Reconstruction group-Nov-07

Harley, I think I had the same procedure you are talking about.  On October 1st I had a bilateral mastectomy with immediate silicone implants.  They are pretty comfortable now and I only had slight chest pain after surgery.  I was on percoset though so that definitely helped.  The worst part for me was the darn drains!!  I had four and they were in for two weeks!!   The implants are firm to the touch and I am pretty numb in the chest area but the cosmetic outcome is mostly favorable so far.  Are you having silicone??  Suz41

Morgaine, Deborah and Mary ya'll are added. Harley you're updated. The list is growing. I guess this is corny, but I keep thinking we should all be singing "All we want for Christmas is our 2 new boobs"

Good luck to everybody. Praying for excellent results for all. 

marina1     11/01    bilat mast/pedicle tram

Katie          11/06    exchange w/ bilateral silicone gel implants

harley44           11/07    implant

sjoc                   11/09    expander

Sandyk              11/9      stage 2 DIEP 

katie-nc             11/12    lat dorsi

nelliebelle0361   11/14    exchange

kcq                    11/19    mast/diep

Mary                  11/19   stage 2 DIEP

Alaina                 11/21   stage 2 DIEP

maryannecb       11/22    lat dorsi flap

Geegee              11/23   DIEP reconstruction

mommytms2      11/27   bilateral DIEP

morgaine            11/27   mast/DIEP

TraciWalters       11/28   expanders

Abby2                 11/30   bilat diep

Deborah              12/4    DIEP/tram

2curvy                12/10   diep

I had a TRAM flap several years ago. I ran into some complications down the road and had to have it revised.  My questions is-- is it okay to do sit ups.  I have heard many conflicting stories.

Thanks,

Linda

I would love to join this group.  I found out I had lcis and dcis two weeks before xmas in 2005.  I had 2 lumpectomies and radiation.  The following December I had another abnormal mammagram.  Surgery proved I had ADH in the other breast.  Now 10 months later I had a normal mammogram.  My oncologist wanted me to have an MRI, no problem.  Since the mammogram came back OK, I knew the MRI would be fine.  They told me 24 - 48 hours I would get the results, he called the same day to say they found 2 suspicious areas that need to be biopised.  I had just recently gotten to the point that the fear of a reoccurance didn't comsume my life every day.  I am going for the biopsy today.  I told my oncologist I wanted a masctomy - but am so scared.  He agreed it is time to take another approach.  Based on what these results come back as will determine the type of masctomy I will need.  I know it is the right thing to do but can't see myself going through with it.  On the other hand if I don't do it - I don't want to be in this position next year - if something else shows up.  I need help in making this major decision.  This will be my 7th biopsy and I am done, but scared to death.

Thanks for listening

Hello Harley (and all others),

I feel for you when it comes to insurance companies.....I am scheduled to start chemo this coming MOnday and my insurance company is giving me "fits" about authorization for Neulasta which I have to inject a day after chemo to keep my WBC up.  Luckily, the oncology nurses are on top of it and are handling the red tape for me....what a hassle!!  Don't these companies know we have enough to deal with in our lives right now! 

Harley...I've got my fingers crossed for you....I hope you get your implants on the 7th as planned!

Take Care.....Suze

Well I went for my biopsy the other day and they did not end up doing it.  They could not find anything.  They went from finding two areas of concern bi-rad4 to finding nothing and said come back in 6 months.  I am still going through with the mastectomy - just have to decide which one I want. 

Dear Harley:

What a roller coaster ride you're going through. I'm so sorry they're putting you through this. I'll be hoping and praying that you get good news tomorrow. It's good that you're going to have the preop done too. One less thing that could hold up surgery.

I'm ready for Tuesdays exchange. Hopefully I'll feel up to checking in on you all on Weds. and read good news!

Lindylou, you sound like you've also been on quite the roller coaster ride.  I'm so sorry. I'm glad you found this site though, because it will help you come to the best decision for you. It's been such a blessing for me over the past few months and I hope it is for you as well. Keep reading and asking questions. You'll know in your heart what you should do.

Take care of yourselves and you'll all be in my continued prayers.

