So I have had the prosthetic for awhile now and have not yet used the "glue" that came with it. It has been hot here the last couple of days and friends of our decided to take their backyard science experiment <aka the pool> and get it ready for the season. I was only too happy to oblige in taking the first plunge.
After my flotation device experiment in Greece <yes I am still rubbing that trip in> I decided I would try the medical adhesive that comes with the prosthetic. My skin is well healed so I figured why not. I prepped the area with what looks and smells like an alcohol wipe. Then applied the adhesive around the edge. Now you are suppose to wait 3-5 minutes for the glue to set up. It is kind of like contact cement in this respect.
After about 4 minutes <thought I would wait half way> I touched the glue and realized that this is a one shot deal to get it right, as once it was stuck on it was not going to come off easily. So I paid close attention and stuck it on ..squeezing it in. So if the glue didn't work the suction power would. From a naked stand point the stuck on boob looks awkward. As "isn't" stays up and "is" hangs further down...I guess this may be my future as well and "is" may need a lift kit!
I finished putting my bathing suit on and thought..Damn..that works. It felt weird to have something glued to me as it almost felt like someone moving a band aid around on my skin. I hopped in the pool and spent the next hour flinging kids up, being jumped on and doing a "crab" walk through the pool. If the glue held out for this inaugural flight then it had endured one of the toughest tests. KIDS!
When undressing, half of the boob was still stuck and half was peeling off, but over all I was impressed. I still had to wring it out but the glue was still sticky and I could just stick it back on. It did need the removal pad to take off all of the glue as even though the chlorine and kids did a number on it, it was still like peeling a very sticky band aid off of my skin and the removal pad was the easier way to go. They say that you can leave it on for 5 days but I think I will leave the glue for gardening a swimming adventures as the average day doesn't need it.
So if you are looking for a test subject, might I recommend three nine year old girls and one 2.5 year old boy. One of these kids is also the same one who had this conversation with me one night:
I walked though the front door
She looked at me
M: So do you have any hair yet
Me: Not enough yet
M: ok
and walked away to play with her friends...kids...honesty or nothing!
Showing posts with label prosthetic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prosthetic. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Feeling Up
My skin is almost back to normal and has a lovely smooth feeling with a side of tan-ish. Let's face it, I am a VERY white girl and the radiation has caused me to have the darkest tan I have ever had, even if it is in one square foot and I had to have cancer to get it.
I have also gone to get my prosthetic as well. It was a bit weird when the lady who made it was explaining how to care for it. She squeezed it, showed me how to wash it, apply it <yes it can stick to you for 5 days with medical adhesive> and remove it. All the while I am thinking-sick as I am- am I being felt up from a distance? It is awkward, to say the least, watching someone manipulate a replication of your breast.
While it doesn't feel natural it is a pretty good replication and what I expect an implant to feel like. The colour and nipple came out well and the form is good in my regular bras. I have also begun wearing it for a couple of hours each day to get used to it. It is not heavy but it is heavier than the "sock" I have been wearing and I am still healing on my scar line...and not to mention that new skin is itchy!
The true test was when I went to dinner at my parents last weekend and my mother told me that my left side was hanging down a bit...I looked down and then back at her and said..."But that's my real one" to which my lovely endearing mother replied "Maybe they can give you a lift".
Ahh I can feel the love.
I have also gone to get my prosthetic as well. It was a bit weird when the lady who made it was explaining how to care for it. She squeezed it, showed me how to wash it, apply it <yes it can stick to you for 5 days with medical adhesive> and remove it. All the while I am thinking-sick as I am- am I being felt up from a distance? It is awkward, to say the least, watching someone manipulate a replication of your breast.
While it doesn't feel natural it is a pretty good replication and what I expect an implant to feel like. The colour and nipple came out well and the form is good in my regular bras. I have also begun wearing it for a couple of hours each day to get used to it. It is not heavy but it is heavier than the "sock" I have been wearing and I am still healing on my scar line...and not to mention that new skin is itchy!
The true test was when I went to dinner at my parents last weekend and my mother told me that my left side was hanging down a bit...I looked down and then back at her and said..."But that's my real one" to which my lovely endearing mother replied "Maybe they can give you a lift".
Ahh I can feel the love.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Getting Plastered
So I decided that since chemo was over maybe I should look into getting a prosthetic. As, up until now, I have been basically stuffing my bra with a "sock" and constantly having to adjust. My poor husband has been the boob monitor, telling me if I am high or low. I have seen the out of the box versions but thought since reconstruction waits can take up to two years here, I thought that maybe a custom prosthesis was the way to go.
