November 2009 Mastectomy
Comments
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Thanks, JAne- Maybe it's just of those wierd things??? I had a CT scan done and every organ showed perfectly fine. Guess I'll just live with it.
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I don't have pain there, but on the right there is a little extra tissue. Hopefully just fat(!!!), but there's always the potential of some breast tissue too. I think he made extra sure not to leave any on the left, 'cause the incision is stretched because there is no extra tissue! I occassionally get a very uncomfortable sensation under my left arm - not really pain, but it definitely gets my attention! It's not really my underarm but down my arm from my underarm!
I wonder if there could be a tightness from the scar tissue in that area - causing a pull on a nerve which then causes pain? Can you massage the area and pull the skin freely in all directions? I wonder if that would release a tight pull on a nerve? Maybe a PT referral would help.
10 months it is......and yes, most of us have some difference from before surgery, and some of us have more. For myself, I'm glad I made the choice I did - with the help and support of the tumor board, my husband, and especially God. He has always been there, and always will be!
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Thank you Leslie!
I really wish I wouldn't have had ANY reconstruction done! Even now after going through my 2nd surgery for implants... I'm NOT happy and feel even worse about myself. I wish I would have listened to ME instead of the doctor, my husband and everyone else. I see the doctor this Wed (Sept 22) and I'm going to set up surgery to just remove them. It feels like I still have the expanders in place.
In my opinion you made the smart choice!
Marilyn
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Hi Marilyn,
So sorry this didn't work out for you. My doctor scheduled me to see a plastic surgeon just so I would know what my "options" were even though for months I kept declining the appointment. I have since cancelled it; I don't want more surgery - period. Yes, I would like to feel more "whole" again, but that is not in the cards. Prosthetics are working okay. I started out with silicone ones and would not recommend them. They are so HEAVY!!! I switched to just plain old foam inserts and they are working out just fine. Keep in touch and let me know how things are going and when your next surgery will be.
Have a good rest-of-the week
~ Leslie
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Marilyn - thoughts and prayers are with you! Hope your doctor will listen to you. I have silicone prosthesis and am fine with them. They aren't heavy to me, but I've heard other ladies say the same thing - and how hot they are. They don't seem any hotter to me than my breasts were! I do have a cotton backed cover, and then they are inside a mastectomy bra which also has a cotton back.. Maybe that helps?
Also, I know there are even lighter prosthesis. We are all so different, yet there are so many choices out there, too. I'll try to find the prosthesis forum that was most helpful to me, and post it later! I, too, am glad I chose no reconstruction - to me, it's not worth more surgery.
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In the forum titled "Breast Prosthesis and Reconstruction Alternatives", there's a thread called "Bras and Breast Forms you'll love". There are also links from there to other web sites that are helpful.
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MsMarilyn,
I certainly will be praying for you tomorrow!!! Please let us know how you are when you can!!
I didn't know you were unhappy with your reconst. You sent me pics and you looked really good I thought.
You know I didn't choose reconstr. either and am okay with a prosthesis. Do I love it? no Do I hate it? no I just didn't want to go thru the reconst. process. I'm glad I didn't. I visited the PS too to hear him out. I origianlly scheduled the surgery and then cancelled....just didn't feel right about it. I knew I could have it done later if I wanted to. So I thought I'd try without it first. That made sense to me. I, too, like some others have said, felt like all that mattered much more to the men (drs., etc.)--( my husband was fine with whatever I wanted). I think not having reconst. bothers them more than us. ;-)
Anyway, let us hear from you.
Love you!
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Checking in to see how you are doing MsMarilyn. My thoughts and prayers are with you. A big, but gentle, hug coming your way!
Spent the day scrapbooking! Absolutely love it! And it's a nice break from the busy routine, to just sit and create memories. Everything else will wait until I get back to it, anyway!
Many, many, many details to attend to as usual. But I'm thankful that I can do these things. I get tired, but it's better......most of the time. And if that is all that's a problem, I really don't have any reason to complain! God is able, He's in control, and He knows best!
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Here's a project I'm thrilled to be a part of! Beverly Vote, publisher of Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine, has brought together 44 Breast Cancer Thrivers to publish a free e-book. Below is a link that will take you to the book. My story is chapter 35. Enjoy!
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Jane- 'Looking forward to reading "chapter 35!"
My thoughts go back so much to this time last year...so glad I'm not there! We were all "gearing up" for our Nov. surgery. Glad I can really enjoy this time this year!!!
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Hello ladies I know I do not keep in contact but I think about you all. I hope everything is working out the way you want. I will be going back into surgery on 10/27/10 to revise my pocket on the left and have fat grafting as well.
I hope everyone is doing good as we all near our 1 year surgery anniversary.
Much love and hugs,
Rebecca
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HI Rebetata! Good to hear from you!
Is your surgery about the reconstruction?
We'll be praying for you!
Let us know how you do, okay?
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Yes the surgery is a re-do for the recon so I will touch base soon.
Rebecca
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My surgery went well and I'm soo much happier with my "new set", granted they are smaller than the first and even smaller than what I had but... that's ok. I'm having my nipples put on mid Nov and I'll let you know how that goes.
