reconstruction and trip neg

sftfemme65

Hi..I know theres a reconstruction area but I really wanted to see if there were any trip neg, node positive women out there who have done reconstruction. 

I had a left mastectomy and will finishing my treatment on Dec 1.  I am considering reconstruction and removal of my other breast.  I am going to see a PS on the 19th.  I will wait at least 3 months before I do the surgery because I am on Avastin. 

I thought about waiting a couple years to make sure I don't have a reoccurance but my onc said go live your life now, dont sit around waiting to see if something happens, its not healthy at all. 

I would be interested on any input anyone has. 

Thanks,

Teresa

Msklapkin

Teresa,

I had a bilateral mast and reconstruction with expanders at the time of my mastectomy.  then I did chemo.  When the chemo was done, I had my exchange surgery about 10 weeks later.

I was triple negative with 1 positive sentinal node.

This was 3 years ago and now I am great!

I agree with your onc- get on with life- it is the best thing you can do.

Good luck

Susan

Methusala

I left the other boob alone, other than reconstruction to make them match. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

however, my sister recently found out she is brca 1 + , as I am, and is probably gonna have a double mast. preventive.  plus ovaries out.

My sentinal was +, too, but ALL the rest were neg. ya.

sftfemme65

Thanks you guys for answering. 

Teresa

Anonymous

Sftfemme65:

I am TN with 4 positive nodes, left breast mast.  Reconstruction with salt water 5 years after BC treatments. 

I didn't even think about reconstruction in the beginning.  I thought, immediately reconstruction after the major surgery might affect my recovery, later treatments and exam.  After 5 years, it seems stable, then I had reconstruction.  I don't want to use my own tissue because it is another risk.  It is implant, fill with salt water.  It's not a good experience for me, twice leaking, both sides are not balance.  I am tired of this, as long as no leaking, I don't want to have more surgery. 

sftfemme65

Hi....I had read you and I are very close in diagnoses.  I plan on having saline implants as well.  I didn't even consider immediate reconstruction either because I just wanted to heal from mastectomy and start chemo asap. 

Where in California are you?  I'm originally from there.  I was just out in San diego last week and am going to SF on the 28th...going to a Raiders game that weekend lol.

Teresa

VickiG

Teresa, I agree w/ your doc that you should go ahead & live your life, not waiting for what might happen... but that doesn't necessarily mean you need recon to live your life, either.    In the beginning I couldn't even think about recon; all I was concerned w/ was "cure", and felt that recon was something to think about later.  I knew it would have to wait a while since I had rads, but before I even had a chance to get started down that road I got mets, so recon truly is the farthest thing from my mind.  I am definitely busy living my life, with or without boobs, real or fake. 

Roya

Teresa, I have pm'd you

JerseyMom

I am a TN with microscopic single cells in a couple of nodes. I decided on no reconstruction for now. I want to reach my 3 year mark and then consider left prophylactic mastectomy and reconstruction at that time......dont want to waste my time and energy thinking about a surgery I can live without for now. The one less boob part does not bother me one bit.....my worry is mets.

-Ren

Anonymous

Sftfemme65:

I am in Los Angeles.  If you are around, we might chat.

sftfemme65

Ren,

I think I speak for most of us when I say mets is everyones concern. 

Thanks everyone for the input

Teresa

TammyLou

IMO, if your oncologist releases you / provides the consult for recon, it is okay for you to go ahead.

I understand about the worry over mets...but, there is no guarantee that the cancer is going to metastesize.

There is every reason to believe that you will live many years...if you want boobies....get'em!

 Tammy Lou

sftfemme65

Thanks Tammy, your right there is no use worry about something that may never happen

Teresa