Expansion

Last Wednesday I had a busy day.  Well, busy because the two days prior to that I didn't leave the house because of the snow.  I started my day off with a shower, which is still exhausting to do, but I made it through.  I needed to do my hair because of two reasons.  1) I was going to the plastic surgeon's office . . . in Edina.  I needed to at least try to look presentable 2) because I'm going to lose it soon; I might as well cherish the last few days I have with my blond locks. 

I had a therapy appointment in the morning to work on my range of motion and to learn how to prevent lymphedema.  Lymphedema is localized fluid retention and swelling.  Because I had my lymph nodes removed my body doesn't have a way to remove the fluid and circulate it back to the blood.  I need to continually exercise my arm to make sure the lymph drains and doesn't leave me with an elephant's arm. 

Other than being slightly annoyed with the therapist--seriously, you know what I was being seen for, be prepared--the appointment went fine.  I need to do exercises to regain my range of motion in my arm, shoulder and chest.  I still can't lift my arms very high and I can't put them behind my head.  Not a way I want to be stuck forever. 

After therapy I had a lunch date with the best PA ever.  Lisa and I typically talk ever single day at least once if not more.  So to go nearly three weeks without each other is a long time.  We dined over Red Robin, YUMM and great conversation.  Two and a half hours later and a waitress who really wanted us to leave I had to get going to my plastics appointment. 

It was my first breast expansion.  Jess had counseled my on what it would feel like, but I really had no idea.  The tissue expanders were placed by Dr. K during my surgery.  They are a hard plastic with a metal (magnetic) port in them.  This port is where the further expansions will be put in. 

(image: http://neverlosespirit.blogspot.com/2010/11/lifes-been-saved-today-body-restored.html)

 

The expanders are placed under the pectoral muscle so the breast does not sag.  I have a permanent built in underwire bra.  Not too shabby, if we are tyring to find the positive in the situation. 

 

 

(image: hopkinsmedicine.org)

 

I went into see Dr. K for what would be a very quick appointment.  Dr. K took out magnet to act as a stud finder.  This finds the port in the expander and tells him where to inject the saline solution. 

 

(image: http://crapitsbreastcancer.blogspot.com/2012/06/day-166-tissue-expanders-and-pictures.html)

 

His nurse stood one one side and he stood on the other.  Each injected 50ml of saline solution.  Because I am numb I couldn't feel the needle going in at all, but I could feel my tissue and chest expanding.  It was so odd.  When I was at a different appointment someone related it to when you get your braces tightened.  You go in feeling lose and comfortable and when you leave it feels tight and a little painful.  It was really nothing compared to the past weeks, but it did require a little OTC pain medicine. 

 

I will go back next week for the next 50ml of saline.  Dr. K thinks it will take 3-6 fills to get to where I would want to be.  Size--hmm, I have no idea.  I guess I will just know when it's time to stop.  Because I will be immunocompromised from chemo we will start to spread out my fills to the day before each chemo treatment.  I will reach my stopping point far before I am done with treatment, therefore, I will get to carry these rock hard tissue expanders for about another year when I am done with radiation.