Exchange City

Letlet, I am having surgery the same week as you! Friday, March 4th. I was sooo looking forward to this as well but as the time approaches, not so much, and for the same reasons as you! Hopefully, they will turn out beautifully for us both and easy recoveries. I am also incredibly emotional too....but not sure if that's the Tamoxifen, or what I've been through or just a combo of all things. I'll be thinking about you on Monday....:)

Lilah-Thanks for the info.I had another member of the forum PM me and say that she has no problems doing chest exercises with the implants which is great news to me...I just have to heal up and give it some time like you said.

Dawne-Wow, that's great! it's amazing how the sizes can range so much on different body dimensions. I probably won't be able to wear a real bra for another four weeks, but look forward to seeing what my new size is going to be.Thanks for sharing your info with me!

Weights to stave off lymphedema

There's a new study reporting that if you've had lymphedema or are at risk of developing this condition, weight lifting can benefit you. Lymphedema is characterized by excess fluid (lymph) that collects in tissues and causes swelling (edema) in them. You've probably heard of it, if not experienced if yourself if you've had lymph nodes removed to treat breast cancer. Or if you were treated with high doses of radiation. You've probably also heard, "Go easy lifting the groceries. And don't lift your kids anymore or break out the dumb bells."

But in December 2010 a report came out stating that weight training reduced risk for arm swelling by 36% in women who had nodal dissections and then did supervised weight training for one year. The reduction was actually higher in women who had the most lymph nodes removed - 70 percent in participants who had five or more removed.

Based on these latest results, breast cancer rehabilitation should be the standard of care for conditioning and strengthening the arm, and ultimately for preventing injury, said Kathryn Schmitz, PhD, MPH, the lead investigator from the University of Pennsylvania's Abramson Cancer Center. The 77 women in the study looking at 154  breast cancer survivors who had lymph nodes removed, participated in twice weekly, 90-minute classes. They used free weights and machines and were closely supervised.

To find a certified trainer, American College of Sports Medicine: http://forms.acsm.org/_frm/crt/online_locator.asp.

Rebetata:  That is the best news ever!!!!!!  Congratulations!!!!!!  You will be celebrating for a month!!!!!!  Hugs!!!  You so made my day!

http://www.1uponcancer.com/freebies-and-discounts-for-cancer-patients/

Great news Rebecca!!

Yesterday I received my Coobie bra order in the mail - I'm in Canada so it took 3 weeks to get to me.  I wore one instead of wearing my hot pink push up to an event last night (I'm not quite 3 weeks post exchange but my PS said it was ok to wear a different bra for a few hours).

It felt so nice and much more comfortable than my compression bra.  I feel really good knowing that the light support from the Coobie bra is all I will need to look good in tops this summer!

MBJ - Just to qualify what you posted re lymphedema and lifting weights.  The key here is to go SLOWLY.  If you already have lymphedema and start lifting weights & it is not under control, lifting will make it worse.  There was a lot publicized & written about that particular study and some misconceptions.  Here is a qualifer that was written to put the study in perspective.

http://www.lymphnet.org/pdfDocs/Weight_LE_Misconception.pdf

Annie I don't believe the Coobie support is enough for me just yet. 

I only wore my Coobie for a couple of hours during a special event that I was hosting last night - my compression bra is bright WHITE with thick straps and I wanted something that was less "noticeable" under my black slinky top.

What I love the most about it though is the light padding.  It is a great equalizer.  I'm a UNI so my natural lifted side is projecting more than my implant side.  Not noticeable with the Coobie!

I bought 6 new Coobies - some with the lace v-front and a few in the regular style.  The bonus is that some of them came with clear straps!

I also went to Old Navy over the weekend and picked up a couple of their sleeping shelf-bra adjustable strap tank tops.  They are perfect with the right amount of support to wear on their own or under tops and they have a great selection of fun colours.

I need to re-evaluate my summer tops for our upcoming trip to Hawaii (during the kids spring break) and the tanks look good under sundresses too.

Lilah!  Look at your hair!  You have lots of curly hair now!  Yours will be longer than mine by Vegas!

Whoa, Rebecca!!! What great news!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I kinda want to be mad at the bozos who messed up, but, naaa, I am too happy for you!!

Rebetata CONGRATS!! I can not begin to imagine the sense of relief you must feel That;s crazy but glad it all got straightened out quickly!!!

MBJ what method is your doctor using for your nip recon? I just had my consultation with my PS and he said it wouldn;t be a big deal if I had a cold cause I wasn't going under, also I didnt require a pre-op so now I am thinking you are having something more involved than me and I am curious if I have options.

Diane

Rebecca - Happy Dance, indeed!  AWESOME!  I am so sorry that you had to go through what you did .. but REJOICE with you that it is all clear.  Breathing a sigh of relief, which I know you are too x10.  xo

DawneHope:  Thank you for that additional info on working out and lymphedema

Didel:  He is doing a skin graft plus a modified CV flap.  I'm a uni so I thought this method would look more natural next to my real one.  Also, he is doing some more fat grafting.

Here's a link to the thread about the Las Vegas reunion trip:

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/34/topic/764104?page=1

I'm a UNI - is it just me or do any of you other unis have the vee in the v-neck slide over to the natural side by itself?

Is this because my natural side is bigger than my implant side or am I doing something weird?