I look for other flat chested women. A rant.

Momine

Racoon, I forgot, about that shoulder. I do my stretches and work out and yadda-yadda. My mobility has been and continues to be good, but both shoulders do act a bit funky once in a while. If they start being difficult (achy and stiff), I make sure to do the stretches twice a day until it passes.

FernMF

Happyraccoon - you look HAPPY . . . flat is o.k.  I was almost flat to begin with . . . I still where prosthesis at work and church and sometimes "out" but at home, NOTHING, and walking, NOTHING.  No wig at home or out either - just a hat - - wig is only at work and church. 

I walked today - 3 miles - feel nearly normal.  I am on day 12 after round 3 of 4 rounds . . so 75% done . . and praising God that my sideeffects have been minimal as compared to what I have read on all these threads. . . . HOPEFULLY, this means that I am a strong woman, and blessed - and NOT that the chemotheraphy is having no effect to lower my percentage of recurrence.

HAPPY DAY TO YOU ALL - it's a gorgeous weather day here . . . and I am enjoying the cool breezes flowing through the house.

Momine

Fern, I had 4 rounds prior to surgery and my tumor shrank like crazy although I had relatively few SEs.

Orange73

I had bmx immediate recon TEs were out 3 weeks later. I have had nothing since didnt even wake up like this I could care less. I rock the no chest.Look at the models gwen stefani love her. I had skin sparring so Im fine no ones notices if they do oh well.

pip57

 Wow. Something I never expected last night.  I mean, no son ever wants to see his mom's boobs.  So he certainly doesn't want to see her lack of boobs either.

But last night, my son inadvertently brushed up across my chest.  He seemed shocked and said "there's nothing there.  Nothing."  I was a little surprised that he hadn't realized this before as it has been 5 years since my dbl mast and I never wear foobs.  I casually mentioned that if he ever wanted to see that he just needed to ask.  Well, his fiance asked.  She was quite interested in the scars, ribs, lack of insulation between the skin and the bones, etc.  I was pleased with her reaction.  Then my son, with his hands sheilding his eyes, said he wanted just a real quick look.  He too was fascinated...not at all what he expected.  I am not sure what he thought it would look like but I had no idea either before I had the mast myself.  

Anyways, it was a an unexpected event that seemed quite natural.  I just hope my son doesn't have nightmares about it later! lol 

pip57

 Wow. Something I never expected last night.  I mean, no son ever wants to see his mom's boobs.  So he certainly doesn't want to see her lack of boobs either.

But last night, my son inadvertently brushed up across my chest.  He seemed shocked and said "there's nothing there.  Nothing."  I was a little surprised that he hadn't realized this before as it has been 5 years since my dbl mast and I never wear foobs.  I casually mentioned that if he ever wanted to see that he just needed to ask.  Well, his fiance asked.  She was quite interested in the scars, ribs, lack of insulation between the skin and the bones, etc.  I was pleased with her reaction.  Then my son, with his hands sheilding his eyes, said he wanted just a real quick look.  He too was fascinated...not at all what he expected.  I am not sure what he thought it would look like but I had no idea either before I had the mast myself.  

Anyways, it was a an unexpected event that seemed quite natural.  I just hope my son doesn't have nightmares about it later! lol 

pip57

 Wow. Something I never expected last night.  I mean, no son ever wants to see his mom's boobs.  So he certainly doesn't want to see her lack of boobs either.

But last night, my son inadvertently brushed up across my chest.  He seemed shocked and said "there's nothing there.  Nothing."  I was a little surprised that he hadn't realized this before as it has been 5 years since my dbl mast and I never wear foobs.  I casually mentioned that if he ever wanted to see that he just needed to ask.  Well, his fiance asked.  She was quite interested in the scars, ribs, lack of insulation between the skin and the bones, etc.  I was pleased with her reaction.  Then my son, with his hands sheilding his eyes, said he wanted just a real quick look.  He too was fascinated...not at all what he expected.  I am not sure what he thought it would look like but I had no idea either before I had the mast myself.  

Anyways, it was a an unexpected event that seemed quite natural.  I just hope my son doesn't have nightmares about it later! lol 

pip57

Sorry.  The gremlins were at work again.

Linda-n3

Fern, glad you are doing well with TC. It was a b***** for me, got permanent neuropathy, am always happy to hear that it is really working well for some women. I am able to walk 3 miles 2-3 times a week now, but it takes me about 2 days to recover from it. Am trying to get up to 5 miles 3-5 times a week by November. You have given me a little more encouragement! Thanks!



Chirp, I would be happy to be in your "pilot" group of photos.... just let me know how and where to post. I tend to be a bit of a dolt when it comes to learning new online skills, but once I have learned them, I do pretty well - as evidenced by the fact that I post a lot here. I just don't always do as well when posting images or photos, but have in the past been able to get photos onto Facebook, so am sure I can learn to get them to a web site to share.



