MRHC Surgery Making a Difference
October 30, 2016 5:30 pm
“When I walked out of the door after my surgery, my cancer was gone, and I felt even better about my appearance than when I walked in.” – Cathy Henry, Kossuth, MS
In September of 2012, Cathy Henry had come in for her annual mammogram as a part of her yearly physical. The mammogram showed an abnormality.
“I underwent a stereotactic needle biopsy, which showed pre-cancer cells,” said Henry. “I was a little nervous to say the least,” said Henry. “I had been conducting my self-examinations on a regular basis, and I never felt anything out of the ordinary.”
“I then found out that I had two types of cancer cells,” said Henry. “Having to tell my children that I had breast cancer was very hard too. Honestly, it felt like I had received a death sentence.”
Henry never gave up hope though. After hearing her diagnosis, she met with Dr. Robert P. Mathis, her surgeon. Dr. Mathis recommended a lumpectomy, a surgery to remove cancer or other abnormal tissue from the breast. She proceeded with the procedure in October 2012.
For the next four years, Henry continued to have her mammograms done on a regular basis. In March of 2016, Henry went in for her annual mammogram and received the devastating news that the cancer had returned. Again, the tiny spot was back. Again, the spot was so small that she could not feel it, but it showed up on her mammogram.
Once again, the stereotactic biopsy done by Dr. Mathis showed that the ductal carcinoma in situ (pre-cancer cells) was present. She then met with Dr. Mathis to choose the best course of action, and he explained in detail what her options were. He recommended the surgical approach of prophylactic mastectomy’s and immediate reconstruction over breast conservation.
“I went home and discussed it with my family,” said Henry. “I chose to have a double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction.”
Often times, after a double mastectomy, the patient will choose to have no reconstruction or a delayed reconstruction. With immediate reconstruction, the mastectomy and reconstruction are done at the same time. There are many positive advantages to immediate reconstruction such as decreased risk of social or emotional difficulties, better cosmetic results, and possibly fewer surgery and lower surgery cost. Sometimes, delayed reconstruction procedures make it difficult to reconstruct after scarring occurs.
Dr. Mathis consulted with Dr. James Long, Plastic Surgeon at Magnolia Plastics and Aesthetics, so that the reconstruction could begin immediately after he had completed the mastectomy’s. Dr. Long also discussed the different options that Henry had for surgery, and she became even more confident in her decision. Dr. Mathis and Dr. Long coordinated the surgery, and the results were just what Henry was hoping for.
“The outcome of my surgery was even better than I could have asked for,” said Henry. “I did my research on the physicians performing my surgery, and I was confident that they could give me the results that I wanted. I received the highest quality care at MRHC, and I continue to do so.”
“She was able to walk out of the hospital looking exactly the way she did when she came in or maybe even a little better,” said Mathis. “She is also at no risk for developing breast cancer again.”
With MRHC offering both quality general surgery and plastic surgery options, Henry was able to receive the same level of surgical care as she could find anywhere in the country.
“This is just the way we want the system to work,” said Dr. Mathis. “We have assembled a team of experts to address all breast issues. We have an experienced and skilled group of radiologists, with the best equipment available to detect breast cancer at its earliest stage. Our pathology department is excellent and picked up the abnormal cancer cells immediately. Our surgical team is well qualified, experienced and are able to coordinate care with each individual patient in mind. We’re able to provide needle biopsy, lumpectomy (breast conservation surgery), and total mastectomy, with or without reconstruction. Curing her cancer is always our first priority, but an excellent cosmetic result is always our goal as well.”
Dr. Robert P. Mathis, M.D., F.A.C.S., is a General and Vascular Surgeon at Magnolia General and Vascular Surgery Clinic. He has been practicing medicine since 1987 and relocated back to his hometown of Corinth with his family in 2004. He has been performing breast conservation surgeries for more than 25 years. For more information about Dr. Mathis or the surgical services at Magnolia Regional Health Center, please visit www.mrhc.org or call (662) 293-1000.
Dr. James Long, M.D., F.A.C.S., is a Cosmetic, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon with specialty skills in Hand Surgery who founded Magnolia Plastic Surgery with offices at Magnolia Regional Health Center in Corinth, Mississippi. Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery for the last 11 years, he specializes in cosmetic plastic surgery of the face, neck, breast and body. For more information about Dr. Long or the plastic surgery services at Magnolia Plastic Surgery, please visit www.magnoliaplasticsurgery.org or call (662) 286-6369.
This post was written by Magnolia Regional Health Center
