DIEP 2013
Comments
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So I'm still catching up on my reading but I've missed you ladies and wanted to share a few quick thoughts.
Thanks so much to all of you for your kind words
I'm meeting with the next surgeon on wed this week and then Thurs have a follow up with my ps . I am hopeful that they can both work together so that I can just have one more surgery rather than 2. I just can't keep taking this time out of work though I have to say my bosses have been amazing ! I'm a nanny so when I'm out of work one of them is also missing work and so far the total is 8+ weeks !
I also wanted to share this amazing find. I went to Victoria Secret in search of a nice wireless bra. All of my previous bras had under wire and there was no way that would work now I tried ! The women I saw offered to measure me (with a tank top on of course) and showed me their only wireless style which was Body by Victoria. The fit is really nice just in case anyone wants to try.
Re depression
I took ativan for a very short time before surgery and was very pleased with it. I could take it at the first sign of anxiety or a melt down and it would work rather quickly. At a recent visit to my primary doctor for a physical she recommended I try clonazepam at the lowest dose because unlike ativan it would work fairly quickly and then keep stabelize longer.
Bluebird (((hugs))) -
Faith
Good to hear from you. Glad things are moving along. I hope your surgeons can coordinate. That would be perfect, and maybe you plastics guy can close the incision made by GS on you throat so it looks good. The woman from dancing with the stars, I forget her name, she had throat cancer and showed how tiny her surgeons made her scar. She is cured, BTW...just like you will be.
You must be a great nanny that's why they are waiting for you to come back. It's really hard to find a good nanny.
Keep us posted after you appts this week.
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Hi Tracy516,
how are you feeling? i will be having double Diep on Thursday,
and I am a nervous wreck.....cant't sleep, even though I took some xnax
how did you feel when you woke up from the surgery? did you have much pain?
can you tell me anything that will relieve my exciety ?
thank you
Anne
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ANNE / 18 days out now. I had a skin spearing DIEP. They just scooped and shoved!;) lol so I have disc of stomach skin where my nipples where and a smile from hip to hip. Plus belly button. I will say it wasn't pretty;( but today it looks 75% better. I have had no complication! Very lucky. PAIN when you wake.. They give you a button to push and you will push a night!! You ache and can't move really() the next day I told nurse I couldn't sleep and they gave me a Percocet !
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That's push all night. Lol
Anne your gonna worry! My nurses were so nice! They will help you. Ask! Don't be afraid to ask!
Take things from home in your bag. Pictures... I had hubby being mg pillow! -
Anne, anxiety goes with the waiting! I know where you are coming from. I had to laugh when you asked Tracy how she felt after surgery.....check out page 167 of this thread on July 19th, 24 hours after my DIEP. I wrote, "I am officially a flapper! Everyone says my doc did a fantastic have been jnnt fit the block. I can't dibs both Wilbur grgvsimecgungrt" I was feeling no pain, remembering nothing and communicating only sporadically and unpredictably. My family and I now laugh at all the crazy things I said... Dilaudid + whatever really did a number on me! One thing to do pre-surgery is to start taking anti-constipation measures! Take it from me, those drugs plug you up. Stay on top of it to avoid a trip to the ER!
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Wilbur!!!!!!! Yes dilaudid + had me taking pictures of my blanket covered legs!!! Lots!! Lol
I can laugh to like Jeannie now, BUT yes I questioned after the surgery weather I was crazy!! Just know it gets better!!! -
Marty and Katy, thanks for the links. I hope the government never seizes my computer and sees this stuff... lol
Katy enjoy your first day drain-free! Hooray! That's a major victory!
Jeannie you are 100% right, if you haven't been through this you aren't going to understand. There's a thread somewhere here, I think in the Emotional forum, about the dumb things people say. I will go there and post if someone gives me a real gem of a comment. Sometimes I go there just to read, laugh, and shake my head. I know people mean well but it's still frustrating. Goldie your example is classic.
Deb - everyone's story is so different, I think it all depends on their PS and also their body. I did not do TEs and I am quite pleased with my results. I have photos on the photo forum if that helps. My PS will do my first revision (I'm hoping my only revision!) in about 6 weeks or so at this point; I think she said it would be around the 3 month mark. I just need a little lipo to my new foob and to my hip area I think. Eventually a nipple tattoo (I'm not going to do an actual fipple.)
faith thanks for the bra recommendation. Now that I have two boobs again I am surprised at how often I think about bras. (Wow, five years ago that is not a sentence I would have ever imagined writing.) I'm sure your doctors will be able to coordinate something.
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Have a good nap today, movie. Best of everything!
