Diep 2012

bdavis

Ruby.. my PS has always said it is easier to reduce than it is to add. Lipo/fat grafting has about a 50% retention rate. So maybe half of what is grafted sticks. There are definitely things you can do to improve your odds, one of which is strictly adhere to the no lifting for 6 weeks anything heavier than 10 pounds, not doing anything that will interfere with the healing (can't sleep on you stomach etc).Plus stage II involves shaping the breast, which inevitably will make it smaller. My doctor usually starts his patients out larger than the desired size so he has material to work with. Like a sculptor sculpting a statue - they start with a hunk of clay and whittle it down.

Cherrie

Bdavis I love how you explain things. Thank you.

cg1234

Betsy and how is your friend Nancy? I had been thInking of you both.

Sorry to hear of your recurrence Laurie but you'll find lots of great support here.

Cindy
Dx 7/26/2012, DCIS, 1cm, Stage 0, Grade 3, 0/3 nodes, ER-/PR-Surgery 10/24/2012 Mastectomy (Left); Prophylactic Mastectomy (Right); Reconstruction: DIEP flap (Both)

bdavis

Cindy... thanks for asking... she is getting an oral chemo and radiation simunltaneously... she is fatigued, but hanging in there. I think the idea of brain cancer is far worse then the treatment.

Cherrie

Rubybleu

Thanks Bdavis!



I guess I am stuck with my preteen boobs:)

I am fine with them as the shape is good as well as placement etc. but it would have been nice to have them just a little bit bigger



Thank you again for sharing all of your knowledge.



Healing thoughts to your friend....



Sincerely,



Ruby

Beckers

Any last minute advice or words of encouragement? Stage 2 is on the 27th. I'm having necrosis and dog ears removed from abdominal incision, trunk lipo (hope translates "muffin top" ha), tummy skin removed from toobs incisions, right lift, left fat grafting, and divot from SNB fixed. That's a mouthful! I'm hoping it's not too much for me as my Mom is not too well and I need to get back on my feet ASAP.

fredntan

good luck Beckers.

i started back to gym. did some pilates yest. just did little bit of abs-gentle ab. will clarify with my ps on what I can do.

florafarm

Hey ladies, all went well with stage 2, about 4 hrs, but Dr. Massey told me right before surgery that she wasn't going to do everything on my wish list because of the cellulitis I had a month ago. She didn't want to dig around more than necessary for fear of spreading any lingering bacteria. She didn't want to place any drains either, so my recovery should be easy. She did dog ears, lipo on my hips, fat grafting to one breast, scar revision on both breasts. These were the most important things, but I was looking forward to the super small waist she promised! Disappointing as I really want this to be my last surgery. I probably won't go back for more as psychologically I want to move on with life and I think my hubby will have a fit if I go back for more....and then there's the deductibles and OOP to meet...Still, I'm feeling grateful to have come this far.

AnnAlive

Florafarm -- good to see you out on the other side of stage 2. Mine took 2 hours. I was discharged yesterday, now in a hotel for a couple days: post-op visit tomorrow then start the drive home Saturday. I took my first  post-op shower this morning and became a little faint, but a bigger challenge was getting the compression garment on. I had to lie on the bed while DH hooked and zipped it.

I had lipo in a few places, but it looks like he didn't lipo my inner thighs, even though he marked them -- I know to expect swelling, but I don't see any puncture marks from the cannula. Sorry to hear that your cellulitis prevented you from getting all of your wish list. I don't think I'll have a tiny waist either. Wow, am I ever bruised. I do have one drain, in the abdominal incision that had to have a big tuck after necrosis.

Take care! May we heal quickly!

Beckers

Flora farm and Ann, How is the pain after stage 2 surgery. I'm going next thur.

AnnAlive

Beckers - at 2.5 days out, I can sit or stand or lie down comfortably at rest, but getting there hurts. It's the lipo. I'm taking one Percocet every 6-7 hours, and hope to wean off in a few days. I started swelling more this afternoon -- the breast flaps because of fat grafting, and even my lower legs that didn't get lipo. I will see about that at my post-op visit tomorrow.

