WEBVTT 00:00:08.560 --> 00:00:09.520 Did it! 00:00:09.590 --> 00:00:11.630 Hold her by the hand, and I'll twist. 00:00:11.630 --> 00:00:15.960 I'm Allison Vest, and I am a clinical anaplastologist. 00:00:16.030 --> 00:00:18.870 Say it with me now, ana-plas-tologist. 00:00:18.870 --> 00:00:20.570 Leave. 00:00:22.810 --> 00:00:26.040 Anaplastology can be a little bit of a confusing word, 00:00:26.040 --> 00:00:29.380 but basically, we restore missing anatomy. 00:00:29.380 --> 00:00:33.550 I make silicone body parts, from noses, ears, eyes, 00:00:33.620 --> 00:00:36.380 fingers, toes, other bits and pieces. 00:00:36.390 --> 00:00:39.390 They don't look like prosthetics at all. 00:00:39.390 --> 00:00:40.390 And you're surprised? 00:00:40.390 --> 00:00:43.190 No, I'm not. I mean-- 00:00:43.260 --> 00:00:45.790 We see people born with conditions. 00:00:45.800 --> 00:00:48.560 We see cancer patients. We see trauma patients. 00:00:48.560 --> 00:00:50.460 I went into septic shock, 00:00:50.470 --> 00:00:53.070 and when I looked at my hands at the time... 00:00:55.370 --> 00:00:57.870 Everybody comes through these doors 00:00:57.870 --> 00:00:59.410 feeling like something's missing. 00:00:59.410 --> 00:01:02.640 That's what we're trying to restore here. 00:01:02.650 --> 00:01:03.580 It's very embarrassing. People look at ya. 00:01:03.650 --> 00:01:04.710 Okay. 00:01:05.010 --> 00:01:06.350 And, uh, I would like to find a girlfriend. 00:01:06.380 --> 00:01:07.650 Yeah. 00:01:07.650 --> 00:01:09.880 Being single is, uh, something that's hard to deal with 00:01:09.890 --> 00:01:11.120 without having a nose. 00:01:11.120 --> 00:01:12.450 Well, we'll get it done. 00:01:12.460 --> 00:01:13.390 -Okay. -Okay. 00:01:13.390 --> 00:01:15.760 I found anaplastology by accident, 00:01:15.760 --> 00:01:19.360 just following my love of art and biology, 00:01:19.360 --> 00:01:21.330 and blending those together 00:01:21.400 --> 00:01:22.830 I'm a traditionally trained artist 00:01:22.900 --> 00:01:24.800 that exists in the medical world. 00:01:29.510 --> 00:01:30.810 Agreed. 00:01:30.810 --> 00:01:31.570 When you come into my office 00:01:31.570 --> 00:01:33.210 you're going to probably feel 00:01:33.210 --> 00:01:36.110 more like you're in a mad scientist's lab. 00:01:36.150 --> 00:01:40.180 At one table you might see some fingers hanging out, 00:01:40.180 --> 00:01:43.080 and at another table you might see some ears. 00:01:43.090 --> 00:01:44.950 You really never know what you're going to find 00:01:44.950 --> 00:01:46.690 in an anaplastology office. 00:01:46.760 --> 00:01:48.520 Wow. 00:01:48.520 --> 00:01:51.730 Is it anything like what you imagined? 00:01:51.730 --> 00:01:52.790 - No. - No? 00:01:52.800 --> 00:01:54.130 It's better. 00:01:54.130 --> 00:01:55.560 Well, good! 00:01:55.570 --> 00:01:58.370 The anaplastologist is the light at the end of the tunnel. 00:01:58.430 --> 00:02:03.100 My baby. You got ears again! 00:02:03.170 --> 00:02:05.440 Turning that mirro around symbolizes 00:02:05.440 --> 00:02:07.680 that last missing piece. 00:02:07.680 --> 00:02:09.440 That is unbelievable! 00:02:09.510 --> 00:02:10.850 That when they leave here, 00:02:10.850 --> 00:02:14.150 it's like they're put together again. 00:02:14.150 --> 00:02:15.850 They look so real. 00:02:15.850 --> 00:02:18.320 They look like someone's hands. 00:02:18.390 --> 00:02:20.590 We can do big huggings now. 00:02:20.590 --> 00:02:22.960 Can feel my arms around you when we hug. 00:02:36.770 --> 00:02:37.940 Okay. 00:02:38.810 --> 00:02:40.040 Let's get prepared. 00:02:46.350 --> 00:02:48.650 My name is Jay, 00:02:48.680 --> 00:02:51.120 and about a year ago, I lost my nose to cancer. 00:02:54.390 --> 00:02:58.060 I don't think I would've ever expected this to happen in my life. 00:03:00.600 --> 00:03:02.460 This is something that nobody would want in their life, 00:03:02.470 --> 00:03:04.030 and it just... I didn't... 00:03:05.030 --> 00:03:06.730 ...expect this at all. 00:03:16.650 --> 00:03:18.910 People ask me a lot of questions about my nose. 00:03:19.650 --> 00:03:21.050 And, yes, I can smell. 00:03:21.420 --> 00:03:22.550 Yes, I can taste. 00:03:22.550 --> 00:03:25.720 I can breathe really good too, actually. 00:03:26.120 --> 00:03:28.890 Now, just some of the salt solution here. 00:03:31.130 --> 00:03:34.560 Yeah, I do have to clean my nose out a couple times a day. 00:03:34.630 --> 00:03:37.800 People who have noses have a lot of stuff stuck in their nose, 00:03:37.830 --> 00:03:39.400 and they can't clean it out. 00:03:39.400 --> 00:03:40.130 Sorry about your luck. 00:03:40.140 --> 00:03:41.800 I can do it. 00:03:42.310 --> 00:03:43.670 Looking in the mirror now 00:03:43.670 --> 00:03:47.410 is, uh, something that I don't like really doing. 00:03:47.410 --> 00:03:49.640 Sometimes, I can imagine myself with a nose on. 00:03:49.650 --> 00:03:50.840 But it's not there. 00:03:56.450 --> 00:03:58.690 In my previous life... 00:04:01.320 --> 00:04:02.620 And I had grown up in Chicag 00:04:02.630 --> 00:04:04.360 I used to go boating a lot, 00:04:04.360 --> 00:04:06.460 skiing, water-skiing, jet-skiing. 00:04:06.460 --> 00:04:08.730 Lake Michigan. Really fun. 00:04:08.730 --> 00:04:10.560 I was definitely a more outgoing person. 00:04:10.570 --> 00:04:13.600 I would get some dates. 00:04:13.640 --> 00:04:16.970 I wasn't embarrassed about walking in the clubs with a nose, that's for sure 00:04:18.670 --> 00:04:19.510 And if I was to do that again today, 00:04:19.510 --> 00:04:20.910 I don't think that would happen. 00:04:22.580 --> 00:04:23.710 Thank you. Thank you very much. 00:04:23.710 --> 00:04:25.310 This is Tawana. She'll be taking care of you. 00:04:25.310 --> 00:04:27.110 - Hi. How are you? - Good. Thank you. 00:04:32.290 --> 00:04:33.550 I actually had just an ear infection, 00:04:33.620 --> 00:04:36.120 and I asked, uh, after ear infection, 00:04:36.130 --> 00:04:39.290 I figured, well, take a look at my nose. 00:04:39.300 --> 00:04:41.400 And I was having some, uh, nosebleeds every now and then. 00:04:41.400 --> 00:04:43.330 I couldn't really breathe that good. 00:04:43.400 --> 00:04:46.100 He then, uh, told me it was an infection. 00:04:47.540 --> 00:04:50.340 So he gave me some antibiotics, some steroids, 00:04:50.340 --> 00:04:52.910 and it didn't get any better. 00:04:53.310 --> 00:04:55.110 It got worse, as a matter of fact. 00:04:57.510 --> 00:05:00.710 It almost doubled in size from the other side. 00:05:02.590 --> 00:05:05.050 Then he noticed a mass growing in my nose... 00:05:06.420 --> 00:05:09.020 ...and, uh, gave me an appointment with another doctor in his office. 00:05:09.030 --> 00:05:11.990 He says, "You need to see this gentleman or this doctor. 00:05:11.990 --> 00:05:13.590 And don't miss the appointment. 00:05:13.660 --> 00:05:14.660 It's very important." 