Exchange City

Scrafgal

Letty, Glad to hear that things went well for you!  Thanks for the update!

2FUN

letty, glad you are doing well. I didn't feel immediate relief w/o TE . It took.a awhile

Shoregirl

Good to hear you are doing well Letty and back to work! Don't get dismayed, you will continue to get more relief as time goes by. I feel like I really turned a corner as far as discomfort after about 5 months.

Dafne

Girls, my exchange surgery got postponed. It was supposed to happen today. My ps contacted some days back to let me know he had some emergency cases so he decided to postpone mine. I could not really argue, we all know what emergencies means in our path.

On the other hand, it's so, so damn frustrating. All this waiting period, trying to build up your strength and courage and prepare everything and boom! something happens and then you are back on waiting mode.

Well, c' est la vie. I'll try to stay calm

2FUN

hang in there Dafne!

MinuteAtATime

So sorry to hear that Dafne, how disappointing! I hope your surgery gets scheduled soon. Keep us posted, and hang in. Sending a hug.

Shoregirl

Oh, bless you Dafne, you are being so patient and sweet. I pray you get your new date very soon!!

Hugs!

Dafne

Thanks Shoregirl! Not patient at all by nature, believe me, but cancer has taught me some patience if nothing else.

Girls, please say some prayers for me.

My landlord told me he is selling the house and I need to go as soon as he finds a buyer. There could not be any worse timing than this. December is surgery month, and my contract is till the end of the year. If he finds someone till then, I'll just have a month to pack and go.

I've been searching for a new apartment like crazy, but everything I find so far, is way out of our budget. With me unemployed for more than a year now, things are getting tougher and tougher everyday. Hubs is supporting everything as best as he can, but any money we had on the side, just flown out of the window during this year with all the surgeries and tests and hospitalization time and drugs and so on.

I'm already having anxiety attacks and depression is roaring at me, although I pretend I don't listen to it.

I just don't know what we'll do. His family won't help (long story), my folks just can't or if some of them can, are not willing to.

Half my friend are unemployed due to economical crisis here, and those who are not, just don't really get how it's possible to be almost broke in a year's time. Lucky for them, they didn't have to face cancer, and I hope they never will, but they just don't get it.

I have nowhere to turn for help, or borrow some money from. It's a rather small amount, 1.500-2000 euro, but even that, I just don't have them right now. Our savings will just cover the new surgery and all.

We also have our fur babies to think of.

Surely, they have been some "friends", who have suggested to "just get rid of the animals", as a solution. Hell, yeah. Like the animals are the reason we've been left with no money at all. Not financial crisis, not the rising unemployment, not cancer. The pets are to blame. I explain calmly (when I can), that my pets are family, and they 've been with us all their lives, since they were babies and we' ve adopted them when things were better, and we were great financially. How could I abandon them now? Who would want to adopt a 15 year old cat, for God's shake?

I ask them "Would you say the same, if they were kids instead of pets?" and they get really annoyed. Well, I get MORE annoyed than them.

Well... I better go for a nap. Lately I feel like I have no stamina at all.

Shoregirl

Saying prayers for you Dafne. This is a tough situation you are in to be sure. But all things are possible with God.

Hugs & Prayers!!

RedemptiveSufferer

Dafne, Your frustration is understandable! I know you want your surgery as soon as possible, but would it at all make sense in your situation to postpone it until after the beginning of the year until your living situation is settled? Some women keep their TEs for a looong time prior to surgery for various reasons. Maybe you should allow yourself more time and not feel rushed - unless insurance is a factor. There's so much to consider, I know. Will say some prayers for you! ~ Kim

lynae23

Dafne I am so sorry..I will keep you in my prayers & please try to keep your chin up..I know it is very hard to do but we are all here for you! Hugs!

For those of you who had your exchanges ..I am 3 1/2 weeks out and am worried I maybe doing too much. I feel like the implants are moving a lot and almost feel like I am swollen & have alot of tightness. Especially on my left side and close to under my armpit. I went on vacation and played in the snow with my son and went “tobogganing" down a hill and had a blast but now worried because I feel alotof movement in my chest.

Any of you go through this? Also wondering when I will feel “normal" again whereI don't notice these implants all the time. I know....months prob. But I am ready now lol. Its so hard to be patient.