It seems to me the pain is NOT more intense than stage 1 (didn't need the pain balls), and that it will go away faster, a week or two. You made it through stage 1; don't worry much about stage 2.

florafarm

Beckers- not too bad. I agree with Ann , it's the getting up and down that hurts. My breasts don't hurt much, its the lipo areas that hurt, so I think the amount of lipo you have may determine how much pain you have.My hips where the dog ears were fixed really hurt when the nurse pushed on them to get the binder on. I was discharged yesterday and my daughter and I went to Boone plantation in the afternoon. I just walked a little slower than usual.

RonnieKay

LB...I'm sorry for the diagnosis.  I was 2 years, 1 week out when they found IDC again. My medical team said there was no choice but to lose the boobs and it's been a huge weight lifted off my chest...and put back on...teehee!  Get all the info you can and you will make the right decision!

The lipo spots were definitely the most sore part of stage 2...the bruising, oh my!  Beckers..I love that you're having your SNB divot fixed...I never would've thought of that (and neither did my ps). Has anyone noticed a divot from the lipo?  When they "tried" to put the too-tight compression on after stage 2, one of the lipo areas started to bleed and that's where the divot is.  I'll bring it to the ps's attention when I go in next, but just wondered.  It'll probably fill in as time goes by. 

Flora...I'm thinking that after stage 2 is past history (and I decide on nipples or tattoo), there are a couple of areas that I think could be "refined" that I may consider bringing up with my ps, but I want a break as well!  I know Beckers is coming up on stage 2b...so I know it's done.  It sounds like your medical team gave your situation much thought as to your recovering w/out complications...that's a very good thing! 

Just an fyi that my fat grafting has done really well after 7 weeks   And....wear your compression after stage 2...my ps stressed it and I felt soooo much better when I was wearing it.

Beckers

Thank you. I'm hoping it's not too bad. My family is falling apart (brother's non wt bearing still after ankle fusion and Mom is in permanent A-fib) so I really don't want to be down too long. Appreciate any prayers, good vibes, smoke signals (ha!) ....whatever works!

Jennt28

Hi all, I haven't posted in a few weeks - been busy at work, still visiting the chemo suite every three weeks for herceptin, and having a bit of an emotional breakdown which meant a couple of visits to the psychologist and the psychiatrist at my centre. The psychiatrist listened to my story the other day, told me that she doesn't think my constant tears are depression but are a warranted release of all the stresses from this year. She said she's never met anyone who had managed to keep working full time through chemo as well as all the other "balls" I've "juggled". I'm trying to follow her suggestions and I'm actually beginning to feel a little Christmassy instead of just sad :-)



Had my ovarian cyst surgery on Thursday and it was quite quick. Called back for surgery at 3.45pm and was finished, dressed and back in the car on the way home at 6.30pm!



The surgeon ended up not having any problems with the mesh in my abdomen from the recent free TRAM reconstruction, although because they knew it was there they planned my three incisions in different places than usual - upper left abdo (under my left breast) and just above my belly button (normally they would go in right in it but because it has been transplanted upward during my previous surgery my PS was worried it would "die" so asked the gynae surgeon not to use it). The last incision was exactly along my free TRAM abdominal incision, so I only get two new scars out of this!



The ovarian cyst ended up not attached to the ovary at all, but gently attached to the fallopian tube and the surgeon was able to remove the cyst without removing my ovary! The surgeon has said that due to its position he thinks there is "almost zero" chance of it being malignant, but I'll believe that when I see the final histology report. I'm not worrying much about it anyway.



Managed to get out to the shops yesterday morning and out for dinner with some friends last night. Bit bruised and sore but this really has been amazingly not bad compared to so many things this past year. I think it would have been different if they had to take the ovary as well. The incision that is the most sore and bruised is, of course, the middle one that is right where waistbands hit :-/



Hope you are all having a good lead up to the holiday and New Year! Big hug from me!



