January Mastectomy

Sally, I am soooo glad that they listened to you and are following up on that.  That continues to bother me and it didn't even happen to me.  I just can't imagine anyone treating a patient like that, especially all that you had been through.  Good for you!!  Sounds like you have a good relationship with your PS and staff, that is great.

I plan to talk to my PS when I go for my fill next week about my exchange.  I am getting a little nervous about it.  Last time I was there and mentioned that I liked the size of my TE's at the time but felt I would want the final outcome to be a little bigger and he told me not to get greedy and laughed.  Now I want to know exactly what he meant by that.  When I went in for my first consultation he asked me what size I was (small and what size I always wanted to be (large C).  Well since I made my decision to go ahead with the BMX w/ TE's and implants, there hasn't been a discussion about the final size.  I just assumed (hate it when I assume) that he was planning on the large C, but now after that comment, I am a little concerned that he is planning to do the same size I was before, and after going through all of this, I definitely want to be bigger.  I also have been reading on the Exchange City thread and wondering if I should get some actual info about my TE's, like brand, style, size and all that.  I know that they are 450cc and he plans to overexpand them to 600-700 cc's, but the people on EC seem to know every little detail about their TE's and that helps to figure out what size implant and style would work best for size.  So, I need to ask some pointed questions of my PS Tuesday.  I do not want to be any smaller than I am right now.  I am at 500 cc's and love how I look in everything!  I know that they shape will be different, these are very round, like I have half of a softball sitting on my chest, but they look so cute in clothes, I am having so much fun going through all of my clothes and bathing suits and trying them on, going WOW!  So, I don't want to be disappointed after the exchange to have them not as big or cute in clothes.  And I don't care if it sounds greedy!  I have given up feeling in breasts for the rest of my life (most likely) and I deserve to have the look that I want!  We have all been through a lot, some more than others, but we all DESERVE to be happy with the final outcome! So there!

Hugs to all and strength and courage and prayers and sunshine and all that jazz!

Paula

Another reason I was afraid to let the drain go today...the cost for the drain.  It cost me $785 out of pocket to have this drain intalled.  Don't want to take a chance and have it removed to early - would absolutley hate to have to pay for it again.

My drain was $7,850 with out of pocket 10% of that $785.00...procedure was about 40minutes long.

My PS/BS bill arrived, and for the acutal surgeries and path portion, it is around $58,000.00 with out of pocket just over $600.00.....procedure was 14 1/2 hrs and involved microsurgery.

I can't believe it will cost me more for my 1 drain, than for my entire surgery and recon and all pathology work......

Is it just me, or some days, don't you just long for the day when this will all be behind us?

I'm so tired of the TE pain everyday, all day...it effects everything I do.  How I sit, sleep, walk.  Ugh.

Sally, I still think that they can bill it differently or something to get it paid for.  If they will work with you, it would be worth checking into to.  I'm pretty sure that you PS (along with all the other PS's) is doing just fine financially!  ahah!  Mine drives a Hummer!

Found this while searching around google...

 http://www.breastimplants4you.com/breast_implant_faq.htm

8. How many cubic centimeters make a cup size?

Breast implant volume or size is measured in cubic centimeters (cc).One study found that an average of 189 cc of saline was needed to go up one bra cup size. Increasing an A cup to a C cup required a total of 391 cc, or 196 cc per cup. Moving from a B cup to a D cup required a total of 448 cc, or 224 cc per cup. The largest change, an A cup increasing to a D cup, required 437cc, or 145 cc per cup. Remember, bra cup sizes are not standardized. A Victoria's Secret C is not the same as a Warner's C, for example.

What do you think?

Strength and healing,

Laura 

You really can't compare cup sizes to specific cc's, it all depends on your size and your chest width and lots of other factors.  I have heard of women that have gotten 1000 cc's on each side for a D and other that got like 300 cc's for a D... big difference there.  There is a thread that is called Implant sizing and another Exchange City that has a wonderful lady, Whippetmom (or something like that, real name Deborah) that can help you figure out how many cc's you need to get to the size that you want.  You have to supply some info for her though to help her figure it out... including specific info about your TE's.  Hope this helps!  Also, I think the info that you found about implant sizing is more for implants for augmentation, it's adding to your breasts not re-creating them, which is what we are doing....

Have a good night's sleep all!

Paula

We have guests coming for the day.

