any regrets?

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vamom
vamom Member Posts: 56
edited June 2014 in Genetic Testing

i'm 39 years old & just found out i am BRCA2 + with an 84% chance..... i am opting for a PBMX with reconstruction. i meet with plastic surgeon next week. what i want to know is has anyone out there had this procedure & now have any regrets?

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  • TracieN
    TracieN Member Posts: 17
    edited October 2011

    Vamom- my mom and aunt have both had PBMX and have no regrets. I was dx with DCIS and had BMX 4 weeks ago. Sucks to go through, but the end is worth it.

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  • bak94
    bak94 Member Posts: 1,846
    edited October 2011

    I have a regret that I did not do a bmx with my first cancer diagnoses. In my opinion you are doing a smart thing! Wishing you the best!

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  • Miller1353
    Miller1353 Member Posts: 84
    edited October 2011

    My situation is a bit different...I found out that I was BRCA1+ after being diagnosed with bc.  I had a bmx and hysterectomy with absolutely no regrets. If I had known I was BRCA+ before being diagnosed (and know what I know now), I would have had a pbmx in a heartbeat. Now, I have to worry about stray cancer cells, recurrence, mets, etc., plus I went through chemo and now take an AI for five years, dealing with the crummy side effects.

    If I could have warded off having to go through what I have in the last two years, I would. It's a completely personal decision, but for me, it would have been a no brainer. :)

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  • naturally
    naturally Member Posts: 7
    edited October 2011

    I am 39yrs. old also; however, I found out I was BRCA1+ after diagnosed with breast cancer.  I chose to have a nipple sparing bmx with immediate reconstruction.  I have no regrets at all!  My plastic surgeon was/is really great.  I can not say enough about having the right doctor.  In an unpleasant situation, he and his staff have made this process better than could be expected and at times comical. In my case-realizing I could decide to have slightly larger breasts!  I still have breast tissue expanders in and final surgery is scheduled for December.  So far, my experience has not been bad at all- things look pretty good.  I am looking forward to the final product, which I anticipate to look great!!  Good luck to you 

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  • vamom
    vamom Member Posts: 56
    edited October 2011

    thanks ladies, very helpful. i see the p/s tomorrow. i have a bazillion questions for him. the 2 main things i want to know are how bad does it hurt & how long til im back to normal (whatever that is!)

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  • Sandals
    Sandals Member Posts: 104
    edited November 2011

    And I'm at a different end of the scale. I was diagnosed 2.5 years ago and have completely turned my diet and lifestyle around instead of opting for a prophylactic BMX and ovary removal. I would rather try to find the cause rather than start to hack off body parts.

    Something triggered the cancer. Just because you are BRCA, doesn't mean a person will definitely get cancer so something had to trigger for it to occur.

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  • AngelaD
    AngelaD Member Posts: 52
    edited January 2012

    No regrets.  Diagnosed in 2008 micro inv. DCIS, Bilat Recon, Hysterectomy, Oopherectomy and Reconstruction with implants - BRCA +.  I would make the same decision with the same resolve.  

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  • Lucky48
    Lucky48 Member Posts: 16
    edited January 2012

    I'm getting tested for BRCA1,2 and CDKN2A (melanoma) tomorrow morning. Had lumpectomy on 12/27. Path report revealed LCIS in addition to DCIS and IDC...I'm wondering if anyone who is premenopause has oopherectomy and PBMX? How do you feel? Would you make same decision? 

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