April & May 2015 Surgery Sisters

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  • downdog
    downdog Member Posts: 1,432
    edited August 2015

    april25, I don't think it makes a difference if you're pre or post-meno in whether you experience SEs or their intensity. It's individual. Since you're post-meno, you have lots of options for AIs. If have the option of switching to another AI in the event you find Femara hard to tolerate.

    SummerAngel, I also had pretty constant pelvic pressure. It felt like I was ovulating for 3 weeks straight. I found it very annoying, but not as bad as the constant leg cramps. I forgot about that, since the pelvic pressure has been lost in the background of the intestinal cramps and gas over the past few weeks. magiclight, I had 5 or 6 instances of tingling/numbness in my left hand. It started in my pinky and moved to 2 more fingers. I actually called my BS and PS to ask if it was caused by the surgery and it was my BS who said likely a tamox SE. It lasted for about 15 - 20 mins each time I experienced it, but I didn't like the spreading. They call it paresthesia. It is supposedly more commonly experienced in women 60+. I don't know your age, but mobility and balance (fall avoidance) are so important as we get older. Also gait changes from improper foot positioning can cause ankle, knee and hip problems. Good luck with whatever you decide and I hope you are mentally and emotionally comfortable with your decision. I had my MO appointment today and she was far more empathetic than I anticipated. She said since I have such a low risk profile, she completely understood my decision.

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  • mdoc524
    mdoc524 Member Posts: 336
    edited August 2015

    hello all - past stopping in to wish everyone well.. I am only in the beginning of my 20 week Chemo regimen so spending most of my time in the chemo boards!

    Audrey - good luck with you exchange - I think it is this coming week - you are probably excited to get the TEs out! Thinking of you

    Marketing mama and others dealing with cording & lymphedema - hope therapy helps & gets better! My cording seems to have subsided! I did go for my 1st PT evaluation to stay ahead of it as I will need rads after chemo which increases the risk ... Hugs to all of you hope it gets better

    Downdog - good for you on your decision & thanks so much for sharing all of your tamox se's I will be starting Tamoxifen after Rads & I am going in with not a great gut (no gall bladder did that). I am pre-menopausal too although MO said Chemo might put me into menopause even though I have had menstrual spotting with cramps everyday since starting Chemo (not fun).... Hope you are SE free now!

    I am also dealing with unbelievable sad news! My 5 year old puppy Quinny was amazingly diagnosed with Stage 4 Lymphoma - even if we could afford the $5000 chemo it would only give her at most 6 months! We are so crushed - had to tell my boys no one else will get cancer in the family - this is just a horrible coincidence! The Dr's were able to put her on steroids so we could bring her home - should give us a few weeks with her - the drugs have put her right back to normal! Once they wear off we will have find a way to say Goodbye to the most amazing dog ever! Thanks for listening

    imageimage

    Hope everyone is having a nice weekend! Hugs to all ❌⭕️

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited August 2015

    mdoc- so sorry about your puppy. It must be so hard on your family. And you. I'm glad she's not suffering, and you can enjoy her for a special time and say goodbye properly. It's making me cry yo think about it. So very, very sorry.

    To others entering other phases of what I call the shit sandwich, whether it is chemo, cording from LE, rads, or still recovering from surgery, I have kept you in my thoughts and wish you well always.

    Downdog- tough decisions for us all. I am not enjoying an estrogen-free life. As usual your viewpoint, knowledge, research, and general "take" on things is very helpful to put things in perspective and help me make my decision long term as well. Be well.

    xoxo to all.

    Katy

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  • AudreyB
    AudreyB Member Posts: 377
    edited August 2015

    Mary, so sorry about your poor puppy. So sad. I hope you are doing well with your chemo. Yes, my exchange is this Wednesday. I posted in August Surgery Thread. Here are my surgery nails. image

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  • mdoc524
    mdoc524 Member Posts: 336
    edited August 2015

    Thanks Kati we are so so heart-broken & blessed to have this time with her & confusing my kids that she seems so normal! Vet said for dogs lymphoma progresses pretty fast & the steroids will stop working - she offered to come to the house for the end to make it easier - can't even think about it

    & Audrey I love love your nails! I had to take my acrylic nails off ( after 10 years) for the duration of chemo - too much of a risk of nail lifting as part of the Se's ... My nail girl who has been the same person for 10 years is saving my normal appt time every other Sat. Til I come back and I will get your nails for my 1st ones back 😜 thanks! Again best wishes for your exchange - I am estimating mine to be next March/ April

    Mary

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  • MarieBernice6234
    MarieBernice6234 Member Posts: 202
    edited August 2015

    Hi Mdoc -

    Also so sorry to hear about your poor puppy. Life certainly isn't very fair. Sounds like you have a great vet though - offering to do whatever will make it "easier" for everyone in the end. Cherish these last few days pr weeks with the puppy.



