January 2013 surgery

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited July 2013

    Lmimp64~  Good luck today, I'll be thinking about you!  It must have been so hard to switch PS in the middle of everything and feel as if you are starting over, but I have read about quite a few other ladies that have had to go through that, and are so happy that they switched.  I hope you are as well!  Keep us posted Smile

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  • Mirmirpanda
    Mirmirpanda Member Posts: 89
    edited August 2013

    I still have a surgery to go. I'm to see my PS half way through radiation, so we can discuss what to do then. I guess I need to realize this is about survival and not about looking "perfect". I just had REALLY nice boobs, magnificent, I loved them, despite the fact one tried to kill me. Perhaps after the second mastectomy surgery they'll be more of a matching pair. Perhaps with just more time they'll settle down more.



    I have my last taxol tomorrow!!!! Does this mean I'm PFC? (I still have Herceptin till the end of January). Very nervous/anxious to be moving on. Radiation is the next step, can't wait to get it over with. I have been planning Hazel's first birthday!!! I can't believe she's almost one!

    We're also taking her camping for the first time, August is gonna be busy!!!



    Ariom: glad to hear your follow up went well. Hazel is just a spitfire!!! She is thriving and just amazes me more and more everyday. We are all doing great, just anxious to get this cancer BS behind us and to move on with our lives!!! With LE & tattooing, just go slow.



    It's been one hell of a journey.

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  • Lmimp64
    Lmimp64 Member Posts: 219
    edited August 2013

    I think I will just pretend it is January again.....got the other implant out and have deflated tissue expanders in both. Starting over before calling it quits on recon. One more shot. I've been on two strong antiobtiotics 3 times this summer and another med I'm halfway through for the infection. Side effects - lethargy, nausea, hair loss....that's probably why I'm 4 mos Post chemo and only have a 1/4 inch of hair. I hope to begin PT in two weeks as I have totally lost my range of motion.



    Happy camping with Hazel. We love to go. I haven't been since surgery. When I go, I know all is on the path to being ok.



    Hope you are all doing ok.

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited August 2013

    Frown Lmimp64~  Sending evrything I've got your way...you need a break! 

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  • kkuziel
    kkuziel Member Posts: 191
    edited August 2013

    Tamiami, just catching up with the posts here and see you've had cellulitis for a second time. I got it over the July 4th, probably from a break in my heel. Still dealing with the blisters and it's complicated the blood clot I got between surgery two and three. Seems like no matter how "small" "easy" a cancer diagnosis is there's just lots of things that can come your way. I think I underestimated how long feeling good would take. I was optimistic that it would be behind me right after the last radiation treatment. Of course the cellulitis seems to be just one of the problems you are facing. I hope it all begins to turn around for you. You've had a pretty full plate.

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited August 2013

    kkuziel~  Sorry that you had to deal with cellulitis too.  And the blood clot thing sounds pretty scary!  I too underestimated all of the things that could go wrong...it's almost laughable now!  I actually have had 3 bouts...the last one was from a bite on my finger and within 38 hours I was in surgery to clean out the tendon sheaths...almost lost my finger!  Did you end up seeing an infectious disease Dr.?  I finally was referred to one, and after checking my blood to make sure my immune system isn't compromised, he has decided that I probably had colonized bacteria somewhere on my body.  When there is a break in the skin, the bacteria gets in and causes cellulitis.  We are treating it by using Hibiclense soap 3x a week and Mupirocin for 1 week each month for 3 months.  He said if I stay infection free for 3 months then I am probably clear!  I hope so!  My new dilemma is that one of my implants have flipped, and the backside is facing forward now.  Needless to say, it will need to come out...just one more bump in the road I guess.

    Here's hoping that you are well on your way to recovery!

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  • tangles
    tangles Member Posts: 508
    edited August 2013

    OMG how does the Implant FLIP? Yikes?? I am praying mine hold up through Rads. I just dont want anymore surgery! Sorry Tami about your infections. I am finally going back to work this week. Im sure I have lost 75% of my clients!! Oh well had to put me first!

