January Mastectomy

It's Friday. That means I'm seven weeks out.

Whooo hooooo.

Starting the day with a great big happy face.

Sending prayers and encouragement to the whole team!!

Mornin' Glories,

(stole that from someone else, but it is cute).  Well, it was a really bad night.  Those lovely little fills of 50cc that I thought were so fine, weren't!!  I have come to the conclusion, it is not the amount of the fill, it is just the fill.  Even if they put in 20 more cc, the muscle's have to stretch.  I also forgot to take any medication.  So, when I woke up at 3:00 am in excrutiating discomfort, I took 800 mg of Ibuprofen and prayed it would relax those muscles that were stretching out.  I may as well go for 100cc next time and get this over with sooner than later! 

I think it's like filling a water balloon.  When you first fill it, it will seem weird, but each time you fill it (no matter how much) it is still going to hurt -- because it has to stretch!!  Pectoral muscle's aren't used to expanding.  Think this is just part of the process.  Thank God for Ibuprofen!

And Kat - those stabbing pains are just such a surprise on top of the rest of the process.

Robin, maybe those children will just get your mind off of all this and you will sail through the day (that is my wish for you).

Have a great sun-shiny day, Ladies

Marianne

Hi all...

Marianne...so sorry you had excruciating discomfort!  How horrible.  With fills, I'm most worried about the integrity of my dang incision.  I think that's one of the reasons were going to every 2 weeks.  It keeps pulling apart...now only on the right side.  I'm doctoring it up as best as I can...and with a lot of prayer, antibiotic oint and Vit C, I'm optimistic it is just part of the process.   Interesting about the stabbing pains.  Since we had surgery within days of each other, I wonder if it's our time.  Seems some of the group who took one/two for the team earlier in the month had the pains around the same time frame of week 4-5...we're the end of the month stragglers. 

Hey guess what I can do?  Put my hands behind my head and lay on the couch like that for up to 5 minutes!  How bout that?

Glad you found a surgery buddy Debbie!  So happy you're feeling better Donna!  And good luck in school Robin!  (I actually used 'lie' correctly yesterday in an email thanks to you!)

And Lyn...Your BS might be a little put out by your GP diagnosing and ordering antifungal creme.  Take his 'concerning' remark with a grain of salt...and try not to worry unless you have concrete reasoning to do so!

Have a great day ladies,
Kat

Donna, I am glad you had a great day yesterday !

Lyn, my PS was not worried at all about my fungal infection.  Mine started inside my belly button, spiraled out from there and was all over my ab incision.  After the two pills and using the cream, it is just slightly around my belly button now.  Try not to let yourself worry.

Marianne and all with the expanders- I'm sorry your TEs are giving you such discomfort.   I think your reasoning sounds correct Marianne.  It really wouldn't matter how much of a fill they put in, it still has to stretch those muscles.  Kind of like having a baby...I don't remember there being much difference in my discomfort level during the births of my girls, even though their weights varied by a couple of pounds.  My last daughter was the smallest, so you would assume my level of discomfort would have been less, but no, the level of  excrutiating discomfort  was the same.

Kat - Congrats on the new arm movement.  When I went to have this drain put in, the nurse wanted me to lay on the table and have my arms straight, flat on the table - above my head.  Of couse, I couldn't do it and she was a little irritated until I reminded her it was do to my surgery.  She allowed me to cross them on my forehead instead.   I realize now how much I took simple movements for granted.  

Have a wonderful day ladies !

Sally

I haven't posted in a bit because I went back to work half days this week and I'm exhausted when I get home.  Monday wasn't too bad, but the rest of the week has been really hard.  My sleep cycle is still off, so I'm short on sleep, my gyn started me on a "mood enhancer" that is supposed to help my hot flashes and just made me terribly dizzy and dopey the first 2 days.  I have anesthesia brain - for instance, I had to ask a co-worker to remind me of another co-worker's name (I'm known for remembering names and there are only about 10 of us) and I think I ran about 4 red lights on Tuesday because I couldn't decide fast enough whether I could make it through the yellow or needed to stop.  So I'm not driving much - I'm getting rides to and from work today.  Even though I'm working 1/2 days - I'm going somewhere afterwards or before, like doctor appointments.  So I'm still going a lot more than I did and I'm soooo tired.

My incision site is also lumpy under my right armpit.  That's the side I got an infection in, and it is larger, more swollen, more irritated and just generally a pain in the pit.  There are days that I don't think I can handle the "discomfort" and pain of the extra flesh like a wad of towel underneath my right arm.  I find if I stick my chest WAY out, it stretches that and doesn't hurt as much, but I probably look stupid and I can't keep it that way.  I asked my BS about it, and she said since that was my dominant arm, the muscle and fat on that side are just larger.  I asked if she could do anything about it and she said probably not, she might just make it worse.  Maybe if I lose a bunch of weight it will get smaller.  Boo-hiss.  LOL!

