Hello. I will find out tomorrow whether or not my team plan to operate to remove all or part of my sternum (depending on whether my organs are clear). But from what my onc tells me, this op has never been carried out in my area and initially she mentioned I might have to go to London. I looked into this five years ago when I was first told it was in the sternum, and came across the name of Prof. Goldstraw at the Royal Brompton. Does anyone know anything about his work or can anyone suggest another surgeon who operates on mets to chest and sternum? Thank you so much for any info you can share. Angelfalls xxx
Hi,
sorry I cannot answer your query but just wanted to wish you lots of luck and send you a cyber hug for what will be an anxious time waiting to hear what they say. I am in Chelmsford and Broomfield have one of the top recon units for the region, also covering parts of London and other counties close by but that might not cover the type of surgery you mentioned. Hope someone else comes along before you go to see them with some more helpful information.
Lily x
Hi,
Good luck for tomorrow.Posted on your other thread just to say all the research on your prof. puts him as the best specialist surgeon with really great reputation.
Thinking of you, Julie x
Thank you both for your posts. I now have an appointment with the surgeon who did my mast and recon 8 1/2 years ago to see whether he can remove the sternum. If not, I’ll be asking for a referral to someone who can, so any further info is greatly appreciated. Angelfalls xx
Hi,
I hope they see you very soon,so you know what they have planned and you can start to come to terms with the next part of your treatment.I think not knowing is an anxious time. If it is quite unusual treatment in your area, it might be worth asking straight away for a second opinion to see someone else with more experience. Big hugs again
Lily x
Hello again, Lily.
My appointment is tomorrow, so not long to wait, thankfully. Will let you know how I get on. Fingers crossed! xx
Hi,
I am very glad to hear you are being so soon and not kept wondering for too long. Fingers crossed for a good plan of action from the docs to help.Thank you I will be wondering how you get on.
Lily x
Positive news! The surgeon agrees I should go for the op, but needs a heart surgeon to perform the surgery alongside him. He was really supportive and said that if he can’t find someone here, he’ll refer me to one of the Centres of Excellence… Onwards and upwards!! xx
Hi,
in the middle of a really tough time, the sun came out 
How relieved you must have been to find a doc with a can do attitude, on your side and the results that you needed. It sounds like this was the best result you could hope for, apart from not having it in the first place. Sounds like your boxing gloves are back on. Go get em
Lily x
Thanks, Lily. You are absolutely right! Hope you have a good weekend. Take care xx
Hi,
you have a really good weekend too and do a few fab things or early christmas shopping, whatever makes you smile before those appointments start dropping through the door
Lily x
Hello
Never been on one of these forums before but I thought it might be useful to let people know about my sternectomy.
Quick history: Had mastectomy 2008, reconstruction 2009 (it’s great) but afterwards felt pain in the breast bone, which initially was thought to be inflammation. Kept on at the breast surgeon about it and was finally sent for a CT scan just as a safety precaution. It turned out I had a secondary tumour in my sternum.
I was referred to Mr Richard Milton, a thoracic surgeon at St James’ Hospital in Leeds, who operated with help from a plastic surgeon (Miss Bourke). In Jan 2011 he removed the bottom half of my sternum and filled the gap with mesh and bone cement. A month later, after I’d healed up a bit I went on to have a month of radiotherapy.
Was very happy with both surgeons, and I’m amazed by the result of the operation. This time last year I could barely get out of my chair and now, though I still ache a bit, I am doing Zumba! The scar is very neat.
Keeping my fingers crossed for the future but so far so good!
So, I wish you all the best, and hope that your experience is as positive as mine has been.
Space Girl,
Thank you so much for posting and sharing this information. I’m really pleased to hear that your op went well and that you are getting on with enjoying life again.
My BC surgeon is still trying to find a cardio surgeon to operate with him, but has said that if he can’t find anyone, he’ll refer me on. I’m going to pass your surgeons’ details on to him in the hope that they may be able to help in some way. It’s been six weeks since I was diagnosed now and I’d really like to get on with it…!!!
Thanks again. Stay strong and keep well, Angelfalls xx
Hi Angelfalls
Hope you manage to get something sorted out soon. I know the long delays between diagnosis and DOING SOMETHING are so very frustrating.
My breast surgeon had previously encountered cases of secondaries in the sternum and he’d referred a few ladies on to Mr Milton before me, but even though there was an established link it still took weeks for all the appointments to come through. From diagnosis to first meeting with Mr M was 2 months and operation was another 2 months after that! It felt like forever.
All I can advise is: keep at them!
Good luck.
Space Girl
Thanks, Space Girl! Will follow your good advice while trying to be patient…!!! ;0)
Well, I got the results of the PET scan yesterday - the final hurdle on the road to a referral for a sternectomy - and the news wasn’t what I was hoping for: my internal mammary lymph nodes are affected right the way up to my neck, I have a couple of tumours behind the sternum and the whole of the sternum itself lit up. So the op is very definitely not an option now. I start Xeloda on January 4th and am really hoping that will get the monster back in check. Thanks again to all of you for your help and advice. Will keep you posted, Angelfalls xx