New use for an old prosthesis?

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Binney4
Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
edited June 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
Hi! I just went in this morning and picked up new prostheses (bilateral -- and for the curious I use the Naturalwear/Trulife "Harmony Triangle" with whipped silicone, so they're light but feel right to the touch).

At lunch my DH says casually, "So, what are you planning to do with the old ones?"

Throw them out, I tell him. I've had them quite awhile and they're looking tired.

But no, he wants me to hang on to them.

Why, for heaven's sake?

Seems silicone is a lubricant used in auto repair and machine work, and it's pricey, so he's planning to try out the silicone in my oldies. Of course he doesn't exactly want the things sitting around on his workbench, so I'll be keeping them in my closet until they're, uh, needed.

Hmmmm. You just never know!

Binney
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  • JustOne
    JustOne Member Posts: 226
    edited July 2007

    Well, isn’t your husband ingenious! Hadn’t ever thought about silicone being expensive or that there may be other uses for it. I’m going to ask my husband if he’d like my old ones. Can’t wait to see his face…

    I think you should put them all in a special pink tool box though for his workbench. Hmmm… what could you mark it on the outside? I’ll have to think on that one. LOL

    ~Pam
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  • nana0523
    nana0523 Member Posts: 5
    edited August 2007
    Hi,
    I decided not to have reconstruction too. Since surgery I have lost my weight and now the prosthesis I bought are to big. I paid 500. for them and would like to sell them. Does anyone know of a site that you can sell these. I can see them for 250. and be okay and I was thinking that maybe someone who could not afford the new ones would like a good buy. These have only been worn maybe 10 times.

    Any help appreciated,
    Nana
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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited August 2007
    Sherri, I LOVE the Naturalwear whipped silicone. They're light enough not to bother my chest lymphedema, and they feel real enough to let me give away hugs without a worry!

    On the other hand, I just figured out how to knit my own prostheses on a Knifty Knitter loom. I don't wear the "home-mades" all the time, but they do allow me to use really zany yarn combinations and have my own little secret under my t-shirts. Fun! Gives me a sense of control I've lacked for a while.

    Do ask your fitter to show you the whipped silicone. Nice!
    Binney
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  • Calico
    Calico Member Posts: 1,108
    edited August 2007
    That is to funny Binney...
    I have a little story too.

    Almost two years ago when I was dxed, I had those little silicone boobies with a nodule inside, to practice finding them...you know.
    I put it on top of the alarm clock because my nightstand was so cluttered...and there it stayed because it became sticky and I put it off "peeling" it of the plastic top (actually the speaker of the radio portion) of the alarm clock.
    I know I am lazy because I just left it there through cancer journey etc. but now, I wanted it gone.

    That thing had "melted" a hole into the plastic case of the alarm clock....no kidding....I might just take a picture and post it. The black plastic is all gouey and the silicone boobie is sitll sticking to it.

    I showed my daughter and said "I hope the silicone inside me isn't doing THAT to me"....you should have seen her eyes

    But I was pretty surprised about it, to say the least....

    God Bless
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  • purplemb
    purplemb Member Posts: 1,542
    edited August 2007
    for anyone with old ones laying around, I have a closet for women in my area without insurance , they would be well appreciated....

    thanks
    MB
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  • sandramacy
    sandramacy Member Posts: 43
    edited August 2007
    Hi Binney4, Great minds run on the same track. I was just getting ready to post the board about your knitted boobies.

    Ladies,

    Binney4 and I attend the same BC support group. First let me say she is an absolute doll. She has a lovely family. I do know her husband well enough to know that he would figure out a use for all that silicone. How funny.

    Recycling is what the world is about these days.

    Last night Binney4 brought 3 samples of her "knitted boobies" to show us. They are awesome. She is quite creative. She placed a large "diamond stone" on the center of one....yes, as a faux nipple.

    We had a third BC.Org member visit our group last night. I won't mention her name as I didn't ask her permission. She is another awsome, strong, BC chick. I think this board helps us all to be stronger that we realized we could be.

