DIEP 2013

MartyJ

Christina - patience grasshopper.  No sit-ups yet.  If you could only do 15 before DIEP, doing 10 six weeks after is really putting stress on internal healing.  Just because you are closed up on the outside does not mean you are healed on the inside.  Sorry if this sounds like a lecture, but you could still develop some substantial issues.  

Marianne - so very glad to hear from you!  Glad you are home and doing well.  Shakey is going to go away as you drink more fluids and lose more of the anesthesia.  Welcome to the other side!

Mommalou - you have my deepest admiration.  Just so hard to do anything when something happens to our kids.  Our dog bit our son on the upper lip (by accident) when the kid was in 4th grade.  My DH sat in the back seat of the car with him as I drove to emergency.  As we were driving, my body began freezing up.  My fingers closed inward, toes clenched.  I had just learned the meaning of being paralyzed with fear.  I had to let my DH take over driving.  Happy to say the kid is now 25 and only has a tiny, tiny scar thanks to a good PS who operated a week after the bite.  

Mrtw - many years ago a PS told me to take a long shower before trying to gently remove the steri-strips.  The warm water softens the glue and any scabs that are attached.  If a strip doesn't want to peel, it is not ready yet.

Tracy516

Mrtw- my PS took my strip off two days after surgery (while in hospital ) guess each dr is different!



Debdylan -did you go to Philly or stay in s. jersey? I went to Virtua and saw dr Patel. He is good and the nurses were great but I only saw him total 4x!!! Busy I guess..



Day 24. Still have hard spot and bruising on cancer breast;( other breast great! Still tingles and burns..stomach pulls but looks great. Still TIRED after just taking a shower or folding clothes! Need energy!! Plus not sleeping a full night!;(



My daughter starts high school tomorrow and we are nervous!!!! Lol

sbelizabeth

For DIEPsters recovering or approaching surgery, just a note...some of the fatigue, shakiness or weakness associated with recovery from this surgery is the loss of blood during the procedure.  It's usually not enormous, but it's sudden, and your body misses its tiny red friends!  Some physicians or anesthesiologists give blood transfusions during the surgery or post-op period; many don't unless absolutely necessary.  It takes a while for your body to manufacture the red blood cells you lost but within a few weeks you'll feel good as new.

Metabolizing that much anesthesia take a bit of time, as well. 

Be gentle with yourself!

FireDragonll

Well I am on the other side. Still feel like I got run over. But am moving

goldie4040

Yeah, Firedragon!  I was just coming in to post that you were doing okay, and you beat me to it.  That's good.  Hope to hear more tomorrow when you are feeling more awake.

Ugh, I just finished reading all the horror stories of seeing your own children's blood.  I, unfortunately, had that experience too. Not something you get over too soon.  

Need to catch up on posts.  It was my grandson's bday weekend, and we have been very busy with family stuff, and I also tried to catch up on some hardcore housework.  My back is paying for it.

Christina, I agree with Marty.  Slow down with the situps.  Even when I was young, after my csection, I gave it a bit before sit ups.  I noticed almost everything you do engages your tummy.  When I stopped feeling any discomfort from normal stuff that's when I started ab exercises again, 

sbelizabeth

Yay, Firedragon!  Rest, sleep, and push that button, girl!

Cherrie

Welcome back to the flapper side of the world Ann and FireDragon. Rest, walk, drink, rest, walk, drink.......

liefie

Welcome to those who came through DIEP this week! Take it easy, do what your docs tell you, and be patient. After a surgery like this your body is almost in a state of shock, and needs lots of rest and sleep. Best wishes to all of you!

Katita, you asked about my docs. The breast surgeon was Dr. Allan Hayashi, and my PS is Dr. Jennifer Robinson, both in Victoria. They are the best, and I was really very fortunate to have them.

Anonymous

Yes, Nihahi, I was speechless earlier. DH took me to emergency lol! I was trying to post some pics, actually, and then it was time to go ride so I didn't have time to fix it.

This is DH and me hiking Pictured Rocks National Lake Shore last week.

Anonymous

These are the Upper Falls at Tahquamenon.

Anonymous

These are my boys....they are VERY FUNNY people...here they are laughing at my DH

Cherrie

Great pictures Bailey!

FierceBluebird

Great photos! What a beautiful couple and family!

Poor mammlou. I can't imagine going through what you did with your baby! OMgoodness. It's amazing what strength moms have to pull from. Special mom-power!

Breathing problems from anesthesia are fairly common. Besides the dreaded spirometer, I can remember the first time I coughed, I thought my incisions were going to open for sure! It was so painful. But the spirometer really does help, so use it to get your lungs going again.

This last surgery I had,  woke up in full stridor. I remember the team running around to get me oxygen and pumping me full of steroids while I was gasping for air with my windpipe closed. It was very scary.  One week later I had a laryngiospasm again while my husband was driving. It scared the crap out of him and me. He was asking if he should call 911 and I couldn't answer him. It's pretty terrifying, but you need to remain calm. I am just a lousy surgical candidate all around! 

Went out for a nice slow hike today and feel much better. Going to see water and nature always helps me get to a better place.  My new Grumpy Bluebird avatar also helps. lol...

Jeannie57

Bailey, loved the pictures! You all look like people I'd like to know, beyond cyberspace....



