MASTECTOMY MEETUP

Rosa, if you are in the US then plastic surgery has to be covered. jinmo, glad you are doing so well!

In your pocket Rosa!!

hello.

I declare myself citizen #2 of Notataland!

I really don't think I will miss them. Mammograms give me nightmares now.

Went to see family doc who wrote antidepressant script. Did total of 10 errands today and two more tomorrow.

Preop and surgery scheduled for the morning of Feb 15th. Relieved quite a bit. Made an arm pillow for myself which came out quite OK.

Thank you ladies for all inspirations

My UMX surgery was Nov. 9 , so just over 3 months ago. I have adjusted fairly well to the lopsideness. My insurance covered one breast form but I found another Foob I like a lot better and purchased it myself. It is part silicone and part microbeads and fabric, so not nearly as heavy as the one I was prescribed. I still despise the flab hanging under the arm. My BS said it helps to fill out the bra and I will notice that emptiness if I have it removed. Still thinking on whether or not I will do that in the future. I noticed I have lost some ROM after having some pain doing my prescribed exercises. I have a consult for PT but worry about someone causing the lymphedema that I do not yet have. (strange worry?) I do have some soreness and numbness but nothing that prevents me from enjoying my daily activities. Emotionally I think I am doing great. I had no sentimental attachment to the breast and my mind was more relieved to have it gone along with any hidden cells that might try to rear their ugly heads later. I had chemo prior to my surgery and my hair has started coming back enough that it almost looks scraggly around the ears. LOL Yeah! I even had my port removed 2 weeks again. Yeehaw!

Hopefully all of you are doing well. I have been off the forum for over a month and decided to check in today to see if I could give encouragement to anyone as I got it when I first came here. My co-workers have asked how I can continue to smile. My answer is "Life is good and I am still living it".

By the way I found these great cleavage covers that I seem to use a lot as the mastectony bras seem to be cut a little higher than my "regular" bras were. They seemed to peek out from the type of tops I typically wear. This solves my problem. If you want any information on them let me know.

Wishing all of you the best.

~Heidi

My surgery is coming up on March 3, 2017 and I am also scared. I think I'm more scared of how it is going to look/feel to no longer have that boob and how much pain I'll be. I'm glad it will be bandaged up when I wake up because I don't want to see it. I am going to get reconstruction surgery but at a later date. Once this surgery is complete, I go in get radiation for six weeks and once I heal from it, I go for reconstruction surgery. Since I'm African American, the doctor said my scars would be more prominent/keloids but most importantly, I'm alive.I'll have another surgery for my other boob. Reduction/lift. I just hope I don't freak out so much that they end up putting me in the nutty farm! lol Tell me I'm not gonna lose it!

I did realize, recently, that in order to dress myself, I'll need shirts that button in the front. Found a few and some yoga pants but dang, all these purchases are making me dizzy...don't think you can ever be fully prepared but I'm trying. I did get my toe nails done cause a girl has to look plus they won't be talking about me while I'm under!...lol

ajbclan - thank you! I hope I can take it like you!I will be getting a TE so I guess I'll have some discomfort to. Thanks for the clothing list. I need to go get more...yuck! I hate shopping...lol But I think I'll just deal with what I have for now and get more at a later date, if needed....because, I really hate shopping...online and at a store. I can buy a month's worth of food in 45 minutes flat!!! hee hee

I purchased Pink Pockets to put on the inside of my shirts. I have two more saved for my exchange surgery JUST IN CASE my PS decides I need drains.

Hello,

I can relate to having dense breast. I also have dense breast. Funny thing is I was told I have dense breast in my late teens and they told me it's nothing to worry about alot of women have them. Never was told it makes me a higher risk for breast cancer.

I had a mastectomy Jan.24, 2017 left breast only. I start rad March 6. My question is what do women ware for a bra up until reconstruction? My radiologist says no bra until four weeks after rad. I'm very self conscious when I go out in public. I ware very loose shirts but it is still noticeable. Also, due to chemo it made me premenopausal. So I'm looking for a bra that is comfortable and cool, and maybe a little sexy. They won't do recon until six months after rad.

I haven't found any post that is similar to mine. I had breast implants put in 12 years ago. When I had my mastectomy the surgeon left it in. Four days later I had to go back cause my skin was dying do to so much pressure. He drained the implant and now it's much better. The reason I'm telling everyone this is because I don't find any post where someone had recon then later get bc. Any help would be appreciated.

Trooper,

I found this form that http://www.tlcdirect.org/Mastectomy-Non-Silicone-L... I like to use at home just because it is nice and lightweight and at home I am in the relax mode. However, I would not be adverse to using it out and about if I needed to. I have the knitted knockers too but stopped wearing that when I found this other.

TLC has some great products. They had a fire a few weeks ago and are working on restocking their wares.

Wishing you the best as you go through your journey and know that others are thinking and praying for our fellow sister survivor.

~Heidi

Heidi,

Thank you, I will check it out.

Priscilla (Trooper)

Goincrzy8,

I don't know if you will be getting rad, but if you are they told me four or five weeks after. They said the skin is so tender afterwards they want it to completely heal. Its been five weeks post op for me and they told me not yet.

Plus they told me no underwire bras. I have always wore underwire bras. They didn't tell me why. Has anyone else heard this? Hope this helps.

Trooper

I know I heard long ago that there was a theory that wearing underwire bras could cause the lymph system to drain and function improperly possibly causing breast cancer. This , of course, was debunked. My aunt who also recently had a mastectomy said her doctor told her it was because that area would be very sensitive for a long time.

~Heidi

It is a hard decision, Joy. Each of us has reasons for doing it the way we have and no way is right or wrong. Like you, I had chemo first and then my UMX. The ocologist and surgeon both said surgery first or during the treatment period, but I had my reasons to do it with surgery after and I am happy I stood my ground.

Please know that as another sister survivor you will be in our thoughts and prayers.

~Heidi