DIEP 2013

liefie

Goldie, I am 5'8 and around 155 lbs. I have a paddle flap, and have been wondering all this time what the PS is going to do re: an areola for me. She can't just stick a nipple on that flap, can she? I'm envisioning a patchwork quilt . . . LOL.

Awww, Bluebird, what a rough ride you are having! You remind me of myself during chemo - just wanted to crawl under a bush until I felt better. Best wishes to you, and big hugs. We don't mind you coming here, positive or negative, we will listen and understand.

Movie and Nihahi, enjoy your trek to Wilbur, enjoy the Timtams, enjoy the fresh air. We will all be with you in the spirit. Have fun!

Janet_M

Bluebird - Awww, sounds like you're feeling pretty awful. This thread is not just for healing - it's also for venting. Come out of your shell if you like and scream.

I'm so pissed that you haven't seen anybody in a month. Like you, I have full confidence in my PS but the aftercare sucks.  I can't understand how it takes years to decide on this surgery, weeks to prepare for it, 10 hours to achieve, and then we get sent home with absolutely nothing. So stupid. Are they really THAT confident that nothing's going to happen? I called my PS as soon as I got home from the hospital, and the secretary gave me an appointment five weeks away.  I ended going in every two weeks though - cus there was always something weird going on. Pain, stitches, oozing. I had a nurse for ten days, and that was it. I got my exercises thanks to one of the lovely ladies that did a bit of research and posted them on this board. 

I'm feeling good these days -  but I feel like I've always had to work so hard.

I hope you feel better soon

Janet

Anonymous

Oh BLUEBIRD! Stay here with us....at least read if you don't feel like talking. You don't have to feel positive to stay in the room. We love you no matter how you are feeling! You are not being unreasonable. As a matter of fact, I think your doctor is!!! I think it's outrageous and thank goodness your DH stepped in to advocate for you.



Maybe try some fresh air and sunshine for you, too! I got stir crazy during first several weeks. I had DH drive me around and I rolled down the car window and stuck my head out like a dog just so I could feel some speed! Lol!



Watch a funny movie...(When Harry Met Sally is my all time fav!) Eat ice cream for dinner..make prank phone calls.



Ok don't make prank phone calls....but do something silly and fun. Oh! I know....blow bubbles. It's impossible, I think, to blow bubbles and be sad at the same time!!!



Love ya, honey...this isn't going to be forever. You WILL HEAL!

goldie4040

No Bluebird, don't go.  We are here for you no matter what.  If you are having problems that are depressing you we want to help.  You know, if you feel your surgeon is ignoring you there is no reason you can't go to the emergency room of the hospital you had your surgery at (which is what I have been instructed to do in an emergency on weekends, and nights)and really embarrass him into giving you the proper treatment.  What is going on with your doc is inexcusable.  You need to demand proper treatment.  They might even have another PS on staff that can take over, and do a better job. 

Tracy516

Wilbur

ssla01

Towanda!!!

goldie4040

Liefie

The explanation I have heard about construction of the nipple sounds like the kind of pull the skin in the middle of your flap, and it gather's it up, creates projection, and makes the paddle look smaller, and rounder.  Does that make sense? Then you will get little nipple protectors to wear for a while to keep them from going flat from the pressure of your bra, and clothing.

Anonymous

Ha!!!! Tracy that is awesome!!!Good for you!So happy to see you on this side. Thanks for checking in sleep now flapper girl!

goldie4040

Okay, new idea for tshirt slogan:

Wilbur, this shirt stinks.

On the back: Towanda

Who cares if nobody understands but us?

kuka21174923

So sorry about all you're going through bluebird. I agree with Janet. I think the only reason I got through so easily is because my DH is a nurse, so he could tell me what was going on and what to do about it right away.

My ps told me if it wasn't to much trouble he wanted to see me every week to monitor my blisters. He said I didn't need to worry about paying for office visits because it was all included and he felt better about it if he kept a closed eye on it. Shame on your ps and nurse for not following up!

Goldie, what's the next step? When are you going to ps again?

Damiana, good luck tomorrow!

Stage 2 veterans, when you got your nipples reconstructed, how did they look? Maybe is because I was used to my original nipples looking down a little, but I think the new ones might be too high up. I asked DH about it and he said they're fine, but I know he doesn't want to hurt my feelings. Do they end up getting a little lower once everything settles?

goldie4040

Marty, I have been rubbing them with bio oil, but not really massaging them for extended periods of time.  I will try that.  Even my PS recommended it. I just hate the way they feel. Thanks for reminding me.

Hey, you think I could get some medical marijuana so I can not give a s..t for the next few months...that would be so much fun.

LMAOOO....I just had a picture in my mind of a bunch of us sitting around getting happy on medical marijuana, and then comparing foobs and tummy incisions.  Bailey, of course would be yelling "Towanda" as she was serving Tequila, and we could all just forget all this for a little while. Whose bringing the snacks for when the munchies set in.  I wish I lived in California, or Colorado.