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited August 2013

    I guess it's not very common to have one flip...possibly my pocket is still too big???  It's not painful thank goodness.  I think you will be surprised about your clients.  I thought I would lose quite a few, but have actually been really busy at work...I'm, sure you will be too!  Are you going back full or part time?  Make sure and schedule in some breaks at first.  I cut my hours from 38 to 30, and it's perfect.  3 six hour days, 1 eight hour, and 1 four hour...I love my new schedule, and I stay pretty busy.  Good luck!

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  • tangles
    tangles Member Posts: 508
    edited August 2013

    Im starting off VERY slow. My Radiation Dr said I may start to get very tired at the end of Rads so I dont want to push it. I am only going back 3 mornings a week until Im done with Rads Sept 12th. Then I will see how I feel!!! If Rads dont effect me too much then I will add in my evenings!

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited August 2013

    That sounds like a good plan!  Best of luck!

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  • Lbwagner69
    Lbwagner69 Member Posts: 45
    edited August 2013

    Hello Ladies!

    Just thought I would check in to see how everyone was doing. I am moving along and will start back teaching next week. I am on three week herceptin treatments and all is going well. Had an unclear ct scan two weeks ago on liver. Had to do an.MRI. Got the news that all looks normal. Needless ti say I was a little worried. As far as my tram goes...all is well..healing well. I am back full swing with my personal trainer and he is amazed at my strength and stamina. I am getting there....

    Sorry Lpimp to hear about your infection...I had a staph infection and was on iv antibiotics for abouy a month. I was so happy to get the picc line out!! Hang in there!

    Wishing all of you well..

    Laurie

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  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited August 2013

    Laurie, I am thrilled to hear of your results and how you've gotten back into training again. I often wondered how you were doing because you really had such a rough time.

    I wish you all the very best of everything Laurie. It's been a he11 of a year for you. Good luck with your teaching! Take care...Moira

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  • Lmimp64
    Lmimp64 Member Posts: 219
    edited August 2013

    Laurie,

    Glad you are doing well, and the scan turned out well. I'm off meds as of 4 days now and hoping for best. Beginning PT to get range of motion back and hoping all goes well so we can try implants again in Nov or Dec depending on my skin.



    Glad you are back teaching. I have taken a year leave. It was hard but for the best. I couldn't be doing the 60 hr work weeks right now! I have 4-6 dr or PT visits a week. I'd never be there! Next year's kids get my best. :)



    Hope all are well.

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  • Lbwagner69
    Lbwagner69 Member Posts: 45
    edited October 2013


    just checking in on everyone. I am two months back in to teaching and am doing well with Herceptin treatments. Had an mri scare.. liver...turned out to be hermangiomas and no worry. As far as surgery recovery, I am working with trainer...ran in the Komen 5k ladt weekend!! Hope all is well with everyone!

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  • peanutsgal
    peanutsgal Member Posts: 161
    edited October 2013


    Wow, LB! Way to get on with your life. Great news on the liver scan. I'm so sorry you had to go through that scare, though. Glad you are kicking herceptin instead of it kicking you. How much longer for those treatments? Are you finished with your reconstruction? I just had a revision 3 weeks ago and am very pleased so far with the results. I had pockets completely rebuilt and fat grafting. Will probably have to have a couple more rounds of the fat grafting, but all in all hopefully it will all be over soon.


    So glad your kids have their teacher back and that their teacher has her kids back. They can be energizing and draining at the same time, but so rewarding. It was great to hear from ya. Would love to hear from some of our other January surgery sisters.

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  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited October 2013


    LB, that is fantastic news that you're back into teaching!


    Good on you, for getting so fit and doing the run, that is so impressive, after all you went through. You're a real inspiration.


    I am sorry you had another scare, but so happy to hear it isn't anything sinister.


