DIEP 2013
Comments
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Ok Goldie I will admit it...I was afraid Nihahi and Movie would never take me hiking on the glacier due to my defective gloob that cannot signal rescue helicopters (that contain Sbel!!! Lol).
Sweetpickle - I think you are RIGHT ON with your assessment of your DIEP healing taking longer due to the proximity of chemo/rads to your sx. I feel certain I would be in your boat with you...and Mammalou and Damiana...and others. My cancer rehab specialists all say it's a good year to turn the corner and really closer to two before you are "yourself" after chemo. The issue with waiting is that you start the process all over again....just when you are feeling better. You made the best decision you could with the info you had.
So I finally tried it... got DH in the dark bathroom and flipped on the flashlight. Nothing. Nada. Zero. Zilch. Compared it to my normal healthy breast. Again nothing. I yelled, "I want a rebate!!!"
I am so sad. No cool party trick for me
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Kuka - Congratulations! Sounds like things went really well.
Gini - You are up to 155 and I'm down to 155! Hoping some of the enthusiasm for exercising from some of these ladies rubs off on me.
I had my first follow-up appointment today. One drain out and one drain stays. When DH asked why it couldn't be removed the nurse said it could lead to a fluid build-up and a seroma or infection. I wanted to be rid of them both, but not if it could lead to worse complications. Today was the first time a second surgery was mentioned. I have another appointment in two weeks, but there will likely be a surgery where things are evened out and the "dog-ears" become nipples. Sounds like it will be November or December.
Goldie - I'm all for pink. I think we can play on the customink site if your son's friend puts together a slogan. So thankful they found the problem and fixed it for you DIL!
All you creative people - send Goldie some t-shirt ideas, please!
Mammalou - you make me laugh and cry all in one post. Sorry things haven't healed more today. The wet-to-dry and healing from the inside out was the way my DH's entire abdomen was when his colon perforated. Infection was a major threat for him.
ssla - the GAP flap was mentioned as having shorter recovery time at my PS appointment today.
Christina - so sorry things were so bad last night. Praying today has been better. PS sent me home with 30 days of antibiotics. They are all so different!
relocated - I had it in two nodes. RO left it up to me. Not all would recommend rads. Ask about the oncotypeDX test. My DIEP was delayed two months, but it is behind me now. It is SO disappointing, but the rads decision should be yours to make.
I think there are two more pages since I started this post! Going to take a nap now...
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I am going in only to get debried and checked out. she told me I had such a tight belly that they probably can't stitch me up. Maybe, I'll ask them if I should eat a lot of ice cream and gain some fat. It would probably go to my thighs though!
Thank you bailey... I am such a sap sometimes. I think you have a good point about seeing the same person, because I seem to be getting different instructions from each member of the "team". They had me on multi vitamin, iron, and vit. C. My nurse daughter was pondering the wound healing thing too. She says that I don't have a single thing that makes me high risk for poor wound healing. The PS attributes it to my skin being pulled too tight. I know it makes you ask, shouldn't they have know this before diep? But, I just can't go there now.
I showed a friend a picture and the first thing she said was, " what's that body part I see in there" ! I honestly think its muscle from the fupa area. It has no fat on it, so will new tissue ever grow on top of it??
Ok, sorry to ramble. Going to get some school work done. -
Bailey, that is disappointing. Okay, did you use an old fashion flashlight, or one of the new LED flashlights? Maybe that makes the difference? lol
SSla, sweetpickle, mammolou....it might seem like it's taking too long to get better, but you all will. Healing hugs!!!!
Oh, and SBE...anything new. Did they give you a dx?
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Same day she passed a hour before my mom fell broke her hip she passed 5 months later , I'm glad that they are no longer suffering , How many tubes are there . I'm excited to feel somewhat normal again . And for the year to pass .
Thank you for responding -
My consult with my bs has been changed from Aug 14 to Aug 20. The good news is I now have an appt with the bs at 11:00 am. on the 14th of Aug and also NOW an appt with the PS for the same day at 1:00 pm. I am surprised because the referral for the PS was only sent a month ago. I thought I would be waiting months for a consult....
The weird thing is when I called the PS's office to find out if my appt was at the same location as the BS's office, the pre-recorded message said it was an 18 month wait for a consult and then up to 2 years after that for surgery. I guess my high risk has escalated me to the front of the line, I have only been waiting a month and have a consult appt already....
