Come join others currently navigating treatment in our weekly Virtual Support Groups! See times and register here.

Exchange City

1…444445447449450…1387

Comments

  • Adnerb
    Adnerb Posts: 727
    edited May 2010

    Koryn:  Wow, sorry you are going through this.  We have a few uni ladies on this thread.  I'm sure they will share their thoughts with you soon.

    Brenda 

  • Estepp
    Estepp Posts: 2,966
    edited May 2010

    Laura2... I zapped and stung a little for about three months or so.. still do get some at times. I think you are ok too.

    Packer.. if you are reading.. I could not understand you voicemail on the product used... send me your picture and the name of the product again. :)

    Kitty... still praying for you..... and will be for a long time...

  • cnemeth
    cnemeth Posts: 136
    edited May 2010

    Laura2 ~ I still get zaps occasionally (like to think that it is feeling returning . . .) and had lots of them after surgery.

    Estepp ~ I got the black one and you can't see through it.  Just washed it after the trip and it washed and dried beautifully!  Thinking about getting a few colors or maybe the short top.  It is SOOOO comfy!!!  Have been sleeping like a baby.

    LTAP!! (Loving thoughts and prayers)

    Colleen

  • cnemeth
    cnemeth Posts: 136
    edited May 2010

    So what is everyone's favorite scar disappearing salve/medicine/silicone product???

    I used some herbal "scar aid" and liked it but am thinking there might be better results with another product. . . . . yes, it is all vanity and I admit it.

    Colleen

  • Nedeza
    Nedeza Posts: 351
    edited May 2010

    Koryn,

    I'm a unilateral (Rt.) & have noticed that my opposite (lLt. side) aches more often.  I also noticed that sometimes my MX side "tenses"...maybe muscle spasms?  I have been working out but only on the eliptical machine & I do use the arm bars.  I really haven't connected my aches & pains to my MX.  Another thing...I am a hygienist so I usually go through aches & pains when I overwork myself.  I have to admit though I seem to have more of them since my BC...especially my backside (shoulder blade) of my unaffected side.  I have not addressed this to my PS thinking I must be JUST tired.  I will have to ask her on next visit.

    I hope you are able to find comfort & some explanation...maybe send it this way as well!   Wink

    NAE

  • Estepp
    Estepp Posts: 2,966
    edited May 2010

    Scar Away/Silicone

    MooreTennis/Denise turned me onto it. She is a research gal..:)

    It works!

    I scar amazing as it is.. BUT I HAVE THIS RADS SIDE... I am almost done with using this tape 23 hours a day, for 10 weeks and the scaring on the rads side is 70% better. I was really impressed.

  • Kristinka
    Kristinka Posts: 223
    edited May 2010

    Here's a bathing suit recommendation from Land's End:

    Beach Living Leaf Floral Loop V-neck Halter Tankini Swim Top

    Link: http://www.landsend.com/pp/BeachLivingFloralVneckHalterTankiniSwimTop~203456_59.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::HFN&CM_MERCH=IDX_00006__0000000650

    I bought it today at Sears in a larger size than I normally wear, but online I see you can order a smaller size with the D cup if that's what you need.  It's cute, covers up the girls and provides a little support.  I could not get any of the underwire suits to fit me at all.  I got the "swim mini" to go with it - very cute.  Ok, got through that hurdle! (and thanks to Deborah - I remember your mentioning Lands End suits a while back)

  • kittycat
    kittycat Posts: 1,155
    edited May 2010

    Thanks everyone for the positive vibes and well wishes!!!  :)  I slept for over 10 hours last night , well except for the couple times my dog decided to bark this morning.  My husband was kind enough to let the dogs out!  I had this crazy dream about taking a pregnancy test.  So, I got all freaked out, thinking OMG - what if???  So, I ran to Walgreen's and bought a test.  Good news - I'm not pregnant.  I've been on birth control for years, but stopped taking it when I was getting a hysterectomy!  Geez!!! 

    I cleaned the house.  My inlaws came over tonight and my mom made her famous chicken fried steak.  Not the healthiest of meals, but super yummy!!!  We talked a long time about all this crap going on.  I got my FIL's onco's name.  He's been really happy with his onco. So, I am probably going to get a 2nd opinion. 

