Cancer Support

PennyK

(2,314 posts)

143. I saw my doctor about reconstruction...finally

Fri Apr 20, 2018, 03:04 PM

Apr 2018

We discussed the procedure and I plan to have it done toward the end of summer. They will do what's called a "lat flap," taking tissue and skin from my back. The skin on my chest is so degraded from radiation that they need to do it that way. I saw a bunch of photos, and as long as I don't get picked to pose naked, I should be fine. I'm really looking forward to getting rid of the scar tissue that has taken over my chest on that side. It feels like internal armor.

I also asked him about eyelid surgery (mine are sagging enough to obscure my upper vision), and he said that I have an actual condition called ptosis - stretching of the muscle), but I'll need to see a specialist for that. And Medicare will cover it!

SOOOO...since I won't have to pay for any of that, I decided to treat myself to a small cosmetic procedure. Saggy neck. I'm gonna be a whole new woman! Accent on the "whole."

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New member of the club here [View all] PennyK Mar 2016 OP

Hi, PennyK. Your post... YvonneCa Mar 2016 #1

Welcome to the club nobody wants to join. Knowledge conquers fear, so ask questions. alfredo Mar 2016 #2

Thanks so much PennyK Mar 2016 #3

Distraction is always good... YvonneCa Mar 2016 #4

My iPad and iTunes give me a great distraction. It's like meditating alfredo Apr 2016 #61

Nuttin wrong with a touch of gluttony, you're entitled. alfredo Mar 2016 #13

Total mess with co-ordinating tests and doctor visits PennyK Mar 2016 #5

as soon as the process starts the doctors see you as a person olddots Mar 2016 #6

They were angels, one and all, even the doc that gave me a biopsy. alfredo Aug 2017 #108

The waiting is really tough. I agree... YvonneCa Mar 2016 #7

Hi Penny.....I am just starting this strange journey too. dixiegrrrrl Aug 2016 #98

Welcome; you're in a good place Tab Mar 2016 #8

Thank you PennyK Mar 2016 #9

You're off to a good start Tab Mar 2016 #10

I do appreciate it so much. PennyK Mar 2016 #11

Even annoying distractions.. YvonneCa Mar 2016 #12

Lots of progress today PennyK Mar 2016 #14

Small steps PennyK Mar 2016 #15

I think you are doing a great job... YvonneCa Mar 2016 #16

More progress PennyK Mar 2016 #17

Very nervous! PennyK Mar 2016 #18

Well, THAT was uncomfortable. PennyK Mar 2016 #19

I'm sorry you have to join but I'm glad you found the group. Solly Mack Mar 2016 #20

I met my Chemo doctor today PennyK Mar 2016 #21

Well, that's that. PennyK Mar 2016 #22

I don't know what HER-2 is Tab Mar 2016 #23

The drug is called Herceptin. Apparently a wonder drug shrike Mar 2016 #26

It's a specific type (or cause) of breast cancer. PennyK Mar 2016 #24

You may have already discovered it, but check out Breastcancer.org shrike Mar 2016 #25

Thanks PennyK Mar 2016 #27

Sounds like a good plan shrike Mar 2016 #28

So today I had the PET scan. PennyK Mar 2016 #29

The nerves started up big-time PennyK Mar 2016 #30

I'm sure the results are considered Tab Mar 2016 #31

I phrased that incorrectly PennyK Mar 2016 #32

So far I haven't lost much on my head, mostly my beard. They say it will grow back, but different. alfredo Apr 2016 #48

Whew! PennyK Mar 2016 #33

Had my mini surgery today PennyK Mar 2016 #34

Morphine has a bad side effect, so have the stool softer at the ready. alfredo Apr 2016 #49

Number 3 today PennyK May 2016 #72

Tonight's the night PennyK Mar 2016 #35

Has anyone here used Emend? PennyK Apr 2016 #36

I bought some hair today! PennyK Apr 2016 #37

I need good thoughts PennyK Apr 2016 #38

Thoughts. Good. Tab Apr 2016 #39

You will learn how strong you are. alfredo Apr 2016 #40

Yes, thanks! PennyK Apr 2016 #41

Today I go back to the surgeon PennyK Apr 2016 #42

I'm Stage 1!!!!!!!! PennyK Apr 2016 #43

No congrats to me? PennyK Apr 2016 #44

Congrats! elleng Apr 2016 #45

That is wonderful news! Solly Mack Apr 2016 #46

Thanks, elleng and Solly Mack! PennyK Apr 2016 #47

OK, daughter totally understood PennyK Apr 2016 #50

My entire digestive system is messed up PennyK Apr 2016 #51

Metal mouth PennyK Apr 2016 #52

M------- f------! PennyK Apr 2016 #53

Been there - done that Ms. Toad Apr 2016 #54

I had a fun surprise last night PennyK Apr 2016 #55

And today the hair loss started PennyK Apr 2016 #56

I think it's time to shave my head... PennyK Apr 2016 #57

May I make a suggestion? Four years ago I was treated for Stage 1 estrogen- Nay Apr 2016 #58