00:05:30.780 --> 00:05:32.080 It was pretty scary. 00:05:35.380 --> 00:05:37.050 Pretty scary, and, uh... 00:05:37.550 --> 00:05:39.720 ...I knew I was gonna lose my nose. 00:05:44.760 --> 00:05:47.130 This past year has been very difficult. 00:05:47.130 --> 00:05:49.760 It's been, uh, sometimes embarrassing. 00:05:50.770 --> 00:05:53.170 I don't like walking around looking like a freak. 00:05:53.170 --> 00:05:54.740 It's not very good. 00:06:00.380 --> 00:06:02.810 In my job, I have to talk to customers, 00:06:02.810 --> 00:06:05.110 and just a lot more people look at me. 00:06:06.680 --> 00:06:07.750 And, uh... 00:06:13.460 --> 00:06:15.760 Just everyday life in my life. 00:06:16.560 --> 00:06:17.960 It's been hard. 00:06:19.730 --> 00:06:21.630 I'd like to get back my normal life 00:06:21.630 --> 00:06:23.560 and some confidence. 00:06:23.630 --> 00:06:25.730 I'm definitely looking for, uh, somebody 00:06:25.730 --> 00:06:26.670 possibly even get married to 00:06:26.670 --> 00:06:28.700 And what comes to mind for me would be 00:06:28.700 --> 00:06:30.740 a new nose. 00:06:32.710 --> 00:06:34.240 Here you go. Thank you very much. 00:06:34.240 --> 00:06:35.580 You're welcome. 00:06:35.580 --> 00:06:37.510 Hearing that Allison could see me 00:06:37.510 --> 00:06:39.180 made me feel excited. 00:06:39.180 --> 00:06:41.650 I just would like to get this done as soon as I could. 00:06:48.320 --> 00:06:50.360 Can I have you sign in, please? 00:06:50.430 --> 00:06:53.490 I've a patient coming up. His name is Jay. 00:06:53.500 --> 00:06:57.100 My understanding is that he needs a nasal prosthesis. 00:06:57.730 --> 00:06:59.700 -I'll have you sit here. -Okay. 00:06:59.700 --> 00:07:01.240 And Allison will be in in just a moment. 00:07:01.240 --> 00:07:02.400 Great. Thank you. 00:07:02.400 --> 00:07:04.510 Losing a nose, losing something 00:07:04.510 --> 00:07:08.380 that's literally front and center to your face, 00:07:08.380 --> 00:07:11.280 something that literally defines your profile, 00:07:11.280 --> 00:07:14.110 is really traumatic. It's.. 00:07:14.180 --> 00:07:17.820 Your identity can be lost in that process. 00:07:17.820 --> 00:07:21.090 I really hope there's something I can do for him. 00:07:23.760 --> 00:07:25.290 Good morning! 00:07:25.360 --> 00:07:27.430 -Hi! -Hi, Jay! I'm Allison. 00:07:27.500 --> 00:07:28.660 Yes. Hi, Allison, nice to meet you. 00:07:28.660 --> 00:07:29.460 Nice to meet you, too! 00:07:29.530 --> 00:07:31.570 All right. 00:07:31.630 --> 00:07:33.600 So, Jay, are you comfortable taking your mask off 00:07:33.600 --> 00:07:34.870 so I can see... 00:07:34.870 --> 00:07:36.540 -I can... -...your condition? 00:07:36.540 --> 00:07:37.300 I can do that. 00:07:37.310 --> 00:07:38.740 I've seen... 00:07:38.740 --> 00:07:40.410 -I've seen it all, and more. -Okay. 00:07:40.480 --> 00:07:41.340 Ready? 00:07:41.340 --> 00:07:43.540 Yeah. All right. 00:07:43.580 --> 00:07:45.610 Looks good from my perspective. 00:07:45.610 --> 00:07:47.650 - Okay. - You're doing great. 00:07:47.750 --> 00:07:50.450 One of the first things I assess when I see 00:07:50.490 --> 00:07:54.190 a total rhinectomy patient is the condition of the skin 00:07:54.220 --> 00:07:56.690 Patients who've been irradiated, had radiation, 00:07:56.690 --> 00:07:58.630 the skin can be very upset, 00:07:58.690 --> 00:08:00.030 very red, very tender. 00:08:00.060 --> 00:08:02.200 Any sensitive areas? 00:08:02.230 --> 00:08:04.700 -Any nerves real close to the surface? -No. 00:08:04.700 --> 00:08:05.500 -No. -No? Nothing we... 00:08:05.500 --> 00:08:06.430 Everything's good. 00:08:06.570 --> 00:08:08.240 If I poke around, you're not gonna jump 00:08:08.240 --> 00:08:09.440 -through the ceiling? -No. 00:08:09.440 --> 00:08:10.770 -Okay. -If you stick your finger way in my nose, maybe. 00:08:10.840 --> 00:08:12.540 Well, no, no, no! 00:08:12.540 --> 00:08:13.770 There's no sense in the opening. 00:08:13.780 --> 00:08:17.610 The fact that Jay's skin is so well healed 00:08:17.610 --> 00:08:19.350 means that he is a good candidate 00:08:19.350 --> 00:08:20.580 for a nasal prosthesis. 00:08:20.580 --> 00:08:23.180 How long ago were these photos, would you say? 00:08:23.250 --> 00:08:26.420 Ah, this one here was probably, uh, six months before 00:08:26.490 --> 00:08:27.650 -the things started growing in my face, yeah. -Okay. 00:08:27.720 --> 00:08:29.620 So probably early 2020. 00:08:29.630 --> 00:08:31.760 -Yeah. So I don't even think I knew I had cancer yet. -Okay. 00:08:31.760 --> 00:08:33.590 Did you like your nose? 00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:35.930 Well, being a Polish man, uh, 00:08:35.930 --> 00:08:37.330 it was a little bigger than I liked. 00:08:38.500 --> 00:08:39.630 Actually, now that I think about it, 00:08:39.640 --> 00:08:41.470 I just really like my nose, big or not. 00:08:41.540 --> 00:08:43.740 Uh, I'll even go with something that, uh, 00:08:43.740 --> 00:08:45.270 you think would look good on me, how about that? 00:08:45.270 --> 00:08:46.270 Okay. Okay. Well-- 00:08:46.280 --> 00:08:47.510 If there was a guy that you wanted to date, 00:08:47.580 --> 00:08:49.110 like, "I want you to have this nose." 00:08:49.110 --> 00:08:50.210 -Something like that, yeah. -Okay. 00:08:50.210 --> 00:08:52.950 People have pretty strong opinions about their nose, 00:08:52.950 --> 00:08:54.350 the nose that they were born with. 00:08:54.350 --> 00:08:56.950 For me, it's interesting to know, 00:08:56.950 --> 00:08:59.790 after a medical event, and part of their nose is missing, 00:08:59.790 --> 00:09:02.620 in retrospect, how they fee about their nose, 00:09:02.690 --> 00:09:03.460 how those tables turn. 00:09:03.460 --> 00:09:05.190 I'm relieved that I'm here. 00:09:05.230 --> 00:09:07.490 It's been real hard thing without having a nose. 00:09:07.500 --> 00:09:10.330 I mean, it's for business, um... 00:09:10.400 --> 00:09:12.630 It's just, your confidence level just isn't there. 00:09:12.700 --> 00:09:13.870 It's very embarrassing. People look at ya. 00:09:13.870 --> 00:09:14.630 Okay. 00:09:14.640 --> 00:09:16.570 And, uh, eventually, 00:09:16.570 --> 00:09:17.840 I would like to find a girlfriend. 00:09:17.840 --> 00:09:19.270 That would help a lot. 00:09:19.340 --> 00:09:21.810 -Yeah. -Being single is, uh, something 00:09:21.880 --> 00:09:23.640 that's hard to deal with without having a nose. 00:09:23.710 --> 00:09:24.610 Okay. 00:09:24.680 --> 00:09:26.580 We've heard that before. 00:09:26.580 --> 00:09:27.680 Well, we'll get it done. 00:09:27.680 --> 00:09:28.280 I'm ready now. 00:09:30.620 --> 00:09:33.320 Jay's cancer, and losing his entire nose 00:09:33.320 --> 00:09:35.220 has been very traumatic for him. 00:09:35.220 --> 00:09:37.860 It's really made him seclude from society. 