I was wondering if anyone knows if reconstructions are only for people who have masectomies or if there is a time limit from the time of surgery. My scaring & appearance is getting worse & is really doing my head in. They have completely mutilated my body. I'v got a huge lump as well but that was biopsied & they are going to keep an eye on it & the lady doing the ultrasound said that I'v got a huge sarcoma & if they were to drain it there would be nothing left. The bottom & side of my boob had collapsed with holes in it & you cant even see the nipple any more. I was told after the op that the puckering would get better but its not its getting worse. I sit in the shower (cos Im in a wheelchair) & just bawl my eyes out. Iv got bad major depression anyway & this isnt helping, its put me in a downward spiral.

Hi Paula... I'm sorry you're feeling so low... Do you have a breast care nurse? You can talk to her about your thoughts on reconstruction.... If not your surgeon or GP should be able to help with options for reconstruction... I would also mention your depression I'd like to believe you can have a reco but you will need to be assessed I imagine as it may depend on your skin, existing tissue etc? Wishing you all the very best....

Hi ScorpioQueen, I dont have a bc nurse & had my lumpectomy in March, I saw the Dr in Oct as I have a HUGE lump & the girl doing the ct said that I had a huge sarcoma & if it was drained I wouldnt have anything left. There's also an enlarged node which isnt showing cancer but I'm going to be having 3 monthly mamograms to keep an eye on it. On the emotional side of things I have found the hospital I went through to be useless. I had a psychologist thought a mental health plan but that is now finished. Im sure that when you reach a certain age (Im 53) they think body image doesnt matter

Hi sorry things are not good at the moment. As far as your mental health plan I think they can extend it and there is also cancer council that you can call and talk to someone. I'm always amused that some docs thinkk that once the cancer is gone and active treatment finishes that everything goes back to normal. Talk to your docs and ask as many questions as you can ,your body is important to you and you are the most important person

Hi PaulaN, have just approved your application to join the Choosing Breast Reconstruction group so hopefully others who have had lumpectomies / partial mastectomies and reconstruction may be able to connect with you. There is no time limit on reconstruction, it may occur at the time of the mastectomy, or some months or years later. There are options for reconstruction after breast conserving surgery and you may be interested to read this section from the Reclaim Your Curves website:http//www.reclaimyourcurves.org.au/reconstruction-after-lumpectomy-or-partial-mastectomy.html. I would suggest speaking to a few plastic surgeons to fully understand your options, if you can. Bear in mind that most specialise in particular procedures, so it is often a good idea to talk to a few different ones. Some hospitals are, unfortunately, better than others in terms of supporting women through this process so you may need to spend a bit of time researching what you want and talking to others who have been through the process so you can get a good idea of what can be achieved. Some of us have needed to travel outside our area to pursue the options we need. You deserve to be treated with respect and supported to understand what your choices are and I'm sorry to hear that this has obviously not been the case for you. Jane xx

Reconstruction, Lumpectomy v Masectomy

PaulaN
Member
9 years ago
Hi ScorpioQueen, I didnt think of the Cancer Council, I'll give them a call. I can't extend my mental health care plan. The psychologist said there was nothing we could do about it, that it was the Govt rules.
Paula
PaulaN
Member
9 years ago
Hi Payne, it is difficult isn't it? As I said I was told after my surgery, which was the same as you, that the scaring etc would get better. It hasn't its gotten worse. I'm going to, with the help of the nurse at my GP push for a reconstruction & maybe a double masectomy, I'm not sure yet. Best of luck to you too XXX
ScorpionQueen
Member
9 years ago

PaulaN said:

Hi ScorpioQueen, I dont have a bc nurse & had my lumpectomy in March, I saw the Dr in Oct as I have a HUGE lump & the girl doing the ct said that I had a huge sarcoma & if it was drained I wouldnt have anything left. There's also an enlarged node which isnt showing cancer but I'm going to be having 3 monthly mamograms to keep an eye on it. On the emotional side of things I have found the hospital I went through to be useless. I had a psychologist thought a mental health plan but that is now finished. Im sure that when you reach a certain age (Im 53) they think body image doesnt matter

