Last week I met with my oncological breast surgeon. It was fun! No, really, it wasn’t too bad. I got to wear the most amazing outfit during the exam. I need to do a ‘Fashion of Tata Cancer’ post soon. I missed getting a picture of one of the most amazing outfits - MRI, I looked like a genie - but most of the time I do take a picture because, well, why not?
Back on task. Surgeon. Appointment. Last week. We discussed my ultrasound and went over the pictures. The tumor appears to be collapsing in on itself. Great! It’s getting smaller. Everyone is happy.
Next, we talked about removing my ovaries. I now have an appointment next week for that. Score. I imagine that the OB/GYN office will want to take a look at the parts in question. Another outfit, maybe?? The goal currently is to get the tatas and the ovaries gone at the same time. I want to avoid additional surgeries if I can. No one seems to be arguing that they’ve gotta go. In fact, my genetic counselor wants them gone before I’m 40. No better time than the present.
Last, we discussed what to do with the tatas. We can just chop, gone, flat. I could choose to reconstruct in the future if I wanted to. That might be a little different chop, chop than if I just want to tell them sayonara, ciao, bye! Anyway, I am also meeting with a plastic surgeon in January. Per the Facebook cancer group I’m in, it’s one of the top DIEP flap surgeons in the area.
I imagine I’ll have to work out a lot in the month between finishing treatment and whatever I choose, though. I get so tired so easily, walking the dogs is about the extent of my workouts. I haven’t gained or lost weight, but I’ve lost muscle. At least that’s what my clothes are telling me.
Got off track again. The factors for me for surgery:
- Recovery time. Going flat, around 4 weeks, should be good as new. DIEP flap, 4-8 weeks maybe?
- Surgeons in one place. Flat plus ovaries out, two surgeons. Add plastic surgery? Three surgeons, or two surgeons and another surgery later that might be more complicated due to scar tissue/belly button relocation involved in DIEP flap.
- Complications. I could walk out of either surgery perfectly happy with the results and go on my merry way. Or I could walk out and have to walk back in once, twice, several times. For the DIEP, there could be revision surgeries. AKA - my left tata and right tata don’t match at all.. Halp. (halp is help, FYI). I have read horror stories. I’ve already about pain involved with going flat. It’s something to think about.
- Body confidence. Am I confident in my ability to handle no tatas or am I willing to wear prosthetics? I do plan to go check them out soon. There’s a store nearby that sells them and helps you fit them. I just want to ask them questions.
That’s about it. I kind of just want to get back up and running as soon as possible. Get back to work. Get used to my new normal. Go hiking again. Go through early menopause. Start taking whatever I’ll need to take for that.
Yeah. This sucks. All of it.
Last note for US readers - have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!! Everyone else, enjoy Thursday!!! I’m spending the day and through the weekend with family and friends. I’m prepared to put on my mask if anyone is sick, though. Sigh.