MissyMouse

[Snowflake]

Hello, I haven't read anything from you in the last week...I wanted to let you know that i am sending possitive thoughts your way in hopes everything is going as good as can be expected...

You take care....Winona

[MissyMouse]

Awwwww.... thanks Winona.   I just saw my plastic surgeon yesterday.  I have 2 more fills to go in the expanders and then on December 12, I'm scheduled for surgery number 2 which is when I'll get my permanent implants.  Unfortunately it's not looking like I'll have the 3rd surgery by Christmas but that's o.k.  I've learned patience through this process.   I'm at the doctor's office once a week right now and it is a bit tiring but I'm hanging tough as is Bill.

Mouse

[Helen]

Good to hear you and Bill are hangin in there, but all that know you guys know thats no surprise. 

 I havent really checked in over the past few weeks as my laptop went on me so I had to get a new one and have been trying to get that all together along with trying to retreive some of the pics & info on the old one.
 Think I may have made my last visit to my brothers house and hoping all will be finished up by the end of the month ( I can only hope ) Now I just have to go thru all the boxes I have stored here. 
gettin there slow but sure.

 Sounds like the pain has diminished somewhat for you mouse, at least I hope so. Wish you and Bill the best.

 Take care, Helen
 

[MissyMouse]

Thank you Miss Helen.  The most painful times for me is the first 2 days after they fill the expanders.   There is discomfort all the time because they are very hard ... kind of like having 2 bricks attached to the front of your chest.  There is a lot of muscle spasming in the pectoral muscles because the expanders are underneath the pecs.  Once the permanent implants go in the chest will feel soft and natural and the spasms will stop.

Mouse

[DougV]

Like a brick house....

So that's what the song meant.....

Doug

[MissyMouse]

Happy Thanksgiving all.   Just a quick up date.  Last week was my last injection into the expanders .... however... I'm uneven.  The right appears to be larger than the left which is a little odd since it was the other way around before the mastectomy.   I see the Doctor on December 1 for my pre op and will talk to him about this.  I may wind up doing one more injection of 120 cc's into the left side.  We'll see.   I am scheduled for surgery number 2 (swapping out the expanders for the permanent implants) on December 12, which also happens to be the date I was diagnosed with Leukemia back in 1983.   I was really hoping to have all 3 surgeries done by Christmas but it's really not looking that way from where I'm sitting.  The third surgery will consist of taking skin from my groin area to rebuild the nipples.

I know I've been scarce but since I have cleared my hep I don't have much to contribute unless I see a direct problem/situation with someone and I'm sure ya'll get tired of hearing about breast cancer on a hepatitis forum.

Hugs to all

Mouse

[willy]

I know I've been scarce but since I have cleared my hep I don't have much to contribute unless I see a direct problem/situation with someone and I'm sure ya'll get tired of hearing about breast cancer on a hepatitis forum.

Hugs to all

Mouse

I have found it to be interesting.  It's also a little hard knowing that someone is in fear, pain discomfort, but that's what forums are for.

I've got two daughters.  This could happen to either of them.  I'm just praying for some uneventful quiet time for both you and Bill.

Willy

[MissyMouse]

I'm just sick and worried and need to dump.  I'm scheduled for transfer surgery on 12/12 (tissue expanders to permanent implants) and the expander in my left breast has either leaked or displaced or both.  My pre op with the doctor is tomorrow and I'm so praying that it's simply a drop that will come back up once the implant is in or if it did leak that they can fill it back up and keep me coming in to fill without having to go in to surgery to replace the expander and delay my transfer surgery.   I'm literally heartbroken.

Mouse

[DougV]

Missy,

Sure hope it all works out.  Assume they are filled with normal saline so leakage is not a medical isue if that is what it is.  Please let us know what happens today.

Doug

[willy]

Good luck today.  I'm hoping it is just a minor bump in the road.  I remember after my double hernia operation I was afraid I was going to blow out again.  These things are often engineered so if there is a problem (such as saline solution in the expanders) that it isn't a big one.  I'm hoping the best outcome and that there are no problems and the operations date remains unchanged.

What I don't know about the whole procedure is a lot.  It is interesting being schooled on it.  I just hope you are OK.

willy

[MissyMouse]

Doug,

They are filled with saline and I know it's not a "medical" issue ... I'm just concerned that it  might not have stretched out enough because of this and that they might delay my surgery or do another surgery to replace the defective expander.  I am so tired of these expanders, they are hard, they are painful first thing in the morning and my pectoral muscles are so sore.  The fill ports sit right on top of my rib cage so if I slouch or relax at all it's a pain in the ass/rib.   I'm guessing that it is a slow leak and that they might be able to pump it back up and if I have to go in every  other day for a pump job in order to delay surgery I will.  Not to mention having them filled is not the most pleasant experience anyway ... 'cause ya know I just love needles.   On my way to plastic surgeon now.  Will update later today.

Sigh.

Mouse

[MissyMouse]

Well ... there is a leak in the expander, probably near the port ... they pumped it back up with 600cc of saline ... fortunately my skin has stretched out enough that they were able to do refill.   He promised me that this won't delay my surgery, if anything it will push it up sooner.   The plan is that I will probably have to be seen emergently on Monday and again on Thursday for refills.  Basically we are just going to watch it, when it starts to deflate I call or just go in and he'll fill it back up.   Luckily it was not a total pancake failure of the expander. 

Umm.... to say I'm a little uncomfy would be an understatement.   .  They had 2 of the 60 cc syringes filled originally for me and when doc came in and looked at it they switched it over to an IV bag.  Of course they had to use a bigger needle and my fingernails left some pretty good gouge marks in Bill's hand.  I'm just relieved that I don't have to delay or go through an additional surgery.


Mouse

[DougV]

Dang Missy, gives whole new meaning to the term topping off.    I know it is inconvenient and not pleasant, but won't be much longer.  Just remember wet t-shirt night is coming.  Hang in there, it will all be over and done with soon.  I know, not soon enough, but trust me, be glad this happened today, I've taken care of a few who have had radial mastectomy done years ago and it ain't pretty.  Oh tell Bill they make gloves for butchers made of mesh metal, might be handy next time.

Doug

[MissyMouse]

I got frustrated and almost cried today.  I held it back though because I didn't want my contact to pop out.  It took so long to get that whole bag of fluid in that I had too much time to think about what I had been going through.  I'm ashamed of myself because I know I'm tougher than that and I know there are people much worse off than me.  But dang, I hope I get a break after all this.  I'm sure you all were as stunned as I was that I had to post I had breast cancer before I even got to celebrate my 1 year SVR day.

signed,

Weary Mouse

[willy]

I'm glad to hear that it wasn't a huge issue, that it won't delay your surgery.  More pain, yes, more worry, yes, but if the doctor says it's not an issue just roll with it.  In a few weeks the worst will be over, (it sounds like).

Praying for some smoother sailing this upcoming year for you and Bill.

Willy