Paula .....HAve you contacted the Cancer Council? There are resources out there for you, it seems (unfortunatley) you have to work a little harder to find them...... I don't know where you are but i'm sorry you have had such a poor experience with the hospital......Age is irrelevant! I was 49 when diagnosed and am now 50, never has a dr indicated to me that my age mattered.....I am sure you can get more sessions throught the mental health plan....I can feel the hopelessness in your words....don't feel that way! you need to ask, ask , ask! ask what's available to you.....don't give up and don't accept what you are not comfortable with! Wishing you all the best
Payne
Member
9 years ago

PaulaN said:

Hi ScorpioQueen, I dont have a bc nurse & had my lumpectomy in March, I saw the Dr in Oct as I have a HUGE lump & the girl doing the ct said that I had a huge sarcoma & if it was drained I wouldnt have anything left. There's also an enlarged node which isnt showing cancer but I'm going to be having 3 monthly mamograms to keep an eye on it. On the emotional side of things I have found the hospital I went through to be useless. I had a psychologist thought a mental health plan but that is now finished. Im sure that when you reach a certain age (Im 53) they think body image doesnt matter

Hi PaulaN, I have just turned 64, diagnosed late October and surgery (lumpectomy and axilla dissection) November 3rd. I am with you regarding body image and that age is irrelevant . I have difficulty looking at the scars and new lumps and dents. Best of luck x
melclarity
Member
9 years ago
@PaulaN

Sorry to hear of whats happened! I don't believe there is a time limit at all. Ive had Breast Cancer twice in 5yrs and 2 major lumpectomies. My breast is left scarred and mutilated too but Im big breasted so hasnt worried me too much....however as Ive had a recurrence Ive been told by my Breast Surgeon and Oncologist to have a Mastectomy. I am nearly 11 months post chemo now and only seeing a Plastic Surgeon next week and then organising a mastectomy/reconstruction which wont be until next year. So I dont believe there are time constraints, but your Breast Surgeon is who you need to go back and see to discuss and who will then discuss options and Plastic Surgeons. Hugs Melinda xo
PaulaN
Member
9 years ago
Well I stopped smoking 11 days ago so its all good there. I was told the diabetes part is in regard to healing & infection. GP is going to see what can be done about reconstruction & possibly double masectomy
primek
Member
9 years ago
Rubbish...having diabetes will not exclude you. Just make sure your control is very tight especially leading up to and after surgery. Stop smoking if you do...all that impacts on healing and you want the best outcome.
PaulaN
Member
9 years ago
Thanks Kath I told the dr the week after my surgery that I wished I'd had a masectomy because of the scaring & he told me that it would get better. Pffft its sooo much worse, I'v kind of hidden it a bit from my husband (who has been fantastic) & I showed him last night & he was very surprised. When I said that I think they think that at 53 you dont need a reconstruction his reply was "crap you need it for your mental health". Im seeing my GP tomorrow & will speak to him & his nurse. Someone said that being type 2 diabeties stopped them from doing a reconstruction so I hope that doesnt hold me back
PaulaN
Member
9 years ago
Thanks Rowdy
primek
Member
9 years ago
I'm 52 and basically they were very keen to reconstruct as I was "young". Get an appointment with your breast surgeon (mine was fabulous . ..he did my tissue expander reconstruction ..but we can't pick them ) and ask for a referral to a plastic surgeon for reconstructive surgery. Tell him not only are you having issues due to the surgery, you have ongoing issues with the physical aspects of this and definetly the emotional aspect of a very poor surgical outcome, leaving you feeling deformed. It can be improved. You may need to go on a waiting list but it will be worth it. I opted on mastectomy for exactly this reason, but things can most definetly be done to make things better. Even if removing the nipple is necessary that can be reconstructed also. Good luck. Take care...you are worth it. Kath x