January Mastectomy

bcincolorado

How wonderful Paula!  Thanks!

bookart

DEBBIE!  I just saw your great news about winning a book award - congratulations!  I have to remember to go to your blog this weekend and post a comment.  Good for you.

neversurrender

Love it Paula !

KatRNagain92

Love it Paula!  Out of 44 original members....we still have about half of us that keep checking in and cheering on Team January!

binga

Hi Team January! 

Thought I would stop in and see how everyone is doing.  I have been busy at work but did get to go to Destin for vacation week before last and it was wonderful to just relax.  The weather wasn't so great but that's ok rainy days are ideal for sitting on the patio and reading a book.

I will be having surgery on Aug 26th. I am going to Dr Khouri in Miami and having these implants replaced with smaller implants and fat grafting done on top.  I am excited and scared all at the same time.  I really hope this resolves my pain, rippling, bony sternum and the way my implants fall to the side when laying on my back.  I hate all those things and am willing to deconstruct if necessary to feel better but I am pretty confident that Dr. Khouri will be able to fix it all.

Keep me in your prayers team! Everyone have a great week!

Becky 

neversurrender

Good lucky Becky.  I will keep you in my prayers.  Make sure you stop back and let us know how everything goes. 

pbebow

Good luck Becky!  I am very curious to see how it goes.  I have been having a lot of pain, just a constant uncomfortableness (if that's a word).  I can barely to stand to wear any bra that has any kind of shape to it at all.  I have been wearing just these stretchy sports bras and usually by the end of the day I am done!  And I have the ripples and bony chest which I absolutely hate....  I was talking to my DH the other day that I am thinking about talking to my PS about whether or not they can do a DIEP (or whichever one of those procedures) after they've already done the Tissue Expanders.  If someone would've told me that every time I wash my hands or do anything using my hands that my boobs would contract and look disgusting I would've rethought the whole thing.  That is the part that I hate the most about these new girls.  I am supposed to go back in the fall for my last fat grafting that I was supposed to have in the spring that I cancelled.  So I think I am going to be asking a lot of questions.  Also I have felt from the beginning that they are too low and since he replaced the implants with bigger ones I feel like they are too close together too.  So, I don't know what can be done about any of it, but I am tired of the whole thing.  And I still don't even have tats so I still have naked girls.  Grrrr!  OH well,  good news is I am having an awesome summer!  And I still have lots of plans coming up!  We have Relay for life this weekend and a golf outing/pool party.  Next weekend we are going to MIS for some crazy Nascar racing with 2 other couples.  Always a crazy drunken good time!  LOL!  We come back from that on Monday and head out on Wednesday with the kids to Michigan Adventure.  When we leave there we are headed to Ludington for some fun in the sun for 3 nights.  Very excited!  Then we might get Labor Day Weekend up at our friends cabin on Indian River.  Good times!

Hope you all are doing well, happy and healthy, and enjoying your summer!

Take Care!

Paula

cleo100

Greetings Team January! It has been ages that I have posted but I certainly have enjoyed the time catching up with everyone's lives. We all have our ups and sadly our downs but life goes on and it is GOOD. Summer has been glorious and seems to relaly be lingering this year...not flying by going unnoticed. I had my exchange last August which may have been the last time I posted. On June 10th I finally had my nipple reconstruction. I am pretty happy with the whole thing although they have shrunk quite a bit. I am scheduled for tats in October. One thing I really noticed about the nipple process is that it seems to have tightened my skin and I really haven't noticed any rippling since. I'll keep my fingers crossed. All in all, I'm just happy and want to send my blessings out to you all. You have meant alot to me and helped me get through a difficult passage. Enjoy the rest of summer! Cleo

bookart

Going on vacation, yay, yay, yay!  Leaving behind all my baggage (except essential luggage)

binga

Paule- I feel your pain.  I hate the contracting boob thing too! I am so excited and scared to go thru another surgery but I don't want to live like this for the rest of my life. I have been talking to a few ladies on here who have already done this and they are all very pleased with the results. I will definitely keep you posted and maybe it could be an option for you to get your problems resolved also.  I haven't got the tats yet either because I have never gotten to the point where I felt happy enough that I wanted to put on the final touch. Maybe after all this is over. You should look at some of the stories on fatgraftpatients.com and especially check out Dr. Khouri's patients. Something to think about.

Well life goes on and I am off to the river to go tubing. Don't know what I was thinking when I agreed to this since I hate cold water but sometimes you just gotta jump right in!

