Forum Discussion
Diary of a DIEP flap bilateral reconstruction
When I was considering reconstruction options I went looking for accounts of people who had been through the process. There was not much there so I promised myself I would try to add to the information available. I am a few days into the process so will have to go back a bit to explain my situation.
Bowel cancer diagnosis age 36 when having my first screening (aged 10 yrs less than my mother had been diagnosed, she died of it).
Surgery and loss of 2/3 of bowel. Chemotherapy over following 7 months.
Genetic investigations revealed HNPCC (lynch syndrome) so I have a continuing risk; I have annual colon screening and had a total hysterectomy to reduce my risk of associated cancers.
When my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer I was told it was not associated with our genetics, just the 'background' risk of breast cancer, so i did not really believe it could happen to me - I had had my cancer.How quickly genetics research is advancing. I found a lump in 2010 and began my breast cancer journey which turns out to be genetically linked with HNPCC (not the more usual BRACCA genetics).
65 Replies
Hello Sharona,,,thanks to Louise also for the suggestion of reading about your own experience. On the 30th August I am having a Bilateral Free Tram at Hunters Hill Private. I was unfortunate to have Cancer in both breasts in 2011 with subsequent mastectomies and the dreaded Chemo.
Two years without the right body has been damn awful and can't wait for some shape. When I was first diagnosed, the research I did on Cancer was massive, and now I find the need for knowledge to be the same. It seems that everyone who has had their Surgery shares wonderful information with those of of about to travel the same path.
I thank you for that. Knowing what to expect on a daily basis is just fabulous as I have to admit to some nervousness.
Shall keep reading all you have written to give me inspiration and courage.
Kim :)
Hello Sharona,,,thanks to Louise also for the suggestion of reading about your own experience. On the 30th August I am having a Bilateral Free Tram at Hunters Hill Private. I was unfortunate to have Cancer in both breasts in 2011 with subsequent mastectomies and the dreaded Chemo.
Two years without the right body has been damn awful and can't wait for some shape. When I was first diagnosed, the research I did on Cancer was massive, and now I find the need for knowledge to be the same. It seems that everyone who has had their Surgery shares wonderful information with those of of about to travel the same path.
I thank you for that. Knowing what to expect on a daily basis is just fabulous as I have to admit to some nervousness.
Shall keep reading all you have written to give me inspiration and courage.
Kim :)
- Wow. You are doing so well. Love reading your posts. I was interested when I read that your breasts are not big. I have been told that mine will be small as I am not a big lady and needing two breasts obviously means less tissue for each breast. I will be ok with that as i was never a big busted person. Just want some boobs. I told my Dr I would be happy with an A cup ;). Keep up the good recovery and thanks again for sharing. Paula
- Oh Sharona that's brilliant news. You have done so well and I am inspired by your post. It's not too far away that I will go through a similar op to yours and you have helped considerably alleviating some of the nerves I am beginning to feel. I had the second opinion that my surgeon insisted upon today and his colleague was very good explaining further what I could expect with this huge operation. Covering all bases I guess that I need to know. My husband and I now have an appointment to see a Psycologist at the hospital which is also what my surgeon wanted us to do. So after that its all systems go. I can't thank you enough for sharing your very personal experience Sharona. I sincerely hope that your road to full recovery continues to run smoothly. I think I might take a leaf out of your book and diarise my own journey. Fingers crossed mine will go well too. Love Janey xxx
- Hi Paula I am trying to recall the reasoning, I think that it reduced the length of what is already a very big surgery, possibly by about an hour. Also, if there are Any adverse findings with the pathology then that can be dealt with. Also in my case it could be done more locally and not in Sydney. Every surgeon may have differing views and each patient different needs. I must say that it was not nice to have no boobs at all for three months but helped me to appreciate all the more my new ones. Good luck with your surgery and really allow for time to heal, especially when chemo was more recent for you.
- Wow, amazing to read all you are going through. I too am planning the same. I was booked for earlier this year but have been cancelled twice due to some abnormal blood results. Still getting over chemo!!! I had a recurrence and so two lots of chemo in 18 months has taken its toll. However all the more reason for the prophylactic ,mastectomy. I was originally planning to have the mastectomy at the same time as the reconstruction. There is however now talk of doing them separately. Did your surgeon give reasons for separate surgeries? Thanks again for all you are sharing it is brilliant to have such warts and all info. Take care Paula :)
- Thanks for the tip Sharona about support undies. They will be added to my shopping list too. I had only really thought about bras and forgot about undies. I think you are doing amazingly well. Good for you Sister. Lots of love Janey xxx
- Hi Sharona So good to read your latest blog. I've got 3 weeks till my surgery. Had my CT angiography yesterday. I really hate needles, as all my veins in my left arm are scar damaged. Will be interesting to see where they're going to put the canula when I go in. You mentioned support undies for the after surgery. I didn't even think of that. Will be adding some to my shopping list. Hope your body recovers in leaps and bounds from here on in.. Kat xxx
- Hi Cathy and Janey One thing I must comment on is the difference between having surgery when you have a cancer diagnosis and get hit with chemo 4 weeks later -that whole process is just awful and very different from and having surgery that is planned and without all of the extra mental stress and anxiety of cancer treatment. I really noticed this when I had my second mastectomy earlier this year. Recovery went really well. This op is so much bigger and I hoped to be feeling stronger sooner but we are all impatient and I am getting stronger each day and the amount I do is going up. Yesterday after my visit to the nurse for a quick dressing change on my belly button, I went to the shopping centre and did about five errands (but not supermarket shopping yet - too heavy) and it was fine. Drove home and had lunch and was not exhausted. Definite progress.
- Hi Cathy and Janey One thing I must comment on is the difference between having surgery when you have a cancer diagnosis and get hit with chemo 4 weeks later -that whole process is just awful and very different from and having surgery that is planned and without all of the extra mental stress and anxiety of cancer treatment. I really noticed this when I had my second mastectomy earlier this year. Recovery went really well. This op is so much bigger and I hoped to be feeling stronger sooner but we are all impatient and I am getting stronger each day and the amount I do is going up. Yesterday after my visit to the nurse for a quick dressing change on my belly button, I went to the shopping centre and did about five errands (but not supermarket shopping yet - too heavy) and it was fine. Drove home and had lunch and was not exhausted. Definite progress.
