Project Boob!

It was a Herecptin day for me on Tuesday 2nd September, but the 'highlight' of my medical week was my appointment with Mr Dawson on the 4th September!

I went to the appointment without preparing for the discussion I knew I would be having about the reconstruction of my boob. I did very little research before hand and I had not commited any questions to paper, which is unusual for me, but reflective of busy, inefficient mind wanderings and other preoccupations!

Of course I had questions and thought I could 'wing' it  confidently….but the familiarity of Dr D seemed to draw out the vulnerability within me and I found the appointment to be a somewhat emotional one.

Without the research or my note pad, I certainly felt on a back foot.... even Dr Dawson made comment on my absent note pad! I'm not saying that it would have made me feel any less emotional, but the lack of structure to my thoughts, made me feel disconnected from it all and I didn't get as much out of the appointment as I could have done. Note to self!

Never the less, Mr D negotiated his way beautifully through some 'confused' ramblings and went through the options in terms of reconstruction, and whilst he was certainly not pushing me to make any decisions, I was simply incapable of focussing my thoughts that day on booby matters! 

I looked to Mr D to tell me exactly the route I should take…pretty lazy I know, and as he was talking about 3 options, recovery and risks, as he is duty bound to do, the prospect of a reconstructed boob wasn't as exciting as once it appeared…and all of a sudden I didn't feel so brave! ha!

Despite my lack of preparation I left the appointment feeling that 'Project Boob' had been well and truly launched. Whilst I have yet to make a decision on my recon option, I have been referred to a plastic surgeon at the Leicester Royal Infirmary for a consultation about the DIEP Flap reconstruction, which is favoured as the 'gold star' option for it has the most natural result.

I was also able to talk to Mr D about ongoing screening and the questions I had about reoccurrence. It seems there is no miracle blood test or method to detect reoccurrence in advance of any symptoms. I am left relying on yearly mammograms,  described by Mr D as the most effective way to screen for reoccurrence.

It doesn't feel enough, but I'm realistic and I am happy to live my life with uncertainty,  and it's many opportunities.