Have a great weekend everyone!

bcincolorado

I have that contracting thing too.  I'm glad to know it isn't just me.  Since I kept one side "au natural" and did not do anything to "match" it seems even more noticable.  DH does not seem to notice but I just cry in the shower sometimes.

robinlbe

Oh, my dear, sweet friends....I'm so sorry you're going through so much with it all....seems it just never ends.  I thought most of you were doing ok with your implants.....what a disappointment after having gone through all of that.    I'm still uncomfortable about half the time, even with having nothing done.  Chest gets tight, feels drawn.  Armpits get poofy, swollen.  argh.

Don't you just wish we could get our "old" bodies back?  But without the "C" stuff?!?!?  grrrrr.....

But, alas, there's no wishing, and we're all pushing forward....

I thought I'd sign in and check on everyone tonight, as it may be quite awhile before I'm back...school with the kids starts tomorrow...I'm officially a 4th grade teacher now.  The interview for the middle school job went well, but they kept dragging their feet on making a decision, and when I found out that the numbers were high enough for me to be able to stay at the 4th grade (and not have to get moved), I withdrew my name for the other position, and just stayed where I had been assigned.  I have a GREAT principal and wonderful co-workers.  Even though it's been 20 years since I last taught full-time, they are really helping me.  This is a HUGE change for me and my family.....told my husband he will be an "educator's widower" and my son will be an "educator's orphan."   

Oldest son will be staying home, but going to college here...Daughter will be leaving for school in less than three weeks, and will be three hours away.  Youngest son starts a brand new high school tomorrow, where he knows NO one.....after having been homeschooled.

LOTS of changes.....

will always be thinking of you all and praying for you.....much love...

blessings...robin

burley

Hello ladies!  I didn't realize the last time I had posted was July.  Time is flying by.

I also have the ugly contracting thing-most noticeable when I'm washing my hands in front of the mirror.  Gross.  I really hate it.

I have to say, I am not happy with my boobs even with tatts done.  They're just so foreign.  So wide apart-I have NO cleavage.  That seems really weird to me.  Not that I had any before cancer, but having gone through all of this, you'd think I would at least end up with something I'm happy with.  Sigh.

I had been experiencing some severe arm pain starting at my fingertips and ending at my elbow, so I finally called and went into the Onc about it.  He ordered a PET scan, which came out fine (not that I was worried about cancer of the arm), and referred me to a physical therapist.  Turns out I have tendonitis somehow, and we discovered that my shoulder is practically frozen.  You know how you just learned to do stuff differently after the MX?  I had been "babying" it for a year and a half without realizing it.  So we're working on that.  I'm down to only taking Aleve after a session instead of every morning.  I spend an hour twice a day doing the exercises, which are not fun.  I didn't realize how weak I was.  He said all my problems are not uncommon after MX, and that they often don't appear until later like mine.  No LE, though.  Thank goodness.

Laura-I'm so sorry to hear about the infection and problems.  I'm glad they were able to place an implant right away, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you that all goes well this time.

Kat-congrats on your new career!  I hope the show went well.

Nice to hear from everyone else-I think of all of you daily.  Have a terrific day!

neversurrender

I am sorry so many are having the issues with their constructed/non constructed chests.  It does seem like after all we have been through to get to this point, everyone deserves to be happy and pain free

Ladies, I have finally gotten myself onto Facebook (with a lot of pushing from my daughters!).  I have found many of you, but for any I havent, pm me and let me know how to find you.

I hope everyone is doing well.  If you are reading along, pop in and let us know how you are doing !

Never Surrender !

bcincolorado

Hi Kim,

I had to do the physical therapy route.  I was fortunate enough to have one that specaializes in bc patients.  DH had frozen shoulder and I do know a shot of cortizone can help tremendously if it does not get better before too long.  He ended up with surgery after several rounds of shots but he was pretty ill at the time too and you are on the mend.

Sally, I don't face book at all.  For me to do this was a big thing.  I barely e-mail since I'm at a computer all day long at work I get sick of it!

Paula

neversurrender

Hi Team January !    Just popping in to say good luck to all our ladies on the east coast.  Donna and Laura, I'll be saying some prayers that you all stay safe.

ReginaR

Dear Team January!   My Sisters,You all have been on my mind! Hope all is well with all of you!

Sorry I haven't had  time to post, I have been reading & trying to keep up with all my Jan Sisters! Thinking of you! Hope all are safe from The Hurricane! Saying Prayers!. Please Let us know how you east coast girls are? 

I am back to work,Healing well( Thank goodness no infection this time)

Thinking of you! {{{hugs}}

 Love ya,Gina

ariesrottie

Paula- How beautiful! Sorry that I haven't been on. It's not that I don't think of everyone everyday. I do ! Before I wake up every morning I say a prayer and when I go to bed I thank God for all my blessings iincluding my SISTERS. I pray that each of us should be healthy and happy.