MT1, I think you are asking about "sensory feedback" from the foobs. Sometimes the soft pressure they provide seems to reduce pain, just as when you have a painful joint and rub it, the pain decreases. This is probably related to the "gate theory" of pain - there are two main sensory pathways that conduct pain, a fast and slow. The fast one is set off by the injury, but if you get signals along the slow pathway, it sort of cancels the other one out. If you are interested in the science behind this, I can get you more detailed info - this is just a general concept. So holding onto or rubbing a sore spot relieves pain, sucking on a finger that you just sliced on a sharp knife, etc - these help relieve pain, and I think that is what using the pressure from the silicon forms may do. However, other times, for me anyway, they can tend to irritate an already painful area, and I just cannot predict which response I will get until I try it. Using a light massage technique along the scars can also help releive some of the pain - called myofascial release.



Nice to see some new flatties here!

Linda-n3

Fern, glad you are doing well with TC. It was a b***** for me, got permanent neuropathy, am always happy to hear that it is really working well for some women. I am able to walk 3 miles 2-3 times a week now, but it takes me about 2 days to recover from it. Am trying to get up to 5 miles 3-5 times a week by November. You have given me a little more encouragement! Thanks!



Chirp, I would be happy to be in your "pilot" group of photos.... just let me know how and where to post. I tend to be a bit of a dolt when it comes to learning new online skills, but once I have learned them, I do pretty well - as evidenced by the fact that I post a lot here. I just don't always do as well when posting images or photos, but have in the past been able to get photos onto Facebook, so am sure I can learn to get them to a web site to share.



MT1, I think you are asking about "sensory feedback" from the foobs. Sometimes the soft pressure they provide seems to reduce pain, just as when you have a painful joint and rub it, the pain decreases. This is probably related to the "gate theory" of pain - there are two main sensory pathways that conduct pain, a fast and slow. The fast one is set off by the injury, but if you get signals along the slow pathway, it sort of cancels the other one out. If you are interested in the science behind this, I can get you more detailed info - this is just a general concept. So holding onto or rubbing a sore spot relieves pain, sucking on a finger that you just sliced on a sharp knife, etc - these help relieve pain, and I think that is what using the pressure from the silicon forms may do. However, other times, for me anyway, they can tend to irritate an already painful area, and I just cannot predict which response I will get until I try it. Using a light massage technique along the scars can also help releive some of the pain - called myofascial release.



Nice to see some new flatties here!

Linda-n3

Fern, glad you are doing well with TC. It was a b***** for me, got permanent neuropathy, am always happy to hear that it is really working well for some women. I am able to walk 3 miles 2-3 times a week now, but it takes me about 2 days to recover from it. Am trying to get up to 5 miles 3-5 times a week by November. You have given me a little more encouragement! Thanks!



Chirp, I would be happy to be in your "pilot" group of photos.... just let me know how and where to post. I tend to be a bit of a dolt when it comes to learning new online skills, but once I have learned them, I do pretty well - as evidenced by the fact that I post a lot here. I just don't always do as well when posting images or photos, but have in the past been able to get photos onto Facebook, so am sure I can learn to get them to a web site to share.



MT1, I think you are asking about "sensory feedback" from the foobs. Sometimes the soft pressure they provide seems to reduce pain, just as when you have a painful joint and rub it, the pain decreases. This is probably related to the "gate theory" of pain - there are two main sensory pathways that conduct pain, a fast and slow. The fast one is set off by the injury, but if you get signals along the slow pathway, it sort of cancels the other one out. If you are interested in the science behind this, I can get you more detailed info - this is just a general concept. So holding onto or rubbing a sore spot relieves pain, sucking on a finger that you just sliced on a sharp knife, etc - these help relieve pain, and I think that is what using the pressure from the silicon forms may do. However, other times, for me anyway, they can tend to irritate an already painful area, and I just cannot predict which response I will get until I try it. Using a light massage technique along the scars can also help releive some of the pain - called myofascial release.



Nice to see some new flatties here!

Linda-n3

Also having trouble with the gremlins here.... had 3 copies of same post, so I deleted 2 of them.

pip57

My son just left to go back to his home.  He gave me a very long hug goodbye.  Then he said 'thankyou for showing me your scars.  I never really realized how much you have been through.'  What a great day.

River_Rat

Pip, your son sounds like quite the man.

My granddaughters saw my chest while they were little after I had healed well.  I'm six years out and they had all forgotten what my chest looks like so recently asked to see it again.  They're 8 years old and didn't seem bothered at all by it - just kind of thought it was funny that their boobs are already bigger than mine.  My 6 year old grandson wanted to see too and he just thought it was "interesting."

pip57

Isn't their curiosity and 'interest' one of the greatest responses of all?  Not fear or dread or pity.  Just curiosity.  Love kids.

happyraccoon

i love it here! thank for this great honest place!! changes the whole thing from sometthing that happened to me into something we all handle together. im glad to see glimpses of how children/family come to terms and new understanding! you women are good moms!



thank you for my new category name: flattie. love it!!

