Charleston Bound, part 2

No ping pong balls for me either. Girls may be small but want them happy.



A patient of Dr S n houston had bilateral diep and her breasts were horizontal looking. Tried fat grafting numerous times to fill in top but almost zip took. She was considering baby implants. Was shocked because she started with TE to implant and had massive infection and on wound vac and IV antibiotics for 200+ days. Major probs.



But we all make our own choices to feel our best.

Betsy,



So it's under flap but not under pec muscle? Implant trashed my pecs on rads side big time.

Lbrewer - my SGAP and PAP flaps are so soft and really feel like breasts do normally (still working on symmetry and filling in) that I think an implant might defeat the purpose. My intent was to NOT have foreign material in my body if I could help it. Like BDavis said, great lengths to not have implants. Would it be heavier and sag or create sag with the natural recon? Would be very interested to find out what Dr K says!



Hugs



Catie

CRS - I LOVE your 'fear is the worst complication I've had" !!!

Very much one of the best quotes I've heard!



After church today I told my husband that from now on when people ask how I'm doing I'm just going to say fine - I'm tired of saying otherwise and what's the use anyway! I know what I signed up for, it's a process and beats the alternatives I had given to me.



It helps sometimes to get back to the beginning of the process to realize that it is at least a couple of stages to get the results desired. Never did any of this become a one step thing for me. When I told DH that I have scheduled a November surgery date to get within this years deductible he was surprised - thinking I'd be done in July. July has always been fat grafting for symmetry for the sides to be equal, not knowing how much will 'take' - good thing I have BCO where the ladies 'get it'



There is a get together in Las Vegas every year, would be great to go there to see other BCO ladies, but with surgery in July, November AND think of Las Vegas in September I don't see any way to afford it all.



Maybe next year we Charleston ladies can have mini get together in the off time so the rates are better by the beach?



CRS continued hopes for a peaceful chemo journey with little SE!



Hugs

I too love the quote " fear is my worst complication"...very  honest words CRS.

Catie, it is a process. My first try with implant recon, I just wanted the quickest and easiest solution...I thought, millions of women get implants every year, how hard can it be? Well little did I know after 9 months of painful expansion, 3 surgeries and exchange followed by a serious infection, I ended up with a disfigured chest and emotional trauma. A process indeed.

Before I had my Sgap, I knew that it was a 3 step process(at least), I prepared myself mentally, physically, financially and proceeded with confidence while others around me questioned my motives, reasons and my sanity. It hasnt always been easy but no regrets. I too believe it has helped me to look back at pictures of where I started and how far I have come. Wish I would have photo journaled from the beginning. Of course others don't really understand, but you ladies "get it" and yes, sometimes it is just easier to say " I'm fine".  Altho,I am not sure I even know what "fine" is anymore....sigh.

6 week update on nipple: It is looking good, healthy and pink and my stitches have finally dissolved. I will protect it for another 2 weeks then see if I get the ok to go without. Don't want it to shrink anymore. The hardest part for me is not the nipple protector itself, that actually is fine, but it is the tape holding it in place. I have tried them all and Chris sent me the surgical tape that seems to stick the best, but my surrounding skin has become sensitive and irritated. I recently came up with a pretty good solution, think I read about it somewhere on one of the other threads. I cut a hole in the middle of a round makeup sponge, because it is rubbery it does not slide around and pretty much stays in place with a bra or cami. I use this during the day and switch over to the tupperware dome at night because I toss and turn all night long.  Problem solved!

Have also begun having annoying arthritic like pain mostly  in my hands,but also knees and feet. I am assuming it is from the tamoxifen(easy target), I remember having it when I first started it 3 years ago, but weird that it has started up again. Off to the store to buy some glucosamine and chrondroitin.

"It's always something"  ....Rosanne Rosannadanna(Gilda Radner)

Hope you all have a lovely week.

Pink, I can't imagine not having support of your family. My hubs, mama & son have been great. I did get aggravated when Tommy had shingles (vented on here a few times) bcs he acted like no one had ever been that sick & he had a light case. I knew he was hurting, but......

Anyway, they onco changed me from tamoxifen to Arimedex. It's giving me fits with the bone pain!! But, tamoxifen did at first, too. Then it got bearable, so I am hoping that is the case here, too.

Found out today my BP is high and sugar was, too. So now, I'm off to the GP to get that checked out. All I want is normal again.

My iPhone doesn't like the word IMPLANT and makes it plant - sorry !!

CRS - sorry we'll miss you but I'll be thinking of you. Glad this bout of chemo is over.



Cathie - The mini get together sounds great! I am at the beach below Charleston now and if we had a few of us we could split the cost of a house.



Cascader - you are so right about its being a process. One of my breasts is sort of snub-nosed right now and my fanny is still really sore at the crossroads of the incisions. My husband always remindse "it's a process" when I get tired. And I am having my fourth procedure in December.



I should probably consider the "no explanation" approach too as everyone wants to know about the chemo even though I've said it was preventative or wants to know about the gene ... Tired of justifying my thought process to others, even those I know care.

Hey everyone! I hope everyone is enjoying the summer.    I'm one week away from my stage 2 SGAP in beautiful Charleston.   Just getting the basics done.   I welcome any words of wisdom from those who have gone before.   Anything special I need to take or do?  

Many thanks.

Sandi

Sandi,



Suggestions? Don't go kayaking too soon after surgery. I got very ill even though the guide did all the paddling. Got busted by Dr K.



You will have it made if you have just fat grafting. I had flaps lifted and rotated and major revisions for stage twos. Fat grafting too.



Wish I could have had more time to visit you at your December stage one. Sounds like you are doing well. Take care!

i remember using something i bought in the nursiing section in target.  they were dome things with ventilation holes and my bra held them in place.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Definitely no water sports this time but maybe a walk on the beach.  Don't know what I would have done without the pillows from stage 1.  

Pinkheart, I don't blame you for trying the kayak thing. I would have liked to talk to you longer last time, but I think my nurse was afraid if I stopped, she might not get me moving again. 

Just doing fat grafting and refining this time. Definitely ready to be done with this step so I can finish up later in the year (fingers crossed).    I wish my schedule would allow me to plan my surgery when others are there. I would love to meet all of you.  It would be nice to talk to someone who understands that this isn't a one time thing.     Very excited about going to Charleston again but not about the drive. 

Take care all. 

Sandi

Lbrewer - the pillows you use from the hospital that are soft are 'throw away' and they will give you those if you ask for them - they don't give you the pillow slips so bring some pillow slips - but the pillows are very good to use in so many ways!!!

My surgery is coming up fast and I'm getting excited but scared too.  My recovery from my first surgery was hard.  It was supposed to be a DIEP BUT they ended up taking some of the muscle.  And I had a bulge too.  Hoping my SGAP goes easier.  Not sure I can do this again.