DIEP 2013

goldie4040

Jeannie,

I am shocked about the Pottery Barn table.  The prices they charge you would think it would be real wood.  Believe it, or not...Costco has on line furniture, and I was looking at it.  They have video descriptions you can watch.  They actually have several solid wood bedroom pieces that are very nice, and of course cost mucho.  I love that Costco stands by everything they sell, and if I wasn't happy I would have my money back before I could blink.  My husband doesn't feel comfortable buying something without seeing it in person first, although he was very impressed with the video...lol.  My brother, and I split the furniture in the parents house.  I wish I took more of it.  I didn't appreciate all of it at the time.

I am seeing my PS next Friday.  I will do some major whining then.  Ugh.  I can't wait till Oct, or Nov. I think I would go insane.  I don't feel too bad today, but i get another fill on Friday.  The Iron Bra that you had, did you have it immediately after waking from your MX, or did it come on gradually?

FireDragonll

I'm so glad Hrf, Tracey and TyperwriterJenny are all on the otherside and doing well.

I have Dick Idol bedroom furniture the is pretty nice for new furniture. I have two Stickley pieces, my jewelry box husband bought for an anniversary present and a mirror.

Janet_M

Hrf - Don't worry. The lifting the arms thing is a pain in the arse but it's manageable. Do you have someone who can come over  if you need help? I found that navigating my way around the kitchen was fine, with a bit of help from a stepstool. If there are things you always use, it's best to have them at waist-ish level. Digging around at the back of a cupbaord is tricky - so it's nice to have some you can call in to make sure that everyhing is accesible.  Same with making a bed - tugging at the corners is bothersome, and there's no way I could flap my top sheet like I used to. Same with puling out drawers - the sticky ones were painful. I just left all my essentials out where I could grab 'em. I live with someone (Jim) but I liked to be prepared for the times when I was on my own.

There is a tool you can get - a long grabby thing - that can help you pick stuff up off the floor, or grab a towel off a top shelf. I think it's available at Health Care drugstores, but it's pretty handy for grabbing the remote, or a magazine.

I loved my cathater! Before surgery I found the idea totally revolting - but after having experienced the luxury of lying in bed all night - I never wanted  to take it out. Maybe that's because I was on painkillers. Morphine made everything better.

Jeannie57

Goldie, I was never very uncomfortable with the fills. The iron bra feeling was pretty much from the get-go. It was intense for the first month or so, eased up some, but never went away totally.



Janet, I have the grabber thing. My washing machine is very deep (top loader) so I use the grabber to move clothes to the dryer. I was so excited when I saw I could do this!

sbelizabeth

I have a grabber thing too.  I used it, once, to get a bottle of Karo syrup down from the top shelf.  The grabbing feature failed me and crash... The dogs love it.

kuka21174923

Goldie, yes I got to get out. We had a BBQ with the cub scouts my son is in. Right now we're sitting in the back yard while the kids swim. I can't believe I can sit out here without being hot in the middle of August!

Hrt, you def need to get somebody to help you for a week or so. Take care!

Judy_63

I agree with JanetM about the catheter I loved not having to get up and go to the bathroom for the first night.

Moviemaniac

I wish I had had a catheter today.....pit toilet not so good.....Nihahi is kicking my very sore butt on the hiking.... . Having a lot of fun.....she will have to post pics b/c DH had MY phone in HIS pocket..... Love you all and congrats to typewriter for making it to the other side!

Namaste and God Bless-Jackie

PS.....Wilbur was AWESOME!!!!

goldie4040

Jeannie

I used the barbecue tongs to get my laundry out of the washer..lol.  My husband thought I was a genius.  No, just a woman, and we can figure out how to get just about anything done.

SBE..I have a grabber now, and you're right, they don't hold very tight.

LOL, Movie. You will need a good rest and a hot bath.

sbelizabeth

Are there any hot springs in Glacier?  Nihahi and Movie, try to keep your clothes on.

hrf

Homecare nurse will only do drain management. Guess I better arrange something. Have to admit, recovery is a little rougher than I expected.

Janet_M

Goldie,
Your husband is right, you ARE a genius!

I hope you new girls are all doing well - Typewriter, Hrf, Tracey. Walking gets easier every day, so hang in there - it pays off in the long run.

I'm just packing up the car and heading to Northern Ontario for a few days of camping. I've gone from 'so excited' to 'what the f*ck was I thinking?' Sleeping on an air mattress doesnt seem so appealing anymore - wish I had my catheter. And the whole back seat of the car is pillows, duvets, and my beloved wedge. No turning back now though - I promised my nephew I'd be there. Jim's staying home  - hanging out with Jed and the one remaining pillow.

