To reconstruct or Not?....That is the question! "Part I"

» bajones - My personal opinion

Well, I have my own opinion on reconstruction. Let me give you a little background on me. I was diagnosed and told that I had to have a mastectomy because the cancer had spread throughout my breast. At the same time I was informed about reconstruction. I felt that not only did I get the news of having cancer, which is pretty devastating, but "Hey, hurry up and make your mind up about the reconstruction.". Wow, so many things were going on in my head that who wants to think about that. I needed to accept the first news and then accept that I was going to lose my breast.

Well, my first decision was not to have reconstruction. But no matter who I talked to about this, they disagreed with me. "What will you feel like in 5 years? You will wish you had two breasts." The more I heard the more I thought I was wrong.

I decided to have the implant, based on my doctor's advise. Little did I know what else I'd be going through. Along with the chemo I had to have injections in the tissue expander. Each and every time, I hurt. Now, this doesn't mean you will.

If I had to do all over again, I would have either chose to have reconstruction that they do at the time of the mastectomy or none at all. I have met several women who are in the same shoes as me. The ones that had "tram flaps" did not have to keep going through the process after the initial surgery. Only for the nipple reconstruction. This, in my opinion, is the way to go. You don't have to keep going through pain and discomfort. Once you are healed that is it.

I wish I had not chosen the breast implant at this time. Now, ask me again in 5 years. And, next time I have to chose something, I will listen to my own heart and not let others make my decision for me.

Bobbi Jones

-- posted by bajones

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» maybe - Implants and radiation

I had reconstruction started at time of surgery (mastectomy) I have expander inserted at this time. I have conflicting advise from two doctors. One states I cannot have radiation(which Iwill most likely require after chemo) the other states I can. Can you give any advise?

-- posted by maybe

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» bajones - Reconstruction & Radiation

I can't give you any medical advise. But I too was told that you could not have the tissue expander in and have radiation. At first, they wanted me to have radiation and I was told that the tissue expander would have to be removed. Have you talked with a Radiology Oncologist? Since they specialize in that field, I would like to think they know the answer.

Sorry it took so long for me to respond. Good Luck to you!!!!

Bobbi Jones

-- posted by bajones

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