DIEP 2013

ssla01

Faith, hoping you get good news soon!

Anonymous

Aww...thank you, Jeannie, I love your posts, too! You always sound like your picture looks (happy!). My only restrictions were don't raise my bp or heart rate and don't lift over 5 lbs for 4 weeks. I don't recall anybody else here saying they had heart rate or BP restrictions. Other than that it was listen to my body and use common sense. I am very lucky (I guess) to have had no ROM problems problems immediately after mx or diep. Used my arm just like like always. (Having some issues now, though,



Jenny - I was in icu two days....other floors/units didn't have the staffing to do the hourly checks and flap watch. I think most of us are in icu about 48 hours after end of surgery....what do you guys think? I was kept warm, too, but agree with Jeannie....thought it would REALLY bother me, but only had a short period when it did and then I was out again. (Probably trying to dibs my Wilbur or something lol)

goldie4040

Jeannie, I think I must have misphrased what I meant about the arm movement thing.  I just meant if the bmx and recon were at the same time there would be no chance of accidently overdoing with your arms, but it's a shame to lose any ROM you worked so hard for, but you are right, it will be worth it to stay still for a bit for the best outcome.

Has your belly button centered itself yet?

faith729

ssla01 thank you ! they were going to get me in tomorrow morning to the specialist in Boston but since I've been taking motrin from last weeks surgery I'll have to wait till next week and stop all motrin now.



Jeannie I was told to use my tummy muscles to sit up. It wasn't easy. Don't worry getting around is frustrating now but that ends fairly quickly and stage two is a breeze so the tough parts almost over

faith729

Also I want to say that I really appreciate everyone's well wishes regarding my thyroid problems. I don't want to turn this into a thyroid thread so I apologize in advance if I over do it..

Anonymous

Faith - bless your heart - no worries...we all "hijack" the thread at times...I think it's good...life isn't ALL about DIEP. We got your back.

Judy_63

I guess I could say I was one of the lucky ones doing chemo, if you can say that. I had 8 treatments for 8 months, so it was one treatment once a month. I did lose my hair, but had a wonderful wig that most ppl complimented me on my "new" hairdo. I had treatment on Tuesday, the only day I would miss, and the rest of the week I would feel sorta crappy but not enough that it would keep me at home. By the following Monday I was feeling fine until my next treatment. I done a lot of reading on the chemo thread about side effects and what to do if I got any. I didn't have rads so can't comment on that. But chemo is doable and they have so much now that the doctor can prescribe for side effects if you need it.

kad22

Well it just took me over an hour to catch up with you ladies.



Relocate- I am triple neg. Had surgery first but did implants at that time. Chemo is scary but doable. Because we are triple neg. We get a heavier dose of chemo...6 months for me. For me radiation depended on if I had any nodes that were affected..none were for me. I got really sick first chemo only because I didn't tell them I get really nauseous. So if you get car, boat, or plane sick make sure they give you lots of nausea meds. You can get through this. Plus everyone on this thread is awesome.



Well I need to get to bed have a work mtg tomorrow but have had insomnia and sleeping in so hopefully I can get some sleep tonight. 5 weeks out today and finally walked 2 miles- yeah! Just wish I could eat healthier.



Well wishes for everyone else... so much going on with everyone. I am thinking and praying for each of you.

goldie4040

I just finished a good long feel sorry for myself crying jag. I should be laying in ICU right now with new boobs, instead I am staying awake all night (with very puffy eyes) worried about liver lesions.  I made my self laugh though.  I remembered my son when he was little, and I told him it was time to come in for dinner, homework, etc. and he would say, "but what about the lucky kids that don't have to blah blah blah."  That's how I feel.  I was done with the cancer!!!  It was my turn to be a lucky kid and get my boobs. No fair!!!!  But, life keeps testing us.  Faith, you and I are being tested.  I don't know why, but we are.

How's that for some good whining!

sbelizabeth

I'm sorry, Goldie.  It just sucks.  We're all praying for you, and would share a Kleenex if we could.  Whine all you want, dear sister.  

mammalou

Do sorry Goldie. Hang in there and cry all you want. Crying is good



It seems this journey is always throwing curve balls. I've had 2 mets scares and 2 birads 4 biopsied on good breast in the last year. Sometimes it does all seem like TOO much!



It is hard not to worry but it seems like such a waste to worry.



I hope you get answers soon...., and new foobs!

sweetpickle

Goldie- Im up with you, so sorry that you have to delay your diep. Putting it out to the universe that you will get the all clear.

ssla01

Faith, keep us posted. We want to know. I'm praying for you.



Goldie, hope today is a better day for you.

kuka21174923

How are you feeling today Goldie? Is there any way you can talk to a doctor about the findings in your liver? I always say the the wait is the worst. Once you know you can spend your time planning and time goes by faster. I really hope this is just a scare and you can move forward with DIEP.

