Cancer Survivors Network

I read your "about me" section and wish I had your posivite attitue - I have to kick myself in the butt and get on with life - you are so right there are no guarantees in life. I see your having radiation after expanders - I was told I should'nt have implants if I'm having radiation but of course when I made by initial decision, I was told I wouldn't have to have radiation but now I do. My plastic surgeon wasn't too happy - what does your Plastic surgeon say about your reconstructive surgery after radiation?

I had to have all the expansions completed before the radiation began. I decided to go smaller. I was a D, now I'll be a C, which is fine with me. Anyway, my plastic surgeon told me that I wouldn't be able to have an implant after radiation, mainly because of scar tissue. I'll be having DIEP Flap surgery in December. He told me there was a 1%-3% chance that the surgery would fail. I figured those were pretty good odds. Hopefully, it'll be successful. Needless to say, I'm nervous, but ready to get on with it. I'm tired of this hard, uncomfortable blob stuck to my chest. My plastic surgeon wasn't real happy about the results of radiation either, but now that it's been nearly five months, things are looking better and he thinks we should be able to go ahead with the surgery. Keep me posted as to your progress, and do talk to your oncologist about your pain. Maybe they're adding too much saline at one time.

I have had my 4th expansion, so far total volume is 360 cc. I get 60cc every 14 days. I told my doc today that I was ready to be done with them. The pain, the spasms~ he reassured me that, "it is worth it. Soon, this will be a distant memory."

You are not alone. Hang in there.
JENNA