HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - New plastic surgeon on Wed. A big problem

NEDenise · 03-26-2012, 05:39 AM

Nancy,
I had a botched lumpectomy just after dx, and ended up with one very misshapen breast. I'm no expert, but I could tell it was poorly handled...she removed about 1/4 of my breast!

Even after removing so much, the margins were not clear, so I needed more surgery. But, having had so much tissue removed already, I knew I'd need a good plastic surgeon to fix the mess the first surgeon had made.

In the end, I opted to have a double mx and reconstruction, because I wanted to make sure that...
A) every possible cancer cell was excised, and...
B) that the "girls" matched again

Like you, my self image isn't too tied-in to my breasts, but I knew that I needed them to match...or it would be a constant distraction. I'm so glad you've found a new surgeon who can help you get back to the way you want to look! You have been so patient, and tried so many options...I just know this time everything will work out the way you want! You're due.

I'll be praying for you and for the hands of the talented surgeon sculpting your new look. Do you have a timeline yet?
God bless!
Denise

03-26-2012, 05:39 AM	#5
NEDenise Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Philly Suburbs Posts: 1,709	Re: New plastic surgeon on Wed. A big problem Nancy, I had a botched lumpectomy just after dx, and ended up with one very misshapen breast. I'm no expert, but I could tell it was poorly handled...she removed about 1/4 of my breast! Even after removing so much, the margins were not clear, so I needed more surgery. But, having had so much tissue removed already, I knew I'd need a good plastic surgeon to fix the mess the first surgeon had made. In the end, I opted to have a double mx and reconstruction, because I wanted to make sure that... A) every possible cancer cell was excised, and... B) that the "girls" matched again Like you, my self image isn't too tied-in to my breasts, but I knew that I needed them to match...or it would be a constant distraction. I'm so glad you've found a new surgeon who can help you get back to the way you want to look! You have been so patient, and tried so many options...I just know this time everything will work out the way you want! You're due. I'll be praying for you and for the hands of the talented surgeon sculpting your new look. Do you have a timeline yet? God bless! Denise __________________ 1/11-needle biopsy 2/11-Lumpectomy/axillary node dissection - Stage 3c, ER/PR-14/17 nodes 3/11 - Post-op staph infection,cellulitis, lymphedema,seroma,ARRRGH! 4/12/11-A/C x 4, then T/H x 4, H only,Q3 weeks 8/26/11 finished Taxol!!! 10/7/11 mastectomy/DIEP recon 11/11 radiation x28 1/12/12 1st CANCER-VERSARY! 1/12 Low EF/Herceptin "Holiday" :( 2/12 EF up - Back on Herceptin, heart meds 4/2/1212 surgery to repair separated incision from DIEP recon 6/8/12 Return to work :) 6/17/12 Fall, shatter wrist,surgery to repair/insert plate :( 7/10/12 last Herceptin 7/23/12 Brain Mets %$&#! 3cm and 1cm 8/10/12 Gamma knife surgery, LOTS of steroids;start H/Tykerb 8/23/12 Back to work 12/20/12 Injure back-3 weeks in wheel chair 1/12/13 2nd CANCER-VERSARY! 1/14/13 herniate disk in back - surgery to repair 1/27/13 Radiation necrosis - edema in brain - back on steroids - but not back to work - off balance, poor cordination in right arm 5/3/13 Start Avastin to shrink necrosis 5/10/13 begin weaning steroids 6/18/13 Brain MRI - Avastin seems to be working! 6/20/13 quarterly CT - chest, abdomen, pelvis - All Clear! 7/5/13 finally off steroids!! 7/7/13 joined the ranks of the CHEMO NINJAS I am now Tekuto Ki Ariku cancer assassin! 7/13/13 Symptoms return - back on steroids 7/26/13 Back on Avastin - try again! 8/26/13 Not ready to return to classroom yet :( But I CAN walk without holding onto things! :) 9/9/13 Brain MRI - fingers crossed “ Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you down or polishes you up is for you, and you alone, to decide. ” – Cavett Robert