I haven’t posted on here for AGES as have been ‘getting on with things’, but thought I’d post a little message of hope for any younger women out there who feel like their lives are over after being diagnosed.
I was diagnosed first at the age of 31 - grade 3 triple negative, had mastectomy, DIEP reconstruction, chemo and radiotherapy. Then again at 35 in 2005, again grade 3 triple negative, had mastectomy, SGAP reconstruction, chemo and zoladex injections.
Every time I saw my plastic surgeon (numerous visits over 7 years) I would ask if he knew of anyone who had got pregnant with a DIEP scar, but he didn’t. I finally found out that my GP’s wife had, and was fine throughout the pregnancy, and she is the only person I have ever heard of.
Anyway I was single throughout all my treatment and resolutely carried on with my internet dating in the vain hope that one day my luck would change. Two years ago yesterday it did; I met a wonderful man (who doesn’t give two hoots about my many scars) and I’m now 13 weeks pregnant at the age of 40. I truly can’t believe it, it’s such a miracle.
If there are any other DIEP ladies who want to know how my scar copes as I go along (think things are going to get pretty tight!) do let me know!
Hi
Congratulations on your pregnancy and I hope things go really well for you. There are lots of TN ladies on here and it is great to hear a positive story. Thanks for posting.
Good luck
Debx
Thank you so much for sharing your good news, I’m delighted for you!
Congratulations for so many of the things you mention in your post - getting through treatment on your own, being brave enough to venture onto the dating sites (they can be pretty scary), meeting a lovely man (he sounds fabulous), and now the pregnancy.
Helen, first of all congratulations!
I found this topic cause I’m in the same situation! pregnant after tnbc + bilateral DIEP at 34 years. I still cant believe it…how lucky i am!
I’m just sooooo curious how you are doing and how things are going. As you know there is little to no info online and i’m worried about how my scar will cope. It would be great to hear from you and how everything is going.
Kelly
Congratulations to both of you Kelly and lulu, how wonderful to here of new life in normal circumstances, but under these conditions, it’s truly magical. And although I’m not having children 49 and both mine are grow up, I have triple negative and to hear your story of it returning but beating it again has been such a positive help. I wish you and anyone else waiting on new life all the best.
Love BD xxx
Helen,
I was just diagnosed at 28 with DCIS, and due to my family history have decided to have a bilateral mastectomy with DIEP reconstruction. I would still like to have 2-3 more kids and have not really heard any definitive answer as to the issues that may arise from pregnancy. I’d really appreciate if you could relate to me how your pregnancy has gone and if there us anything I should be aware of before going into this and making my final decision. One option I was given was to do implants now and replace with diep flaps after my last child is born. But I’m not sure if the 2 separate surgeries and associated possible complications are worth the lack of a belly scar during pregnancies. How is your scar and skin holding up? Has your doctor indicated that you are any more likely to have a cesarean section delivery?
Thanks for any possible info,
Shoshy
Hi littlehack, im currently 17 weeks pregnant of my first child, so there is not al lot of belly yet. But so far so good. My scar and skin are holding up just fine. According to my gynecologist there is no indication for a cesarian at this point.
There are not a lot of women who get pregnant after cancer and a DIEP, and ive been searching on the internet, but didnt really find anything.
My ps advised me that i’d have to wait at least a year before getting pregnant after a DIEP, but I waited 2 years. I dont know how much belly you have, but I had just enough and therefor have had troubles with my belly being too “tight”. Im hoping this pregnancy will finally stretch it out a bit and will leave me with a little belly.
I assume you will be getting a skin sparing DIEP?
Ill do my best and keep you updated on how things are going. Good luck with this big decision!
Only just logged in to post the good news about my lovely baby boy so hadn’t replied to your posts.
My scar held up fantastically (sent photos to my surgeon as he was thrilled!), I had no discomfort and although my tummy felt tight I think it was probably normal pregnancy tightness. No need for a caesarean either, ended up in theatre having a forceps delivery but that was nothing to do with anything BC related obviously! My DIEP scar is now exactly ten years old (next Tuesday!) so it’s done a fair bit of stretching anyway.
Kelly I really hope all goes well with the rest of your pregnancy.
Hi ladies
I know these comments were posted few years back. However I wanted to ask if any of you happen to see this. Btw you are all very strong to be able to go through this.
I just got diagnosed with DCIS last year at the age of 32. Due to family history, young age and extent of dcis my doctor recommended mastectomy which was a very difficult decision to make since im also currently single and have no kids. I chose to do bilateral mastectomy with diep reconstruction In May, 2017. I did have this persisnt lower abdominal swelling amd bulge afterwards though, not sure If anyone else had that. So after 5 months, I had phase 2 revision surgery which was done about 2 wks ago. And during this the surgeon also found an abdominal bulge/hernia under the umbilicus which she fixed with a mesh. I woke up to find out about it and was in shock and disappointed since I did take all the precautions after my first surgery. Now im really concerned about future pregnancies. I really want to be able to have kids. Anyone out there know of such a case of pregnancy after diep plus hernia repair with mesh? Any kind of guiadance will be appericiated. Thanks
I had stage 3 breast cancer in 2009. After 4 months of chemo and a double mastectomy i was in remition and I became pregnant with twins just 2 weeks later. I delivered at 34 weeks and they spent 2 weeks in nicu but had no long term issues. I then did 6 weeks of radiation as a preventative measure. Then had a diep flap reconstruction 4 months later. 3 years later I carried my youngest daughter to fill term with no complications. My stomach was tight and I carried high but delivery went great and I healed right up. I’m now 9 weeks and scared it could be twins again and worried if it is I won’t be able to carry them far enough or my mesh will tear. Has anyone carried twins after a diep flap reconstruction? I’ve been told I have so much scare tissue around my origins the drs can’t even feel my uterus to tell if I’m larger then I should be. But I already feel my stomach stretching. I do have an ultrasound scheduled but looking for some others experiences.