Dealing with Health Issues

[LovingRadiance]

I told a lot of you I was "down for the count" right now due to my neck.

Went to see the specialist today.
I have a cortisone shot scheduled for Tuesday next week.
That should alleviate a great deal of the pain temporarily.

The doc is working on convincing the insurance that I NEED a breast reduction (F cup now) becuase the weight is causing further damage to the herniated disk in my neck.

That will mean several weeks down once it gets scheduled and done. :(

But it should also mean MUCH MUCH less pain over the long term instead of only the temporary relief from the shots.

IF that doesn't help as well as we are hoping, we will then look at surgery to replace the inner jello material in the disk. But we're trying to avoid that.

So things are looking up in that we are making forward progress with finding a long term relief to the pain. But I'm very nervous about the whole process and for the immediate-I'm still stuck down and in a lot of pain (of course that also means I have lots of time to post on here, so maybe I'll eventually bypass Mono on number of posts LOL)

;)

[Fidelia]

Bless your heart, SisterWoman.

I hope your doctor is successful in getting the ins. co to agree to the surgery.

F Cup. Wow. I can certainly sympathize. My girls (mere D's) give me all kinds of trouble, so I can imagine what the F's can do. If I don't keep current with my Pilates regimen, there's hell to pay with my neck and back.

Be strong, SisterWoman. Better days are coming.

[LovingRadiance]

I'm hoping things go smoothly with all of this. It's a bit nerveracking-but at least we're on track to do something about it finally. :)

[Legion]

Chronic pain is horrible. I hope everything goes well and you don't need the back surgery.

I have a hard time dealing with other people's pain. It makes me feel helpless. :( So sorry if I'm at a loss but I wish you the best :)

[LovingRadiance]

Thank you Legion.
I had the cortisone shot yesterday. Spent most of the day in bed. I do feel better already today. In theory it's 2-4 days to see what hte results are going to be.
The next step is a breast reduction. THAT is more unsettling for me. But it's also not scheduled yet. Takes some time.

Thank you for your sweet words. :)

[LovingRadiance]

Tonite sucked.
A lot of pain and nothing that would help.
I'm off to bed for now.
Try to give an update tomorrow.

[maca]

Well just wanted to give everyone a heads up. LR just got out of surgery. Everything went as planned. It looks like she willbe abletocome home with me tonite. We have many loved ones staying over to help out this weekend. Going to let her relax and heal all weekend.

Knowing her she will give everyone a personel update in a day or two.


Peace and Love
Maca

[JonnyAce]

glad to hear things went according to plan, i hope her recovery goes smoothly as well.

[LovingRadiance]

Thanks everyone.
I've read some today on here. But I'm getting tired-so I'm going to lay my head down, close my eyes and get some more rest.
That's pretty much been the "schedule" since I came home. Sleep followed by an hour or so of awake time then more sleep. :)

I'll be back soon though! :)

[constlady]

Rest lots, heal quickly and feel better soon!

[LovingRadiance]

Two days with no pain meds. :)

Today I've actually been fairly comfortably awake all day.
Still feel like someone has their hands around my throat which isn't too comfortable. But I'm not in pain. :)

[MonoVCPHG]

Woohoo!! This is awesome..for the most part :) Take care and keep typing:D

[JonnyAce]

Glad to hear you're on the mend. keep at it!

[redpepper]

hugs... glad you are on the mend too.

[lipsnlace]

Glad to read you're feeling better! :)

[LovingRadiance]

Thank you everyone!

[maca]

I love you lover!;)

[LovingRadiance]

Well as you all know-I had surgery (ACDF) on my neck December 31st.
It went well. I had some issues for a few weeks afterward with intense sensations of choking, but as the inflammation has decreased that sensation has decreased significantly as well.
Still impacting my singing ability. Not my ability to hit the notes but I have no follow through anymore-so there is no holding a note for a significant span of time. I've been doing my voice workouts from when I was in school, that seems to be helping.

The pain in my neck and arms is GONE. That has been AMAZING.

March 23rd I have a second surgery. The insurance has approved and agreed that a breast reduction is medically necessary. I have a second disk in my neck that is already bulging, they don't want it to herniate as well.

So they are going to do a reduction from an F cup down to a B cup. I can't even imagine. I haven't been a B cup since 2nd grade, seriously...

I have lost all the excess weight I was fighting to lose. I'm now down to 153-155 (depends on the time of the month). My goal was originally 150 lbs, after the reduction, I should be there.

I'm excited in some ways. I'll be able to run again without the pain. I'll be able to wear things I've only ever dreamed of wearing....
But at the same time..... I'm scared to death.

I have NO fears that Maca or GG will have ANY issue by the scars, the size reduction. They both love me, not even a smidge of doubt in my mind on that. I can't even IMAGINE either of them losing any of their.... attraction to me over that.

But who will I be?

For so many years of my life I've been "God you have big tits...." girl.
I don't know how one would explain that to someone who hasn't had that experience, but I've spent so many years not being looked in the face, because people are so damn shocked by the size of my breasts, that I feel like I'm going to be so different, maybe I won't recognize myself?

