May 2016 Surgeries

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  • GreyKat
    GreyKat Member Posts: 225
    edited December 2016

    Valstim, I second Raven. You're beautiful and you do whatever makes you feel the best. If that's wearing the wig to dodge some of the "I appeared in public please somehow comment on my appearance and expect an explanation" nonsense, then do it. That kind of scrutiny can be exhausting. If it's rocking your short hair because it feels like the most "you" now, then do that.

    You're so awesome and supportive here, I can't fathom judging what your hair looks like or anything else about your appearance.

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  • Valstim52
    Valstim52 Member Posts: 1,324
    edited December 2016

    I love you guys I read these replies over and over again and decided to 'rock' my hair. I felt so good doing it. Thanks so much. You guys have saved my sanity more than once. GreyKat it is the most "me' for the moment. Love that phrase.

    Val

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited December 2016

    valstim - when I first unveiled my hair I did wear bigger earrings, darker lipstick, and an attitude. So glad you went with it!

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  • GreyKat
    GreyKat Member Posts: 225
    edited December 2016

    Valstim - Glad you made a decision you felt good about! If you've really been spiking your hair I love that. It sounds so sassy. =)

    Special K - I was thinking also about a fabulous pair of earrings and an attitude, lol. I think the attitude develops along with the complications.

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  • Valstim52
    Valstim52 Member Posts: 1,324
    edited December 2016

    Yes i did both, the dramatic make up, big earrings and lots of attitude..:)

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  • myToyStory2
    myToyStory2 Member Posts: 162
    edited December 2016

    Yay Valstim! Way to rock it!

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  • raven4mi
    raven4mi Member Posts: 562
    edited December 2016

    Way to go, Val! Glad you did what felt best to YOU!!

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  • Valstim52
    Valstim52 Member Posts: 1,324
    edited December 2016

    Plus i have noticed the wigs that worked for me during chemo don't seem to do it for me anymore. So my DD said why don't we look for a wig to fit the new attitude and me? I think that works too. My hair was my fashion safety net for decades.

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  • Valstim52
    Valstim52 Member Posts: 1,324
    edited December 2016

    i Ladies

    Just chiming in for support. Have my one year mammogram and ultrasound. Was not nervous until now. Appointment is today Bringing back scary memories

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  • MoreShoes
    MoreShoes Member Posts: 322
    edited December 2016

    Hey Val, take deep breaths.

    I thought you had BMX, do you still get mammograms? Btw, I love your attitude about your appearance. I'm not there yet, I guess I still struggle to get used to my new body, and thin and grey hair,

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  • Valstim52
    Valstim52 Member Posts: 1,324
    edited December 2016

    Hello moreshoes. I had a uni mx. in May.


    25 years ago on the breast that is left i had a very large lumpectomy, which is why they probably did not do anything this time. My surgeon told me in my case it would not change my survival or recurrence percentage. to have a bmx. i have been quite lopsided for years. Now, I'm flat on one side and have little bit of breast left on the other side. It has made matching a prosthesis easier, having less breast tissue on the unaffected side.

    The radiologist read my mammo right away, did an ultrasound just to be sure and gave me the all clear. Whew

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  • raven4mi
    raven4mi Member Posts: 562
    edited December 2016

    Yay for an all clear, VAl!!!

    I guess that's one "advantage" of being post-op BMX due to the cancer dx....they tend to read the results right away and don't make you suffer through waiting.

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  • grandma3X
    grandma3X Member Posts: 759
    edited December 2016
    Val, that's good news!

    I hope everyone else is doing well. I am having a tough time getting into the Christmas spirit this year. Just feeling a bit down and really unmotivated.

    Tomorrow is my appointment with my PS. I had a dream last night that my implants broke and the silicone oozed through my skin. I don't know why - overall I'm pretty satisfied with how they turned out. I think it's just my icky mood.
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  • raven4mi
    raven4mi Member Posts: 562
    edited December 2016

    I feel ya, Grandma! Lots of icky moods around this board lately. And who can blame us? Hang in there, girl.

    Virtual hugs to all of you!

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  • MoreShoes
    MoreShoes Member Posts: 322
    edited December 2016

    Great news Val. Enjoy the holidays with the "all clear" result.

    Grandma and Raven, you're not alone in the not getting into the Christmas spirit. Last year, during chemo, I had put lights all over the house and was enjoying Christmas as if it'd be my last. This year I didn't even want to decorate a tree but the kids asked for it so we've ended up with a small, very minimalistic tree.


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  • Valstim52
    Valstim52 Member Posts: 1,324
    edited December 2016

    Thanks everyone for the good hugs and wishes. I agree with you guys , this year just not in the mood for any celebration, as my dx anniversary is 12/17. So this time of year is sort of depressing,and wondering how many more I will have. Trying to get past that feeling.

    Hope your appt goes well Grandma

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  • grandma3X
    grandma3X Member Posts: 759
    edited December 2016

    My appointmt with the PS went well. I wrote about it in the Exchange City thread but we mostly talked about nipple reconstruction and fat grafting. The PS was very pleased with how things look. She can get rid of rippling and round out the right foob with fat grafting and plans to take the fat from my flanks (love handle area).I was hoping to have it taken from the abundant reserve of fat in my thighs but she says the fat in my flanks is hardier than the stuff in my thighs, which is too wobbly to use :)

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  • raven4mi
    raven4mi Member Posts: 562
    edited December 2016

    Great news that things look good, Grandma! And, I'm sorry, but the "wobbly" thigh fat made me laugh - makes me want to jump on my exercise bike! LOL!

