Yesterday was the 2nd and final installment of saline into my soon-to-be new breasts. I had 75 ccs injected into my right breast and 50 ccs into my left. They are now the size I will have post radiation.
The injections went well with no issues whatsoever. My doctor is always, always, always so very careful as to how he administers the saline -- he doesn't want me to hurt in any way shape or form. The fact, of the matter, I cannot feel a thing because my breasts are pretty much numb. As I have stated before, my breasts were removed and at that time, they had to cut through nerves. So there are no feelings on the front part of my breasts. I've tried to describe that there are ports under both breasts which are used to fill with saline to increase the size of each breast. This is the area where it can be very painful. The skin is thinner there and inflammation has decreased substantially -- so there is pain when I stretch certain ways -- so much so that it brings tears to my eyes. Consequently, I am taking my Percocet today. I usually only take 1/2 of a pill at 7pm; not today. It's just one of those days.
I haven't really written much about how it's so wonderful to have this option of reconstruction. I'm very happy I made this decision to have it done at the same time as my bi-lateral mastectomy. Obviously, it cannot all be done at one time, but it helps to have a portion done as I progress through radiation.
I had no idea before making the final decision whether or not to have reconstruction that radiation causes scar tissue to form at the area being radiated. So the skin becomes quite stiff and hard and almost impossible to stretch. So it's important that my skin essentially be stretched before the radiation begins so I can have good results for the reconstruction.
For the first time since all this craziness has begun I'm actually really excited about my new reconstructed breasts. These days we as women who have gone through mastectomies have choices.
I have met a couple women that had mastectomies a few years ago and opted not to have reconstruction. They now wish they had done it. The cool thing is they still can have reconstruction. Now, of course, each woman is different and circumstances may be challenging as well, but the best thing to do is to go in for consultation to see what kind of options one may have.
My doctor's office staff was telling me that there are so many women still out there that don't realize they can have reconstruction. I find that so amazing. I also realize that it also could be a matter of insurance issues. My insurance is picking up a certain percentage, but the rest is coming out of pocket. I feel I'm worth it, so I'm not hesitating whatsoever. I did go through a very brief phase that I contemplated that I wouldn't have reconstruction. I'm so glad that left my thoughts. It's not so much that I feel inferior without breasts; it's all about the way I view myself as a woman -- for me I want a little curvature especially in my clothes. I also like the idea that my breasts will be placed back where they belong. For so long my larger breasts hung lower as I have grown older--isn't that a vision? So many of us can relate, right? I have never been one to think about plastic surgery to rectify this issue -- wasn't on the forefront of my priorities. But since this cancer and the fact I was losing them, I felt it a great option for me to exercise. Finally, my lightbulb in my head went off and realized that, "Wow, I'm going to have prettier boobs now than I had before." I think I'm amazed at the beauty of my skin. It's really in good shape, Thank God! My doctor has stated I have good genes! LOL! I'm not embarrassed to say that I agree with him. In the end, I will end up with what I want: small, perky breasts and I'm delighted with the outcome so far. They are not perfect. As a matter of fact, they are out of round currently, but like the doctor keeps on telling me, he's going to make them beautiful for me after radiation. They are a work in progress. But honestly, they look pretty good now, they just need to be "tweaked" a bit more. There is some excess skin and he has to rebuild nipples and areola and do a little lipo suction under my right armpit, etc. This is going to take up to a year to have finished. Remember, I'm still healing from my surgery. I will have to heal again from radiation, etc. It's a process. I'm in no hurry. All I really want is to be cancer free the rest of my life. Bottom line: HEALTHY!!!
Tomorrow I will finally meet my new oncology radiologist, Dr. Koka. I look forward to having a thorough conversation with her. She's supposed to be really on top of her game, which I like hearing.
I'm onto the next phase of this journey. At least I'm on the other side of it! Thank you God! And Thank you to all of you who continue to support me and my family through this journey.
My Cup's Half Full and blossoming! No, I won't be flashing anyone anytime soon. Well, maybe my hubby or closest girlfriends! (Tee-Hee.....)
