So once again Breast Cancer Awareness month begins. It’s always an interesting month for me. Every time I’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, it’s been in October. I suppose I just like to do things at the appropriate time. Lol!

So here we are again. After “losing my breasts”, finding them through reconstruction and thinking “Phew! That’s over!” I find I was quite incorrect.

So this October finds me having my reconstruction re-done. You see, I’ve been recalled. Seriously. The implants used for my breast reconstruction were recalled in July. They have been found to cause a rare type of lymphoma. The irony abounds.

But wait, it gets better. (Doesn’t it always?) As they still don’t know the exact mechanism by which they cause lymphoma, no one knows if after you remove them the risk is 100% eliminated. Are we having fun yet?

On Thursday morning, VERY EARLY Thursday morning, I reported to the “dealership” to have my recall addressed. My reconstruction that had turned out beautifully would be completely re-done. The shaped, textured implants would be removed and replaced with round, smooth implants. Sounds simple right? It’s not. You see, the reason the shaped implants are textured is to promote tissue in growth so they don’t move. I can’t imagine what it was like removing them. Then the “pockets” that hold the implants have to be cleaned out and prepared for the new implant shape. They also are sized differently. They chose to position them slightly differently as I literally have no more fat to graft. I’d already had five fat grafting procedures and I’m quite thin. Okay, VERY thin.

I was absolutely grateful to see my favorite nurse practitioner at the hospital. She would be assisting with the surgery. I felt confident she would ensure a great result. We had developed a great relationship over the past few years and she understood my goals. I would have an advocate in the OR. That was a great relief.

When I woke up, I was surprised to find I actually had more pain than the original implant surgery. But from what I can tell thus far, the result looks good. I’m sincerely hoping we may finally be done with my breast reconstruction. Three years and 8 surgeries later.

So, here’s my advice for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. PLEASE do get your mammogram. Early detection is still the best weapon for fighting this disease. If you are facing mastectomy, find a plastic surgeon that focuses on reconstruction if you are choosing reconstruction. You may be a candidate for an autologous (using your own tissue) flap procedure (I wasn’t). If you do need implants, DO NOT use the shaped implants. Even though Allergan is the only brand recalled at this point, all have been reported. You can speak to your plastic surgeon about fat grafting to help correct any remaining cosmetic issue.

If you have the Allergan shaped, textured implants, speak to your surgeon about getting an MRI and discuss the possibility of having the implants removed. While the FDA did provide language in the recall stating asymptotic patients did not have to remove the implants, I find that irresponsible. Do you wait until you develop lymphoma? The deaths and reported cases have increased exponentially since February of this year. I had no choice as I’ve developed hypogammaglobulinemia due to one of the drugs that helps slow my disease from progression. So the decision was pretty simple. However, I think even in the absence of that increased disease risk I would have removed them given what we now know. I find it inexplicable and reprehensible to ask women to wait until they’re actually sick with a potentially fatal and difficult to detect disease, to act. Surviving breast cancer only to develop lymphoma because of the implants used in your reconstruction is NOT an acceptable result. They also don’t know the exact mechanism by which they cause lymphoma. That means they don’t know if removing them completely eliminates the risk of developing disease. But it certainly reduces the risk.

I’m hopeful for yet another great outcome though not pleased about going through this again. I’d love to have an October come and go not thinking about my breasts. And I thought I was there. Thank you Allergan for taking that possibility off the table.

Now go get squished! It can save your life!

And again, if you have the Allergan shaped, textured implants, get an MRI and speak to your surgeon. It too could save your life.

#BreastCancerAwareness #AllerganImplantRecall

#BreastReconstruction