Anyone from Montreal, Qc?

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  • YoYo44
    YoYo44 Member Posts: 203
    edited December 2009

    Hi Terri,

    Good luck tomorow!  The beginning of the finished product of the new you. Not sure how long the recovery is but I hope it is speedy and uneventful!

    Tomorrow is also a big day for me.  Apparently the path results are in so that should clear things up a little.  No nodes!!  Crossing my fingers.

    Yo

  • my560sel
    my560sel Member Posts: 1,065
    edited December 2009

    Yo: Hope everything goes well for you tomorrow! Keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you....I just know everything is going to be OK. How's the recon coming along? Are you feeling any pain? Have you had your 2nd fill yet? I guess you must be at about 110cc's by now?

    Looking forward to tomorrow. I go in at 8am and apparently out the same day. I'll let you all know how it goes....prayers appreciatedSmile

    Terri

  • corneliadum
    corneliadum Member Posts: 9
    edited December 2009

    Hi my560, yoyo44, kerkle, olivieri and all women in greater Montreal! I am myself a patient of Dr Karl Schwarz and I describe my own breast reconstruction experience and all kind of stories I lived myself in a new web site that includes a great number of practical and pertinent suggestions and resources for patients with breast cancer in our own area. I created this NON PROFIT web site to bring help to other women experiencing breast cancer and it is open to free discussion and suggestions through an integrated blog: www.corneliadum.com

    Cornelia Dum 

  • kerkle
    kerkle Member Posts: 147
    edited December 2009

    Good luck Terri! I wish you all the best, no pain and a speedy recovery, I have a friend that used Dr.D, she is thrilled and had very little pain after the exchange.

    PS. Saw Dr, M on the golf course today (in Florida) got a big kiss from him and he never asked why I didn't use him. Phew!!  He's a great guy!

  • marie111
    marie111 Member Posts: 119
    edited December 2009

    Terri:  Good luck tomorrow !! I am sure everything goes well. You are almost at the finish line !!! I am still pondering my options although I am feeling in a bit of a time crunch.  I need to decide soon because if I don't have the BMX then I would require radiation. I am very scared about having MX. I worry that I won't be happy with the results and am concerned about how it feels to have foreign objects in my body.  I know this sounds like a crazy questions but do you feel them more and also I read the implants are cold is that true do you feel like you have 2 ice packs stuck to you ?? I would love to hear more about it from someone you has gone thru the experience like you. Maybe I should start with just one side and see how it feels before having the other side done .... So many hard decisions we have to make .....

    Cornelia: I will also be using Dr. Schwarz, how was your experience, are you satisfied ?

    Yoyo44: Hope you are reconvering well so far !!

     Marie

  • kerkle
    kerkle Member Posts: 147
    edited December 2009

    Dr. Schwarz is wonderful. He is my doctor and he is just super. He is young and uses a new procedure that they use in the U.S. I have expanders in now, had radiation that ended the last week in September so I am waiting for my exchange in April. Looking so forward.

  • my560sel
    my560sel Member Posts: 1,065
    edited December 2009

    I'm leaving for the hospital in a few minutes and just wanted to check in. Cornelia, thanks for the website, I'll have a look at it when I get back today. Kerkle and Marie, thanks for the prayers...

    Keep your fingers crossed for me...big day today!

    Hugs,

    Terri

  • kerkle
    kerkle Member Posts: 147
    edited December 2009

    Hi Terri, I didn't expect you to be on the computer tonight, but just in case you felt well enough to take a peek...How are you?? How did it go? What do you feel?? I am thinking of you and wishing you all the best.  

  • corneliadum
    corneliadum Member Posts: 9
    edited December 2009

    Hi Marie, I am describind all my expérience with dr. Scwartz on the site, look on Reconstruction mammaire, on the left side on the first page, and i am also talking about all the doctors ( only the good ons) who took care of me. I just finished with my permanent implants tree monts ago and everything is fain, i am very happy with the result, makes me feel more sexy...I advice you to go with two of them in the same time, and yes you will feel the expender and the implant but you will get used to: my situation was pretty bad with a lot of pain but there is no 2 persons wich will react the same way when it comes to expenders. I spok to a lot women and for everybody was different.Yes Dr, S is fantastic, say hi to him from me and good luck to you. I would like to tell you more but I am francophone and its pretty hard for me to go into the details in English and in writing!! If you can speak any French there is no problem, or i give you my phone number if you want.

    have a look: www.corneliadum.com

    Cornelia

  • YoYo44
    YoYo44 Member Posts: 203
    edited December 2009

    Hi All,

    Terri, I hope the new you is doing well and not in too much discomfort.

