DIEP 2013

FierceBluebird

Love the Wilbur t-shirt idea! Or a night shirt to keep us comfy in bed. My favorite is "Where there's Wilbur there's a way!"

mammalou I agree this recovery stuff is rough! I am leaking like a bucket with a hole in it and getting very tired of wearing diapers and maxi pads! But I guess it's better to leak than have to go get drained. And this blood blister thingy on the the other breast is for the birds!  I hope you can reschedule your Hawaii trip!

But this too shall pass. 

hrf, I had to have two different types of procedures on my breasts since my surgeon had difficulty with my vessels.  I'm happy I went with someone experienced for this very reason. If a 20 year veteran has trouble and it was a 12 hour surgery to save one, I don't want to think what the outcome could have been with a less experienced person. But even with the best docs, things can go wrong and they need to let you know about it.

Wilbur, Wilbur look around

A flapper girl needs healing and must be found!   (take on the st. anthony prayer!)

Healing thoughts to Faith, Goldie, Jeannie, movie and anyone else struggling this week.

sbelizabeth

Hi, gloobfriends. I've been reading everyone's news but I've been too busy to post, with the new baby and all. Nihahi, as soon as I figure out photobucket or some other kind of web-based photo album, I'll put a picture of Aubrey up for everyone. For now, just imagine the most beautiful pink baby you've ever see, and you'll be close.

Goldie, we're all in your pocket for this CT thing. Let us know the minute you hear anything. I have BCBS too and they've never turned me down for anything, but I guess it depends on your own plan.

Damiana, as far as being NPO after midnight for a 1:00 P.M. surgery, I'm calling bowlsheet on it. Here are my own thoughts: http://pinkribbonandwheels.wordpress.com/2012/06/24/anesthesia-and-chewing-gum/. The American Association of Anesthesiologists states it's ok to have a LIGHT meal (toast/tea, nothing fatty) 6 hours before anesthesia, and CLEAR liquids up to 3 hours before. If I had a simple surgery on the books for 1:00 you betcha I'd have black coffee in the morning. But...that's just me. Nobody better do what I do and get into trouble.

Jeannie, sorry about this latest hiccup! We're all in your pocket, too!

MartyJ

Janet - just read your post on your blog about your conversation with Dr. Escargot.  Wow.  I really wish he had something of substance to say.

liefie

DIEP we dive,

and FLAPPER we rise,

Old Wilbur is there

to help us survive!

Sharon1942

Goldie: I don't see Dr. T until Aug 26 to discuss stage 2b. Glad you have a plan. Hope you get quick answers so you can get this DIEP show on the road!

Jeannie57

I'm home and on Vicodin, thus can't type much or Wilbur may appear again. I don't even know what I've told you. They just don't think my excruciating pain had a serious cause and I jumped at the chance to go home. More later. XXXOOO

liefie

Hope you get better soon, Jeannie, and that the pain disappears. Big hugs to you!

jlbloom

Oh, my goodness.  This group is action packed for sure.

Goldie - I don't know anyone that will donate t-shirts, but I'm very willing to pay for a shirt.  My creativity is not so good, but at least there are several quick thinkers on here.  Yes, you will want to hold your nose while you drink those yummy shakes!

Jeannie - You just have to stop taking those ambulance rides in rush hour!  Hoping things work out very quickly.  Prayers for your safe and quick return home.

Bluebird - really good to hear from you.  Sorry about all your complications.  Anesthesia and pain meds just don't like all of us the same.  I knew they had to be working for Jeannie when she was posting the day after surgery, even though she was getting some help from Wilbur.  I didn't want to look at a computer screen until a week after my surgery.  I don't do very well with dilauded or morphine.  The oral pain meds just made me want to go to sleep.  It's nice when you get to the place where Motrin or Tylenol are all that is needed.

