DIEP 2011

ladym13

alexanjb...WOAH two weeks eh? I'm just under 3 weeks away...yikes!!! We will be fine, I will be sending you positive healing vibes.

I have only told my really close friends and family, didnt really say anything to anyone at work.

mascal- I'm so happy to hear that you are doing okay...cant wait to hear how you progress. Enjoy the percocet...:)

treesprite

I tell people whatever seems right at the time, for some I say I'm having more surgery - they usually ask me if everything is okay and I say yes, I'm doing great and I don't say anything more. With some groups, I say I am having reconstruction surgery - that does feel personal, I don't always want people thinking about my boobs! Sometimes I say that I am having major reconstruction surgery which involves taking my tummy fat and moving it up to make a breast. That is usually when it is women only and I am comfortable; I like getting the word out about this surgery and I may be able to be a resource for another woman going through BC. After that, I don't care what anyone shares about my situation.

XRAYestInMA

@mscal...Welcome home and welcome back to the thread! Wow ! I am psyched that you look so good. I'll bet it feels great just to be in your own home while you are on the mend. Healing (((vibes))) are going your way.

As far as telling people - I just rented one of those billboard signs and put a picture of myself and a little blurb about what I'm having done and why etc. At work, I sent out a mass email via the hospital network to every employee- all thousands of them. HA HA. Really, many friends know and quite a few acquaintances know as well (ie. co-workers that I don't really consider "friends", but do consider colleagues. It's pointless trying to keep a secret with my co-workers. I had to tell my boss, and the Operations Coordinator- I report directly to her and she does the schedules. It would be hard to be gone from work during 11 weeks in the summer and not be missed. I just told people when they asked why I will be off for the summer. Everyone is cool with it. I am not ashamed or embarrassed at all. Even the guys that I work with are very supportive. 

10 days to go as of tomorrow. Strangely, I am still at peace with my decision and not freaked out at all. The final countdown begins.....

NotAfraid

I told EVERYONE!  I put it on my Facebook page.  I made an "announcement" that I was going through a lot of stuff involving breast cancer and reconstruction and, if you didn't want to read about Boobs,  you should unfriend me. 

I kept everyone up to date what was going on with my insurance hell, what the surgery was all about, made jokes about it, encouraged everyone else to come up with boob jokes, and then, while I was in surgery and recovery, had my "publicist" (ie: hubby) post on my FB about my surgery, second surgery, etc.  

I know not everyone is this comfortable with the situation - especially since it involves breasts - but I figure everyone has seen boobs before and everyone has delt with cancer before.  Usually the things that scare me (and other) the most are the things that aren't talked about.  Taking the mystery out of it has helped me and, maybe, it will help others in the future.  

At the least, people know that you can go through lots of shyt and still keep your sense of humor and - more importantly - make it through!

The "fun" part now is that everyone is super fascinated and interested in my progress and 99% of my friends want to see how things look no and can't wait to see the progress after future stages.  I'm OK with that.  The more I have other people involved, the less scary it was for me - and continues to be.

Not everyone makes super funny jokes. (I'm tired of the suggestions of what shape my areolas should be.) But, I'm still laughing at having "Barbie Boobs" at the moment.  

Jerusha

Okay Ladies, I just can not let you all be so worried...I post mainly on the NOLA site, but follow along on this and others, and I want to try to alleviate some of your fears. I am 13 days post op from Extended DIEP, meaning they took the blobs of fat on my anterior hips as well. I had implants removed. From the second I woke up I was able to appreciate having soft, warm and jiggly ( even lying in bed) breasts that felt like ME. My surgery was only 4 and 1/2 hours and the anesthesia was perfectly smooth . I went to sleep before going in to the OR and woke up in my private room with my husband beside me. I can only speak for NOLA, but my pain management was perfect. I had 2 pain balls delivering local anesthetic to my belly and a PCA pump with narcotic and anti - nausea medicine. I had a urinary catheter in which theyd placed after I was asleep. For about 24 hours I just stayed put, tho I did have a light supper. I was not uncomfortable. The nurses checked the dopplers to my new breasts hourly. I felt very peaceful and pain free. The next morning I sat in a chair and later they removed the catheter and the pain pump. From then on I could walk by myself to the bathroom, and I could eat whatever I felt like. That evening I walked around the unit with my husband. The following day the nurse helped me take a shower. I could wash my hair myself, and

