DIEP 2013

FierceBluebird

mammalou, hope things go well for you today! Rest when you can.

I have a stitch poking out, right where a nipple should be. It is prickly and catches on clothing. Hoping they can fix it when I go back.

Incisions are looking more red. Nurse said I was using neosporin too long. Hopefully stopping the triple antibiotic will help. 

My exciting news of the day, I have a cleaning woman here! Woo hoo! Truthfully, my house hasn't been thoroughly cleaning since last December so she will probably run away. My husband and son have been living the dorm room life since I've been down and out.  Never had a cleaning person before, so I'm really excited! {{{happy dance}}}

sbelizabeth

Here I sit at my desk, back at work after being unexpectedly out for a week.  Holy cow.  Where's the gasoline and matches, I'm just going to burn it down. 

I'm a little blue today--I thought I'd be all excited and getting reading for the "pretty" surgery on Thursday, and it's been postponed until sometime in September.  This journey is so full of hiccups.  I tend to be a compulsive planner, and bc has SO interrupted all of that.  Nevertheless, I survived severe cellulitis, am healthy and well and will see things from a reasonable perspective. 

I just want my boobs to be un-lumpy and even!

sbelizabeth

Bluebird, I hired a cleaning crew a few months ago and am kicking myself for not doing it sooner.  It's such a load off to know the bathrooms are clean and the house vacuumed and dusted.  I never intend to NOT have one again. 

Did you know many people develop an allergy to neosporin?  That might explain the increased redness.  Sometimes polysporin is recommend for wound care. 

Have a great Monday!

nihahi

sbe.....heading out soon...just spotted your post. You are defo a "manager", and bc can be a real eye-opener re: advance planning!!! My nephew is in the Air Force....I always smile when I hear him say...."there is no plan that survives the first contact with the enemy!" I'm a firm believer in "where you are, is where you're meant to be"..ie....try to learn from life. Kind of a yoga mindset. YOU, hopefully have now learned a lesson of not ignoring what you're body is telling you . 

re: work.....pour the coffee, take a few sips....get to it. Bike ride tonight????

Later ladies....have good days.

christina0001

 Goldie - LOL @ "Up all night, just me and my foobs." Love it!!! Although I slept better last night, only woke up 3-4 times and each time was brief.

Janet_M

Sounds like there's a bit of the Monday blues going around. Sbelizabeth & Bailey being bummed and blue within 24 hours has never happened! So understandable if anyone is tired, or not feeling positive, but for your sakes I hope it's temporary. After all your hard work you deserve smoother sailing. That goes for everybody.

Mammalou - I just love what your therapist said about it being 'okay to leave a double life'. I've been doing it since my diagnosis and often felt duplicitous, but it's what I had to do. Good to have permission - it makes things easier. 

I have empathy pains thinking of you going back to work after seven weeks. Good luck today. I have no doubt you'll achieve what you have to - I just hope it does't take all your effort and energy. 

goldie4040

Thanks guys.  I am going to leave the stitch alone, and let them look at it at my next fill. I am one of those people that can't leave something alone, like a zit, etc.  Got to mess with it.

I am assuming I have my CAT scan tomorrow since they have not called and said anything about BCBS dening the claim.  I think I will call to check though. 

A few of you were up late too.  I slept in this morning.  Not good.  My poor dogs were really doing the pee pee dance when I finally got up. 

Kuka, keep us posted on your progress.

Everybody that was down in the dumps yesterday, I hope today is better. Maybe it was the alignment of the moon and the stars...

SBE...I know it stinks that you can't have stage 2 still Sept, but I have said this before, I believe in fate, and there is a very good reason your surgery was postponed, even if it took giving you cellulitis.

Mammolou, hope you are getting a little better everyday

Christina, I hope you get  nap today.

Bluebird, I am jealous of the cleaning crew.  Enjoy!

Tracy516

Cloudy today.. Kinda fits my mood.. Until .. I'm sitting outside and. Man walking to work walks by with headphones on.. Singing at the top of his lungs!!! How happy is he?! Lol Smile and Sing away those Monday blues!!



Thursday is my big day!! All packed and ready. can't wait to meet Wilbur!!

Jeannie57

Yay, Tracy! I love it! Use this time to relax, like you're doing, and maybe throw a few squats in there, too. Get excited about new boob/s!



Goldie, when I was at the PS clinic last week the nurses carefully pulled on my protruding stitches and then cut them. I wouldn't do it myself! I hope you do indeed get your CT scan tomorrow and have good results.



Mammalou, thinking of you as you start work. I hope your body cooperates!



sbelizabeth, I know how I would feel if a surgery were postponed, so I have some idea of your disappointment. You are coming off a huge assault on your body so this time will help you heal up for beautiful results in September! My daughter is a planner, too,and has always struggled with a change in plan, even when she was little.