Tracy - there is a lot to be said for having it done quickly.  Don't over pack for your hospital stay.  Several ladies have lists of things you need for the hospital.  It really is minimal, chapstick, toothbrush, tooth paste, cell phone and charger, reading glasses if you can't read without them.  I know there are a couple more things that others will remember.  If dilauded works for you, it sounds like it is a better pain killer.  The morphine really wasn't that great for pain, but you will be amazed what a difference a day or two will make in how you feel.  I'm two weeks post surgery and we are still eating food my sister made for us that we froze until we were ready for it.  Bailey's pay it forward is a great example.  It helps others to know they can do something to help you.

No pedicures or manicures were allowed in my OR so check before you go.

Prayers for a good night's rest for all. ...Julie

sbelizabeth

DebDylan, you're right, we could all look just fine with a turtleneck sweater and a couple of socks in our bras.  The PS's statement would make me nervous too.  I'm not hoping to look like a nekkid Malibu Barbie, but matching hooters with well-placed scars would be a goal worth shooting for.

marieann1020

Thank you bailey, now it's becoming more real, doctors MA called me today, doctor wants me to do a cat scan of the abdomen and pelvis, she said the images of the CT scan are better for mapping out the blood vessels.

My mind keeps going a million directions, I need to tell work,

I need to get my house in order...that's why I can't sleep:-(

Thank you all for your support.

Jeannie57

I am home, doped up, trying to keep Wilbur quiet.....

mammalou

Ah come on Jeannie, we love Wilbur! You can let him out!

Anonymous

Jeannie so glad you are home! Now stay there with Wilbur where y'all belong!



I wonder how Christina and Sherry are doing...prayers for them.



Faith and Goldie prayers for you two as well.



Ohmigosh so tired. PT and 5k training whooped me again. Gnite, flapper friends!

ssla01

(((Hugs))) to you Jeannie.

mammalou

I just have one question because I am sick of my ailments and I'm sick of talking about them... 5 wks post op. did any of you have the most pain in the area to the side and above the belly button. This is my most tender area and always is painful when I bend. I am wondering if this is infection.

sweetpickle

Mamalou- Does it feel like its your rib? That is where my pain was the most intense. Now im just really sore all over and tummy is still swollen.



Jeannie- Rest well and free your inner Wilber...lol Sending speedy recovery vibes your way

mammalou

It is not my rib. I feel swollen and very tender about 2 inches to the sides of my belly button.

kuka21174923

Jeannie, glad you're back home. Put your cell phone down and go to sleep!

Goldie, hopefully you have an answer from insurance by Monday. Have you decided what ps you're going to go with?

I got my compression garment on the mail today. It's the body suit with no legs. It has a zipper in the front. First of all, how can anybody out one of those things on without the zipper?! But after I got it on I looked great! My MIL, who just came back from a two month vacation, came over and said she was shocked at how much weight I've lost, hahaha. The garments goes all the way up to the bottom of the boobs, so it gives them a lift. I decided to show up at my neighbor's house and asked her if she thought I look different. Her answer was, are you wearing a push up bra? Love it!!

nihahi

FYI.....I have grown quite fond of Wilbur, and would be truly sad if he was "gagged"! Ladies, anyone with me......I'm seriously considering a "Free Wilbur" grassroots movement!!!!!!!

Jeannie....glad to hear you're home..I can't believe they would discharge you if they had any significant worries about you!!!!! 

sbe...SOOO good to hear from you, I'm hoping there's a baby photo on your blog???? If not, I'm gonna get PO'd pretty darn quick!

debdylan.....Can I add there is a BIG DIFFERENCE between how a fake boob or implant feels, compared to your own real body tissue. Also, how you look in clothes.....there can be a big difference between what you can comfortably and emotionally wear, clothing wise when you have a breast "form" vs a breast. 