    So here is my update from the onc yeterday.  Clean margins, 6/8 nodes pos (yuck) and after 14 weeks of taxol my tumour, which was now determined to be heterogeneous, is now low Pr from very high Pr and Grade 2 instead of Grade 1.  Argh!  My onc said the silver lining is grade 2 is more sensitive to chemo and yes, there will be more chemo and radiation too of course.  They also found that the 4 cm tumour was in a region spanning 10 cm with cancer cells.  Darn sneaky ILC!!!!  But the good news was the other breast was clear.  Yay!!

    So I think my chemo will start Jan 14.  Not sure yet what it will be but the options are likely FEC or 4AC.  I am now an interesting case so they will discuss me at tumour board (with BC we never want to be "special" do we...).  Will get the details for rads later I guess.  Oh well.  So I will enjoy the chemo vacation for now.  I also did not get the go ahead to return to work-will probably go after the chemo starts I guess once I know how it is going.

    So progress anyway.  I know what we are dealing with at least and once I get the story from the onc I will just focus on he next step-chemo.

    Have a good weekend everyone!

    Yo

  • my560sel
    my560sel Member Posts: 1,065
    edited December 2009

    Yo, I'm so sorry to hear that you're going to need more chemo. What a bummer! That darn ILC is so sneaky. Although an interesting case can be trying, at least you have everyone's attention and are not just lumped into one category. You have the knowledge and experience of many Dr's looking at your case and they will do what's best for YOU. Does this mean that your exchange surgery will be delayed as well? Or will they do the exchange to implants and then do radiation afterwards? I can't tell you how badly I feel for you, this damn disease just keeps throwing us a surprise whenever you least expect it. I'm really sorry you have to go through this and if there's anything I can do please let me know. I just wish 2009 was over and done with, it's been a heck of a year for all of us! I'm sorry I don't know much about chemo and the difference btwn AC and FEC. I'm going to read up on it so that I can understand what you're going through better. Although our cancer has taken us on different paths, please know that you're not alone and we are all here for you when you need someone to talk to or just vent through frustration. 

    Kerkle: My surgery went well and although I was in pain yesterday, I'm much better today. The new boobs look OK so far, I'm still a bit swollen so they are wider than I would like and hopefully once the swelling goes down I won't look so "stacked"...lol I have a small bandage on each breast covering the incisions so I can pretty much tell what they look like. I'm told that they will change shape once they "drop and fluff" in a couple of months so I'm not going to get too excited about their appearance for now. I'm just glad to get those TE's out. They were really starting to cause me back pain.

    Only a few days until Xmas and I don't have any shopping done! I'd like to cancel the whole thing and fast forward to New Year's Eve !

    Hugs to all,

    Terri

  • kerkle
    kerkle Member Posts: 147
    edited December 2009

    Terri - Glad to hear that you are feeling ok. Were you home quickly after surgery? How long did the whole procedure take? I find is so interesting that in our city, the doctors do not put us in surgical bras post exchange. I asked my Dr at the General and he said no to surgical bra also. In our Exchange forum, they ALL seem to wear surgical bras 24/7 and my aunt just had her exchange surgery in NY yesterday and she too is to wear her bra for at least 2 weeks, non stop. Did you ask Dr. D his opinion? I am bothered by that.  

  • my560sel
    my560sel Member Posts: 1,065
    edited December 2009

    Kerkle: I didn't ask him about the surgical bra since I woke up with just the bandages I guess he doesn't use them. I know that in the exchange forum most if not all have some form of surgical bra or compression garment on after surgery. Right now I've put on a sports bra that I had but I'm not sure I'm supposed to. My foobs look like 2 flat hamburger buns and they are quite wide. I sure hope once the swelling goes down that they're not so wide. To answer your question, I think the procedure took about 1 hour. I was in the recovery room for about another 3.5 hours before they let me leave. To tell you the truth, I was so tired I would have stayed there all night. I got to the hospital at 7:30 am and wasn't operated on until about 11am. I'm seeing Dr D on the 23rd when I get these bandages off. I'll ask him about the bra then...I guess we do things differently in Canada, not necessarily worse, just different.

    Off to take another pain med before bed...it's going to be an early night!

    Hugs to all,

  • kerkle
    kerkle Member Posts: 147
    edited December 2009

    Glad to see your online and up and about, Terri. You sound very good. I am anxious to hear what Dr. D has to say about the bra. I am so bothered by the fact we have nothing. My Dr. said, "why would you need one?". I will ask about holding them in place while they heal, this is what my aunt's doc in NY said. About the hamburger bun/wide space...have you asked Deborah her opinion? I know in that forum, they all say time, time, time. You are great and so brave!! Take your meds, stay pain-free and have very happy and healthy holidays. Hugs to you, Kerry

  • kerkle
    kerkle Member Posts: 147
    edited December 2009

    Hi Terri,

    How are you doing? How are the new foobs? I read about your tape rash, I hope it is better. Were you able to get some answers as to what to do with it - probably so quiet at the hospital this time of year. I say Benadryl cream - it works great for allergic bug bites. Put it in the fridge so it is cool when u apply - feels better. I m curious to know whether u decided to wear a bra or not. I think I read that you are not wearing one.

