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Complicated breast reconstruction due to necrosis
I had double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction/tissue expanders placed on November 4, 2024. A week later had post surgery follow up with both surgeons. I had a hemotoma on right side that was drained in office 250/300cc’s. Surgeon said compression necrosis at IMF incision site. My plastic surgeon proceeded to remove the 450cc’s of air and replace with 450cc’s of saline to tissue expanders with necrotic wound still there. It proceeded to get worse and finally almost 4 wks to the day of surgery, he did a second surgery in his office( 45-60 minutes under local anestetic ). Necrosis went from partial thickness to full thickness necrosis. After cutting out necrotic skin, left over hemotoma and seroma, it was 9 cm’s IMF with 16-18 external stitches. Within a couple wks filled to final 650 cc’s in tissue expander. I had nipple sparing mastectomy. My nipples before and after surgery were almost symmetrical, off by half an inch. Now after necrosis, off two and a half inches. One nipple is high, the other low. Very lopsided. Getting ready for implant exchange. Surgeon says he can cut out skin on the other side to try to bring down nipple a little, but not much he can do. Basically I just have to live with it. I am so upset. I’ve gotten a couple second opinions and necrosis should have been taken care of immediately. Has anyone else had these kind of issues? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!!
kyazara2
Re: Newly diagnosed stage 1 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
my tumor is 0.35 cm but I am going to do mastectomy.
my genetics test is negative but unfortunately cancer is in my family.
zohra
I am new here looking for support.
My name is Rachel I am 33 was diagnosed in May 2023 Stage 2. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. Estrogen positive, progesterone positive, HER2 positive. I went through a needle biopsy, port placement, and a lumpectomy of the right breast. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and still receiving immunotherapy. Lupron shot every 3 months. Letrozole every night. I am afraid it may have returned in my left breast I will find out in January 2026. I really need support. I am experiencing lots of anxiety over this scare. If it has returned I’m getting a mastectomy. I am tired of dealing with this. I just recently started working a part time job for the first time since this diagnosis because I was denied disability multiple times. Soon as things started going great, I lost both my grandmothers within two weeks of each other in October and November of this year. I am grieving and now battling this constant worry of it returning. I am trying to stay positive but it is very hard to do. I am a young woman supposed to be enjoying life at this period in my lifetime I didn’t ask for any of this. I am angry. I am returning to work the 30th and I am so excited for that to get my mind off of all of this. Thank you for this website and lovely community!
Re: Well here I am again…
Looks like this thread is asleep. I'm going to resurrect it, because I am also "here again."
I was first diagnosed in 2008 with a Stage 1 ER+ PR- HER2- IDC on my left side. (I guess you can see that in my signature.) Because of a decades-long history of fibrocystic breast tissue that was radiographically dense, I decided monitoring that tissue after a lumpectomy and rads was hopeless. (My oncologist agreed, after-the-fact.) So, I had a left-side mastectomy + SNB (3 nodes, all negative), with no reconstruction. I've learned since that what I requested of my surgeon is technically called an "asthetically flat closure." I've been happy with the result. My Oncotype score was 26, so surgery was followed by 4 rounds of Cytoxan/Taxotere; and then I was on anastrozole for 10 years.
Fast-forward almost exactly 18 years from the first dx: a routine screening mammogram on my right side found suspicious-looking microcalcifications, which led to a spot/compression mammogram, which led to a stereotactic biopsy, which led to a preliminary dx of "DCIS, intermediate to high nuclear grade, solid type with comedo necrosis and microcalcifications." This time the tumor cells are ER+ and PR+, which I guess is good. Everything points to this being a new primary, but it's all based on a biopsy. The real dx awaits surgery, which hasn't happened yet. I meet with the surgeon on Jan. 13th. Wish me luck!
Edited to add: My PCP referred me to a surgeon, but also to a med onco, "because this will probably be up-staged after surgery." I don't know why I hadn't considered the possibility (likelihood?) of high-grade DCIS being up-staged to IDC. I was so hopeful until he said that.
otter
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
So today it was overcast and dreary. Cold, windy and rainy sleet, making it icy. It must be this weather that’s making me feel extra stiff and achy in my ribs and hips and ankles, which really hurt when I slowly went downstairs for breakfast this morning. I hung out downstairs in the kitchen and had a glass of kefir, and a bowl of jello, the watched the fish in the living room in our aquarium. As. Sat there I felt like i just wanted to go upstairs and get horizontal because my whole back hurt and felt to weak to even hold myself up. It;s jusgt one of those bone pain days so I went upstairs to my bedroom, followed by the 2 pugs and we got into bed, and Gitmo felt better to be laying down, and reading .
