Exchange City

Estepp

Thank you Deborah. You are right. I wish more doctors would have been more up front from me the start.. but I am a gray girl... like I see you were faced with too.

I am going to do the rads. I will call tomorrow to get it all up. Too many things have told me/us.. I need the rads.

So... Here I go... I will do the rads.. pray for my heart ... and get my exchange in October/Nov.

It will be ok I suppose... Thank you for the scripture! I love that one! " For know that I have plans for you...."  Love it!

Mykidsmom

Laura - Now you know what you are going to do. So, perhaps it is a little easier. Maybe, I am so sorry for you that you have to deal w/ all of this. I just wish I could step in your house and give you a real hug. Know that I care!

PinkyLee - I wonder why you are more worried about the exchange than the original BMx. From all accounts the ladies tell us that the exchange is much easier than the original surgery. Perhaps it is because it is just too much altogether. I also had problems w/ nausea after my last surgery. The anesthesiologist told me to make sure that I mention it to them and they will pre-medicate. I understand that should help a lot. I don't know how long after the exchange the nips can be scheduled, but I believe it is around 3 months. And just think - no more hard boxes on your chest! We are there for you lady! You will be glad to have it behind you!

Mykidsmom

Opps, I forgot to post my question. This is kind of a LONG RANGE one, but the worry wart in me has to ask. I know that implants do not last forever. When they need to be replaced, do you know where the incision is? Do we then have to go back through nips and tats and the whole bit? I know... it's 10 + years down the road. Can you see why I had to have a prophylactic BM? There is NO WAY I could deal w/ testing every three months!

This site has been a godsend to me. And my heart continues to go out to everyone, especially (of course) Moody and her daughter, Olivia. But also, to everyone who has to deal w/ this dx.

Take care ladies! You are all my friends! - Jean

ngcm05

Good luck to everyone who is having surgery next week!  So exciting!  I have my final fill Wed. (to 700cc and I think I might pop!). 

Looper - let us know how it goes with the exchange.

Jeanie - how did everything go??

GG

Estepp

Thank you Jean. Yes, I have made up my mind, I hate the choice I made, but I know it was the Godly choice. So... His way takes over mine. I will be fine,.

I do not know the answer to your  implant question...

Good Luck to everyone having surgery !!!!!!!!!! Let us know how you do!!! I am soooooo excited for you!! Your time has finally come...wahoooooooooooo

susan13

Hey Laura,

I hope you feel better about your decision.  I too decided to hold off on my exchange until after my rads is done.  I agonized over the decision as my docs told me it was MY decision to make.  I feel as if I had made the right choice for me.  I think I need to do the rads as soon as I can after my new round of chemo is done instead of doing the exchange first.  So I think rads for me will start in April. Then I will hopefully have my exchange in November, December the absolute latest.  It'll be a full year since my initial surgery that month!

Sue

PanamaBound

Angela - Congratulations on your new freedom from the Iron Maiden expanders.  I'm 28 days behind you.  Enjoy the soft boobies.

Cindy

Linda54

Look for 2 updates on Prayer site  3:15 eastern time

traceyz

YAY Laura!!  Not Yay because you have to do rads but yay because you have made up your mind. I think you made a wise choice, I really value Dr Arthur's wisdom and knowledge, and when he advised rads that was a good indicator. So just know that you will do it, it will be over before you know it, and you will have done EVERYTHING possible to kick BC for good!! I am so proud of you for being strong and smart! Remember we are here for you all the way. Go get er done girl!!

Tracey

traceyz

BTW Laura,

Im her2+.....whats her2+++??

firstmate

I am a Sept bil exchange.  I was filled to 650 cc and have 700 cc Mentor Smooth Round High profile.  The right one looks good.  I had to have a revision on the left for capsulotomy and still have some issues with the left side.   The exchange and revision surgeries are so much easier than the mastectomy.  And the implants are much more comfortable than the expanders.  I can sleep on my stomach now.

CAZ

PinkyLee,

While I was nauseated one time after the PBM, I wasn't sick at all after the exchange.  The hydrocodone/ibuprofen I took after PBM did make me itch, but I only needed it for one day after the exchange.  Try not to worry.  It is so much easier on your body this time around and the implants are a wonderful improvement.  I had to wait 2 months between exchange and nipple surgery.  I now have to wait 8 weeks before tattoos.

Jean,

They shouldn't have to remove any skin to replace an old implant just make an incision long enough to get the old one out and put the new one in.  My PS feels that the implants usually last 10-15 years at least.  I'm sure your mileage may vary.  Best of luck.

