Second Opinion Tomorrow

KarenF

I didn't think to even get a second opinion until speaking to one of my friends recently. I had Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.  Oestrogen and progesterone positive.  Had a lumpectomy and then an auxiliary Clearance.  1 lymph node was involved.  I had a horrible time with chemo and ended up in hospital after most treatments.  Instead of 4 lots of AC  I had 3 with 3 hospital admissions and that was with a needle the next day to increase WBC.  Then went on to pacitaxels.  Was supposed to have 12 weekly treatments and they stopped them after 6, cause my body couldn't tolerate it.

Now my last resort before radiation is to get a second opinion tomorrow.  The hospital i was originally at said they could do a double mastectomy but would have to wait 18months for reconstruction and then it sounded like they were going to make a patchwork quilt boob from stomach or back.  I believe it's a team flap? 

Anyway, I'm going to ask new surgeon tomorrow if it's possible to have a nipple and skin sparing operation with implants inserted at the same time.

If anyone has any information would be most appreciated.

Cheers Kaz

brightspace

Hi karen great to follow up with second opinion.
Lots of decisions to make but remember you dont have to rush into reconstruction. Body needs to heal after radiation so specialist will discuss the treament options .
Lots of of us have not had recon but if i did i would go with least invasive is implant.
Lots of info in tests treatments section
 All the best with tomorrow
Huggs Bright

ccasper

Hi there
i had an immediate recon with implants and a BMX. I am not sure where you are but I used my private health to be able to do this surgery as I know going public they would not do so. Mine was not nipple sparing as I had breastfed and was told cosmetically it would be better to have a lift first but I had chemo before surgery so I just wanted to the sucker out of there. I will get tattoos eventually. Good luck. Ask all the questions you can think of 

Hopes_and_Dreams

Hi Karen, I had a left mastectomy for grade 1 IDC last August, 3 lymph nodes removed and all clear.  I chose a mastectomy as I am small breasted and a lumpectomy wouldn't have been very good cosmetically and I wanted to be sure of clear margins.  I kept my nipple and have a scar under the breast fold. The implant goes under the pectoral muscle with a sling made of cadaver skin to hold everything in place.  There was definitely a bit of healing to be done, some pain and tightness around the muscle where it had been separated from my breastbone but it was feeling fine after 8 weeks.  Almost 9 months on it has softened a lot and looks no different to my other breast.  
Good luck with your appointment tomorrow. Hopefully you have several options and can make the decision that's right for you. Jane xx

mum2jj

It's great to have 2nd opinions if you can.  Was it a plastic surgeon you saw? Sometimes radiation can be avoided if you have a mastectomy, but that is all dependent on the pathology and how close to the chest wall the tumour was, margins etc.  Many PS don't like to do implants after radiation, and if they do they would like there to be an expander in first.  I have had a bilateral TRAM which uses tummy skin.  I see what you may think about the patchwork quilt, but the scars do fade and they can look and feel really natural.  You are welcome to join the choosing breast reconstruction group where we have many photo stories of the different types of reconstructions.  Just click on the link and you will be asked for a little info and then myself or one of the other group leaders can join you up.

Paula xxx

melclarity

Karen, certainly worth a 2nd opinion, they are 2 very different reconstructions for sure. Im really happy with the Diep Flap reconstruction and the scars will fade and once a nipple is on I'll be super happy. I couldnt do an implant due to radiation treatment in 2011 and couldnt save the nipple either. All the best x M 

nikkid

Hi Karen, I feel like I've got a bit of insight into the two different options: I had mastectomy with insertion of an aero form tissue expander for 12 months and then recently (3 weeks ago) had a DIEP. Feel free to ask any questions.

nikki

 

KarenF

Thankyou everyone for your replies.  I could have the double mastectomy but recon would be 18months plus.  I've decided to go ahead with radiation starting on 2/5  Then hysterectomy and hormone tablets.   Then will try and put this nightmare behind me
  
Thankyou everyone for your input xx

nikkid

Take care Karen - will be thinking of you x

brightspace

Hi Karen big huggs treatment is of course the priority .All the best B