Profilatic mascetomy

Hi All,

Thanks for the posts they are all helpful. I am 33 I have had a breast lump removed in my left arm and 8 nodes removed, with clear margins and nothing found in the nodes, and had 3 FEC treatments and start Docetaxel in a few weeks.  I have not had genetic testing back yet. I am mostly decided on the double mastectomy  and reconstruction regardless of the genetic testing as this is as the doctors say the best option for it not coming back.

 Can anyone please tell me about the risks they were told about the mastectomy in relation to removing the tissue? As I understand this means more nodes taken.. One question that comes to mind now is what does this mean for having blood taken from my arms in the future because I was told I cannot have bloods taken from the surgery side for about 10 years to be safe! Does this include taking Blood pressure too??

so many things to think about!!

thanks

Little Red

 

 

Hi, Sam 

My name is Mariana Petcu and I would love an invite in the group , as I was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer in my left breast last year . I choose an lumpectomy last year as everything was happening so quick and now I am seriously thincking of getting a double mastectomy , for my peace of mind. The cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes but my team suggested chemo radiation and now 5 years of Tamoxifen which is fine but the fear is still there that it might come back . I really need to get in touch with ladies my own age I am turning 39 in a week time. Thanks, Mariana

Hi Kel, I was diagnosed in Dec 2011 with a lump in my right breast. I chose without hesitation to have a double masectomy and immediate reconstruction with tissue expanders. I underwent 6 cycles of TAC and last week I had the tissue expanders removed and replaced with silicon implants as well as a nipple reconstruction. I also had a prophylactic oophorectomy at the same time. I am feeling really good and have had no pain at all since this second surgery. When everything has healed my plastic surgeon will send me off to have the areolas tattooed. I am very happy with my new breasts and know that it was the right decision for me. I have a 6 year old son and needed to give myself the best possible chance. I am still waiting to have the genetic testing but have a strong family history. I hope this helps. :)

WOW ladies,

Just read all your helpful posts.  I too am in the process of considering having my other breast off.  I have had radiation on my R side and a mastectomy.  I worry so much as I actually had a reoccurance on my right side 18mths after my lumpectomy, chemo, radiation.  SO the mastectomy followed.  Both my lumps were nearly 3cm and both were 8mths and then 6mths after clear mammagrams!!! Triple negative aggresive grade 3 tumours.  I really want my other breast off.  I too am a bit sick of high cut tops and wearing a prosthesis.  I am not brave enough to go flat chested.  I just want boobs, only small ones.

My general surgeon has suggested implants but I decided to get a second opinion and saw a plastic surgeon.  He will not do the implants due to my radiation.  I am not a big lady, however he seems to think I have enough skin on my tummy for 2x 12B's.  I will be happy with that.

He wants to do a tram flap.  WHen I asked him about a DIEP he said that he always aims to do one but often he makes his mind up about whether or not to take abdo muscle depending on the blood vessels he finds.

I also have lymphedema and so am not keen for the back muscle op, as there is a lot more arm pit involved and I worry about damage to my remaining lymph nodes...

Oh the worry of it all!! I am nearly 50 and think I will be getting a boob job for my 50th present LOL  I just need to work up the courage to say do it!!

Can't believe how therapeutic just writing all this down has been..

Thanks for anyone who reads this.  It is great to have a site like this to post to.

Cheers

Paula :)

Heather I like your way of thinking" more brain space" :) and Chris omg you sound juuuust like me and my husband is like yours. Opposites attract I guess. Have a great day girls.xxxx

Heather I like your way of thinking" more brain space" :) and Chris omg you sound juuuust like me and my husband is like yours. Opposites attract I guess. Have a great day girls.xxxx

Thanks Chris and Heather. I appreciate your advice and agree wholeheartedly! I too need to stop wasting my time stressing about. Enjoy your trip heather and gd luck with your exams! Xxx

Hi Everyone,

I am nervous about my upcoming surgery too, but I have got to the point where I need to stop asking any more questions (I have been doing so for 6 months!) and just trust the surgeon. It is a lot of money and big recovery, but someone said to me early on (perhaps one of the nurses or a physio) that the reason women have reconstructive surgery is so that we don't need to think about our breasts any more. They go from being something you think about everytime u look in the mirror, decide what to wear, play sport etc back to being just 'there'! I think that's a great reason to go ahead with the surgery, think how much more brain space I will have to think of other much more wonderful things!

I've got three exams to do in the next two weeks, then a two week holiday in Vanuatu with my hubby (and no kids!). I'm going to enjoy myself and try not to think any more!

All the best, Heather

Hi ladies, I can understand exactly what you are saying. I too felt that maybe I shouldn't be reconstructing, that maybe it was frivolous or a waste of money, as really I shoukd just be thankful that my cancer appears to be gone, blah blah and blah. Yes, we had no choices about the first op, so we just do what we need to do. Once there is a choice though, it becomes harder i took months to decide, but I am so glad that I did decide to go ahead with it. I knew the prophylactic mastectomy was the right way to go as soon as I had the second scare with the lump that was found on my check up ultrasound. The truth is, I just have trouble with decisions, all decisions. It has taken me 9 months to arrange a bathroom renovation, and forever to choose anything. I am always worried that my choice will be the wrong choice. My husband on the other hand makes decisions easily, and if they are wrong, he deals with them. If new boobs will make you feel better, then you should go with them, and be happy. You know, what an anaesthetic is like, and how it affects you, so that scarey bit is a known now. Even when I had to go back to theatre to have my blood clot drained, I surprises myself by not blaming myself for going ahead with this procedure. Now that everything is healed, this prophylactic side that had the blood clot looks really good, and even better than the other side. Love Chris xx

I feel a bit the same Kellie. My op is booked for 11 sept so I too have a wait but I'm feeling anxious already and started worrying that maybe I shouldn't do the recon. I feel definite bout the prophylactic left mastectomy as I am worried bout it returning. But am not convinced I want the recon yet...ahhh, the worry is stressful. I hope you can recover some confidence about your surgery, let me know how you do if you achieve it!! Love Sam xxx