2010 Sisters
Comments
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AmyJo
I found my sports bras at walmart. I bought two types, the ones that have the typical sport straps and the others that have straps like a "regular" bra. This way when I wore them to work and had on a blouse that was wider at the neckline the straps didn't show. There are some that slip over the head, I bought those and some that have snaps all in the front. It was frustrating buying a bra that didn't have under-wire. I can't use them at all now because of the incision site as well as lymphedema. I wear my bra all the time even to bed because it somehow helps with the pain.
The slip over the head bras come in colors - pink, blue and gray. The others are either white or black. Nothing fancy but they sure feel great!
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InthePink: The TailoRx trial:
http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/noteworthy-trials/tailorx
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AmyJo: Love your dish breaking story. I used to play golf and if I was really pissed about something, I would go to the driving range and just smack the crap out of some balls. It felt soooo good.
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amyjo- What a great Mosaic you could make with all that broken china! I think the Greeks smash glasses as a celebration. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all gather someday to smash china and celebrate! I would love to smash something, but my NYC neighbors would probably call the cops thinking someone was getting killed! My BS provided a post surgery bra and the OR nurses helped me get into it before going home. It was great, had velcro shoulder straps and hooked up in the front. It gave good firm support which felt good. If you have to buy your own, I would recommend a hook in the front model, especially if they are removing lymph nodes too. It can be uncomfortable stretching your arms overhead and wiggling into an over the head type. Also, remember to ICE after surgery, it really helps with healing, bruising and pain. Keeping you in my prayers.0
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My BMX is Tuesday. I'm so sick of cleaning. Would any of you ladies that are cleaning obsessed at the moment want to come over and finish cleaning my place?
BTW I asked my both my BS and PS nurses if I needed to get anything before surgery. They said no. I explained that I feel great right now (and at the time still had 1 month before surgery). This would be a great time for me to pick up stuff. They said I didn't need to do anything. So now I'm hearing I need a sports bra?!
I do have 3 of these that I work out in now (http://www.jockey.com/products/Medium-Impact-Moulded-Cup-Mesh-Bra) They hook in the back and are for medium impact. They aren't seemless though. I usually hook them on the front the slide the bra around so the hooks are in the back then pull up the bra.I have neck issue so pull on bras aren't for me and this strange way of putting on my bras works great.
Do you think these will work? My sports bras are an A cup and I am having expanders placed.
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Designermom-
Thanks i did find it Its the Tailor X trial. I have been told by my BS about it many times. They think I will fall in the low end of the oncotype scale but she has suggested it a few times because it does include a range of 11-25. My onco doc said if I am def in the intermediate range he is recommending chemo but not if it is in the low so thats why my BS is twlling me about it. I'm on the fence about chemo at least consult either way so it might be food for thought. I just don't know. the waiting for the onco type is agonizing.I will hopefully know on thursday when I go see my med onco again. i have the rads onco on tuesday so at least things are moving along. its "only" been almost a month since my surgery.Its such hurry up and wait game.
Well thanks for the info and have a great day!
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Lago-
When I had surgery at Rush they gave me two surgical bras (or whatever you call them), they hook in the front and have vercro on the shoulder straps, very useful. Ask for 'em! Maybe I'll run into you today. We haven't yet decided. Take care.
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Hi, lago, samsue, and amyjo49, Designer Mom.
My 2 cents on bras: I bought this style at Walmart. They came 2 to the pkg for $10. I bought 2 packs so I had 2 whites, one gray, and one black. They gave enough support and were very comfortable. I bought 2 sizes larger than my usual size; they run small anyway and I wanted to be able to throw them into the dryer. Because of them, my emu oil never leaked onto my shirt during rads. When my nipple was burned by the rads, I immersed my nipple in zinc oxide and put a telfa pad on it. For that 10 day span, the bra was just tight enough to hold the pad in place. Highly recommend this model for our purposes. (Not bad as a casual choice either.) Regarding the fit, my Mom and I just bought a couple for her to use post-rotator cuff surgery. She needed 2 sizes up as well. Oh, yes, they're very easy to slip on and off without all the hooking and unhooking when you're more limber.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Fruit-of-the-Loom-Comfort-Front-Close-bra-Style-96014W/11070540
Good luck and God bless you on Tuesday, lago.
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Thanks Adey & Redsoxfan (BTW I might live in Chicago but I was born in Boston and grew up on the S. Shore… We are a sox family here except we don't match, husband is a White Sox fan).
I am headed for the art fair today. My hair is a bit shorter. Got a haircut on Friday.
