continued Tissue expander pain!!

Sheila, I have an implant question for you and I don't think this is the first thing I've asked you so I hope you don't have a limit to your answers?

Now, I too am looking at both the pros and cons of silicone and saline.  When you say your doctor prefers saline for recon because of the shape of the implant....what does he mean?  I am so back and forth on this.  Did he ever tell you if your implant was round or the teardrop, anatomical shape?  Did he tell you if it was textured on the recon side?  Don't you also have a little one on the other side too or is that someone else...forgive me but my mind is swimming with all the advice and I forget who's got what at times.   So, let me count...that's 4 questions this time?  Or 5 if you include my first sentence! LOL  Thanks for all your tips.  Hanna

Greetings from Michigan!!!!

Well I can see the new CNN headlines now, "Psychic Thoughts Cause Breast Cancer" I mean heck, everything else seems too these days!!!! You ladies are oh too funny. Hanna, glad I didn't scare you off, I promise you, I'm not a witch (well okay maybe I am to my kids, but that's it!!!)

I will be more than happy to play the game, one at a time, lets see how I did with Terri before we keep going, and y'all (as Hanna says) can jump in anytime and describe me..When your done, I'll try to post a photo.

Welcome new girls to our very off the subject-more-so-than-not post. I can honestly say that I have never met (with out meeting face to face) a more wonderful group of ladies. One this site, you will just have to ask a simple question and have tons of advice from the women who "just seem to know". Personally, I feel for the ladies who are still going thru, what I always called "expando Hell". Pain pills were my best friend. I fully admit to popping Vicodin like candy when I had to go in for fills. Before, the day of, and after....After it was all over-am I an addict??? Heck no, I was just in PAIN. The doctor used to say "I don't want you to get to addicted to taking med's" I would look at this man, like he had two heads, then say "What part of PAIN don't YOU get?" I have Breast Cancer, this should be the least of my or your worries.... I tell you, I state this to my husband as well "The smartest people can be soooooo stupid!" Ladies, most of you know I'm married to a doctor, here's some advice to live by - from me to you - Don't let your doctor let you think you will be addicted to pain meds or valium or whatever you take for your fills, like it will happen overnight. It won't. If your in pain - take something for it. I mean think about it, modern med's are great!!! If I can't sleep, you bet your expando boobs I'm gonna take something, so I don't feel like crap the next day.

Okay enough of that.......

As for my thoughs on going back to work and disability. I can honestly say I have wonderful Insurance (do you think I teach for the Pay???) Actually I work because I love working with Austic/Disability Kids, but my insurance covered everything and then some. You gotta love Aflac if you get Cancer. I went on short term disability due to the fact that my BS and PS as well as my DH would not let me go back to work until after reconstruction was completed. To be completely honest, I would not have done it any other way. The expansion process is just a pain in the BOOBS!!! My chest always hurt, and when it stopped, it seemed like the next day I was in for another fill. Well I am happy to say that I finally received clearance from the crew (all three of them) to go back to work, March 5th. I am so excited!!!!!

Well ladies, I have to play mom/wife (the wife part is great lately, dh loves the new foobies!!!!) (Okay, maybe too much info)

Love ya all

Sharon

Sheila Thank You!  Here I was just aimlessly typing away and you had already answered me 50 minutes ago!   So saline anatomincals on the recon side.  Now, I have quite a bit of time before my exchange, so if you just so happen to see your PS in the next couple months, maybe he'd tell you if yours are textured.  Thing is, I bet they are because I heard they don't want anatomicals flipping upside down and if they're textured they tend to stay put better.  I bet the saline anatomical must be in the textured. 

Well, I am sure a dud today.  You all deserve better than this from me.  I believe I'm going head over to Victoria's secret online, then QVC.  I have my eye on a necklace over there...I just LOVE shopping prone with my laptop! Am I the only one who lays down with my laptop on my tummy?  That makes my laptop a tummytop!

