Diep 2012

mags20487

No on the lymph node transfer as of yet.  Doc thinks that the Diep may help with that and if not we will move on to the transfer later.  going through the whole gammet of emotions right now.  Feels great though..the light at the end of the tunnel.

Mags

BethFL

Thank you Downey30 I'm so sorry I'm just now seeing your post I am new to this forum and didn't find my way back.  I'm sorry you had problems with the implant, that is what my Dr. is saying why he doesn't want to do the implant, so I'm thinking I'll be doing the DIEP flap I have plenty of belly but only need enough for one.  You will have had your surgery by now and I so hope you are doing well.

Best to you,

Beth

J-Bug

Surgery went really well today! The PS agreed that things had opened up more on the right (my radiated side) and also on my left significantly. He sewed things back down really well with a different thread, not the dissolving stuff, but some very firm external stitches. It feels a lot better already, but maybe that's the pain meds talking. : )

Also, I had been talking with PS about the bloating and he said that that is not bloating, that is my body under that layer of fat that he removed. I debated back that I cannot wear any of my old clothes, even my pants from days when I was heavier - that I had lost quite a bit from surgery, but nothing fits. I showed him how my lower abdomen was slightly warm and red. He checked it out during surgery and was able to aspirate over 300 cc of fluid. It may be the pain meds talking again, but I don't feel any pain in my abdomen or pelvic floor now! He said we will remove more at next week's appointment when I will be in a better position for it. At the time I was in surgery, so he was forced to work with my laying down. Something about sitting up is supposed to be better - I believe he said.

So, I anticipate a couple days of pain meds and then back to getting functional. I am really excited about today's progress!

LeesaAnn

Hi ladies, I'm wondering something, and hope you might have some insight. I had a UMX, and right side DIEP reconstruction. I recently had my second stage surgery, where my Dr. reopened my abdominal incision all the way across, tightened again, and resolved the hip handles and dog ears. My natural breast was reduced and lifted to better match the reconstructed breast. Before surgery, it was larger than the reconstructed breast. Now, its smaller. And its a bit smaller than I wanted. Do you know if the Dr. can fill out the natural breast with lipo'ed fat? I understand this is done frequently to reconstructed DIEP breasts, but I'm wondering if it can be done to a 'natural' breast as well?

Thanks!

Chris13

Hoya, I just had my PS appointment today (UMX/DIEP May 1) and PS told me my lumps were scar tissue and will probably resolve. If not, he can remove them. My stage 2 (nips and tats) are Jan. 9. So I have until then to suck them up internally.

bdavis

LeesaAnn... I know of a woman who had a Uni and they added to her natural breast..

Hoya... you are very early yet. I remember asking my doc when the feeling like I had two bowling balls stitched to my chest would go away. I can't remember when that happened... probably a slow process, but it does go away. Now they feel totally normal.

DFOnt

THanks everyone for the responses to my homecare rant! She's only been coming every other day so I've just been doing the dressings myself.  She thought she would probably take one drain out today and the other tomorrow.  THey have slowed down but technically close to or over the 20ml / day.  She said that is usually 30ml / day and I am the 2nd patient she has seen that had orders for 20. I don't recall anything about after 48 hrs but I will check. I went shopping and got a bunch of elastic waist pants with pockets and big baggy tops. I'm short so it's hard to find pants anyway. I haven't had any discussion about 2nd stage surgery yet. My natural breast hangs lower than the new one, lol, looks ok when I have a bra on so don't know if Dr will make any adjustments there. I guess at the follow up in a couple of weeks. I feel pretty good, just get tired and a sore back when out for a while. Been supervising my friend re-organizing my kitchen, which has been awesome! I've been wearing a low support sports bra, either that does up in front , or tank style.

Mostly taking tylenol extra strength, 1 oxycodon at bedtime and before my afternoon nap if I am sore.  Also came down with a cast of thrush in my mouth, lovely, that seems to be resolving with meds although nothing tastes right yet.

