Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?

No one can get inner peace by pouncing on it, by vigorously willing to have it. Peace is a margin of power around our daily need.Peace is a consciousness of springs too deep for earthly droughts to dry up.Peace is the gift not of volitional struggle but of spiritual hospitality.

Puffin, Glad you had a good time. That is an awfully lot of snow. Is she worried the rail might break? We had a big snow here one time and then it warmed up and turned to rain making the snow really heavy. We lost the roof on our deck, but that was minor compared to a whole marina shed collapsing on the boats.

I suspect that the happiest people you know are the ones who work at being kind, helpful, and reliable—and happiness sneaks into their lives while they are busy doing those things.It is a by-product, never a primary goal. - Harold S. Kushner

Happy day for me today. I will work today and then have the next three off. It is my new schedule. Time to get a few X-mas cards done. The next few days are quite chilly ( 30 degrees this a.m. ) but the sun it out bright to make it feel really okay. If I have a cheerful sitting in the sky and winking at me --- it is all pretty good.

The furnace seems to be working QUITE well --- sometimes I feel a bit warm. It runs often but for such a short period. I know very little about heating systems, but feel un-like our OLD furnace --- the new one senses the change in indoor air temp. quickly and deals with it before it gets too chilly everywhere inside -- at least that is how it seems to me. I guess in the end --- the proof will be in the pudding. If our utility bills show good things.

I hope you are all going to have a terrific Thursday.

Heidi, Welcome to you. I have been working most of the day so missed your post till now ( 6:30 p.m. ). I hope some of the ladies who have done the more extensive surgery will come one. Sometimes it can be quiet here so don't give up on us. Carole I know had double mastectomy so I think she could give you some tips. I do know that there are special bras just for women who have had one or both breasts removed so you might try getting the names of stores that could be around you. I also think some of this is sort of trial and error to a degree. I hope you are able to get plenty of information to help you.

I won't be much help because all I had was a lumpectomy. I am wishing you well and hope you will keep coming ( we aren't a real large group here ) until someone comes on that has had some of your same issues.

Blessings,

Jackie

Heidi, I mostly wear lightweight stretchy bras and have the same problem. When are they going to make older women a foob that looks like them? The bras I wear come with a slip out shaper. Sometimes I put two of those on the real side to disguise the drooping. I would wait on the flabby slab to see what it does after a while. It can be removed surgically. Like Jan, I may end up having the healthy side removed so I can go without bras. The strap in the back crosses a muscle that's determined to hurt and a bra with a narrow back can spread the pressure. The only name I can think of is Coobie and these are a different brand. Similar bra, however.

I had bmx and reconstruction so have not dealt with the mismatched issue. Seems like a "not so perky" fob would be the solution

Be humble for you are made of earth. Be noble for you are made of stars.

- Serbian Proverb -

Thank you all. I do appreciate you ladies taking the time to answer. I had thought of possibly having the "good" breast removed at some point but not willing to go that route right now. I'll just keep experimenting with bras. I am getting quite the collection! LOL

~Heidi

Heidbird.....please go to the link below that is on Breast Cancer Org and you will find a lady called Ariom in Victoria, Australia that is so informative about breast forms. The list seems to have slowed down a bit, but you can always PM her. Hope this helps.

Forum: Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy → Topic: Custom breast prostheses

NO, Medicare does not pay for dog ears.  In June I went to a plastic surgeon to get my "dog ears" done on both sides.  I call them fat rolls.  I had really big breasts G cup before my double mastectomy and I was/am overweight.  I have lost 20 lbs  doing Atkins since June but would love to lose 10 more...Holidays are hard time to lose weight.

I was shocked that Medicare does not pay for the dog ears but will pay for a full reconstruction.  The liposuction cost me $1200.00 and I have one more liposuction to do since the fat roll is not gone.   The left side (where I had the cancer) has more fat than the right side. I will be doing the next liposuction in June again.  I work part time in a school and school is out then.  I hope the next liposuction gets the rest of it.

Hope this information helps you.

Having had only a lumpectomy, it’s not clear to me, when a mastectomy is done and the patient doesn’t want recon, why does the surgeon leave the dog ears?

Happy Saturday to all

I had BMX because I didn't want to be trying to "match" sides. I did not have reconstruction. I did have dog ears, especially on the cancer side. My surgeon removed them about a year later- maybe six month, I'm not sure, but Medicare paid for it- or maybe the secondary insurance (VA 100% Disabled widow) paid. The one on the left is gone, but I still have the dog ear on the right. It is much smaller, but still there. I also have lymphedema on that side, which could contribute to the dog ears. I wear foobs every day because without them, my balance is off, and the dog ears seems to swell and hurt if I go braless. For many months I had to wear an empty sports bra to bed because of the swelling overnight. It has taken 3 years to find bras that are comfortable. Medicare pays for 6 bras a year. Don't know if any of this is relevant to you, Heidi, but I guess my point is, regardless of individual circumstances, it takes a while to find what makes you happy. I go to a place that specializes in post mastectomy bra's. Maybe they would have better advice to you, Good Luck,

Anne

Thank you ChiSandy, Anne, MinusTwo..........both mastectomy surgeries were suppose to be skin sparing. They were done by the same surgeon yet the affected side has a TINY bit of skin and the other side is flat w/ the exception of a sizable lump near the sternum combined with the "dog ears" they are very noticeable when I wear my bras or a bathing suit. (Now I won't even go swimming it's so ugly.) The dog ears look like loose skin on the side under the armpit that use to be attached to "something", ChiSandy. Yeah, my boobs. I would like to have ONE scar from one side to the other and look like a 10 y/o boy. I was never more than a C cup depending on the bra, then only a B cup. Maybe at this age it shouldn't matter & I should just deal with it. And NO I will not go back to the same BS. Spiteful witch........just b/c I didn't want to use her PS. Both pathology reports states Simple Mastectomy. It's one of those coulda, shoulda situations. DH was layed off last Oct. then decided to retire thus the Medicare plus Tricare for Life from his military which picks up the other 20% like any other supplement.

Again, thank you all. I appreciate the feedback.

sorry DenvMom.......I forgot to include you in the thanks. Just a little rattle brained right as DH cut the tip of his finger off this afternoon while "playing" with his new Ninja chopper. He has had leukemia and his platets will never be normal so it's difficult to get him to clot.

Everyone have a great remainder of the weekend.