prophylactic mastectomy and double diep reconstruction
Hi there, I am new to this discussion so forgive me if I ramble on.
Had right mastectomy Sept 2011 followed by chemo and RT. I know cancer can hit anyone but my diagnosis was a shock as no family members had cancer and I thought I wasn't in any high risk group till I looked up links between overactive thyroid (which I had years ago) and breast cancer. I Discovered a medical paper saying radioactive iodine (which I had to treat my thyroid in 2006) doubles the risk of breast cancer 5 - 10 years after treatment. Now I am really worried that I may be at higher risk of cancer appearing in the left side. I have asked to have a prophylactic mastectomy and then double diep reconstruction.
Has anyone else had this? I am not suitable for LD as no tissue on my back. Diep is not done in Limerick so I am to be refered to Beaumont. Anyone know what the current waiting list is like? I feel I cannot get my life back together till this is done. I already had to wait an extra 3 months for the referal because my surgeon was on maternity leave and the locum wouldn't refer me!
I am a Beaumont girl. Although I have VHI I was seen as a public patient for most of my treatments and surgeries.
Bad news is that I waited 9 months for recon surgery. That sounds like a really long wait but actually I only finished rads in say Nov, had apt with plastics team in Dec. I insisted they put me on the wait list even though technically I was not ready as you have to at least 4months post rads for recon. I got a call in June for surgery just a few days before in was due go on hols so I declined. next call was August and I said yes. I did call admissions every few weeks to see where I was on the list, so they kinda knew of me
So if you do end up in Beaumont, please insist they put you on wait list. I know I could have had surgery a bit sooner in bons where Mr Kneafsy also works out of but he advised me I would be better to have op in Beaumont as physio and other follow up services better in Beaumont.
Good luck!
Lindylu