Have a great Sunday

goldie4040

hrt,

You might have to get somebody to come in everyday for a couple of hours to help you with a few necessities for a least two weeks.  You don't need a specialist like a nurse, just somebody kind and patient. Even if the hospital can't arrange anything but a drain management nurse, ask the social worker if she knows of some place you can call.  They hear about this stuff all the time. Can I ask where you live?  Is it near a big city?  

Janet, have fun on you camping trip. I love that you are taking every pillow in the house.  You will take up a two man tent all by yourself. 

Anonymous

Go Janet, go!!!



HRF, Jenny and Tracy....it's very slow progress at first...give yourselves time. Getting out of bed and safely walking a bit are good, major goals while you are in hospital. You will feel better week by week! Hugs....or maybe just a gentle pat on your head!



HRF...I don't know your situation...do you have friends, coworkers or family nearby who have offered to help? If so, plug in to that....most people really are so happy when they can help...it's so hard for most of us to ask or say yes to the offers, but cool and happy things usually happen when you do! If not....please find out if there is a Cancer Support Community or a Gilda's Club or some other cancer support organization and start there. Just call them up and explain your situation and ask if there are any programs to assist patients at home. I don't know if there is....but the answer is always no if you don't ask!!!



Jenny....So happy your node status looks clear!!!



Have a good day, ladies!



Bluebird....still thinking of you!

Hello Goldie...we are crossing posts!!

goldie4040

Hey Bailey, 

I guess we are.  Hope you are having an awesome weekend! Can't wait to see pics of Nihani and Movie on their hike.  Movie sounds tired...lol.  

FierceBluebird

sbe, that is a scary story. I just had my port flushed this week. They forgot to take it out during surgery.

If anyone can recommend a good electric razer, I'm in the market for one too.

Healing thoughts and wishes to all the new flappers.

Thanks for the good thoughts and private messages to keep my spirit up.

Still not feeling much better. Made the trip into the city to PS office several times last week just for them to tell me I'm fine for the 100th time. The new wound "muck monster" is growing day by day. At least I was given a script for valium so I can wash it like they want me to. I can't stand to reach my fingers into it's gaping maw!

After my 2 month checkup this week with oncologist, found out I'm anemic probably from blood loss during surgery. That explains the sleeping all the time. What I thought was neuropathy in my fingers and toes from the chemo may be due to the anemia. Started a gabapentin prescription to see if that helps.

So it's another week of slow healing and building my iron reserves back up.

Will try to do something positive today and keep my head above water. Headed out back to have coffee with the chickies. They entertain me.  Enjoy your Sunday!

christina0001

shechirple - rotflmbo!!! That is one of my biggest fears, that I will go back to work and end up rubbing my boobs in front of people. I just know it's going to happen! Did anyone say anything to you? Oh that is so funny... I'm sure I'll be doing the same thing.

typewriterjenny - hooray, you are through surgery! Congratulations! Yes, ditto everyone else, definitely let them know if your pain meds are not cutting it for you. The doctor can surely make an adjustment. At one point I needed to speak up during my hospital stay, and I'm glad I did. Someone else said here something like, there's no gold stars for suffering, or for trying to recover too fast. It's true.

sbelizabeth - glad you finally got your stage II surgery date. August 29th is right around the corner.

hrf - glad your recovery is coming along. boy it is rough and slow though, isn't it? I didn't have that restriction (I was a delayed DIEP after a UMX) so I can't really speak to that. I would imagine that means no hair washing. If you have a built-in microwave that is over your oven, that could be another problem. I use my microwave a lot and I'd probably spend the money on an inexpensive countertop for temporary, rather than not being able to use it. Other than that, hopefully there isn't much high up to reach. Maybe someone can come over and help you take down anything you might need, once you get home.

bluebird, your wound care makes me light headed. You are a strong woman!

I guess everyone loved their catheter but me? Mine did not drain well and the nurses said some people are just like that, that it is an anatomy thing. (I have never heard that before and when I go back to work, I'm going to ask the nurses I work with about it.) They would have to raise and lower the bag and the tubing and move it around, and then it would drain. So it would get very uncomfortable if I went too long without it being raised and lowered or whatever. Eventually I got annoyed and frustrated and I think it was on the morning of day 3 that I told the doctor to GET IT OUT and I will use the toilet somehow. So out it went. I had to use a commode for the next 24 hours or so because there was no way I could even make it across the room to the bathroom. Just transferring to the commode made me lightheaded and queasy. But it was still better than feeling like my bladder was going to explode.

Working in healthcare makes me paranoid about infections, so I downed a lot of cranberry juice while I had the catheter and kept drinking it for days afterwards. I tried to eat a yogurt every day while on the antibiotics as well. I did not get a urinary tract infection or a yeast infection, maybe I would not have anyway, but it made me feel better to try to be proactive.

