December 2011 Surgeries - want to wait together?

For those after surgery whose tummies seem larger than normal, my physical therapist gave me a exercise that helped a lot. After a week of doing the stomach massage my tummy has almost disappeared of the fluid making me look somewhat pregnant It's hard to explain, but take your hand and press into your stomach muscles below your ribs and move your hand in circles about five times. Do it clockwise until your whole stomach area is massaged. I do this several times a day when resting. I still have fluid there but so much less. The therapist said it's the fluid from the breast draining down into the tummy area...and the massage is activating the stomach lymph system.

goldlining - I have to admit, "When can I ride a roller coaster?" was not one of the questions I asked my PS. Good for you!

Bogie - hope you are healing better! I'm a side sleeper, but that's impossible with the TEs. The only reason I can sleep on my back right now (post-BMX with TEs) is because I got a hospital bed. I raise the knees up to take the pressure off my back, and recline the head back. It's surprisingly comfortable.

CarolAnn - I, too, am having a hard time deciding whether or not to take the Arimidex my onco prescribed. I need to do more research.

CookieMonster  - Thank goodness for your husband's selfless dedication to assisting in your recovery by spending countless hours in determining where there the parts with feeling are! And now, with your hook-up cincher from Fredericks....

A_FIGHTER  - I wore a regular T-shirt today, too!!! Wore a Genie bra underneath and got to show off my teensy foobettes to my Bible Study sisters. Simple pleasures, for sure!

evebarry - Fascinating! I had a HUGE gut, especially after my drains were out. Then it went down a bit. But now, I'm sticking out again, and I can't tell if it's because I've gained weight, or if I always looked like that, and my "generous bosom" just covered it up. Will definitely try the massage!

Bogie - The Genie bra feels really comfortable to me, especially since I've had my first fills after what I got in the OR. Right now I'm at 280 ccs.  I'm five weeks out from my BMX/TEs, and the incisions are healing well, and are pretty numb.

As far as implants go, everything I've read here indicates that most ladies do wear a good supportive (underwire) bra after their exchange surgery, if only to make sure the implants are secure in the pockets as they heal. They may decide to forego the bra a few months afterwards, but initially, I'm thinking there's a bra in my future. There's lots of other threads here that discuss that...

And yes! Walking is good - keeps things moving, and helps you sleep at night!

Blessings thanks fot the insight on the Genie!



Fighter, When is your Oncotype results due back? I have two more weeks. My BS said this will determine if I will have chemo. Friend of mine oncologist told her he recommends chemo for any invasive breast cancer, which I have. didn't know until surgical pathology report that it was invasive.



I'm afraid to have chemo and I'm afraid not too. Anxious to get Oncotype test back, and meet with an Oncologist.



I'll become a hippie again with bandanas at work, hear the wigs are hot and itch.



I'm glad to have found this site, we can stay strong together. Although a melt down once in awhile feels cleansing at times, mostly when I'm overtired.

I need to find this Genie bra ya'll are talking about. 

My recliner is still my friend and I love all my pillows that keep me tucked in for the night.  I have the airliner pillow around the neck and have realized if I cocoon myself, I sleep better.

My OncotypeDx test came back today, a (9), hehe.  I am happy with that.

So, Tamoxifin is at the pharmacy and I will pick up tomorrow and start taking.  I threw a fit about taking this medication and then realized that I was just throwing a fit.   

Ginger48 and Eveberry - started my stretching moves today to try and help with the cording and tightness I have in my arm.    Good luck on your PT

I once again will mention how important this group has been to me.  I have taken from all of you and have not been able to offer much in return.  I needed each one of your stories; of hope, strength and as Bogie just said.. the melt downs...and in my case..the fits.

Love and hugs to you all -

CarolAnn...I actually bought my 2 genie bra's for $20 at a Fabric store. The ultra bra for one was $20. So the better deal and comfort is the genie bra. When you buy it at a store you don't have to pay for shipping.

The PT really helps with cording and learning how to drain. I had Montors the first time around, and simple massage took care of it. The webbing was worse. The PT showed me how to redirect the lymph system downward toward the stomach. She massaged the webbing which helped a lot and gave me exercises that helped a lot. So far, I' haven't had either problem this problem around.

Fighter, I'm anxious to hear outcome for oncotype test, mine should be in late next week. Then oncologist plan.

Went tomy ps this morning and I'm not healed enough to get fillers 3 wks post op, but he did take out my last drain...yeah! I finally slept through the night for the first time since surgery on 12/20 and no tight chest feeling like a heavy object was on my chest! I am wondering if new exercises I started alleviated that problem.



Eve going back to work was a big step! sounds like you did well, please don't overdue it. I think you can relapse. My job is long and stressful, I know once I go back it will be in full gear...yikes!!!

what does webbing mean?