00:09:37.860 --> 00:09:41.860 He's given up on some social aspects of his life. 00:09:41.930 --> 00:09:44.600 There's a lot hanging on this nose, 00:09:44.600 --> 00:09:47.500 helping him to get back out into that world. 00:09:47.500 --> 00:09:49.800 But by no means is this a simple case. 00:09:49.810 --> 00:09:52.540 It's a whole nose, an entire nose. 00:09:52.610 --> 00:09:54.840 and he wants it done really, really fast. 00:09:54.880 --> 00:09:56.510 You know, that puts a little, 00:09:56.510 --> 00:09:58.210 a little pressure on ya. 00:09:59.620 --> 00:10:02.820 All right, Kathryn, we've got a total rhinectomy. 00:10:02.820 --> 00:10:04.080 Yeah? 00:10:04.090 --> 00:10:05.920 Kathryn is doing her apprenticeship with me. 00:10:05.920 --> 00:10:08.390 She is my wing woman. 00:10:08.390 --> 00:10:10.490 She is an anaplastologist 00:10:10.490 --> 00:10:12.530 working towards being certified. 00:10:12.530 --> 00:10:15.200 -I picked out a couple noses for him. -Oh, good. Okay. 00:10:15.230 --> 00:10:19.300 Um, I saw his pre-surgical photos, 00:10:19.300 --> 00:10:21.540 and it just seems pretty straight, 00:10:21.570 --> 00:10:24.200 - pretty typical. - Yeah, I like his nose. Yeah. 00:10:24.240 --> 00:10:25.470 We can start with one of these. 00:10:25.470 --> 00:10:27.470 - Kinda see what fits his face. - Yeah. 00:10:27.540 --> 00:10:31.580 In designing a nose for Jay, I'd like to start 00:10:31.580 --> 00:10:35.720 with having some nasal shapes, to kinda try on, 00:10:35.720 --> 00:10:38.650 and then I start modifying it from there, 00:10:38.650 --> 00:10:41.620 changing angles, making it larger, reducing, 00:10:41.620 --> 00:10:43.860 really customizing it to make it his, 00:10:43.890 --> 00:10:45.790 as close as I can to his old nose. 00:10:45.790 --> 00:10:48.430 If you did your most dramatic eyebrow raise, 00:10:48.500 --> 00:10:50.330 and we'll kinda hold it there-- Yep! 00:10:50.330 --> 00:10:54.730 But even if we had the exact shape of his nose 00:10:54.800 --> 00:10:57.840 from before his surgery, it would not automatically 00:10:57.870 --> 00:10:59.440 fit back on his face now. 00:10:59.440 --> 00:11:00.670 Things have changed, 00:11:00.740 --> 00:11:04.540 and that's where the anaplastologist comes in 00:11:04.550 --> 00:11:07.680 to try to meld those two things together. 00:11:07.680 --> 00:11:10.550 So we just kinda have a couple beginnings here. 00:11:10.550 --> 00:11:13.420 So I'm gonna just see if I can get my fingers 00:11:13.420 --> 00:11:15.720 out of the way here for ya for a second. 00:11:15.760 --> 00:11:18.960 So just a beginning here, am I... 00:11:21.960 --> 00:11:23.260 -Yeah-- -Okay. 00:11:23.330 --> 00:11:24.500 Versus 00:11:24.830 --> 00:11:28.000 a little bit longer, a little bit broader profile, 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:30.400 but I can certainly sculpt this down. 00:11:33.010 --> 00:11:34.210 - That one's kinda big. - That looks too big? 00:11:34.210 --> 00:11:35.440 Okay. 00:11:35.510 --> 00:11:39.450 I can see the hesitation in Jay as we're sculpting 00:11:39.450 --> 00:11:41.680 his nose shape right in front of him. 00:11:41.750 --> 00:11:44.620 He has some concerns about the size of it. 00:11:44.620 --> 00:11:46.750 He thinks it's too large. 00:11:47.390 --> 00:11:50.890 From my perspective, a prosthesis has to cover 00:11:50.890 --> 00:11:53.230 the nasal airway that we're left with 00:11:53.230 --> 00:11:54.360 in its most simple function. 00:11:54.360 --> 00:11:55.960 There's just no way around that. 00:11:55.960 --> 00:11:58.670 Whether or not Jay thinks it'll be too large, 00:11:58.670 --> 00:11:59.800 we'll wait and see. 00:12:03.770 --> 00:12:07.010 - You've never had an impression before, correct? - -No. 00:12:07.010 --> 00:12:08.440 This is gonna be really cold. 00:12:09.650 --> 00:12:10.210 I was right. Right? 00:12:10.210 --> 00:12:12.410 Yeah. 00:12:12.480 --> 00:12:14.510 She's had a lot of disappointments, 00:12:14.580 --> 00:12:16.650 and I don't wanna be included in that. 00:12:16.650 --> 00:12:20.920 It's so weird to hold in my hand. 00:12:31.830 --> 00:12:34.200 My name is Ari. I'm 20 years old. 00:12:34.240 --> 00:12:36.500 I'm from Tawas City, Michiga 00:12:36.570 --> 00:12:38.440 The beginning of my story starts 00:12:38.440 --> 00:12:40.170 when I was in the womb. 00:12:41.380 --> 00:12:43.640 I was born with microtia, which basically means 00:12:43.650 --> 00:12:45.810 I was born without a right ear. 00:12:49.450 --> 00:12:51.720 I have all of the instrument 00:12:51.720 --> 00:12:53.590 that you need in the ear, in the inside. 00:12:53.590 --> 00:12:55.620 I have the eardrum and everything. 00:12:55.690 --> 00:12:59.890 I just don't have the ear canal or the exterior. 00:13:00.800 --> 00:13:04.100 So I'm unable to hear out of my right side. 00:13:05.230 --> 00:13:07.630 As a young girl, 00:13:07.700 --> 00:13:10.640 I didn't really care about my ear. 00:13:10.640 --> 00:13:12.210 As far as I was concerned, 00:13:12.270 --> 00:13:14.210 I was just as normal as everyone else. 00:13:15.080 --> 00:13:18.010 But I had to sit next to my teachers 00:13:18.010 --> 00:13:20.510 in school because I couldn't hear out of my right ear, 00:13:20.520 --> 00:13:23.280 which led to people noticing I was different, 00:13:23.290 --> 00:13:25.890 and that was around first grade. 00:13:25.890 --> 00:13:29.860 They made it very clear that I didn't look like them. 00:13:30.660 --> 00:13:33.790 here's my baby! 00:13:33.860 --> 00:13:35.660 Look at your little... 00:13:35.660 --> 00:13:38.600 -Your little ear. -My little nub of an ear. 00:13:38.600 --> 00:13:39.700 When Ari was born, 00:13:39.700 --> 00:13:42.700 and the doctors brought her to me, 00:13:42.700 --> 00:13:43.500 I just stared at it, 00:13:43.510 --> 00:13:45.140 and I cried. 00:13:46.780 --> 00:13:49.680 But I was so hap to finally meet her, 00:13:49.680 --> 00:13:53.580 and even though the doctors told me 00:13:53.580 --> 00:13:56.150 there was nothing that I could've done, 00:13:56.150 --> 00:13:59.090 I have still always carried the guilt 00:13:59.090 --> 00:14:02.560 that maybe there was something that I could've done better 00:14:02.590 --> 00:14:04.960 while I was pregnant with her 00:14:04.960 --> 00:14:07.930 to help the situation change. 00:14:08.400 --> 00:14:10.830 You're always so adorable. 00:14:10.830 --> 00:14:13.670 It was just so much simpler back then. 00:14:13.740 --> 00:14:15.470 As I got older, 00:14:15.470 --> 00:14:18.770 I started to notice it more myself. 00:14:19.540 --> 00:14:22.440 I always had my hair down any time I went out in publi 00:14:22.440 --> 00:14:25.210 I didn't like to show my ear 00:14:25.210 --> 00:14:27.750 and every day, I dreaded looking in the mirror 00:14:27.780 --> 00:14:30.920 and getting ready for schoo and seeing everyone. 00:14:31.850 --> 00:14:35.920 I didn't feel like I belonged with, you know, a certain group. 