DIEP 2013

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  • liefie
    liefie Member Posts: 2,440
    edited August 2013

    Faith, so sorry to hear your news. We are here to support you through this all the way, and I believe you are going to be fine. (((((BIG HUGS!!!))))

    Marty, hope DH will be okay. How are you feeling? You must still be sore after yesterday's surgery?

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2013

    FireDragonll...that is so exciting! I remember that feeling so well!I took a selfie in my car I was so happy! Coming right up, too, isn't it? Good for you!

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  • sherry35
    sherry35 Member Posts: 409
    edited August 2013

    Faith, there are no words to help you heal. Just know that there are plenty of thoughts, prayers and hugs for you here, anytime you need them!

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  • christina0001
    christina0001 Member Posts: 1,491
    edited August 2013

    faith - so sorry, what horrible news on top of everything else you have had to go through. Cry

    sbelizabeth - how awful to be so sick, but glad you are where you need to be right now. sounds like they are taking really good care of you. I hope you recover quickly.

    Lahela - good luck tomorrow!

    firedragon - wow, that is not far at all! The time will fly by.

    I had my first check up with PS today, 8 days after DIEP. PS says everything looks great! (Except for my nasty rash from the dermabond stuff, that is quite ugly unfortunately.) Everything is healing well. Had 2 more drains removed as well as the little medicine ball thing that had been putting pain meds in me for a while. I just have one drain left now. PS gave me an abdominal binder to wear during the day; she said the compression will help with swelling. It put me in a really good mood, to have had a good check-up. Smile

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2013

    Yay Christina, that is good news!



    Mammalou - how did your appointment go?

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  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited August 2013

    Jlbloom, right!? Remember we were told to put our babies on their tummies. Now it's a big no no.  Plus a zillion other things.  I was talking to my aunt today, she is 85, and as sharp as anybody much younger.  We were talking about how much things have changed, and how she only had cloth diapers for her babies, and she had never seen a car seat, etc.  It started with a conversation about letting people out of the hospital too soon.  But, my gosh...things have changed so much.  

    Okay girls, we need some good news around here.  Something to cheer us up. I can't think of a really happy thing since SBE grandbaby.  I know we are all here to support each other through all this c..p, as Jeannie so correctly put it earlier.  But, maybe everyday we can thing of one thing we are grateful for.  I don't know, maybe it will lift some of the morale around here.  I know I could use a little lifting up these days, and I think some other's can too.

    Today I am grateful that we got to celebrate by DIL birthday, although belated because of her little surgery the other day, but she is fine, and the grandbabies love to blow out candles on the cake. Anybodies cake...lol. There is nothing like happy children to make your day.  

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  • kuka21174923
    kuka21174923 Member Posts: 427
    edited August 2013

    I'm thankful that my ps was able to lower my ab incision so that I can hide it now whenever I wear a bikini. Also today is my second day after surgery and I'm not even taking Tylenol. My ab incision is tight, but as long as I'm careful walking it doesn't hurt. My ps had warned me about how much liposuction hurt, but I don't think it hurts anymore than when you fall and get a small bruise.

    Just took my shower and feel like a million bucks. Have a great night😄

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  • mammalou
    mammalou Member Posts: 823
    edited August 2013

    The PS says that it looks like infection is clear. They sliced open the remaining intact skin between my two openings because they said it was probably going to go anyway and that way they could clean out and cut out dead tissue. So now, I have a big 5 inch by 2 inch hole. It has been cleaned up and they say it has good blood supply ( I'm looking for good stuff here. Lol). It is a bit shocking to look at.



    On a good note, she was very reassuring that it would indeed heal and that she understood how it could be distressing. She said it will take months of packing 3 times a day to heal and visits to them every week or two.



    My husband came to make sure that it was really ok for me to walk and bend. I guess he didn't believe me. Geez. He made sure to tell them that I was a workaholic school teacher and wanted to know if I should work. I knew there was a reason I usually left him home! Anyway, he feels much better now.



    They gave me the choice to stay off work longer, but I said no. I can always change my mind.



