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Jennt28's avatar
Jennt28
Member
13 years ago

Not keeping the breast(s) :-)

So my last Blog post was questioning my decision back in December 2011 to choose lumpectomy and radiotherapy over mastectomy... For a couple of health reasons I stopped rads after 12 days of the planned 28 after my last message and have since met with my original breast surgeon and then a plastic surgeon this past Friday. Because of my past medical history I am at high risk of developing more cancer in my right breast and/or cancer in my left. No-one including me was aware of this back in December and now that we all know my doctors are happy to "change plan". Well, I'm not sure about my oncologist, but that issue is for another blog post later on... I now have a sugery date!!!! They have booked the OR for me on 28th September. Bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction :-) Just have to decide in the next couple of weeks WHICH recon I will be having. I went into my plastic surgeon appt wanting "simple" implants but the surgeon thinks my best option is a free TRAM flap. I was shocked but his reasoning is sound and his work is GOOD. He showed us photos of previous patients and you couldn't even tell that most of them had anything done. So excited to get rid of these breasts that are trying to kill me :-)

7 Replies

  • Jennt28's avatar
    Jennt28
    Member
    13 years ago
    Thanks Louise! Got the breast surgeon quote for the bilateral mastectomy in the mail today and didn't faint. Just waiting for the plastic surgeon's quote to arrive now... Jenn
  • louiseg's avatar
    louiseg
    Member
    13 years ago

    Love my result from the TRAM....I had an implant in the other side and not so happy with that.  The TRAM side is nice and soft and feels natural but the implant feels like I have a foreign object in my chest (which I guess I do!).  I would go with the TRAM any day.  Yes, there is a bit more recovery time but the finished result is great!  And you get the benefit of a flat tummy in the process - can't be unhappy with that :)

    Good luck!

    Louise

  • Jennt28's avatar
    Jennt28
    Member
    13 years ago
    Ann, my stopping rads was only because of the new information about my previous medical history really. If that hadn't come into play I would have stuck out the rads as they really are proven to be of benefit to most women :-) I know there can be discomfort and some "burning" but I know from other forums I follow that any of those skin changes heal really quickly! I am sure you'll get throughh fine. Jenn
  • annz53's avatar
    annz53
    Member
    13 years ago

    I have my last Tax this Friday then on to 6 weeks of rads. Feeling nervous, especially after reading your rad experience. This Tue is the CT scan and tatts for the rads. I want to have the rads in the morning and then start work at 3:15pm - 11:15pm praying that this will be possible. I have not worked since early May. All the best, Ann

  • annz53's avatar
    annz53
    Member
    13 years ago

    I have my last Tax this Friday then on to 6 weeks of rads. Feeling nervous, especially after reading your rad experience. This Tue is the CT scan and tatts for the rads. I want to have the rads in the morning and then start work at 3:15pm - 11:15pm praying that this will be possible. I have not worked since early May. All the best, Ann

  • Jennt28's avatar
    Jennt28
    Member
    13 years ago
    Hi Ann, You guessed I am happy huh? :-) Yes, tummy will get to be a bit flatter I gather... How are you going with your treatments? Jenn
  • annz53's avatar
    annz53
    Member
    13 years ago

    I can hear you are happy about the decision "So excited to get rid of these breasts that are trying to kill me :-)" . I have heard that along with some new boobs you also get a flat tummy when you go the Tram Flap way :)  All the best, Ann