|
My name is Paula Gaunt and here is my story. I live in Australind, WA and have three children. On August 31st, 2012, at the age of 49, I was diagnosed with breast cancer after finding a lump in my right breast. On September 4th, I had a mastectomy and node clearance. 37 nodes were removed, cancer was in 1. My cancer type was Triple Negative, which meant there was no targeted treatment for me. Chemo and radiation were required. Three weeks after my mastectomy I started my chemo. Three weeks after that finished, I started radiation. Everything was finished by the middle of March, 2013.
|
|
The view I have every day when I walk/jog/shuffle
|
I started' to make enquiries about reconstruction. I had decided I would go ahead with it after I had seen my breast surgeon for the one year check. I went to this checkup only to be told I had to wait another year before going ahead. They said this was due to high chance of recurrence, the nasty type it was......boy, talk about being positive! So, everything got put on hold for another year. Exactly 2 years and 6 days after mastectomy I had a skin sparing mastectomy of my left breast with a Scarless Lattissimus Dorsi. This is where they don't need to take skin from your back to make a pocket as they have saved your natural skin. The muscle was pulled through my back and an AeroForm tissue expander was put in place. On my cancer side, I had skin taken from my back to make the pocket and the Lat Dorsi muscle pulled through to encase it and an AeroForm tissue expander put in place. |
I can honestly say that when I woke, I thought I had been hit by a truck. I fully underestimated the impact this surgery would have on my body. But, on waking, to look down and see two mounds that are attached to your body, is unbelievable. I was totally unprepared for that too.
|
I spent a week in hospital and was then allowed to return home. Little did I know what was ahead for me. My radiated skin didn't like being challenged and decided to spit out the stitching.
Expansion was put on hold as I changed dressings daily and on Melbourne Cup day my boob was stitched together again. Finally, just before Xmas, I was allowed to pump myself up. These are the remotes. Once again I had to start dressings as the tissue played up. Eventually it gave in. In February, 2014, I had the exchange surgery. |
|
I find that I have more trouble now with my lymphodema and chest fluid but it is so worth it. Am looking forward to this summer where I can wear normal clothes. I had revision surgery three weeks ago and also nipple reconstruction and fat grafting.
For the first time in three years, I feel I have normal boobs.
Nipples was something I was never going to bother with, but then I saw a picture of someone who had it done. And because I had to have more surgery anyway, and it only added half an hour, and I was assured that I would heal normally this time, I decided to do it. So far, so good. Dressings come off in two days for the last time....I hope!
Having recon has been the best decision I have made through this shitty time. I must say, I have the best plastic surgeon in the world, Tony Connell. The AeroForm were awesome, especially when living in the bush. It was awesome to be in control. There was no pain as you did it at your own pace. Some days I would put in the maximum and other days the minimum.
I am happy to chat to anyone about my experience and am very grateful to this website, it's Facebook page and Leone Parmenter (Reclaim Your Curves Ambassador and Peer Support Leader) who I found just prior to my surgery. Her help and advice was invaluable to me when I needed it. I look forward to our bi-monthly catch up lunches. Thanks girls. 💗
For the first time in three years, I feel I have normal boobs.
Nipples was something I was never going to bother with, but then I saw a picture of someone who had it done. And because I had to have more surgery anyway, and it only added half an hour, and I was assured that I would heal normally this time, I decided to do it. So far, so good. Dressings come off in two days for the last time....I hope!
Having recon has been the best decision I have made through this shitty time. I must say, I have the best plastic surgeon in the world, Tony Connell. The AeroForm were awesome, especially when living in the bush. It was awesome to be in control. There was no pain as you did it at your own pace. Some days I would put in the maximum and other days the minimum.
I am happy to chat to anyone about my experience and am very grateful to this website, it's Facebook page and Leone Parmenter (Reclaim Your Curves Ambassador and Peer Support Leader) who I found just prior to my surgery. Her help and advice was invaluable to me when I needed it. I look forward to our bi-monthly catch up lunches. Thanks girls. 💗
With my friend Norma having a coffee
At my Pilates class
You can contact Paula through our private Facebook group.
