DIEP 2013

goldie4040

Kuka, I haven't heard weed helps hot flashes, but if it does and we could prove it....wow, it would be legal in every state really fast.  I wish men could live through one hour each of: pms, labor pains, a period with bad cramps, having their testicles removed (which wouldn't hurt nearly as much as an mx) hot flashes, having sex just to keep the peace, kids hanging on them during all the stuff I just mentioned. And, if marijuana could make them feel better during all this,  we would have it legal in every state, and very quickly. 

Have you tried Celexa for the hot flashes. I believe Bailey said that works pretty well for her.  Somebody else said effexor help them. 

Jeannie57

Sherry, good grief, girl! I am so glad you are on the mend!!



Bluebird, thank you for sharing your heart with us! Bailey is right, we will all heal someday. It sure can be a he$&@#a bumpy ride, though!



Tracy, WILBUR! love it and hope you are resting well.



Goldie, I was offered mj many times during treatment. I have a friend who went through bc when I did and she has access to the medical mj shop down the street. I was afraid to share her lemon bars when she told me she and a friend stayed up all night once after eating them, reorganizing drawers and cupboards! But I am open to it sometime.....



My youngest DD will be here for the week. So glad she will see me feeling better. Unless my seroma bursts or something!!!



God bless all my sisters here whether you are healing, recovering, resting, waiting, hiking.....have a great weekend!!

sherry35

Goldie, PS feels the infection could have been brewing when I left hospital, then drains came out earl because I pulled the stitches so add in extra fluid and BAM! I nice soup for doctor to work with.

No wonder I was feeling so wiped out at home. There was no redness or heat to indicate . PS found it when she started cutting away some necrotic tissue.

I though I hit my three week crash a week and a half early! Nope, I was actually already sick at that point.

I have a homecare nurse who comes to my house to do dressing changes. The lack of appetite, the lightheadedness, the nasuaus feelings, the headaches. None of this hit a red flag with her, then the chills Saturday night and Sunday. She never even took my temp. Said I didn't feel feverish. I'm not a nurse I trusted her. Ugh!!!

sbelizabeth

Sherry, I feel your pain, sister.  With the bad goo all gone and the IV antibiotics running, you'll feel brand-new in no time.  

Nihahi and Movie...gosh...I wish I were going along.  Have a blast.

Bluebird, hang in there, honey.  Bailey's right, some fresh air and sunshine works miracles.  Come here and blow off steam when you need to, and remember we're all here for you.

Good night, gloobsters!

goldie4040

Jeannie, a seroma bursting is not the worst thing that can happen from what I have heard.  There was somebody on here that had a big one in their breast, and they woke up soaking wet from the seroma spontaneously draining.  I believe they felt so much better afterwards.  Look at Kuka, she had something like that going on in her foobs, and her body took care of it.  Hang in there.  And, next time try one of those lemon bar...hehehehehe

goldie4040

Phew Sherry, you got things under control just in time. I never have trusted home nursing since I believe they brought mrsa to my mother in law, and that was the beginning of the end for her.  If you think about it, they go from person to person, house to house, and it just made sense to me when she got sick that it was the nurse bringing it in with her.  Of course, it's my theory, and I could be wrong.  I prefer my husband with his mask,and gloves, and antibacterial soap.  He is so funny. He would wipe the bathroom counter with alcohol wipes before he put anything he was going to use on me down on it.  What production.  I was exhausted when he was done. 

I wish you a speedy recovery. Keep us posted

One more thing about the visiting nurse, and I know this is going to sound ugly, and somebody has to do the job, but why them?  Is it a calling? Why don't they have a job at a hospital, or a nice cushy doctors office.  Why are they traveling around all day long getting paid much less than their peers? I know, it's does so ugly, and I might need one to help me one day, but it scares me.

Moviemaniac

Ladies......stuck at a dive in the Tri-cities and it's 12:30am.....wanted to get to Spokane, but just was too tired..... Of course I had to get on here!



Sherry and Bluebird.....I wanna knock your PSes upside the head!



Goldie, Kuka & Damiana-you crazy Texans! I want a brownie ( or two)! I have a friend who has med.mj for RA.....she brought a bottle over for me to try during recovery......I liked it better than the Oxy........ :P



Okay.....tired now and gonna try to sleep.....wish you could ALL be there on Mt. Wilbur.....even you, Tracy!



Love to all, and I may sneak on again if there's Internet!

Namaste and God Bless -Jackie

kuka21174923

Goldie, about home nurses. They actually make more than if they worked at a hospital, and a lot of the home nurses do that job as an extra income. Nurses usually work 3 days a week 12 hours shift. That's all the hospital has to give them, and sometimes if there's not enough patients the get sent home, with no pay. So that's what a lot of them do. My DH never did it because he had heard some horror stories about it. People's houses just being kept dirty and nasty and he didn't want to bring anything to our house.

