DIEP 2013

liefie

Christina, happy you are now a Flapper, and hope you recover well.

Dyvgirl, hang in there with the chemo. You are alreay doing better than with round 1 it seems? Drink water, get fresh air, take short walks. Eyes on the prize . . .

Tracy, I had crotch drains, and found it most comfortable to go without panties. Had oversized drawstring pj pants from WalMart, and if I needed to leave the house, I wore loose drawstring yoga pants.

DebDylan, don't apologize to us. There's no need to because we are here to listen to you, no matter what you want to share. Your ex-DH was being petty, hurtful and spiteful when he said that - please don't you believe those words for one second. As you have probaby read here, the husbands on this thread are pretty amazing, and they just want us healthy and alive. If we come out on the other side with something resembling breasts, it is a bonus. There are many good, loyal, reliable men out there, and I am sure there is one waiting for you who will think that you are beautiful inside and outside, admire your courage coming through this ordeal, and will not be judging you on your breast size.

2Timer, so sorry that the beast came knocking on your door again. You will beat him back like you did before, and we will be there to carry and support you. Big hugs to you!

You girls, there is always so much to be grateful for. Just heard of a woman in my town who has been diagnosed with ca in the vagina. She has to go for rads, will get strapped onto the bed with her legs spreadeagled, and then the beam will be aimed in 'there'. . . oh my goodness.

Marty, sorry to hear about DH. Don't worry too much about getting everything done - plenty of time afterwards. Hopefully you will recover quickly, because you will probably be taking care of him for some time to come. I hope he is a better and more compliant patient than my DH, who just cannot sit still even if you pay him - lol.

Tracy516

((((Bailey6760)))) lol Ill try not to flash anyone!! Lol

lahela

I got my letter from the hospital confirming my admission... I wish I knew why I have to be there at 8am Wednesday, no food or drink beforehand, for a Thursday surgery! If they think I can go that long without coffee, they are going to have a rude shock! LOL!

Moviemaniac

Wow.......reading the posts from last night through today, and we are in a pensive mood on here, aren't we?



Marty-so sorry you are having this thrown at you right now.....I hope you have some good friends or family that can step up if needed, for a few days......I am guessing DH will be in hospital for a few days......maybe by then you will feel somewhat better. But I am still sorry.......it is almost too much! Will be thinking of you....



Debdylan, others on here are much better writers, but I will add: dump the cigs......they aren't really helping you......and don't feel bad for unloading here. We ALL do it, from time to time.....that's why we come here, because we KNOW we are among sisters who truly GET IT........and that we won't be judged by how we feel......our feeling are as varied as we are.......that's what makes this group so special......



Christina.....good to hear from you! Hope your recovery continues event-free.....



Bluebird, love what you said about your DH......many of us have had similar experiences....makes you see him through a new set of glasses, doesn't it?...healing thoughts to you, too.........



Janet, I haven't read you blog yet, am almost afraid to.......losing trust in someone so crucial to your well-being is a hard thing......



Everyone else.....sending out local you all.



Namaste and God bless-Jackie

Tracy516

Wow ! ((((((Lahela!)))) I hope that's not the case! No food is bad!! No coffee is a nightmare! Lol

Good luck though! My surgery is on the 15th so I don't have my info yet! I hope not!

damiana9

Tracy- I could lift my arm but I had my mastectomy a year ago, so it might be different for someone that is having MX+immed recon. Though, I was still stiff so I mostly had stuff that buttoned up, I could step into, or was super stretchy.



Lahela- oh my! I hope they messed up the dates on that. LOL!

MartyJ

Deb - almost as good as the original is definately possible, but it takes time.  Not usually on the first go around.  The first Stage is about getting the flap placed and the blood supply working properly.  That is why most doctors do a second stage for aesthetics, shaping, symmetry, etc.  This is a process and it will take time, but you will get there!

ssla01

Six weeks out today. My beasts look good. They are a little misshapen, but that will get fixed in Stage 2. The GAP incisions are healed and a non factor at this point. The drains are driving my buggy! One just exploded (not literally) yesterday and had an output of 190 cc's for the day. It is less today, but nowhere near the volume to get pulled. I named them "naughty" and "nice".



