DIEP 2013
Comments
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Goldie, yep, it's all good! I have that tattoo artist's info, since I live in Seattle. I just may get pink daisies on my fipples! Ya never know.
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For those who missed the post about RobinY, she had a bilateral DIEP on 7/3 and the right side failed. She had surgery to remove it on 7/4. Her experience in the hospital was pretty dreadful. Although she loves her PS, the ICU nurses were incompetent, unhelpful, and nasty. I've spoken with her a few times by phone and she's recovering, but it's been a rough patch for her.
It absolutely makes sense to have an art line for a surgery this long, I'd just never encountered it, and in my experience, patients with art lines have been the sickest ones. Of course, these were patients who needed to be flown to a bigger hospital, and walking into their ICU rooms I sometimes thought "how the he** am I going to get this forest of equipment and tubes into the helicopter?!"
Actually, my brother has eyebags just like me and we're looking into meeting somewhere halfway between PA and CA and having surgery together. We'll bring my husby to be our nurse. For today, though, you're right...I'm just delighted to have a set of "girls."
PS scheduler called today! Stage II on August 15 at 0900! Can I lose twenty pounds before then so he can make my tummy even tighter?
No flip-flops today! It's long black pants and John Fluevog "High Angel Michaela" http://www.fluevog.com/code/?w%5B0%5D=search%3Amichaela&p=1&pp=1&view=detail&colourID=3501. They're gorgeous, comfortable, and were ON SALE.
Still on baby watch. Don't get between me and my Prius when my phone rings...
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Oh Faith I forgot about the bruises! I had them, too - on my butt and up my back a bit. They did clear up pretty quickly. I rubbed Arnicare cream on them - hard to do on my own back, but I did!
I wonder if the other lady was Robin - not the same Robin, but we had a Robin way back when that was from CT and had taken over my vacated surgery spot with Dr. Carty when I got bumped up. So he said to wear the compression for exercising... just when I had abandoned it. 
Janet I have spent much of the past year "buying everything" to try at home. It is getting better, but for a long time there I did not have the energy for trying things on in the store. All that changed when I went into Lord & Taylor's and entered the dressing room with about 25 bathing suit pieces...
I love the story of your mom helping you. My 73 year old yoga-cycling-Zumba-ing mom has been taking good care of me along the way, too. Mammalou - Oh yuck to the complications getting in the way of getting on with life! But you sound like you are handling them well and before you know it, you'll be ready - Hawaii is great motivation! And YAHOO for the housekeeper!
"Sybil" - I think you are doing incredibly well for someone recovering from surgery and trying to move and living with someone else!
Greengirl and others who are nervously awaiting their surgery date, I agree wholeheartedly with crs - Those girls who have been hear awhile have heard this before, but it bears repeating. There was a day shortly after I was home from my DIEP that I looked in the mirror at all the tubes and fraken-scars and surgical glue and asked the mirror "What the f* did I do to myself??" Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't doubt if I was in that 3 week zone... But now, 3 weeks post stage 2, I look in the mirror at my lightening scars and my perky foobs with the fipples and lack of big skin paddles, and say - "Hmmmm I wonder if Dr. C. can fill up that little uneven space over there...?" (The VANITY Zone!) Yes you WILL be here before you know it!
Oh Mama Nihahi - I loved the yoga-pilates fusion! It's been so long since I've gone to a class with my sister (and my mom was there, too!) She was gentle on me.
Lots of really great core moves. About 1/2 way through I wished I had thought to record her voice and music so that I could play it at home to do it myself, and to bring on vacation with me!AGREE on the men being sick.... 'nuff said!
Goldie thanks for sharing the link. I've been thinking about doing a flower vine along my ab scar.... not any time soon, I'm sure. First I'll wait and see if he can lower it.
FireDragon - I did mine with the TEs and DIEP later. Yeah the TEs suck, can be uncomfortable but it is not that big of a deal. The worst thing long term for me will be the tiny little horizontal scars on each side of my new fipples - left behind from when I was sewed up with the TEs. If they can fit you in sooner - all the better! But I wouldn't second guess your decision on DIEP - just my opinion.
TypewriterJenny - sorry about the icky reaction and glad to hear you are feeling better! No, you don't need any issues leading up to surgery!
CUTE shoes, SB!
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Please tell Robin she is in my thoughts and prayers. So sorry to hear about the right side, but glad she is recovering. It's so hard to hear that, but also very good to know there are people on this board to reach out to for support.
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SBE - does your DIL know how many women are waiting for this baby with her? Good thing we can't all fit in the delivery room.