 Take care everyone!

Beckers

LeesaAnn, Is the recovery going to be as difficult from having your abdomen reopened and tightened?



JBug, I'm glad you are doing well. How come you had so much fluid in your abdomen?

Hoya03mom

Thanks bdavis.....I will be patient!!

J-bug...so happy things are starting to look up!!

DFont...ah the dreaded thrush....it was 2 weeks before food tasted good....but I had a very bad case due to hospital personnal not paying attention to my self diagnosis!

mags20487

6 weeks from today I will be getting Diep  what should I be doing to prepare?  How many nights in NOLa do I need once released?  How difficult was it to fly home after the procedure?  What items should i be sure to buy ahead of time?  Really big pants or a zip front dress?  Does the hospital provide you with the necessary binder/bra?  so many questions floating in my head.  I know it will all fall into place..just anxious

maggie

LeesaAnn

Thanks BDavis, I hope in the end I will be happy with the results. Since my stage 2, (and having been tightened so much) I don't feel liike I have as much of a natural waistline, my curves are diminished, I look 'blockier' if that makes sense. (more apple shaped) I'm wondering if the Dr. will be able to lipo some shape back for me. Anyone else experience this?

Beckers, having my abdominal incision reopened wasn't nearly as difficult as the first time. The main reason is that he did not tighten muscles this time. He did sew me up REALLY tight though, and there are no drains, so I'm having some swelling issues. He extended the length of my abdominal incisions, past each hip bone and to the outside of my waist. These areas have been painful (they have full nerve sensory feeling) and in the beginning I could only wear loose pants. The swelling meant my pants all felt tight, so I got an extra pair that is a size bigger. I am 4 weeks out and while I still have swelling, the incisions are healing, and I can tolerate a snugger pant now. Hope this helps!

kimdy

Can any of you ladies who had DIEP at PRMA San Antonio tell me about your experience?  \

How long did you have to stay in San Antonio, where did you stay, was your spouse able to stay with you in the hospital?  

How did you decide how to space the different stages of reconstruction?  (I know they have to be at least 90 days/3months between each stage.)   

I understand that they have some appointments for out of town patients where they can consult with the physician and have surgery two days later.  

I have switched insurances for PRMA to be in network.  My current insurance denied treatment from Dr. Massey or PRMA.  They were going to required me to go to one particular physician.  So I'm keeping my fingers crossed, praying hard & hoping to be able to start a DIEP 2013 thread in January.  I've so appreciated following your posts on DIEP 2012 and am trying to take good notes.  

My insurance coverage starts 10/1, so I can schedule for January then.  Don't want to do before as the deductible is by calendar year.  So I'm trying to get some of the specifics straight in my mind, so I can try to schedule according to insurance timing, work timing & family timing. 

THANKS for any info you can offer! 

howhm02l

Beckers - thanks so much for the recommendation on the light weight bras. I bought a couple today and am very happy with them.



All - I am having all sorts of tingling and itching. Is itnerve regeneration? Have you all felt that sort of tingling in the new boobs, arm where SNB was done, tummy, etc. ARGH! Is there anything I can do for this? Tylenol?



Thank you!

Kd6blk

I went to PRMA for Stage 1 for DIEP Flap. I am very happy so far. I am waiting for my stage 2 appointment. I had Dr. Nastala...he is very good. I was in the hospital five days. We live in Austin, so we drove home and came back down at about day 10 after surgery. They wait three months between surgeries. They do probably more DIEP surgery than anyplace I know. I am happy they are so close to me.

Kd6blk

I went to PRMA for Stage 1 for DIEP Flap. I am very happy so far. I am waiting for my stage 2 appointment. I had Dr. Nastala...he is very good. I was in the hospital five days. We live in Austin, so we drove home and came back down at about day 10 after surgery. They wait three months between surgeries. They do probably more DIEP surgery than anyplace I know. I am happy they are so close to me.

