Class of 2009 - Sisters in the same time frame
Comments
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ffmakg and others.....I just bought something on line from ACS called a radiation camisole for breast cancer patients.
I guess has covered seams and stuff for when you are super sensitive.
Though it was way painful, I am glad I went for the reduction with my lumpectomy. I was gg or hh or something crazy, and could not have gone 10 minutes braless, I also read that rads is harder with super-melons.
Still pretty big, (I am guessing a large d). The best suggestion I can give you is buy the cheapest possible sportsbras, the kind that come 3 for 9$ at walmart. Fruit of the loom, I think. They have the fewest seams et all and are less squeezy than the more expensive type.
The support is not as great, but you can layer them. I would also buy two different sizes, I sometimes wear both a 42 and over that a 44, if I am going out. At home I just wear the 44.
I got this tip from a bco lady, and she was right. After spending hundreds of dollars on post surgical bras, I ended up wearing the Fruit of the Loom!
Hope that helps a little.
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Hello Mimi 1964 all ALL...
I understand about the anger!!! I am very anger as well on how this Cancer dictates your life in the beginning with all the blood work, biopsys, doctors appointments, and information overload and after all that the bills start coming in. Just got the first hosital bill the other day and it took my breath away. We are not feeling the financial stress just yet but I can imagine at the end of this journey we will. And, to top it off my oncologist but me on disability until June 2010 because I am a teacher and he didnt want me exposed to all the germs the students spread. This alone brings stress not getting all my pay check.
I was diagnosed on Aug 20 and had a masectomy with reconstruction on November 5. I am going to start Chemo in the next several weeks and will not be going through rads. When my doctor layed out my choices and with all the research I have done Rads wasnt the road I wanted to go down. Like many it was a numbers game but I am happy with my decision.
It has been 4 weeks since my masec/recon and still havent wore a Bra and I am a 40DD..it is killing me not tho have support. I am wearing the after surgical camisole and I am very glad that there is some support there. I have tried to wear a bra a couple of times but it puts pressure on my incisions and it freaks my husband out ( oozing and opening of area). PS stated I should try to wear one as much as possible but I still dont have full use f my left arm so I need my husband to hook the bra...lol
I am glad to have found this forum...I really need it!!!!
Does anybody know if Diabetes affects Chemo?
Vivian
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Vivian, I only used those stretchy tensor bandages for the first couple of weeks after my mastectomy..I found it not to bad to just bind myself in. I too was large busted.
michele
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Vivian,
Have you tried a well used sports bra? It is good for holding everything together and not letting wounds open or ooze. If you get a front closing one, it is relatively easier to close oneself.0 -
Kmart has front closing sports bras the brand is called bestform and they come up to size....drumroll...48!!! Dirt cheap too!!!
Which officially makes it the largest sportsbra I have ever found.
They are also relatively low cut.
I also got front closing post surgical bras at the mast shop, the brand is Jodee. The good thing is they close in both front and back. I didn't find them all that comfortable, but they are an option.
My ps also suggested tanks with a shelf, and I have bought a bunch of them. My favorite are the kmart ones, but they are all racer back. Walmart sells them with regular straps.
If all else fails you might try the top of a 2 piece swimsuit.
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It took me a while before I thought to step into the sports bra!!! Much easier on the axilla area that was getting fried as well as under the breast!!! I bought the cheapie walmart ones (pack of 3) with no seams and regular straps (otherwise I would have never gotten into it from the top!!!)
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micheleboots, unklezwife, cookiegal and fmakj,
Hello all...thanks for all the sports bra suggestions I am heading out today to get some. I did try the binding thing and found that was better than hanging low...lol. As for the tanks with a shelf they dont really hold me up enough my husband brough a couple home one day for me.
He is so sweet and with me every step of the way; all dr's appointments and now working from home. I could never ask anyone else in my life to go through this journey with me but I do need some alone time. I need time to process, scream, cry and not be so stowic. Its hard to be strong for everyones else 24/7 and he struggles with the idea that I need alone time. I am starting a BC support group tonight and hopefully it breaks him in form e taking off on my own again.
