[swimangel72]

Michka and Mary Jo - you will both be in my prayers to get you to the point of being "whole" again! I love that book "Reconstructing Aphrodite" that was in my PS's office - did you both read that? Very inspirational - it was what impelled me to do my immediate Diep surgery.

I'm feeling so much better now that my abdominal incision is almost healed - and I can't wait to get my Stage 2 revisions done next year (after my chemo is done.) I watched the Diep surgery online (thanks Joanne for posting the link!) and was fascinated! It answered many technical questions I had concerning my own surgery (especially about the belly-button and the recepient blood vessels location - I believe mine were actually under my armpit since my surgeon used the incision from my SNB to reduce scarring on the front of my breast.) My mastecomy was a "skin-sparing" kind - but not "nipple-sparing" since my breast cancer surgeon was very worried about recurrence in the areola complex. Also - by removing the tissue THROUGH the areola complex, I have less scarring in the front - just the "circle" which will be disguised by the tattooing (I hope!) Oh - just remember though - your new breast won't have much "feeling" at first on the skin because of the nerves that are cut, but I'm told sensation can return over time to some patients.

Anyway - just wanted you ladies to know that I'm thinking about you - and I'll be praying for you both!