Good plan, Nay PennyK Apr 2016 #59

Got my hair cut off PennyK Apr 2016 #60

Chemo Number 2 today PennyK Apr 2016 #62

Number 2 went fine PennyK Apr 2016 #63

T-i-r-e-d PennyK Apr 2016 #64

I had my first issue with insurance PennyK Apr 2016 #65

Going in to the doctor today PennyK May 2016 #66

Wow...today I had the worst discomfort PennyK May 2016 #67

So let me ask PennyK May 2016 #68

Feeling better! PennyK May 2016 #69

Yeppers, still feeling good... PennyK May 2016 #70

Chemo number three is coming up! PennyK May 2016 #71

Chemo 3 yesterday PennyK May 2016 #73

Tired! PennyK May 2016 #74

So, I've been getting free samples of Varubi PennyK May 2016 #75

Back to feeling good again! PennyK May 2016 #76

Just had my fourth chemo PennyK Jun 2016 #77

Chicken Soup PennyK Jun 2016 #78

Enjoying these few good days 'til my next chemo PennyK Jun 2016 #79

5th Chemo: not as bad as I expected PennyK Jul 2016 #80

I spoke too soon! PennyK Jul 2016 #81

I have a fever PennyK Jul 2016 #82

Update PennyK Jul 2016 #83

Congratulations! - you've made it through the worst. usrbs Jul 2016 #84

Thanks for reading PennyK Jul 2016 #85

I am SO dumb PennyK Jul 2016 #86

I think I'm finally doing better PennyK Jul 2016 #87

Bon Appetit! usrbs Jul 2016 #88

Thank you! PennyK Aug 2016 #89

Slow recovery from my chemo PennyK Aug 2016 #90

Hang in there usrbs Aug 2016 #91

Okay, the Pina Colada was NOT a great idea... PennyK Aug 2016 #92

One-month checkup tomorrow PennyK Aug 2016 #93

Seems as if they always want blood! Best of luck today :) nt slipslidingaway Aug 2016 #94

Went well PennyK Aug 2016 #95

Thanks for the report and happy to hear things on balance went well ... slipslidingaway Aug 2016 #96

AND a new symptom appears! PennyK Aug 2016 #97

OK, that must have been panic. PennyK Aug 2016 #99

New problem diagnosed PennyK Aug 2016 #100

I went to the store again PennyK Aug 2016 #101

Still have some of those shoulder pads in a bottom drawer ... slipslidingaway Aug 2016 #102

Isn't it wonderful to be able to taste food? alfredo Aug 2017 #105

Excellent progress! PennyK Aug 2017 #106

Thanks. I had to win the mind game. alfredo Aug 2017 #107

Post removed Post removed Jun 2017 #103

Sore loser? PennyK Jun 2017 #104

Sleeping and barfing, sleeping and barfing ... fun alfredo Aug 2017 #109

Even though I'm still dealing with aftereffects... PennyK Aug 2017 #110

Think of it as going to the Marquis de Sade day spa. alfredo Aug 2017 #111

Perfect. PennyK Aug 2017 #112

Since starting Synthroid, I have become Mr. Clean. alfredo Aug 2017 #113

Daughter knows me by now, hehe PennyK Aug 2017 #114

I've been wanting to try that, but now it seems I have an aversion to potatoes. alfredo Aug 2017 #115

I did well today!!! PennyK Aug 2017 #116

Little victories is all we need. alfredo Aug 2017 #117

Today I have a bit of pain PennyK Aug 2017 #118

Pain is good, it lets you know you are alive. alfredo Aug 2017 #119

I think I'm doing well these days PennyK Aug 2017 #120

Well, I'm going to a new doctor today PennyK Aug 2017 #121

Anxiety came back PennyK Aug 2017 #122

Guess I'll post here PennyK Sep 2017 #123

OK today, so far PennyK Sep 2017 #124

Well well PennyK Sep 2017 #125

I seem to be doing better! PennyK Oct 2017 #126

Venturing out PennyK Oct 2017 #127

I went for a haircut and style today PennyK Oct 2017 #128

Breast biopsy tomorrow PennyK Oct 2017 #129

Change in plan PennyK Oct 2017 #130

Surgery scheduled PennyK Nov 2017 #131

I did my pre-op stuff today PennyK Nov 2017 #132

I had my biopsy today PennyK Nov 2017 #133

No cancer! PennyK Nov 2017 #134

Another milestone (silly but fun) PennyK Nov 2017 #135

Am I done???? PennyK Dec 2017 #136

What a wonderful way to step into the New Year :) moonscape Dec 2017 #137

Hair! PennyK Jan 2018 #138

Well, I did an oopsy PennyK Jan 2018 #139

Got my replacement hairpiece PennyK Feb 2018 #140

And the adventures continue! Ms. Toad Feb 2018 #141

I'm hooked now on the fake hair PennyK Feb 2018 #142

I saw my doctor about reconstruction...finally PennyK Apr 2018 #143

I'm finally traveling for a family visit PennyK May 2018 #144

Hair issues (guys, feel free to ignore) PennyK May 2018 #145

This fun never ends! PennyK Sep 2018 #146