DIEP 2013

sbelizabeth

Yeah, what SHE said!  I've worked around doctors all my professional life--I even gave birth to one (although he was not a doctor at the time)--and I recognize a patronizing, egotistical asshole (EXCUSE ME!) all the way from California!  "Do you want to die?..."  Why no, doc, do you want my beautiful red patent leather stilletto up your nose?

I really hate it that some physicians are like that.  

Now that my little hissy fit is finished, here's another author I love.  M.C. Beaton writes the Hamish MacBeth series, set in northern Scotland, and they're all delightful.  Cozy whodunits, along the lines of Agatha Christie.  

Bailey, I wait, leaning forward and anxious, for the next DeMille novel to come out.  Have you read The Panther yet?  Maybe not quite as good as The Lion, but a good read.  Right now I'm into The Great Influenza, the Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History, by John Barry.  It's a little creepy--I want to wash my hands a lot--but very interesting, since I lost a great-aunt and her 4-year-old son during the 1918 influenza epidemic.  Aunt Susan was 7 months pregnant at the time.  Very sad.

Gotta go make dinner.  Salad again.  

Jeannie57

selizabeth, I love the MC Beaton books for some escape. I think Agatha Raisin is entertaining.

RobinY

MartyJ, I think my ps can handle Mr. Charm with a smile. 

Bailey6760,I hope so too. I think it'll be fine though.

SheChirple I have more than enough belly for him to use.  He know's b is as big as I want to go, and I've let him know with a chuckle and a grin that he can feel free to discard anything above a b.

Kuka I'm in an HMO so getting this whole thing going was like wrangling cats for me.  I found my PS on my own!  No one in the HMO ever copped to knowing of a ps to do the DIEP.  I let the ps know that my HMO isnt promoting him as they could.  My sister is a surgical nurse in the south bay and talked to some of her buddies up here in Santa Clarita.  He was the recommended ps from other surgical staff which is another plus in my book.

sbelizabeth

Yeah, Agatha Raisin, with the bear-like eyes and good legs!  She cracks me up.  So man-crazy, yet so fickle.  

sbelizabeth

Robin, are you in Santa Clarita?  I'm in Simi Valley.  We've probably passed each other on the 405.

RobinY

Oh man really? That's awesome sbelizabeth.  We prolly have indeed.

Anonymous

Sbel- lmao! The next one is The Quest....due September 17....you can probably preorder on Amazon. If you have a kindle he has a few short stories available on kindle. Yes, started reading The Panther the day it came out. I use kindle a lot but have to buy his books in hardcover the day they come out! I am BIG fan. Do you get his newsletter? If not www.nelson demille.net to sign up. It gives you a little taste of his voice every once in a while between books! And you slay me...red stiletto up the nose, indeed!

goldie4040

What am I doing wrong?

I wrote to timtam, and she sent me the password and screenname for the photo forum.  I got the validation email, but I can't see pics.  I can see  posts between people talking about the pics, but can't figure out how to see them.

Anonymous

To topic....I am having lots of belly pain yesterday and today....almost three weeks out....seems swellier, too. And pain in upper thighs too (no Lipo). I have been less active last two days. Maybe paying for the weekend? Or are my nerves waking up?

ssla01

Robin, I love that you stood up for yourself. I dumped my bs after he was rude and condescending. Prayers for a successful surgery.

kuka21174923

Goldie, the pictures are there. There's not a page just for pictures. Go to the posts and scroll down the pages until you see pics.

It took me a while to figure it out too, but they're there. Good luck!

Robin, glad to know that he's at least a good surgeon. Sometimes some doctors tend to think that they're above everybody and don't realize how bad they treat people. Maybe all the stress they deal with and long hours they work. Still no excuse.

kuka21174923

Bailey, maybe you over did it over the weekend. After not using your muscles for a couple of weeks, you're going to feel it once you start using them again. Shouldn't be anything Tylenol can't take care of. I was given the ok to take baths at 3 weeks. Laying in that warm water felt so good on my muscles that I was taking a bath everyday for almost two weeks!

