POSTED UNDER Breast Reconstruction Reviews
"54 Years Old" Bi-lateral Mastectomy with Tissue Expanders September 24th...SCARY STUFF! - Marietta, GA
UPDATED FROM Acworthmom
8 months post
5/8/16 Reconstruction Update
AcworthmomMay 9, 2016
In my last update I had just finished chemo and was waiting to see what was going to happen with my infected tissue expander. Unfortunately, I had to have surgery just 2 weeks after finishing chemo to remove the right expander. The plan was to leave it out for 3 months, then put it back in. The problem was that I developed blood clots 2 weeks after the surgery, so I was put on blood thinners, and told it would be at least 6 months before it would be safe to put the expander back in. They will check the clots in June to see if they have resolved, and then a decision will be made about where we go from here. In the meantime, I am struggling to deal with the physical aspects of this mess. Getting dressed is a nightmare, and there are no prosthetics for my situation. I am going to try to post a pic, but the image keeps flipping upside down. Anyway, my skin is so thin since my last surgery, and it feels like my skin is directly on top of bone - very painful! My slim build is definitely working against me on this business. As soon as I get the go ahead I will give reconstruction another chance, but if it fails next time I guess I will have to make some very difficult decisions. On a positive note, my hair is starting to grow back! It is only about an inch long, with tight chemo curls - not pretty, so still wearing scarves most of the time. My patience is wearing a little thin with all of this, but I have to believe it will all work out eventually.
Acworthmom's provider
Replies (5)
May 16, 2016
I'm wishing the best for you. I have gone through a few surgeries after a diagnosis in Oct. Yours was the story I latched onto for hope b/c I didn't know anyone who could relate to my situation. Your story made me feel I wasn't alone. I'm pulling for you on this long journey.
May 19, 2016
Thanks kfriend! Sorry my situation is looking a little rough right now. I wish I could give you more hope for a good outcome. Where are you in your treatment right now? This isn't an easy process, but hopefully both of us will end up with a great ending. I am pulling for you as well, and please let me know how things are going,
May 19, 2016
I hope you get good news in June.
June 7, 2016
Hi Jovan
Yes I would do the radiation again. But truly I didn't have much of an option as my tumour was large and the margin at the back was not clear. Right now my irradiated breast is improving slowly but surely. I still have twinges from the surgery and yes still the tightness (especially toward evening when I 'gas up') is still there. BUT it is better nearly every day. I have a couple of friends who had absolutely no side effects from radiation (one has a pinker nipple). I was not so fortunate, in that my skin is definitely 'tanned' (compared to other breast) and my breast is smaller, tighter and higher than the other. My surgeon tried to even it out with my implant exchange but he couldn't get enough fat from me, and also the irradiated skin was difficult to work with. He advises me to leave it alone for a year. He says that will give the skin a chance to heal more, and maybe then I can try to fix the asymmetry. He also says I should try to gain some pounds as well so he can use more fat! Lol! Please note that while I do not have Franken-boobs, they don't look real either, however they do look very good in clothes. They are finally softening which is a huge relief. Honestly, it's been a long tough pretty horrible journey, but I don't regret my choices. And I absolutely feel like I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I actually touched my new boobs and didn't feel like a robot. I couldn't bear to touch them with the expanders. So I am getting there. The psychological and emotional stress that you have to endure during this whole ordeal was far worse for me than the physical stuff. BUT I am feeling better every day. I did my double mast on 7th March 2015, and it has taken this long to get to a place where I don't panic at least once a day. So I believe that both you and actworthmom will get there too. Good luck with the rest of your chemo (radiation is a party compared to chemo - at least that was my experience).
