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Old 01-05-2007, 08:01 PM   #1
Sheila
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Location: Morris, IL
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I've Been Liberated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ever since I had reconstruction with an implant, I have had a very hard time wearing most bras....I need the underwire for the lift, but the point where it touches my side becomes so sore in a matter of hours....I think the soreness stems from where they created a shelf to hold the implant....

Needless to say, I can't wait to go braless the minute I am home...have ever removed it in the car a few times on long trips! TODAY, I have found a new solution, and I can say that I wore my bra for 14 hours today pain free!!!!! I decided to try the IPEX with no underwire by Victoria's Secret...they are on sale right now so I bought one. It is HEAVENLY...I still get the uplift with no pain!!!! This is a first for me in 3 1/2 years, and I am lovin it.

I called Victoria's Secre's Main number to tell them my predicament and new found happiness in wearing a bra. The woman I talked to said, " My mother in law had reconstruction over a year ago and she is having the same problem....she was excited to know that this bra solved my pain problems, and was going to forward the info to her Mother in Law to try the IPEX....then she said, you have been so helpful, I am sending you a 40.00 gift card to get another bra.....I was shocked! But I will, this bra makes my side feel wonderful!
__________________
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet
is fighting some kind of battle."



Hugs & Blessings
Sheila
Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications)
Core Biopsy 2/22/02
L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002
Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg
6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant
9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes
9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks
3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes
3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes
5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working
6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin
3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee
5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks
4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve
5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin
11/09 Progression on Navelbine
Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!!
2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin
5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate
Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion
7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!!
9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck
Qualified for TDM-1 EAP
10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1
Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments
12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments
2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression
2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin
2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes
2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS
5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression
6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin
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Old 01-05-2007, 10:35 PM   #2
Chelee
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Since most of us have to wear a bra, it sure is nice when you find one that fits great so that you aren't constantly waiting for that very moment you can rip it off and go AWWWWW! lol

Last year when I was DX was the first time in my life I realized I really never had a bra that fit perfect. (Always thought I did.) Ha. But the cancer center I go to have this little store inside that sells prothesis, bra's, camisoles, hats, & all kinds of things for us ladies going through trt. After my mastectomy the nurse practioner took me down there and the ladies set me up with a cami to start with. But later THEY fitted me with a bra once my drain was out. It was PURE heaven. I have never in my life put a brand new bra on that felt GREAT from the get go! I wish I would of known of this place long before my DX.

So I can kind of relate to how you are feeling. That is awesome that the lady is sending you a gift certificate for another one. It sure paid off to give them a call.m mSuch a deal.

Chelee
__________________
DX: 12-20-05 - Stage IIIA, Her2/Neu, 3+++,Er & Pr weakly positive, 5 of 16 pos nodes.
Rt. MRM on 1-3-06 -- No Rads due to compromised lungs.
Chemo started 2-7-06 -- TCH - - Finished 6-12-06
Finished yr of wkly herceptin 3-19-07
3-15-07 Lt side prophylactic simple mastectomy. -- Ooph 4-05-07
9-21-09 PET/CT "Recurrence" to Rt. axllia, Rt. femur, ilium. Possible Sacrum & liver? Now stage IV.
9-28-09 Loading dose of Herceptin & started Zometa
9-29-09 Power Port Placement
10-24-09 Mass 6.4 x 4.7 cm on Rt. femur head.
11-19-09 RT. Femur surgery - Rod placed
12-7-09 Navelbine added to Herceptin/Zometa.
3-23-10 Ten days of rads to RT femur. Completed.
4-05-10 Quit Navelbine--Herceptin/Zometa alone.
5-4-10 Appt. with Dr. Slamon to see what is next? Waiting on FISH results from femur biopsy.
Results to FISH was unsuccessful--this happens less then 2% of the time.
7-7-10 Recurrence to RT axilla again. Back to UCLA for options.
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Old 01-06-2007, 09:05 AM   #3
Sandy H
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Hi Sheila: That is wonderful news! I know how it feels to have a bra you feel comfortable with! I just got a new one fitted-as I am bilateral mastectomies and I love it. Wear it all day until I go to bed. I have inserts that I put in the frig. for 30 minutes and they velcro to the prot. sounds awful but they cool the chest wall where with the prot. creates heat. They have been out for a while but it took me going to a different lady just to see what was new! Am I glad I did! Always, pays to check things out to see what is new out there. I ended up with two size prot. because of having a simple and a mod. radical mastectomies. A larger one for the MRM to fill in the missing muscle etc. This girl had her rep. come in to fit me because of my chest wall lymphedema. Did a great job. My insurance paid for two and I purchased two online which were lots cheaper! I always try to compliment when I get good service and it pays off even if its a nice thank you for the info. Enjoy your shopping at Victoria Secrets. It is always nice when we can save money!!hugs, Sandy
__________________
Dx. 03/01, Rt. IBC
AC/Taxatere
Rt. MRM-with graft Lt. simple
5 rads-skin mets
Herceptin, taxol, carboplatin (taxol seem to be the magic drug)
Navelbine & xeloda (did not work)
topical miltex for skin mets
Tykerb/xeloda
thoracentesis x 2 left lung fluid shows cancer cells
Port removal (4 years) with power port replacement
Doxil
Updated 05-07 Scans show no bone or organ involvement we shall see!