Anonymous

Thanks Ruth. I have been doing the alternating Motrin Tylenol gig all day but still feeling it. I have check up Friday and hopefully drains out. No bath til then. It feels like they put a metal plate in my abdomen....must be the plication.

LyndaMarie

Wow. Go away for 24 hours and there are three pages to catch up on!

She Chirple - congrats on being drain free. I am hoping for tomorrow.



I called the PS office today about drain removal and the not so bright girl who answers the phones told me the hip drain had to stay in until it was producing less than 20cc in 48 hours. I said "are you kidding me? I could have this drain in all summer". She said she had seen that before. I explained that in the past I was told 30cc over a 24 hour period. She said she would check. A couple minutes later she comes back and says yea, it is actually less than 30cc in a 24 hour period. Dippy.



Glad I knew better and asked! I had 30cc today and it has dropped every day so hopefully I will get in tomorrow. I have been lucky enough to only have the one hip drain since leaving the hospital, but will celebrate to have it gone.



kuka - my nine kids day was ranging in age from 4-14. It included my three, one neighbor who is my token fourth and the other five are great family friends. We hang with them whenever possible. They are around enough to be like family. My kids are actually happier with all the extras around.



Good luck to Janet! You sound way more prepared than I was!



Hope you are doing well jakig!



Lynda

kuka21174923

Sorry bailey. Hope you can start feeling better soon.

It looks like I'm going to be up tonight. Already took two ambien and a Xanax and I'm wide awake! I know 7:00am is here early😞

Good night ladies

Gotcha13

Hi

I'm scheduled for double mast w. diep flap and oopherectomy July 9th and I'm so damn ANXIOUS! Reading through your experiences and advices is really helpful so just a little shout out to you all Thank You!

I dont know all the abbreviations yet so bare with me.



I'm curious as to how long it took to get back to work ? Not that I want to.



And honestly, did you feel like a total hadicap at home? I have 10 and 7 yr old girls and a dog andits summer and we have a community pool.the man gets home after 2pm so its only half a day but I feel I'll be totally useless.

Anonymous

Welcome Gotcha! Things are happening fairly fast for you (even if it seems like it takes forever). It's a lot to get your head around and navigate this road for yourself and your family. You sound like you are doing the right things, though.



My "totally handicapped" period was mostly the first 7-10 days. 5 of those were in hospital. Do you have someone who can care for your girls while you are in hospital? Once home my DH was home with me the first day and I was grateful he was here to do my drains and get meals, but I could get to bathroom and take care of that on my own. My kids (14 & 17) were in school still my first week so I was home alone and fine. Showering by myself etc. My mom popped in every day for an hour or so just to straighten up for me....but was doing that on my own after about 4 days. We went the paper plate, cup, plastic utensil route for about 2 weeks just to cut down on amount of dishes. I was afraid of stairs so DH did the washing and drying and brought it to me to fold. Then kids' job was to put it away. Teach your girls now over the next few weeks and I bet they can help with laundry!



I am 3 weeks tomorrow and doing short drives on my own. Been to grocery twice but with DH to push the cart.



Talk to on/gyn about your transition into surgical menopause along with everything else you are doing. If you cannot do hormone replacement because of the cancer there are other drugs that can help. I take Celexa .....which along with evening my moods it also helps me significantly with hot flashes (i just don't take it at night it keeps me awake).



So sorry you lost your mother too soon. So happy you were able to catch this early.



You can do this!

Janet_M

One day to go - can't believe this is actually going to happen. Holy Shit. But I'm trying to find the positive (apart from living) and all I can come up with is that it's summer, and sundresses are way more convenient than snow pants.

