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Hi all, I'm just trying to find kiwi girls also going through this and keen to hear about their experiences and types of recon. It doesn't seem that theres not many of us out there!
I'm 32 with two young children. Have known i'm brca+ for two years.
Suzanne
Hi Suzanne, welcome to this wonderful website that Nic has created for us! There is a lot of info on here. I don't know many other Brca sisters or brothers yet either.
Where do you live and are you able to get to Christchurch to the conference beginning Oct 1st?
I'm 47 with 2 boys 10 & 12 and have know for a year or so. I have a few posts on here and my story is in the "Get involved" section.
I had my PBM 1st July Lat Dorsi recon and I'm mostly healing well - just a couple of stubborn areas - Dist Nurse has decided I need antibiotics.
Your date is coming up quick! What method recon are you having? Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Debbie
Hi Suzanne
Firstly, all the best for your op next week. I had my op December 2008. Unfortunately my op was due to finding a cancerous lump. I was going to have a PBM once I had finished breastfeeding my little girl but it bet me to it. I had the other breast off as well and had the tissue expander reconstruction where saline implants are used to stretch the skin and are slowly filled with more saline to the required breast size. Then another op is required to remove them and replace with silicone implants. I was recommended this procedure at the time. The second op is only a minor one compared to the first. I had to wait until I had finished my treatment before I can have the silicone implants. I am currently in the process in organising this op. I found that this recon procedure was fine for me. My recovery was probably 6 weeks and had no complications. I am very happy with what I have and am pleased I went ahead with the reconstruction.
I found out that I was BRCA + in 2001. My mum was + as well. She got BC in 1989 and her fight ended in 2008, 3 months before I found my lump and 1 month before her 1st grand daughter was born.
I also have a nearly 6 yr old boy and my girl will be 2 in October. I am a fighting fit now and am considering having a prophylatic hysto this year. I haven't signed up for the conference yet as it all depends on when my ops are. Hopefully I will be able to make it.
You will be fine with your op. Positive thinking - thats what my mum always said.
Amanda
Wow, thank you Debbie and Amanda, I really appreciate your replies... my anxiety is building now with only a few days to go and hearing your stories really helps. Amanda-did you have Lat Dorsi recon with your expanders?
My situation is I found out i was Brca+ 2 years ago, and i have been waiting for my PBM nearly all of this time. At the time I was very motivated and had all the statistics and terms, but 2 years on, and 2 surgery postponements later, its come as a bit of a surprise (10 days notice). I still can't wait to have this behind me, but its been 18months since i've seen the plastic surgeon, and I aren't entirely sure which procedure I'm even having (altho I know we will discuss this at pre-op the day before 17/8).
I'm sure it is Lat Dorsi with expanders since i didn't have alot of stomach at the time - but it has grown slightly :-) If anyone has any suggestions on tummy vs back I'd really appreciate it!
Debbie - you sound like you are doing amazingly well since your op was so recent, sorry to hear your healing is happening brilliantly (like we all deserve). Are you in ChCh? I cannot make it to the conference, I live in Palmerston North.
Amanda - I am due for an Ooph or hysterectomy in August (LOL), this will be put off now that my PBM has finally come about. How did you find making this decision? We haven't had alot of Ovarian cancer in my family (that we know of).
Thank you so much for your replies everyone - it means alot at this time.
Thanks
Suzanne
Hi Suzanne
My recon wasn't Lat Dorsi. What they do is keep the skin of the breast and remove the insides. They also took both of my nipples and surrounding area. Then it was sewed up forming the shape of a breast and the saline implants were put in with saline. More saline was injected in over time to stretch the skin to get the size I wanted. Hope this makes sence.
Making my decision about the hysto - my nana died of ovarian cancer back in 1989. Although the BRCA mutation was found to have come down my grandfathers side (her husband), I still think its a no brainer to have the hysto or at least an ooph. When I found out that I was BRCA+ back in 2001, Peter George ,who was the genetist I was dealing with at the time, recommended me to have PBM and ooph once I had finished having my family. My problem at the moment is trying to get my medical insurance company to pay for the surgery. They aren't at the moment as I am choosing to have the hysto with no medical reason ie heavy periods etc. My gynae and I currently working towards getting it covered. Fingers crossed!
My neighbour had the let dorsi procedure and she has had no complications and is very happy with what she has got.
Where abouts are you having your procedure done? I used to live in Dannevirke so know Palmy pretty well. I now live in Ashburton so am a long way from home.
Keep in touch. Would love to hear from you once you have had the op.
Amanda
PS have just seen that there is info about my procedure in the information link on the home page. Go to inofrmation, breast reconstruction, and at the bottom of the page there is link to breast implants. Hope this helps
Last edited by Amanda (2010-08-13 20:09:02)
Hi Amanda, yes that makes pefect sense thankyou - i am just unsure as to why they would use my back muscle if they don't have to? i had thought it was to make a pocket to one day hold an implant if thats what I chose to do? but it sounds like you didn't really need a muscle made pocket.
I hope you can sort things with your insurance company, why do they insist on dragging their feet with this stuff, surely its cheaper for them than if you had to get full treatment???
I am going down to the Hutt for surgery. Thanks, i tried to find the information you mention, but it only seems to say there is Breast Recon information coming soon?.... am I in the wrong place?
Thanks
Suzanne
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