So I booked an appointment and off I went. She started off on her spiel of the different generic options. Who knew there were so many. Some were tear dropped, some were round, some were foam which you can shape, some were silicone and the swimming one apparently floats...err I don't want that one unless I was drowning. Then I could only picture the rescue boat coming and my one fake boob bobbing for air..pass.
At his point I had molested several prosthetics and made up my mind that none of these would work for me. Some I felt were too heavy and no different than what I had now. Then the lights shone as she produced the custom one. It actually looked like a breast, it was foam-like but still had enough weight to it. This is the option I decided on. Then she told me the price and I almost threw up, but thankfully I have insurance which is kind enough to pay for it.
I made an appointment for the following week to have the cast done and off I went. I asked my husband to come along on this venture with me as you get to pick the colour of the breast and nipple and thought he may want to weigh in on it. Plus he is always interested in the process of things and thought he might enjoy it.
I arrived, got changed into my dirty clothes as this is a messy process and we began. She marked the centre of my chest and around the curve of my breast. I then put on a bra and she marked my breast with where the bra cuts. Then mirrored the markings on the other side. <side note. she makes the custom prosthetic as a reflection of your existing breast and it fits naturally in your bra not in a pocket like other ones>
I looked like someone was about to perform an autopsy on me.
Next she began placing the plaster strips on my actually breast. They were cold and slimy and the dripping down my body made me shiver. By the time she had this finished I was getting rather warm..seriously..now is the time I am going to have a hot flash? Meanwhile my ever so helpful husband was reminding me to stand up straight. The cast actually dried quickly and one look at me from K told me I needed a moment to sit down. I was sweating. She opened a window and got me a glass of water but I was willing to solider on. Too bad my body wasn't in agreement.
About 5 strips in I was feeling woozy and we all agreed that I could sit for the remainder of the process. She had to take the current pieces off and start again. I didn't last much longer, but at least she was able to get enough of the strips on before the tunnel vision to a pin point started to happen and I needed to get to the floor and lay on my back. Now you know I am having issues when I am not worried that my wig is going to get drops of plaster on it. After about two minutes on the floor all was good again, but I decided to be a good patient and lay there until the cast was done. At this point I am very glad my husband came with me. I have never passed out, but came close a couple of times and I hate the feeling.
After a couple minutes of me drinking more water and my colour coming back, she began to mix up this very gooey purple stuff. Which I soon found out was to make the nipple cast. This stuff going on your nipple was not a pleasant experience and it felt like someone was putting Elmer's glue on my nipple. But it looked like frosting! During the drying period I picked out the colours for the breast and nipple and decided on the "erectness" of the nipple. If you are interested you can choose to have freckles and veining as well. I attempted to wipe most of the plaster off my body, got dressed and we were off.
I am not sure what brought on the dizzy spell but for the rest of the day I was very off and thirsty. Well at least it was a memorable experience..one I am sure we nor K will ever forget.
So I booked an appointment and off I went. She started off on her spiel of the different generic options. Who knew there were so many. Some were tear dropped, some were round, some were foam which you can shape, some were silicone and the swimming one apparently floats...err I don't want that one unless I was drowning. Then I could only picture the rescue boat coming and my one fake boob bobbing for air..pass.
At his point I had molested several prosthetics and made up my mind that none of these would work for me. Some I felt were too heavy and no different than what I had now. Then the lights shone as she produced the custom one. It actually looked like a breast, it was foam-like but still had enough weight to it. This is the option I decided on. Then she told me the price and I almost threw up, but thankfully I have insurance which is kind enough to pay for it.
I made an appointment for the following week to have the cast done and off I went. I asked my husband to come along on this venture with me as you get to pick the colour of the breast and nipple and thought he may want to weigh in on it. Plus he is always interested in the process of things and thought he might enjoy it.
I arrived, got changed into my dirty clothes as this is a messy process and we began. She marked the centre of my chest and around the curve of my breast. I then put on a bra and she marked my breast with where the bra cuts. Then mirrored the markings on the other side. <side note. she makes the custom prosthetic as a reflection of your existing breast and it fits naturally in your bra not in a pocket like other ones>
I looked like someone was about to perform an autopsy on me.
Next she began placing the plaster strips on my actually breast. They were cold and slimy and the dripping down my body made me shiver. By the time she had this finished I was getting rather warm..seriously..now is the time I am going to have a hot flash? Meanwhile my ever so helpful husband was reminding me to stand up straight. The cast actually dried quickly and one look at me from K told me I needed a moment to sit down. I was sweating. She opened a window and got me a glass of water but I was willing to solider on. Too bad my body wasn't in agreement.