Newbies, do not fear, almost no one ever has drains this long. I'm just lucky like that ;-)

Janet_M

Marty - Well, it sounds like hubby is stealing your thunder. That is indeed one way to stop from being self-absorbed, but very drastic. I'm truly sorry that you both have to go through anything else this year, and I hope he is at least 1/4 the calm and gracious patient that you have been. 

Tracy - I went throught the BMX with immediate recon as well - and lifting my arms over my head was a challenge. I could raise them a little though, and managed to wash my hair on the fourth day post-op. There were things I couldn't do, like get glasses out of the top cupboard, or find something at the back of the fridge,  while other things, like putting on a robe, came quickly. But I could make tea, hold up a book, and groom myself quite comfortably. 

As far as clothing goes, I had a uniform for the first four weeks. Oversize linen blouse, white cotton camisole (I pulled it up, rather than over), and a stretchy skirt. If I was going out, I'd add underpants. If I was going out somewhere nice, I'd add lipstick. I also stole a hospital gown that I liked wearing at home. It was a wrap-around, and quite stylish, and I like the feel of the cotton. And I didn't wear a bra till week 4 - though every surgeon will have his/her own version of appropriate undergarments.

And as for the pain -  much less than I thought. Don't be frightened. It hurt most if I sat up the wrong way, or moved to quickly, but with pain medication and modified movement, nothing really hurt too badly. I just had to get used to a limited range of motion, and I wasn't shy about asking for help. I never felt like I was weak - Ijust had to make everyone aware of my boundaries.

DebDylan - That was a horrible thing your ex-husband said to you! Either he was having an uncharacteristic moment of anger - or he is an ass. Either way, women don't end up living alone with a pile of cats because they had cancer. They do it because they want to. So if you are open to finding love, you will find love. If you meet a man who is worthy, he will love you for who you are, regardless of what is tucked in your bra. Please don't be defined by your fear of new boobs and insults from and ex. You are so much more than that. And you must do what is right for you, and not for a potential mate. Take care of yourself first, and the rest will follow. Besides, a beautiful breast is a healthy breast.

Bluebird was talking about loving her old breasts, and I did too. I really loved them. So I  talked to them a lot pre-surgery and told them how much they meant to me. I went to see my reflexologist and she said that I had 'crunching in my chest' and that I was in mourning. It makes total sense to me. I really was in mourning. Now I talk to my new breasts in the shower, and I try to let them know how welcome they are. I try to apprecaite their healthy and purity, cus frankly, the shape of the right on is a bit peculiar. (It can be fixed). And I am learning to be content to be a work in progress.

Lahela - Is it possible there's a typo. I never heard of being admitted a day early.

jlbloom

Tracy - you won't need underwear in the hospital.  My drains are at the hip bones, so I am able to wear underwear.  Barely There full panties come up over my drains, but they do not restrict them.  There isn't really any elastic in the waist so they are not tight.  However, I'm nearing the far end of the 40-60 ish group, so granny panties are just my style.  We bought the cheapest XL men's boxer shorts we could find at Walmart.  They are thin and loose.  I wear them over the underwear and under my house dress to clip the drains on them.

I tried putting on my jeans today.  They were not tight, but just not nearly as comfortable as the seersucker "loungers" from Woman Within.  Being a part of the 70's hippie generation, I will wear them anywhere.  Goldie mentioned they had house dresses at Kohl's and Penney's.  My leaving-the-hospital instructions suggested having items 2 sizes bigger than your normal size.

Christina - You ladies that can check in so soon after surgery are awesome.  It doesn't even sound like Wilbur was there to help you.  Some of the pain meds can really cause dizziness and nausea.  Zofran helped with that. 

Marty - praying you will be blessed with a really quick recovery and that everything goes smoothly for your DH.

DebDylan - my PS described the small circles that are covered by the nipple tattoos when we were prepping for the BMX with DIEP.  My DIEP was delayed for a couple of months.  That is not what I woke up with.  I'm not sure if it was because of the veins being different than was anticipated or what.  Someone described them as paddles.  They are mine and I love them just as much as if they had no scars.

