DIEP 2013
Comments
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Faith, you are a survivor to me!
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Faith, you can go back to edit or delete any entry you have made. Check it out on the bottom of any entry.
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We are all here, in one way or another, because we are fighting breast cancer and because we have had or are waiting to have autologous reconstruction. I am glad you are ALL here and you have all survived. A veteran of war is a veteran of war whether they were on the battlefield for one day or one year or two tours, right?
Ladies who can't have HRT and are suffering hot flashes..I take 10 mg Celexa a day for hot flashes and it does wonders. Without it I have 20-30 a day...with it I have 2-3. Just sharing. -
Advice, please. Can I still take my walks with this open incision? I forgot to ask.
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Jeannie... My doc said I was fine moving my legs. But then again, I don't seem to be healing well. 😗 I think I'm going to give up trying to figure this all out. It's just out of my control at this point.
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Mammalou and Jeannie, I would like to see both of you take it easy for a while. Jeannie, a few days in the recliner will be okay. Do the Yoga deep breathing. I just read about it again tonight. It is almost like doing aerobic exercise without moving. I am planning to have a walker after my surgery so I can walk bent over without putting to much strain on my back. Or, my neighbor said I could try their recumbent exercise bike. Of course, that would be a few weeks out after surgery, and very slowly. I don't know why they don't have a physical therapist come visit us after these surgeries. My dad had one come after his knee replacement. It was very helpful. We need somebody to show us how to move through this. I can empty my drains myself. I don't need a nurse for that. I would rather have somebody come help me move around.
As you can probably tell. I am in a bad mood. Sorry. My DH was crabby, and he made me crabby. He even made the dogs moody.
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Hi all! I feel as if I Have been horseback riding for about 3 days. Pain pills help. I haven't really been able to look but I feel like the sunken area is much better. No nausea, but staying overnight as a serious precaution. DH will drive to hospital tomorrow and I will meet him there. More later.
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Kuka, so sorry about the hot flushes that you are dealing with at your young age because your ovaries have been removed. You must feel so hot in that garment. Stay inside, keep cool, drink cold water, splash yourself, and sit in front of a fan. Yes, I would defo shower with the garment on just to feel cooler, but I'm just not sure it's advisable - lol. How long do you have to wear it for?
Marty, seems you are doing well so far. Hopefully you will feel better every day as you have to deal with DH's surgery too. There is a bit of a tough time ahead - best wishes to you and DH!
Mammalou and Jeannie, take it really easy for a few days. It can do no harm.
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Marty
You sound good. Glad to hear it. Take it easy as much as you can. How long do you think your DH will be in the hospital after his procedure?
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Jeannie and Mammalou, have had a very hectic day, and was just going to say "hi" but felt I should respond to you......
Mammalou, I was also pulled "tight", and when I split open, it was 2" at its' widest, and I could NOT believe that PS would EVER get it back together......but he DID. My advice is to do everything PS tells you to do, and then try to pretend it isn't there......Jeannie, I DID walk every day, at least a little bit. I would be sure and "install" the abdominal binder over my clothes, so I felt less inclined to panic that everything would be falling out as I walked......girls, you WILL survive this, I promise......
Sbe.....get better! There are too many trails waiting to be ridden.....
Marty, good to hear from you-rest easy, my friend, and speedy healing thought coming your way.
Bailey, glad to see your humor is alive and well....
Liefie, always there to comfort one of us! So appreciated! I'll be right up with my sleeping bag.....lake sounds gorgeous! My light-up boobs will keep the bears at bay....
Sweet pickle-sending a special healing (((hug))) to YOU......
Goldie...I am crabby, too! Must be b/c it's August ......
Try to post more tomorrow -
Namaste and God Bless - Jackie -
I just have a question. My countdown to surgery started the other day and I love reading all your post.
BUT is there anyone on here who had an easy time? No splits, cracks, no blisters, no breathing problesms etc? I am so scared !!!!;(
On a side note I had a great day yesterday! My girlfriends had a play date!! We had food and desserts. They pledge to come see me and help! I was so happy and my heart was filled!!;) -
I didn't have any cracks, blisters. My insisions healed fine. I'm 7 weeks out from my stage 2. The only thing I have is still a swollen stomach area but that can take months to go down.