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Good morning dear Flapper Sisters........today's my date with my PS......just a LITTLE nervous, thanks to Xanax, lol. Too much trauma at Stage 1 for me to sail into stage 2 without some help from that little white pill......
I am hoping for the companionship of St. Wilbur throughout all the fun....leaving for surgery now........will post from the other side.....as soon as I can get my hands on my IPad........thanks for keeping me in your thoughts........
XO. Jackie -
Marianne102 - Two days before surgery and you're a wreck? That sounds just about right! The waiting really is the hardest part.
I also had a double DIEP with a BMX, and as Tracey said, they just 'scooped and shoved'. I woke up groggily, and once I came to a bit more, realized I had a gauze pad over each breast, another on my abdominal 'smile', and another little pad on my new belly button. Every hour a handsome young intern would come with his flashlight and doppler and check under the pads to make sure that all the arteries and incisions were in good shape. These check-ins were totally painless, in fact I don't recall any severe pain at all. When I'd feel discomfort I'd just hit the morphine button and everything became 'normal' again, and as long as I was in bed - everything was just fine.
The only times I felt pain was when I tried to twist my middle. Getting out of bed, and back in again. But with the help of the nurses, and very slow movement, it was very manageable. By day two I was sitting in a chair (their idea, not mine) and by night two I went one a tiny little walk. The nurses helped me the first few times, and by day three I was shuffling along with the assistance of my IV pole.
Before surgery I took Ativan to help me calm down. I also went for a massage, kept very busy, and listened to some Guided Meditations that I downloaded onto my ipad.
There were a few things that made me feel better going into surgery. Firstly, this surgery considered relatively non-invasive, as they don't go into any organs or muscle. Secondly, my anesthetist told me he finds the DIEP 'boring' as there is nothing for him to do. The patient is lightly under, without the highs and lows of a regular surgery. And thirdly, I had to let go of control and realize that I'd done my part in cancer treatment, and for the next ten hours I would put my body in the very capable hands of these excellent surgeons and nurses, who are so good at what they do. And I would have faith that I was being treated kindly and respectfully as I took my long nap. And I also know that the body is built to heal, so I also put my faith in my bodies innate intelligence. It knows better than I where to send blood and oxygen, and is a valuable participant in the the surgery.
With that knowledge, I put my energy into preparation for healing. Stocking up on books, lotions, and pilows, and making a few meals in advance.
I should also point out that I am a big hairy chicken, and not nearly as composed as I may sound. During my first surgery, (my lumpectomies), I was an absolute wreck, right up until the time I had to walk into the OR I was in a state of high anxiety. For my second surgery (margins) I was much more emotionally prepared, and felt more of a 'team spirit' with the surgeons, rather than someone who was being sliced and diced. For this last surgery, I was in good shape emotionally, because I was very accepting and trusting of the process. I was still scared, but my trust balanced it out. Also, the morning ativin helped. I asked for two, but they said I could have just one. But by then I was pretty eager to get the whole thing over with so I could go home and lie on my heap of pillows.
I hope that helps. I'm about 13 weeks out and feeling really good. My recovery was uncomplicated and my biggest gripe is that I couldn't swim, or be in the sun all summer. Take a lot of deep breaths, and try to keep busy. There's lots of time to rest next week.
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You ARE in our thoughts, Jackie....hoping you wake up with the outcomes you planned. May this be a good healing day for all of you post surgery.
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Thank you for sharing yor experiences, JanetM. I am a week way from DIEP surgery and also fall back on those things you "fell back on" prior to surgery when jittery....I will be far from home for surgery but in experienced hands. Amen to help with anxiety....always with me since diagnosis when faced with surgery. Your advice is spot on!
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You got this Jackie!! May Wilbur be with you!!!
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Good luck today Jackie ! Wilbur will carry you through
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Jackie - Wilbur is waiting. He will meet you at the hospital. And we are all with you as well, looking forward to hearing from you again very soon.
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Wow, so many people, so much activity here! How can you possibly keep up?
Thank you so much for the warm welcome christina00, Marty J, mrtw43 and goldie4040. I am sure I missed some and my apologies. goldie4040 - I am at Medical City in Dallas with Dr. Duffy and Dr.McKane. Dr. Duffy is a member of a POH and they do their out patients there. They have a great reputation and came to me highly referred. I had my BMX in Plano by Dr. David Hampe, who also has a POH, and did and excellent job!! The way he left my incision, super straight and clean, Dr. McKane was able to use that line for one side of my flap, then when he added my nips (what they look like) he pulled together that flap into a circle for my areola. So, I have no scar whatsoever - just a large areola to go with my large pancake floobs. I am wearing a bra or a sports bra 24/7 to help them find some shape and it has helped some...and they are settling in. Now if they get a lift and become more rounded I will be happy. It will be a while before I can do anything else pending my healing issues.