Sherry, the nurse you had was an idiot! You need to report her and she should be suspended at a minimum! That's the other sad part about it, these nurses get paid depending on how many patients they visit. Just so wrong.

On hot flashes, I've been taking Effexor for almost a year now. I tried celexa but it doesn't do anything for me:(. But hey, I'm willing to try and see if medical marijuana works for that😄

It looks like another sleepless nigh for me. I'm wide awake! Urg!

Tracy516

Nurse: that was the worst 5 minutz of my life!!!!! No i do not need that freakin pad change!!!!!

Jeannie57

Tracy, you sound feisty and wonderful!



I must've heard you ladies talking because here I am at 3 AM.

hrf

8 am here. Surgery took 12 hours. So far so good. Hope Tracy and Typewriter doing ok.

damiana9

hrf- Hey, look at you- up and typing! Glad it went well!



Kuka- There is a medication called Marinol- it is synthetic THC. I have NO idea how well it works, but it probably does. Right now I think it is only approved for AIDS patients, and people doing chemo. I a curious if I could get my MO to rx it to me. The non synthetic version 100% got rid of my hot flashes. Without it, I am at about 15 BAD ones a day and then lots of sweats at night.

jlbloom

Jeannie, when I saw you posted last I thought, "she should be asleep!"  Sorry for your sleepless night.

Sherry, it is amazing that you had all that going on and it went unnoticed.  My DH had good home nurses.  One caught a fistula that put him back in the hospital.  There are always good and bad.  Not all of his were good.

I'm in for the lemon bars or brownies!  I will bring potato chips and M&Ms.  It worked back in the '70s.  Sour, salty, and sweet!  Ok, xanax will have to do for now.

Tracy, I can't believe you are posting already!

Hope everyone has a great Friday.  ...Julie

sweetpickle

Sherry- Holy cow, so glad you are ok! Im sorry you had to deal with that and I hope it is smooth sailing for you from here out.



Bluebird- Hugs, you dont have to be positive if you arent feeling it. I have vented here over and over and the flapper ladies have always been an encouraging and listening ear. My friends and family dont get it like this group does. I hope you feel better soon!



Movie & Jackie- You ladies have a fantastic time and I cant wait to see pictures! Wilber!!!!!!!!



Kuka & Goldie- You ladies are a hoot! I thought many times during chemo how helpful that would be. Hopefully one day soon our states will see the benefits in medicine.



HRF- Yay and congrats for making it to the other side! Speedy recovery to you :-)



I have to uodate the hot water situation. Last night landlord had it working for like two minutes, ahhh I am goingto take the hottest bath once its working again. Looks like a bad circuit board and one is being drop shipped today. Hopefully he can get over tonight to install it. We are hanging tough and heating up water on the stove to wash with. Im smiling my way through because in the realm of problems, this is microscopic....lol



I know Ive missed some folks as I had several pages to read through. I hope our new flappers are healing well and those who are waiting know how awesome it is once you are on the other side. Im all stretched out now with good ROM. I can still feel my muscles stretch in my arm on affected side if I overreach. I am walking upright most of the day but I notice myself hunching over in the evening as Ive been doing so much unpacking. Mucles are pretty sore at the end of the day but some ibruproohan helps with that. Today is eleven weeks out from DIEP for me. TOWWNDA!!!!! :-) Hugs to all and happy Friday!

nihahi

Quick check in.....HOLY CRAP!

Sherry....heal, kiddo, what an ordeal!

Tracy and hrf......TOWANDA!!!!! 

bluebird....even if you don't post, you are in our thoughts and prayers. I second all the comments of "we are here for the good and the bad"....(((((X))))

ok....all you "happy" ladies with the mj parties....I am NOT posting bail for you, but it sure sounds like a great idea!

Movie....where the heck is Tri-cities??? No point in exhausting yourself on the drive.....Ade and I are just finishing our morning coffees, drooling over some photos of Glacier/beargrass from a book.....gonna hit the road soon. OMG can't wait! See you tomorrow at 10/10:30 ish.....remind hubby he may be needed to push me up the trail if I peter out!!!!! Drive safely.