Yes I would do the radiation again. But truly I didn't have much of an option as my tumour was large and the margin at the back was not clear. Right now my irradiated breast is improving slowly but surely. I still have twinges from the surgery and yes still the tightness (especially toward evening when I 'gas up') is still there. BUT it is better nearly every day. I have a couple of friends who had absolutely no side effects from radiation (one has a pinker nipple). I was not so fortunate, in that my skin is definitely 'tanned' (compared to other breast) and my breast is smaller, tighter and higher than the other. My surgeon tried to even it out with my implant exchange but he couldn't get enough fat from me, and also the irradiated skin was difficult to work with. He advises me to leave it alone for a year. He says that will give the skin a chance to heal more, and maybe then I can try to fix the asymmetry. He also says I should try to gain some pounds as well so he can use more fat! Lol! Please note that while I do not have Franken-boobs, they don't look real either, however they do look very good in clothes. They are finally softening which is a huge relief. Honestly, it's been a long tough pretty horrible journey, but I don't regret my choices. And I absolutely feel like I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I actually touched my new boobs and didn't feel like a robot. I couldn't bear to touch them with the expanders. So I am getting there. The psychological and emotional stress that you have to endure during this whole ordeal was far worse for me than the physical stuff. BUT I am feeling better every day. I did my double mast on 7th March 2015, and it has taken this long to get to a place where I don't panic at least once a day. So I believe that both you and actworthmom will get there too. Good luck with the rest of your chemo (radiation is a party compared to chemo - at least that was my experience).
June 25, 2016
Hi Sara, thanks for your encouragement. My double mastectomy was January 2016. I was extremely fortunate as my plastic surgeon was in the operating room with my Cancer surgeon and when I woke up from surgery I had two beautiful new Breasts. So I am VERY thankful I didn't have to deal with expanders. Chemo is tough enough. However, I am wondering about radiation and how it will affect my implants. I guess I'll find out in October. 28 straight days of radiation will bring me to November. Did you also have 28 days of radiation? Curious if your friends had implants while they underwent radiation? If you see this message, let me know. Thanks so much.
June 7, 2016
My cohort of chemo October 2014 ladies includes several who have ended up opting for diep flaps since their irradiated skin is simply too thin for implants. It's a big surgery, but everyone is happy with the results. Rads gave me no long lasting effects: I cannot even tell the difference between my girls, but one of our group of 13 has lung damage. I'm tight in that arm and shoulder from scar tissue, but i just stretch every day and have full range of motion. I did my infections in the initial post surgery phase, when it was all a blur of fear. As for hair, headbands and cute jeweled bobbypins are your friends. In no time you'll have a beautiful mass of curls to enjoy!
June 23, 2016
I had DIEP after my double mastectomy. I love it and would do it again. I was lucky that my cancer was caught while still in situ, so I did not need radiation. I agree about hair jewelry - beautiful bejeweled pins, headbands, scarves would all look lovely while your hair grows back out. Enjoy!
September 15, 2016
Hi I was diagnosed with DCIS insitu non-invasive this past 7/25 after a breast reduction and they want me to take radiation, it was only .04mm it's out now cause they took a pound off each breast why did you not have to take radiation??
September 15, 2016
Get a second opinion at a major university/cancer treatment hospital. Aggressive treatment of dcis is now being questioned. Rads is not without long term effects. Please make durn sure you need it before undergoing it.
UPDATED FROM Acworthmom
4 months post
12/30/15 Finished Last round of Chemo.....barely. Now problems with breast reconstruction...advise appreciated.
AcworthmomJanuary 8, 2016
Wow....when you're told after having a Mastectomy that you have to have chemo - It is definitely scary. They tell you all the risks, , but also tell you about all the new drugs to control nausea....etc. While they definitely help, it is still a brutal treatment process. Now that I am done with that, I will have to take a pill for 5 years and work on reconstruction. The problem is that my incision from the mastectomy and expanders has been difficult. Even though try Dr. Stopped the fills after my 1st chemo because it was healing poorly, it now has necrosis. I should find out what they plan to do on Jan. 13th, but fear my reconstruction is in jeopardy. If anyone else had had this happen I would appreciate hearing how Or if you were able to resolve it. I only have 100 cc's.
