Exchange City

Scottiemom11

Being mother to a special needs child while trying to recover from surgery and cancer treatments is so freaking hard. If I don't exercise every day in between PT, I hurt. Now once again I have a sick special needs kid. UNCLE. I God never gives us more than we can handle he must think I'm alot stronger than I actually am.

Sorry for the vent but I know y'all will understand.

Scottie

hummingbirdlover

Sorry Scottiemom, you definitely deserve a break. It's hard enough to stay positive and it sounds like you're dealing with a lot. Vent away, that's what we're here for. Take care of you

Rebecca54

Exchange on Wednesday and my ADD brain has now latched on to the procedure and questions keep popping up in my brain. Has anyone who is past exchange asked their PS to cut out the scar tissue from the mastectomy? I am torn between them cutting it out and keeping it as I have this perception that it won't hurt as much to heal????

Hugs to all my sisters! And hoping everyone is feeling as well as can be!

hummingbirdlover

Rebecca, good luck on your exchange. My PS never asked me about my preference with regards to scar tissue but she did tell me she released some "areas of concern" at the exchange. It was such an easier recovery than my previous surgeries, you're going to do great.

Scottiemom11

Thanks Hummingbird. It's been a rough day. I haven't had a meal all day (just a bagel and a few nibbles), was trying to get my work done and he would not even let me enjoy my bath for 30 minutes this evening. I just have to remind myself that I am blessed, and as they say this too will pass.

Rebecca. . .talk to your PS about this before the surgery. My Ex was almost 8 months after BMx. I had alot of pocket work and lipo on both sides to even things out. Everyone is different. Hope you have an easy Ex on Weds.

Scottie

Eee3

Rebecca,My ps released scar tissue during exchange. He also removed my entire scar incision from mastectomy to make a cleaner, fresh scar. My exchange was easy.

sherry67

Scottiemom11

I know how you feel, I have a son that is disabled as well, he is full care. I know how difficult it can be. I cared for him all through treatment and let me tell you I had an awful time with treatment . So keep your head up.

Sherry

Angie4

Scottie,

Keeping you and yours in my prayers. I'm so sorry you are struggling. Hugs!

Scottiemom11

Thank you Sherry and Angie. Today was better. I got to go to work and dh had to stay home with him. Work can be my sanctuary from treatments, surgery and special needs kids. I was just taking to one of our older state building authority guys this morning. He told me he was retiring after 13 years on 12/31. He said he worked 20 years for the railroad before that. I got to thinking that I've been a special needs mom for almost 20 years now but I've got a ways to go before I can retire from working.

I just need to conquer my continuing nerve pain and then I can get back to the business of really getting back into shape.

Scottie

Rebecca54

I know it's still early but o m g it's so nice to have those tes out. Now I'm worried the implants are too small. Just going to revel in how much more comfy they are for now

Msmath

OK so yesterday I made the decision to go back to work on Monday. I have made arrangements with the school and the lady who has been subbing for me. Today when I was getting ready to go to lunch with a friend I noticed that my right breast looked a lot bigger than my left. I took off my sports bra and my right breast is very swollen, red and somewhat sensitive. I'm not running a fever or anything. Could I still have an infection? The other thing I have been dealing with is the spot where my drains came out is oozing still on my left side. Now my DH doesn't want me to go back to work. I just want to put this all behind me........

loriekg

Msmath...I suggest you let PS know right away! The sooner you get on antibiotics the better. Last week at my two-week check up I was red (slightly...almost not noticeable) on both sides above incision line. PS decided to go ahead and start on the antibiotic just to be safe.

trailrose

MsMath- Definitely contact your PS about your swelling and redness!

mysunshine48

I think Andrea had a red Breast after a few weeks and it was an infection that was taken care of with antibiotics.

I have a weird question.....anyone ever had a hollow spot? The top of my right Breast has a spot I can poke.....nothing in there. Like with expsnders and there is a spot. Left breast is perfect. Is this why women get fat put in?

kingster

Msmath...don't go back to work. Get a ps appt pronto. Go to the ER if you have to. Implant infection is very serious. It's possible to lose your implant if the infection goes too far.

Scottiemom11

Msmath, I concur with all. Go to PS, Urgent Care or ER today. Sending you hugs and prayers.

I'm beginning to understand why my PS does so many rechecks. I postponed my last one for two weeks due to work schedule.

Scottie

Msmath

I'm going to my PS today. She was able to squeeze me in. Woke up this morning with some numbness and a little back pain on my right side breast is huge. I'll update later.

Rebecca54

Msmath, good luck! Hoping antibiotics work magic! I completely get you wanting to put it all behind you!!! Positive vibes sent your way....

Rebecca54

For those who are post surgery and who are wearing a bra. Any advice on best bras? I'm now wearing the bra the hospital gave me post mastectomy as it hooks in the front and has an expander for swelling but I wonder if it is snug enough. I havea bunch of sports bras but they are all over the head things.