Sharon!  No honey, you didn't scare me off, I am impressed!  You've got something there.  You're much more amazing than me!!   Now, how about a lottery tip?  No kidding, I once knew this lady who dreamt winning ticket numbers.  She'd wake up in the night and right them down.  Next day, her dh would go and play those numbers and they'd win every single time!!  It went on for about a year - then poof, gone with the wind

OK, I will check in later for updates!  Thanks again Sheila!

hanna

Hi Ladies,

Welcome to the new folks! Sorry you have to be here but you've hit the right spot for sharing all-the good, bad and ugly side of breast cancer!

Well, I did see a therapist yesterday and she's the bomb! The hour went by so fast and before I knew it, I was diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and post traumatic stress disorder (gotta love the trifecta [for the horse racing folks] or hat trick [for the hockey folks!]) Saw my gp for the meds today...back to Zoloft and I'll be having regular therapy appts for a while. Of course the therapist is booked until April but no worries...it's only my mind I'm losing, not my sense of humor (we'd all be in deep doo-doo if that happened!).

I do feel better talking to someone about all of the stuff going through the little grey cells these days. The gp suggested I take this semester off (no chance of that; I LIKE having money to spend on groceries and other incidentals). I guess dealing with bc is like the old Aamoco transmission commercials "Pay me now or pay me later". I had to charge into it head on and then just as it seems I'm finding my new "normal" "BAM!!!!" the seriousness of the last 8 months rears it's ugly little pinhead and I'm in a full-blown panic attack. I do feel good that I've actually got a great gp and the new therapist in my corner and thankfully, what I'm going through is "normal".

Still not loving the implant and if I could reach into my body, the foob would be out as we speak! But, I am going to wait a while before ripping it out because maybe I just need to get used to it. It's about 10 degrees colder than the rest of my body (I definetly wasn't expecting that). But I kinda like my own personal a/c which really helps when I'm having hot flashes! I just hate the grapefruit feeling. It almost feelslike when you're in a sound sleep and your nightgown gets wadded underneath your butt and you have to wake up and pull it out to have your hip wake back up.

Hanna, you just rock! I agree, smaller is the new "in" thing for boobies! Now if they could just make it more fashionable to have one (or none) that would be progress! I had a breast reduction in 1995 (from H's to DD's). Now barely a "B" all I tell everyone is "No more bras for me!!!". I don't miss being bigger at all; I'm just not fond of a citrus fruit under my skin! I think we are all trying to find our new "normal" and I have to keep reminding myself of that. I'll probably cross stitch it and hang it where I can see it everyday...there is a new normal and I'm on my journey to find it (hopefully it won't try to get to me via Cleveland, India, Ireland, Toledo or Kokomo!).

Sharon: Try the "hot Hands" hunters use when they go into the duck blinds to help keep the girls warm. That may just work and you'l be the envy of all the other hockey moms..."hot" new boobies! All joking aside though, that's gotta be the most miserable feeling. We don't have too many really cold days here in New Orleans but when they do and I've been outside, I feel like I have a bag of frozen peas on my chest. The "portable bulding" (ie. FEMA purchased trailer) which is now my office and class room is the only one on campus without heat. I've taken to feeling myself up in class to get warm; it serves 2 purposes: warming my hand and defrosting my titty! I may have to head to WM and get "Hot Hands" myself...

Teri: Glad you're on the mend and the kids are helping you out. My mama always says "Every ill wind blows some good" and maybe the bc got them to realize how great a mom you are and they should do everything in their power to help you! Enjoy your small break...Easter and Mother's Day are around the corner!

Jean: The clock's ticking! I can't begin to imagine how excited and apprehensive you must feel now. Just a few more days and you'll be on the next leg of the journey. I got your message and will be writing you back  later tonight after I grade some tests. How are your classes going? I'll bet it's hard to concentrate with everything that's going on but it probably isn't as bad as studying for the LSAT or bar exam!