Michele
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Mammalou,
I don't remember if you and I talked about this before, or not. But, they have me gaining some weight for my surgery, not because it would make the tummy incision easier to close, but so I could have bigger breasts. But, alas...alot of it went to my ass and thighs. Anyway, you are right, they should have known if they were pulling you too tight from the beginning. Also, it would seem to me they would have had you bent over for a longer period of time to keep the skin closed. I would be pretty upset with my PS right now if I were you. I am so sorry you are going through this. As an aside, how are your foobs?
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Awww, Sheri, I know how you feel! My brother-in-law passed on 12/25/08, my mother-in-law 12/26/10 and my little Grandma fell and broke her hip on 12/25/12 and passed four days later. Makes Christmas hard for us....but we learn to be happy and sad at the same time. I hope you find healing and are able to celebrate their lives despite the loss you feel.
Most of us have four drains...one in each breast and the other two vary...either one on each hip or both sort of centered above your pubic area. We have had someone with 8....but that was a record for us here, anyway. -
Still loving the t-shirt idea especially the "a journey only a survivor could understand" or maybe "a journey only Wilbur could understand"?
I have an additional dilema. I also get the comments for "free tummy tuck and boob lift" and offers for fat donation, etc but because I have never had CA I also get the "why would you do that to yourself if nothing is wrong?!" and "Aren't you jumping the gun"? I just tell them - no, actually I just unloaded the gun. I'm not considered a survivor but a previvor, whatever the heck that means. Even though I don't have a clue what most of you are talking about when you talk about chemo, rads, etc. I still feel like I fit in here because I went down that DIEP road with you. I'm also watching my cousin fight the ugly Ovarian CA and thanking her every day for saving my life.
Sending out positive thoughts to everyone fighting their personal battles today.
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Faith, I came up with the idea because my neighbor, who has implants, showed me a few years ago. So I figured I tried it after my DIEP and it worked. Glowing boobs!
Sbe, hope you're doing better.
I went to see ps today and he said he's very pleased with everything.
I need to spend one more day in bed and then I can start getting up and moving around.
Sorry I'm not responding to more people, but I'm still on my Wilbur stage, lol -
Goldie, I also tried the flashlight trick. My new foob did not glow, and neither did the healthy one. Wonder what our PS's did wrong? LOL.
Here is just too much going on to respond to, and I have been in a lazy mood. Our lake is a holiday destination, and this past long weekend was just crazy busy with every imaginable thing that can float on water. How some of them actually stay afloat, is a mystery. The weather here is unbelievable - hot and sunny, and everybody just wants to relax. So I've been reading here, but not posting.
Everybody in recovery, I wish all of you well, especially Sweetpickle - you have had such a hard time so far. I agree about the chemo certainly being a factor. It will make recovery from this surgery much harder, as our energy and our white cell counts that fight infection are so low after chemo. In January I discovered that my white cell count was still abnormally low 7 months after chemo ended. So I found out that I needed more zinc, because that helps build your white cells and immune system. I started eating two or three smoked oysters every day, because oysters contain the most zinc of all foods. When my white cell count was done before DIEP in May, it was normal, so that zinc really helped. Dark chocolate also contains zinc, and I had one square of that too every day. So go buy yourself some smoked oysters at WalMart, keep them in the fridge after opening, and start eating them. You will see the results.
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Kuka Lol I'm going to try that tonight I'm curious.
Barb your still a survivor and don't ever let anyone make you question that. If it weren't for BC existing period you wouldn't have had to go through all of this so you are in my book a survivor. I like the unloading the gun come back a whole lot that's perfect ! -
Barb, my word, people DO NOT GET IT! I am so glad you chose to unload the gun, sister. I cannot speak to what people with BRCA or other cancer genes go through. But I sure as hell can tell you that had I had the option of nipping this sh#t in the bud I would have been all over it. Imho you did the right thing and definitely belong here. I am happy you were able to get a jump on it.
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Barb, when Kuka feels better you can talk to her. She didn't have cancer, she had BRCa also. She just finished her stage 2, and feels and looks awesome.
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Well, there's ONE good thing that's come out of this mess. I'm getting to wear the beautiful, soft, Soma jamies I bought for the DIEP and never touched!
The infectious disease doctor was just in. He said it's most likely a garden-variety Streptococcus cellulitis, and it got in from some unnoticed break in my skin. Maybe shaving my armpit. It whoshed into this flaming thing because I'm missing lymph nodes and had rads. He turned up the antibiotics and guessed I'd be out of here Thursday. He also said I would be FINE.