00:14:35.960 --> 00:14:38.190 I felt like an outcast. 00:14:38.230 --> 00:14:40.030 I tried my best to hide it. 00:14:40.030 --> 00:14:42.700 I mean, I still do that to this day. 00:14:42.700 --> 00:14:48.270 I tried to, um, make it seem like everything was okay, 00:14:48.270 --> 00:14:50.000 but it wasn't. 00:14:50.940 --> 00:14:53.010 That was when I had my first surgery. 00:14:53.610 --> 00:14:55.310 I was 11 years old, 00:14:55.310 --> 00:14:58.650 and the purpose was to shape the ear itself, 00:14:58.710 --> 00:15:02.620 make my right ear look more like my left. 00:15:02.650 --> 00:15:05.550 So my surgeons went into my rib cage, 00:15:05.590 --> 00:15:08.220 and they removed some cartilage, 00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:11.730 and they tucked it under the skin of my ear 00:15:11.730 --> 00:15:14.660 to start forming like what you see here. 00:15:14.730 --> 00:15:16.900 They wanted it to come out more 00:15:16.900 --> 00:15:19.000 and just have the right shape... 00:15:19.840 --> 00:15:23.100 ...but unfortunately, that's not what happened. 00:15:24.910 --> 00:15:26.510 Between 2011 and 201 00:15:26.540 --> 00:15:30.480 she has had 18 different procedures. 00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:33.380 They said that some kids need more procedures than others, 00:15:33.450 --> 00:15:35.220 some take to it right away, 00:15:35.280 --> 00:15:37.380 but in her case, unfortunately, 00:15:37.420 --> 00:15:41.450 she wasn't one of the candidates that it took well to. 00:15:41.460 --> 00:15:47.560 I think everything ba about myself represents my ear, 00:15:47.630 --> 00:15:50.260 everything that I want to change. 00:15:50.300 --> 00:15:52.930 I hate it, you know. 00:15:52.970 --> 00:15:55.240 I hate looking at it, I hate thinking about it, 00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:56.800 I hate... 00:15:57.840 --> 00:16:01.110 ...having to deal with what I've had to. 00:16:02.010 --> 00:16:04.340 I was on the sidelines, 00:16:04.350 --> 00:16:08.620 watching everybody else make the memories that I wanted to have. 00:16:08.620 --> 00:16:14.650 It's well overdue to get ahold of that shame. 00:16:14.660 --> 00:16:18.060 Hopefully, Allison can help me do that, yes. 00:16:26.940 --> 00:16:28.700 -Hi, I'm Allison. -Ari. 00:16:28.770 --> 00:16:29.810 Nice to meet you, Ari. 00:16:29.810 --> 00:16:32.140 Cold hands meet cold hands. 00:16:32.140 --> 00:16:33.980 You know what they say, "Cold hands, warm heart." 00:16:33.980 --> 00:16:36.710 I'm seeing Ari today for the first time, 00:16:36.780 --> 00:16:40.320 and she's beautiful, young, vibrant woman. 00:16:40.320 --> 00:16:44.420 On first glance, it's hard to tell why she might be here today 00:16:45.190 --> 00:16:46.960 Microtia. 00:16:47.020 --> 00:16:49.460 Many craniofacial surgeries. 00:16:49.460 --> 00:16:50.490 Yeah. 00:16:50.490 --> 00:16:52.390 You wanna tell me a little bit more? 00:16:52.430 --> 00:16:58.000 -I've had about 18 procedures in total since I was 11. -Oh, my gosh. 00:16:58.040 --> 00:16:59.600 -Starting at 11? -Yes. 00:16:59.640 --> 00:17:01.570 -And you're 20? -Yes. 00:17:01.570 --> 00:17:03.410 Wow. So that's more than one a year. 00:17:03.470 --> 00:17:07.440 Do you wanna kinda show me where we are now with all those 18 surgeries? 00:17:08.650 --> 00:17:10.450 Okay. Okay. 00:17:10.510 --> 00:17:13.320 Just look real straight at me for a second. 00:17:13.320 --> 00:17:14.120 Okay. 00:17:14.120 --> 00:17:17.190 Microtia is a term 00:17:17.190 --> 00:17:21.260 referring to an ear that stopped developing 00:17:21.260 --> 00:17:23.660 in a certain stage. 00:17:23.660 --> 00:17:28.030 It's very commonly located farther forward on the face, 00:17:28.030 --> 00:17:31.000 and, inferiorly, a little bit lower down. 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:34.840 What Ari's reconstructive attempts have resulted in 00:17:34.840 --> 00:17:37.870 is actually quite typical for what I see. 00:17:37.880 --> 00:17:42.780 The ear is incredibly difficult to recreate surgically, 00:17:42.780 --> 00:17:46.120 and sometimes it falls short for the patients. 00:17:46.120 --> 00:17:48.750 My surgeons told me there was nothing else 00:17:48.750 --> 00:17:51.090 that, uh, they could do for me, 00:17:51.090 --> 00:17:54.390 and I was heartbroken, I was absolutely devastated. 00:17:54.890 --> 00:17:56.290 Okay. 00:17:56.290 --> 00:18:00.060 -You don't necessarily have to have any surgery. -Mmm-hmm. 00:18:00.060 --> 00:18:03.900 We can always work around the soft tissue that you have. 00:18:03.900 --> 00:18:06.770 You've worked really hard to get that reconstruction, 00:18:06.770 --> 00:18:10.740 so the non-surgical options are to have an adhesive ear 00:18:10.780 --> 00:18:14.510 and integrate some of that anatomy into the ear, 00:18:14.510 --> 00:18:16.950 and so it might look like you just have a little bit longer lobe. 00:18:17.010 --> 00:18:20.880 It's not uncommon for an anaplastologist to come in 00:18:20.890 --> 00:18:23.950 after several surgical reconstructions 00:18:23.950 --> 00:18:27.990 to be presented as an alternative solution. 00:18:27.990 --> 00:18:31.690 The 18 reconstructive surgeries that Ari has had 00:18:31.700 --> 00:18:35.000 is basically giving me a challenge 00:18:35.030 --> 00:18:41.740 of getting a natural-looking ear to fit over that complex shape. 00:18:41.740 --> 00:18:48.040 That can make achieving a symmetrical result incredibly difficult. 00:18:48.110 --> 00:18:51.380 Ari, this is the lovely and talented Kathryn. 00:18:51.380 --> 00:18:53.180 -Hello. -So she's gonna help. 00:18:53.220 --> 00:18:55.250 So I'll take one side, she's gonna take the other side. 00:18:56.350 --> 00:18:57.320 You've never had an impression before, correct? 00:18:57.320 --> 00:18:59.150 -No. -Okay. 00:18:59.160 --> 00:19:03.030 The first step in making a prosthesis is taking an impression. 00:19:03.030 --> 00:19:04.160 We take impressions of both sides 00:19:04.160 --> 00:19:06.900 so that we have a copy of the affected side 00:19:06.960 --> 00:19:08.900 and a copy of the unaffected side. 00:19:08.900 --> 00:19:10.830 So you've got three piercings. 00:19:10.900 --> 00:19:13.640 Are you gonna put three piercings in your prosthetic? 00:19:13.640 --> 00:19:16.810 I just might. I actually had more piercings on that ear, 00:19:16.810 --> 00:19:19.040 just let some of them close. 00:19:19.110 --> 00:19:21.080 - I'm gonna get started. - -Okay. 00:19:21.080 --> 00:19:22.410 This is gonna be really cold. 00:19:22.410 --> 00:19:24.910 I was right, right? 