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Tracy overall I don't think my experience has been bad at all. They kept me at the hospital an extra day because my oxygen levels were low, especially during sleep; based on how I've been at home I think that was more from the morphine than anything. I had an allergic reaction to the dermabond they used to close me up, which has caused a lot of itching and lost me a full night's sleep. If it were not for the itching I think this would have been... not easy, but very doable. Now that the itching is improved I am surprised at how well I feel. My surgery was 8 days ago - I go for my follow up with the PS today and I can't wait! As far as I can tell, all my incisions are healing well, and the pain medication is keeping discomfort to a minimum. I am getting around the house with relative ease, just avoiding major chores and the stairs to be safe.
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((((Christina))) that is really good to hear. I hope it continues for you....
I know it's not going to be a cake walk. I just have to much fear of the "what if" that it has me second guessing my decisions! I hate that!!! Grr! -
sbe - happy to hear you are on the mend. After BMX and lymph node removal on left side, they told me not to shave under my left arm with a regular razor. I now have an electric razor. I may try it on these wild hairs that pop out under my chin now that they have started to grow regularly! Gotta love Bailey's version of your illness!
I really like the "a journey only a survivor (or fellow participant) could understand" for the back with something that symbolizes breast cancer, the pink ribbon or if someone has another symbol. We need a witty Wilburism for the front. I know there have been many, just not remembering them right now.
Barb has Angolina's decision shut any of them up? We really do not appreciate what someone goes through if we haven't been there.
liefie you give us all hope!
Jeannie you have added a new word to my vocabulary, dehiscence. "Wound dehiscence can be caused by inadequate undermining (cutting the skin away from the underlying tissues) of the wound during surgery, excessive tension on the wound edges caused by lifting or straining." No wonder so many have had this. Sounds like it easily goes along with DIEP. Guess that's why they don't want us doing those things.
What were the good compression garments again? (not really expensive) I was told the PSs are back and forth on this issue, but the nurse I met with said she thought they improved the outcome. I have to wait until the last hip drain is out.
damiana, this is the gift that just keeps on giving. Sorry for your complications.
You ladies that took the preventative routes are survivors just the same. We just have to remember that others outside this ca world we live in just don't understand and they should be thankful. I couldn't understand the decision a friend made to have a BMX just last year. When I was diagnosed and did some research and serious thinking, I knew exactly why she chose that route. I'm just sorry she had never heard of DIEP flap. But I think she is okay with her TEs.
Goldie, I'm checking out your yoga deep breathing as soon as I am finished here!
Marty - so glad you are doing okay. Hope your DH will be too!
Tracy you have made the right decision! A long time ago, I read "the moment of complete decision never arrives." You have to go with what feels right to you. I haven't had any major setbacks since leaving the hospital, but I don't want to tempt fate! I think taking it easy sounds like it is necessary.
Lahela - prayers for you that all will be well!
Have a great Wednesday! ...Julie
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Marty - No nasuea - that's great! The horseback riding side effects don't sound quite as great, but hopefully the medication will help you out. I'm think of your DH today as well - and it makes me realize how important our husbands/partners/family are even though they're not always headlining our conversations. So I'm harnessing some of the healing energy that I usually reserve for the ladies, and sending it his way.
Tracey- I didn't have any complications. Just a few loose stitches that had to be plucked, and an abdominal wound that was slow to close. Nothing major, but I few blueberry sized openings that needed prolonged dressing. Prevented me from swimming on a recent vacation - but while dissapointing, it in no way affected my health, and was just a very minor glitch.
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Debdylan is having her diep today.....please add her to your prayers!
Thinking of you, Deb!!! -
Thanks for mentionning that Bailey - I'l be thinking of Debdylan today, as well as the rest of you lovely ladies who are working so hard to move forward.
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((((((Deb))))))
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Bailey...if I had socks on, I'd be laughing them off. What a great story.
It was a rough night. My husby was here after dinner and helped me take a shower, and when I got back to bed my temp was 103.4. Shaking chills, barfed up my hospital-food dinner, and thought murderous thoughts toward my Gilette (if that's what did it, and no one knows). My sweet, compassionate nurse brought pain meds, ice packs for various body parts, and called the lab to draw MORE blood cultures. Thankfully, the fever dropped and I got some sleep.
So it's another day of battling the bugs! With all the machine-gun antibiotics pouring into me, it won't be long until they're dead on the beach. Have a great...what day is it?...
