One step implant procedure with Alloderm - Anyone?
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Yum. Love fish tacos! Had never heard of fish tacos or eaten one until our visit to Vista, CA, last summer. First encountered Indian tacos in the western states, also last summer. Delicious. All the Tex Mex ingredients on Indian fried bread. Low cal, of course.
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Fish tacos sound strange at first, don't they. But soo yummy.
Have a good evening everyone.
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WOW! Amazing coincidence. My DH (that does stand for dear husband, right?) took me to dinner last night at our favorite little Mexican place. You guessed it- fish tacos for me. I guess brilliant minds think alike.
Well I have alot to report from conversations with Drs. today. Early this morning I received a call from BS#2. She concurs with BS#1 that lumpectomy will not leave me with a good cosmetic result. We meet tomorrow to see if we can work out 1 step and nipple sparing procedures.
I_am_OK, I guess I jumped to the conclusion that you had nipple sparing surgery when I read your statement about having an incision similar to Carole's. Are you in fact now waiting for nipple reconstruction/3D tattoo? Either way, thank you for your prompt response with names of your surgeons. It sounds like they did a fantastic job for you and even though I do live a little over 3 hours from the bay area, they may be resources that I will be interested in. Alot will hinge on what I hear from BS#2 tomorrow. I will certainly let you know how it all works out. P.S. My outlook is improving. As I learn more I cry less. Thanks for caring.
Fortunate1, my DCIS appears to be far enough away from the nipple to consider trying to save it, according to BS#2 but she wants to talk to PS#2 before she commits to it or 1 step. Stay tuned for answers tomorrow. But that being said, Do YOU know of any BS/PS who are doing these procedures in your area. So Cal is far but might be worth the trip. Thanks. By the way, I saw the pictures of your work. Beautiful! Probably worth the trip just to visit your studio.
Now on to Oncology. I do advise getting an oncologist consult BEFORE surgery to help fine tune your decisions. Note that I had to ask for that. Otherwise my oncology referral would have come after the the surgery and my options for treatment might have been limited. Here's what I learned: With small breasts and lumpectomy you really only have one shot at it because if there are not clean margins there's not alot to re-excise so you may be facing MX anyway. Also after lumpectomy there are always rads + possible Tamoxifen for 5 yrs. in my case. More on that in a moment. Onco says " Don't be afraid of rads." I'm not so sure. I guess I'd have to look at that a little closer before I said OK but the point may be moot as it looks like I will have MX.
MX means no rads. I can choose Tamoxifen for 5 years to lower chance of recurrence on the remaining breast and also to "clean up" anything that pathology might have missed (like maybe in that nipple I'm so determined to keep). I'm considering it.
Finally, although he's not ecstatic about it, he does think I can put off surgery until after the holidays. DH and my professional schedules are too busy in Dec. and somebody has to pay for all this.
Well, that's all for now. I hope that my posts are as helpful to others as all of yours have been to me. A good night's sleep to all. I'll check in again tomorrow.
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Very informative post, NewBride. How new a bride are you? What a wedding present. BC. You seem to be handling this crisis very well. I completely agree with you that rads is to be avoided. Not least to consider is damaging the skin so that if mx and recon. are necessary down the line, there are complications. It's true that many women choose lumpectomy and live out their lives without recurrence, but many other women aren't so lucky. I see you're DCIS, which is a good dx, if there is any such thing. Your cure percentage is almost 100 per cent. Lumpectomy and rads would have left me with a mishapen right breast, but I never considered it anyway. As soon as I learned I had a cancerous tumor, I was leaning toward BMX. When I learned I could come out of the hospital with new breasts, that settled it for me. My end result isn't perfect and my PS would like to do some improvements. In my case I'm not a new bride by about 39 years! So I may just let well enough alone since I look okay in my clothes and the implants are comfortable now that the pecs have stretched.
Ida didn't bother us at all. I had not signed up for Ladies Golf tomorrow because I thought the golf course would be sloppy after a lot of rain. Since we had no rain and tomorrow is supposed to be a beautiful day, I'll add my name to the signup list. Today more chores to be done. First I'll do a weight workout and some cardio on the recumbent bike.