Hmmm, it must sound like I already got my hands on that marijuana, but it's just an Ativan...lol

Anonymous

Did somebody say tequila?

mammalou

I live in California! Where's the party?!

damiana9

goldie- you are funny! I don't know that medical marijuana would make you not care for that long- but it would help with sleep and hotflashes....so I hear



Okay- Talked to the PS's assistant today. The results for my CT scan came back in- normal. NORMAL. WTF? I have a lump the size of a golf ball in my abdomen- that ain't normal! She said the PS would talk to me tomorrow before surgery. Well, then I looked online and discovered that hernias often do not show up on CT scans. PHEW! I imagine that as soon as he feels the spot, he will know what it is, and that he needs to fix it. I just hate that I still have to wait until tomorrow to know what the plan is. there is good news though- the anesthesiologist called me tonight to go over the plan for tomorrow. He then told me that I could have liquids tomorrow before 7am since my surgery is at 1pm. Wooohooo- I was so happy to hear that.

goldie4040

I knew I wasn't alone in my need to party.

mammalou

Oh Goldie, I REALLY need to party!

goldie4040

Damiana

Our posts crossed.  I hope it all goes well tomorrow. I am surprised that you found that hernias don't show on CAT scans, because I was reading my report again, and it states I have a small hernia near my belly button (probably from my endoscopic hysterectomy) which I can't feel at all.  Personally, I think they mistook scar tissue for small hernia...ugh.  I am starting not to completely trust any test, or any doctor.

Anyway, all will go smoothly tomorrow.  Let us know how you are doing, even if it's the middle of the night.  BTW..you still didn't tell me what you are going to graduate school to study? Would love to know.  Would give me something else to cheer you on for besides stupid cancer.

damiana9

Goldie- I am going to UTA for my masters in social work

kuka21174923

Goldie, that's so funny. I was telling my neighbor last week when I wasn't feeling so hot that I wish I could get my hands into some medical marijuana and just get a high. So....., since we only live like 30 minutes away, when do you want to do this? Haha!

goldie4040

Kuka, that would  be hysterical!!!!!!!

sherry35

What a crazy ride this is. First and foremost let me say thank you for all of your words of encouragement- you have no idea how scared I was last night and how much you all helped me stay strong.

I got registered in emerg yesterday afternoon by about 4:30. They called me back and said surgery was calling for me in 20 minutes so the had to do things quickly. Had to ask for new nurse to put in IV after first one failed three times. On the third try when I screamed in pain she asked if it hurt or just burned- three times. Had paperwork filled out then was wheeled down to surgery where the very polite nurse told me they had not called me. Heard her get into a row with nurse from emerg on the phone who hung up on her. So instead of getting sent back to emerg I got to go to the room where I would be recovering because someone had to take responsibility for my care.

My temperature spiked at 40.0 or 104F. So got bumped from that OR time slot. Had more antibiotics, blood cultures, and cold cloths on my forehead. Didn't get into OR until 10:45pm. My temp was 39.3 or 102.74F at that time. So there is a silver lining to this little OR visit that I will share in a bit. My PS told me today that she was very glad I was in her office yesterday, she was quite concerned but didn't want to scare me. She cleaned everything up in my abdomen and I now have a very clean wound vac for about 3 weeks she thinks. She also did what she needed to do for right breast. Silver lining- I told her my boobs were too big so she did my revision while she was working on them. She got rid of the fat necrosis, the blisters (yay!) and somehow made them just enough smaller that even with bandages I know they are better. No packing or open spots on my boobs!

My fever started to break about 3:00 this morning. My night nurse had to change my sheets and gown 3 times by 7:00.

I woke up this morning feeling better, mentally, than I have since I went home from surgery and a little better physically.

I will spend another day or two in hospital. PS wants antibiotics through IV until she knows infection is totally clear.



Bluebird, I echo bailey and Goldie's comments!

Goldie- good news on no change, good luck with the bronchoscopy. ( I don't think I spelled that right)

Kuka- bowchicka wowwow! You go girl!

Movie and nihahi, have an amazing time.

I would love to travel to meet up with any of you wonderful women! Once I've recovered of course, lol.

Shechirpie- I cried for your doggie. Mine is my fur baby as I don't have children. My mom calls her, her grand dogger.

Mammalou, how are you holding up teach?

Sorry to those I've missed, please know I think of you often and you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Sherry

damiana9

i may or may not have *special* brownies in my possession

ssla01

Sherry, what a ride! Sounds like you are on the mend Sister.

goldie4040

Good for you, Damiana.   I live pretty close to UTA.  We should meet for lunch one day.  There is this awesome Greek place called Princes near the campus.  It was on Diner's, Drive-ins and Dives.  They have the best food, and alot of professors and students go there.  As it cools down a bit, and you are getting around better we will plan on it.

goldie4040

Damiana, do tell?  I knew it.  We need to start a new forum....lol

damiana9

yes.

kuka21174923

Damiana, we live 30 minutes away too. I say you, Goldie and I get together for a recovery party for you. I'll bring snacks, Goldie brings the drinks and you provide the brownies😄. Last time I smoked weed I was 22! Those were good times. And did I mention how bad my hot flashes are? Ha!

kuka21174923

Sherry, omg! What a day you had! Glad you're feeling better today and that there was a silver lining to it.

mammalou

Sherry.. I am holding up pretty good today. I wish my PS would wound vac me😋😟. I'm going in again on Tuesday, do I will see what they think then. I am still so sore in my upper abdomen and that compression garment makes me want to scream sometimes.its a tirture device! It is 100% where I live so it is especially irritatingly



I'm going to the mountains this weekend with my sister who married my BIL. Lol.

goldie4040

Oh Sherry, that goodness.  What a ride! Do they know what happened?  Or, did you tell us that and I missed it.  There are so many posts sometimes i miss something.  I totally hate when they send somebody in to put IV's in me, and they are totally incompetent.  I had that the other day with my CAT scan.  So glad you are feeling better.  This is all too much.  There has to be a better way. 

When I think about all we go through to have our breasts back it just proves how much they mean to us psychologically. The pain, the fear, the time we give up to get them back goes a lot deeper than the superficial.  Most people don't understand but the ones that have been through it.  My husband keeps telling me to let it go, and live without.  No way.