Breast prosthetics

amazonian · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 3:41 pm Post subject: Breast prosthetics

For those who had total mastectomy - do you wear breast prosthetics?
What I feel inside is that during the time to reconstruction (in about one year - my surgeon said) I do not want to wear it as every time I put it on - it is like if I say "I am ashamed of myself"
And still I cannot go for the courageous decision - what about others?

Age: 48
Menopausal? Not yet Smile

Infiltrative Lobular Carcinoma - 2 tumours, one 5x3,5 the other 2,5x2 cm, 6 lymph nodes of 11 affected
- (ER/PR), her2neu - not known yet.
- Stage at diagnosis
- Left mastectomy (Julne 11)
Starting chemo and radiotherapy

Muttsmom · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 4:06 pm Post subject: Re: Breast prosthetics

I had a MRM and a SM and I don't even wear the prothesis around the house or even to the store. I just wear an oversized t-shirt. I have no problem being boobless, and I'm not ashamed of it and never have been. I did what I did to save my life, and that's something for us to be proud of. I tried reconstruction when I had the SM and it was a disaster, so I'll just remain boobless and happy to be that way. We're alive, and that's what counts. I had a harder time losing my hair then either of my breasts.

You don't have your dx or when you were dx on a signature line, but I'm assuming it's been fairly recently. Life everything else with this disease, I'm sure your feeling about your mastectomy will become your new "normal" as time goes on.

Best wishes.
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

amazonian · Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2007 7:12 am Post subject: prosthetics

No problem with booblesness just when one side is boobless and the other - oversized this is a bit unbalanced Surprised

and kind of obvious. But today I started to go out without a bra and no fake devices either - feeling really good about it. But when I go to the fitness, for example, if my instrutor knew about the condition, he would treat me as "sick" and give me only very very easy exercises. So sometimes I still prefer the hiding Smile

Muttsmom · Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2007 8:35 am Post subject: Re: Breast prosthetics

Having 1 breast is much harder then having 0 when it comes to balancing things out that's for sure. I pretty much had to wear a prosthesis when I went anywhere because it was really hard not to be noticed when you have one gone and one left.

I would be sure and tell your instructor about your surgery!! There are some things you shouldn't be doing with having nodes removed and you don't want to risk lymphedema. Unfortunately, BC is everywhere, so instructors etc have dealt with it before and just want to make sure you don't cause yourself problems.
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

MomG · Regular Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 35 Location: Va

I had my right breast removed & one node...I have worn my prosthetics since 3 months after the surgery...mainly for balance purposes, not because I'm ashamed...I agree with Muttsmom, I'm just thankful to be alive & cancer free...I do water aerobic 3 times a week & I've talked to the instructor & she has told me there are certain things I can't do & if I feel the least bit of discomfort, to not do the exercise....Also I work out in the gymn, & she told me there are certain machines I ABSOLUTILY can't use...So you do need to tell your instructor...they deal with this all the time....that's their job to help us, not to treat us a some sickO!....I've found they all are very thoughtful...We have nothing to be ashamed of, we are "Survivors"... Very Happy

_________________
MomG DX 11-23-05 @ 65 yrs. old. Simple mastectomy RB 0.7 cm 1-6-06ER- 3+PR- 3+HER2/nev (herceptest) Negitive, 0+Main Sentinel Node - NegetiveArimidex 1mg. for next 5 years. Onc. Stopped the Arimidex, too much pain & side effects. Evista 60mg. a day. No osteoporosis.
Mother, lung, liver cancer, Aunt, BC

Muttsmom · Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2007 3:12 pm Post subject: Re: Breast prosthetics

Hi MomG

I just wanted to let you know that I had horrible bone and joint pain with Arimidex, which is the most common side affect. My onco put me on Actonel (I don't have osteroposis) and all the pain left. I don't know why, but it even unlocked the trigger fingers I had from it. I've told friends and they had their onco put them on it, and the same thing, absolutely no pain anymore.

I know yours was caught very early, thank God and I'm at high risk for recurrence because of my age and stage, but if you'd feel more peace of mind by being on Arimidex, I'd ask your onco about Actonel. Foxamax doesn't help for some reason, but Actonel sure does Smile

_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

MomG · Regular Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 35 Location: Va

Hey Nancy,
I talked to my onc. & he tried several different ones, but I still had severe side effects, same as with Arimidex...Joint pain, blurred vision, food wouldn't go down so threw it up, bowels wouldn't move, burning & itching when I had to void, so ended up in hospital to have test done on kidneys. My onc. decided that I couldn't tolorate the estegron blocker meds & he stated that my chances of getting cancer again without the meds was less than 15%...so I told him I would take my chances rather than stay on five meds for the side effects. I was like you, my fingers locked up & had places hurt that I didn't know I had...I had to wear a brace on my right wrist it hurt so bad....I will surely keep the Actonel in mind if I have to go back on anything....I am on 60MG Evista for bone strength...I don't have osteroposis either...just a preventive. I see you have diabetes also. I too am border line now as of Nov. 2006
_________________
MomG DX 11-23-05 @ 65 yrs. old. Simple mastectomy RB 0.7 cm 1-6-06ER- 3+PR- 3+HER2/nev (herceptest) Negitive, 0+Main Sentinel Node - NegetiveArimidex 1mg. for next 5 years. Onc. Stopped the Arimidex, too much pain & side effects. Evista 60mg. a day. No osteoporosis.
Mother, lung, liver cancer, Aunt, BC

Muttsmom · Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2007 6:42 pm Post subject: Re: Breast prosthetics

I've seen quite a few that were dx with diabetes after chemo, but I don't think you had chemo? There may be no connection, but who knows. I just had labs done yesterday to check my cholesterol and A1c for diabetes and hopefully it's still in the "controlled" area where there no meds and no insulin, just watching what I eat. I'm glad yours is in the controlled range too Smile

_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

amazonian · Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 7:49 am Post subject: Breast prosthetics

The reason I wrote about this is a quite clear feeling of relief when I got rid of my prosthetics even if I could not go unnoticed and there is no balance, of course. It is a personal decision and there is no right or wrong here. I am just curious what others feel about it. Question

MomG · Regular Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 35 Location: Va

Amazonian, That's what this is all about....expressing our inner deep feelings...we are all different & adjust differently...How long has it been since your surgery?....As for myself...I was quiet anxious to get my prosthetic because of the balance...it was so noticible...I will admit, it was an experience to adjust & sometime just down right flustrating to put in & take out... Rolling Eyes

...but now I have came to adjust & feel quiet comfortable with it in...I even sleep with it because I sleep on my right side & there was no comfortable position because of the missing breast...I have a everyday one & then the silicone one...What works for one, doesn't always work for others, but it's good to know others experiences...out of all the forums I've been too, this is the best one for expressions & information on others experiences.
I pray for the best for you.
_________________
MomG DX 11-23-05 @ 65 yrs. old. Simple mastectomy RB 0.7 cm 1-6-06ER- 3+PR- 3+HER2/nev (herceptest) Negitive, 0+Main Sentinel Node - NegetiveArimidex 1mg. for next 5 years. Onc. Stopped the Arimidex, too much pain & side effects. Evista 60mg. a day. No osteoporosis.
Mother, lung, liver cancer, Aunt, BC

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