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dinky's avatar
dinky
Member
14 years ago

dinky

Hi everyone.I was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2011.I have just read the article in the latest edition of the Beacon about reconstruction and the time that it takes to wait for the oportunity to have this procedure.I concider myself exteamely fortunate to have found a surgeon who would do both the mastectomy and the reconstruction in only one procedure.It was not really an option for me to not have the mastectomy because the area was 6 cm which would have left very little.My husband and I both said go for it as there was nothing to loose and everything to gain.I cannot tell you how  I felt when waking up with a breast still there(although not really real but looked the same from the top)I was one lucky girl to have found(or refered to ) this wonderful surgeon who has brought my life back into perspective along with the wonderfull BCN's who gave me sooo! much support and kept me as myself.It is 7 months since the op and I have just had a nipple reconstruction to add the icing to the cake which only required 4 days off work.

To all, keep positive there is lots of life to enjoy.

6 Replies

  • dinky's avatar
    dinky
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Di

    Thank you for the welcome.I am finding my way around.I have a GREAT team in my corner in fact I have probably left them all behind trying to catch up.I am very positive in my approach to life and what life can throw at us.My approach to all of this is that It is not going to go away like a cold and as yet there is no cure so you just have to get on with it and do something about it.My life has not changed but my thoughts have and without the support of my fab husband and my family,friends and of couse the BCN,s it probably would not have been as smooth as what it has been

    Regards Dinky

  • dinky's avatar
    dinky
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Chris

    I think that I would trust a mammogram but I have heard of a few girls who have had the same doubts as yourself.Which is in itself is a bit scary.The process is getting better all the time and we need to think positive.I have had another ultrasound recently and I am scheduled for a mammogram in March to "make sure" that the other one is ok.I would not hesitate to have the procedure again because it really has made my life "normal" as much as it can.The thing is that it is always in the back of your mind and there is always something during the day that brings it back.eg at work and you try to do something that you always used to do but now can't because you don't have the strengh in the arm for instance.I wish you the best on your next journey with the nipple project.

    Love Dinky 

  • Di_BCNA's avatar
    Di_BCNA
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Dinky! Just wanted to say hello and welcome to the site! :)  Hope you're finding your way around okay, but just ask if you get stuck. 

    Thanks for sharing your experiences, sounds like you have a great team in your corner!

  • Di_BCNA's avatar
    Di_BCNA
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Dinky! Just wanted to say hello and welcome to the site! :)  Hope you're finding your way around okay, but just ask if you get stuck. 

    Thanks for sharing your experiences, sounds like you have a great team in your corner!

  • Chris's avatar
    Chris
    Member
    14 years ago
    Hi Dinky, I'm glad a mammogram picked up your cancer early. Like you I had regular mammograms, but I fell into the 20% that don't show up on mammograms. I had a normal mammogram in August last year, and so went on to HRT. 3 months later I became concerned about an old previously scanned lumped. My Dr sent me to have an ultrasound and repeat mammogram if necessary. This old lump was nothing bad, just glandular tissue, however underneath they found a very small cyst like lump. 4mm. A biopsy showed invasive breast cancer. A repeat mammogram showed nothing suspicious at all. Surgery discovered a grade 3 tumour that was 21 mm, not the 4 mm they were after. This is why I had to have a second surgery, and why 2 months ago I chose to have a second mastectomy. I wasn't sure that I would ever be able to trust a mammogram again. Thanks for your info about the nipples. Love Chris xx
  • dinky's avatar
    dinky
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Chris.I am glad that I found this site.After all any feedback that we can get is helpful.I did not have any lumps or anything that would have given me any idea that I had breast cancer.It was found during a regular mammogram.I was lucky that I was regular with the mammograms except that I was a little late with my appointment ,which on hindsite is a little scary because the cancer was very aggresive and thankfully still contained.I did not have to have chemo or any other medication except for lots of antibiotics after the fact.I had muscle and tissue pulled from my left back shoulder(I only ,at this stage had one removed)and through my side but I didn't have enough flesh to fill the new breast so the doctor put in a gell pad to build it up.I did experience some discomfort in my back but overall it was really good.The nipple reconstruction was really no problem at all.I am still numb on the end of my breast so I did not have any pain at all and did not require any painkillers.This was done under an aneasthetic and only took about 30 mins on a day surgery.The result is quite amazing and although it still softening it is really real.Chris the result is realy good and I am sure that you are going to like the result.In fact I think that the one that I had "done"is better than the one I have left.

    Love Dinky