My breast reconstrution

Sorry what does ‘bum’ mean? Your bum is over 30? I don’t understand that so can’t answer the question. I have also had BC twice and just had a mastectomy and reconstruction having had a lumpectomy and RT before x

Oh don’t worry I’ve found your other thread! x

Hi Anna,

I am in a similar situation to you having had DCIS 2013 WLE x 2 plus radiotherapy left breast and now in right breast WLE no clear margin, now mastectomy and reconstruction planned. Can I ask you whether you had mastectomy and reconstruction on the previously treated breast? Or the other one? Thank you. 

I had DCIS in 2013 too, I had a lumpectomy and then another WLE to take more margin and then 3 weeks RT. Then I was diagnosed with invasive last year, yes in the same breast both times. I’ve now had a mastectomy and diep reconstruction in the same breast x

Thanks Anna, that’s really useful to know. They are saying if I test positive for gene then would do both, but if not debating whether feasible on the one that’s previously had radiotherapy.

I suppose at the moment that one is healthy, but I’m anxious I’ll get recurrence. Like you I had RT x15 plus boost. 

Did you find the DIEP okay with recovery times? Best wishes, Karen 

Hi no only radiotherapy  on the one breast and lymph glands taken away 10 years ago

Thanks  My message was a bit muddled. I meant to send to Anna.

I think you and I are still waiting for surgery/further surgery. I too have been offered mastectomy and reconstruction.

Good luck with getting answers from your Consultants. 

Best wishes,

Karen 

Yes they said the same to me, I wasn’t positive for the genes so they stuck with the single. I asked about the double being belt and braces and they said that each breast is a totally separate thing, just because I’ve cancer in one breast doesn’t make it any more likely than the average woman to get it in the other breast and they deemed it unnecessary surgery. We shall see! That may be different for you as you’ve had it in both breasts? Don’t know. The diep was hard in the early days I can’t lie but I did cope with the help of drafting my mum in for 2 weeks. I’m 9 weeks on now and going back to work in 4 weeks. I’m lots better, it’s healed well, the shape of the breast is good albeit I have no nipple of course. I have numbness, more I think from where they took the nodes but yes numbness still and areas of discomfort/bruise like feelings which I’m assured will get better and don’t generally stop me with life. I’m still very fatigued and my hair isn’t growing as fast as I’d like but I’m a million miles from where I have been so there is light x

Hi Anna,

Thanks for that, it’s really helpful to get information from someone who has been through treatment.  

From what they’ve said they’ll only offer double mastectomy if I test positive for the gene. I can understand that as my currently healthy breast has had radiotherapy unless it’s  clinically necessary they don’t want to operate. 

It is reassuring that you’ve had a successful reconstruction following radiotherapy. 

Thanks again, and good luck with your continued recovery. 

Best wishes, Karen 

Pleased it helped, for clarity I didn’t have radiotherapy this time around, you can only have it once, so I had chemo and the surgery but no further radiotherapy x