00:19:24.920 --> 00:19:25.780 Yeah. 00:19:25.780 --> 00:19:29.180 That is so cold. 00:19:29.250 --> 00:19:32.450 Ari's prosthesis is basically going to be a compromise 00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:34.090 between trying to achieve symmetry 00:19:34.090 --> 00:19:38.060 and then working around the surgical outcome that we have. 00:19:38.060 --> 00:19:41.930 I promise I'm not gonna take your ear with me. 00:19:41.930 --> 00:19:43.070 Please don't, you know. I only... 00:19:43.070 --> 00:19:44.700 I'm here to get one... 00:19:44.700 --> 00:19:47.900 ...not for the other one to be taken from me. 00:19:47.910 --> 00:19:50.610 She's had a lot of disappointments 00:19:50.670 --> 00:19:52.610 leading up to this point in her life, 00:19:52.680 --> 00:19:54.040 and I don't wanna be included in that, 00:19:54.080 --> 00:19:56.910 so I've got a fair amount of pressure on me. 00:19:56.910 --> 00:20:00.120 It's so weird to hold in my hand. 00:20:00.120 --> 00:20:03.990 Soon you're gonna have two of those. 00:20:10.870 --> 00:20:13.410 My name is Meghan. I'm 32 years old, 00:20:13.470 --> 00:20:16.610 and I'm here to see if Allison can make me some nipples. 00:20:17.450 --> 00:20:20.180 - Hi. - Hi. Come on in. 00:20:20.180 --> 00:20:22.480 -Can I have you sign in? -Sure. 00:20:22.550 --> 00:20:26.550 In 2015, I noticed a lump in my right breast. 00:20:30.190 --> 00:20:32.190 My doctor brought me in for an evaluation 00:20:32.190 --> 00:20:34.760 and immediately knew something was wrong. 00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:38.260 And he pulled my husband aside and said, 00:20:38.270 --> 00:20:40.730 "Make sure..." 00:20:41.970 --> 00:20:45.610 And the doctor pulled my husband aside... 00:20:46.370 --> 00:20:50.410 ...and said, "Make sure you guys have a really fun weekend... 00:20:51.250 --> 00:20:53.580 ...because it's gonna be a long ride." 00:20:56.820 --> 00:21:00.050 And the very next day, my entire life changed. 00:21:00.060 --> 00:21:02.690 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. 00:21:03.830 --> 00:21:07.160 I underwent chemotherapy and radiation, 00:21:07.160 --> 00:21:09.560 a double mastectomy. 00:21:10.830 --> 00:21:12.870 And the hardest part I remember so clearly 00:21:12.870 --> 00:21:16.970 was taking my bandages off and literally looking down, 00:21:17.040 --> 00:21:21.840 and I remember, like, my front of my body just resembled my back, 00:21:21.840 --> 00:21:23.280 and it was kind of funny, 00:21:23.340 --> 00:21:25.210 but also, like, really upsetting 00:21:25.210 --> 00:21:28.650 'cause that was my first look of my nipples 00:21:28.680 --> 00:21:31.620 that I had for 26 years of my life just being gone. 00:21:36.660 --> 00:21:39.930 When I hear that a double mastectomy patient's coming in 00:21:39.990 --> 00:21:41.430 without any nipples, 00:21:41.430 --> 00:21:43.800 it presents the same kind of challenges 00:21:43.800 --> 00:21:47.130 that a double-ear case presents, 00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:49.570 where you don't necessarily have anything to match to. 00:21:49.570 --> 00:21:51.870 You've a little bit of a clean slate, per se. 00:21:51.910 --> 00:21:54.310 -Hi. -Hi! 00:21:54.310 --> 00:21:57.310 -I'm Allison. -Hi, I'm Meghan, I'm so excited to meet you. 00:21:57.350 --> 00:21:59.610 Yes! It's happening. 00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:03.220 -Hopefully. -Right. Well, you're here. 00:22:03.250 --> 00:22:04.080 That's half the battle, right? 00:22:04.090 --> 00:22:05.520 Thank you. 00:22:05.520 --> 00:22:07.990 -So you had a double mastectomy... -Mmm-hmm. 00:22:08.060 --> 00:22:10.020 ...2015. 00:22:10.020 --> 00:22:13.160 When I, um, initially had my mastectomy, 00:22:13.230 --> 00:22:16.330 -I was 26 years old, and I really didn't think... -Wow. 00:22:16.330 --> 00:22:19.230 ...about, like, life after cancer because-- 00:22:19.270 --> 00:22:21.330 Oh, man. 00:22:21.340 --> 00:22:24.470 It's okay. It's okay, but excuse me if I join you. 00:22:24.470 --> 00:22:26.010 -Okay. -We'll do it together. 00:22:26.040 --> 00:22:27.740 It never really occurred to me 00:22:27.740 --> 00:22:32.110 that, like, losing my nipples was gonna be anything that really affected me 00:22:32.110 --> 00:22:34.180 until I had my daughter. 00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:36.820 So I have two post-chemo miracle babie 00:22:36.820 --> 00:22:40.490 and, um, my daughter Kendra just turned three, 00:22:40.560 --> 00:22:42.390 and she's very into her bod 00:22:42.420 --> 00:22:43.960 and, like, my body 00:22:43.960 --> 00:22:46.460 and the differences between our bodies. 00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:50.560 And it's, like, really hard to explain to a three year old 00:22:50.570 --> 00:22:52.000 that I went through cancer. 00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:54.870 -They're not born knowing that word. -No, so... 00:22:54.900 --> 00:22:57.200 I guess, like, since my surgeries, 00:22:57.270 --> 00:22:59.710 and, like, going through cancer, I have, like, 00:22:59.770 --> 00:23:02.640 like, a disconnect with my body 00:23:02.640 --> 00:23:06.450 'cause, to me, I always say, like, my breas are a work of art, 00:23:06.450 --> 00:23:09.180 they're my plastic surgeons', like, art, 00:23:09.180 --> 00:23:11.450 so, like, they've never felt like me. 00:23:12.350 --> 00:23:12.990 My daughter's a big part, 00:23:12.990 --> 00:23:15.320 but, like, for me, 00:23:15.320 --> 00:23:19.830 having nipples again could, like, make me feel like I'm whole, like, 00:23:19.830 --> 00:23:23.330 my *s aren't just gonna be like art anymore, 00:23:23.360 --> 00:23:25.330 like, they can actually be, like, a body part. 00:23:25.330 --> 00:23:27.430 It sounds silly, but... 00:23:27.440 --> 00:23:28.370 How about if we put that together. 00:23:28.370 --> 00:23:30.840 We make it art and body part. 00:23:30.840 --> 00:23:32.240 -Yeah, I love it! -Can we do that? 00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:34.110 Okay. Okay. 00:23:34.140 --> 00:23:35.910 Meghan is a cancer patient, 00:23:36.080 --> 00:23:40.320 getting a prosthesis helps them with closure. 00:23:40.320 --> 00:23:42.020 My goal for Meghan 00:23:42.090 --> 00:23:46.490 is that she can feel that relief too. 00:23:46.530 --> 00:23:47.460 -You only need two. -I do. 00:23:47.460 --> 00:23:49.430 It's the home stretch. 00:23:51.890 --> 00:23:57.770 If Allison is really able to pull off making me nipples that look like me, 00:23:57.770 --> 00:24:00.770 it's gonna be life-changing 00:24:00.770 --> 00:24:03.000 I just have no idea what to expect. 00:24:07.740 --> 00:24:11.710 It's been four wee since I met with Jay and we started the process. 00:24:11.710 --> 00:24:16.050 Today's a big day to find out how it's all turned out. 00:24:16.850 --> 00:24:18.290 - Hi. - Welcome back. 00:24:19.290 --> 00:24:22.390 -We're ready for you now, Jay. -Okay. I'm ready. 