February 2015 surgery

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  • RAK1
    RAK1 Member Posts: 240
    edited February 2015

    All Sisters

    "No breast are ugly"!!!!

    You are alive and you went through some of the most difficult things to do here!

    You are "all" beautiful women just as you are this very minute!!! 

    You are my heroes!

    And no one says my hero's anything (even a temporary boob) is ugly, cuz their not!

    So what, they are not the same anymore! We can get counseling for that too!

    We will share with each other,understanding none of us has everything perfect!

    We will adjust because we can, to whatever they will or will not be!!!

    We will adjust!!!

    Because we can!!!!

    I love You All

    Robin

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  • RAK1
    RAK1 Member Posts: 240
    edited February 2015


    I can't tell amy where it is floating?

    I am out of pain meds also!

    Did anyone else have a epidural?

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  • Loulee
    Loulee Member Posts: 26
    edited February 2015

    Cording?? Anyone!!?

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  • justamy
    justamy Member Posts: 532
    edited February 2015

    Its sitting there and behaving in the picture unfortunately because that's the one I sent the PS. Its just loose in there so it floats into my armpit a lot and it flips over inside there so it's kind of like an alien.

    What is cording?

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  • justamy
    justamy Member Posts: 532
    edited February 2015

    In non boob related news but still related...lol...My doctor in her infinite wisdom to change my antidepressant the day of my surgery... It takes a few weeks for the old to get out of your system...so I am now feeling the change and it's not good....I never cried during all of chemo...now I'm yelling at my kids and crying at the drop of a hat...not good and not me. I'm going back on the old stuff tomorrow. My doc said I could if I called. It's the same med. They just made a timed release that you take once a week and it isn't working so going back to daily stuff. Very bad timing for a change...

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  • Loulee
    Loulee Member Posts: 26
    edited February 2015

    This is cording!


    http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/aws


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  • zjrosenthal
    zjrosenthal Member Posts: 2,026
    edited February 2015

    I had some cording after my Sentinal node biopsy. It went awat after a few weeks of doing stretching and Taichi. So far none with ALND. Love, Jean .

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  • RAK1
    RAK1 Member Posts: 240
    edited February 2015


    Amy which one? Effexor?

    I know about these things. Did you start it yet?

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  • RAK1
    RAK1 Member Posts: 240
    edited February 2015


    Amy are you taking it as a result of hormonal issues causing depression or just depression?

    What were you on before surgery?

    I had planned some changes in meds before the dx but my dr. and I decided that would not be in my best interest now.

    I could give you some thoughts .

    I sold pharmaceuticals where I met my husband the pharmacist!

    I started them reluctantly for peri menopausal

     

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  • justamy
    justamy Member Posts: 532
    edited February 2015

    No its 90mg of Prozac that you take once a week. I was taking 80/day.

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  • RAK1
    RAK1 Member Posts: 240
    edited February 2015


    Why were you taking once a week?

     

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  • justamy
    justamy Member Posts: 532
    edited February 2015

    Actually I have been depressed with Panic Disorder, ADHD, and a few more for 20 years. I've done all kinds of treatment. Now its Prozac, Seroquel and Klonopin...I don't handle ADHD meds well so seroquel helps some...

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  • justamy
    justamy Member Posts: 532
    edited February 2015

    The 90/week is supposed to be a new delivery system and used once a week. Supposed to be like 60/day.

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  • RAK1
    RAK1 Member Posts: 240
    edited February 2015


    Why once a week?  how long had you been on them?

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  • RAK1
    RAK1 Member Posts: 240
    edited February 2015


    Okay Amy I got you girl!

    Cheer up!

    I have adhd, GAD and major depression and chronic insomnia.!

     

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  • RAK1
    RAK1 Member Posts: 240
    edited February 2015


    I started needing them after I moved to Florida I was only 39 years old!

    I hated the heat!!!!! I always so hot!!!

    I began getting my period 21 days out of 30

    I became anemic, I didn't know when I was going to start bleeding. I had to where baby diapers to bed at night it was awful!

    The hormonal shifts made me so filled with anxiety! Well it took quite a few tries with many different ones before I found the best meds and least SEs

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  • roadrash
    roadrash Member Posts: 145
    edited February 2015

    YOU ladies look amazing!

    Loulee- I have had extensive cording issue. Very painful and limiting. Physical therapy, range of motion exercises and pain medications.

    image

     Massage helps too. Have you been to physical therapy?

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  • RAK1
    RAK1 Member Posts: 240
    edited February 2015

    Roadrash why do you have that?

    Robin

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  • roadrash
    roadrash Member Posts: 145
    edited February 2015


    Hi Robin, I had an anxicillary node biopsy and apparently it is a side effect for some people. It is extremely painful and affects my ability t lift things up, grasp and get dressed. I have it in both arms now. I have been seeing a physical therapist.

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  • RAK1
    RAK1 Member Posts: 240
    edited February 2015

    does the PT help with pain and movement?

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  • RAK1
    RAK1 Member Posts: 240
    edited February 2015

    Road rash, how are you feeling after 1 week out ?

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  • Fourminor
    Fourminor Member Posts: 354
    edited February 2015

    Wow this board moves fast. I had some cording after my surgery and got a referral for PT which was covered by my insurance and after a month or so went back to doing yoga and it resolved.

    I am really missing my yoga right now. But I have three more weeks of activity restriction.

    My TEs were filled to 175 during placement and I used a bra for the first two-3 weeks at that time. If they are moving I would think PS may want you in a bra 24/7 except to shower which is what I am doing now for recovery from exchange.