Blessing, right now from bilateral mastectomy with expanders I don't wear anything but my shirt. PS I see him weekly and he never said anything. I am going to order genie bras for when I return to the real world, thank you for sharing website! My incisions under breast area are taking forever to heal for some reason.



May everyone have a blessed day and thank for being here. It's nice to know you aren't on an island alone.

I had an app't with my radiation oncologist today and we went over all the various forms of radiation that I could have.  I wanted the three week short version with higher doses, but after checking the qualification chart, he didn't recommend it because my bc is left side, so if I do rads at all I will probably go with the full version which will be about 33 treatments.  He is going to confer with my BS to see what he prefers.  It's a daily 5x a week committment for a small stage bc with no node involvement, that only has about a 25% chance of recurrance...to me that means there is a 75% chance it won't recurr.  I like the RO very much...he was very straightforward with us, and the facillity is state of the art with the latest equipment.  He also gave me my oncotype score (13) so no need for chemo.

Do I go ahead with the rads or take a risk that it won't return and pull out the big guns the next time if it does?  There are no guarantees either way,  I will have to decide over the next week, as time is running out for me to start treatment.  Does anyone know the longest time you can go before starting rads? 

Kaara - 25% reoccurance rate with a Grade 1 Stage 1 0/1 nodes?? Really?? That seems pretty high.  Does that presume no radiation?

I had a plastic surgeon appointment early this morning hoping my drain would be removed. Because I am still putting out about 35ccs a day, I have to lay low hoping that next Tuesday the drain will be out. So today, I decided to only work two hours. Yesterday after working most of the day I came home and slept for 3 hours. I couldn't believe how exhausted I got when the work really isn't that taxing.

After work today, on the way home my son called. His breaks went out so the afternoon was about helping him get his car towed. By the time I got home it was about 2:30. I ended up having another full day out. I ate lunch and again swept for three hours I've decided if possible until Tuesday morning I am going to do just about nothing. At least, my mind isn't so drugged up and I can work on my book

I'm beginning to feel like I'm turned a corner. I now feel like I'm recovering. I am so grateful for all my friends at school, who  have been so supportive. They have brought so many delicious, organic and unique meals. Today, after my weekly chat with the kids, they presented me two beautiful books filled with get well cards the kids made. I was so touched. I am also grateful for my daughter and husband who has also made my healing easier.

So...I can begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's not over, but I'm encouraged.

Eve, Is webbing then related to lymphadema? what made you go to a physical therapist vs Lymphadema consult?



My next stop is to schedule with a certified lymphadema specialist at the hospital for a baseline.



Has anyone else experienced more infections since diagnosed with breast cancer? I was getting cellulitis ( never had it before) swollen face and had to get on heavy antibiotics. wondering if immune system is low not from chemo but just from the cancer. Hmm question for my Oncologist next wek.



Wish it didn't snow in Chicago, I was getting into walking, but no way will my husband go with me now in the snow and not steady enough to go on my own yet.

Kam and Bogie:  The 25% is definitely based on no radiation.  If I decide to do radiation, that % could be taken down to 6% I believe the RO said.  On the surface it seems like a big decrease, but when you factor in other statistics such as "overall survival" and the fact that the radiation could cause heart issues and additional cancers, etc.  it isn't so optimistic.

The way I am approaching this is if I don't do radiation, there is a 75% chance that the bc will NOT recurr.  Are those 75% odds good enough for me, and will I be comfortable knowing that I have protected my heart and other breast.   With my diet and lifestyle changes which have become a huge committment for me, I think I am increasing those 75% odds by quite a bit, so right now, I'm leaning towards not doing rads.

 I think the biggest disappointment was when the RO told me I would have to forego all of my antioxidants during treatment!  Why...because the antioxidants that protect the good cells in my body could possibly protect the cancer cells as well???  So, now I have to give up everything that I've worked so hard to achieve over the last three months for a treatment that at best is questionable in my mind as far as its effectiveness.  I am going to be talking to my BS further about this at my app't on Monday, and will be interested in his response.

I'm sure these doctors just hate patients like me! 

fitzdc Glad the bra fitting went better for you. My prosthesis fitter that was highly recommended by the nurse navigator insisted I was a C, not the DD I was wearing and fitting. I spent two hours there only seeing individual bras and prostheses she wanted me to see. The end result was that I spent nearly $800, and my shirts all pulled to one side, and the bra no longer fit against my skin in all the places where it should. It was a disaster! Recently a year later I had 700g/breast removed and replaced with a 500g ab flap divided between two frankenboobs, and I fit a C now. How could I have been a C before?? I truly believe a lot of people wear poorly fitting bras but I wish I had been more assertive.

Wow I bet you're much more comfortable now! I just put on an old pair of shoes I had lying around the office yesterday and was astonished that the same thing has happened to my feet!  These shoes fit me in my 20s, but although I am not getting any taller, lots of thing are changing shape!

:-)