I woke up with the biggest headache this morning, so I'm going to try to lay back and not think until it goes away!

Janet_M

Goldie - Did you ever in your wildest dreams think that you'd hear yourself 'wish that you were lying in ICU'? It's a weird and wonderful village we're all living in.



But I totally empathise with you - this should all be behind you right now. But I think that the universe has it's own plan. Perhaps being under an anaesthetic with a bad cold, and with a breathing tube, would have been the wrong route. By the time you get your fabulous new boobs, everything and everybody will be in place.



Still...sucks. I'm sorry your going through this. I hope you get your results soon.



Relocated - Chemo was manageable for me too. I do freelance work, so I chose to take the time off. But looking back, i was able to do quite a lot, and it was a very calm time for

me.



They've made so many advancements with anti-nausa drugs - don't be discouraged.

Gini23

Hello from Brazil!



So much to catch up on - certainly can't keep up with it all or begin to comment to everyone. Just started reading again back on page 164 where I left off during our frantic prep for travelling....



Please know that I am sending gentle hugs to all - especially those who have crossed over and are now in recovery mode, as well as to Dyvgrl who as I just read had a tough time with first round of chemo. It. Is. The. Worst. You WOULD think we would have better mainstream options by now. There are things happening elsewhere in the world - like Gerson Therapy, but I for one was too chicken to leave my family behind and go to Tijuana.... Just remember that it gets better. The anticipation is probably the toughest part as you approach each treatment. Quite by accident, I had a spa day planned with two of my closest friends on the first Tuesday that would've been a chemo day after my last round. I referred to it as "No-Chemo-Tuesday" - since before that every other Tuesday was "Chemo-Tuesday." Treat yourself to something awesome when you are done - you are a warrior!



As for me - it's winter in Brazil but still not nearly like a New England winter. Just our luck though, we hit the cold & rainy week. Hoping the sun will be out the next few days as it begins to warm back up (nearing 70) so I can break out the new bikinis!



Big hugs to all you special ladies - I've been having DIEP thread withdrawal when I don't have a wireless connection or just too much family-busyness to read! Hoping as I catch up that I read lots of good news.



xoxo

Jeannie

Gini23

LMAO just had to look up FUPA....

Cherrie

I haven't been on for a few days and I am 10 pages behind. I have had company. Wow we are an active bunch.



I am leaving for a camping trip on Lake Michigan for 11 days. There will be no electricity or cell phone service. I will probably be 20 pages behind by then. I am always thinking of the girls here that are going in, healing, and just helping others. I will miss you. See you in a couple of weeks.



My daughter still has a swollen lymph node and is 7 weeks pregnant. I choose to believe that she is fine.



Take care breast friends!!

faith729

Haha gini FUPA ! I hope your having a blast on your trip rain and all.



Goldie we sure are being tested and I have no idea why either. I keep telling myself god gives us what we can handle and everything happens for a reason. Still I wish we lived close by each other so we could maybe do a little retail therapy or hang on the couch with some wine and some tissues.. did they tell you what the plan would be yet if they can't do an MRI ?



Ssla01 thank you ! teary smiles.

goldie4040

Faith, I know you are worried about how your biopsy comes back, but if it makes you feel any better the biopsy itself doesn't hurt much at all, and the doctor that did my biopsy was able to give me a answer in about 15 minutes. I really believe you are going to be fine.

Thank you all for being so understanding of my little break down last night.  I needed a pity party for just a little while. My throat still hurts today, but no full blown cold yet. I am using Zicam and Airborne. Sometimes I can actually stop a cold if I am diligent with using the stuff.

Kuka, I won't know anything more till I see MO next Thursday.  I am going to try to keep busy, and believe there is a good reason this all happened. 

Gini, Take some good pics in Brazil. Sorry about the weather. Hopefully it will get better soon.

Dvygirl, feeling any better today?

sbelizabeth

I know we romanticize experiences in our past, but remembering my four months of chemo, like Janet, it was a calm time for me.  I didn't have a moment of nausea, thanks to the new drugs that are given.  My husby and I grew closer, more loving, and valued our time together to a greater extent.  Friends and family brought meals, sent encouraging cards, knitted beautiful caps for me, and immersed us in love. 

I wouldn't sign up for chemo again.  But I have to say it was a growing experience. 

sbelizabeth

All the kids came over last night for dinner and I totally fell off the wagon.  Grilled flank steak, roasted veggies/potatoes, citrus lime salad, 10-grain fresh bread with real butter.  Cheesecake for dessert.  And the worst of all...a big glass of wonderful Sangiovese from our favorite winery. 

I have a food hangover.  But it was worth it.

liefie

Just a quick check-in.

Dear Goldie and Faith, big hugs to you two!

Jeannie, happy you are on the other side and recovering.

Cherrie, my daughter is also 7 weeks pregnant - we'll become grannys at the same time!

