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  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 6,416
    edited January 2010

    Dearest Fairport... I pray you are doing well and healing with little to no pain... (((HUGS))

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  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 6,416
    edited January 2010

    Me too Colleen... Me too!

    I am re-reading on of my fav books by Patrick Quillin: Beating Cancer with Nutrition

    I am going to the the newest one this week.

    This is the only book I kept. He used to work with the Cancer Centers of Amercia... He is a PHD in Nutrition... he is the real deal..... Plus.. I am now... a VEGGIE junky.... soooooo.... his book is an easy read for me....

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  • lifegoeson
    lifegoeson Member Posts: 189
    edited January 2010

    Deborah, I think that is a good idea to answer questions on the other thread.  This thread moves really fast and it is easy for questions to be missed by accident and I'd hate for a total newbie to be urged to come here only to feel ignored.

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  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,920
    edited January 2010

    I LOVE THIS PHOTO OF YOU AND KENYA!  How is your baby doing?

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  • Nedeza
    Nedeza Member Posts: 666
    edited January 2010

    Bobbi ~

    That's what it's all about isn't it...SHARING & caring for one another on this journey.

    Lilah ~

    My DH is awesome & looks beyond my scars,etc.  I know he's a keeper when I surprised him with a trip during my expansions & I broke down crying when he talked about intimancy...just all out bawling!  He asked why the tears & I told him "I didn't feel pretty..to him".  He immediately gave me a huge hug & said  I was as beautiful as the first day we met!!  Since all this I have found that those cute baby doll lingerie come in handy...if you know what I mean...I felt uncomfortable baring my chest but the baby dolls do a good job concealing & making me feel like "back to me".

    To the contrary...I am open about my BC.  I am a hygienist & every opportunity I have with a patient who had BC I would talk to them for advice.  It became my form of therapy & support before I found all of YOU!  I also advocate preventative measures for the women I see.. the importance of self exams & mammograms.  I feel like I am helping.

    Noriko

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  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 4,898
    edited January 2010

    NAE -- Your DH does sound like a keeper!  My BF as well.  He doesn't care.  I do.  But his not caring helps me to care less... which is a lovely thing. 

    I live on a lake and it's a gossipy place... well meaning but still.  I hated thought of being gossiped about... so I think that shaped my choice to remain private.  I also work in a public-ish field and wanted to protect my privacy there as well.  Maybe it's just me... lol... Anyway I have one friend on the lake who knows (a close, dear friend) and together we have enjoyed the game of keeping the secret close.  I suspect that when I am done I will be more open about it.

    Cheers,

    Lilah

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  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 1,092
    edited January 2010

    DEBORAH:  the SFV-12 is what I have.  It is the VERSAFIL Round, with a port that is attached by a  tube.  The dimensions are 12.0cm by 9.0cm  It has a capacity of 600cc  It is a tissue expander versus a breast only tissue expander?? The VERSAFILs come in shapes like round, oval and rectangular, as well as croissant   It will be narrow and have high projection for an expander.   In any case, thats the story of the SFV-12..

    See the back of the Allergan Catalog... Hope this helps..JUDY

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  • Nedeza
    Nedeza Member Posts: 666
    edited January 2010

    Lilah ~

    I have to admit...since so many do know what I had & had done (reconstruction)...I have noticed that people stare at my chest as I talk to them!  LOL!!! 

    NAE

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  • Nedeza
    Nedeza Member Posts: 666
    edited January 2010

    Bobbi ~ Julie

    Since my diagnosis my DH has been there for me as I mentioned earlier.  He never complains. He doesn't ask for anything.  He is a workaholic who does everything to provide a fantastic life for us.  It is never about him..it is all about his wife & kids!  Well...I decided to surprise him back in Sept. post MX/ during expansions with a trip to Vegas.  He had absolutely no clue!  I made reservations, packed up the trunk, & told him HE had to take me on my next Dr. appt.  Kids went to Grandma's.  As we were driving along, he began pulling over to get off the freeway...I then fessed up & said this was all a con to take him "away" for the weekend!  He had the biggest grin!!!  He had not been to Vegas in 15 years!  The clincher...I even packed his favorite pillow...yea...a pillow!  LOL!!!  I was on a roll there after...I surprised him 2 wks. later with a weekend trip to San Diego for his b-day!  He deserved every bit of it!  I wish I could have done more!

    NAE

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  • Texas357
    Texas357 Member Posts: 1,552
    edited January 2010

    Should I be concerned? I have my 4-week post-exchange follow up on Friday. My prophylactic side is starting to get a fairly large dimple toward the top. Is there where the fat injections would help? What happens if I have no fat to donate???

