January Mastectomy

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  • robinlbe
    robinlbe Member Posts: 585
    edited June 2011

    Woo....I have missed you guys!   I have missed out on a lot, too....tornadoes all around you, divets, tattoos, MRI's,  and so much more.......wow, wow, wow....

    I can't even begin to start off with everyone, but know that you all are in my thoughts, in my heart, and in my prayers.....

    Paula, thank you for the encouragement re: abusive relationship with our sons.  It is so scary, and such a fine line to walk right now.  We tread lightly and pray much!!!!!  Even though *she* has a ring around her finger, no wedding date is set...thankfully, and we don't' mention it.  Her parents are just as controlling, too...really frightening.

    I have just finally gotten to wear I am no longer "germy", so I will be able to finally safely get around Gina....finally!!!  But we have stayed in constant contact.

    I'm about ready to accept the position to which I was assigned...the full-time 4th grade job.  I just worry about this stupid lymphedema....it's not horrible, or the worst possible case by far, but I DO get sick of puffy armpits, and a tight, uncomfortable chest....and teaching activity makes it worse.

    Kat, looks like we'll both be sending our daughters to college at the same time...we go to register next week.  My daughter had her TB test today....already caught up on the shots.  Time is going too quickly. 

    She got to play in the grad. ceremony.....Milo wasn't too "still" with the camera, but if you'd like to watch/hear her play, click on this link....

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nC2SFqCmcc

    Hopefully, this will take you there.....

     blessings, love and prayers to you all....robin

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  • jizogarden
    jizogarden Member Posts: 375
    edited June 2011

    Hi January friends :)

    Gina first so glad to hear your nodes were clear....wooohoooooo!  I'm looking forward to hearing good news about the rest of the pathology...crossing all fingers and toes for all good news :)

    Kat so glad to hear that you husband is doing well and that you are both settling in to a healthy lifestyle....must have been quite a scare = \

    Donna is it you who got costochodritis during your MRI....I have suffered with flares of it for years and I know how much it hurts...hope your feeling better now...and that your MRI results turned out clear as a bell.

    Kim I'm so sorry your in so much pain.....chronic pain is horrible and I hope you can find relief. 

    Monday, June 6th I go in for my nips :)  I'm a little nervous...just praying my ps does a nice job. Because of my heart he is going to give me a local and put me in a light twilight sleep for the procedure. He is going to sew on the bandages because of my tape allergy..so I ought to look real pretty :)  He is going to do a little corrective work on one boob that has some extra skin and if my heart is good and strong he may put a little fat into a divit over my right boob.  I don't want him to do anything extra if my heart looks iffy.....the cosmetics don't worry me so much. So next week I'll be laying low with madonna boobs =' /  

    If anyone has any nip stories they would like to share I would love to know your experiences....it is always so reassuring to hear you all. What your experience was like, recovery time etc.?

    Mostly I want to wish you all the best and hope you are all well. 

    xox

    Laura 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2011

    Hi All

    Laura looks like we are one of the last for the nips.  I am going for tattoos tomorrow.  My surgeon recently went to a workshop, and she is doing the tattoos first now and nips last. I too am a little nervous and anxious at the same time to get this done.  It has been a long process and look forward to being finished.

    While I am waiting to do the tattoos and nipples, I am being sent for a bunch of tests :(                I had some post menopausal bleeding again (last time in Oct, That time I had  a uterine biopsy done as well,don't want to do that again, very painfull).  This time though they have found I had a urinary tract infection found in a urine sample and have had both a pelvic ultrasound and transvaginal ultrasound. At my doctors appointment she explained there is what appears to be a cyst on my right kidney,so issending me to a urologist and a gynocologist.  I know I shouldn't be jumping to any conclusions and/or thinking the worst, it is just so hard not to go there!  I guess this is the new reality, because we are cancer patients they feel the need to investigate very thoroughly.  Don't get me wrong, I love that my doctor is so thorough, this is just very stressful.

    Look forward to hearing others nipple or tattoos stories. Does it hurt?  Should I take something for pain, prior to appointment?

    Take Care January gals!

    Cathy

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  • KatRNagain92
    KatRNagain92 Member Posts: 522
    edited June 2011

    Morning girls and a big Nip, Nip Hooray for Laura and Cathy!