christina0001

goldie I am not necessary advocating for this, but I have a friend with (skin) cancer and she eventually got to a point where she started refusing all labs and testing. She said every test always led to needing another test, eventually it would be determined that the results were nothing to worry about, but the stress was horrible. I could relate because my liver enzymes shot up a couple of months ago and I had to get an ultrasound of the liver, and I was convinced I had mets to the liver. Absolutely horrible to go through, emotionally; at one point I was mentally rehearsing the words I would use to explain this to my parents and grandparents. I get upset thinking about it now. On one hand, I thank God for my oncology team, that they are being so vigilant in trying to catch things early. But on the other hand, the stress from these tests is seriously traumatizing, especially when we do not get quick and definitive results. Love the idea for medical marijuana for us!!! lol

damiana - good luck today! re: marinol - it is also used to help patients gain weight, so if you do not want to gain weight you might not want it.

bluebird -  I hope you can get to see your PS ASAP. Wounds are no joke. If you absolutely cannot be seen, I wonder if you might want to see your PCP. If nothing else, maybe your primary care physician could suggest something, or maybe even call your PS's office.

home health nurses - I have worked home health before (not as a nurse - I'm a social worker) and it is wonderful (in my opinion). You get to know your patients and often, their families, much more than you ever would in a hospital or clinic setting. People open up to you more in their own home, and it is easier to understand where your patient is coming from when you can see their home. Home health nurses also have to be very independent and good problem solvers - they don't have coworkers, supervisors, and closets of supplies with them like a hospital or clinic nurse does; it's just you and what you have stored in the trunk of your car. It is not for everyone but it definitely appeals to a certain breed of professionals. Home health nurses generally love what they do - if they did not love it they would not do it, as it can be rough - some homes are hard to find, some are not clean, some have mean pets. It can also be a dangerous job. Some patients live with dangerous criminals or are even criminals themselves. I have personally known at least one nurse who was attacked doing a home visit for a baby, in a bad neighborhood.

Did not sleep very well last night and my boobs are sore (of course, what else is new) but my skin is starting to look better. I've been putting plain aloe vera on my red, flaky skin twice a day now for several days and it is really helping. I was going to take a little drive today for the first time, just to prove that I could do it, but I think I am too tired. Unless I can get a good nap in I think I will wait until tomorrow. On a happy note, my stepson finally sent me the weekends he is off work for the next couple of months, so DH and I can plan a little weekend getaway for us (me, DH, stepson + his wife and their two little boys). We're looking at renting a condo for a weekend at Lake of the Ozarks.

Janet_M

Hrf & Tracy - Good Morning! Welcome to the other side! And thanks for posting. It's such a privelage to be able follow your adventures so we can cheer you on. Yay girls!

ThpewriterJenny- I hope you're resting comfortably.

Sherry- Holy cow. What a crazy ride. I'm so glad you're feeling better mentally and physically than when you first went home from surgery. What a relief. I hope you finally are able to have the good, calm, healing rest you need.

Nihahi/Movie - I'm so excited (well, jealous really) of your trip to Mt Wilbur. How fantastic - have wonderful time.

Meanwhile I'm getting ready for a camping trip. When did I become so high maintenance?!  My pillows alone - including my wedge - will take up most of the car. Then there are my scar gels, my lymphodema sleeve.....At least I have a good excuse not to chop wood or put up the tent.

Colette64

Hello DIEP-FLAP ladies,



A somewhat shallow issue is a concern of mine: pubic hair. My surgeon did a great job on the tummy tuck, but an immediate consequence of pulling up my skin so tight is that now the pubic hair area starts much higher than before, and some hair is also trying to grow on the scar itself.

What are the options? Someone told me to remove the hair with laser, is it advised as I am now starting chemo?

I used to have it waxed, but now I am afraid to wax there, as the scar is still new.

The nurse told me depilatory cream are not recommended. Anyway, I need to resolve that issue one way or another.

You probably think I should let the whole thing grow and concentrate on more important matters, but I am a swimmer, and dying to go back in the pool.

Thanks for discussing pubic air with me :-)

sherry35

I did not have a good night.

Good morning Wibur! Morphine is my friend right now.lol

sbelizabeth

Colette, I wish I had a good answer for you!  I have the same issue.  I'm just glad my lady bits aren't peeking out from the top of my granny panties.  I tried shaving the top couple of inches and got an ingrown hair, which just scared me, so no more of that.  I'll ask my PS when I see him today.

Sherry, push that button and go to sleep!  

Appointments with infectious disease doctor and plastic surgeon today.  Hopefully I'll get another date for Stage II.

Tracy516

THE good the bad and the ugly!!!!!

BAD: Brand names: Dilaudid meds not working:( I was up all night! GOOD: Now can take a perks as needed too;)

UGLY: Physical Therapist coming to help/make me go from bed to chair!!!!! Ughhhhhh



Glad I can vent here.

Hope everyone is good today!!

Jeannie57

Tracy, sorry about the Dilaudid not working. It worked too well for me (Wilbur!) and plugged me up. I hope you get any pain under control. You can get from the bed to the chair! You must be doing well if it is being attempted so soon. So glad you are on the other side!



