Newly diagnosed

bev983
bev983 Member Posts: 9
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Will be going for mastectomy and reconstruction at the same time. Would like to chat with others who experienced this. My prayers are with all. Thank you

Comments

  • cfinch42
    cfinch42 Member Posts: 5
    #2
    Dear bev983,
    What kind of reconstruction will you be having? On April 11 I had a modified radical (left) with a tissue expander at the same time. I'm going in for my first saline fill on Monday, May 6 and will return to work on Tues May 7. I've been very fortunate and have had a very quick recovery. So far with the expander, I have experienced very little discomfort - and I'm not even sure if that discomfort is from the expander and maybe just from the surgery itself. I understand some pressure will be felt during fills, but it is minimal. I hope you have the same good experience I have - plus I have a wonderful plastic surgeon to work with that cleared his schedule with 1 week notice in order to work with my surgeon. Good luck to you and god bless. CherylF
  • cruf
    cruf Member Posts: 908
    #3
    Hi, Welcome to this site. I had a mastectomy and Tram Flap reconstruction on Sept. 11,2000. You can read my bio to get the specifics. I would love to chat. You can e-mail me here or at RPT1206@aol.com. When is your surgery? What type of reconstruction will you be having? Looking foward to hearing from you soon. HUGS!! Cathy
  • nasa2537
    nasa2537 Member Posts: 311
    #4
    Hi...I just wanted to write and let you know you have a lot of support here. I can't realte to what you will be going through, as I had a lumpectomy. But, I still know the fear of the unknown. Do you have Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book? It's sold at bookstores, and some libraries carry it...especially cancer center libraries. We like to call it the breast cancer Bible. It's very informative, and takes a lot of the "unknown" out of the picture. I certainly wish you all the best, and will say a special prayer for you. Please keep us posted on your progress. Cyndi
  • bev983
    bev983 Member Posts: 9
    #5
    cruf said:

    Hi, Welcome to this site. I had a mastectomy and Tram Flap reconstruction on Sept. 11,2000. You can read my bio to get the specifics. I would love to chat. You can e-mail me here or at RPT1206@aol.com. When is your surgery? What type of reconstruction will you be having? Looking foward to hearing from you soon. HUGS!! Cathy

    Hi Cathy,

    Thanks for answering me. I'll be seeing my plastic surgeon for the first time this week,then will be having the reconstruction the same time as mastectomy.What type of treatment did you have? Looking forward to hearing from you again and god bless. Bev
  • cruf
    cruf Member Posts: 908
    #6
    bev983 said:

    Hi Cathy,

    Thanks for answering me. I'll be seeing my plastic surgeon for the first time this week,then will be having the reconstruction the same time as mastectomy.What type of treatment did you have? Looking forward to hearing from you again and god bless. Bev

    Hi Bev. I had a Tram Flap reconstruction. This is where they use your abdominal muscles and fat and tunnel them under your abdomen and form a breast. It is all your own tissue. You don't need an implant. There are less rejections with your own tissue. At the same time they do the surgery you get a tummy tuck which is the best part. I lost 20 lbs and 2-3 pant sizes with this whole ordeal! It was a long and uncomfortable process but it was well worth it. I didn't need chemo or radiation. I am taking Tamoxifen for 5 years. The only thing I feel from that are hot flashes but I'd rather have them than Cancer! Good luck with your visit. Keep in touch! HUGS!! Cathy
  • banker
    banker Member Posts: 317 Member
    #7
    Hi, my name is Emmi, I had a mastectomy, chemo and reconstruction. Glad you are doing all at once. I waited until I was done with chemo. What kind of reconstruction are you having? I had the tram flap. I am 58 years old, had everything done 3 years ago. Love the results. Have just been diagnosed again on the other side with DCIS, had a lumpectomy, just finished radiation and will start chemo in about 2 weeks. You can contact me if you have questions re; reconstruction right here at the site. I wish you the best. Hugs...Emmi
  • cruf
    cruf Member Posts: 908
    #8
    banker said:

    Hi, my name is Emmi, I had a mastectomy, chemo and reconstruction. Glad you are doing all at once. I waited until I was done with chemo. What kind of reconstruction are you having? I had the tram flap. I am 58 years old, had everything done 3 years ago. Love the results. Have just been diagnosed again on the other side with DCIS, had a lumpectomy, just finished radiation and will start chemo in about 2 weeks. You can contact me if you have questions re; reconstruction right here at the site. I wish you the best. Hugs...Emmi

    Hi Emmi! Just wondered why you need chemo with DCIS? I had it and had lumpectomy then mastectomy with reconstruction. Because the lymph nodes aren't involved because it is noninvasive BC I was told chemo was not necessary! Did you have a 2nd type of Cancer as well? I'm 50 and also had Tram Flap and am pleased with the results(5 surgeries later!). Good luck with your treatment. Would love to chat with you. My e-mail address is RPT1206@aol.com. HUGS!! Cathy
  • bev983
    bev983 Member Posts: 9
    #9
    banker said:

    Hi, my name is Emmi, I had a mastectomy, chemo and reconstruction. Glad you are doing all at once. I waited until I was done with chemo. What kind of reconstruction are you having? I had the tram flap. I am 58 years old, had everything done 3 years ago. Love the results. Have just been diagnosed again on the other side with DCIS, had a lumpectomy, just finished radiation and will start chemo in about 2 weeks. You can contact me if you have questions re; reconstruction right here at the site. I wish you the best. Hugs...Emmi

    Hi Emmi

    Thank you for your response. I am 56. This doesn't run in my family and I was devastated., but thank god for chat groups and support clubs you feel your not alone. I don't know yet what type of reconstruction. I will be seeing the plastic surgeon this week. Thank you for your concern will keep you posted. Keep in touch as well, Hugs, and prayers as well.

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