The injections went well with no issues whatsoever. My doctor is always, always, always so very careful as to how he administers the saline -- he doesn't want me to hurt in any way shape or form. The fact, of the matter, I cannot feel a thing because my breasts are pretty much numb. As I have stated before, my breasts were removed and at that time, they had to cut through nerves. So there are no feelings on the front part of my breasts. I've tried to describe that there are ports under both breasts which are used to fill with saline to increase the size of each breast. This is the area where it can be very painful. The skin is thinner there and inflammation has decreased substantially -- so there is pain when I stretch certain ways -- so much so that it brings tears to my eyes. Consequently, I am taking my Percocet today. I usually only take 1/2 of a pill at 7pm; not today. It's just one of those days.
I haven't really written much about how it's so wonderful to have this option of reconstruction. I'm very happy I made this decision to have it done at the same time as my bi-lateral mastectomy. Obviously, it cannot all be done at one time, but it helps to have a portion done as I progress through radiation.
I had no idea before making the final decision whether or not to have reconstruction that radiation causes scar tissue to form at the area being radiated. So the skin becomes quite stiff and hard and almost impossible to stretch. So it's important that my skin essentially be stretched before the radiation begins so I can have good results for the reconstruction.
For the first time since all this craziness has begun I'm actually really excited about my new reconstructed breasts. These days we as women who have gone through mastectomies have choices.
I have met a couple women that had mastectomies a few years ago and opted not to have reconstruction. They now wish they had done it. The cool thing is they still can have reconstruction. Now, of course, each woman is different and circumstances may be challenging as well, but the best thing to do is to go in for consultation to see what kind of options one may have.
My doctor's office staff was telling me that there are so many women still out there that don't realize they can have reconstruction. I find that so amazing. I also realize that it also could be a matter of insurance issues. My insurance is picking up a certain percentage, but the rest is coming out of pocket. I feel I'm worth it, so I'm not hesitating whatsoever. I did go through a very brief phase that I contemplated that I wouldn't have reconstruction. I'm so glad that left my thoughts. It's not so much that I feel inferior without breasts; it's all about the way I view myself as a woman -- for me I want a little curvature especially in my clothes. I also like the idea that my breasts will be placed back where they belong. For so long my larger breasts hung lower as I have grown older--isn't that a vision? So many of us can relate, right? I have never been one to think about plastic surgery to rectify this issue -- wasn't on the forefront of my priorities. But since this cancer and the fact I was losing them, I felt it a great option for me to exercise. Finally, my lightbulb in my head went off and realized that, "Wow, I'm going to have prettier boobs now than I had before." I think I'm amazed at the beauty of my skin. It's really in good shape, Thank God! My doctor has stated I have good genes! LOL! I'm not embarrassed to say that I agree with him. In the end, I will end up with what I want: small, perky breasts and I'm delighted with the outcome so far. They are not perfect. As a matter of fact, they are out of round currently, but like the doctor keeps on telling me, he's going to make them beautiful for me after radiation. They are a work in progress. But honestly, they look pretty good now, they just need to be "tweaked" a bit more. There is some excess skin and he has to rebuild nipples and areola and do a little lipo suction under my right armpit, etc. This is going to take up to a year to have finished. Remember, I'm still healing from my surgery. I will have to heal again from radiation, etc. It's a process. I'm in no hurry. All I really want is to be cancer free the rest of my life. Bottom line: HEALTHY!!!
Tomorrow I will finally meet my new oncology radiologist, Dr. Koka. I look forward to having a thorough conversation with her. She's supposed to be really on top of her game, which I like hearing.
I'm onto the next phase of this journey. At least I'm on the other side of it! Thank you God! And Thank you to all of you who continue to support me and my family through this journey.
My Cup's Half Full and blossoming! No, I won't be flashing anyone anytime soon. Well, maybe my hubby or closest girlfriends! (Tee-Hee.....)
For what you've been through, you most certainly deserve new, perky boobies. :D I always told Clint that I either wanted a boob job or a baby and for awhile I thought I had gotten both. Yeah, notsomuch. 3 years post baby the tata's are smaller and incredibly saggy. One of those things I wish someone had told me prior to baby, my negotiations would have been different.
ReplyDeleteI'm so, so, so happy that you are HEALTHY and doing so well! <3 Hugs from Bama! <3