Re: New here, not new to breast cancer

[Guest guest]

Hi Kimmi.

My situation is somewhat similar to yours. I have DCIS (at this

point as I'm waiting for surgery--double mastectomy with

reconstruction) and of course final path.

Those pics on the web are horrible and are not accurate. My sister

was 24 with breast cancer (stage 2) and she had a reconstruction and

her breasts turned out great. In fact, unless she told someone that

she had a mastectomy they wouldn't guess right off. Yes, there are

the " faint " incision lines and hers have faded drastically. I think

the cosmetic outlook depends on your surgeon as well as the type of

reconstruction. I chose the same as my sister the implants and

stayed away from the TRAM (just my personal choice).

Have your plastic surgeon show you some photos of cases he's done as

my sister did.

Hope this helps,

>

> Hi everyone. I'm Kim. In May 2003 I was diagnosed with DCIS in

my

> left breast. I was treated with a lumpectomy where the surgeon

removed

> a section a little larger than a golf ball and that was followed

by

> radiation. Last Monday my regularly scheduled mammogram picked up

a

> new area that appears to be more DCIS. I am scheduled for another

> stereotactic biopsy on November 3rd. My surgeon is already going

down

> the mastectomy road and I'm terrified. Has anyone here had the

same

> situation and been treated another way, besides mastectomy I

mean? My

> emotions are so up and down. At first my immediate thought was go

> ahead and have the mastectomy of the left breast, prophylactic

> mastectomy of the so-far " ok " right breast and immediate

reconstruction

> of both. After researching the methods I am beyond terrified.

The

> photos of mastectomy and reconstruction on the on-line sites are

just

> so horrific to me. At first, losing the breasts didn't seem to

bother

> me a great deal as I would rather live than die, as they can be

> reconstructed to some degree, but the loss of my skin and nipples

is

> really bothering me a lot. I have cried and cried. I am 44 years

old,

> have a young child (6 years old) and am frozen with fear.

Anything

> that anyone can tell me will be so appreciated. I will be so glad

when

> the 3rd gets here and I can at least move ahead with whatever it

is I

> have to do. It's just that I don't know much about exactly WHAT

can be

> done. Thank you.

>

[Guest guest]

, thanks for your return post. Part of my problem is that my

surgeon has suggested that we wait to discuss any options until we

get the final pathology on the biopsy scheduled for the 3rd. While

he does breast surgery, he does other types of surgery as well and is

not a breast reconstruction specialist. I am having a hard time

finding " that " person, and if I do find " that " person right now will

they even consult with me at this point? Those photos are horrible,

yes they are, and I have decided to not look at them anymore.

I have got to be able to find someone in my area (Dallas) that

specializes in this type of surgery, right? Is that just a regular

plastic surgeon? I just don't know who to contact and my insurance

company is not being helpful at all. I kind of feel like I'm out on

a limb all alone with no support. What I worry about is that if the

biopsy does indicate that mastectomy is needed that my surgeon will

pressure me to continue on with him and I won't have been able to

talk with anyone else. Is there any kind of other resource out there

that I can use to find breast reconstruction specialists in my area?

Thanks all....Kim

> >

> > Hi everyone. I'm Kim. In May 2003 I was diagnosed with DCIS in

> my

> > left breast. I was treated with a lumpectomy where the surgeon

> removed

> > a section a little larger than a golf ball and that was followed

> by

> > radiation. Last Monday my regularly scheduled mammogram picked

up

> a

> > new area that appears to be more DCIS. I am scheduled for

another

> > stereotactic biopsy on November 3rd. My surgeon is already going

> down

> > the mastectomy road and I'm terrified. Has anyone here had the

> same

> > situation and been treated another way, besides mastectomy I

> mean? My

> > emotions are so up and down. At first my immediate thought was

go

> > ahead and have the mastectomy of the left breast, prophylactic

> > mastectomy of the so-far " ok " right breast and immediate

> reconstruction

> > of both. After researching the methods I am beyond terrified.

