December 2017 Surgery Group

hello.. I am going to have nipple reconstruction surgery done on 12/12. Already been threw 2 duct surgery then had a mastectomy last year. Finally found a PS that will do my nipple reconstruction. Must say I am a 49yr. Old male.. they are doing the surgery where they will make my nipple from the skin on my chest. Does anyone know what to expect..I was informed of the 3D tattooing but want a real nipple..they said there was no cancer but had no idea on why I was having this bad growth on the nipple... Sorry if I am in the wrong group... But no where to find info for men or where else to turn..so any help would be great...thanks

Hi! My surgery is 12/8. I'm having the BMX, OOPH along with DIEP reconstruction. Hinken, I haven't had any type of chemo-- sorry I can't be of more help. How are you feeling about your surgery? I'm nervous but I know I need to just bite the bullet and get it over with.

Lexica, I have the BRCA1 mutation and a long list of a cancer in my family so the OOPH was basically a no brainer for me especially since I already have cancer. Plus it was highly recommended. I asked if both could be done at the same time. One BS told me they couldn't do it at the same time but my current BS told me they could. My BS connects with a GYN that specializes in cancer and they work together on these kinds of procedures. If you are having a DIEP they can do the OOPH at the same time. I'm sure if they will do it at the same time if you are having tissue expanders but it can't hurt to ask. Having the OOPH now vs later is up to you. Are the doctors recommending it? Are you certain you are done having children? That's one thing to consider-- and the fact that you'll be go right into surgical menopause. It's a lot to consider.

I think I will join this group since my surgery is scheduled for November 30th. I am scheduled to have BMX with axillary node dissection since one node was positive prior to chemo but I am going to join a trial where they will take only sentinel nodes, test while I'm on the table and if they test positive will randomize me to either 2/3 of my nodes anyway plus radiation or just radiation. .if the sentinels test negative they will just have taken those but I'm opting for radiation regardless based on my her2 + status. I want to take every precaution for recurrence.

Sopho I understand. We are losing a part of our bodies and no matter how great the reconstruction it will never be the same. I've had moments at work that I've broken down in my office when things hit me out of the blue. I'm nervous as well but I try to rest knowing I'm doing all I can with what I have. Some things I can prepare for and others I can't and I just have to accept that. I see you have a long ride home. An 8 hr drive is enough to make anyone nervous! Have you thought about staying in a hotel for a day or so after the surgery to make sure you are up for the ride? A friend who had BMX and DIEP said she felt every bump on the ride home. Since you're only having BMX, be sure to bring pillows for your breasts.

MBPooch and hhuey- best wishes on your surgery!

Acesmith, I also am having the same procedure on the same date. I have my pre-op tomorrow. I’m not BRAC1 positive, but scared as hell. I had a second tumor found from anMRI in same breast. We will get through this!

Have scheduled my BMX for December 13. I have the benefit of being an employee of the health center and worked previously with the surgical teams who will operate on me. I have high confidence in them however it doesn’t quell the concern for the unknown and the what-ifs We’re all on quite a journey, so glad I’ve found all of you to travel with.

Sue

Hi Samp7-

Welcome! We're so glad you've joined us, and we hope you find this community to be a source of support. You might be interested in our reconstruction forum, for after your upcoming surgery: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44.

We wish you the best of luck on your surgery, please keep us posted. Looking forward to seeing you on the boards!

The Mods

Thanks for the welcome Moderator and Lula73.

Thanks for the info Lula73. Although I would love to have natural tissue reconstruction, the other thing I don't like is the time difference between the two type of reconstruction. I was told there's could be about an 8 hours difference, and a three-day stay in the hospital instead of one day. Plus, I'm hoping for a 'one and done' type deal here. My PS can do a direct implant, but it will leave me a cup size smaller. The cancer has steered clear of the nipples so it looks like my BS will do a cut under the boobs to remove the cancer and then the PS will follow with implants. Fingers crossed that it will all go as smoothly as it sounds.

6 months after my diagnosis, I finally get to join a surgery group! After this much time, I could not be more excited to get this stuff out of my body. I recently completed 20 weeks of neoadjuvant AC+T chemo - it wasn't a lot of fun, but it wasn't terrible either. I get a break of 5 weeks to allow my body time to recover before my double mastectomy and reconstruction in mid December. This means I'll probably still have drains in place for Christmas, so we'll just plan on a laid back, low key celebration this year. That's all I want or need anyway!

Welcome CurlyN! I hear you about Christmas. I was just wondering if any of the December Surgery Group will NOT be putting up Christmas decorations this year. For the first time in 22 years, I won't be decorating. Mainly because I know I won't be able to take it down until mid February due to my upcoming surgery. Christmas decoration at my house is generally extensive, but not this year.

I suppose my son, who will be home from college on the 21st, could do something if he really wanted to, but it would be sad -- just sad. My sister is flying down for the first two weeks post surgery. She will probably want to put up some decorations (she's another fanatic), but she won't be here to take it down, so like the Grinch, I'm going to have to say 'NO' to that. It's going to a different kind of Christmas.

Acesmith- we are in the same situation. I too have the gene and a long list of family members with breast or ovarian cancer so I'm having my ovaries removed the same day as well. And I'm ready to get this over with as well!

MsP- My cancer is in the left breast and post biopsy it was very sore and it seems to still be more sensitive then the right breast. Not sure if that helps or not.

CurlyN and Maitri- Welcome to the group!

I'm working my 9-5 job through Thursday of next week and now I feel like that was a poor decision. The office work load just seems to be adding up--- not decreasing. Plus my apt is a wreck. I live alone so I'm also trying to make sure my care team is in place (I have 8 different people helping me for two weeks after surgery-- 5 of them are from out of town Yikes!), cook healthy foods, do laundry, change my office to some sort of guest room, grade papers for my online class, complete work for a grant writing client........ oh and rest. Not to mention handle other issues with my out of town family. I totally underestimated how just the thought of cancer and surgery would weigh on me and distract me. Sigh.........I'm ready for this to be over!

Hi All:

I am scheduled for lumpectomy w/ sentinel node biopsy on Dec 7.

All I want for Christmas is my path report so I know what will happen next. This waiting and wondering is NOT fun.

Dance

faithwalker- thank you for the well wishes..everything went good with surgery ..BMX (prophelactic ) on the left , sentinel nodes on both sides but maybe 1 or 2 additional on the right because when she tried to take one there was a little clump of one or 2 that came with it. I am in a binder today with 4 drains but I am already home which is nice. I was very nauseous coming out of anesthesia but am feeling much better today. No reconstruction for me ..just want to heal and move forward

My WBC count was 6.09 but was 3.34 in October at the end of chemo so it's come up quite a bit.

BonneChance, i know all too well what you’re going through. I finally had my surgeon subscribe Xanax for times I really need to calm down and rest. I’d wait and see what your MRI comes back with before making ANY decisions. I was only getting a lumpectomy, but lo and behold the MRI found another same size tumor that hadn’t shown on all the other million mammograms and 2 ultrasounds prior. Don’t be in a hurry to make a decision on what you decide to do. Just gather all the information and bring someone with you to your appointments with the surgeon! It’s good to have another set of ears and eyes so you can make sure you get everything processed. It’s a lot to take in when you are the patient. One thing that’s been the most difficult thing in all of this has been the waiting on test results. I’m not patient by nature and this has just about pushed me over the edge with waiting.

Hang in there. You’re not alone in this. Hugs.