Touching Base to say hi
Hello everyone, It has been quite some time since I have been on here so I feel a little out of touch with everyone. I hope you are all travelling ok. Following my bilateral mastectomy and TRAM flap recon back in July, I returned to fulltime work in September. Yeah, I know, crazy lady. But it was good to be back - to a life away from cancer - despite battling a frozen shoulder, a result of all the trauma inflicted on my poor arm this year. A week before Christmas I went in for my third surgery for the year - this time saying goodbye to my ovaries and tubes. My last preventative surgery, (being BRCA2 pos) and the pathology results came back all clear so yay. Bad news though is that while the surgeon was in there he noticed that something wasn't quite right with my intestines - red, inflamed, some scarring apparently. I have suffered from IBS my whole life but chemo this year really affected my tummy and with all the other drugs I have had thrown at me, things in that department haven't exactly been moving smoothly - or in most cases, too smoothly. My surgeon suggested Crohn's. I'm hoping it's not and that it's just some side effects that can be easily fixed. I'm grasping. Anyway, just when I thought that the last surgery marked the end of it all, no, it has marked the beginning of something else. So now it's off to the gastroenterologist. I'm having a little difficulty navigating this new site - I kind of preferred the old one, found it easier. But I just wanted to put it out there that if anyone needed a chat or some advice following my journey - early breast cancer, triple neg, lumpectomy, chemo, BRCA2 pos, bilateral mastectomy, TRAM flap recon, ovaries and tubes gone - then I am more than happy to share my experiences. Heck, I can even throw in a frozen shoulder, early menopause and now intestinal issues following treatment to the mix!! It's been a hell of a year, How many days left? Sherril
Finally some Good News after a recurrence in 4 years...
The long wait is over and my BRCA 1 & 2 results have come back NEGATIVE!!!! OMG!!!!! I so needed Good News after my 5yr journey and recurrence. Tears of joy...so my decision is concrete now and am choosing only 1 mastectomy with Diep Flap reconstruction. Breast Surgeon next week to discuss results and make plans. I can breathe today...very emotional...Melinda
Having double mastectomy and reconstruction
Hi I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and also have the Brca1 Gene. Doctors had been doing regular checkups mammograms and MRI's since finding out i had the Brca1 Gene and doctor would always ask me if i had thought of having a mastectomy so that i will not get cancer there as there is a strong possibility of getting breast cancer with the Gene but i said no i will come to that decision only if i get breast cancer as they said they would be able to catch it early, My last mammogram came up with something so they done a fine needle biopsy and when i got the test results back in a week they said they could did not get any samples from that so was unable to test it so then they put me in hospital to have a surgical biopsy and a week later go to the doctors for him to tell me it was cancer and a fast growing cancer in my left breast. So went to the doctor today to talk things over after thinking alot for a week and i come to the decision i want to have a double mastectomy as i do not want to risk it coming back after having the cancer taken out and have heaps of operations, and he said that was a good decision so i am having a double mastectomy on the 23rd of March and reconstruction at the same time, Also the doctor said after the operation that i would need to have some chemo, So I thought it would be a good idea to be in this group to hear about other people going through the same thing as me. So if anyone would like to tell me what there experiences were with mastectomy's and reconstruction I would love to hear it.