I thought I was doing really well and even wondering if I could go back to work by the end of this coming week. But yesterday I went with my husband to run an errand about 90 minutes away. All I had to do was sit in the car. When we arrived, I napped in the car for 10 minutes while he did what he had to do. Then we drove towards home. We stopped after about 45 minutes and enjoyed lunch. (Mmmm barbeque.) We had talked about going to the Verizon store after lunch because I want to get a new phone. But I was too tired! Instead we came straight home, I was so sleepy on the drive home, and when we got home, I had to take a nap. I can't believe a car ride like that wore me out. This was 18 days post-op.

goldie4040

Ugh, sorry Bluebird.  Where is your wound?  I am glad you are getting out to enjoy the weather.  At least your surgeon sees you.  Some people have a hard time actually seeing their surgeons.  I am glad they figured out the anemia thing.  Maybe you will heal faster now.

ssla01

Guess who's drain free? ME!

Tracy516

I haven't read your post but I will catch up. Ugh

I feel like crap...haven sleep well.. Finally got rid of roommate( because of construction) I had heartburn, a headache and these drains suck. The ones in front that a the fangs are terrible!!!



One the food side ladies came by with therapy dogs!!!so cute!!!

Now to sleep:)

Judy_63

Congrats, Ssla!!!! Feels wonderful doesn't it?

ssla01

Judy, it feels great. I have oozing holes, but who cares. 8 weeks is too long! I slept on my side last night? Ahhhh.

Cherrie

Sharon that is so exciting for you. FREEDOM! You and Maggie had yours for so long. We need to give Dr. M flack for that. Lol.



Nice to hear from the girls on Mt. Wilbur.



Jeannie, it would be great to meet at some point. My son has been there for only 5 weeks, but I know we will come and visit. I want to see glacier and cascades on the way. He is in Whistler this weekend. I miss him so much. My daughter lives on the other coast in VA. A mom's nightmare.

ironmagnolia

Hi bak94--I was an immediate recon after BMX, so can't answer all you questions, but here's my experience:

1.  8 hour surgery on a Monday and home of Friday

2. I had 4 drains, one in each end of the abdominal incision and one in each breast flap. Plus I had a painball which secreted pain meds into the tissues of the abdominal incision. Pain control with my PS was unbelievable. I had a PCA pump with morphine for 3 days, then had oral pain meds, but I never had any real pain. Only discomfort, mainly from having to lie in the same position all the time. I was able to stand pretty straight right off, though. Also, PS ordered Valium in the hospital for times when I just couldn't get situated comfortably back in bed after being up. I think I used this twice. This relaxed my muscles and helped so much!

3. Can't answer about being too overweight. I did have a little pooch after having had 3 kids, and in fact PS told me I needed to "pork it up a bit" before surgery. I only had a week's notice before surgery, but I took this to mean I could eat anything that wasn't nailed down. And I did.

4. My breasts are beautiful, if I do say so myself!! They look even better that the ones God gave me, even with no nipples. I'm in the same bra size now as I was pre surgery, but the shape is better, and they are perkier! I'm getting nipples in just a few weeks!! Then I'm taking them on a Caribbean cruise to celebrate!

liefie

Ssla01, YAYYYY on losing all the drains - what a relief it must be for you! And yes, side sleeping is really nice, eh?

To those girls in recovery, take it easy, go with the flow. Slowly does it, and you will get there. Hugs to you!

Anonymous

Ssla....I could just about cry for you!!! Happiness is no drains!!!

MartyJ

Bluebird - a freind had a similar situation to yours with the gaping wound and anemia.  One of the nurses took her aside and asked her to eat liver.  The nurse indicated she would really be surprised at the results.  My friend forced it down (for some liver is lovely, for others it is pure torture) and ate liver several times.  She said that her wound began healing at a faster rate and that she felt stronger.  Just an idea.

Christina - it really takes the body time to get over the anesthesia and the major assault from out surgery.  At 18 days, you should be proud of yourself making the trip.  You are not even 3 weeks out from major, major surgery.  What looks healed on the outside, needs more time to heal on the inside.  

Sharon - Yippee!  So glad you got that drain out.  I thought you were going for a mermaid record.

Tracy516

Meant good Side;)

Food side sucks;( lol.. Ice taste great!!!



Hope all my sisters are healing And having a peaceful day!!



I'm still in hospital , but no Carth, and I have to pee every hour;( feel bad because it take 10 mins to get over there:;

goldie4040

Ironmagnolia,

Did you use PMRA down in San Antonio? I am in Arlington, and I have been very tempted to go see those guys

goldie4040

Tracy,

It took me a bit to realize you made a typo...lol.  You said, "on the food side." when you meant the "good side"  and, for a while I was wondering if an evil Wilbur had come to visit you, and you decided that therapy dogs looked tasty?  lmaoooooooo