DIEP in London, ON

marxi · January 2011

I am scheduled for DIEP on March 1 in London with Dr. Brian Evans, University Hospital. Anyone have this surgery? Or, this PS?

Sharon789 · January 2011

Hi Marxi,

I'm in London and will be looking for a PS after my chemo is completed. Unfortunately, I can't help you because I don't know anyone of them yet. I was wondering how long you had to wait to get to see Dr. Evans or even schedule this surgery? I've heard it is quite a wait.

Sharon

marxi · January 2011

Hi Sharon, I did not wait long at all. My general surgeon made the referral and I saw him about a month after that. Then, I took some time to think about what I wanted to do and needed to heal from the bilateral mastectomies. I went back again in October and could have had my surgery first week of January but scheduled it for March 1. He is in demand, I think, but if your surgeon can refer you, it's faster than if the GP does it. I've also heard of a Dr. Fortin who is supposed to be very good. She's in London, too. My general surgeon said Dr. Evans is the best PS in his opinion and that meant a lot to me.

Sharon789 · January 2011

Thanks for the info Marxi.

I see my surgeon next week so I will ask him about the referrel to the plastic surgeon. I think I need some time to detox from chemo before I would be ready to tackle reconstruction. So I have no problem to wait for a few months.

Good luck with your surgery in March!

mks16 · January 2011

Hi Sharon,

My friend (also in London) waited five months just to get an appointment with a PS! It is a good idea to ask for a referral now, as you will probably have plenty of time to detox and prepare for the next step.

My surgeon got me an appointment within a few weeks, but at that time I was still considering immediate reconstruction so I guess it was treated as urgent.

Best of luck to you!

Sharon789 · January 2011

Thanks for your note mks16.

I had heard that there was a wait for PS in London because someone had gone on a mat leave. So I'm expecting it will be awhile. I will definately ask for the referral next week.

I'm considering a PM with my reconstruction and had heard that the DIEP procedure was preferred for a bilateral reconstruction. I have to admit my source is not an actual PS so I'm still researching. I was wondering if you or your friend would recommend your PS in London?

Thanks for your help. I'm finding this decision more nerve racking than my cancer treatment decisions!

Sharon

mks16 · January 2011

Sharon, the PS I will be seeing is Dr. Temple. I've gotten great feedback whenever I tell nurses and social workers who will be doing my reconstruction, and I've come across many great mentions on the internet regarding dr Temple.

Not sure about my friend, her surgeon sent an appointment request to several PS' but none of them was able to accept new patients at the time. Your surgeon probably has a list of preferred plastic surgeons to work with and will be able to help you.

Who is your surgeon?

Sharon789 · January 2011

I don't have a plastic surgeon yet. I'm confident that my surgeon (Dr. Davies) will be able to refer me. I`m just jumping the gun a bit. Too much time on your hands while going through chemo!

marxi · January 2011

Dr. Evans does at least two a month. I've talked to three of his patients and have seen pictures of his work. He comes highly recommended.

Sharon789 · January 2011

Hi Marxi,

Looks like I am being referred to Dr. Evans. I should know when the appt is soon. Thanks for your reference. It were really helpful.

Sharon

marxi · January 2011

That's awesome, Sharon! I just emailed his assistant, Lisa, 13 more questions that I have. His staff are wonderful. Please keep in touch and let me know as things progress. I have my pre-op on the 15th and then the big day on the 1st of March. GULP

chalex · February 2011

marxi,

Good Luck with your DIEP with Dr Evans. I am going to be seeing him as well. Pls check in with us and let us know how you are doing.

Also, how long did you wait from your consult until your surgery date?

Regards,

Chalex

marxi · February 2011

Chalex, I am doing okay. Moving forward, still very nervous. I saw Dr. Evans in June and could have had the surgery in the summer but I kept going back and forth on whether I would do it. I then saw him in November and could have been scheduled for first week in January but put it off until March. We are renovating our house and I want to be sure that's finished first.

chalex · February 2011

marxi,

I am sure you are nervous about ungoing more surgery. I can understand that you would feel that way. Renos and surgery are both stressful. Pls keep us posted and we will support you and keep your spirits up.

