First time here.

I have had a lumpectomy done on my right breast and it was found to be
stage 0 Ductal Carcinoma In-Sito. They went back in to remove a legion
from around it. They recommended 5 days a week and possibly a couple
chemo treatments. At first I agreed to having the treatments until I
had time to think and discuss this with many other ppl. I went to see
the oncologist and she said she suspects there is more cancer there and
would require a third surgery to remove more area. I told her that I
just wanted the breast removed and have my breast rebuilt at the same
time using my skin and fissure from my abdomen to do so. Then she wants
to use Tomoxifin from then on to keep the cancer out of my other breast.

I would like to know any of what you have to say and if there are any
ppl that can share with me about the surgery and recovery. I would also
like to know the side effects of the Tomoxifin.

Thank you in advance

Hi, Savanna,

Welcome . . . but I'm sorry you have need to join the group. A few comments
interspersed below,


"Savanna Danna" <Savdan-2007@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:4027-4691BE1E-823@storefull-3354.bay.webtv.net...
>
> I have had a lumpectomy done on my right breast and it was found to be
> stage 0 Ductal Carcinoma In-Sito.
.....
> I told her that I
> just wanted the breast removed and have my breast rebuilt at the same
> time using my skin and fissure from my abdomen to do so. Then she wants
> to use Tomoxifin from then on to keep the cancer out of my other breast.
>
> I would like to know any of what you have to say and if there are any
> ppl that can share with me about the surgery and recovery.

I had bilateral mastectomies, but didn 't do the reconstruction. The
mastectomy proper isn't a huge big deal as surgeries go, since it's
affecting basically skin & fatty tissue, not vital organs (vital in the
sense of sustaining life, I mean). But I've heard that the reconstruction
surgery you propose is a much more difficult recovery.

> I would also
> like to know the side effects of the Tomoxifin.

For me, not much. As far as I know, hot flashes were pretty much it, and
mine weren't debilitating.

Keep in touch, OK - let us know what you decide, and how it's going.

Sending postitive wishes,

Ann T.
Remove 'dontsendspam' from address to reply by email

"Savanna Danna" <Savdan-2007@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:4027-4691BE1E-823@storefull-3354.bay.webtv.net...
>
> I have had a lumpectomy done on my right breast and it was found to be
> stage 0 Ductal Carcinoma In-Sito. They went back in to remove a legion
> from around it. They recommended 5 days a week and possibly a couple
> chemo treatments. At first I agreed to having the treatments until I
> had time to think and discuss this with many other ppl. I went to see
> the oncologist and she said she suspects there is more cancer there and
> would require a third surgery to remove more area. I told her that I
> just wanted the breast removed and have my breast rebuilt at the same
> time using my skin and fissure from my abdomen to do so.

My wife opted for bilateral mastectomy without reconstruction, and has not
regretted her decision. That is a very individual matter, but do give
careful consideration to the option of doing without reconstruction

> Then she wants
> to use Tomoxifin from then on to keep the cancer out of my other breast.
>
> I would like to know any of what you have to say and if there are any
> ppl that can share with me about the surgery and recovery. I would also
> like to know the side effects of the Tomoxifin.

Many people do have more than hot flashes with tamoxifen. My wife ultiately
stopped taking it because of its adverse effecto on her thinking and memory,
a side effect that is not mentioned in the package insert but has been
noticed by many, though by no means all, others.

> Thank you in advance

On Tue, 10 Jul 2007 21:15:35 GMT, "Sandy L" <hlmssl@mindspring.com>
wrote:

>My wife opted for bilateral mastectomy without reconstruction, and has not
>regretted her decision.