Can't remember who made a comment about pain....I am NOOOO hero....but I can honestly tell you my recon pain was actually very minimal! I used very, very little morphine, was taking regular tylenol and fairly comfortable even before leaving hospital...once home, I really only took it to help settle to sleep, or after really pushing the walking. Of all the "things" about my surgery, I would put pain as one of the least significant issues for me. 

jlbloom....good to hear from you! All is well???

kuka....hmm..drinking more water.....headache gone.....I wonder why that is.....Bonk....I have just smacked you "upside your head"!!!!! Now if I could only convince you to eat your veggies!!!!

goldie....hope we both sleep tonight!!!! I'm tired too! Going back to volunteer tomorrow and I need some shuteye!!

Hugs to all!!!!!

nihahi

OK sbe.......I just checked, I'm very sad,no baby pic. (((((

kuka...sounds like a WonderWoman outfit!!!

ok, off to bed for me!

Jeannie57

DebDylan, even with all I've gone through, I'm happy with DIEP. I didn't expect to feel more wholly me, but I do.

nihahi

Still here....got sidetracked re: going to bed.

deb...I second Jeannie's feelings. I had my flap recon to put the nightmare of implant issues behind me. I too didn't expect the outcome of feeling like I was truly, genuinely "me" again, after years of having an alien breast. In my case, the mx scar/flat chest/implant rupture/implant capsular contracture look was a WHOLE lot worse looking than my current "multi-inches" of body scars. Obviously, my scars are still red, and there is the whole new "tummy scar" that wasn't remotely there before. But....I KNOW the scars will fade, and become so much less important to me. I have a soft, warm, well positioned and well shaped breast, and have not yet had my "tweak" surgery or nipple recon.Even if I had no more surgical work done, I would truly feel happy with what I now have. I have said it before, I feel better about myself now, and my "body image", more feminine and more "whole"...post flap surgery, than I have for the 20+ years since my mx!!!!!!! Absolutely not a shadow of regret for me. BC took away a breast.....this surgery gave it back to me.

Moviemaniac

Deb, if I could walk around nekkid....I would. I LOVE my adopted girls! Best part? They're all ME!



Nihahi...FYI.....Iceberg Creek flows into WILBUR Creek......how fortuitous is THAT?????



Jeannie...don't muzzle Wilbur.......we love him! (Where there's a Wilbur, there's a way! )



Mammalou...so sorry you have had a tough road......be patient (and check with your PS ), the situation WILL improve...I know that I was a sniveling, crying MESS during my abdominal Infection phase....but as soon as it was in my rear view mirror.....I improved ten-fold! I have no doubt you will, too.



Too tired to think about tshirt, but def. want one! We'll get this figured out...if we can flap, we can do ANYTHING!



Goodnight, and XO to all.....



Namaste and God Bless - Jackie

nihahi

movie....I know!!!!!! I just about snorted my coffee when I saw that on the map !!!!!! 

goldie4040

Glad you're home Jeannie.  Hope things get easier from here.  At least you have no wound issues, etc.  I would say things are looking up for you.

nihahi

Janet....just read your blog...I am stunned at your dr's "lack of remorse"....I am truly amazed at your strength!!!!!! fyi....I don't think asking why he didn't contact YOU would have in any way sounded "needy or whiney"....I think his response of "I contacted Dr. H" revealed that to him, the dr/dr relationship was way more important than any relationship/trust/connection he ever had with you. You are well rid of him, imho!

kuka21174923

Ok, what's up with the no sleep?!! Nihahi, my headache went away for a little bit and then came back. I surrendered! If I still have it tomorrow I will try drinking a coke and see if that helps😞

nihahi

coke=caffeine=constricted blood vessels=might help the headache. Caffeine is an ingredient in some headache meds. Premenopause, I got horrible migraines, ended up on Imitrex, which helped, but was $$$. Don't get headaches as often or as bad now, but when I feel one coming on, my fall back tx is coke. 

Go to bed. I am so pissed at Janet's dr. "escargot" I can't sleep.....

nihahi

Morningsun1

Love it nihahi!