    MarieBernice6234

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  • MarieBernice6234
    MarieBernice6234 Member Posts: 202
    edited August 2015

    Hi Jackiebirdie -

    Thanks for the thoughts and well wishes while we deal with the "shit sandwich", as you call it. Both my cording and lymphedema are supposedly mild, so it's all good in the grander scheme of things.



    MarieBernice6234

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited August 2015

    MarieBernice- glad to hear it is mild. I have been following your story. Nobody needs a triple decker shit sandwich! That's for sure!

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  • mjh1
    mjh1 Member Posts: 445
    edited August 2015

    mdoc - crying just reading your post.  My friend also had to put her dog down and had a vet come to the house.  She said although it was sad, it was peaceful.  She died laying by her favorite tree in the backyard.  When the time comes, I hope it will be peaceful for you and your family. 

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  • lovevt
    lovevt Member Posts: 46
    edited August 2015

    mdoc I am so sorry for you and your family. Some things we will never understand. I hope you can enjoy the time you have with her and it is a peaceful passing. My dog passed in November and our vet was willing to come to the house. She ended up passing in her sleep- such a blessing. So I am hoping you can have that with yours. I truly feel for you and your family.

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  • mdoc524
    mdoc524 Member Posts: 336
    edited August 2015

    all - thanks do much for the well wishes - to be honest I am still stuck in the irony of it all - why now? I know there are no answers & it just really stinks! Just treasuring the time we have with her! I had a dog before this one for 17 years & went thru this before! This one is different as my boys are old enough to understand & confused that I got cancer & now our beautiful dog - they are trying to be brave but are worried Who's Next? Can't blame them so we keep talking thru it! You all are helping me more than you know by letting me vent here! I truly am heart broken. 💔🐕

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited August 2015

    Mary- just letting you know I am still thinking if you and your family. It must be so hard for your boys. The issue will have taken on much greater significance than the ordinarily plenty traumatizing event. Just not fair. Keep venting. You are safe here.

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  • marketingmama
    marketingmama Member Posts: 161
    edited August 2015

    Hi ladies! Just checking in. My exchange is next Monday and I'm so excited to finally get rid of these miserable expanders. My last fill was really rough!!

    I've been going to PT for cording pretty regularly. It's helped but not out of the woods yet. I have one pretty stubborn, thick cord that will take time to break down. They have thinned it but it's still hanging in. No LE thank goodness---just cords. Therapist seems to think that removing expanders will help as they are part of the problem in terms of ROM.

    MDOC, so sorry about your dog. I've got two and they're both about 12 years old so I am starting to worry about how much longer we'll have them. It's incredible how comforting our pets can be. But both my kids are old enough that whatever happens will be less of a sting for them. I feel for you and your family. We're here for you!

    Hope everyone is feeling well and finding some enjoyable moments this summer.

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  • mazy123
    mazy123 Member Posts: 38
    edited August 2015

    MDoc, So sorry to hear about your sweet dog. We lost our wonderful labrador at age five very suddenly. That is just too soon for them to go.

    Marketingmama, We are on similar schedules. I see that your first surgery was on the same day as mine. My exchange is tomorrow and I can't wait to be done with these expanders too. Good luck to you next week.

    Mazy

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  • marketingmama
    marketingmama Member Posts: 161
    edited August 2015

    Mazy, wow, we really are on the same schedule!! How have your fills been? Can you share how many cc's?

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  • mazy123
    mazy123 Member Posts: 38
    edited August 2015

    Marketingmama,

    Yes we are! He put in 150ccs during BMX and then 100ccs after that each time. I am at 550ccs. My tissue expander had 500cc capacity. I am so ready to be done with these! Hoping to be able to sleep better and get comfortable.

    He is planning on Inspiras or anatomicals and will have both in the operating room. Do you know what kind you will be getting? How many ccs are you at?

    I am going to take some pictures tonight and will be posting on the picture forum soon. That has been really helpful to me.

    We are getting close.

    Mazy

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  • marketingmama
    marketingmama Member Posts: 161
    edited August 2015

    Mazy,

    I was filled to 300 during BMX and I had a one month wait until my first fill. My PS did 60cc fills on me twice, each 3 weeks apart. My skin is thin so I always needed 3 weeks. My final fill was on July 31 and I knew I was close to being expanded to my final desired volume (between 500 and 550) so I pressed my PS to give me 100cc on that visit. He was hesitant and concerned I'd be too uncomfortable. Well I pushed for it and that allowed me to get up to 520 and be ready to schedule my exchange. Well he was absolutely right about the pain. I spent the next 3-4 days on muscle relaxers and pain meds. It was awful! However, I got my surgery date so all worth it! I really wanted my exchange prior to the busy Fall season at work so I could travel and be more productive. The expanders have been really tough on me. Monday can't come fast enough! I hear you on sleeping. On top of that, I have cording issues so also going to PT, which is extremely painful. I've been told the cords might resolve after my exchange and I'm crossing my fingers and toes.