I really wish I had asked if I could have that done. I don't think I
would mind having no breasts as much as I mind having only one, with all
the accompanying problems of bras and prostheses. I'd love to be able
to go without a bra. I think wearing one for 60 years is more than
enough.
--
"It's easier to get forgiveness than permission."
Rear Admiral "Amazing" Grace Hopper

On Tue, 10 Jul 2007 23:04:04 +0100, x{yz}enophil44@hotmail.com wrote:
>On Tue, 10 Jul 2007 21:15:35 GMT, "Sandy L" <hlmssl@mindspring.com>
>wrote:
>
>>My wife opted for bilateral mastectomy without reconstruction, and has not
>>regretted her decision.
>
>I really wish I had asked if I could have that done. I don't think I
>would mind having no breasts as much as I mind having only one, with all
>the accompanying problems of bras and prostheses. I'd love to be able
>to go without a bra. I think wearing one for 60 years is more than
>enough.

Ooops! Make that 50 years!

--
"It's easier to get forgiveness than permission."
Rear Admiral "Amazing" Grace Hopper

Hi all, I want to have my breast rebuilt b/c of being able to wear
clothing that I would not have to use a prosthesis. I want to be able
to wear a swim suit and such. I am a full figured woman so it would
really make a difference to me. Besides that I will get a tummy tuck
out of it which is at least something else I really need since I have
had 2 major abdominal surgeries that ruined the muscle there and there
is plenty of tissue and skin to be able to use for the rebuild.

As or the Tomoxifin I have also heard that it can cause moderate hair
loss. I would not care for that very much and I have problems with
short term memory loss anyway so I hope it will not be a big problem
with that either.

I go back to Shands next wednesday to discuss this all with my surgeon
and then will be sent to a plastic surgeon also.

There is something else they told me to always remember and that is
since I have had breast surgery that I should never have my BP checked
or an IV in my right arm. Can you tell me why??? She said that I
should get another medic alert bracelet that has this info right on it
in case of emergencies. Can you explain in more detail what this is all
about.

Thanks for your help and advice.

Savanna Danna wrote:
> Hi all, I want to have my breast rebuilt b/c of being able to wear
> clothing that I would not have to use a prosthesis. I want to be able
> to wear a swim suit and such. I am a full figured woman so it would
> really make a difference to me. Besides that I will get a tummy tuck
> out of it which is at least something else I really need since I have
> had 2 major abdominal surgeries that ruined the muscle there and there
> is plenty of tissue and skin to be able to use for the rebuild.
>
> As or the Tomoxifin I have also heard that it can cause moderate hair
> loss. I would not care for that very much and I have problems with
> short term memory loss anyway so I hope it will not be a big problem
> with that either.
>
> I go back to Shands next wednesday to discuss this all with my surgeon
> and then will be sent to a plastic surgeon also.
>
> There is something else they told me to always remember and that is
> since I have had breast surgery that I should never have my BP checked
> or an IV in my right arm. Can you tell me why??? She said that I
> should get another medic alert bracelet that has this info right on it
> in case of emergencies. Can you explain in more detail what this is all
> about.
>
> Thanks for your help and advice.
>

Don't forget that you can always try using Tamoxifen, and stop or change
if the side effects become unacceptable. Most women do not have serious
side effects. It would be rather foolish to forgo something that halves
your risk of a fatal recurrence just because of some side effects that a
minority of *other* women have suffered.

The reason for protecting your operated arm is to reduce the risk of
lymphedema. There is really no clear evidence as to what triggers
lymphedema in some patients, so the available advice is mostly based on
theoretical considerations. The general idea is to avoid activities
that raise the relative lymph pressure (eg BP cuffs, flying) or lymph
flow (eg inflammation or infection). Exercise increases the lymph flow
in the short term, but also tends to improve the lymph drainage rate in
the longer term, so is a double-edged weapon. Some authorities advise
against heavy lifting, but I think it is now pretty much accepted that
as a part of a controlled exercise regime it can be beneficial.


Tim Jackson

Thanks so much for the info. I want to understand as much as I can
about this.

