MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

staynsane

Luv, Eph, Eli- Thanks for remembering me!  I changed my avatar to be less recognizable because I posted pics on the picture forum.  Which kind of brought me back here.  I haven't heard of anyone relocating their NAC (the one I so desperately fought to save with my NSM) and ending up with what looked like two, due to an unexpected skin graft!  I feel better now; the unwanted graft is not red and areola-looking anymore, and when I saw my PS on Monday he told me his plan to remove it.  I didn't think it would be possible.  It will involve probably three in-office procedures over time to finish this, and likely one more outpatient under general anesthesia, but my sense of calm now tells me I really didn't like what I looked like and now I have hope.  Again.  That someday this will be behind me.

Loral- Love the pic and statement!  If/when either of my girls has a baby girl, I'm going to try to remember that one!

elimar86861

staynsane, You have stumped me with NAC...what is that?  Nipple something?  We missed the whole middle part here.  Why did you end up getting an unexpected skin graft?  Sorry to hear the process is something that will be long and drawn out, hopefully your patience will mot be tested too much getting to the end point.  (I'm not too good on patience and I'm always looking to speed theprovess along, but sometimes you just can't.)  Keep us informed on your results (and anything in between.)

Dashing off to get off my pump (and I wish that five minute procedure didn't involve waiting in two waiting areas, and the whole thing taking over half an hour!) 

luvmygoats

Eli - I googled "NAC breast" and got hit with nipple-areola complex which is what I suspect Staysane means. At least make sense to me. LOL.

Well, I need y'all for a pocket partay tomorrow. The awful time of 7:30 is when I report for injection for a bone scan. Then something like 3 hours later for the scan. I'm still having pain/swelling with this mouthful sternoclavicular costocondritis. CT was unremarkable but since I did not speak up saying why not do bone scan instead I get more fun. At least I'm down to my 20% now. Don't know what I'm going to do with myself at that hour of the morning. Sleep in the lobby? Starbucks? I was supposed to go Friday a week but they found a cancellation tomorrow. I think I'm read to get it over with.

marlegal

I'll be in the biggest pocket Luv. Since it's so early, I'll bring lots of coffee.



SnS, good to see you. Well, almost see you that is! Sorry you need those procedures, but sending tons of positive energy and prayers that things turn out perfectly. Hugs hon.

Loral

Luvmygoats-I'll be there with breakfast

mumito

That's exactly what I do when I get my bone scans. After my injection I head to a nearby Starbucks with my IPad until scan time.Try to relax when your in the machine.once I even fell asleep during one.🙀

goldie4040

Luvmygoat,

That waiting for the injection to take for a bone scan is a pain.  I had one on my  foot years ago because they couldn't figure out which little bone was broken (like it really mattered. I wore a boot no matter what bone broke), but I went out shopping for a few hours. Ask them if there is somewhere you can go take a nap...hehehehehe

barsco1963

I'm here luv..... better late than never. I don't often get to Starbucks and can't think of a better bunch to go with! Since it's payday for me, I'll pick up the tab for drinks all around! Pick whatever you want.....

 

 

staynsane

Eph, Luv, Marlegal- Luv nailed it.  NAC or "nipple areola complex" is used often for us girls with NSMs (nipple sparing mastectomies).  The acronyms we learn as we navigate this process!  After my exchange and reduction/lift was behind me, it started to bother me that my left NAC (so much easier to abbreviate!) was way off to the left.  My hubby liked that when we were in bed it was always winking at him (I sleep to his right) but he also made comments.  It became a constant reminder that things had changed, and I decided to change it.  My PS relocated my NAC to a much improved position, which left a hole where it originally was.  He used the skin that he cut out for the new position to fill the old hole.  This was not discussed with me beforehand; he said he would tighten up the skin and scar line.  At no time did he mention a skin graft.