    I wish you all the very best!

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  • kkuziel
    kkuziel Member Posts: 191
    edited October 2013


    Glad to hear all here are doing well. Went to see vascular surgeon about the leg infection - which turned out to be staph - not strep as originally thought. Was horribly afraid I'd need some kind of vascular surgery - but he said that the blood clot was probably as resolved as it was likely to get and that I should wear compression socks for the rest of my life - easy solution. So after two months the leg has finally healed and is the same size as the other one - feels great - which has made me feel much better. Hoping to get past the "family portrait" in November and on to a brighter 2014. Ah the things I've learned. (This is where someone should say - "and you're a better person for it" - but I'm not sure I'd agree)

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  • Lbwagner69
    Lbwagner69 Member Posts: 45
    edited January 2014

    Hello Ladies

    Just checking in at our 1 year anniversary if iur surgeries!  Hard to remember all that was going through my mind as I prepared for my bmx. I just had my first revision surgery amd am doing well. Herceptin treatments go on until May.  Here's hoping the new year brings everyone hope, health, and happiness! 

    Laurie

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  • Morningsun1
    Morningsun1 Member Posts: 649
    edited January 2014

    Hi Lbwagner, Happy and Healthy 2014 to you too! We had similar surgery around the same time and I am scheduled to have my tummy scar revised on February. Best wishes! Tammy

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited January 2014

    Hi Laurie!  Glad to hear things are going well for you!  I just got home today from a cruise to celebrate my 1 year and our 30th wedding anniversary (Jan 4th and 6th)...I'm in a much better place than I was a year ago, and boy does that feel good.  Going to have my implants exchanged on 2/13 to the newly approved Mentor CPG's and hoping that these work for me.

    Hoping all of the January 2013 girls are doing well!  Smile

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  • kkuziel
    kkuziel Member Posts: 191
    edited January 2014

    Congrat Tamiami on your 1 year anniversary (and the 30 year one as well). It's so good to be a year out and feel so much better. I totally enjoyed the holidays this year, as they were a wash last year. I know you've had a lot of set backs on your journey, as I had. Glad to see we're both feeling better. Wishing you a great 2014.

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  • tangles
    tangles Member Posts: 508
    edited January 2014

    Wow have not been on here in awhile. Cant believe its been a year. Tami your getting your implants replaced. So am I. Radiation did a number on it, so they are both coming out. I need to get rid of the radiated skin so I am looking at doing a latissimus flap surgery. Sure don't want to be cut open again, but sounds like that is my best choice. Take care......

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  • peanutsgal
    peanutsgal Member Posts: 161
    edited January 2014

    So good to hear from everyone again!  This past year has flown by in some aspects and dragged by in others.  Here's hoping everyone has a healthy and happy 2014.  Tami and Tangles, sorry to hear that you are having to have your implants replaced, but hope your next surgery fixes all your complications.  If I've learned anything through all of this, it's that it's a process and rarely is it ever right on the first go around.  

    Hugs to all!!!!!

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  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited January 2014

    Hello everyone!

    So nice to see you all here, one year down the track, hasn't the time flown!

    Happy Anniversary Tami!

    All's well with me, settled well into the new house and got the gardens finished at last.

    I have an appointment with my surgeon for follow up on the 28th, and to organize to get a small revision of my "Dog Ear", just a little thing, but it annoys the crap out of me, so it has to go.LOL

    Take care everyone!

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  • RMlulu
    RMlulu Member Posts: 1,989
    edited January 2014

    Hi y'all!

    Wow, what a year!  So many challenges...we did it!  Good bad ugly 

    Today, BS gave me a thumbs up...RO wants MRI in June to ensure the 3 o'clock questionable spot outside the partial mx is gone...didn't show up in Novs mammo... I can wait 6 more months...glad my BC team is on top of my care:)

    Now, trunk&arm LE ugh! But mld and compression is working...

    So roadtrip here I come!