    Nips are great....I wish I could say that it wasn't painful but I'm not a good example because when he did my nips he also did some fat grafting and the sensation I remember with that was stinging!  And, unfortunately for me, the fat grafting didn't do a thing.  Oh, it did for about a nanosecond, but I wouldn't go through it again because it didn't 'take' and I ended up having to have one of the fat pellets biopsied because it was a dud and just sat under my skin like a tiny ball.  But, as far as nipples go...I don't recall pain!  You have to wear the nipple shield for a week which isn't the worse thing either.  I loved how I would catch a glimpse of the bumps in the mirror and for a moment in time, none of this had ever happened.

    Tattoos are easy...you don't feel anything.  The only thing is the sound of the pen...that gets a little annoying.  I've had two sets of tattoos and I'm still not entirely pleased.  One looks like a bullseye and dark and other is brown/pink.  I understand the more you get them wet (stand in front of the shower spray) the more likely they are to fade.  My first set faded so rapidly...like within 2 months I was ready for a top off.  Then the second set, I had that amateur gal who made me cry through the whole thing so that wasn't a typical experience.  I'm still considering a road trip to see Lerlene in SC (or is it north?  I need to research her again)

    Cathy, my husband's kidney's are covered in cysts!  The only problem he has from them is the annual kidney stone...He just did a 24 hour urine because after his heart attach, his urine was so bubbly....which is a sign of protein in your urine.  And it was but they're not saying diabetes (Praise God) but that it was the stress of the heart and it should correct it self with the cozaar (BP med)  He's doing much better and eating healthier (as am I by default) so it's all good.

    Congrats Robin on taking the full time teaching job!  You're going to be great!

    Gina...hope you're hanging in there.  I'm sorry you're going through all of the again, but I'm so thankful for the clean nodes!  Did you get reconstruction right away with this side?  Or are you waiting?

    Played golf yesterday and did great!:)  What a beautiful day.  It's so sad that the country is experiencing such severe changes in climate.  Prayers go out to all who continue to suffer with this.

    Have a great day ladies!
    Kat

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  • jizogarden
    jizogarden Member Posts: 375
    edited June 2011

    My ps may do a bit of fat grafting too....I'm thinking about calling that part off....I've gotten kind of used to the divot.

    I just had my pre-op blood work done and I'm anemic =(  My gp still approved me for surgery...saying it's not really bad....we will deal with it after my nips.  I have been so tired lately, with lots of muscle weakness....especially in my legs....I thought the tiredness was from my blood pressure med...but now the anemia seems to add to the fatigue and weekness >=(  I just want to feel better.....having a little pity party.

    Cathy sorry to hear about the cyst =(  Hope you get a clean bill of health very soon so you don't have to worry anymore.

    Sometimes it just never seems to end.............

    Continued strength and healing to all ♥

    Laura 

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  • ariesrottie
    ariesrottie Member Posts: 260
    edited June 2011

    Het Girls! I'm sorry that I didn't get to you sooner... But my MRI was great... After 2 test and 2 weeks all is well. I don't have to go back and have another for 2 years.. Yes for me!!!!!! Thanks for all the well wishes.

    Kat-- sorry to hear about your husband and his kidney. Keeping my fingers crossed for everyone. 

    Laura- after being on the table for over an hour the first MRI I had a really bad back that went in a spasm... But all is well now. Still have the knee pain but not sure why that is if its from\the cyst or just standing on my feet all day. Hope all goes well with you.....

    Congrats to Robin and her job!

    Gina girl- hang in there .

    SALLY- Sending you Hugs.

    I sent a fill a heart pillow to my roommate fropm my hysterectomy..... She had her BIMX last week... She was luck , drain free in a week... I remember carrying those bulbs around for 3 weeks. Now she is waiting for her onco DX test. Remember those days....... Hated it..But loved your girls...

    Thanks again for being there for me.

    Donna 

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  • jizogarden
    jizogarden Member Posts: 375
    edited June 2011

    Congratulations Donna on your clear MRI!!! :)

    Gina and Sally hope you both doing ok....Kat all the best to your husbands healing and embracing a lifestyle that is heart friendly :)

    I had my nips done this morning. Surgery at 7:30am...first of the day.  I was home by 11am :)  Still haven't looked under my shirt...but I can see two bottle cap size protectors under the surgical bra and gauze. I haven't had the courage to look yet....I'll send photos soon....  So glad to have it over with.

