Medical update, for those interested in details.
I've now met with the surgeon, her recommended plastic surgeon to discuss potential reconstruction, the radiologist, and medical oncologist. Surgery date is pending my decision on what I want to do, both reconstruction wise, and genetic testing wise.
Blood was drawn for genetic testing today. Results will take two to three weeks. If I come back positive for the genes, I'm seriously thinking of going bilateral. While currently there is no sign of there being an issue in the other breast, if the genes are present, and with my history of three cancers now, a recurrence is highly possible, and I really don't want to go through this again. Also, *if* reconstruction is possible for me, it will be easier to match starting from a clean slate on both sides, than to try to lift a drooping natural breast.
So, results from the gene testing is required before I move forward.
I say if reconstruction is possible for me, because after meeting with the plastic surgeon, he is hesitate to take me on. He specializes in implants, and between my size and diabetes, he feels implants are a high risk and would not look right on me. So, he referred me to plastic surgeons at UW who specialize in autologous tissue reconstruction, i.e., using tissue harvested from elsewhere on my body to reconstruct the breast(s).
The issue here may be the thinness of the skin in my chest area, due to having been stretched out over the years due to the weight of my breasts, and the recovery being high risk, due to my diabetes. So, even with the advancements in reconstructive surgery over the years, I may still wind up with have to wear prosthesis.
My appointment at UW is next week. Since I'm waiting for the results of the genetic testing, there is no rush to consult with the plastic surgeons and choose my options.
On top of all of this, I was told today by the medical oncologist that if the genetic testing does come back positive, I should seriously consider also having a hysterectomy. Apparently ovarian cancer risks shoot sky high with these genes as well.
*sigh*
Yet another procedure.
The good news in all of this is that the radiation oncologist confirmed what my surgeon said, and, as of now, she sees no need for me to go through radiation after surgery. The MRI I had done yesterday seems to back that up.
The medical oncologist also agrees that I should not need chemotherapy, nor estrogen suppressant therapy, after surgery. All of this may change, depending on the results of the pathology of lymph nodes harvested during my surgery. But as of now, those are the positive outlook on all of this.
So, again. Step by step through the process. For those interested, I'll update again as results come in and decisions are made.
Thank you for being there for me.
.. It is so nice to have this kind of love and support. And being away from home and my hubby its so very appreciated. The furkids Im looking after atm .. have also been great, but LOL 
they just give me these blank stares back, when I talk to them 
I dont get weird hormone imbalances 
am benchmarking myself there. LOL 
Dumbass that I am 
