TRAM flap
My name is Louise, in Dec 2013 a routine mammogram revealed a DCIS, fortunately very small, .6mm, which all came out in biopsy. Lumpectomy showed no further cancer which meant no radium or chemo thank God. I had my ovaries removed as prevention in Apr 2014 and then had genetic testing in October 2014 which unfortunately tested positive to BRCA2 gene. Consequently, I have opted for bilateral mastectomy with TRAM flap reconstruction in April 2015. My surgeon said it is a 10-12 hour operation with 7 surgeons/assistants working on me at once, which is a bit daunting. I would like to talk to any ladies who have had the same surgery, if they're happy with their decision, and any advice on what to expect or tips on assisting recovery. Thanks guys x
DIEP undecided double mastectomy
Hi I am just wondering how other ladies came to make the decision for having a double mastectomy - one side being prophylactic. I was diagnosed with high grade DCIS mid November 2014. I have had 2 wide excision with one wound infection. I needed a third excision in increase the clear margin but opted for a mastectomy. I seriously thought of having a double mastectomy as having a DIEP in February. As I was unable to wait to have a mastectomy/reconstruction surgery, I had a single skin saving mastectomy with an expander inserted last Monday. I have noticed many ladies have opted got a double mastectomy. I would like to know if you had a high grade DCIS, dense breast tissue or BRACs gene or whether the size of your DCIS was underestimated. Was your reason a personal choice or recommended by your surgeon. The extent of my DCIS did not show up on Mammogram or ultra sound. I initially thought of the double reconstruction due to the DIEP procedure so that they will be similar and that I doubt I could go through this all again. I am experiencing a lot of pain post mastectomy especially overnight. and anxiety that everything is ok and my recovery is normal. How long does the pain discomfort last. I still have my drain in and still have about 80 -100 mls 9 days post op. Thank you ladies and wonder how long the pain goes on for until it settles.
DCIS, mastectomy with immediate reconstruction advice please.
Hello all, This is my first blog as I have only recently been diagnosed with DCIS, high grade. I had been getting strange pains in my right breast and my doctor sent me down for an ultrasound and mammogram. From there I was sent to a general surgeon who told me that they had found a very small area of calcification in my right breast. I was then sent on to have a stereotactic biopsy. It was only a few days after this that my surgeon had wanted to see me again, this made me worried. This is when I was told that they had discovered I had DCIS, high grade. I went straight on to have a lumpectomy with sentinal node(s) removed. I was still quite positive because in my mind it was only small and hopefully they would get it all out and I may only have to worry about following up with radiotherapy afterwards. Within a week I had my results. Thankfully my sentinal node results were clear and there were no cancer cells found within my breast. Unfortunately though the area was bigger than they had thought and they removed 3.5cm. Three sides had clear margins but one side didn't. This was when the reality of it all really kicked in. We touched on my options, another lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy, mastectomy or mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. I was quite numb at this point and thought I'd just go ahead with the lumpectomy. However being small breasted I knew that after two lumpectomies and radiotherapy my breast was going to be different. After spending some time researching my options I now feel that a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction is possibly the way I want to go. For several reasons I don't want to have an implant. So I have been researching flap reconstruction, mostly DIEP. I understand this is a major operation that can have a lengthy recovery period. I have been blessed to be able to read many stories from this site and have already read over all the reconstruction links that have been posted. They have been wonderfully helpful in my decision making. What I really wanted to discuss with you all was my options. I will be going through the public system and I am really worried that I am going to be persuaded into implants particularly considering I haven't had radiotherapy (and possibly because my breasts are small). At the end of the day will I get to make the choice of what I feel is best for me or will I not have that option? I can be quite intimidated by doctors/specialists and scared I'm going to be talked into something I really don't want to do or that they wont listen. The next choice I need to make is do I do both breasts at the same time. Oh so many decisions! I would be ever so grateful for any advice on all of this. I would also love to hear from those who have had mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, followed by flap reconstruction - TRAM flap or DIEP. Also from any one who has had bilateral mastectomy with immediate flap reconstruction-how long was the operation, recovery time etc. I am a 39 year old singly mummy to two beautiful young children. I live in country Vic and would need to travel 3 hours to melbourne to be able to do any of this. Thank you for reading my 'very long' story :) I hope it all makes sense!
LCIS & family history - my preventative mastectomies and reconstruction
I was diagnosed with LCIS in early 2013, and because I have a strong family history of breast cancer, I decided to go ahead with a double preventative mastectomy and reconstruction at the end of August. I have found it all more challenging than expected, but am still glad I have done it, so as not to have the threat of breast cancer, and its treatment, hanging over my head. Everyone's situation is unique to them. It is a very big surgery and recovery period, so it is an important decision to research and make with your doctors. I have started a blog so as my family & friends can follow my progress, but I thought others with similar conditions might be interested too. It is http://watermelonheartsblog.com/ ;and you can find more info in the 'about' and 'resources' tabs at the top of the home page. I hope that is of help and wish you all the best with your reseach and decision making.
Nipple reconstruction
Hi, I'm about to have my nipples reconstructed in 1 month time and just wondering what to expect? I had a bilateral mastectomy in July 2012 and silicon implants put in December, after being diagnosed with DCIS. I feel that getting my nipples done will help me to feel normal again although I'm disappointed I have to wait 3-4 months for my tattooing!! So how long did you take to recover? Was there much pain involved in the surgery or the tattoo? Is there much more scarring? Any info that can be shared I'd be grateful for, thank you. Jo
Hello everyone.
Last Friday I had my second last Docetaxel chemo and I'm just beginning to feel the bone pain again today. It sucks but I'm also feeling quite excited about the prospect of only one more chemo to go. Yay! My hands are really affected though so I'm having trouble typing or doing much else. After chemo is finished I will be booked in to have a mastectomy and reconstruction and I am a bit anxious about that. I have been thinking about whether I should opt for a double mastectomy because if I have DCIS in the left breast whats to say it isn't in the right one, my surgeon told me that if I think I will be overly worried about BC developing in the right breast we would be happy to talk about a double. But he said that my chances are only slightly increased above the normal population and that should give me peace of mind. I don't know whether that will but I don't want to put any more pressure on my body. I have enough with the left breast. Really all I won't is to get my life back and get on with it.
Emotions after it is over
Hi. I was diagnosed back in sept 12 and had surgery in oct. it was dcis and thankfully we got it early and after a mastectomy with immediate reconstructio required no chemo or radio for which I am very thankful. I started tamoxifen which was ok to begin with but have since struggled with huge mood swings. My surgeon suggested going off them for two months to see if it was the tablets causing it. I do feel better but still feel exhausted and often feel like my pretend happy face is on more than I would like. How have others felt during this time? Thanks Kylie
