Best Of
Re: Reconstruction?
I know that people talk about multiple surgeries but for those who have skin sparing mastectomies and don’t want to increase their size, one step implants can be an option. My understanding is that you have to be a good candidate for this and your surgeon needs to be experienced in this type of recon. I had a bmx with one step implants, no TE’s. Literally one and done. 13 years later and it’s all good.
Re: Reconstruction?
I am 58 and had my mastectomy on my left breast at the end of Jan. I opted for no reconstruction. I did not want to go through more surgeries and more recovery, because I opted for no reconstruction, my recovery after the mastectomy was fairly easy and quick. I have been very happy with my decision, but I also know that I could choose to have recon done at a later date.
My custom prosthesis looks great. You are able to wear regular bras with your prosthesis - they don’t need to be special bras. I wear both. No matter what type of bras you choose to wear- it’s some trial and error to find ones you love. The person who worked with me for the prosthesis and bras was amazing. Very helpful and caring. She had so many helpful tips ans recommendations.
Re: Reconstruction?
Hi,
Very personal decision for sure. I also wanted to be done as soon as possible, avoid years of surgeries, and keep things simple. I was also very accepting of having lost one breast.
Then, on second thought, after having a better idea of what I would look like with one breast only, I knew I would prefer to have the option of wearing some kind of prosthesis, rather than not. Then, when I looked closer at the prosthesis thing, dealing with that felt to me, personally, given my lifestyle, royally inconvenient. I was (and still am) working, have to dress up a bit for work, and I am very active and a swimmer. Needing special bras for the prosthesis, having to put in on and take it off several times a day -I would rather not deal with that. I thought of an implant as the closest thing to having a prosthesis that is permanent, that you dont need to put it on and take if off, and that works with any bra. That's what I did, and I never regretted the decision (later down the road, I needed a second mastectomy, so another implant); my breasts look obviously fake (when I am naked and/or with light clothes) but I look more or less normal when dressed or in a swimsuit, and not under close scrutiny. One month to the day after the mastectomy, I was back in the swimming pool and could swim all four strokes. I swam with the tissue expanders, and I swam with my implants one month after I got them. Besides running, biking and weight lifting. I am super happy with my decision, in peace with not having breasts, and also very thankful to not have to deal with special equipment when I need to dress up, and I am glad I can walk around the pool deck in a swimsuit looking more or less like the rest of my swim teammates.
Best of luck with your decision,
LaughingGull
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
My outdoor painting class met today and we were treated to a parade of very nice dogs out for their walks. Lots of standard poodles and labradoodles with nice owners. Painting gardens is hard. Too many greens.
Sandy, good to see you. We were trying not to worry
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Apologies for the weird font & formatting—posted it on what I thought was this thread but was the "drinking" one instead. I am SO far behind here that I'm sorry if I missed anyone's good or bad news—dunno when I can next catch up.
All my hassles are, in the greater scheme of things, minor. Reminds me of what a priest once said about hearing nuns' confessions: "like being stoned to death with popcorn."
Speaking of pools, the village pool & water park is a bit over 1/2 mi. west. We would have to either buy a resident summer pass (no prorations for shorter time) or pay as guests each time. It's all outdoors, though, and there is no gym. As we are not sunbathers, I think we'll pass. (It's like pulling teeth to get Bob to wear sunscreen as it is).
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Happy day everyone. Just got back from Marion V.A. It was time to have my feet done. MM, I think you are right about the Schnauzers starting out in this case likely all pretty much black. There are black and white ones, silver-tipped, and white ones. Lil Red is a silver tip which means he would have silver on the feet, and eyebrows mainly. He doesn't have near as much as his litter-mates.
You are so right. We will be challenged, but likely most of it will be doable, even if possibly feeling in-convenient at times. We are already trying to think of someone to babysit while we go to Marion next week for all my heart tests. We don't want Lil Red to have to stay crated for too long. Dh said just let him run around but he was forgetting little puppies like to chew on electric cords and turn over water bowls etc. so Lil Red will have to crate or go to a babysitter.
Sun has been out most of the day. It is 86, but I didn't notice any humidity and there was a mild breeze so not great but fairly tolerable if you are not too strenuous with what you are doing outside. Glad we got back fairly early.
Hope you will all have a really good day.
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Puffin, the changes all sound practical for improving your comfort and ability to do that you want to do. You have such a great attitude.
Jackie, the puppies are cute enough to entice a person like me to become a dog owner. I have never owned a dog. Only cats. I suspect that dh might like to adopt a dog if we lived in one place and didn't travel. He occasionally comments that walking a dog can get older people out of the house.
I played golf at 9 am and was soon perspiring a lot. I came home afterwards without playing any extra holes. It will get up in the 80's this afternoon. I will be turning on the two a/c units. Right now there are three fans whirring away. One in the hatch in the ceiling, the ceiling fan and a small electric fan.
Tomorrow is our 55th wedding anniversary. I made a dinner reservation at an upscale restaurant that we like a lot.
Happy Thursday to everyone.
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Good morning, sweet ladies.
I hope everyone is doing OK in the heat. Illinoislady, my heart just did a flip when I saw those precious pups!
Puffin, thinking of you and hope you can get comfortable.
Cindyny, I’m glad the pool situation is getting resolved. Family can be the best.
Stay cool, safe and comfortable, everyone.
Carol
Re: So...whats for dinner?
(((Monica)))—holding you in our hearts now.
Wally, when we lived in Seattle in the '70s nobody had A/C except businesses. On the rare days it hit 90, we fired up the box fans and swamp cooler. Our apartment in married student housing was on the second floor, shaded by a tall maple tree.
Haven't cooked much since moving in—mostly dining out and then nuking leftovers. We had a friend over for the 4th, so we grilled steaks (I made a Caprese and she brought tabbouleh) before going to the Skokie fireworks, which were spectacular. Tonight I cooked from scratch: whitefish in parchment with peppers & herbs, tomato-basil salad (the last of the Eataly heirlooms and our own backyard basil—which I pick when I go back to fetch mail and rescue ripening tomatoes from the squirrels) and steamed asparagus. Next door neighbors brought us a box of Dunkin' Munchkins (he's a district mgr for the chain), so I had a couple for dessert—the first pastry I've had since January. I figured since I'm now 2 lbs below goal weight…
Re: how about drinking?
Safe travels, Karen. I admire your organizational skills.
Sunshine, you're a thoughtful MIL. Congratulations on the new grandbaby!
Hi to everyone else.