Outfield

Pip, your son is at a very different stage from my kids!  They've seen me bare-chested a gazillion times.  I have really started behaving a lot like a guy around the house.  I live in a very hot climate, and it's just more comfortable to have my shirt off.  My kids were 2 and 3 when I was diagnosed, and it just didn't seem like a big deal for them to see my chest.  I was raised in a family that was very relaxed that way, and have carried on with that.  There have been a lot of difficulties along the way since my diagnosis, but, luckily, worrying about them seeing me hasn't been one of them.

pip57

My sons are in their twenties.  They were used to my 'big boobs'.    I think it's great that your kids don't think it is such a big deal...but sad that they were so little when you went through it all.

MT1

My breast cancer support pool program is going to be filmed for ABC on Monday and I have agreed to participate. I may be interviewed on camera (in my bathing suit-I may even shave my armpits for this!!! lol). Can you folks help me boil down the bulletpoints of being a flattie? I need concise, well thoughtout answers

Why did you decide against reconstruction?

Answer:

No additional surgery needed.

No amount of reconstruction will give me my breasts back. 

My identity as female is not dependant on having breasts.

Is there another answer that would make you guys cheer from the rafters?

Erica! You did wonderfully in your Huff Post Video interview. I have been interviewed and dealt with the reverb, which is very disconcerting, I am sorry you had to deal with that but so happy that you did the interview! We are an out-loud-proud group! 

pip57

Also...

Scans had missed my bc for years.  Did not want to rely on them in the future.

Estrogen stored in breast tissue.  Strongly Estrogen fueled bc in my case.

No more bras.  Surgeon felt that wearing bras does not 'help' lymphedema situation. 

pip57

Also...

Scans had missed my bc for years.  Did not want to rely on them in the future.

Estrogen stored in breast tissue.  Strongly Estrogen fueled bc in my case.

No more bras.  Surgeon felt that wearing bras does not 'help' lymphedema situation. 

CLC

My number one reason was I don't want foreign material in my body. 

Reconstruction doesn't restore sensation...it is only for appearance.

I wanted my daughter to know that breasts don't make a woman beautiful...strength and vitality do.

Good luck with this, MT!!

pip57

Yes, that was another reason for me too.  Seemed silly to put numb lumps on my body just to look like people think I should.  I think I have more sensation there because I don't have any foreign object between my nerves and my skin.

FernMF

Less painful surgery. Less time in surgery. Quicker recovery. No more uncomfortable bras (weren't they all?). No recurrence in breast tissue that isn't there.

FernMF

Less painful surgery. Less time in surgery. Quicker recovery. No more uncomfortable bras (weren't they all?). No recurrence in breadth tissue that isn't there.

crystalphm

Ok, I just watched the new movie Pink Ribbons Inc and I didn't see any uniboobers of flat ladies. Wow, were they hidden from view to make the movie?

Or do i just not notice?, which would be a good thing.

Outfield

Oh, people have already said these but I second or third them.  Yes, no numb lumps!  If I could have sensate nipples again, I'd consider more surgery.  But that's magical thinking.   And my cancer too wasn't caught on routine mammos - was stage III at diagnosis despite a normal (even looking at it in retrospect, knowing where the cancer had to have been already) 8 mammo 8 months prior.

Also, many of the reconstruction options use muscle from other parts of the body.  As an athlete, I didn't want to compromise the functional integrity some other body part to do something purely cosmetic.  

Outfield

Oh, people have already said these but I second or third them.  Yes, no numb lumps!  If I could have sensate nipples again, I'd consider more surgery.  But that's magical thinking.   And my cancer too wasn't caught on routine mammos - was stage III at diagnosis despite a normal (even looking at it in retrospect, knowing where the cancer had to have been already) 8 mammo 8 months prior.

Also, many of the reconstruction options use muscle from other parts of the body.  As an athlete, I didn't want to compromise the functional integrity some other body part to do something purely cosmetic.  

Outfield

Oh, people have already said these but I second or third them.  Yes, no numb lumps!  If I could have sensate nipples again, I'd consider more surgery.  But that's magical thinking.   And my cancer too wasn't caught on routine mammos - was stage III at diagnosis despite a normal (even looking at it in retrospect, knowing where the cancer had to have been already) 8 mammo 8 months prior.

Also, many of the reconstruction options use muscle from other parts of the body.  As an athlete, I didn't want to compromise the functional integrity some other body part to do something purely cosmetic.  

Outfield

Oh, people have already said these but I second or third them.  Yes, no numb lumps!  If I could have sensate nipples again, I'd consider more surgery.  But that's magical thinking.   And my cancer too wasn't caught on routine mammos - was stage III at diagnosis despite a normal (even looking at it in retrospect, knowing where the cancer had to have been already) 8 mammo 8 months prior.

Also, many of the reconstruction options use muscle from other parts of the body.  As an athlete, I didn't want to compromise the functional integrity some other body part to do something purely cosmetic.