PBMX/DIEP Done!

BritValarie
BritValarie Member Posts: 152
edited June 2014 in LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)

Hi Ladies,

I just wanted to check in with everyone.  I had my surgery on December 7th and I'm feeling better everyday.

For those of you who don't know, here's a little background on me.  My mother passed away from breast cancer when she was 38.  My grandmother was in her 40's and my mom's sister was 41 when she passed away from BC.  I have had several biopsies and lumpectomies.  Last year I was diagnosed with LCIS, ADH and ALH all in my left breast.

I finally decided to have PBMX.  I was lucky enough to have an amazing plastic surgeon in my area in Virginia... Dr. John Mancoll.  His office and the hospital is actually 5 minutes from my house.  Having such a talented and caring surgeon made my decision to have the surgery so much easier.

After my lumpectomy, my breast surgeon ordered an MRI to make sure there were no more suspicious areas.  Everything came back clear.

So, you can imagine my surprise when after my surgery the pathology came back with LCIS, ADH and ALH still on the left side and extensive ADH and ALH on the right side.

I know the decision to have a PBMX is not for everyone, but I have not regretted it for one minute.  Especially since none of that showed up on any imaging.

Valarie

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Comments

  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited January 2012

    Holy Moly! I cannot believe you had such a busy final path report! Thank goodness you moved forward with the PBMX! I am ready to move forward with mine also. 

    Question? What screening will you have to do after the DIEP, if any?

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  • BritValarie
    BritValarie Member Posts: 152
    edited January 2012

    Hi Farmerlucydaisy,

    That's the best part... there is no screening required anymore!! :)  

    Let me know if you have any questions...  I know I had tons before my surgery.

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  • leaf
    leaf Member Posts: 8,188
    edited January 2012

    I am so happy for you BritValarie!  With that kind of family history, you must have been scared #&^% of BC growing up.  Did you have any trouble with your insurance company about covering the PBMX and DIEP?  (I would hope not with that family history, but 'they don't have to make sensible decisions'.)

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  • BritValarie
    BritValarie Member Posts: 152
    edited January 2012

    Hi Leaf,

    I know it sounds weird, but I didn't really think much about BC until the last couple of years when I was always called back for screening and biopsies.

    As far as I know, there are no insurance issues.  Although, I haven't checked the mail for any medical bills yet.

    Thanks for all your support, Leaf... you are an incredible person!

    Valarie

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  • beacon800
    beacon800 Member Posts: 922
    edited January 2012

    Congratulations to you for getting through surgery and hope your recovery continues very smoothly!!  You did a smart thing, looks like you stopped trouble right in it's tracks.  So glad to hear you are on the other side of this very stressful situation.  Now you have only to rest and recover.  Be good to yourself and cheers to you!

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  • ArleneMarie
    ArleneMarie Member Posts: 152
    edited January 2012

    Congrats!  I am so glad you made the right decision.....good luck with the healing process and don't forget to take it easy.

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  • BritValarie
    BritValarie Member Posts: 152
    edited January 2012

    Thanks Beacon800 and ArleneMarie!!

    I am feeling a little better everyday,  Loving the flat tummy :)  My foobs are still swollen.... hoping they will be a lot smaller when the swelling is gone :)  If not, my PS said it was easy to reduce the size.

    Regardless, I am very happy that I had this surgery,

    I hope you guys are doing well!

    Valarie

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  • leaf
    leaf Member Posts: 8,188
    edited January 2012

    I haven't had a mastectomy, but I had a *lot* of swelling even with my ~2 tablespoonfulls of excision (also had a hematoma).  It took quite some time (several months) for the swelling and hard parts and  discoloration (from the hematoma) to go away. 

    Hang in there.  I'm so glad you made the right choice!

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  • shabby6485
    shabby6485 Member Posts: 679
    edited March 2012

    Hi Britvalerie

    I have the same exact as you LCIS, ADH and ALH in the left breast.  Surgeon recommend mastectomy.  Said I'd be a good candidate for nipple sparing.  How did you decide on type of surgery? How is the recovery from DIEP? Did they check your nodes? Thank you 

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