Member Since: June 26, 2006
Last Login: May 19, 2008
Location: FL
Occupation:
Biography
Diagnosis
| Diagnosis: | Dx 11/10/2003, IDC, 2cm, Stage II, Grade 3, 0/5 nodes, ER+/PR- |
| Diagnosed: | November 10, 2003 |
| Type: | Invasive or Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma |
| Recurrent? | No recurrence |
| Metastatic? | No |
| Stage: | Stage II |
| Lymph Nodes Removed: | 5 |
| Positive Lymph Nodes: | 0 |
| Tumor Size: | 2cm-2.9cm |
| Tumor Grade: | Grade 3 or high grade |
| Hormone Receptor Status: | Tumor has estrogen receptors but not progesterone receptors |
| HER2/neu Status: |
Recent Posts by JoGarrett
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Mar 19, 2008 06:33 pm
Had Unilateral Mastectomy - charged for Bilateral Mammography !Apologies ahead of time, I just have to vent. How in the world does the the breast center even think they did a bilateral mammo? It's NOT breast tissue. Crazy. Ok, I think that my DIEP breast looks good even though it has no nipple and a very visible football-shaped scar. In fast the tech that did the mammo said it was the best flap she has ever seen! I originally had an MRI (on both) to check and/or get a baseline 2 months after my last surgery. They saw something on the good side so I followed up with the mammo and ultra-sound. But they only checked the non-DIEP side. Today I was looking at the bill and the description of services is "mammography bilateral". I called and was told that the orders were for bilateral and that normally both breasts are done on a mammo. I think I shook her up when I said that it would have been impossible since I had a uni-mastectomy in 2003! Anyway, she requested to have the center review the films. She was not sure if there would be a difference in cost but I think it should be HALF PRICE! I wonder if this is not the first time something like this happens and how many people get overcharged with things like this. JoAnne Dx 11/10/2003, IDC, 2cm, Stage II, Grade 3, 0/5 nodes, ER+/PR- |
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Jan 29, 2008 09:19 am
DIEP flap post implant reconstructionYes, yes and yes! I had a lift with implant on non-cancer side and a uni with expander that was replaced by implant 6 months later. Had rads shortly after which contributed to capsular contracture. I dealt with the cc for over a year when I finally found Dr Rosenberg in Gainesville FL that did DIEP and accepted my insurance. He did a wonderful job. Last week, the mammo tech said it was the best she'd ever seen. A few months later I decided to have an implant placed on the DIEP side to match the size as I did not have quite enough tissue. I went with silicone and replaced the good side also with silicone. What a difference! I don't regret it one bit! I love it! It still needs a bit of tweaking (maybe a tad bit bigger implant) and then a nipple but I am so happy with it! PM if you want. JoAnne Dx 11/10/2003, IDC, 2cm, Stage II, Grade 3, 0/5 nodes, ER+/PR- |
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Jan 17, 2008 12:32 am
DIEP and Implant??????Another definite YES. This past September I also had an implant added to my DIEP breast to match the other side. I am very happy with the results. JoAnne Dx 11/10/2003, IDC, 2cm, Stage II, Grade 3, 0/5 nodes, ER+/PR- |
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Jan 15, 2008 09:22 am
Doc in Florida?My PS is Dr Jason Rosenberg in Gainesville. He is awesome. Although he does do other ps procedures, breast reconstruction is what he loves to do. I searched him out after I had complications from recon. I had uni-masectomy with immediate expander and then implant. Unfortunately rads came into the picture before the implant exchange that was followed by capsular contracture shortly afterward. I was close to deciding to just remove all the recon when I found Dr Rosenberg. Luckily he accepted my insurance, 1st Health, and if not they will work with you. His staff are wonderful and have no trouble dealing with your insurance if need be. Due to the cc, there was a large gap between rads and my DIEP but I've heard some waiting 6 months - 1 year after rads. The longer you wait the better the results because the skin has more time to heal. I live in the Tampa Bay area and believe the 3 hour drive to Gainesville is well worth the trip. Even for a quick checkup. I don't want any local ps touching me if they are not familiar with DIEP procedure. JoAnne Dx 11/10/2003, IDC, 2cm, Stage II, Grade 3, 0/5 nodes, ER+/PR- |
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Nov 23, 2007 06:58 pm
Show off your PSMy ps is Dr. Jason Rosenberg http://floridadiep.com/aboutrosenberg.htm Had uni-DIEP in February '07 after 1 1/2 years of capsular contracture. I am so grateful for finding him and I am extremely happy with his work! JoAnne Dx 11/10/2003, IDC, 2cm, Stage II, Grade 3, 0/5 nodes, ER+/PR- |
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Nov 12, 2007 11:04 pm
Breasts don't m atch after DIEPMy diep breast did not match after Stage 1 so I had an implant added on Stage 2. I will probably have another tweak after January (I've had enough this year!) I am not expecting an exact match but it's getting there. I originally had an implant with rads and then ... capsular contracture, so my skin is not the best and I still have some scar tissue to deal with. Once I am happy with the results, then and only then, will I get nipples. I want to make sure they are looking in the same direction! If I can't get a close enough match then I may get some other style of tattoo to hide the scars. JoAnne Dx 11/10/2003, IDC, 2cm, Stage II, Grade 3, 0/5 nodes, ER+/PR- |