When bandages were removed after surgery, it looked like I had two areolas on lefty!  The unwanted graft has since lost the red color post surgery and looks like a patch on my breast.  I could probably live with it, but when my PS told me his plans to remove it I was relieved and am hopeful for the outcome I originally expected.  Call me vain, but I had a NS procedure to achieve what I thought would be a better outcome.  I've heard of women saying "save the nips" and I'm into "saving the NAC!"

Luv- I hope your scan went off without a hitch and you got in some good resting, reading, shopping or whatever!

luvmygoats

Well, that's done and over with. Easypeasy for the injection. Parked in my onco's parking lot after, drank a bottle of water and read for a bit. Then in search of BR. Off to Starbucks and thanks Barsco I had a yummy iced chai tea. Sat outside and watched traffic. Back to BR and then off to waste time at Mexican grocery. Back to scan center where the recept. forgot me after I checked in oh yeah and went to BR again after another 1/2 bottle of water - TMI I know. The tech who came to check that scan looked adequate asked more pointed questions that I had already answered which, of course, set off my dark side alarm. Tried on shoes but just not into it so went to Trader Joes - where Ta-Da I only spent $8.00 then home to local grocery. No result for at least 24 hours but tomorow being Friday I don't expect anything until Mon. possibly Tues. I do have to go back to FW on Wed for BS appt.

Thanks for the pocket party. Loral thanks for breakfast. I can highly recommend the iced chai tea at Starbucks so much I bought some green chai at the Mexican grocery (well it's Stash tea pretty mainstream). I need a nap; alarm went off at 5:50.

Staysane - I just can't imagine why you don't want 3 nips. I'm so glad PS is going to return you to 2 only and both pointed in the proper direction.

marlegal

Luv, glad things went rather smoothly. Hoping for boring results next week. I just might have to try the iced chai as a treat next month when I see doc (pass a Starbucks on way back to my office). Sounds really good.



Side note, I wake to alarm 5 days a week at 5:40 still

elimar86861

Luv, If only someone was paying for all the time we put in at the scans and OVs, we'd all be rolling in the dough.  (Haha!  Not literally, like D-rose is!)  So, after that long day, time to kick back and wait for the good news to roll in.

Mar, The birds are barely up by then!  Ai-yi-yi!

SnS, I got the picture now.  Yes, you certainly need but two areolas.  I hope the PS can work his magic so that the skin graft area can look less obvious and you get a good cosmetic outcome.  I KNOW what you mean, no need to look at a reminder of your B/C saga, and it is a bit easier to put it in the past when not seeing it in the mirror every day.

Loral, Mmmm.  Those croissants were good!

I am just a little pre-occupied with my son's cross country move to grad school.  The travel dates keep changing.  I may fall behind with my BCO reading this week.

luvmygoats

I was preoccupied with my daughter's move to college 50 miles away. Wouldn't know how to handle cross country. How the heck do you pack for a permanent yet temporary housing and transporting all of it? Best of luck to your son and to you, too. You may need Staysane's moniker b4 it's all over.

Thanks for the well wishes.

Momine

Goats, my kid went off to college in another country 3 years ago. The dorms were arranged when she registered, so she knew there was a room waiting for her. I paid the dorm bill from here, online. The kitchen at the dorms had basic stuff like plates and pots. For bedding, I ordered a "student starter package" online for her. She went off by herself lugging a giant suitcase. She was fine. We had offered to go along, but she preferred going solo.

They only had dorms the first year, so the second year she organized some roommates and they rented a house. This year (her last year there), they are moving again, which she and her boyfriend organized together. We pay though

elimar86861

My son's college stopped doing graduate housing in 2012. 

marlegal

Both our daughters went to college about 90 minutes from our home...far enough to board, close enough we could drive there if necessary. I truly took it as a sign of a job well done that we raised them to be independent - we basically never went except for opening, closing, and homecoming! Neither my hub nor I did the away college thing (I didn't do college at all) so I was really proud of our girls for adapting to that experience. I wish wonderful experiences for all of you whose children are embarking on that now  Eli, your son has done lots of travelling already, hasn't he? I seem to remember keeping him in my prayers for other trips, no?

