April 2014 Surgery Sisters

Janett2014

I had BMX on April 16. Then I had exchange surgery on July 16. Most of my posting since then has been on the Exchange City thread in the Breast Reconstruction forum. I check back here now and then but you're right, vfay49, it seems that most of the April surgery sisters have stopped posting here. It's nice to hear how people are doing though, now that we are 3 months past surgery.

My exchange surgery went well, which I feel very lucky about. I'm happy with my implants and will have nipple stitches removed in three days. I'm getting used to Anastrazole (since May 29), so I go on that thread sometimes. So far I'm having 3-4 hot flashes a day. Hopefully it won't get any worse, but I know it's early. 

Ninany

I had my NSBMX on April 9th and my exchange is scheduled on August 11th.  Except for some scar tissue issues, all is well and my PS is happy with my progress.  Hoping that all will go well and I can breathe easy for a while, until my revision next year, that is..  Wishing everyone peaceful results.

Ally2345

Rose-  glad you are doing well...so glad you were able to enjoy the wedding!!  

Rad- we all asked the doc to go really slow on your fills so you could keep posting and brightening our days!!  You and AZ keep me smiling!!!

Janet- congrats on making it to the other side...the squishy side!!  So glad your exchange went well and that you are happy with the new gals.

Ninany-  our day is coming...yeah August 11th!!!

Ally

Sodie1017

Radical, I can get by with camis and Cami-like bras most of the time. But I found I couldn't wear any of my solid color polo shirts. So that's why I went bra shopping so that I could wear whatever I wanted to without my nips showing through. So glad I can talk about this stuff in a safe place!

I feel like I'm too big. When you all talk about implant sizes, I'm lost. I didn't have a choice really. I explained to the PS that I had gained weight over the last year and felt bigger than I wanted to be. A B cup was where I wanted to stay. Many of my shirts are a bit snug now. What happens when I lose 10 pounds? Will I look top heavy? I'm only 5'4" tall. 

This is a minor concern compared to what many of you are going through. You all are my heroes as I watch you journey through this with dignity and grace. 

Radical2Squared

Ally, I knew there was someone to blame! Lol

Sodie, definitely a safe place! Nothing is shocking!

Ally2345

Radical-  Busted!  Haha!  

Sodie- You might want to private message whippetmom.  She knows so much about implants.  She will need information from you so be sure to read the first post in her thread (Breast Implant Sizing 101).  It gives you a good basis to have conversations.  Just remember, you may not feel like it at times but your are a hero to some others just by asking questions and asking things that many others are hesitant to ask.  

Hope everyone has a great week...heading into August- whoopee!

Ally

scubalady

I had my UMX on April 16.  I'm done with all my fills and will have my exchange on September 17.  Thanks to a low Oncotype score, chemo won't be needed.  Since I'm a UMX, I'm waiting on getting the nipple done until after the implant has settled.  Afraid if I do it at exchange, things will move and they'll be out of alignment.

Glad to hear how the journey is progressing fo other April sisters.

Radical2Squared

Scubalady,

Good news! I'm excited for you!

teachermom4

Hello Ladies, how's everyone doing? Can you believe it's been 5 months? Then again, can you recall before bc???

I thought it would be nice to get a status update from our April sisters!

I just had my exchange two days ago--my implants are nice and squishy but I still have the iron bra feeling. All and all, I'm feeling pretty good but still get awfully tired!

And you......?

Janett2014

I had BMX in April and exchange surgery in July.  I am doing well, and I'm glad you are too, teachermom4. By the way, no wonder you're feeling tired if you just had surgery two days ago! It will get better quickly. Didn't you find the exchange surgery to be MUCH easier than BMX?

I will see my MO later this week for blood work and to talk about how I'm doing on Anastrozole. My SEs with it have been tolerable: fairly mild hot flashes and hair thinning, which I've actually been dealing with since almost a year before BC diagnosis. Only four years and eight and a half months to go with that lovely little pill!! 

I will also see PS this week to get nipple tattoos. I'm pretty pleased with my implants and new nipples. Getting some color on them will be the final step, I hope.

I agree that it would be good to hear updates from other April surgery sisters. 

vfay49

Following my April BMX surgery,  I went for 60 cc fills every two weeks from May to August until I reached my TE's capacity of 700 cc.  Just saw my PS this week for my preop appointment and scheduled my exchange surgery for November.  I could have had an October surgery date but it would have meant an afternoon surgery instead of morning so I chose to wait until my PS's next available opening.  Plus, the extra month gives me a little more time to work on losing some weight.  This has been a long process, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Because my DCIS was noninvasive and because I had a BMX, I did not need radiation, chemo, or medication.  I am very thankful.  

Radical2Squared

hi ladies!

Good idea on the updates teachermom! I like reading them so far!

After my bmx in April, my skin wasn't fully healed until mid June. At that point, I started getting 50cc fills and chemo every other week.