Tram Flap
Hi everyone, My name is Kristy, I found out in Nov 2013 that I had the BRCA 2 gene. From there everything has happened pretty fast. I went to visit my breast specialist in Dec 2013 to discuss my options and from there we discovered that I had a small lump in my right breast. I was totally shocked!I just thought I was going to him to discuss whats best for me not thinking that there was already a lump there. With complete shock, lots of tears I decided to have a bilateral mastectomy. With having the BRCA gene I felt it was the best option for me. I received great results. My lump was only 6mm & DCIS. I was very fortunate as I didn't need any further treatment. I am due to have the Tram Flap reconstruction in Jan 2015. I will be honest and say I am feeling very nervous about the whole op!! I am happy to be having the reconstruction, I am just feeling very overwhelmed with how big the operation in itself is. Could any of you lovely ladies offer any advice and feedback if you have had the Tram Reconstruction. Thanks. Kristy
Mastectomy and Reconstruction
I was diagnosed with early breast cancer and also have the BRAC1 gene mutation. I am currently undergoing chemotherapy and am considering mastectomy and reconstruction. I have met with my breast surgeon who has given me the option to keep my nipples. not sure what to do? Any thoughts/pros/cons? She believes I will require implants (cohesive gel) as I don't have enough of my own fat to spare but this will be confirmed by the reconstructive surgeon. I am meeting with my reconsructive surgeon tomorrow, Natash van Zyl. Has anybody used her and if so your thoughts. Would like to hear any thoughts/things to consider/issues about the whole process. WOW quite overwhelming!!!BRCA1
Due to strong family history I relented and had the genetic testing done. Results confirm I have the BRCA1 mutation. I have met with a breast surgeon and had some options given to me. My decision has been to be proactive rather than reactive. Having 2 young daughters has helped this decision - sacrifice a few weeks during school holidays (I'm a teacher) or possibly be sick for 12 months. So far I have met with the breast surgeon who gave me my options - close monitoring, tamoxifen, mastectomy and reconstruction. I didn't realise that I needed yet another surgeon to reconstruct. So plastic surgeon visit soon along with gynecologist to help in decision making. I'm keen to hear from others who have been down this path. What types of reconstruction did you choose; how long was recovery; is there a support group? So many decisions and would love to chat with others who understand what it's like mentally and physically. Thanks Dianna
BRCA 1 Positive
Hi Ladies, When your oncologist calls at 8:35pm, you know it's not to see how dinner was... So it turns out I'm BRCA 1 positive. That now means I don't have to have radiation in January. I will be going in for the double mastctomy with reconstruction & keyhole hysterectomy in the new year. Turned out to be a bit of a no brainer for me once we sat down with the oncologist this morning & talked it through. Has anyone else gone through the reconstruction process? What can you tell me before I see my seurgon in 2 weeks? What should I be asking him? Thanks in advance, Sam xoxox *100% OK with this result, gives me more answers than questions :)
Latissimus dorsi recon for swimmers?!
Hi! I am scheduled to have a double mastectomy and reconstruction in early May. (Have already had breast cancer and extensive treatment and also have the BRCA1 gene mutation so need to avoid the potential of having to go through this again!).The doctor has recommended latssimus dorsi flap + implants due to damage from radiotherapy. I am looking for someone who has had similar operation who likes to SWIM for exercise/sport/fun.... Doc advises it will make a difference to the way you can swim freestyle. Swimming has been my vice during the recovery post treatment. It has been so good for improving arm and shoulder mobility but also SO good for the soul! While I've been able to connect with some lovely women who have had a successful similar operation, I haven't been able to find anyone who can tell me the impact on swimming....! I would love to speak with anyone who can share their experience. Thank you
Welcome
Hi Girls, Its taken a week or two but finally got home (from 2nd honeymoon in Phuket) and accepted all you lovely women. I'd thought I'd keep it "private" so you all feel comfortable in chatting openly if you wish. (If you think we should make it an "open" group, let me know and i'll change the settings) I'm 4 years down the track now from my diagnosis....and 1 bi-lat mastectomy, 1 recon, 6x chemo, 1 hysterectomy and 100's of Dr's appointments later, I find myself involved as a Community Liason with BCNA, and I loving it! My 20yo daughter is a BRCA1 carrier as well (she found out during her HSC) and is about to undergo counselling and referrals for a bi-lateral mast & recon. VERY hard to watch from my point. VERY hard. I stil have my 9 year old to be tested in 6 years, I hope by then it wont be necessary :-(. Well, let any of your Adelaide mates know we're around and I hope we can make some great new friends! Sam x