Who to see after DMX w/o reconstruction surgery/follow ups?

My cancer team was all local. My oncology breast surgeon has followed my case for 11 years. Also a breast oncologist, same team. In addition to manual exams I also had ultrasounds. You might look for a breast care center or women’s center near you to follow your case. If you don’t have those, contact an oncology breast surgeon. If not that, then a breast oncologist. You want someone who specializes in breast cancer to follow your case.

Do self-exams as well. I had a DMX w/o reconstruction so I can feel a lot of ribs and lumps and bumps, but when my BC recurred after 7 years I found the 1.2 cm hard immobile painless lump myself and had no doubt it was a tumor not a rib or other.

Make time for all your checkups and go enjoy life. Surgery is behind you so that’s great. Do physical therapy if needed. It helps with range of motion issues. Just see this as the new normal. Blessings, Zebra

Thank you! I just started looking in my area for an oncologist who is also a breast "specialist". I loved the care I received from Mayo, but I just cant take off work every 6 months just to have an exam done. I also went AFC route. I pretty much have all range of motion back. Just some tightness still in some areas. I had no radiation or chemo. Mine was DCIS Grade 3 HR+.

Sound plan. I had to look up AFC. Was that done at the time of the mastectomy or a second surgery later? I just read that is a newer option. I wish the surgeon had made more of an effort to flatten everything out evenly but I would not do an additional surgery for many reasons.

Yes, it was done at the time of Mastectomy. I was diagnosed back in May. I did a lot of research to learn about different procedures and options. I was not interested in implants due to risk of implant illness and then having to replace every 10 years, which required more surgery. I was no interested in DIEP flap as that is a major 10 hour surgery, usually with follow up surgeries. I also did not want the risk of losing my abs. I have gained 30 pounds over the last 30 years, but my abs are still tight and under that layer of fat! Now that I am 9 weeks post op, I will start hitting the gym again. I just wanted a one and done surgery. I am not a vain person and have enough self confidence, that not having breasts were no big deal to me. My husband of 32 years said he just wanted me to be healthy. He fully supported my decision. It has been awesome not having to wear a bra. I showed my surgeon pictures of what I wanted/expected and he felt confident he could do it. I am very happy with the results.

That’s great! I agree with you on all that. One and done was what I wanted too. I wish my visual outcome had been as good as yours. I expected what you received. Also great that you’re ready for the gym already! I still had major range of motion issues at that point. I also had my ovaries out at the same time as my DMX, got shingles two weeks after my surgery and broke my right wrist one month after when an off-leash dog attacked my dog and caused me to fall. Hmmm, looking back now I think that all overwhelmed my body and slowed recovery. Glad you’re doing great and have a wonderful supportive husband! Happy exercising! That’s definitely easier when flat! ❤️

@californiazebra this is such wonderful advice and perspective! Just an anted to say your words resonate with me. Blessings

Oh, no! I am so sorry! I actually thought I was healing slower than someone normally would because I had Shingles 2 weeks prior to my surgery. Then I got a really bad case of Covid the week after my surgery. I then attended a work conference 3 weeks post op and ended up having too much fun. I went back to work at 4 weeks (office job) but still think it was too early because of all the upper body tasks. I had swelling and moderate pain for 2 weeks.
I am just glad to be on the other side of things!
Do you plan on having another surgery to get the results you want?

Shingles can be triggered by stress so no wonder we both got it at that time. And you got COVID too. Sheesh! I’m not good to use as a benchmark since my body overreacts to everything. Slow healer.

No, I won’t have cosmetic surgery for many reasons. I don’t do well with anesthesia. I can’t take pain meds, not even OTC ones. I have a rare hereditary neuropathy that exaggerates all pain and my nerves are easily damaged. I have the painful and unsightly keloid scarring disorder. After 2 years of level 10 stabbing and slicing pains in the scars that hit about once an hour including while sleeping, I finally had 120 excruciatingly painful kenalog injections into the scars over a 3 year period to reduce the scars and pain. I wouldn’t want to go through all that again. Those were also reasons that I wouldn’t even consider reconstruction in the first place. My DMX was 11 years ago and my sides under my upper arms are still very tender to touch. I still have occasional shooting pains in my chest. My ROM is still limited after months of PT 3 different times over the years, but good enough to be functional so that’s okay. My chest is really tender where I had the recurrence chest wall BC resected 4 years ago. That being said, I’m still here enjoying life so all is good.