DIEP 2013

Janet_M

I've noticed two different, and totally appropriate, spellings for Tarheel. There was 'Tarhell' and 'Tarheal'. Either this was accidental, or you ladies are geniuses.

faith729

I think the back of the shirt should have the BC ribbon and should say " A journeyonly a survivor could understand" my experience last night with some friends and insensitive comments about my advantage of having a tummy tuck etc is what gave me that idea .. I get those comments a lot and it is frustrating.

I think a girly white v neck to make the ribbon pop would be cute.



OK back to reading went to bed and woke up to 2 + pages !

damiana9

Kuka- Glad surgery went well yesterday!

Mammalou- I am so sorry you are having such a hard time with that dang incision. My PS did tell me that while packing, it would get worse before it got better. Maybe since it didn't seem to get worse yesterday, that was your turnaround day? I don't know why things are never simple and easy for us!

faith729

Christina I had the same problem sort of I found out I was terribly allergic to a tape they were using so much so that I was crazy itchy and wound up with small blisters. I was able to take benadryl and also used a cortizone cream not on but around my scars where the tape used to be it helped a lot. Maybe this is something you could try ?



Mammalou frustrated for you I'm sorry ((hugs)) keeping my fingers crossed for you !



Ssla you too ! Fingers are crossed that the drains come out soon !



Ladies who are going through the thick of it all these tough roller coaster emotions are totally normal .. there is no shame in asking the doctor for ativan or Clonozapam

Jeannie57

Relocated Tarheel. I'm so sorry! Such crushing news. I know it's scary but you will obliterate any cancer cells remaining, heal and then be ready for DIEP when you are strong and recovered. Prayers for you.



Kuka, glad to hear that the lipo doesn't hurt much. Now rest!



Mammalou, you are our hero-warrior with all that you are suffering with. I hope you turn a corner soon!



So many posts...I have read them all and care about each one. I, too, experienced a deep calm a couple of days before surgery and went into it peacefully. I wish that for everyone!



"Wilbur lives!" just came to me. He sure did bring a lot of amusement while he was doing his "dibs" or whatever....



Last drain out today, thank goodness. If I could only sleep better I would recover faster. I hate sleeping on my back. It's only cooling to the upper 50s, low 60s at night which doesn't help. I am having trouble knowing what to do with my days. They are long.

ssla01

Lahela, praying that calmness comes over you. I was so scared the day before that my teeth were chattering. Day of, it wasn't so bad.itll be over before you know it and you will be putting a flashlight to your new foob.



Relocated, I'm so sorry.



Mammalou, healing prayers to you sister.



Sbe Katy....?

goldie4040

Yes, I spelled Tarheal wrong, and I am sorry.  I was typing while I was practically running out the door.  Maybe I was thinking that poor Tarheal was in hell right now.

Jeannie, did you just complain it's not cool enough at night? You have no idea how jealous I am.  It was 97 here at midnight.  The coolest we get the house with central air is 74.  I am an east coast girl, born and raised in NYC, so this weather in Texas kills me.  I keep thinking about poor Kuka in her compression garments and it's 104 outside.  I am for sure having my stage 2 in the winter. BTW...that insomnia thing seems to happen to all of us after anesthesia.  Mine finally went away.

Faith, I like you tshirt idea. You are right, so few really know what we are going through. I keep trying to make myself feel better about that because I have been there too. I am sure I have not been as compassionate, or understanding as I should have been at certain times in my life.  My favorite comment I get on a regular basis is, "if you don't have enough fat for your tummy thingy I have some for you." I have heard that at least 20 times.  Even my husband, like I want his hairy stomach on my breasts...lmaoooooo

christina0001

That really gets under my skin when people are like, oh wow, you get a tummy tuck paid for now! I'm sure they are just trying to be positive, but it is still annoying. I was quite happy with my belly and my breasts before all this happened. Now that I am recovering from DIEP, I can't believe anyone would have this surgery just to look a little slimmer in the waist and/or have larger breasts!

Faith, you must have read my PS's mind because that is exactly what she told me to do for the reaction to the dermabond - use cortizone cream and take benedryl. That's what I've been doing; at first it seemed to be helping but now it is not, and the rash has spread all over. I just got a call back from PS's nurse and she said she was going to get a hold of my PS and call me back. Waiting, waiting...

sbelizabeth

Hi, everyone, thanks for the healing vibes.  I'm in the hospital with multiple IV antibiotics flowing.  I should have listened to all of you Sunday morning.  By the time I got here yesterday, my temp was 103 and I can't describe how terrible I felt.  But I'm feeling better (with the help of some percocet) and the fever's down to 101.  My doctor was NOT happy that I hadn't called on Sunday!

The worst is that I can't see the new grandbaby until this clears up.  I'm probably not infectious, but no one wants to take any chances.

Have a great Tuesday--Katy

Anonymous

Dunkin' Donuts could stop buying lard for the next 20 years if I gave them all the fat I've been offered.