    And the rads side seems to have gotten higher on my shoulder over the past few days. Today is the first day that I'm officially cleared to wear a regular bra. Will that make a difference? Is there a possibility that it will migrate higher or even drop a little now that the compression is off?

    It seems that the rads side is darker, is in, maybe still a little swollen. Drat, I sure wish I could get my camera to work.

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  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 6,416
    edited January 2010

    Texas....I really need to see you pictures....I know the fear of rads implant failure..go get a cheap camera

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  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 6,416
    edited January 2010

    Ps..my rads breast is darker and it is higher because the do not drop and fluff like the non rads side

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  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 6,416
    edited January 2010

    Forgive my spelling ladies. I use my blackberry a lot on here...lol

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  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 6,416
    edited January 2010

    Just for you sweet rads sisters...I am going to post some of my pics today....on the picture forum..I can show you what our PS consider a great result after having 4 beam/area radiation. I can tell you I am not perfect but I am pleased considering rads and all......hang in there.....pm me anytime if u choose to send me your pictures privately ....

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  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,920
    edited January 2010
    JUDY:  THANK YOU!  Wow....I missed that one!  I hope I did not send deekay on a wild goose chase.  I just PM'd her - since she has not been back here.  I'm glad you caught that one for me!!!!Wink
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  • LauraK23
    LauraK23 Member Posts: 159
    edited January 2010

    Hi Ladies,

    I had my exchange last January, but just had another one last week.  The radiated boob was not as big as the other and about 1 inch higher.  So the PS wanted to go in and break up the capsule and try to relax the radiated side.  I told him that I was having issues filling the cup of a bra.  I had 500cc moderate profile and I was wearing a 38A bra and still not filling the cup all the way out.  Soooo since he was taking me back to surgery anyway, he traded them out for 600cc high profile.  Do you know that I still don't fill out an A cup.  What is up with that???  My original boobs were approx. 250cc's and I wore a 36A.  I'm more than twice and big and it seems I've only grown width wise. 

    I'm sure I would wear a C cup if I could get a 34 around me, but that's not happening.  Do you know how hard it is to find a 38A bra?  Anybody else having issues with this??? 

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  • lifegoeson
    lifegoeson Member Posts: 189
    edited January 2010

    Deborah,

    Kenya is doing really well.  She can walk and she can run short distances.  She still has trouble with stairs but she's happy and that's what matters.   

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  • whippetmom
    whippetmom Member Posts: 6,920
    edited January 2010

    ((((Kenya)))))

    Laurak23:  That is bizarre.  Can you post photos on the pictures forum?  Or you can email them to me privately.  There are some cases where the chest wall configuration is such that the implants almost become "swallowed up" by the ribcage....not sure if this is what you are describing, but something is certainly going on.  Let's see if we can figure this out for you.  In the meantime, Bare Necessities and Herroom have your size.  Here is a link to 35 styles in 38A:

    http://www.barenecessities.com/Bras-38A_catalog_nxs,31,size,984.htm

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  • juliempw
    juliempw Member Posts: 383
    edited January 2010

    NAE, wow, what a great idea to surprise him with a trip but I especially love the way you did it.  When things setting down, I have to do that!  I agree about the baby dolls, they not only make me look normal but actually help to take the pressure off and I feel good in them--which is funny, I used to hate them because I hated my legs, funny how perspective changes! LOL

    I agree that it's been therapeutic for me to talk to people at work but I work with nurses and physical therapists so I knew from the beginning that I wanted ANY information I could get and I couldn't get it unless I shared.  Lilah, I'm just glad you have the support you need in the way you need it! 

    Texas357/Anybody, I'm glad to see you post these questions.  I didn't have rads but the questions you ask apply to both.  I wonder, when I get to that point, if I'll have fat to donate for fat grafting or if I'll have to live with those imperfections.  I've also wondered about the importance of the bra.  I know you're more concerned about the rads side but on either side, I wonder if it makes a lot of difference what bras we're wearing and if it makes a difference to wear a bra at night as well.  I would guess these things are heavier than our natural breast tissue was, so it seems like we'd have problems with sagging.  Will we all have softballs on our stomachs in 20 years?? 

    Julie 

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  • Texas357
    Texas357 Member Posts: 1,552
    edited January 2010

    I got my camera to half-way work enough to get a few photos, which I've posted on the pictures forum. Maybe I'm being way too picky? I want to be prepared with your comments when I see the PS on Friday morning.

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  • AStorm
    AStorm Member Posts: 1,429
    edited January 2010

    Thank you for your post, Geena. I'll be thinking of you, Sis.

     I just read my pre-op documents and there is a paragraph about insurance coverage advising me that insurance companies often do not cover revisions. That never occurred to me, but I guess it's just one more stressful detail I'll have to deal with.

