my LCIS story, unfolding

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  • rabrams
    rabrams Member Posts: 26
    edited June 2010

    So how did it go?  Was thinking about you today. 

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  • khandler
    khandler Member Posts: 32
    edited June 2010

    Sorry, I didn't get back sooner, computer virus. Any how, the doc wouldn't give me my 1st fill because I wasn't moving enough. He said he was surprised because he thought I'd be more motivated since I'm a violinist. Ugggh, that was a slap in the face. So, he wrote up a prescription for therapy, but it's not until next week. I'm supposed to get the next fill 2 days after  I see the P.T. I'm trying to get things moving on my own. It's getting better, but I'm not comfortable and it's very tight. I can play the violin with out restriction, it doesn't feel comfortable, though. I am irked that I wasn't pushy enough to get P.T. right away.

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  • rabrams
    rabrams Member Posts: 26
    edited June 2010

    Sorry you didn't get first fill, but glad your seeing a PT, i think everyone should.  Even the smallest exercises, because you don't want to over do it either, will be good.  If your therapist is a good one, he/she will have you moving better  quickly.  surprised that it is not mandatory from all docs. it definitely made healing process easier and quicker.  Good luck

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  • Lonib07
    Lonib07 Member Posts: 60
    edited June 2010

    Hi khandler...So glad your surgery went well...The physical therapy will help with your arm movement.  I wish you had it sooner.

    I had a BMX May 20th.  I ended up back in the hospital June 4th to June 8th with an Ecoli infection.  I'm sure I got that during my first visit to the hospital for my BMX.  I'm on antibiotics until this Friday.  My Occupational Therapist gave me exercises that I had to start the day after surgery.  Range of movement was lost in my right arm due to the infection for about a week but is better now.  I'm hoping I'll be able to get my first fill next week.

    Wishing you well!

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  • khandler
    khandler Member Posts: 32
    edited June 2010

    I think a  lot of docs only think about the actual surgery and not the part about moving. I'm pretty sure my P.S. finds me a success story and I find that so far, he has done well....except he really should have prescribed P.T. or given me set exercises in the hospital. I did practice the violin for an hour and half without restraint the other day. I'm happy I can now play just fine. I just need to get the full range of motion back and I want to feel comfortable without pain meds. I'm taking Aleve now and it wears of 2 hours earlier than I'd like. Well, I'm keeping faith that eventually all will heal and be fine.

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  • rabrams
    rabrams Member Posts: 26
    edited June 2010

    Please be patient it can take weeks/months to get range of motion back, don't push it or you will only hurt yourself.  I'm at 9 months and about 100% in both arms.  you will not be comfortable if you over do it, so don't or you could be going backwards.  Babysteps......you will get there.  It will all heal and you will be fine....

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  • khandler
    khandler Member Posts: 32
    edited June 2010

    Saw my O.C. She smiled and gave me a great big hug and exclaimed that I'd now reduced my chances of getting breast cancer by a huge amount. I think I now have a 2% chance. She said to keep examining the breast and underarm. I was surprised that with an implant, one would be able to detect some thing. She said if there developed anything, it would be between the skin and the implant. At the moment, I loath to touch my new breasts, but know eventually I must learn to massage them so as to prevent scars. I started physical therapy today and really think this will help me. The therapist said once the cuts heal over, you need to start massaging the site.

    Oh, by the way, the O.C. told me I had L.C.I.S. with pleomorphic features not P.L.C.I.S. I'm still kind of confused how the two are different.

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  • khandler
    khandler Member Posts: 32
    edited June 2010

    Had my 1st fill yesterday and really like how it looks. I do hurt quite a bit and it is about 5 steps backward for me. I was expecting it would set me back, but am confident it'll iron out in a few days. I just want to say, that I think my plastic surgeon is awesome. Dr. Grotting in Birmingham Alabama is the man. I also love my O.C. I think it's important that you are happy with the surgeons.

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  • MistyJ
    MistyJ Member Posts: 113
    edited June 2010

    khandler, I am so happy you are liking how your fill looks!  That is a big concern for me.  Hang in there.

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  • khandler
    khandler Member Posts: 32
    edited June 2010

    How long does it take to feel comfortable with expanders, or is this how it is until the implants go in? I'm hating how this feels.