A good day to all.
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New Bride, Everyone story is different. After routine mamo I was called back for digital pictures of my right breast only. My left breast was fine. I was sent for a needle core biopsy of my right breast and dx with DCIS. I made an appointment with BS who sent me for MRI of both breasts. MRI showed something highly suspicious in the left breast. I went for a MRI needle core biopsy and was dx with DCIS that was not detected in a mamo. My BS told me I had no choice but to have bmx. If margins were clear, I would not need radiation or chemo. The need for med. would be decided later when the bc board met. All of my doctors..BS, PS, OC are members of the same board.
I had bmx with "one step." All margins were clear and I am blessed that I did not need radiation, chemo or med. I will not have a mamo again. I will have a MRI of both breasts to check the health of the implant in May, (one year from bxm.) After that, I will have a MRI every two years. I have visits with my OC every 3 months. I have one next week. I think I will continue to have an appointment every 6 months. My white blood count is on the low side of low. OC is not sure why and wanted to do a bone marrow test. At this point it is my choice, but I can't deal with it now.
I am considering 3D tattoos and will have them as soon as I find someone who I have confidence in.
During the "One Step" your PS cuts your muscle. I have found it difficult to regain the strength I had before and without pain. Recently, I have been experiencing tightness in the muscle of my left breasts. Almost like a cramp. Sometimes it is a sharp pain. I'm not sure why this is happening now, but I will make an appointment with my PS if it continues.
I know of someone who just had a lumpectomy for DICS...clear margins and no radiation or med. I wish you luck with your decision.
Carole, I'm glad the stormed missed you. I was thinking about you when I heard it on the news.
I hope everyone else is feeling well. DH is home to day so I have a busy day. ((hugs to all))
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NewBride, You've done well. Information is like gold and diamonds at this point, and you have a lot. I spoke only with the PS I was directed to. He mentioned nipple sparing, but said right off that the BS would not agree to it. He was going to bring it up with the BS if I chose a bilateral. So I have nothing for you there. As for waiting, you might be OK if you can bear the wait. Mine was invasive and I was having to push and push to get timely appointments during the holidays from a group of separate doctors, definitely not a team. It took three months from lump exam to surgery, and I was sure that it was going to spread to the lymph nodes as I waited. Apparently thats not really how it goes and I could have calmed down at least a little. Yours is in situ. If your doctors are OK with it, if its not aggressive, maybe you could wait. Scary.
I too wanted a lumpectomy and was told that I would have a bad cosmetic outcome. My tumor was at 2:00, right breast, a hard spot to conceal, especially in a small breast. The surgeon said he would remove a pie shaped wedge from skin down to chest wall. Rads would have done a real number on what remained. I actually took a pie shaped piece of tagboard and pressed down on my breast. I realized then what he was saying and chose a mastectomy.
Definitely, come and visit, we can go out for fish tacos. Everyone in fact, what a party that would be.
Have a great day everyone.
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Carole, I'm so glad that Ida missed you. BC is a big enough disaster to deal with. And you are right. BC is a bad wedding present. I would much rather have received 3 toasters and an ugly punch bowl. I am a very new bride. We got married in mid July. Maybe I'll add a wedding pic to my profile. On another note, I see from your profile that you are a fiction writer. I am a voracious reader and fiction is at the very top of my list. During my post op time I think I will be reading quite a bit. I would love to read your stuff. What are the titles and where do I find them?
Meg9, you are right. Every case is different. And of course my ultimate course of treatment will depend on the resulting pathology from my surgery. Thank you for the reminder that the pec muscle is cut during implant placement. That is an area of concern for me as my job is so physically demanding. I would like to avoid any permanent disability if I can. PS#1 says it's a "small" cut. I say small is a relative term. I guess we'll see what BS/PS#2 have to say on the subject and go from there.