Replies (5)
January 8, 2016
Congrats on completing your chemo!! I'm also having incision issues. I don't have infection but I think my radiated skin (and I'm told), an aggressive mastectomy that left my skin fairly thin, are the main culprit. I'm waiting for my "repair" in 8 days. The plan is to excise the edges of the affected skin and bring it back together with another drain tube :-( . Don't rush it either. I was trying to sneak under the wire for insurance deductibles and likely should have waited longer. Who knows. It's happened and I'm dealing with it. Stay focused, eyes forward on the prize, getting well. Hugs to you
January 9, 2016
Oh goodness....what we go through! My Doctor is also known for leaving an extremely thin skin flap, which sn't good for the blood supply. She said her job is to get rid of the chances for cancer to return, and it's plastics job to worry about the rest. My first fill was overfilled, then the chemo seemed to aggravate everything. Anyway.....thanks so much for responding. I hate your having problems, but feel a little better that at least you have a plan. Do they have to remove your expanders, or do they just stay in while they repair the skin. I only have 100 cc's since September because my oncologist wouldn't allow any more fills during chemo after being unhappy with my healing. Wishing you a great outcome in 8 days...Let me know how everything goes.
January 16, 2016
Hey! Did you have your surgery yet? I thought I would let you know that I will be having surgery on Monday to remove my right expander....UGH! The expander is actually exposed and infected, so it isn't safe to leave it in. The doctor said it will have to stay out for a minimum of 3 months before it is healed enough to put the expander back in. I don't know how all these surgeries will work with the thin skin, and I guess the left expander will just be chillin' with it's little 100 cc's until the other one can join it...Lol. Between my baldness and lopsided breasts, getting dressed will be quite difficult for a while!I was really hoping to be close to getting implants by summer, but now looks like it will be closer to a year from now.....if then. Please let me know how everything went with your surgery.
January 23, 2016
Healing now about 12 days out from my revision surgery on the incision that was coming apart. I had it done locally as I just wasn't up to another trip to New Orleans so soon again. I'm not out of the woods yet. Praying it just closes up for good. The nipple on that side is going to survive but it's about half the size of the left side since that skin was quite thin from the mastectomy. My right breast is easily a size smaller after all the issues. So there is likely another fat grafting somewhere in my future.
I'm so sorry you are still having a tough time and such a delay getting put back together. Are you finished with chemo? I'm coming up on one year since diagnoses next month. Blindly I never imagined I'd still be working all this out a year later. Boy has that been a lesson.
January 24, 2016
Yay....At last we have both finished this phase of our revision surgery. Mine was 5 days ago, and the worst part is having a drain again. This will be the 3rd time I have had drains because I also had a tummy tuck a few years back. Like you, I question if this will be a great solution, and think it will take me at least another year to be anywhere close to getting implants. They left my left expander in, but completely removed the right. I look strange!
