Charleston Bound, part 2

HighBeams-14

brca35 I am interested in hearing experiences also about the MRA as I am doing it the end of June.  I am not too claustrophobic, but interested in any coping experiences other ladies might be willing to share.   With MRI's I play silent games--thinking of names that begin with each letter of the alphabet, try to recite words to things in my head--anything to make the time pass more quickly and to distract myself from discomfort.  Maybe this time I will try to think of words to Beatles songs.  Does anybody else have coping suggestions of mind games to play?

Thanks--Highbeams

brca35

Beth, Thank you! I imagined it would be much longer than 15-20 minutes. That makes feel feel much less worried. Much appreciated!!

Ashira

Brca and High Beams, I too had the MRA there not too long ago. It is difficult for me to relate to your fear of enclosed spaces, but I will tell you that I was terrified after having received a breast MRI at a different institution not too long before that. My experience of the MRI was awful -- horribly loud noises and terribly abrupt shaking on the table. That was done in one of the premier facilities on my home town. My experience of MRA in Charleston was no deal at all compared to the first. The staff was kind and very knowledgeable. They explained the procedure every step of the way. The machine was clearly state of the art, as there was no comparison to the noise level or tumult I had come to expect. In short, it was easy for me. I agree that it's best to be clear headed for your pre-op appointment, so if you need the meds, you may want to consider a very small dose. Hopefully hearing about a few good experiences helps. 

Catie2013

Hello, BRA 35, I like Beth have had several at the Dr. K and C recommended MRI place, and I thought I too was not fond of tight spaces.  It didn't seem to be an issue for me for a couple of reasons.  First, you aren't put all the way in, second the headphones with your favorite music helps BIG time!  Mine was Contemporary Christian - and a prayer combined made it almost a relaxing time when I had the last one done in January of 2013.  I think I was a bit more nervous the first time not knowing what to expect, but after knowing how quick and easy it was, the headphones, prayers brought the peace the 2nd time. 

I too did the MRI/MRA the morning of the pre appointment visit - the combination of the visit and the MRA had me a bit tense, but it truly wasn't an issue by the time I got out of the thing.

I was did a stint with Hyperbaric Oxygen treatments after my stage 1 (complicated story) and that scared me to death, the thought of being in a tube for 2 hours!!!!  The Dr in charge had me do some visualizations to imagine myself at the beach and relaxing in the sun, eyes closed, toes in the water ---- whatever you think of to relax.  But again remember the MRA time is shorter than you might imagine, some good tunes on the headsets help you forget what you are doing, and some positive thoughts about the great work Dr K and Dr C do to help you along!

I'm hoping for the best for you!!  AND the people at the Imaging place are FANTASTIC!!!!  

Hope that helps?

Hugs

Catie

PinkHeart

Lbrewer,

Thinking of you and hope you are feeling better soon!  Let us know if you decide on 3D and who you go to. 

I just read Dr Craigie's blog on nipple tattoos and a picture of PA Kim doing tattoo. Does anyone know if she does 3D?

HighBeams-14

Great advice, Catie.  I like your idea of listening to uplifting music and prayers.  Would I be able to take my iPod with me?  I have some audible books on tape I listen to when I walk.  Maybe that would work for the MRA also.  You and Ashira have helped calm my anxiety.  Hope you feel better also, brca35!!!

lbrewer

I doubt they would key a iPad near you because of the magnetic material in it.   They have awesome earplugs too!  They gave me a few extra sets and I love them to help with my DH snoring,

lbrewer

X-Ray is normal so I am off the Chs in the morning. Hope this is the end!

Ashira

lbrewer, Great news all around!  

PinkHeart

Lbrewer,

Good luck and best wishes for easy recovery and great outcome!

cascader

lbrewer, Hoping that this is the last for you also.Good luck and just know we all are thinking of you and sending good healing thoughts your way. I am really missing CHS, hope you have a chance to enjoy it a bit while there. Let us know how it goes.

 

brca35

lbrewer, wishing you safe travels and speedy recovery! 

lbrewer

discharged this morning.  Everything went great but having gas pains. Or maybe This compression girdle is too tight!  Anyway. Dr K says it's time for nipples. Really like the 3d for me because of two flaps and rads. Says constructing them would slight compromise the placement of the nipple because do where the scar tissue is,  looks like Bonnie is next on my to so list!

lbrewer

Kim does not do  3d. She is working on regular tats tho

Ashira

lbrewer - That's fabulous!  What a relief you must be feeling to be so close ....

lbrewer

who knew liposuction would hurt as much!  I feel like I got kicked by a horse!   Hopefully it will be better in a few days. But no drains!

