Managing Serious Chronic Illness and Breast Cancer / Reconstruction

beyourbestself

Hi, I'm new to this community. Currently undergoing chemo for breast cancer, stage 2b, also in my lymp nodes.

I am a mom in my 40s, with 2 great young children. I also have lupus, reflexive sympathetic dystrophy, fibromyalgia, and esophogeal disease among other issues. Up until now my health issues were an everyday part of my life that sometimes required adjusting my expectations but generally allowed me a pretty full life.

Now I'm terrified because I really want to consider a DIEP flap reconstruction but think it may be way too much to handle with my health, let alone 2 young kids.

Historically my health issues create much longer and more painful surgical recovery processes than a "typical" patient.

Looking at an upcoming bilateral masectomy then radiation then reconstruction.

I'm wondering if anyone else in this community is managing their care on top of any other serious health issues and how it has or has not impacted your decisions about reconstruction?

Looking to also create a peer support network for women managing their cancer care on top of other major health issues  - Lupus, MS, MD, etc.

If anyone knows anyone who has been down this road or is going down it now, please reach out. I know I cannot be alone.

 

Thank you!

Phoebesnow

Undiagnosed movement disorder

i have a list of ongoing health issues.  I decided on instant reconstruction because I have a hard time recovering from any procedure.  I recovered from the double masectomy, instant reconstruction relatively quickly compared to other procedures.   My doctor said that this is because the breasts are outside the body...so it’s not so invasive On other systems.   I did a lot of research and found government studies regarding glutamine and radiation damage. I also took collagen and creamed regularly with the best cream I could afford.   I am not perfect but I can look in the mirror and feel ok.   I’m feeling darn good overall...a year out  from  surgery and 10 months out from radiation  Good luck!

ataxia

COPD

 neuropathy

skin cancer

anal cancer

breast Cancer multifocal and multcentric

extreme body cramps and pain

twisted colon

diverticulitis

history of precancerplus polyps

history of precancerous cervix

 

haha  just turned sixty!  Keep moving...that’s the best medicine in the healing proces.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ccreel64

Cancer and other health conditions

Hi Beyourbestself,

I'm so glad you voiced your concerns. Multiple preexisting conditions can certainly complicate things, can't they?

I'm 55, have had diabetes (type 2 requiring insulin) for 31 years, and have an unspecified blood clotting disorder that's caused multiple hospitalizactions for PE, DVT, and a stroke. 

 

Between those two issues, I opted not to have breast reconstruction with it's possibility of multiple operations. For me, the one and done of going flat after a double mastectomy made the most sense, and made for one less thing to go wrong (important mentally for me).