July 2015 Surgery Sisters

I'll join you... I posted on the June group and was completely ignored...

The BS and PS are still working on putting together a surgery date. I will be having a BMX with the DIEP Flap. It probably won't happen until the 1st week of July. I had a Breast MRI last week and have completed the genetic testing... It came back Negative. This is my 2nd primary Cancer in less than 3 years... I had stage 3 signet ring Cancer of the colon/appendix.

I'd love to know what to expect with the DIEP a flap

Hi! I'll join you, too. My surgery is set for July 17th. I have become a little grouchy since the date became firm. I think it's all finally hitting me.

I am having BMX.. skin, nipple, areola sparing and immediate recon. with alloderm and 850cc implants, subpectoral (I already have implants, so no TE needed).

Supposed to be an 8 hr surgery. Yikes. I'm nervous but finding some strength somewhere soon, I hope

Hi Ladies,

The decision to go with the DIEP Flap was a difficult one. I was dx on 3/27/15 and am just getting to surgery in July. I have a strong family history of breast cancer so my oncologist suggested we have the genetic testing run....that took about a month. We also did some testing (CT scan and labs with several markers run) to ensure that my Signet Ring Appendix Cancer is still NED. The genetic testing and the others tests all came back with good results so I was referred to the same surgeon that did my hemicolectomy. I saw him, we discussed the options and then I went home to think about it. He was a good choice for the appendix/colon surgery but he is not a breast surgeon and he had little experience with lump or mastectomy w/immediate reconstruction. From seeing my grandmother and my aunt post mastectomy and post lumpectomy w/no reconstruction - I knew that I wanted reconstruction right away.

While I thought about it, I started to ask other women who had been through this what they chose. I had two friends who also had DCIS choose a flap. One who had done a lumpectomy, followed by radiation - she was dx again with DCIS and had to have a mastectomy because she had had radiation before. Another friend of a friend went in for a lumpectomy and had to have 2 re excisions to get clear margins. All of these women suggested that in get a 2nd opinion from a BC surgeon.

So, I made my appointment with the BC surgeon. She went over everything with me, we looked at my mammograms and she showed me several areas that had the DCIS...we talked about the size of the area that would need to be removed in a lumpectomy and the possibility that even more tissue might need to be removed to get clear margins. We also discussed the different flaps and reconstruction choices. After having 2 children, I have enough abdominal area to do a DIEP flap - but the PS still needed to confirm that it could be done in light of my previous abdominal surgeries.

After seeing the BC surgeon, I had an MRI of the Breast and my previous abdominal CT scans were sent to the PS to evaluate blood flow. I met w/my PS - and he said that I should be a good candidate for either a lumpectomy or the flap. I knew that if I went w/the mastectomy that I was not interested in an implant - I don't wan to have to go through the expanders and at 48, I don't want to have to go through replacing them every 10-15 years. He said that I could go with either the lump or the MX.

So my decision was based on...family history (even though negative for genetics), very dense breasts, previous Cancer dx (not wanting to have to monitor for and think about2 different cancers), issues with sensitivity of skin (allergic to tegaderm and other adhesives), not wanting to do 6 weeks of radiation and deal w/potential issues, wanting to reduce the risk of it coming back and having more peace of mind, just wanting to get this over with, larger area than I was comfortable with having removed in a lumpectomy, the need for the other Breast to have work done to achieve symmetry, having enough abdominal tissue to do the flap without having to use much muscle, and not wanting to do tissue expanders and have implants that would need to be replaced in 10-15 years. Also, my PS and BC Surgeon are very experienced in the procedure.

So much to think about.... And now I will have even more time to think about it.... They won't be able to do surgery until July 27th.... Both Drs have vacations planned in June/July

Thank you, Ispy! I feel like my friends go cross-eyed when I explain everything to them and just don't quite understand the whole experience. It's so nice to have someone that understands the whole process. I hope everything goes well for everyone! It is definitely going to be an interesting recovery with a 2 year old and 6 year old, but I guess it will be my time to catch up on the rest that I have missed out on for the past 6 years . My husband will get a little extra bonding time with them...and I am sure they will be little angels for him.

Sailorgirl, the internet is such an extreme mix of positive and negative information. I honestly believe, like you said, it is a lot like restaurant reviews....if you had a good experience, you tell a couple of people. If you have a horrific experience, you want as many people as possible to know. I read the book that my doctor gave me on reconstruction, and I started googling different things because I had questions that I wanted answers to (and this always seems to happen late at night, when the house is quiet and I am allowed to let my mind wander). Well, I would find answers, but they were peppered with horror stories. Next thing ya know, it's 2 a.m. and I am tallying up a list of complications. That is when I told myself that I would only do small doses of researching. Also, YOU GOT THIS! I am telling you, attitude makes a world of difference, and attack mode is a great attitude to have. Stay positive, and if you ever need to vent, we are all here for you!!

Baddygirl, thanks so much for posting! It is great to hear from someone who has been through it. Very, very helpful.

Welcome to BCO

Thank you ladies,They monitor the bloodflow by running an ultrasound scanner over the site where they connected the blood vessels. My PS marked the spot with an X during the operation so the nurses always knew where to look. They are listening out for the sound of the blood flowing through the vessel. It sounds a bit like a heartbeat. They will keep doing it at regular intervals to make sure everything is OK.

I finish 5 months of chemo in a week. I have a BMX with TE scheduled for July 31st. I don't know yet if I will need rads after surgery yet, but it is looking like not. DIEP Flap recon will not be until February of next year.

Phew! I just finished a marathon week of appointments and tests. Found out results of MRI which concurred with original diagnosis. I think that means they only found the one tumor/area. I had a genetic saliva test today (waiting 8-10 days for that) and a PET scan. Getting all my ducks in a row to have lumpectomy on July 6th. Oh, and the MO put me on Femara too! I don't think I've done all that much this week, but I'm pretty tired!! Has anyone here taken Femara? He says he feels better with me on that while we wait for surgery. Any feedback about any side effects? Thanks!

Oh I forgot to say that if you are getting side effects that are hard to deal with, my oncologist said that there are alternatives. So if things start to get difficult you can go and have a chat with the MO and see if they can give you anything else instead.

Hi again. Just found out that I tested negative for the gene mutations!! Great news!

So many ladies here now! I'm glad we have our July surgery thread going. I'm feeling a little more positive about the surgery now. Earlier this week, I went into a "why me" pity party and also feeling pretty angry that I have to deal with this. Reality check time! I am thankful that what I am dealing with is not invasive cancer and reading the threads about Penny and Claire and how valiantly they fought, gave me perspective.

Good luck ladies. We are all going to be okay!!