Anyone In Phoenix, AZ Area?

Just follow the link in my post and his name and address are listed in the upper left corner of the webpage.  His office phone number is in the upper right. I found that there just aren't that many PSs who are willing to do reconstruction revisions (unless they were the original PS) and of those that will, there are very few who've been doing it for their entire careers.  The profit margin is so great in cosmetic surgery these days, that dealing with insurance companies and the staggering amount of paperwork required for purposes of reconstruction just isn't lucrative enough for most.  Dr. Parson is the rare exception to that generalization.  I had consultations with five different PSs (four in the Scottsdale area) before I found the one for me.  He is kind and caring and an admitted perfectionist.  I hesitate to name him on a public forum, but will happily send you to his website to read about his credentials and review pictures of his patients...

http://www.drparson.com

Good luck to you Thimbleberry. It sounds like AZ85048 has a great recommendation for you.  Just want to say that I went through the same problem with reconstruction on my radiated side and ended up opting for a lat flap procedure. It was certainly the best decision.  My reconstruction was done by a very renowned PS specializing in breast reconstruction at Northwestern in Chicago.... We were living in IL at the time.  Now, back in IL on a little vacation, I paid a follow-up visit to my PS this week and he is squeezing me into his busy surgery schedule next week to do a little revision with new implants on both sides.  Funny, but I am actually looking forward to it and excited to see the results. This should be the end of reconstruction for me.... wel, except for some tatoos.  Radiated skin is a big problem with reconstruction, but very possible with an experienced PS.  All the best to you!

BTW, if anyone knows a good tatoo artist in the PHX area that is good with 3-D nipple tatoos, please let me know.  Right now, I am leaning toward paying a visit to the famous Vinnie.

Sorry.  I didn't notice the link.  I'm sure any doctor would be happy to have their name 'out there' as long as it's in a favorable light.  It seems that doctors don't tell patients how difficult it will be to deal with radiated skin. Good luck to everyone going through this.

Thimbleberry - Yes, Yuma is quite the drive from Phoenix / Scottsdale.  I just made that trip about six weeks ago to visit friends, but I went the southern route and it still took almost three hours.  There's a gal on the picture forum with me and she's also from Montana, so I took the liberty of sending her a PM and asked her to see if she can give you any 'Montana advice'.  Her screen name is quiltrunner and she's a peach!  I hope that helps you a little...

Hi Arizona Ladies, 

   I am a new Dx.  I live in Tucson, but I didn't see any Tucson posts.  I have to get my breast MRIs in Scottsdale.  I hear they are the best there for imaging.  My breasts (boobs) are really dense so I figure it would be best to go there. 

    Anyone here meet up sometimes?  It would be nice to meet other BC patients or survivors.

Hello,

I live in Glendale, I am recently diagnosed. My surgery is scheduled for this coming Monday rhe 17th so I will be out of commission for a little bit but we can chat here for now. My recon surgeon is in Scottsdale and so is my oncologist.

It would be nice to meet other ladies who can relate, and share advise. I have a friend who is a an RN and she has great advise for me from a medical stand point.

Hope to talk soon.

Thank you Golden01. I will try to remember that.

Right now this is my world and it's difficult to see around or outside of the big giant C. I feel trapped within the word Cancer. It's like a maze with no end. I know there is hope because so many of you beautiful women have been through everything I am about to go through. Thank you for being here. Like you said in the club that we didn't want to join.

It will be great to meet with you. My best friend lives in Anthem so I am familiar with the area somewhat. I will definitely put you in my friends list here and contact you after my surgery.

Thank you for responding.

Hello Joan888,

I have been resting at home. But sometimes I feel like I need to get out of the house. I can't stay outside too long as I found out. I was in the front for only maybe 15 or 20 minutes then started to get sick to my stomach and get dizzy. Had to go back inside.

These drains are a royal pain. I think they bother me more than the actual incisions. Maybe it's a toss up between the drains and the constipation. Lol.

I feel like a Mac truck parked right on top of my chest and all my insides were squished to my armpits. I can't put my arms down all the way or even to a comfortable position. I keep small pillows under my arms.

I know all this is temporary! I actually have a follow up with my BS in about an hour. I will let you know what he says.

Thank you for your prayers and support

Joan888,

Hi, sorry it took so long to respond. I actually tried to but the website wouldn't let me submit my post. I hope I got it squared away with the help of the mods.

I still have a lot of swelling. Mostly on the left side. I developed an infection in both sides. Just finishing the antibiotics now.

I am waiting for the bs to schedule the port placement. He wants to wait until I am over the infection. I just had a CT scan today. I am scheduled for a bone density test on the 26th. Then the insurance company might approve a PET scan. I hope it can all be done by the 31st for insurance purposes. And because I am supposed to start chemotherapy in January.

I can pm you with my phone number to set a day when we can talk. I would love to talk to you about some of the processes you have been through and how you over came them.

Joan888,

I wanted to hear how you are doing. I haven't heard anything from you in a while.

I am here and doing well. Just passed my 5-year mark. Doing my six month follow up exams in a couple weeks so fingers crossed. Time for a meet up?

mommàcat4... just wondering if you are still going through chemo and how you are feeling. We could plan a get together sometime after Easter. My DH and I are headed to Charlotte, NC next week to visit again with our new granddaughter. She is almost 4 weeks old already and cannot wait to hold her again.

So, when I get back we should plan to meet up. Anyone else out there interested in joining us? My home is open or we can meet anywhere else. Please send me a PM and let me know what works.

Hello ladies. I just moved here from Ohio and left my support group of friends behind.  I am in North Phoenix, I think. (around 7th street and Bell).  I would love to meet up with some gals if anyone is interested. Thanks!!

joan, that's great about passing the 6 month follow up. And I sorry I haven't contacted you lately about getting together. I haven't felt well and I have neurapothy in my feet. My onc canceled my TX this past Wednesday because of the neurapothy. He is also reducing the dose ofy TX from here on out.

LvinAZ44, joan, I would still like to meet up with you but I have a busy schedule with the end of the school year coming and all my appointments. I have one daughter graduating from ASU this May and my son is graduating from 8th grade as well. Another daughter has 2 dance performances for high school this May. My son has choir concerts and counceling Then dr appointments for kids and DH.. ..all this and chemo too. It wears me out.

but don't cut me out completely. I will meet you sometime.

LvinAZ44, I am glad you found this site. I know this site is supportive. There are many different forums on this site. Very helpful.