    I have to see my BS tomorrow and the rad onco, as well.  I need to make a spreadsheet of all my doctors!!!  My sister thinks I need to throw everything at this, even chemo if it's aggressive.  I remember hearing something about grade 3, hormone negative cancer responding well to chemo.  Ughhh...  I just remember saying that I wanted a bmx, so I could reduce my chances of not getting bc again and not taking chemo!  I will see what the results come back.  I'd rather get this crap out and never see it again!!! 

    Laura - congrats on losing so much weight!  That's awesome!  I lost about 16 lbs a few years ago.  I kept it off for a long time, but I mainly reduced my calories.  I gained a few lbs after my dad passed and my sister got bc.  Then, I gained about 8 lbs after my bmx, mainly from work stress.  I was on the road to being more healthy, watching what I ate and exercising and then got this crappy news!  I am still doing ok, though.  As you can imagine, I don't have much of an appetite.  I did enjoy some of that steak tonight though!  :)  It's always inspiring to hear other people lose weight and be healthy!  :)

  • kittycat
    kittycat Posts: 1,155
    edited May 2010

    Oops, I forgot to add...

    Packergirl - thanks for chiming in on this thread.  I remember talking to you for a while last year in Vegas about TN bc.  Any insight you have would be great!!!  Hopefully, my BS has my full report tomorrow, so I can see if I am hormone positive or not this time. 

  • Alitman
    Alitman Posts: 95
    edited May 2010

    Cnemeth - My original PS didn't give me anything or tell me to use anything on the scars.  My 2nd PS gave me a vaseline type product he developed.  His line of creams and stuff is called ENZA.  So far, I think it is working pretty well but it will be a long time before these scars settle down - it has only been 3 and a half weeks.  I am using it on the tummy tuck scars as well.

    Allie

  • musiclovermom
    musiclovermom Posts: 245
    edited May 2010

    Hey Allie! Good Morning!

    Kittycat - I am so sad that you are going through this. I see my breast surgeon every 3 months for breast checks but she said the oddest thing to me last time: It was just DCIS in your left...

    I thought WTF? JUST DCIS??? that was in my NON cancer boob!

    Any way, she is great and teaching me how to look for any signs of growth. I see her every 3 months for the first 2 years.

    I knew a woman who had a BMX in 2007 then in 2009 she had inflammatory breast cancer come back she had all of her reconstruction removed and lots of chemo - she died this February - scared the crap out of me because I met her 6 days after my BMX.

    Why is it that doctors do not think DCIS is dangerous? Is it not just sitting there growing and waiting to become IDC?

    Big Hugs and prayers!

    Kimberly

  • Texas357
    Texas357 Posts: 332
    edited May 2010

    Kristinka, I've been looking at that bathingsuit. I love love love halters, but the upper pole of my radiated foob is higher than the other side. I hope to get that fixed next fall by raising the other side to match but in the meantime I'm a little nervous about wearing halters.

    Judy, the tiny scab area is maybe 1/4" from the outer edge of the tattoo area. A little close but my PS may surprise me and say yes to the tattoos. I've been dabbing on antibiotic ointment but no improvement.

    As far as scars, I have a bright red scar from the surgical tape used last November. It hasn't lightened or improved at all -- and it's on the non-radiated side! I tried Mederma and it did nothing. Is the tape y'all have been talking about carried by drug stores?

  • dani42
    dani42 Posts: 206
    edited May 2010

    Kittycat,

    I haven't been on much lately but read what you are going through and am shocked and saddened.  I didn't think it was possible after a BMX.  My prayers are with you!  It is nice to hear that you have a wonderful support system.   

  • jizogarden
    jizogarden Posts: 139
    edited May 2010

    Important article on bc markers....for those who may not have seen it:

    http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/28/clues-for-personalizing-breast-cancer-treatment/?ref=health 

    On my way to my ps for my 1 week post exchange appointment :)  more later.......

    Strength and healing,

    Laura 

  • Katey
    Katey Posts: 496
    edited May 2010

    Back from lovely CA!  What lucky ladies to live out there (including my daughter:)  We had a fabulous trip, San Fran, Yosemite and Sonoma, love it!  Been taking time to catch up on everyone and taking bra notes to add to page 417!

    Kittycat.  I am so sorry to hear your news.  It is so maddening to get hit twice. Glad you are getting another opinion, hopefully at a top cancer center, it makes a difference.  I know it's a tough decision, but as your sister recommended - treat it aggressively. My heart and thoughts go out to you. You are a beautiful woman and have a treasure of a family support system!

