Reconstruction group-Nov-07

Hi All,

I love reading all of your posts. It is great hearing the support and openness. It makes this process less lonely and scary. Sjoc and Sandyk, it is pm and you two are so lucky that the surgeries are behind you. Marnie, your post was so encouraging. Your strength is amazing and as you said to be very agressive is the only way to be. You will kick this whole thing on its butt. Right now, I feel like I am slowly moving forward getting ready between work and becoming emotionally ready. My dh is not enthused, but it is out of concern. Best to all of you, to all of us. Debbie

I'm out of the hospital and everything went very well according to my doctor. He did a lot of lipo, so I am a lot of pain if I'm not sitting down. So far, everything looks great, however, they weren't able to accomplish everything that was necessary, so I will have another surgery in 3-4 months when my breast skin is less tight. My tummy apparently had fat necrosis with a lot of scarring and swelling, and now that is all gone. I have a waist again and can't wait to see the final result! Thanks for all of the wishes and prayers!!

Laura,

I had a bil. mastectomy last Dec. with placement of expanders at that time.  Since then I have had 12 rounds of Taxol and 4 rounds of FAC.  As far as the mastectomy, I don't remember anyone wiping my butt, but maybe they did.  I really don't think so.  My biggest problem the first couple of days in the hospital was getting up to a sitting position.  Mainly, they gave the oxycontin and for some reason it doesn't work on me.  When my daughter finally convinced them to change it to Norco, which is 10 mg of hydrocodone, I did much better.  I just needed someone to put their arms behind my back and give me a boost.  No butt wiping LOL.

My granddaughter goes to UNC in Chapel Hill.  I have been once to visit her there.  It is so beautiful. She is 20 also, and she is a big help with things.  I wish you good luck and God's blessings.

I have invasive lobular breast ca of the right breast, which was removed with a diagnosis of a small ductal breast cancer.  Then I got the big news a week after surgery that I needed a mastectomy.  I decided to have both removed.  I just couldn't see waiting for the other shoe to drop.  You know lobular often occurs in the other breast.  I didn't take radiation.  I was borderline for needing chemo as my tumor was 4.5cm and ER+,PR+ and Her2-.  Also, I am post-menopausal.  So I refused radiation.

I hope all goes well with the mastectomies. I had modified radical on right, the cancerous one and simple mast.on the left.  Theydidn't find any cancer in all of the tissue they removed.  Guess they got it all with the lumpectomy. 

I think you have made a very good decision and wish you the best.

Sammie Kay

Katie             11/06 exchange w/ bilateral silicone gel implants COMPLETED

harley44         11/07 implant COMPLETED

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

sjoc                 11/09 expander COMPLETED

Sandyk            

Thank you so much for sharing.  Katie, I am having the gel implants. How are they? I was worried about how soft they will be? I have read that the exchange is a piece of cake compared to mastectomy. What do you think.

Hugs to all.  Nurse Sammie Kay says take you pain med and maybe a stool softener too, if the pain med causes you constipation.

Katie

Good Luck!  I will be thinking about you.

Harley

Hi SammieKay:

I'm doing just fine. It's been 5 days since my gel implant exchange and I feel great. I have next wk off from work and I almost feel a little guilty because I could go, but I'm taking advantage of my accumulated sick time. Hope I never need to use it again. I actually wore a bra to church this morning! First time since July's surgery's. It feels nice after wearing camisols all this time. I need to start shopping for the bra's I heard about on this site that seem to work best. (J.C. penny & Victorias Secrets) I've been massaging away(haven't been arrested yet!!), as instructed by my ps. Don't want to take any chances with that capsilular (sp?) contraction stuff. I think once the steri strips come off, the scars lighten up and the implants settle in they'll be wonderful. My only complaint, which I've heard from others who've had their exchange, is the flatness in front due to lack of projection. I can see why having the nipple reconstruction will help with the visuals. I do love the fact that I can wear any blouse now.

Katie-NC, Good luck tomorrow!!! You do have a great attitude and that will get you through everything. You are so organized too! That will take so much pressure off so that you can take it easy and get all of the rest you'll need. Hope you had a great workout. You'll be back at it before you know it. I was on the treadmill yesterday and it felt great. I'm looking forward to getting back into my yoga soon once my stitches have completely healed. SO good for mind, body and soul.

SandyK, welcome home. You just take it easy and enjoy that waste!! How exciting. Rest, rest, rest. Hope you feel better and stronger each day.

God bless you wonderful ladies. Have a good day.

Katie (from Minnesota) 

That you all for your thoughts!  I don't know how I will sleep tonight, I am so excited.  Not scared, just excited...like on Christmas Eve.  I have waited a long time for this, and I feel like now I am ready.  I will let you all know how I am doing on Tuesday!!  If I can't get on the computer, I will have my daughter let you all know.

Yahoo!!

Hello,

New! I'm scheduled for unilateral mastectomy on 11/19. After extensive tests, not indication of problems on other side are indicated. At this point have decided against reconstruction as I don't want to complicate my life. Would appreciate any insight you all have regarding this issue. How is anyone making out with prosthesis? The p.s. I saw last week described a real commitmemt (time wise) if one elects reconstruction. I'm 67 and not that attached to the boob any longer, but I do still care about looking good in my clothes. Any insight?

Hi all,

KatieNC, I hope you are home safe and sound and all cozy in your bed.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Nelliebelle, Good luck and God speed with your surgery this week.

Minz, thank you so much for the information.  Gives me hope.  I will be so glad to get the exchange done and hopefully my chest will feel more normal.

Take care.  Thank all of you for being here.  Hugs, Sammie Kay.

Thanks Mary-Anne, good luck with your reconstruction.  I think I will proceed w/none at this time and leave my options open for the future.

Welcome home Katie! So glad you're doing well. Just take it a day at a time and rest......a lot!

Take care now,

Gentle hugs.....Katie from Minnesota

Hi ladies - had my expander placed friday afternoon at 3 and was home by 6:30.  Felt really good when I got home.  Woke up Saturday quite sore and stiff though and it has lasted.  Spoke to my ps yesterday, told him I thought the mast was easier.  I only took a week off of work for the mast - I'm hoping to be back in the office Thursday, but not sure if I can manage that.  This recovery really surprised me, I thought I would breeze right through it like my other surgeries.  Anyway...my ps added a muscle relaxant to my pain meds, says he thinks I am having severe muscle spasms from placing the expander.  Kate-NC - glad you're doing so well; nelliebell - good luck tomorrow.  - Sandy 

Congrats to Poppy!  I hope you will feel better soon.  Let us know how you are doing!

Maryanne,

I