Bluebird, you are scaring me, both for you because of your breathing issues and for me, because I don't want those breathing issues after Stage II! Gunky xrays and pleural effusion were enough. I really think my radiated side is just going to be trouble, at least for now. I'm glad you got out and hiked and felt like being on here with us. I've never seen a real bluebird. They look so pretty, grumpy or not. I have only seen the Zippity-do-Dah bluebird.....



Yay for you, Firedragon! Cherrie offered good advice!! Be good to yourself and be patient.

hrf

Ann and Firedragon. Congrats on being on the other side of the surgery. Each day will get better. I'm a little over 3 weeks out and am moving pretty well. I wouldn't have believed it if you told me that 2 weeks ago.



I'm back to the PS again tomorrow. Hopefully she'll have some insight on my healing issues. And I really want this last drain removed!!

ssla01

Wow! Took a couple of days away and got 5 pages behind. Welcome to the newbies. Congrats to our new flappers. Rest and heal.



Ok, tomorrow morning, bright and early, I'm taking all of you and Wilbur in my pockets. Stage 2 and hysterectomy. Dr. said this one will only be around 5 hours...much better then my 13 1/2 hour stage 1! I'll post when I can.



Sharon

Moviemaniac

Sisal, good luck tomorrow.....I hope you have smooth sailing in Wilbur's arms........



Mtpeteacher......good luck, and happy healing!



Welcome to you new flappers.......we're a crazy, sassy bunch here! Wilbur's Flappers......



Bailey, LOVED the pictures! Such a cute family!



Still having Braxton-hicks......but easing up.....calling PS tomorrow anyway to see if I can graduate from last of 3 drains.....going to complain some more about the size of the girls post stage 2, too........



Off the pain meds since last night......yay me! Keeping them handy, though, just in case Wilbur comes calling....... : \



Ok....back to Breaking Bad..........

Moviemaniac

SSla....I HATE auto correct!

goldie4040

Yeah, SSla.  Seems like you just finally got the last drain out, and here you are doing stage 2!!!!  Are they doing you hysterectomy vaginally, or laproscopically.  I had mine laproscopic, and I was sore, but up and around in no time.  So, your stage 2 will have something to do with you backside, right?  Best of luck.  Oh, and thanks for the nice thank you note.  I can just picture you dog watching you do Yoga...lmaoooo. 

sbelizabeth

Sleep well and blessings tomorrow, ssla!  Get back to us when your eyeballs will move in the same direction tomorrow!

Jeannie57

Good luck ssla! I look forward to hearing from you from the other side! Wishing you an uneventful surgery and recovery. Towanda!

liefie

ssla, best wishes for tomorrow. May you sail through this uneventfully, and drain-free this time. Let us know how it went once Wilbur let you go.

lahela

Welcome to the other side, Ann and FireDragon!

ssla - all the very best for tomorrow! Sleep well.

hrf - I hope you get comforting news from your PS tomorrow about your slow healing foob.

Many of you have mentioned "tapping" to relieve skin sensitivity and I need to ask for details. My belly skin is as tight as a drum and it is so sensitive, it feels like it's burning sometimes.

Zoemom

Hi everyone - tomorrow at this time I'll be heading to the hospital. My per-op appt is today. The thoughts of 'I don't know if I can do this' are swirling around in my mind like a tornado. I am trying hard to think positive. Trying to remember to practice deep breathing to stay calm. It doesn't always work.

lahela

Zoemom, remind yourself why you chose to do this. That's how I managed it. Remember, you don't have to be brave, you just have to show up. You will be well cared-for by compassionate and caring doctors and nurses who have your best interests at heart. {{{{{hugs}}}}}

Moviemaniac

Zoemom....have insomnia tonight ......Lahela is right....you don't have to be brave....you just have to show up.......do you have any Ativan? Did your anesthesiologist give you permission for it? If so, take one.......it will ease your anxiety some........we will all be in your pockets, and you will soon be asleep in the arms of Wilbur.........he'll cradle you and allow the experts to do their jobs......soon you'll be on the other side......and we'll be waiting to hear from you, our newest Flapper! Sending middle of the night (((hugs))) to you! Jackie



TOWANDA!!!!!!!!

Moviemaniac

Lahela-Nihahi is our resident tapping expert........I am sure she can give you all the info. You'll need........

sweetpickle

Lahela- I just lightly tapped on my skin all across my chest. Once the burning sensation alleviated, I gently massaged my chest muscles as I had cording from surgery. It only took a few days of tapping before I noticed a great improvement. Also, I made the mistake of not moving around to much because it hurt but when I made myself move around more, the pain and sensitivity got better so make sure you are up and about as much as you can. Im sure Nahahi can explain the tapping better than I can. :-)



Bailey- You have a beautiful family, thanks for sharing!



Ssl- Thinking of you today, we are all with you! TOWANDA!!!!



Zoemom- It is so normal to feel like you do, just show uo like everyone else has said. We are thinking of you and will be here when you wake up!



Good luck to all the ladies going this week!

mrtw43

I loved Laheha's comment it is so true. To all the new flappers congrats, all I can say is it will get easier bit by bit so have patients and take care of yourself.

Moviemaniac

Sweet and mrtw....up late too, or up extra early?