SpecialK

mysunshine - yes this is why people have fat grafting. Gravity causes a round implant to settle lower. If you had a thorough breast surgeon tissue should have been taken almost up to the clavicle, so there is no way a round implant will reach and fill that space on most people. Grafting some fat above the implant softens the step-off and fills the dent above the implant

kgirard411

That image makes me feel so much better. I look and cry about my implants all the time - looks flat from top. I already know they are too small (was very upset already as went from double F to not able to fill a B cup, so trying to decide what to do there - lose 20 lbs they may look better). I am almost 5 weeks out, and haven't seen the "fluff". I asked my PS on Monday if they would fill out a bit in shape, and she basically said what you see is what you get. Having seen this, I guess I will wait a bit to make a decision.

Lkscolo

All you Exchange Alumni out there, how long did it take until you were not constantly conscious of your new implants? Days, weeks, months....years?!?!?! I am only two weeks post ex but I am always aware of them. They still hurt, are rather uncomfortable, can't sleep. WAYYYYY better than TEs but still definitely feel like a "visitor" on my body. Recovery wise I feel pretty good. As long as I don't sneeze!

BBwithBC45

Lkscolo, I could have written your post! My exchange was 8 days ago and I have the same questions. Funny you mention sneezing - I had a cold for a few days after the exchange and I was sneezing up a storm, clutching my chest each time.

SpecialK

I am aware 24/7 and I originally exchanged in early 2012. I think some of this is dependent on how big the implants are and your particular body habitus - I am fairly thin, with thin skin, abnormally thin pectoral muscles and fairly large implants. Others have become used to the difference between implants and their natural breast(s) over time

Englishmummy

Hi everyone, I thought I could get through this and sail in to my exchange tomorrow, but it apppears rationale has left and freaking out mode is in its place...

I had nothing like this when I had my bmx, I felt it just had to be done, so I calmly did it. Now I have healed really well, had no problems and I don't even mind the TE's but today I am just plain scared. Silly, right? I know this is a much smaller, easier surgery (my PS told me 45mins.) But I just can't seem to 'pull up my knickers' and get on with it.....I think because I am not sure what to expect...all my PS and his nurse have said is 'you'll breeze through this.' And to have my hubby take me breakfast after! 7 am surgery. They told me (if) I worked I would go back Monday? I apologize for rambling but I needed somewhere to put it down, plus any tips for getting through and healing well would be greatly appreciated.

Elizabethaw

Hey, Mummy! Don't worry--I know, that's not possible!! I remember being super calm the morning of my BMX. I was just relieved to have the hideous waiting time over. Then I was much more nervous about subsequent surgeries.

It is a much, much easier surgery. For the BMX I took serious narcotics and was totally out of it for a period of time. I needed lots and lots of help. For the exchange, I probably took ibuprofen and Tylenol (perhaps a narcotic or two the first day to make sure major pain didn't hit me). I was sleepy and tired from the anesthesia, and the antibiotics gave me a stomach ache. The pain was very minimal! I took a week off work, and that was all I needed. Again, it was the tiredness that I felt. I'd take my daughter to school and go back to bed! I don't think I'd want to go back to work after only a weekend off.

The major problem with recovering, I think, is being careful not to overdo it! In all likelihood you'll feel just fine pretty soon afterwards, and it will be easy to start lifting things or doing too much.

Then the emotional side could be trickier. So many women come through this and have an emotional response after exchange. So you might feel all sorts of stuff. Give yourself time and let yourself heal.

I know it's impossible not to worry, but the surgery will come and go, and you'll be fine!!!

Lkscolo

Thanks ladies!

Englishmummy, Elizabethaw is spot on! My surgery was an hour. From Noon to 1 pm. I was home by 5:00 and they only kept me that long because my O2 kept dropping from all the drugs I think. Once I got home I took one norco that night and tylenol the rest of the time. The fog and wooziness, nausea from anesthesia was the worst part. I don't know if you will feel up to going out to breakfast that day but maybe so! It took a few days to get the anesthesia out and lots of water and walks helps speed that along. I wouldn't fret if i had to do that surgery again. Really, it was not bad at all! Best wishes! I would not want to go back to work Monday but you might be surprised!

SummerAngel

Englishmummy, are you having fat grafting with the exchange? I ask because if I hadn't I think I would have been fine to go back to work the next Monday (I had my exchange on a Friday morning, too). The only reason I was glad to take the entire week (which I really didn't need...) was that the donor site, my inner thighs, were super sore and it wouldn't have been fun sitting up all day on them! My chest was actually fine almost right away. Try not to worry!

mysunshine48

I agree with the last few posts. I could not have gone to breakfast though! I also agree about the sneezing and coughing. I am 2 weeks out tomorrow.

Special K, oh, boy.....I did not want this. Can I just live with the hollow spos? It does not look too bad, only when you poke it......hollow! IF I would do a fat transfer, what is the best place to get it from? I do not have a lot of fat.

Elizabethaw

Mysunshine48, if you want to know way more than you ever wanted about fat grafting, (I just had mine done and have been obsessed for way too long!) take a look at this thread: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/...

You absolutely can just live with it! If it doesn't bother you, then leave it alone!