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Oct 17, 2007 10:19 pm
How long did you wait between stage 1 and stage 2 DIEP?I had Stage 1 last February and Stage 2 was 5 weeks ago. I had to wait a little longer than most because I previously had rads and from what I understand, radiated skin takes longer to heal and stretch etc. JoAnne |
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Oct 7, 2007 08:59 pm
Implants after DIEPHi I had my DIEP done in February. Didn't have enough tissue to match the other side so 3 1/2 weeks ago during stage 2, I had a silicone implant added. So far so good. JoAnne |
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Oct 6, 2007 09:28 pm
Mast + rads + reconstructionHi Joanne, I had a mastectomy with immediate recon using an expander then started chemo. Before I started rads I had the expander exchanged for a saline implant. It was symmetrical at that time. A month into rads I noticed the implant heading north. I ended up having capsular contracture, which I dealt with for at least 1 1/2 yrs while I thought about the DIEP procedure. I had several insurance changes which kept changing my chances of getting DIEP within Florida. Travelling out of state was not financially feasible for me. In February I was finally able to do get it done. I did not have enough tissue to match my other breast, so 3 weeks ago I had a silicone implant added to the DIEP. I am very happy with the results and if I had to, I would do all over again. The 3-hour drive to each doctor appointment is well worth it. Good luck, from another JoAnne! |
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Aug 2, 2007 10:20 pm
Free-Tram Flap in Tampa Bay, FL areaHi,
I live in Dunedin (Clearwater area). I also had DIEP done by Dr. Jason Rosenberg in Gainesville. I am very pleased. It is definitely worth the 2 1/2-3 hour drive. You can PM me if you want. |
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Jul 30, 2007 07:21 pm
Implant Reconstruction Prior To RadiationSue Ellen,
First welcome to the site. Sorry you have a reason to visit. You can learn alot from the women here, I know I have. I had immediate recon after uni-mastectomy. Expanders and then exchanged for an implant. I was unaware at the time that I fell in the zone where I might have radiation following chemo. I chose to have the rads to help my odds against the cancer. Unfortunately, the implant and my tissue did not hold up well and I ended up having capsular contracture. Very hard. Very painful. 1 1/2 years following treatment I had DIEP done. I wish I had done it from the beginning! I wish you the very best in your journey and hope the odds are with you. |
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Jul 25, 2007 09:07 am
DIEP in FloridaAs far as I know Moffitt does not do DIEP. They do Trams. You might want to check with Sue F of the FORCE board, she would have the inside scoop if this has recently changed.
I had mine done in Gainesville by Dr. Jason Rosenberg. He does DIEP and accepts insurance. |
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Jul 18, 2007 06:24 am
Anyone had Rads then DIEP with Implant?BUMP - still looking.....
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Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Jul 10, 2007 08:21 pm
Anyone had Rads then DIEP with Implant?Hi everyone!
In February I had diep after having capsular contracture from rads. Stage 2 has been delayed because of the irradiated skin. My natural side has a saline implant and the diep is smaller in size as I did not have much donor tissue. I am so much happier and more comfortable since the diep! I see my doc the end of the month and we will begin discussing Stage 2. An implant may be needed. Some of the recon pics on his site have silicone implants and I have spoken to one of his patients who had Diep w/silicone implant following rads. I am worried about recurrance of capsular contracture and of the horrors I have heard about silicone. I am also concerned with the outline of the implant showing on a small diep breast. I would appreciate any input on any of these issues. I just dont know what I want to do next, if I do anything at all. |
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Jun 19, 2007 08:51 am
Free Flap Surgeries - What Did You Pay?My doctor is in-network so insurance paid for DIEP. My out-of-pocket max is $1000 which I had to pay prior to surgery along with my $250 deductible. Luckily I have an FSA (flexible spending acct) which means the payments come out of my paycheck.
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Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Help Me Get Through Treatment, Created: Sep 4, 2006 06:33 am
Worst Thing Someone Said To You?This is not related to my BC diagnosis but to one of my reconstruction surgery. I had to have an x-ray of my chest prior to my exchange surgery.
The x-ray techs (I think there were 3 of them) took the pics and then disappeared for awhile. 2 finally came back and one of them asked "What do you got in there?" Now this was in the hospital, expanders can't be that rare for someone in the medical field not to know what it was. I felt like Frankenstein at that very moment. |
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Help Me Get Through Treatment, Created: Aug 13, 2006 07:44 pm
How old were you?Diagnosed at 39, no 42. 1st mammo. Calcifications. 5 tumors that did not show on mammo. No history.
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