Hugs to you all & hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families! My hair was the topic with my family and how kinky & curly its growing out. It is all wild & I have no clue what to do with it ha! Just happy its growing!!

MinuteAtATime

Dafne, I am so sorry. I am with you 100% on your fur babies. They are your family. I wonder if it makes sense to consider what Redemptive Sufferer suggested, that is, postponing your surgery until next year. I am sure the thought of keeping the TEs longer may be a drag, but if they aren't causing you too much trouble, it would give you time to sort other things out. Big hugs to you.

Lynae, I think you and I need to slow down! I went outside and did some light raking of leaves yesterday--I mean, not much at all, just a pretty small section of our backyard and there weren't that many leaves, but last night and today I'm paying for it--it hurts. I took some Ibuprofen last night and probably will again. I haven't noticed any shifting though. Would it help to talk to your PS?

Shoregirl

Lynae & Minute...you are doing too much! One of the mantras is "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should." I know its hard to be low key. I went out and planted 5 rosebushes 2 weeks post exchange. I regretted it as my whole body was wracked in pain. Even though everyone says the exchange is a piece of cake compared to the BMX, it is still major surgery even though it is outpatient. So much of our energy goes into healing the incisions and flushing out the anesthesia, rebuilding blood and tissue. We really need to take it easy the first 6 weeks.

Lynae, if you feel something isn't right get in to see your ps. I can tell you I am now 7 months post exchange and am at the point where I don't notice the implants all the time, but they are on my mind as I go in for my revision Wednesday. The heaviness and tightness for me disappeared at between 5 and 6 months post op. As for the new curly hair, my hair changed when I hit 50. It was straight (slight body wave) all my life. If you Google "The Curly Girl Method" you will find all kinds of tips on dealing with curly or wavy hair. Also a forum I love called TheLonghaircommunity.com has all kinds of great info on hair care including lots of info on plant based chemical free hair color, and Naturallycurly.com is geared toward curly wavy hair. Hope this helps!

robinblessed54

I am going to sound like your mother, but knock it off!! These are precious babies on your chest. You need to treat them with love and care. And follow that mantra. You have carefully designed pockets that contain stitches and well planned placement. If you treat them right they will become a part of you soon. I am going on 3 years and hardly notice them. But, they will always feel different, the “new normal “.

So hang in there. And think before you act. 😘

Robin

MinuteAtATime

I know. It seemed like nothing when I was doing it. I see my PS on Tuesday and am afraid to tell him.

lynae23

Shoregirl thanks for all the great info on the curly hair. I will check it out. You are so right “just because we can doesn’t mean we should”. I just need to be patient.

Minute it does sound like you & I need to slow down...it is just so hard. I love this time of year and its a busy time with shopping, decorating & visiting family but I will do my best to take it easy more and let my hubby do more. I Christmas shopped too much over the weekend and definitely paid for it

T-Sue

Great advice everyone! It is so easy to overdue it. I don't feel like I have overexerted my muscles, but I definitely have been caught up in the holiday spirit and tackling too many tasks. I've had a couple afternoons recently where I crashed.

Lynae, we had our TE the same week. I haven't noticed any movement in my implants. I'd agree with others here who suggest calling your PS.

OCDAmy

Wanted to ask all of you a question since I won't be seeing my PS for awhile. I am starting rads tomorrow and so no more expander fills. I had BMX (cancer on left). I don't think they look big enough and the cancer side sits up higher than the other side. Will they be able to continue to expand after rads are over? I know I have to wait a long time for the exchange surgery but I won't be happy if this is the final size. Thanks.

Imkopy2

TaRenee,

I am also a teacher.(high school) I had my exchange on a Wednesday, took the following week off and went back to work on Monday. I was off 10 days (beginning of March) and I had small drains as my PS explained to me. NOTHING like the awful things I had for BMX. I think he removed them the following Tuesday. My doc said I wouldn’t need more than 2 weeks. I hadn’t the FMLA time reserves just in case but didn’t need it. Listen to you’re body.

By waiting a bit after you are filled you allow your muscle to relax (if it is under) and your skin needs a break. If you have questions please feel free to PM me.