    Other EC friends, our wakeup call to schedule those recheck appointments and be vigilant about our bodies. Many of us have mastectomies with DCIS to lower % of reoccurence, tho minute unfortunately it's still there.

    Okay, deep breaths and back to my wonderful memories of spending time with my daughter and husband in a beautiful part of the country!  My best to each one you healing and preparing for surgeries.

  • Lilah
    Lilah Posts: 2,631
    edited May 2010

    Koryn -- I am a uni... and I do notice I have pain in my left shoulder (my uni was on the right)... and assume there is some compensation going on where I am using my left arm much more now to do heavy lifting (and it is the side I carry my far too heavy purse on).  I am due for a lift on that side next week, so will be watching both sides now.  I have no numbness and was not told that would be a risk.  Sorry I can't offer more.

    Kitty -- I have also read that Grade 3 (regardless of neg or pos) responds very well to chemo.  If you do have to have it, don't fret too much ... I found the contemplation/fear of it was much worse than the experience of it. You can get through it!  They have great drugs now to handle the side effects and (for me anyway) the worst was losing my hair -- which is growing back.  I'd lose my hair and grow it back any day now if it means a better chance at beating cancer.  Good idea, too, to get a second opinion.  Take a deep breath and make an informed decision going forward.

    Laura1 -- I have made a note of that produce -- think I am gonna need it after next week!

    Laura2 -- thanks for the article!  My path report did include the Ki67 number (but not the other two)... I pretty much didn't need any other info though because my DCIS turned out to be IDC and HER2++ -- which meant: chemo.

  • jizogarden
    jizogarden Posts: 139
    edited May 2010
    I'm back from my ps appt. and be forewarned.....I'm having a gigantic pity party >=(

    I went for my first follow-up and my ps was very happy with my healing and how the girls look so far. He said that they are still on the firmer side because of inflammation. Once the inflammation reduces the implants will become more and more natural looking. This first part of my morning was fine....

    He does want me to wear a underwire bra to keep things in order.......this is when my morning began to take a downward spiral. I made the huge mistake of going to a local store to just try some bras on...well lets just say I had a melt down. I was standing there in the middle of jillions of bras and felt so ugly....my boobies are still kind of odd and all the bras just made me feel worse. I think everything that has happened over the last several weeks just came piling on top of me........I'm glad no one was around to see me crying.... It think part of it was that I never have worn an underwire in my life...I only have worn barley there bras. My boobs are still flat on front my scar is tight and they just aren't booby like yet. I don't know why I thought going into a dressing room with horribe lighting (which even pre bc always put me in the worse mood) would in any way make me feel better!!!!

    Ok....I'm going to lick my emotional wounds now....Sorry for being such a baby =( I'll be fine...just hit a small wave of sadness...

    I posted a couple of new photos on the forum. I wish I felt like there was more change to see. I'm going to try to post a new picture each week so the progression is documented..for me and for all that it may help.

    Wishing everyone a day with some silver lining...I'm going to go look for mine :)
    Laura

    and Graham's bright spirit

  • mlrbelle
    mlrbelle Posts: 24
    edited May 2010

    Just checking in.  I'm back at work today after 4/28 exchange and doing well - just a little uncomfortable if I push it.  

    Kittycat - I'm so sorry to hear your news.  As PP said, most of us with DCIS chose bilateral mx to virtually eliminate the risk of recurrence; I know I did.  It's so frustrating and unnerving to know that it can still come back.

    I don't remember who asked about the scar creams, but my PS' office recommended ScarGuard.  I found it at Target, and it's a silicone sort of stuff that you brush on and peel off.  I haven't started using it yet so I can't offer any opinion on how well it works though.

  • Texas357
    Texas357 Posts: 332
    edited May 2010

    Laura, you're allowed a meltdown. We've all had them at one time or another. It's how we let out our frustrations so that we can get down to the business of coping and adjusting.

    mirbelle, thanks for the tip on the scar cream. That sounds like a good option. I've got a PS appointment tomorrow and I also plan to ask her what she recommends.

  • Lilah
    Lilah Posts: 2,631
    edited May 2010

    Aw Laura2 hugs to you!  I agree with Texas... cry all you want and throw yourself an awesome pity party.

