Forum Discussion

jpink's avatar
jpink
Member
13 years ago

Reconstruction

Found a lump in June 2012, doctors were great acting very fast. I was told that I had to lose the left breast as the cancer was very invasive.  I asked the surgeon and breast care nurse at the time about reconstruction. I was told - we will talk about that later. I have asked about reconstruction at every subsequent appointment and keep getting told - lets get through chemo first. Now finally the breast care nurse has said - I told you that we wont do that for about 2 years!.  I was too shocked to say anything else. Is this how long you have to wait?? Feeling pretty crap about this now and I dont really want to talk to the breast care nurse about it.

7 Replies

  • Debbie_J's avatar
    Debbie_J
    Member
    13 years ago

     There is an excellent surgeon in Sydney, who does tram flap operation. Megan Hassall at Saint Leonards. Dr Hassall will do it it under the medicare system. It will cost you no out of pocket expenses. Blum Gum Lodge is near by , it is for cancer pations you and any family member can stay. If you live away, I live 3hrs and only paid for the first 2 days and you can claim it back, the rest is bulk billed.

    I arranged to have a APAC nurse come around each day and check on me and to take drains out. They are fantastic better than being in hospital, although with your op you will be in for a week. Husband can still stay at Blue Gum Lodge.

    Dr Hassall is at times hard to get into ,so you could make an appointment now to see her may take 6mths before first appointment.

    Hope this helps.

    Debbie

  • jpink's avatar
    jpink
    Member
    13 years ago

    thankyou all for your responses, it feels good just to have the thoughts of other people in similar situations :)

  • Julia44's avatar
    Julia44
    Member
    13 years ago

    Hi Jpink,

    My breast surgeon said not to do reconstruction until after all treatment(except tablets)finished and then to wait at least 6 months.

    It does seem strange when you read other people's stories about having immediate reconstructions.  Then again, when I was in hospital I shared a room with someone who had mastectomy and immediate reconstruction and they then found out from the pathology that there was more than anticipated so she had to have the new breast taken off too.

    I have just seen a plastic surgeon who has advised me it will cost about $15,000 after medicare and top private insurance if I want to go private with him-he has been recommended to me by all the hospital staff.

    He was definitely trying to steer me away from public recon, saying you may get a trainee or someone who has not had much experience with tram flap-which I will need. 

    Good Luck, Julia

  • Jennt28's avatar
    Jennt28
    Member
    13 years ago
    I'm so sorry you feel like you've had no choices. Only way you will change the wait time is to voice your concerns loudly and repeatedly to your oncologist and breast care nurse. If your centre also has a psych onc you can voice your concerns there as well. You don't have to sit silently resentful - just start voicing your concerns loudly and often. I have had 12 days of rads in July before quitting them (long story) and had a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction last week that appears to have worked perfectly. The squeaky wheel gets the oil is the old saying. Jenn