AUGUST 2015 SURGERY SISTERS!!

Whaley

AJ71, we will have to remember to chat months from now when this part of the experience is a distant memory and we are back to our active lives. I'll hold on to that for now. In the meantime hope tomorrow is a better day for all of us.

Whaley

AJ71, we will have to remember to chat months from now when this part of the experience is a distant memory and we are back to our active lives. I'll hold on to that for now. In the meantime hope tomorrow is a better day for all of us.

AJ71

I hope so, Whaley. It is helpful to share these things in real time.

Molly50

AJ and Whaley if you fill out your diagnosis and treatment and change the settings to public it's easier for everyone to respond to your situation. Hugs.

AJ71

Thanks, Molly! Done.

Artista928

Well just when I thought things were going smoothly... Yesterday am wasn't feeling as good. More fatigued/tired and skin over right "breast" (TE) was light red, swollen some, occasional pain/discomfort and was feeling a bit warm but not feverish. Got in to see the PA with ps as he was in sx and yup, an infection. Doesn't think it's too bad right now since I got in early and I just took amoxicillin and have norco on standby should the pain go up. So far I don't need anything as it's not long and it's not that bad of a pain, just like shooting at times---more discomfort than pain. Left one is fine and you can see the diff. I sure hope these abx takes care of it. I have a fu appt on Mon when ps is in the office. I just bought a digital thermometer. Never owned one, that's how often I get sick. The most I ever get is a cold and that's 1 x yr so this is new to me.

AJ71

Arista, I'm sorry to hear about the infection, but so glad you got in so quickly. I hope the abx kick it out of your system right away.

Molly50

Sorry to hear about the infection, Artista.

Anonymous

Got word yesterday that my cancer low risk and I will not have to undergo any chemo! I will see onco next Monday to begin my Tamoxifen regimen.

I hope that everyone is doing well and prayers and positive thoughts for those of you that need them.

Molly50

Great news, sgabbert!

Suzy1067

Sorry to hear about your set back Artista . Hoping for a quick healing!!

Great news sgabbert!

I had my Onco visit last week also with a low score, so, I am beginning Tamoxifen soon.  So very grateful no other treatment is recommended.

I just came back from a fill - I have one more scheduled next Wednesday and then my exchange surgery is scheduled for Novemeber 5th!!  I'm so excited - I feel like it's happening quickly, but, I was 6 weeks post BMX yesterday and November 5th is 3 months post BMX.  Will be so happy to have these coconut bra/hamburger buns replaced!  I was warned that the lipo portion is worse pain than the re-entry incisions.  But, I feel it won't compare to what's already behind me!

Just wanted to share with you all...I hope you all are doing well and healing quickly.

XOXO

aviva5675

hang in there, ladies- it gets better

AJ71

Great news, sgabbart and suzy1067!

It occurs to me that whomever invented the tissue expander must have been a man, or at least someone completely ignorant to how it would feel to have these unforgiving devices placed within our bodies.

Artista928

Yes, great news sgabbart and suzy1067! Thanks for the support. Sorry I'm not a big one as I'm dealing with some non related bc/medical issues as well. Looking/feeling better today, after 3 abx pills. So I'm feeling good about being able to continue on as scheduled. I find too that icing for 20 min then off for 10 routine not only seems to help but it does feel good. I just put a soft thin fabric between the skin and the ice mat and ahhhhh. Much love and positive thoughts to all of you fellow sisters! xo

Anonymous

Thank you Molly!

Anonymous

Good luck Suzy, sounds like the Holidays should be exciting for you!

Anonymous

I have been reading about all of you that have chosen reconstruction and I have to say that I am glad I chose not to do reconstruction. It just sounds horribly painful. I pray for quick healing and good days for you all.

Artista928

Actually my TEs don't bother me anymore. It did initially and the drains much more so but now it's not bad. Lots of bad stuff on tap and I just have my eye on the end result which is kicking cancer's ass hopefully forever and coming out with much nicer breasts than the big saggy ones I had. Have to have something to look forward to!

Anonymous

Yes, the end result is what we should all be seeking!

AJ71

Arista, I'm glad to hear they don't bother you anymore. Gives me hope that I may feel more comfortable in the next few weeks. And yes, it's the long-view that's most important.

Molly50

Thank you Artista. I look forward to getting used to them.

Artista928

Infected area looking better! No pain, redness barely there-- so looks like good ole amoxicillin is kicking it's ass with just 4 doses in!

I think with the TEs, well first it was never stifling- tight but can't say I had it real bad after sx with them. Do a lot of stretching, like expanding your chest- or deep breaths. IOW, expand your chest as well. While of course I feel them it just feels like a heavy bra type thing in there but no pain and the poking went away. I'm not sure what to attribute that to as I think about it. Maybe it's part of the healing of the tissues and the nerves left there not being so sensitive. Don't know, but definitely move your chest around yourself, expand it with breaths and stretches like arm stretch and all. I didn't just stick to the crawling up the wall exercise they tell you to do. Push yourself but of course you know the limit- don't over do it esp if you are less than a couple weeks out I'd say. Just go with what your body is ok with. At 3 wks po my ps said no restrictions, so now I carry a gallon of milk so to speak, as he was telling me not do the 1st 3 weeks. Hang in there. It does get better.

Also watch closely for signs of infection. I let it go a day once I saw something was up thinking I should be sure, which is ok as it's still considered early, but PA said never hesitate to call. Better safe than possibly sorry so check out the areas a couple times a day (what I do, not what doc says) to see if everything looks cool and for us bilat mxs, compare each side. It's normal for the TEs not to be at exactly lined up and "nipple" area as well so don't freak on that.

Wishing you all the best and have a great day! Off to the infusion center tour in an hour followed by preop with bs for port installation next Thurs. Fun! Yah, right.

rleepac

I'm 4 weeks post-op from total skin-sparing BMX with TEs. Doing pretty good but the last fill I had 2 days ago is pretty sore and tight now. My first fill was only 50 cc and I barely felt that. This time we went for 100cc and wowzers! This puts me at 400 cc total now and I'm thinking I might like this size. Maybe I'll go up another 50 just to check it out but I'm pretty good where I'm at. Exchange surgery will be in 6-8 weeks and then these stupid baggies (with all their wrinkles and lumps) will be gone forever!

Carrie37

Bekah, my chemo and now surgery buddy! I had my BMX , skin (partial) and nipple sparing, with TE's four weeks ago. I haven't even been filled once! It's great to hear that you are close to being done with fills and ready for your exchange! No rads for you?

39andhip

10 days post DIEP recon, and I've never been so excited for a doctor's appointment before. I got my drains and wire out - so much better now! I hope everyone else is healing well and feeling positive.

quiltlibrarian

39 good to hear that.

Carrie37

Hooray for drains coming out!!

Artista928

I didn't have my last 2 drains out until 5 wks po. Man was it a relief! Congrats on getting them out!

quiltlibrarian

Tomorrow is my first day back to work. Really missed it, but I knew I was not ready.

Hugs all

39andhip

quiltlibrarian - Happy returns to work! I teach, so I have the summers off. This was nice because it was pretty crazy at the beginning of all this, so there were only a few weeks when I had to worry about work on top of it. But by the end of summer, I was soooooo anxious to get back to somewhat normal. Sadly, I had to actually take the whole semester off, and I know I'm going to be bored in a month, once I start feeling much better.