2012 sisters

I still can't figure out how to get a picture on here.

lisa2012 - So sorry you are having a hard time sleeping.  That makes all of the other challenges seem even larger.  For what it's worth last night was a full moon so maybe the next few days will be better.  I always have a more difficult time sleeping then. 

Intimacy is a challenge to get over.  I haven't had chemo so haven't had that aspect to factor in but the expanders are definitely a challenge.  However, my DH has been so amazing and supportive that I haven't really dwelled on it.  We can't.  He still tells me every day that I'm beautiful and I know that he believes that.  I use that to try (that's about all I have) and overcome the fact that I'm numb as a board and have no nipples!  I honestly think it will get better when the reconstruction is complete (I'm having tatoo only).  I hope that gets better for you.  You sound solid and grounded and I know that you will persevere.

 2friedeggs - How many cc's are you at.  I have to go tomorrow and haven't had any issues.  I'm at 400.  However, last night they felt really tight and I had already had the thought that tomorrow might be the worst.  Whippetmom and other stories have settled my mind on a 500 implant so I'm' not sure if that will require one more fill or two.  I can't imagine much more!!  Do you wear a sports bra to sleep?

Tazzy - My heart goes out to you.  Your picture makes me smile.   The TEs get more firm as they are filled with saline.  Mine are around 500 cc capacity and being at 400 they are quite firm.  I, like 2fried, feel like they will bust.  Since I don't have any surface feeling I think sometimes I could hurt myself!  The implants are supposed to be much softer and more "natural" feeling.  Ha! 

moonflwr - That DEFINITELY counts!

jpmomof3 - That's fantastic.  You're an encouragement.    

ramols - I was small (a moderate and had 200 cc's at surgery with 100 at each fill twice since.  I haven't had any pain...yet, including external, nothing like I would imagine nursing boobs to be.  The few meds I had to take associated with surgery were it.  You'll do great.  Although this is NOT easy by any stretch of the imagination, I have often shared that the BMX was nothing to compare to what I had built in my mind.  My issues came from somewhat unrelated stuff.  I'm type one diabetic so blood sugars, fever, and a rash from the antibiotics were not my friends.  Without that it was bearable.  You sound strong and courageous!  Keep us posted on your progress.   

TE ladies : I've had mine for about ;four months since BMX. Due to chemo schedule and school starting up, probably won't have swap out surgery till Oct or Nov. luckily they do not bother me now. I can sleep on my side, etc. they bothered me more on the first few fills,and maybe the last one (putting me at 375 cc's) maybe size matters. I was just aiming for about lay pervious size. They do feel hard but not tender. Sometimes the muscles tighten up and I get the rock feeling but not that often. they are strange and I wish I didn't lose so much sensation but they look great, ESP in clothes.

Right on ! And this weekend we are having a little party for my birthday and my son's- he will be 24 and I will be 57. Like the ketchup .



PS went out to a Thai restaurant with DH,DS,and DB last night, actually ate. Mild and small amount but no stomach issues! Fun!

Happy birthday Lisa - to you and your son.

If life gives you candy bar soup, find some ice cream to put under it!

Yay lostinmo

Websister  - hope you continue to heal.    And yes, today is a good day !

Hello! Happy 4th of July! I just found your thread ladies and reading through some of the posts! Thank you for sharing your journey on here.

My story -  I felt a lump a few months before going in to get it check out..shame on me:) Thank God for a doctor who got me in right away to get my mamogram, ultrasound, biosopies and test results the same week. It was insane that it moved so quickly but I am glad that it did now. Funny as it sounds time has flown by so far, and I think this is a good thing. I have four chemo treatments left! I am excited about this and my hair has started to come back a little and my tumor has responded well as it was pretty large  but now I can not feel it so I am hoping this is good news. Over all I have handled treatments well or I forget my bad days:) I have learned  a lot about myself during this Journey and still learning. I have met some amazing people who are so strong on this journey and they keep me strong as I can be. I am scheduling my surgery soon and I am going into new territory of the unknown. I am a little (ok a lot) nervous about this  

