hostanut

   Yes, rads can make re-con. diffiicult.  I had rads following lumpectomy, and when I finally opted for DIEP flap procedure, Dr. Hijjawi had to be rather aggressive in removing the irradiated tissue (some didn't even bleed).  Had I known before what I know now, I would have skipped the lumpectomy and rads, and gone straight for mast. with immediate DIEP flap re-con (that's unilaterally).  Good luck to you!     Nancy

Beth777

       I'm really feeling good these days, but the abdomen still feels a bit like there's a rubber band around it.   My ps doesn't recommend Mederma or anything that doesn't have studies connected to it, for scar care.  I THOUGHT you could use and re-use that silicone sheeting, but wasn't sure how that was possible.  Guess I'll find out when I see it.  Are you talking cleaning off the sheeting, or the scar?  And if you're talking sheeting, do you just wipe it off with a damp cloth, or what?  Glad you're paving the way, because I really want to beg some off the doc, as long as he mentioned it in the first place (maybe it's because I've been a referral source for him!)   Anyway, thanks for the info.  In the meantime, I'll massage with the cocoa butter stuff.   Nancy

When I had my hysterectomy at age 42 back in '90, my GYN said, "No ovaries, no ovarian Ca."  Well, I guess having been diagnosed with breast Ca in '06, I was glad I'd had my ovaries out at the same time, as that's one less thing to produce estrogen (and my Ca was ER/PR +).  Those words just came out of my mouth to my husband over the weekend.  As long as you're having some menopause symptoms anyway, I'd say to get rid of them, especially with bc......no matter how innocuous it may seem.  Hope this helps.   Best of luck.  Nancy

  I DID have a lumpectomy, followed by radiation.  After a yr., and a deep scar on a small breast, I opted for implants bilaterally.  All was great for 6 weeks, when my irradiated breast contracted, making the breast shoved, tight, and tender.  I waited another yr., and for my own comfort and peace of mind, I went ahead and had a mastectomy completion with immediate DIEP flap re-con.

I now feel like the breast I have is my own, and am glad I did it.  If I knew before what I know now, I would have just had the mast. with immediate DIEP re-con., but alas........we get more informed as we make our way through this journey called cancer. I guess I just had to evolve.    Nancy

Jerri,

      My grade was 1 and stage IIa because of the size.  I'm 60 now and was diagnosed at 58, so that was a factor in my consideration of chemo or not.  Yes, I am on Arimidex and the first autumn I was on it, my hands felt stiff in the AM, but seemed better as the day wore on.  I AM getting older, and so now I tend to have stiffness other places as the weather turns colder (in WI) but I have had no major problems with the Arimidex.  I started on Tamoxifen but developed an all-over rash......due to a drug-drug interaction with Singulair.  All my docs were scratching their heads, till I saw my allergist the following spring and he told me why that happened.  In the meantime I'd been switched to Arimidex and all's well.  Hope all goes well for you, too!   Nancy

  Personally, I would feel more confident by going for the mastectomy.  I had an original lumpectomy with radiation, but after various circumstances, decided on a mastectomy completion with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction.  I'm glad I did.   Take care......Nancy

  Annie,

       How did things go?  Are you home?  Yes, I'm 60 and had a unilateral mastectomy completion with immediate DIEP, and I couldn't be happier.

Hope your experience is as good as mine.    Nancy

   The average is 4-5 days.......I was out in 4.  For the 1st 48 hrs., they'll check your blood flow in the flap (by Doppler) every hour to make sure they hear the nice swoosh of good blood supply there.  I was totally pleased with the outcome.......going from a contracted breast due to irradiation post-lumpectomy, to a mast. completion with immediate DIEP flap re-con.  I finally feel like the breast on my chest belongs to me!!  My muscle wasn't compromised in the least, as my perforators wrapped around the muscle, rather than going through it.....a nice surprise, that didn't affect the muscle at all. (I keep forgetting to ask when I can try crunches, but I'm sure they'd be no problem, as I'm now 7 wks. out).  I DO have a couple of areas on my flap that are not healing as quickly as I'd like, but that's due to the irradiated tissue I had before.  I guess that's been the most frustrating part of it........I'm a nurse, and can now identify with my pts. who have a slow-healing wound.  GRRRR!  I'd recommend Dr. John Hijjawi, but he's in Milwaukee, and I think your best bet is closer to home........in S. Carolina.  Good luck.....it's a tough decision to take the plunge, but well worth it.    Nancy

  I don't know if this is typical in all cases, but after my DIEP, I was in bed with knees bent and head raised for 48 hrs. post-op.  The nurses came in every hour for 48 to check my breast with a Doppler, to hear the swoosh of the blood going through (music to your ears!)   One of the worst parts for that period of time was having absolutely nothing by mouth.........I could wet my lips and tongue with watered ice chips and a spongey toothette, but couldn't even drink anything.  They want to make absolutely sure that, should they have to whisk you back to the OR (if blood supply isn't up to snuff), that you'll be ready to roll!  I, too, experienced back spasms when I first got up, and that was a killer.  I only experienced that in the hosp., and was okay when I got home.  I just noticed my back got sore and tired, as my front was so taut from the tummy tuck.  I'm 5 weeks out now, and doing just great.  I'm sure you will do just fine.  My best to you!      Nancy

bookerdust,

    I had the mastectomy for peace of mind as much as anything.  I have a feeling that if you choose mastectomies, you wouldn't need the radiation, but ask your doctor.  I know that lumpectomy  + rads = mastectomy, but what I didn't realize was how disfiguring my lumpectomy scar could be.  I also am a IIa, due to the size.......2.5 cm.   Otherwise it was considered early stage, low grade, with no node involvement.   I chose no chemo, but I'm 60 yrs. young and didn't want to go through it if I didn't absolutely need it.  My drs. concurred with my decision.  Keep us posted as to what you decide!  My best to you.........Nancy