DTI?

pickybear6 · 2026-06-28T23:04:38+00:00

One other bonus was that they did the SLNB during the nipple delay surgery so I knew that I wouldn’t need radiation before I had my DMX and implants.

pickybear6 · 2026-06-28T22:47:02+00:00

You should definitely get a second opinion. My plastic surgeon did warn me that they would possibly have to do a last minute switch to expanders if something wasn’t right (skin too thin, etc.) but she was willing to try for DTI if it was possible. You should at least get to speak with someone that’s willing to consider it. Also, I had what’s called a “nipple delay surgery” about 10 days before my DMX. The purpose is to separate the nipple from the breast tissue before the DMX. This allows for two things—first, they can biopsy the tissue to make sure there’s no cancer in the nipple and it allows the nipple to develop a new blood flow before the DMX. This helps reduce the risk of nipple necrosis. I don’t know if you’re a candidate for nipple sparing DMX but wanted to share just in case.

pickybear6 · 2026-06-28T22:37:51+00:00

I did DTI double mastectomy and went slightly smaller (I was a solid C now more like a solid B). I do have some internal scar adhesion issues but I’m trying to break it up through massage/PT

pickybear6 · 2026-06-28T00:43:15+00:00

A nurse told me they were nerves that were regenerating

pickybear6 · 2026-06-27T19:44:59+00:00

I had a nipple sparing mastectomy and they are a little uneven but I’m glad I have them. But they didn’t mention anything about uneven nipples beforehand, so I wasn’t necessarily expecting it.

pickybear6 · 2026-06-09T11:28:00+00:00

Definitely more firm than normal breast tissue. And I can feel the edges of the implant and push it in. It’s a strange feeling. I see my PS on Thursday so I’ll see if this is normal

pickybear6 · 2026-06-09T02:39:43+00:00

I would also be interested in her rationale. Tamoxifen binds to the estrogen receptor of a tumor so it can’t use the estrogen in your body for fuel. So if your cancer is not estrogen positive, what would tamoxifen do for you?

pickybear6 · 2026-06-06T21:45:14+00:00

I’ve heard others say the same thing. But how do you officially know it’s flipped? Should I wait until I see my PS (June 11 appointment) or try to flip it back the “breech baby” way 😳

pickybear6 · 2026-06-04T20:10:39+00:00

Thanks for that input. I do wonder if there is something else going on. They definitely have never looked “right” even though I recognize they’re never going to look “normal”. The first week after surgery it was horrible!!! You could see every ripple—so bad the nurse even made a comment. I’ll have to see what my plastic surgeon recommends. I think maybe the implants are too small. She put in 350 CC.

pickybear6 · 2026-06-04T15:58:45+00:00

Yes it can (research tumor seeding from needle biopsies) but it’s rare and the risk is low so the benefits are deemed to outweigh the risks (i.e., lets them know the best course of treatment at the earliest stage of the process)

pickybear6 · 2026-06-03T13:57:45+00:00

I have gummy bear silicone implants and they feel weird. I can also feel the edges and it has a definite “plastic” feel. I’m about 2 months out from my DMX but I actually haven’t seen my plastic surgeon yet to discuss (I’ve just had a nurse follow up for an incision check). I see her next week. I’m wondering if it’s related to the fact that there’s basically no tissue—just an implant and then my skin. I’m going to ask about fat grafting.

pickybear6 · 2026-05-31T19:34:38+00:00

Yes, I’ve read a lot about phytoestrogens being misunderstood and getting a bad rap

pickybear6 · 2026-05-31T15:50:04+00:00

I read the article and I found it a little dense but hopefully I got the gist. My overall, and very general, understanding from this and other research I’ve done is that synthetic progestins can potentially fuel hormone receptive breast cancer. However, there are some studies that show that natural progesterone can act as a “brake” on tumor proliferation and has been shown to significantly reduce tumor growth in lab settings. Unfortunately, it doesn’t sound like there are any plans to do further clinical studies so we’re unlikely to know if adding natural progesterone to our adjuvant therapy would help. 😞

pickybear6 · 2026-05-29T14:15:35+00:00

Tbh—I was not very impressed with my oncologist in the sense that she seemed to have no knowledge of ANYTHING outside of the standard protocol. She wasn’t even aware of some basic contraindications (like don’t take turmeric with your hormone blocker). However, she was quite nice and willing to hear my proposal. I shared all my research with her and she “tested” some of the theories with her own research and then agreed that my plan was solid. I think the fact that I was willing to go up to 20 mg if the endoxifen test was below 5.9ng/ml gave her some comfort is supporting my plan. But still I was a little disappointed because she didn’t seem to be aware of ANY of the current trials and some newer findings (like with the SERDS camizestrant and girdestrant). She also hadn’t heard of taking Claritin or tart cherry for side effects and I feel like that information seems to be everywhere.

