January Mastectomy

neversurrender

Kim - glad to hear your lips are healing up. 

Robin, congrats on 27 years - Wow !

faithandfifty

Regina/GINA's birthday is today.

Jump onboard with some wishes.

Here's a little sugar for our sweetie:

neversurrender

Happy Birthday Gina !!!!!!!!!

   

Lynbob

 Happy Birthday Gina!

KatRNagain92

Have a great birthday day Gina! 

sunsnow

Have a very Happy Birthday, Gina!

ReginaR

 Thanks For My Birthday wishes! Love all the cakes!  That was so cool. I ate some of it & Hope you all enjoy it too.I want to share with My Jan Sisters!

 A friend off face book sent this! I wanted to share with you all!

Hope you all are feeling Stronger evryday! Hugs Gina

On this day, God wants you to know ... that you've been driving yourself too hard lately. Sure, there is time to invest yourself fully into work, but there is equally important time for joyful resting. And for you, this time is now. What is the absolutely most wonderful little treat you can give yourself? Do it today.

MaiTai

Hi,

Can I join?

I had a bilateral mastectomy and immediate reconstruction with aloderm on Jan 1.

Went through chemo before the surgery. 4 AC + 12 TAXOL and Herceptin.

Did not stop working through the whole period. Feeling fine apart from mild panick attacks..., trying to loose a little weight and thinking about the nipples. Not sure what to do.

Those who had reconstructions, atre you thinking about it? I'm not sure I want to go through another surgery, even an "easy one".

Hope it is ok if I join.

Health to us all

C

faithandfifty

With a name like MaiTai I think it's safe to say that you will fit right in here.

Cathy is our official team captain and she will be the one to issue your membership card. Cathy how are you doing these days. Moving in the right direction?? Keeping hope alive for you. I send you good thoughts and prayers all the time.

Just had my second session with my personal yoga instructor. Just having her walk in the door brought tears to my eyes this morning. She is such a healing element for me. She welcomes my tears. We worked a lot today on my shoulders and releasing the tension, tightness, constriction that they hold. Lots of work ahead. It's so helpful to have a "coach."

Everyone be kind to yourself today.

xx00xx00xx00xx

Strength and courage.

Strength and courage.

Strength and courage.

burley

Happy birthday Gina!



Welcome MaiTai! I'm still going through chemo, then I will have my tissue expanders exchanged for implants. About 6 weeks after that, my plastic surgeon will make nipples. Then I'll move on to tattooed areolas about 6 weeks after that. Ask me any questions you want or need. Most of us have had reconstruction. We're all in different stages of it, so any one of us would be happy to help!



Lips are pretty much healed. I was able to eat a cheeseburger Happy Meal today-definitely made me happy!

binga

Happy Birthday Gina!

Welcome Maitai!  You will find a great group of ladies here.  We will try to help you anyway we can.

3 good things from my weekend:

1-Went to my first drive-in movie and had a blast.  Out until 3 am.  This is the latest I have been out in years!

2-Spent some quality time with my grandmother.

3-Had a fun 4th of July celebration at church Sunday night.  Fireworks are still beautiful!

Becky 

Lynbob

Welcome to Team Janaury MaiTai {{hugs}}

MaiTai

HI

Thank you all for the warm welcome.

faithandfifty, your experience with yoga sounds wonderful. I really want to join a yoga class but my plastic surgeon doesn't recommend any activity that involves the pectoralis. So all the push-ups positions are out of the question. He told me not to do any yoga for a year!!! strange...

burley, hope the chemo is foing as easy as possible.

About the nipple reconstruction, what worries me is that it will constantly be "out". I'm kind of enjoying now to be able to wear anything without a bra, and without worrying about my nipples showing.

My husband is not pushing me to have the nipple reconstruction.He is even pushing for me not to have it.

Have you heard about a 3D tattoo?

 binga, sounds like you are having fun. The drive-in is a great idea while having chemo! I couldn't go to a movie theater for almost six months. 

Lynbob, Thx for the warm welcome. <Hugs> 

MaiTai

HI

Thank you all for the warm welcome.

faithandfifty, your experience with yoga sounds wonderful. I really want to join a yoga class but my plastic surgeon doesn't recommend any activity that involves the pectoralis. So all the push-ups positions are out of the question. He told me not to do any yoga for a year!!! strange...

burley, hope the chemo is foing as easy as possible.

About the nipple reconstruction, what worries me is that it will constantly be "out". I'm kind of enjoying now to be able to wear anything without a bra, and without worrying about my nipples showing.

My husband is not pushing me to have the nipple reconstruction.He is even pushing for me not to have it.

Have you heard about a 3D tattoo?

 binga, sounds like you are having fun. The drive-in is a great idea while having chemo! I couldn't go to a movie theater for almost six months. 

