Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Why Should You Consider Using A Breast Form Over Getting Reconstructive Surgery?

Breast forms can be useful for a number of reasons. They have been identified as an important alternative to reconstructive surgery post mastectomy surgery. Reconstructive surgery is less advantageous because it requires more surgery. Not only must a patient go through one reconstructive surgery, but further operations may be required in the future. Also, for cancer patients, if doctors find that the cancer has advanced, breast reconstruction may interfere with the treatment. Not to mention the common side effects implants may have. With some implants, most commonly saline implants, Capsular Contracture may occur (Imaginis- the Breast Cancer Resource). This is when the scar around the implant begins to tighten and squeezes down on the soft implant inside. This can have a negative effect by causing the breast to feel hard. These are just a few reasons why reconstructive surgery is sometimes frowned upon. Surgery can, however have its positive aspects. A lot of times you can have the reconstructive surgery directly following your mastectomy. This means you would not have to go under the knife twice; they would do this process while you are still under. Implants are also preferred over breast forms because they are permanent and can seem like less of a hassle.

Prosthesis, or breast forms, is an excellent alternative to surgery. They mirror the approximate movement, feel, and weight of natural tissue. It is very important to have a properly weighted breast form because it provides the balance your body needs for correct posture. Very few problems occur when using breast forms. Some have said that they feel a bit heavy at first (American Cancer Society). However, this does fade as you get used to them. Also, some forms may cause some skin irritation. This also can be resolved by putting the breast forms into a bra with a pocket.

Common questions that arise include, what kind of bra would I need to wear with a breast form? The answer is that you can wear any type of bra you prefer. You may even wear the bras you were wearing before mastectomy surgery. Many wonder whether or not others will be able to tell if they are wearing them. Breast forms are very inconspicuous. They are under your clothing and therefore look no different from natural tissue breasts. Aside from the initial heaviness at first, they aren?t even all that noticeable to you, the wearer. Questions are sometimes asked regarding the possibility of wearing the breast forms while swimming in the summer. No problem! Most breast forms do fine in the pool with chlorine. Swimming should not affect them. As far as swimsuits go, there are plenty of suits that will hide the breast forms well. A string-bikini may not be the best choice. However, a suit that covers your chest more fully, would keep them unnoticeable to others.

Overall, we see that there are answers out there. And for those who do not want to go under the knife again, there is a great alternative. Breast forms can fit practically any body type and any lifestyle. The cons of using breast forms are fewer than the cons of getting reconstructive surgery. Breast forms aren?t permanent and can always be changed to fit you. However, both of these options are out there and should be considered. What makes you happy and comfortable should come first and foremost.

Truekare is an online retailer of high quality silicone breast forms. Find out more about us at Truekare Breast Forms.


Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Ten Tips to Prepare for a Backpacking Trek


1. Make a checklist. My pocket survival kit is a good start, but you need to think about what gear you plan to take including, sleeping bag, inflatable pad, tent, camp stove, fuel, food, water, clothing and other essentials.


2. Examine your gear. Unfold your tent and check the seams. Make sure there are no tears in your sleeping bag, check your backpack frame and straps, test your camp stove, sharpen your knife, and replenish first aid kit items. Make sure your clothing and shoes fit correctly.


3. Study maps and routes. Make sure you have the most updated maps. Trails may be rerouted due to changes in land ownership, severe weather or other reasons. It's not unusual for unmarked trails to be overgrown or for new unmarked trails to be created. In many areas, trails that are navigable in one season may not be navigable in another season.


4. Determine how much weight you're willing to carry. One gallon of water weights 8 pounds, almost 4 kilograms. If you do not have access to potable water, you either have to carry it or carry water purification materials. Add the weight of your gear, tools, food and items like a camera, journal, and cell phone - and it's an easy 35-50 pounds or 16-23 kilograms.


5. Leave information on your planned route with family or friends. Aron Ralston, the climber who cut off his arm to survive a fall, told interviewers that his biggest mistake was not letting anyone know where he was going. No one knew where to look for him. Cell phone signals are not always reliable, especially in mountains and canyons. Even the most experienced and careful outdoors person can get into trouble.


6. Have a contingency plan. Nature is unpredictable. Once you get out on the trail, the planning continues. Make a mental or written note of where you find patches of edible plants, accessible water, and good shelter locations as you hike. The best way to stay out of a survival situation is to practice what you'd do if you were in a survival situation. If you have access to a wooded area, practice building a debris shelter, making a hand drill fire or twisting dogbane fibers into rope. You don't have to master these skills, but knowing what is possible is often the difference between survival and disaster.


