Diep 2012

cmbear

Cascader-- I called the doc before I went out

Of town for a long weekend and they suggested benadryl or cortisone. So being a good tamoxifen doobie, I took cortisone with me. I think it made it worse. Broke down and got benadryl and it at least stopped the itch and pain. Still looks HORRIBLE! I did end up pulling most of the glue off except for a couple of stubborn places. I actually have a small section that doesn't want to heal smack in the center that I put steri strips on. A tad concerned about that. Make sure you try the cortisone on a little section to make sure you don't have a reaction like I did !!

cascader

Thanks, yes that is what my dr said, just put it on a small section first. My rash doesn't itch,don't think anyway can't feel a thing ! But my gap incision itches like crazy, thinking that is a good sign of healing . I am on a tamoxifen break for a bit so may take Benadryl for that today.

Lavendarlady

Just curious...I have been taking regular Tylenol and Advil since I was discharged from hospital; I had my surgery three weeks ago tomorrow. I have been trying to space the dosages. Went too long last night and in pain this am. How long before any of you stopped taking medications for pain? I know I'm just anxious to be "normal" again. My body has been through so much and I hate to keep taking stuff, but better not to be in pain so I can keep healing. See my mastectomy surgeon tomorrow with results. Positive thoughts, positive thoughts....

bdavis

I was off narcotics at day 7, and off IBprofen and tylenol at about week 2... I do have a high level for pain tolerance though.

Lavendarlady

Wow bdavis....yeah I guess I'm not ready...I was off the narcotics after four days but looks like I'm gonna be on the over the counter meds this week anyways....just came back from my son's soccer game. Felt sooo good to be out! 3 hour trip to the city (Halifax) tomorrow. Might even stop at Costco thanks for the reply.

bdavis

Everyone is different... many women complain of sensitive skin for example, but I never had that... I really didn't have a lot of pain, except for back pain, which subsided at about a week...

julianna51

Rashes....I have had a rash after my BMX (year ago), my DIEP (4 weeks ago) and now again after I had to go back in to have my navel repaired (as stiches did not hold and was not healing properly)   I've gone from thinking it was related to pennicillan then opiate derived pain medications and now I'm back to thinking it is from anesthesia.   It can occur all over my body but seems to be worse on areas that are in contact with the bed/chair/etc.   It was pretty much gone from the DIEP surgery except for my hands but now, one day after the last surgery, it has reared it's ugly head again.   Would love to get to the bottom of this since I have at least a phase 2 surgery in the future.  The rash pretty much occurs within days of the surgery.   I even thought it might be something that they are using to prepare the site for surgery but that doesn't make sense as it seems it would be focused in that area.  IT IS SO ITCHY!!

CookieMonster

julianna51 - I'm allergic to Chloraprep - the stuff they use some places to prepare the site for surgery (I think it's chlorhexadine). My rash showed up a week after surgery (which everyone thought was a bit odd, but it happened 3 times). The second time it happened, my BS noticed that it was exactly the area that they prepped in for surgery, so next surgery they didn't use it and no rash. I did go to an allergist, but didn't get a full answer. I got the allergic reaction after DIEP too, but both surgeons swear up and down that they only used betadine. I have my doubts, but whatever.

I hope you can figure yours out.

cmbear

Today was my 5 week checkup. Doc wasn't too concerned about rash since I seem to have it under control. Still looks horrible. She was pretty concerned about the abdominal opening being infected. Pooh. I was hoping I was doing a good job of keeping it clean. So now on antibiotics and if its not better next week, I'll have to go under and have them surgically clean it up. Ick. When she was poking and prodding my belly, I almost lost it and passed out. I wasn't even watching! 

Lavendar--hope your visit to the doc was ok. It helps to have answers to settle that restless mind. I haven't taken any pain meds since I came home except once or twice to help me sleep when my back was bothering me. I was taking my muscle relaxants for my back fairly steady until last week, and now only occasionally if my back flares up. My digestive system is thankful that I have cut back to a dribble. 

