Re: Reconstruction
There are muscle-sparing procedures that use abdominal or upper thigh tissue (DIEP, SIEA and TUG) Lat flap is not muscle sparing. I had bilateral DIEP a year after diagnosis. I had to travel 4 hours and stay in the hospital for 5 days. My three kids were very young at the time. It took 2 good weeks before I was able to drive, etc. But I wake up every day thankful I took that route. It was a small price to pay for my current quality of life.
I know there is not a one-size-fits-all reconstruction choice, and some women do not want reconstruction at all, but I really encourage women to explore ALL the options that are available. This website is excellent and it includes patient testimonials.
breastreconstruction.org
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Are we there yet?
Dx 10/05 IDC, multi-focal, triple +, 5 nodes+
MRM, 4 DD A/C, 12 weekly taxol + herceptin
rads concurrent with taxol/herceptin
finished herceptin 01/08
ooph, Arimidex, bilateral DIEP reconstruction
NED
Univ. of WA, Seattle vaccine trial '07
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