DIEP 2013

Anonymous

Aubrey is saying, "Ta-WAHHHHHHHHHN-DA!

FierceBluebird

sbe, that cutie-pie is just what I needed to see tonight to cheer me up.

Good luck to all the surgery girls this week!

Long day at the doctors office. This is week four for me and I've yet to actually see the doctor for a follow up. The nurse I've been seeing who keeps telling me I'm doing fine, finally called in a P.A. to see me just to confirm and prove that "I'm doing fine" at my husband's insistence.  Redness and pain on the incisions which last week were fine? No worries! Oozy goo stuff coming out, not a problem! Chills at night and heat coming from the breast? You're fine! Oh really?....

Diagnosis from PA...cellulitis on one side and the "blood blister" on the other is actually a 3rd degree burn from the cauterizing, technically called an eschar. (I never heard that term.) Starting a two week round of antibiotics while it feels like my breasts are falling apart. Ugh.

As my auto spell-correct would say; "I'm so tired of this shirt!"  Thank goodness I know that others on the forum have faced healing issues and got through it and I have a husband who was an advocate for me.

nihahi

Holy crap bluebird!!!!!! Sending hugs and healing thoughts to you asap! What the heck is with you gals and cellulitis???

Anonymous

Blueberry (Bluebird...My spell check always calls you Blueberry) I think you should be tired of that shirt! SOOO glad your DH put his foot down.

sbelizabeth

Oh, bluebird...take care of yourself.  Rest, rest, rest.  Hydrate.  Take whatever medicine they give you.  Let your body do its work!

hrf

Bluebird, sorry about this setback. Hopefully antibiotic will clear it up quickly.



Sbel, baby is adorable.



Damian's, thanks for the good wishes.



Janet, TGH is also good. I did have consult there as well and really liked Dr. Z. Ending up at Sunnybrook because closer for my family and all my records are there. Plus doc is also great.

Jeannie57

Bluebird, NO! I am glad your husband insisted, too! I have always heard of IV antibiotics for cellulitis so keep a very watchful eye on it!! Praying for you. I've never heard of that burn situation... You are just so special.



Nihahi, a Towanda moment for you, for sure! And Aubrey could be yelling "Towanda!"



Goldie, thanks. I am mostly doing well, just leaking more from the ab incision when I do too much and I have to wear ab compression for my swelly belly on the left side, which could be a seroma. Go to the ps clinic on Tues. to get things checked out again. I will ask to see the PA! I look forward to being able to pee without peeling compression off while holding pad in place (no adhesive for me). I did go to the LE therapist's office today to pick up some new compression sleeves---- peacock feathers on one set, leopard spots on the other. Just dare to ask me why I wear them, grrrr.

Anonymous

Ooooh Jeannie peacock feathers! I want! Pics please!

FierceBluebird

I love the peacock feather sleeve! I was just looking at them today too at the boutique in the hospital! I might go with the feather one. Anything bird of course for me! I wish they weren't so expensive, I'd get an assortment.

I also love blueberries! lol...

Yes, the burn situation has me freaked out. Not one person mentioned that to me before today and I've never even heard the word Eschar.  If it wasn't so graphic I would upload a picture of it. 

Jeannie57

Bailey, go to the Lymphediva site and you'll see a good picture of the peacock sleeve. My insurance covers a couple new sets for me every 4-6 months so I am gathering a collection. 😉When I have so many they don't wear out as fast. I have developed an allergy to the Diamond Band at the top, though, OF COURSE!

Morningsun1

Jeannie, I can't have adhesive either, so I used a abdominal binder to hold the dressings/pads in place. The only time you need to take the binder off is when changing dressing.

mammalou

Wow, you girls have been busy today!



I too tired to say much, but that baby is adorable. I want a grandbaby soon!



Ok, I worked really hard today because someone had the great idea it have a meet the teacher night the night before school starts! So, another long day, but I did pretty good.



I hear all of your advice, so tomorrow I'm home early. It's a minimum day so that should be easy.



And, now I'm off to bed! Take care all!

Jeannie57

TammyT, my ab incision is below my panty/binder line, so the pad needs to be held in place by me....oh, I don't know, it's just awkward!

kuka21174923

Holy crap bluebird! I'm glad your DH stood up for you. Take care of yourself.

Goldie, glad you got the CT out of the way. So after you get results on Thursday you can start planing? I can't wait!

Sbe, she's precious!

Barb, good luck tomorrow. What are you having done during your stage2?

Nihahi, take it easy with the hummer, lol.....

Marty, what did you have done on stage 2 and 2b? How long did you have to wait between surgeries? I was really thinking about going for a stage 2b, but I don't know if I want to go through yet another surgery. Having to wear this compression and having to heal my tummy incision yet again has put me on an over surgery mood!

I want that perfection, but I also want to get on with my life and go back to the gym and start working out again. I guess it will all depend on how I feel in two months when I go back to see my ps and how everything looks then.

goldie4040

Oh, Bluebird

I am so sorry.  Keep an eye on that.  I don't want you to end up on IV antibiotics,  but sometimes it's necessary.  I would call again if things don't look better by tomorrow afternoon. 

