Did you have an LD Flap???

GGBri

Hello and Blessings to All!

Allow me to introduce myself by way of my "story".  I got diagnosed with IDC on June 8th, 2009.  It turns out that I fall into the triple negative category.  I have a 5 year old daughter and I a happily married.  I have always watched what I ate and worked out just about everyday for the past 25 years.  (I even entered a bodybuilding contest for the first time at 42 and came in 2nd place over many people in their 20's and 30's!!)  Being that I take really good care of myself I was SHOCKED when I found out about my diagnosis.  But you know what?  GOD has a really big plan for my life and He needed to grow me through this season so that I can be prepared for all of the blessings He has in store!  I am about to undego my 3rd round of chemo (AC) and for rounds 4-8 I will be taking Avastin and Taxotere.  Yes, my hair is all gone....but oddly enough I REALLY like it.  I have always had a lot of hair and wondered what having very short or no hair would look like....I ROCK!   My hands and feet are dark and my tongue has black spots on it.  It is all good and I consider it all joy as I am being tested....faith must finish its work.  After the chemo is over, I will have a bilateral mastectomy (the tumor is in the left breast and in one node as revealed by PET scan- but I am having bilat because I NEVER want to go through this again and my mom had it twice).  After the mastectomy I will have radiation and I have opted to do some sort of reconstructive surgery.

So here is where I need your help:

Has anyone ever had the latissimus dorsi flap??  I was told my my plastic surgeon that this is the best option for me because: 1 I don't have any other suitable donor site because of low body fat;, 2. since I will have radiation therapy implants may cause capsular contracture, 3. he thinks that for my body type this type of surgery will give me an outstanding cosmetic result. 

Here are my concerns:

1.I work out all of the time as I mentioned.  I am not willing to give this part of me up as a result of having gone through this thing.  He is taking a muscle to build breast that is the "core" of strength for a lot that we do, though we wouldn't realize it until the muscle was gone. 

2. As an african american woman, how will my breast look??  We have different issues when it comes to scarring than other women do

Have any of you had the procedure?  Did you feel weakness or loss of strength in your arms, shoulders, back, etc. 

How does your result look cosmetically?? 

Any help/information that you could render is greatly appreciated.  I am in the research phase and I intend to come out of this with the best result possible.  At the end of the day, I know that I will not make any move unless it is annointed by God.  He is the major planner and deliverer of ALL of my needs......yes, even breasts! 

Thank you and God Bless you ladies! 

DeltaGirl

GG, first of all, I LOVE your positive attitude!!!!! You go girl.  You're right, this experience will prepare you for all of your blessings to come.  Love it!

I didn't have the LD Flap recon, but I had a unilateral pedicle TRAM flap.  I have a scar across my lower abdomen and it has healed quite nicely. And yes, I can wear a bikini bottom with no problem.  Since I had a skin-sparing mastectomy, the breast tissue was removed through my nipple and the nipple was removed as well.  When I have the nipple recon, noone will even notice the scarring on my breast.  I do not have any weakness or loss of strength in my arms or shoulders.

Best wishes to you!

GGBri

Thanks, DeltaGirl, for your reply.  It is awesome to hear that you had a great reconstructive experience.  It is AMAZING what they can do these days, isn't it??  I consider us to be blessed "going through" when technology is so advanced.  My mom had breast cancer 20 years ago and then 4 years ago.  The first time she had it they had just started doing the TRAM flap.  It came out really good and she got an amazing tummy tuck to boot!  20 years later it still looks great.  So much so that when she goes to other doctors they are really impressed with the fact that it is reconstructed.  So if that was 20 years ago, I know that your results must be incredible which is so terrific for you!  God Bless you! 

Lcharmie

GGBri,

I am tuning in as I see the Survival years of your Mom

I did not do the "reconstruction"due to the radiation, this was all in 2002 , I had a mastectomy then--so much as changed in the technology for sure---I have my prosthesis and have been OK with this.

Best of luck in what you choose to do.

I am happy to hear about your Mom being a "20 some year" Survivor!!  

Stay Blessed---To You and Your Mom.

Linda C. 

GGBri

Linda,

yes a 20 year and then a 4 year survival is pretty great.  I think that, that is part of the reason why I am able to be encouraged going through this.  If there was ever one time I wanted to be like my mom its NOW!   I have considered going through the prosthesis route too.  How has that been for you over the years?

GGBri

Lcharmie

GGBri,

Yes , you have a great leader, for sure, someone to be encouraged by.

I have been fine with the prosthesis---My insurance pays for them--one set per year, is about 795.00 and they allow 2 bras a year--they are about 50.00 a piece.  In the beginning I made a mistake and listen to the lady selling them, when she told me "I could be what ever size I wanted to be"--Well, I was originally a 38DD, I went to a 38D, which for my frame, I am not small, it was not right, looked like a breast reduction, and I was stuck with them a year.  The bras, then 2002, were only white, beige, and black.  As of 2 years ago, they are finally coming out with blue, pink, burgundy, and teal colors, this is nice,  Because I had CA come back in my skin on my chest--this has been the best thing for me to do.

Take care.

Linda C.

GGBri

Linda,

well the good news is I may have found a Dr who can use another part of my body to do the surgery without using any muscle.  The "other" news (I won't call it bad) is that I may have to wait a substantial time between mastectomy time to reconstruction time.  I am glad to know that they are doing great things in the world of prosthetics and bras.  I had gone to the Amercian Cancer Society earlier on and they gave me a wig. (its really nice too...I was surprised!)  They also mentioned at the time that I could come and get prosthesis and bras if needed.  It is a really great resource!  So, I think I will probably go back there when it is time.  I am sorry to hear that your Ca returned on your chest wall.  How are you doing with that?  No matter what, be encouraged!

Take Care!

Lcharmie

GGBri,

I am glad the Dr. can do what you need to have done, also that the American Cancer Society has been a good Resource for you.  I called when this first came about, but have not called them sense.  Good to know they are there.

About me---I posted a long "post" on the thread African American Women Triple Neg Status--we all have been "hanging out on that thread"--if you got a minute--check in on it--tis a long story!!

Thanks for your encouragement--and you likewise--stay encouraged!!

Linda C.