Jenn

fredntan

Jenn I had that. When all my tx was over I couldn't stop crying. It went on for almost month. I almost quit my job. I just couldn't pull myself together.but somehow I did. It just happened. I hope it happens soon for you

RonnieKay

Dear Sisters...I have such a heavy heart and I'm sharing my sadness with you, hoping you will be able to hear this and not have fear.  Today I got the results of my 6 month ct scan and dexa scans, as well as my blood work.  My blood test showed raised liver enzymes and the ct scan provided the picture of multiple tumors in my liver. The ct scan done in June before diep was completely normal, so this is fast growing & not so good    Next week I get a port-for-life (Oh how I hated that!), bone & brain scans and the biopsy.  They are quite sure it's bc that's metasticized but will know then.  I pray my bones and brain are clear & that the meds will help me live as long as possible.  They've said there's no cure, I will just continue on treatment until either the cancer or the meds take me to my Maker.  I'm a believer and I've always said that when God calls me home, I will go with grace.  I just don't want to go now   May I ask for your prayers and positive thoughts!  I send love to you all, wish you healing and thank you for being my sidekicks in the diep journey.  I've decided I'm not really worried about a little nip or tuck anymore, so no nipples or stage 2b.  I'm kind of sad I don't feel 100 percent yet, since I need to be strong to fight another demon...but the decision I made to have my complete body was right then, and so I will nurture it.  Off to an early Christmas with our family who was going to go to Portland, OR for Christmas but now will be staying here....but our 4 year old grandson knew Friday was our early Christmas and he's chomping at the bit for 6:00 pm to start package demolition   Love to All!

Linda-Ranching-in-the-mTns

RonnieKay... so very very sorry to hear your news. Will certainly keep you in my prayers. I have read your posts and your upbeat graceful nature always shines through... as in all things, your POV will determine your experience with this, and I know you will find the silver linings, because it is in your nature to look for them.



Pull close with your family and have the best Christmas of your life... we are all so lucky to be here for as long as we can be... and we never know what will happen next.



We are here for you... sending you joy and strength.



Linda

florafarm

So very sorry to hear your news RonnieKay. I am a believer too and will be praying that God gives you the grace you need at this time. My brother in law, diagnosed with melanoma 12 yrs ago, has lived with spots on his lungs for many years now, so don't assume the worst yet.

Isaiah 41:13- "For I am The Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you".

Anonymous

Oh, I'm so very very sorry RonnieKay. You will be in my prayers. "those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31 NIV)"

Blessings!

CookieMonster

Hugs RonnieKay - sending positive thoughts your way.

Marcie47

RonnieKay-my thoughts and prayers are with you. Hope your evening with your family and grandson is the best night you could ever ask for!! I know all the women here carried me when I needed it most, continue to post and allow us to support you as you have done for us.

calm

RonnieKay--I joined this site fairly recently--so haven't been a part of your journey so far--but I am glad you have shared your news--and know that we are all here for you and I join the others in offering my prayers. You are in my thoughts for sure.

Rubybleu

RonnieKay,



My thoughts and prayers are with you. I wish I could think of something profound to say, but in place of that please know I am sending you loving, healing thoughts. Rest well and have a wonderful family Christmas. My little guys are the best medicine for me when I am not 100%.



I hope all of us here are able to gain strength and feel better in 2013.



Love,



Ruby

Jennt28

Hugs RonnieKay...



After Christmas I am sure your team will put together a great plan!



Jenn

cg1234

Ronniekay, I'm so glad you are surrounded by love and family right now. I'm wishing you a joyous holiday. Please keep us updated. We are here for you. Big, big hugs.

cg1234

p.s. But what i really want to say is... I really really hate cancer.



And Jenn you deserve to feel what you feel. Take good care of yourself.



Love, strength, and healing to all of you!

ttay

RonnieKay: I am so sorry to hear this news. You have my prayers and thoughts.

Healing hugs to you.



TTay

sandpiper1

((((((((RonnieK)))))))))

RonnieKay

You've warmed my heart...I'm thinking of all of you, with thoughts & prayers for healing & joy.  I will keep an eye on all of you & will post my updates.  XOXO