About 5 strips in I was feeling woozy and we all agreed that I could sit for the remainder of the process. She had to take the current pieces off and start again. I didn't last much longer, but at least she was able to get enough of the strips on before the tunnel vision to a pin point started to happen and I needed to get to the floor and lay on my back. Now you know I am having issues when I am not worried that my wig is going to get drops of plaster on it. After about two minutes on the floor all was good again, but I decided to be a good patient and lay there until the cast was done. At this point I am very glad my husband came with me. I have never passed out, but came close a couple of times and I hate the feeling.
After a couple minutes of me drinking more water and my colour coming back, she began to mix up this very gooey purple stuff. Which I soon found out was to make the nipple cast. This stuff going on your nipple was not a pleasant experience and it felt like someone was putting Elmer's glue on my nipple. But it looked like frosting! During the drying period I picked out the colours for the breast and nipple and decided on the "erectness" of the nipple. If you are interested you can choose to have freckles and veining as well. I attempted to wipe most of the plaster off my body, got dressed and we were off.
I am not sure what brought on the dizzy spell but for the rest of the day I was very off and thirsty. Well at least it was a memorable experience..one I am sure we nor K will ever forget.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Put a sock in it
Now that I am drain free I have to figure out how to stop all of my shirts from pulling to one side. Who knew that having one boob would make so much difference in how your shirts hang. The day after the drains came out I was quick to try to figure out how to make my breast<s> look au natural.
I took my regular bra and started stuffing...geez I must be back in high school. I just dealt with being flat then. No rosebuds now. Now I look back thinking...why did I want these things? Oh yeah...boys like them. Should have dated butt men...I still have lots of that.
So I put on a bra. Looked at the provided sock and thought...wait are there directions? How does this thing go, sideways or up and down. You would think this would be an easy decision but I tried it both ways and neither was working. Plus I was still very tender and could only clip the bra loosely. After much playing with the sock I decided to ditch it and put in the "cutlets" I had from my wedding. Checked with B and he thought it looked good...then I stood up. On what universe this looked natural was beyond me. I had one boob looking National Geographic like and one shooting for the sun..can you guess which was which. Mental side note: only put a sock in it while standing up.
Let's try this again, adjust adjust adjust...ok I think I've got it! One sock + one cutlet =looking semi normal...who knew? Then I sat down and stood up....hmmm...one blew east and one blew west. Damn it! Who knew stuffing your bra was so difficult...I must admit I did look at the kleenex box wondering...do you think I can google how to stuff my bra?
I adjusted once again deciding that checking myself out was going to have to be a common occurrence. Hey baby..how you doin'. The 'rents showed up and my mother walks up the stairs and pronounces loudly...wow they look natural....blush...thanks mom.
So at the young age of 40...I know know how to stuff my bra....and I have had enough of that....Off to La vie en rose I went for the "Figure correcting bra". I may still have to stuff the bra to give it the proper curve until I get a prosthetic, but at least they have more weight and I do not have to adjust so often. So for all those late bloomers out there, throw out the kleenex box and get some bigger cutlets.
I took my regular bra and started stuffing...geez I must be back in high school. I just dealt with being flat then. No rosebuds now. Now I look back thinking...why did I want these things? Oh yeah...boys like them. Should have dated butt men...I still have lots of that.
So I put on a bra. Looked at the provided sock and thought...wait are there directions? How does this thing go, sideways or up and down. You would think this would be an easy decision but I tried it both ways and neither was working. Plus I was still very tender and could only clip the bra loosely. After much playing with the sock I decided to ditch it and put in the "cutlets" I had from my wedding. Checked with B and he thought it looked good...then I stood up. On what universe this looked natural was beyond me. I had one boob looking National Geographic like and one shooting for the sun..can you guess which was which. Mental side note: only put a sock in it while standing up.
Let's try this again, adjust adjust adjust...ok I think I've got it! One sock + one cutlet =looking semi normal...who knew? Then I sat down and stood up....hmmm...one blew east and one blew west. Damn it! Who knew stuffing your bra was so difficult...I must admit I did look at the kleenex box wondering...do you think I can google how to stuff my bra?
I adjusted once again deciding that checking myself out was going to have to be a common occurrence. Hey baby..how you doin'. The 'rents showed up and my mother walks up the stairs and pronounces loudly...wow they look natural....blush...thanks mom.
So at the young age of 40...I know know how to stuff my bra....and I have had enough of that....Off to La vie en rose I went for the "Figure correcting bra". I may still have to stuff the bra to give it the proper curve until I get a prosthetic, but at least they have more weight and I do not have to adjust so often. So for all those late bloomers out there, throw out the kleenex box and get some bigger cutlets.
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