Hi I was wondering if anyone here has experience with reconstructions and paraplegia. There are things to consider for me, the type of reconstruction recovery, transferring to a wheelchair, I'm sure there are other things to consider as well. There's not much out there about paraplegics having reconstructive surgery. I hope someone can help me.Paula

Hi Paula. Might be difficult without knowing what they will do. I know the big thing is not lifting your arm above shoulder height or doing anything that pushes and pulls for 3 weeks. So it will be a challenge for you. I'm sure a physio might be able to come up with plans ...just as if you had a shoulder reconstruction. However, if it is more of reduction and shape improvement (or even fat transfer) it might be very different.

Hi Paula, found this post on a UK site. Does have a post from some ladies who are also paraplegic and like Primek said seeing a physio for specific plans. Also the ladies on the post mention if you have someone who can come and stay with you? Not ideal but not a bad idea. Could always contact the community nurses and see what they can offer you as well. Might be able to get in contact with them through your breast care nurse or the hospital that you are having your surgery performed at. https://forum.breastcancercare.org.uk/t5/Diagnosed-with-breast-cancer/Paraplegic-amp-recently-diagnosed-with-breast-cancer/td-p/853421Wishing you all the best. Let us know how you get on.

Thanks ladies. Transferring would be the biggest thing that I can think of. Id be dependant on my hubby for everything, even going to the loo. But I really need the reconstruction because the way I am now is REALLY affecting my depression. I want to know what I'll be up against before I have it done & Im sure there's stuff I havent thought about.

Hi socoda I'v contacted that site you mentioned & am waiting for a reply

Excellent Paula, hopefully they can help with info for you. :)

Breast Reconstruction for Paraplegics

26 Replies

PaulaN
Member
9 years ago
OK heres the update. Saw the boob specialist Fri 3rd & had a mammogram & ultrasound. He told me that the seroma & node that's enlarged hasn't changed & maybe a little smaller. Then saw the plastic surgeon on Wednesday about a reconstruction. They won't do it because of my diabetes & my vascular problems & healing & because it's just too dangerous, they said that they didn't want to kill me. So that's stuffed up a couple of things we were thinking about. As far as the paraplegic issue goes they said that in my case the only way they could do a reconstruction, if they would, is to take muscle & tissue from my back around the shoulder blade & pull that around but that would really affect my mobility or they can leave the muscle & just take the tissue but that would probably affect mobility too. They also looked up the results from Friday & told us that the boob specialist is also watching a node in the right boob but he didn't tell us. We're not happy about that. Then we saw the GP on Friday & were talking about it so he's getting all the results & is going to go through everything with his nurse (who's brilliant) before we see them next week. Then we were talking about the medication (tamoxifan) I've been put on & he told us that it's chemo.The boob specialist didn't tell us that either. I'v also been told by alot of people that it was worse than IV chemo. I'm going to give it a go but if the side effects are as bad as aristozale & letrizole (I know they'e prbably spelt wrong lol) Im not going to stay on it. I can't be bed bound for 10 years. I'm REALLY disappointed about the reconstruction & the other options we were thinking about & not being told about the node & chemo by the boob specialist because he's the one who should have told us that. So I guess we just have to wait & see what happens (I feel like a time bomb). Just another bloody thing to worry about. I hope this all makes sense because I haven't read it through LOL Im sure I'v left out stuff they said, Im just not thinking all that straight atm.

Paula
socoda
Member
9 years ago
Okay PaulaN, reason I asked is because of the occasional and emergency care service that SCIA run in Sydney. https://scia.org.au/emergency-care . I don't know if they have something similar in Adelaide. But they do have a freecall number - 1800 819 775 or Tel: (02) 9356 8201. If they don't have services they may know of some? Crossing fingers. Xx Cath
mum2jj
Member
9 years ago
@PaulaN I can get that, no doubt bringing back memories of other times.
Hugs.
Paula xx
PaulaN
Member
9 years ago
Hi Paula I've found in the past the longer I'm in hospital the more I fret. Probably because of lengthy admissions & rehab
Paula
PaulaN
Member
9 years ago
socoda I'm in Adelaide
Paula
mum2jj
Member
9 years ago
Hiya Paula, I am a sook too!! However you may find once you are in hospital and become a patient so to speak that you don't actually mind being where there is help at hand. It's only natural to fret before big surgery so you are not being silly, we all do it. hugs
Paula xx
socoda
Member
9 years ago
Hi @PaulaN, Just wondering which state are you located in?
PaulaN
Member
9 years ago
Hi all my appointment with the breast surgeon is in the beginning of Feb. I have thought about a longer hospital stay but as silly as it sounds, I'm a real sook and fret something shocking. Thanks for all your suppor5
Paula XXX
melclarity
Member
9 years ago
Hi Paula, just wanted to send a huge hug!!!! am thinking of you, and let us know if you have managed to get an appointment with your Surgeon to refer to a Plastic Surgeon for a consultation as to your options. Melinda xo
primek
Member
9 years ago
Have you had your appointnent with the breast surgeon yet @PaulaN to find out your options for reconstruction?

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Breast Reconstruction for Paraplegics

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