Bluebird, I have used Bacitracin for the occasional cut, etc. I was given some more to put on my healing blisters after surgery, but found out I am allergic to it! It contains sulfa, one of my allergens! Hope you heal better now. When I was going through chemo I heard about an organization called Cleaning for A Reason that provides FREE monthly cleaning for four months for those in active treatment. It was heavenly!



I have a call in to PS re: my tender swelly belly on the left side. I hope it's " normal!"

kuka21174923

Just came back from seeing my ps. He opted for not draining the boobs because the body had reabsorb most of it. He wasn't very happy that the glue in my incisions had come off. Oopps! So he taped them and said to leave the tape on as long as possible. Once it falls off I need to put on silicone strips for 3 months. That is going to help with how visible my scars will be.

I had a total if 5 stitches going through my skin. He just pulled them and cut it. Didn't hurt at all. My DH did it at home last time. It's pretty easy and you don't want to leave them there and irritate the area. I actually pulled one of them, but couldn't see the other ones very good to do it myself.

Overall everything looks good and I don't have to come back for two months.

He said I can start exercising as soon as I'm ready, so I'm planning on going to the gym this week and start my running program from zero.

Sbelizabeth, don't feel bad about not having your surgery. Wearing the compression garment in the middle if August is not very nice. I wish I would've waited until September!

Judy_63

I had some stitches sticking out, I did trim some a little back, but there was always a end sticking out, eventually as everything heals, they fall off to reveal smooth incisions.

Jeannie57

PS office says swelling is within range of normal as long as there are no signs of cellulitis. Keep compression and maybe take shorter, more frequent walks instead of one "long" one. What is short and what is long? I must be in that 3 week stage where you just feel emotional and blah.

goldie4040

Thanks, Judy. I am going to not worry about it anymore now that I know so many of you have had them.  Right now it doesn't bother me at all, but if it pokes through more it might start to pinch.  Just have to wait and see.

Kuka, so glad everything went well.  Really well, if he doesn't want to see you for 2 months.  Do you still have to wear compression garments and chin strap? 

kuka21174923

Goldie, compression for my chin should continue for another week. The compression for my tummy needs to stay on for 6-8 weeks. It's the worst part of having lipo. If I ever have lipo again I will make sure to plan it in the winter. I also need to wear compression bra for 6 weeks. The compression can only be on the sides so that the gloobs can get that shape.

FierceBluebird

Sbe, Jeannie, I bet it is an allergy. That would explain why it had been doing well.

Good luck Tracy!

My sister-in-law tried to get Cleaning for a Reason back when I was going through chemo but no one was in my area.  I've never had a cleaning person before, but it was wonderful! I think I'm going to give this gift to myself from here on out!  When you have so little time off from work and other responsibilities, who wants to clean on your time off?  I know some people enjoy it, but not me!

Morningsun1

At my post-op last Thursday, ps told me that I can stop wearing compression. That was just 10 days after lipo. I don't know why.

goldie4040

 Kuka, how do you know if the bra is just compressing the sides of your boobs?  Did he give you a special bra?  I am really sorry stage 2 turned out to be more than you expected.  But, you always bounce back so well. Is your chin still swollen, or bruised?  You take it easy at the gym. No running!  Walk.  

jlbloom

Jeannie, I must be having the three week thing too.  My underarms are sore the last couple of days.  I think it must be because some feeling is returning that wasn't there last week.  I had my last drain pulled today!  Yay!  Drain free! (Sorry, ssla)

sbe, it doesn't sound like the celulitus gave you much notice.  Were there only two days of the rash?  How cool that you have a photographer in the family.  Lots of beautiful Aubrey pictures!

Thinking of you ladies with surgery coming up this week.  Hang in there!

Hope everyone is feeling better today!  ...Julie

liefie

Sorry to hear some of us are not feeling so well today, but we cannot always be on top of the world, eh? Had a bit of a bummer myself in the yogalates class this morning. Two weeks ago when I did this for the first time, I had no problem doing everything. This morning there were many straight leg lifts, both legs together, which I don't feel comfortable doing yet, so skipped those. When it came to the standup warrior poses, I had completely run out of steam, felt dizzy, and just lay on my mat watching the others. The heated room was really hot this morning, and the sweat was pouring off me. It was not a good feeling not being able to fully participate. I tried to make up for it afterwards by going on the treadmill for 45 minutes. Now I'm wondering if I should be doing this class at all.

Barbmal, Typewriter, Tracy and hrf, thinking of you this week, and hoping everything will be smooth sailing.

 In Dec. 2011 when I was diagnosed with bc and endometrial ca simultaneously, and faced multiple surgeries, I got a cleaning lady once a week, and still have her. She has also become a friend, and I never wanna be without her again. She is worth every single penny.

Tracy516

Going nuts!!!

