[Lyndsay]

Originally Posted by Hunny ↗

Lol, yes, you indeed were mentioned! And congrats on your NED status—I hope everything goes well with your six-month checkup. Even though I am still in the middle of it all, I am done with treatment and just have surgeries left to do, including revisions and the implant for my hearing, which 'fucked off' during this whole process. They haven't used the term 'NED' yet, but I am hopeful that when I see them again at the end of the year, they will.
​As for why they didn't recommend a DMX as the first course of treatment, it was only on one side and was only stage 1. They recommended an SMX or a lumpectomy. But with my family history, I wanted that s*** out of me completely. I didn't want any of that tissue left; it had turned on me, and I’ll be damned if I was going to keep it and wait for it to happen again. My pathology after the DMX actually showed that my right side had proliferative cells that were changing in the nipple, so it might not have turned yet, but let's face it: it would have. So, I am extremely happy with the decision I made.
​As far as going flat, I did a lot of research and couldn't justify putting implants into my body while I was fighting cancer. Obviously, you went the route I considered—using your own tissue—but I did a lot of reading and joined a lot of groups where I saw many rejections, infections, and people eventually opting to go flat anyway. After going through so much trauma, I just didn't want to take any chances. I did consider a 'Goldilocks' closure, but I couldn't have nipple-sparing surgery. I also thought about getting it and having a tattoo done later, but I honestly just got tired of all the constant consideration. When I really looked at the idea of staying flat, I felt a lot of peace about it, and that’s how I knew it was the right decision.
​When I told my breast surgeon that I was going to do the DMX, she asked me how I reached that decision. She didn't want me to lightly gloss over it; she wanted me to sit there and tell her the entire process from point A to point B. I explained my reasoning, and she was very satisfied that I was doing the right thing for me, so she gave me her blessing—not that she wouldn't have done it regardless, but she did agree. My oncologist was also extremely happy about my decision and told me it was the absolute best one I could have made.
​So yeah, I feel pretty good about things. Considering I dealt with necrosis and infections and have had to have multiple surgeries, I feel like, for whatever reason, I might not have done well with any kind of reconstruction. So, you know, hindsight has validated my decision as well. But I sure am glad that it all worked out for you!

My oncologist is also my hematologist and that’s why I go see her every 6 months. I’m done with treatment & surgeries. My plastic surgeon did a great job. With the initial surgery (DMX & DIEP flap were done together…12 hour surgery bc of other health issues) and after he had to go back in bc I had abscesses, cellulitis, mrsa & I went septic. I also had a hole in my left boob. Dr said it wasn’t a hole, but what do you call something that you can stick your finger in?
I did have to go see my oncology surgeon last month bc I was having pain in the right side which was my cancer side. Apparently since my nerve graft didn’t take they decided to tangle up and make this ball of nerves behind my pec muscle and they keep rubbing. Pain has stopped but Dr said it’s probably gonna be an off & on thing. Great I’m a Nintendo, don’t work turn it off & on again. Can’t blow into my boob bc there’s no valves.
I HATED how my chest looked and went 4 years without looking at it in person until I got my tattoos. There is no way I could’ve stayed flat, like mentally I couldn’t do it.

[Lyndsay]

“Not a hole” hole

[Hunny]

Originally Posted by Lyndsay ↗

“Not a hole” hole

Yep, I would definitely say that is a hole!

[Hunny]

Okay, hole is still here. I will post another pic now that we are one week out. I have my cochlear implant surgery next Friday! Would be nice to have this healed before then. Not sure that will happen. We will see!

[Faust]

To all babes; stay strong and hang in there!