Questions: RE Thrombosis/Reconstruction/DogEars & Plastic Surgeon
Copying this, my post from the Breast Recon Group, as advised to put in General Discussions as well as I have a few questions posed at the end of the message. Any advice is most welcome:
While on my way to a fab gig overseas in late August 2016, I discovered a painful lump in my left breast, and turned around to come home. Three weeks later I underwent a left mastectomy on September 6, 2016, with two lymph nodes removed in Adelaide, SA.
Diagnosis - Aggressive, 7cm invasive ductal tumor. TNBC, Stage 3.
No Secondaries. All margins declared clear after surgery/ tumor biopsy.
Waiting on BRCA test results (March 23rd appointment).
I relocated to Port Macquarie in October (my Sis' & Mum both live here and it has been wonderful to be home with them during the treatment).
Chemo began in November: 4 rounds AC, fortnightly, then 12 rounds of Paclitaxel, weekly. Just 4 to go!!! :-)
I was under consideration and signed up for Radiotherapy.
However, that's now not likely as I developed a massive blood clot that runs the entire length of my jugular vein (IJVT) on Dec 23rd, 2016. One week later a profusion of pulmonary emboli formed in both lungs on Dec 31st, 2016. Contributing factors likely to be a combination of cancer, being on chemo, the power port (now removed) and the Neulasta (G-CSF) injection (I refuse to have these anymore even if my count is at 1- which it currently is!).
Frankly, this thrombosis complication has been far more terrifying and painful(!) than the breast cancer scenario. Currently on 120ml daily shots of Clexane into my stomach and painkillers. No sign of the IJVT dissipating at this stage... they said to wait until I finish Chemo' ... and not to expect a full resolution for a minimum of six months. Boo hiss!
Anyway I am strongly considering the option of removing the right breast during reconstruction - due to the extensive 'return' familial cancer history - Mum had it twice, Aunt died from metastasized cancer after her initial treatment, my first cousin had it twice and my sister had both breasts removed, as a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy (on the day of my diagnosis) when suspicious tumours were found in both breast while she was having cosmetic implants replaced due to a leak.
Thinking DIEP Flap surgery might be best for my scenario. I'm a swimmer and want to keep my back and stomach muscles intact, so no Lat Dorsi methinks ...
My Questions:
1). Does anyone have any information regarding whether you can have surgery while you have IJVT and PEs (thrombosis) or will I need to wait until they resolve?
2). Has anyone been a patient of Dr. Megan E. Hassall, who have had a DIEP flap surgery? She is the surgeon the Port Macquarie Oncologists refer us to. (I am a public patient). Curious to hear of previous patients experiences as I have a long wait until I can see her ... Particularly interested to hear about her 'nipple twist' surgery?
3). As I've been losing weight at a rate of knots (15 kilos since Nov 1), what if I don't have enough stomach fat left to 'make the breast', would the surgeon then do implants, while also using the surface stomach skin/flap tissue for the skin reconstruction?
4). Has any other member had a large 'dog ear' from the initial mastectomy surgery? Is that dealt with during the reconstruction? Mine is actually quite large and painful (hurts to sleep on my left side).
I also developed cording just this month. I've just met with the fab lymphoedema nurse, Heidi, last week who provided massage and exercise techniques how to help break it down, so hopefully, that will dissipate without further issue.
Also looking forward to attending the Reclaim Your Curves, BRA event in Port Macquarie on the evening of March 23, 2017 :-)
Thanks for any advice and feedback existing members may be able to provide.
cheers,
Karen B
While on my way to a fab gig overseas in late August 2016, I discovered a painful lump in my left breast, and turned around to come home. Three weeks later I underwent a left mastectomy on September 6, 2016, with two lymph nodes removed in Adelaide, SA.
Diagnosis - Aggressive, 7cm invasive ductal tumor. TNBC, Stage 3.
No Secondaries. All margins declared clear after surgery/ tumor biopsy.
Waiting on BRCA test results (March 23rd appointment).
I relocated to Port Macquarie in October (my Sis' & Mum both live here and it has been wonderful to be home with them during the treatment).
Chemo began in November: 4 rounds AC, fortnightly, then 12 rounds of Paclitaxel, weekly. Just 4 to go!!! :-)
I was under consideration and signed up for Radiotherapy.
However, that's now not likely as I developed a massive blood clot that runs the entire length of my jugular vein (IJVT) on Dec 23rd, 2016. One week later a profusion of pulmonary emboli formed in both lungs on Dec 31st, 2016. Contributing factors likely to be a combination of cancer, being on chemo, the power port (now removed) and the Neulasta (G-CSF) injection (I refuse to have these anymore even if my count is at 1- which it currently is!).
Frankly, this thrombosis complication has been far more terrifying and painful(!) than the breast cancer scenario. Currently on 120ml daily shots of Clexane into my stomach and painkillers. No sign of the IJVT dissipating at this stage... they said to wait until I finish Chemo' ... and not to expect a full resolution for a minimum of six months. Boo hiss!
Anyway I am strongly considering the option of removing the right breast during reconstruction - due to the extensive 'return' familial cancer history - Mum had it twice, Aunt died from metastasized cancer after her initial treatment, my first cousin had it twice and my sister had both breasts removed, as a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy (on the day of my diagnosis) when suspicious tumours were found in both breast while she was having cosmetic implants replaced due to a leak.
Thinking DIEP Flap surgery might be best for my scenario. I'm a swimmer and want to keep my back and stomach muscles intact, so no Lat Dorsi methinks ...
My Questions:
1). Does anyone have any information regarding whether you can have surgery while you have IJVT and PEs (thrombosis) or will I need to wait until they resolve?
2). Has anyone been a patient of Dr. Megan E. Hassall, who have had a DIEP flap surgery? She is the surgeon the Port Macquarie Oncologists refer us to. (I am a public patient). Curious to hear of previous patients experiences as I have a long wait until I can see her ... Particularly interested to hear about her 'nipple twist' surgery?
3). As I've been losing weight at a rate of knots (15 kilos since Nov 1), what if I don't have enough stomach fat left to 'make the breast', would the surgeon then do implants, while also using the surface stomach skin/flap tissue for the skin reconstruction?
4). Has any other member had a large 'dog ear' from the initial mastectomy surgery? Is that dealt with during the reconstruction? Mine is actually quite large and painful (hurts to sleep on my left side).
I also developed cording just this month. I've just met with the fab lymphoedema nurse, Heidi, last week who provided massage and exercise techniques how to help break it down, so hopefully, that will dissipate without further issue.
Also looking forward to attending the Reclaim Your Curves, BRA event in Port Macquarie on the evening of March 23, 2017 :-)
Thanks for any advice and feedback existing members may be able to provide.
cheers,
Karen B
