Topic : 07/23 Ask the Doctors

I have never written into a talk show before in my life but I was outraged by Jayas mother.  She seemed to only think about herself and how much easier it would be for her.   I commend the father for taking a stand with this.   My nephew was born with severe handicaps and lived till he was 19 years old.  My brother and his wife would never have thought about doing anything of that nature voluntarily.   Jaya's mother should let him make that decision when he is older.   Once it is done, it is done.   What will she say to him when he becomes a teenager and medical science has advanced.  "Well son, this was in your best interest at the time."   I would put my faith in the advancement of medical science than to amputate my childs legs voluntarily.

My heart just broke when Jaya told his mom, "I want to keep my legs".  That should be enough for her to change her mind.   Shame on you Jaya's mom and I hope Jayas dad protects his son from the mother.

   I believe what the true problem you are having here is anger issues over this happening to you in the first place. And that is completely normal. I am very sorry for what happened to you just as I am for anyone who has to deal with this horrible disease. But rather then be angry over what was said or not said on the show today, you need to understand what you are truly angry over. I think that it was assumed that women in your situation are not included in the same category as the thousands of women who are running as fast as they can to get larger breasts just for cosmetic reasons. Unfortunately, in this day and age women are having their breasts enlarged with the same easy decision making as deciding what type of milk to buy, 2% milk or fat free!

   I find it sad that both men and women no longer appreciate what a normal breast is supposed to look like. They think that the perfect champagne glass globe with 3 inches of blank space between them is what is supposed to be attractive anymore. I can spot a fake breast job a mile away! Whatever happened for appreciation of a normal cleavage line? It's the same way with Brazilian wax jobs. Men are now appalled if they are with a woman only to discover that she actually has pubic hair. This really blows my mind! The younger generation of men do not think that a woman is supposed to have hair "down there" and it completely turns them off. It is sad what the younger generation is doing to themselves and obliterating the idea of what a normal woman is supposed to look like.

   That is what I considered the topic to be about. How women are no different than a herd of cattle to get the "look"! Of course a woman in your situation should do anything that it takes to make you feel better about yourself and I am incredibly happy that there is options available to you. Todays show didn't spend much time on any particular issue, I would have liked to hear more about every one of them. They just didn't have the time. And having said that, I will assume that you are thinking that they should have fit cancer and mastectomies into it before anything else. And again, I understand your feelings. I don't downplay the importance of this topic at all! I just think it was targeting the elective, superficial reasons for breast implants. A woman who "needs" an implant should be a whole show on it's own. There are thousands of women just like you and it is a VERY important topic that I feel needs to be addressed. If it happened to me, and it might very well someday because it does run in my family, then I would elect to have implants if the option was available to me. A woman's breasts are very much a part of her identity. I wish that it wasn't that way, but it is a fact. Personally, I think that if all the thousands of women that run out and have this procedure for cosmetic purposes ever had to face what you are, then maybe they would appreciate what they have a hell of a lot more.

   Hollywood, Magazines, and every bit of media and everything else that we are having forced down our throats on a daily basis is giving women a false idea of what should be expected of us. We have to be a cross between Martha Stewart, A CEO, and Pamela Anderson. It is ridiculous! If you are over a size 4 then you are considered fat. What is happening here? There are the grown women who are soccer mom's that have everything. The children, the husband, the nice house with the pool, and the SUV. But they end up take Meth because they need more energy to keep up with everything and to keep the figure they had when they were in High School. They end up losing everything! Just to be perfect!

   So please, don't be angry over a show such as this, that they didn't mention breast cancer survivors. Like I said, I don't think that is what you are truly angry about. You definitely have every right to be angry over what has happened to you. That is a devastating blow in your life. I also DO NOT mean to come off sounding "condescending", so please don't take it that way. I have health issues also, I am disabled due to malpractice from three failed back surgeries. I have a great deal of anger too. Maybe that is why I find it so small for thousands of women to be having breast enlargements. I think women should be happy with what God gave them and realize that having a smaller bust line has it's own benefits. There have many times when I wish that I had smaller breasts like my sisters. They can wear many of the clothes that I cannot. They will look great where if I put on the same blouse, I would look sleazy.

   It just boils down to this in my opinion. There are so many other things that are so much worse than having small breasts. If you have your health, then be very, very thankful. It could be a heck of a lot worse! I wish the best for you and hope that you are blessed with good health from here on out and find a great doctor that will make you feel better as you deserve. Good luck!

I just saw the episode about Jaya and the possible amputation of both his legs.  I am a Registered Nurse who has been practicing for 25 years and his story just tugged at my heart, I hope Jaya's mother reads this message board. As a Nurse and mother I would not recommend Jaya having his legs amputated at this time for the following reasons: although he has non-functioning legs he does in fact have legs none the less.  The legs are "alive" with what appears to be good circulation and skin color so there is no rush to amputate them. Although the legs do not function fully he is still extremely mobile and even able to bear some weight on them.  In addition, they will provide him with better balance while sitting or stradling a riding toy or bike than if they were amputated.  Sitting, even in a wheel chair as a bilateral amputee places pressure on the remaining anatomy, such as the buttocks and hip areas.  The skin would have to be observed very closely for breakdown and ulcers which can be very painful and difficult to heal.  Also, some patients who originally undergo amputation at the knee may in fact wind up with a higher level amputation due to skin flap problems, bone complications, or infection after surgery.  Most bilateral amputees would agree that amputaion is a surgery of last choice - you must explore all other avenues first.  You would want to seek out the best orthopedic surgeons, not just one, for your son if you did pursue amputation.  Also you would also want to find out the likelihood he would be able to walk - would amputation and prosthesis ensure this or just improve this a little if any.  If he already has muscle atrophy (muscle shrinkage) to the thigh muscles he may not be a candidate for prosthesis at all - only a team of qualified doctors could determine this. Also, you should research and visit physical rehabilitation centers to see new amputees - some hospitals have monthly support meetings.  Again many would say it is a surgery of last choice as you are removing a vital part of the body.  Ask the amputees about body image - perhaps the presence of his legs and preserving his body image are not worth amputation, especailly in a child who is otherwise of normal intellect and intelligence.  Prior to any surgery, consult with a vascular surgeon as he would give his opinion about Jaya's leg circulation and potential risks during amputation.  Also, consult with a team of neurologists and orthopedic surgeons to see if the legs (the area from the thigh to the knee) could support the use of prosthesis. What is the nerve health, sensation, circulation, and most importantly muscle tone to the upper legs.  You wouldn't want to amputate the legs below the knee and then discover the remaining upper leg did not have adequate circulation, nerve function, or muscle tone to support a prosthesis.  Seek out a teaching hospital or university hospital and again, you need a team of qualified doctors involved in your son's case, one surgeon agreeing to this is not in your son's best interest.  Good Luck and God Bless.

I certainly picked up on it. How could anyone miss such a hard-headed reaction to their advice? If caring for this child is so difficult, maybe she should "bring home the bacon" for a while, so her husband can care for him. And, give her a break. Like the doctors, he seems more concerned for this child's welfare.

One of your doctors commented that the longer you breast feed the smarter and more inteligent the baby will be.  That was not only personally insulting but very wrong.  You can tell the comment came from a man that has never been in a situation where he was not able to breast feed his child.  I pay over $50 a week to buy my child the best formula there is and did the same for my daughter.  My children are not only smart but right on track with every other child know that was breast fed.

He needs to be careful when makeing blanket comments like that, he not only insulted me but my children and that is not okay.  I understand the question was when should I stop breast feeding  not how those that are unable to breast feed are doing something wrong and hurtful to thier children.