  • Texas357
    Texas357 Posts: 332
    edited May 2010

    I found a comparison chart of the various scar treatments at www.scartreatmentassociation.org. At the prices they charge for these creams, I'm hoping that my PS will prescribe something so that my insurance will help cover the cost.

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Posts: 6,028
    edited May 2010

    Texas:  Bio-Oil scored pretty well and you can pick that up at a drugstore.  Why not try that until you can get an RX from your PS. 

    I, on the other hand, happened to be shopping at Amazon.com last night on one screen while reading Exchange City on another screen.  I was ordering a pump for my fountain and needed to spend a few dollars to add to the purchase for free shipping.  So I saw Laura 1's post about "Scar Away" and so I found that on Amazon and voila, completed my order! 

  • rebetata
    rebetata Posts: 213
    edited May 2010

     jizogarden I am so sorry you had a break down but I will admit yesterday I went to Khol's to buy my daughter some gifts as tomorrow she turns 10 years old I had the same event. I tried on 1 bra and cried in the dressing room for a good 15 minutes. I saw my PS's nurse today and got my drains out. I will see my PS on Thursday as I have alot of questions. I notice some change but not as much as I am hoping for. I have a cold now on top a feeling like a monster I am home in bed.

    mIrbelle what kind of work do you do? I thought I was doing good but I didnt go back to work yet.

    Reebcca

  • val61
    val61 Posts: 969
    edited May 2010

    Jizo (Laura) - hang in there, sweetie, on the bra thing.  It IS hard to find one to fit reconstructed foobs.  The flatness thing.....I think we all have it.....except those who had nip or areola-sparing.  You just learn the brands that fit and ignore the rest.    Whippetmom's helping me put together some info on bras - both why and how.  Look for that to come soon on this thread.....it was a busy weekend.....

    Kristinka - cute suit!  Does it really offer enough support without a wire?  Did you try the Freya suits?  I LOVE the ones I got..... I do love the little skirts, though....way cuter than almost 50-yr-old thighs......

    Scar cream - I know I've said it before, but just in case there are newbies.....be very careful that the cream doesn't have any Vitamin E.....it acts as a steroid and can toughen the scar.....just the opposite of what we want.......

  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Posts: 6,028
    edited May 2010

    Laura2:  I posted some bra suggestions on your thread on the pictures forum.  Same recommendations I sent to rebetata.

  • musiclovermom
    musiclovermom Posts: 245
    edited May 2010

    Laura2 & Rebecca!

    I know what you are going through....

    PM me if you need anything or Laura2 I know you have my real e mail...

    Big Hugs! Kimberly

  • mlrbelle
    mlrbelle Posts: 24
    edited May 2010

    I both look forward to and dread the day I'm allowed to go to a normal bra again instead of these sports bras.

    Rebetata - I have a desk job as a paralegal, so not too much going on.  I think I get more rest here that at home with the kids, even when someone else is there LOL!  Although right now a nap is sounding really good ...

  • jizogarden
    jizogarden Posts: 139
    edited May 2010

    Dear Rebecca....

    I was in Kohl's too....not ready for a fitter at Nordstroms just yet :)

    I have been running my own doctors story through my head all afternoon....maybe it will help you too.  My own GP had a double mx about 6 months ahead of me.  She said when she first got her exchange she had a huge meltdown....she said that when she first saw her new boobs she was so sad....she said they looked just like her TEs....only a bit softer....and she said it took a solid 2 weeks until they began to look even close to what she hoped for.  She now has very very beautiful breasts.  So lets hold onto that....we feel like little monsters now but we are going to get pretty....promise ;)

    Here's to meldowns ;)

     Laura 

  • Katey
    Katey Posts: 496
    edited May 2010
    I just updated the BRAS info on page 417.  Let me know about any other suggestions or corrections to what is there!  Sorry about the "font" stuff, some was copied and I can't seem to edit it out!
  • rebetata
    rebetata Posts: 213
    edited May 2010

      Thank you for the story it means so much to me. Kimberly I really want to pot my pics but am really not up to it today maybe tomorrow. Then yo can see my 800 does not look like your 800. I know I am bigger frame that might be why well I will just try to be patient. Its only been 5 days after all. Deborah how soon can I use the scar creams?

    Rebecca 

Categories

Join Us on Zoom: Upcoming virtual support groups. Read more...
Share more about you! Fill out your NEW profile.