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  • Peggio
    Peggio Member Posts: 274
    edited January 2010

    Lilah ~ I chose not to tell many people as well (only my family and closest friends).  I am a private person too and just didn't want a ton of people knowing and asking questions especially in front of my children.  For the most part, I'm glad I did it that way.  I have chosen to tell a few more people now and feel more comfortable talking about it. 

    LauraK23 ~ I was originally a 36A and during TE phase was a 38A.  It IS hard to find that size!  I did find some at Kohls and JCPenneys.  You can also get bra hook extenders at Target in the lingerie dept. for about $6.  Maybe then you could find a 36B that would fit better.  Are you happy with the size and just frustrated with finding a bra? Or are you unhappy with the size.  You are probably still swollen from surgery as far as the band width at this point.

    Peg

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2010

    Texas357 - popping foobs - oh my!!  you probably already know this.........when you go down in band size, you go up in cup size....the wires of a 34C are the same size as the wires on a 32D.....

    Julie - I know I'm a bit late to the conversation, but you're definitely not alone with the dh situation.  As Estepp said, the people in our lives who love us most want so badly for us to be OKAY....the sooner they can say that, the better for them.....just not necessarily for us.  My dh made me so mad when he wrote in our Christmas letter that I had a "SURGICAL CURE" (just like that - in all caps, no less). That may be technically true, but it certainly doesn't reflect the scope that reconstruction encompasses.  Needless to say, I edited it!

    Mary - welcome back!  You go, girl, with those low-cut tops! Congrats on a nips surg date, too!

    Lilah - just wanted to say that you bring a smile to my face with your cheerful comments!

    Lizziesnunu - how are you doing?  Hope you're healing well.....and infection-free!

    Enjoy the rest of your day, ladies!

    Val

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  • Lilah
    Lilah Member Posts: 4,898
    edited January 2010

    Aw thanks Val!  I do try to be cheerful... or rather I AM most days.  It's so weird too because if you had asked me say, last year, how I might be emotionally if ever diagnosed with cancer, I'd have said: morose... very morose... hiding in the bed and crying morose.  Which, all in all, I have hardly done at all. 

    I feel lucky!

    Cheers,

    Lilah

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  • Nedeza
    Nedeza Member Posts: 666
    edited January 2010

    Julie ~

    It is funny how self-perception has changed us after BC.  I never wore baby dolls prior either but now I love them!  Soo...here's to VS!!!  I think DH is enjoying them too!

    I see there are quite a few surgeries coming up in the next few weeks!  Good luck ladies!  You are almost there!   & Volleygirl...good luck on your nip surgery...you lucky girl!!  I will find out what's next for me this Friday.

    Many, many hugs to all!

    NAE

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  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 1,637
    edited January 2010

    Deborah - I think that makes sense to respond to questions there. After all, our primary goal is to provide whatever help we can to who ever needs it. And you are wonderful for that! Thanks so much!

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  • Mykidsmom
    Mykidsmom Member Posts: 1,637
    edited January 2010

    Shoshi - I am so glad your surgery is behind you! Congratulations!

    NAE - Your dh sounds wonderful, as do you!

    Laura - How is that weaning from the drugs coming? Thinking of you my dear!

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  • Hannahbearsmom
    Hannahbearsmom Member Posts: 431
    edited January 2010

    Mykidsmom:  I hope that your mom is feeling better and starting to get her strength back. My exchange surgery date is scheduled for March 8--can't waitSmile. I just wanted to thank you for starting this thread and keeping up with all the dates,etc.

    TCK

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  • o2bhealthy
    o2bhealthy Member Posts: 2,101
    edited January 2010

    Yes!! Thank you MyKidsMom and Whippetmom for being so generous with your time and knowledge!

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  • deekaay
    deekaay Member Posts: 328
    edited January 2010

    I love this EC site.  So much activity!!

    Weighing in on the dh discussion, I've got a great one, but he's not always where I am in this weird bc biz.  And...I finally figured out that's because I am often between two places myself.  Some times I am so self absorbed with the bc stuff, it's my total perspective.  It colors my world at times and I hate that, but that's how it's been and hope long term that will really change.  Other times, I want to forget that I've had bc and don't want to even think about it for one second.  So...there's no way my dh could ever match where I am at any point in time.  I like the way he just gets on with normal life, that's good for me and him, and when I need to talk about some thing related to bc, then I tell him and don't expect him to just "know" where I am.  Works for us so far.

    Deborah, thanks for responding.  Sorry I didn't have what you need.  I will leave a message for my PS nurse and ask for expander width, height and get correct model number.  Is there anything else I need to ask for?  I'll ask her to go back in my file and get the correct information.  Thanks again for your help.  This weekend I will see if dh can help me post on pix forum.  deekaay 

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