Nail sbstitution? Removal?

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mntskies
mntskies Member Posts: 7
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer

I was hoping I could get some feedback from the community on what to do about my chemo damaged toenail.  I had to have my big toenail removed during chemo in March.  It's been slowly growing back, but I went to the podiatrist and he said it would have to be permenently removed.  This is NOT what I was expecting to hear and I was hoping other women can tell me what they have done.  Should I get a second opinion?  What do other women do to make the nailbed minus the nail, if not attractive, at least not hideous?  I'm not taking this very well and if I have to have it removed, I'd like to know that I can wear sandals again. Thanks for your help.

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  • mke
    mke Member Posts: 584
    edited October 2007

    Why would it have to be removed?  Is it bothering you?

    All my fingernails and toenails came off, but they have grown back. I finished taxol about 18 months ago. My nails are still a bit brittle and I have to keep them pretty short.  My big toe nails haven't grown back entirely normal.  They are only attached at about half the length that they were, but they don't cause me any trouble.

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

    A friend of mine said one of her friends has a toenail that is gone.  She said she paints it when she wears sandals.

    Shirley

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  • mntskies
    mntskies Member Posts: 7
    edited October 2007

    Thanks - I am going to get a second opinion and hopefully I will get an answer as to how I can keep my nail.  I also had a friend suggest painting the skin to look like a toenail.

    I truly appreciate your advice.

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

    I don't see why they would have to remove it for good.  Mine looked weird when they started growing back, but are almost back to normal now...a little thick, but certainly not anything that bad.  I would want a second opinion too.

    Good luck

    Deb C

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  • myrenewal
    myrenewal Member Posts: 203
    edited October 2007

    Hi - my husband had both of his big toenails removed (for other reasons) and it isn't that noticeable.  For him the skin where the nail used to be toughened up and it still has the toenail shape.  I don't think most people would even notice unless they are really looking. 

    Hope this helps!

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  • LizFL
    LizFL Member Posts: 377
    edited October 2007

    My big toenail and a thumbnail came off after taxotere.  The toenail took a long time to grow back in...and it grew in funny...caught it in a door and lost it again...finally has grown back strong and normal.  I would get a second opinion and then just be as patient as you can.  Living in Florida, I wear sandals most of the time, but wore closed toe shoes while the nail was growing.  Fingernails were funky too....but they have grown back well.  I get comments at the nail salon about how strong my nails are.

    Liz

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