I didn't end up with an arterial line during my DIEP, but I had to go back into surgery 2 days after because of a hematoma. Although the IV was still in from the DIEP, it must have infiltrated during the second go around. Apparently they tried a foot and were unsuccessful. Thankfully they got into my neck. In my case, I imagine it happens because the veins in the left arm are really scarred as it is the only side that has been used for iv and blood draws for a whole lotta years.
I like the bro/sis bag surgery. There are some great occuloplastic docs in Chicago.
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Oh Robin big huge gentle hugs for you. I'm so sorry to hear that happened but I'm glad your recovering now. Hang in there we're all in your corner.
I really think we should organize a gathering for any east coast DIEP sistersII'd love to spend a nice day together and put some faces with some names
Went for my thyroid ultrasound and got a call the next morning. They found multiple nodules the largest is 2.9 and I'm terribly concerned. I don't want to go off DIEP topic since that's what we are all here for I'm just a little panicked and figured that of all the people I know you ladies would be most familiar with the dreadful waiting periods. Got another call today and the specialist wants to meet by wed of next week.I'm not feeling a whole lot of support from DH at the moment but honestly I can't blame him I think he's sick of all this by now..I know I am.
OK venting over ! Hope everyone has a great night. -
Oh Faith - wth - so sorry you have to go thought this now. Thinking positive thoughts for you!
I would totally be up for an east-coast gathering! Maybe a spa day? CT has nice ones at the casinos and the Norwich Inn & Spa...!? Then again, I would have no problem heading south! -
Oh no Faith! Is there anyway they would tell you anything over the phone? I don't think I could wait a whole week to find out! I'm really hoping that is nothing!
Damiana, you can tell the lady you met today that she can contact me with any questions if she wants!
I hear you about being numb up there. That's what I thought when I had my blister!!
Sbelizabeth, did your surgery date change by a day? I thought you were having it done in the 16? You'll be a day ahead of me😜
Now is time to talk to DH about buying a new car. We were going to buy it for him, but I've decided that he can keep my car that he messed up by hitting the mail truck and I can get the new car. I love the new Chevy traverse! We'll see what he has to say about it. -
Hi ladies. Looks like my email notifications aren't working. Finished my first round of chemo today and have been struggling with Heparin sensitivity. Has anyone here had issues? I posted in the chemo forum but we're all noobs in there. Can't stand these headaches!
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Oh, Faith, I'm sorry! The good thing is that if it is thyroid cancer there are many kinds that are curable. I know several ladies who have had it and they are doing great!
My PS just called me at home. Love it! He answered a couple of questions and I suggested he get a good night's sleep.) I sure need some. Looking forward to my long nap tomorrow and officially joining you flapper veterans! -
Faith-- I had lots of thyroid issues and multinodular goiters for years. One of the doctors over the years that did a fine needle biopsy said that nodules are so common and benign that he makes a great living off of doing thyroid nodule biopsies. Personally I think doctors should be banned from making you wait so darn long for things. I'm hoping its absolutely nothing!
MartyJ-- thanks for sharing info about your cancerversary. As one that got BC in my early 30s, your story and your advice here gives me lots of hope about the future!
DIEP sisters-- I'm sorry for not posting, I just can't keep up anymore!. I'm 3 weeks post stage 2 and everything is healing great. I had dog ears and big love handles after stage 1, so the doc lipoed the love handles for me. I'm guessing that's what he used for fat grafting to even out the girls and make things more symmetrical. I'm still hoping for a chance to have kids in the future despite BC, so I didn't ask for my ab scar to be lowered for that reason (don't want to be totally tucked). No drains for me and surgery was less than 2 hours, and off all pain meds in less than 2 days.
Jlbloom, Jeannie, bluebird -- you're almost there! Soon you'll find yourself offering great advice to the DIEP sisters. Rest and relax!
Robin-- thinking of you as well! -
Jeannie, we will all be in your pockets for your nap tomorrow. May it be a very successful day for you.
Faith, praying hard for you.
Marty, I think Sbelizabeth will have us in her pockets in delivery. Katy, we want to see pics of that baby.....and your shoes. Lol. Stilettos for the new Grandmom? -
Kuka- I will tell her if I see her again.
Jeannie- good luck tomorrow!
Does anyone know a way to get a hematoma to go away quicker?
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Jeannie- thinking of you and you are going to be so happy to be on the otherside! I felt elated when I woke up and saw my flat tummy and perky girls!