It's way off in the future, but anyone have any ideas for non-nipple tattoos?  My PS's nurse said someone is having a vine tattooed on their abdomen.  Might be fun to do the same for the paddle scars with some pretty pink flowers where the nipple would have been.  This is all for an audience of two, and he really doesn't care at all.  Just trying to make something fun out of this.

Jeannie - you stay home this evening, no more ambulance rides!

Goldie - please keep us posted on any t-shirt news.  Wilbur to the rescue...

sherry35

I'm home now!today was a rough day! Nurse dropped me off for a shower this morning, I had to ask for a chair and what to do with my drains and bandages. She told me to put the drains on the floor and take the dressings off once they were wet. Well what happened during this adventure led to a bit of a meltdown! Legs were shaking, felt nasuaus, and was shocked at my incisions. Lots of bruising, which I was told could turn into blisters. Already some escemia in abdominal scar. And some reaction to teggaderm tape causing some blisters off of my incisions but taking the tape off opened them! Ugghh! I was doing so well! IV and breast drains came out yesterday. I have 2 drains left and they are vagina fangs! Damianna my nurses got a kick out of this terminology!

Overall feeling good and glad to be home. Bless you all!

Sherry

Jeannie57

Dvygirl, there could muscle strain involved with me, don't know. But I am getting better. Just took my first vicodin of the day and it's 3PM here and I am happy to say I am not constipated.



Jlbloom, it made me smile to picture your granny underwear, your boxers and your house dress. Then when you mentioned tattoos for the boobs, I knew you weren't quite fitting that picture. I found online some really pretty pink daisies tattooed on breasts with the nipple area the center of the flower. Intriguing. There is a lady here in Seattle who does that sort of thing. Not sure I want to pay for it, though. My girls would sure think I was cool! By the way, the tummy skin on my new boobs is round but bigger than my old nipple/areola. My left boob is black and blue all over. I know they had smaller vessels to work with on that side but don't know if that extra work is the cause.

I'm trying to keep up with posts but I'm too tired to reply to every one.

Marty, sorry to hear your news. I hope all goes smoothly and you have some help during that time.

Glad the new flappers are doing well.

MartyJ

Sherry (and others when first faced with the dang drains) - while I was still in the hospital I "borrowed" a 36" piece of IV tubing on which i thread the drains and then tie it around my neck or my waist.  A piece of soft rope will work as well.  I found that if my drains were up out of the way, I didn't panic about pulling one out when I showered.  That nurse must have never, ever showered with drains as putting them on the floor just opens you up to the chance to step on them.  And the shaky knees, nausea and shock are all totally normal at the very beginning.  You survived, though!  Way to go!!!

hrf

2timer, you are not alone. I am also a 2timer......how did we get so lucky? So I have been through surgeries, chemo, rads two times. It wasn't fun but I did it and you can too. Unfortunately the imaging available to us is not as precise as most of us thought. While I didn't miss any appointments and had all the imaging in the world, my second bc was still missed. So don't beat yourself up over this.

goldie4040

Sherry, I am really sorry about the reaction your skin had to the tegaderm. I know the first look after surgery is always tough.  I have several.  My c-section, my first lumpectomy at 22 years old, my hysterectomy and then my mastectomy.  I would say the last was the worst, but you know what, the scars are barely visable anymore from any of them. 

I am going to re-post the tegaderm warning.  I hope all "PRE FLAPPERS" will read it before surgery.  There a several kinds of blisters we can get. Some are preventable, especially the ones from tegaderm.  Here it is again:

Dressings

Your incisions are closed with absorbable sutures, so no stitches need to be removed. There are small strips of paper adhesive over your suture line called steri-strips. These should remain in place until they fall off by themselves or in about two weeks, whichever comes first.

The dressings placed over your incisions in the operating room are water-proof, they are called tegaderm. Take these dressings off 3 days after surgery if the surgical team has not already done this. If you do not remove these dressings there is a chance you could get blisters on the skin around the edge of the tegaderm. If you see any blisters, remove the tegaderm immediately. This is not an allergy.