00:24:22.460 --> 00:24:25.030 It's been a pretty long hard road through all this. 00:24:25.030 --> 00:24:26.860 And hopefully it looks good 00:24:26.860 --> 00:24:27.660 I can't wait, 00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:29.030 really can't wait. 00:24:30.770 --> 00:24:32.100 Now, sitting here I get nervous, 00:24:32.100 --> 00:24:33.970 and I'm more nervous than I was before. 00:24:36.770 --> 00:24:39.440 Feel like anything's gonna be better than no nose. 00:24:40.840 --> 00:24:42.340 But I have to say that. 00:24:43.680 --> 00:24:44.950 Oh, there you are. 00:24:45.010 --> 00:24:46.880 -Mr. Jaszkowsk. -How are you? 00:24:46.880 --> 00:24:48.020 Hi, I'm good. 00:24:48.020 --> 00:24:50.080 How are you? 00:24:50.790 --> 00:24:51.850 Feeling a little nervous here. 00:24:51.920 --> 00:24:52.820 - Yeah? - Yeah. 00:24:52.890 --> 00:24:54.460 -Don't be nervous. -Okay. 00:24:54.520 --> 00:24:56.690 -Only good things. -Okay. 00:24:56.760 --> 00:25:02.630 So are you kinda ready to see good modified version? 00:25:02.630 --> 00:25:04.030 Modified version of my nose, yeah. 00:25:04.100 --> 00:25:06.730 I'll probably put it on you the first time, 00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:08.140 glue it on there for you, 00:25:08.140 --> 00:25:10.870 and then it's tinting, it's fine-tuning the colors. 00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:13.840 Okay. 00:25:13.840 --> 00:25:15.680 -Kinda nerve-racking at the moment. -Yeah. 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:17.580 -But anticipating. -Yeah, yeah. 00:25:17.580 --> 00:25:19.450 Yeah, very anticipating right now. 00:25:19.450 --> 00:25:23.520 Jay is nervous today, and understandably so. 00:25:23.520 --> 00:25:28.420 He's experienced something that not many people have, 00:25:28.420 --> 00:25:31.890 which has resulted in some emotional trauma, 00:25:31.890 --> 00:25:33.790 and I hope with this prosthesis, 00:25:33.860 --> 00:25:35.600 he can begin to recover, 00:25:35.630 --> 00:25:37.130 begin to heal. 00:25:37.130 --> 00:25:39.570 There's a lot at stake for him. 00:25:39.640 --> 00:25:40.500 Okay. 00:25:41.870 --> 00:25:44.070 So this is a solvent-based adhesive. 00:25:44.070 --> 00:25:45.310 You don't need tons. 00:25:45.370 --> 00:25:46.710 Right? 00:25:46.710 --> 00:25:49.440 As a rule of thumb, I'd like you to take it off every night 00:25:49.510 --> 00:25:51.780 because that skin... 00:25:51.780 --> 00:25:54.620 - Okay. - ...is completely sealed off, right? 00:25:54.620 --> 00:25:57.790 - And so we wanna let that-- - Get some air. I see. 00:25:57.790 --> 00:26:00.120 - We wanna let that skin... - Makes sense. 00:26:00.120 --> 00:26:02.190 ...time to be skin. 00:26:03.960 --> 00:26:04.790 You ready? 00:26:04.790 --> 00:26:06.060 - Okay, here we go. - Yep. 00:26:08.160 --> 00:26:09.530 As I'm going in to put 00:26:09.530 --> 00:26:12.400 this final prosthesis on Jay, 00:26:12.470 --> 00:26:14.840 I'm recalling all of our discussions 00:26:14.870 --> 00:26:17.040 in designing this in the shape of it. 00:26:17.040 --> 00:26:20.710 So I'm having a little nerves 00:26:20.710 --> 00:26:23.010 about what Jay might think of it. 00:26:23.710 --> 00:26:25.110 We're there, we're getting there. 00:26:25.510 --> 00:26:26.880 Kinda scared here. 00:26:26.880 --> 00:26:31.420 You have to be prepared for all the different reactions. 00:26:32.760 --> 00:26:34.890 - The new me. - Pain won't last long. 00:26:34.890 --> 00:26:37.120 Mmm-hmm. Here, I'll give it to you like this. 00:26:37.130 --> 00:26:38.560 I'll let you... 00:26:38.560 --> 00:26:40.930 I don't know. 00:26:40.960 --> 00:26:42.830 - The suspense is killing ya. - You're torturing... 00:26:42.830 --> 00:26:44.930 Yeah, well, for me. 00:26:45.000 --> 00:26:46.370 Oh, my God. 00:26:53.110 --> 00:26:54.240 I'll let you. 00:27:01.580 --> 00:27:02.750 Oh, look at that. 00:27:02.750 --> 00:27:04.850 Look at it, it blends in. Oh, my God. 00:27:04.850 --> 00:27:06.220 That looks great. 00:27:09.990 --> 00:27:12.060 Wow, I've got... 00:27:12.800 --> 00:27:14.160 I've got a nose. 00:27:15.030 --> 00:27:16.400 You do. 00:27:18.030 --> 00:27:19.200 I got a nose. 00:27:20.940 --> 00:27:22.100 Thank you. 00:27:23.610 --> 00:27:26.280 It's shocking to see myself with a nose o for the first time. 00:27:26.350 --> 00:27:28.710 It made me very emotional to see a nose there 00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:31.650 where a hole has been for over, almost over a year. 00:27:31.650 --> 00:27:33.890 I was pretty happy to see myself with a face. 00:27:34.890 --> 00:27:36.820 Wow, look at... Oh, my God. 00:27:37.660 --> 00:27:40.730 I look like a, like me. 00:27:40.730 --> 00:27:42.490 - Yeah? He looks familiar? -Yeah. Yes. 00:27:42.560 --> 00:27:45.860 - Yes. Score. - It looks like me. 00:27:45.930 --> 00:27:48.500 I don't know that there's words to describe 00:27:48.570 --> 00:27:50.540 being able to see a person 00:27:50.600 --> 00:27:52.470 as a result of your work. 00:27:52.510 --> 00:27:53.640 You know, it's... 00:27:53.640 --> 00:27:55.570 It makes you love what you do for sure. 00:27:55.580 --> 00:27:57.740 - Okay. - -You want me to hold it? 00:27:57.810 --> 00:27:59.640 - Yep. I want to put my glasses on. - Oh, right, right. 00:27:59.710 --> 00:28:01.780 -Okay, ready? -Okay. 00:28:01.780 --> 00:28:03.510 There ya go. Oh, now, do I look like him? 00:28:03.580 --> 00:28:05.580 Yeah. 00:28:05.590 --> 00:28:06.580 -What do you think? -Look at that. 00:28:06.650 --> 00:28:07.950 Looks pretty close. 00:28:09.660 --> 00:28:10.690 I can go out in public again. 00:28:10.690 --> 00:28:12.620 It's worthy of taking somebody out on a date. 00:28:12.630 --> 00:28:14.590 There ya go. 00:28:14.590 --> 00:28:17.860 My hope for Jay is that this can bring him back out 00:28:17.860 --> 00:28:19.900 he can get back out in, into the light. 00:28:19.900 --> 00:28:21.970 It's up to him at this point 00:28:22.840 --> 00:28:23.700 There I am. 00:28:23.700 --> 00:28:24.570 I'm ready. 00:28:24.570 --> 00:28:27.170 -Shall we? -We shall. Let's go. 00:28:27.170 --> 00:28:28.670 The biggest thing I'm looking to do 00:28:28.740 --> 00:28:31.440 with my new nose would be just to go out in general public 00:28:31.820 --> 00:28:34.020 I've spent enough time hiding that... 00:28:34.080 --> 00:28:36.650 There's just so many things I wanna do, and I'm happy.. 00:28:37.150 --> 00:28:40.190 ...happy now that I can just do it. 00:28:40.190 --> 00:28:41.920 Not having to worry about somebody 00:28:41.930 --> 00:28:43.190 looking at me or... 00:28:43.190 --> 00:28:46.360 It's all gonna be just normal life again. 00:28:55.290 --> 00:28:57.220 - Hi, welcome back. - Hi. 00:28:57.430 --> 00:28:59.090 I brought my mom today. 00:28:59.130 --> 00:29:00.130 - Hi, I'm-- - Hello. 00:29:00.130 --> 00:29:02.130 -This is Cheryl. -Hi, I'm Cheryl. 00:29:02.130 --> 00:29:06.430 I am back at Allison's today and I am so nervous. 