Fortunate1, if there's a team here, it's one that I'm having to put together. BS/PS#2 are 2nd opinions. I have taken recommedations from my other Drs. and BC survivors in my area to hopefully choose the best BC drs. for me. Like you I am pushing for appts in a timely manner. Unlike you I have the luxury of a little more time (I think). I may get a 2nd opinion on that as well. Thank you for posting the great metaphors for the surgical procedures. They are great for helping me visualize the possible scenarios and I will definitely use them in my Q & A sessions with BS and PS.
Well, I'd better get into the shower or I'll be late for BS#2. I'll check in when I get back and post my latest findings.
May God bless everyone of you. Me too, please.
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ok everyone here goes todays quetions..LOL
1- i want silicone..but it appears there is HIGH PROFILE, MODERATE PLUS PROFILE & MODERATE PROFILE..(this i found under the mentor website). i am assuming to project more outward is high? which do u you guy have or want...or which might be better if i wanna b a "b" cup?
2_ Round or contoured?
3- How many here have had CC? If u had it do u know what grade scale u were in? Did u have a replant?
4-who on this board has had their implants in for at least a yr now?
5- I see on ur "profiles", ER(plus)/PR (plus), HER2 & different Grades..what does this mean?
6-On EC forum there is a way to view the womens pix they post of themselves after/beofre during reconstruction...does this forum have anything like this?
7- sub muscular or intra muscualr (if i am even getting these things right) :-)
Thank all for all ur patience!!!! U all Rock
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Shoshi, the ER and PR positive means that the cancer cells have estrogen and progesterone receptors--meaning they literally "receive" those hormones and are fueled in part by them. The reason that is good news is that doctors have ways to block those hormones. In my case, that will mean taking the drug tamoxifen for five years. It will greatly diminish my body's production of estrogen, thus reducing my risk of developing more breast cancer. I'm afraid I don't know anything about HER2 status and its significance...
New Bride, there is a chance that after final pathology radiation will be recommended even for mastectomy, but my PS said that the alloderm/silicon implant reconstruction I had holds up much better than the tissue expander method. He said with tissue expanders, he expects to see about a 25% rate of complications, but with my type of reconstruction, maybe a 10-15% rate of complication.
A tumor board met to decide my case as to radiation. My extensive DCIS turned out to be focally positive at the chest wall margin, meaning two of the several "starting points" for the cancer growth were very close (a tenth of a millimeter) to the edge of the mastectomy tissue where it met my chest...so for me, the board decided the potential benefit of radiation outweighed the risks. I also had what is termed close margins at the skin side toward the front...one positive margin and two close margins cinched it for me.
I asked about nipple sparing, but as you heard and as my BS said, DCIS tends to target the nipple and he could see from the MRI that it was too close to the nipple already to safely leave it. Sure enough, final pathology showed cancer involvement of the nipple (not readily apparent on MRI) so it was the right call.
Greetings to everyone. Y'all are keeping me company virtually while I sit here at 11;30 pm, unable to fall back asleep after going to bed at 8:00 pm. I'm so tired by that hour in the evenings now, but somehow couldn't sleep long. Guess it's in part because I'm so uncomfortable...but that makes me think of something that happened Sunday: was keeping an ice bag at my armpit to address the swelling and pain at the side of the breast and down my arm...but also waa having deep breast pain so figured I'd switch the ice bag to the breast itself. Didn't feel anything when I placed the bag there, so figured my tshirt just must be particularly thick and took it off. Still didn't feel anything through the thin cotton fabric of my surgical bra, so figured that must be thicker fabric than I thought and took it off. Applied ice bag to bare breast and sat straight up in bed, because I could not feel the cold! No sensation of cold at all! I was shocked. I knew I had diminished sensation, but jeez! Even took a piece of ice out of the bag and touched it to my skin...nothing. Let myself freak out about it for a short while, realizing that even two and a half months after surgery I'm still discovering things about the new me.
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Hi Everyone,
Tracy, Sorry you're so uncomfortable. Right after bmx I asked my PS if I could use an ice pack to help with the swelling. She said "absolutely not". She had a patient who used an ice pack on her face for a surgical procedure she had. She could not feel the cold...just like you, and she got frostbite. She needed additional surgery to repair the skin she damaged by using ice.