I started out saying, "My sister's offer comes first since she's the best match." Then I started saying, "You'll have to get in line."



Now I usually just don't go into it because it's just too much work to explain. People assume I got an implant and I usually let them think it. Which causes ,"Oh! So you got a boob job!"-type reactions. Yeah, breast cancer is a regular par-tay!



WHATEVER



However.....all that being said....I have, on occasion, gotten the frozen, deer-in-headlights, terrified-of-the-c-word, OMG-I am-so sorry, you-are-surely-about-to-drop-dead reaction, too.



I definitely prefer the fat sharing, boob-job comments over that.



I am still fighting blechy (it's a word) virus. Damn roadblocks.



Tarheel my heart is with you. It sucks. But now you know what you are up against and what you need to do to fight it. You can do this, sister. I was delayed, too. Eyes on the prize...which is good health above all.



Eventually you will get your "boobjob".....and if you need extra fat my sister is available for donation.



Love y'all. Gonna go hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

Anonymous

Sbel - so sorry you ended up in hospital and on "baby isolation". Any word on your stage II or is it still in question? Hugs to you!

Also...I hope you wore some lucky socks!

Typewriterjenny

Hi Ladies. I was MIA last week. Wanted to try to clear my head of all of this for a bit. But now, with surgery fast approaching, here come the butterflies....!

Trying to catch up on here, I noticed another question about mx with immediate diep before node testing. I too was nervous about this. Going to a rad onc today as well.

My PS said if it is found to be in the lymph nodes at the time of recon, i can choose a "plan-b" ahead of time and choose to wait, but he said he typically makes a denser larger breast instead, as immediate recon gives a better result with less scarring, and means less number or surgeries. Also, since there is a stage 2, he can fix what needs fixing after rads if needed. Also, he assured me that he did not want to perform this type of intensive surgery only to have it negativly impacted by radiation. Each case is different, and I'm sure my pathology has something to do with it as well. Also, each PS has different pronounced skill sets. Mine specializes in DIEP, and in fact is teaching other residents. The PS could make a difference as well. Hope that helps a bit!

Typewriterjenny

Recipe for YUMMY Chia Seed Jam: Just made a bunch!

4 cups Blueberries
(Or, 2 cups blue, 2 cups chopped peaches)

1/2 cup of Honey

1/2 cup of chia seeds

2 tbsp lemon juice

Puree together to desired chunkiness. The chia expands when wet, giving it the jammy consistency, and the honey trumps all that sugar! Pour into processed jars and boil for 10 min, chill for a day, then if caps "pop", put up! If no pop, refridgerate and eat! I LOVE this stuff. Put it in oatmeal, on pancakes, on toast-mmmm!

ENJOY!

Typewriterjenny

Also made pickles.  What does Jenny do when she's nervous? Can, cook and bake!

faith729

Baily hahaha ! I get the fat donation comments also Lol all the time. Your right though it is a lot less awkward than the OMG ! I'm so sorry comments or the soft voice saying hey honey how are you doing today comments Lol making me feel like I'm about to break like a delicate piece of china. I think it's a tough thing for outsiders to know what to say so I sympathise but I like being able to say it nicely on a shirt that in other words they have no idea



SBE I hope your better quickly ! I know being away from the baby is torture. Rest up ((hugs))

FierceBluebird

Bailey, love those bluebirds! We were lucky to have two clutches of babies this year. 

movie, Gini, I'm glad to hear you healed up. I've been so worried about this since I saw it and felt like my breast was rotting off! ugh!  I'll keep concentrating on healing.

mammalou, wish I could have joined you in your 3 champagne lunch. We could cry and lament our wounds together. But this too shall pass!

Congrats Kuka!

Goldie, hope your DIL continues feeling better. We sure earn our gray hair around here!

Christina, would Benadryl help? I have severe itching after anesthesia.

Jeannie, sleeping on my back is slowly driving me insane! I hate it.

Katy, feel better soon! Oh my goodness.

Jenny,thanks for the recipe. Who knew chia was good for anything other than growing hair on ceramic heads.  :-)   Plan to try it soon.

Relocatedtarheel, Hugs, hugs, and more hugs.  Hang in there.

Anonymous

Sounds so good, Jenny, I'll be right over!



In the good news column I just want to share that my oldest son (17) was elected staff member of the year at boy scout camp. He was honored at their closing banquet last night. He called us crying he was so shocked and honored. I am proud mama.

Typewriterjenny

Awwwww LOVE it Bailey!!! Id be proud too. I was a girl scout. I LOVED it!

On way to Rad Onc....

goldie4040

SBE, I am really happy you are feeling better, and I am sorry you are in the hospital, and can't see the new baby, but what do you have?  Do they know?

Healing hugs your way.

mammalou

Bluebird and everyone else.... I would love some champaign buddies.



Sbel.. I hope you are well soon. Do they know what kind of infection? How do infections just appear like that?