Ashira

I've heard from others that it hurts too. Did he give you pain meds and if so what kind?  How do you feel about the way you look?

lbrewer

he gave me dilaudid in the hospital and oxy to go home.  Can't really tell how I look!  They say the swelling takes a while to go down to where you can see the actual results.  My boobs look great but legs and butt are still in compression garments. So  I will wait to see,   If the bruising is an indication, he took a lot of fat!  I told him he could take all he wanted!

Ashira

I didn't realize that there is so much swelling with lipo. or that you needed to be on such strong pain meds for later stages. Wishing you speedy healing and ever so lovely results. 

Since I have returned home from stage 1, I've re-entered my community after essentially hibernating since fall through dx, chemo and surgery. I have had more than my share of compliments already, with many commenting that I must be spending lots of time at the gym. My standard reply is "I do my best". If they only knew what I looked like without clothes!

Thinking that we deserve a bit of joy around this after all we go through :-)

PinkHeart

Lbrewer,

Glad to hear all went well and you are home now. Seeing my solid black and blue bod definitely shocked me along with the pain. I was only on pain meds for a week after my second fat grafting, but first time I had complication as FG was done along with surgical revision of breasts. 

I wont be ready for nipples for about 1.5 years, but can you please tell me more about Bonnie and her web site?

Take care!

PinkHeart

Ashira,

That's great to hear the positive feedback you are getting when you go out. Is your daughter curious about your surgery?  

Ashira

Hi Pink,

My daughter is doing her best to live in denial of the whole thing. She doesn't want to see my scars and prefers that I wear my wig at all times. It just got too difficult for her. She just turned 12 and is turning into someone who I no longer recognize much of the time. VERY self centered.  It's difficult for me to tell how much of it is her age and how much is due to my BC ordeal. I'm told by local social workers that her behavior is "developmentally appropriate".  I feel like I'm learning to parent all over again and not doing a very good job of it. 

Ok, so that was a long answer to your Q about my scars. I must have needed to get that off my chest. Thanks for asking!

lbrewer

not sure what you mean about Bonnie. Maybe vinnie?   

lbrewer

Ashira, perhaps professional counseling might help you and your daughter,  I would bet she is very scared of losing you.  We are constantly bombarded with "information" on cancer .  Most days I fell that if I see one more commercial about cancer treatments I am going to lose it.   And I'm a lot older than 12!  

lbrewer

Sorry.  Meant Vinnie.  Autocorrect keeps changing it!

PinkHeart

Lbrewer,

Vinnie-Bonnie LOL

Did Dr Kline suggest you go to Vinnie for nips?

lbrewer

I told him I was thinking of it and he said he thinks the 3d ones look great.  I think Catie sent him pictures but of course he couldn't say exactly who had sent him what.  But he said the 3d ones were a good option for me.  He does not do skate flaps and uses part of the breast tissue to make the nipples.  He said mine because of the ay my flaps are, it would distort them somewhat.  I do not know why he has an aversion to skate flaps; thats what I had done on my previous reconstruction and it was fine.  But the nipple had to go when he did the lift to match the side of the SGAP.

On reading my insurance ( United) it should be a covered expense.  I think the artificial nipples should be as well.  Figuring it out is on my to do list.

Ashira

lbrewer, what is a skate flap?

Catie2013

Ashira , so sorry about your daughters attitude re your cancer.  I had the same problem with my daughter when I was going through my first round of BC.  She just couldn't face it I think and could only cope in a world that had her mother whole and healthy.  I was a single mom at the time, so think that's a big thing at that stage.  Now, fast forward 17 plus years and she reacted with compassion much more but still couldn't take more than a week being a caregiver without reverting and somewhat shutting off.  She managed to help me out though for stage 2 and stage 2c.  Just to let you know you are not alone.

Lbrewer, Yes, I did send Dr K pictures of the 3d nipples and he remarked back that they looked "awesome".  He also said I must want to stand naked in front of a mirror!  (Which I've done quite a lot lately! LOL).  And autocorrect is a bummer sometimes - Vinnie is the artist who put the frosting on these cupcakes.

I think the skate key for nipples can be looked up on a google search, I know I looked up many possibilities before deciding on 3D and foregoing any further surgery.  I'm more than happy I chose this route and went to the Maryland location for Vinnie with no problem.  

My insurance might have covered it, they give you a very concise form to send to your insurance carriers but my deductible is $2500.00 per year and I am delighted to tell you I've not even come close to that amount this year.  So I will gladly pay out of pocket for it.  First time since 2011 that I've not more than exceeded that amount!

lbrewer

Thanks Catie,  I have met my limits this year so I am thinking of going for it before the end of the year.i think i wlll still have some since i am sure he is out of netwrok but since there is no network providor it may be different.  Does Vinnie use the same ink as tatoos or does he used the ink that "permananet cosmetics" use.  I have looked around and all the nipple coloring people I can find use the permanent cosmetic ink which they says lasts about 4-5 years.