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  • Soxfan75
    Soxfan75 Member Posts: 115
    edited September 2017

    Coachvicky - I didn't even know they could take half of one nipple. I thought I read somewhere that they use the existing skin and somehow twist it to make it protrude like a nipple. I just assumed that was the only way they could do it. I meet with my PS next week so I'll have to mention it. Has anyone else heard of placing the implant under the pectoral muscle instead of on top of it? What about fat grafting to make it feel more real?

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited September 2017

    soxfan - placing the implant under the pectoral muscle has been the norm and has been done for a much longer period of time - pre-pectoral implant placement is a relatively new procedure, considerably fewer plastic surgeons use this technique - and you have to be a candidate for it in terms of skin thickness. You can fat graft with either placement, but it is somewhat less problematic with sub-pectoral placement since you have both skin and muscle cushioning the implant. Fat grafting with pre-pectoral has to be done more carefully. Where is your expander placed?

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  • Suburbs
    Suburbs Member Posts: 429
    edited September 2017

    Hi Soxfan. Implants are more frequently placed under the pectoral muscles; however, they are placed over the pecs by surgeons who perform that technique for the right candidates. There is an over the pec thread in the reconstruction topic. There are pros and cons based on body type and skin for example

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  • Soxfan75
    Soxfan75 Member Posts: 115
    edited September 2017

    My TE is under the pectoral muscle. My skin is really thin so I'm guessing I'm not a candidate. I'm still relatively young (42) and single and I was hoping for options that might make them look and feel a little more natural. Fat grafting sounds promising but I've read that the fat can break down over time (or something like that). I wonder how many issues it may cause in the future.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited September 2017

    soxfan - you can't place enough fat on or around the implants to make them feel natural, but fat grafting can add some softness, particularly at the upper pole and edges. The issue with fat grafting is that the fat must form a life support immediately after grafting and this does not always happen, so some portion may be reabsorbed relatively quickly - within weeks. It is not a longer term problem, but rather a more immediate failure to take.

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  • Meowmmy65
    Meowmmy65 Member Posts: 134
    edited September 2017

    Thanks all! No complaints yet... But I still feel fine. Feeling sick doesn't happen until treatment begins. I'm mentally preparing for chemo and everything else. Staying positive. I'm very lucky, overall. It helps to read about other's experiences.

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  • Soxfan75
    Soxfan75 Member Posts: 115
    edited September 2017

    Good to know Special K. Thank you. I'm going to talk to my PS about it when i see her next week.


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  • Cherry-sw
    Cherry-sw Member Posts: 997
    edited September 2017

    HapB, no picture, I guess it did not come through

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  • Cherry-sw
    Cherry-sw Member Posts: 997
    edited September 2017

    moodyblues, hang in there, it will be over soon, do not let it to depress you, it will get better

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  • Cherry-sw
    Cherry-sw Member Posts: 997
    edited September 2017

    Meowmmy65, welcome to this group, sorry you had to join it, but here you will find the incredible source of support.

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  • Cherry-sw
    Cherry-sw Member Posts: 997
    edited September 2017

    Shelabela, good luck!

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  • coachvicky
    coachvicky Member Posts: 1,057
    edited September 2017

    Meowmmy65 ...

    Best wishes as you journey forward. Let us know how we can support and help you.

    Vicky

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  • debiann
    debiann Member Posts: 1,200
    edited September 2017

    I have been on Arimidex for 3 years and my hair is as thick as normal, maybe even thicker. I stopped coloring my hair monthly and it seems much healthier.

    During chemo I used Nioxin for chemically treated hair shampoo and conditioner. I used it on my scalp even when I was bald. My hairstylist thought it would help remove the chemo chemicals from the hair follicles or something like that. I don't know if it actually helped or not, but I had no trouble with hair regrowth on my head. Eyelashes and eyebrows were another story.

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited September 2017

    Debiann -- I still have sparse eyelashes and eyebrows! Ugh.

    Anyways, I've been on Aromasin for 2.5 years, and my hair is just the same as it was pre-chemo. It's still light brown and fine, though my shorter haircut makes it look like it has more body.

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  • shelabela
    shelabela Member Posts: 584
    edited September 2017

    HI ladies! Things went good the first 2 radiation treatments. takes 40 minutes but other then that it was good.

    Meg 2016, How often did they change the mepitel film for you? I was told 1x a week.

    Meowmmy65, welcome aboard our journey. sorry to see you here but This is a great place for support and answers. I was so scared when I heard the words "you have breast cancer" But these ladies here are wonderful!

    Anyone here do proton radiation?

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  • shelabela
    shelabela Member Posts: 584
    edited September 2017

    Hapb,

    From my understanding proton radiation is completely different.

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  • PoseyGirl
    PoseyGirl Member Posts: 359
    edited September 2017

    Hi All,

    I meant to share this link yesterday...this is regarding the study about Paclitaxel:

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4185415/#!po=59.7222

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  • PoseyGirl
    PoseyGirl Member Posts: 359
    edited September 2017

    Hi Shelabela,

    Believe it or not, my mepitel was only changed once over the period of 30 visits. It held well...

