Recurrence after bilat mastectomy?

i dont think i had stitches though

Jaimie, I just want to say Hi here, too.  It's such a stinker going through it all again.  

My appointment was cancelled by surgeons office , he had an emergency, now wait til May 6

berilda, that does mean that the surgeons office doesn't consider you an emergency...so that's good. If they had passed you on to another doctor that might have raised red flags, in my book. Maybe the Universe is sending you a message that it's really all okay....

Hi everyone, I am brand new here, but unfortunately not to breast cancer. This is my third go round and three different kinds of cancer. My first in 2001, second in 2011 and a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction in 2012. I was just diagnosed with my third on Monday. One tumor was removed another is so close to the implant that they have had to schedule an MRI to place a guide wire, and hopefully not rupture the implant. This is scheduled for June 12. If this is positive, they may have to remove the implant take more tissue and perform another surgery to put in a new implant. Has anyone had to have a second reconstruction, this scares the heck out of me, as I just started to get some relief from pain after 2 years. Thanks in advance for any info.

3rd time, well that just SUCKS!!!! Praying that the surgeries give you a better outlook, sweetie! Please keep us posted here as we follow you on your journey. How the heck did they find an area so close to your implant? A lump? How very, very frustrating as you seemed to do your best to remove any breast tissue. My heart goes out to you.

Thank you ladies, for your replies, sometimes it is a very lonely place.

Thank you minus 2, it is a really scary proposition, I didn't even think about what impact radiation might have on the implant. Just have to stay positive, I guess. Thanks so much for the support.

3rd time, wow.  I can't imagine how you must be feeling.  I just found a lump in my scar tissue too and they all said it was scar tissue until my BS biopsied it just so I can relax about it.  My  PS was in the OR when my BS removed the scar tissue and tumors last week just in case she ruptured the implant.  luckily she was able to maneuver around it without harming it.  But, swapping out the implant isn't really that invasive.  My PS said it would take them an extra 15 minutes in the OR.  That being said, I have had my implants swapped out twice already for various reasons and it wasn't that painful or long.   No drains or anything like that, just some soreness.  I think I had to take it easy for a few days but once the stitches came out I was able to resume normal activity. 

I hope they can get to it without moving the implant, but even if they do, trust me, it isn't so bad.  

Hi everyone, one thing I want to stress to women is that a mastectomy does not insure you will not get cancer again. I was very naive and thought I was sitting pretty, and free from worry. Well you don't hear about it much, but 1% is a pretty big number, especially when you are the 1%. I don't wish to scare anyone, because I certainly understand the toll uncertainty takes on us. I just want to inform people because I was so shocked when this happened to me and I don't want that to happen to others.  Another thing that CONCERNS ME GREATLY, it that doctors don't recommend regular screening after mastectomies, it seems to me, we should be having yearly screening with MRI's and ultrasounds I had nothing done last year and would have had nothing this year either, if I had not felt the lump. The MRI found two lumps and I would have been walking around fat, dumb and happy with cancer waiting for me in the wings. Ladies PLEASE be proactive in your care. Prayers and good wishes to all of us. Stephanie

Stephanie:  My MO is retiring this year.  Major angst since I'm still finishing treatment for a chest wall recurrence or mets (no one is sure which) after a double mastectomy 2 years before.  He said he would recommend at PET/CT at least once a year but other docs at this clinic might be resistant to that.  He did say I could go elsewhere to get the testing done.  Whoppee.  You can bet I'll be pushing for regular testing!!

Basia - yup, I was all clear & NED in October 2012.  Recurrence in February 2013 when I found a lump by my collar bone.  I too don't want to scare anyone, but we DO need regular testing.

My MO told me that having bmx would reduce risk by 90%.   That is certainly not a slam dunk.

And bmx does nothing to prevent mets. If the horse is out of the barn, bmx won't help. 

Barbe -I actually saw an MO before & after my BMX for DCIS - but the SNBs & margins were clear and everyone told me the same - go have a wonderful life, no other treatment needed.  Sigh.  Just hope I can find a new MO who feels like I do.

hrf - you are correct & that's what I had - BMX for DCIS.   2 years later I had IDC in chest wall & auxillary lymph nodes so this time I got chemo, more surgery, more chemo & rads.  Hope your friend is one of the lucky ones.

Hubby and I just returned from celebrating our 42nd.. wedding anniversary with our children and grandchildren in Disneyland, we had a wonderful time, and enjoyed the grandkids so much. Tomorrow is my second surgery in 3 weeks, I am hoping these memories will help me through my surgery and whatever treatments lie ahead. My best to all of you.