    I always remind myself how I felt I had lost my life during those months of chemo, rads, surgeries. I wanted my life back. So now, I try to appreciate it even when 32 6th graders make me want to scream! I was a CPA for 25 years and then decided to teach. It made my life much more fulfilling.



    So, remind me in a week that working is a good thing!

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  • ssla01
    ssla01 Member Posts: 480
    edited August 2013

    Oh Mammalou! Praying that you heal fast and that your school kiddos are good ones!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2013

    Tarheel - how are you doing today, honey? Thinking of you, too! Big hugs. You got this.

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  • Cherrie
    Cherrie Member Posts: 1,423
    edited August 2013

    Faith- so sorry to hear about the thyroid cancer. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family. (((Hugs)))



    Kuka you sound great!!



    Hang in there mammalou. You WILL get past this.

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  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited August 2013

    Faith, sorry about your news but I hear it is totally curable.



    Debdylan, how are you doing?



    This thread moves so fast it is hard to keep up. My surgery is just a week away. I'm very nervous. Tomorrow I go for my pre-op.

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  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited August 2013

    Mammalou,

    Did they explain to you why they can't stitch you up again?  What they are doing seems cruel, and unusual.  But, they must do it for a reason.  My neighbor had  a wound vac for over a month due to a infection after her mx.  That wasn't fun either, but she has beautiful new foobs now.

    I give you a lot of credit for your positive attitude.  I am trying really hard to get myself on the right path to positivity.

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  • sweetpickle
    sweetpickle Member Posts: 749
    edited August 2013

    Mamalou- I felt swony reading about what they did for your hole. I see my ps tomorrow, hoping mine is healing well enoug that they dont need to open me up.



    Today Im grateful that all in all, my diep came out wonderful.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2013

    It took me a while, but when it came to me I said, "Duh!!!". I am grateful today for all of you lovely, inspiring, funny, supportive, sweet friends.



    I am going to bed. I have had enough of this day. Gnite, flapper friends.

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  • mammalou
    mammalou Member Posts: 823
    edited August 2013

    Goldie.. She said that if they stitched me up, I would probably just break open again. I asked about the wound vac because my DD, the nurse, was pushing for that. They were kind of wishy washy about that and said that they didn't think they were that much better.



    My DD cried when I told her what they did. I just told her that if it didn't start showing improvement by next appointment, I would push for a wound care specialist.



    I asked if they saw this much. She said that they have dealt with it many times but not from my PS. She took pictures to take to him and thought he was going to be very shocked. I guess I'm the problem patient.

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  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited August 2013

    Mammalou,

    I have heard of this approach before, not for your exact kind of wound, but I had a friend whose son had a horrible surgery with healing problems from a pilonidal cyst.  They had to pack that wound for months.  They wanted it to heal from the inside out.  That I could see because there was no way to seal it up, but your wound is not that deep.  Your poor DD.  She can't stand to see your suffer.  Thank goodness for the people who love us, or we would never get through this crap.

    Gee, I wish we were all closer to each other. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a recovery house in some beautiful setting in the woods, with perfect weather, and nice trails to walk on,somebody to make us delicious high protein meals, and a big porch to nap on.  We could all share in taking care of each other, keeping each company, making each other laugh, and before you know it we would all be climbing mountains with Nihani and Movie. 

    Sorry, my evening medication cocktail kicking in, and I start fantasizing.  lol

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  • lahela
    lahela Member Posts: 515
    edited August 2013

    Faith - all my love to you today. You can beat this.

    Bailey - I'm with you. Today of all days especially, I am grateful for all of you. And for my beautiful, wonderful family.

    Goldie - I'm an Aussie expat, 12 years now. The medical system alone is enough to make me want to stay here forever! Thanks for the explanation of the scan - it was just as you described.

    Mammalou - you are having such a rough time - I hope you turn the corner soon.

    Everyone else - tarheel, sweetpickle, marty, deb, christina, movie, liefie, jeannie and everyone else whose names don't spring to mind - huge hugs to you all. See you on the other side.

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  • ssla01
    ssla01 Member Posts: 480
    edited August 2013

    Good luck tomorrow Lahela. We are in your pockets.