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inthepink- The "on the fence for chemo" decision was one of the hardest for me. Have you played around on the cancer math site? Just google "cancer math". I found it helpful when I was struggling with my own chemo decision. You can plug in different treatments (or not) and it will project the statistical outcome. Keep in mind that it does not take Oncotype score into account. In my case, even with one positive node, statistically I will not benefit much from chemo. I just couldn't get comfortable with NOT covering my bases with chemo. I listened to my gut and elected an older, tried and true standard of chemo, CMF as it has fewer SE. A friend of mine is using the same chemo after consulting with some of the best Oncs at both Dana Farber and Sloane. Though my Onc initially wanted to use TC chemo and said there were no studies saying CMF was effective on my cancer (that threw me for a loop!) When I guestioned her more and asked if there was proof that her TC chemo had effect on my cancer, she immediately replied "no, there have been no studies on that either". Unfortunately, there is NO one correct answer. Just do your best research on everything, tune in to your gut, make your decision and don't look back. Feel free to PM me if you want.0
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Hi sistas- Today I decide to make a scarf/cap to cover my upcoming bald head, so looked online to find a pattern. I found something called a snood. I already had the material and so I got busy and made one up. Before completing the band on it I decided to try it on to see what it looked like. When I did I started to laugh, which quickly turned into a cry. Cried like a baby, then started laughing hysterically again. Then back to crying. I still don't know if I'm going to laugh or cry. I guess everyone has their breaking point and I met mine today. I had not really broke down since the dx was confirmed. I had shed a few tears in the beginning while waiting for results but figured I had put my big girl panties on so to speak. Just had the need to share the experience. Have a good day gals.
Cathy
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I already bought 1 head scarf when I visited my mom & dad. Check this out on how to a head wrap:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc82k6vHJXI&feature=relatedI don't look so bad but of course I do have eyebrows. This style looks great with dangly earings.
Note: I bought big scarves so I can use them next winter around my neck once chemo/treament is over.
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Hi sisters,
I cried a few times (like weeping) during the first week. Then met my surgeon and I knew right away I could totally trust him. I actually cried harder when I got the call from Med. Onc that I didn't need chemo (which was 3 days ago) and I've been emotional since. They are happy tears but for some reason very emotional. I think we all go through it and I think that crying is healthy. Don't bottle it up inside, we are all here for you.
Paula
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Cathy, as Paula says it's OK to cry. Big girls cry. Hell, everyone freaking cries. Most people try to hide it but one thing I've learned is: when you are looking mortality in the eye - SPIT in it!
So it's OK to cry then saddle up, pull up the big girl britches and spit in mortality's eye.
I am praying for all my sisters this week, that all tx, bx, and every day crap is tolerable and that we are all one step closer to being done with active tx and another step closer to our new normal.
I wonder if I'll know when I get there?
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Hi again, hey.. you girls are wonderful. I just had a look at the link you posted lago - ty so much- have some good ideas there. LOL BarbaraA you say it so well. Just one of those up and down days. I'm sure you all know only too well what I'm talking about. Paula I'd cry too if I didn't have to do chemo - but now I'd be afraid not to. We'll hang in there today and our tomorrows will be brighter. Yes when we get there.
Cathy
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Sports Bras ~ These are the most comfortable bras I own to wear around the clock. I think I bought them at Target awhile back, but found them on Amazon so, at least, they are still being made, Champion Sports Bra, style # 029 : http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000LUWC50/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000XZT9OU&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=178Z6JX6PQZD9PMHTC7V
They have comfortable wide straps that don't bite into anything and have a high cotton content. I exercised regularly before my dx, no running, just walking and bike riding. My daughter helped me to slip them on and off for a couple of days after my lumpectomy, when everything hurt and I had bandages to work around, but after that I was able to slip them on myself, it just took a little effort, but I figured that counted as exercise at the time. If you can't find these, I highly recommend finding one with the highest cotton content available and without zippers and stays. Anything metal or plastic against your skin gets irritating in a hurry. I also had a couple of shelf bra tanks from JJill and have bought 5 more. They are also mostly cotton and soft. Some days it feels better just going topless and I do, and some days I don't want things jiggling around, hence the tanks and sportsbras. None of my blouses, T's or shirts looks right, but I don't care very much. At my age, nobody is looking at me anyhow, it's all about the comfort level. The less I feel the boob pain, (I'm 1/2 way thru the rads and those puppies are a little painful sometimes) the less I am reminded of this disease and that is my #1 goal, to stop thinking about cancer all the time.
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At your age no one is looking at you BS! I'll be 50 early next year (not that much younger). I still get some looks granted not from young guys.
Joan Rivers claims men stop looking at women after menapause so she keeps some tampons in her purse and lets them spill out when the guys are around.