Lynbob, Thx for the warm welcome. <Hugs> 

jizogarden

Been in hiding....like an ostrich......pretending to be "normal".  I have been thinking of you all and hoping everyone of you are doing ok.  

Sorry about all the depression.....depression and grief are hard to get around....as said earlier "when you find yourself in hell....keep moving"  I am thankful for my art and my classes and the "normality" that it gives me. When I allow myself to think about my body......well......sadness creeps in. 

I have been immersed in the World Cup with DH...and enjoying it very much (weird?). It was his birthday on July 3rd and I bought him an iPad...he loves it!!!!!!!  It is a thing of beauty  Other things have been working on the garden, walking Smudge, working on my watercolors and teaching workshops....phew!  

I have been easing myself back into yoga and find that if I use a chair or my coffee table for my hands during down dog, cobra, plank pose...or any pose that requires putting weight on my arms I can do these poses without full engagement of my weight but still enjoy the lengthening stretch that feels so good  There is a woman named Peggy Cappy who does "yoga for the rest of us" on PBS she has modified poses that are helpful.  She has a website that gives examples...google her if your curious.

Kat, nipples just around the corner!  Wishing you all the best......I'm nervous about it too.....my ps is ready to talk about it during our next appt. in a couple of weeks. I'm nervous =/

Happy Birthday Gina!!!! 

Welcome Mai Tai (my father took my best friend and I for Mai Tai's for my 18th birthday to Trader Vics under The Plaza...strong memory...strong drink)  

((((((((Lynbob)))))))))))))) 

Becky so sorry about your grandmother.....she sounds like such a special love in your life.

Robin....congratulations!

Wishing best to you all.....and thank you for always being just a touch away.....strength, healing, and comfort,

Laura 

jizogarden

ps:  Here's a nice yoga video using the chair.....I find it's a nice way to return to my practice without taking too much weight on the my arms.    

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lasm-FmdQ3c&feature=related 

Hope you enjoy it

Laura 

pbebow

Hello Everyone!!!  I have been so busy out there living that I haven't had time to check in, then when I finally get around to checking in I see so much sadness, I feel almost guilty, I asked DH today if I should feel sad or depressed and he looked at me and ogled at my chest and said "With those bad girls, no way!" and gave me a big hug and kiss.... I have to say I am just so happy to healthy and whole, I do feel whole.  I know that I have scars and I have some work to do, but I do have breasts and nipples....   I am so sorry that you all are feeling so alone and scared and sad and self contious.  I seriously don't feel self conscious at all.  If you look around, really look, there are so many different shapes and sizes out there, and not just boobs, but people in general, we are all unique and I for one have been changing my whole life... yes I might have a normal look or size for a while, but the next year it's different.  If you look at it that way it might be easier to except the new you.  Think about how you looked in high school, then in your 20's, how about when you were pregnant, and then again after the babies, and let's not forget when you turned 30 and everything started going to hell, then the 40's where you're almost liberated, there are so many changes that happen to us through out our lives, and yes, not all women have to go through this particular change, but a lot do.  I am just trying to finally feel comfortable in my own skin and I think that I am finally getting there and maybe these new girls are helping to do that.  Anyway, I don't mean to belittle anyone's feelings just trying to put a new spin on this whole "new normal" thing.  I hope that you all are feeling better, or that you can find something that will bring you joy!

My 3 good things from the weekend (I know it's been over for a while, but I wanted to join in on this!)

1.   Pool party with whole family!  Oh so much fun!!!!  Kids swimming, the grands there, we had a big pool volley ball game and had so many laughs I almost peed my pants!  It was awesome!

2.  Another pool party with friends!  Again, so much fun and laughter and another game of pool volley ball!  Reconnected with a couple friends that have been avoiding me and had a great time!

3.  Golfing!!!!  Lots of golfing!!!!!

I also met with my PS on Monday for a check up.  He said everything is looking good.  Talked about the fat grafting and I asked if it would work to help with my ruffles (ripples) and he said it can, but no guarentees because of the thin skin/tissue issue, but definitely can try the fat grafting there and for the step off.  Insurance company has apparently ignoring the request for approval so he is going to resend the request and I am supposed to call too.  He also talked about switching out the implants for bigger and that would help with the issues but I told him if we can fix the with the fat grafting that I have grown to like this size and would prefer to avoid going bigger and being opened up again if possible, so that is the plan for now.  And he talked about the tattoos anytime I'm ready.  I told him that I want to wait until after summer for everything so I go back in September after Labor Day and we'll schedule everything then.  So, I just get to enjoy.