Hrf, good to hear from you! Welcome to flapper-land!



Sbe, get rid of that razor! No more cellulitis for you. "Lady bits above your granny panties" is quite a visual!! Sorry, Collette, I have no advice for you.



Sherry, I hope you can rest today and have good pain control. They better be taking good care of you!



Janet_M, take good care of yourself. You're so kind to all of us.



Movie, Tri-Cities! Seattle is much prettier....good traveling today.



Other than 3 AM, I slept fine. Back on the wedge, though.



Happy Friday!

goldie4040

First, I want to say I am sorry if I spoke out of turn about home health care nurses. But, between what happaned to Sherry, and my MIL I am a little upset with them.  I am sure, just like in every profession, a few bad apples, and the rest are wondeful, and I am sorry for pigeon holing anybody.  

Bluebird, thinking of you today. Keep us posted.

Damiana, you too.  Keep us posted.

All the gals who had their dieps yesterday....let's us know how you are!

LOL, Janet...sounds like luxury camping.  Have fun.

Christina, yes they over test, and you want to scream "stop" but you are right, in the end you have to keep getting the tests done. That is how they found my BC in the first place, so I need to be grateful, I think....

Nihani, you crack me up. You stopped in long enough to scold us for partying!  LOL

Sweetpickle, hope you are doing okay today.

Gosh, we were all up late.  My DH and i have a long day of furniture shopping again.  I hope I find what I want. BTW...I got a foam mattress topper for my already foam mattress that was two hard...WOW...what a difference. 

kuka21174923

Colette, yes, laser treatments for hair is the way to go I talked to my ps about it I even asked him if he gave my lady parts a lift. He said that's usually the norm with tummy tucks. You pull down from one side and pull up from the other. I'm just waiting for my ps to get the equipment that he needs to do the laser on my armpits and the southern regions, lol.

Damiana, thinking of you right now. I hope your ps resolves whatever is going on with your tummy!

sweetpickle

Janet- Have fun camping!



Goldie- Doing good today, just unpacking and trying to get our workers comp on. Its turning out to be a pain in the butt. Enjoy furniture shoping, Im looking for an entry bench online right now. :-)



Tracy- Hope today is a good day for you, rest easy and speedy recovery.



Sbe- Hope your appointment today goes well and you get an all clear.

liefie

Wow! Sometimes I feel I should just give up trying to keep up here, because here is just so much going on!

Sherry, I'm so happy things worked out well for you in the end. I agree that the homecare nurse did not care, but glad to hear from others that this is not the norm.

Tracy and hrf, you did it, and now you just have to rest and recover. Hope Typewriter is doing okay too. TOWANDA!

Colette, I don't have much advide for your hairy problem. My tummy scar is so low that it skims the top of the pubic area, but at 59 I'm not into bikinis anymore. Laser sounds like a good option.

Janet, enjoy the camping trip!

Have to run for a gym session. My prediction is that we will hear more from Movie and Nihahi before they begin their trek to Wilbur . . . LOL.

Morningsun1

Happy Friday to all!

sbelizabeth

Infectious disease doctor gave me the all-clear.  Before Stage II they'll blast in a dose of vancomycin and one of fortaz, just for insurance, but I'm good to go for surgery.  Yay!

Liefie, I'm not into bikinis anymore either.  I never was even as a teen; they're just not athletic enough.  But this pubic hair halfway up to my belly button just feels odd.

PS appt this afternoon!  Hopefully I'll get another Stage II date. 

Movie and Nihahi, keep the Timtams away from the bears...

goldie4040

Kuka and Colette, there is  new hair removal system that my friend (she is a cosmetic laser tech) told me about.  Instead of many painful long visits, and having to hide the area that was treated because it will be all inflamed, there is a new hair removal laser that literally takes 5 minutes per armpit, with no pain and no downtime. I am psyched, because I want it done so I don't have to worry about shaving, and cutting myself.  Of course, this is a ways down the rode for me. Havne't even had my diep yet.  

We had no luck furniture shopping.  Everythng is made so poorly these days.  It's pretty scary.  Why would they even put a dresser on the floor of the store if the drawers don't run smoothly, and the knobs are falling off?  Even in the better stores you can't find solid wood furniture anymore.  Sad.  I am showing my age. 

sbelizabeth

Goldie, my husby and I save up for a gazillion years until we could afford to buy what we wanted.  Most of our bedroom is mission style by Stickley.  It's wildly expensive but a piece at a time is doable. 

There are also Amish furniture places where we live, and we've ordered some beautiful pieces custom-made.  Quarter-sawn, solid oak, stained to the shade we wanted.  You can order lots of their stuff online.