    Happy Holidays to you and a very Happy New Year!

    Kerry

  • marie111
    marie111 Member Posts: 119
    edited January 2010

    Hello Montreal ladies:

     Hope all is well with and you are all recovering well !

    I am scheduled for bmx on Thursday - Jan 7th and am really getting cold feet about the whole thing. Hope I am making the right decision. I am really worried I won't be happy with the implants. This disease is crazy, I feel great but yet I am having to to things to my body I never would have imagined doing ...

    Marie

  • my560sel
    my560sel Member Posts: 1,065
    edited January 2010

    Kerry: The new foobs are great! Soooo much softer than the TE's. The tape rash has gone after applying Polysporin 3 times a day for about 1 week. The itch was driving me crazy but everything is better now. I see Dr D on the 13th supposedly to snip the end knots that were tied at surgery but all but 1 have melted already. I guess it'll be a short visit.  I did ask him about the bra, and he said I didn't need to wear one. Maybe just a camisole if needed under clothes. I have been wearing a sports bra 24/7 for the last week or so though. I like the feeling of being a bit tight and keeping everything in place. Eventually, I will start wearing bra's again, very comfortable, no wire ones - the days of underwire are gone for me...thank God!

    Marie, I wish you all the best of luck with your BMX on Thursday. Everything will be fine, you'll see. I know how you're feeling, the cold feet and all. But for me, once it was done, I was just so happy to have the cancer out and you'll probably feel the same way. Right now you're nervous and worried and that's normal. But you'll see, you're in good hands and recovery from the surgery is not that bad...promise. I'll be praying for you and that you have a pain-free recovery. Please let us know how you are doing when you feel up to it.

    Terri

  • my560sel
    my560sel Member Posts: 1,065
    edited January 2010

    Yo, How are you doing? Just thinking of you....are you going to be starting your chemo on the 14th as mentioned? Take care and let us know how you're doing.

    Terri

  • YoYo44
    YoYo44 Member Posts: 203
    edited January 2010

    Hi Ladies,

    Sorry, as I said elsewhere, I have been busy with my son while school was out.  I am starting chemo again Jan 14, looks like FEC but won't be certain until then.  Will get more details about the treatment etc. 

    Marie, I just saw this that you go for surgery Jan 7th.  Good luck if you see it before but otherwise you have my best wishes for a speedy recovery.  I hope your decision brings you peace.  Are you having TE's too?  Let us know how you are doing and don't hesitate to PM.  I can give you my phone # if you want to talk.

    Terri, I am in to see Dr. D at noon on the 13th.  What time are you in?  Maybe we could finally meet?!?  That would be nice.

    Good night all!

    Yo

  • my560sel
    my560sel Member Posts: 1,065
    edited January 2010

    Yo, I had to cancel my app't with Dr D on the 13th! Apparently I was going in as a follow up app't and if there were any stitches that didn't melt and needed to be "snipped" he was going to do it then but all my stitches have melted so really there was no need for me to go. I'm going to see him again maybe at the end of the month. Another reason for canceling was that I have to go see Dr Hilzenrat at the JGH on the 11th and I didn't want to travel in 2 times. Seems my blood is very thin and they're thinking it's my liver although all liver panels are coming back normal...I don't know, it never ends!

    Terri

  • YoYo44
    YoYo44 Member Posts: 203
    edited January 2010

    Hi Terri,

    Glad you are saved one trip but sorry about the other worry.  Hopefully it will resolve quickly.  Yes it does always seem to be something!  Let us know how things are.

    My vacation from chemo is almost at an end and I just want to get started.  I want it to end soon so the sooner I start the better, but I also want to start so I can stop worrying about the SE's.  Such a weird headspace to be in.  But the nice thing is I will end my chemo vacation by seeing Mama Mia this weekend with my sisters-in-law and mother-in-law.  It will be very fun.

    Take care!

    Yo

  • my560sel
    my560sel Member Posts: 1,065
    edited January 2010
    Yo, we tried to get tickets to Mama Mia but the only seats left are in the balconies - waaaaay back. You're so lucky! Have a great time!
    Terri
  • marie111
    marie111 Member Posts: 119
    edited January 2010

    Well I did it ! Had my surgery on Thursday - BMX with TE's / nipple sparring skin sparring - everything went well so far. I came home on Friday morning and am not in terrible pain only very uncomfortable. Someone please tell me I won't be this uncomfortable until my exchange surgery ...

