Dance to Heal

Breast Reconstruction

Let me begin by saying that whether or not you choose to have breast reconstruction surgery should be your decision alone.  Do not allow someone else to dictate whether you do or do not have this procedure.

Breast reconstruction is a type of surgery for women who have had a breast removed (mastectomy). The surgery rebuilds the breast so that it is about the same size and shape as it was before. The nipple and areola (the darker area around the nipple) can also be added. Most women who have had a mastectomy can have reconstruction. Women who have had a lumpectomy may not need reconstruction. Breast reconstruction is done by a plastic surgeon. There are several different methods for reconstruction.

Immediate reconstruction is done at the same time as the mastectomy. An advantage to having immediate reconstruction, is that the chest tissues are undamaged by radiation therapy or scarring. This often means that the final result looks better. Also, immediate reconstruction means one less surgery. While my TRAM (transverse rectus abdominis muscle) flap  reconstruction was immediate with my first round of cancer, it took almost a year of healing to be complete. For some unknown reason, I had a difficult time healing, causing all of my procedures to be delayed. The recovery from this surgery was not easy.

Delayed reconstruction means that the rebuilding is started later. For some women, this may be advised if they need radiation to the chest area after the mastectomy. Radiation therapy given after breast reconstruction surgery can cause complications. Due to radiation treatment, my second reconstruction surgery was delayed for three months.  I had  Latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction the second time around. I will say that recovery from this procedure was much easier.

Breast Cancer Enriched My Life

As odd as it may sound, breast cancer has enriched my life. I now take the time to appreciate the beauty that surrounds me. Life is precious and I prefer  concentrating on everything that is positive in my life rather than focusing on negative things.  I live a more spontaneous life and my priority is having fun and spending time with those I love and cherish. I did not just survive breast cancer twice, I ended my journey through cancer world a much stronger, determined person. I have been given a third chance at life for a reason. Reaching out to others that are going through a challenging time has become my passion. 

Chemo Brain

You would think when going through chemotherapy that hair loss, nausea, and fatigue would be enough to have to deal with. Cancer survivors have discovered that thinking and memory problems can occur after cancer treatment. It is not clear that chemotherapy is the reason for concentration and memory problems. Many cancer survivors with memory problems continue to score well on  cognitive tests, which baffles doctors. 

The Mayo Clinic has compiled the following symptoms of Chemo Brain: 

Signs and symptoms of chemo brain may include:

• Being unusually disorganized
• Confusion
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty finding the right word
• Difficulty learning new skills
• Difficulty multitasking
• Fatigue
• Feeling of mental fogginess
• Short attention span
• Short-term memory problems
• Taking longer than usual to complete routine tasks
• Trouble with verbal memory, such as remembering a conversation
• Trouble with visual memory, such as recalling an image or list of words

Signs and symptoms of cognitive or memory problems vary from person to person and are typically temporary, often subsiding within two years of completion of cancer treatment

What is Lymphedema?

During surgery for breast cancer, your doctor will  remove at least one lymph node from the underarm area to see if the cancer has spread. Sometimes doctors remove more than one. When lymph nodes are removed, the lymph vessels that carry fluid from the arm to the rest of the body are also removed because they are wrapped around the nodes.

Removing lymph nodes and vessels changes the way the lymph fluid flows in that side of the upper body. This makes it harder for fluid in the chest, breast, and arm to flow out of this area. If the remaining lymph vessels cannot drain enough of the fluid from these areas, the excess fluid builds up and causes swelling, or lymphedema. Radiation treatment to the lymph nodes in the underarm can affect the flow of lymph fluid in the arm and breast area in the same way, further increasing the risk of lymphedema.

Lymphedema is a build-up of lymph fluid in the fatty tissues just under your skin. It usually develops slowly over time. The swelling can range from mild to severe. It can start soon after surgery or radiation treatment. But it can also begin months or even many years later. Women who have many lymph nodes removed and women who have had radiation therapy to the breast and/or underarm area may have a higher risk of getting lymphedema.