Shoshi, Good for you! I think you will be one of the most informed patients your doctors will ever meet. You might even inform them a thing or two!
My implants are round, smooth, high profile by Mentor. Most likely your PS will have an implant he/she is comfortable using.
CC is something you can get at anytime over the life of your implant. My PS suggested messaging my breast daily to help break up scar tissue which is the cause of CC. Wait until your PS says it's OK to start massaging. Get instructions from your PC on how to message.
NewBride, I hope your PS visit went well. Sorry your marriage had to start this way. I found that every time the DH and I faced another challenge (and there have been many) it brought us closer together. For better or worse, in sickness and in health has been proven too many times!
You are all in my thoughts. I hope everyone has a good day.
I have another busy day. Writing and mailing my last stewardship letter and getting the office ready for the arrival of the new pastor on Nov 29.
Temps in the 50s today. I also need to get my car washed!
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Ha! TracyAnne, your discovery is funny in it's strangeness. I hadn't stumbled upon this one yet!
NewBride, I just wanted to weigh in on the surgical description. For the implant, the pectoralis major muscle is separated out from the other muscles. It isn't really cut so much as lifted away from the other muscles. The surgeon will also release a small portion of the bottom of the pectoralis major muscle where it inserts at the middle of the chest (sternum).This is to keep the implant from being flattened. I'm not sure if they do this with expanders, but I would guess they might. The Alloderm is attached or sutured to the bottom of the muscle and then to the chest wall to create a pocket.
I've been quite worried about strength and physical changes as a result of my surgery. I was reassured by my surgeon that there wouldn't be any real muscle strenght loss, but I have read a few studies that suggest that there is some loss. My experience is that it takes a while to recover your previous strength and that as the implant shifts your muscle forward, out of it's natural position you experience some awkward sensations. I'm getting used to everything now and am much less worried. I don't know what you do for a living or how physical it is, but this is an area to thoroughly consider before you have surgery. There are many women on these boards that are very physically active (tri-atheletes, etc.) and seem to be happy with their implants (a lot of them had expanders).What does everyone else think? Any encouragement or personal experience to add? Please jump in!
I don't know why I'm thinking of this, but....at my last PS appointment, the PS was measuring away, checking his work. Measure, measure. Measure some more. As he concentrated and I stood there exposed and perfectly comfortable, I began to feel like a sculpture! One that could talk to the "artist". I think Michaelangelo is said to have remarked that he let the marble speak to him. Funny....to me anyway....our PS's get to listen to there artwork talk to them quite a bit!
Shoshi, High or moderate profile is used for breast reconstruction. Rounded are most popular. I don't have CC that I'm aware of. Implants are submuscluar. There are a few official pictures on BCO, but people don't post "before and afters" on this website.
It's a sunny day here. I have lots of uninteresting things to do. Better get with it!
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I had immedicate reconstruction with Alloderm and a silicone implant following a mast in Feb of 09. The implant takes a little getting used to and while it can still cause some moderate pain after a day of physical labor, in general I don't notice it to much. I was DX with DCIS yesterday in the other breast following a beautiful reduction and lift for symmetry. So, I think I will go with the immediate silicone implant on that side too assuming I have enough skin left.
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Okiegal, lots of uninteresting things to do? So funny.! I bet something will entertain you today, you have such a good eye.
I was also assured that I would not lose muscle function and strength. I think I have lost a little bit of both, plus the weirdness of the vigorously flexing breast. But I can work as before. 50# boxes of clay seem harder to lift and maneuver. My biggest challenge is kiln shelves. I weighed one - 21#- held at arms length, bending over and placing it accurately inside the kiln. And the arms length jerk and lift to remove it from the kiln. I can still do these things. I have purchased super expensive space age light weight shelves for the top of the kiln. It really helps.
The Pygmalion story and the statue that comes to life.
Tracy, My DH gave me a huge hug yesterday and then apologized- sharp objects in his pocket. It hurt him, I didn't feel a thing.