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  • rabrams
    rabrams Member Posts: 26
    edited June 2010

    depending on how the expanders were placed, and also how much your getting filled up at once will depend on how you  feel.  i only was uncomfortable for a day after a fill, he did only like 50cc at a time every other week so it was tolerable.  hope that helps.  i'm off for my tattoos today, a little nervous about that. 

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  • MistyJ
    MistyJ Member Posts: 113
    edited June 2010

    rabrams,  good luck with the tattoos!!!  Let me know how it goes.  Thinking of ya.

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  • khandler
    khandler Member Posts: 32
    edited June 2010

    rabrams, how did the tattoos go? I will probably do a combo tattooing and nipple reconstruction. My p.s. did 100ccs in my fill, which makes me a total 350ccs now. I woke up from surgery with 250ccs. I'm done with the fills. I'm still not feeling as well as I did before the last fill, but I'm getting there. My left shoulder is very tight and I have to do a lot of stretching exercises.

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  • rabrams
    rabrams Member Posts: 26
    edited June 2010

    Hey Girls,

    Misty how are you feeling?  You had your surgery right?  

    Khandler, can't believe how fast and much they filled you already.  The tightness will go away its all stretching and healing. I never heard of nipple recon and tattoo at same time, let me know, curious about that.

    Got my tattoos yesterday, it was fine, they are covered in gauze and shrink wrapped till monday.  feel fine though.  can't wait to see the final result.   

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  • MistyJ
    MistyJ Member Posts: 113
    edited June 2010

    Yep, had surgery Tuesday.  I came home Wednesday afternoon.  Nights have been a little rough at times from nausea but once my DH figured out I needed to eat with the meds it has gotten better.  My Mom and Grandma and Dear Dear Husband are taking great care of me.  I feel alright really!  Lots of tightness, but not really too much pain.  Path came back today with ALH but no more LCIS and NO INVASIVE!!!  YaY!!  TE's hold 400 and I got 120 in surgery.  I feel so much relief today!!!!!!!!!!!  Glad your tats went well, did it hurt at all?

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  • rabrams
    rabrams Member Posts: 26
    edited June 2010

    So glad you are home and on the road to recovery.  Take it slow.  glad it is all out of your body now.  Tats didn't hurt, little uncomfortable last night, go back monday for unveiling.  Have a good weekend and feel well

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2010

    Misty-----no invasive bc---that's wonderful news!!!!!! Praying you have a smooth recovery.

    anne

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  • rabrams
    rabrams Member Posts: 26
    edited July 2010

    Tattoos, healed great.  They look amazing, can't believe i'm all done.  Khandler, how are you feeling, still tight?  i'm surprised your ps filled so much so fast, that is prob. why.  Misty how are you doing?  Enjoy the weekend girls

    xo 

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  • MistyJ
    MistyJ Member Posts: 113
    edited July 2010

    Yay rabrams!!!!!  I am so glad you are happy with your tats and that you are done!!!!  I figure I won't be done until around fall time.  I really can't complain.  I am mending well.  Hope to get the last two drains out Tues or Friday depending on how much my output is.  They said I had to be under 30 cc for a 24 hour period and I was at about 40 yesterday.  We'll see?  Sometimes my drainage is a yellowish color, gross sounding but almost like urine colored.  And sometimes like a brownish red koolaid.  No funky smell and no pus looking stuff so we will see what they say on Tuesday.  I also am having a little leakage of lymph stuff from the incision area on my left and a little draining on the right side where the drain goes in to my side.  Kinda freaks me out, but nothing looks infected so I will just wait and ask Tuesday.

    Today was the first day I went the entire day and only took ibuprofen this morning and now for bed!  I was comfortable all day, little things here and there but nothing I can't handle.  did your tattoos hurt when they were done?  Hope you had a very nice 4th of July!!   Misty :)

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  • khandler
    khandler Member Posts: 32
    edited July 2010

    Hey, I was on the road traveling to get to the summer music festival I do every year. I am healing nicely, but will wait a bit longer on swimming as one of my stiches tried to open up. I was told it was o.k., but I'm not taking any chances with lake water and infections. I had a bad case of pain med withdrawal for a good 2 or so weeks. That was no fun. My range of motion is back, but I'm still very tight. Funny, my boobs' skin is starting to peal-I think it was from the expanders stretching the skin. The doc said he could expand so fast because he used Alloderm. I'm happy how it all has turned out so far. Tomorrow is the music festival's 1st rehearsal. I'm doing it! The mountains look good and I feel joy again.

