Chemo May 2013

Momofsam, I do believe it is covered as part of your original diagnosis, regardless of when you decide to do the surgery.  Just came from my original BS.  She loved the look of my newly sized boobs (done by different doctor in New Orleans).  I commented that the one that started out slightly smaller after the first surgery seemed bigger after the filling...she laughed.  Told me the breasts start out as sisters, not twins, and no one should expect twins.  I laughed at that...however, when swelling is down I will reassess if I should have the doc try and get them closer in size...right now I'm thinking they are a whole cup size apart!

Pat

Hi MomofSam,

I had a lumpectomy too and am pretty lopsided now! I was told that I could have the girls "evened up" after treatment and it is definitely covered by insurance...something about a federal law requiring them to. (don't know specifics on that). Anyway, I will be having the surgery this summer I think, with a reduction and lift thrown in as well! Know what you mean though about not wanting to be poked and prodded anymore  - but figure its worth it.

Annie

I am pretty sure that by law it has to be covered to make both breasts the same or at least very similar after mastectomy or lumpectomy from breast cancer.  Of course there are still the deductibles and out of pocket costs.  This is why I had as much done as I could in 2013.  I'm not 100% satisfied with mine, but do I want to go through more surgery and money?  I just don't know.

talking about surgeries, going to have my reconstruction on Friday.  Pediculed tram flap.  Not looking forward to it or the healing.  The last few weeks I've been feeling pretty good.  It's like you say enough is enough.   But I don't want to go around with one tit drooping and one one straight out and hard as a rock.  So high ho, high ho, off to surgery I go. 

Carla

Carla, that is similar, though naturally not the same as my DIEP (or it would be called DIEP!).  Yours is a little more "extensive" in that it will involve the muscle too.

Here are some things that I found very useful for recovery.

Colace and Metamucil.  Start the colace a day before surgery and continue after surgery...and then add the Metamucil or Miralax (whatever) starting the day after surgery.  The anesthesia and pain meds will likely slow down your digestive system making things difficult to pass.

Little pillows.  Quick, find someone to sew you some little 8x8 pillows...or buy them.  Came in handy when you have to cough after surgery...hold to abdomen so it doesn't feel like your insides are coming out.  Also comes in handy to get your head into a perfect resting spot in the hospital and then are VERY handy on the car ride home...one between the lap portion of seatbelt and your abdomen and the other between your chest and shoulder belt.  The pillows should be fairly soft, you don't want "rock hard or firm".

A shower chair...I bought one at a church sale for $5.  Definitely used this for a few weeks.

A handheld shower...used along with my shower chair, made life oh so simple!

Drain holders...if your hospital doesn't give you any I will dig around and if I find mine I will mail to you.  In the interim you can use shoelaces around your neck to safety pin those drains to so you don't slip/step on them.

Get some Biotene gum for after surgery...your mouth will be very dry, this gum might not taste great (and it's not really that bad) but it works to give you moisture...I just gave some to my best friend after her surgery, she was extremely grateful.

Bring anything that is up out if reach down to your reachable area (not over your head height).  

Hire cleaning crew if possible.  Or get blinders.

Speaking of blinders....consider a pair of eye covers and earplugs for the hospital.

Get some loose fitting clothes to wear over your tummy, also helps to hide the drains.  Wear button down, or oversized shirt to hospital.  (I never did have a problem getting my clothes on/off so didnt need the big stuff, though I wear things loose to begin with)

Recliner....a lot of people are better able to sleep in a recliner for the first few weeks.  BUT, it should be an easy up/down with the leg thing.  Hospital bed is even nicer (I spent my first 10 days in one when I was in New Orleans)

A little late now, but strengthen those thigh muscles.  I do squats using a ball against the wall on my back (for my bad back) so you press into the ball while rolling down into squat position and then roll back up.  Strong thighs makes it easier to get in/out of bed and on/off the toilet.