I shall not pass this way again. Any good I can do or any kindness that I can show let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again.
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Old 01-06-2007, 11:06 AM   #4
Andi
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Sheila - I can kind of understand what you mean, I always wore underwire bras until my lumpectomy. Since my surgery was at the 4 o'clock position, the wires never worked after that. I have tried those bras from VS and they are great!
__________________
Andi
-- ------------------------
Stage IIIC, 17 of 20 Nodes +, E+, Her2+++
Diagnosed 6/30/05
Lumpectomy 7/13/05
Dose Dense A/C x 4
Weekly Taxol + Herceptin x 12
Remainder of year Herceptin Every 3 weeks (completes 9/13/06)
Radiation completed 2/28/06
Currently on Tamoxifen
Dec 06 - Pleural effusion treated with pleurodesis
Now er/pr-, her2++
1/07 started weekly Navelbine plus Herceptin
Discontinued Tamoxifen
4/27/07 CTshowed progression
5/01/07 Began Tykerb/Xeloda + Zometa
5/22/07 Stopped treatment due to great progression
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Old 01-06-2007, 02:11 PM   #5
rinaina
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Sheila, I am so happy this IPEX bra has worked out for you. It's little things like that which make us so thrilled and comfortable. I am so sorry you had such discomfort for so long before this though. You have probably shared some extremely useful info with so many of us that could use the same bra. Thanks for sharing.
__________________
~Rina~
Dx:3/06 had a lumpectomy April 19, 2006
Her2+ er/pr- Stage I Grade 3 tumor size 1.4 cm, node negative
AC 4 dense doses
34 radiation treatments including booster doses
receiving herceptin every 3 weeks since late August 2006 for 12 months
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Old 01-06-2007, 06:15 PM   #6
chrisy
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Ahhhh

comfort is everything! I know what you mean about can't wait to get out of it. Glad to hear you found a solution.

Now maybe you should burn the old ones, like in the old "liberated" days!
__________________
Chris in Scotts Valley
June 2002 extensive hi grade DCIS (pre-cancer-stage 0, clean sentinal node) Mastectomy/implant - no chemo, rads. "cured?"
9/2004 Diag: Stage IV extensive liver mets (!) ER/PR- Her2+++
10/04-3/05 Weekly Taxol/Carboplatin/Herceptin , complete response!
04/05 - 4/07 Herception every 3 wks, Continue NED
04/07 - recurrence to liver - 2 spots, starting tykerb/avastin trial
06/07 8/07 10/07 Scans show stable, continue on Tykerb/Avastin
01/08 Progression in liver
02/08 Begin (TDM1) trial
08/08 NED! It's Working! Continue on TDM1
02/09 Continue NED
02/10 Continue NED. 5/10 9/10 Scans NED 10/10 Scans NED
12/10 Scans not clear....4/11 Scans suggest progression 6/11 progression confirmed in liver
07/11 - 11/11 Herceptin/Xeloda -not working:(
12/11 Begin MM302 Phase I trial - bust:(
03/12 3rd times the charm? AKT trial

