DIEP 2013

damiana9

Gini- Ha! I didn't know there was a hike involved until it was too late to turn back! LOL!

Gini23

Lmao Damiana! But you did it! No shocker you're a bit sore after. I am still feeling things here and there. Give yourself time. I felt like I had torn stitches and PS assured me there are many layers of redundant stitches in there, so not to stress.

ssla01

Deb, they did my Oncotype test from the tissue taken during the biopsy. It is a predictor of recurrence, but my Oncologist factors it into chemo/rads decision.



Also, we are not sick of your questions. This is a overwhelming process after diagnosis. I needed all the information that I could get. Plus, if you stay around, you will be sick of me whining about having drains still! I'm going on six weeks!

mammalou

Hello all you ladies,



I've taken a trip to So. Cal to visit my twin DDs. Just needed to spend time with them before I went back to work. The abdomen is not really getting better and that is depressing. It has actually split open more. I'm just trying to be gentle with it and am keeping my fingers crossed. My flap looks good though😊. I'm very happy with that and have no regrets.



My 20 yo son was born with a congenital heart defect and had his first open heart surgeries at 1 week old and 1 year. They are thinking he may need another procedure soon, so we are going thru more testing now. Of course, I always worry about him, but right now we just have to wait for test results.

damiana9

Mammalou- Sorry about your incision This healing thing is so frustrating!!!!! My son was also born with a heart defect and had open heart surgery at 1 week old. Such a difficult thing to deal with. I hope his test results all say he is still doing well.

goldie4040

Deb,

I wish I could snap my fingers and be with you for your appts. and be a second pair of ears.  I know it is hard to really listen when you are afraid, and tired.  Take notes, don't be embarrassed. 

How far are you from Lehigh.  There is a great breast center there.  You need to find the big hospitals in the bigger cities that have breast centers, and sometimes they even assign you a nurse navigator to get you through the process of surgery, chemo, rads, tests, etc.  A lot of the bigger places have support groups too. 

Deb, this is hard.  The hardest thing I have ever done, and don't think we don't all break down, and scream, and throw things, and get mad, because we do, but then we pick ourselves up, and get on with it.  For some reason I stayed very calm till after surgery, then I fell apart for a little while because I had the time.  Then when it's time to get on with it you manage to pull yourself back together again. I just had some big disappointments concerning my surgery, and have weeks of appts. and tests a head of me, then I will start all over again. Maybe, I am looking a recon again by October. 

I know it's hard to believe there can be upsides to breast cancer, but I have found a couple.  I appreciate any time I feel good these days, I have removed the riff raff from my life.  I only deal with the people who I love, and are worth spending time with.  I got better very quickly at not sweating the small stuff, and if my husband leaves a glass on the counter, or crumbs on the table, so what.

We are all here for you.  Every single one of us has been where you are right now.  We really get it.

relocatedtarheel

Deb-Hi.. I got the same news. I'm scheduled for a dmx with immediate Diep but the PS told me that if they find anything in the nodes they'll scrap my diep and put in TE because I'll more than likely need radiation. Very frustrating to be heading into surgery Aug 5 with no idea what I'll wake up with.

nihahi

Bailey...again, you are amazing!!!! Your words said it all!!!! So glad you had a great time with your "gang"! 

Deb...nope...never too many questions for any of us!!!! We have ALL been where you are now, and there will be others coming after, that you can help when they are exactly in your current "place"!!!! 

mammalou....no matter the age of our kids, we worry for their health and safety....hoping for good news for your son.

sbe....put that baby down.....you have to go to work tomorrow!!!!!

goldie4040

Mammalou

Sorry about your incision.  I had that problem with my left breast right after my bmx, and they final took me back in the OR, did a quick debrisement, and reclosed it.  That fixed it!  I don't know if they do that for tummy incisions, but I don't see why not.  It didn't hurt, and it healed so quickly after that. PS said something about the edges of the skin not being able to seal because of the dead tissue.

I hope everything will be okay with your son.  It's amazing what they can do these days, as we all know.  I will keep him in my prayers.  Glad you got to see your daughters.  Nothing like family to heal the soul, and the body.

kuka21174923

Deb, insurance will cover everything. As long as it has something to do with your reconstruction you will be covered! My BS had me do a MRI before my DIEP so she knew ahead that I was clear. She said if the MRI showed that I had something she would do a dissection of the nodes and she would know the results during the surgery if the nodes were involved! How's the not smoking going? I know how hard it is. I had to quit myself 9 years ago when I became pregnant.

