April & May 2015 Surgery Sisters

SuzyQ42, your pets are so cute! Snowmen on the stockings in HI look so out of place to me. It's just what you're used to. Unwrap gifts and head to the beach!

Jackbirdie, I've added some more info to the last post, so there's some more info for you to discuss with your MO tomorrow. I will continue to edit that post over time, but no more today.

SummerAngel, since you had developed pecs pre-sx, they will be longer and hence not be stretched to the same degree in order to obtain coverage as required for someone who has weaker and less developed pecs. Consequently, you may not experience the iron-bra/band of pain that many experience, which is caused by over-stretched pecs. At two weeks yours will be angry and swollen. I think it's too early to stretch them, but check with your PS. I did some gentle pec stretching at 3-4 weeks and had my PT release my pecs at 6 wks (earliest PS would ok). The pec release wasn't for pain, but to facilitate dynamic pec exercises. I don't have any suggestions for what could be causing pain around your back. How many ccs are in your TEs now?

Audrey, nothing like throwing you into the fire the first day back at work. I'm sure your day went fast. You seem to have tolerated your fills really well, which is great (after the fainting issue!). Will you be getting 800+cc implants?

Audrey, definitely check in with whippetmom aka the breast implant whisperer on the implant 101 sizing thread (under Recon) for her advice. From what I've read, TEs with their hard backs give you better projection than you'll get with implants. I don't think you'll be happy with 650ccs, if you like how you look with 750cc TEs. Most PSs size you up with the final implant volume. You don't want to be disappointed in your result. Rob will still be Roger Rabbit, except you don't want him thinking 'where the hell did they disappear to?!'

Love the pet pics! Nemo is a doll. Is he a chihuahua? He looks like he weighs about 5 lbs! No restrictions picking him up post-surgery. Quinny looks so serious and trustworthy. Yes, Mr President, I've got that under control. I don't know how common pit bulls are elsewhere, but I never see them. It is illegal to breed or get a pit bull pup in Ontario. The legislation was passed a few years ago after a few kids were mauled, which is too bad, as there's no such thing as a bad dog, only bad owners. No doubt the offending dogs owners were responsible for training them to attack. Kelsey looks tuckered out. Goldens are great with people. Every one that I've encountered when I'm sitting comes and puts its head in my lap. Did she do that? What kind of pup is she? I like her eyebrows.

lovevt, my guess is TM. Do you have any edema? Since it's bilateral I would rule out traction nerve injury during surgery. If you hold your arms laterally and bend 90° at the elbow, turn inward and downward with resistance do you trigger the armpit pain? Can you see a PT who can examine you? BTW, I so, so miss my chiropractor. My PS has put the kibosh on chiro for 12 wks. I usually get adjusted weekly for wellness, and can't wait to see him at the end of July.

dtad, I think the chronic pain disorder makes it tougher for you psychologically. How many ccs are your implants? Where's the pain? A band of chest tightness, armpit pain on left side? If you are able to tolerate walking, try and walk a little further each day. Walk outside on a nice day in a scenic area, breathe deeply and appreciate the beauty of the area. Exercise will build stamina, energize you and help healing. Focus, commit and you can power through this! Do stretching to your tolerance level. See a PT, if that is an option for you. Make some small achievable goals for yourself on anything important to you or an area of interest and focus on what you need to do to be successful at it. Challenge yourself and learn something new. Do things that distract you from your pain and that you enjoy. This idea's a reach and requires serious consideration before undertaking because of the ongoing commitment: get a puppy or kitty. They will bring you joy if you're up to the responsibility.

Jackbirdie, let us know what your MO has to say re CYP2D6 testing. I was aware of it previously, but you've now intrigued me on the topic, so I will research more and write an intro paragraph for everyone that's easy to understand.

Wow, Jackbirdie, that kind of takes the wind out of my sails on the CYP2D6 testing. Trust is imperative with your MO and you need to be on board with him. You never know, at 58 chemo may have nudged you into menopause. If you start tamox 3 weeks PFC, I guess he isn't testing FSH and estradiol beforehand. Don't feel defeated. You inquired about the CYP2D6 and it wasn't viable. It's not like there's lots of data conclusively validating the use of the test. The jury's out. Time to move on with the plan.

Don't be concerned about 'only' 85%. You are totally loaded with clobber power. The 2010 guidelines by ASCO-CAP (American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists) have mandated that breast cancer specimens with ≥1% positively staining cells by immunohistochemistry should be considered ER positive. Low expressing tumours are considered 1-10%. MOs are supposed to discuss the pros/cons of hormonal therapy with women in this low expressing category to determine whether or not it's to be part of their tx. I have read it in the past and can't find the source now, but there are five categories of responsiveness and I am going on recall here and believe that the top category was 69-100%, so you are smack dab in the top expressing category. Get the chemo out of the way, get over the chemo SEs and then work on mentally compartmentalizing this so you can heed his advice and truly enjoy life. You'll have done everything you could do to fight this. You can't change the past. Make an informed decision and don't look back. No regrets. You've got this.

http://www.cap.org/apps/docs/laboratory_accreditation/summary_of_recommendations.pdf

Not a chance! You earned them. I have no doubt you'll continue to provide angel support to sisters in need of an emotional pick-me-up on this thread and others for the foreseeable future. Hugs for all you do