Exchange City

hefty lefty:  It kind of still hurts, maybe because I am thinking about it.  Yes, bubble the whole time and pain the whole time.  I didn't take anything for it, should have.  Well, I was getting fills at the time and I would take muscle relaxers for a couple of days so maybe that helped.

Shouldn't you be seeing your PS soon?  I bet he'll have a better suggestion.  I just talked to PA about it, didn't even occur to me to ask PS.  Surely there is something.

Vickie

Last night I felt a lump in my left breast (the cancer side) in the upper-outer quadrant.  I can't say that I've actually poked around all that much since exchange so might have been there all along.  However, I had my annual exam last week and my GYN did a pretty thorough breast exam.  It is easier to feel depending on my arm position so was it there and she just didn't notice or has it popped up in the last week?  Arrrgh.....it always seems to be something!

During exchange my PS removed a "little corner" of the sling from the other side because he felt a little lump on the outside.  I'm hoping this is nothing, but obviously it's something because I can feel it.

Anyone else have palpable lumps or bumps as a result of the exchange?

Oh TinaT,  sorry to hear about your lump.  Most likely it is nothing, but how can you not worry. Why not call and get an appointment and get it checked out.  I have really been trying to get to know what my implants and the tissue around them feels like (at least until my surgery last week).  We will be the ones to best know what is normal for us.  I certainly think lumps, bumps and scar tissue are very possible after the exchange or any surgery.

Chistine47 - It is so nice to hear that I am not the only person with caves for armpits.  I can only shave half of my armpit on both sides.  The razor just won't fit in my cave.  Fabulous news that your fat grafting fixed your cave .  I am optomistic that it will get better.  If it does not I see laser removal of hair in my future - just part of my journey I guess.

Ladies - love to you all!  All your posts remind me that this journey continues on after Ex and it is reassuring to know I am not alone.  Prairiemermaid - thinking of you and best of luck for your exchange on Wednesday, Tina - pray that lump is easily taken care of, Hefty-Lefty - I hope your hand feels better soon, and heathermcd - congrats on you exchange, I have not been through it yet, but sense the days after must be an emotional rollar coaster. 

I have been hearing/reading that they can change for the next 3-6 months.  Are you having nipple reconstruction?  What is it about the shape that you don't like? 

I saw my PS this morning and will be scheduling my exchange tomorrow (when I can reach his scheduler).  I'm aiming for the 21'st or 28'th of October.  Hefty, you are right, I am not going to take the chance of traveling.  I was hoping I could, but after talking with him again this morning, I'm not going to take that chance.  He is going to do the exchange on a Friday and has also suggested some liposuction from the area just under my arms-and said that will be a bit more and probably a little more uncomfortable-so no trip for me.

  I am very excited though-and can't wait to get this next step over.  I'm very tired of these "boulders" on my chest and am hoping the implants will, not right away, but eventually, feel better.

 I'm so impatient!  And yet I've had a relatively easy time.  Now, if the mood swings would just slow down.  Can't wait to post my exchange date!  Hoping to do so in the next couple of days.  Pat

Tina, did you have any fat grafting?  That can definitely cause lumps.  I have few from that.

Prairiemermaid: Thanks for being my research assistant. I usually go foraging the internet for answers, but lately, I have found that reading too much can be a dangerous thing for an anxious and active mind. So, after reading your post, I put a second call in to the PS nurse and this time around -- I think she heard the panic in my voice - she was able to explain things to me a little better and calm me down. 

Today, looking back on it, I think it was a little "breakdown" from EVERYTHING I have been through.  Relatively speaking, I have been doing pretty well since BMX and recovery and have been strong, at least on the outside. I think yesterday, post-surgery let-down just brought everything to the surface. Ugh! Glad I got that out of the way.

So Thank You for helping me get past that little meltdown! I really appreciate it!

TinaT:  You have also been helping me as I journey through reconstruction phase, so Thank You!  Tina, as far as the lump goes, you should find some comfort in that you were just examined by your gyn, and you are headed to the PS this week. I will pray for you that this is just from scar tissue or some other benign cause. 

Thank you kickitmom and MBJ for your well-wishes.

Pat: I am now one week since exchange, and while I have been able to function pretty normally, I don't think I could have travelled. So you are doing the right thing, playing it safe, by not travelling right away. I am excited for you that you will be scheduling your date soon! 

Ladies -- sorry I've missed a few days of posts (I was at the Ta Ta Sisterhood Reunion)... but Tina I just wanted to say: I have this very small, tiny, hard lump on the outer quadrant of my implant.  It has been there since about a month after exchange (i.e. since swelling went down enough to feel it) and my Onc, my BS, and my PS all say it is scar tissue formed around a stitch.  I did not have fat grafting either.  So here's hoping that is all it is in your case.  Do follow up with your doctors, of course, but hopefully it's just scar tissue that you could not feel before now due to swelling (that has since gone down).

It's official!  My exchange date is October 28'th.  Seems like a long way away, but I'm so relieved to have it scheduled.   I know I will have some questions and anxiety before then, but for today, I'm just happy it's scheduled and I'm moving to the next step!

OK, i am seeing my PS on Friday to discuss exchange dates.  Here are my questions for you ladies -   I had radiation and the radiated side is now a bit smaller.  Should I ask for another small fill or will she be able to fix that during surgery?  Anyone else go through this?  I really don't want to be lopsided!

How many months were you out from rads when you had your exchange?  Right now I am 3 months out.  If I do it in December,  I will be 5 months out.  Do you think that is a long enough time?  I can't do it in January and would have to wait probably until March, due to my schedule.  That would be 8 months, but that is a long way to go.  However, I want a good result and tissue transfer is not an option for me.  Thoughts? 

Hi Lilah!

How was Vegas?!  I posted on Foobville that my DH was in the hospital for possibly suffered a heart attack.  He's better at the moment but definitely a health scar we don't need!  Anyway, thus it has been very hectic these last few weeks!

How was Vegas anyway?  How many attended?

NAE

(((Nedeza)))):  I hope he is okay!  Sending you many good thoughts your way!