Breast Reconstruction After Stage 3c, Triple Positive, BRCA2 Positive Cancer - Spokane, WA

When I was first diagnosed with stage 3c breast cancer, the focus of my doctors was to save my life. Having a 10.8 x 8.2 x 7.5 cm tumor in my right breast meant that reconstruction was not even a consideration due to the extent of my disease. Much to everyone’s surprise, after enduring intensive chemotherapy, a bilateral mastectomy with an axillary lymph node dissection, a robotic hysterectomy, six weeks of radiation, and one year of Herceptin targeted therapy infusions, I ended up having a pathologic complete response. My family and I were just glad that I was alive; however my body’s unexpected reaction to treatments meant that reconstruction suddenly became a possibility. My oncology surgeon referred my husband and me to Dr. Oliva and our family’s journey to healing the ravages of cancer began.
In anticipation of the appointment with Dr. Oliva, we had predetermined that I was not going to have reconstruction… period. We would hear what he had to say, but “I was just glad to be alive” and no amount of convincing was going to change my mind. As an RN, I knew that the treatments I needed to survive cancer were not negotiable, but that reconstruction was a choice; I did not want to go through a major surgery like a TRAM with a long recovery time and possible complications, when I wasn’t even sure if I would survive the next five years. My husband, also, was fully supportive as he did not want to see me suffer any more pain. The appointment date came and, to our astonishment, Dr. Oliva did not have to convince us at all; he just spoke to us in a clear and concise manner, gave us the facts, and showed us the results of his lifetime dedication to helping women just like me. A DIEP Tram flap surgery was presented as my best option for reconstruction, a micro surgery that we did not know existed prior to our visit. He walked us through every aspect and possible scenario connected to such a surgery, with all of the pros and cons included. At the end of our appointment, Dr. Oliva told us to take the time we needed in order to decide if surgery was the right choice for me, and to call him with ANY further questions we might have. The compassion and commitment that exuded from Dr. Oliva put our minds at such rest that we were full on board to go ahead with the reconstructive process – a decision that truly changed our lives for the better.
Prior to reconstruction, I knew that by having surgery I could receive the obvious benefit of looking somewhat normal again. My husband would not have to be painfully reminded of my illness each time I walked around without my hot and heavy prosthetic breasts. I wouldn’t have to look in the mirror at a concave chest of scars every time I showered. If things went well, I could give hope to other women fighting the relentless disease that is cancer. I could show my twenty-one year old beautiful daughter (who is also BRCA2 positive) that life can go on after losing such cherished parts of a woman’s body. What I didn’t know was just how amazing they would turn out, and how wonderful I would FEEL psychologically once I recovered.
It is difficult as a woman to put into words the barren, demoralizing feeling of having your breasts removed. Although I was, and still am eternally grateful for my life, being left with less of a chest than a standard ten year old boy at thirty-nine was hard on my morale. Dr. Oliva changed that for me, for the rest of my life. Not only do my reconstructed breasts naturally lie beautifully, physically feel like real breasts to the touch, and just over all look amazing with my new flat tummy, having the physical weight attached to my chest again has helped my psyche to recover from the loss of such an event. By having my breasts reconstructed, I feel a new “normal” that is a positive influence on my family, me, and those in my presence. I would strongly recommend for any woman who is unsure about reconstructive surgery, to make an appointment with Dr. Oliva and explore the options available for rebuilding a “new you”. My Family and I will be forever grateful to Dr. Oliva and the staff at Plastic Surgery Northwest for the outstanding work and compassionate care that we received during our healing journey from cancer.