If the white dressing, called telfa, under the clear tegaderm does happen to get wet or soiled with blood, do not leave a wet dressing on your skin. Take the tegaderm and telfa off of your skin leaving the steri-strips in place. It is OK for the steri-strips to get wet in the shower. Don’t allow the water jet from the shower to directly hit them, just let the water roll over your shoulders gently. Blot them dry when you are done. Do not soak in a tub or get in a pool or hot tub until advised by your plastic surgeon.

Janet_M

Sherry35 -  Drains on the floor?!?! That's a first! I can't think of a worse place to put them - what a crummy experience.  I too was shocked when I saw my incisions, and had to grab hold of the soap dish to keep from toppling over. But the first time's the hardest - it get easier.

So glad you're feeling good and at home.

Tracy516

I didn't have my lumpectomy(3 weeks ago) covered by anything but gauze! Not even steri strips! It healed well . Just don't let shower hit you directly and pat dry, re/gauze! I will deffenlty watch out for the tape!! Ouch! Thanks for all this advice!!!;)

FierceBluebird

Congrats Christina! The first week is really rough but you did it!

Marty, so sorry about your husband. I hope you have lots of help in the area!

Dyvgirl, don't know if someone mentioned it before, but Claritin can help with the Neulasta shots. Hang in there!

Goldie, I told my husband he was earning his "get out of jail free" card for the next 25 years. LOL!  Thanks for the info on the dressings. I'm having lots of issues with my sutures now.

Poor Sharon! I don't know how you are coping! I hated my drains with a passion. Death to Pinchy! Hopefully naughty and Nice will take a hike soon.

Janet, loved your post!

TGIF!

Morningsun1

Hope everything goes well with you and you dh, Marty. Kuka, if the ps is doing lipo on your upper thigh, you will need that body piece with legs.
TGIF!

hrf

Goldie, thanks for the advice about the dressings.

nihahi

marty.....wowzer! Not the scenario either of you would have asked for. To have that much fusion done, your hubby must be in some pretty significant pain....hope the surgery reduces that, and that you both have uneventful and successful recoveries. You are such a sweetie on the thread, I have no doubt you are the same in person, and have lots of friends who will step up to help out as needed.

jlbloom...love your outlook!!!! Your bra used to have boobs, now YOU have the boobs. So true!!!

Debdylan....not quite sure what you meant about spending too long on the NOLA site. I have no doubts that the NOLA ladies are just as happy with their new breasts as the us non-NOLA-veterans, maybe we just explain ourselves and our "journeys" differently. 

Jeannie57

Liefie, I forgot to mention how great a visit from you here in Seattle would be! If you're ever nearby.....and if we get up north sometime, I'd love to look you up. It's nice just knowing how close you are. We are an hour and a half from the border.



I'm tired of being fuzzy-minded and I know I would be further along in recovery if I hadn't had those 2 setbacks, but I remain optimistic. Good friends taking care of me helps.

nihahi

A friend and I are meeting up with Movie in Glacier Park (Montana) to do some hugs and hiking.....I bet lots of us could find ways to have get togethers!!!!!

nihahi

deb.....((((((((((((((((((((((((((((X)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) from us all.

relocatedtarheel

On the countdown now...I am due at the hospital at 530 monday morning...DMX with DIEP if my nodes are clear. I'm scared to death. Still not really even processing the 'I have cancer' part, I'm still trying to process that I'm having a super franken-surgery in three days. I'm looking forward to having a few weeks to spend a lot of time on here getting to know you all better while I'm resting.

liefie

Jeannie, I've been to Seattle, and will go there again - just love that city. Will certainly let you know when we will be coming again. Not soon though, I think maybe early next year. By then you will have this surgery/recovery in your rearview mirror, and we can just have some fun together. Hope you are recovering now, and that you've seen the last of the setbacks. Of course you are also welcome here any time.

DebDylan, nobody gets it like we do here. There will always be someone here to talk to, even late at night . .

