HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Thoughts on removal of opposite healthy breast?

linn65 · 07-31-2013, 05:31 AM

I am leaning towards maybe removing the right one now! I am like a pin ball machine with this. I go August 5th to see my BS, and I will talk about it again with him.

But now I am wondering since I decided to keep the right side, and I am having the DIEP flap surgery can I have the right side removed and both breasts done the same day??? Or do I actually need to have the right breast done in 1 surgery, heal up and go back for the DIEP on both.....Oh my gawd please tell me that wouldn't be the case!! If I decide to get the right off I want to get it off and get them both reconstructed at the same time!! But I don't know how that works with the DIEP flap surgery. If you have to have it removed then heal up and then go back.

07-31-2013, 05:31 AM	#12
linn65 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Attica, IN Posts: 371	Re: Thoughts on removal of opposite healthy breast? I am leaning towards maybe removing the right one now! I am like a pin ball machine with this. I go August 5th to see my BS, and I will talk about it again with him. But now I am wondering since I decided to keep the right side, and I am having the DIEP flap surgery can I have the right side removed and both breasts done the same day??? Or do I actually need to have the right breast done in 1 surgery, heal up and go back for the DIEP on both.....Oh my gawd please tell me that wouldn't be the case!! If I decide to get the right off I want to get it off and get them both reconstructed at the same time!! But I don't know how that works with the DIEP flap surgery. If you have to have it removed then heal up and then go back. __________________ myleftlump.wordpress.com - started blogging my IDC breast cancer 7/2012 diagnosed with multiple solid lesions 7/20/12 biopsy done. ER+ 30 PR -, HER+++,k167 80% Grade 2 9/2012 biopsy on lymph node - showed malignant 9/2012 Pre-adjunctive TCH chemo. 12/6/12 MRI after Pre-adj. Results: Modest Decrease in size of left breast malignancy As well as the associated satellite lesions and auxiliary Adenopathy compared to prior study. Doctors hoped for better but good response it didn't grow. 12/18/2012 left masectomy with axillary nodes Size 3.2 CM, Nottingham score 9/9 Grade 3, no evidence of in situ carcinoma Areas of angiolymphatic are identified Carcinoma is 0.5 cm from inked deep Margin of excision Attached axillary lymph nodes: metastatic Carcinoma in 6 of 8 nodes. Size of largest node 1.5 cm Extracapsular ER + 73%, PR+2%, HER2+ 2/27/13 6 weeks of IMRT radiation finished 2/2013 Started on Tamoxifan 5 years. 8/2013 will take last Herceptin, 17 treatments total every 3 weeks. BRCA1 & BRAC2 - Negative August 28, 2013 DIEP flap on the left breast. February 2014 Nip & Tuck March 14, 2014 nipple reconstruction and removed port. August 14, 2014 lump in lymph nodes under arm and above clavicle. Stage IV August 28, 2014 herceptin And projeta starting and port put back in. 3/18/15 stopped arimidex. 3/18/15 progression....Tdm1