Vivian
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Vivian,
Good for you that you are starting a BC support group! I hope you get alot out of it. I know I have. It has helped me alot with understanding not only the technical things, but the emotional things as well. It is great that your hubby wants to be with you and help you. Maybe there is a subtle way you could let him know you need a little breathing room. It is hard and a very delicate thing to manouver because you don't want him to feel like he is not wanted or needed.
Hope everyone had a great day and has a great evening!
Hugs!
Jen
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Hi Vivian I definitely understand how you feel about the need to be stowic all the time. I think it is inbred in us as women, we have to be the backbone and strength of our families no matter what we are going through.... don't let them see you when you're down. So I to have tried to maintain that for everyone and give them the support that everything will be o.k., that I'm o.k. but in my alone time (the car, the bathroom at work) I have teared up on occassion just because I needed to get it off my shoulders. As for the alone time I've gotten much more of that than I really wanted from my husband, especially in the beginning and even now. He is there for me don't get me wrong but there are times when I've needed him to be there more. But it has all worked out for me and I hope it does for you to.
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My DIL told me the other day that nothing better happen to me, because my boys (my 2 sons and my DH) wouldn't know how to make it without me. I told her I wasn't planning on going anywhere.
I also need alone time, and can't seem to find much these days, I just need to think some of this through. My DH is very good, but sometimes he just can't seem to think that I need to be alone. I don't know what the problem is with that. I don't think I am alone in this.
I haven't worn a bra since my surgery. I am wearing camisoles and I really like them. I am a 38C, so they give me enough support. I may just get me some really soft Tshirts when I start radiation.
Hope everyone has a good evening.
Juannelle
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Hello, any body out there....it is so lonely here today.
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I"m here... hubby is in the ER and I am worried sick. He went for routine blood work as he was having the BIG V done tomorrow. His blood came back with clumped platlets. I am now petrified. Our Dr. sent him to the ER to have the test repeated hopefully it is just a bad sample at the lab. I looked it up it could be a sign of Leukemia. HOLY SHIT !! They are afraid if the results are true he could have a stroke. He's only 43 and I can't have him sick too. This will be too much to bear. PRAYERS girls !!!
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Dear Alicia,
I hope your hubby's repeat blood test comes back normal.
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Oh Alicia!
You do not need this to worry about just now! My hopes are for some benign explanation and this is just a false alarm. Too much to have to handle at this time! You are in our thoughts and prayers.
pam
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My prayers are with you Alicia and your DH.
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Alicia~
I can't even imagine what you might be feeling right now! I wish the best for you and your hubby, and hope the blood tests come back normal.
You will be in my prayers. Please keep us posted.
Hugs,
Jen
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Level is higher then the last test done yesterday... he has to go see a Hematologist/Oncologist. I am so scared...........
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Alicia - I am so very sorry please know that my prayers are with you and your hubby. God is awesome and works miracles everyday, you definitely are due to have one come your way. Hugs!
I saw the RADs onc today and I on the other hand am not happy. He told me that the surgeon did not get as much of a clear margin as I thought... it was only a 1mm clear margin, which means for me, I get a higher dose of radiation that usually prescribed and more treatments to make sure they get any stray cells lurking behind, to the tune of 38 treatments minimal (that was what he said). After I saw him this morn had to go back this afternoon for my tattoos and simulation and they will set up my treatment plan and call me and rads treatments will start probably next Tuesday or Weds. I am so upset right now. I'm angry at the surgeon for no telling me and not saying let's re-excise and get a clearer margin and I'm just mad about the stronger rads and more treatments. I wish I had just of had the MX and then I wouldn't be going through the RADs (most likely). I am having a really down day girls sorry!!! I have had several tear fests today. Hope everyone else is fairing better than I am.
Renee
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Alicia: Sending you one big enormous hug! Thinking of you and your hubby, and hoping that things turn out okay. Please keep us posted as you are able.
Renee: Sorry for how you're feeling today. Just to let you know, my rad onc also pointed out the close margin I had after lumpectomy and said, "You'll be discussing that with your BS, I'm sure...." Then he read the path report more fully, saw that BS took the fascia and all that she could and said, "I should have known.. Dr. xxx would be thorough... nothing more to do." So even a mastectomy couldn't have gotten a better margin because the tumour was so deep. I will be getting an aggressive round of rads too (after my chemo). Your case may be different, but it also could be your surgeon couldn't do better given the position of the tumour. You may want to ask about that...