How did you like Dr Evans? Do you feel comfortable with him?

Take Care,

Chalex

marxi · February 2011

Thanks, Chalex. I hope we can keep this post going to support women from our area. I like Dr. Evans very much. I've seen him four times and each time go in with a very long list of questions and he has answered each one every time. He really has a great manner about him and genuinely cares about how I am feeling about all this. He wants his patients to make informed decisions and take all the time they need. With the breast cancer I had no choice...was in OR within a few days. The reconstruction process is much more difficult for me as it really is elective and not vital. I am going to do it and hope for the best.

chalex · February 2011

marxi,

I know it feels strange to elect to have more surgery. I feel the same way about doing more surgery but I really do not like wearing the prothesis. It is so heavy and my shoulders and neck are paying the price.... I am sure everything will go well and I am glad you are comfortable with Dr Evans. I think it make a difference if you feel like your PS cares about you and wants you to feel comfortable with the surgery.

Chalex

Diagnosis: Aug, 2009, IDC, 7cm, Grade 3, 0/15 ER+/PR+, HER+

right mx, full axillary node dissection, Feb, 2010

marxi · February 2011

Chalex, I have a lot of shoulder pain lately and had never linked it to the protheses. Perhaps there is a connection. They do seem heavy and although I was thrilled when I was able to wear them after my breasts were removed the thrill is gone. They are a nuisance and sweat and I really dislike them although this is the first time I've admitted that. I bought the ones that can adhere to the chest thinking they would be more natural but I've never worn them that way. I feel writing this that I can finally be honest and really feel what I've pretended not to. For the past year I've done such a great job of maintaining it was "no big deal" to have bilateral MX...but it was and is difficult. Maybe now that I am having reconstruction I can allow myself to experience these emotions. I was afraid I would slip into the darkness and not find my way out. Wow.

Sharon789 · February 2011

Hi Marxi and Chalex.

I've decided to get the bilateral reconstruction too. After using a prosthesis for a few months, I'm just tired of it. I don't find it heavy but I can't wear the same things I used to even though they were pretty conservative tops. I haven't had it in the summer but I suspect it will be hot.

I understand how you are feeling marxi. You make the decision for MX because your alternative is cancer. I think it is totally normal to need time to adjust and your feelings would change about reconstruction. It is a bummer that it prolongs "getting on with things" but I think it is something that I want to do.

I will have to make a decision on the the procedure but that will come when I meet with the PS and see what my options are.

marxi · February 2011

It's true that clothing fits differently. There's a fullness that is lacking that I find myself pulling up the front of my tops as I'm self-conscious.

chalex · February 2011

Hi marxi and Sharon789,

I know it is hard to make the decisions about reconstruction and whether to do a bmx. I was told from the beginning that I would only be to have a mx b/c my tumour was large. I could not do a bmx b/c I was in a research study for locally advanced BC. I also could not have immediate reconstruction b/c I had rads b/f surgery and I needed to heal first....

marxi, I can imagine it would be hard to have a bmx. I am glad you have had a breakthrough and maybe now that you are allowing yourself to feel about hard it was do the bmx you may begin to heal your soul and feel better.

I do not like the prothesis, I agree they are hot, strange feeling and HEAVY! I have taken mine out and had my PT and family MD feel how heavy they are. They were stunned to see how much weight we are carrying on our bare chests. I am larger chested and that "stupid thing" a.k.a the prothesis. is not an option for me. I am 40 and I am not living out the rest of my life worrying about whether or not my prothesis looks "natural" or not....

It's a personal choice but my back/shoulders and neck have made the decision for me.LOL

Chalex

marxi · February 2011

Thanks for your encouragement, Chalex. Yes, a breakthrough is exactly what I'm working through. I had never talked with anyone about the BC or BMX. But, there were some very dark days for me. So, I appreciate connecting with people here and being able to say honestly it's been difficult. But, moving forward feels good. Smile

chalex · February 2011

marxi,

Pls keep us posted on how you are doing and we will do our best to help support you.