Before I was dianosed with BC my sisters and I had signed up for a 1/2 marathon as a team raising money for the American cancer society determination teams. Ironic huh! I went with my family that weekend to the race to cheer them on! I had my race number, and that night I was looking at emails and I have received on from an organization called "above and beyond Cancer" and it was a story about a young women's journey with BC and it hit me pretty hard. The next morning, I laced up my shoes decided to start the race walking as long as I could, But when I got to the start line that morning I told myself I was finishing this race even if it took me all day long. I had not done much walking or excercise throughout my chemo treatments but something kept me going and I finished the race coming in 40th from last place:)  It was tough as heck, but not as tough as what we all go through on this journey.  I went through so much emotions during this race that I had not let myself really do since my treatment started. I don't know how I did this, but I do know that it changed me that day and gave me more courage and strength.  I also realize for me that it is ok to be weak and ask for help. 

Big Hugs to all!

mcook, welcome!  That is incredible and insprirational that you did that race.  Congrats on finishing that, that is a great accomplishement.  I am sore from my first one mile jog yesterday, I admire you for doing that.  Hope you will stick with us on this thread and hope we can help you in any small way.  We are probably on a similar course with chemo first.  My surgery is later this month and then on to rads.

Okay tofurkey is now the buzz word at my house!

July 23. 19 days and counting. I see my surgeon next week to get the nitty gritty on everything. I have lots of questions, reading all of your experiences have helped me prepare for this next phase in beating breast cancer. My big worries with surgery is that they will have to do more than a lumpectomy and lymphedema. Anyone have any advice for avoiding lymphedema?

Hi jpmom.... saw this link on another thread on this site...I haven't really checked it out yet. 

http://www.cancer.net/patient/All+About+Cancer/Cancer.Net+Feature+Articles/After+Treatment+and+Survivorship/After+Treatment+for+Breast+Cancer%3A+Preventing+Lymphedema

Hope the link works.

OMG what else can get thrown at me!

At the same time as my BMX, I had both of my ovaries and tubes removed on 5/29.  I had what was supposed to be my last period on 6/1.  Well I woke up this morning and I was spotting.  Of course it's a holiday but my GYN did call me back this morning and she is confused but not overly worried because it wasn't an actual period, just dark spotting.  She said to call her first thing tomorrow if I actually start to have a "period". 

Well.... I now have a full fledged period with cramping and I can't call her first thing tomorrow because I'll be in surgery getting my port in.  And I can't take anything for the cramping because of my surgery tomorrow and I can't thin my blood out.  I'm so angry right now I can't see straight!  What is going on?  See I mentioned to her last week at my post-op that I felt like I was going to get another period and she assured me I wouldn't, but the symptoms were all there for me.  And when she questioned if I was having hot flashes or anyting, I told her no.  I didn't feel any different than before my surgery.

I called my insurance company's 24/7 nurse helpline and the nurse is at a loss because she's never heard of anyone getting a 2nd period when they've had their ovaries and tubes removed.  I don't have a fever or feel like I'm going to pass out (so no hemorrhaging) but she told me if I start to get these symptoms, to get myself to the ER right away.  Great!  So now is estrogen running rampant in me again?  The whole point of my ONC and I discussing removing those organs was to cut the estrogen way down.  It doesn't seem like it has (or at least in my opinion).

Sorry for ranting but I'm so tired of this.  First the BC dx, then the thyroid biopsy, then the port tomorrow, then chemo starts next week and now I'm having a period when I'm not medically supposed to.  I'm just so angry right now!

oh teeball, that SUX! I have so much sympathy. Do you have anyone else who can call your gyn in the morning for you? Maybe it's not a  huge thing, I can imagine our bodies still might have a little period or two even after ovary removal just with the small amounts of estrogen left in our systems and what gets produced by our fat and adrenals. It would be good to hear it from a real MD, huh? I hope it's no big deal. Keep us posted, hope your port placement goes without a hitch.