I just thought of another DIEP bonus. I can no longer eat as much as I used to because my tummy is so tight. I had mesh and plication during the tuck so it may be that but its going a long way toward helping me lose weight! :-)
I walked the mall and super target today and it kicked my behind but Im feeling like doing more and more eqch week that passes. -
Oh, Faith, what "fresh hell" is this? So sorry you are in the worry and wait. What prompted the thyroid ultrasound (if you don't mind sharing)? Prayers for you and for your DH.
Dyvgrl, sorry not familiar with heparin sensitivity...are you having allergic reaction symptoms?
Prayers for all you lovely flapper girls! -
What exactly is plication? I see on the Internet that it has to do with folding, but I'm not sure how it comes into play with DEIP.
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Firedragonll....let me know if you want that date entered on the list. kuka and sbe....I've asked the mods to add your stage 2's...?sbe??? are you sure of that aug 15..??
jeez faith....what news!!! You know we are all thinking of you and sending hugs and positive vibes. Just as an fyi......I feel like we have bonded as friends, one and all. IMHO....there is NOTHING OFF TOPIC, and I'm glad to see you feel secure enough with us, that you could share such tough news. For the love of god, if we can talk about constipation, bathing suits, failed flaps and FUPA's, (and we SHOULD, I truly believe) then certainly...worrisome scans are truly not off topic!!!!!!!
dear sybil...oops, I mean sweetpickle....to be going through recovery, and also have "no fixed address" surrounded by packing boxes and people and pets.....you're amazingly sane!!!
nnnkay....this is the swelly belly info from my ps's point of view....The hip to hip incision does two things. While the scar is still forming and maturing, and as the multiple layers of repair are healing..there will be extra fluid pulled into that area as a normal response. But, the length and horizontal placement of the incision, does to some extent, inhibit the drainage of that extra fluid, not block it, but slow it down. As to the iron plate location of the swelling, the normal innervation of that skin is disrupted (ya think!!!!). The blood vessels and "oozey parts" (his words, not mine) usually get feedback from nerves in the skin to dilate or constrict. Until the nerves get sorted out, the feedback is also skewed, so fluid accumulates as the body warms up (ie..exercise/increased activity) but doesn't get regulated, so there is too much (aka swelling), which then gradually drains, but slower than normal, again because things aren't yet normal in that area. It is something that improves, with time, and as the innervation returns. He also feels compression during more intense exercise would help, and cerainly would feel better, as it wouldn't allow quite as much fluid to accumulate, and that eventually, everything will sort itself out. That's his opinion, in a nutshell.
****editted to add....he said the type of activity would also determine the amount of swelling. Things that keep you more bent in the hips (biking, returning to work that involves alot of sitting, long drives....that kind of stuff) would probably mean more swelling. Things that keep you more straight, but moving, like running, swimming, walking would mean less swelling, because the fluid can drain easier. Makes sense to me...I defo swell more on the bike, than I do when I run. There, now this post is DONE!
As for my stage 2....he still feels there is enough swelling still in the gloob that he wants to wait. He will do some tweaking (just to the gloob, and just to refine the shape/lift a small amount). One end of my hip incision is just a tiny bit puffier than the other, and he might do a tiny tidyup there. So, back in 3 months to see how things are. Works perfectly into my wishes too, so I came away happy.
Robin....can I send a quiet, gentle "towanda" your way.....you WILL come through this!!!!!
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I cannot believe all you ladies survived chemo. I'm 3 hours out and I feel like a train wreck. I seriously don't think I can do this again. There has to be another option...
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Dyvgrl.....YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!! The first round is often the hardest, in a way, because you don't know what to expect. Drink water, drink water, drink water, rest, drink water, drink water, drink water, rest. (((((X))))))
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Dyvgirl-what are you taking.
I promise it will pass. It sucks and I still feel like the joy gets sucked out of my life for 4-5 days but then it gets better. I take Xanax to sleep and loratab when bone pain is bad. That's what meds are for. I work full time but take 2 days off when chemo Sx are bad. I have chemo tommorow. 3 more after tommorow. You can do it. Listen to relaxation tapes, read books. Biotin mouthwash. Eat what you can tolerate. Let your friends and family do for you. Much love and prayers to you. -
No advice Dyvgirl, but you are in my prayers.
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Jeannie and jlbloom- happy sleeps tomorrow, you are almost there!
Faith-thoughts and prayers for positive outcome for you. Sorry you have to deal with this!
Sbe- love those shoes! Wish I could wear cuter shoes! Wide feet and plantar faciatous (sp?) doesn't work for cute heels! Can't wait for baby news!
Damianna- good luck with your hematoma- not fun!
Bailey- hope work is going well!