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  • khandler
    khandler Member Posts: 32
    edited July 2010

    hey Misty,

    I had all that drainage and was a big baby. Luckily my mom helped me and knew what to do. I almost fainted one night after I felt some leakage. I'm still afraid of how the skin feels. I have never been good about the novacain feeling. It totally creeps me out. Luckily, I have some time to accept this before my implant are put in and I then have to massage it all. Sigh* Think that may happen at the end of September.

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  • RobinLM
    RobinLM Member Posts: 143
    edited July 2010

    Hi Randy,

    I had to laugh`when I read your post - nipples in shrink wrap and being unveiled - great Smile

    You are almost there - thats very good news.....

    I'm still waiting for a date and starting to get impatient....

    Robin :)

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  • MistyJ
    MistyJ Member Posts: 113
    edited July 2010

    khandler,

    I would love to say I was soooo brave and not a baby ;), BUT the truth is...as soon as I saw I was leaking fluid in places that I thought I shouldn't I sure did call my Mom and ask her if she thought it was fine!  I did this on the way over to my neighbor and friend's house to show her and see what she thought!!! (She had a breast reduction done and had drains then)!  Kinda freaky!  Then you know I made sure to ask the PS and RN today at my appt!  GOOD NEWS THOUGH-I AM NOW DRAIN FREE!!!!  Yahoo! 

    I really do not like the numb feeling either, but I just try to ignore it Wink.  I am getting a weird pain on the inside of the RT side at the bottom corner area.  Kinda painful, PS says the TE may be pushing on the muscle.  The PS told me today that I could start to massage the TE's at the top????  I looked at him like he was crazy and asked what would that do?  Mostly because I try to avoid touching them right now because of the weird numb feeling.   He says it will help it not encapsulate...so I will be a good pt. and massage...once I work myself up to it :)!  My daughter went in to the room with me today when I got my drains out (she was "totally grossed out") but she thought my PS was "hot".  I go next Monday for my first fill.  He told me to plan on only about 50 cc because my skin is so tight.  Hmmm, not sure if I am too excited about the fills?  Anyway, feels great to be drain free. Enjoy your music festival!!!!  I am glad you are finding your joy :)!!!!!  Misty

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  • MistyJ
    MistyJ Member Posts: 113
    edited July 2010

    rabrams,  Hope you had a nice 4th!  Had to feel good to know you had completed the journey!  Woo hoo!  Kind of like....Fireworks for you :)!

    Robin, I am sorry you are waiting so long.  That is very very frustrating!  Hang in there!  Hopefully they will call soon. 

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  • khandler
    khandler Member Posts: 32
    edited July 2010

    hey Misty,

    My doc said there was no point in massaging until the expanders are replaced with the implants. I mean, it makes sense since they are going back in there again anyway. Your expanders are not permanant, right? 

    You sound just like me. I guess it will take time to 'own' these. I basically ignore them too. Glad you are drain free now. That really made me begin to face things more. before the drains came out, I stayed put a lot and didn't leave the house. Now, I just want the o.k. to swim. 

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  • MRDRN
    MRDRN Member Posts: 537
    edited July 2010

    When my drains were pulled, the PA didn't open them and when I asked, she said that there was a tefflon coating on them (which is looked silver/white) and they didn't need to be open! At least for me...Khandler you sound terrific!  Keep up the good work and good luck with your fill.

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  • khandler
    khandler Member Posts: 32
    edited July 2010

    Thanks for the good luck, but I am pretty sure I'm done with fills. I woke up with 250ccs and a few weeks had 100ccs. I'm not a big person any how so this looks good on me. Just have the transfer to look forward to probably the end of Sept. Then the final details. Has anyone had little pimples break out on their tissue expanded skin? Maybe it's from the heat, but that skin has never broken out before.

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  • rabrams
    rabrams Member Posts: 26
    edited July 2010

    Hi girls, haven't been on in a while.  All done, all healed.  hit the 10month mark from start to finish.  They look great, and i feel great.  Hope you are all feeling well.  To answer some questions, my doc. filled slowly only 50cc at a time, but i also only had 300cc implants put in.  had 3 months between each step, implant, then nipple, then tattoo.  all worth the time in the end.  Feel well everyone.

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  • RobinLM
    RobinLM Member Posts: 143
    edited July 2010

    Randi

    Great to hear that you are all done - that's fantastic!! Smile

    I'm so pleased for you, now you can get after normal life 

    love Robin

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