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  • roadrash
    roadrash Member Posts: 145
    edited February 2015

    Hi,

    Thank you for asking. :D I'n not doing well. have to admit that the exchange with all the revisions was so much worse for me than my bmx. I went back to work after 6 days after my bmx and this time I can't. I had my surgery on Thursday and went back to work on Wednesday. I dont know what happened other than that I did drive about 160 miles and complete 4 home visits but when i got home I started bleeding from some an incision area and had massive swelling. I went to ps yesterday and he put in a stitch and told me that I can't go back to work for now. I am going to get fired. I dont have a nice job and Im not eligible for FMLA because I have not completed 12 months. I continue to have severe pain in my sternum from moving my breasts closer and my AWS cording is so much worse. I can't sleep fr more than 2 hrs and when I go to get up there is such a painful heaviness in my chest. A long story short pocket work can be difficult. In looking back at my pics you will see my tissue expanders had been consistently pushing farther and farther out with every fill. I know now that the ps could have helped me to prevent that by wearing a more supportive bra, not filling me so large, etc. It's too late now but I hope that information helps someone out there. The old stand by exists, See something, Say something.

    The cording is so bad that it dramatically affects my ability to type, which is why i cant really post too much these last few days. The pain goes from under my breast, to armpit to arm to fingers.

    WHippetmom has been so helpful and spot on so if anyone has any questions/concerns/reassurance she is the one to talk to.

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  • Loulee
    Loulee Member Posts: 26
    edited February 2015

    Roadrash, 

    I have not been to physical therapy!  Not .yet anyanyways !!

    I felt my cording by chance when I was exercising, exactly 2 weeks after my surgery... it is very painful. Seeing my surgeon next week and hoping for best, a lady on this thread (Jean) said that her cording went away with exercise and taichi. I wish you the best dear and I hope you won't get fired!

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  • roadrash
    roadrash Member Posts: 145
    edited February 2015

    Hi LouLee, the physical therapy and massage does help. I am gettig very little right now because I just my exchange surgery. I am definitely going to get fired. I actually cleaned my desk on Wednesday as I bled at my desk because I didnt want to leave a mess for anyone. I am a Reiki Master so I am going to try taichi.


    In the event anyone is reading this.. I wanted to share... Maybe it will help someone.

    My insurance company is paying for my mastectomy bras. I asked for the script and the DME code from my ps. I faxed it to them and it was approved. I don't know if that is for all insurance companies, but it was for mine.

    My insurance company is paying for a recliner for me. Mine was not electric and I had to be constantly pulled up out of the chair. My ps wrote me a script and my insurance company will pay for one.

    My insurance company is also paying for a bed recliner to help me sit up. I needed a script from my doctor and make sure they put the DME codes on it. The office staff knows what that means.

    I wish I had known this sooner

    I do have to pay for a deductible on my insurance, but I met that with all my inpatient stays for the year.

    I was also told that they will pay for scar cream by prescription so some of us its too early , but if you get closer to the time , ask for a script

    I have also found a few resources online that will help pay for these things or towards your deductible. I didnt need to use it but it is out there in case you know someone who does.


    I hope everyone continues to make a speedy recovery.


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  • AudreyB
    AudreyB Member Posts: 377
    edited February 2015

    Thanks for all the info Roadrash.  My insurance hardly pays for my procedures.  I can just hear them laughing at the other end of the line if I asked if they cover recliners. 

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  • RAK1
    RAK1 Member Posts: 240
    edited March 2015

    Sorry my laptop is acting up so I am on my phone.

    I am so sorry the world can be so cruel roadrash! I will be praying for you. It's no contest on whose life is worst, but I can surley say that there are some really hurtful situations we are going through! I know I have some also but, my hope is in how big my God is and not how big my problems are. I pray you will be financially fine. You will take the time to heal and recover! No one knows how everything will turn out and we must support and encourage one another! I'm sorry you are having such a rough time now, nothing stays the same forever, I know that!!!

    Love Robin

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  • NurseShark
    NurseShark Member Posts: 176
    edited February 2015

    thank you for the info road rash! I am gonna try for the recliner through insurance.I cannot get comfy at night my recliner is so old and uncomfortable and makes my back hurt. I am sorry about your set back.do you have an HR person you can discuss options with? Even if not eligible for FMLA sometimes there are other options ( taking unpaid leave to secure position and apply for social security disability until you recover ???)

    Fourminor I am missing yoga so much right now too!it's the only thing that de stresses me...

    i am 2 weeks post op today. Very sore still .Chest feels so tight and get awful muscle spasms...I've had moments of regret opting for direct implants . I know in the long run I wouldn't be happy w/o recon but then been thinking maybe flat wouldn't be so bad. I have no sensation...feels like ghost boobs

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  • faithhopecourage
    faithhopecourage Member Posts: 37
    edited February 2015

    Welcome Diane. I had my surgery on 2/18. Bilateral mastectomy. Left was cancer, right was prophylactic. They just took my sentinel nodes which thank God were clean. I am having staged reconstruction. This board and these ladies are the finest support group you will ever find. Anything you need. Questions answered. Vented fears and feelings of overwhelming emotions. We all try to help each other. Just reading the thread gives me comfort. God bless you on this path and know that you are not alone!!

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  • faithhopecourage
    faithhopecourage Member Posts: 37
    edited February 2015

    Question: Can someone tell me a good reference source for exercising to regain my arm strength?? PS has not given me anything.

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