Anyone else experience something like this??

I'm not freaking out... just, nervous.

The other thing is-man that whole tube down the throat during surgery thing IS freaking me out due to the whole choking feeling after the last surgery...

Any thoughts are welcomed.. ;)

[NeonKaos]

wow... a lot of the ladies on my roller derby league have enormous breasts. I don't know how some of them can skate without falling over. One person was telling me that she had a reduction because she was an EE cup... I don't know what size she is now but it's definitely a lot bigger than a B, which is what I am, and that's huge for me because I have always been "the girl with the tiny tits" (before I put on weight).

Could you please explain how bra sizes work? I know how they get the single letters from the measurements, but what causes something to be, say, a DD instead of an E or an F? I understand that there are also some triple-letter sizes. How do these get figured out?

[LovingRadiance]

Ygirl-I think that they make all those duplicate letters just to confuse people. :)

More so because different brands work out to different sizes (a lot like jeans).

Generally speaking it goes A,B, C, D, DD,DDD, E,EE, F.
Some brands F is equal to DDD though which messes things up.

I can't even PICTURE myself as a B. I lost a lot of weight (I was 216 at my biggest), but still, like I said I haven't been a B since 2nd grade... I was a WHOLE lot shorter (and no I wasn't an overweight child at all) then.

I'm 5 foot 8 inches now. Size 6/8 jeans, I would measure my waist, but I don't have a tape measure here.
Wear a 36F bra, but around my body is actually 34 3/4 inches, then these big huge F cup boobs. It's disturbing to think about.

Anyway!!! Poor guys going to read this and think "what the heck does this have to do with poly???"

The answer-it doesn't. Just on my mind!! ;)

[redsirenn]

i love my boobs.

Just sayin' :)

[SchrodingersCat]

I have one C cup and one D cup. Makes it really challenging to find bras where one doesn't squish out or the other doesn't bunch up. I used to be really self-conscious about it, but now I just roll with it. I've considered surgery, my husband thinks it's the reason for some of my neck pain, since the muscles don't work evenly to keep up the difference in weight. They're also "old lady boobs" ... the grew in saggy :P aw shucks, guess ya can't have it all! I'll settle for brains any day :)

[Fidelia]

The pain in my neck and arms is GONE. That has been AMAZING.

Yeah, baby! That's what I'm talkin' 'bout! WOO HOO!

For so many years of my life I've been "God you have big tits...." girl.
. . .
Anyone else experience something like this??



Testify, SisterWoman! I know what you mean. I used to wear a pin that read, "My eyes are up there" (with an arrow). I broke up with a guy once because after six weeks he had no idea what color my eyes are. And I know there is that certain segment of the populace held completely in blithering slack-jawed awe by the Big Bazzooms, as well as a segment that is dead solid certain that IQ goes down as cup size goes up. (Which is fine with me for the most part. It's just that much easier to sneak up on 'em. )

So I know definitely have some idea where you're coming from.

I have zero idea what life would be like in a B cup, but I'm very interested in knowing. But I do know that we are spiritual beings wearing our flesh suits, not vice versa. And that the people who love us are going to love us whatever we're wearing, and the people who don't were never going to anyway.

Be strong, SisterWoman, and keep us posted.

[LovingRadiance]

Thanks Fidelia. :)

I rarely think much about my body aside from general health. But I think this is the first time I've encountered a situation where I'm going to be making a HUGE change in a SHORT time.

Gaining weight, from 135 up to 216 took 17 years.
Losing weight from 216 down to 155 took 2.5 years.

Those are the most significant changes I've ever made to my body. I did chop my hair off (down my back to 1 inch buzz) a few years ago, but of course that grows back and changes daily...

But the reduction-that's pretty much permanent. Obviously if I regain weight or whatever it could screw it up-but you know what i'm saying.

As I said, I'm not worried about the guys not loving me, or not finding me attractive or whatever.

Just find the idea of such a huge change, to something I can't even imagine, to be a bit daunting. Not enough to not do it! I really don't want to repeat the experience of another herniated disk. If this will help reduce that probability-it's SO well worth it.

Ever so much fun huh?

I had significantly different sizes after my son. But it went away after my youngest breastfed for a year. It was frustrating getting bras. That wouldn't motivate me to go through a surgery like this, but the pain from the neck-oh yes.
I suddenly don't have pain in places that I had pain for so long I didn't even NOTICE it-till it was gone. :eek:

[LovingRadiance]

Ok, got the final confirmation Friday that the surgery is FOR SURE this coming Tuesday.
Was waiting for the final "acceptance" from the Breast Reduction Surgeon after getting the "go ahead" from my Neck surgeon.
SO now I get to write all of the people in my life and let them know that yes-it is REALLY happening Tuesday....

I'm feeling better about it today. I'll try to drop updates regularly. :)

[vandalin]

Good luck!