Shoshi, Round smooth Mentor, moderate-plus I think. No CC. Sub muscular. It will be one year in late Jan.
How did the PS appt. go, NewBride? I hope everything is falling into place.
Welcome Paula, So sorry you have to do this again. Settle in and join us. What can we do for you?
A wonderful day to all of you.
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Thank you for the welcome! I'm sorry to be here too, but hey, we will get through it with support from wonderful friends - old and new.
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Paula, how did you discover the DCIS in your "healthy" breast? Mammogram? Welcome to our discussion group. We wish you didn't have the right credentials to join but are glad to learn from you and share our info and experiences.
I had a very enjoyable day today out on the golf course. The format was a type of team play with four women on each team. I won't bore you with an explanation but our 4-some was compatible and everybody contributed to the team score. I didn't stay for lunch so don't know whether we won or not. I bypassed lunch to come home and eat something light on calories. RIGHT. Stopped off at a small grocery store to buy a powerball ticket and ended up ordering their lunch special, a huge cheeseburger with fries. Also couldn't resist a beautiful carrot cake! Where has my willpower gone? The weight keeps edging up and I don't think I can blame the new med, Arimidex.
Dh was home this morning and cooked a big pot of speckled butterbeans with a ham bone. Will have to eat a tiny portion of beans and brown rice for dinner.
Hope everyone is having a wonderful day.
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Shoshi, you are amazing! You are at least 5 questions ahead of me and asking about stuff I forgot. I feel like you're picking up the slack for me and I thank you for it. Keep asking. From what I've seen so far, it's the way to assure your best personal outcome.
Tracyanne, I'm sorry you're uncomfortable from your rads. I am aware that I may not escape rads after all. DCIS may not be invasive but it sure can do a pretty good impression of it. I'm told that my films show a few "calcs" in a 4cm area about mid breast at about 6 o'clock. Too big for lumpectomy but hopefully far enough away from chest wall and skin to avoid rads. And far enough away from the nipple to save it. I'll just have to wait and see. How many more weeks of rads do you need? I understand that once it's all done the healing happens really fast. I hope so for you. P.S. I grew up in AK so I know about frost bite. It can be serious. You might want to avoid heating pads too. They can cause burns.
Meg9 and Fortunate1, my appt with BS#2 went well. She is willing to try to save the nipple. Now I am waiting while she casts about among the PSs that she works with to find one that she can coordinate that with along with 1Step. I should know more by tomorrow. I guess I'm asking for alot but at least she's willing to try. I feel like I may have chosen my BS. She also knows/respects the OC I just saw and agrees that I should be able to wait until Jan. for surgery.
My new DH is the very best and the answer to many of my prayers. The one guarantee I can count on thru this is that he will be there for me.
Hi, Okiegal! I've been following your progress closely. Your story keeps reminding me that there really is a light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks for the in depth description of the pec portion of the 1Step. I think it is possible that TEs are placed in the same way. Does anybody here know? I might have to run over to "exchange city" to see. I must say it is encouraging to see that Fortunate1 is able to manage 50lb boxes of clay. How are your prickles etc.? Has it been determined to be nerve damage or nerve regeneration?
Paula, Nice to meet you. Sorry it has to be here. And this will be your 2nd time around. I am interested to know if your DCIS was/is ER/PR+? Did you take Tamoxifen?
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Carole, glad you got to golf today. I wish your lunch description didn't make my mouth water, but it does. I have to confess that I am at this very moment... eating ice cream... chocolate sorbet... just a little leftover bit. I hadn't realized that you were a fiction writer. I knew you were a writer, but how did I miss the fiction part? Can you tell us more?
NewBride, you posted a wedding photo, how lovely. I'm glad he's the very best. It's such an advantage to have good support through a rough patch like this. As for today, it sounds like you have found a good, open minded surgeon. Whatever type of treatment you end up with, its so good to know that its not one size fits all, but tailored to you.
I'm not exactly sure how TEs are placed. I've also wondered what is cut to exchange implants. I guess muscles must be cut all the time for abdominal surgeries. Maybe it's not as big a concern as it seems to me.