    Needless to say BC.Org received a lot of well deserved press, in Phoenix AZ, last night.
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  • badboob67
    badboob67 Member Posts: 2,780
    edited August 2007
    I have several knitted and crocheted boobs started, but have yet to finish one. The subject line here made me laugh because I am always threatening to whip out my boob and throw it at someone if I get frustrated by how someone behaves! So, if I ever get a new one, I think I'll carry the other in my purse to throw at rude people! My prosthesis is a size 9 and HUGE, so it could do some damage! LOL!

    I know that the Salvation army stocks old wheelchairs and other medical devices. Perhaps they or the local cancer society (or even your cancer center) would be interested in having the old ones for patients who cannot afford them.
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  • MinAZ
    MinAZ Member Posts: 368
    edited August 2007
    I'm the third member of that Phoenix support group. Binney's knitted boobs were great - one even had a faux diamond headlight!!! That was my first time at any kind of support group and I enjoyed it. I told another survivor friend and she's going to join me at a meeting in the future.

    A friend sent me this card for my recent birthday, and I thought you all might get a laugh. Copyright: PICTURA, Inc.

    Minz
    image
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  • JustOne
    JustOne Member Posts: 226
    edited August 2007

    Another use?

    My 5y/o grandson has ‘Show and Tell’ on Fridays at his kindergarten and this week is colors and shapes.

    He told his Dad he wanted to take grandmas ‘fake boobie because it’s a pink triangle’.

    OMG! I have got to shut this kid up…..

    ~Pam
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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited August 2007
    Ah, the boob fairy! Of course! You put your old ones under your pillow and she hauls them off to build herself a boob-fairy castle. But what exactly does she leave you in return?!? Hmmm. I'll have to try it and see.


    We do have a great time finally meeting each other in person, especially in a setting where we can all reach out to the "newbies" and share some of the support and information we've picked up here. So neat to be able to deliver real-time hugs to cyber-sisters. Strong ladies -- you betcha!

    (((((Hugs!))))) to all of you who don't live close enough to hug for real!
    Binney
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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited August 2007
    Oh, Pam, that's tooooo funny. (Bad news: there is no way to shut up a 5-year old.) Good luck!
    Binney
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  • AlaskaDeb
    AlaskaDeb Member Posts: 2,601
    edited August 2007
    Oh...and when they get to be teens, they just wnat US to shut up...LOL. Tooooo cute Pam

    Deb C
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  • corvette
    corvette Member Posts: 41
    edited September 2007

    Old mastectomy bra's and prothesis could be donated to the American Cancer Society or other cancer group that donates, free of charge, such items to women who can not afford to buy them nor have insurance. It's a great act of kindness to help a needy fellow breast cancer sister. (wigs too)

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2007

    Post deleted by bco-administrator

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  • AlaskaDeb
    AlaskaDeb Member Posts: 2,601
    edited September 2007

    changing our headlline back...but LOL...now we are getting spam in other languages??? That is kind of funny! Anyone want some german (?) weenie-won't-work drugs??? LOL

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2007

    Post deleted by bco-administrator

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  • EachDay
    EachDay Member Posts: 400
    edited September 2007

    Notified the moderators and changing the title back to the original theme...but I'm chuckling anyway....adult dating...could you bring your old prosthesis on the date??

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  • Candyce
    Candyce Member Posts: 65
    edited September 2007

    Binney--Your husband really does think out of the box!! 

     I still remember how you were reluctant to put out the huge sum for therapy and you and he went to the mall and you saw a diamond ring that was equivilent to the cost of therapy and he mentioned how much more you would get from the therapy.  Or something like that.  I remember being touched when you shared that with us.

    Candyce

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  • Terry49
    Terry49 Member Posts: 10
    edited September 2007

    My thought for old boobies.  Keep them on hand for when you are not in the mood but he is.  Here you go, boobie in a box.

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