Hope we hear from Marina soon to hear how she's doing.

Katie 

Suze,

I will be thinking of you tomorrow, as you start your chemo...  I was scared at first, too, but it went rather quickly, and it really IS doable!  Having said that, I still don't ever want to do it again!

Good Luck

Harley

Hey Mary-Anne:

I'm doing pretty well. I'm actually having a nice glass of wine (or two) which is helping the nerves.

I'll work tomorrow, which will help with distractions. I have faith in my ps and have gotten so much encouragement from so many here on this site that I believe all will go well. Thanks for your concern and I'll be in touch later in the week after this is over and done with.

Take care and thank you all!!

Katie

P.S. Thanks Harley, I'm crossing my fingers for you girl!!  

Hey Katie - good luck tomorrow, hope all goes well - Sandy

Katie             11/06 exchange w/ bilateral silicone gel implants

harley44         11/07 implant

Minz        11/7, expander exchanged for silicone and lift to otherside 

sjoc                 11/09 expander

Sandyk             11/9 stage 2 DIEP

katie-nc            11/12 lat dorsi

nelliebelle0361  11/14 exchange

kcq                   11/19 mast/diep

Mary                 11/19 stage 2 DIEP

Alaina               11/21 stage 2 DIEP

Jackie               11/21  exchange silicone gel implants

maryannecb     11/22 lat dorsi flap

Geegee            11/23 DIEP reconstruction

mommytms2   11/27 bilateral DIEP

morgaine         11/27 mast/DIEP

TraciWalters     11/28 expanders

Laura T             11/28 double mast/expanders

Abby2               11/30 bilat diep

Deborah           12/4 DIEP/tram

2curvy              12/10 diep

Hey Jackie - I added you to the list - November seems to be a very busy month.  I'm trying to get organized before Friday, not sure how much I'll feel like doing this week-end.  I only took a week off after my mastectomy, so I'm having my expander placed Friday afternoon and plan on going back to work Tuesday.   In the meantime I'm trying to get my house cleaned, laundry caught up, preops tomorrow and Wednesday.  We're having a Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow night at Gilda's Club so now I have to bake some desserts.   Laying low this week-end actually sounds good.  Harley - I hope things work out for you.  Good luck to everyone. - Sandy

Hi Laura T.

Welcome!  I will be thinking about you on Nov. 28th.  My mast. surgery was a breeze!  I had the surgery at Columbus regional Hospital, in Whiteville, NC.  Where do you live in North Carolina?  I live near Calabash, in Carolina Shores, NC...  I love living near the beach!

Good Luck to both of us!  My surgery is Wednesday, the day after tomorrow!  If my insurance can ever get straightened out.  I was told today at my pre op registration at the hospital that there is no authorization for the hospital from my insurance. 

Take care... hope you post often.  I had minimal pain from the mast., and now I will be having the reconstruction, and I think there will be pain with that, since my muscle/tissue will need to be stretched to the size of my implant...  woohoo!

I had a numbing block before my mast., and will be getting one before the reconstruction... It really helped, because for the first few days, I didn't have much pain at all.  By then, I healed and that really helped with the pain...

I am 44 also...

Hugs

Harley

Laura T.

Well, I am having this done differently than the rest of ya'll, so I don't know if I will be much help.

I am just having the implants put in, kind of like breast augmentation.  The surgeon will fill them as much as he can, to the point where he thinks they are the right size.... then he may do any adjustments in his office.  I am small, but I want to be bigger, so I don't know how this will work...  I was an almost B  before my mast, and want to be a  C.

Good Luck!

Harley

Thank you, everyone, for your thoughts and prayers.    I leave for NOLA in the morning.   Just starting to feel some anxiety, as I've mostly been looking forward to relief from my stage I complication.  I think I'm more worried about the flights than the surgery!  I would also appreciate prayers for a safe journey for my young daughter, who is flying to NOLA alone on Friday to be with me and fly home with me next Tuesday. 

Katie,

Congratulations, it's behind you now!! So good to hear you are doing well and are more comfortable/softer. Keep us posted on your progress.

Best,

Jackie