craftygal

Hi All,

Counts were ok again, so I just returned from #3. No shot again this time, so I'm set until bw on next 2 Tuesdays. #4 (last!) will be July 8th. 

Family wedding Sat and reunion picnic Sunday this coming weekend. Should be past nausea by then (meds ready if not). Weekend will be my tired days, but I'll find shady lawn chair to chat with family and friends. Wig is ready, but I have scarf to match dress too. Either way will be fine. It'll be first time in 6yrs my folks and all 6 of us kids have been together. That's fun no matter what I wear or where I sit.

Still deciding about implants, but heavily leaning toward saline for both. I think I'd have better peace of mind with both saline, than the one/each type suggested by PS. I'll feel samples at PC visit 6/26 and have final discussion. But unless I see/feel something drastically different from the opinions I've heard and read here, I will still choose saline. Thanks for all opinions offered on both types. As usual, its great to have such info and support here. Especially from those who have been thru this already. Hope I can get past this and return that help to other newcomers.

Hope everyone has good results and a smooth week.

Janice

Hi All,

I just found this thread and wonder if anyone chose saline implants? For mast side too? I had left mast and expanders 4/1. Will be having exchange late Sept.

PS says if I choose saline on mast side (not covered by breast tissue), I will feel ripples on lower side of foob (external) . I will also (internally) feel the water sloshing around when I move. He says they no longer overfill saline implants (prior web research). It didn't fix ripples or sloshing and actually voided implant mfg warranty!

PS suggests (and most patients chose) silicone for mast side and saline for booster. Saline booster is smaller size and covered by tissue. So no ripples felt, and less noticeable sloshing.

If anyone has had exchange with saline, I'm curious

Do you feel ripples on outside lower side of foob? Are they noticeable enough to bother you? Can you see them in mirror too? In clothes? Through bra? Swimsuit?  

Do you feel internal sloshing? Did you soon "get used to it" and now not really notice it anymore? 

Are you Sorry you chose saline at all? If done over, would you have chosen silicone regardless of issues?

Does saline foob feel "like half full ziploc" or water balloon? Or do you like how it feels?

What made you choose saline? Especially on the mast side? Personal medical issues? Fears of silicone issues?

My research suggests hi-profile for mast side (under muscle needs projection, and hi fits better on my slim body frame). Also suggests low or moderate for booster (above tissue only so less need for projection). I'm 5'5" and 125. Want more cleavage than my small B's but don't want to look like topheavy or too projected on my slim frame. Also don't want hi-profiles to look like permanent Madonna cones!! Any opinions here?   

Can you/did you get nipple on saline mast foob yet? What type? Did you have good results there too? 

I have issues about silicone. Some relating to my history (more reactions, skin rashes past 5yrs) and some re silicone (MRI required every 2yrs for leak detection and migration vs my dense tissue).

I'm also about to get a new job. Would I be able to go back to work (desk job-10mi drive) 1wk after exchange? Surgery will probably be a Tues and hope to go back by Monday latest!! Mast surgery went smooth and healed well. Pain meds 4-5days then Advil/Tylenol. Hope to do same with exchange. Don't want to miss too much time from brand new (hopefully) job!  

Following my initial lumpectomy, I chose full mast to avoid needing 6mo f/u MRI's. Waiting 1wk for biopsy results drove me nuts. Didn't want to have to wait 6mos to see if I needed more lump surgery. 

If I choose silicone, I think I would be worrying the whole 2yrs if I may have bumped it or if it may be leaking!! But don't want to be disappointed every time I get dressed or look in mirror either. My already-low self image (prior bc and now) needs all help it can get to get back up again. If that would be silicone mast and saline booster, let me know.  

Didn't get to try/feel samples from PS office yet. Just going by his verbal opinions. Will try to go feel them this week. My next official PS visit is 6/26. Need to decide by then about saline/silicone. Size is going from B to C. Fill is at C and looks ok to me. Now just need to decide type, profile, and official surgery date. 

I'm also looking for any opinions from those with silicone. It may help alleviate some of my fears. It also always helps to hear from anyone who is past a journey you are still going on.

Thanks for all responses.

Good luck and/or continued smooth recovery to all. 

Janice    

Hi All,

Thanks for tips on my job issues. Website is great and will help alot too. I hoped full disclosure wasn't required but it's nice to have proof. Surgery is good reason for gap and followup visits (unless I'm done by then?) No other details. Rox, sorry for your problems. Hope you conquer them on your terms soon. 

It's supposed to be 90's here so I'll try out my safari hat and sunblock. Too hot for a bike ride I guess. It's way too early for this heat. Hope it's not a sign of how summer will be?? 

Take care and enjoy! 

Janice

Jaly,

Glad you have appt and may get answers that day too. Try to relax and enjoy June. Be proud! You have taken a positive step. Waiting and wondering would have only brought you more stress. 

Janice      

TDR,

I had a "dense area" on mammos last 2yrs. This year mammo was done at a different test ctr and decided area "looked different" than last year. Had US, MRI, core biopsy. ILC was cone-shaped 4cm lump above and under nipple, so I had left mast 4/1. Could have done another lumpectomy, but didn't want the 6mo mammos that follow that. Wanted mast and lump entirely gone now. Smaller dense area on right also tested clear. I was shocked my density (similar to my many other cysts) had grown to 4cm, but was glad new test ctr found it and that it is gone. I've also heard most of us have bc 5-8yrs before it is "visible" or found. Even if they had found my lump last year, surgeon said he would still have suggested mast due to my age (46-premeno) and dense breast history.