Relocated, this is very scary, we know. Just breathe slowly, calm the waters, and start focusing your attention more on the other side of the surgery when you will be rid of the cancer, and all those positives. That is the most important thing right now for you. The anticipation is way worse than the actual surgery, I can honestly tell you that. Just close your eyes, and jump. Try to stay busy over the weekend doing things that you like, because you won't be able to do them for a while. It is no use to worry over something that you have no control over, and it only makes you miserable. I am praying that your nodes will be clear, and that there will be no chemo or rads for you. ((((((((((((((BIG HUGS!!!!))))))))))))))

Nihahi and Movie, you girls must enjoy your hike and visit in Glacier Park. We want a full report, and photos, please!!!!!

It will be a quiet long weekend for me. Will just hang around the house, relax and enjoy summer at the lake.

goldie4040

deb, I am so glad you feel that way.  We are your sisters now.  You are not alone, and know that the day you are having your surgery we will all be there with you in spirit, and waiting for the thumbs up from you.

Relocated, you too will do great.  You will wake up with new breasts.  I know it. We are by your side too. 

Bluebird, don't give up all the power...lol.  Only kidding.  I bet he loved that.

Nihahi, that is so cool about getting together with Movie.  You guys need to take some pics, and share with us.

I am hoping one day to get together with Kuka, and Damiana.  We are truly within miles of each other.  Kuka and Damiana see doctors in the same building.  We have no excuse not to get together.  Also, my friend Sharon that I met on this board, I hope to meet her someday too. She lives very close to me. There is another woman I met on the TE forum, and she lives close by too.  She also seems very nice. She ended up having implants, they look great and she is happy with them once the TE's were out.  I hope it stays like that for her.

It is so hot here, and I have such a busy weekend.  My 2 year old grandson's bday, and my DIL birthday. I feel like such a slug, but I ordered a bday cake from the store instead of baking one.  I really don't want to turn on the oven.  Now, I am trying to think of a full meal that doesn't have to be cooked...lol. Did anybody that had TE's feel like they made you feel hotter than you really should. It feels like they heat up my chest.  I guess because they feel so tight. Oh, I just thought of one thing I could make, Gazpacho. I haven't made that all summer. Maybe something else will pop in my brain before I go off to the grocery tomorrow.

Can you guys tell that in the evening I take my pain pill and valium, and then I start to ramble? lol

liefie

Goldie, I don't take any pain pills, and I ramble all the time - lol! I really like your ramblings, so ramble on, will you? Meeting up with someone from these boards is a wonderful occasion that I had the privilege to experience. It is so worth the effort, and I can really recommend it.

kad22

Hi ladies been lurking but not posting...so here goes-



Sherry35- no to drains on the floor do you have some shoelaces tie a knot and pin drains to them and place around your neck...so surprised nurse didn't give you something like this!



2timer- sorry you have to go through cancer again. Have you or family members ever been tested for the BRCA gene? JW because seems like a lot of cancer is in your family. May I ask what type your aunt has now because of previous chemo treatment. Same happened to my mother. Hugs to you.



Debdlyan - pls don't listen to your ex there's a reason why he's your ex and hopefully that is one of the reasons! I am sorry you are going through all of this. Everyone on here has said so many wonderful things that I agree with. You sound like you need a huge hug and to just keep coming back here when you need a boost.



Kuka- keep drinking lots of water and good luck on Monday- hugs!



Love the tshirt ideas I would buy one!

Wish I was closer to any of you... sometimes I could use a real hug from a survivor like us.

So much more I could say to everyone else but I should probably try to get some sleep.

Hugs and best wishes to all.

RobinY

Hi Gals,Just checking in really.  Has it been four weeks already? Yikes.  My ps still hasn't released me from the home nurse and I still am not allowed a shower (the mastectomy/failed diep is still kinda raw and being packed) sponge baths and supercuts shampoos are ok, but I'm really looking forward to water.  However seeing my mangled/failed diep is still really hard to look at.  In many ways I'm relieved that it is still covered.  ps talks about doing another kind of flap in the future, but I don't think I have or will have the stomach for it. 

I have to apologize for not participating more.  I thought I'd feel better faster.  I didn't think I would feel like a bad science experiement or failure (and I do) and I had hoped I'd feel more happy about all of this.  I'll get there I'm sure.  Just going to take me a bit longer than I thought.

You gals are the best!