June 2016 Surgeries!

Good Grief, Traci, you're having quite the experience. Call me if you need anything! Still sending up positive, healing thoughts.

tsoebbin, my one side didn't stay in either. The left side did fine. When they took out the drains the left side was long. I kept telling them that the right side was sore and it bothered me. When the nurse took it out she said it was barely attached and that's why it was bothering me. I don't know but maybe if they listened to me they could have fixed it in the beginning. But that side was producing more and they still took it out now it's swelling....hmmmm I wonder why? I'm sure it's because of how much it was producing. I'm just hoping it stops and absorbs. I don't want them to do anything else on my body. I'm done for a while. . I hope you do great and feel better.

mom2four... How much was yours producing when it came out?

I hope yours absorbs nicely!

silviah I hate to say this but it's not normal. When I was dx, my husband and I were separated but he came by my side, came with me at every appointment, he was around 24/7 calling doctors, hospitals Etc. He was cooking, he was cleaning my drains etc. And if and when our divorce will become final, trust me it won't be bc of my BC. If anything, I am the one that wants it more at this point than he does.

I'm sorry for being blunt and hope I'm not hurting your feelings. You should tell your husband to learn how to be by your side during this difficult time.

FYI, we'll always be here for you if you need to talk or vent. I had my share of venting a few days ago

a good friend of mine is a hospice Dr. She and I have talked about this very topic a million times even before I found out. One of the biggest challenges she faces is the families response to the news. Some people can't handle the information and if you throw it at them they will shut her down and not trust her. So it's a very difficult situation to judge when to say what to whom. I was very ill about 6 years ago. I really should have died I was that sick. My husband seemed cold, distant, and callus. When I got better this bothered me immensely. I mean how can you watch someone die in front of you and not care. If you met my husband you would say he's a great guy. So why didn't he show me he loved me. And now with BC he literally starting shaking and cried. My friend told me that seeing me like I was before was too hard and he had to shut down to protect himself . She said she sees that response a lot . Your husband could be scared and he knows he can't fix this and that is scary . You know your husband. If he's a selcentered selfish man then you need to find support besides him. You need to take care of you. But if he's a good man then you may want to consider what my friend says. Good luck and I'm always here if anyone ever needs an ea

Mom2four, my drains were around 25/30 when they were pulled out on Thursday 7/14. My PS said it would balance out to remove all drains and fill them at the same day. That explains why I had my first fill at the same day.

So far I am ok. Today I removed the bandage during my shower to clean the place where the drains were and put some Neosporin. Everything is fine without signs of swelling.

Different doctor, different procedure. I hope to share some information to you so you can bring to your doctor's attention if you feel it fits to your situation.

In regards to the cancer cells, I don't have the written pathology test yet. The doctors normally break the news to me and I receive the paperwork a week later. Anyway, I can't remember the names and types of them, but you are right about my decision on surgery. There is no regret at all for doing a DMX.

Now I am curious, why do you think the TE was a bad decision?

Dear mom2four, I am sorry you are going through all these personal pain. Of course I understand your situation because I have the TE too. I thought the the same about the 2 cement bricks LOL. I just don't hate them ( at least not yet) and I didn't start from an objection as I think you did.

I hope you feel better and the TE brings a better result to all of us

mom2four and clauclau, I think everyone has second thoughts about the reconstruction process because of the TEs. I've had several surgeries and always bounced right back. It's a lot easier having something removed than it is having a foreign body left in place. Today marks one month since my surgery. I am in no way feeling great, but each day is a little better. I could live the rest of my life flat if I had to, but I'm hoping reconstructed breasts will help me emotionally recover. These TEs are indeed awful, Im trying to stay positive. Hang in there ladies

Maya15, you are absokutely right. TEs are supposed to be temporary. My PS said it takes 2 surgeries to finalize the process after the TE implant. I am assuming that we all have the same gummy bear implant with the port type, so here is what I know about it:

1- The liquid can go horizontal and forward. The goal is to expand the chest area as much as possible ;

2- There will be gaps not filled up and it's normal because we don't have the fat tissue inside. These are considered flaws that will be fixed by the fat transfer from your abdomen, dorso or butt on the second surgery;

3- There are some appealing surgeries that can go along with transferring fat from your own body in contingency with the TE procedure such as abdomen ( you can get a tummy tuck), and the butt ( you can get a butt lift). The flap dorso seems to be the one with less recovery, but some people complaint you may be limited from movements around your arms....

