Intro

[Guest guest]

Barbara has asked me to introduce myself:

My background is varied - BS/Masters in Engineering; 22 years USAF, now

retired - engineer, Fighter Pilot, Test Pilot, Flight Test Engineer.

Currently I own a Design / Build Commercial Sound & Video Contracting

company.

I have acquired an interest in IAQ & Sickbuildings - I have been studying

the subject, but so far I found the internet full of opinions, some closed

mindness, and many half truths to suit the writers " hypothesis " .

Having done a lot of testing & reporting in other fields (operational

effectiveness) I find that the testing that I have reviewed so far (which is

minimal) is either self serving, inconclusive (even though they try to

extrapolate results to coincide with their original hypothesis) or does not

have any bearing or relevancy to the real world. The real world's problem

is very complex - not easily defined & the current solutions seem to be akin

to medicines - can cause side effects, may treat the problem and or may mask

the real problems.

So I am here to listen & learn - maybe even through in a touch of reality or

sanity check every now & then.

Thanks Barbara for the time.

Ken Teague, PE

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

I can't tell you how thrilled to discover (quite by accident) this group!

My name is Amy. I live in Northern New Jersey and am proud my to two blue

eyed beauties, Alyssa FT 3.5 years and 36 weeker, 34 weeks estimated

growth due to IUGR 10 months.

We've had our share of medical problems with both girls. As an infant,

Alyssa had GERD, a severe cow's milk protein and soy allergy (she was on a

highly specialized formula - and highly expensive!), tear duct probing,

placement of ear tubes, and surgery for strabismus (lazy eye). As a toddler

she was diagnosed with a wheat allergy and asthma. She has either outgrown

all or surgeries were successful (thank goodness). Her asthma is relatively

mild and she has some airborne allergies, but otherwise healthy!

I started PTL at week 18 with and was put on bedrest. At 36 weeks,

via US it was determined that her growth was dangerously slow, so I was

induced. spent 16 days in the NICU/Intermediate Nursery.

While in the nursery she was diagnosed with a severe cow's milk protein and

soy allergy and also put on Neocate.

She too, has GERD, strabismus (just starting treatment), chronic ear

infections (1 inf away from tubes) like her big sis, and is on an apnea

monitor (soon to be discharged).

At about 3 months or so I noticed the back right side of her head becoming

flattened. I brought this to the pediatrician's attention. It was

monitored for several months, the dr. just telling me to keep turning her

head, which of course she resisted. She was seen by a developmental ped. at

7 1/2 months. I was concerned because she could not sit unassisted. She

was diagnosed with torticolis, which was the cause of her positional

plagiocephaly. She started PT and at the eval, the therapist mentioned the

cranio-facial team at Saint ph's Hospital and Medical Center in

Paterson, New Jersey. Luckily, this is the hospital that we go to for

everything - how convenient for us! St Joe's is the largest cranio-facial

unit in New Jersey and 1 of 3 in the state. At our first pre team meeting

with I swear, 15 medical experts - kind of intimidating, it was determined

that due to 's apnea, she was not a candidate for the helmet at that

time. They wanted us to wait two more months (which would put at 11

months, 10 months adjusted). I was very concerned that we would not get the

amount of wear needed to correct. I spoke to the PT and Apnea Specialists

regarding this. I thought it would make more sense for her to have the

helmet while on the monitor, just in case the chin strap did induce apnea,

at least we would be alerted by the monitor. Of course the apnea spec.

agreed, it was basically common sense! was casted on May 19. What

an ordeal. , the OT who fabricated the helmet said was probably

the most resistant patient she has ever had - Gee thanks! At first the

helmet didn't fit correctly, but with a few adjustments, and adding some

foam they were pleased. I couldn't imagine her having (or me) to go through

that casting again. Needless to say I was a wreck - how would she adjust,

and I was dreading those stares! I went through it with Alyssa, who wore an

eye patch for a time, and also with who has wires coming out of her

pants leg from the apnea monitor. Once I saw how adjusted so

quickly, I felt much better. I decorated her helmet with permanent

markers - luckily I am crafty. It really looks like a bike helmet.

To our surprise we were called about a week after she began wearing by the

OT. The head of cranio-facial and the head of public relations decided that

they would like to pose for photos to be included in the departments

annual report. She was a pro and a ham. The photographer took about 4

rolls of film. Several days ago I was given an enlargement of one of the

photos. It is just great. She is so happy. The OT had slides taken also

for a slide presentation. There is also talk of using the pix for a

brochure! I am one proud mommy!

I look forward to being part of the group. I really don't know anyone else

going through this. I was able to meet another mom in a different group (I

will be forwarding this group address to her) and another mom at St Joe's.

Sorry, this was so long.

