NOLA in September?

All week I've been playing the "last time" game and it's driving me nuts. Last belly dance class, last band practice, last show, last time to wear this bra... In a few days it will be the last time for my husband and I to enjoy the girls. I know I'll do most of those things on the other side, but this feels like a HUGE dividing line and I'm starting to feel claustrophobic - like it's all closing in on me. I look at those pictures and think how innocent and unsuspecting my breasts look, not knowing what violence they're about to endure, poor things. I know I've made good decisions and prepared myself as well as I can, but s**t!

Eva--I did that "game" too--more in my own mind than with my boyfriend.  I have to say though that I was really worried about the night pre-surgery...and that I would break-down about losing them.  Well, I didn't.  I guess since I already was lopsided (due to a lumpectomy 10 years ago), I was like..."oh well...you ladies aren't looking your best anyway, AND you had cancer in you to kill me...so, adios".  Now, even after Stage 1, I look better than I did before!  I was really concerned about losing feeling...I don't know about that yet as I'm still recovering so I'm not focused on that and I know sometimes you gain some back.  Hope that helps...I just think that "game" is really tough on anyone!

Hugs to Eva. These decisions are hard, and real, but you have chosen to do everything possible to prolong your life for a long time. 

Momma2 four: I feel your pain. I am fresh out of DIEP, with three rows of internal incisions, and I get the stomach bug. WTF?! I mean, really, haven't we been through enough already. Can't we just have fab bodies and good GI systems already? 

Momma2four,  Don't feel bad.  I think we are aloud to vent, whine, and get it off our chests any way we want.  I understand how you feel.  I've also gained some weight and this is new territory for me.  I used to watch a little and it would come off.  Don't know if it's the Tamoxifen,  all the surgeries, menopause or what.  It's crappy though.  Feel better.

Michelle-  You can get copies from your PS just ask!  I did and even though I'm bruised from the biopsy they're nice to have.

HI Downney and Jeskatchi (or anyone else who knows)--

I missed the discussion about the tape...I had a horrible allergic experience right after surgery which lasted 3 days!  I was itching nonstop--everywhere.  

The tape on my chest was one of the worst areas, and after the itching died down I was left with welts there!  The first night I was in the hospital they changed me from morphine to something else, which didn't help...they gave me benedryl by IV and something else for itching but nothing helped...honestly, it was the worst part of the whole thing!  So if you might know what else it would be please let me know.  I can't repeat that experience for Stage 2!!

Many thanks! 

Hmmmm. Yes, the Dom was me, but I believe the asspirations was Dejaboo! Not sure about ASSets! But also think it ws Eve.... Or Deja... Or maybe the two of them together!



Eva and Caitlin- thinking about the two of you getting ready for surgery this next week. I honestly believe that you are going to THE best place. Hugs!

SurfaGrl, FORCE stands for Facing our Risk of Cancer Empowered and their web site is http://www.facingourrisk.org/. It's a great resource for those who have a BRCA gene mutation and/or high risk due to family history. Although I'm not BRCA+, FORCE is where I learned of Dr. DellaCroce back in 2007. No one on these forums was mentioning NOLA at the time.  After Dr. D did my first round of repairs, I started posting about the Center and was relieved when I finally found someone else here who'd had surgery in NOLA and could support what I was saying about how amazingly skilled our surgeons are....there were dozens of testimonials for them on the FORCE boards and if not for those women praising the care and beatiful reconstruction they'd received, I never would have found my way to NOLA.  FORCE has chapters all over the U.S. and beyond, and the L.A. group meets quarterly.

 Best wishes to you, Eva and Caitlin!  I had to seek out the best in the world for my complications, and you are so blessed to go to them from the very start!

Eva.. your pictures are great.. I can't even imagine doing that... too reserved I guess...

Djweinstein,  I too had an awful reaction to tape after my DMX.  At my first reconstruction I let them know but they taped me anyways.  Ended up at the Derm office being checked for Staph and MRSA.  It looked and felt horrible.  The next recon revision they were told again and taped my eyes.  When they pulled the tape off......my skin went with it.  UGG!!!  I am happy to know about this other type. 

I take it your boobs were painted.  I did the same thing with my bald head!  (c:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2943429077460.134990.1613238858&type=1&l=4d5416c110

I think this is the same link. FB tells me it's the link to publicly share the photos with friends.  I'm not sure why it wouldn't work. I got painted from neck to toes.