1) dropped sons bike on my big toe and cracked my toe nail!!grrrrr

2) letter of approval from insurance co. For reconstruction... Of only left breast!!! Called and they have nothing asking for right!!! WTH!! And Dr's offices are closed until tomorrow!!!!! Grrrr

kuka21174923

Goldie, I got the bra through marena. Their costumer service is excellent. I called them I told them what type if compression I needed it and they told me the ones I could choose from. I feel the compression pushing my gloobs together. My chin never got bruised. It's a little tender and swollen, but that's it.

I forgot to ask ps when I could go swimming. I know after first surgery he told me 3 weeks, but I don't know if its different now. I know I have to leave my compression garmen on, and that's ok, I'll just swim with it. Lik

sweetpickle

Hi all, we got moved in....yay.....now my life is truly upside down and Im in box hell.....lol



I tried catching up but so much has gone on, love the tshirt ideas, beautiful grandbaby, congrats to new vets and speedy recovery. Im starting to feel less sore in my incision after doing a ton of stretching and work from moving. My back is having a hard time keeping up with all that I want to do, I have to stop and sit a lot. Friday was ten weeks post bilateral diep for me, i get it now ladies and hopefully have turned a corner.

FierceBluebird

Welcome to your new home Sweetpickle!

Liefie, sounds like you're doing a lot!

hrf

Liefie, thanks for the good wishes.



Barbmal, Typewriter, Tracy, I'm sure you're as nervous as I am.

Carmen1954

Hello Ladies:

I'm wondering if any of you could give me some insight as to what a DIEP flap reconstruction entails and the criterea required to be a good candidate.  As you will see from my signature line, I had a lumpectomy and then a mastectomy on my left breast (without reconstruction) in December of 2011.  I have some problems with my shoulder, but otherwise the incisions, etc. are well healed.  I am finally considering having reconstructive surgery done and have a consult with a PS on August 22nd.  Since I had radiation treatments (29) my surgeon thought I might not be able to have implants and thinks that the PS would have to take skin, etc. from my belly (I have enough!).  The only problem is that I had 3 Cesarean Sections - 1 vertical incision and 2 horizontal.  Do any of you know if a DIEP flap reconstruction can still be done seeing that I've already had 3 abdominal surgeries?  Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Carmen

hrf

Hi Carmen, I'm no expert but I've been around the block a couple of times. Docs in Canada are very reluctant to do implants on radiated skin because of the high rate of complications. Best to have a consult with a PS. If a DIEP can't be done, there are other sites that can be used. Eg. Rear end, inner thigh, back. But only a PS would be able to tell you what would work for you.

goldie4040

Hi Carmen,

You have come to the right place.  I am sorry if have to be here, but glad you  found us.

Only a good PS well trained in diep.  They say a good diep doc should be doing minimum 20 surgeries a month. There is a CAT scan they take of your tummy that tells them if you have the vessels they need to do the surgery.  If you don't there are other types of flap surgeries. 

I see you are in Canada.  We have quite a few gals here from Canada  who had very successful diep surgeries.  I bet they will chime in soon to give you more info.

sbelizabeth

Thanks for the perspective, everyone. I went to shoulder PT this morning and my therapist said the same thing. "What if the cellulitis delayed a surgery that wouldn't have turned out well?" she asked. There IS a reason.

I slogged through the day, and with careful planning, I should be caught up by Friday. Stop laughing, sisters. Yes, I could catch the measles by then, but I just can't help myself.

Jlbloom, I woke up with a fever and big, flaming blotches on my chest and abdomen Sunday morning. Despite the cautions and warnings and urges to call my doctor that the other sisters here provided me, I put it off until Monday morning. By Monday afternoon the fever was over 103 and I was limp and SICK. So yes, it sneaked up on me, just like bc! And another reason to love my DIEP boobies--my PS said that if I'd had the cellulitis with implants in place, they'd have been forced to remove them.

Have a great evening, gloobsters. I'm going swimming.

Anonymous

Hi Carmen, welcome to this group! I had two c-sections, and laparoscopic gall bladder and hysterectomy/oopherectomy all pre bc reconstruction. My PS did not do a CAT scan before my surgery as she thinks they don't always give the best or true information on the vessels available....but she seems to be more the exception than the rule. Because of my prior surgeries we (PS and I) felt pretty sure that I wouldn't have good vessels available for DIEP and would have a tram flap ( fine with me, I just wanted a breast). When they got in there during sx they found a great siea vessel and some good diep vessels, remarkably. She decided the siea vessel was the most viable and that's the one they used. I am a uni so I only needed the one.



I am sure we have more ladies here who have had prior abdominal dx, too.



I was radiated as well and was told I couldn't have an implant due to the rads.



Throw your other questions out there...we'll take a crack at them!

Anonymous

Shechirple...I was glad to see you here! Your "flapday" is the day after my "flapday"....I have been wondering how you were doing



Sbel....measles indeed...that was actually the first thing I thought of when you wrote of your high fever and red splotches! No measles, sister....you've had enough! Just keep swimming!