January 16, 2016
In 1994 I was diagnosed at age 41 stage 2 breast cancer, 1.5 cm tumor, 1 positive lymph node. I had a paralyzed arm for starters after the lymph node biopsy did some nerve damage. Physical therapy and weight training thankfully successfully rehabed that. I had a latissimus dorsi flap from my back brought around the the mastectomy site, sutured to the skin and an implant placed underneath. ( I don't think they even do these much anymore, this was at the beginning of the era of breast reconstruction)The first implant too big 400 cc seemed huge and was saline and rippled badly. Also had some necrosis since it was too big. That healed fine on it's own. Had second surgery 200 cc silicone implant looked mich better. Nipple transplant from the opposite remaining breast which I kept, and habe had no problem with. Unfortunately he put a larger implant under the remaining breast and did a lift, which looked ok at first but 20 some years later and 10 pounds, the right breast is bigger and droops again a bit lower. Anyway, I had chemo 6 months and tamoxifen for 5 years. I had two small children and was a divorced single mom. It was a scarey time, but I have to say I look back on that time as some of the happiest of my life. I know it sounds weird, but I slowed down. I was a professional and worked two jobs. I took a year and a half off for my treatments. I lived across the street from a beautiful beach and took long walks every morning after getting the kids off to school. After about two years I picked up the pace and begin to run. When I went back to work I only went back part time, and never worked full time again. I eventually made it back into the gym and cried the first day I went. I lift weights to this day. I met a great guy 6 years later who married me with two kids and one breast! Well, I had two breasts but the one looked a little funny. Sixteen years this month together. He adopted my kids. True story here.....one day a couple years after my treatment I was at a swim,ing pool when I saw a woman about my age in the pool who was wearing a bikini. She had the most beautiful, lush breasts, I wanted to cry. The man I dated before my husband called me a " scarred up deformed ....xitch..." when we broke up and that's how I felt sometimes. Anyway, as I sat there feeling sorry for myself and my unperfect breasts the woman got out of the pool and she had only one leg. She had an amputated leg above the knee. Suddenly my breasts seemed so unimportant, as I remembered each beautiful sunrise I had running on my beach. I read all these posts about women and their implants.....who cares what your breasts look like in the end? Who actually has perfect breasts? And if they do, will they he perfect in10 years or hard and contracted? How about when you are 70? Ever see those pictures of 70 year old women who have implants that look like apples? Now I am in my 60s and I recently revisited a plastic surgeon who felt that he could replace my implants and get more symmetry for me. I gave it a lot of thought and decided against it. They actually look ok. They feel ok. Not perfect, but I look ok in a bathing suit and a bra, and I am so fit the rest of me looks great. I recently helped my 28 year old son carry a mattress and box springs up 3 flights of stairs to his apartment! Lol! So do I want to spend a couple of weeks going to the doctors again, having surgery, taking the risks, or do I want to live every day that I can doing more fun and interesting things ? Don't obsess... No matter what they end up looking like, what's important is your health and staying alive. Your family and friends will love you anyway...Sorry for the long post .....
January 23, 2016
Thanks for your story. It's good to keep remembering to keep things in perspective.
January 24, 2016
Thanks for your post...sounds like you really had it hard trying to take care of children while going through treatment. I too have the issues with my lymph node removal, and am going to therapy for it. I'm not sure it's working, but hopeful I can get full use of my left arm. I just had my expander removed 5 days ago to see if my incision will heal, and we can start over. Between the look of this and the loss of my hair due to chemo, I have had to face that this is bigger than worrying about my looks. Thank you for sharing your story....very helpful.
February 11, 2016
Thank you for the long post. It was exactly what I needed to read today on my reconstruction journey.
February 16, 2016
Thank you, that was EXACTLY what I needed to read too. I've been so obsessed with breasts since the double mastectomy, and am finally coming to the place where they're not that important to me anymore.
Health is #1, without that you've got nothing.
Health is #1, without that you've got nothing.
February 16, 2016
I felt the same way you did last year, when I had no hair and no breasts. It was a very hard time, but now that my hair is really growing back the less concerned I am with the breasts. That's just me though, everybody's different.
Having both the breasts and the hair taken away at the same time is a shock. A big shock.
Having both the breasts and the hair taken away at the same time is a shock. A big shock.
February 19, 2016
Thanks so much for your post. I had my double mastectomies in Oct. 2014 and after 3 more surgeries, I had my final tattoos done in Jan. 2016. It truly is a journey and you can easily get hung up in the process and lose your objectivity. Everytime I would feel sorry for myself my husband would tell me that he'd rather have me, that they were only breasts. And they are, only breasts! We are all so much more than that and so lucky to be alive!
January 20, 2016
I'm so sorry you're having issues. You are NOT alone. I am having issues as well, and am about at the end of my rope with this whole process. DMX January of last year, and had tissue expanders placed in October 2015.
