Exchange City
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Orange, I hear you- it is a long process and sometimes it just gets overwhelming.
This is the place to vent!!! No worries there.
If it helps, a lot of us notice that the implants are high and rather flat at first, and we hear about this "drop and fluff" thing- I wasnt sure what that was all about but it did happen to me- the implant is now lower and has more protrusion, more like my natural breast.
I hope this will happen for you. If not they can pretty easily swap the implants later on. Women with and without cancer do that all the time. My plastic surgeon said "it is like shoe shopping" for some women. I cannot imagine.
It is a LOT to handle, what we go through. We are with you!!!0 -
Good morning! It has been a few weeks since I last posted here but unfortunately am now in situation where I need to request input and guidance from anyone that can help.
My exchange surgery was back 5/14 - things went very well and I was pleased with the results. Two weeks ago today, I became ill with a pretty bad sinus infection and got started on a ten day round of anti-biotics. I started feeling better within a few days and was even able to keep my PS appointment last Wednesday, during which my PS said everything looked great and that my next appointment would be one month out. I decided to head home for a few weeks, since I live out of state (6 hour drive), since I had been away for about 5 weeks. I took my last antibiotic Monday and got home late that night. I was not feeling well when I woke up Tuesday, so figuring it was the sinus infection lingering, I made an appointment for yesterday to see my GP for another round of anti-biotics. I felt worse as the day went on Tuesday and my temp was just under 102. I was also having much more pain than usual in my right breast and noticed a fair amount of swelling in the upper pole. When I checked further, I was shocked and terrified by what I saw. Almost my entire breast was very red and swollen to about 1.5 times normal size. This came on so quickly and out of nowhere, so I took a few pictures and sent them to my PS. Thinking it was a sarcoma, she called me right away and told me to get to the ER for an ultrasound to confirm. She said I would likely need an interventional radiologist to place a drain to remove the excess fluid. I communicated this to the ER staff and let them know that the radiologist could call my PS for details. They disregarded the request and decided to contact the on call the on-call plastics Dr instead. When they finally spoke to him around 9:30pm, he said it was a bad implant and that he would drive in that night to do implant removal surgery. I was both shocked and disappointed by his arrogance, lack of professionalism and insensitivity. Not sure if it was because I was not his patient, because it was not worth his time financially to only bill for an exam or if it is his normal MO, but there was no way I was going to let him touch me. It was pretty surreal! I called my PS and we put together a plan with the ER where I would be given an IV dose of vancomycin to help get me thru the night, go home to get some sleep and drive back to Chicago come morning. Not the most pleasant drive but I was in communication with my doctor tnroughout the day. Within minutes of her starting to examine me, the pressure from the seroma caused fluid to start leaking from my implant incision site. After some discussion around options, we decided it would be best to remove the implant and iirigate the pocket. Barring any complications, she thinks she will be able to re-do the implant in a few weeks before the pocket closes. I trust her completely and have the utmost confidence that she will get this resolved, but never imagined being in this situation - and how many times have each of us here said or thought those very same words!?!
I am hoping I have not already lost all of you with this very long winded message, but in addition to providing details, I also really need to vent. Any information or comments would be greatly appreciated...and all the better if I can know that someone had a similar experience with a positive outcome.
Huge thanks to everyone on these boards. The information and support provided continues to be invaluable...and knowing other people understand our experiences has been and continues to be tremendously helpful.
Wishing peace and comfort to all...
P.S. Please forgive any typos as I am typing in my post-op sleep deprived haze on my tablet from my hospital room...0 -
Sharona, first so very sorry this is all happening to you! At the very least, so glad it's a safe way for you to vent, I know that helps. IMO, you did the right thing, you've been with your PS, knows what's going on, seemed to have a handle on things.... For now, hoping they can eliminate the infection and your PS can do the repair/new implant with complete success. Hoping if someone with similar can offer you hope.
