Surviving the DIEP dive!
I’m now 3 weeks post op after a double mastectomy and DIEP reconstruction! It’s been a big recovery and I’ve still a way to go!
I had my second BC diagnosis last June - same breast as 2007. I had another lumpectomy at the time as I couldn’t deal with having a mastectomy- my surgeon was very kind to me! My first cancer was a ductal grade 3 and this one was lobular grade 2. First time round I had surgery and radiation which left me with fibrosis. The second round of surgery exacerbated that and my breast was mis-shapen and the nipple was getting drawn in making it very sensitive. At the 6 month mark I had a mammogram and it was all clear but I still had ongoing anxiety that there was more cancer there that hadn’t shown up yet. I saw a plastic surgeon and got advice about what could be done. In the end I elected to have the double. One reason was my anxiety about further cancer but also if you’re going to have a DIEP you can only do it once.
Anyway I’m recovering well - if slowly. Wounds are healing and I’m getting more mobile by the day. I saw my breast surgeon the other day and while the pathology was clear there was a suspicious area in the lobular tissue in my left breast. While not cancer it could turn into one in a couple of years so it’s confirmed for me that I’ve done the right thing! Though I never thought I’d regret it - I just didn’t want to regret not having done it, especially now at my age 63.
I have a goal to be able to travel in May to take a trip we had to cancel last year so that will keep me going!
