Reconstruction diep and radiotherapy
My name is Jenny and I'm 51, I just went for my mammogram and just got told that I have high grade dcis low grade invasive on my right breast and it is scattered over 51mm am still in shock as the sur...
Forum Discussion
Hi Jenny, I can so relate to your desire to bury your head in the sand and pretend it isn't happening. It is so overwhelming having to make decisions when you really don't know enough to decide and are not in the headspace anyway.
For me the decisions were pretty much made for me in a lot of areas.
I am 57.
Two lumps and one DCIS found at lumpectomy and 1 sentinel node positive.
This meant mastectomy after chemo followed by radiation.
I plan on having a DIEP reconstruction but have put myself on the public waiting list. That is a 12-18 month wait with my surgeon.
I am actually happy with that as my body has taken a beating with two major operations. (I had a bilateral reduction at the same time as lumpectomy) and chemo which was not tolerated well.
I have just had a right mastectomy on Thursday 3rd August.
I want time to get over everything before facing a major op like DIEP.
Plus I have already been off work for the best part of the year. I am self employed, I don't work, I don't get paid and the bank balance is suffering.
Having a mastectomy and DIEP at the same time is a huge operation with a long time under anaesthetic and long recovery. It is tempting to want to get it out of the way in one go, but think carefully about it.
Radiation may also dictate what you can do.
my PS and breast surgeon do not advise DIEP before radiation as it can damage the tissue and cause the DIEP to fail.
Radiation with an expander in can damage the expander and mean you have to have it replaced or removed.
Radiation can damage the skin and mean you need at least a 12 month recovery before DIEP flap can be done.
These risks and decisions need to be discussed with your surgeon, they are just what came up in my situation.
The more questions you ask and get clear in your mind, the better able you will be to make decisions.
Good luck with shaking yourself off and taking control of this horrid ride.
Keep coming back with questions, we are here for you.
For me the decisions were pretty much made for me in a lot of areas.
I am 57.
Two lumps and one DCIS found at lumpectomy and 1 sentinel node positive.
This meant mastectomy after chemo followed by radiation.
I plan on having a DIEP reconstruction but have put myself on the public waiting list. That is a 12-18 month wait with my surgeon.
I am actually happy with that as my body has taken a beating with two major operations. (I had a bilateral reduction at the same time as lumpectomy) and chemo which was not tolerated well.
I have just had a right mastectomy on Thursday 3rd August.
I want time to get over everything before facing a major op like DIEP.
Plus I have already been off work for the best part of the year. I am self employed, I don't work, I don't get paid and the bank balance is suffering.
Having a mastectomy and DIEP at the same time is a huge operation with a long time under anaesthetic and long recovery. It is tempting to want to get it out of the way in one go, but think carefully about it.
Radiation may also dictate what you can do.
my PS and breast surgeon do not advise DIEP before radiation as it can damage the tissue and cause the DIEP to fail.
Radiation with an expander in can damage the expander and mean you have to have it replaced or removed.
Radiation can damage the skin and mean you need at least a 12 month recovery before DIEP flap can be done.
These risks and decisions need to be discussed with your surgeon, they are just what came up in my situation.
The more questions you ask and get clear in your mind, the better able you will be to make decisions.
Good luck with shaking yourself off and taking control of this horrid ride.
Keep coming back with questions, we are here for you.