Join our Webinar: REAL Talk: Healthy Body and Mind After Breast Cancer Treatment - Jan 23, 2025 at 4pm ET Register here.

CALLING ALL STAGE I SISTERS

1139140142144145512

Comments

  • mari65
    mari65 Member Posts: 22
    edited November 2010

    I have to see my med onc again in Jan with blood work a week before. I think med onc & bloodwork every 3 months is alittle to much. I don't believe things can change that much in 3 months to warrent the cost of all of it. I'm I correct or not??

  • mellysu1022
    mellysu1022 Member Posts: 59
    edited November 2010

    Are we allowed to mention the brand name of bras? I just found a very comforable and affordable one is a zillion colors. I had alot of trouble after my lumpectomy(and sometimes still) and wanted to help my sisters! Please let me know if I cam mention the name--I think it would help us all. 

  • onestep
    onestep Member Posts: 106
    edited November 2010

    I am a new sister so do not know, but I do know that many bra brand names are mentioned on other threads that have to do with the recon topic such as ExchangeCity, etc. so it is most likely alright. If so, I would be interested in your info. Thanks so much.

    Hi JMN, You are amazing. Treatment is a challenge, but quite another feat to travel the length you are to get stellar care. You go girl!  

  • onestep
    onestep Member Posts: 106
    edited November 2010

    Hi Twilah. It is great you are so happy with your doctors. So far I have truly loved and trusted my surgeon and pc. I am hoping for the same experience with the rest of the team because it is evident it makes a huge difference. :)

  • onestep
    onestep Member Posts: 106
    edited November 2010

    I can't believe all the appointments. I just went to the ps today and she said I could go to physical therapy if I wanted to in order to ensure real good range of motion, etc. after the MX. I think it is great, but it would be another set of appts. I think I may stick to doing them at home on my own. We shall see.

  • onestep
    onestep Member Posts: 106
    edited November 2010

    Hi Sheila, I am realizing my posts are not adding up in the last few times I pressed submit. I wonder if it is because I am basically posting myself each time. :) 

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited November 2010

    Mellysu....As long as you are not putting an add to sell them of course you can mention it.

    You can even copy and post a picture.

    onestep.....I dont know why. Doesnt make any sense. Keep posting and if you cant PM me.

    mari...Mine is checked every 4 months. He is the only one who does the blood work.

  • onestep
    onestep Member Posts: 106
    edited November 2010

    Thanks. :)

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited November 2010

    onestep...One more day you will have 50 posts.

    Happy Graduation.Wink

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited November 2010

    mellysu1022, I would sure be interested in a comfortable bra.  Is it wirefree?

  • deborye
    deborye Member Posts: 2,441
    edited November 2010

    I had CBC and CA blood test when I was first dx.  Saturday I'm going in to have a bunch of tumor marker test, plus Calcium and Vit D.  I haven't seen onc for 6 months.

    I only saw my rad onc a few times after rads were finished.  Med onc said I didn't need to cause she was seeing me, fine with me.  My oncologist is a hematologist oncol.  My DH see's her also, he has thrumbocytopenia.

  • o2bhealthy
    o2bhealthy Member Posts: 1,089
    edited November 2010

    I would love to be able to wear an actual bra again, these compression vests are getting old Yell

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited November 2010

    I would love to wear a pretty bra again, but the pretty ones all have wires, and my PS says wires are a definite no-no.

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited November 2010

    playtex has 18 hour bras all cotton. Its hard to find in the stores but it is soft comfy and 100% cotton no wires. I try to post a picture.

    For everyday use Hanes all cotton sport bras suits me well.

  • raeinnz
    raeinnz Member Posts: 553
    edited November 2010

    No bras ever again for me.  Couldn't go without out a bra when I had boobs and now I have foobs I'm going without one everyday - bliss!

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited November 2010

    Playtex Bras No Wire 18 Hour 18 Hour® Cottony Comfort Strap 4170

    Playtex 18 hour

    Style 4170

  • Nicole112
    Nicole112 Member Posts: 130
    edited November 2010

    It has been 2 1/2 years since diagnosis for me... and I had a partial mastectomy... I need breast recon but was told I was not a candidate. Interestingly enough, I got a call from the plastic surgeon asking me to come in for amother consultation! Do you think he is doing this because he is desereate for money in this economy and he knows insurance will pay for me... or that he really wants to help me? The original reason why they said I was not an ideal candidate is because of where my tumor lied, and the reexision took so much tissue... in retrospect it was prbably easier if they just took the whole breast! This hasbeen one of my frustrating issues since I was diagnosed... forever 3 inches lopsided! No BRA works with this! Even with a prosthesis,it still is awkward! Any other women have this issue?