Right side is doing great, there are 220cc in there now and plenty of room to expand further but I have 160cc in the left breast where the cancer was, and I think we have to stop too due to healing issues and thin, thin skin.
Hang in there. I have no answers for you, but I am praying this finally heals well and you can proceed with the reconstruction even though the size may not be what you were hoping for. It's incredibly frustrating.
Right side is doing great, there are 220cc in there now and plenty of room to expand further but I have 160cc in the left breast where the cancer was, and I think we have to stop too due to healing issues and thin, thin skin.
Hang in there. I have no answers for you, but I am praying this finally heals well and you can proceed with the reconstruction even though the size may not be what you were hoping for. It's incredibly frustrating.
January 24, 2016
I appreciate your response...it really helps to hear from others going through these issues. I only have 10o cc's in the left, and they just had to remove my right expander until it heals. I can't see how they can keep opening the thin skin to put expanders in and out, and it ever work out. I looks so strange where they took it out, and dressing is going to be a real challenge. I feel your frustration, and truly hope we both end up with Good results in the end. My positive is that I have finished chemo and I see a little hair trying to grow back. Keep me posted on your progress.
February 16, 2016
How are you doing Acworthmom? Yay on the hair growing back!!! It's a sign that life is returning to "normal", and it's a beautiful feeling. I hope you're doing well.
I ended up having to get my left tissue expander out last Tuesday because it's just not healing. There is still a hole in the "breast", but it is really tiny, and I am packing it twice daily now in the hopes that it eventually heals. To say that this is a bummer is a massive understatement.
I did get another opinion with a different plastic surgeon about a flap surgery last Friday, but have decided against it. It's too involved and is a long recovery, and would require 3 surgeries plus touchups to get the final result. No thanks.
Since 2013 I have had 5 major surgeries (2 cervical fusions, shoulder reconstruction, hysterectomy, double mastectomy) and as much as this really stinks I just feel done with surgeries, unless they're minor ones. I am willing to give the left one another try after it heals if it's possible, but only with the expander and then implant since that's not a big deal at all.
If that's not an option, I am looking for fat grafting to even out the concave areas of my chest and will just remain flat. I'm 45, and in another 10 years I will probably not care all that much if I have breasts anyway.
I ended up having to get my left tissue expander out last Tuesday because it's just not healing. There is still a hole in the "breast", but it is really tiny, and I am packing it twice daily now in the hopes that it eventually heals. To say that this is a bummer is a massive understatement.
I did get another opinion with a different plastic surgeon about a flap surgery last Friday, but have decided against it. It's too involved and is a long recovery, and would require 3 surgeries plus touchups to get the final result. No thanks.
Since 2013 I have had 5 major surgeries (2 cervical fusions, shoulder reconstruction, hysterectomy, double mastectomy) and as much as this really stinks I just feel done with surgeries, unless they're minor ones. I am willing to give the left one another try after it heals if it's possible, but only with the expander and then implant since that's not a big deal at all.
If that's not an option, I am looking for fat grafting to even out the concave areas of my chest and will just remain flat. I'm 45, and in another 10 years I will probably not care all that much if I have breasts anyway.
January 22, 2016
I had necrosis within days after my double mastectomy. They knew almost immediately that the skin on my breasts was very thin and necrosis was likely on one of them. Now to make the right decision for this problem. I elected for a DEIP Flap. They took skin/tissue from my abdomen and created a new breast. It was a tough recovery from this surgery, as you can imagine. Not like a tummy tuck because it's much more involved. However, it was the right decision for me and I can say that one of the perks is a flat tummy! The scar ain't pretty, but at 55, I probably was out of the two-piece swimsuit business anyway. I'm a relatively thin person, so after the DEIP Flap recovery, I had to have an implant on that side. I just didn't have enough tissue to make a nice-looking breast. It worked out very well. I've had 4 more minor surgeries to correct the contour of my breasts, but they were all very minor and Insurance covered everything, fortunately! Wishing you the best during your journey, and that's exactly what this is...a journey.