Carol(AZ)

psalmist

Laura - Praying for you this week.  What a tough thing to face.  A good friend of mine just finished her rads (she has the same kind of cancer as you) and is still in chemo.  The radiation was kind of tough a few times, and she had some bad weeks.   Why tell you this?   My friend called some of us when she was really struggling and we just sat with her and let her talk.  If you have some face-time with good friends during your treatment, it might help you get through more positively.  We didn't mind being there for her, and it really helped her cope just to have someone to call and say, "I feel like cr_ _  today - I need your help."     

 My friend is finished with radiation now (two months ago) and feels GREAT!  She's doing so well, it's like she never had cancer. Her hair is all grown back and her sunny disposition is back, too.  She's amazing.  I get the feeling you are a pretty amazing gal, too.  Just wanted to share with you that if you have to lean on your friends a little more than usual, they won't mind.  And in the end, it's all worth it.  Your life is so precious.   

Everything works together for good.  Hang in there.  We're pulling for you!

psalmist

Pinky Lee,

My husband has a TERRIBLE time with anesthesia and any kind of narcotic pain relieving drugs.  Morphine and Demerol made him vomit, and so did the pain relievers Hydrocodone, and any Tylenol product with Codeine.  He had major back surgery and could only take Extra-Strength Tylenol.  So, anytime he faces surgery or some kind of procedure involving drugs, he gets very nervous.  That could be most of your problem - just the after effects are SO uncomfortable to some people, even moreso than the surgical pain.

The doctors used Fentanyl as an anesthesia on him recently and coupled with Phenergan (anti-nausea) in his I.V., he had significantly less nausea. Fentanyl is usually used as pain management for cancer break-through pain.  Because other opioids make him sick, he was surprised he tolerated it as well as he did.

Tell your doctor all the drugs that have made you sick in the past and maybe they can find an alternative anesthesia coupled with some anti-nausea drugs to help you cope.  Be sure to have someone in the room with you monitoring your first few hours after surgery.  My husband was so drugged at one point the doctor made me sit with him and keep him semi-awake (the Phenergan really knocks him flat!).

My mom also struggles with nausea, and I did too for a few hours after my mastectomy surgery and then two weeks later for my lymph dissection. I threw up in the car on the way home both times.  Not a fun thing - thank God for those little plastic containers they send home with you!  : )  The druggy feeling of surgery does cause nausea, but I've heard it is also a physiological response to the trauma your body has experienced.  

Best of luck to you.  My exchange is March 3rd.  I'm actually excited about it!  I want these iron boobs off!  : )

Estepp

Ladies.. you are so kind to me... and everyone here!!!  We and I just love ya!!!!

I know I must do rads now... sooo.. I just will.. and I will do great! I will keep my head high.. I will try to support anyone going through rads and those who have expanders in like me.. and left sided BC...:) YOU ALL lift me up!

Tracey... Her2+++ just my way of saying Her2 positive.

If you are Low Her2+ you might be a grade 1... Highly Her2+ aggressive... Grade 3... Med. Her2+ grade 2... like you.

Dr Arthur said you and I were VERY close... but I was a little worse off... ... so rads for me. If you would have been a grade 3 and 2 nodes... rads for you...:)... but you are safe sister and made the RIGHT choice for you!!!!...

I love you all!

Laura

Estepp

psalmist... THANK YOU for your support !!!!!!!!!!!!!!  You are very kind!!!!!

traceyz

Laura,

I just KNOW that you are gonna do fine with rads. My PS said the majority of women with expanders in who do rads have NOOOOOOO problems!! And it makes me happy that you will never have to 2nd guess yourself. You are a special person Laura, I hope you know that. Thank you for reassurring me about my choice. I really appreciated everything you said. All my friends who have done rads say the only thing that was a pain with rads was going every day, other than that they all did good. One of my friends even had implants in and she is fine!! You will be to! We are all behind you little precious one!!

Tracey

Linda54

Everyone needs to go to the prayer topic to see the pictures of Olivia sitting up in bed eating and smiling!!!!!!!!!!  Praise God

rockwell_girl

it's great seeing a smile on that little girls face  again : - )

psalmist

Awesome news about Olivia!  Thank God.