Till then, prayers, hugs and healing thoughts being sent your way! Please check back in often with your progress0 -
ChiSharona: I second 2nd_time's thoughts. So very sorry you're having these problems. WE all go through more than our fair share of heartache, pain and healing in this process, but then to have a scary event like this happen seems so very unfair! Prayers are sent your way for complete and speedy resolution and healing. Hang in there girlfriend
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ChiSharona~so very sorry for this unfortunate set back. Please keep us posted. Where do you live?
Regarding the silicone versus the saline...my PS office ladies did not even blink and eye when I asked their opinion. Silicone all the way. I have been going with the help's opinion for some time now.
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Sharona wow sorry that you had so much trouble. I guess they tell us about all these risks but we always figure the odds are it wont happen to us. MY PS has deterred me from making any revisions because my results are very good and I only have minor complaints. His thinking is the risk of infection and other things isnt worth it. I am thinking I should quit while I am ahead. Good job being your own advocate and getting the treatment you needed. Sometimes we think medical professionals are all saints but once you realize they dont all care the way they should you have to either demand what you need from them or go to someone else.
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chi..hope everything calms down for you and smooth sailing from here on...:)
question post exchangers.. I still get intermittent numbness on my sentinel node biopsy side just below my shoulder on my side..anyone still have this? I see my bs later this month and will ask him. Some days I feel great then other days it is very nagging/annoying. Also I have been following up with my bs every 3 months since bmx and his office said I will do so for the first year and then every 6 months after that...call me crazy..but..uh..why???
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I just had my 6 month with bs. He said he will see me in a year. After that I will be followed by my regular docs. Because my risk of recurrance is very low.
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My risk is very low as well... he just does exam and asks how I am doing..feels around..that's it. Just don't get the every three months for a year deal..i'll just ask him next week! I just thought he was kinda done after bmx and initial post op and then after that only if I had any problems...??!?
Good news is that if I go ahead with revision 8/6..my ps office states that they will use different code for fat grafting to get approval..
Just am starting to really like getting further and further away from "post op" status and feeling good..! I was sore for a while after exchange with all the pocker work and even now will have sore days and can still "feel it" when I work out... so not too excited to be post op again...hmmmmm...0 -
Mamatwinz, about the numbness: this is what I know from experience (the hard way): my 1st mx, 16+ years ago, all my LN's removed (this was before SNB) which resulted in constant numbness of the arm - primarily back of arm between shoulder and elbow. Best way to explain: like when you hit your funny bone, sometimes just a slight tingle to that severe shock-like pain when you bang it hard, either way, there was always some kind of pain. Was told that it would probably remain this way for the rest of my life (ugh), but nerves MAY regenerate. Noticed only within the past couple of years that everything's about normal just a slight numbness at worse. Check with BS to make sure you have is within normal range, chances of regeneration for you. Again, that word - patience.
About 3 month check: while it's an annoyance, but so glad to hear that everything was okay, didn't feel it was a waste of time or money. Figured if there was any problem, it would be caught early. Maybe your PS just wants to give you assurance and peace of mind.
ChiSharona, thinking of you, wondering how you're doing...0 -
Cindyloowho.... Greatest news possible! Woo-who!
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Hi ladies just checking in. I haven't seen my BS since 1 week post op after BMX. Thought it was because I was seeing PS regularly and they are in the same office. I'll be sure to ask my PS next week when I go for my 4 week post exchange visit if and/or when I'll be seeing my BS again. My MO I know I see every 3 months for first year and then every 6-12 months after.
I'm curious if any post exchange ladies have run into this issue? Seems like the past few days I've felt this weird feeling across my upper pole and cleavage area. Almost like more numbness or the constant feeling of tightness and being "aware" of the implants. Like it feels like I have something laying across my chest that I need to take off. I didn't feel this after surgery (guess because I had swelling?). Maybe its nerve related and my nerves are trying to wake back up in that area? Not sure if my new girls are trying to settle in or this feeling I have will be my new normal. I sure hope not as I really don't want to think of my new boobs every day!
Mamatwinz I still get occasional sharp stabbing pains in SNB site from time to time. It is so random and comes quickly and then goes away. So weird!
