POSTED UNDER Breast Reconstruction REVIEWS
45 Y/o, Breast Cancer; Bi-lateral Mastectomy with Immediate Reconstruction - Littleton, CO
ORIGINAL POST
In March of 2015 I received a call that brought me...
AMDSAugust 1, 2016
WORTH IT$20,000
In March of 2015 I received a call that brought me to my knees: I had Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, a type of breast cancer, in my left breast. I was very fortunate in that my cancer was stage one (however, docs can’t definitively stage cancer until the tumor is removed and margins are clear); ER and PR positive; and HER2 negative. My tumor was approximately 6 millimeters in size, smaller than a centimeter. I was with Kaiser at the time of diagnosis, and my docs were thorough, compassionate and well-informed. The suggested treatment was a lumpectomy followed by radiation. The maternal side of my family had a significant breast cancer history and following my own diagnosis, I dove headlong into researching this wicked disease. After much soul-searching, reading, conversations, and listening, I decided to undergo a skin and nipple-sparing, bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. (Given my tumor markers I was told I’d be a strong candidate). Kaiser was very open to proceeding with this treatment. However, they would only consider one approach to the procedure: Make the incision across the breasts, rather than infra-mammary, or under the breast; insert a tissue expander; fill the expander to the desired size over the course of several month; and perform a second surgery to remove the expander and insert the implant. I knew there had to be a smarter, more advanced way to accomplish breast reconstruction. My cancer research expanded to include doctors who were proficient in cutting-edge bilateral mastectomies with immediate reconstruction (also known as one-stage reconstruction). My Kaiser doc said I should wait no longer than July to remove the cancer. While I strongly considered his advice, I knew my own body, and I knew that I – as we all do – had immeasurable power to shape my own reality. Including my Kaiser docs, I interviewed eight surgeons total, including two in San Francisco. When I found Drs. Lisa Hunsicker and Jodi Widner in Littleton, I never looked back. My path from there was long and more involved than this site has characters to capture, primarily because I needed to change my insurance plan, or pay out of pocket (my firm did not have open enrollment until September with coverage effective 1 October). On 7 October I underwent the procedure to have my breasts removed and reconstructed. I was clear on what I wanted my outcome to be. I also knew that while under anesthesia there would be discoveries not accessible through any tests and thus many unknowns. I knew that ultimately aesthetics would take a backseat to life-preservation – exactly as it should be. I trusted my doctors implicitly, and I was abundantly confident in their expertise and in my own research and constitution. Nearly 10 months later, I am healthy, cancer-free, extraordinarily happy, and immeasurably grateful! For me, there are two big oddities with my new breasts. (1) I no longer having feeling in my breasts. My nipples were never an erogenous zone for me, so that wasn’t a loss, but is something to potentially consider if it is for you. (2) Because the implant is placed under the muscle, my breasts move in whacky ways if I flex my pecs (decades ago I was a competitive bodybuilder) – you’d be surprised how often these muscles are engaged. The beautiful upsides: My chance of breast cancer recurrence over my lifetime is less than 1%; my breasts are soft, much like real breasts; my breasts will always be full and perky (understanding that in ten plus years I may have to have them replaced); my clothes look great; my lover is completely accepting and wouldn’t know if he didn’t know. There is much more to share here, and if you have ANY questions, I am more than happy to share and help you with your own journey. Most importantly, know that you are not alone, that cancer doesn't have to be a death sentence, and that you can - and if you choose - continue to thrive as you walk this path!!
My vitals: 5’9”; 145lbs; 45 y/o; healthy and fit; chest diameter 16”; implant: Mentor, high profile, round, non-textured, silicone, 800cc.
My vitals: 5’9”; 145lbs; 45 y/o; healthy and fit; chest diameter 16”; implant: Mentor, high profile, round, non-textured, silicone, 800cc.
Replies (20)
What I neglected to relay is that while with Kaiser I did choose to have surgery to remove sentinel nodes on my left side (cancer side). The prevailing thought is that if no cancer is present in the sentinel nodes then the cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes. Kaiser was great in agreeing to perform this surgery without doing anything more. As I'm sure you know, typically they test the nodes while performing the larger surgery, either mastectomy or lumpectomy. I had that surgery in July of last year. My nodes were negative! The outcome helped to guide my subsequent decisions. Dr. Widner, however - and smartly - did want to again send my nodes to pathology while I underwent my mastectomy in October. Had the cancer spread my outcome would have been different.
I have feeling in my arms and armpits, but no feeling in either breast (of course). On my left side this numbness extends around my back to about my scapula. Dr. Widner took more tissue (nerves included) on the cancer side.
If you've not already checked it out, look at the website, Chris Beat Cancer. What a story he has - now thriving after stage four. And Kris Carr (female) who is living - thriving - with cancer. Both understand the allopathic approach to cancer, yet are huge proponents of integrative health. I think you'll find their stories and wisdom inspiring!
You are well on your way to regaining full health! What a journey, right?! If I can be of any help as you walk through this, please don't hesitate to reach out. Love and healing to you always. Keep shining!
All the best!
I did consider the cohesive tear drop. Apparently, they don't move like the smooth implants. The drawback with mine (smooth) is that they do show rippling when I bend over. Always a trade-off. ;-)