MaiTai, Welcome, sorry I didn't welcome you right away, but as I said above, I've been away!  As far as nipples go, I had mine done during my exchange.  I was on the fence about them too for the same reason, I spent my whole life trying to keep them covered and now I'm going to put them on and have permanent headlights!?  WHAT!?  But, I am so HAPPY with them!  They just make the girls feel like breasts and not just bumps.  And I know after I get my tattoos it'll be even better.  Having said that, I have heard from a lot of women that have had the 3D tats and are thrilled with them!  So, it really is such a personal choice.  If you get the 3D tats and aren't happy with them, you can always have the nipples added later...  My nipples were the oragami type where he just gathers some of the breast skin and gather it up and makes a nipple, I told him over and over that I did not want big nipples, just a little hint of a nipple.  He told me that they start off bigger but they shrink and he said that if in the end I wanted them even smaller, that is not a big deal to make them smaller. 

Okay, I think I have typed enough for one sitting.  We leave day after tomorrow to go camping so I'm going to be busy getting ready and then I'll be gone so you might not hear from me again for a while, but as always, thinking of you all!!!!

Here is a picture of me and the girls at the friends pool party, I would post a picture of the guys, but you can't handle that!  ahha!  LOL!  I know, I really can't pull off that bathing suit, but my DH loves it, so whatever!!!!  We had a blast!

"

Bless & Release!

Paula

faithandfifty

pbebow

BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!

burley

MaiTai-I have a friend who did the 3D tats and loves them!  I had a good look at them and they seriously look like nipples (and areolas.)  Unbelievable!  I hope we've all been of some help.

I can't wait for nipples-well really, I can't wait to exchange the TE's for implants.  But I think I will feel almost complete once I get the nipples.  And yes, I don't like to have permanent headlights, but that's what bras are for.  My husband asked if he gets to touch my boobs after the implants are in-he loved my boobs before even though I was a small B.  So I think he's excited for these C's!

Beautiful pictures, girls-thanks for sharing!

It's a countdown to my last chemo now...7 days-yea me!  I'm gonna have a big glass of wine : )

KatRNagain92

Oh Paula, thank you for posting!  You are such an inspiration...and you're absolutely right!  You have helped me today more than you can ever know!   You look Fabulous!

Hi Mai Tai!  I'm Kat and I'm having nipples done on Monday....acck!  I'm nervous.  I"m also having fat grafting to my divots and he claims it will cause tension and pull up on the upper poles to smooth out the ruffles.  And there are lots of ruffles.  I'm going to try and post a before/after pic for my nipples this weekend on the picture forum.  It's kind of exciting too!  I just hope I'm not in a lot of pain from the fat grafting. 

Hi ya Smudge...nice to meet you!    Thanks for the yoga link Laura...We have the community center right across the street with a yoga class being taught at 0600.  Perfect.  It's 2x a week....I'll get this last surgery and then I'm going for it.  Can you recommend a good yoga mat?

Debbie, that picture is so beautiful....When I see awe inspiring scenery like that I think, If I never live another day, I'm so thankful I got to see this. 

Kim <clinking> wine glasses:)    

3 positives:

   1. DH had another eye surgery done (to the right eye this time) and all is perfect!

   2. Work is going really really well

   3. I finally found a bathing suit that I like! 

Sweet dreams Team January!
Kat

bcincolorado

Hi Janiuary Friends,

Welcome MaiTai!

I haven't had a chance to jump on for several days since I'm swamped at work and exhausted when I get home.  Three great things about the long weekend though.......

1.  My DH and I were able to travel to Wyoming to hear our son-in-law preach at a church he is filling in for right now.

2.  We were able to go to a museaum and had fun with the "kids" on the way to WY.

3.  We were able to watch fireworks.

Hope everyone is doing well.

jizogarden

Hi January ladies

Smudge says hi to you Kat /' . '\ and Happy Nips on Monday!!!!!

Good yoga mat....hmmmmm.....not to thick...not too thin....and try to get one that is earth friendly:

http://www.jadeyoga.com/store/home.php

http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/1615

Paula thank you for sharing your story.....it's so helpful in so many ways. Love the photo of so many lovely smiling ladies!!!!

Healing and comfort,

Laura 

 

 

robinlbe

Welcome to our new team member    The more the merrier....but I can't help you out with what your're going through with your recon....I'm "robin-no-breast" and a big-time-scaredy-cat....I didn't reconstruct.    But I've *finally* gotten used to it, and I'm ok with it.  It's actually been kind of a fun challenge finding what my daughter and I call "flat shirts"....shirts that I can wear flat that don't make it terribly obvious.  There's a lot of cute stuff out there right now, and as long as I dont' have to pay more than $9.99 for the shirt, I'm okay with it, and don't feel guilty (am I cheap or what?!?!) 

But I DO think that *not* having the extra tissue in that area is what caused me to injure myself on the wooden roller coaster last month....finally had to break down and go for xrays.  Waiting on the doctor to call with results now.  Been hurting for over a month now.....hurts to move, breath, take deep breaths, sleep, cough, sneeze, etc....that and the ankle that was sprained.   It's *still* 3x its size.  sigh...guess I should've gone for the "granny-rides" and acted my age....