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Hi Ladies,
I'll officially join you on Monday 11/16.
After meeting with my PS he agreed to do one-step with Alloderm for me, so I'll wake up with a new breast- hopefully cancer free on Monday! I do worry about the possiblity of radiation because one of my mess is close to the chest wall and another close to the skin. OkieGirl and NewBride, I asked my BS and PS about muscle founction too because I'm a recreational tennis player. They both ensured me I would be able to hold my racket again once I'm healed. Hopefully not too much muscle strength lost after the surgeries.
Shoshi, Her-2 stands for human epidermal growth factor receptor-2. Her-2 positive associates with more aggresive BC but at the same time Herceptin can be used. I learned a lot from your questions too. Thanks!
Tracy, hope you have a better sleep tonight.
Carole, nice to know you have had a nice day today!
Good night everybody!
Liz
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PaulaLS - Welcome! I was uncharacteristically decisive when I was diagnosed and chose a prophalactic MX for the non DCIS side. The final Path. report showed LCIS on the "good" side, so I feel I made the right decision. I'm so sorry you have to go through this all again.
Liz000 - an official welcome to you too! You will be busy in the following days getting ready for your surgery. Busy is good! Get that house cleaned and remember, we are here for you.
NewBride - Expanders are also placed under the pectoralis major, but I don't know if the muscle is released at the sternum. Let us know what you find out!
I have a follow up appointment with my new internist today. I've already started taking iron for anemia and think I'm feeling better. Do heavy duty iron supplements work that fast? I did a light work out yesterday and notice the "pins and needles" that were stronger yesterday are lighter today. I can't figure this out, but I'm certainly not complaining about fewer "prickles". With all of the doctors I have asked about this....no one has a clue. My PS says it's "neurological" which would translate to: "You need to see a 'pain specialist'". I'll see what the internist recommends.
Ended up stopping by an estate sale yesterday afternoon. Lots of stuff, but all I bought was a one dollar box of office staples.
Carole, I'm having the same problems. The hardest part of losing weight is getting inspired to start!
Hi to everyone....hope we all have a good day. Time to get my Pygmalion self out of my pajamas!
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Okiegal, great to hear about the fewer prickles! It would be fabulous to have iron supplements be the surprise answer.
Liz, hang out here while you get ready. If you're like me, you'll have a sense of great relief when the surgery is over.
I'm working like crazy today, but just had to stop in and say hello. I'll be back when I can. Wish me luck for a big sale this weekend.
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OK LADIES...here r a list of questions i am planning on asking my ps 2morrow would luv ur input if u have any..thx!! My appt is in the morning..i'll try & sign on here thru my BB in the afternoon to let everyone know what he said!!
1-What kind of implants will be used?
2- Will u also use Alloderm?
3- How do u exactly do all this? Step by step ...
where will the stitches be ? I have read that surgeons are cutting under the crease of the breast now to help w/ scarring especially with preventative Mastectomies..is this something u r familiar with?
5- What kind of bandages will I have right after the surgery? Fow how long? (NO STERI_STRIPS).
6- Will I wear a special bra or cami? My insurance covers all this for medically necessary garments.
7- How many drains will I have on each side & for approx how long? What is the fluid level that it can come out?
8- Can u make sure u order beforehand the On Q pump & have it inserted into me during surgery?
8A- How much will the On-Q pump numbing agent be expected to take the place of pain medicine? Will the nurses be familiar with the difference between the numbing pump and the pain medicine?
9-What pain meds will I be given in the hospital & at home? I take Percoset 10/325 & 1 does zilch..i need 2 for it to help. How abt sleeping meds in the hospital? Can u have them ordered for me b4hand so the nurses don't have to call u up? Will I be in a lot of pain after surgery?
9A- If the pain becomes severe during the night, will orders have been left for something stonger, or should the nurse call you directly? I will be asked to rate my pain on a scale of 1-10
..what level on that scale do you expect my pain medicine should place me ideally...and what level do you feel warrants a phone call? If the pain becomes severe during the night, will orders have been left for something stronger, or should the nurse call you directly? I will be asked to rate my pain on a scale of 1-10...what level on that scale do you expect my pain medicine should place me ideally...and what level do you feel warrants a phone call?