Happy Weekend buds. We're going to dd's tomorrow for some time with grandson. Otherwise known as the cutest, most advanced, happiest, most wonderful 10 month old to ever grace the earth! I'm sure none of you have ever thought that of your grands

Hugs and love.

marlegal

Being very contemplative (is that a word?) tonight. This is from my FB post, and it talks about you wonderful women, so here it is.

A bit of self-indulgence. It's officially August 24, which means it's officially 8 yrs since I heard the words no one wants to hear. While I hope to never hear those words again, I can't think of anything in the past 8 yrs that I'd trade. I hope I've learned to be a bit more compassionate, more willing to give others the benefit of the doubt, more willing to think that maybe the other person is going through something I know nothing about. I have some wonderful friends for more than 40 yrs who knew just what I needed during my treatment year and I cherish and love them. Luckily, I know they know that - because we tell each other. I've made friends with people going through a similar journey that I would not have met otherwise. I can't tag them all because the thought of missing even one would kill me. (Ha, ironic, huh?) To all my BCO sistahs, whether from Chat or from Boards, know that you carried me when I needed it; cheered me up, raised me up, and made me laugh my a** off when called for too. My family, I hope and pray, already knows that I love them more than many people ever dream of. I am a blessed woman and I do not ever take that for granted. Thanks for the platform

Loral

Congrats Marlegal..have fun today....

barsco1963

marlegal - LIKE   You have some wonderful people in your life. Happy for you! And also hope that you NEVER have to hear those words again. Enjoy your day!

lovewins

just beautiful marlegal....very well done!  and congrats on 8 years.  i have been debating about post something on fb....maybe when i go out for my chemo treatments God bless you and all my sisters here.

staynsane

Marlegal, you seem to be in such a good place mentally (and physically!).  And you are so supportive and loving to others you've not even met in person.  I find it admirable that you take the time, after your own experience 8 years ago, to keep being there for others.  This will sound trite, but you seem to have grown from your experience.  Maybe it's all too raw to me or something, but I keep looking forward to the day when I can be done with surgeries and step away from these boards.  I love the humor and support, but I don't like reading about others suffering setbacks, and have become much more emotional since I got my diagnosis.  I'm done crying for myself, but trying to stifle tears whenever someone here (or on other threads) presents bad news is painful.  Then I end up red, drippy and blotchy.  It's good I work from home.  

I have started checking in almost daily again; you and the other girls keep me coming back! Maybe one day, if and when I'm "done" with treatments, I will be in a place where I have the wisdom, knowledge and compassion to be as helpful and kind to others as you are.   

elimar86861

Pardon my thong!  But I'm happy dancing in celebration of marlegal's  ~~ 8 YEAR CANCERVERSARY ~~  Bump-a-dump-bump-bump!

                                                                 

momto7

Love the elephant !! Happy cancervisary Marlegal dance dance dance!!

marlegal

SnS, thank you so much for that post. It warmed me:) I hope too that you get to a point very soon where you are feeling better about ... well ... about everything. Hugs hon.



Eli, thanks so much for that visual!!!

staynsane

Eli, I've never seen a pachyderm in a thong before, let alone dancing!  Now life is complete!

Beatmon

Elmira: who knew an elephant could twerk?

Eph3_12

Quiet Monday.  Did you all burn your eyes watching Miley Cyrus?  I have purposefully NOT watched it...my co-worker told me once you see it, it can't be unseen & that just doesn't sound like something I need to see.  Watching the elephant twerk was plenty of excitement for me, thank you very much.

Eph3_12

KNOCK, KNOCK!

IrishDancingMom

Hello...

52 year old just diagnoised at the beginning of August with Stage 0. I already had my lumpectomy and go in tomorrow to find out if margins are clean (crossing my fingers). Radiation is next. I love having this group to talk to. I always find new questions and they always get answered which helps the fears.

Big hugs fellow survivors..we shall overcome.

Kirsty

Eph3_12

Hi Kirsty,

Here's to clean margins!