I have two more chemo sessions to go (next one is in 2 days) and I'm pretty sure this is my last fill before I call it quits and let my ps do one last eventful. 

My last chemo is scheduled for Sept 30th....hopefully I'll be able to do exchange about a month out from that.

Sodie1017

Good to read everyone's progress! I'm still battling plantar fasciitis so that distracts me from thoughts of the iron bra feeling. I'm going to PT once a week and they work on my foot and scar tissue from the BMX. I joined the Y and swam early this morning. My chest is protesting! I'm committed to getting back in shape whether or not my foot cooperates. I've put it off too long. 

teachermom4

ouch--I had plantar fasciitis a couple of years ago--what a pain, literally! It took me a good nine months to get rid of it, but it did eventually go away so hang in there!

Radical is sounds like you're closing in on a milestone--good for you! What a journey this is!

And Janett you are so far along--congrats! I am finding the exchange easier than the bmx, by far, but still have so much tightness . I refuse to complain though, I am so very grateful to be this far along.

I wonder when we will all reach a point where bc isn't on our minds every day?

vfay49

teachermom4, The one thing I too am hoping for after exchange is to no longer have the iron-bra feeling and tightness that I have with the TEs.   Most say that they feel so much better after exchange, but I think this may be another one of those things that may not be the same for one as it is for another.  I don't think of you as complaining.   I appreciate your honesty.  It keeps my expectations in check.  I have a friend that is one year from her exchange.  She is not in pain but is aware that her implants are under the pectoral muscle.  She considers the way she feels the new normal.

 

teachermom4

vfay49--the "breasts" themselves feel fabulous, nice and soft, with a terrific shape so far--so much better than the TEs! But....the tightness is pretty uncomfortable. Several women have said to give it time, and I sure hope it improves, but I do think it is because of the tremendous stretch of the pec muscles. I don't see how that will improve? Also, I have very large implants (800cc's) which, in hindsight, is probably too much. I had very large breasts before and even though I am smaller now, I think it is asking for too much of a stretch for my muscles. I do think this will have to become my new normal. It does seem that most get tremendous relief and I am hoping that for you!

scubalady

Another April sister here.  My exchange is tomorrow morning.  Glad to see others are doing well.  I have a few things to do yet tonight, so I'll post more when I'm on the mend after exchange.

Wish me luck!

teachermom4

You go girl!! Easy peasy and wishing you the best! Welcome to the squishy side!

vfay49

scubalady,  Wishing you the best today!

scubalady

Hi all. 

My exchange surgery went well. I'm still wrapped up like a mummy so I haven't seen how things look yet. Based on my discomfort areas, I believe there was a fair amount of work in the side to take out the extra skin on my right side that was left from the mastectomy. When I lifted my arms over my head, I had my two normal menopause/Arimadex fat rolls on the lifted side and three rolls on the UMX side, so he planned on removing that. He also said there was a lot of scar tissue to be cleaned up inside my original MX incision, and he did some pocket work to move the pocket in because the expander was wide and under my armpit.

The one thing that has me nervous is that he was originally thinking of probably a Mentor 550cc, (as Whippetmom did) and according to my card I have a Mentor 350-4501BC, which is. 450cc moderate plus profile. It sounds so much smaller than I was expecting, but all the nurses were telling me that my PS is really a perfectionist, and that they would all make sure they picked the one that gave me the best match. I have lost about 10 pounds since we started all this and I'm only 5'2", so that 10 pounds might have been enough to make something smaller look better.

I have an appointment Monday so I'll get to see if they made a good selection or not.

amyo

Fellow April Surgery Sisters - I had my bmx April 16th and have my exchange scheduled 11/14. I'm still going though chemo which began 5/20 - 3 more sessions, last one scheduled 10/9 9 - yahoo.  My ps has been giving me 30 ccs twice a week until mid August which I had to wait 3 months till exchange. I'm more excited to end chemo but also cannot wait to get these hard balls out of me. It was nice reading everyone's updates.

Sodie1017

Het girls, I have a question. I started swimming three weeks ago. Now my pecs are in an uproar and PT is painful again. My left pec seems a little puffy. Anyone have this happen to them?

Radical2Squared

Sodie,

I'm certainly not an expert and you should put in a call to your doc...but I remember when I first started weight training how painful it was using muscles I'd never used before. They actually did swell! It is possible you're just using muscles that haven't been used in a long while!

happyteacher

Just checking in. It has been a while since I perused the thread, and I am glad to read several of us already completed the exchange. I have been getting fills at 2-3 week intervals, 60 ccs most times, a little more at one. My doc just this past Saturday said my fills are done. My exchange is scheduled for Dec 12th. I am struggling with knowing I could go in earlier, but needing the holiday break to help preserve my instructional time in the classroom and protect my depleted sick day bank. My TE"s have hurt all the way through. At my last appointment the PS explained that some of us have rib cage anomolies (deformities) and that it appears that where my rib bone connects to the ligaments is an area for this issue, as the pain is a constant issue. I have spent all of this time avoiding using my arms and doing an extra exercise due to it immediately causing swelling and pain. Made the mistake of putting in back-to-back lessons today that had me writing on the Smartboard- and paying the price tonight. I am hopeful that the exchange will bring some relief.

