HELP! Simple delayed recon on radiated breasts

suz45

Hi,

Figured I would try posting here to see if I can get some Canadian Info.

I'm Suz & I live in Vancouver BC. I'll try to post an abbreviated version of whats gone on since summer 07

To start I had a lumpectomy with 21 nodes removed, then chemo & rads on my Left side in 07/08. (one tumor about 2.5 cm and one node attached to it as well as another separate node) 

I had an oopherectomy in Fall of 08 because I found out I was BRCA1 (so now have scar tissue on my belly and I also had a cesarean 20 years ago)

In 09 I had Chemo again, radiation on my Right breast then a bi-lateral massectomy with nodes (on right breast, large cluster of about 8 tumors in breast & about 8 nodes 3 under arm, 2-3 in neck and a few internal mammary nodes) I was supposed to have immediate reconstruction, but since I was such a high risk for recurrence I had to wait a year then would have a dorsi latissimus... well my year would have been April 14 2011 and I now have bone mets to a rib (back right side #6)

My PS said no to any reconstruction... she didn't want to disturb the rib mets and said she cant do implants on a delayed recon that was radiated (at two different times) Maybe Im just sadistic but I'm just not willing to accept that without at least exploring all options. At first my Onc said I had a few months or maybe a year or so (this was the info my PS got as well)....... that has now changed after 3 weeks of really messing with my head. She has now said I could maybe see a few years. (with my personal research done here I'm thinking I could go from 3 to as long as 5 years)

Soooo my dilemma is trying to find some sort of reconstruction that is a little on the "easier side". Taking into consideration that both my breasts have been radiated at different times. I also don't have a lot of belly fat even when I put weight on... it sits right in the middle (apple belly) and since my newest dx along with new meds (clodronate) Ive dropped 25 pounds. So now there is definately no belly fat to work with. Ive heard a bit about some teardrop shaped implants that might still be on a trial (in the States) I think they are used with alloderm. Being stage IV, I don't want to waste a ridiculous amount of time in recovery, but its really important to me to have recon of some sort done.... Will add to all that in that I'm in Canada so its going to take even more time trying to figure out how to get something like this done. The waiting lists just to see a good PS just for a consult can be 1 - 4 years (????) that's not going to work for me. And I don't have the cash to just shell out to have it done immediately. YES it was hinted that something could be done if I was willing to pay for it out of my pocket.. Unfortunately my dh & I are self-employed and I haven't really worked much since my original dx.

So if anyone out there has any ideas or information I would be extremely grateful

Thanks so much in advance! Hugs, Suz