Sherry35 and Mammalou, I am so sorry for what you are both going through with the wound issues. I know how frightening this whole experience is. Sherry35, I cant believe your PS doesn't have you going in until the 12th with what you have going on. I see my PS every week, and have even twice on a few weeks - I want him to see what is going on so we can get this healed, and he debrides it every time I go in. It can take a turn for the worse so quickly I can't imagine waiting that long. Besides the VAC, wet to dry is really our only option, but it still needs to be debried. Mammalou, that's what you were talking about with the slough and keeping it cleaned out. Between my PS and Nurse I have practically zero, but it didn't start out that way. It was horrble!!! The downside is between the two of them working on me I am very very sore, to the point I have to take pain pills. Has your PS not offered to put you on the VAC? It really does work wonders. It has become my new best friend. Patience is really a necessity for us to not get depressed over this. As if we haven't been patient from the first bi-opsy we had. But, patience is critical for us, because we WILL heal. With time, we will heal. And I hope the three of us can pull together to figure out what it is going to take to make that happen!!
I am going to the PS here in the next hour so I hope to come back with some good news. My VAC crapped out on me last night so I have to go in wet to dry and I was so excited for him to see how my nurse has been doing the packing for the tunneling so he will think twice about me needing this surgery. Bummer. I just can't. Can't do another surgery right now. I am very anxious, scared, woke up in tears knowing I have to face this again today. I pray he doesnt open up any more stitches again today. Gotta run...I will let you guys know what happens.
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movie....TOWANDA!
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la2....I'm curious when you mention stitches. Are you referring to internal stitches, or did your ps do your final (external skin) closure with stitches? Sherry and mammalou....how was your final closure done? Stitches, glue, steristrips???? Just wondering if there is any connection to closure techniques and incision issues? What does POH mean...not a term in Canada, I don't think.
Debwarrior and marieann....It was a tough week last week for many, hoping this week goes better for all. The more you read the thread, the clearer it becomes that we are all different in almost everyway, (dx-tx-sx-recon issues-healing issues-pain-recovery-acceptance/happiness) BUT, we are all united in support of each other.
debwarrior..I'll ask the mods to get you on out list. marieann....please let me know if you also want to be added. I'm never quite sure unless I get a PM, if someone wants "on" the list, or is just mentioning their dates.
faith....so good to hear from you! Fingers crossed re: next appt.
jeannie...woohooo....but stay upright on the bike ok!!!!
goldie...how are those smaller fills going for you???
sbe....I love ya girl...but if you post photos of your beloved legless reptiles, you're gonna have to pre-alert the local paramedics for me......I'm just sayin........ On that note, if my photos are issues for any...let me know. Not trying to make the thread something it "isn't" intended to be.
Gotta dash....have good days!
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Good morning, gloobsters! And welcome to our newest members, both pre-DIEP and post-DIEP.
Go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep dear Movie...etc. If you had any pockets right now we'd all be in them!
A friend who used to go to church with us said this to me: "Have you had both surgeries? You know, two breasts, two surgeries to remove them. Are you clean now? Or are you just hoping to make it to five years?" I was so mad, and so upset, that I blogged about it. But probably the most distressing thing for me, was that he was just being friendly and conversational. He had no clue that his comments and questions were insensitive. And I think that's a common thing for people who ask prying questions or make rude comments--they just don't know. They've never wrestled with a potentially fatal disease, or faced the amputation of body parts, or wondered how to relate all of it to family and loved ones. And that's why I love all of you. You get it.
Off to the shower, where for the last time (at least THIS time around), I'll pin my drain to a loop of dental floss around my neck and try to not snag the danged tubing in the washcloth!
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Movie...today will be perfect, and your healing will be miraculous!
Lahela, I know all those docs names. I believe one of our flap graduates (Daminana) used Dr. Duffy. She is back at grad school 8 weeks after surgery.
Christina, I know the forum you are talking about, and the intro is really funny. I think it's called The Stupid Things That People Say.
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Grace - I'm a NOLA girl. My surgeon is Dr Sullivan and I just saw him as my stage 2 is tomorrow. They are really good at what they do - including making travel easy for us out of towners. They arranged for my stay (for free) at the Hope Lodge and they provide transportation to/from airport and appointments.
Deb - I had my sentinel node biopsies first which really helped. Then for stage 1 they did my BMX and immediate reconstruction using extended DIEP. They let me keep my skin and nipples and I didn't have to have any expanders or anything - just a "simple" (ha) remove and restuff. If you don't have the results ahead of time from the sentinel node biopsies then they might not be able to do it all at once because they don't want to radiate the flaps.