Kd6blk

I went to PRMA for Stage 1 for DIEP Flap. I am very happy so far. I am waiting for my stage 2 appointment. I had Dr. Nastala...he is very good. I was in the hospital five days. We live in Austin, so we drove home and came back down at about day 10 after surgery. They wait three months between surgeries. They do probably more DIEP surgery than anyplace I know. I am happy they are so close to me.

Kd6blk

1. I went to PRMA for Stage 1 for DIEP Flap. I am very happy so far. I am waiting for my stage 2 appointment. I had Dr. Nastala...he is very good. I was in the hospital five days. We live in Austin, so we drove home and came back down at about day 10 after surgery. They wait three months between surgeries. They do probably more DIEP surgery than anyplace I know. I am happy they are so close to me.

Kd6blk

1. I went to PRMA for Stage 1 for DIEP Flap. I am very happy so far. I am waiting for my stage 2 appointment. I had Dr. Nastala...he is very good. I was in the hospital five days. We live in Austin, so we drove home and came back down at about day 10 after surgery. They wait three months between surgeries. They do probably more DIEP surgery than anyplace I know. I am happy they are so close to me.

J-Bug

Beckers: Thanks for the good wishes. I don't know why there was so much fluid. I am going to ask at the next appointment. I had six drains and they were all getting below 20 cc/day before they were gone.

DFOnt

Both abdominal drains came out yesterday morning, yayyyyy!!!  Yuck, I hate when they take them out. Nice not having to worry about them anymore though.  Still sore through abdominal area, not quite as stiff though, and it hurts when I cough / sneeze.  Everything seems to be healing well. Still pretty tired, tried just taking tylenol last night but woke at about 5 and couldn't sleep because of the pain so took 1 oxycodon.

As for things to have when you have the surgery...loose waist, preferably drawstring pants with pockets, and loose button front shirts, button front night shirts.  I had to go out and buy some after surgery so I would have something to wear.  I just wear cotton sports bras so far.

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Jennt28

DFOnt - you sound good and it seems are healing well :-)



It's Sunday here and I am now on the big countdown for surgery on Friday. Went out and bought a bunch of new pillows yesterday as well as a thin cushion that is staying in the car for use under my seatbelt after surgery.



I've got a few button front shirts that I bought before my lump last December. I usually never wear that style because I can never find ones that fit right (wide shoulders, long body). I hardly wore those shirts last time so they are still fresh.



As for pants - I have a few pairs that are too big since I lost weight after my diagnosis last year. Lucky I didn't throw them out!



Jenn

Beckers

Wow Jenn, hope this week goes well as you prepare.

cg1234

Hi all, Just catching up since I took a pre-surgery vacation. Wanted to take my little guy to Disney World so I'd have a great memory to focus on during pre-op/recovery. I have lots of beautiful smiles to recall now.  :-) Glad to hear you're all making progress and good luck to Jenn this week! 

I'm starting my countdown to bmx with diep...4 weeks to go.  I have some comfy clothes and my lift recliner arrived. Now I need to figure out a childcare schedule while I'm inpt, which is challenging with a 3 yo. He knows I'm having surgery and won't be able to play a lot or hold him, but of course he doesn't really understand.  I'm trying to stay positive; the sadness of all this does sneak in every now and then. Things are feeling more real, but it's still hard to imagine the other side and what it will be like to have different breasts and more scars. ....And I worry about nodes and final path.  

I know it's unreasonable to expect not to grieve, but I do want to be strong and grateful for all I have.  Maybe it's just pms today. 

You all seem to be coping well, so I don't know if this resonates with anyone else's experience? Should I expect the emotions to get worse as surgery approaches or continue to ebb and flow? I have great support, but it still feels weird to say "I have breast cancer."  I'm still trying to get my head around it I guess.

cg1234

Hi all, Just catching up since I took a pre-surgery vacation. Wanted to take my little guy to Disney World so I'd have a great memory to focus on during pre-op/recovery. I have lots of beautiful smiles to recall now.  :-) Glad to hear you're all making progress and good luck to Jenn this week! 