> The

> > photos of mastectomy and reconstruction on the on-line sites are

> just

> > so horrific to me. At first, losing the breasts didn't seem to

> bother

> > me a great deal as I would rather live than die, as they can be

> > reconstructed to some degree, but the loss of my skin and nipples

> is

> > really bothering me a lot. I have cried and cried. I am 44

years

> old,

> > have a young child (6 years old) and am frozen with fear.

> Anything

> > that anyone can tell me will be so appreciated. I will be so

glad

> when

> > the 3rd gets here and I can at least move ahead with whatever it

> is I

> > have to do. It's just that I don't know much about exactly WHAT

> can be

> > done. Thank you.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Kim,

Why don't you talk to the patient advocate at your local hospital and ask for

the name of a breast reconstruction specialist. I am sure they would be able to

give you some name.

Hugs

nne

Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life

http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html

BreastCancerStories.com

http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/

Angel Feather Loomer

www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com

Check out my other ornaments at

www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html

Lots of info and gifts at:

www.cancerclub.com

Re: New here, not new to breast cancer

, thanks for your return post. Part of my problem is that my

surgeon has suggested that we wait to discuss any options until we

get the final pathology on the biopsy scheduled for the 3rd. While

he does breast surgery, he does other types of surgery as well and is

not a breast reconstruction specialist. I am having a hard time

finding " that " person, and if I do find " that " person right now will

they even consult with me at this point? Those photos are horrible,

yes they are, and I have decided to not look at them anymore.

I have got to be able to find someone in my area (Dallas) that

specializes in this type of surgery, right? Is that just a regular

plastic surgeon? I just don't know who to contact and my insurance

company is not being helpful at all. I kind of feel like I'm out on

a limb all alone with no support. What I worry about is that if the

biopsy does indicate that mastectomy is needed that my surgeon will

pressure me to continue on with him and I won't have been able to

talk with anyone else. Is there any kind of other resource out there

that I can use to find breast reconstruction specialists in my area?

Thanks all....Kim

> >

> > Hi everyone. I'm Kim. In May 2003 I was diagnosed with DCIS in

> my

> > left breast. I was treated with a lumpectomy where the surgeon

> removed

> > a section a little larger than a golf ball and that was followed

> by

> > radiation. Last Monday my regularly scheduled mammogram picked

up

> a

> > new area that appears to be more DCIS. I am scheduled for

another

> > stereotactic biopsy on November 3rd. My surgeon is already going

> down

> > the mastectomy road and I'm terrified. Has anyone here had the

> same

> > situation and been treated another way, besides mastectomy I

> mean? My

> > emotions are so up and down. At first my immediate thought was

go

> > ahead and have the mastectomy of the left breast, prophylactic

> > mastectomy of the so-far " ok " right breast and immediate

> reconstruction

> > of both. After researching the methods I am beyond terrified.

> The

> > photos of mastectomy and reconstruction on the on-line sites are

> just

> > so horrific to me. At first, losing the breasts didn't seem to

> bother

> > me a great deal as I would rather live than die, as they can be

> > reconstructed to some degree, but the loss of my skin and nipples

> is

> > really bothering me a lot. I have cried and cried. I am 44

years

> old,

> > have a young child (6 years old) and am frozen with fear.

> Anything

> > that anyone can tell me will be so appreciated. I will be so

glad

> when

> > the 3rd gets here and I can at least move ahead with whatever it

> is I

> > have to do. It's just that I don't know much about exactly WHAT

> can be

> > done. Thank you.

> >

>

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

Hello Kim,

I was diagnosed with DCIS on 08/03/06 and had surgery on 09/11/06, the surgeon

explained to me about lumpectomy and mastectomy, he said that with lumpectomy I

have 8-11 %chance of getting cancer back and with mastectomy 1-2% chance. I went

for a second opinion, the surgeon explained to me the same, I told her that I

want the lowest risk therefore I opted for bilateral mastectomy ( both breast

removed). My cancer was on the left breast, the right breast was fine, but I had

prophylactic mastectomy so I don't have to worry about it coming back on the

other breast. I cried a lot for losing my breast, but I know I made the right

decision and just pray God to help me be cancer free. I wanted to have TRAM but

both surgeons told me that I don't have enough tissues from my abdomen for both

breast because of my body size. I had total mastectomy with reconstruction with

expander then replace it with saline in plant later.