I just want to hank all of you for listening to my ranting and ravings. You have all touched me very deeply with your strength and courage and words of encouragement and I am forever in your debt (to be paid off as soon as I finish paying the IRS my 2006 taxes!).

Yall have a good night.

Margaret

Margaret,

You sweet southern girl!!!! I knew last week when you said you were going to see a therapist, is was for mental well being, not physical. Physical is the easy part..but mental, boy, I don't know what I would do without my Paxel. I call it my happy pill!!!!! I used to have really bad Panic Attacks. I would be just shopping at Wally World then BAM, I would get dizzy, feel like I was passing out, and having a heart attack all at the same time. At that time 9 years ago, they didn't have the med's or knowledge that they have today. I started going to my GP for blood work, tests, anything, just to make them stop. That Dr. at the time, didn't have a clue, a friend of mine told me of her therapist and a light went off. At first I fought it, it was like, not me, I'm not crazy. Mind you, I'm balling my eyes out in the therapist's office, saying nothing's wrong and I'm not taking drugs. See convinced me to just try them for 1 month and see how I feel. I haven't been off them since. Every once in a while, we all need adjustments, weather mental or physical. Like I said before, physical is the easy part. I would rather take a month and work out and loose 15 lbs., than have to focus on myself and my inner well being anyday. I am sooo glad that you have someone to talk to, and that they really listen. I listen too, as well as Hanna, Terri, and all the others, and don't forget we're free!!!!!! Talk about panic attacks, you mentioned taxes, yikes...I found out that the accountant never filed out 2005 or 2006, my DH changed Office Managers and the old one never sent Personal Info. to the accountant. Don't you just love when you don't know what's going on in a family business, then WHAM, guess what.....Now, I have to find papers, lots of them,  looks like I'll be needed a Xanax and a Happy Pill.!

Oh Hanna, Hanna, Hanna.....don't you think I would love to win the lotto in Michigan!!!! Maybe the special gift wasn't meant for the personal gain for myself, but maybe for you!!! If you win anything, remember all of us on this site and we'll all go on your winnings to Key West to the Nude Beach and show off our Foobs!!!! Okay, try these: Three Digit: 572    Four Digit: 2893 or Lotto: 2-9-18-38-40

I never win - so I don't play.....but if ANY of you ladies win on these numbers, please remember ME!, I'd love to Lipo my thighs when I get my new nips!

Love you all

Sharon

Love you all

Hi Hanna

New group, count me in.  I saw my PCP today for my pre-op phyiscal and she disovered I STILL have the UTI. Back on antibiotics. I have to go in on Monday for another urine test. I sure hope this doesn't postpond the surgery, next Wednesday.

Sharon, I also say that I love the Duck (AFLACK!). Last year I made about $7000 less than 2006 due to recovery time from surgeries. My Aflack cancer policy more than made up that amount with the cash payouts. I actually am waiting for another check for my last two procedures. Hoping that it comes this week.

I agree with margaret on using the 'hot hands' warmers. I don't notice that my final implants are that much colder than the rest of my body but this morning it was cold (22 degrees with wind chill of 5 degrees) and I was cold all over.

Sheila

Hi Sheila: 

The coldness is a strange sensation, because inside my chest I 'sense' a 'coolness', then I put my hands right on my breasts and find that they are very cold and it is shocking. There is just no fat there to insulate so the heat dissipates so quickly. So I guess if we are ever in a hypothermic situation we should be aware that it will be even more critical to protect heat loss through the chest area. I have decided as a general rule to wear bras that provide some warmth. Does sound odd. Bra shopping has always involved looking for one that provides enough support (not a problem any more), now it’s all about warmth.

On the positive side I am anticipating the summers to be more manageable with this little air conditioning space on my chest!