I am going to see a PT/LTon Monday, and I hope they can give me some tactics to get stronger safely.  Wish me luck.

Oh, I'm so sorry....life is just so hard on the kids and when we're going through all this stuff, it's even harder....and each kid reacts in his/her own way......Bookart, is your son in counseling?

Well, girls....thanks for the good wishes about today....I made it.  Barely.  I got LOTS of hugs, smiles, and "you're finally back" statements   That was fun.  I tried to take it easy, but after my third class, I was totally wiped out......totally. I needed to go lie down so badly.  I was finished.

Except I wasn't. I still had another 5th grade class coming right away and the worst disciplined class, at that.  Once they left, I hardly had enough energy to eat my lunch...even toyed with the idea of not eating - I was so tired, but then realized that was really stupid.  After I quickly ate and got things ready for my next two classes of 1st grader, I laid my head on my desk for ten minutes.

Got through the next two classes and I was done.  My oldest son is home for spring break, and he came to pick me up.  My kids told me I looked awful (thanks,guys!)....but when we got home, they carried my bag, made me to upstairs to our room, they got the bed ready, and gently pushed me in it.  Three hours later, I woke up.

There is NO way I could go back and do this tomorrow....thank goodness it's Saturday....and thank goodness I only work 2.5 days a week....and thank goodness my surgeon had me take eight weeks off!!!

The worst thing is, after all that today   - my chest and my arm pits hurt/are sore....800 mg ibuprofen did nothing ....so I ended up taking a percocet.   Guess my "taking it easy" wasn't easy enough....

Sorry to hear the fills are so miserable....makes my flat chest all the more appealing...ha!  (I had worn a jacket over my shirt today, but the room was so hot, I had to take it off....I don't think any of the kids even noticed......)

It was a sun-shiney day here today, but I missed it all.....being in a basement, windowless music room all day, then sleeping the rest of the afternoon away....sigh.

Praying for you ALL!!!!!

blessings...robin

Day 2 after my 2nd chemo treatment and I'm doing fine-dopey, but fine.  These TE's and the pain/discomfort from them outweighs my side effects by a mile!

I usually sleep on my side-both sides because I switch sides all night long-but woke up this morning in terrible pain.  I'm not used to having "boobs" that stick out beyond my rib cage, and it's extremely annoying.  I may stop getting them filled sooner than later.  I'm only at 200cc's, but it doesn't seem like I have that far to go before I'm where I want to be.  I'll have to ask my PS at my next appointment.

My neighbor brought over food this evening (super sweet), and she couldn't stop staring at my boobs.  So I talked about them and she said they looked great!  Mind you, I was very small before, so it looks like I just have my boobs back.  Finally able to wear all my normal clothes and not feel self-conscious-yeaaaaa

I just wrote this long post and now it's gone - crap!!!!!!!!

Sally - I can't believe you were at Easton. What a small world.

Debbie - I can't believe you graduated from Springboro. Have you been back? It has changed a lot. We moved here 12 years ago to raise our kids in a small community. My son's freshman class is over 400. We do love it here. Pretty sure my mom, daughter, and I will be walking in Columbus on May 15th. I read about it a couple of weeks ago and was very excited.

The sun was out today and boy was it nice. I agree with Marianne that it so affects how we feel. The news said we hadn't seen the sun in 2 1/2 weeks. No wonder I've gained weight - that's depressing on top of BC. I'm headed back to work on Monday and I'm nervous. Robin, reading about your day made me very tired. I work with 4th and 5th graders, and I'm very physically active throughout the day. I move around to many classrooms. I've already told the family that dinner is takeout or grilled cheese and soup all week. I had my third fill this morning. Not too bad. 60 cc's on each side which puts me at 240 cc's. He said I'm half way there. I was a very saggy B before surgery and would like to be a C when this is over. He said probably 5 more fills because they do a couple of extra - Yippee!! 2 weeks ago that seemed impossible and now it's doable. Just one day at a time. I can't believe it is 6 weeks today from my surgery. Time flies when we're having fun. Summer will be here before we know it. Daylight savings is next weekend - yeah more daylight. I hope everyone has a great, relaxing weekend. I'm taking a Percoset and hoping that I'm not too sore tomorrow.

Smiles to all of my guardian angels - you are strong, amazing women.

Melissa

Please forgive me for my long ramble.

I certainly don't want to upset anyone.

I hope & pray that my candor might be of some benefit to someone of our team. I keep sitting here wondering if I should delete the whole thing???

So to balance the 'honesty' I have shared, I'll give you a happy picture.