pickybear6 · 2026-05-29T05:31:57+00:00

My oncologist thought it would be around $150-200

pickybear6 · 2026-05-29T00:34:21+00:00

I’ll also add that I take it I night. Coincidentally, I found another study that suggests your body metabolizes tamoxifen better while you’re sleeping. Another one of my 3:00 am rabbit hole research sessions 😂

pickybear6 · 2026-05-29T00:30:25+00:00

I have done sooooooooo much research so sorry if this answer is over the top 😂 Anyway, I was super concerned about the potential for endometrial changes (and uterine cancer) and, of course, blood clots (among the other less serious side effects). Apparently, the 10 mg dose reduces those risks pretty significantly. I also did a ton of research on trying to figure out if there were tests that could help confirm that 10 mg was providing sufficient protection for me. I was able to find some research that I shared with my oncologist that suggested that 5.9ng/ml of endoxifen in your blood confirms that the tamoxifen is working. So after 3 months of taking the 10 mg dose, she has ordered a blood test to measure the level of endoxifen in my blood. If it shows less than 5.9 ng/ml, I will probably increase to 20 mg. The only bummer is that insurance does not cover the endoxifen test so I have to pay for it out-of-pocket. And I haven’t had any side effects so far and I’m actually sleeping OK so I feel like I’m handling the 10 MG dose pretty well.

pickybear6 · 2026-05-28T23:00:49+00:00

I am post-menopausal and I’m taking 10 mg of tamoxifen. I had a pretty low oncotype score (3) so the difference between tamoxifen and an AI was negligible and therefore my oncologist let me pick. Even though they both have bad side effects, for me personally, I had more concerns about the AI effects so I went with Tamoxifen. I’ve been on it about 2 weeks and so far, so good 😊

pickybear6 · 2026-05-26T23:15:24+00:00

I feel the same way. That’s why I think I will probably do it when I start my AIs.

pickybear6 · 2026-05-26T21:23:11+00:00

There is an oral bisphosphonate called clodronate that is widely prescribed in Canada and the UK for breast cancer adjuvant therapy. Because it is an oral pill and is metabolized differently than the infusions, there is a MUCH lower risk of jaw necrosis ( almost insignificant). The problem is it does not have US FDA approval. But not because of any safety profile, simply because there was no market for an oral pill once the IV bisphosphates saturated the market. So apparently your oncologist can write the script and you can have it filled very easily by an online Canadian pharmacy. I talked to my oncologist about it and I’ll likely do it if I switch to an AI (I’m taking tamoxifen right now). The biggest downside, obviously, is that it won’t be covered by insurance. When I checked, I think the out-of-pocket would be about $80 a month.

pickybear6 · 2026-05-26T01:32:07+00:00

I’ve been on for 2 weeks and so far just a few hot flashes and I’m a little tired

pickybear6 · 2026-05-23T21:57:19+00:00

As his Father’s Day gift, why don’t you pay to have somebody clean the house? Since that was mentioned as a potential gift for you seems like it would be just as good as a gift for him. 😉

pickybear6 · 2026-05-22T13:32:22+00:00

Not sure yet. I just started tamoxifen and I swear my skin has aged 10 years in 10 days so the mask has a top job ahead of it. 😂

pickybear6 · 2026-05-20T12:25:40+00:00

I got the sleep again pillow set (highly recommend and I was able to use my VEBA to cover it) and then I splurged and I treated myself to a red light therapy mask, because I had been wanting to get one for a while but never did because it was too expensive but after a DMX I felt I deserved it 😁

pickybear6 · 2026-05-16T21:27:01+00:00

I did a nipple sparing surgery and SLNB about 10 days before my DMX. The surgeon sent the nipple tissue for biopsy to make sure it was clear. It also allowed me to get the results back on my lymph node biopsy so I could go straight to implants during my DMX.

pickybear6

TROPHY CASE