Anonymous

Oohhh, Claire! I'm praying that the antibiotics cleat up your infection.

Ralsper

Cbear - How did your abdominal incision open?

Ryjuem616

I just had the DIEP surgery and mastectomy June 26. I was in the hospital for 6 nights. It's a little better each day but I still have a good deal of discomfort. I had some complications with the surgery as well as with the breast due to previously radiated skin. All in all I think the outcome will be favorable. I had a lumpectomy in 2008 and 2009 but developed an encapsulated seroma which was quite painful. The diep and mastectomy were the plan recommended to address that problem. I could use some encouragement getting through this tough recovery!

CookieMonster

Ryjuem616 - DIEP is definitely a longer recovery than the lumpies, but you have to remember that the surgery itself was much longer and more invasive so try to take it easy and give yourself time to heal. Go easy on your body, it's hard to remember, but try.

I had DIEP in December and things are looking good for me now.

cmbear

Ryejuem616--Welcome to the other side!! It will get better, slowly, but it will. If I can make one suggestion, is to walk as much as you are comfortable. Even if its laps inside your house, just get up every hour and walk a little. Every day it will get easier and it will help your healing immensely.

Ralston--I wish I knew how it opened. Not sure it ever was healed very well and it could have been that big sneezing attack I had. I try to hold a pillow on my belly when that happens, but sometimes, you are just not near a pillow. could have been getting out of bed the wrong way. Just don't know of "one moment" that did it. I'm afraid to take a shower cause I have to undress it and change the dressing. I am a life long blood donor, but wounds make me queasy. Could never be a nurse or doctor.

Lavendarlady

Cmbear, I didn't shower until all my drains were out and I thought I could "look". I'm three weeks yesterday and I am just comfortable now looking. It looks good! I noticed a big positive shift in my recovery and energy yesterday. I had another check up in the city. No results yet but my incisions are great. I have a hemotoma on one breast that is healing.

Ryjuem616, it's tough but every day is better. I have noticed big improvements this week. I know now that i will be ready for my part time desk job on the 16th. But if you had asked me Monday I'd be skeptical. Rest, but the walking does help a lot. Eating healthy helps a lot too!

pinkteacher

I had the DIEP procedure done at PRMA in San Antonio with Dr. Ledoux.  This group of doctors is amazing and knows exactly what to do to help with anything! (Insurance, out of town patients, support groups, etc.) I just finished the final stage of pigmentation of the nipple. I am so pleased with the whole process and the care I have been given.

Here is their website:   www.prma-enhance.com

Here is a blog I started when I was first diagnosed:  christcancerandme.blogspot.com

Good luck and God bless!

Hoya03mom

Ryjuem616....I will be a month behind you and by the time I am in...you will hopefully be up and around with much less discomfort.  Sending hugs and good wishes your way that things get better soon

jenlee

Ryjuem616', hang in there, it gets better! I'm a few weeks ahead of you and back to almost all of my normal activities. In fact, can't wait to be allowed to do more strenuous exercise. You'll probably be turning the corner in your comfort level after week three or four. There have been some ups and downs, but overall, I couldn't be more pleased!

Beckers

I just got my surgery date today for August 9th. Relieved to have a date finally! I am nervous but I know it's something I just have to get through. Nurse coordinator was wonderful. Taught me how to strip drains now while I'm in my right mind. :-) looking forward to being on the other side!

freshstart

Ihad a DIEP in april this year.  It  went very well. Now getting ready for nipple reconstruction.  I don't feel like I have a good enough idea of what results will be like.  Anyone had this?  I don't want permanent "outies".

goldlining

freshstart, if you don't get the answers you need here, check the DIEP Stage II thread. 

bdavis

I told my doc I didn't want to permanent "headlight on".. and he gave me exactly what I asked for.

jenlee

Betsy, it's great to know that is possible. It was one of my concerns!