The bad news is that my cancer is also back and has decided to move to a new location, I guess when it got kicked out of my breasts it wanted a better view. LOL Anyway, I'm still under going scans and even more testing (it's harder the second time around... the "scans" never seem to end..lol) But my first of my surgeries is set for Nov 9th. I'm going to keep fighting until God calls me home...period. But I am praying that chemo road isn't as bumpy this time. I'll keep you all posted.
Love you all!! Marilyn
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Marilyn - That is so not what I wanted or expected to hear. I am so sorry this beast is back, or maybe it never left - who knows? If you don't mind me asking - where did it show up this time? Are you HER2 positive or negative? You continue to be in my prayers. Keep me posted on how the scans come out.
~ Leslie
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Marilyn,
I am sick to hear of your news! I am so sorry!
Do you mind telling us where it has come back to and what were your symptoms, if any?
You KNOW I'm praying for you!!!
Love you!
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Marilyn -Neither did I expect to hear this news! I love your positive attitude in spite of it!
God IS in control and knows every hour we have! May we all use them for Him! He will never leave you - no matter what! We'll be praying that the new round of chemo has less side effects for you!
May God bless and guide you through this next part of the journey, through any decisions, information, and chemo. He is ABLE to supply all your needs!
Please keep us posted - I don't have Facebook! We love you and want to pray specifically for your needs!
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Marilyn - How are you doing? Praying for you during this time and knowing god is with you. I'm glad He knows how you are doing even if I don't! Please let us know when you can! Or do I HAVE to get Facebook??????
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2Hands: You really have to get FB!! ;-)
We can stay more connected that way.
Boy, do I remember this time last year! I am so glad it's this time this year!
I am enjoying the fall this year (and so grateful to be able to!!!!). I didn't even know there was fall last year!
Love you all!
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Tell me again why facebook is so great???? It seems so open. Maybe I'm just a more private person. I really don't see why some of my other friends need to read my conversations with you ladies about breast cancer!
dmorgan - do you have an update from marilyn's facebook site? I really want to know how she's doing!
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FB is just fun. My daughter always said she wasn't interested. Then she got on and loves it. You can pm people, so no one else has to read what you wrote to each other.
Anyway, it looks like Marilyn is doing okay--especially attitude-wise. She has her surgery on Nov.9, I think. She writes daily on FB--really nothing specific about BC though.
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Thank-you for the update on Marilyn. Maybe I'll join facebook yet....My son is doing an English research report about the security of Facebook. Interesting.....
One year anniversary from my second surgery - this next Wednesday. Where has the year gone? Isn't it a BEAUTIFUL fall???? I'm so thankful to be this far out, and thinking of everyone still currently on the journey. Realistically, mine could change too, but I must trust that God knows best and will walk with me, no matter what!
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2Hands, 'JUst heard from Marilyn on FB--Her surgery is in the morning (the 9th). We must pray for her.
I am so grateful to be able to enjoy the fall this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When I gripe, complain, etc., I have to remember that!
Happy fall and November to us all! ;-)
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I had a PET scan last Friday - ALL CLEAR!! The CT a couple weeks ago showed a "faint reticular opacity in the medial aspec of the right lower lobe" and an "irregular density" in the left mastectomy region. The radiologist said he thought it was scarring. Who'dve thought scarring could hurt this much? I don't know what I'm going to do about it. I have to go back and see the surgeon this month. Maybe she'll have some suggestions.
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Good, Jane!! So glad for you! Why did you have a Pet scan--was it because of your pain?
Why don't you pm me and tell me your FB name. I tried to find you before, but couldn't.
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So Marilyn should have had surgery today? Thanks for letting me know. I'll be praying all went well.
Glad to hear your PET scan was clear Jane. Hope you find a way for pain relief too. Is it nerve related, or is the scarring pulling on something? Or do they know? I'll be praying you get some answers!
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I had the CT scan because of the pain and I had the PET scan because of what the CT scan showed. It is internal scarring. I am Jane Murphy from Millerton, NY, graduate of Webutuck High School...that might help you find me on facebook.
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Hi girls ~ Just one year and one day out from my mastectomy and scans are clear.Was having back pain which prompted the scans. Back pain still there so don't know what that is all about.
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So glad for the update and especially clear scans, Leslie. Have you ever tried chiropractic? Chiropractors are like doctors and dentists - you need to find a good one. They have helped our family numerous times.
Can you believe it? I thought about it a week ago, and knew that Wednesday was one year from surgery. I worked on Wednesday, and wrote the date many times. And didn't realize until NOW that it was THE date! I had done the same in February! But in 2009 - I KNEW I'd never forget the surgery date again! I'm thankful to be one year out, and thinking of those still in the midst of surgeries or problems. Especially Ms. Marilyn! We'll keep praying for you.......
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HI Leslie- Good to hear from you! Aren't you glad it's one year in the past and we're not going thru what we all were this time last year!!!?
Jane, I can't find you on FB. There are too many Jane M-------s. I'll pm you my FB name and you invite me. :-)
News: MsMarilyn had to go back into the hospital from complications...don't know what they were. She was hoping to get out this weekend. Bless her heart!
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