Went out yesterday and bought my granny underpants - as per my nurses suggestions. And some pajama bottoms, but now I'm thinking I should go back out and stock up on dresses. I've already added a few blousey shirts to my wardrobe and now my closet it starting to look like something from the Golden Girls.

Another huge Nelson Demille fan here, by the way. I listen to his audio books when I'm driving long distances. I even went to a book signing so I could see what he looks like. Kind of hoping for John Corey, when in fact he was nothing like him at all. Still - I managed to get tongue tied, and mumbled something incoherent.

A question for you vets. Were you up for visitors in the hospital? Jim ( my DH) is determined to bring the dog down. More for his amusement than my own, I think. The novelty of a dog in a hospital is to much fun to bear.  But what about people? Did you find that you were up for company after a couple of days?

By the way - here's my books suggestion. 'Open House', by Elizabeth Berg. Also, almost any other novel by her is also insightful, beautiful, and funny.

Thanks. I'm starting to freak out.

SheChirple

I was up for visitors in hospital, for short time. I am unable to entertain while in bed.  My DIL and her mother visited. It was nice.  Then my MIL visited, also nice.  I like these people, otherwise probably not.  They stayed a short time, liek 15-30 minutes. Then I slept.

Once home I was not up for visitors at first, because I was not settled and my house is filthy. After a few days at home I really WANT visitors.  I have very few friends IRL.  Family only. 

I do not, nor did I, feel totally handicapped.  If anything, it is very hard for me to 'stay down' and let others do things for me. I frequently over do it alot. Hubby is much better at keeping me down than anyone else. So, he took two weeks off work to force me to rest.  It's working (sort of).  A 7 and 10 yr old really only need supervision, they should be fine.  You can be at the pool with them and just supervise.  It will probably feel good to be outside.  I make it a point to spend an hour a day outside for fresh air. Be sure you have on hand the right foods they can fix their own breakfasts and lunches, and then hubby can handle dinner when he's home. The 10 y/o may even be ready to be full on cooking!

Janet_M

SheChirple - What's a DIL and MIL? 

My nurses have big plans for me apparently. They said I coud be taken out of my room to the outdoors after a couple of days. 

Jaking- I'm wishing you a peaceful and comfortable recovery.

kuka21174923

Janet, I wasn't up for visitors the first day after surgery at all! Just my parents and DH. After that a couple of friends came to visit but only stayed 15-20 minutes. After I got home it was the same way. The first couple if days I didn't want anybody. I still felt like I had to be the host and I wasn't feeling good enough to be a good one.

I'm one of those that had the ovaries removed and cannot take hormone replacement because of the estrogen feeding the cancer cells. There are other stuff out there without estrogen. Make sure you take something for your bone density so that you don't get osteoporosis.

I guess I ended up getting about 4 hours of sleep, but I'm so tired now!

Catie2013

Dyvgirl - a seroma has a 'waterbed' effect when you touch it somewhere. I know, I had two. Thought I had a new one - but don't, it felt soft, but it wasn't a seroma. I did (and do) wear Bali compression briefs 24/7 though because if feels better right now. I have tried not wearing them at night, but just feel better when I turn over and move around at night.



I was in the car for about 8 hours (we stopped to walk around) too, my son drove, so I didn't have to, but had my seat back so I wasn't sitting straight up - however when I moved last night WITHOUT the compression brief on but pulled something that made me feel much better with it on.



Seromas can be addressed though, and mine were at my surgery in April (stage 2) and they were completely gone after. I had them aspirated for a while, but after going back to PS he said I could just wait until the stage 2 when he would make it so tight there woulnd't be room for even a drain!



Hope this helps. Going to see dad this morning! My son cooked the most delicious lamb chops and rosemary potatoes for me last night!!! Yummy - so good to see him again!



Hugs

sbelizabeth

Janet--DIL daughter in law, MIL mother in law.  What an exciting time for you--getting ready for the new girls!  The days leading up to my DIEP felt like waiting for Christmas morning, with a little surgery anxiety thrown in.  I was happy to see a few visitors after I got out of the ICU, as long as they stayed only 15-20 minutes.  My DH and my brother were there almost all the time, to help haul my carcass out of bed and walk the hallways with me. 