9B- I have two surgeons--you and my Breast surgeon-First Dr Bahl does her thing & then u. Are u in the operating room or do they call you when she is done? Which one of you will be leaving the medication orders after surgery? Have you communicated with each other about what the reconstructive surgery entails and how much that may contribute to post-op pain?
10- Muscle Relaxers..What kind & strength & FOR HOW LONG..WHAT OTHER MEDICATIONS WILL I BE TAKING BESIDES PAIN WHEN I COME HOME?
11- How much help will I need when I come home? Will I be able to get out of bed or recliner without help?
12- What type of supplies will I need when I get home? Can I sleep on my side once the drains are out if I am comfortable?
13-What will the surgery, and my stay in the hospital, be like?
14- How long will the surgery last?
15- How soon will I be getting up and moving around
16- What will my wound be like? How do I take care of it? When may I shower or bathe?
17-When can I start using my arm? Are there exercises I should do?
18-When will I be able to drive?
19-When will I be able to return to work?
20-Can you show me pictures of other reconstructions you have done?
21- How often have you done this type of surgery?
22-In your experience, how often do complications occur?
23-Which complications are most common?
24- if we plan on the 1 step do u bring into the ER several different kinds just in case 1 doesn't fit as well? Will u also have TE just in case if the 1 step wont work for me?
25- What r ur thoughts about Nipple sparing?
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Hi Shoshi--
I think it would be a good idea to take someone with you to your appointment and ask that person to "take notes" on the conversation you and your doctor will be having. My husband did that for me, and it allowed my conversation with the doctor to flow more freely...your doctor will likely answer some of these without prompting, as part of his normal surgery pre-op routine, It was nice to have my husband "catch" the answers in whatever order they came, jot down some notes, cross some of my questions off the list once they had been addressed. Knowing he was following the conversation gave me some peace of mind--my own nerves and fuzzy thinking wouldn't be such a hindrance.
I'm glad you're using some of the questions I suggested on my "pain medication for mastectomy" thread. I only wish I had thought of them before my bad experience!
Well, I'm starting to turn lobster red now with the radiation boosts. For the first time, I feel a sunburn type pain--but I have to say, I haven't had the queasiness and I think it may be due to the fact that the "boost" radiation field is so much smaller. Before Wednesday, it included my whole breast plus a good two to three inches above, below, and to the side toward the arm. Now the targeted area is just the bottom of the breast and an inch or so underneath (the actual tumor bed). I've been able to eat normally these past two days...no more of the crackers and 7up combo.
Okiegal, I saw a neurologist a couple of years ago for some strange symptoms that never were able to be diagnosed. He said then that neurology is probably the medical field with the most unknowns--that "neurological" was almost code in the medical world for "no one can tell what this is--not even a neurologist." Just great, huh?
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hi everyone out there....happy to find this site. i am having one step allergan silicone skin sparing bilateral mastectomy on nov 20. dcis on the right side...lumpectomy was unsuccessful...lcis on the left.....it took me a few months to face doing this....had 2nd and 3rd opinions. i'm petite with a b cup size. and wanted to stay that way. ps ordered moderate range instead of high profile...but after reading everyones comments that this one step procedure seems to make people smaller, flatter than they were...maybe i should switch to the high profile.....any comments.....thnx...ally
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Hi Carole, You and I "spoke" on here months ago. We are both RVers. In February, 2009, I had a R mast for IDC with Alloderm and immediate silicone implant. On 10/26/09, I had a mammogram on the L breast. All was fine - they said, "Come back in a year". Then on 11/4/09, I had a reduction and lift on the L side for symmetry. The breast tissue that was removed was sent to pathology and they discovered the DCIS. There are blessings in everything - if I wouldn't have had the reduction, the cancer would not have been found. Now the recommendation is mastectomy but I said I want every test first to try to make sure cancer isn't lurking elsewhere. They may have removed all the cancer in the L breast with the reduction but are not sure. They can't even tell where it was. This is not an exact science - that's for sure, but I go to a top notch cancer center and am confident I am getting the best care that's out there.
