Connecticut Girls

heebie_jeebie

I was unwrapped this morning.  I had a quick look at the dr.s office and then went home to shower and stare at myself in the mirror.  He says that the natural side with the imlant is more swollen than the MX side and it will go down.  I think they look pretty ok......the gummy bear side does look a bit flatter then I would have liked and the nipple points a bit outwards.  I can't believe how soft it feels. I'm mostly happy with them, but maybe I was hoping for a bit bigger.

karebear76

heebie: glad you are mostly happy with your new girlies!!! 

I got my genetic testing results back. I am one of the lucky 2% that come back with a defective gene that they can't tell if it is poss. or neg! How fun. So my family is so willing to get tested and see if any of them carry it. This will help determine if it is indeed genetic or not but it is mostly for research as they have never seen this variation before!!! CRAZY!!! So no real results except that I think a double mastectomy is in my future. We will see what the doctors have to say about the ovaries. I am leaning toward taking them as I have fibroids and cysts that could easily turn cancerous and I DON'T want to deal with this again. I have my second opinion in Boston on Wed.

Claire82

karebear - we will be thinking of you - gl

heebie - give them a couple months - 3 days is too early

sweetie2040

Heebie-glad your coming along well. I am three months post exchange and I can tell you things change a lot. It's like things settle into your body and everything looks and feels better.  There is also an adjustment period of getting used to the "new" you. At first I felt so strange, like it wasn't me. As time has gone on I feel more like myself again and have really started to except things and actually like the way I look. Are they perfect, no, but neither were my previous breasts. It's good they feel soft and it so great to have those TE out.

Karebear76-so sorry you have to deal with this and making a tough decision. I remember being in a similar position last year. What I did was research as much as I could, ask questions and then made my decision on what gave me the most peace. These are very individual choices and you have to trust your heart and docs on what is right for you. Thoughts and prayers sent your way.

heebie_jeebie

Sweetie:  thanks for the perspective.  At this point there is nothing to do but wait and see what happens.  (waiting is a little hard...........I want to see the final result now)  I can't believe you are only 3 months............it seems so long ago since we got together in that bathroom stall .  Are you still thinking of doing something about the rippling?

Seems that by this time of night the pain starts getting worse and I feel pretty tired, so I'm off to bed.

sweetie2040

Heebie-Have you been able to take off your wrapping at all? I think I was able to to start taking it off after 1 or 2 weeks.

Yup, three months for me. Lol, that was funny that night.  I am still contemplating what do about the rippling. I think I really like the shape and size I am now and think they look good except for the darn rippling. The rippling is just a problem of thin skin and muscle coverage. My option would be a larger implant and some stitching. I'm not sure I want to go that route and there is no guarantee it will take care of the problem. I don't think your going to have problems with the gummy. I hear they really don't ripple as much.

Sorry your still having a little pain. I think he does put in quite a bit of stitches to hold the implants in place. Just take your meds and get rest. With all this snow and cold it's the best time to curl up with a warm blanket and a good movie. Keep us posted on your progress.

Emme

Hi,

Heebie I was so amazed at how much better they feel than the tissue expanders.  I was feeling myself up for weeks!

I went in the GYN today. He thinks I am in menopause. He did bloodwork to confirm that.  Next week I am having an ultrasound and a biopsy of my uterus. He thinks it could possibly be endometrial cancer that made me bleed because I was having a watery discharge prior to that. He said that the endometrial cancer is a SE of Chemo drugs.  The hardest part? I have to wait a week to have the biopsy and then two weeks for results.  I just shook my head. I am going to try to not get whipped up on this one...three weeks is way to long to be anxious. 

I'm just trying to roll with it.

Em

Claire82

Oh Emme...

I never heard that endometrial cancer was a side effect of chemo.

Emme

I had never heard of that either. But, that being said, I did know that some drugs can actually cause cancer. My dad was on anti cancer drugs for his auto immune disorder. He could only have them for 4 months, because of that risk. It will all work out for me. I have faith.

