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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...

AMDS
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.

AMDS's provider

Lisa M. Hunsicker, MD

Lisa M. Hunsicker, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

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Replies (20)

August 2, 2016
I was just diagnosed last week and am in a tailspin. Your photos and advice have made me feel immensely better. Thank you for chronicling the whole process so I could see what to expect!
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August 3, 2016
Summerbum - I hope you have a good support system. I remember feeling like I was on a merry-go-round and everything was spinning a thousand miles per hour. Attitude is everything. I am here and willing to correspond if you feel the need.........Blessings.
August 3, 2016
Please know you have more strength than you may realize right now! The call is crushing, and I feel your pain. Also trust that we have been diagnosed in an era when there a far more options and knowledge about this hideous disease. Like raglad, I'm here if you ever want to further discuss and completely agree: Attitude is everything! Happy to relay my phone number if that's helpful. Sending you all sorts of good energy!
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August 3, 2016
Thank you for sharing your story, both with words and pictures. I am still in the process of reconstruction. Waiting for phase two. Did they remove lymph nodes? Do you have sensation in your armpits or down the inner part of your under arm? I am just 5 months post op skin saving mastectomy. I had an issue with a tendon in my axilla and some feeling has returned in the axillary area and in the inner arm to the elbow. Hope you are continuing to do well. I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma. Triple negative stage 1. I had chemo first then surgery March of this year.
August 3, 2016
You're a beautiful woman with a great attitude!
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!
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August 4, 2016
I am going to look for the website......
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August 4, 2016
I love Kris Carr!!
August 4, 2016
Thank you for your story. What type of implants do you have?
August 5, 2016
Hi there. I have Mentor, smooth round, high profile, silicone, 800cc. My choice was determined in part by my chest diameter, which we don't often read about or take into consideration.
All the best!
August 6, 2016
Thank you for your reply. Did you ever consider the highly cohesive tear drop shaped implants (gummy bears)? I was a 34B (small B) before BMX and am planning on 450cc implants. I'm reading mixed reviews on the tear drop. Any thoughts?
August 8, 2016
Hi. I also was a small 34 B and got 425 gummy bears teardrop shape. See my results at mittens77
August 9, 2016
Thank you! They look great. Your comment is so helpful. I want a natural shape and hope the gummy bears do that.
August 9, 2016
Mittens77 - you look amazing!
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. ;-)
August 5, 2016
I couldn't agree with AMDS more, skin and nipple-sparing with immediate reconstruction is the way to go. It's vital that we understand the options before consenting to anything. I posted my photos just to help and encourage others facing this decision. Also sending you positive wishes and prayers!