Calling all TNs

lovesgreenthings,

Depending upon the availability of good BS working with good Plastic Surgeon (PS) you could get a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction if you choose a very small implant size. This is what I did, no complications, none of the "fills" everyone gets tired of. Your BS does one mastectomy, the PS comes in and does the reconstruction on that breast while the BS tackles the second breast and then PS reconstructs the second breast and you are totally done except for healing.

I used to have large dense breasts and hated wearing a bra. Now my breasts are small, I no longer need a bra (ahhh!) and my breasts are much prettier than they used to be. I was 61 when I was diagnosed and because I had multiple tumors in different places in one breast, I did not have the lumpectomy choice. The only downside to me of the mastectomies is that I no longer have feelings in my breasts (sad for foreplay).

The only true choice is one that considers all options cognitively and then goes with what your heart says yes to. For everyone, the choice will be different--stay true to yourself.

Hugs,

Peggy

Thank you Cassy Lou!

I am having a revision surgery on Tuesday, the 27, to correct some scarring and cording from rads. Wish me luck!

Peggy,

Thank you for the feedback. I did meet with a PS this past Friday and he suggested just what you proposed with a "but" we may have to use TE's it all depends on what we see when we get there. Meaning, past radiated skin could be an issue for implants. He thought my skin looked good but that is the heavy thing weighing over me. Most important to me is not delaying the other treatments if possible. I do have lumpectomy option now and am probably going that direction at this point and will face the mastectomy choice down the road. I think having had time to consider all of this has helped a lot. Really want to focus on the chemotherapy part and get through that as healthy as I can while working full time. So much to consider as you well know. I love that you are happy with your new breasts!! Hearing something positive come out of this is music to my ears.

Thanks again for sharing.

Anne

Meadow,

My prayers goes with you on your surgery.

Meadow- I meant to say, "revision" surgery.....

Meadow, - may tomorrow go as easily as possible and with a speedy recovery!

Thank you to you and Luv and Annie Cathy and Shari and all here for the holiday wishes. All the same good wishes back to you from NYC!

Meadow, wishing a quick uneventful surgery with swift recovery!

Thank you all! Wearing big pockets, taking you all with me.

I could use happy thoughts today. I have my last chemo treatment Friday; double mastectomy next month followed by radiation. I'm freaking out to think that I'm ending chemotherapy - what if that's the only thing keeping this in check? Big anxiety and tears in the workplace. Ugh.

Age 42, triple negative, stage IIB, Grade 3, some lymph node involvement but not sure of the extent yet. Neoadjuvant chemotheraphy has been effective at shrinking the tumor, but it's still there...

And I really miss my eyebrows!

hi all. Hope everyone had a good holiday.

Meadow wishes for a speedy recovery. Please let us know how you are doing.

Anne I also chose lumpectomy with the option of mastectomy down the road. My tumor was under 1cm and I had large breasts so I didn't lose a lot of tissue. I did lose a lot of weight after treatment to get healthy and now after rads have one shorter tougher rad boob and one softer larger boob. If my 6 mo follow up mamo is ok in 2 weeks my bs will send me for a plastic surgery consult about reduction/lift.

Luvmyvizsla sorry about the rib pain. It is a delayed effect of rads. I had a pretty bad bout of costocondroitis 2 months ago that had severe rib pain. Please let your ro know about it. I waited too long to speak up at first and could have avoided a lot of pain.

Cathytoo yes to a good new year and great health!

Cocker sending love to you.

Madam Cocker,

Thank you ladies, I had a revision to the implant and surrounding skin, and I think it went really well! I was reluctant to have surgery, who wants that? But I have met my deductible this year, and it seemed logical. This surgery is nothing like what we went through the first time, at mastectomy....not at all. So far one day out, it is so much easier, and no drains! The surgeon took out scar tissue, replaced rhe alloderm, and replaced the implant. Or I should say repositioned the implant as he used the same one. I am optimistic for good resultsThank you all for your support, you all are the best.

Great to hear Meadow but don't overdo, especially in this season, you deserve to take it easy!

Meadow, - so happy to read your update! I agree with the others, - take it easy and don't over do! When do you go back for follow up with surgeon? Keep feeling better and better!

lovesgreenthings, You are so right, "This discussion board is a livesaver"! It has meant so much to me. Thank you all.