The guys will golf.

The gals will shop.

We got new furniture for our lanai, in honor of their arrival.

Sounds like a perfect distraction to everything.

xx00xx00xx00xx

Sending out gentle hugs to each & all.

We're in it, to win it!!

Maria, I've been wondering about you in particular.

Hugs & prayers for all of our chemo-gals.

Strength & courage.

Strength & courage.

Strength & courage.

Good morning all!  I'm feeling chipper and almost normal today.  Wow.  What a relief.  Day 8 after chemo.  Woohoo!

I don't know about implants, but I joked that I lost a pound when I had my left breast removed.  And when I got on the scale, I was exactly 1 pound lighter!  I'm sure it was a coincidence, but we had a good laugh.

Brenda, I lost 8lbs with my mastectomy... that was a lot of boob! I am so glad you are feeling chipper, that is awesome {{hugs}}

Mornin' glories,

Well I have a lot to be grateful for.  Met with the oncologist this morning and he agreed with the "no chemo" decision.  Even though my Oncotype Dx was 19 (just over the line...) he agreed and said that there would less than 5% reduction in recurrence if I had chemo (That is pretty amazing for an oncologist!!!!).  I gave him all my concerns about Arimidex and side effects (he is a very patient man) and then we went through them all.  My main concern was bone loss.  He ordered a bone density test for the 17th so we would have a baseline to compare with later.  He also ordered triglyceride and cholesterol blood work, with a follow up visit to see him in 3 months to discuss whatever SE's pop up.  I asked about natural aromatase inhibitors (supplements).  He said that wasn't enough research out there about the supplements, but certainly go ahead with the foods that contain those natural AI's.  He said my follow-up's would be an annual chest x-ray, blood work every 6 months.  I asked about future mammograms and sonograms and he said that was my breast surgeon's call.  I actually have an appointment with her this afternoon.  So, I will embark on hormonal therapy and see what awaits!

I met the chaplain at the hospital today -- it seems she and I share the same birthday (mo/day and year!); she also had breast cancer 16 years ago and she is also a golfer!!  She was chatting with me in the office while I was waiting for the doctor.  He looked a little surprised when he walked in and saw her there....I guess he didn't think I needed the chaplain just yet!

As for the TE's:  Last night I woke up around 2:30 and felt so much pressure that it was difficult to breathe.  My breasts were rock hard and it wasn't fun!  I'm losing my patience on this (but will try to balance this bad with the good news of no chemo and bite the bullet).  I only had 50cc last week.  I have an appointment tomorrow.  I will go, but think I will suggest no fills when I get there.  This is going to be my challenge -- to get through reconstruction.

I am feeling positive about the cancer.  We can all say that we HAD breast cancer.  The surgery took the cancer away!  It is gone!  We are now just trying to make sure it doesn't return.  I am going to hang out my "no vacancy" sign for it----no room, not here.

Stay positive ladies....hopefully the worst is behind us or we are, at least, just nearing the home stretch!

Hugs and love to y'all

Marianne

Now I can start to concentrate on selling the house and the move back north!

Just got back from my follow-up visit with my breast surgeon.  I told her the results of the Onco and relayed the discussion with the Oncologist.  She is very pleased with how the recon is progressing; she even asked if it was ok if some of her nurses came in for a look....I said sure!  One of them, a bc survivor herself, gave me a big hug!  Dr said she only needed to see me in 6 months and (are you ready for this??), I started to cry.  This has been such an emotional journey and I credit her for finding and getting this cancer out early.  I feel very sad that I won't be seeing her.  She gave me a big hug and said if I ever needed anything to call her.  I told her that even after I move, I may come back here for my check-up's.  She actually has patients from other states that come back --- I want to be the NY pin in her map on the wall!

We all share such life altering experiences with these doctors and nurses that it is like going through withdrawal to not be seeing them (and having them watch over us) so frequently.  My emotions caught me by surprise!  So, we set up an appointment for September -- we'll see where I am by then.

I did tell her though that I thought the PS was trying to kill me.  I think he is trying to make my body implode by filling the TE's....she thought that was pretty funny!  (I don't!).  She said that I will certainly have to have mammograms and sonograms and once the reconstruction is done, I will have to do physical exams as well.....get to know that body again with the implants.  The onc thought once you had the Mastectomy(s) there would be no mammo's...I guess that's why we see specialists every step of the way.  We will leave him to his specialty (oncology).