RonnieKay

Hi All..I need to update my profile from 2009, but to make it short~a recurrence after IDC (and all the necessary evils: lump, rads, chemo, herceptin, femara) in 2011 found me going in for a mast in 6/11, left (same) side, with TE.  It was recommended I have the prophylactic mast on the right side w/bi-lat diep at a later date, due to possible treatment. I had bi-lat diep on 6/28 and have done pretty well..home after 4 days and no pain meds after day 6.  Did come home w/a hematoma~like Lavendarlady~ on the right side, which has caused a divit under the right armpit. PS says swelling will go away and in stage 2 will take some of underarm fat pocket and fill divit. UGH...sounds so easy...haha. Has anyone had this happen?  Also..is anyone's stomach incision uneven? Mine definitely curves upward and I'll be asking him about it at my next appt but that's in 4 weeks!!!  Didn't think I'd need bc.org support for this...but once again, it's the best!  Thanks to all!

RonnieKay

Hi All..I need to update my profile from 2009, but to make it short~a recurrence after IDC (and all the necessary evils: lump, rads, chemo, herceptin, femara) in 2011 found me going in for a mast in 6/11, left (same) side, with TE.  It was recommended I have the prophylactic mast on the right side w/bi-lat diep at a later date, due to possible treatment. I had bi-lat diep on 6/28 and have done pretty well..home after 4 days and no pain meds after day 6.  Did come home w/a hematoma~like Lavendarlady~ on the right side, which has caused a divit under the right armpit. PS says swelling will go away and in stage 2 will take some of underarm fat pocket and fill divit. UGH...sounds so easy...haha. Has anyone had this happen?  Also..is anyone's stomach incision uneven? Mine definitely curves upward and I'll be asking him about it at my next appt but that's in 4 weeks!!!  Didn't think I'd need bc.org support for this...but once again, it's the best!  Thanks to all!

Hoya03mom

Recovery expectations....

So I have a wedding I REALLY want to go to that is 4 hrs away on August 25th....one month after bilateral mx with diep (or muscle sparing TRAM). 

 Is there any way that I would be able to go?  I realize I won't be doing the limbo, but would I be able to sit and watch?  Or is it just not realistic?  I am in fairly good shape, and have a good tolerance for pain...didn't use any pain pills with 3 lumpectomies, but just not really sure what to expect.  If anyone has any thoughts, I would appreciate it.

Kathy....8 days....

CookieMonster

Kathy - you should be able to do it. You won't be dancing the night away, but you should be comfortable enough to go and enjoy yourself.

jenlee

Kathy, in my case, yes, I would have been able to attend a wedding at four weeks. I was feeling really good by then. I missed a family vacation, but by week four, I was bored. I was running errands all day, going to book club, to movies with friends, having friends over for lunch, etc. Tired by the end of the day, but generally comfortable and energetic. Now as for the four hour ride, eight round trip, I hate long car rides in general. I might consider breaking up the travel with a night in a hotel. Hope you can attend and have fun.

Hoya03mom

thanks Jenlee and cookie....it would be such a nice thing to look forward to and would certainly motivate me to "walk" a little more each day!!

Kathy...8 days and counting and just anxious to get this over with!

cmbear

Kathy- a wedding is definitely doable. Just make sure during the car ride you have a couple of pillows for support. I went to St Augustine for 4 days with my DH at week 4. I had some moments because my back has been a pain this whole recovery. But we walked A LOT! A wedding should be a piece of cake (hehehe)!

RonnieKay, my abdominal incision is even but one side has a little less "fat" than the other. Docs say it will even out after it all heals--I'm holding my breath for that!!

Went and had my open/infected abdominal incision looked at after a week of antibiotics. Doc said it was healing great, she cut out the icky tissue and cleaned it out. She then packed it with silverdene and gauze---which again, made me queasy.  Guess I was really smart not going into the medical profession! My doc is one of those docs that makes you cut caffeine/chocolate--but not anymore. Really could eat a great big huge Ghirradelhi dark chocolate bar right now!