Masectomy

Thanks Julia,

I have been told no radiation with a mastectomy.

My concern with waiting for reconstruction is the higher risk of blood clots on Tomoxifen. There is a family history of clots & I lost an aunty to a blood clot (she had breast cancer & mastectomy). So I think I either get surgery done straight away - or I need to wait 5 years????

xxx

Sue

Sue,

I had the latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction so used tissue from my back with an implant. Recovery has been surprisely good and just get stiff in my back if I haven't done stretching. I did this so that I could match my breasts but now that I am having the other one done, I am unsure about whether I will bother this time. Will wait and see what the plastic surgeon recommends.

I am in Sydney and very near the hospital which made it all much easier. My plastic surgeon was great and I felt really comfortable with him - very important as it is so personal.

If you do travel, I would recommend going somewhere where you have support as it is important in those early days after the surgery. If you come to Sydney, let me know.

 

Jen

Hi Sue,

I had two lumpectomies followed by a mastectomy due to margins too.

my surgeon told me that it is better to do the radiation before having a reconstruction so I waited about 2 years after diagnosis to have a tram flap recon.  Going in on the 9th April for the nipples!

good luck with your treatment,

Julia

Thanks Jodie,

My oncologist suggested no to chemo - but said it was my choice.. My cancer has not behaved as it should have - I was told a nice little lump, removed with surgery & then radiation & hormones.

Although my gland was clear, the fact that it has spread further in my breast than scans etc showed is scaring me as to where else it might be!

My gut feeling is hit it with chemo now & stop it - just incase.

regards

Sue

Hi jen,

Do you mind if I ask what type of reconstruction you had? And what area ie Sydney, Vic etc?

We have no plastic surgeons here & I will need to travel to either Sydney or Brisbane for reconstruction surgery.

 

regards

Sue

Hi sue, I had an axillary clearance and all my nodes were negative under my arm, but I had 2 nodes in my breast lump with micro cells in them so I had chemo. I'm lucky that I don't have to have radiation under my arm so I can reduce the risk of lymphodema a bit more. I'm glad I did chemo as I know I'm doing everything I can to help keep this monster from rearing its ugly head again. I was so scared and if you read my early posts you will see what a mess I was. But like the lovely girls here told me, I'd make it and here I am. Xxxx Jodie

Hi sue, I had an axillary clearance and all my nodes were negative under my arm, but I had 2 nodes in my breast lump with micro cells in them so I had chemo. I'm lucky that I don't have to have radiation under my arm so I can reduce the risk of lymphodema a bit more. I'm glad I did chemo as I know I'm doing everything I can to help keep this monster from rearing its ugly head again. I was so scared and if you read my early posts you will see what a mess I was. But like the lovely girls here told me, I'd make it and here I am. Xxxx Jodie

Sue, I had a mastectomy and reconstruction last year. Have recovered really well and life was back to normal. Recently I was diagnosed with DCIS in the other breast and will have a mastectomy later in the year. It is a big shock at particularly if it is early breast cancer. But that this age, I am 43, the risk of reoccurrence is too great and I feel we are lucky that we can deal with it and get back to living. Radiation was talked about but I was told it would reduce my chances of a successful reconstruction in the future. I had the reconstruction at the same time which made it so must easier dealing with the loss of a breast. Jen

Hi Sue

The chemo was part of the treatment plan for me, but its always your choice whether take the Advice of the doctor.

I just went with what they recomended, maybe your cancer is different to mine as i wasnt really offered an option,it was more like" this is what we are going to do  and this gives you 85-90% of no reacurrence".

And yes i agree do everything possible now .

Pip xx

 

Jodie &Pip,

Were you given the option of having chemo or was it part of their plan for you?

We seen the oncologist today & he is giving me the option of chemo. My thoughts are to throw everything I can at it now while i can. It gives me an extra 5% chance in 10 years time.

Thanks ladies

Sue

XX