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Hi Leslie,
I elected not to have reconstruction after left-modified-radical when I was diagnosed in 1999, just wanted to heal and get on with treatment, just as you are contemplating.
I haven't regretted it. I ended up having a right simple mastectomy 2 years later, after treatment for recurrence, and again decided against reconstruction as I was at that point in total remission and wanted to savor being cancer-free.
From those I've talked to directly who've had reconstruction, they're split about 50/50 regarding satisfied as opposed to not satisfied because of complications.
I don't think anything is lost by delaying a decision until after treatment.
<3 Lolly
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Sept.'99 - Dx.Stage IIIB, IDC ER/PR-, HER2+++ by IHC, confirmed '04 by FISH. Left MRM, AC x's 4, Taxol x's 4, 33 Rads, finishing Tx May 2000. Jan.'01 - local/regional recurrence, Stage IV. Herceptin/Navelbine weekly till NED August 2001, then maintenance Herceptin. Right Mast. April 2002. Local/Regional recurrence April '04, Herceptin plus/minus chemo until May '07. Gemzar added from Feb.'07-April '07; Tykerb/Abraxane until August '07, back on Herceptin plus Taxotere and Xeloda Sept. '07. Stopped T/X Nov. '07, stopped Herceptin Dec. '07, started Avastin/Taxol/Carboplatin Dec. '07. Progression in chest skin, stopped TAC March '03, started radiation.
Herceptin has served as the "Backbone" of my treatment strategy for over 6 years, giving me great quality of life. In 2005, I was privileged to participate in the University of Washington/Seattle HER2 Vaccine Trial.
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