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I've realized something lately after working out. Now, I sweat a LOT when I work out. Actually I sweat a lot when I DON'T work out too......one of my life burdens I guess. Anyway, so I'm on the treadmill walking, then running. Sweat is running down the sides of my face and in my eyes, flying from my upper lip as I breathe, running down my butt crack and boob cleavage and even dripping from my elbows. After a brief cool down walk I do some ab and back strengthening stuff. Then I stretch. As I'm stretching I feel a hair tickling between my boobs so I reach in to get it. That's when I realized OMG, my boobs don't sweat anymore! I'm all sticky and gross above the boobs and beneath the boobs and in between the boobs, but there's about a 3" horizontal area across both (above and below BMX scars) where I'm bone dry, not even a little damp or sticky. Will there be no end to the strange and interesting things that happen to our bodies as the result of BC?? hmmmmmm
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Lol!!! I sweat more too!!
And here's MY "Fooboddity":
(That's foob oddity. New term.)
Now when I ride my bike, regardless of the outdoor temp, when I get home and feel sweaty and get in the shower....as I've suds up the last few times I've noticed that my boobs are COLD! I do not feel that they are cold as I'm riding or walking around, but if I touch them they are cold! I'm thinking it must have something to do with the cooling effect of the airflow as I'm riding??? Lol. Anyone good at physics want to test this theory?
I wish it was like ice cubes cooling the whole glass of water...wouldn't that be nice?0 -
Hi everyone!
I have been absent for a while, trying to be "normal" and carry on with life and so I booked a cruise to Alaska, 2 weeks before sailing (fabulous deal) and we left on June 9 and got home this AM....We had a balcony cabin and saw orcas and humpback whales, dolphins, lovely mountains, glaciers, rainbows, sunsets and sunrises (at 3:40am) and unfortunately an at sea medical evacuation by Coast Guard when someone had a medical emergency (usually they med-evac with a helicopter), but this was a small coast guard boat, that pick up the sick passenger, & 1 other passenger and took them to Juneau.
Breast cancer makes a small world.....smaller .....my Dining room waiter saw that I had a pink bracelet on with breast cancer symbol & Hope, Faith, Courage, Strength and he said do you know someone with breast cancer or had breast cancer and I said yes ME.....he told me his sister had breast cancer and then became on the verge of tears, as she was in the Phillipines and so far from her and his wife and family that also live there....it was very touching. On our last night after dinner he hugged me and wispered in my ear, "stay well "
Then yesterday on the ship (Golden Princess) they had a 5K Susan G Komen ON DECK FOR THE CURE....hubby and & I and about 60 other people did the walk.....we could do as little or the entire 5K or just be a cheerleader...before the walk they had the survivors cut the ribbon to start the walk, there was 3 of us (one 3 years out, one almost one year out and me almost 6 mo. out) I wore out quickly bucking the wind for 1/2 of every lap around the ship and the cool air was wearing on me .....hubby did the entire 5K
It will take me a while to catch up on everyone and I have 3 follow ups this week, my BS and my Eye surgeon, my pre op for my revision with my PS.
Hope everyone is doing well....
I need to go to bed since I was up at 5AM....no day dreaming while gazing at the sea, snoozing on a lounger by a pool today
Hugs to you all!
Di
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hey guys I sweat more too with exercise..but mostly armpits and dang since I have been using non aluminum deodorant, I stink so very fast! I rarely would sweat before bmx and sentinel node biopsy but now I am a sweater and a stinker and not too fond of it! I do sweat in my bra with exercise, but will check more closely next time..I note it mostly at band line..never paid attention to other areas, but I will now! dulci I will see how mine feel after exercise today if cold..boy it would be great if they became our AC during activities!
Di..sounds like a wonderful trip..I would love to go there! Funny or not so funny thing is that I rarely wear any bc stuff..although I do have an amazing stone/jewel ribbon pin that I bought at an estate sale that I have pinned to my wristlet purse (it's all I carried for a while because it was light vs a purse). I think I am afraid I will get upset if someone asks me about it, so I don't want anything to provoke questions maybe? I went to a free hospital sponsored cancer survivor celebration with my friend dawn who was diagnosed with colon cancer 8 yrs ago.. one of my boys came with us too cuz lots of free food/activities for kids too. So as I walk into event with big banner overhead, I started to tear up..and just walking around had that initial first feeling of is this really happening to me? It is just 8 months since diagnosis and it is overwhelming to think of all that has happened/changed in that time...
