Starting Chemo May 2008

Adrienne, me too.  The most comfortable bras I own are the soft, cottony ones I found at KMart for less than $9 apiece.  I bought every one the local KMart had; then I found them on-line from a retailer in NYC and I bought some more.  I can wear them with my fiber-fil foob without worrying about it sliding around or popping out.  If I want to wear my $$$ foob, I'll need to sew a pocket in the cup.  I can do that.  I just need sufficient motivation, and right now the fiber-fil foob is way easier.

I'll do Facebook.  If I can do Skype, I can do Facebook.

otter 

Otter - Yes I know how sub-conscious you are. Believe me I was there. If there's one good thing about having BC it is the fact that through the struggle I learned what is in important and what is not. How I look is not, who I am is. Come on now, this person that lacked self-esteem bared her chemo hair on ABC, went to school without her wig to help a 2^nd grader in turn helping me. Who you are, is our leader in knowledge and wisdom. Don't let chemo hair take from who you think you are. We all look up to you, you should too! Oh and take the plunge, I just joined facebook yesterday. I think you have to use your real name, at least for others to find you.

The Wall

Ok, here's what I've got.

Sue, Kristy, Heather, Linda and Rock (Rock is courtesy of Linda), Mary, Cristine, Kerry, Eddie, Jen, Jackie.

Here's who I need, Noelle, Otter, ranD, Adrienne and anyone I might have over looked (sorry).

Here is a picture of the wall. When I get more, my pictures will come out to put you in.

To those in picture, is it ok that I posted it? If not I WILL delete.

Karin-it is okay with me too!  It really looks great!

What a bunch of beautiful women!  Karin, I sent a pic yesterday and am looking forward to joining the group.

Based on my body size and makeup, my PS indicated that I was not a candidate for TRAM or DIEP.  I am having the two-stage implant reconstruction.  Essentially on day (3) of diagnosis, I had made a decision to do reconstruction - which I have had second thoughts about most days since.  One the day of my surgery, the surgeon removed my breast and the PS (in the same surgery) placed an expander under my peck muscle with 100cc of fluid.  Throughout the summer in the "good" weeks of chemo, I would receive a "fill" in the expander of anywhere from 50cc to 75cc, gradually stretching the skin.  I finished "filling" mid-July and currently have 260cc.  I went through radiation with the expander in . . . . my ps indicated that I needed to wait 4-6 months after radiation to do the "swap" surgery.  He will pull the expander out, clean out scar tissue, and put the implant in.  He could not match my "new" breast to my old since they do not have gravity affected implants, so I am getting a small implant under my unaffected side (peck muscle) to balance.  1 surgery left and I will have 1" scars on both sides to pull out the left expander and insert both implants.

In the upcoming surgery, the PS "twists" the skin such that it creates a nipple.  I have been told my other docs that the nipple creation is an art.  He showed it to me via hand gestures nearly 5 times.  Once healed, he will tattoo the areola on the breast.  I told him (on day 3) that I wanted a tattoo of yellow sun rays or an eye winking around my nipple and he politely told me that he did not have a book for me to pick from. 

Although I have wondered over and over if this was the right decision, I am very excited for the next phase.  

Love to you all!

Jean

Jean - Sorry, I forgot, I did get yours yesterday but didn't print it out yet. I knew I was missing someone when typing out the names.

Jen - When I imagine you I now hear you first. New name for Jen is Sally, LMAO

Good morning!

I think that we are all over on facebook--I'm still trying to figure things out there-my concentration level just isn't what it used to be.

Hope that everyone is having a great day!

RanD - SQUARK THE FECKING BLOODY HELL!!!! Sorry, I'm a little slow to get the news of the pain.  And, as luck would have it, I am seriously sleep-deprived so I can barely string words in a row.

Karin, I love the photos. I need to have a new one taken in some South African setting. (Did I mention that it is staggering gorgeous here?)

Today, I joined a woman I met on these boards at her parents' home for lunch and then a drive up the coast. It was just wonderful.  In fact, I should climb up to the sundeck and write a thank you note. I believe I will do that.