5/12 Scan shows reduction! 7/12 More reduction!!!!
8/12 Whoops...progression...trying for Perjeta/Herceptin (plus some more nasty chemo!)
9/12 Start Perjeta/Herceptin, chemo on hold due to infection/wound in leg, added on cycle 2 &3
11/12 Poops! progression in liver, Stop Perjeta/Taxo/Herc
11/12 Navelbine/Herce[ptin - try for a 3 cycles, no go.
2/13 Gemzar/Carbo/Herceptin - no go.
3/13 TACE procedure
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Old 01-07-2007, 11:58 AM   #7
CherylS
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Can't chat right now, I'm on my way to Victoria's Secret!! Thanks Sheila.
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Old 01-07-2007, 12:40 PM   #8
juanita
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I've worn the ipex wirelelss since they first came out because the lumpectomy scar is right where the top of the wire would be. I had gone in the store lookuing for anything I could wear without pain and the girl showed me this bra. Never thought to tell everybody here about it.
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Old 01-08-2007, 09:30 AM   #9
Heart Sutra
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Hi All,

I have worn VS bras for years...Before the stores opened...ordered by catalog. Then I had three kids and breast fed them (was a double D while breast feeding) So needless to say, after all was said and done I didn't have that perky fit anymore. I tried going back to VS bras, but could never get them to fit right. I hate bras...hate bra shopping...
I have a new dilemma now...I have always worn underwire, all my life. My plastic said no more underwire, ever!!! Also, I don't know what bra size to buy. I am still having the extender filled so I'm two different sizes. My plastic has told me to wear cami tops that have the bra built in. They are very comfy but have no support for the side that's not lifted yet.
My daughters are really having fun with this. They have seen the reconstruction and think that looks better than the other. We all call it "The mannequin breast" My oldest (she's 27) said "this will be really cool mom you'll be 85 and have a great set of knockers"
I'm hoping when all reconstruction is done to be able to wear all those sexy little push-up bras that I haven't worn in years. I think I deserve that prize...considering
__________________
---Kevin and Sue---

Dx'd 10/06 IDC grade III/III
Er- pr- HER2 3+
MRM right breast 12/5/06
nodes negative
same day reconstruction started
(implants)
Stage II (2.2 cm tumor)
fairly extensive DCIS
Ct and Bone scans clean
Port placement 12/26/06
AC (4 cycles DD)to begin 1/2/07
Taxol/Taxotere (4 cycles DD)
Herceptin for one year

"There is no distinction between the one who gives, the one who receives, and the gift itself."- Hahn
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Old 01-16-2007, 06:38 PM   #10
Jean
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
Wink Comfy....

Shiela,

Thanks for sharing information on the bra. Over the weekend the malls
were having such great sales. Went to V. Secrets and tried the bra.
Yes, it is great! Of course it was not on sale...but it is sooooo
comfy and now I will not have to be concerned with setting off
the bells and whistles when I go throught the scan at the airport.
I can't tell you how often that happens with the underwire!

Hugs,
Jean
__________________
Stage 1, Grade 1, 3/30/05
Lumpectomy 4/15/05 - 6MM IDC
Node Neg. (Sentinel node)
ER+ 90% / PR-, Her2+++ by FISH
Ki-67 40%
Arimidex 5/05
Radiation 32 trt, 5/30/05
Oncotype DX test 4/17/06, 31% high risk
TOPO 11 neg. 4/06
Stopped Arimidex 5/06
TCH 5/06, 6 treatments
Herceptin 5/06 - for 1 yr.
9/06 Completed chemo
Started Femara Sept. 2006
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Old 01-17-2007, 12:57 PM   #11
Sheila
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Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
Jean
Glad you found it and it worked for you...I am truly a new woman not in pain any more with this bra.
__________________
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet
is fighting some kind of battle."



Hugs & Blessings
Sheila
Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications)
Core Biopsy 2/22/02
L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002
Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg
6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant
9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes
9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks
3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes
3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes
5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working
6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin
3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee
5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks
4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve
5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin
11/09 Progression on Navelbine
Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!!
2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin
5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate
Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion
7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!!
9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck
Qualified for TDM-1 EAP
10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1
Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments
12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments
2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression
2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin
2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes
2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS
5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression
6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin
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Old 01-17-2007, 02:27 PM   #12
MCS
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Thanks for the info Sheila. I'm going to see for myself. Splurge maybe


XOXO

MCS ( maria)
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