Prayers and thoughts needed

[megansmomma]

Originally Posted by kjc

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers...

I do have some questions though... forgive me, I know nothing, just what I've heard...

Don't the doctors reconstruct the breast(s) in the event of a mastectomy? My neighbor was treated in the 60's and they started reconstruction right away. Instead of mastectomy, think 'breast enhancement'.

As for chemo and hair loss, I've read that there's newer treatments of chemo that are way more targeted than earlier treatments years ago, with fewer side effects. If your doctor says you'll lose your hair anyway, I'll donate my hair so you can get a wig made if this would help you. Just let me know.

I'm so sorry this is happening to you, I can't imagine what it's like to have to go through this. Hugs, Kathy

If mastectomy is chosen many times (not always) the reconstruction process can begin with the mastectomy. A plastic surgeon will place saline expanders in the breast if there is not enough breast tissue and over a period of months the woman will return to the plastic surgeons office to have more saline injected via a port into the expanders until the desired size is achieved. Then once this happens a second surgery is performed and the permanent implants are inserted. But I have seen some surgeons recently with a larger breasted woman go directly to the permanent implants. There are even options where the plastic surgeon will do a tramflap to have enough tissue for reconstruction which is when they basically do a tummy tuck and use the skin to add to thhe breasts. Many woman will have bilateral mastectomies w/reconstruction. Most woman that do bilateral mastectomies will say they chose this route because they never want to worry about doing down this road again.

[lillymae]

I am sorry you are going through this & I will be praying for a FULL recovery. I am not sure of the spelling but I think Kjc might be thinking of the Gamma knife treatment witch I have heard is much better & safer then the old method. Supposed to target only the cancer & not the whole body so you don't lose your hair or get so sick. Something to look into.

[megansmomma]

Originally Posted by lillymae

I am sorry you are going through this & I will be praying for a FULL recovery. I am not sure of the spelling but I think Kjc might be thinking of the Gamma knife treatment witch I have heard is much better & safer then the old method. Supposed to target only the cancer & not the whole body so you don't lose your hair or get so sick. Something to look into.

Gamma Knife surgery is for the treatment of Brain Cancer.

[McheleM]

Originally Posted by megansmomma

If mastectomy is chosen many times (not always) the reconstruction process can begin with the mastectomy. A plastic surgeon will place saline expanders in the breast if there is not enough breast tissue and over a period of months the woman will return to the plastic surgeons office to have more saline injected via a port into the expanders until the desired size is achieved. Then once this happens a second surgery is performed and the permanent implants are inserted. But I have seen some surgeons recently with a larger breasted woman go directly to the permanent implants. There are even options where the plastic surgeon will do a tramflap to have enough tissue for reconstruction which is when they basically do a tummy tuck and use the skin to add to thhe breasts. Many woman will have bilateral mastectomies w/reconstruction. Most woman that do bilateral mastectomies will say they chose this route because they never want to worry about doing down this road again.

Surgery, mastectomy, reconstruction, chemotherapy and radiation are all very expensive. Especially when you don't have insurance....

[impish]

McheleM,

I wish you peace of mind and time to breathe to figure out what the right decision is for you.

Right now, the most important thing is to deal with this potential spread. Please know that you are not alone.

I will be sending good thoughts your way. The fact that you are a survivor is half the battle!

Bless you.

N

[lillymae]

Originally Posted by megansmomma

Gamma Knife surgery is for the treatment of Brain Cancer.

Not just Brain cancer anymore.

[kjc]

This is from 2009, I saw a news update on it or similar thing a few days ago.

New 'Bubble' Targets Only Cancer Cells

[Mom to Hot Rod]

sending my prayers your way. I am very sorry that you are enduring this again. I have several family members who have gone thru breast cancer treatment and have been thru the chemo and radiation treatments as well as mastectomy. I can certainly appreciate not only the physical toll but the emotional toll that it has on one. Wishing you all the best in what course of treatment that you decide for yourself and may your treatment be successful as it was prior. Hugs.

