I’m so frustrated by the number of medical personnel who just want their job to be easier. I’ve got the juicy veins of a woman formally obsessed with the gym. This has allowed me to avoid a port with my oncologists blessing. He warned me the nurses in transfusion wouldn’t be happy about it. He said to remind them that he’s in charge.

Sure enough, he was right. I’ve had a few that told me I would need to get a port for AC. I’ve ignored them. Another nurse pulled up google image photos of Adriamycin escaping the vein and causing extensive tissue damage. He said this would be me if I didn’t get a port.

I still didn’t get a port.  I still don’t have tissue damage. 

During my initial consult with my surgeon, oncologist and radiation oncologist, I was told I would need to wait until after my radiation was complete to start reconstruction. I was told this again on the phone with my breast surgeon when I asked about receiving an expander (temporary breast implant to keep the skin stretched and add volume) at the time of the mastectomy and was told “not at the time of surgery”  I was told “the plastic surgeons don’t like it” “we can’t radiate on an expander”

This entire time I’ve believed I would go months lopsided with a flat spot on my right breast.

I met with my plastic surgeon today… Wouldn’t you know – he usually adds an expander at the time of surgery. There is about a 5% risk of complications. I’m more than willing to roll the dice on 5%. I’m quite healthy aside from this whole cancer debacle. He also wants to shoot for nipple and skin sparing with the incision under the breast as I have “nipple areolar complex that is worthwhile to preserve” (gotta love mychart notes- lol)

He told me the radiology oncologist tries to sway the patient from expanders at the time of surgery as it makes their job easier.

I don’t care if your job is easier. I don’t want to see my body with one breast for 6-9 months.

It’s not about you.

*

The next chapter in my to-do list:

Make some choices. I won’t need to make this choice until summer, but it’s good to have all of my questions answered and options laid out.

Implant: I’ve landed on over pectoral implant vs under muscle as it is generally much preferred by athletic women. This route will get me a small implant in my other breast to lift and match. I’ll stay at a similar size to my current breasts, which are slightly large for my frame at a D or DD, but I’m fond of em.

DIEP: He would match my C section scar and essentially give me a tummy tuck and use the skin, fat and vascular system to build my new breast. Con: I hate my “mom pooch” but in all reality it’s not that big. It’s not enough to completely match. I’d probably need a reduction on the other breast. (big thanks to everyone who has offered to donate their belly fat to the cause!) Con: huge scar. Con: Long surgery +8 hours and 4 days in the hospital Pro: free tummy tuck! No more mom belly! Pro: it’s made from my own body so it’s warm and will fluctuate if my weight does.

Other option: Go for implant now and if I change my mind in the future, I can have a DIEP. Perhaps if I gain more weight later in life it would be ideal. Tummy tuck and have enough for full breast?

The list of things to figure out is never ending…..