 It's been a rough summer. My oldest son Anthony broke his leg when he collided with a team player in softball. 8 weeks no weight baring 2 plates and 8 screws. It has not been easy we are down 5 weeks but he start his senior years in college and has to do an internship for counseling for alcohol and chemical dependant people. Hopefully he will be fine on his crutches. We sent my daughter Bianca up to her senior year in college and she is already fighting with her boyfriend. I guess I am in for a rough year. She is planning to try out for Lacrosse this year. She was very good in HS lets see if she still had it. She did play 2 year at college level for Soccer. Oh these kids will kill you.

Any suggestions on a long weekend for a surprise for my husband. He is turning 60 in Oct. and last Sept was our 25th wedding anniversary . We didn't do anything for I was having my Hysterectomy on the 29th. So I figured this year would be a good year to do something. I   welcome any suggestions.  

I hope this finds everyone recoped and healed for you are alway in my prayers.

Happy Labor Day!

Donna.

binga

Hi Jan gals!

I haven't posted in a while but check in regularly to see what is going on and all you are always in my prayers.

I had my surgery with Dr. Khouri on Aug 25th. It was quite a whirlwind due to the hurricane that was supposed to hit Miami. They called to push my surgery up one day and I had to rearrange my flight, hotel, rental car and work schedule all with in a matter of hours. Not to mention a mix- up about some pre- op labs which almost caused my surgery to be cancelled after all the changes. Talk about some pre-surgery stress! And then the hurricane didn't even hit Miami. Omg! Oh well now I am recovering but it has been more painful than I was expecting due to the extensive pocket work he had to do. It didn't resolve all my issues and I will be going back in late Oct for a second round of fat grafting and more work but hopefully not as extensive. However I no longer have any rippling, my breasts no longer slide under my armpit when I lay down and my breasts are warm to the touch again and feel and look way more natural. So all in all I am happy I did it. I am hopeful the next procedure will accomplish even more!

Hope everyone has had a great summer. I wish it wasn't almost over.

Becky

neversurrender

Yay! Becky I am glad everything went so well !!!

pbebow

Becky, glad that things are looking better.  What exactly did he do in this surgery to make such great changes?  and how are they warm?  Now that summer is over (sigh ) I am going to be going to see my PS and I have some major complaints to throw at him and I'm just not sure where to go from here.  Would love some details on your surgery... 

thanks!  Hope everyone else is doing good.  Think of you all often.

Paula

binga

Hey Paula-sorry it took me so long to answer but I had to go back work and I have been wiped out at night! He took out my 500cc implants and replaced them with 150cc implants. He tightened the pockets and injected fat ontop of them. He gets the fat from liposuction and then it is injected in tiny droplets which is why most patients retain 85 to 95 percent of the fat unlike traditional fat grafting where a higher portion of the fat is reabsorbed. The reason they feel warm is because the implant is not directly under the skin but under the injected fat. I am going back in Oct for a second round where hopefully he will be able to totally remove the implants and inject more fat. I am also thrilled that they no longer slide to the side and go under my armpits when i lay down. I always found that so uncomfortable. I also had a bony feeling sternum and he corrected that with the fat grafting. Several of the ladies who have had this procedure have also regained some feeling in their breast. I'm not far enough out for that but it would definitely be nice if it happens. If you want to read some of their stories and get more info on Dr. Khouri you should check out fatgraftpatients.com If you have any questions I would be more than happy to help in anyway I can.

pbebow

Wow, that sounds interesting.  The fat grafting that I have been getting is the same way, small droplets, but he didn't completely cover the implant.  That is quite a jump from a 500 cc to a 150 cc, you are comfortable with that?  I guess you are, otherwise you wouldn't be so happy with your outcome, duh.  sorry.  I've been talking with Whippetmom and some girls on the picture forum, I am thinking about going to another PS to get another opinion of the issues that I am having to see what they have to say before I go back to my PS.  I'm just not sure if these issues are something that he is going to be able to fix or willing to fix, not because he's mean or not talented but maybe something he did is causing them and then he might not want to admit guilt?  I dont know, I'm probably being paranoid, but I am ready to get it right and move on.  I will check out that website though, for sure.  Never too much knowledge!  Thanks for sharing!  I appreciate it!