[enchilila]

I am so sorry you are having to deal with this once again. Medicine changes all the time and maybe there is something new out there that the doctor will discuss with you. Please know that you are in my prayers.

[yorkieusa]

My heart goes out to you. Please know that I will keep you in my prayers.

[darnlora]

Praying for you

[megansmomma]

Originally Posted by lillymae

Not just Brain cancer anymore.

I am not sure if you know what I do for my profession.......strictly breast cancer surgery. I'm in the OR daily and have been doing this for almost 8 years. Never seen the Gamma Knife used in a hospital that my company services. That link that KJC posted is not from the US but from Tel Aviv. The closing sentence in the article posted said:

Although the technology is still a decade or more from clinical trials, this promising discovery offers new hope in oncology.

Please if you are going to give information make sure that it's accurate and a reliable source. It's confusing and frightening enough without filling Michelle with false information or hopes in her search for treatment.

MicheleM~there is help regardless of insurance. You do not have to short cut your treatment. I see woman without insurance receiving care and treatment. Have you spoke to the hospital social workers or the American Cancer Association? Also Avon and the Susan G. Korman Foundation have programs that help those without insurance. Please do not take no as an answer for your diagnosis.

[McheleM]

My oncologists office is gettimg someone fromACS involved so they can help with expenses.
Thank you for your message. I appreciate your kind words. :-)

Originally Posted by megansmomma

I am not sure if you know what I do for my profession.......strictly breast cancer surgery. I'm in the OR daily and have been doing this for almost 8 years. Never seen the Gamma Knife used in a hospital that my company services. That link that KJC posted is not from the US but from Tel Aviv. The closing sentence in the article posted said:



Please if you are going to give information make sure that it's accurate and a reliable source. It's confusing and frightening enough without filling Michelle with false information or hopes in her search for treatment.

MicheleM~there is help regardless of insurance. You do not have to short cut your treatment. I see woman without insurance receiving care and treatment. Have you spoke to the hospital social workers or the American Cancer Association? Also Avon and the Susan G. Korman Foundation have programs that help those without insurance. Please do not take no as an answer for your diagnosis.

[lillymae]

Originally Posted by megansmomma

I am not sure if you know what I do for my profession.......strictly breast cancer surgery. I'm in the OR daily and have been doing this for almost 8 years. Never seen the Gamma Knife used in a hospital that my company services. That link that KJC posted is not from the US but from Tel Aviv. The closing sentence in the article posted said:



Please if you are going to give information make sure that it's accurate and a reliable source. It's confusing and frightening enough without filling Michelle with false information or hopes in her search for treatment.

MicheleM~there is help regardless of insurance. You do not have to short cut your treatment. I see woman without insurance receiving care and treatment. Have you spoke to the hospital social workers or the American Cancer Association? Also Avon and the Susan G. Korman Foundation have programs that help those without insurance. Please do not take no as an answer for your diagnosis.

There is a TV commercial here talking about Gamma knife not just being for Brain cancer anymore, for a hospital I believe in Spokane Wa. but may be Seattle. I have been trying to catch the full commercial again since this thread started but with my daycare it's not been easy. When I see it again I will deff get the name of the Hospital. This is not something I have been misinformed about , it is a hospital advertising it on TV, not something I just heard off the street.

[McheleM]

Originally Posted by lillymae

There is a TV commercial here talking about Gamma knife not just being for Brain cancer anymore, for a hospital I believe in Spokane Wa. but may be Seattle. I have been trying to catch the full commercial again since this thread started but with my daycare it's not been easy. When I see it again I will deff get the name of the Hospital. This is not something I have been misinformed about , it is a hospital advertising it on TV, not something I just heard off the street.

They can use gamma knife technology for the treatment of cancers other than brain cancer, but only if it's mestasticized to the brain. (breast cancer thats spread, etc) So while it's true that they are treating breast/lung/pancreatic/liver cancer, they aren't using gamma knife technology on those particular body parts. They are still using it intracranially.

I'm sure if it were an option, my oncologist would have mentioned it by now. He's one of the best in the DFW area,