00:29:06.440 --> 00:29:10.100 Okay, have you sit here again. 00:29:10.170 --> 00:29:11.410 -Thank you. -You're welcome. 00:29:11.410 --> 00:29:13.270 I had a dream last night 00:29:13.310 --> 00:29:15.040 that I picked too big of a nipple. 00:29:15.040 --> 00:29:16.110 And I'm freaking out! 00:29:16.110 --> 00:29:18.110 And, like, all parts of my dream, 00:29:18.110 --> 00:29:18.880 it was like too little of a nipple 00:29:18.950 --> 00:29:20.680 and then too big of a nipple. 00:29:20.680 --> 00:29:23.350 And then I had her trim the nipple, and then it look super fake. 00:29:23.350 --> 00:29:24.520 I don't know, I'm just freaking out. 00:29:28.060 --> 00:29:29.520 -Good morning. -Hi. 00:29:29.530 --> 00:29:32.090 Hey, how are you been? 00:29:32.160 --> 00:29:34.330 -I'm anxious. -Yeah? Oh. 00:29:34.330 --> 00:29:36.360 I can't wait. Are they under there? 00:29:36.370 --> 00:29:37.400 They are. 00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:39.310 and there's some nerves in the room 00:29:39.310 --> 00:29:41.410 because I think she was a little afraid 00:29:41.410 --> 00:29:43.340 that we may have gone a little too large 00:29:43.350 --> 00:29:44.680 on our shape, our size. 00:29:44.730 --> 00:29:46.500 into, like, a pool with it? -Mmm-hmm. 00:29:46.800 --> 00:29:49.000 -And it won't, like, break down the silicone? -Hmm-mmm. 00:29:49.000 --> 00:29:51.870 And that adhesive is waterproof, so... 00:29:51.940 --> 00:29:52.900 -All right. -Yeah. 00:29:52.900 --> 00:29:54.840 I'm excited. 00:29:54.840 --> 00:29:56.410 I'm so nervous. 00:29:56.410 --> 00:29:57.540 My stomach is in knots. 00:29:57.610 --> 00:29:59.280 I feel like I'm gonna throw 00:29:59.350 --> 00:30:01.650 as I envision it, I don't know what I'm gonna do. 00:30:01.990 --> 00:30:03.020 Do they look perfect? 00:30:03.020 --> 00:30:03.990 Yeah, we're getting there. 00:30:04.390 --> 00:30:05.420 Do I have perfect nipples? 00:30:05.420 --> 00:30:07.590 I don't like the word perfect, but... 00:30:07.860 --> 00:30:11.490 - Do I have beautiful nipples? - Beautiful, for sure. 00:30:11.560 --> 00:30:12.930 -Do I look good? -Yeah, you do. 00:30:12.930 --> 00:30:14.330 I can't wait to see. 00:30:14.330 --> 00:30:15.600 Okay. 00:30:15.600 --> 00:30:18.200 You're gonna make me cry before I even see them. 00:30:18.270 --> 00:30:20.670 Whenever you're ready. I'm in no hurry. 00:30:20.710 --> 00:30:22.070 Okay. 00:30:26.710 --> 00:30:28.350 Oh, my gosh! 00:30:28.600 --> 00:30:30.330 Right, yes. 00:30:31.330 --> 00:30:34.840 It literally feels like I'm having an outer body experience. 00:30:36.570 --> 00:30:39.570 It brings me back to when I was first diagnosed. 00:30:39.580 --> 00:30:42.680 It brings me back to where I started my journey, 00:30:42.680 --> 00:30:44.750 not caring what my body looked like. 00:30:44.780 --> 00:30:45.510 And all I wanted to do... 00:30:47.480 --> 00:30:50.720 All I wanted to do was get the cancer away. 00:30:51.290 --> 00:30:52.450 It's just crazy 00:30:52.520 --> 00:30:53.220 because I feel like 00:30:53.380 --> 00:30:55.450 It's a huge honor 00:30:55.450 --> 00:30:58.480 to be a part of a person's transition 00:30:58.490 --> 00:31:00.290 back to feeling whole again 00:31:00.560 --> 00:31:02.060 It makes you wanna come do more. 00:31:04.690 --> 00:31:06.660 Are you ready? 00:31:06.730 --> 00:31:08.060 - No. - Close your eyes. 00:31:09.370 --> 00:31:10.830 You're gonna want them. 00:31:15.680 --> 00:31:16.940 - Are you ready? - No. 00:31:17.410 --> 00:31:18.550 Like, isn't this crazy? 00:31:18.550 --> 00:31:21.850 Oh, my God, Meghan, they look real. 00:31:21.850 --> 00:31:23.520 I literally can't even believe it. 00:31:23.520 --> 00:31:24.550 She's so good! 00:31:24.550 --> 00:31:27.560 Meghan looks fantastic. 00:31:27.560 --> 00:31:30.990 I never in my life felt emotion... 00:31:31.630 --> 00:31:33.660 ...seeing nipples. 00:31:33.660 --> 00:31:35.760 I can't believe you were missing them. 00:31:35.870 --> 00:31:38.740 I always felt that she was whole 00:31:38.740 --> 00:31:41.170 'cause she's alive, she's well. 00:31:41.180 --> 00:31:43.980 But when you see just that body part, 00:31:43.980 --> 00:31:45.410 it was just shocking. 00:31:45.410 --> 00:31:48.150 That's all I can explain is shocking, the emotions. 00:31:48.290 --> 00:31:51.260 No, she takes after me, sadly. 00:31:51.290 --> 00:31:53.230 They're so cute. 00:31:53.260 --> 00:31:55.190 Allison truly gave me back 00:31:55.200 --> 00:31:57.900 my vibe of feeling womanly. 00:31:57.970 --> 00:32:00.470 She gave me this, like, spun 00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:02.840 that I always pretended to have. 00:32:03.940 --> 00:32:05.510 Thank you so much. 00:32:05.510 --> 00:32:06.840 - Aw. - I literally love them. 00:32:06.840 --> 00:32:07.770 Good. 00:32:07.840 --> 00:32:10.980 And it's the exact feeling that I wanted 00:32:11.450 --> 00:32:14.350 I love my new nipples! 00:32:22.100 --> 00:32:23.860 It's been six week 00:32:23.930 --> 00:32:25.970 since we started this process for Ari. 00:32:26.030 --> 00:32:27.630 - Hi. - Hi, Ari. 00:32:27.640 --> 00:32:29.640 She has delivery day today, 00:32:29.640 --> 00:32:33.240 which means my work coming to an end 00:32:33.240 --> 00:32:35.370 but Ari's new beginning. 00:32:38.980 --> 00:32:40.250 You nervous? 00:32:40.280 --> 00:32:41.510 A little bit, yeah. 00:32:42.080 --> 00:32:43.650 - But I'm excited. - Yeah? 00:32:44.350 --> 00:32:45.950 What do you think is gonna happen? 00:32:46.020 --> 00:32:47.890 I'm expecting to see my daughter 00:32:47.890 --> 00:32:49.990 with two ears for the first time in her life. 00:32:49.990 --> 00:32:52.430 Oh, my gosh, stop. I can already hear. 00:32:52.490 --> 00:32:53.830 You're gonna cry, stop. 00:32:53.830 --> 00:32:55.060 It's fine. 00:32:55.060 --> 00:32:57.260 I already know I'm emotional. 00:32:58.030 --> 00:33:00.030 We have come so far together 00:33:00.100 --> 00:33:01.230 on this journey. 00:33:01.240 --> 00:33:03.200 And I know it's been more difficult for her, 00:33:03.270 --> 00:33:05.140 but we've been in this together. 00:33:05.140 --> 00:33:06.570 For the first time in her life, 00:33:06.640 --> 00:33:08.970 she will be completely whole. 00:33:09.040 --> 00:33:12.240 All right. I kissed you right on your ear. Sorry. 00:33:12.310 --> 00:33:16.250 We're this close to seeing her with two ears. 00:33:17.850 --> 00:33:20.120 -Hey, Ari. -Hi. 00:33:20.190 --> 00:33:22.020 -How are you today? -I'm good. How are you? 00:33:22.020 --> 00:33:24.120 I'm okay too. 00:33:24.190 --> 00:33:26.190 - It's happening. - I know. 00:33:26.190 --> 00:33:27.260 I'm very excited. 00:33:27.260 --> 00:33:30.060 So here's the ear. 00:33:30.060 --> 00:33:33.300 Oh, my goodness. 