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Deb..thinking of you....sorry about the "miss on the list". I'll ask the mods to add you.
Tracey.....The only "complication" I had was severe nausea and vomitting...but I ALWAYS have that after anesthesia, regardless of what kind of surgery I have. I was off major pain meds and just using regular Tyelonol before I left the hospital. No open wound issues, blisters, fat necrosis, last drain came out 3 days post discharge, no extreme swelling. Upright, about 2 weeks post surgery, sleeping in regular bed without pillows under knees about 2 weeks post discharge......my biggest issues were very low energy, and shoulder ROM (but I had shoulder issues pre-surgery). I had lots of swelling in hospital....it resolved fairly quickly once I got home and really started moving. I had minimal tummy fat, was pulled very, very tight (according to PS and nurses in hospital), tummy incision is quite low.
Bailey...... I can't help with the SOS via glowing boobs....didn't happen for me either. I'll just have to spell it out with Movie's Timtams!
Marty...good to hear from you....heal well, hope all goes well for hubby.
gotta dash....hugs to all.
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SBE.......crap sister....!!!!! Stop mucking around, and get better!!!!! Sending you hugs and positive vibes!!!!!
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Deb, good luck today. You're going to do fantastic!!
Marty, how are you doing today?
I think what bothers me the most is the compression on my chin. It gives me a headache and makes me itchy.
I'm going to try to stop the pain meds today and just take Tylenol. I haven't gone number two yet and that kind of worries me.
I'm going to start moving around today. I need to vacum and mop and hopefully take a shower afterwards! -
Hugs to debdylan! Sbe, praying you are well enough to go home tomorrow! Rough nights are the worst. Tracy, you can do it! I'm pretty sure the complications are worth it. Goldie, a nurse started me out on a walker in the hospital but was told it was a bad idea. You don't want to lean on your arms which could affect your new boobs. I know others have used them, though. My team arranged for me to have a PT and an OT come in to see me and show me how to do things properly. I had to pass their tests to be discharged. You might ask about that. Of course, Wilbur was with me and I can't really remember the PT...jlbloom, you are so thorough and kind in your posts! Bailey, you crack me up one moment and touch my heart in the next. Nihahi, good to hear you check in. So impressed with your tireless aid (well, maybe not tireless) for others. Movie, thanks for the advice! Marty, I am praying for you and hubs! I hope you both heal well and quickly. I know I've forgotten people, I'm sorry, but I wish you all well, especially you crabby people!
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Tracey, I had no problems with blisters, holes, etc. I still have drains, but I wouldn't call that a complication....I'm just juicy lol.
Sbelizabeth, good grief girl!
Marty, glad to hear from you. Hope your husby does as good as you.
Kuka, don't get carried away with housecleaning.
Deb, you've got this!
Happy day to all the crabs. Now I'm picturing Wilbur the pig with a frowning face. -
kuka- absolutely no vaccuming! you are crazy girl! Walking will help the constipation though- and a bunch of miralax.
sbe- I am so sorry you are still having a hard time. I hope you get better soon. -
Sbe- Sending lots of get well vibes your way! Feel bette soon.
My hole is starting to look really good and mostly filled in. I think keeping my butt parked has been helpful in letting my body heal. Still sore but getting used to that and just moving slowly, no sudden movements....lol
Good luck to eveyone new this week and hugs to all who are having a tough time. Just a funny aside, everytime I read about Wilber, I envision one of those little minion guys from dspicable me......lol -
Kuka, my ps has me on weight restriction post stage II. No lifting, pulling and pushing anything over 5lb.
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Thank you ladies for all your imput.
Hope you all have a Happy Hump Day! -
Deb, hope you are doing well.
Sweetpickle, great news about you incision.
SBE...hope you get some rest today, and your fever breaks.
Kuka, come on!!! You know better than that! No housework for a while!!!! You were very lucky stage 1, let's not push your luck. Geez, I don't even vacuum when I am getting over the flu. I know you had no muscles worked on, and it probably feels okay to push the vacuum, but you need to be very careful of the tummy incision. Wait till the doc says okay. Call Merry Maids! I know they stink, but it's better than nothing.
Marty, thinking about you, and your hubby.
Mammalou, how you doing?
Jeannie, never thought about the walker and the arms. My doc's nurse recommended it for the first week, or so because my back is bad already. I will ask then again. I have a fill this Friday. Ugh.
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