The BS also cleared something up for me.  She said that DCIS is cancer, but LCIS is not!  I thought that everything "in situ" was not cancer....she said LCIS is not cancer, but is a marker for a higher risk of developing into cancer. 

I am now pouring through the booklet on Arimidex....my next research project.  The library couldn't check out books today, so I will have to wait another day before I can check out everything there is about aromatase inhibitors (both natural and man-made).

Have a great day, ladies.  May the sun shine upon you!!

Marianne

Paula,

My BS also said I would not have mammos anymore.  He said the only thing would be doing a manual exam feeling of the areas all around the implants.  I also won't be seeing an oncologist but he said I would need to return to see him in 6 months as he is the one who will be doing the exams. Always seems weird to me how there are so many different plans for different drs. and we just have to trust them.  A little scary sometimes!  I guess we will just have to make sure we pay close attention to our own bodies. 

Afternoon gals!  *weird font going on here..*

Left the cold rainy southwest and returned to the sunny warm Midwest.  Hmmm...well, the change of scenery (and the shopping) made it all worth while! 

Paula, I understand completely about the frustrations with the PS and what size we want to be.  I am starting to believe that they have a predermined notion of how big you will be based on the outcome of the original surgery and your former self and they're sticking to it.  I was a D and was very excited to say I was going down in size to a nice small C.  I too am loving how I look in my clothes with my smaller size.  But, I don't think it's going to happen for me.  I have too much skin that is medial on both sides (where the cleavage is) and it's going to need to expanding to smooth it all out.  er-go I'm foreseeing big ones yet again in my future...along with gapping blouses, tight across shoulder blades etc.....we're never happy are we!  If you don't have a lot of skin to start with and you were smaller, I think they like to keep things at the status quo. (those bastards!    We should be able to get exactly what we want.  You are 100% right about Whippet.  I gave her all my TE specs and my body configurations and she came up with the most amazing implant for me.  I showed it to my PS and he said (after some hesitation) ok.  But, we still have to think about the skin....and the step off.  I think I need some fat injected into those dimples. 

Oh, I had my husband give em a quick squeeze and he said it reminded him of being in the 5th grade again!  HA!  I'm sleeping on my side now and in our bed!  yay!  and feel a whole lot better with ROM too. 

I am also doing well on Tamoxefen.  I do feel as though I'm gaining some weight..and another strange phenomenon is I keep smelling something weird.  Like body order in a way.  It's not real pleasant to me so I'm spending a lot more time with antiperspirant/deodorant and lotions. 

I go for a fill on Friday and than back to work on Monday.  I'm going to look for some threads on taking my breast cancer survivorship back into Corporate America as effectively as I can.  I'm hoping I can follow some guidelines that will help me to be more matter-of-fact without being whiney as it relates to my ongoing healing as I continue to perform within the scope of my duties.. 

Glad to hear you chemo girls are doing well!  Positive attitude is mandatory!  And it works too!   and good luck with the ovary Lyn. 

A gal that lives here in my hometown is stage Illb and is having surgery today...first for a chemo port implant and then the BS following with the BMX and some immediate construction that isn't TE's.   If she received prayers from Team January, maybe we can give her a better fighting chance!  I was trying to encourage her to go to the March group but I don't think she has.  I don't know her that well, but her son is in class with my daughter so I'm glad that my daughter has been a good support for her son. 

Well, have a wonderful evening Ladies....Good luck Marianne with the new life changes!  I hope you find your project extremely therapeutic!  I know I did with a similar situation in AZ...keep adding touches to make it home for some sunny day (sunny being the operative word here!). 

Kat

I agree....It is sometimes disconcerting to hear how differently each doctor handles his/her patients.  Sometimes, it's regional.  For me, the onc.  doesn't want to see me.  My BS kept seeing me to drain the fluid off the seroma (was that the word you were looking for??)  And now that the fluid is down to "not too much", he doesn't want to see me for four months....and he has also said, no mammograms (although there'd be no way to do 'em anymore) or checks since I have no breast tissue left.  However, my onc.  wants me to sign up with a survivor's clinic where they do check you out once a year.    I guess I feel as if I want someone to still need to see me....seems a little silly, though, I know....

Thinking of each of you, esp. you chemo gals....sorry you have to go through so much more....

blessings...robin