Wishing you guys a happy day!
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Di, we're hoping to do an Alaskan cruise next summer. We have neighbors who spend their summers in Hoonah, which is the little town near the Icy Point Straits cruise ship stop. Did you stop there?
I've got something new going on with Shirley (my reconstructed left breast - the right is Laverne). I noticed last night there are two little hard bumps right under the skin, a little smaller than BBs, slightly above my incision line. After a little more "exploration" I found about 3-4 more that are the same size just below the incision line. They all line up. DH is thinking they have something to do with internal stitches. I'm a month out from exchange surgery and I wouldn't think there would still be stitches, and why would they be palpable now when they haven't been until now? I have a followup appt with my PS tomorrow, so I'll learn more then. Its just weird and when it comes to bc, I don't like weird.
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mn.. I had couple tiny bumps around incision and ps said was from stitching (this was at my 3 wk check up). They did go down and then I found 2, what I thought were tiny bumps, but after kinda scatching at them, found out they were stitches! PS cut them at my 6 wk appt and said they were the dissolvable stitches that hadn't dissolved yet..but i was just worried about why they decided to poke out! I thought maybe due to swelling etc..not sure? but ok now...
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Di2012: Would you be willing to share what cruise line and which cruise you went on? It's something my DH has ALWAYS wanted to do. It sounds wonderful. Thanks!
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Thanks mamatwinz, that's really helpful. I'm glad I've got an appt tomorrow. I'll let you gals know what PS says.
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Di, your cruise sounds fantastic! DH and I would love to do one too, so it would be great if you could let us know which cruise line you used.
Susan, I had one of those BB sized bumps after my bmx. The PS said it was an undissolved stitch too, so I'm sure you have nothing to worry about.0 -
Susan--I have had 5 spitting sutures so far since my exchange surgery! All from the incision on my "good" side around the areola where the PS gave me a lift and implant to match. When I got the last one I asked him if it was normal to keep having these and he said they can pop out for up to 6 months after surgery and to not worry over them...just put neosporin (or comparable) on the suture and cover with a bandaid. He said if they actually come partway out to either pull them out totally with tweezers or snip off. When I expressed horror with that idea due to my high level of squeamishness he said I could come by and have a nurse do it. He also said only worry if it got red, hot and/or itchy and then to call him. The first one I had he put me on a week of antibiotics just to be safe and after that I just doctored myself. Hope this helps.
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Good evening! Thank you 2nd_time, Sweetandspecial, Not-me and Carrol2 for the kind words and prayers...I need all the support I can get right now.
I saw my PS today and the good news is that she was able to remove my drain (I had forgotten just how awful those were) since there was minimal drainage the past few days. She started me on a second anti-biotic today, so now I am on both Avelox and Doxycycline (on top of the 3 separate Vancomyacin infusions I had between the ER and the hospital stay). She also informed me today that when she tries the implant again, I will definitely be getting a drain. I felt very lucky that I did not have to have drains when my original exchange was done back on 5/14, but I guess we cannot be too careful next time she tries. She also told me that she will be bringing both and implant and an expander to surgery, but she is very optimistic that we will not need to start the expansion process again. Assuming all continues to go well, she is hoping that we might be able to do surgery late next week, perhaps around 6/27. I must admit, I have been very depressed since getting home from the hospital last Thursday. I know my PS will make things right, but this experience is just making me very sad, in spite of my best efforts to not let things get to me. I hate that we all have to go through so much pain and suffering just to try and get back to feeling even a tiny little bit close to "normal" again...
I would still love to hear back from anyone who has had a similar experience of having to have an implant removed for any reason and then replaced a few weeks later, to learn not only about their experience but also their results of the 2nd implant surgery.
Peace and comfort to all...
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Sharona~ Thinking about you!! Glad to see your drain is out!
Sweating thing--YES!!! What the heck?? I thought i was weird, or just imagining it! But holy heck, my armpits sweat where they leave rings under my arms. They NEVER did that before!
