thank you all for praying for me all this time. Apparently the biopsy showed one kind of duct al cancer in the first breast which will require full mastectomy and the second breast has an unknown cancer needing a biopsy that will be done wit ht the aide of an MRI to figure out what kind of cancer it its.

The good news is that it appears that the cancers appear not to involve lymphnodes at this time and will require chemo at the end but should all and all be curable.

I want to do something to preserve my breasts before they are destroyed for my husband. Like in a sculpture or casting. Does anyone have an idea?

I am going for reconstruction but that will never be me again. I will just have a poor imitation of what I really had.
Please let me know.
Robyn

but I'm thinking of you tonight.

I hope the surgeon you have is the best in his or her field, knows exactly what to do, and makes sure you are as beautiful when they're done as you are right now.

:hug:
Julie

:hug:

I think that's an intriguing idea of having something to remember them by - I think for myself, I might go for a professionally done photograph but are you thinking of something a bit more tactile?

At any rate, I wish you the best and you will be in my thoughts.

breasts. Not that they are anything that would win prizes but they did feed two children and my husband and I did get a lot of enjpoyment from them. I hate to think of them in a garbage pail on a operating room floor wihcich is where they are headed. I am deepely greiving this tonight.

http://www.amazon.com/Breast-Friends-Life-Casting-Kit/dp/B000QDU61O

I'm very sorry about your diagnosis. Treatments and reconstruction have come a long way for the better, and I hope everything goes well for you.

All I can think of is the sculptures that are done of pregnant women.

http://www.storkdaddys.com/belly.html

My guess is your husband will be thrilled to have you, no matter what the breast situation may be.

All the best!

but losing muy breasts is going to be a very very painful thing for me and if I can figure put a way to preserve them some how it might not be so horrifying.

I know this must be scary for you....So glad to hear it's treatable!

Your husband sounds alot like mine. When I had to have bypass surgery I was pretty young (38). It left me with a big, ugly scar running from the base of my neck to just below my breasts. My husband told me he loved it because it represented something that kept me alive and with him.

Your husband sounds like a peach and you sound like a strong person. I wish you the best of luck and I know that everything will turn out all right for you.

He keeps telling me he loves me for me and couldn't care less about my breasts! He is wonderful and has been incredibly strong especialy while his mom has breast cancer right now too. She already had her mastectome and is going through chemo now and has a great prognosis but this is a lot to be dealing with!
I love that man with all my heart!

I am so sorry that both you and your mother-in-law are going through this. I wish you the best in your treatment, and lots of good DU vibes and prayers to you and your husband.

As to your question about a memento, perhaps you could sit for an artist -- a beautiful sketch, perhaps, or maybe a watercolor portrait. Or maybe you could do a series of photographs in different settings and light -- sunlight, candlelight, etc.

That's the thing to hang onto right now. As far as the preservation, I have no idea, sorry.

I also feel kind of shallow saying that I do have a female friend who, with her husband, made a plaster bust of her, uh..."backside" for a lawn ornament. So, there is the possibility of that for you, and I'd be happy to ask her how she did it if you'd like.

My breasts fed two children and were a part of me for 42 years, I know I am more than my breasts and its not like they are fantastic breasts but they are mine and I have no idea what the reconstructed ones are going to look like, although they will be made from my own skin and fat, no implants.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x8031617

Good luck to you.

Joey Liberal is sending some good vibes your way tonight:).............

I'm sorry for the bad news, but elated for the good news. We have two women on our street who are breast cancer survivors, and doing very well. Hugs to you, Robyn66. :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

Prayers will continue for you.

we aren't 100% sure on that but it looks encouraging.

way for healing both physically and emotionally.

As for something to preserve your breast you might want to look into Body casting. I found one link here though was looking for a TX place that does it too. http://www.detroitbodycasting.com/index.htm I don't know how hard it would be to do on your own but I think it would be worth the money to have one done professionally. I remember seeing some from the TX company a few years ago that were beautiful. They did the cast and all then painted them. Most with vining flowers. I just can't remember their name.

robyn, I'm sorry to hear of this. Having been through this with a loved one, however, I know it is good news that there is no lymph node involvement.

Will be thinking of you.





Cher

I'm so sorry it's in both of them. It is good news that it's curable and not in your lymph nodes but I can imagine the sadness of losing part of you. I had a scare years ago and remember the sadness at the thought.

I found a website called Breast impressions. They donate casting kits to make impressions.

http://www.breastimpressions.com/index.htm

I hope it gets to me before surgery!!!!!

:hug: I'm so glad they're sending you a kit.

Wishing you the best Robyn! Let us know when the kit arrives and when surgery takes place. We're all here for you.

:hug:

I'm so glad that the lymphnodes don't appear to be involved.

:pals:
Lex

We were cleaning up in my grandparents place a while back, and found Cement castings of various parts of each of them that had been done in their youth. If we ever wanted to, we could create doorknobs or anything else you might want working from those molds.

your breasts. Go to a medical supply store and get rolls of plaster bandage. Anywhere from 2" wide to 6" wide. 2" to 3" will work best. Cut the rolls into 2" strips by however wide you got. Have a bowl of water ready. Put vasiline on your boobs. Have hubby dunk cut strips into water bowl and apply to your breasts, conforming to the contour. Overlap to get a good sturdy thickness. Allow to dry. It will feel funny. When dry, cast will pop off.