I just talked to NP at my PS office. She was on vacation last week. She says we need cut the yellow slough out of my wounds or they won't heal. Ahhhh, could they not have done that on my last 2 visits to them?! What were they waiting for?! Now, my uterus is showing! Lol. Jk I think it is muscle showing. She says they probably couldn't sew me up because I am way too tight and she's not surprised this happened based on seeing me post op. I already had some black dead spots.



So, I'm going in tomorrow morning.

faith729

Mammalou im so sorry for what you are going thru ! But I am literally the most gullible girl here and you could not imagine my facial expression both times you mentioned seeing an organ ! Lol or the extreme sigh of relief when you said jk lmao ! Gotmy heart rate up for sure



Tarheel and deb im so sorry ladies ((hugs))



I know it is in our good nature to apologize when we come here to vent (heck ive done it )but I hope all of the ladies here newbies or veterans know that its expected and perfectly acceptable. That's what we're all here for . Support from people who fully understand. I'm sure that we will all still apologize here and there but I just wanted to say that nobody here should ever feel guilty offloading stress or concerns here. Best thread ever ladies ! Towanda!!!

goldie4040

Mammolou,

What do you mean by going in?  Going into the hospital, and they are going to close you up?

goldie4040

Bailey, it's things like that phone call that make all of this crap we have to go through worth it. Congrats to your son!

Anonymous

Mammalou - so will you see PS or NP tomorrow? Either way ask for (demand, nicely) a plan of action with regular follow up with the same person and take the bull by the horns. They can't "make" you heal, but they can and should be on top of this and doing everything they can to help it ...and telling you everything you should be doing to help it. You can always request to see a wound care specialist...keep that in your pocket.



Has anybody pulled blood levels on you since surgery...is there anything that might be low that is contributing to your lack of healing? I am thinking specifically thyroid levels and vitamin D level.



The livestrong.com site suggests increasing vitamin C and zinc to boost wound healing. Ask them about that. Or at least doing a multivitamin, if you are not.



Make them think and plan for you, that's what you pay them for. Don't go in there mad, just confident that you are going to get what you need. Be firm, but always nice.



(Now, somebody help me off this soapbox before I break something).



Hugs!!!

faith729

Told dh about the flashlight trick Lol we both had a good laugh and agreed to try that later but we were both wondering how that fact was stumbled upon ? Who tried that and what sparked the initial idea Lol ? Just curious

sheri47

Hello all after 4 year I'm doing diep flap aug 28 I'm am getting very scared of doing this is this normal ? I'm so moody I'm snap at every little thing , not sure if its the surgery or so close to the year mark of my mom in law passing , I really need to follow through with this but second guessing it all , pre test aug 22 . Just wondering if its normal thank you sheri

goldie4040

Deb, nobody can guarantee your outcome, not even your PS. But, having immediate recon at the time of mx if usually preferred.  As far as complications I believe that has to do with several things: how skilled your is your PS, your age, how well you have taken care of yourself up until now, and pure luck. A 50 year old can do better than a 30 year old because they have always eaten right, and exercised. It just depends. 

I am almost positive I had healing problems on my left side after bmx because BS took too much of the fat near my skin, and it is very hard for skin to heal without fat behind it. At least that was my PS opinion.  It took a bit, but we got it sorted out, and now everything is fine. Most problems are minor, and can be dealt with right away, or by stage 2.  It is easy for me to say "don't worry." But, that is impossible unless they knock you out.  I remember back in the good old days they got you in the hospital the day before, got you all doped up, and you had no choice but to go with the flow. 

Anonymous

Sheri - welcome! ABSOLUTELY NORMAL! Somebody on this thread recently said, "You don't have to be brave, you just have to show up."



I am sorry about your mother-in-law's passing. Those anniversaries are rough. Hugs to you. Maybe try to think of her as your angel and intercessor...or maybe you already do My mother-in-law passed six months before my dx and I called on her every day...from her lips to God's ears. I have lots of angels



Throw your questions out there...somebody will answer! You got this!

goldie4040

Faith, Kuka came up with the glowing foobs.  I forget how it all happened.  Anybody out there with a real one, and a fake one....test the theory for us will ya?

sweetpickle

Had I known that I would be stuck in a recliner all day for eigt weeks plus, I still would have gone through with the surgery because it is so nice to feel normal in clothes. I hate that I am still sore and swollen this far out but overall, I like how I look. Im about to get into it with PS office because they wont renew pain meds so be prepared for that, have that conversation with your doctor beforehand. My experience is a rare one from what Ive gathered reading online and a direct result of coming straight out of chemo to surgery IMO. I wish I could have spent time healing from chemo first.



I dont want to scare anyone but I do want to mqke people aware that the surgery isnt the hard part, its the three months afteward that are. I was a bit too optimistic going into this and wish I had asked more questions about healing afterward to my PS. Most people seem to be right as rain four to five weeks post op, some of us it takes longer.



Good luck to all the newbies this week.