Diagnosed w/ Stage IV BC and Reconstructive Surgery

ChicagoGirl
ChicagoGirl Member Posts: 49
edited September 2015 in Breast Reconstruction

Hello Ladies,

My scheduled surgery for the latissmus dorsi flap surgery is Oct. 9th. Up until the I received the completed okay and scheduled surgery date I was content about having this done as I want to get back to feeling like me. Now anxiety is kicking in..

Thank you ladies for your feedback!

(()) ~Shanette

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  • mary625
    mary625 Member Posts: 1,056
    edited September 2015

    Hi Shanette. I was also a delayed reconstruction, as I see that you are. After so much treatment, I didn't want anything more at the time! On the bright side, while still a longish surgery, it will be shorter since you've had at least one mastectomy from what I see in your stats. Why specifically are you anxious? You mention Stage IV in your topic description. Are you nervous about seeking a reconstruction with Stage IV? I can't speak to it myself, but I think that I've seen other women here who have proceeded with it. You deserve to feel more like yourself, and if you think this will help and you don't mind the 4-6 week recovery, I'd say go for it. I have been happy with my results and feel much closer to normal. Nothing will replace a real breast especially in sensation, but the DIEP flap has given me firm, perky boobs that I never had before.

    If you have specific fears, let us know and we'll try to address them.
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  • ChicagoGirl
    ChicagoGirl Member Posts: 49
    edited September 2015

    Hi Mary and thank you!!

    My biggest concern is will having surgery make a good situation bad. I was diagnosed 3yrs ago with Stage IV BC with mets to the liver and spine. I had a mastectomy done 2yrs in November and completed radiation in March of 2014. Every since the mastectomy things have been great with no new cancerous cells seen and I would like it to remain that way. I'm just hoping the surgery will not cause any issues to arise.

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  • Law828
    Law828 Member Posts: 33
    edited September 2015

    Hi. I too am stage 4 and scheduled for diep in a few weeks. I was initially diagnose stage 3 but had it metastized to spine a year after treatment was completed. Treatment for spine was completed 1 1/2 year ago and everything is clear and all doctors I see have approved this surgery. I am nervous for many reasons but excited that I won't feel embarrassed within my own skin. I underst

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  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited September 2015

    i had my diep April 2012 and I am happy with results. I was afraid of the long surgery and discomfort. To me it was really doable not much pain at all. I would do it again in a heartbeat

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  • ChicagoGirl
    ChicagoGirl Member Posts: 49
    edited September 2015

    Law828, that's exactly how I feel... I have another appointment with the surgeon Wednesday 9/9 to ask any more questions I may have. I am feeling more confident and would very much like to be comfortable able in my own skin again.

    Meow13, that's another one of my anxieties, the time frame of the surgery. I was told it would be 6 to 8 hours as they will also due an augmentation to the left breast. I recovered from the mastectomy pretty well so I'm hoping the recovery will be about the same..

    Thank you!

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