Update on Jude & a question.
Update on Jude & a question. Hi all.
Right, I`ll briefly recap for those that dont know/cant remember:-
Judith found a lump in her right breast last november (a DCIS), and had a mastectomy on the 16th of december. What a great way to spend your first 3 months of married life!!
She has just finished her chemo and has finally relinquished her grip on the “comfort bucket” that would accompany her everywhere in the week following each chemo treatment.
The next phase of things WAS to have been a 3 week course of radiotherapy, followed by reconstruction surgery, but we heard the other day from our breast care nurse that this will probably have to be cancelled/postponed as Jude needs further surgery to remove lymph nodes in her armpit.
That`s it to date.
Now, obviously I want Jude to have to go through as little surgery as possible (medical reasons), so I was wondering if it`s possible for the lymph node removal to be combined with a full reconstruction surgery at all, with the radiotherapy to be carried out at a later date?
Mark
Hi Mark,
My plastic surgeon said she didn’t like to do immediate reconstruction for women who need radiotherapy. This is because the radiotherapy will damage the reconstruction which will be perfectly healthy skin/flesh from another part of the body. She always waits at least 6 months from the end of treatment. Other surgeons may be prepared to do it. I guess you’ll need to ask her surgeon.
Best wishes
Kelley
Hi all
Well, had the hospital appointment this morning, and the outcome is that Jude is having the rest of her lymph nodes on the right hand side removed on friday.
We DID ask about a timescale for radiotherapy then reconstruction surgery, but the surgeon was rather vague about things, saying only “reconstruction surgery some time next year”.
Obviously, both me and jude want things to be done with ASAP, but there again we both know that it cant be, esp as jude is diabetic!!
Oh yes, the BC nurse threw ANOTHER new term/ possible complication into the equation as well; Lymphodema. Does anyone have any info on how common this is after removal of lymph nodes, ant are the occurrances higher for diabetics at all?
I`m off to have a beer or 10.
Mark
Hi All
Sorry about the long time between posts, but things are almost back to their normal levels of chaos in this household.
Right, Jude has had her remaining lymph nodes on the right hand side removed, and things seemed to go OK (she was only in hospital for 3 days or so). Things were made slightly more “interesting” in the recovery from this as she had to have treatment for an abnormal smear test (they found cells that were apparently pre cancerous, but were NOT connected with the BC).
Anyway, for the moment things are running smoothly - well until the 29th of August when she starts 5 weeks of radiotherapy.
Mark
Lymphedema and reconstruction Hello Mark,
Lymphedema is a risk after lymph node removal. This happens in about 10% of women, but the risk diminishes as time passes. I never read about diabetics having higher risks, but as diabetics do get silent infections easier, maybe Jude should be extra carefull with her arm, inspecting it for any cuts or wounds that should be treated promptly. My mom had lymph node removal and did get some seroma, and diminished mobility in the arm (she can’t lift her arm up all the way, but she can do all the movements for a normal life, and is headed for fisiotherapy), but no lymphoedema so far.
About the reconstruction, my mom was told she should only do it in about 1 year because she’ll be needing rads, and like was said, rads damage the tissue and the result is poor. Anyway my doctor told us that in France, in SaintGall they do imediate reconstruction with exellent results even with rads. Anyway my mom hates surgery and prefered to wait the time that is needed before going to the OR again.
All the best wishes!
Lymphodema Hi Mark,
I have Lymphodema and i have good movement in my arm but unfortunately it is swollen so larger than the other one. I thought I would not get it and it was about 4 months later when I got it. However the nurses are very helpful and I do all the exercises it just happens to some people. It is not too bad though.
Good luck.
Treakle.