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Renee,
Juanelle had a scare when her margins were reported wrong due to a typo error. I sure would call my surgeon to be sure he agrees with what the radiologist is reading. It is true, though, sometimes the tumor is so close to the chest wall (as in my case) they cannot take more than they can take. BUT ASK! And thank goodness for radiation to get it all. I know it is scary but you will get thru this too.
pam
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Alicia, on my, what is happening. I am so sorry to hear about your hubby, I hope it isn't serious. You do not need any of this right now. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Renee,Pam is right when she said my Rad Onc scared me to death. I went and he said I didn't have a clear margin and that I would have to go back for a mast or re excision. I was not happy because my surgeon had not mentioned anything to me. Well, there was a typo on the path report that the Rad Onc received. Thank goodness it was not the same as my surgeon received. The Rad Onc called the surgeon and the surgeon straightened him out in a hurry. He called me right back to let me know of the mistake. I was very relieved. By the way, they also called the path department to check to make sure which one was right and the surgeon's report was correct. I don't blame you for crying today, that is a lot to take in. I hope all goes well for you.
Hugs to both of you.
Juannelle
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Dear Alicia,
All of us are thinking of you and your husband tonight.
pam
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Juanelle and Pam: Thanks for the words of support, but my RADS onc got the exact report that I have a copy of from my surgeon that was forwarded to my Medical onc. My med records were all forwarded from the surgeons office so no mistake ( no typo's). My surgeon did get a clear margin, it just wasn't by much... like I said only 1 mm clear margin, which is too close for comfort. Anyway, somehow I will survive. Right now I'm not sure how??? But just like everyone else here I will endure.
Renee
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Mimi and Alicia, I am sending happy, good thoughts your way....
Michele
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alicia hugs for you and the hubby!
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Yes you will endure Renee. Thinking of you !!! Hang in there. And it is a CLEAR margin, just wish it was bigger. I am sure if they felt it was necessary they would go back in. AND if it will make you feel better I would have them do just that.
Hubby has to see a Hematologist/Oncologist hopefully he just has thick blood and it is not something more serious....
Thanks for the good thoughts and prayers.
Good day girls..
Alicia
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Alicia tell your husband I am sending him good thoughts and prayers his way for thick blood. LOL! Prayerfully nothing more serious. I hope you are hanging in there as well I know this is not easy on you either. It seems that times are tough for everyone these days. Please keep us posted on how you both are doing. Hugs!
I'm not seeing my surgeon again until sometime in Feb. 2010 which will be at the end of my radiation treatments. I will probably make him mad but I'm definitely going to ask why he didn't suggest a re-excision for a clearer margin. Right now I've got to try and wrap my brain around all this radiation and keeping my breast from being burnt to a krisp. LOL! I've got to start looking for some kind of soft sports bra or radiation bra I can wear to work that will be cut low enough so it won't show under my clothing/tops/blouses. Hope I can find one of those. Tough specifications to meet. I've looked online and haven't been successful yet.
Have a good day girls
Renee
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Alicia~ Prayers and big gentle hugs to you and your hubby during this! I hope everything turns out ok and he just has thick blood like you said. Does anything like this run in his family? Please know we are all praying for you and love you and will help you thru this as best as we can
Rene~ I understand your frustration with your BS and frankly I wouldn't wait until February to ask him about it, I would be calling him right now to get in for a consult. It might make you feel better to get it out on the table, so to speak, now while it is fresh with you. I hope the rads aren't too hard on you and that you hold up well. They had told me I would have higher doses due to my large breast size, but it went fine for me. I will wish for the same outcome for you.
Hope all of you ladies are having a good day!
Hugs
Jen
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((((Alicia, and Renee)))
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Alicia, sending you and hubby a hug. I think it need it about now. Hoe all goes well for hubby and it is nothing more serious than thick blood.
Renee, well, I guess it is a good thing that there were no typos on your report. I am like Jen, I would call up the surgeon and tell him you need to see him sooner than February and find out about a re-excision. What could it hurt?
ivorymom, it is good to hear something good about rads and that you had more energy at the end. I still have 2 more chemos to do and I guess I will start my Rads in January. I am ready to get it over and done.
Juannelle
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