    As for my choice of implants, I'm going with rounds. He's going to bring in a few different sizes--ranging from 500 to 550. He'll use sizers while I'm under to decide which looks best on my frame (5'2, 138 pounds). I went with rounds for two reasons: 1) PS isn't a huge fan of anatomicals because of the risk they can flip, and 2) since i'm short (and short waisted), the look of a round implant seemed best to both me and my PS. I even got confirmation on that point from whippetmom!! I'll be going high profile but not ultra high profile (PS felt ultra could look too "stripper boobish" on me).

    I need to get back on the picture forum. I always have trouble logging on and if i have to restart my computer, I lose my access. I can't figure it out but I have already bothered the admin twice so don't want to bug her again. It's definitely an issue on my end. I'll give it another shot later today!

    Wishing you the best tomorrow. Can't wait to hear how you do!!

    MM

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  • MarieBernice6234
    MarieBernice6234 Member Posts: 202
    edited August 2015

    Hi JackBirdie -

    Yes, I am also glad that the cording and lymphedema are mild. I think that my garment should be coming today. If not it will be Monday at the latest. I don't remember, did you say you have a garment? If so, how did you adjust to it? I am still learning some of the massage techniques. It is supposed to be basic stuff, not complete manual lymphatic drainage. I will let you know if the garment comes today!


    MarieBernice6234

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited August 2015

    MarieBernice- I do not have a garment. I have suspected truncal LE and am going to LEmassage and evaluation in a couple of weeks. They aren't sure, there isn't a right/left comparison to be made. But I still have a lot of pain from surgery last December. Getting a bit ridiculous. So we are grasping at straws.

    Hope your gives you do much deserved relief!

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  • MarieBernice6234
    MarieBernice6234 Member Posts: 202
    edited August 2015

    Hi, Jackbirdie -

    As it turns out, the compression garment did arrive at the therapy center yesterday. Unfortunately both of the ladies that have the ability to size it and absolutely make sure it is the right one were off yesterday. So now I have to wait until Tuesday (next appointment.) In a way that is OK with me as the humidity and temperature are very high. It would be easier to make the initial adjustment when the weather is a bit cooler and drier.

    MarieBernice6234

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited August 2015

    I think everything and everybody will be better when it cools down. ;-(

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  • DayLily15
    DayLily15 Member Posts: 144
    edited September 2015

    hugs to all !

    not liking my shit sandwich either ! but its not a triple decker like some of you. makes me sad for my friends :(

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  • MarieBernice6234
    MarieBernice6234 Member Posts: 202
    edited September 2015

    Hi, All -

    Here is a bit of an update as I haven't been on here too much lately. I have had and worn the compression garment for two weeks as originally talked about. It has made a great difference. Now I only have to wear when it becomes bothersome, or when flying etc. My most recent annual, bilateral mammogram came back negative for anything new. At the end of this month, it will be my First Anniversary of being cancer free. Some of my side effects from the Tamoxifen have changed a bit. Sometimes a bit of feeling weird in my stomach in the morning when I take the Tamoxifen. Also more sweaty at night, even given consideration for the change in summer temperatures and higher humidity.

    MarieBernice6234

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited September 2015

    MarieBernice- it seems strange to say Happy Anniversary. But there it is.

    So glad the compression is finally giving you relief. Great news.

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  • mdoc524
    mdoc524 Member Posts: 336
    edited September 2015

    Report this Post

    Hey All - hope all well .. in case you did not know - the Moderators are looking for your story and pics ...

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/135/topic...
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  • mdoc524
    mdoc524 Member Posts: 336
    edited September 2015

    Hi All - hope all is well - Moderators are looking for Stories and Pics if you are interested in sharing

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/135/topic/834934?page=2#post_4496389

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  • mdoc524
    mdoc524 Member Posts: 336
    edited September 2015

    Hello Surgery Sisters/Friends - hope all well!

    All - it is with such a heavy heart today that I share that we had to put my sweet dog Quinny down - only 5 years old! .. I think I shared here that she was diagnosed with Cancer - Lymphoma a few weeks ago! Well a few days ago she suddenly took a turn for the worse and we knew it was time as she was in pain. This disease just SUCKS for dogs too! 💔🐕

    image

    Take Care! I spend most of my time in the Chemo Blogs as I am right in the thick of treatments & can't wait til all done !! Hope all here are doing well

    Mary

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  • mysunshine48
    mysunshine48 Member Posts: 1,480
    edited September 2015

    Mary, So sorry. Our pets are family and losing them is very difficult. You are going through a tough time. Prayers to you.

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited September 2015

    Mary- so very sorry for your loss. He had a good life with you and your family. You'll see him again someday.

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  • AudreyB
    AudreyB Member Posts: 377
    edited September 2015

    So sorry Mary.

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