My youngest turned 13 this week, so now there are three teenagers in my house....AND this week, I hit the 8 months since diagnosis, and 6 months since my BMX.  WOW.. Actually...they all three hit on the *same* day...on July 6th.....goodness.

Everyone, have a great weekend.....recovering, healing, encouraging, preparing, living

blessings...robin

burley

6 days to my last chemo-yea me again!

robinlbe

yay, Kim!!!!

KatRNagain92

Hey thanks Laura for the links...I got a Jade!

I also am really enjoying the Yoga Journal....they have Yoga for Cancer.  One of the random comments from a gal named Cheryl: 

"Our health club has "Pink Ribbon Yoga", created by a registered nurse, Corey Becker. It's focused to help anyone touched by breast cancer (or any other cancer) to restore and recapture their inner healing voice. I've been going for about 2 years, and started at the request of a friend undergoing chemotherapy. I've seen the women in class display more centeredness and peace as they progress through the classes. Since I take the classes also, I can say the same is true for me. Yoga provides self healing at many levels, and benefits even the "healthiest" individual by keeping them rooted in their centerpoint."

Maybe Yoga should be our new team sport?  I'm excited to get started!  I'm going to ask Amanda (my neighbor, and the Yoga instructor at the community center) if she's ever done anything like Pink Ribbon Yoga.  I bet there would be a lot more women in that class than anyone would ever imagine.

More <clinking> Kim

Have a good evening everyone!
Kat

neversurrender

I will join you in your celebratory drink Kim <Clink> !!!!   Yay !!!!!

Welcome Mai Tai !   I have not yet reconstructed my nipples, but plan to do so and then get tats. 

Hello....Donna.....are you out there????   If you are reading along, let us know how you are.

Paula and Debbie, love the pictures. 

Robin, Happy birthday to Samuel !  

Kat - Monday ! ! ! 

Have a great weekend !!!!!

Never Surrender !

TNgolfer

Mornin' glories!!

Welcome Mai Tai!  I feel I can say that we all are here for you.  We have been here for each other through just about everything and have shared absolutely everything.  There is no question that any of us would consider silly.  We each respect each other's choices and are here for support, never judgment.  Welcome! 

I agree that yoga should be our "official" Team January sport.  There is a great organization called the wellness community here in Knoxville and they support all cancer patients and caregivers.  They offer yoga classes twice a week.  I went to one and didn't want to leave!!!!  If I could stay in yoga class forever, that would be great.  It is not a strenuous yoga at all...it is more about relaxing the spirit. 

Mai Tai - I think you should listen to your physicians, but I also think we all need to do some research and make our own decisions on some aspects of our well-being.  I had immediate placement of TE's (tissue expanders) after my bilat Mx.  I also had a slight complication and a muscle tear and had to have one TE deflated and then re-expanded, but after about 3 or 4 weeks, I was given the green light by my PS to go ahead with exercise.  I joined a fitness center and found a personal trainer (who had worked with women who had implants) and it was the best thing I ever did.  The exercise helped stretch the muscles (which the TE's are doing) and it helped with the discomfort.  After my exchange surgery (5/14) I could not do any exercise for 4 weeks, until everything "settled in".  I have now been given the green light to go again and went back to the gym.  I also played golf with the TE's and am back playing again----just like I used to!

4th of July wasn't great, but here are 3 good things that happened shortly thereafter:

1 - met up with stepson, daughter-in-law and 2 granddaughters in Virginia (they were on their way back from Disney) and we drove back to Syracuse; reunited with DH and will stay here for about 3 weeks

2 - spent lots of time in the pool with DH and grandkids and reconnecting with family

3 - getting my act together:  called pharmacy and told them to keep the anti-depressants; working my way though this.

Paula2 - you look great in that bathing suit

Gina - HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Paula - wore my black "hooters" shirt and DH loves it! 

Kat; cancelled my nipple construction next week; told the PS office that I needed to clear my head and take a vacation.  They agreed and there is no hurry.  I will re-schedule when I get back to Tennessee for October (when DH is back there). 

Mai-Tai: I am opting to have that "origami" nipple construction on my right breast because I had a nipple sparing Mx on the left -- so I am looking for the symmetry.  Also, wasn't an easy decision....I thought I would go with no nipple, too.  Whatever choice you make, will be right for you.

Have a good weekend team....by the way my 8 yr old and 6 yr old granddaughters have little black T-shirts with the Pink BC ribbon that say "fight like a girl"!  I just love them sooo much!

Marianne

bcincolorado

Robin:  I don't call it being "cheap"....I shop at the local second-hand store often and church "trash and treasure sales" and I just tell my daughter I'm being "green and frugal!"