Finished Chemo - More Questions

[Jane's Husband Stephen]

Jane finished her last chemo this past Tuesday 9/16/14. Back in July we went to visit a surgical oncologist and a reconstruction oncologist. The plan was to perform nipple sparing double mastectomy with expanders placed IF her MRI on 10/1 is clean. With the expanders in place she was told that she could decide down the road whether she wants implants or she wants to do one of the flap surgeries.

In the meantime we found out her insurance will pay for two more opinions so she visited another surgeon today. He did a mammogram today and it showed residual(?) cancer on her left side. So, he said that she is not a candidate for nipple sparing on that side. He also said that he would do a mastectomy on her left side now, and when it was time for reconstruction he would do the right side mastectomy. He also said that they would not use expanders and that she needs to have the skin flap reconstruction and not implants.

Does anyone have any thoughts or advice? She actually has 2 appts tomorrow with yet another surgeon and reconstructionist.

Thanks for listening!!

[Lisalou]

Hi Stephen
Good luck with the additional opinions. More information is usually helpful, and then you and you wife can decide what makes the most sense to you.
I did BMX skin and nipple sparing adjuvant. I had TEs and subsequent implants. My understanding is that 2 factors primarily come into play for skin and nipple sparing, 1) have small breasts, too much skin is a problem for the reconstruction, and 2) location of the tumor needs to be distant from the nipple.
Wishing you the best with the information you get and your subsequent decisions.
Lisa

[BonnieR]

Stephen, we are always here to listen. It's what we do best! Even though I can't offer specific help I will say that the more opinions you get, the more information will be added to your arsenal. The right solution will surface. Stay open. Ask questions. Write stuff down
And keep the faith