    Hoping all are doing well...here's to a healthy 2014!

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  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited January 2014

    Hi RMlulu, Great to see you!

    Sorry to hear of the LE, but glad everything else is working out for you.

    Enjoy that road trip!  Where are you going? 

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited February 2014

    Hi everyone~

    Well, bad news today.  I have an infection in my breast, and the infectious disease Dr. says the implant needs to come out and stay out for around 3 months before a new one is put in.  He wants to be sure that the infection is totally gone before proceeding.  I was scheduled and excited for a revision to Mentor CPG's next Thursday, but that is now cancelled.  This is my 4th infection since BMX...one in each breast, one on my LE arm, and one in my finger that required emergency surgery.  While I am sad and scared, I just want whatever keeps causing these infections GONE!  I am having both of them removed...just waiting to hear from the PS as to when.  I took the day off and had a "poor me" day, and have decided to wake up tomorrow with a great attitude!

    I am looking for some info from some of you that have been through having your implants removed.  How long is the recovery?  Do they have to put the TE's back in?  Will I have drains?  Not having breasts for several months is going to be a challenge for me. 

    Ariom, do you have any advice for me?  I will be going back to work doing hair as soon as I'm ready, but I'm thinking that the incisions will be too new to wear a prosthesis right away.  Should I plan on "stuffing" a Genie bra?  I did ask to join the flat and fabulous FB page, but don't have access yet. 

    Any advice is appreciated! 

    Tami

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  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited February 2014

    Oh Tami, I am so terribly sorry to hear this news. 

    There have been a few members who have had implants removed recently. Not all because of infection, but enough to make you think about how many of these super bugs are actually around and causing havoc.

    I am certainly no expert in this area, but I don't think the incisions are too large for removal of implants. That's not to say that it won't be uncomfortable.  I am not sure about drains. I am sure someone will be along soon who can advise.

    My first thoughts about what will be comfortable for you for work, would be leaning toward a cami, or tank with a "softee" inside you can stitch a softee into a cami with a shelf bra inside. You will have your arms raised a lot and if you just stuff a Genie, I think you may have the issue of it riding up because there isn't any weight inside it. At least with a tank or cami, you can tuck them in to a skirt or pants and you won't have any issue of a bra band around your chest to irritate. Some people are using small weights inside a softee or a micro bead foob, to hold them, and the bra in place. Some use small fishing weights or birdseed, or rice. I haven't tried any of these, but my silly side has me picturing Tippy Hedron in The Birds being chased down the street with Blackbirds attacking her chest! LOL

    Another possibility would be one of the Post Surgery camis that come with its own softees, again, something that will stay down and not keep riding up.

    There is a foam, weighted form available, which I have and wear regularly inside a crop top active wear sports bra. It is called "Truelife" weighted foam. It is very comfortable without the extra weight of a silicone Prosthesis.

    I sure hope you find something that will be comfortable for you while you wait to have your recon redone. 

    I hope something here may be of help to you, the Flat and Fabulous girls may have more ideas too.

    Take care, I wish you all the very best. M x

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited February 2014

    Thanks Moira!  I'm going to spend some time today researching Trulife forms and post surgical cami's.  I think you are right about the Genie bras riding up.  I do have a Genie cami that may work tucked in...I'll think about that too. 

    My thought on the surgery is that they won't want to put a tissue expander in at this time for risk of infection.  I'm hoping that when everything is cleared for reconstruction that I won't have to start over with tissue expanders at that point (another extra surgery).  I will ask all of these questions as soon as I hear from the Dr., hopefully this morning,

    Hope all is going well with you...your posts always brighten my day!

    Tami

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  • tangles
    tangles Member Posts: 508
    edited February 2014

    Oh Tami that sucks So sorry to hear that.................Guess Im not the only one still being slicked into. Just want to put this all behind us. Plus I too am worried about the use of my arm! UGH my clients will have to be patient again!!!!!

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