Kuka, I know waiting a few months would be hard for you, but that's when your true results will show.   My hairdresser had tummy lipo, and wore compression for months, and it took a good six months for the full result to show itself.  Patience my friend.  You are already gorgeous, and everyday you will be a tiny bit more gorgeous, and before you know it your husband will be looking to make baby number 4 and ruin all the work you had done...lol.

Jeannie, even the paper tape upsets your skin? I am adhesive sensitive too, but I found I can tolerate the paper tape.

mammalou

Bluebird.... Hope you are heading uphill soon. I'm happy your husband was there. My daughter is about to come unglued with my docs. I got my culture results today and I have 4+ bacteria from gut/ intestine in my open wound. That makes me feel like I'm not being clean enough. But, as my DD pointed out, my underware are coming up over my abdominal pad everyday. They are good little gauze holders, as tape just gives me a rash. But, as you say bluebird, no big deal, all is fine! Literally, this shirt stinks. Lol

liefie

Sbe, that babygirl is sooo adorable!

You girls are so strong! Even with negative stuff going on, you all still have a wonderful sense of humour about it.

Bluebird, hang in there!

Jeannie, it went better today. Did not have yoga, just a training session in the cool, airconditioned gym. Thanks for asking!

Moviemaniac

Hey!.......did we just find our second slogan?... "This shirt stinks"? Bluebird.....you WILL be alright....just keep a close eye on it.........I spent a full month on two of the WORST anti-biotics known to man, but they killed my combo infection DEAD.



Nihahi......no TimTams for Wilbur.........we will eat EVERY SINGLE ONE! (Liefie-not one word about calorie count.....on this trip...it's ZERO! )



TOWANDA!

liefie

Movie, I have it on good authority that the Timtams sold in Okotoks have zero calories. So you guys can indulge all you wish - lol. You two will have to put a few stones together on Mt. Wilbur to commemorate the DIEP 2013 thread. You should have enough energy from those zero calorie Timtams, right?

Jeannie57

Mammalou, I don't know what to say....glad your sense of humor is intact! Prayers for you. You've been at this a long time! I agree, this shirt stinks!!

jlbloom

Good Wednesday morning, ladies!

Damiana, the Senokot S seems to be working for me with the constipation issue.  The nurse kept stressing the S part.  You can take up to four a day, but two seems to be working fairly well for me.

Barb, hoping everything goes well for you today.  Let us know if you see Wilbur!

Bluebird, hope everything gets going in the right direction now. 

Goldie, they did a CT originally for me when they spotted the liver lesions.  That was almost 7 years ago.  This time it was an MRI.  A doctor told my sister that most people would have liver lesions if they were checked.  Hope your results are the same as mine!

Jeannie, those sleeves are really pretty.  At what point did you have to start wearing them?  I sort of freaked out after the DIEP and was just sure I had lymphedema.  The fellow on the PS team assured me it was just normal swelling.

I finally decided I had to see what TOWANDA was all about.  Yes, we are older and wiser!  Hopefully we have more insurance.  www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b9Z3MYo2M0

Love and prayers for you all today!  ...Julie

MartyJ

Good Morning!

Bluebird - that nurse should have her head handed to her.  Wow! Glad they got you on antibiotics, but watch carefully as SBE and others have ended up in hospital with IV Antibiotics and cellulitis.

Jeannie - you need to get a compression garment that has the open crotch.  Marena, Design Veronique, Leonisa - order any of them.  Yes, they may be a touch more expensive but having that open crotch can make healing so much easier.  Your dressing will stay in place, too.  Lots of varieties available and the compression is great (much better than lingerie department shapewear).

Kuka - Now that they have lowered you ab incision and tweaked your abdominal muscles that is over and done with.  You won't be revisiting it.  My doc breaks things up into a 3 step stage 2.  That gives the fat grafting time to take as you tend to lose 50%.  I have 4 months in between, but could probably go a little sooner.  Stage 2a in April was revisons to abdominal incision, dog ears, breast revisions and fat grafting. They took the fat from the flanks.  Stage 2b, last week, was revisions to the breasts and fat grafting with the fat from the inner thighs.  Because of my DH's surgery the next day, she actually switched around her original plan to lighten my recovery.  In December, I will finish up with nipples, further breast revisions and fat grafting from the outer thighs.  I totally agree - there are times I wonder if I really want to do another surgery.  I am not seeking perfection as that is not going to happen, but I do want things to be as close to best as possible.  My doc has told me to give the scars 2 years to fade.  At the moment, the compression actually feels better than no compression.  I have actually worn compression pretty consistently since April (80% of the time).  It is hot and annoying, but will get me the very best results.  No more pool this year and I will wear workout capris when I ride my bike next week.  Short dresses are a challenge as the compression legs are about 2 " above the knees, though I have to wait for the bruises to disappear anyway (don't want to scare anyone).

Tracy516

HolyHammersbeautfulbabyntimtams!!!!! Lol lots to read!