Spent the weekend going to the movies and spending time with my kids. Great weekend!!

sherry35

Hi ladies, please know that I'm thinking of you all- your words of wisdom, encouragement, healing, highs and lows, and everyday life have got me to this point.

When I got dressed this morning I actually said "this is the last time I will put on my boobs!

My bag is packed, alarm is set and I'm ready for 6:00 am! I've got this! At this time tomorrow I will be recovering! Woo hoo!

Going to try and sleep. If not I will be back later.

TOWANDA!!!!

Sherry

goldie4040

Yeah, Sherry!!!!!  Can't wait for you to wake up on the other side, and you have perfect new breasts.  Get in touch as soon as you feel able.  We will be waiting to hear from you. 

nihahi

Sherry....you've got this. TOWANDA....bring on the future of awesome new possibilities!

kad22

Sherry35- hugs and healing thoughts sent out your way for surgery tomorrow!



Mamalou- healing thoughts go out to your son and you



SBE- hope you are enjoying that new granddaughter!



You ladies are so awesome so nice to hear everyone rally for each other!



Tomorrow is first time at pt for me - hope I don't get worked too hard. :P



Take care those that have procedures this week.

Gini23

Sherry you SO got this! You sound completely ready. I hope you are sleeping tonight and enjoy your long nap tomorrow.



I think I got jinxed with our conversation about sick men... DH has a fever - yes we're still on vacation visiting his family in Brazil. He just rolled over 1/2 asleep and told me he's on his death bed.... Really?



To all - many hugs and sweet dreams!

Morningsun1

TOWANDA, Sherry. Have a good nap tomorrow.

sbelizabeth

Sherry, we're all in your pocket.  It's a weird combo of waiting to walk off the plank, and waiting for Christmas morning, isn't it? 

I had the same thoughts the morning of my DIEP.  I patted my silicone foob with thankfulness that it was there when I needed it, and that it would be gone soon, donated to a cancer center.  

This grandma thing is beyond wonderful.  I had no idea I would be instantly plunged into a roaring river of love.  

I'm keeping up with our posts, but don't have the time to "hey" everyone like I want to do!  

goldie4040

SBE, it was amazing to me too when my grandson's were born.  The way I felt about my son was/is such overwhelming love, and I couldn't imagine it being dupilicated, but there it was, and I just want to eat my grandbabies up every moment I spent with them, except the five year old is getting ornery these days...lol

Enjoy that baby. Do you live close enough to see her, and babysit often? How is you DIL feeling?

Moviemaniac

Hello dear ladies......am back, and still feeling like I am speeding along the freeway doing 78-80 mph.........especially when I close my eyes!



Liefie, happy , belated birthday! Hope it was memorable for you!



Sbe ......congrats on your promotion to grandma! It really IS better than being a mom! . Love her name, too!



Welcome to you newbies! We are the BEST, in my very humble opinion......



DD is back home in Colorado....recovering, albeit slowly....but I am hopeful that she will continue to improve, and that the chronic endo pain she has been experiencing will subside, at least to a level she can ignore most of the time.....



Good luck, Sherry! You've got this.......TOWNDA!



Love to all....



Namaste and God Bless-Jackie

kuka21174923

Sherry good luck today! We will all be thinking of you and praying for a speedy recovery!

Sbe, glad you're enjoying that baby. Things like that is what makes our journeys so worth it!

Goldie, are you feeling any better? Just a couple more days and you can go do tests to make sure those lesions are nothing. Did they say if they would give you the results the same day? What's the plan after you find out? Scheduling the diep ASAP? I know dr. Habash now has an opening on the 16th, 😜.

Damiana, how are you feeling this morning? Is your hole getting any better?

Morningsun1

No midnight posting from nihahi for a while. I think Red Cross work has cured the insomnia. What a nice reward for a good deed!

nihahi

hahaha Tammy, fooled you! I was awake at 2am, just to tired to roll out of bed...dang....you'd think exhaustion would mean a decent sleep eh?

Movie....I shouldn't complain about tired when I think about your days. Hope you can catch up on some much needed rest...and that daughter can get things on a better "track" now. 

gini...oh lordy...a sick husband while on vaca with HIS family....what joy! Hope he feels better soon, so the holiday for you can continue.

sbe...I'm not the least bit surprised that you have been instantly immersed in "grandma world"!!!! Have you painted the bike trailer pink yet???? And WHERE MIGHT WE ASK IS A PHOTO OF THIS LITTLE ONE????HMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

damiana...keep shrinking that hole....

faith...did I miss the results of the thyroid scan???? Hope things are ok???

sweetpickle....how is that suspicious swelling???? Hope the pain management goes better.

goldie...hang in there....things will get sorted out.

hugs to all.....wish I could mention everyone....not enough time or functioning brain cells. Take care ladies, gotta go back to my "new" routine.....looks like a few more weeks of it, then not sure what I'll be doing after that. 