[LovingRadiance]

Thanks Vandalin.
I'm still a little nervous-but clearing up the issues that were plaguing my mind with the guys has helped relax me A LOT. :)
I'm glad that for this surgery they will both be at the hospital with me. :)

[booklady78]

Happy thoughts sent your way LR :)

My best friend went through a similar surgery about 10 years ago and it went so well, she was so happy afterwards.

[maca]

Ok everyone she is in surgery. GG and I were there to send her off. I thinkit helped alot having both of us there. We all slept on one mattress together last night. I was a bit naughty ( Im that way by nature) needless to say no one got any sleep.:) LR wouldnt have been able to sleep anyways, this way she had a good time not sleeping.:)

Once we get her home and settled in Ill try to get on and give everyone an update. I have tons of phone calls to make and then have a wifey to care for so not sure when Ill have time but Ill try.


Peace and Love,
Maca

[MonoVCPHG]

Best of wishes my naughty friend! Take care
Peace and Love
Mono

[Derbylicious]

I hope all goes well in the surgery!

[Fidelia]

Fingers crossed. ;):)

[LovingRadiance]

HIJACKING LR's ACCOUNT :D

I didnt want to fire up my PC so Ill just use hers.:P She is so whacked out at the moment she wont even notice:eek:


We got her home and she is settled into the lazy boy. She is hurting but she is managing it well. Im very proud of her. She was more concerned with making sure all the various kids that float through our house knew that she was ok so that they wouldnt worry. Such a thoughtful woman.

First check up is on thursday so Ill give an update then. Im going to get the kids to bed soon and then try to catch up on some much needed sleep.



Peace and Love,
Maca

[MonoVCPHG]

Happy for her and all of you guys, my friends...take care, get well and get down here in the summer :)

[LovingRadiance]

We'll be there for sure Mono. ;)

Maca is at work, GG is doing dishes with our littlest one.
The 10 year old is working on school.

I feel pretty good today except that the medication makes me sleepy. So after 30 min or so of being awake, I'm back to lala land. :)

But the pain is VERY VERY minimal.

Thank you all for your support. ;)

[MonoVCPHG]

Good to hear LR:)

Take care
Peace and Love

[GroundedSpirit]

...........
We got her home and she is settled into the lazy boy. She is hurting but she is managing it well. ...............
Peace and Love,
Maca

Awesome ! Thanks SO much for the update M.

Give her our love & a kiss.

GS

[LovingRadiance]

Hey guys! I got the pain pump removed today, and rebandaged. No pain meds orally either. :)
Not hurting. The pain I do have is where the damn iv was, not hte boobs.
I'm not complaining. :)

Still pretty sleepy-slept most of the day away. But I'm feeling good overall.

Thanks for all the kind words!! ;)

[LovingRadiance]

I am SO awake today!!

I can't believe how great I feel.

I took a 1/2 mile walk with my godson this afternoon and Maca and I are going to go get Chinese food for dinner-just the two of us tonight. :)

Thank you all for your great support!

I'll write more tonight or tomorrow!!

[midnightsun]

Slow down, will ya!!!?? Don't make me come over there and tether to that Lazy Boy! Oh wait... You'd probably enjoy that. :{ Arg! Just be good!!! ;)

[LovingRadiance]

Haha, I'm back in the lazyboy!
No worries-I have no intention of getting myself dropped into the hospital!!
I went to eat, enjoyed my dinner and am lazily curled up in my chair!!!

[maca]

Lastnight LR got to sleep in her own bed!:eek:

I proped up the matress with all the pillows from the couch, then we tucked a body pillow along her side and I kept my body pushed up against her other side ( to keep her from rolling over).

It was a bit uncomfortable but well worth it. She needed some private time and some cuddle time.

Peace and Love
Maca

[LovingRadiance]

God it was MORE than worth it.
I SO needed that honey and I SO very much appreciate you seeing that need and then finding a way to fulfil it.

It means so much, more than I could express on here.

[LovingRadiance]

I got stitches out around the nipples, the others are dissolvable.

Looks like they will have to make another cut (or two) because of how much they had to reduce, it's an odd shape on the bottom (no idea how to describe and you wouldn't want me to anyway).


Any of you ladies feeling insecure with your after baby boobies-let Maca know-he'll send ya pics of my scary after reduction boobs-raise your self-esteem through the roof!
j/k-it would raise your self-esteem though!

[Derbylicious]

A friend of mine had breast reduction surgery a couple of years ago. She went from a J cup to a DD. She had the same trouble with them being a bit misshapen after the surgery and is currently waiting to have them cosmetically fixed. She's much more comfortable though and really that's the most important thing.

-Derby

[LovingRadiance]

Derby-I already feel so much better. They are a bit mishapen. Visually I don't care, but the bottom edge has a bubble like this....
}
)

So that bubble has to be fixed in order for a bra to fit without hurting, because the bubble sits right where the bottom of the bra goes around me....
The incision runs vertically from the nipple down THROUGH that bubble, which is currently quite painful right where the bra crosses both the bubble and the incision. :(

Ok-that was likely way more graphic than anyone else wanted! Sorry!