the scars will have a long way to go, but heck, my breast mounds are soft. Also, the Botox my PS injected into my pectoralis major muscles really has done the job keeping muscle spasms away!
sweatbean - unequal size due radiation is very common, expected even. Your PS should be prepared to address this, so ASK!
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(((Nedeza)))): I hope he is okay! Sending you many good thoughts your way!
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Carrol, Yes, Please keep me posted on how you do! It's so helpful to hear how people feel, what works, what doesn't work etc. If Hefty hadn't said "probably not a good idea to travel", I'd have a flight booked to Florida-and now, with the surgery scheduled, and the addition of a "little" liposuction" it would have been a VERY bad idea.
Being here keeps me connected and informed, even if I don't respond to each and every post, I'm always reading! Pat
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