I try not to think about it and take one day at time, it is not an easy

decisions to make, I remembered looking in those in plant pictures and started

to cough for about few minutes because of the way they look. Kim be strong and

keep your chin up, we all are here for each other as a family. You are in my

prayers, hugs...

Chantal

stygian000 wrote: Hi Kimmi.

My situation is somewhat similar to yours. I have DCIS (at this

point as I'm waiting for surgery--double mastectomy with

reconstruction) and of course final path.

Those pics on the web are horrible and are not accurate. My sister

was 24 with breast cancer (stage 2) and she had a reconstruction and

her breasts turned out great. In fact, unless she told someone that

she had a mastectomy they wouldn't guess right off. Yes, there are

the " faint " incision lines and hers have faded drastically. I think

the cosmetic outlook depends on your surgeon as well as the type of

reconstruction. I chose the same as my sister the implants and

stayed away from the TRAM (just my personal choice).

Have your plastic surgeon show you some photos of cases he's done as

my sister did.

Hope this helps,

>

> Hi everyone. I'm Kim. In May 2003 I was diagnosed with DCIS in

my

> left breast. I was treated with a lumpectomy where the surgeon

removed

> a section a little larger than a golf ball and that was followed

by

> radiation. Last Monday my regularly scheduled mammogram picked up

a

> new area that appears to be more DCIS. I am scheduled for another

> stereotactic biopsy on November 3rd. My surgeon is already going

down

> the mastectomy road and I'm terrified. Has anyone here had the

same

> situation and been treated another way, besides mastectomy I

mean? My

> emotions are so up and down. At first my immediate thought was go

> ahead and have the mastectomy of the left breast, prophylactic

> mastectomy of the so-far " ok " right breast and immediate

reconstruction

> of both. After researching the methods I am beyond terrified.

The

> photos of mastectomy and reconstruction on the on-line sites are

just

> so horrific to me. At first, losing the breasts didn't seem to

bother

> me a great deal as I would rather live than die, as they can be

> reconstructed to some degree, but the loss of my skin and nipples

is

> really bothering me a lot. I have cried and cried. I am 44 years

old,

> have a young child (6 years old) and am frozen with fear.

Anything

> that anyone can tell me will be so appreciated. I will be so glad

when

> the 3rd gets here and I can at least move ahead with whatever it

is I

> have to do. It's just that I don't know much about exactly WHAT

can be

> done. Thank you.

>

---------------------------------

All-new Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster.

[Guest guest]

That is a great idea! Thank you; I will call them tomorrow:)

> > >

> > > Hi everyone. I'm Kim. In May 2003 I was diagnosed with DCIS

in

> > my

> > > left breast. I was treated with a lumpectomy where the

surgeon

> > removed

> > > a section a little larger than a golf ball and that was

followed

> > by

> > > radiation. Last Monday my regularly scheduled mammogram

picked

> up

> > a

> > > new area that appears to be more DCIS. I am scheduled for

> another

> > > stereotactic biopsy on November 3rd. My surgeon is already

going

> > down

> > > the mastectomy road and I'm terrified. Has anyone here had

the

> > same

> > > situation and been treated another way, besides mastectomy I

> > mean? My

> > > emotions are so up and down. At first my immediate thought

was

> go

> > > ahead and have the mastectomy of the left breast,

prophylactic

> > > mastectomy of the so-far " ok " right breast and immediate

> > reconstruction

> > > of both. After researching the methods I am beyond terrified.