    Oh...we decided not to do fat grafting.  The doc didn't want to keep me under for that long and said if I wanted to have some grafting done we could do that later when everything is healed and settled in.  I'm a little relieved....there seems to be so many mixed opinions about fat grafting results and now I don't have to deal with healing up form a nips and fat grafting. :)  My ps says we can always revisit the idea as an office procedure :)

    So hope everyone is doing well.......♥..........

    Strength and healing xox

    Laura 

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  • jizogarden
    jizogarden Member Posts: 375
    edited June 2011

    Ok....now it's afternoon....all the local anesthetic has apparently worn off.....and may I say....OUCH!

    I really didn't think I had that much feeling left in my boobage =(

    Trying to put off the major painkiller until tonight because they make me sooo loopy....lovely loopy...but loopy none the less  =o)

    Best to all,  Laura xox 

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  • ReginaR
    ReginaR Member Posts: 287
    edited June 2011

    Hello! Hey "team jan" Hope you all had a great weekend!

     Wow what a day ! Saw Oncologist this afternoon, Great news about path report, all cancer was confined to 2 small area & has not spread & after mastectomy I am now cancer free for the second time!!!! woo-hoo! Then I come out & have a Flat tire wow, Hubby Dan my superman hero put my spare tire on!. Then a trip to Big -O to fix tire. It had a nail in it! So that was my day! Hope you had a great Monday !!

    Thinking of all my Jan Sister! Prayers & Hugs! xoxo Gina

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2011

    Donna congratulations on clean MRI, that is great news and what we like to hear.

    Regina, also great news you received at your oncologist appointment.

    Laura hope you are not in too much pain.  Let us know once you peek how things look.  How long do you have to keep the protectors on for?  I know what you mean about the pain killers making you loopy.  I try to avoid them at all cost for that reason.

    Well the tattoos procedure went very well for me, and Kat you are absolutely right, it was very easy.  She did freeze both of my boobs and I did feel a bit of a pinch but otherwise not too bad. When I asked my surgeon how many others she had done tattoos first on, she said I was the first. hmmmm....... It does makes perfect sense to me to do the tattoos first, but now it is making me wonder why everyone else has it done the other way around? Oh well too late to second guess this now.  Its done.  I go back for another pelvic ultrasound tomorrow evening. Its at 9:15pm if you can believe it, that is almost past my bedtime. I am just hoping that they can with conclude that it is just cysts and nothing to be concerned with. Easier said then done. I have also got an appointment with a urologist next month. My doctor thought this would take months. I guess when they see they are dealing with a cancer patient, they push things ahead.

    Have a good night all.

    Take care

    Cathy

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  • jizogarden
    jizogarden Member Posts: 375
    edited June 2011

    Great news Gina and Donna what a relief :)

    Cathy glad your tattoos went well....I hope you love your final result :)

    Still very tender today and having a small bit of bleeding....just a few drops here and there. Tylenol and Advil seem to be enough today to make me comfortable :)  I think the guard around my new nips has to stay on for a week....but I'm not sure.  My ps will call today and I'll get a better idea from him :)  Sleeping on my back again....ughhhh!  To hide the protectors I have cut a hole in the center of 3 nursing pads and stacked them on top of each other to create a more natural shape to hide the weird tubes around my nips...even so I feel like I'm sporting the Mad Men look =p

    Thanks so much for the support....hugs to all,

    Laura 

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  • burley
    burley Member Posts: 631
    edited June 2011

    Checking in-hugs to all!

    Tattoos were done last Thursday-they're nice.  Not so thrilled with the color, but that should change once the scab goes away and they fade.  She said I'll probably need a touch up in a few years.

    I've been a bit depressed about all the problems I'm having with the Arimidex.  Severe joint pain, sleep problems, weight gain, hot flashes...I don't feel like taking more pills, but I think I'm going to have to call my oncologist today and see if he can prescribe something.  My left hand hurts so bad I can hardly grip the steering wheel.  Ugh

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  • bcincolorado
    bcincolorado Member Posts: 5,758
    edited June 2011

    Gina, I am so thrilled for your news on your path report!  You certainly deserve to get some good news!

    Kim, I'm sorry you're having problems with your meds.  I definitely understand not wanting more meds too.  You know everything has a side effect of some kind.  Congrats on your tats!

    Laura,  may you heal up soon! 

