I am honored to share another one of our Personal Stories featuring Laura’s Journey through breast reconstruction.
On September 25th, 2017 I had two biopsies on calcifications in my right breast. I had a biopsy on that same breast 5 years ago and it was negative for cancer. It was a very unpleasant experience and I was quite aggravated that there was nothing wrong and I had such a bad time recovering that the whole event went into my book as awful. But my OB-GYN called me the next afternoon after this biopsy and said “Well we weren’t so lucky this time. They found cancer in both samples.” But wait! I have zero risk! I have no family history! I nursed all my babies for a year after they were born! I don’t smoke! This can’t be right!!
On September 28th, Hollis and I met with a wonderful surgeon named Richard Fischer. He said great things like “This is a curable cancer. This is not what will kill you.” and “This is a significant moment in your life story. This is as big a deal as your son getting hurt in Iraq. It’s okay to be scared and to take care of yourself.” I hoped he would also give me answers. Sadly, he gave me a list of options. The first three options were not really good choices for me, but DIEP flap seemed intriguing. Now I needed to see a plastic surgeon to get more information. On Tuesday October 2, I met Dr. Steven Pisano, plastic surgeon. He is one very confident guy but caring and gentle. He explained DIEP flap to me in detail and I pretty much drank the Kool-Aid right then.
Taking Time to Consider DIEP flap Breast Reconstruction
Hollis had a conversation with a woman who underwent a version of DIEP flap about 12 years ago. She encouraged him to encourage me to take my time choosing an option. Because his support means the world to me, I honored his request and spoke with friends who have had to make these choices.
Facing the Loss of my Breasts
I could not escape a couple of things. I was super sad to lose my own breasts. I have really liked being a woman with a nice chest. I LOVED nursing my babies. Even in the night time and even with mastitis, I was a great nursing mom and I treasure that time of mothering in my life. I really hoped to die with them intact. Secondly, this surgery is extensive and complicated. Despite the confidence of my plastic surgeon and his caring, competent nurse, I feared the pain.
My surgery was very long. I kissed Hollis goodbye at 7:15 AM and did not wake up until 10:30 that night. I stayed in the hospital for 3 nights but with the ERAS protocol, I really didn’t need heavy medication. I took the prescriptions I had filled and just over the counter drugs to get through the pain. I required over 2 weeks of 24/7 care when I got home and full recovery took over 7 weeks with an emergency surgery at the 5 week mark to clean out a staph infected seroma. Then three months later there was follow-up scar revision surgery.
The Journey and Recovery with Friends and Support
For the recovery after my big surgery, my friends created a care calendar and took 4 hour shifts so Hollis could work during the day. He managed the drain care and my bathing and PJ changes. He must have been so stressed, but it did not show in his care. Friends also brought food, flowers and gifts. I got spoiled.
Being healed hasn’t ended my journey. I was surprised by how my family and friends think it’s all over because I am healed but I still worry. I worry about recurrence. I hate that I don’t trust my body anymore. I miss the effects of the hormone replacement therapy that kept my hot flashes away and my joints more flexible. It is complicated to be so grateful to be healthy and so worried/angry/fearful at the same time. This is why I am so thankful for DIEP C Journey. I discovered Terri’s Facebook page probably at the behest of Dr. Pisano’s nurse Kathleen. I am so glad to have a group of people who get what I’m going through. Reading the fears and successes of others is very helpful to me. I know I am never alone!
Thank you Laura for sharing your Journey! You can read more of Laura’s story on her blog “I Think I Sew”.