 

Calgary is a beautiful city, but I think it is experiencing some growth pains. How long have your sis in law lived there? Doesn't it feel so good to have your date set? You are so  close the the end and freedom.

Hang in there!

Jean, only a few more days to go. How are you holding up? Have the issues been solved about the procedure and implants to your satisfaction? Make sure you have a good long talk with this doctor in particular before hand. Go over everything one more time and make sure he is on the same page and expectations are crystal clear on both sides. The outcome is going to be good. You want no surprises!

Take care,

Jani 

Jani,

I wondered about the underwire issue, too. I bought some really nice (expensive) bras a few months before surgery.

Am I the only one out here with HOT tits? If my hands are cold, I can warm them on these expanders! And since there is no feeling, I won't run away from myself!! My girls are warm blooded, for sure!

Y'all have a nice day. I'm off to work.

Anne

I like not having to wear a bra at all now even though I haven't had the exchange yet.  I see I'm in the minority with that.  Maybe I learned to hate bras from all the years of having DD+ cups because the bras made with DD cups always came with a very thick back band that had at least 4 hooks!  I always felt like I was wearing a straight jacket when I wore those things so the minute I got home, off the thing came and it took hours for all the red indentations to leave.

Now, I am hearing about the coldness of the implants, but did anyone have that cold sensation while in the expanders?  I'm asking because for me, the expander isn't cold - just hard as a rock.

I was thinking about a class I taught - one day I had to sub in a science class (me?...yep they asked me of all people...probably just because I was there) and I thought what am I going to do with these kids.  So, it was cold outside and I said lets take a block of wood, a piece of plastic, a bolt of yarn, and a metal ruler outside and leave another set of the same objects near the radiator to see how they felt in 20 minutes.  (Cool idea for a rookie huh?)

Anyway, the kids went outside after 20 minutes and felt each item and wrote down what material felt the coldest, the warmest, etc.  Then came back inside and felt the same objects that had been resting near the radiator.  

Now class - how about we get our PS's to run the same test and see what the results are?  It is very much looking like this group is running a scientific analyses of these things.  Very odd how nowhere else does the info show up. 

Jani, you had done superior research on this and there was nothing out there on the temperature issue.  I wonder if the women with augmented breasts notice any temperature differences?  You'd think somebody somewhere would have made this information available.  Is silicone a material that cools faster and stays cooler longer than saline or is it irrelevant?  There are women who have had very little natural breast tissue or fat that received augmentation and they may have noticed something, yet the temperature issue was never part of the prep books we all had to read and sign. 

Not that there should be an uprising of women with implants - however, for those who haven't had the exchange yet, this new observation I'm hearing is interesting.  The upside - our own personal airconditioners which benefit in the summer.  The downside, cold tits in the winter or in overly airconditioned rooms.

I am thinking maybe lining a bra with that soft material Bean uses to line their expensive, lightweight jackets meant for the mountain climbers - what's it called?  Polar fleece maybe?  If the foobs are as cold as you all say, maybe its worth investing in a Polar fleece  jacket just to cut out bra liners.  I will try to get the name of the material. 

Anyway, this is very good to have the heads up on.  And Jani, don't you dare apologize for whatever it was - you are multidimensional for sure - one minute you're practically Einstein, the next Seinfeld! 

You have definitely made me laugh and there's just nothing in this world better for me than laughter - at least until I get my new foobs.... 

later gals, hanna 

Do you have silicone, silicone gel, silicone with saline combo,  or plain saline? 

Jani, what we need is someone with a "control" boob.  One boob without an implant and one boob with an implant. 

Mine our Natrelle silicone filled implants.

Hanna, I had bilat surgery no control boob on me . I have 2 saline anatomical implants and they feel warm to the touch. My office area gets drafts when someone enters the main entrance of the building (reception) and my hands stay cold but my boobs are warm .

I also like going bra-less but there are sometimes I just want to be discrete and put a bra on at those times.

Sheila