Last summer, I dedicated my bike riding to my BCO friend Saint, who was an avid bike rider and no longer able to ride. I had purchased a pink CURE hat at one of the BC walks and wore it while I rode. Then one day I thought to 'pose' my hat amidst the beauty I was riding through.

It turned into a whole phono album that is housed over on FB. I think there were over 130 pictures in the end..... many amidst flowers. It became a source of inspiration to my BC sisters at large.

Here's one amidst peonies:

Cathy !!!!!   We have been so worried for you.  I'm glad you are back.  I can not believe they do not have enough tissue????  What on earth did they do with it????  It is hard enough to deal with all of the BC crap without having to deal with medical incompetance also.  {{{Cathy}}}

Debbie - I love the hat.  I am going to have to get one. 

Ladies, I just found out my brother is getting a divorce after almost 3 years of marriage.  He has a step son, who was pre school age when they got together and is now nearly 9.  We will lose all contact with him, so our family is a little shaken by the whole situation.  It is the right thing to do, as his wife is unstable, but it still stinks.  We have 11 grandchildren in our family and this little boy was accepted in and made a part of the group right from the start.  He and my youngest daughter are really close, so she is very sad.  My brother is on his way to town now to spend the night.  I think he is needing a sympathetic ear, so I hope I can help him out.     

It is going to be bright and sunny here today, and even better tomorrow.  I am hoping to get to spend some time outside enjoying it.

Hugs all !

Sally

Cathy- OMG! I'm so sorry that you have to go through this too.... Where did your tissue go???? I hope you have enough trust in your doctors to come up with a result that works for you... I'll be praying for you. You need to catch up here on the boards... Your sisters have been worried about you, wondering where you have. been....

Listen feel well and enjoy the beautiful weekend that is ahead of us.

Today is day 9 after chemo. I feel great. Just foggy head.  I guess I did well with my fills( another 100cc).. I didn't feel a thing...For you girls who are having trouble. Maybe you feel pressure because you are narrow and petite... I am petite but I have extra pounds on me that I really don't need... I was always big chested even when i was skinny and a teenager....Now I guess my skin is able to take the TE and the fills.... I have 450 cc I don't how much more I want to go.... I just don't want to be as big as I was before the MX so we will see what the PS says...

Still have 3 more rounds of chemo...so I hope things go as well as they did this time. This board is amazing helping me with SE and what to do to prevent them...

I am so happy I found you.

HUGS<3

Donna

Mornin' Glories

Cathy! {{hugs}}  So glad to hear from you {{hugs}}

Afternoon to all,

I'm a little freaked out  I was feeling pretty good yesterday so I did some vacuuming.....last night while sleeping I was woken up by a tight feeling across my chest.  I'm guessing that the chest wall muscles were feeling a bit over worked and were protesting  So this morning I put on a sports bra to try to keep one of my TE's from pushing towards my armpit....  and now this is the part that is freaking me out.....my chest really began to feel constricted so I went into the bathroom to remove the bra because it was just too uncomfortable........I could see a small stain of clear yellow fluid that was weeping from my scar  

I had my first fill on Monday (6 days ago) he put 120cc in each breast.....I'm not in pain...just taking some tylenol......

I'm afraid that by pushing my TE to towards my chest I put too much pressure on my scar....

I called my PS and he said to just put some bacitracin on the weeping area...and keep an eye on it....if it becomes inflamed or the weeping becomes anything other than clear to give him a call, otherwise he wants to see me first thing Monday just to make sure all's well.

Has this ever happened to any of you?  My surgery was on Jan. 25th so I'm 6 weeks out from my surgery.......

Have I broken my boob?

Best to all, courage and healing,

Laura 

Marianne...sounds like GREAT advice to me.....I think that should apply to every single BC and BMX lady in the world......

Husbands of the world, did you hear that/????

blessings...robin

Laura, I just wrote you a very long post but sadly, it disappeared. Let's see if I can try again. I had a similar cicumstance with the seeping incision. I had surgery on Jan.5 and a 2nd surgery on the 12th. About a month later I tried vacuuming several rooms of rugs and even attempted mopping my kitchen floor. I felt great but by day 3 I noticed the problem. The ps said it was superficial but required stitches. He also put me back on an antibiotic and bacitracin twice daily. Within several days I noticed a nasty rash around the incision and called him again. At this point I ws terrified that I had an infection.This time he needed to see me right away. The moment he saw me he said I had an allergic reaction to the bacitracin and he has seen this before. I now have a prescription for aquaphor and the problem area has improved. This week I go back to have the stitiches removed. Interestingly enough, I, too had my first(and only so far) fill about a week before. The ps had told me that at 6 weeks I would be able to do most everything i could do before my bmx and tissue expanders but I'm not convinced. I'm taking it slow but enjoying every day a little more! Hope this helps. Good luck.