Michelle

TaRenee

Imkopy2

Thanks! This is my first year in middle school and I’ve taken off so much time already. I just don’t want to overdo it. I also don’t want to miss out on my beach trip again because of surgery. (I’m a beach baby at heart and didn’t get to go at all last summer due to all this surgery and recovery and more surgery). But maybe waiting till June is the smartest thing for me to do. I do have spring break and can look at dates for exchange then. I guess I need to talk to my PS and see what he says. I may have some questions as I get closer. Thank you for the pm offer. I’m sure I’ll take you up on it soon

lynae23

Hi T-Sue, thank you for that info. I did call my PS and will go see him Thursday morning. I feel like my left implant has pushed over under my arm and is sticking out a bit...it is very hard and feels strange on that side. I have a lot of movement. My right side seems fine. I am hoping it is nothing or a simple fix. I have no idea how they would fix that if it has in fact moved....guess I will soon find out!

Take it easy ladies...hugs to you all

TrmTab

TaRenee

I think you can be the best judge of timing...I had my MX in the summer and had planned on exchange over winter recess, but my TE started to leak so exchange was pushed up to the Friday after Labor Day! So school had just started for the year...well, I was back in the classroom on Tuesday. It worked out, I did nothing but teach a class and then rest. If your MX recovery was smooth, then I think having spring break would be fine...and then you will be healed by summer and can enjoy summer! TT

Scrafgal

Ladies,

I was away and visiting family over the Thanksgiving holiday. I also started work today!  Finally!

Dafne, I prayed for you and hope that your situation improves on all fronts. 

Lynae, I am glad that you've scheduled that appointment.  Your PS will know what to do.  I am sure that this is something that he or she has seen before.  There will be a solution.

I had an appointment with my PS on Monday.  Things were looking fine. We are just going to see how things settle by my next appointment in March.  Right now, my implant still needs to fall a bit more, but my pecs were pretty tight, so it might take a bit longer. My PS thinks that if I need a revision it will be minor, so that is good.  I am not in for anything major!

Good news:  My PS released me from the tyranny of 24/7 spanx and compression bra (about 2 weeks early)!!  He said that my thighs had settled nicely and evenly from the fat grafting, so I don't need to do the spanx thing anymore! I guess the compression bra wasn't necessary anymore, based on what he saw and felt. Honestly, I didn't ask any questions...I was ready to be free!!  I had to buy a couple of new bras, right after I left his office.  I had planned on returning to work with the compression bra and that thing only fit a few shirts well.  Now I have regular bras and can wear whatever tops I want to wear!

Minute, how did your PS appointment go?

Amy, I didn't do rads, so I cannot help with your question.

Hope everyone else is well!

lynae23

Scrafgal welcome back! Glad you enjoyed your holiday & You’re back at work. I too am back full time in the office. It is a good feeling!

So happy to hear your PS appt went well that is great news!!!

meg2016

OCDAmy you may get a little more expansion after radiation. It depends also on how long you are willing to wait until exchange. I did a little more after my radiation, but then they want that to heal for six months after that final expansion. My current implant size is quite a bit smaller than my pre-cancer size. But as implants they look better than the expanders did (the expanders are so square) and so much perkier than my breasts that the size doesn't bother me- I wanted to be a cup-size smaller, but probably really ended up a little smaller than that. I was ok with it ultimately. But I know that they try to balance expanding you quickly with getting you started on radiation asap with skin integrity. I know my PS and my RO had a tug of war on when I needed to stop expansion and start radiation. I had to have one side un-expanded for radiation, then re-expanded, so they went a little bigger during that process (and then did the other side a little bigger as well.)

OCDAmy

Meg, thanks for the reply. I was a C before and wanted to stay a C. I feel like I'm a B now and I don't like it. Hoping the PS can expand me a little more after rads.

Shoregirl

It's a lovely day for a revision! I hope all you dear ladies are doing well! I will check back in when able.

Sitti

Shoregirl, thinking of you and sending prayers for a smooth surgery, an easy recovery and a great outcome.

TrmTab

Have my 12 week post exchange follow up on Friday...so happy to have it as I can also say bye-bye to my current PS. I think I have healed well, I definitely will need a revision at some point, but will definitely also seek another provider. I am past the fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me...can't afford a fool me the third time!

Sending prayers your way Shoregirl. TT

robinblessed54

Tarenee, I also work at a school as the Office manager. I had my ex on spring break so that worked out nicely. I had lots of help doing reaching and pulling tasks. I never overdid any activity. Take care and follow your PS instructions to a T.

Robin