January 24, 2016
Thank you Kellylbarry! I agree it's the journey thing. I use to wonder why they referred to breast cancer treatment as a journey....now I know. I had a tummy tuck several years ago, so I don't have any skin for them to use. I am small framed, so if they could even make me some tiny breasts I will be fine with it. I had surgery 5 days ago to remove my right expander, and it will have to stay out for a few months at least. They left the left one in, but will wait to fill until we make sure the right side will heal. I appreciate your response, and wish you the best.
UPDATED FROM Acworthmom
2 months post
2nd Chemo Treatment
AcworthmomNovember 20, 2015
5 months since breast cancer diagnosis, 2 months since double mastectomy, and today was my second chemo treatment....half-way there. this has been a difficult process, and now I get why they call it a battle. Sometimes it's hard to see who's winning. Looking forward to better days.
Replies (5)
November 20, 2015
Bravery doesn't mean the person isn't scared.
It means they have the strength to do it anyway.
You are a brave fighter~
It means they have the strength to do it anyway.
You are a brave fighter~
November 20, 2015
Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving and smooth sailing through all your trials. You seem to have a tremendous spirit⭐️
November 20, 2015
Hang in there, you'll get through this, just take each thing as it comes. That may be week by week, day by day or hour by hour. Earlier this week I had my last tissue expansion of 120 cc before radiation. The pain is at least tolerable today. Yesterday I completed my final 16th cycle of chemo. I'm hoping some of the side effects will get better sooner than later. My hair actually started growing back in a couple of weeks ago. I had dark brown hair that was greying, what's coming in is white. I guess I'm doing my Amber Rose look for now.
November 22, 2015
Wow....sounds like you are in the homestretch. My side effects of chemo have been much worse with this second round. It seems my gut just can't feel right. I have every anti-nausea med there is....part of the process I guess. I am interested to see what happens with the hair, I read that as soon as it gets long enough, you should trim off the initial growth of baby hair. Let me know how things go for you with your Radiation...Wishing you the best!!!
January 17, 2016
The hair has been growing slowly. I have trimmed it ever so slightly just to even it out some. With the weather getting colder, it is nice to have a little insulation on top regardless of the color. Due to the angle of the radiation beam, I had to have half (240 cc) of my volume removed from the left side. I've also had issues with thin skin on the right side where the cancer was and an infection. The skin has been very dark since the infection and getting purple, so half way through treatments I had to have 60 cc removed from the right to help with blood flow. The radiation is making me tired, tight and giving me an extreme sun burn. Seven more treatments to go. Good luck to you on your surgery Monday. If things don't get better for me, I may be looking at the same.
January 24, 2016
Dang BShenk...I bet radiation s so uncomfortable with the expanders. I had chemo, but no radiation. I do think the chemo along with the fluids they gave me afterwards took their toll on my revision. I am glad to have the infection and expander out for now, and 5 days out I'm doing pretty good. I did have to have a drain again, which is terrible. I will hope for you to heal without having to go this route, but if you do end up where I am, please let me know so I can keep up with your progress. It seems there are several of us going through these issues....such a shame. Wishing you success in your treatment and healing!
February 11, 2016
Well, I've lost the battle with the radiation burn hole. I've been going to wound care and trying to get hyperbaric treatment but insurance won't approve. My plastic surgeon decided today the tissue expander needs to come out. I have surgery scheduled for next Friday. I think I'm used to being lop-sided. When I can wear a bra, I compensate with modesty pads that are inserted into the bra (ex. Genie bra).
September 2, 2016
After the TE was taken out, I had another surgery to excise skin from all the radiation damage. I still have a hole in my chest, it's been 7 months of dealing with this hole.