You can use as is and coat with watered down Elmer's glue to seal it and then paint. Or you could use as a mold for a more permanent sculpture.

Be aware, if you do this lying down, your breasts will flatten out and it may not be the result you are looking for.

All that said, goddess be with you and believe that all will be well.

I'm sorry to hear that, but at least it sounds as if they caught it early.

This may sound a little off the wall, but have you thought about a tattoo? One of my favorite images is this one:



I think that when I get it (and since my sister, mother and grandmother all did, I feel like it's just a matter of time), I'll just wave good-bye to these DoubleD's I've been hauling around since Junior High, and get a really awesome tattoo instead. Apparently I'm not the only woman this appeals to: http://www.triangletattoo.com/women.htm

And how cool would something like this be?

I especially like the second picture.

Here's her website: http://bafaro.com/bio.html Take a look at her gallery - it'll knock your socks off!

I don't expect something like that is cheap, but then plastic surgery isn't a pittance either.

I've been wanting to get a tat for quite awhile now, and when I finally decide what I want, I will definitely check her out!

I love how vibrant her colors are.

So sorry to hear you have to deal with that, but definitely good news that it hasn't hit the lymph nodes. Sending good vibes and white light for healing. Be well... :hug:

I'm glad to hear it's treatable. :grouphug:

And I'm sorry you have to go through a double mastectomy. They are a part of our bodies, and there is a sense of loss there. But your husband sounds like a standup guy, and I think you will both adapt.

My best to you as you go through this. :hug:

Sending my best vibes. :hug:

I am impressed that you manage to stay positive. :hug: I am glad you caught it early.

Been thinking of you all day.

My sister had something similar last year, double mastectomy as well. If you can get by without radiation, skip it. Chemo, yes, but radiation can really harm your skin and make reconstruction more difficult. Obviously, do whatever needs to be done to be healthy. For my sister, lymph nodes were involved, and it was a recurrence, so they hit her full blast with everything they had. And again, that was last year, and she's fine.

:hug: I know how tough it is. I don't have preservation ideas; maybe someone at the clinic will know -- ?

You sound like such a brave and strong woman. I wish you speed in conquering this thing. :hug:

The most common choice for a breast cast would be the type used for pregnancy. But i think detail is limited with them as it is a sort of paper mache type of cast. Another way (and one i think is preferable)is to do it using the hand and foot print molding sets.

This is a link to a fairly easy home molding kit. I did this with my children's hands when they were infants and the nice thing is the INCREDIBLE detail. The mold is a rubber type substance that is quick setting and very easy to manipulate. I suspect it may take some creativity getting the mold to hold it's shape while it dries. I hope this is some help. I wish i could offer more.


http://www.castingkeepsakes.com/life-casting-kits-c-1.html

http://www.castingkeepsakes.com/bulk-casting-supplies-c-13.html

Edited to add...please pm me if you want me to help brainstorm ideas about getting the mold to set right.

Good luck with the treatments. :(

I'll be praying for you Robyn -- I visualize you coming out of the woods...

As far ad never being the same again, most women's breasts are never the same again after feedings and pregnancies, so you're not alone as far as the re-constructive part. i'll be getting mine done soon.

MAJOR HEALING TO YOU

But it's good news that it is curable. Best to you.

reconstruction - but I'm much older than you. Will keep you in my thoughts.

...:hug: :grouphug:

My deepest and sincerest thoughts, prayers, positive vibes, healing energies and whatever else I can extend to you and your family as you undergo the treatment

A sculpture/casting is a very good idea. Perhaps also a private video or professional shot you and your husband could share together?

:hug: :hug:

Big vibes for you, and yours.

i don't know if you believe in prayers.

but i am praying for you...

My most heartfelt prayers go out to you and your family. :grouphug:

Like others have said so better than I...you will always be you.

:hug:

stay strong.

"am".

:)

I have been in tears reading all of your kind responses. I wish there was a way I could save this thread to read when I feel down. I am really greiving today, I will still be nervous about the lymph none thing until after surgery becuase I won't know if I am really clear until then but it does look good but you all have been wonderful.

Love you all
Robyn

:hug:

You can bookmark the thread and that will keep it easily available when it goes into the archives or there is a printer friendly format button up top on the left for easy printing.

I'll be keeping you in my prayers.

:hug:

:hug:
KJ

surgery takes from your body. Good luck with the procedures. I'll continue to hold you in my thoughts. I'm sure your husband is just thankful to have you with him. Hang in there.


:grouphug: Many are pulling for you.

aA
kesha

and pose.

I'm so sorry that this has hit you. So sorry.

strength and love to you and your family :hug:

God, that's horrible. My sincerest sympathy.

that your medical treatment goes as well as can be *hugs and prayers*

It must be quite traumatic. Reconstruction may not be the same but you'll still be you and that is a beautiful thing. Wishing you the best,
Connie

Johns Hopkins in Baltimore?

A very good friend of mine is the go-to guy for these kinds of cancers. He is a genius. Please click on this link:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=christopher+umbricht%2C+m.d.&btnG=Google+Search

Peace be with you.

-------

Gilligan

I am in NEw Hampshire and will be going to Dana Farber in Boston as soon as the biopsies are complete. Thank you so much. I will definately read up on your friend!
Robyn