I am drained. I am glad I did all the research I did before going.
The standard of care is a mastectomy. Radiation can not be done in the same spot twice.
Without talking with a plastic surgeon the dr. felt that I would be a candidate for the expansion implant rather than the one that is “installed” right away… blood flow to the area might be lacking due to previous radiation. This type would involve more than 1 surgery and office visits to get “pumped up”.
Treatment options are limited(really non existent) because of previous radiation,previous cancer and increased risk of cancer.
She is willing to let me talk to the oncologist before surgery (usually done after) to see what their feeling is on the drug tamaxofin. Apparently in 2000 new studies came out proving the benefits outweigh the risk and that it does reduce the chance of new cancers. In 95 the oncologist didn’t feel for me that the potential benefits outweighed the risk for me. And who knows if it would have prevented this cancer.
So my question to the oncologist is … can the surgeon just do a wide excision (llumpectomy) followed by tamaxofin (in lieu of radiation). I just want to cross off any possibility (well maybe not herbal remedies) before I make a decision.
I did have a blood test done to check for the cancer gene. There is only a 6% chance that anyone has it. But if it did come back positive then that would influence my decision and then Rachel would know for her information.
She doesn’t see a problem in waiting at the longest 3 months. With Thanksgiving, Dave’s trip, our trip and Christmas that is just fine with me.
Dave and I ate lunch at the hospital (actually very good although under the circumstances I really didn’t eat much). On the way out we stopped at the shop Expressions where they fit and sell prosthesis. They really aren’t all that bad looking and wouldn’t involve any more surgeries etc.
Timing is everything … Dec 2nd, Tues there is a panel presentation at Clarion North about the different types of reconstructive surgeries … women willing to bare all etc (literally). Dave will be out of town but if anyone is interested in going, let me know.