I ended up receiving 49 hyperbaric oxygen treatments. It does seem to have helped somewhat but I of course I had to get one of the side effects - cataracts in both eyes. In the past 6 weeks I've had cataract surgery in both eyes and another surgery yesterday to tweaked one eye. It's actually kind of cool. I've worn glasses pretty much all my life and kow I can see without them.
At this point, there is no fix for my right side except some kind of graft. There is too much damage from radiation, most of my pectoral muscle is gone and the skin is hard. Sept. 12th I will be having a bilateral DIEP flap surgery. I hope this goes well. I'm not looking forward to the pain of it all and drains.
I ended up receiving 49 hyperbaric oxygen treatments. It does seem to have helped somewhat but I of course I had to get one of the side effects - cataracts in both eyes. In the past 6 weeks I've had cataract surgery in both eyes and another surgery yesterday to tweaked one eye. It's actually kind of cool. I've worn glasses pretty much all my life and kow I can see without them.
At this point, there is no fix for my right side except some kind of graft. There is too much damage from radiation, most of my pectoral muscle is gone and the skin is hard. Sept. 12th I will be having a bilateral DIEP flap surgery. I hope this goes well. I'm not looking forward to the pain of it all and drains.
November 21, 2015
It does get better. I'm 5 months out from double mastectomy, 2 months out from last chemo and I just had my second fill of my expanders. My hair is starting to grow back and I am feeling more like myself every day. Hang in there, it is a battle but we are survivors and we will win!
November 22, 2015
Thank you so much. Have your chemo died effects gone as since you finished. Just wondered how long until I feel good again.
November 24, 2015
It took about a month for me to start feeling normal. My taste came back, my energy returned and the neuropathy of my hands and feet went away with the help of acupuncture. I work with a naturapathic oncologist and she has helped my recover with supplements also.
I did my exchange from expanders to implants two weeks ago. All was going well until a couple of days ago, and now I am in significant pain on the radiated breast side. We are waiting to see if it will resolve itself. I have my fingers crossed. At the very least (and it's a huge relief to me) I have the evil expanders out. My breasts look good if fake. Like you, I am very thin. I didn't have enough fat during augmentation (I also did fat transfer at same time) to cover up all the dips, but still my surgeon did a great job. So I am 50 years old with teenage boobs! Lol! I had the expanders in for an entire year before I could do exchange - and I had a horrific time with infections during chemo as well. All I can tell you is that I have seen pictures and heard (from real women) of situations worse than yours, and ultimately they were able to get through it with reasonable looking breasts. It is hard to be patient, but that is truly what you need to do. Think of it as time to heal from the chemo and get over all the abuse your body has suffered. My friend (also a skinny girl) simply uses pads to stuff her bra rather than a prosthetic. She has to wait as well. I also have chemo curls and no they are not pretty. But everyone I know, their hair got back to normal eventually. So one day at a time. You will get there. It WILL work out eventually.
I got 350cc silicone high profile mentor implants. They actually feel okay, not too heavy but I have some post op swelling and inflammation so I am on antibiotics again. My radiated breast is a bit purple looking in places. Might be a seroma or just reaction to the op and implants. My body does not like this stuff. BUT its a lot better than the expanders. The pain is settling down a lot. I just take panadol. They feel a little tight in the evenings but I swell a lot from gas in my chest (just to make life easier lol - it caused a lot of problems with my expanders. No one would believe me it was gas!) I cant wear a bra because of that but I am happy to go bra-less. The tightness goes away once I burp it all out. Because of the radiation we are watching my left breast very carefully, so far so good. I too had a curly mullet. I just trim the back bits and anything that wont slick down. But try to grow it, it will be worth it. I will let you know things continue to go. Hang in there, and heal.
Perhaps a better solution is to gain some weight (milkshakes are wonderful for adding fat to your slender frame) and then perhaps your skin will accommodate an implant down the road. I wish you luck and patience.
I'm still going through my 6 months of chemo and it's no picnic as you know. Without a doubt the worst summer of my life but I remain positive as what's the alternative? LOL