<x{yz}enophil44@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:5f089351jmhpj7la329gqqm9j08p5ir91k@4ax.com...
> On Tue, 10 Jul 2007 21:15:35 GMT, "Sandy L" <hlmssl@mindspring.com>
> wrote:
>
>>My wife opted for bilateral mastectomy without reconstruction, and has not
>>regretted her decision.
>
> I really wish I had asked if I could have that done. I don't think I
> would mind having no breasts as much as I mind having only one, with all
> the accompanying problems of bras and prostheses. I'd love to be able
> to go without a bra. I think wearing one for 60 years is more than
> enough.

Hear hear!

But being lopsided can be no fun!

Mary

On Thu, 12 Jul 2007 10:18:44 +0100, "Mary Fisher"
<mary.fisher@zetnet.co.uk> wrote:
><x{yz}enophil44@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>news:5f089351jmhpj7la329gqqm9j08p5ir91k@4ax.com.. .
>> On Tue, 10 Jul 2007 21:15:35 GMT, "Sandy L" <hlmssl@mindspring.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>>My wife opted for bilateral mastectomy without reconstruction, and has not
>>>regretted her decision.
>>
>> I really wish I had asked if I could have that done. I don't think I
>> would mind having no breasts as much as I mind having only one, with all
>> the accompanying problems of bras and prostheses. I'd love to be able
>> to go without a bra. I think wearing one for 60 years is more than
>> enough.
>
>Hear hear!
>
>But being lopsided can be no fun!
>
No, it's not. I had a lot of problems finding a suitable prosthesis.
The great heavy one given me by an allegedly qualified fitter under the
NHS scheme was far too big and it felt as though I was carrying an extra
head around under my arm.

Eventually, after being made desperately miserable by it and being put
on Prozac, I found one on the Internet, far cheaper and far lighter and
I was able to return two which weren't exactly what I wanted before
getting the one I have now, which cost £25 as opposed to the £100 job
I'd been issued by the NHS. I also got a couple of really good
mastectomy bras at the same time.

The reason it's cheap is because it's a combination of foam outer and a
small silicon inner which gives it the required weight, rather than the
normal prosthesis which is all silicone.

As it is, I don't wear it very much; I certainly don't wear it indoors,
or if I'm just popping out to the shops. After all who looks at the
chest of a fat 63 year old woman?

I *will* wear it when I go to my Goddaughter's wedding on Saturday,
though.
--
"It's easier to get forgiveness than permission."
Rear Admiral "Amazing" Grace Hopper

<x{yz}enophil44@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:78tb93pmutgfal3075rmj8cs6mi1gbved3@4ax.com...
>>
>>But being lopsided can be no fun!
>>
> No, it's not. I had a lot of problems finding a suitable prosthesis.
> The great heavy one given me by an allegedly qualified fitter under the
> NHS scheme was far too big and it felt as though I was carrying an extra
> head around under my arm.
>
> Eventually, after being made desperately miserable by it and being put
> on Prozac, I found one on the Internet, far cheaper and far lighter and
> I was able to return two which weren't exactly what I wanted before
> getting the one I have now, which cost £25 as opposed to the £100 job
> I'd been issued by the NHS. I also got a couple of really good
> mastectomy bras at the same time.
>
> The reason it's cheap is because it's a combination of foam outer and a
> small silicon inner which gives it the required weight, rather than the
> normal prosthesis which is all silicone.

Good - the most important point is that things came right in the end :-)
>
> As it is, I don't wear it very much; I certainly don't wear it indoors,
> or if I'm just popping out to the shops. After all who looks at the
> chest of a fat 63 year old woman?

More, I suspect, than want to look at that of a 68 year old :-)
>
> I *will* wear it when I go to my Goddaughter's wedding on Saturday,
> though.

I should think so too! You'll be on the pictures.

I couldn't bring myself to wheel out The Frock for son's Silver Wedding last
weekend though. I did wear a decent top to my new jeans - and spilt
strawberry juice on it, it wouldn't have shown on The Frock but I comforted
myself that none of the young folk there would be looking at my chest ... as
it was one of them pointed it out :-) How wrong can you get?

<smug>

Mary
> --
> "It's easier to get forgiveness than permission."
> Rear Admiral "Amazing" Grace Hopper