Sbelizabeth, that baby better come today or else - Nihahi got the British prince for her birthday, and I want the Californian princess!

Thanks for the birthday wishes everyone! Vancouver is lovely. Still lying in bed, had breakfast in the room - DH is really spoiling me rotten. Every birthday from here on is a milestone to be properly celebrated. Every new wrinkle is a sign that I am living longer - lol. Feel so grateful and blessed.

Morningsun1

Happy Birthday, liefie!

MartyJ

Happy Birthday Liefie!

SBE - Y U M ! ! !

Tracy516

Hello newbie here!

I have DCIS in the left breast! Lumpectomy and SLN biopsy. Negative but my DCIS is all in the breast. BS recommends mastectomy! See PS on 7/30/13. I've been reading for days and think the DIEP flap is for me! Hope the surgeon thinks so. I think both breast need to go! Don't want to be in this place again!!! Prayers to all and gentle hugs!

Gini23

Happy Birthday, Liefie!



Catching up on the reading here, as kids play Wii Ski & Snowboard with their cousins from Brazil.



SBE I'm also totally off the wagon. Trying hard to stick with my wheat & yeast free diet, but so hard when fresh bread and "pao de queijo" (cheese bread) is always on the breakfast table. We stayed at a resort for a couple of days where food was all included - amazing spread, thankfully lots of fresh salads but also incredible desserts!



My MO thought my nodes seemed clear on palpitation and we were waiting for surgery to do sentinel node biopsy. Then I went for a 2nd op in NYC at the Dubin Breast Center (Mt Sinai hosp) and the surgeon there thought she felt something. She sent me straight down the hall to her ultrasound tech and then decided to do an ultrasound assisted needle biopsy on the spot. Within a few days we knew that I had one pos node and that helped us decide to move forward with chemo first.



Interesting info about the LE sleeves if we've had any nodes out at all. I ended up with 11 out, but no one has suggested sleeves to me at any time. Just flew 13 hours to Brazil and thankfully my arm & hand looked fine (a little typical ring tightness, but I've had that in the past.) The shocker for me was noticing the next day that one leg/foot seemed swollen more than usual. It seems to be better now.



Dyvgrl - have not yet read if you posted about naturopathic oncologist appointment. My NP suggested Glutamine throughout chemo - especially the Taxol. (I did 4 AC/4Taxol.) Helps to keep the mouth sores and bone pain (neuropathy) at bay. Think cold smooth foods - my friend made me this amazing Italian pudding - felt sooo good in my mouth. I did not have specific sores, but did have an overall stinging in my mouth for a couple days post Taxol txs. Like SBE, I found the time I was forced to rest thru chemo kind of relaxing. Relaxing is something I have not done well throughout having kids and continuing to work full time. I stopped work during tx all together because whatever time I felt good, I wanted to give to my family. Make this time about you and what is most important to you. No guilt when you just need to close the door and lay in a dark room - movies, reading, & meditation recordings got me through. I got the Emend via IV at the infusion center, and the Zofran worked for me at home. Compazine made me feel too drugged up. Together with your team you'll figure out your best cocktail and it will get you through. WIth the AC I felt crappy for a couple of days post treatment. On Taxol I started to feel bad 2 days later for a couple of days. Discover your pattern and you can plan around it.



I hated chemo, too, but it will help if you imagine all the good it is doing instead of looking at the dark side. Some people envision warriors marching through their body. A friend of mine suggested scrubbing bubbles - worked for me! I just pictured the little guys from the bathroom cleaner commercial zooming all over my body and scrubbing out the bad cells.



Just got a giggle out of Jeannie's post-DIEP post... lol

Gini23

Oh forgot to mention another alternative or in-conjunction treatment - IV Vitamin C treatments. You have to figure out if there is somewhere near you offering it.



Tracy - sorry that you had to find your way here, but this is a great place for advice, support, and a few giggles along the way. All the best to you as you determine your course of action.

goldie4040

sbe, interesting take on chemo.  I never did have chemo, but being diagnosed with cancer did somethng for our marriage that I didn't see coming.  I think it was me, not him, I all of a sudden saw what a kind, generous, thoughtful, loving man I was married to.  I remember one day in the kitchen after I was diagnosed, but before I was staged, he all of a sudden started to cry, and begged me not to die.  I was so taken a back.  He was more afraid than I was.  At that point I knew we were in this together, and there is a very strong bond that cannot be broken by lack of hair, lack of breasts, doctors appts, drains, pain, etc.  So, if there is anything postive to be taken from the cancer experience, try to find it, and hold on to it.  It can help you through it. 

goldie4040

Tracy, sorry about your dx. Keep reading, be informed, and have a list of questions on JUly 30th, because it all leaves your head when you are actually sitting in front of the doctor.  Also, I don't know where you are in NJ, but some of the best DIEP surgeons are in NJ and NY.  

Glad you found us.