Delayed Reconstruction

gavinsgrandma
gavinsgrandma Member Posts: 407
edited February 2015 in Breast Reconstruction

Hello Beautiful Warriors.

I wanted to start a Topic Re: Delayed Reconstruction, I was diagnosed with Invasive Lobular Carcinoma on 5/31/13 had a BLM on 7/18/13 I went into surgery expecting immediate reconstruction by much to my surprise upon waking, recon was delayed. It was determined by my Surgeon, Plastic Surgeon and my Husband that it was in my best interest to wait because I had positive nodes and they did not want to delay treatment. As it turned out on my Post Op visit, my pathology showed all 15 nodes tested were positive,so I was sent straight to an Oncologist to get my protocol, returned to the surgery center that day to get my port put in and a Pet Scan the following day showed full lymph node involvement plus a tumor out side of a lymph node, I was then staged at a 3C. Chemo began on 8/15/13 4 rounds of A/C and 12 rounds of Taxoter, I won't go in to detail but along the way we found " Suspicious Spot" on my lumbar spine that were later determined to be negative for cancer on bone marrow biopsy, but we MRI every 6 months to keep an eye on them. I then did 29 Radiation treatments ending on 7/7/14, so now that I am 7 months out of rads I am going to consult with my P.S next week to see if he thinks that I would be a good candidate now to start recon, and I would really love to hear about your experiences, good and bad re: delayed reconstruction, as this is a big decision to make. Thank you so much.

Love Shary

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  • Beachbum1023
    Beachbum1023 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited February 2015

    Hi gavinsgrandma, I started chemo last August. My last chemo was 11/25. My tumor grew fast on Taxol, so they moved my surgery up to 12/15. I started rads on 1/26 and I am going to #10 today. So I am still fighting the fatigue from everything I have done already.

    I was scheduled for a modified radical mastectomy with immediate reconstruction However when the BS and PS consulted during the surgery, the PS wouldn't do it because the tumor was attached to the skin so he closed after moving skin to reconstruct later after I healed. I had a 4 day stay after the surgery because my blood pressure dropped to 70/34 and would not come up after the surgery. I have heart damage from the Adriamycin, and neuropathy from Taxol. So I woke up after surgery with a very numb chest and no reconstruction.

    At this point given the difficulty during surgery, my Stage IV cancer, I am probably going to pass on the reconstruction. The thought of days of recovery, the length of the surgery, and the numerous surgeries, I have a lot to think about. At this point, I am going to finish rads and see where I am at.

    Every case is different, the end result is a very personal decision, and since I am alone, the cost is overwhelming to me. I am more concerned about the quality of life, and what it takes to keep me going. Good luck, I hope your decision comes easy.

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  • gavinsgrandma
    gavinsgrandma Member Posts: 407
    edited February 2015

    Beachbum102, Awe, you have been through so much!!!!! Sounds like you have 2 moreTaxol left Yay almost done. I had a really hard time on A/C I ended up in the ER 2 times due to SOB and rapid heartbeat, that stuff is nasty. I know exactly what you mean about the fatigue that was so hard and there were day's I did not know how I would go on but I did and you will too❤️ Radiation really was a breeze compared to chemo so don't get to worked up over that, I some minor burning on my collar bone and they were quite aggressive because of all my positive nodes and my stage but it was really easy. I too thought I would never want recon but now that I am feeling better and not sure that I want to spend another hot summer with my prosthetic foobs I find myself facing yet another big decision. Take care and please keep us posted on how you are doing.

    Shary

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  • MartyJ
    MartyJ Member Posts: 1,859
    edited February 2015

    Shary - I know that it feels like "delayed" recon, but I think you will find more women than not go through treatment before recon. You are fortunate for the time you have to research thoroughly the kind of recon you want. There are a great many options from implants to free flap procedures. Your PS may do one and not another. Keeping your options open and talking to several PS may help you make the best decision for your body. Just know that there are women who have delayed 5 or more years and had very successful reconstruction.

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited February 2015

    Someone recently asked me if there was any advice that I would give someone that was diagnosed with breast cancer. Yes...my advice would be to deal with the cancer, surgery, chemo, radiation, etc., then give your body time to heal and your mind time to process. Take your time deciding on whether you want reconstruction or not, and if so, what type do you want. Then really research the who, what, where, when, and how of that. THEN deal with the getting back to your new normal! :)


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  • Lolis197138
    Lolis197138 Member Posts: 512
    edited February 2015

    Hi,

    I am seeing my PS next thursday to discuss my recon options (I only have 2 due to the radiation). I finished with radiation in November 2014 so I am only 3 1/2 months out of radiation but I am having a hard time deciding. I wouldn't do the recon until November 2015. Really not looking forward to the surgery and can't choose between DIEP and LD flap (both will need implants). 

    It's so difficult. I wouldn't do recon if it weren't for the limitations I find I have now. I should done a BMX instead of a UMX

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  • MartyJ
    MartyJ Member Posts: 1,859
    edited February 2015

    Lolis - you can still do a preventative mx on the remaining breast. I had implants for many, many years before I switched to DIEP. Absolutely love it. Warm, soft, squishy breasts. I preferred DIEP because it did not involve any muscle. The implants had caused problems and now I can work out, lift weights, be active. Just remember to give yourself lots of time to recover - don't push it.

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  • gavinsgrandma
    gavinsgrandma Member Posts: 407
    edited February 2015

    MartyJ and Tamiami, thank you both very much, I remember looking into the options that you both mentioned and I know my PS does both so I am going to check out his website and do some research. I agree 100% deal with the Cancer and all treatments and then in time make a decision, I am so glad that you both sound like you are doing well.😄

    Lolis, so glad you are done with active treatment, now comes the healing, I find there are so many levels to the healing process. July 7th was my last radiation and I am feeling really good (I still get tired easily though) but yesterday I just wanted to cry all day😪 This is a much harder journey back to ones self than anybody that has never gone through it can imagine, take care and please keep us posted.

    Shary

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