@chicagoan I’m thinking of your brother. My youngest son was plagued by hernia issues and 2 surgeries within 5 years during and after them.college. he still deals with pain issues and sees a neurologist who has helped him with prescriptions to manage and eliminate his pain issues. He’s 47 now and has not ever had an emergency like your brother did. I hope your brother gets well soon.
@mara51506 . Stay safe and stay off the ice, girl😉
@threetree I think about you often. I’m sorry about your sister issues carrying over to your 2 daughters. it’s not always easy with adult children and our siblings sometimes. I have 3 sisters, I am the oldest of the 4 of us. two of them don’t speaker with me. the two younger ones. I am very close to my one sister. we are exactly 1 year apart. I was born on April 4th and on year later she was born on April 2nd.. the third sister was born 3 years after us, and my 4th sister was born after my mother & father divorced. She was born when my mother remarried when I was in 7th grade, so she was quite a bit younger than the three of us. but over the years she grew closer to my other youngest sister who never got along with me. that sister and I have not spoken since our 20’s, and she has never been a very nice person. the other sister has lived out west since marrying and divorcing twice. so I don’t even think about them because they are not in my life. at my age I want peace and food vibes. even my adult children remain close to me and DH other than occasional disagreements and drama. But family is family and even close family have certain dynamics within that can sometimes carry over during family get together. I always worry that my 2 DD’s will get breast cancer. I worry that with my own limitations would keep me from helping. My Youngest DD has her DH and they have been together for 20 yrs and are close, but I worry about my oldest DD who is 49 Divorced,works hard and has no one to lean on.. She is serial online dater but she always meets jerks who pop in and out of her life. So that worries me….my heart always hurts for her, even now after Christmas drama.. @threetree have a peaceful restful evening 🩵
@goldensrbest Hey there girl. I;ve always kept scented candles going during the day over the years. I love to start in the fall with the apple cider and cinnamon sticks simmering. that always gave a comforting feeling during chilly fall days.💚🧡🤎🍁🍂
@intolight, I’’m happy you had an enjoyable Christmas with your family. That’s what it’s all about.
@irishlove sorry you had to toss ou the frozen mashed potatoes from Publix😂. good thing you had the Bob Evan’s ready made potatoes to fall back on😉
@sf-cakes Cake for breakfast is always ok when you’re turning 56, belated Happy Birthday!🎉🎈🎂🎊🎁🩵
Re: Life does not end with a stage IV diagnosis (really!)
Thanks for the support :) I have to say , I did need to modify the walk for 2 of the sections. In a way I was "lucky" in that it was planned for April 15th and I had to go off of Kisqali due to high liver enzymes on April 1. I couldn't drink in Spain but was happy I didn't need to cancel the trip .
@AJ - you can modify if you want to walk the Camino . All abilities were welcome and that alone was inspiring .
@sf-cakes six years is amazing , on your first line of treatment ! I only got 5 1/2 years on first line .
All of you are inspiring to me. We are in this together.
Re: how about drinking?
Had my first official White Christmas here since we moved here! Went to my aunt's for both Thanksgiving and Christmas again this year for dinner! Had a blast being around my family. At least there I can breathe and feel like I belong unlike when it was in regard to hubby's family.
m0mmyof3
Re: Life does not end with a stage IV diagnosis (really!)
Today starts my 6th year. It's 5 today. Rough time but had some good times too.
Re: Stage IV MBC Fitness
Hi! I’m back from Bahamas and didn’t catch a cold or flu ( I did have vaccine)! Woohoo!! It worked out that the week I was away was my off week for Kisqali which helped my immune system I think.
All this talk about cardio so decided to join in. I plan on making the Tues 9am spin class at my gym this week and every week I’m in town and not sick. I used to go regularly and need to do so again. I go at my pace (which used to be great) and love spinning to the music. You all inspire me greatly and I will work to become an inspiration for you too.
Almost my one year cancerversary …. My January scans are coming up (1/8) and I pray they continue to show no progression.
wishing everyone good health and happiness in the new year!
xoxo juliana ♥️
eddiej
Re: how about drinking?
You ladies are so sweet. Honestly, I'm not sure I can figure out how to connect it all to make it work. Don't be surprised if your gifts are "returned." You are a most generous and kind group. The MRI had delays, but the results came in last night. Not sure I'm reading it correctly (I am NOT a doctor) but I think only the 4 initial lesions are there and still suspect mets not a new primary. Cheers!!
wallycat