    I had post-FG follow-up with PS today and - great news! - he said the fat grafting "took" and that everything looks great. Even better, he says that when we retry on the TE again there's no reason we can't do pre-pectoral now, which is why I went through this shit storm in the first place! It makes all the post-FG pain worth it in the long run. He wants to let all those yummy fat stem cells do their thing for a few more months, so I'll go back in February for another check then will schedule TE replacement for March or April - so nearly a full year after my original bmx.

    While I am still cautiously optimistic, that appointment put me a little bit more in the Christmas spirit.

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  • GreyKat
    GreyKat Member Posts: 225
    edited December 2016

    Happy for you Raven & Grandma!

    Neurologist today. Had lots to cover - seven months of injury and compounding complications and patchwork notes by other neuro people that were pulled in at the hospital etc. More tests to schedule. Guess who can't have the MRI I really need? Me. Why? TE with metal parts! Which I can't have out until the nerve stuff is resolved / healed / figured out. Catch-22 strikes again!

    Happy holiday(s)-of-your-choosing, ladies, and may this next year be a better year for us all.

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  • MoreShoes
    MoreShoes Member Posts: 322
    edited December 2016

    Enjoy the holidays, ladies! Hopefully we'll all be in better shape next year.

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  • grandma3X
    grandma3X Member Posts: 759
    edited December 2016
    Happy holidays everyone! I have my daughter and 2 grandkids here for Christmas Eve. My sister and her husband will drive down tomorrow with my Dad. I hope you all are enjoying the holidays with a loved one. Wishing you peace and good health for the New Year!
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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited December 2016

    Ladies of May - wishing you happiness, health, and only the best in 2017!

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  • tsoebbin
    tsoebbin Member Posts: 474
    edited December 2016

    Merry Christmas and Happiness to you all May friends. Hope you're having a relaxing and comfortable day.

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  • Midwest
    Midwest Member Posts: 34
    edited January 2017

    Wishing to all of you, the May sisters, a happier and healthier New Year.I hope you had a nice day!

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  • Papillon1
    Papillon1 Member Posts: 308
    edited January 2017

    just popping in to the ish you all a nice 2017. I hope it's full of love and laughter.


    I have recovered well and am looking forward to stage 2 of my recon - some fat transfer to smooth out a few dips. Hopefully this will be in march and will also reduce my post holiday belly!!! ;)




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  • grandma3X
    grandma3X Member Posts: 759
    edited January 2017
    Happy New Year! Hope you are all doing well.
    I have scheduled my fat grafting for March 15. I could have done it earlier but we have a ski trip the week before and I did not want to miss another year due to post-surgery restrictions. I re-joined my gym last week. Need to regain some upper body strength! There are a couple of weight machines that will put some muscle back in my arms and shoulders without putting too much strain on my pecs (trying to be careful since my implants are under my pecs).
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  • Valstim52
    Valstim52 Member Posts: 1,324
    edited January 2017

    Hello all

    Hope to have a great year. Papillon so glad you are recovering. Waving to everyone. Hi greykat, Raven4mi, specialk, Moreshoes. Grandma3x hope you continue good recovery and your recon does well

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  • GreyKat
    GreyKat Member Posts: 225
    edited January 2017

    Hi Valstim, Grandma, and everyone. No good news here. In fact, pretty bad, since I've had access to PT abruptly cut off and I'm grasping at straws right now trying to figure out what to do. It boggles my mind when the neurologist says two weeks ago they want to watch this since its improving with PT and then I lose PT entirely. I've called my two doctors explaining I was blindsided by this and asking for help - a new referral, information, anything - and now I'm waiting and trying not to panic because I have no idea what I'm doing and I am not equipped to manage this on my own.

    Glad to hear Papillion & Grandma are moving on and doing well. I had high hopes for this year, too. Best of luck to you ladies all!

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  • tsoebbin
    tsoebbin Member Posts: 474
    edited January 2017

    Hey all... I'm starting the new year with my Lymphedema starting to be under control. I'm still in PT and have nerve issues with my right hand, but starting to get better.

    I was diagnosed in April and my mother was diagnosed in October. Mine was IDC and hers ILC. Hers is much more advanced than mine, her post mastectomy pathology showed a 7cm tumor without clean margins.

    Chemo and Rads are recommended, but she wants to decline both. She meets with RO and MO again this week and will decide. She just turned 70 and is in good health... Except for this damn cancer.

    I'm on my third bottle of tamoxifin. Hot flashes are my side effect so far, but not too bad in the winter in Spokane.

    2017 WILL BE a better year! 😀 Thanks for staying connected. You've helped more than you'll ever know.

    traci


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  • Valstim52
    Valstim52 Member Posts: 1,324
    edited January 2017

    Greykat, sorry does not seem the right word for what you are going through. Just a note to let you know I'm here, sending gentle hugs your way. Hoping 2017 will be better or at least you find some relief.

    tsobbein, so glad your lyphedema is better? Mine is as well. The therapy I'm getting coincides with my stroke therapy.

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