To those of you who enjoy your tram flap; I am glad.

But when I had the mastectomy and tram flap (13 hr. surgery) in '92 it was a mess.

I had to go back in for repair 3 months later...the skin fell off.....blackened and it was sickening.

They redid it.

Then in '98 it had to be redone and recently I tore the cartilege off the rib under it and was only lying on the floor plugging in the christmas tree.

Tremendous pain sent me to the PS. He wants to do it again.

I am so tired of surgery....besides these I have at least 2 or 3 biopsies a year since.

Breast on either side and now had two D & C's plus a hysteroscopy.

My neurosurgeon was to fix the 4 herniated discs which by the way is from the tram. The muscles no longer support the back.

A myelegram done wrong sent me by amblulance last year to the E.R.

So I have been diagnosed now with nodules on my thyroid as well and of course its growing and they are considering surgery there.

The only way I get through all this is to trust in my Lord! And my 4 married kids and their families.

I am almost 53 now. And it was almost 10 years ago this whole mess started.

If I had to do it over again...no. I would forget the tram.

So to all you ladies who want that tram......rethink it please.....it can lead to more problems.

Thank you!!!!!

And God bless!!

Irene Zimmerman