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Hi Newbride. Nice to meet you too - would have rather it was on Facebook, but Oh Well. I don't know yet if the DCIS in the left breast is ER, PR +, but I should know on Monday. The IDC in my right breast was ER,PR+ and I have been on Arimidex for about 6 months, without any side effects other than a few hot flashes.
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Hi Okiegal -Wish I would have had the foresight you did. I chose the single mast thinking it would be the easiest route, but obviously it wasn't. I had my right mast with reconstruction (Immediate implant) 2/09, then had to have a incision debridement with new implant placed in 3/09, then the reduction on the left side 11/4/09. I am sure not looking forward to more surgery, but we have to do what we have to do.
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Hi Liz000, Should have puts these posts together as one. It is my understanding that they will not do radiation if you have an implant so you shouldn't have that worry. If the BS and PS believe you are a candidate for immediate reconstruction following a mastectomy, there won't be any radiation follow-up. Hope this is helpful.
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Hi all,
Shoshi, I agree with Tracy Anne. A lot of your questions will be answered as your surgeon "educates" you on what he will do. Definately take someone with you and I would suggest that you edit your questions down to more general topics. For example, "What about pain control after surgery?" You can then ask more specific questions, if necessary, after he/she answers.You will have followup visits with in a few days of surgery where they will be able to guide you with your post surgery questions. A lot of the answers depend on how you are doing and are impossible to accurately answer before surgery. On another note, the On-Q pump is placed during surgery, if your surgeon uses them.
TracyAnne, glad to hear you are hanging in there! How much longer? I think I will wait on seeing a neurologist. You have confirmed my suspicion. I've had enough "I don't know's" already. My internist suggested that I contact the implant manufacturer to see what they know. That may be the best route. I not only found out that I was anemic (maybe that's what's causing all of this?), but also that I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Hmmm. Maybe that will be something to look at too?
Allie1234, welcome and sorry that you are going through all this, too. Is your surgeon using Alloderm (internal skin graft) in the procedure or are you having the Allergan brand implants? I would discuss having high profile implants instead of the moderate profile. Mine are high profile, that's not as scary as it sounds. The muscle pushes them down some.
PaulaLS, I have totally second guessed myself with this decision, but after reading about your difficulties, I realize that perhaps just "jumping in and doing it" was a good way to go. What a battle this has been for you! If I'm not mistaken, I think the Alloderm/one-step does well with radiation.
Hi Carole, Meg9 and....Fortunate1, go get em!
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Hi Everybody,
New Bride, Paula, ally and Liz. Wow! I'm feeling so sad that so many of us are afflicted with this horrible disease. I'm grateful my DCIS was detected in both breasts before my mx. I don't think I would have done well having to go through mx twice. You are all a testament to how strong we are. I think we sometimes forget that.
Shoshi, I hope you got all your questions answered!
I'm glad we are here to support each other. I still find others to be sympathetic when they hear I had bmx, but they really can't relate. I always here, "well, you look good," like it's all over. Is it ever over? Is all the cancer really gone? How long before I get used to these implants? I am grateful for my implants.
I wish I had a magical wand. No more tingling...no red burning skin...no uneven breasts...no more medicine or doctor visits. No more cancer.
I've been working long hours. I feel tired and I am still having this pressure pain (cramp) in my left breast that does not allow me to sleep well.
After my work today, I will help set up for the Holiday Boutique Sale tomorrow. Everything at the sale is hand made by the church ladies. We also serve lunch and have the most delicious bake sale. Tonight, I'll be making my usual Rice Krispy teddy bears and chocolate covered strawberries.
I think I'm late for work!
Carole, Okiegal, Fortunate1, Year, and everybody else, I hope you all have a good weekend!
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Okiegal - I believe you are right about radiation with implants. Sorry - too many things goin round in my old brain.
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