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lago: you just crack me up, Sistah! haha, I'll be 54 next month, my husband still thinks I look fabulous, but I think it's because his vision is going! My daughter is getting married the end of Feb and I was being very consistent, before the dx, about exercising because I don't want to look like an old cow in her wedding photos. They will never go away. I'll have 5 1/2 months to go after the rads are done and I am more motivated than ever to stay healthy. My arm doesn't hurt from surgery anymore, but man, I am so tired it's ridiculous. I feel like I have mono again.
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Hello Sisters-
Just want you to know I'm thinking about each and everyone of you. I really do enjoy coming to the site and catching up on all of you, helps me relax.
I hope we all get a good nights rest.....
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tryn2staycalm- Oh the emotional roller coaster! I have sure had my moments. Somedays I just think this all must be a dream. How can this be happening to me? Then I saddle up and get on with it. I ordered a free scarf wrap from this organization. It is non-profit and they are SO nice. They will send anyone loosing hair from chemo a beautiful scarf for free. They are an unusual style, sort of a loose bag style, then you wrap the tails around and tuck here and there. They give total coverage, and won't blow off. They look very exotic. Though I have been lucky not to lose my hair during chemo, I love mine. Here's the link gailafund.org
Here's hoping we all have a great week!
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Redsoxfan
Gosh I wish I had know about the zinc oxide for the nipple. My really got sore and with the clear patch covering the XX markings nearby... wow. I did like the snap front bras the best. I got only one size bigger that I usually wore. I've been wearing the bras day and night since March when I had surgery. I feel so much better wearing them to bed because the boobs don't sag and pull when I sleep on my side. I still have trouble with the incision and fluid that hasn't been absorbed yet.
And yes, remember the ice. I had a couple of small blue bags they gave me at the hospital and they lasted a while but ended up getting a screw on top bag at walgreens. I also used a pillow under my arm to prop it up when I was on my side. Less pulling that way. Besides I got tired of sleeping on my back!
Sometimes the anxiety just hits me out of the blue. I know that keeping a positive attitude is essential and this is where I come for support. It's great that everyone here understands the fragile nature of our emotions.
Blessings to all.
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so true about the emotions.I don't even think I have really had a good cry about all this and sometimes that concerns me. Its probably why I am feeling so edgy and jumpy all the time.So much is going on around here with kids going back to college etc. so I have not really had time for myself,except my time with all of you.
Being positive is all I've been told but sometimes that is hard. I think once I get all my answers I'm looking for I will have a good cry.
For anybody new here(I'm pretty new myself) these boards have been and are a godsend!:)
Have a great day!!
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OK I had my cry last night. It's been a while. I still think I'm going through menopause though
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Good morning Lago,
Sorry I missed the art fair, hope you enjoyed your day! Husband and I got wussy due to the heat and just went to dinner. Las Pinatas, my favorite Mexican restaurant in Old Town, we used to live near, on Eugenie behind Second City. Anyhoo, doctors appointments everyday this week except Thursday, sheesh. Prayers and healing vibes for Tuesday. A
BTW, Did anyone have their periods go wacky after bmx? Just curious, probably due to pre, peri menopause.
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On crying, I find that I cry the most when good things happen. Seems I can handle the "bad" news, surgeries, pain, whatever. But let somebody do something nice, and I just lose it. I cried like a baby in church yesterday when they asked for prayers for me since I'm starting chemo tomorrow.
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Ladyinbama- Yep, what you said.
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Adey: I have read that happens to some people. (regarding period).
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LadyinBama- You are right about that! I haven't cried much since I was initially diagnosed. I think my family and friends' enormous support keeps me strong and positive. On the few occassions that unexpected kindness was shown by others (my hairdresser refusing to take payment), I boo hooed like a baby. I do think it is sort of repressed floodgates that open up periodically, probably healthy. Keeping you in my prayers as you start your chemo!
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Good luck tomorrow Iago -
I found button up shirts to be great for the first month after MX, including pajamas, since I wasn't able to get my arm up over my head to pull a shirt over it. My husband's shirts were good since he is a little bigger than me and they were soft and roomy. Also saved money that way, and he felt useful, lending me he shirts for awhile. They might provide you a camisole type thing with drain pockets. I didn't get these, so I just pinned the drains to my shirts with safety pins up high so they didn't drag. Get the recliner ready with sheets and a blanket so you can sleep there. It makes getting up/down much easier.
Blessings,
Shelley
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shelley- You are sooooo right! Comfy button shirts are very important.
Lago- the bras Rush gives out are front close, muy helpful, so is the morphine pump. (c:
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