Apologies for not being completely caught up, and more incoherent than usual!

xoxoxoxoxxoxo rock

Cristine - Welcome to the madness. I just sent you a friend reguest thing and sent you suggestions for friends from the rest of us. Good luck.

Rock - Yes I know there are some gorgeous spots over there. Before you left I did a google search to see what your new surroundings would be like. Your pictures prove it is so.

Aaaaack!  Squaaaarkkkk!   (That's otter, trying to figure out Facebook.)

Karin, you're wondering where everybody is today?  Gracie's right--I think a bunch of us have been over on that other site, trying to get acquainted.  It appears I have 12 "friends" now .... still missing Sue, RanD, Kristy, and Eddie I think.  Somebody PM me here if that's not correct, or "message" me on Facebook and I'll get back to you.  When did "friend", "message", etc., become verbs?  Oh, yeah, I know.  It was at about the same time that I got old.

otter 

Karin is frustrated now. Somebody tagged me, well a few did with that Random notes thing. Can't find it now and have made my list and don't know what to do with it.

Karin - Step away from the keyboard!  lol...I'm just kidding!

If you click to the right of your main FB page, you should see a link to notes.  From there you can find your notes or notes you're tagged in (I think ).  If I'm wrong, you didn't hear it from me

Jen - well you tripped because I had a long string of invisible line stretched across your path :P

Just me peeking in again! I don't like peeking but I like to keep in touch with you ladies that I've come to know.........sorry if I don't belong here but this seems to be where the people I know hang out!

I see some of you are doing or at least thinking of the recon thing??? Bravo I say. I am still too chicken for that one but would love to hear how it goes, just in case I get the nerve to do it. My most exposed situation was after xmas on a mini vacation when DD and I went to the pool. Upon entering the change room it suddenly hit me. EGAD! There's no where to hide! It took me back for a bit as I felt all eyes were on me. At times like these, a new boob would be nice.

RanD......sorry girl for all that crap. Those docs need a good SHTICK!

Otter, glad to see you venture out onto FB, you too Christine.

Noelle.......hope your store picks up, is it just the after xmas doledrums or is this crappy economy slowing things down??

Have a great day all!

Hey all.  Here's the update.  My lower/middle back is killing,me, feels like someone kicked me int he kidney.  I am thinking that it is from all the freaking coughing and throwing up.  So, fund my last 5 tabs of vicodin and have been taking it all day.  No pain, less coughing and lots of sleep. WHO HOOOO.

Managed to keep 2 meals down today and stopped some of the weight loss.  So far, I have lost about 8 lbs int he last 2 weeks.  Not an idea way to do it, but  am thinking something;s gotta give.

Still SOB if I walk to far, but I think once my left lung is drained I will feel better,.

So, back to facebook....ran

RanD...hope you are feeling better and the pain has subsided and today will be a better day for you.

I agree with you Cristine I find our May board a little less hectic than Facebook... a little more centered and comforting , like your favourite chair you sink into and you feel so comfortable.

I'm still trying to figure out tags and notes too not to sure what to do with them but will I'm sure if i keep at it. So if you have tagged me for something and i haven't replied i'm still working on it.

I have a bit of self inflicted pain from the curling this weekend, couldn't squeeze out a win on Sunday though but still came home with a nice prize.  Got a gift certificate for a massage and a mud bath therapy at our local spa. Our whole team each got one so will make a day of it and go out for a nice lunch and get the treatment.    I do have a physio appt today so that will help loosen things up.

Karin luv the picture collage .....thanks for sharing.

Crazy nice to see you around again....I think we were in the same April surgery thread.

Hope everyone has a great day!

To All:

New Master List is almost ready to go out. This is what I am missing:

Angelsaboveus - email, phone# with Time Zone.

ewesterman - email, phone# with Time Zone

Jeanno77 - email

Lewing - email, phone# with Time Zone

rock - still waiting on word on S.A address

P.S. JulieC - Sent me her info and would also like to be on the list.