Diep 2012

michellej1980

Thanks fredntan. I'm not panicking too much at this stage as I know it's still early days but just need some reassurance that it won't feel like this forever!

cascader

Good luck mommaof4. You are going to love Dr Kline and all the nurses at East Cooper.busy day for you tomorrow, hope you enjoy charleston, it is my new favorite city!

2miraclesmom

Sunshine, I am so sorry he is such a jerk. I have more of a love handle on one side than I do the other and I am going in next Tues. for a revision of my DIEP. The original surgeon did a fabulous job, but I cannot stand he office manager and so I found another ps. Both, my original and the one I am using now, were going to do the same thing. Suck the fat out from each of my love handles to even things out (plus some from other areas) and then put the fat in my boobs (I had a bilateral DIEP) and then next summer when I am a yr out from radiation I am having implants put in. At that time she is also going to lower my scar and fix my belly button(it is so small I have to clean it out twice a day because it starts to stink.) All courtesy of my ins. I do not know what ins you have, but it might be worth trying to find another ps and seeing if you can have it done as part of a revision. 

Kd6blk

I am not sure why, but I did not really cry. I am just so glad I had options.

sunshine0406

I did have a DIEP, I did not want a tram.  My dr did not tell me this until after my surgery and we were talking about what I thought. When I told him I was not happy with the way it looked that is when he told me to exercise, before the surgery I was told I would love the results.

Kd6blk

Wow Sunshine, you have to wonder why he is doing this if he cannot have better bedside manner...HUGS.

mommaof4

All marked up like a treasure map and ready to go at 5:30 am... Prayers and good thoughts please  

mags20487

all the best to you mommaof4 for a speedy recovery and a sensational set of boobies!

Maggie

sunshine0406

I hope all goes well for you mommaof4.

cascader

Sleep well mommaof4. Sending healing thoughts your way

fredntan

Yeah for you mommaof4. sending speedy recovery thoughts your way.

I switched over my summer stuff to winter yesterday. figure I wont be able to do that after sx.

Beckers

Mommaof4 hoping all goes well today and wishing you a smooth recovery.

cg1234

Sunshine, can you find another ps to help you?  Sounds like this one needs a new profession. I think most women end up getting some revisions after diep to "clean up" a bit, but the mobility issues don't sound typical.

Mommaof4, we are all thinking of you!

Hoyamom, is your sister comfortable and hanging on? I have been thinking about all of you too. 

All of you are truly amazing btw!  Thanks for sharing the ups and downs.  I have been so panicked and behind at work this week that I haven't had enough time to think about the surgery or actually get some vitamin V...haha!  I'll probably go next week and ask...it will just be nice to have something in case I want to calm down, whether or not I use it. I did go to a restorative yoga class, which was really low impact and nice.  I worried I'd be falling down a lot since I'm no good at it, but all of the poses were sitting or lying down, so I felt pretty relaxed afterwards.  

Hope everyone is continuing to heal this week...hugs to all!

chrissyb

Just posting for Jenn.  Message left on her FB by her DH a little while ago.

Hi - Anthony posting on Jennifer's FB - she has come through 12+ hours of operation well, and is now in the ward. Telling me what to do and say... as usual! Good to have my Jennifer back ! 

Beckers

Good news about Jenn!

Hoya03mom

Chrissyb....glad Jen's surgery is over and hoping for swift recovery!!

 cg1234 - Sister Dianne is hopefully resting comfortably in heaven.  She finally got some peace on the 8th and as much as we hated to lose her, it was a relief when she was finally able to let go.  Thinking of you and your upcoming surgery...spend some time playing with your child and taking some time for yourself.  Eat plenty of blueberries...and drink lots of water, especially right before surgery so you are hydrated.  Do you have a date yet?

Hoya03mom

lymphedema question....anyone dealing with this?  I woke up this morning with left arm a little bit bigger than right and ring was hard to get off.  May have just been that bag of doritos I gave into yesterday, but fact that one side is slightly different leads me to believe may be lyphedema.  Scheduled to have evaluation on Monday, but in the meantime...anything I should or should not be doing??

positivenergy

So, happy to report, that I had my BMX with DIEP reconstruction on 9/17 and am amazed how well I am progressing.  Had 6 drains, 2 removed a few days ago, one kept cloging and one was just ready.  I am loosing a pound a day in fluid, so the drains, although a pain, are working.  I am down 18 pounds since surgery.  Today is day 11 post-op and it is the first day that I do not feel like I need the hardcore drugs.  I have been holding on with Tylenol and feeling just fine.  Started taking a shower all by myself day 3 home.  Really happy so far.  The only thing that is distressing is the fact that this is not over, but I just have to wrap my brain around that because I am so blessed.  The PATH results showed that my right was completely benign and my left was 6 cm of DCIS, 3 lymphnodes negative and the possibility of a small area of micro-invasion, but they cannot conclusively prove that either way (not really sure what that means).  Got an appointment with a medical oncologist next month, so have faith that I am on the downside of this hill.  God Bless You All...