7. Check local weather conditions. This may still not be enough, as I discovered on October 4, 1987, when the weather forecast for rain turned out to be 12-15 inches of snow. I had the right gear, but it was still a 3-hour hike down a mountain to safety. The danger in that situation was the snow-ladened trees had not dropped their leaves and when branches broke, the weight could cause injury.


8. Check and recheck every item you plan to take. Lighters and flashlight batteries are light-weight; it's a good idea to pack extras. Larabars have no refined sugar, last up to 9 months, and are an excellent alternative when you cannot prepare food.


9. Become familiar with local flora and fauna. Study field guides and well-organized websites, so you have an idea of what lives where you will be backpacking. Wild edibles in season make a delicious supplement to purchased foods. In a survival situation insects and small animals that are easy to catch could be the survival difference. Again, you don't have to eat them, but knowing what is and is not edible and having a general idea of how to prepare wild foods is valuable. I have fun discovering new foods.


10. Carry an appropriate garbage container. In the back country you need to carry out what you carry in, so make sure you have a container that you can seal to avoid contaminating the other items in your pack. Biodegradable toilet paper is an alternative, but you will still have food wrappers and other products that cannot ethically be left behind.


Happy Trails.
About the Author

JJ Murphy, is a nature writer, blogging hiker, curriculum creator and tree-hugger currently based in Harriman, NY. Visit http://www.writerbynature.com for more information, including JJ's favorite places for gear and supplies.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Real Estate for Sale in Arizona

If you are looking for real estate for sale in Arizona, you may want to check the Internet for listings or consult with a real estate broker.

If you are looking for a top custom builder of homes, the Dalton Ross Homes may just be what you?re looking for. On the other hand, La Costa Homes is a premium property found in Kingsman, Arizona. Its builders put a premium on quality. Additionally, Esmay Construction showcases quality properties. They has open floor plans and customized features with a flair for architecture. They have new homes in Kingsman, Arizona, and in Lake Havasu City along with the popular Valley Vista Gold Course.

If you are interested in a family-focused Scottsdale community, there is a modern and luxurious estate in Paradise Valley. Perhaps you are looking for a quaint ranch in Carefree or a custom house with a creatively designed golf course or even a downtown loft. You can search for these homes online with the help of agents.

Some online real estate firms offer first timers and veteran home purchasers valuable knowledge to guide them in their decision-making process. They provide real estate reports online, articles on available properties and a monthly newsletter with informative features on the Arizona real estate environment.

If you are the seller, remember not to utilize traditional methods of selling properties such as open houses and advertisements in magazines. Make sure that the agent maximizes exposure of your home to command a good price.

Since the selling strategies of properties have undergone dramatic changes, a proactive approach is necessary. These include agent-to-agent selling, marketing through the Internet, and other new techniques so your property will fetch a handsome amount.

So keep these things in mind to guide you in your search for estates in Arizona.

Arizona Real Estate provides detailed information on Arizona Real Estate, Tucson Arizona Real Estate, Phoenix Arizona Real Estate, Arizona Real Estate Agents and more. Arizona Real Estate is affiliated with Arizona Vacation Rentals.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Bridesmaid Dresses Visited

When a woman has the honor of being asked to be an attendant at a wedding, probably the first thing that pops into her head is the bridesmaid dresses. There are a whole bunch of horror stories about nasty looking dresses that were chosen as bridesmaid dresses. I have seen tons of awful looking gowns, the ones from the 80s seem to be especially hideous. There are still plenty of fine looking bridesmaid dresses out there, so be warned bridal attendants.

I had the honor of paying the maid of honor for my best friend?s wedding and we recently checked out a bridal store to try on our gowns. The bride chose a few bridal gowns and she chose a few bridesmaid dresses in advance. It's always a smart thing to do when you can take care of everything in advance because you never know it's going to come up that it's really great to have time to adjust for those surprises.

I tried on three bridesmaid dresses and I was relieved and impressed with the bride?s excellent fashion sense. When she told me that she wanted the bridesmaids to wear pink, strapless gowns, my heart may have stopped. I imagined a shocking pink flamingo look, form-fitting dress, that would point out every single flaw on my frame - yuck. We'll actually found or three lovely bridesmaid dresses that were complementary to any type of figure and you can't beat that.