> > The

> > > photos of mastectomy and reconstruction on the on-line sites

are

> > just

> > > so horrific to me. At first, losing the breasts didn't seem

to

> > bother

> > > me a great deal as I would rather live than die, as they can

be

> > > reconstructed to some degree, but the loss of my skin and

nipples

> > is

> > > really bothering me a lot. I have cried and cried. I am 44

> years

> > old,

> > > have a young child (6 years old) and am frozen with fear.

> > Anything

> > > that anyone can tell me will be so appreciated. I will be so

> glad

> > when

> > > the 3rd gets here and I can at least move ahead with whatever

it

> > is I

> > > have to do. It's just that I don't know much about exactly

WHAT

> > can be

> > > done. Thank you.

> > >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

> --------------------------------------------------------------------

----------

>

>

> No virus found in this incoming message.

> Checked by AVG Free Edition.

> Version: 7.1.408 / Virus Database: 268.13.9/490 - Release Date:

10/20/2006

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I am really beginning to wish that I had gone with the bilateral

mastectomy after the first diagnosis. When I find surgeons to talk

to I will definitely ask for photos of their work and you give me

hope that I will find someone who can produce a better result than

what I have seen on line. I still have issues with the skin and

nipple loss but I guess that there's not a lot to be done about

that. I am becoming more depressed daily about the whole thing.

It's such an interruption of life.

> >

> > Hi everyone. I'm Kim. In May 2003 I was diagnosed with DCIS in

> my

> > left breast. I was treated with a lumpectomy where the surgeon

> removed

> > a section a little larger than a golf ball and that was followed

> by

> > radiation. Last Monday my regularly scheduled mammogram picked up

> a

> > new area that appears to be more DCIS. I am scheduled for another

> > stereotactic biopsy on November 3rd. My surgeon is already going

> down

> > the mastectomy road and I'm terrified. Has anyone here had the

> same

> > situation and been treated another way, besides mastectomy I

> mean? My

> > emotions are so up and down. At first my immediate thought was go

> > ahead and have the mastectomy of the left breast, prophylactic

> > mastectomy of the so-far " ok " right breast and immediate

> reconstruction

> > of both. After researching the methods I am beyond terrified.

> The

> > photos of mastectomy and reconstruction on the on-line sites are

> just

> > so horrific to me. At first, losing the breasts didn't seem to

> bother

> > me a great deal as I would rather live than die, as they can be

> > reconstructed to some degree, but the loss of my skin and nipples

> is

> > really bothering me a lot. I have cried and cried. I am 44 years

> old,

> > have a young child (6 years old) and am frozen with fear.

> Anything

> > that anyone can tell me will be so appreciated. I will be so glad

> when

> > the 3rd gets here and I can at least move ahead with whatever it

> is I

> > have to do. It's just that I don't know much about exactly WHAT

> can be

> > done. Thank you.

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> All-new Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email and get things

done faster.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kim,

The whole, " who am I supposed to be seeing and about what? " thing can be very

confusing. At least it was to me. There are definitely plastic surgeons who

specialize in breast reconstruction and I'm betting that there are a ton of them

in the Dallas metro area.

I had a double last December (hard to believe I'm coming up on a year already),

with reconstruction. My surgeon removed the breasts, my plastic surgeon placed

the expanders and she was the one I saw from that point on for reconstruction

issues. I don't recommend the tram flap (and neither did she) as recovery is a

lot more difficult and longer and according to my PS is harder to control the

look. I have silicone implants and am part of a study to be sure they don't

cause any problems. I used to be a double D and now I am a darling C. They look

GREAT and feel the same.

Warm regards,

Maya

---- kimmi0124 wrote:

> I am really beginning to wish that I had gone with the bilateral

> mastectomy after the first diagnosis. When I find surgeons to talk

> to I will definitely ask for photos of their work and you give me

> hope that I will find someone who can produce a better result than

> what I have seen on line. I still have issues with the skin and

> nipple loss but I guess that there's not a lot to be done about

> that. I am becoming more depressed daily about the whole thing.

> It's such an interruption of life.