My PS just talked with me about the gummy bear implant, and so I am not trying to research those options to educate myself. I am finding that pretty damn confusing right now, but know that if I keep at it soon it will begin to make a little more sense and I can make a better informed decision. Whippetmom is pretty much my hero right now. 

I hope everyone out there that reads, but perhaps does not post is doing well as I hope that the posters do well also. 

Radical2Squared

happy teacher...glad I read your thread. I was feeling a little bad about not working since April, but I teach math...writing on the smartboard is CONSTANT for me. I never would make it!

happyteacher

Radical,

I used to teach math at the middle school level so I completley understand. There is absolutely no way I could do that right now. I can't tolerate 10 minutes with a Smartboard, 40 minutes student work, then 10 minutes Smartboard with the next section. Last April I was ticked I had to go in and not wait until the original surgery date of the summer, but in hindsight I am so grateful that I had the summer to aid in recovery. I remain hopeful that the pain will subside with the exchange, and for now altering lesson plans to accomdate the short windows I can use the board. That is a challenge, because I teach 35 classes a week- all different students. I can at least teach from my computer (seated, no reaching)- it just is not my preferred option. 

When will you return to the classroom?

Radical2Squared

Happy teacher, I have re on surgery Nov. 11th.... I'm not planing on going back until the end of January. This way I will pick up at the beginning of the 2nd semester.

All,

I wanted to share with you. I found a shop on etsy that makes the Hallmark card of the jewelry world. Through her own struggles (miscarriage I believe) she found that it was difficult to find exactly the right way to mark her journey. She started B-) very personalized jewelry. I bought myself a necklace that reads, "all warriors have scars" and has the ribbon on it. The shop owner wrote menanpersonal note saying, "As a veteran I truly believe you are a warrior." There was more to it, but that line really git me because I have so much respect for people who fight for our country...to have a true warrior say that to me brought tears to my eyes!

I've since returned to her online shop and bought jewelry for the women in my life honoring their children and grandchildren. Check her shop out! https://www.etsy.com/listing/175368169/cancer-sur...

Sodie1017

Hey April sisters!

How's everyone doing? I'm still trying to get back in shape and my body is not cooperating! My plantar fasciitis is better and I'm able to exercise on the elliptical and treadmill. Getting back to running is still my future plan, but not now.

Due to all the stretching exercises to get back my range of motion in my arms, I'm now having issues with my left shoulder. Had to have an MRI and thankfully, the rotator cuff is not torn. So I continue with PT and am having dry needle therapy on my shoulder. I'm beginning to think I should have gone with the cortisone shot! The PT told me to stop swimming for now.

I had genetic counseling a couple of months ago and the counselor was convinced I had the PTEN mutation. Genetic testing came back clear!

I went back to the PS this past week to have him check a BB-sized lump in my left breast. I win the prize for stumping one of the top PSs in the state! He's going to remove it January 9.

My goal for 2015 is to be done with PT and have fewer doctors' appointments!

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

DiveCat

Sodie,

I am sorry you are having trouble getting back into your physical activities. I hope PT helps you get back to it in time.

No real updates from me. I am fully recovered and back to all my physical activities plus some. I'd say 99% back to where I was, the 1% is for the random times I am surprised by a twitching pec muscle when I try to open a pickle jar!

Oh, I AM going in for an exchange from my round silicones to 410s sometime in February or March, after I come back from my vacation. I see my PS in January to book the date. The reason for the revision is to try and resolve some rippling, including a larger dent that is always present. I look perfect in clothes but due to one of my hobbies and a business with my husband I spend quite some time in a swimsuit and am a bit self conscious of it. My other option was fat grafting but I want to try the 410s instead.

Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year to all the April 2014 surgery sisters!

happyteacher

I had my exchange 1 week ago, and so far so good. I am 6'2'', 190 pounds and had the new cohesive Mentors anatomical shape put in. medium profile, medium projection, 745 or so cc's. The pain from the tissue expanders is gone! For the duration I had an area where they were digging into the ribcage bone and compressing a nerve, along with a lot of swelling in the port areas. The squishies are so much better! I still have some recovering to do obiviously, so I am not real sure what the final pain level (if any) will be, but for sure it is better than where I was prior to exchange. Size wise, it doesn't seem quite as much as what the tissue expanders were, but I have swelling and drains still so it is far too early to tell. I am wishing all of my April surgery sisters healing vibes this holiday season!