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Posted 3/7/2005 5:32 PM (GMT 0)
nancyjo,i decided to have a masectomy because my surgeon told me with a lumpectomy she might not get it all so i said take it off.later im going to get reconstruction.with the muscle from my stomach(you get a free tummy tuck  yay!)I love all of these ladies on this sight your my angels,keep up all the good advice..Tammy(possitive)

Posted 3/7/2005 8:57 PM (GMT 0)
It really depends on lots of factors whether the skin burns or not. I have not had the experience because I had a mastectomy and it was determined I did not need any more treatment. I will let those who had radiation address that question. My daughter had the mastectomy and reconstruction done all in one surgery. Usually it takes more time to set up because one surgeon does the mastectomy and a plastic surgeon does the reconstruction, so get to them both scheduled on one date takes some time. It is a full day in surgery, usually at least eight hours when they both are done. I had my reconstruction seven months later. My daughter and I both had the tram flap done with the tummy tuck. It is difficult surgery and healing takes a long time. Even though you have the tummy tuck it takes about a year or more for the midriff area to feel normal. But the end result is a normal feeling breast. Hugs, MK
Posted 3/8/2005 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
Hi and Welcome, Nancy.
Where do I start, well my story is somewhat different. You have been getting great advice. I wish I had had this board when I was first diagnosed.
I had the choice of either and the doctor chose the lumpectomy. We left it up to him. He was wrong. They did MRI's though, and couldn't find any cancer in my breast. It started in the nodes under my arm. Two years later it came back in the breast. . It was probably there in the first place but we will never know. I since have had the mastectomy and more chemo and radiation. I think the now I have the best doctors in the world. I am very blessed to still be OK. Since then, I have had to have surgery due to radiation damage because I had double radiation which they usually just do not do. Now, as a result of this, I can not ever have the reconstruction. Most people never get like this. However, in my case, I could have had the reconstruction if I had had the mastectomy in the first place. However, maybe the chemo the second time was helpful. All I want you to know is that there are several sides to each story. I would definately do what others have said and look at your path report. I have a very aggressive form. Otherwise, the lumpectomy would be ok.
These girls are all so wonderful. Whatever you need to know, someone has been through it. Love and Hugs, DiVanDyke
Posted 3/8/2005 1:50 PM (GMT 0)
Nancyjo,

Best of luck with your MRI today. You asked about problems with radiation. 20 years ago I had a mastectomy, no rads-no chemo....and two years later had a recurrence in my sternum. At that time I had 6 months of chemo and 33 treatments of rads, the worst thing that happened with my rads was I have a scar where they did burn me. By hey, if that is the worst thing to have happened and I am still here after 18 years.........then what the heck for a little burn mark. Actually, it is just some red scarring.......not the normal look of a "burn" where the skin is all wrinkled and swollen. If I had to do it again, I would do it in a heartbeat because I feel that it gave me the opportunity to see my 2 daughters raised and graduate, marry and have children. I have been blessed.

Best of luck to you.......I will be watching the board to see how your MRI turned out.

Sending hugs to help get you thru the coming days,
Debbie
^j^ ^j^ ^j^
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