As for me - great news for stage 2. Dr Sullivan did such a great job the first stage that there really is nothing much to do! Yay! He's going to give me a little bit more fill - so some liposuction and fat grafting. He says I have tiny dog ears so he'll smooth those out a bit and he's going to revise the very middle of my abdomen scar to make it a little smaller. He said actual surgery time would only be about 1/2 an hour and I won't need any more stages. Honestly, I probably don't even need this surgery but I'm here, so I'm going for it!
So many ladies are having a tough time and that does happen. But for you ladies heading in to stage 1, there is hope and it's not all bad. My stage 1 was tough because of blood pressure issues/blood transfusion and a bad reaction to some of the pain pills. (No more Norco for me! I'm a dilaudid girl!) Three days after surgery I was really wondering what I had gotten myself into! But it does get better and knowing what I know now I would do it all over again.
Looking forward to being pampered tomorrow by the NOLA staff! :-) I get one night in their hospital and then fly home on Saturday.
I'm praying for all of you with complications and I'm so sorry you are having to go through more misery. :-( -
In your pocket movie!
Nihahi, I was stitched with internal dissolvable stitches. However, I was opened up by PS due to an infected seroma in the OR. I guess after cleaning me all out she decided that I wouldn't heal properly and on the vac I went.
My boob holes are improving. The third one isn't deep enough to be packed anymore and it's itchy. So hopefully I'm on the mend. Does anyone know how long I have to have this vac before I can get sewn up? I'm not real good at sitting around waiting to heal or anything else for that matter! I really just really want to get on with things so I can move home! Right now I'm " homeless". Staying at my Mom's place right now. -
Yay, Movie! By now you are probably sleeping peacefully with Wilbur whispering sweet nothings in your ear...hoping for awesome results from this surgery! No complications!
Those going in this week, hoping the same for you!
Katy, that's it, they just don't realize that what they are saying is just wrong. And even if you explain, they might not get it. So no more 'splainin' from me. By the way, I looked for legless reptiles on my bike ride but no luck
and looking did not make me fall over!
It's raining at 60 F. Feels weirdly tropical for Seattle. -
Hey Kristen, Sending best good vibes your way and know that wll things will go well. Can't wait to meet up when you are back and settled in. Just let me know how you are feeling and if I can do anything for you. You know I am just minutes away.
Goodie, I am new to the Diep 2013 thread, but am a veteran to Diep; I had mine in 2009. Anyway I just want to wish you a very good day tomorrow too. I will be thinking of you and Klanders.
Linda
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Welcome, Linda! We are happy to have all veterans and newbies here! Would love to hear your experiences .
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Movie good luck today!! Dream of Wilbur and tell him hi from the rest of us😄
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Debdylan, congrats. I'm so glad it wasn't something worse.
Movie, hope your nap was good and you wake up looking even better. Towanda! -
Deb, good news! My one little scabby spot healed well, from the bottom up, and left an area that's a little pinker than the rest of the flap, but my PS said if it bugs me he can remove it with the NEXT surgery. It doesn't bother me in the least. And you're 100% right, it IS hard to not panic when there's so much at stake. I discovered my own BC due to a red spot on my breast, and then wrestled with the cellulitis red spots a few weeks ago, so RED SPOTS make me completely wig out.
I didn't even feel the drain removal this morning and now I'm tubing-free. What a relief. We had a long chat about what he was able to do this time and what's on the books for next time. Last week's surgery addressed the flaps from the mammary fold (the bottom of the breasts) up, and he didn't want to do any carving on the north ends, to protect the blood supply to the flaps, still. The next surgery, probably the beginning of December, will be to fine-tune the shaping of the breasts and abdomen, and add nipples. If we're careful with the calendar I can probably be finished (!!!) before the end of the year when my out-of-pocket maximum runs out.
Hey, Movie, how they hanging, girlfriend?
For those of you who have found the world's greatest and most comfortable compression garment, I need some help. My PS said don't buy an iron-clad girdle, but do find a firm compression panty and wear it most of the time. What have all of you found that's firmer than the Costco Maidenform panties but doesn't make you want to tear it off?
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Yeh, Sherry and Deb. Sounds like you are both on the right road again. Good to know.
Okay, for those of you who had expanders I have a question. I had an expansion last Friday, and this morning I noticed, and it might have been there before today, but the shirt I have on is lower cut, that my clavacle area is swollen, more on the left than the right. My arms never seem swollen, but my hands seem to swell a little sometimes. Are the expanders cutting off my circulation. It sure feels like it sometimes. I keep measuring my arms to make sure its not lymphedema, but where does truncal lymphedema show up?
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