Hi again, all you brave "warrior" ladies ❤️ That may be a good name for your running groups/clubs, Running Girl and Michelle xx So sorry for this lengthy post. Hope you don't mind me answering Michelle's questions.
Michelle - Hi again flower. !st (2006) was small lump, but grade 3,E+. I was offered lumpectomy with rads, or mast with full ANC and no rads (at that time SNB hadn't yet been approved in this country) with implant recon or without. I was still single, so desperately wanted recon, as I knew it would affect badly me without. However, my original lovely surgeon was due to retire, and my BCN recommended a new surgeon on the block, who was up to date with all the "self tissue" recon techniques, and was very skilful. Recommended a Latflap, as I'm slender, so not much extra elsewhere to use. I didn't want a big scar on my back, or another on my chest - due to the extra risks of infection. But also, I was a serious walker (rucksack straps and chaffing) and swimmer, so didn't want to compromise one the strongest muscles in my body with a Latflap. So, my desire was only for implant recon.
Sadly, it didn't happen, due to a miscommunication in implant versus self tissue info. But. . . I was happy to still have one of my own boobs left. I have read many other reports from women, some celebrities, who’ve said exactly the same thing. I quite happily made do with a prosthesis and specialist bras. Always had thoughts to still have an implant recon at a later date.
But then . . . Yep, 2nd was another primary thankfully(?!?), rather than from spread. Found it myself, just before my annual check up for/after my first, so obviously mentioned it then! Ultrasound doc said "just a group of cysts". Wished she hadn't - gave me a false sense of hope. Fortunately, my surgeon was conscientiously suspicious, and did a biopsy pronto, so it was just under a year later. My attitude with that one, was to just get rid of the b****r, and deal with recon later. So had another mast and full ANC. But it really smashed me up mentally,
It would have been difficult, anyway, to do an immediate implant recon on one side, and install an expander on the other, to gradually inflate and then have to match up.
One BIG positive about having a bilateral mast, is it’s much easier to match them up for recon!
Yet another but. . . . ”delayed” recon implant recon can take nearly a year to complete from nothing, to expander, then inflations, to permanent implants, and then final the “icing on the cake” (or should I say, icing on the boob!) of nipple recon. Numerous appointments, 3 ops and waiting for things to heal post-op or settle down between inflations. Takes a lot of perseverence, patience and inconvenience. Plus, as happened with me, life can throw a whole load of other brown stuff your way, in the meantime that you’re considering “when” to start it all. Took me until 2014 to get on the recon horse, so 7years (!!), after loss of my 3 immediate family members and a whole load of other stuff (s**t) that also happened following, and has caused and had a massive impact and serious mental illness. I got through all my expander expansion appointments, but then fell off the horse again, due to mental problems, and “still” haven’t got back on it.
So, I always stress, if you are at all thinking of and wanting recon, and it is offered as an immediate option, take it. Get it all over and done with in one go and get it out of the way, rather than delay. Because you just never know what other s**t is going to crop up….. Bear that in mind before your op on Monday. I don't know if you're not bothered about recon, are thinking later or what, but you still have chance to change your mind before then.
Cumbrian Lady - I actually stopped wearing a bra, recently (unless I'm dressing up for something spesh) So specially for you, I take my cami or T-shirt off. If your name indicates where you live - Cumbria's one of my favourite counties for stunningly beeautiful scenery and rambling the fells, valleys and lakes.
To ALL of you, from a now 14yr survivor. Yeh, you’re always left with that seed of doubt that BC leaves you with. But that seed DOES get smaller through the years, no longer becomes your waking thought, and gets more and more pushed to the back of your head. Yes, it can rear its head again. But try NOT to live your life “in fear” of that happening. It may NEVER do. But always be vigilant, with anything new/out of the ordinary body wise, though.
Incidentally, Michelle. Ref the annoyance and frustration of losing a lengthy post. There seems to be a “time-out” for responses. Similar frustrating experiences, with some of my looong posts (such as this one! Sorry again girls) led me to type up my responses in Word then "copy and paste” onto my then opened Forum reply.
Much love to all you “Warrior Women”.😄 Dellypoos xX❤️❤️❤️Xx