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited November 2010

    I have been through 2 recons after a partial mx.  I am still at least a cup size different between the two.  The rads changed the texture of the skin on the BC side, and it is also firmer.  If I buy a bra to fit the "Good Side" there is a lot of jiggle room on the BC side.  There is still a large divot where the BC was removed because it was close to the surface and the skin, so the skin they spared sinks into the hole. 

    If I were you, Nicole, I would get several opinions.  Even though I am not even, I have come so far.  I get sort of down now and then, and then I see my first "before" pictures.  What a blessing!

    I have yet to find a really comfy bra.  Well I did, but it must have been a "House Brand" from Walmart or Target because the tag says nothing but the size, and the printing they do right on the bra now, has long since worn off.  I didn't know how much I liked it until too late.  Big problem it is black, and cannot be worn under everything.

    Very difficult to find a D cup without wires.

  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 5,858
    edited November 2010

    My onc.gave me a book with bras in them.some medicare pays for.i am a 34 dd.yea right.pain in the butt to find a bra period.ask your onc.for the book. its called TLC put out by the american cancer society. if anyone wants the # its 1-800-850-9445.they have hats,wigs,etc.I called and the girl told me you have to pay and get a reciept and you get repaid.I need to go get measured first.i lost a lot of weight,hopefully i lost some there too.

    for right now i just took all the wires out of all my bras.

  • chabba
    chabba Member Posts: 3,600
    edited November 2010

    Meece

    The Playtex 18 hour comes in several wireless styles.  I wear the D/DD cup in a front closure style.  Excelent support without wires.  I wear the front closure because I have narrow sholders and that is the only bra I've ever found that the straps stay up.  If you have trouble finding D/DD at other stores try the Hanes store if there is one in your area or go to hanes.com on line.

  • onestep
    onestep Member Posts: 106
    edited November 2010

    All of this info is so great to read and informative. I was just given advice to check my insurance as some items that are covered (such as bras, wigs, etc.) are yearly. The advice was that if that is the case then purchase now for 2010 and then in a couple months in January you can purchase more if needed and it will be covered for 2011. In other words use up the coverage one has before 2010 is over if it is applicable to you. 

  • Twilah
    Twilah Member Posts: 9
    edited November 2010

    Thank you for all  the info, Val. I will most likely have some questions as time goes on.  I guess the only one now is..has anyone followed the radiation up with hormone suppressant. My oncologist is planning on doing that with me. She said the only side effects are night sweats and hot flashes. That really takes me back.  :) I appreciate all the welcomes I got...thank you.

    Twilah

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited November 2010

    Twilah....Iwas put on on Femara about 2 months after I finished radiation. and Im still on it.

    SE are different for each individual, I didn't get any SE except some hot flushes the first few months.

  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 5,858
    edited November 2010

    get the name of the hormone suppressants and check out the threads on here.

    the sistas have great info on all the meds.

    good luck with whatever you do.God bless

    hugggggggggggs

    K

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited November 2010

    Welcome Back WinkNicole

    granny..nice to see you.

    Hugs to Everyone.

  • Twilah
    Twilah Member Posts: 9
    edited November 2010

    Thanks so much .....I'll check it out when I get back from another treatment. An hour each way...by the end of the week, I really need the weekend. Not young any more and I feel it. :) Off I go now! 

     Twilah

  • chabba
    chabba Member Posts: 3,600
    edited November 2010

    Twilah---I was put on Anastrozole [generic name] after rads.  After a month I had severe bone and joint pain. Onc said it is a "not uncommon " SE and stop taking immediately.  He wanted to wait a week to see if the pain stopped--it did.  Tomorrow I talk to him again to get a new Rx.  The wait was because I have some chronic mild joint pain from arthritis.

  • mellysu1022
    mellysu1022 Member Posts: 59
    edited November 2010

    I am so excited about this whole bra issue! The company is called Coobie. I wore it for the first time on Monday and was delighted. I would have loved this option right after my lumectomy(I couldn't wear underwires). Very pretty and colorful. Although you have to put this on over your head, it would be good for range of motion. And it's not tight like a sports bra. I would like to see the company make a front closure style, Let me know what you girls think. Go to Coobie.com.

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited November 2010

    (((♥Michelle♥)))  (((♥Val♥)))

      (((♥ALL SISTERS♥)))

    ((((((♥Hugs♥)))))))

  • eph3_12
    eph3_12 Member Posts: 2,704
    edited November 2010

    mellysu-just looked at the coobie website.  Very interesting.  I think I'll give one a whirl.  Did you get the scoop neck or the v neck?