Gotcha, welcome!  I work a desk job, no heavy lifting, and I took five weeks off total.  I had arranged to take six weeks, but I felt fine and came back a week early.  And no, I didn't feel like a total handicap at home, but I wasn't chasing kids either.  I got ALL my drains out on post-op day 9, and was gently tootling around on my bicycle on day 11, but some PS (plastic surgeons) want their patients to limit their activity. 

Bailey, hope you're feeling better!  When I was around your stage of recovery I felt like a plank had been sewn to my abdomen, but the pain steadily got better.  If your pain and swelling is getting worse, call your PS.  Nothing like an infection to set back your recovery. 

Happy Hump Day, everyone!  (That's Wednesday, in case you weren't aware.)

Anonymous

Janet- try to find some at peace time today. So jealous you breathed the same air as Nelson. No...he doesn't look like John Corey....but I bet he thinks like him! tomorrow you officially cross the threshold into flapperdom!



My visitor list was limited to my family and a few very close friends....people I don't feel like I need to entertain. I lined up people to be there with DH during surgery day. It's a long time to wait while your wife is in surgery (mine ended up 10 hours and I am a uni DIEP!)



Well the swelly belly is down significantly today and feels much better. Yay!



Noob is still too big and SWOLLEN. glad I have another appointment Friday.



Gotcha- my doc wants me off work 6-8 weeks. All my other surgeries I was back in 1/2 the time expected though so we will see.



Happy Wednesday!

Cherrie

I am leaving Friday for Michigan's Upper Penninsula . We will be with my son and DIL saying goodbye as they make their move to Seattle. Then taking a vacation in more remote areas. I may be without service for 7-10 days.



I am thinking of all those going into surgery and recovering. We are in your pocket for sure. You are such strong women.



"See" you all later!!

Morningsun1

See you when you get back, Cherrie. You are post stage 2, did you have fat grafting? How is it holding so far?

heavenschild

Hello ladies! Went shopping for Stage 2 stuff with my sister yesterday and got a yummy wife beater t-shirt to wear underneath the girdle to cushion against the velcro. It cost $17, but was worth every penny. Also got two floor length dresses since the compression girdle goes past the knees. Had to have at least four outfits for work next week. I may feel crappy on the inside, but I'll look okay. Weight gain after the SX, at least five lbs - because of the swelling.

Morningsun1

What did you have done that you need compression girdle that goes past the knees, heavenschild?

SheChirple

sbelizabeth: I, too, work a desk job and typically RTW sooner than docs expect.  I was given 4 wks, told maybe 6. Friday will be 3 wks and I certainly could not go back next Monday.  I'm pretty sure I'll be ready the following week.  We'll see.

I've been pretty tired.  Until I get this sleep pattern under control, nothing resembling work for me, thanks.

sbelizabeth

Sleep!  It's such an issue for us!  I blame my breast cancer on my chronic insomnia, which got much worse when I hit menopause.  My gyno prescribed a hormone replacement patch to ease my sleep issues, which worked great, but 18 months later I was diagnosed with ER+ BC.  I'm absolutely sure that the estrogen patch was like pouring gasoline on a small flame. 

I had one appointment with a psychologist who specializes in sleep issues, and he had some good recommendations.  He said the mind can't be "turned off," but it can easily be distracted so sleep can take over.  When sleeplessness occurs--

1.  Use controlled breathing, like Yoga breathing.  Long, slow, rhythmic breaths.

2.  Imagine yourself someplace that you've found particularly relaxing.  I usually imagine myself having a wonderful massage.

3.  With a soothing "mommy voice" in your head, tell yourself stuff like "you can relax, it's ok to sleep, relax and sleep..."

This is called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  If I do it right, it works for me.