00:33:33.300 --> 00:33:34.900 All this is your adhesive surface, 00:33:34.900 --> 00:33:37.270 and then I would bring it down into this. 00:33:37.340 --> 00:33:38.670 - Okay. - -This nice thin edge 00:33:38.670 --> 00:33:42.070 that's what's going to help that edge almost disappear for you. 00:33:42.080 --> 00:33:45.340 Okay, do I have to worry about it, like, tearing at all? 00:33:45.350 --> 00:33:46.910 So yes and no. 00:33:46.950 --> 00:33:49.880 I've given you the strongest edges that I can. 00:33:49.880 --> 00:33:52.180 -Mmm-hmm. -There's a tear strength dispersion on there, 00:33:52.250 --> 00:33:55.450 but it is still, you know, part of it blending really nicely 00:33:55.490 --> 00:33:56.960 is it getting super, super thin. 00:33:56.960 --> 00:34:00.530 Okay, I'm super nervous right now 'cause I know it's coming, 00:34:00.560 --> 00:34:03.100 -so you have to glue it on me. -Yes, I will. 00:34:03.100 --> 00:34:05.060 And, like, my heart is kinda, like, dropping already. 00:34:05.070 --> 00:34:07.600 It's like seeping into my chest. 00:34:07.600 --> 00:34:10.370 -Good thing you're already sitting down. -Yeah. 00:34:10.370 --> 00:34:12.000 - You're good. - I'm just looking at it, and I'm like, 00:34:12.040 --> 00:34:14.270 "Oh, my gosh. She's about to put it on my head." 00:34:18.180 --> 00:34:20.010 Open and close your jaw for me again. 00:34:20.010 --> 00:34:20.980 Yeah. 00:34:21.050 --> 00:34:23.180 - Can I touch it? - Yeah, go ahead. 00:34:24.950 --> 00:34:28.790 Oh, that is so weird. This is a different feeling. 00:34:29.860 --> 00:34:31.860 I have all kinds of memories, 00:34:31.860 --> 00:34:33.930 you know, flooding through my head at the momen 00:34:33.930 --> 00:34:35.760 All things that I've had to go through 00:34:35.800 --> 00:34:37.400 to get here, ya know? 00:34:37.400 --> 00:34:39.670 It's been everything that I've ever known. 00:34:39.730 --> 00:34:42.170 Ready? 00:34:42.200 --> 00:34:45.400 -No, yes, yes. -Well, I'll let you turn it around. 00:34:55.180 --> 00:34:56.480 Okay, I'm sorry. 00:35:01.160 --> 00:35:03.220 You wanna see from the back too? 00:35:03.290 --> 00:35:04.560 Yes, please. 00:35:09.630 --> 00:35:10.860 Oh, you did so good. 00:35:10.870 --> 00:35:12.330 You blended it so well. 00:35:12.330 --> 00:35:15.270 You're so good at what you do. 00:35:15.300 --> 00:35:18.000 Thank you. 00:35:18.010 --> 00:35:18.570 Living in this moment 00:35:18.570 --> 00:35:19.910 feels amazing. 00:35:19.910 --> 00:35:23.410 I mean, I would never be abl to compare it to anything. 00:35:25.210 --> 00:35:25.880 Thank you. 00:35:25.880 --> 00:35:28.210 You're welcome. 00:35:28.250 --> 00:35:30.050 Seeing it there, I mea I had no expectations 00:35:30.050 --> 00:35:32.620 nothing to compare it to, 00:35:32.620 --> 00:35:35.250 and it just feels so good. 00:35:37.960 --> 00:35:39.630 Oh, goodness. 00:35:39.630 --> 00:35:41.130 Okay. 00:35:41.130 --> 00:35:43.500 We got it, we got it. We're together, we're together. 00:35:44.600 --> 00:35:47.470 I can't imagine what my mom is gonna... 00:35:48.840 --> 00:35:50.100 It looks so good. 00:35:50.100 --> 00:35:51.900 I heard Ari crying, 00:35:51.970 --> 00:35:54.040 and she's so happy, and she never cries, 00:35:54.110 --> 00:35:56.240 and just hearing her cry, just... 00:35:56.280 --> 00:35:59.880 That did it for me. That did it, for sure. 00:35:59.950 --> 00:36:01.950 I'm ready to see it. 00:36:01.950 --> 00:36:04.120 But I'm not ready to see it. 00:36:04.120 --> 00:36:05.250 You wanna go see Mom? 00:36:05.250 --> 00:36:07.120 -I'm ready. -Okay. 00:36:07.120 --> 00:36:09.150 I am extremely eager 00:36:09.160 --> 00:36:11.620 to show her my ear. 00:36:11.630 --> 00:36:15.260 Even though I saw myself in the mirror already 00:36:15.260 --> 00:36:18.560 it just wasn't quite right without her there. 00:36:21.300 --> 00:36:23.240 Oh, my goodness. 00:36:23.240 --> 00:36:26.170 No, stop, because I'm gonna cry. 00:36:30.240 --> 00:36:32.380 Oh, my goodness. 00:36:32.380 --> 00:36:34.280 Let me see. 00:36:34.280 --> 00:36:36.120 Let me see. 00:36:36.120 --> 00:36:37.380 Oh, my God. 00:36:38.220 --> 00:36:40.220 Oh, my God. 00:36:40.290 --> 00:36:42.490 It looks like your other ear. 00:36:43.590 --> 00:36:45.260 It looks great. 00:36:45.330 --> 00:36:47.630 - I know, she's so good. - -I know, at what she does. 00:36:47.630 --> 00:36:50.130 It looks so real. 00:36:50.160 --> 00:36:53.100 Seeing Ari with two ears I didn't know what to say. 00:36:53.100 --> 00:36:57.040 Oh, this moment for Ari is so surreal. 00:36:57.040 --> 00:36:58.300 Allison. 00:36:58.340 --> 00:36:59.270 - This is Allison. - Hi. 00:36:59.340 --> 00:37:00.810 -Allison, this is Mom. -Can I hug you? 00:37:00.870 --> 00:37:03.210 Oh, my God, thank you so much. 00:37:03.280 --> 00:37:07.610 - You're welcome. - You really changed her life so much. 00:37:09.180 --> 00:37:10.980 Meeting Allison, 00:37:10.990 --> 00:37:12.720 she is our hero. 00:37:12.720 --> 00:37:14.520 She affects people's lives 00:37:14.520 --> 00:37:17.260 in the most profound ways, and... 00:37:17.260 --> 00:37:19.590 You know, there's not many people that can do that 00:37:19.590 --> 00:37:21.030 with their profession. 00:37:21.100 --> 00:37:23.160 Oh, I haven't been able to hug you. 00:37:23.160 --> 00:37:24.960 Can I hug you? Okay. 00:37:25.030 --> 00:37:25.960 Thank you so much. 00:37:25.970 --> 00:37:27.100 Aw, you're welcome Ari. 00:37:27.100 --> 00:37:30.300 Seeing Ari reunite with her mom 00:37:30.300 --> 00:37:33.970 with two ears is a beautiful moment. 00:37:33.970 --> 00:37:35.310 It never gets old. 00:37:35.310 --> 00:37:37.140 It's why I do my job. 00:37:37.180 --> 00:37:39.280 It's, I think, why 00:37:39.280 --> 00:37:41.110 a lot of anaplastologists do our job. 00:37:41.120 --> 00:37:44.280 It's those moments of reality for us 00:37:44.290 --> 00:37:46.050 that make it worth it all in the end. 00:37:46.120 --> 00:37:47.690 I just can't stop staring. 00:37:47.690 --> 00:37:50.090 I know, that's what I did. I was just like... 00:37:50.090 --> 00:37:52.220 After I'm like, just looking back, back and forth, back and forth. 00:37:52.230 --> 00:37:54.130 I am happy for my mom 00:37:54.130 --> 00:37:56.600 that she can cry only happy tears 00:37:56.660 --> 00:37:58.030 from now on regarding my ear. 00:37:58.100 --> 00:37:59.470 Just a little bit. 00:37:59.470 --> 00:38:00.930 -Right there. -Thank you. 00:38:00.940 --> 00:38:02.070 -Right there. -Thank you. 00:38:02.070 --> 00:38:03.640 She's content and so am I. 00:38:03.640 --> 00:38:04.870 I can finally 00:38:04.870 --> 00:38:07.640 be with my hair up comfortably, 00:38:07.640 --> 00:38:10.140 and I get to show off both of my ears, 00:38:10.210 --> 00:38:12.850 and nobody would ever question or stare. 00:38:12.850 --> 00:38:14.910 -Ready? -Here we go. 00:38:14.950 --> 00:38:16.580 Let's show the world 00:38:16.690 --> 00:38:19.020 This is like the best day, it really is. 00:38:19.020 --> 00:38:21.790 I have two now.