A sense of humor....I kept asking hubby did he get the number of the truck that hit me....and why did I want this surgery, whose idea was it?  But I said it joking.(well, mostly joking)... I laid off the pain pump as much as I could and was off pain meds fairly quick.  But that's me.  I also joked about walking hunched over (Groucho Marx) but every day was an improvement.  You will be so happy when this is done and behind you.  It takes time on the recovery, but you have a great sense of humor and attitude so you will do so well!  My surgery was Oct 2 and by Oct 27 I was on a plane to Vegas.  Just listen to your docs and your body, and of course the wonderful ladies on these boards!

Please contact me with any questions.   You know me, full of useless (and sometimes useful) advice.

Wishing you the best!

Pat

thank you Annie and Pat for the encouraging words.  Thank you Pat for all of the valuable suggestions.  I appreciate it. You are so gifted with giving wonderful suggestions.   Will be very busy tomorrow preparing.  I keep second guessing myself.  I think. Chemo. Got chemo burn. Left hand has two small scares. And at times discomfort in my hand.  Radiation.  Got lymphedema. Not heavy duty but inconvenient and sometimes slightly painful.  I guess all reconstructions have their risks.  Gonna have faith that this is the best decision for me.  Ha, I've actually been praying to God that if it's not what I ought to do, please have my ps cancel due to illness or something.  

O.k. now that I've got that off my chest.  Ha ha.  ....Sure glad I have a place I can vent.  )

Carla

Thanks elkatho - sounds doable. I just want to get the dang thing out of me!

surgery done.  Phew.  Pain meds do fine when I'm laying down.  Doesn't cut it when standing up.  Very pleased with the sculpturing the surgeons did.  It was my ps, his partner and a Dr. Carl Something or other from Arizona.   Dr Carl had lots of experience with the flap.  He studied under one of the first or firs(t?) Doctors who did the tram flaps.  My ps is very good but he let Dr Carl stuff and shape my boob. And he did a terrific job.  My ps said he learned something (s) from Dr Carl.  I feel blessed that I had gotten such a good team.   Sooooo glad its over and am hoping I feel better each day.  Thank you for letting me release my fears and for your support.

Carla

Carla I am so glad that surgery went well for you. Hopefully the healing will go well for you, just don't try to do too much too fast. 

The past week was exhausting. Work was busy and frustrating. I slept ok but it never seemed to be enough. Had the where is this relationship going with Steve too, didn't get the answers I wanted but that is the way life goes. He isn't dating anyone else (me either) but he isn't ready for a serious relationship either. There are a few reasons for that and none to do with me. 

Lorrie how is the diet going?  I lost the 4 lbs the first week then nothing the second. The last two weeks I have gained 2 lbs each week so I am back where I started. 

Annie/Carla - hang in there on the diet thing!  You got this

Carla - hope you are feeling better and sounds like surgery went pretty well.

Hey all.... Sorry for the absence... Was in Mexico for the last couple weeks. AMAZING vacation!! Swam with the dolphins (I highly recommend) & no fights with the hubby for 2 whole weeks! haha

Teresa, I only did the dieting for a couple days... hahahaha... I didn't want to take the Garcinia Cambogia anymore. I think I got a little gun shy of what future cancers this pill would cause. NOT that I have heard that it does!! I just started to feel a little weird about it (my own insecurities).

I was glad to read that you are all doing pretty well. I'm feeling fine lately. I was a little self conscious about wearing a bathing suit as my scar from my lumpectomy is visible and a little indented... but surprisingly, I didn't even care.

I hope all of you dealing with reconstruction/surgeries are recovering quickly!!

Lorrie

Lorrie what a great vacation you had.  So happy for you.  Swimming with the dolphins.   What a dream.  

Feeling a little better each day.

A good week to all.

Carla

Glad your feeling better Carla....!!!

You know how the Tamoxifen gives us hot flashes. . Some days are miserable with them for me...  well, about 3 days into the vaca, my hubby asked about the hot flashes & it was then that I realized I hadn't had ANY since being in Mexico.. I maybe had one little one one night during the entire 2 weeks. Then we come home and they are back to several a day. Weird!

Momo...

We started in Puerto Villarta for a few days then drove south and stayed a couple days in Ixtapa then a couple days in Acapulco... then drove back up to Puerto Villarta for the last few days before coming home... We were going to go to belize, but for the price, we were able to make a longer trip out of the west side.... I want to live there!! ha ha

Lorrie