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  • jizogarden
    jizogarden Member Posts: 375
    edited June 2011

    Kim so sorry your medication is making you hurt so badly :(  Hope your doctor can offer you some help.

    I get the nipple shields off Monday afternoon :)  Yipeeeee :)

    xox

    Laura 

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  • neversurrender
    neversurrender Member Posts: 508
    edited June 2011

    It is encouraging to hear about all the tattooing.  I am still not there yet.  My PS wanted me to wait a while to make sure the infection from March was completely healed.  Now I just can't find the time.

    Kim, I hope your doctor is able to provide some relief for you. 

    Donna and Gina - Yay for all the good reports !

    I am leaving in the morning for Nashville.  One of my good friends, her daughter and my two oldest daughters have made it a tradition.  We drive down for the CMA Music Festival.  It is a great time, and always a welcome get away.  Today is my last day at work (for the summer), so time to start enjoying my time !

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  • faithandfifty
    faithandfifty Member Posts: 10,007
    edited June 2011

    Wowowowowow.

    So much going on here at Team January. I'm afraid to start commenting because I'll leave somebody out..... I'm so far behind.

    Know that as I read each post I saw a prayer of rejoicing or one of support -- or sometimes prayers from each category.

    Just wanted everyone to know that today is Robin's birthday.

    xx00xx00xx00xx00xx

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  • faithandfifty
    faithandfifty Member Posts: 10,007
    edited June 2011

    I think it's time we all sit down and have some cake together.

    Here's to getting old together & all the candles that we're gonna need for the collective celebrations, rolling one into the next:

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  • binga
    binga Member Posts: 140
    edited June 2011

    Hope you have a fabulous birthday Robin!

    Becky 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2011

    Happy Birthday Robin!!!!!!!!

    Sally hope you had a good time at the music festival with your daughter.

    I finally took the bandgages off from my recent tattoo job.  Wow they look bright, I sure hope they tone down some. I am also thinking that it has been so long that I had this blank surface that to see anything there does seem strange, yet at the same time starting to look more normal.  I have my appointment booked for August to have the nipple reconstruction and then it will be finished. I am so looking forward to that day.  They have also asked me to be involved in yet another study. This one is for how a woman feels after having reconstruction done.  I am losing count, but I think this makes clinical study #6

    Hope everyone had a great weekend, we finally had a nice warm day, probably our first

    Take Care

    Cathy

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  • jizogarden
    jizogarden Member Posts: 375
    edited July 2011

    Nips are fini!  Phew...so glad to have that behind me :)  I was more tender after the surgery than I expected....even though my boobs feel pretty numb they still managed to hurt!  I only need a pain killer the first night....then tylenol and advil were enough.

    Cathy I look forward to hearing how your tattoos turn out...I think they fade quite a bit and can look very bright when first done....are you posting pictures?  I've never seen tattoo before nips I bet you'll get  a wonderful result.

    Sally hope you had a great time at the music festival! 

    Robin Happy Birthday...sorry to be late to the party =) 

    Best wishes January Friends with wishes continue healing and strength,

    Laura 

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  • KatRNagain92
    KatRNagain92 Member Posts: 522
    edited June 2011

    WoW Laura, your nips look fabulous!  And your little cat whisker scars are healing up beautifully!  He made your nipples bigger (which will come in handy when shrinkage sets in)  I wish I had listened to my PS when he wanted to do that for me but I was worried I'd be headlighting all the time.  Now, they're pretty much flush but it's ok.   Here's to continued healing and the tats!  Whoohoo!

    Hope all of Team Jan is doing well!  Thinking of you all often! :)

    Kat

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  • robinlbe
    robinlbe Member Posts: 585
    edited June 2011

    You ladies always amaze me.....I stand in awe of you;  I am inspired by you. 

    I think of you and pray for each of you daily......it's been another crazy couple of weeks, but fun!  Thanks for the birthday wishes, too....had a great day,as it was my daughter's graduation open house...she didn't like it that it ended up on my b'day, but that was just how it worked out, y'know?  And it was fun :)   But after having just gotten home from registering her for school, then that, I am wiped out! 

    Trying not to fret over all the changes coming, and trying to enjoy each day...although it truly feels as if I'm in a whirlpool, trying to keep my head above water......health-wise, we are all vey blessed.  Still can't run, and have to be careful, and my scar lines have just about faded....still get frustrated every once in a while trying to decide what to wear since I HATE to wear the forms ,but other than that, all is well (more or less).....

