Saturday, October 13, 2012
Friday, October 12, 2012
We can make sisters but not twins...
On my way to the VA today I was all excited about the idea of exchanging my tissue expanders for implants but then...I explained to Dr. C and Dr. L that when I tried on the bra size that I want to be after the exchange, I didn't quite fill the bra all the way (and truth be told, my days of stuffing with kleenex are waaayyyy behind me). I told them, that I have given up on the idea of seeing perfection when I look in the mirror, I just want to be happy with how my bra and shirts fit. I know I haven't posted any before and after pictures on here but don't start thinking I have frankenboobs either.
I'm sure many of you have heard of women's breasts being referred to as "the twins" and if you haven't...now you know. After I finished going on about how I felt the left one was a little more off to the side than the right one and I like the shape of the right one...Dr. C and Dr. L both made the comment "we can make sisters, but we can't make twins". I thought that's so true and perfect, I can't wait to put that on my blog.
I thought after the last "fill-up" I was at the max but Dr. C said I still had more room, I was only at 730 cc's. So after a little more discussion we decided to "fill-up" one last time. Dr. L explained that the expanders and implants are not exactly the same size and shape so when they exchange them, the implants will be about 30% smaller than the expanders. So without the "fill-up" today, I would have to use kleenex or worse go down a bra size after the exchange.
Dr. C did the honors of inserting the really big needle in after he found the port using the magnetic finder. One thing was different this time, I thought I felt a slight tug from the magnetic finder (could be my imagination) but it was different. Unlike previous fills, where I felt the needle go in on the right side, this time I didn't feel anything. FYI: the refrigerator magnets didn't stay on...I had to try, I would have always wondered if they would have (I know everyone is laughing at the mental image of me trying to do this).
I've been home for about two hours and I feel good. I was worried, I would get home and have to take a muscle relaxer and pain pill, but so far no pain. They just feel...heavier.
Just so everyone is clear, I won't be having surgery on October 24th. My next appointment is on November 2nd, I'm sure we will discuss when my next surgery will be during that appointment.
I haven't complained about the VA too much lately, not that they did a complete overhaul of the system and it magically got better, I simply haven't had the time. Over the past seven years I have had my fair share of doctors who have come and gone...some didn't go, as fast I wanted them to. So it is uncommon that I have a doctor that I absolutely love and dread the day when I find out they are moving on to better things. When I first met Dr. C, he told me that he would be finishing up his residency around the end of October. So I can't say I wasn't expecting it but it's also the reason I wanted to have my surgery on October 24th before he left. He and Dr. L have taken such good care of me over the last five months, they really make a great team. I remember my first visit with them and how they emphasized the importance of getting to know each other and feeling comfortable with them as my surgeons. So, I'm grateful that I'm not loosing Dr. L at the same time, I know she will still take great care of me. I can't remember his name but I will meet my new surgeon in November...he has some pretty big shoes to fill, Dr. C set the bar high.
I'm sure many of you have heard of women's breasts being referred to as "the twins" and if you haven't...now you know. After I finished going on about how I felt the left one was a little more off to the side than the right one and I like the shape of the right one...Dr. C and Dr. L both made the comment "we can make sisters, but we can't make twins". I thought that's so true and perfect, I can't wait to put that on my blog.
I thought after the last "fill-up" I was at the max but Dr. C said I still had more room, I was only at 730 cc's. So after a little more discussion we decided to "fill-up" one last time. Dr. L explained that the expanders and implants are not exactly the same size and shape so when they exchange them, the implants will be about 30% smaller than the expanders. So without the "fill-up" today, I would have to use kleenex or worse go down a bra size after the exchange.
Dr. C did the honors of inserting the really big needle in after he found the port using the magnetic finder. One thing was different this time, I thought I felt a slight tug from the magnetic finder (could be my imagination) but it was different. Unlike previous fills, where I felt the needle go in on the right side, this time I didn't feel anything. FYI: the refrigerator magnets didn't stay on...I had to try, I would have always wondered if they would have (I know everyone is laughing at the mental image of me trying to do this).
I've been home for about two hours and I feel good. I was worried, I would get home and have to take a muscle relaxer and pain pill, but so far no pain. They just feel...heavier.
Just so everyone is clear, I won't be having surgery on October 24th. My next appointment is on November 2nd, I'm sure we will discuss when my next surgery will be during that appointment.
I haven't complained about the VA too much lately, not that they did a complete overhaul of the system and it magically got better, I simply haven't had the time. Over the past seven years I have had my fair share of doctors who have come and gone...some didn't go, as fast I wanted them to. So it is uncommon that I have a doctor that I absolutely love and dread the day when I find out they are moving on to better things. When I first met Dr. C, he told me that he would be finishing up his residency around the end of October. So I can't say I wasn't expecting it but it's also the reason I wanted to have my surgery on October 24th before he left. He and Dr. L have taken such good care of me over the last five months, they really make a great team. I remember my first visit with them and how they emphasized the importance of getting to know each other and feeling comfortable with them as my surgeons. So, I'm grateful that I'm not loosing Dr. L at the same time, I know she will still take great care of me. I can't remember his name but I will meet my new surgeon in November...he has some pretty big shoes to fill, Dr. C set the bar high.
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