I've tried to hold on to idea that all things happen (or are found) when they are found for a reason. Best you can do is have docs and surgeons you trust and keep at them until you get tests YOU feel you should have. And fight insurance co to get those tests done. Then no matter what your dx, you can always feel that you're in good hands and have done whatever was needed to fix the problem. 

Good luck with your appt. and keep us posted. We're all here to help each other thru this journey.

Janice  

Dx 2/22/2008, ILC, 4cm, Stage II, Grade 1, 0/12 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-

Otter and Rocket both nailed it. Hair is first thing we notice when we meet others (before smile, eyes). Its great we can cover the loss with hats and scarves. And cheers to those that can handle "commando." But simply needing the hat is the most outward display of the inward admission that we are indeed sick and recovering.  

My loss took 2-3days and came out in handfulls and pillowfulls. May leave few stragglers of bangs, but expect to cut the rest off by Tues.

I like the style of my wig and others like it too. But I still "feel" like its fake. Its either too lose (blow away or slide off) or too tight (migraine within 4-5hrs). I'm sure alot has to do with my inner self not admitting defeat.   

I have a kerchief scarf. Its not pre-tied, but I just tie the tails in knot and go. Its very comfortable and no elastic to cause headaches. Haven't tried it is wind, but it seems that it would stay put. I will probably order a few other colors and maybe a turban style too. I also have a newsboy cap with a drawstring fit and a safari brim hat with chinstrap (for rides in Dh's hotrod later this summer!) These feel more like a fashion statement, than an admission of illness.

I'm glad I've found a resolution to my hair battle. Good luck to others still fighting theirs. May you find a similar comfort zone. I never wore scarves before dx and was surprised to find I liked them better than the wig. May even keep a few for later on! 

Do they make scarves with built in SPF? Is there an SPF lotion safe for scalp during chemo? I was very sun sensitive before and have plenty of lotion for skin. What is best protection for scalp besides hats? Besides Sungrubbies, are there other companies that provide sun scarves?

Add me to the Tuesday swimteam. After the hair trauma this weekend, I hope tx goes smoothly. Meds and goodies are ready! And 2nd (last) fill is Thursday.   

Good luck and smooth swimming to all my teammates. Is it Hawaii this week?? Or a peaceful lakeside retreat?? See you there.

Janice

Hi All,

I had my first fill 5/15. PS advised that often implants (foobs?) don't have natural droop and are rounder than real ones. He offerred to add an implant (another surgery) to help mine match. 

I don't know if anyone truly has a matched set. There are probably some differences left to right. Mine were about 1/2cup-size off (due to scoliosis) but it never bothered me. It wasn't obvious to others and clothes and bras fit fine. 

Now, I don't think I want extra surgery, expense, and time to try for matched set. I think I'd rather have a close match and my health. I need to give my decision to ps on 5/29. Am I missing the benefit of this booster surgery, or is it truly a personal choice? Any opinions are welcome.

ps-Hair fallout is happening. This will bother me more than unmatched boobs ever did. Wigs and hats are ready, just need to "get over it" in my mind now (and in the mirror).    

Have a good weekend.

Janice

Jaly,

My lump was solid and they did MRI-guided core biopsy. Took tissue samples (not liquid but looked almost like liquid) thru needle. Maybe your lump is both?? Maybe its swollen from the procedure and that's why it didn't deflate?? Try not to worry until results come in.

Do you celebrate Memorial Day (honors veterans) in Australia?? Anyway, enjoy your weekend.

Best wishes to you for good results. 

Janice    

Jalydiju,

What a great lady your Mom is. She probably doesn't expect you to help her or repay her. Being a strong and caring person yourself is a great tribute to your Mom. But I'm sure you will never stop being there for her (or making her proud!). 

Janice

Hi All,

Just reading about all the weird dreams! Last week I dreamt about my Grandma (lost her last July at 94!) I assumed that had to do with  the first "Mother's Day".

Just woke from nightmare about losing my dh. He's overweight and its causing bp issues (bp runs in his family too). Doc says he's (like a smoker) who's not ready to "quit" his bad habits yet. Still tells himself it will be ok. (I used to say that too until few months ago)  

My bc dx came from nowhere. I was the healthier one, and always thought dh's health would fail first. Since my dx, I worry even more about dh. He has doc visit June, and I expect he will have worse heart/bp issues or will get dx of diabetes.   

We also got news this week that friend's Dad (75) had bad stroke. I immediately thought of my dh. Is that silly?   

I know I'm just having a bad week, and stress isn't helping. I'm sure the stress of txs and related issues adds to the bad dreams too. 

Sorry to ramble on, but glad to have this "ear" (at 4am!!). 

I have followup bw visit Monday and may ask for some sleep meds. Sounds like they are common for us in this tx journey. Will also try to re-visit summer health discussion with dh. We're going on our first bicycle ride of season today (if I get back to sleep soon). We're avid cyclists but haven't been on bikes since last July!! Maybe that will be a good start to the conversation (again). Any other suggestions (other than meds)?  

Thanks again for "listening" and hope we all get some rest and happy dreams soon. 

Janice