    Take care until the next drop in.....

    love and prayers....robin

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  • jizogarden
    jizogarden Member Posts: 375
    edited June 2011

    Kat, I'm a little freaked out by the nipple size (large blueberry size) but he promises they will shrink down quite a bit.  He says if they don't get as small as I like them it is very easy to give them a trim ='o ouch!

    As you say they seem to get a lot smaller than the original size...so I just hope I'm not the first with no shrinkage ;)

    xox

    Laura 

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  • jizogarden
    jizogarden Member Posts: 375
    edited June 2011

    Got an infection in my left boob =(  I noticed some swelling and pickness on Friday....of course...when do things like this always happen on Fridays???  By Saturday I thought maybe I should call my ps but then I thought I was seeing him on Monday and didn't want to bother him :( then Sunday came and I figured it was just one more day.........bad idea! 

    Went to see the ps yesterday and he freaked....said I shouldn't have waited until Monday that I should have called him on the weekend.  He was nice but said that whenever there is any redness of any sort to let him know.  He sent my to have an immediate iv of Vancocillin (sp) slowly run so I didn't get red man syndrome.  They wanted to give premedication of benedril and tylenol but I can't take benedril because of my heart.....it all went smoothly....my infusion arm just got a little pink and itchy at the end.  Now I'm on Bactrim with a diflucan (yeast med) chaser and hope things clear up quickly..........I hope I haven't wreaked everything!!!!! :(

    Hope everyone else is well and enjoying summer :)

    xox

    Laura 

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  • KatRNagain92
    KatRNagain92 Member Posts: 522
    edited June 2011

    Oh No Laura!

    That's really awful...I'm sorry to hear you're having issues.  I can't take Bactrim...horribly allergic to sulfa but I liked your 'diflucan chaser'  lol 

    I remember my tattoo got an infection of all things not the nipple or the stitch work but it's fine now...it's all good and you'll be all good soon too I'm sure!

    Why is it that we don't want to bother our doctors on the weekends?  This is what they do...this is what they get the big bucks for.  When one goes into the medical profession, whether it be as an MD, or a nurse or even a central supply person at the hospital...weekends are part of the deal.  We should remember that and not worry too much about 'bothering' them.  It's an expectation that they will be called to duty on a Sat or Sun!  (K, lectures over!:)

    Heal well my friend.  Keep us updated!

    Gina, how are you doing dear?  I pray for you all the time and I hope things are a breeze this time around!

    Love to all our Team Jan!

    Kat

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  • burley
    burley Member Posts: 631
    edited June 2011

    Laura-my nips have shrunk to half their original size, although they are still "on" all the time.  I only take my bra off when I go to bed so I won't scare the kids.  Lol

    My tatts look different from eachother, so I'm hoping she will do a little touch up at my follow up appointment.  They were definitely for me because my husband doesn't seem at all interested in them.  Weird

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  • ReginaR
    ReginaR Member Posts: 287
    edited June 2011

    Hey Jan Sisters!  Sorry I havn't been on! I am fiighting a resp Infection & on antibotics & I am having a hard time getting over it, probally cause I am just 5 week post -op! I am sick of being SICK!!  Anyway so much for me! How are you all?

      Sending Prayers & Hugs  Love ya, Gina

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  • bcincolorado
    bcincolorado Member Posts: 5,758
    edited June 2011

    Laura and Gina,

    I will keep you both in my prayers for healing!

    Paula

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  • robinlbe
    robinlbe Member Posts: 585
    edited June 2011

    Laura, goodness, gracious!!!  You poor dear....praying for you.....

    and for my Gina, girlie, too....

    and the rest...

    blessings....robin

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  • ariesrottie
    ariesrottie Member Posts: 260
    edited June 2011

    Hello January Sisters! Been busy at work, kids, drs. appointment.....

    Gina and Laura    {{{HUGS}}}}

    Haven't been feeling like myself. been really tired. One of my friends is going to have a double next week. I was telling her all the things she needs to do and get. First thing she needs to do is find this site and see that she is not the only one out there.....If  it wasn't for you sisters.. I would of been a basket case. I am wishing everyone a HAPPY 4th.

    You are always in my prayers .

    Love-

    Donna 

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