Man, I hate hospitals. And I hate being sick. Where's my therapy dog?
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Hugs, Katy! Who knew hygiene was so damned dangerous? I am never shaving again. Can't wait to tell DH...he'll be SOOOOO happy.
I am glad you have Soma jammies to soothe your soul!
If I were there I would totally sneak my dogs in to therapize you! -
Well, your unfortunate incident is going to force me to finally get an electric razor. I can't feel a thing when I shave. I use to look, now I just do it like the old days, but I can't really 100 percent feel it.
I am really glad it's nothing too serious, but I am still bummed you are going through this. Glad you have your pajamas to console you.
Do they think you will still be on for Aug 15?
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I don't know, Goldie. My PS didn't think it was completely out, so we'll see how I do.
Bailey, you just crack me up. My husby asked if I wanted him to sneak in our "hybrid" Maltese/Jack Russel/Whatever. I said sure, put him in one of my EMS shirts, no one will notice a thing.
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I think shaving is dangerous after SNB. I have one armpit that I really can't feel. Scary to shave it. Maybe laser?
Feel better soon Katy. I could text you pictures of my geriatric bulldog. At your worst you will feel like you look better than him! -
(Psst...Uh, Katy, I do think you ought to think of a better story. I just can't bear the thought of our high-flying, risk-taking, living-on-the-edge Sbelizabeth being taken down by a Schick Hydro Silk)
Uh, everybody, Katy just texted me and she got a serious infection when she was wrestling Liefie's bear on the weekend ...She was riding her bike and it attacked her, but she killed it with her bare hands....She's going to be ok....oh, and she has new jammies. No worries.
How's that? -
Bailey, LOLOLOL!!!! I think sbe may also have hit the bear with a few well-aimed kicks from those killer high-heel red shoes that she loves so much . . .
Relocated, I can so identify with you. Everybody was shocked when I had a positive node, because not one doc coud feel any nodes, and it did not show up on the CT scan either. I was more upset than anyone else, because I just wanted to be done with the whole ca thing. It is a game changer, and it was hard to make peace with the fact that I had to get chemo and rads because of that one node. Went through everything with TE in place, then waited a long time before DIEP for radiated skin and tissue to settle. It was certainly not what I wanted at all, but there was no other choice. Best wishes to you, and I hope you can come to a place of peace and acceptance.
Everybody struggling with open wounds, viruses, infections etc., best wishes to you all. THIS TOO SHALL PASS! Sbe, you have me worried ending up in hospital like that. This far out it is unusual and unexpected, eh?
On Thursday I will be exactly 12 weeks out from DIEP. Even though this surgery was sprung on me almost a week earlier than scheduled, of all the surgeries that I had in the last eighteen months this one was by far the easiest for me. As far as pain, I had very little pain for about a week, then it was over. I was walking straight up in less than a week. Drains came out soon. Within 3 - 4 weeks I was sleeping on my DIEP side without any extra pillows. My swelling went down a few weeks after, and never returned. I am back at all my normal activities, also exercise-wise. Still taking it slowly in the gym as far as ab exercises and pectoral muscles, but doing all the rest. If I read here of the struggles of some people, I thank my lucky stars, and I feel almost a little guilty. Guess I just got lucky this time around.
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Liefie, you are our shining star, making us believe that all things are possible. I am truly happy for you.
sbe, good grief, those little bugs are stinkers. I had so many lymph nodes removed plus rads, I will have to be vigilant. There is just too much for me to worry about.
Well, I was excited for my appt. with the nurse today to get my last drain removed. My breathing pain is much better and I even put on makeup. I told my ride it would be a five-minute appt. I thought I would be tape/bandage/paraphernalia free. Well, after an hour and a half appt., I came home with more gauze, a burn bandage to hold it in place since I am so sensitive to tape, an abdomen compression garment because my abdomen is a little juicy and, also, to hold the DEHISSENCE in place! Thankfully, just today, I noticed a little oozing right smack in the middle of my tummy incision. It was convenient that I was going in for the drain so they could look at that, too. The nurse wasn't sure what to do about it, consulted with others, and the PA came in and said it was dehissence and that it would probably get bigger and juicier before it got better. Of course, I'm thinking of mammalou and everyone else here who have had oozing holes in various parts of this whole mess. The PA likes to pick at things, so she and two nurses were picking away at my incision and belly button, cleaning it up. I mentioned that they hadn't even seen my boobs yet and they gasped when they saw how great they looked. So that's something. Oh, and my two blisters are showing signs of allergy to the antibiotic ointment I was told to use. It has sulfa in it and I am allergic to sulfa! I am so bummed. Just when I was starting to feel better, this. I go back in two weeks. Like others have said, the surgery is the easy part. I wasn't in much pain and felt pretty good. It's the weeks after surgery that can really wear you down with this other stuff.