Kd6blk

Postitivener, the small microinvasion could be ITC, isolated tumor cells in lymph...in one node, you are considered node negative. Sounds like you will be considered node negative. Which is good. I was in two nodes so with DCIS, who knows where those cells came from...the jury is out on what to do with this information. My doctor is playing it same and put me on anti-estrogen drugs. Happy recovery!

Anonymous

Positivenergy:  God bless YOU!  Sounds really good for you.  You had your DIEP on my birthday. 

I will be having my DIEP (and prophalactic MX for my left breast) on November 9th.  Its good to hear so many giving good reports!

Yeah for Jen (is Jen Mommaof4?)  Speedy recovery is my prayer!

howhm02l

I am now 4 weeks post bilateral DIEP. On the right side, the stitches for the flap in what will be the nipple area have dissolved and most of the area where the stitches used to be is what I would describe as an open sore. It looks like the type of sore that will scab and then heal. No concerns about infection. I am not putting any ointment on it and am keeping it covered with - gauze pad.



Just wondered if anyone had thoughts. I recall that Bdavis lost a flap, which I desperately want to avoid. I guess I jus wonder at what pint I should be concerned enough to call the answering service.



Of course, I have these concerns on Friday night - why can't these issues come up on Monday morning?



Thanks so much for any assistance.

chrissyb

Update from Jenn and Anthony.

Hi - Anthony again - after a tough night sorting out pain relief and no sleep, Jennifer is sitting up. Now know that Jennifer and morphene do not mix well! Both surgeons have been to check in - and are happy that all is going well. 

Jenn here. Pain meds mean can't focus well but wanted to say Hi. New boobs/breats doing well so far. Keep fingers crossed/prayers blood supply establishing well. Pain has been challenging. 

Beckers

Hoya, my condolences for you and your family. I hope Dianne's journey ended peacefully and she's happy and cancer free in Heaven. Have you asked them on the LE thread. Maybe you can do some retrograde massage this weekend on you hand and arm. Imagine you are pushing fluid toward your heart. I hope it's just the Doritos! :-)



Positive energy, it sounds like you are really doing well. I bet you are relieved. I still take a vicodin at night after 8 weeks for discomfort. Ibuprofen works well in the daytime and I can stand up straight now. Yeah! Keep up the good work.



Chrissyb, thank you for the updates. Please tell her she is in our prayers that she can get a handle on the pain. Duiladid and tramadol shots seemed to do the trick for me in the hospital. I had a hard time reading English mind you, but the pain was controlled. Ha!



To everyone else, good luck with preparations or healing. Oh! And Howhm, I would track down bdavis to ask about the sore. I don't know if you can lose a flap at 4 weeks still. My doc had me putting Bacitracin on my areas of concern and covering with gauze.



Gnite all!

cg1234

Hoyamom, I'm so sorry to hear about Dianne. She was such an amazing person to approach the end her way, with dignity and grace, all the while educating others through her videos and work. I feel for you not being able to be with her during your own recovery, but I hope your family finds some peace and are proud of how courageously she lived. Be gentle with yourself, and I hope the swelling is better today. Hugs to you. (btw, I'm scheduled for the 24th)

Chrissyb, thanks for the Jenn updates and tell her we're cheering for her!

And you too, positivenergy! So glad you are feeling better. Hope the drains come out soon and the appt with MO goes well.  Keep us posted.  

Howhm02l, sorry about the healing, but is everything else going well (does your skin pink up and feel ok)? I think there are some posts from bdavis and others about what to watch for, but please call your ps if you're still worried monday. I'm sure they are used to all of us calling with Qs!

cg1234

btw, Beckers and Kd6blk, how are you two doing at nearly 2 months out now?

bdavis

Kd6blk... I would get a second opinion. It is impossible to have just DCIS and 2 positive nodes. It had to be invasive. And with that chemo may be in order. I had chemo with just one micromet in one node. Better to be safe than sorry IMO.

Kd6blk

My nodes were ITC not micromets. They were less than .2 mm. I had a double mastectomy and no invasive cancer was found. Also had a Breast MRI said no invasive cancer---but I did have DCIS the aggressive kind with the lumpectomy. My biopsy was benign too...what a rollar coaster. I had papaloma so they wanted the lump out then they found the cancer.

That is the difference I guess. As for the lady who has some wound issues. Take a picture and send it to your doctor. I used antibiotic cream on a few places and it finally healed. I am doing very well at two months...waiting for stage 2 December 11.

Beckers

Cg1234 - I thought I was never going to feel better but am happy to report that I am 8 weeks out and finally turned that corner. :-)

cg1234

Well, that is really great news Rebecca! 

Kd6blk, I'm glad you're getting around well too. I've also heard when small microinvasion or itc (<.2 mm) occurs with dcis, the diagnosis doesn't always change to idc. I think there are different opinions on how to manage it as well since we are constantly learning more about how it behaves. I hope you continue to make speedy progress...it's great to get updates and know what to expect for those of us waiting on the big day!

   

Kd6blk

It still scares me. I am on antiestrogen pills but still think it is odd with clear margins I had it at all. They were super careful looking through my tissue after mastectomy and no hidden invasive cancer was found. I just better like knowing what I am dealing with rather than Russian ROUlette. They took more nodess too when I had bmx and they were clear...so who knows???