The tough thing was actually willing down my choices to just one. The bride and I agreed which bridesmaid dress looked the best on the Internet, but we were pleasantly surprised to see that her number two choice, we liked even better. When I tried it on it felt comfortable and I felt at ease with that particular bridesmaid dress.

The bridesmaid dresses or a whitish-pink, and though they are strapless, not my favorite choice, the bride decided to incorporate short jackets as an accessory for those of us who prefer not to attend church looking like Madonna. The jacket is clean and elegant, just as the lovely pink gown was. I think that I will be very happy with the bride?s choice.

This choice was really a no-brainer for the bride and I was relieved that I only had to try on three bridesmaid dresses. You won't believe this but sometimes I have tried and dozens of dresses for a single wedding. I actually think that she knew which one I preferred and chose that one. I tried to keep my opinion to myself until after she made her choice. It was after all her wedding and her decision and I didn?t want to influence her in any way just to please me. She may have regretted being swayed and it's really not worth doing that. Fortunately for both of us she chose a great gown.

I saw many other gowns that were nothing short of horrendous. There were bridesmaid dresses that ballooned at the bottom like something out of Cinderella. There were bright orange dresses that made us look like the great pumpkin. I actually saw a gown, and I'm not making this up, that was strikingly similar to a ballerina?s tutu and I thanked the stars above that the bride in the wedding I?m attending or smart enough not to go for a number like this. Although the final decision has back treatment may get and she hasn't ordered the bridesmaid dresses yet so you never know...


About the Author:

Morgan Hamilton offers his findings and insights regarding wedding. You can get interesting and informative information here at http://www.weddingsparks.com/weddings/weddings/bridesmaid-dresses.html




Saturday, May 2, 2009

Whitewater Rafting Natural Hot Springs and Backpacking are Just a Few Adventures in Ouray CO

Colorado offers the traveler a panorama of activities and delights for all ages and to suit all tastes. That is not an exaggeration! There?s not another small town in Colorado that offers the variety of things to see and to do and one-day trips through the most spectacular mountain scenery. Whether you?re a single person looking for the physically challenging activity or the mom and dad wanting to share age-appropriate recreation and excitement with your children, Ouray, Colorado, meets those needs. A week is not too long to schedule for this ?Gem of the Rockies.?

You may discover your greatest challenge is to do all you want to do in a week. So, what will it be today? For certain, it will begin early. If only once in your lifetime you take a brisk jog or a meandering stroll just as the sun rises over the surrounding peaks, you?ll know that the next few days in Ouray will begin early. Then indulge in one of the finest breakfasts available anywhere. What next? Take a walk down to the Natural Hot Springs Pool for the morning, or reserve that for later to soak out the knots in our legs from backpacking one of the many hiking trails? Or take a Jeep tour over Imogene Pass at 13,000 plus elevation, have a snowball fight, and then tour the gift and rock shops? OK, get the picture? Ouray is the center for fun and excitement for all.

Granted, the majority of activities are outdoors, but the rock and gift shops offer gems and art, and it?s never very far to a hot tub or nature slide show. Even though this mountain hamlet with a population of approximately 800 swells to a few thousand visitors a day during the peak summer days, that doesn?t mean that there?s no quiet and solitude for the weary of body and soul looking for some healing. Quiet aspen and spruce groves and cascading waterfalls provide a wonderful balm and escape from the stresses of our hectic lifestyle. And again, the natural hot springs work wonders!

This is one little town of Western Colorado, tucked back in a box canyon, that is just plain hard to beat. Do your research first (http://www.cedarviewresources.com in the articles section) Check the calendar of events. Look over the providers of jeep trips and gold mine tours. If you?re really adventurous, rent your own Jeep. Don?t overlook the neighboring communities that provide interesting day trips into the past gold and silver booms, legendary ski resorts, first-class Indian ruins of Mesa Verde, and the Durango-Silverton narrow-gauge train.

Is camping your thing? KOA hosts a beautiful camp north of town along the Uncompahgre River and the US Forest Service provides camp sites south of town with a bird?s eye view of the valley below and canyon walls surrounding the valley. Now there?s just no excuse! Plan a week, or at least 3 or 4 days to savor the beauty of Ouray. This is one place you will want to revisit, guaranteed!

Donald Pyle is a husband, father, and grandpa with experience in education and interpersonal relations. He specializes in helping others plan and realize their travel needs and their dream vacations. He is a certified referring travel agent, association specialist, and CLIA certified http://www.CedarViewTravelResources.com