hi anji

i did not need radiation according to my breast cancer surguen i did question his decision about this treatment i was only given tamoxifan and mas i now have hard spots around my cut but did not before i am very upset that i lost my expander twice to infection. hopefully stepheda or someone else with similar situation will give some input

thanks

laura

Hi Laura,

this is stepaheda, and yes Anji is correct. I did have a bit of a problem with scar tissue and fluid build up. Which caused my left breast (none cancer side) to become disfigured. The problem began due to the fact that they did not put the explander in correctly and it was always slipping out of the pocket. So when they went to replace it with the implant the had to remove a lot of scar tissue, and in so doing they removed too much of my skin, now there was a hold, and the implant made an hole through the skin, now they had to go back in and graft new skin to repair the hold, remove fat from my body and fill in the loose of tissue. Now on the right breast (cancer side) because there was 100cc less of filling now on this side, to try to make them (breast even) right implant had to be removed and replace with a new one of 800cc. If you ask me they are still not ever, and the left side still has some hardness to it, now the right side (cancer side) is just perfect very soft life like. (isn't life funny) Now my P/S answer to the whole mess, is more surgery  But I told him I don't think so, my massage thearpies said that in time massage and exercise should help to break down the scar tissue, my daughter who work in this field has told me that it will take about 2 to 3 years to completly heal. So hear we are working hard at healing. I do hope that this had put a little light on the whole issue. Sorry I've not been on line for a while, just been looking for work. Please contact me any time, if I can be of any help I'm here for you.

Wishing you all the best in the coming New Year!!!!!!

I can't believe what I am reading. My P/S says my expander somehow got turned around, and is facing my chest wall, so he cannot expand it. Also the incision is not healing due to the radiation I had. He tells me that he may have to remove the expander and I can not have the reconstructive surgery at all. Is there a high amount of women with problems like this? I thought and believed everything they told me, and how here I am losing my COBRA coverage and no breast on one side and the other heading towards my waistline.!! Is this normal??Please respond.

Pat

Hi Pat,

I am sorry to hear that things are not going as planned. But needless to say that is just how it is many times during the journey of Breast Cancer. I don't know I could be wrong, you can look into it. But I was told that one the Insurance began the reconstruction treatment they have to complete it. Make sure you get in touch the the "Cancer.org people for help with this issue. Now, regarding the issues with expanders, I had many problems with my expanders which I had for a little over 6mos. On the left side I developed alot of scaring, and for what every reason on the right the side with the cancer, I don't know they put the same amount of cc in each one, but they never matched. So the right one had to be completly remover and replaced with 800cc, and the left one because the mistakenly cut too much of my tissue away and it left me with a whole where the expanders was coming through my skin, not healing because of this mistake. So they had to remove the expander, and repair it with lab grown tissue skin graff to repair the whole they made in my skin, and the use lipocution fat from my back/and side area to fill in the whole, then re-insert the orginal expander back into the left pocket. But all in all I'm doing fine, it will be 2 years since I had my double mastectomy the 17th of this month. So I'm sure with the support of all the people who love you giving you support and a helping hand you will do just fine. And just remember that your whole internet family is always just a clik away if you need up. email any time. 1step at a time.

Stepaheda

Stepaheda,

Thanks so much for the response. I guess I was being naive in  thinking that I could get through the reconstruction with no problems. I kow that the radiation treatment I had has caused the problems in my skin healing, I am determined to get the expander fixed.It is folded and cannot be expanded currently.  Somehow I will manage with the insurance premiums, and somehow all will work out as it should.  Thanks for your support, it alwys means so much more from someone who has gone through it also.

One day at a time,

Pat

My P/S didn't tell me that I could expect complications due to the radiation.  I am determined that if this doctor can't or won't do the surgery, I will find one who will. I feel mutilated the way I am right now, and though I am 63 years old, I want t feel more complete, not perfect but not freakish either. I have been told that I can get insurance coverage that will take care of the pre existing condition.  Thanks so much for your support, it means the so much to me. I wish you the best in what ever stage of the cancer process you are dealing with.              

Pat

I am going to the doctor tomorrow about my expander ,had surgery June 14,2010 My COBRA ends Sept 13,2010,not healing on the left side,no insurance will cover me for two years.COBRA will cover me for $1600 a month.Julie

Thank you so much.My cancer was only 1cm.I don't have to have any treatment

or take in pills .Thanks Julie