I'm starting my countdown to bmx with diep...4 weeks to go.  I have some comfy clothes and my lift recliner arrived. Now I need to figure out a childcare schedule while I'm inpt, which is challenging with a 3 yo. He knows I'm having surgery and won't be able to play a lot or hold him, but of course he doesn't really understand.  I'm trying to stay positive; the sadness of all this does sneak in every now and then. Things are feeling more real, but it's still hard to imagine the other side and what it will be like to have different breasts and more scars. ....And I worry about nodes and final path.  

I know it's unreasonable to expect not to grieve, but I do want to be strong and grateful for all I have.  Maybe it's just pms today. 

You all seem to be coping well, so I don't know if this resonates with anyone else's experience? Should I expect the emotions to get worse as surgery approaches or continue to ebb and flow? I have great support, but it still feels weird to say "I have breast cancer."  I'm still trying to get my head around it I guess.

Beckers

Cg1234 - I have been tearful for quite a few months as I've been processing all of this. I even told my doc my tears are "too close to the surface for comfort." Getting your head around it is exactly what I think we all experience. I was diagnosed last March and I still don't know if what I'm feeling is normal. Breast cancer changes our world. I think crying is a good release. I cried the 24 hours after surgery quite a bit. I don't know if everyone did but thought I would share that with you in case you do. May be a SE of anesthesia....just not sure. I had to allow myself to grieve. I even felt angry when I would be told how "it could be worse." we have to grieve to move forward. I have been there!!!! Glad you had a wonderful vacation. Good luck with preparations.

Beckers

Cg1234 - I have been tearful for quite a few months as I've been processing all of this. I even told my doc my tears are "too close to the surface for comfort." Getting your head around it is exactly what I think we all experience. I was diagnosed last March and I still don't know if what I'm feeling is normal. Breast cancer changes our world. I think crying is a good release. I cried the 24 hours after surgery quite a bit. I don't know if everyone did but thought I would share that with you in case you do. May be a SE of anesthesia....just not sure. I had to allow myself to grieve. I even felt angry when I would be told how "it could be worse." we have to grieve to move forward. I have been there!!!! Glad you had a wonderful vacation. Good luck with preparations.

Beckers

Cg1234 - I have been tearful for quite a few months as I've been processing all of this. I even told my doc my tears are "too close to the surface for comfort." Getting your head around it is exactly what I think we all experience. I was diagnosed last March and I still don't know if what I'm feeling is normal. Breast cancer changes our world. I think crying is a good release. I cried the 24 hours after surgery quite a bit. I don't know if everyone did but thought I would share that with you in case you do. May be a SE of anesthesia....just not sure. I had to allow myself to grieve. I even felt angry when I would be told how "it could be worse." we have to grieve to move forward. I have been there!!!! Glad you had a wonderful vacation. Good luck with preparations.

cg1234

Thanks Rebecca, I think I will be crying before and after surgery too! I really don't want to, but I'm not sure I can be that stoic with all those meds in me! :-) I'm sure my filters will be down and maybe it will be a good thing. 

The emotions have gotten in the way of getting much done at work though...I am so distracted. I should probably mention that I work with children with cancer, so any tough day I have is nothing in comparison. 

It helps to hear from those who have been there. You're right that we just need to give ourselves permission to let it out on occasion. That's hard when you're supposed to keep being wife, mother, employee, and everything else I guess.

It is definitely a journey.  

(Now where is my box of tissues so I can finish crying while everyone else is sleeping? Haha!)

fredntan

Sleeping. Ha. Cant. I am done with tears. I have cried so much over this last year its not funny.



I dont think i should have eaten those two krispy kreme donuts.

cg1234

Fran, your comment about the krispy cremes made me lol!  I've been craving them!

I can't sleep either, although everyone else in the house is snoozing peacefully. I think I'll go find some krispy cremes in case I'm up tomorrow night too...great advice!