Movie- hope your tooth is feeling better.
I had my 6 month check up with onc. Today. She is so excited about my diep. Almost as excited as me! She works in cancer centre at same hospital as my surgery and she said she would pop up to see me! I love this woman. None of this would be happening if not for her! 11 days, but who is counting! -
Oh, Dvygrl! So sorry you are having it rough. You won't feel this way all of the time. Which chemo drugs are you on? How often do you have chemo? What are they giving you to combat the side effects?
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Faith, I had thyroid nodules, and they were always benign, but that is how they found my breast cancer so early, so I have always been a little grateful to my benign thyroid nodules, which btw disappeared. I hope the same for you, that they are nothing. Try not to worry too much.
Dvygirl, I am so sorry about the chemo making you so sick so quickly. I wish you didn't have to go through this again. Hang in there. Maybe it will get easier. Did you talk to your MO to see if there is something you can take to make it better?
Jeannie, I will be thinking about you all day tomorrow. Positive thoughts and prayers. Please try to keep us posted when you up to it. We will be thinking about you, and worried till we hear.
Nihani, your PS explanation makes sense. I don't like it, but it makes sense. Oh well, it's the price we have to pay.
Sweetpickle, glad to hear you are up, and out. I know it's exhausting, but keep doing it.
Damiana, watch that hematoma. If it gets bigger call PS. The thing about not feeling anything freaks me out. They stick a big needle in my boobs once a week to fill them up, and I don't feel it. It hurts a little later when the stretching starts, but not the needle.
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jlbloom and jeannie.......thinking of you!!!!! ((((((((((((((X))))))))))))))
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Jibloom and Jeannie, in your pockets for tomorrow. It's a strange and challenging experience, but there are people, equipment, and DRUGS to help you through the rough parts. I'm so glad I did it.
Dvygrl, I'm so sorry the chemo is not being kind. I had TAC for six rounds and I do remember feeling like I had the flu, without the cough and fever. The best you can do is rest, distract yourself (movies! books! knitting! sudoku!), take your meds, and eat and drink what you feel like. Beware constipation...my first round, I morphed into a solid brick of sh*t... And in the words of a good friend, "temporary is tolerable," and chemo will come to an end.
A year ago today, I finished the last of my radiation treatments. That was a glad day, because I really, really hated radiation. They really blasted me, and I'll have the effects forever with fibrosis in my deep muscle layers, I think. But I remind myself--I'm glad to be alive and waiting to hold my granddaughter.
Happy hump day (that's Wednesday, in case you were wondering), everyone!
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sbeliabeth....happy "endofradiversary"....hope you get to hold that little one soon!
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Sbelizabeth - I wonder if I will ever forget those anniversaries..dx day, 1st chemo, last chemo, sx days, 1st rads, last rads...maybe in time they get replaced with better days to remember...like BIRTHdays!!!
I hear you on the permanent effects of rads, sister. I pray that we both (all, actually) always have the main effect of rads....no more cancer, ever.
B -
Dyvgirl, chemo sucks big time, and I hated it. The first one was the worst. I felt exactly as you do, that I cannot do this. It stretched out ahead of me like an endless eternity. I was listless, no energy, had no interest in anything, could not even concentrate to watch TV, food tasted like sawdust. I just existed, and prayed for the time to pass. During that first week I wished I could climb out of my own body, and run away from myself. The second time was better because I knew what to expect, managed the SE's better too. Time went by faster, and with every chemo it really became easier. Hang in there. THIS TOO SHALL PASS! Keep your eyes on the prize. Big hugs to you!
Faith, hope those nodules turn out to be benign.
Those going for surgery, remember for those doctors it is just another day at the office . . . best wishes to you!
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Thanks so much ladies for the prayers and concern..to add to you know the everyday junk I just learned that someone in NJ needed to make purchaces with my debit card.. awesome
Bailey I had nodules for about 9 years just two though and they were benign however a while ago I felt a large lump lower in my neck near my wind pipe and it was sore and hard to swallow. So my primary care doc sent me for an ultrasound last week and they found several more including the larger one at 2.9 which I would imagine is the one thats giving me so much trouble.
Nihahi ...LMAO fupas! ! I literally just found out what that was last Halloween at a party where a bunch of my girl friends dressed up as the fupa sisters. Weird I know.
Dyvgrl hang in there I wish that there was more to offer but for now (((x)))
Jlbloom and Jeannie 57 sweet dreams tomorrow ! Enjoy that nap tomorrow I'll be thinking about you ladies.
Elizabeth you are inspiring me to invest in some sexy new heals soon
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