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9 Replies Last post: 22-Jun-2009 14:57 by Ellena

mastectomy and reconstruction

13-Jun-2009 10:47

tinekesmith 6 posts since
13-Jun-2009

Dear all,

I have recently been diagnosed with breastcancer, and am recovering well from a lumpectomy and sentinel node removal. I am very forunate that the cancer has not spread. However, yesterday i got the results that there are pre-cancerous cells and i require a full mastectomy. I am now left with the decision whether i want reconstruction at the time of the mastectomy then radiotherapy or have a mastectomy now and wait until after radio therapy and then have the reconstruction.

I know i will need to make my own decsion, but as i don't have one near to discuss this, i would welcome your thoughts and any information you have about advantages and disadvantages of either choice.

Athena 24 posts since
18-May-2009

1. 13-Jun-2009 14:34

in response to: tinekesmith

Re: mastectomy and reconstruction

I am so sorry that you now have to go through another operation. There is a vast amount of information about your situation on an american website (I really recommend it as a resource)

www.breastcancer.org

I know this is dissapointing for you - I think you might find quite a bit of inspiration as well as info on the american site. This is a bit of an umbers game in a sense - there are so many people posting on the USA site because of courtse it is a much bigger country than the UK.

I am going for a lumpectomy op on June 24th, but of course, I might find the same problems you have so I could be coming back to you for your thoughts!!

good luck and my best wishes to you -

tinekesmith 6 posts since
13-Jun-2009

2. 13-Jun-2009 15:38

in response to: Athena

Re: mastectomy and reconstruction

Thank you Athena,

I love your name, but then i love anything greek and egyptian.

I will have a look at the site. Good luck on the 24th, i hope it will go as smoothly as mine did, but then of course without the subsequent complications. I was up and about the next day and back doing most of my usually stuff within a few days. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

Tineke

Athena 24 posts since
18-May-2009

3. 13-Jun-2009 17:32

in response to: tinekesmith

Re: mastectomy and reconstruction

Thank you for your kind thoughts. Ah, another lover of Greeks! It is surprising how many
I keep finding. I have just come back from a week on Serifos which was so inspiring. Wish I hadn't come back really.

Do give the american site a go - it is not a criticism of any other websites but merely a recommendation of a big resource for you of women in our situation sharing info. They are a jolly lot (some english too) and though their system is a bit different, the basic op/reconstruction etc is the same and throws up the same challenges. You will be relieved to know that this works well for most ladies and there is a lot of useful info there about practical things, work, exercise and how much you can do etc.

I haven't got on at all well with the doctors at my hospital so frankly I am just bloody terrified withthis entire process. It makes a lot of difference the way people deal with you I think. I am glad yours went smoothly - what part of the UK do you come from?

gentle hugs and cuddles to you -

xxxxxxx

tinekesmith 6 posts since
13-Jun-2009

4. 13-Jun-2009 21:45

in response to: Athena

Re: mastectomy and reconstruction

I'm from 'up north' though originally from abroad. Yes, i think i am very fortunate that we have a very good hospital up here, though not all treatment is done here. I know that if i had had to have chemo i would have to go to Leeds instead, about 40 mins drive. But radiotherapy is done here. The mastectomy with immediate reconstruction has been done a few times here, but not that often. So, though not quite a guinea pig, it is also not standard either.

I had a look at the site. I got a lot of infomration from it, oops, a little more complex than i had anticipated, never mind, life's good in general, so can't complain. It is very easy to read so i suggested to my son that, if he wanted to, he could have a read as well, he is 16 and just finished his exams yesterday. I have told both my kids. and we did have a good laugh when he suggested i might be the true Last Amazon (just finished reading the book a few weeks ago). So, i've put it in Favourites on the computer so he can have a look whenever he wants to, if he wants to.

I was in Athens last summer and we had hoped to go to one of the islands this yea, but no such luck, as i would guess i will be in the middle of treatment soon.

Would be good to catch up with you outside this if you want to?? Not sure if this chatroom allows you to 'add friend' like facebook and the like.

Thank you again for the site, really much appreciated

Goldenbird 1,438 posts since
16-Sep-2008

5. 13-Jun-2009 23:56

in response to: tinekesmith

Re: mastectomy and reconstruction

Had both. Two mastectomies. First with reconstruction but because I'm thin then they took muscle from back and bloody painful and they had to put implant in. Now all pear-shaped However I know some who have had happier experieces than this. Second nastectomy I said no-way for reconstruction and it is a lot better looking and other has gone terribe. But it all depends on your age and marital status and whatever. I used to have a fine pair of tits and grieve for them but I'm 65 now and husband has been very good. Difficult decision.

I had reconstruction simultaneously with mastectomy. If I were you I would wait to see how you cope without reconstruction and I know several people that cope and no-one would know except for an intimate person. Good things you can put in special bras. But this is just my point of view (having done both).

Judith

Goldenbird 1,438 posts since
16-Sep-2008

6. 14-Jun-2009 00:00

in response to: tinekesmith

Re: mastectomy and reconstruction

You are allowed to put an e-mail address on this site but not phone numbers. However, by various devious means I now chat to various people outside this site.

Judith

tinekesmith 6 posts since
13-Jun-2009

7. 19-Jun-2009 22:35

in response to: Goldenbird

Re: mastectomy and reconstruction

Thank you Judith,

In the meantime, I've spoken to some of my swiss and dutch friends, and apparently in switzerland they have stopped doing both together because there have been so many problems afterwards. My main concern is how the radiotherapy would affect the new -dispalced- tissue.

I'm recently separetd in early 50's, though at the moment i would be happy with just mastectomy, i'm not sure if i would still in the long run

Oh, you have the tell me the devious way

Ellena 6 posts since
09-May-2009

8. 22-Jun-2009 14:19

in response to: tinekesmith

Re: mastectomy and reconstruction

Hello Tineke - I have had my doublemastectomy AND full reconstruction using the Latisimus Dorsis muscles from my back and am MORE THAN PLEASED that I went for the whole thing at once.... I have been told that it's a 'barbaric' way to go -but let me assure you, I've been more than thrilled that I did go this way ..... If you would like to ring me please feel free to do so on **** - or anyone else for that matter who wants some first hand info. If my experience can help anyone else with the wondering and quandries that we go through then I'll be more than willing to chat openly.

My op was on 19 May 09 and I was 2 weeks in hospital. I drove for first time on 19 June and on 21st I even managed todoa light vaccum of the flat!!! Whoo Hoo!!!

Please Please contact me for more info, I would be proud to help

Hugs to all

Ellena Paterson

xxxx

Ellena 6 posts since
09-May-2009

9. 22-Jun-2009 14:57

in response to: tinekesmith

Re: mastectomy and reconstruction

Hi again, I had not realised that phone numbers were takenoff of messages :-) I am on Facbook (Ellena Paterson is user id) and I live in Aberdeen so hopefully you can find me there and we can exchange contact details.

Smiles to All xxxx

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mastectomy and reconstruction

13-Jun-2009 10:47

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