    I think the jury is out in terms of whether or not Mepitel really and truly helps. Some oncologists here don't even prescribe it. I used it and I had so little burn from radiation (surprising to me since my skin is so fair and sensitive). I am not sure that was because of the Mepitel or just how I am. I have zero remnants of rads on my skin. I had never heard of proton radiation before you mentioned it...I'll have to look that up,

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  • shelabela
    shelabela Member Posts: 584
    edited September 2017

    Hap b, Here is where I read up on it.

    http://www.proton-therapy.org/howit.htm


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  • Lita19901
    Lita19901 Member Posts: 211
    edited September 2017

    Hapb, Posey - And unfortunately that's not the only study that is reporting this:

    2017: http://www.ajpb.com/news/paclitaxel-may-drive-breast-cancer-metastasis

    and this, from 2016 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/febs.13767/full "the lowering of PTX dose with the aim of reducing toxic side-effects is adopted by most clinicians and believed to be beneficial for therapy optimization. In contrast with this belief, the results of our study alert us that such a strategy may have unexpected side-effects and should be carefully considered."

    I know that the medical community doesn't jump on the results of every new study to approve new treatments but it hadn't occurred to me that this worked in reverse. Of course, the studies mentioned were done on mice and, in some cases, tissue from human breasts and the results might not be replicated in studies of human beings. And we don't have experts weighing in on the studies regarding their applicability to humans, either.

    But I'm wondering how/why do they put the breaks on treatment of any kind once started and widely used? and I wonder how often this happens?


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  • wabals
    wabals Member Posts: 242
    edited September 2017

    I had no problem with radiation at all. My boob got a little tan😊It was a positive experience as my team was awesome and I met other patients and we socialized while waiting

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  • Lita19901
    Lita19901 Member Posts: 211
    edited September 2017

    Hap - I'm not sure that the study is referring to starting/stopping chemo, although that might also play into it. I think - and I could be wrong - that it's referencing the level of the dose prescribed in treatment. It would be interesting to know how this plays out in weekly chemo vs longer intervals.

    Also - the study looked at BC that was more advanced and not at early stage, which could alter it's meaningfulness overall

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  • coachvicky
    coachvicky Member Posts: 1,057
    edited September 2017

    Asking for help.

    I was on the phone with my Case Manager from our insurance company.

    She has recommended that I get a second opinion on my treatment at a center of excellence that deals with my cancer (triple positive). She suggested that I ask those of you in this forum where you went for a second opinion and if you would recommend a center of excellence.

    I live in North Alabama just outside Huntsville.

    Any recommendations?

    Thanking all in advance.

    Vicky


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  • Lita19901
    Lita19901 Member Posts: 211
    edited September 2017

    Coach - You may already know this but I just discovered it - Dana Farber does an online 2nd opinion for treatment decisions. It's slightly pricey and not usually covered by insurance, but it might be worth a look. I'm seen at Johns Hopkins which is definitely a great place but I was looking into this because my treatment options are basically zilch because of pre-existingperipheral neuropathy. I think there are other centers that do this, too.

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  • meg2016
    meg2016 Member Posts: 287
    edited September 2017

    shelabela- I didn't necessarily have a schedule to change it out, once it was peeling around the edges I would trim it, etc but then would change it when it didn't seem to adhere well. I think it ended up being a little more often than once a week for me. I also got rave response for nurses and dr on how well my skin held up, my skin us very sensitive and sunburns easily so was expecting the worst. Who knows if it was the Mepitel. but studies on it are very promosing!

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  • coachvicky
    coachvicky Member Posts: 1,057
    edited September 2017

    Thank you Lita19901 ...I did not know about this. I am grateful.

    Vicky


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  • Soxfan75
    Soxfan75 Member Posts: 115
    edited September 2017

    What exactly is Mepitel used for? Is it used to prevent radiation damage to the skin or to treat already damaged skin? Tomorrow's my last radiation treatment and my skin hasn't fared so well. I'm curious if I'm too late to ask about it.

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  • PoseyGirl
    PoseyGirl Member Posts: 359
    edited September 2017

    Soxfan,

    I think it is too late, yes. It's to be used during treatment.

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  • deni1661
    deni1661 Member Posts: 463
    edited September 2017
    Meowmmy- sorry you have to be here but this is a wonderful source of support and information. We're all in this fight together, let us know how we can help you. There are many success stories and words of encouragement that will get you through what's ahead. Best of luck with your surgery, take care. Hugs 😊
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  • deni1661
    deni1661 Member Posts: 463
    edited September 2017
    Coach Vicky, thanks for the information. It's great to know there are multiple options. My PS mentioned the nipple replacement but I opted out cuz I don't have much to work with. I have seen videos and photos of Vinnie's work and it's impressive- you'll be getting the best there is and you deserve it!
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