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  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited August 2013

    Best of luck tomorrow, Lahela.  Have your Wilbur contact us as soon as he is able. Big hugs!!!!!

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  • mammalou
    mammalou Member Posts: 823
    edited August 2013

    Oh, by the way, the body organ I was seeing is my muscles. Nice and pink and no fat on top of it. I'm not sure how new tissue will grow on that.

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  • sweetpickle
    sweetpickle Member Posts: 749
    edited August 2013

    Good luck Lahela, rest well and speedy recovery!



    Question- Did anyone else have a meshed placed during diep? Just curious, thanks!

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  • Jeannie57
    Jeannie57 Member Posts: 2,144
    edited August 2013

    Nahela, you sound ready! Praying all goes well.

    Kuka, so glad you feel little pain. That encourages all of us who have yet to do Stage II. Of course, you are younger and fitter than me!

    Goldie, I like your idea, if you can put up with my snoring!

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  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited August 2013

    sweetpickel, did you ask your doc why they felt the need for mesh?  I was told if they go inside and found that for whateve reason they might have to convert to a free tram that they might have to use a patch of pig skin, but nobody ever mentioned mesh to me.  Did you have a hernia you didn't know about?

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  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited August 2013

    Jeannie, my fantasy includes private rooms for nighttime sleeping.  Heheheheheh

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  • kad22
    kad22 Member Posts: 191
    edited August 2013

    Lahela- good wishes for you tomorrow! Talk to you on the other side!



    Faith- you are a strong women, have a good long cry or yell and then tell this CA to go "f" itself- you will beat this. (((((Hugs)))))



    Mammalou you are so positive and strong- wow what a great women you are. Don't think I could do it and go back to 32 sixth graders! I still have 3 wks until school begins but have to drop my DD off at college for the first time ever- yikes my tears will be falling.



    SBE- hope you feel better soon, sorry for this setback. I am always afraid when I shave.



    Bailey you always make me laugh! Would love to meet up with those on Chicago!



    Ssla01- those darn drains I thought I had it hard with 8 of them but you having to have them so long is much worse.



    Sweetpickle- yeah for moving!



    Kuka - you are amazing to me , pls make sure to take care of yourself!



    Marty good luck to your husband and heal fast



    Can't remember who asked about surgery with no problems, knock on wood, but I am 6 wks out and have not had any issues other than 8 drains but that was because I switched from implants to deip. Everyone is different but just remember in the end you will love your new foobs.



    So to everyone else I am missing hugs and goodnight until tomorrow!





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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited August 2013

    Here's something great for us...I was walking the hallways this afternoon like a good patient, dragging my IV pole/pump alongside.  I passed a nurse who was carrying a beautiful flower arrangement.

    Me:  What beautiful flowers!

    Nurse: Yeah, do you want them?  The man in that room doesn't.

    Me:  Sure!  Oh...wait...is he dead?

    Nurse:  No, he just doesn't think they're manly.  He'd rather have a beer with a balloon tied to it.

    So I was anonymously given an arrangement of purple and lilac flowers.  They even match my Soma jamies.

    I hope everyone sleeps well tonight!

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  • sweetpickle
    sweetpickle Member Posts: 749
    edited August 2013

    Goldie- He just said it was to reinforce the plication that they did but I tell ya, Im starting to doubt if I had a true diep. Im going to ask for my surgery report tomorrow. My stomach is rock hard still from pelvic bone up to just under foobs and reaches to each side. Ive spent all night reading and the more I read the more I doubt my dr. What recoarse would I have if I was lied to? I was VERY clear about not wanting anything other than diep and I never was told that mesh and plication may be an option. afterward they presented it as a favor to me since they were already in there.



    Thanks kad :-)

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  • jlbloom
    jlbloom Member Posts: 228
    edited August 2013

    Jeannie, the shampooing was a bit more of a stretch than I had realized.  The shop has foot stools at each shampoo bowl so that helped.  You definitely want something to put your feet up on.  ...Julie

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  • jlbloom
    jlbloom Member Posts: 228
    edited August 2013

    Faith, you are in my prayers!

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