MNSusan~ What did your PS say about the bumps? I have those, too, and like everyone else, mine are undissolved sutures.
So...my nipples are great. (Is nothing sacred any longer?? NO.) I'm supposed to wear the 'cones of shame' for one more week (well, until this Friday), but i'm not wearing them right now. I need a bit of 'freedom,' so to speak. I go on Aug 14th for tattoos! YEEEE!
Steph
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I'm sending my very best well wishes to those that need them, especially ChiSharona. I haven't been through what you have, but I know what its like to be in the middle of the storm and needing that life raft. I found my personal life raft in the pages here.
Yes, my bumps are undissolved stitches. When I asked, "why now?" she said that the swelling has gone down and not to be surprised if I see them on the other breast as well. She thinks the girls look great, told me to go live life and she'd see me in three months. I saw my MO last week who said the same thing but will see me in 6 months. Its strange, you see these docs every few weeks for months and months, and then its over. Yay! I think I'll go plant some flowers.
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MNSusan... AWESOME news!
FYI: I had a scary "bump" on the underside of my breast: turns out it was an "oil cyst" (I think a nice way to say "zit"). As long as it turns out to be nothing major, I'm ok
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Hi, all! I had my exchange surgery last Thursday and am going for post-op tomorrow. I was really puffy in my torso for a few days, but luckily that went down quite a bit. Not much visible bruising but I felt awfully bruised for the first few days as well! I just want to say that it's such a relief to be rid of that expander... looking forward to hopefully getting the ok to not be wrapped up and possibly wear a bra again! I am starting to feel like the old me, short a nipple, of course! Can't wait to be allowed to work out and live my life.
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Yep...ever since the DMX I have sweated up a storm. And never before in my life. I asked the doctor what was up, and he thought maybe I am near change. No I do not think so.
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Hi....for those who ask, I went on a Princess cruise, I think we were near Icy Straight but the closest town we stopped was Juneau, Alaska, (along with 3 other ships) We also stopped in Ketchikan, Skagway and Victoria BC....this cruise was to Tracy Arm, but we did not sail right up to the Glacier due to the ice flow and icebergs our ship Captain turned around (we have been to AK many times, and it keeps calling us back)
My favorite cruise to Alaska was to Glacier Bay....ending in Whittier, with a bus ride/transfer to Anchorage....we have fantastic deals for that cruise too, but I could not find a flight from Anchorage to Seattle for the date I needed and so we choose the RT out of Seattle cruise. (very easy for us!) We also needed to get a train or bus to Vancouver BC, Canada to start that cruise to Glacier Bay.
My Post cruise "high" ended today, when I received a denial of my insurance appeal that called my prophylactic MX in my non cancer breast, still calling it cosmetic
.....I will appeal once again.....I have been eating crunchy food: carrots, red peppers, cukes, rather than grinding my teeth....just because I am so pissed off! I did cry a lot too.ChiSharona....this is not fair....hope you are feeling better since the drain is out and the rest of your recovery and re implant will be a "piece of cake"
Stewbie2......surgery sister Dec 2012.....wow you got your nips already!!!!!....how cool.....you are nearing the end of your journey of reconstructions......wooohooo
I have a "bump/zit" too which I will point out to both my BS on Thursday and my PS on Friday....it feel like the two other sutures that poked thru near my incison ends....but this bump/zit is not near my incision.
I see my eye surgeon tomorrow, as right in between left eye and right eye cataract surgery I had the mamo...with not good results, had one biopsy (with a black left eye, no less)...but stereotatic biopsy was delayed for 2 weeks while I completed my eye surgeries and that is when I found out it was breast cancer.
Di....
crunch! crunch!
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QUESTION:
Anyone have breast pain, like milk let down when nursing a baby or when baby is going through a growth spurt & being "sucked to death"......I described this painpost BMX to my surgeon, and she told me not to worry, but I am still getting these pains in my right foob front (former nipple area) and sometimes side from arm pit to front.....my BMX was almost 6 months ago.....(BTW this is my "cosmetic" side) am I a frickin' freak?
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