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Barb, I'm BRCA 2 positive and that's why I did this surgery. I've seen my mom died from BC and my mom has been going through it for almost 14 years! I knew I didn't want to wait until I had cancer. We're a ticking bomb that could explode at any time. Just give people the numbers. 84% risk for us versus the 4-6 % risk for regular population. Yes, I think we're doing it for more than just cosmetic reasons.
Don't want to scare anyone, but I believe the lipo hurts a little more than the first surgery. But having gone through this before makes me be more prepared and not so scared. I just changed my compression garment and looked at myself in the mirror. Holy cow! I have no more love handles!! -
Oh no Jeannie... Stay bent over for awhile. Maybe that will help.
I'm seriously thinking I should go buy myself some SOMA pjs! -
Kuka- I did hear that people that do lypo for stage 2 do feel worse than during stage 1, but it doesn't last nearly as long as the stage 1 recovery. You had a LOT of work done, so I can't even imagine how sore you must be!
Went in today for pre-op for my boob hole. The dr cleaned out the hole again- made it bleed a lot- ugh! And he told me that when he stitches it back together he is going to open up the whole top scar and take some of the extra boob out from under my armpit. Yeah! I wasn't expecting him to do that till stage 2 in December! -
Jeannie, so sorry to hear about the tummy incision and the allergic reaction. Oh my goodness, just when you think you're out of the woods, BAM! Something else comes up. Take it easy, rest a lot.
Kuka, if I were you or that other lady on here who also did a prophylactic MX, I would have done exactly the same. Can't take that risk if you have the gene. Hope you will recover soon! What intrigues me, is how you can stand the heat in that compression garment - I would have been in the pool by now, garment and all, to cool off - lol - but then again you don't have Tamoxifen hot flushes.
Damiana, ouch ouch! That sounds nasty! Not nice to hear how you and some others are suffering with those open holes. Sending healing thoughts to all of you!
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Mammalou, you deserve some nice, soft jammies!
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Damiana, even though I had a lot done the only thing that hurts is my tummy incision. But I think it's getting better, or I'm getting used to it, lol. Hope your hole issues gets fixed soon.
Liefie, I had my ovaries removed 3 years ago and I have never been able to take any type of hormones. So I've been suffering from really bad hot flashes. I've been staying inside with the AC on. I don't know what I'm going to do when DH goes back to work and the kids want to go swimming. I guess I can always watch then from the back door in the kitchen. But let me tell you, taking that garment off and putting it on hurts!!! I think I might take showers with it on from now on.
Marty, how did your surgery go? Good luck to your DH tomorrow! -
SBE yikes I'm sorry to hear you have to be stuck in that hospital for so long !! I hope you have stuff to keep you busy.
Technically my DIEP was prophylactic as well. It started at age 26 when I had my first lumpectomy when my dh found the first lump (or reminded me of it) I actually found it the year before but stupidly ignored it because he was in Iraq and I was busy with two toddlers at home. Two years later I had my second lumpectomy. Only my second lumpectomy showed a focal point DCIS and I was fretful to not have to do chemo or rads. My bs wanted me on Tamoxifen but the specialist I saw said no way your too young. I had mamos every 6 mos always resulting in new findings and more tests the worst I recall being the awful mamo needle guided biopsy because calcifications were found. Then they decided somewhere along the line to switch to a contrast MRI every 6 months. Each time I'd wait and each time I'd get a call to come in for a biopsy for a new find. Then I'd wait for results ..terrified. after the latest find they wanted me to do a MRI needle guided biopsy and I saw that same awful machine and said after that ..I just can't do this any longer. I have two boys and I want to see them grow up. I was tired of waiting dreading and fearing bad news. So Barb I totally understand not fully knowing where we fit in. I struggled for a long time with that and still do a little because I didn't want to minimize the meaning of the word survivor for others who had gone through chemo & rads etc. -
Um ...grateful not fretful stinkin auto correct !
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