Em

heebie_jeebie

Emme:  sorry to hear about your problems. Good luck with the tests.

Sweetie:  OH yes, I am fully unwrapped and stare at them every morning after my shower.  Surgery was Friday and Unwrapping on Monday.  Now i need to wear a sports type bra 24/7 for 2 weeks and some bacitracin on the incisions.  Then I can go to a bra when I want only.  Except for lifting, pushing kinda stuff I can do whatever I want - and this week that is alot of nothing.  I'm giving myself a whole week to mostly rest and relax.  I am planning to get back to my cardio at the gym next week. The pain is much less most of the time now and I hardly have to take the tylenol.

I am thinking theat they are not as larger as I would have liked, but I'm just not going to worry about it.  Unless they are very badly matched when the swelling settles, I'm just going to accept it. 

karebear76

My 2nd opinion went great!!! here is my blog if you are interested in reading all about it. http://hewillcarrymethrough.blogspot.com
I am so much more at ease about the whole thing!!!

Emme

Ladies- My husband is in detox and going to a 28 day rehab. I am praying he has the strength to help himself.  This opens up so many cans of worms...

I postponed my gyn appt until thursday due to the weather..I will keep you posted with what he says..

EM

mimi791

Hi Em:

 Keep strong girl and remember, you're the most important thing!  Here's hoping the obgyn visit goes well.  I had my exchange on the left back in December and what a breeze it was compared to everything else!  I just wish that I hadn't lost the expander on the right, but one foob is better than none

Mimi

Claire82

Emme - Good for you husband - now let's hope he has the motivation to see it through

Mimi- When can the doc start working on the other side? and how do you like like the one foob? did u get a gummy?

sweetie2040

Hi Ct girls- Hope everyone is keeping warm and safe. How do you all like the snow? Crazy huh...I'm starting to get serious cabin fever. Been cleaning like crazy to stay distracted.

Emme-Mimi is right take care of yourself first. I do wish all the best for your hubby though and that he has the strength to make the changes needed.

Mimi-when will he be able to replace the expander? Anytime soon?

Karebear-glad to hear you had a good appt with your Dr. You have such a positive attitude that you are in inspiration to me.

Claire-how are you doing? Are you getting close to your exchange date yet?

Claire82

My exchange is April 14 - I pushed it back. I couldn't handle 4 surgeries in one year. The last one I still feel I'm recovering. I did go to see a naturopathic doctor in Avon. I like her, but WOW the tests they do on your blood. I'm glad I wasn't paying for it. She increased my vitamin D and B and put me on fish oil and a couple of other things.

sweetie2040

Hey Claire-April sounds like a good time for your exchange. Hopefully no snow!! I was thinking of going to a naturopath too. My friend went to one and he got her off like 10 meds and helped her lose a lot of weight. The only thing is I'm not sure my insurance covers it unless they are listed as a medical Dr. I would like to have everything checked more extensively because sometimes I feel tired. I know vitamin D is very important. I do take it now but not sure if I'm taking enough.

Claire82

I see Jennifer Staggs in Avon - fully covered by insurance - wholehealthllc.com

check it out

mimi791

Hello fellow snow bunnies:

I do have a very nice gummy on the right.  It's fabulous and oh so much better than the expander.  As for the right, things aren't looking good right now (no pun intended).  Even though Kristin and I worked really hard on the scar tissue, it won't let go of my rib. So.....for now we're just leaving it alone. I have made my peace with the prosthetic because I do not want to have the lat transfer.  It's just too much at this point.  I can play with the dogs and ride my horse and play golf and I don't want to give any of that up.  I see Dr. Delucia for my follow up on Monday and we'll see.

 Take care and stay safe out there,

 Mimi

sweetie2040

Claire-thanks for the info. I'll check it it out, can you PM me the office phone # so I can see if they take my insurance?