dry it with a hairdryer myself,also. We stayed in the hospital for four nights. Since I was away from home we went to a suites hotel. With about 6 pillows behind me and two under my knees, I was

able to get into a very comfy recliner-like position. (which I have continued at home). I had no shower restrictions, but only had energy to shower once in the 3 days. My husband stood by but I did not need him to do anything Mainly I hung around the hotel and snoozed, but could walk a few blocks easily and went out for some fabulous dinners. At my one week post op appointment I had 3 of my 4 drains pulled ( and the last one 4 days later, at home) The airport, with a wheelchair to get around, was fine. Since home, I'm just hangin. Going upband down stairs, doing a little clean-up in the kitchen, eating with my family. Taking pain medication every 6 or 7 h and nothing else. Walking a bit outside

Jerusha

Oops... Didn't finish. Maybe that was a message... Anyway , it seems like it is scarier to IMAGINE this than to know how it IS. I was really terrified to do this surgery. I put it off for a year. In fact, every single aspect of it has been nowhere near what I had anticipated. This surgery, and recovery so fa,r has been waaay easier for me than my BMX's. And I want you to know that !!!!!!

alexanjb

Jerusha,

Thank you very much.  Your post really helps.  The anticipation is tough.  I found it interesting when I realized I had jokingly asked the anethesia nurse to put me out until the surgery is over, but didn't ask to be put out until I was through the recovery period.  So, if I am not afraid of the pain during recovery what am I afraid of exactly?  I can do this.  I know I can.

mscal02

Alexan: Sam ,and everyone else heading to the boob shop. You will be just fine. I am very sore today but that is expected after being cut from here to there. What can I take to have a bowel movement that will be gentle? I don't want to have to do any straining. I was given collace and have a script for it but,it is just not doing anything. My Dr. gave me a glyceryn suppository and it was just not enough for me. I got prunes on the way home yesterday and have been eating them. Hopefully today I will see some results. The pain medications causes constipation.I am trying to do everything in my power to protect my boobie.The nurse at the hosp. gave me 2 pieces of this rubber that they put on your arm to draw blood. I looped them through my drains and made bracelets. I just slip my hands through and take them with me. (no pins). I came home with 3 drains 1 was removed before I left the hospital. I hope to get atleast 2 more removed when I go for my check-up.

alexanjb

Ugh constipation is the worst!  I like smooth move tea, but I would think collace would be stronger than that.  I had a terrible problem with it for a few days during chemo and it sure doesn't help the hemmoroids and fissures any.  I regularly (no pun intended) use fiber capsules that can be found in store brands (Walmart, Rite Aid).  There is also a fiber powder that you mix with water.  Drink plenty of fluids and try not to eat things that take more work for your body to digest.  For me that is meat and dairy.  It sounds like you are doing the right things and just have to wait it out.  I am sorry I don't have a magic solution.  Sorry for me too, b/c I DO anticipate having that same problem.

treesprite

my bc surgeon recommended milk of magnesia and taking two of the colace stool softeners. That helped me.

I  managed my diet and fiber the week or so before diep to prevent this and that worked very well. I also drank prune juice, took my colace and had the milk of mag ready, just in case. My friend made me a batch of super bran muffins and I had one every morning.  I hate the constipation thing!

slg2130

Oh jeez, don't say the anticipation is the hardest.  I'm schedule for DIEP (bilateral) on October 13.  WAY too much time to anticipate!! 