I also found out I have an appointment with Dr Temple in late May. I have not heard from Dr Evans yet. I guess Dr Temple had received the consult from Dr Brackstone last summer.... I will let you know when I hear from Dr Evan's office.

Chalex

Sharon789 · February 2011

Hey Marxi,

Saying it has been difficult is an understatement. I haven't had terrible side effects but I try to acknowledge that this whole thing sucks! I was at my family doctor at the beginning of this and told her that I had cried and she said to me "only once?. It is totally normal to have had really low time periods while going through this. I will soon be making decisions on reconstruction and that still sucks.

Chalex. It sounds like you are consulting with two PS. Is that true? Did your surgeon refer you to both of them? I've only been referred to Dr. Evans.

peacebear · February 2011

Sharon- I have Dr, Davies also. will be interested to hear what PS he refers you to. Im in chemo till May so, I have only seen Dr. Davies once.

peacebear · February 2011

never mind. lol i saw it. BTW how long was/is your surgery wait for the mx surgery

Sharon789 · February 2011

Hi Peacebear--I've had two surguries and the wait from the time I spoke to him to the surgery date was about 2 weeks for the first one and 9 days for the second one. I was pleased with the time frame given the decisions I had to make. I don't expect that type of time frame for reconstruction surgery but I am totally ok with that.

I hope all is going well with you. I finish my chemo next week and I'm looking forward to getting a break from all of this.

marxi · February 2011

Thanks, I need all the support I can get. Still wake up at night thinking am I really going to do this? And, then look at myself in the shower and think I have got to do this. I don't have any friends who have had BC so I feel really alone in this sometimes.

chalex · February 2011

marxi,

I know I can totally understand how you feel about putting yourself through more surgery, It's hard b/c we are so torn b/w more surgery or having to deal with the prothesis for the rest of our lives. It is even more difficult when people almost give off the impression that we are "lucky" to get the tummy tuck and the new and improved breasts...... They lose sight of the fact that we had cancer! Just remember you have support. We will do our best to help you through this.

Sharon789- Well, I first had my mx with, Dr Brackstone a year ago. Dr Temple was on MAT leave until Aug,2010. I called her office and I was told it would be a year for a consult! Yikes... I told Dr B and she gave me a referall to Dr Scilley b/c I would get into him earlier. He does not do DIEP.He uses the muscle for the abs/back. He said he would refer me to Dr Evans. I was at St Joseph's ( I also work there) and asked to be put on Dr Temple's office wait list and the "new"secretary said I was in the system for a consult in May! I figure I may as well check them both out if I end up with an appontment with Dr Evans..... Sorry for the looooong story but I just thought I would clarify how I got 2 consults.

Chalex

Diagnosis: Aug,09 IDC, 7cm, 0/15 nodes, Grade 3 ER+/PR+ HER+ right mx with full axillary node dissection, Feb.2010

marxi · February 2011

I have sooo many people get distracted from listening to me answer their questions about my surgery and moving to that conversation where it's about how they wish they could get rid of the fat on their tummy and could they donate any to me or someone else and how lucky I am that I get a tummy tuck without having to pay for it...funny, but not. People often don't know what to say and they don't live in our bodies that have been brutally assaulted by cancer. They mean well but it can come across as callous.

Sharon789 · February 2011

Hey Marxi,

I have gotten that fat donation comment too even though I don't talk to my PS for a couple of weeks. Take a deep breath and count to ten. They have no idea that the comment bothers you. I've almost decided not to talk so much about it because I think it shocks people. But I think I need to be able to talk about it so I don't know what I'll do.

I know that you have your surgery on Tuesday so good luck! I have heard really good things about Dr. Evans and he is the one that my surgeon has referred me to so he must be good! I also have heard really positive things about the DIEP procedure so you are making a good choice there.

Hang in there Marxi and keep in touch about how you are doing.

Sharon

marxi · February 2011

thanks, sharon! yes, i've heard this past week that dr. evans is considered one of the best in canada! so i feel even more confident in his skills. it's feeling a little surreal...tomorrow will go by too quickly i'm sure. gulp.

DIEP in London, ON

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