Sending positive vibes to this weeks ladies!!!!!

FireDragonll

Congrats on the grandbaby! They are fun.

I go for my second opinion at Lehigh tomorrow. I hope thye can get me sceduled soon. Nervous again. Thank sto everyone that has been throught it.

kuka21174923

Stage 2 veterans: I need to buy spanx for the lipo my ps is going to do on my tummy. What type if girdle have you used after your liposuction? He told me that for best results I need to use good compression. I need to order it today since my surgery is moving to August 5th now. Help please!!

lahela

Saw the PS again today - her only concern is that I'll be going from a D to a B, but I can live with that. I just keep telling myself, cute push-up bras are in my future for the first time in decades! She mentioned lots of possible follow-up procedures like you ladies have been discussing as stage 2/3 etc, as well as running through the post-surgical drains, compression girdle etc etc etc so I feel like I'm in the loop now.

So... drumroll... Next Thursday! 8th August. BMX with immediate DIEP. Bye bye cancer, hello noobs.

So much for those romantic dinner plans DH had for our 25th anniversary on the 9th 

Morningsun1

I hope they give one tomorrow. I have not ordered anything yet. I forgot to ask about it.

MartyJ

Kuka - order from Marenagroup.com.  That is much better compression than you will find with spanks.  They have a great online catalogue and very helpful customer service.  If he is doing hips and thighs, you will need one that goes from below breasts to above knees.  Ask him, too, if he will be supplying one garment post surgery.  He may give you a zippered garment for use for a couple of weeks until drains are out, etc.  Be sure you get one of the open crotch garments as you don't want to have to pull it up and down everytime you need the bathroom.  

sweetpickle

Sherry- Good luck and we are all thinking of you.



I cancelled the pain management appt. Because I think I have figured out whats going on. My incision is open so wide that you can see the fat layer, dh is concerned about it and Im waiting for a call back from PS office to get in and have it looked at. All of my pain is on that side where incision is. For the past two days I have sat my butt in my recliner and not done a thing and Ive only been sore which the ibruphron and tylenol are helping. Before that I was walking, cleaning, cooking, etc. I did to much to soon apparqntly.



So basically if I sit still and rotate over the counter pain meds every four hours, Im ok. Im taking four each which is a lot but its working. Hoefully I will hear back today from PS office.

jlbloom

sbe - congrats on Aubrey Rose.  Nothing else like it in the world!

christina - with anesthesia and pain meds you probably won't need to worry about a bed pan.  It is more likely you will need stool softeners.  Nice feeling not to need the bra with the boobs in it!

sherry35 - you should be pleasantly asleep.  prayers for you and your surgical team.  it does bring tears to your eyes when you look down and breasts are protruding from your chest and you didn't have to put them on.  

Debdylan - congratulations for stopping smoking.  I had a delayed DIEP, but only 8 weeks delayed.  PS had an opening and jumped at it.  It was skin sparing, but no TEs.  After six weeks I got prosthetics when I thought the surgery was going to be in November.  Only wore them when going out in public.  Someone described this time period you are in like being in the spin-cycle.  Hope you are able to sort it all out.  ...Still catching up with posts.  Mine was planned to have the BMX and DIEP at the same time.  After two nodes came back positive from the sentinel node biopsy during the BMX, the DIEP was delayed.  I had time to meet with the RO and MO regarding follow-up treatment.  RO was not insistent, so chose to not have RADS and was able to reschedule DIEP as soon as that decision was made.  OncotypeDX helped my desicions.  It was done on the tumor tissue from the BMX.  Your questions are not annoying at all.  Many of us have asked them before.

Bailey - you certainly have a gift for saying so nicely what some of us want to say but it doesn't come out nearly as well!

lahela - not sure what size I am now, but they are smaller than the DDs.  I'm 57 so smaller, but not heading south, still looks better and especially with less belly.  a cancer-free 9th will be the best anniversary present you can give him!

TammyT - praying you have a nice nap tomorrow!

sweetpickle - it is so easy to overestimate what we are able to do, or really should be doing.  hope you get that opening taken care of really soon.

Happy Monday to you all!

Morningsun1

Hi sweetpickle, sorry you have to battle with open ab-incision. Movie and I were in that same battle a few months before you. Her ps did a re-suture, but my ps had me doing the packing. I do think hers healed faster than mine, but it could be me, the slow healer. You ps will tell which way suits you better. Good luck!