SAMayoFL

Hey Jerusha, welcome to our thread!  We are always sooo super happy to talk to anyone who has already been DIEPed and have a good story to share.  I think on the NOLA thread someone said something about some scan that set their ear on fire or something.  Do you remember that?  What was that about?

Mscal, ewwwwww constipation is the WORST.  I had problems during chemo too.  I hope things begin to move very, very soon.

Uggggg, the boss is calling.  More later.

S

mscal02

My Dr. keeps telling me that I am okay, but I know that I have been eating lots of green vegetables. I will probably send DH to the drug store to pick up some suppositories and Milk of Magnesia. I just like being regular and know that my bowels have to wake up. I will be so glad when I can get back to walking.

IowaSue45

One thing I found out when I left the hospital is, no seatbelts for about a month. I asked at my follow up..I hope I don't get stopped.I will have to show them my tatas to get out of the ticket LOL.

alexanjb

IowaSue44-if the doctor says no seat belts can't he give you a note stating that?  A female cop or a gay male cop might not be interested in our ta tas.

treesprite

I kept a pillow in the car and used that, probably more for mental security than actual protection. I probably would not be able to ride in a car without my seat belt on. If you are uni, you can sit so the shoulder belt is on the other side.

XRAYestInMA

Wow...that's crazy about the NO seatbeat rule. Not very safe, IMO. I can certainly understand the rationale and would not want to ruin a new set of NOOBS with a tight seat-belt. There's no way I would flash my NOOBS to a cop, straight, gay , female, whatever. I have had some pretty good luck when I was stopped by a cop within the last 6 years - just by wearing my work scrubs! Once I was stopped because I "didn't stop completely" at a stop sign. I was on my way to work, hence the uniform, and no ticket, not even a written warning. Next, I was kind of speeding (a little) on the highway, once again on my way to work, wearing scrubs. The police officer asks me where I am going in such a hurry... To work I say. He takes a look at me and asks where is this "work". I tell him where I am going, and voila - no ticket again. He just tells me to slow down and be careful. Not sure what was up with that - but I really was on my way to work and do wear scrubs, so I guess I was just lucky. I have a lead-foot at times - but I'm trying hard to mend my ways. I have only gotten 1 ticket in my entire driving life - and that was 26 years ago - back when the tickets were $50 for a moving violation, and not hundreds of dollars as they are now.

Snobird

My PS said to use a pillow or 2 under the seat belt. There is no way I would drive or be in a car without my seatbelt on. He also didn't recommend not wearing a seatbelt. Trust me they can fix you after a car wreck but not if you are dead. Aren't we all fighting to stay alive here?

pamdo

lady m...do you mind if I pm you?  I'm wondering how you've found working with Toni Zhong and how long you waited for appointment, surgery etc.  I saw her last week and she told me up to 12 weeks wait for uni mx with immediate diep...and 12 hour surgery - yikes!   the worst part is I have no idea when the surgery is going to be....!!! hard to plan my summer with my boys.....sniff sniff, pity party.

mscal02

I was not told no seatbelt. My DH told me to skip it when we got ready to leave the hosp,but I just could not.I will keep a couple of pillows handy.When my Dr. came to ICU and told the nurses to put me in the recliner, I thought that I would not like it, but I stayed in there and was rolled to the my room in it. Monday night the bed looked so tempting. That was a big mistake. I woke up and felt as if I had been in a bear fight.so back to the recliner for me until time to come home.I could recline in a position that was comfortable for me. My left hand has some numbness from 2 of my fingers all the way down my palm. that was the only hand and arm available for everything. I am getting stronger and am walking pretty much upright today.

alexanjb

mscal02 were you able to sleep in the bed when you got home?  I have a recliner in the bedroom but I would prefer to sleep in the bed.  Plus one of my dogs thinks the recliner is hers. LOL.

I will need to have all IV and injections in only one arm as well.  Maybe I shouldn't have been so hasty to get rid of the port.