Mimi-thanks for the update. I'm glad you like the gummy. I'm sorry the right side is giving you a hard time. You have a great attitude and moving on and enjoying life again is all that counts! It's great that your doing all the things your love. I hope your appt goes with with Dr. D. He's just such a sweetheart and such a great Dr.

heebie_jeebie

Mimi - glad to hear you are at peace with it for now and can do all of your activites (is that snow golf?) 

karebear76

Mimi: Glad you are doing well!! I look forward to getting to the point you are at!!

I had my last a/c yesterday and man I am sooo soooo tired. Nausea is at bay and doing well so that is really good. My appetite is down though. Just not hungry. It has been that way for the past wk or so. I just eat to eat but don't really want to.

I had to get a lupron shot b/c of my 12 day period that ended today as I get the shot! Go figure! So the hot flashes I get now are just going to increase! At least I won't be cold this winter!!! LOL 

I see my surgeon Dr. White on Feb 14th. I am excited/anxious to see what he as to say compared to what the surgeon at Dana Farber said. He is an amazing dr to talk with so I am sure all will go well. I have sort of decided the route I want to go so we will see what he says about that. 

sweetie2040

Karebear-thanks for the update. Sorry you've having a little bit of rough time with the SE and all. I hope all goes well with your appt with your surgeon and you get the clarity you need to make the decisions right for you. We'll be thinking of you.

flash

hugs to all.  anyone want to try to get together again?

sweetie2040

Happy Valentines day CT ladies. Just want to let you know you're all my sweethearts! Much love and happiness to you all today.

Flash-yes, when and where?

karebear76

Flash: I would love to but I am not sure that I would be able to for quite awhile. I went to the Christmas Tree Shop and then to dinner on Sat night and I was so so sick Sunday. Today I am doing better, but apparently I am weaker than I thought I was and still have all 4 taxol treatments to go. Hopefully once the chemo is over I will be able to get to a meet up!!

flash

well, everytime i try to set up one on this end of the state it ends up moving towards hartford.  Personally, I would vote for somewhere in orange or new haven since it's only 1 hour from me and it's easy to get to that area.  Maybe thai? any takers?

 kare-sorry to hear that taxol is so hard for you. I guess I was lucky when I had mine. hugs to you.  Hope you can join when you feel better.

mimi- how's it going at this point?

Emme

Hi Ct ladies-

Karebear- I hope your feeling a better and stronger soon!

Mimi sorry to hear about your side giving you troubles and glad you like your gummy.

Heebie- I hope your recovered from your exchange...how do you like it?

Claire hopefully this snow will be gone by april and you will havea smooth recovery from your exchange.

Sweetie Hi!

I'd love to get together with all of you, has there been a decision on when or where?

I have an update on my biopsy/ultrasound...good news the endometrial biopsy was negative.  During the ultrasound they found a solid mass on  my left ovary. ca125 marker was negative.  I am having a hysterectomy though, it is scheduled for April 1st at MMH.  They are going to use the daVinci.  Ohhh something to look forward to.

Last friday I was put on herceptin vacation.  My echo that I had last Monday showed that my ejection fraction was down to 45.  Now it is a waiting game to see when my heart functioins come up. 

I am so glad every one is doing so well.

Em

sweetie2040

Hi Emme-good to hear from you. So happy the biopsy was negative!!! Great news. I'm sorry you have have a hysterectomy. What is the daVinci? I had a HUGE cyst on my ovary several years ago and ended up in the ER and having emergency surgery. The thing got so big, the size of grapefruit that it wrapped around my ovary and then exploded.  I hear ovarian cysts are very common and sometimes they must treat them with surgery. Wishing you all the best. Keep us posted.

Emme

Hi Sweetie, the Davinci is robotic surgery.  My gyn said that the recovery time is greatly dimished, finally I get a little break Yeah!!!

I have a few cysts on one of my ovaries.  The other is a solid mass....either way all of it is coming OUT!