Paula

binga

There are several other ladies on that website (and they are on here too) who opted to exchange for the smaller implants and fat grafting but only went from 500 to 300. I told Dr K I would rather go smaller because I just did not feel the bigger implants were me.  I was small before BC, a small B, and I wanted to stay the same but my original PS just didn't listen and I never felt comfortable with the big implants. They were really out of proportion with my body. I am still fitting in my C cup bras but it is more natural feeling. Once he takes these out and replaces them with more fat I can see how it looks and feels and if I need to I can go back a couple months out and have more fat added. One of the ladies on fatgraftpatients is hphlee and I think she looks great. Maybe you can check out her pics and see what she looks like since she is several months out from the final procedure. I really didn't want to have to go thru more surgeries like this but I just turned 40 last month and that is way too young to have to deal with all those issues for that many more years. I am determined to do everything I can to get back to as close to "normal" as possible. I just wish I would have known about this procedure before I had the implant reconstruction. Oh I forgot to say in my previous post that it has also got rid of all the rippling. It has also helped with the crazy contorting I would have when doing things like washing my hands. It has not gotten rid of it but I think when the implant is totally out it will improve alot more. Not a whole lot of PS do this procedure like Dr K but there are more and more who are learning. At my surgery there were 4 other drs from around the country observing.  I really hope you get some answers and figure out what you can do to get it right and move on! We all deserve that. We have been through so much!

Becky 

pbebow

Wow, so cool, Becky!  thanks for sharing!  Another question, did your insurance cover all of this?  And does it cover your traveling expenses?  Are you posting on the picture forum too?

pbebow

OMG Becky, I am crying!  Watching the videos and the info, that sounds so perfect!  I so want to do this!!!!  It sounds like it would totally solve my problems.  I can't wait to show my DH, hope he's up for a few trips to Miami!  How long did it take you to get in?  I am very interested now to hear about the insurance part!  Let me know!  Thank you thank you thank you so much for sharing this information!  If only we had known this from the start and didn't have to go through all of the TE pain!  I'm so glad that I got so fat over the summer, lots of fat to transfer to my boobage!!!  LOL!

burley

Hi ladies, just checking in.

I must confess-I seriously hate my boobs.  Small, far apart, low down...the nipples and the tattoos look great, but they aren't enough to make me want to be naked in front of my husband.  I haven't seen my PS since May because I'm so frustrated.  How do you tell her you hate your boobs?  That she created?  Ugh. 

I'm almost up for calling her-if I can get through all the other doctor's appointments that I've been having.  Oncologist, PET scan, breast MRI, physical therapy, Gyn, sports/spine doctor...really, it's been a whirlwind.  I've been using a lot of gas driving all over town.

I hope all of you are well and had a terrific summer.  It's just beginning to drop a few degrees here, thank God.  Miserable hot summer.

Take care all!

neversurrender

Call her Kim.  There may be something she can do.  After all you have endured, you deserve to feel happy with your new body.

Never Surrender !

robinlbe

Hey all......Just checking in....I've finally come up for air for a few minutes to say "hi"....what a cazy time it continues to be for all of us!!!!  I'm enjoying(?) reading about the boob adventures....I had checked into the Miami doctor before, and semi-seriously considered his approach....since I had already gone the no-reconstruction route, I would have had to do the reverse type of expansion, where you wear the vacuum thing to stretch out the skin before he inserts the fat.  It was tempting, but in the long run, I didn't go that route for so many reasons.

I'm sorry so many are so unhappy, especially after ALL you have endured.....ugh.  How frustrating, disappointing, and more....

Things around here just keep staying stirred up.....daughter was supposed to go to college as a freshman two weeks ago, but she got sick and then passed out.  When she came "to", she couldn't walk.  She ended up crawling up the steps.  The only other person home was my oldest son, who found her, and he carried her up the stairs the rest of the way and put her in bed.  She landed face down.  Had another concussion!!!  This was the 2nd this calendar year.  Because of this, her doctor said NO school.  We all thought she'd be able to start just a week late, but it didn't work out that way.  She is still in no way able to go;  she can't read or be on the computer.  She is sleeping a lot, and the doctor decided to test her for mono, too.  By the time she'd be back to "normal", too much school would have passed and she wouold have been too far behind   So, she is having to sit this semester out.....her stuff is already in her dorm room and it's all ready for her.  The school is working well with us, thank goodness and letting us keep her stuff there.

I was tucking in a sheet, and tore a tendon on the top of my right ring finger!  I'm in a splint 24/7 fpr 8 weeks!!!!!  Surely makes it hard to play my instruments - and I have two orchestra concerts coming up really soon, and I don't know how I'm going to manage!!!

I've made it through 5 weeks of teadhing my 27 4th graders.  It's been absolutely exhausting!!!  I like my kiddos, but I am not getting anything else done around here.  I spend 10 hrs at school (I was spending 12+ hrs a day there), and then come home and work another 4 hrs (or more!!!!).  It just doesn't endl.

Well, that's the latest update....so glad to read all of yours!!!!
Will check in next month....

love, prayers, and blessings....robin

neversurrender

ugh...concussions are awful.  My daughter got a concussion in a soccer game in mid April, she was out of school for quite a while and it was at least 7 weeks before she was 'normal' again.  She still has some issues with prolonged testing, but for the most part is back to normal.  What an awful time for this to happen to Rachel.  Hopefully she can get back to her old self and get to school in time for the second semester !