With my insurance issues solved I was more relaxed last night. Tonight my lovely mother in law (a 9 year BCS) she is gonna watch kids. I drinking my last cup of coffee for awhile;) so good!

Then to get the nail polish of my CRACKED toe nail from Monday!!!! Ouch!

Happy Hump Day!

damiana9

bluebird- oh my gosh! I am so sorry you are dealing with so much!!

Jeannie- you can get LE sleeves without the band at the top- I think you get some kind of contraption that holds them on instead (kinda like a garter belt)



Well, I have finished all the barium I need to drink- now I am just waiting for my appointment in an hour and a half.

faith729

Thanks so much ladies ! Its a nice pick me up to see the well wishes when I'm feeling blue. My primary care do this been on vacation and only just found out so she called me this morning and talked a little about it. She seemed pretty upset over the news herself but offered to help on any way that we needed so that was sweet I thought.

This week has been tough. We have a house trained bunny ..yup bunny she acts just as a puppy would Lol comes when you call her & listens for the sound of food and begs for crumbs etc. She's a sweetie for sure. She is a very sick girl though and the vet says she is too sick for surgery. So I have been feeding her via syringe and giving pain meds and antibiotics. I've been staying up late with her and waking up early to be with her before work. Just makes me sad to watch her struggle. She was my snuggle buddy after my surgeries.



Does anyone know if it's possible to have the nipples tattooed prior to having a stage 2b?



Love reading everyone's posts ! SBE that grandbaby is precious !



Goldie fingers crossed for your results tomorrow !

kad22

Hi everyone somuch happening on here.



So only 10 days until my baby girl leaves for college my DH and I will be all alone, very sad.



So I have been going to PT and she has been doing some weird healing technique with her hands on my stomach scar. What did everone else do at PT? Does the scar ever soften, mine is so hard.



Good luck to those having surgery this week, I believe two tomorrow!



SBE- the grandbaby is soooo cute.



Happy and healing thoughts to everyone!

Janet_M

kad22 - Gosh this thread is busy. There are so many ladies I'm thinking about but I haven't had time to read everything. Looking forward to doing it this afternoon. 

But tummy scars are on my mind this morning. I just bought some 'derma e' scar gel at the homeopathic pharmacy. It feels great, and came highly recommended. My scar is really hard, and is the tightest part of my stomach so it looks like I have a thin tight belt under my clothes. Also, my masseuse (who also does acupuncture) swears that acupuncture will improve the state/sight of the scar by releasing heat. I have to wait a while still - so it's gel for now.

nihahi

bluebird....mammalou....hope the stars came out last night and you had some healing while you slept. I am so sorry for anyone who has a "bumpy" recovery. 

marty....agreed....."head on a plate" time for that nurse. Is it the norm in most of the states PS's not to be seen by the actual surgeon for followup??? Not sure I'd like that scenario myself. You sound a bit better, hope you and hubby are still getting better each day. You are a rockstar wearing compression that long, and through a hot, humid east coast summer too!

kad...is your physio doing Reiki? Not sure what you're referring to. Scars take TIME, MUCH TIME, to soften and fade! There really isn't a magical way to speed things up, in my experience and opinion, but I know there are lots of theories.

sbe....loved the recent post on your blog....angel wings indeed. I have a photo I took on a hike once, that I call angelwings....I'll post it if I can find it.

Movie....actually planning on using my share of the timtams to bribe you to carry my tired old body up the trail! Liefie is correct, but my theory is ANYTHING eaten at altitude has no calories!!!! Especially if I packed it in on my back!!!! Got me some snazzy new hiking poles yesterday, as a treat for missing hiking so far this summer. WOOHOO!

Thinking of everyone...bailey, sweetpickle, janet, goldie, damiana, jeannie, jlbloom, tracy, christina, faith and ALL.....the list has grown too long to mention each by name, but that doesn't mean you aren't in my heart. 

Jeannie57

Sbel, loved your blog post. You are such a good writer, you put me right there in the room with you. What a scary, miserable experience but God was with you as always. That verse has comforted me many times.

Morningsun1

Love your Fever and Angel Wings story, sbe.

Jeannie, I cut the abdominal binder ps gave me into 4 3-inch wide pieces and wear one right over my ab-incision when I had open wound. It held the dressing in place and also gave me support. If your ab-incision is very low, you may need a wider piece for compression/ab-support purpose.

I had nothing done for my ab-incision in my stage 2, so the my ab-scar is over 7 month old and all closed. In the center, it is still numb. The left side has feelings when I touch it, the right side hurts like an open cut sometimes. Anyone has the similar thing?

nihahi and movie, I will be on Mount St. Wilbur with you in spirit. I remember trying to find out how far was PHG to Alberta on Google. Can't believe you two are actually pulling it off with a hike!

Not seen by the PS in person post-op is not the norm, nihahi. My ps saw me 7 times within the first 4 weeks after I was discharged for the hospital. I did have a lot of wound healing issues back then.

Happy Hump Day everyone!