Amy :-)

[Guest guest]

Hi Amy,

I'm also from Northern NJ, my son was born at St. Joe's and we have

an appointment for July 2l, they also told us there would be about 11

to 15 doctors to evalute him. I keep hoping he doesn't need the

helmet but I know he will. My ped told me his head was flat from

always sleeping on it, I tried putting him on his side to sleep and

we would just flip to his back. He now likes sleeping on his side,

his head has gotten a little better but it's still flat. I have seen

so may different pictures of helmets and bands. How is the one you

got from St. Joe's are the ears exposed or under the helmet. I feel

so bad that he will be so uncomforable in the helmet. Any info you

can give me would be great. I also found this site by accident, I

actyally couln't believe there was a e-group for this. It makes me

feel a little better knowing there are people to talk with and get

answers to my many concern.

Joyce

[Guest guest]

Peg,

I have a question. I had contemplated getting implants until I heard that

the saline sac was silicone. You mentioned using the fat from your abdomen. I

had also heard of taking fat cells from your thighs or buttocks as well.

Would you happen to know anything about that because I can't seem to find

anything on it. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. :>)

Lea

[Guest guest]

Thanks very much for the info Pam !! Lea

[Guest guest]

I discussed the free flap using tissue from the buttocks with my explanting

PS in SLC five years ago. The idea of being in surgery anywhere from 8-10

hours made up my mind very quickly. The time frame may be down to 6+ hours

but that is a long time to be under anesthersia for a set of breasts. I had

had enough surgeries to last me a lifetime and decided to just remain flat

chested the rest of my life.

Before deciding on any type of reconstruction, please do a Medline search

for reconstructions...also go to the ASPRS site. Look for long-term

studies. The ASPRS does not have any available and they do not intend to

ask their doctors to report their failures and complications with them.

Pam

http://www.magiclink.com/web/spudnik/

----- Original Message -----

From: <MsChadFan@...>

< egroups>

Sent: Sunday, October 29, 2000 2:34 PM

Subject: Re: Intro

> Peg,

> I have a question. I had contemplated getting implants until I heard

that

> the saline sac was silicone. You mentioned using the fat from your

abdomen. I

> had also heard of taking fat cells from your thighs or buttocks as well.

> Would you happen to know anything about that because I can't seem to find

> anything on it. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. :>)

> Lea

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Peg, after having implants (silicone and saline), I had mine removed Sept.

20. It took me a LONG time to make the decision to have them removed. I

feel much better about myself and also better physically.

100x " s worse is not what I ended up with. I had a rupture on one side and

that side is pretty lopsided but the other side is fine--just went back to

basically what I had before. I'm much more comfortable without those heavy

bags on my chest. I'm really happy I had them removed. I truly felt like I

was going to die before I could get them out. I haven't had one of those

days since.

Listen to your body--I think only you will be able to make any decision about

this. Doctors won't say they are the problem. Go to www.info-implants and

look at those pictures.

I wish you the best, Phyllis:-)

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the info Patty. Lea

[Guest guest]

> My problems of " late " have been things like achy joints (I even had knee

> surgery last year), muscle weakness, fibromyalgia-like symptoms, heart

> difficulties ( " hyperdynamic left chamber = tachycardia), urinary problems

> (weak control), extreme fatigue (2 weeks ago I missed all week at work

> because I was just too tired & stressed to go in), and teeth problems (I

had

> to have all my top teeth pulled & have a plate --- I had had my uppers

> capped back in 1996!!!!). Of course, who knows which of my problems are

> because of the silicone/saline. At 40 I was diagnosed " perimenopausal, "

but

> now I wonder.

Welcome Peggy...!

So sorry to hear of your health symptoms, which, by the way, all sound very

familiar to us girls who have been in this loop for a number of years. We

hear the same stories over and over again, and it is very sad indeed to hear

each and every one of them, yours included. How are you feeling this week?

I hope you have been able to return to work at least.

If and when you do decide to get your implants removed, please ask

questions....we can help point you the right way to do it. First and

foremost--make sure the explanting surgeon removes the implants AND THE

CAPSULES! This is the most important point of a proper removal procedure.

Again, welcome, we hope to hear more from you and help you in any way we

can.

Love,

Patty

[Guest guest]

> I had also heard of taking fat cells from your thighs or buttocks as

well.

> Would you happen to know anything about that because I can't seem to find

> anything on it.

Hi Lea,

I asked about this when I got my implants removed (because I didn't want to

go back to what I had before!) The bad news is that this is not a procedure

that is done for augmentation. It is a very, very complex, involved and

risky surgery, usually done only for mastectomy patients as one option for

reconstruction.

Who knows what will be developed in the near future? They may indeed find a

way to use some of our own tissues or cells. I posted some information on

the company Reprogenesis a few months back, who is researching the idea of

" growing breasts " in the lab from tissue cultures. You can read about it in

the Archives, at message number 42 through 46.

Patty