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BC update

Annielouise
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Hi everyone, hope you are all doing well, I thought I'd update you on my breast cancer journey.

So after the diagnosis 11 dec I was referred for MRI, now I have 4 lumps instead of 2, FFS. So the original plan of lumpectomy is out the window as they said it will remove too much flesh etc, so I'm being referred to plastic surgery for a DIEP procedure. Has anyone had one? My only worry is that I have a largish tattoo next to my belly button which I believe is the skin they prefer to use? 

If they say no I've decided to go for mastectomy and then leave it to heal for a year and then have reconstruction. That seems better than the immediate temporary saline implant that they have to top up each week . I'm hoping then once my lumps are removed and tested I will only need radiotherapy...

I'm still very up and down mood wise, but trying to keep a brave face

Thanks for listening 

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    Hi Annielouise,

    Thank you for your update.

    I am sorry to hear of the conundrum that this leaves you with. This obviously needs some in depth discussion with your surgeon, before you reach a final decision. If you can go ahead with the DIEP procedure, it is a long operation, but probably the best solution, as it gets it all over and done with at once. 

    If you go for the mastectomy, you may find that you have to wait longer than a year for reconstruction. A number of people on this forum have complained that they have then had to wait 2-3 years, before they got this done. My advice would be to ensure that your consultant will and can do it within a year, before you reach a final decision.

    The "up and down mood wise" is all part of the rollercoaster that accompanies the cancer journey, but you will feel a little better once you have had the tumours removed and start to fight this.

    Please keep in touch and let us now how you get on. Remember that we are always here for you on the bad days as well as the good.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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