4- getting fat from your own body seems to have several advantages, but you will have more recovering than implants only.

Ladies, it is all I know. Hang in there and trust your intuitions of what's best for yourself. Talk to your PS and good luck!

I talked to my husband. He totally responded in a good way. I have always known that communication is SUPER important, I guess in the midst of all this BC crud - I forgot that!!

I start chemo on July 29th - I'm glad I got this out before that!!

Thanks for everyone's suggestions and support!!!!!!!!!!!

Good morning ladies,

Yesterday I had my first cycle of chemo. I was very scared although I knew I was very much prepared for all the possibilities that a chemo can bring to us. Luckily my oncologist nurse was great on every aspect of the process: from finding my best vein to making sure I was calm and had evrything in place. She sat down with me to explain the drugs injected and the possible side effects.

Maya15, you asked me my regimen and I didn't know for sure. Here it is: I got the C+D for now and I will have the same combination 1x every 3 weeks (4 cycles total) ; then I will have 12 weeks of Taxol alone every week.

Mom2four, I really feel what you are going through, and I am really sorry that you are feeling this way. I didn't want to say this but I will say it to you: we know our bodies better than doctors. You got something that you need to address to get better. Don't give up on yourself. This is how I feel, so please don't quote me on that. I would keep look for remedies to my pain whether it's through traditional or alternative medicine. Try to see an acupuncturist, for example. I don't know your location, but here in San Diego, CA - there is an alternative oncologist in town that I was given the phone number in case I needed. I put it somewhere, as I don't feel I need it but I can try to find it if you need it. Let me know if you would like to reach out to him. I am sending you tons of wishes for a good and speedy recovery. Hang in there, girl 😘😘

Hello ladies, I hadn't added my name to the group but I had a bilateral mastectomy with TEs placed on 6/21 and I'm 4 weeks out today. I had a few hiccups along the way- I woke up with no feeling in my left hand and after tests by the anesthesiologist it was determined I had a nerve injury in that arm. I have near constant pain on that side now and I'm being told to "just wait a few months, it should resolve". I think this pain, coupled with the fact that I still am having a very hard time sleeping comfortably- is really wearing me down. I'm trying to stop the Norco I've been on and all of the sudden I feel like a crazy person. I have intense bouts of anxiety and hopelessness and just rivers of tears. Maybe it's the meds? I was hoping anyone could share words of wisdom. I really appreciate it

4boysmama, so sorry to hear about your troubles. Consider taking anti anxiety pills. I know how you feel about the painkillers etc. I try to cut down also although all doctors tell me not too...a few nights ago, I had another panic attack and grabbed 1/2 lorazepam which helped me calm down. Also, like Specter said, consider psychotherapy. At the facility I am getting treated, there are therapist that deal only with cancer patient. See if you can get to see one. Maybe PT will help also.

I hope you find some relief soon. Keep us posted.

Silviah , so happy for you. One less problem to worry about :-)

Specter, 300 cc at surgery, ouch and lucky you. I only got 120 cc at surgery and my fills are going pretty slow. I read others in this board that say "low and slow" is best, but how long will it take with "low and slow". I would like to have the exchange surgery within the next 3 months.

Maya, how did you get to 300 cc so fast? How many ccs did you get with every fill? Am I the only one going to slow?

Edit: I forgot to tell you ladies, I have had some leakage from the incision of right breast in the past 3 days. Somehow the pain has gotten better also. I am a bit scared as to why the incision hasn't fully healed though. I hope I won't get an infection. Has anyone else experienced leakage from their incisions?