Mykidsmom

I just wanted to say that this is a wonderful website full of wonderful ladies. And I am so excited that Karen's daughter is sitting up in bed!!!!!!!!!!!! We all are! -Jean

PinkyLee

Thank you all for your answers!  I will make sure that I talk to the doctor about my nausa.  I threw up on the stretcher on the way to the room following my surgery.  I threw up for two days in the hospital.  I woke in the middle of the night with vomit all over my bed and couldn't reach the buzzer, so I am very afraid of that part.  I have become more excited about getting rid of the bullets, so that part is exciting.

Good luck to all who are getting ready for the next step.

Jeansbeans

Hi EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I had my exchange on Wed. Feb. 4th!!  I have to say I am quite sore as I had  a little more done to fill in a huge gap juat above my expanders. PS had to liposuction from underside by my underarm and belly.  So , I have to wear this horrible Binder for 7 days to keep everything in place. Of course I am all itchy and have a rash from the binder rubbing my arms.  I was so disapointed too because I was suppose to have Nips when I woke up!  But , I didn't. Dr. said things need to settle a little for the nips to look even. So I really haven't been able to enjoy my new foobs yet.  They do feel much softer than expanders, but, When I move a certain way they make a sloshing noise!  Anyone else have this?  Kind of sounds like a small FART {LOL} Great!  Now my foobs are farting! How embarresing! ANGELAD WE had exchange done same day!  I am so Happy for you.  Are your implants comfortable?  PINKYLEE, DIANNE< Your exchange is just around the corner, I am so excited for you.  To all of the TATA Sisters, I will be thinking of you all , Thank you for your thoughts, God Bless YOU ALL!!  I think this thread will be as popular as CONTINUED TISSUE EXPANDER PAIN!   Hugs, Jeanie 

rockwell_girl

Jeanie tell us about your implants...are they saline or silicone and what style high profile or low ect...

I've heard of some ladies that got nips done at the time of there exchange and things shifted and nips weren't at the same area, so I think it's a good thing your PS waited but he should have shared that before surgery.

sorry your sore but getting lypo sounds like a bonus : - )

Mykidsmom

Hi ladies - I am about to go out of town on a little trip. My first real trip post surgery. I am a little uptight about all the hussle and bussle and someone bumping into me. But I am sure it will be fine. I am going to miss everyone until I get back. Take care and have a great week! - Jean

Jeansbeans

Hi, My PS picked out the implants, I asked him about the different types, but, he uses what he feels is right for the patient.  I only know it is NATRELLE Silicone filled.  I don't know what high or low profile really means.  I do know they look really good, very natural. MY DH is very happy and keeps telling me how GREAT I look.  I guess I'll never get sick of hearing him say that. He has been my ROCK through all of this.My PS did give me a ID card to have with information on the implants.  I am glad he waited to do my NIPS now that I've read some posts about waiting for the implants to settle.  What is a few more months, after all we've been through! I know he'll do a GREAT job with the tatooing too as he is an Artist on the side.  His whole office is filled with Beautiful pictures he has painted.  Gentle Hugs to all MY" TATA SISTERS " Jeanie

azsunn

Hi ladies...

I was curious, and I'm not sure if you'll be able to help.  I've had my expanders for a lot longer than most of you, 14 months to be exact.  I never had any trouble with pain at all, until a couple of days ago.  I've been getting twinges/spasms on one side. Did anyone else experience this?

Hoping that all of your exchanges go quickly and smoothly!

rockwell_girl

Jean have a great trip we'll miss seeing you here

Jeanie I'm so happy you & your hubby are happy : - )

I thought maybe they were saline since you said you heard something but since not I'm not sure what that would be.  Just keep lovin them...

AZsunn did anything change...When was your last fill?

could it be that your cold

I think I heard that can happen if your cold

 Hope it goes away and you feel better soon : - )

Mykidsmom

Hi there - I just couldn't stay away from all my friends. So I found a computer that I could log on to for a minute.

Jeanie - I am so psyched for you and love that your husband is enjoying the new you. My husband has been my rock as well. What would we do w/o those men of our's?

AZsunn -I can't help you. It seems odd that you would have pain after so much time. Perhaps you overdid something and strained a muscle or something? I really don't know. But let us know what you find out.

Sandy - Thanks for being there for all of us. We count on you and everyone else before us to help us understand what's going on.

Take care ladies!

Estepp

Hi friends... I have been sick... puky.. ek... just wanted to say hello... and I am not ignoring you all...:)

I hope you are well!! Jean.. have a great trip...

Sue...We should talk about our rads experience...

Everyone else.. I think my fever is back... ekkk I am gonna go take something...

Love!