I'd have a hard time not wearing a seat belt.  Maybe I'd feel OK in the backseat without one.  I'll just use the pillow I had for the mx.

NotAfraid

I won't ride in a car without a seat belt!  My PS just told me to put a pillow between my body and the belt.  I actually put the stuffed pug I was given by a friend when he visited me between me and the belt.  Worked like a charm.

 For constipation, I just took an OTC generic stool softener, drank lots of water and ate a bran muffin every morning.  I didn't have any problems once my body started to move again.  Anaesthesia slows your body down too.  Just be patient and things will be back to normal.  

I always figured none of these inconveniences were going to kill me, so I just put up with them.  It's hard to have patience when you're not doing much of anything.

I massaged my right drain wound  yesterday to see if that would help aleviate the one last spot of pain I have.  I woke up with it hurting more!  I'm going to keep working it until it starts to feel better.  Leaving it along doesn't help any. 

mspradley

I wasn't told to NOT wear a seatbelt.  However, after listening to the sage advice on the boards, I did take a pillow!

mscal02

My bed is high off the floor . I sleep on this chaise lounge that is contoured to make me sit in a beach chair position. I am thinking about bringing a step stool up stairs so that I can try the bed.it may work out all right, especially if these drains are taken out when I go to my post-op. He will probably remove only 1. My Dr. says the stomach ones usually stays in longer.I might just send my DH on a Perkins run for muffins.

SAMayoFL

Brendaclee had surgery in Charleston yesterday.  She is like me in that we both had to have a second mx and then reconstruction of both sides.  Her surgery was 11 hours long!!!  I started having a panic attack when I heard that but I talked to her for about 5 minutes and she sounded terrific!!!  She said they give you great pain meds.  She was in surgery yesterday for 11 hours and got out of bed today.  I seriously can't believe that.  She is rocking this surgery too!!!

Susan

mspradley

Susan, my surgery was 11 hours long and included a second mastectomy. It was tough on my husband, but went by in a flash for me. I was up the next day walking - stooped over, but walking!

SAMayoFL

Mspradley, if I knew your surgery was 11 hours I had forgotten it.  That seems like such a long time!!  I told my DH the exact same thing tonight - I feel so bad for him.  We will be almost 9 hours from home so he will be there by himself.  Hospital visitors for me is not a problem!  To make it even worse he only has two weeks of vacation left this year.  He is taking both weeks to stay with me in a hopital.  I am sure that is not exactly what he had planned for his vacation days.  I guess though this too shall pass and one day it will be my turn to wait in the hospital with him.  BTW, how are you doing?  Are you all healed up yet?

Susan

treesprite

my DH was in heaven with his laptop and DVD's. My uni was only 6 hours though. 

I saw my BC surgeon today for follow up - she thought my diep looked great and that my fat necrosis was not atypical. Saw my oncologist yesterday, her advice was to be sure that I communicate exactly what I want to my PS for stage 2. Sounds like she sees women who end up disatisfied because they didn't make their wishes crystal clear.

My PS said I didn't need a consult but I requested one. I don't want to leave anything to chance or risk forgetting to fully explore what my options are and I want time to think things over between the consult and surgery. I'm pretty sure I want to go down to a C (from a DD). My diep side looks kind of overstuffed when I in my birthday suit . . maybe there is still some swelling, but it doesn't seem like it. 

My oncologist told me to wait till after all my surgery is done to start tamoxifen. Please oh please, no BC on my left side!

ladym13

Pamdo...sure pm me

mscal02

Hi Ladies this is a shout -out and toast to all of you that are now pain free and living your lives.I moved from the chaise lounge to the bed for my afternoon nap and slept very well. lots of pillows from the sofa, bed and odd fellows just lying around. They gave me a wedge pillow at the hospital(well I bought it) I have a pillow under my knees, I switched to tylenol extra strenght today.I am planning on venturing downstairs and out back for breakfast in the morning.