>

>

> > >

> > > Hi everyone. I'm Kim. In May 2003 I was diagnosed with DCIS in

> > my

> > > left breast. I was treated with a lumpectomy where the surgeon

> > removed

> > > a section a little larger than a golf ball and that was followed

> > by

> > > radiation. Last Monday my regularly scheduled mammogram picked up

> > a

> > > new area that appears to be more DCIS. I am scheduled for another

> > > stereotactic biopsy on November 3rd. My surgeon is already going

> > down

> > > the mastectomy road and I'm terrified. Has anyone here had the

> > same

> > > situation and been treated another way, besides mastectomy I

> > mean? My

> > > emotions are so up and down. At first my immediate thought was go

> > > ahead and have the mastectomy of the left breast, prophylactic

> > > mastectomy of the so-far " ok " right breast and immediate

> > reconstruction

> > > of both. After researching the methods I am beyond terrified.

> > The

> > > photos of mastectomy and reconstruction on the on-line sites are

> > just

> > > so horrific to me. At first, losing the breasts didn't seem to

> > bother

> > > me a great deal as I would rather live than die, as they can be

> > > reconstructed to some degree, but the loss of my skin and nipples

> > is

> > > really bothering me a lot. I have cried and cried. I am 44 years

> > old,

> > > have a young child (6 years old) and am frozen with fear.

> > Anything

> > > that anyone can tell me will be so appreciated. I will be so glad

> > when

> > > the 3rd gets here and I can at least move ahead with whatever it

> > is I

> > > have to do. It's just that I don't know much about exactly WHAT

> > can be

> > > done. Thank you.

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ---------------------------------

> > All-new Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email and get things

> done faster.

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Kimmi,

I had a general surgeon do my lumpectomy and mastectomy, but before my

mastectomy she asked if I wanted to see a breast plastic surgeon to

decide if I wanted to do reconstruction. If I had, then they would have

coordinated together to do the mastectomy and reconstruction during the

surgery. She had names of breast plastic surgeons that I could have seen.

So I would think if you end up needing a mastectomy your surgeon would

encourage you to consult before your surgery so he could coordinate the

operation with a plastic surgeon.

-

[Guest guest]

Hi again Kimmi. There are nipple " tattoos " that look like the real

thing. Also, surgeons can reconstruct from other tissue

a " nipple " . The advice of checking with the hospital for a good

breast surgeon was excellent advice. Explore your options from

reputable medical professionals. The internet though vast with

knowledge is sometimes scary in other things

Take care,

-- In breastcancer2 , " kimmi0124 " wrote:

>

> I am really beginning to wish that I had gone with the bilateral

> mastectomy after the first diagnosis. When I find surgeons to

talk

> to I will definitely ask for photos of their work and you give me

> hope that I will find someone who can produce a better result than

> what I have seen on line. I still have issues with the skin and

> nipple loss but I guess that there's not a lot to be done about

> that. I am becoming more depressed daily about the whole thing.

> It's such an interruption of life.

>

>

> > >

> > > Hi everyone. I'm Kim. In May 2003 I was diagnosed with DCIS in

> > my

> > > left breast. I was treated with a lumpectomy where the surgeon

> > removed

> > > a section a little larger than a golf ball and that was

followed

> > by

> > > radiation. Last Monday my regularly scheduled mammogram picked

up

> > a

> > > new area that appears to be more DCIS. I am scheduled for

another

> > > stereotactic biopsy on November 3rd. My surgeon is already

going

> > down

> > > the mastectomy road and I'm terrified. Has anyone here had the

> > same

> > > situation and been treated another way, besides mastectomy I

> > mean? My

> > > emotions are so up and down. At first my immediate thought was

go

> > > ahead and have the mastectomy of the left breast, prophylactic

> > > mastectomy of the so-far " ok " right breast and immediate

> > reconstruction

> > > of both. After researching the methods I am beyond terrified.