    It does not look so bad either - just looks like my boobs but someone or something really heavy like maybe an elephant sat on them. I was never very large breasted a small B cup so I am hoping I won't need to many fills to get be back to a B cup. It does however fell like a have a 2X4 strapped to the inside of my chest. Does that feeling go away when they start filling them ??

    Yo - have a great time at Mama Mia - i saw in in Toronto a few years ago, it was great. Good luck with the chemo !

    Terri - Sorry about your bloods, hope it clears up soon.

    Marie

  • YoYo44
    YoYo44 Member Posts: 203
    edited January 2010

    Hello Marie,

    Glad you are doing well!!  I am feeling a little less tight in the chest now (7 weeks out).  I wonder what volume fills I will get next week and how that will feel!  How many drains did you get, 4?  Hang in there, you will start feeling much better quickly.

     Have a good weekend!

    Yo

  • my560sel
    my560sel Member Posts: 1,065
    edited January 2010

    Marie - The worst is over! You will start to feel better once your body gets used to the foreign being (TE's) inside it. Make sure your PS doesn't go too fast with the fills and you should be OK. For me, the whole fill process took about 3 months but he went pretty slowly and there was also some vacation time he took in between. They say that after your last fill, you need to give it about 3 months before your exchange. Apparently the results are better if you don't rush the exchange surgery.  Rest and take care... you're on your way!

    Terri

  • marie111
    marie111 Member Posts: 119
    edited January 2010

    Thanks everyone for your encouragements !

    The pain was not bad at all, I have only had to take Tylenol.  The worst are by far the drains - 2 of them - YUCK ! How long before you get used to the expanders ? They are kind of boxy, it that normal ? How long before the 1st fill ? And most important when can I sleep on my side ???? I hate sleeping on my back !!!

    Terri: Hope you are happy with your exchange - does it feel much better - softer and less boxy ?

    YO: I think you have a young son, how did he take your operation ? My kids are a little freaked out by the whole thing and it is making me regret my decision. I fell bad they have to go thru this....

    Hope you all had a nice weekend

     Marie

  • my560sel
    my560sel Member Posts: 1,065
    edited January 2010

    Marie, Glad you're not in too much pain. You're lucky to only have 2 drains, I had 4! Once the drains are out you'll be more comfortable but I don't think you'll be able to sleep on your side for a while. I couldn't sleep on my side throughout the whole expansion process. The bigger your TE's get with each fill, the harder it will be to lie on your sides...sorryFrown You''ll probably be sleeping on your back most of the time. I suggest a pillow under your knees which helps put less stress on your back. I'm sorry, I don't want to discourage I just want you to be aware of what might happen....

    But let me tell you, once those TE's are out and the implants are in, it's a world of difference. They're soft and squishy and after being almost 1 month out, I "almost" feel like they're my own!  I pray that your expansions go well and that you get those darn TE's out as soon as possible.

    Take care,

    Terri

  • YoYo44
    YoYo44 Member Posts: 203
    edited January 2010

    Hi ladies,

    Terri, thanjks for the update on the implants.  They sound wonderful!  Never though I would say that about soilicone implants.  Oh well, never say never.

    Marie, glad you are recovering well.  Yes, 2 drains are much better than 4, but still irritating.  I had my first fill after the drains were removed (60 mls-back again tomorrow). The Dr. said it helped the healing process after yanking out the tubes-compressed everything together.  After that I asked if I could sleep on my side and he said yes.  It was a little hard at first with the sore armpit and the sore chest and the decreased flexibility but is OK now.  It is better on the ALND side actually, which is odd, but I suspect it has more nerve damage so maybe I feel less.

    You are right I have a 7 year old son.  He was a little freaked out at first but I had my mother and then my mother-in-law here to visit and help and they spent extra time with him.  I also kept covered up for the first few weeks so he gradually adjusted-first the exhausted scraggly me after surgery, then he noticed the tubes (I sort of hid them a little, but kids notice everything) and now, while I don't rush to get covered up I don't openly show the scars but I am sure he has seen them.  He asks various questions as time goes on.  It is a long time for a little kid so I wonder how long it will take before he just thinks his mommy is permanently sick.  But I had worked until the surgery and plan to go back as soon as I can and I attend hockey games with him and try to do as much as I can.  We have kept his activities as uninterrupted as possible.

    I think it makes him sad but he seems OK.  We shall see as it progresses onto the next chemo.

    Take care,

    Yo

  • marie111
    marie111 Member Posts: 119
    edited January 2010

    Hi ladies:

    I have a small question I am sure I may not like the answer but here it goes. I was expecting to lose feeling in my nipple and some of my breast after bmx but not to this extend. My whole breasts are numb. Do you get any of the feeling back in your skin and if not how do you adjust to this ?

    Marie

  • marie111
    marie111 Member Posts: 119
    edited January 2010

    Yo: Good luck with your fill tomorrow !

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