Too early for April 2012 mastectomy?

Dianarose, this is probably a stupid question but did you get a prescription for the wig from your doctor? Maybe try that with the insurance company. Wouldn't a doctor write that for you? 

Hey all,  Happy to report that so far no SE from Tamoxifen!  I'm a bit lopsided right now as my right side TE is now bigger than my old girl who has had a lot of stuffing removed (lumpectomy/re-excision/radiation) and is now quite deflated, lol.

I went through the quicky internal radiation treatment (Mammosite or whatever they call it), 5 days 2X daily and was finished before Memorial Day.  Now, the whole spot that was treated is red and blotchy and itches all of the time like a sunburn.  Quite a delayed reaction I'm thinking, lol.   Itlooks like a 3rd degree burn!  All of my swelling and water retention has left but still have that spot.

Lisamarie, Hope your pain is lessening!  I have two more fills and then have to wait until September for my exchange.  Hope all looks great when they get done with you!  It will be I'm sure!

Valerie- so glad you are done with your rads. I used aloe straight from the fridge when I had rads the first time. It seemed to help. I put a lot on and then a gauze pad in my bra. I even slept with the bra on because it felt better. I am not looking forward to it again after chemo. Chemo made me so tired this time. I could only work 5 hours yesterday and came home and slept for 12 hours. I am still tired today. It is very hot and humid here in the east which isn't helping. I am also sick of the dam wig already. When I am home I just put my dad's old baseball cap on.

Lisamarie- so glad you finally got your date. That is coming up soon.  You will be rock'n girlfriend. Hang in there.

Hello Ladies . . . I hope that you will all forgive me for my long absence, and allow me to "re-join" . . . I am now exactly 72 days post BMX. Like many of you I've been to hell and back . . . and really thought I was fine. Instead, I seem to feeling some kind of delayed reaction to it all . . . I really thought I was OK . . . well . . . not so much . . . can I say how much I hate these effin' TE's . . . I want to rip these things out of my chest . . . I can't sleep at night . . . the spots where the metal valves are are the most painful . . . I feel like a freak show act  . . . and, of course, I've gained about 20 pounds so I feel really awesome:-( And . . . my last appointment with my PS . . . I waited OVER 2 hours to see him . . . and when it was "my turn" he had left . . . yup . . . gone home (a.k.a. golfing) . . . and I "got" to see his useless underling . . . and get told to come back in another month . . . seriously???

Sorry to just "vent" after my extended absence . . . I've got a lot of catching up to do!

Lisamarie . . . you made me laugh . . . maybe for the first time today! I also dread bedtime . . . I cannot get comfortable for the life of me . . . and . . . yup . . . my left TE is right below my collar bone, and right TE is a good 2-3 inches lower . . . I cannot wear anything I own . . . and I read on a previous post of yours that you felt like wearing a sign around your neck saying "stay away" . . . my biggest fear is anyone bumping into me . . . I actually went to see Neil Diamond in Toronto last week (concert was beyond AMAZING - the dude still has "it" at 71) . . . but was totally paranoid of being bumped! Thank you for your note . . . . . . . . hugs back and good luck sleeping tonight!

I have been reading how some of you hate yourTE's and can't sleep because of pain. I can actually sleep on my stomach with mine. Maybe the difference is that when I go for PT she gets right under them and finds cording and works them out. I actually thought the cording was just under my arm until she started working the expanders. I can honestly say the only time they hurt is when she works them, but afterwards I feel fine. They are kind of awkward, but they are all I have for boobs for a long time so I have made peace with them. I might feel differently when I start rads in November. She is going to have to deflate the left side for the entire time I have rads. That is going to suck.

I have to head out to work. It is supposed to be in the mid to upper 90's here and humid. Don't know how long I will last in the hot kitchen, plus chem has kicked my ass this time and I just want to sleep.

Have a great day everyone.

Longislandmom , its so nice to see you here , I guess I am not so lucky because I cannot get used to the TE's at all . I have a great deal of pain with them as I am now overfull. the pain under my armpits is bad . I too bump into things and cant feel it. funny huh , I am too ever so greatful that my cancer is gone and will not return . I am supposed to have my exchange July19th , I am excited yet scared about yet anther surgery , but hoping to find relief from my squishys. I have to work the following 5 days straight after my surgery and I am worried I will not feel financially burdend again that was too much for me to handle and some days as though i am catching up it still feels like a struggle . sometimes I feel like bees are stinging me , I hate it .

I know someone asked about the time u wait before exchange , I guess every PS is different mine said 3 weeks and thats just about what I will have at time of mine .

Diana rose I admire you ,  I am glad u can sleep comfortable . I sure wish i could . I also see in you that u are strong and u are making it through this . I am sending a big HUG to you 

Just wondering where the rest of our gals are .. miss u all and hope u are all well  

Mardibra, why do you have to be off of caffeine for six months?

Mardibra - I guess you can tell where I get my caffeine from. lol     I had DIEP in April, and although there was a very long list of things not to eat, ingest, etc, caffeine was not one of them thank goodness!

I wasn't allowed caffeine or chocolate for a few weeks after, and maybe a bit before, but not 6 months, that seems extreme.

Well that just sucks! So sorry Valerie.

I will be fine.  I'm a breast cancer survivor!  I wonder if I can talk the PS into finishing me sooner.  Hard to go in positive to an interview when your breasts are lopsided, lol.

My surgery for exchange got moved to this Thursday. Excited yet scared

Aww thanks , I am freaking out so bad ! I will let all of u know how it went tomorrow after im on the squsihy side 

Lisamarie:  Good luck tomorrow!