> > The

> > > photos of mastectomy and reconstruction on the on-line sites

are

> > just

> > > so horrific to me. At first, losing the breasts didn't seem to

> > bother

> > > me a great deal as I would rather live than die, as they can

be

> > > reconstructed to some degree, but the loss of my skin and

nipples

> > is

> > > really bothering me a lot. I have cried and cried. I am 44

years

> > old,

> > > have a young child (6 years old) and am frozen with fear.

> > Anything

> > > that anyone can tell me will be so appreciated. I will be so

glad

> > when

> > > the 3rd gets here and I can at least move ahead with whatever

it

> > is I

> > > have to do. It's just that I don't know much about exactly

WHAT

> > can be

> > > done. Thank you.

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ---------------------------------

> > All-new Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email and get

things

> done faster.

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi and Kimmi,

First of all, , I was thrilled to read about your sister.

I am also having reconstruction.. The pictures my plastic surgeon

showed me of his work was incredible. Even reconstructing nipples.

I'm not sure I want to go that far...cross that bridge when we get to

that point. Baby steps!!!

Kimmi, I encourage you to read all the posts on this site. I have

DCIS also and am having a double mastectomy. It is a difficult

decision to make but when faced with the alternative and hearing the

positive stories on this website...it somehow gives you strength to

follow thru and perservere. We're all in this together!!

Keep your chin up......Keep smiling.... :-)

Diane-Pa

> >

> > Hi everyone. I'm Kim. In May 2003 I was diagnosed with DCIS in

> my

> > left breast. I was treated with a lumpectomy where the surgeon

> removed

> > a section a little larger than a golf ball and that was followed

> by

> > radiation. Last Monday my regularly scheduled mammogram picked

up

> a

> > new area that appears to be more DCIS. I am scheduled for

another

> > stereotactic biopsy on November 3rd. My surgeon is already going

> down

> > the mastectomy road and I'm terrified. Has anyone here had the

> same

> > situation and been treated another way, besides mastectomy I

> mean? My

> > emotions are so up and down. At first my immediate thought was

go

> > ahead and have the mastectomy of the left breast, prophylactic

> > mastectomy of the so-far " ok " right breast and immediate

> reconstruction

> > of both. After researching the methods I am beyond terrified.

> The

> > photos of mastectomy and reconstruction on the on-line sites are

> just

> > so horrific to me. At first, losing the breasts didn't seem to

> bother

> > me a great deal as I would rather live than die, as they can be

> > reconstructed to some degree, but the loss of my skin and nipples

> is

> > really bothering me a lot. I have cried and cried. I am 44

years

> old,

> > have a young child (6 years old) and am frozen with fear.

> Anything

> > that anyone can tell me will be so appreciated. I will be so

glad

> when

> > the 3rd gets here and I can at least move ahead with whatever it

> is I

> > have to do. It's just that I don't know much about exactly WHAT

> can be

> > done. Thank you.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi . That is great advice and is what I'm doing. I'd rather go

through 1 operation though it is estimated to be 4-6 hrs. long then

have to keep going back for other conservation methods that may/may

not work. I realize there are implant fills and such and the

tattooing is the final step but for me it will help me heal faster

then to be left in a state of limbo between procedures. I chose the

double mastectomy because of our now apparent strong family

history. I'm being genetically tested as my sister had it at 24 and

therefore since I have it I'm not the gambling type to even try the

breast conservation route.

The surgeon and plastic surgeon will be working together in the O.R.

so that I get the best reconstruction possible. I definitely

encourage others to do the same.

Take care,

>

> Hi Kimmi,

>

> I had a general surgeon do my lumpectomy and mastectomy, but

before my

> mastectomy she asked if I wanted to see a breast plastic surgeon

to

> decide if I wanted to do reconstruction. If I had, then they would

have

> coordinated together to do the mastectomy and reconstruction

during the

> surgery. She had names of breast plastic surgeons that I could

have seen.

>

> So I would think if you end up needing a mastectomy your surgeon

would

> encourage you to consult before your surgery so he could

coordinate the

> operation with a plastic surgeon.

>

> -

>