Reconstruction group-Nov-07

Hi  Jackie,

I like you had bil mast.  Mine was in Dec. 06.  Then I had chemo from Feb to July.  I had 12 weeks of Taxol and 4 doses of FAC(3 weeks in between the doses).  I also had micromets in the Sentinal nodes( 2 flecks of the dye in one and 1 fleck in the other node).  The doc at MD Anderson didn't know what that means, so he ordered a lymph node dissection when they did the mastectomies.  They looked at 12 nodes and they were all clear.  Oh yeah, I had a lumpectomy in Nov.06 with a diagnosis of ductal bc and being told I had a very small tumor and that I wouldn't need anything except Tamoxifen.  Long story short they made a mistake in the pathology and turned out to be lobular bc and large, 4.5cm and needed mastectomy and chemo.  I refused radiation.  Enough already!

They put my expanders in during surgery to remove breasts.  They found no cancer cells in the breast tissue they removed.

I have been told that this surgery is a "walk in the park" compared to mastectomy and chemo.  Also, my daughter just had her breast implants exchanged for another type.  She had it done on Fri. and went back to work on Monday.  Seems to me this would be a comparable surgery.

Good luck with your surgery.  I hope it is a piece of cake for you.

Hugs from Sammie Kay

Not sure whether this counts... I *thought* I'd be starting recon in November. My PS appt was in October, but it got cancelled due to the fires out here (in San Diego). At any rate, my consult is 11/26. I have no idea what kind of recon, but I wish I could explore the possibility of a TUG flap. Just hard to find someone who will do it (without it being out-of-pocket, that is).

Hi everyone.  I was wondering if anyone has had complications (such as infections/staph) during the reconstruction process.  I have done the expander/implant three (3) times and each time the final implant got infected.

Hi, Alaina:

That's a good point...so I guess I would have to pay up front, then try to appeal later?

I am doing great I am looking forward to returning to work tomorrow (although, I have been working from home since wednesday!).  Everything is going great!  I wish I could lie on my side when I sleep, but that is another matter.  The drains are still in, and I hope to get them out on wednesday.  I went out shopping yesterday, with my husband, he has been a wonder thru it all...I don't know what I would do with out him!  I am actually doing better than I expected.  I am in no pain at all!  The doctor actually did the tram flap from my side, and not from my back.  So I have a scar running under my arm, down my side.  I can lift my self up out of bed, and I don't have any movement problems at all!!  What a shock!  Had I known this was going to be this easy, I would have done it a long time ago!  I was worried, but no I find I had nothing to worry about.  The side with the implant is hard, and perky, and I have feeling in the nipple, (they told me I might lose the feeling), so that is a good thing.  All in all, it has been easier than the masectomy, which was pretty easy for me.  Not everyone is the same....

Dear November Recon Group:

GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU --- YOU ARE IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS!!!

My surgery has been bumped to December, if I'm lucky, so if & when a December Recon Group is formed, please add me.  Expected date is 12/19 for double DIEP or free TRAM.

Thanks.

Abby2

Mary, you will be in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow.  I know everything will go well.  From everything I have read you are going to the best place.  You are fortunate to live so close.

I chickened out on the lipo suction because I need to lose 30 lbs and if I lose that I may not need lipo.  But if I do I will go back and have that done.  For now it will be straight removal of tissue expanders and placement of cohesive silicone anatomical breast implants. I wish I would quit running this low grade fever. I am afraid it is going to be a problem and they will cancel my surgery.

Be sure and let us know now everything goes.  We will be anxiously waiting to hear from you.  Hugs, Sammie Kay

Hello everyone - kcq and mary - hope everthing went well and that you are comfortable.  Good luck to Alaina and Jackie.  I saw my ps today and had a suture removal.  He told me he put in about 60 cc's during surgery.  I have to be expanded to 800 cc's so it might take a while.  I found I got more relief from the muscle relaxant than from the vicodin.  Today was the first day that I haven't taken any meds, so hopefully everything will be smooth sailing from here on in.  I'm going to start fills in two weeks.  Maryann - are you having your surgery on Thanksgiving?  Anyway... hope everyone is doing well. - Sandy

Hi Mary Anne,

Thank you for your welcome note.  It's good to hear from another like me.

I meant to say mammaplasty (minimization) on my right, not mastopexy.

They removed about 2/3 of my right. According to my bone scan, I have arthritis in my shoulders and my sternum!  That's obviously from carrying the weight around all these years....Now the right can match the left once the implant has been finished.  You know, my tumor was approximately 4 cm x 6 cm x 5.5 cm, and no one felt it: not my primary, not my gyno, not me, not my surgeon, right up until the moment he removed the breast.  Pretty scary.  You try to do everything right, and it can still sneak up on you!  Anyways, you sound so positive and like you are doing well.  I'm looking forward to future communications!  Happy Thanksgiving!! 

Alaina, thanks for your info.  I appreciate it...enjoy your holiday!

Hi All-

Just wanted to let you know that all went well.  My surgery started around 2:15 on Monday afternoon, and I left the hospital around 9am on Tuesday.  I had breast revisions, nipple construction, abdominal revisions and a little outer thigh lipo.

For me, the most painful are the fresh incisions on my breasts, though they're along the same path as the old incisions, so at least I won't have a whole new set of scars.  My thighs feel a bit bruised, but nothing more, and my abdominal incisions are hardly noticable.  Unfortunately I have an abd drain, but it's not bothering me much and I hope to get that removed at my post-op appt on Monday.

Alaina, it was so good to meet you in NOLA.  I've been thinking of you today, and also Jackie and Fleur.  Drop us a line when you're up to it.  And kcq, how are you doing?  I would guess you're sore, but don't worry, it'll get better.

Happy Thanksgiving to all-

Mary

I'm home. A little sore, but no real pain.

Jackie and Fleurdelis, I hope everything went well for both of you and ya'll are feeling well.

Mary, it was really nice to meet you too and I'm glad to hear that you're still feeling pretty good.

Mary-Anne and GeeGee, good luck to both of you.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

God Bless,

Alaina

Mary-Anne - I know you won't get to read this 'til you are done, but I am sending prayers and positive thoughts your way today.  I know that Thanksgiving is not a Canadian holiday, but I am thankful for your efforts in keeping track of all of the November surgery gals, and for all the support and information available here at BC.org.  Even though I "lurk" far more often than I've posted in the last five years, this community has been a truly wonderful resource of strength for me.

My surgery went well, and I am home feeling only a bit sore today.  The one snag I had was an emergency that backed up my PS so my surgery did not start 'til 6:30 last night.  Going so long without anything to drink triggered a pre-op migraine, so I had nausea before and after surgery, but I am blessed that is all I have to complain about.

Mary, Alaina & Jackie, I hope that all of your procedures went as well, or better, than mine, and that you all, and Mary-Anne and Geegee, have a speedy recovery.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!  Fleur