DIEP 2013

mrtw43

I have a 9yr old so I am generally up really early especially now with the excitement of school. My In-laws live in OR so I know you should be asleep at this time.

Moviemaniac

Shhhhh.....don't tell anyone!

Tracy516

Just dropped my baby girl off to her first day of high school!!;(!oh time flies!!!



Zoemom!! You got this. You are a Warrior!!!!



I slept 5 HOURS!!!!! Yea... Now to plan nap ! Lol

lahela

Eeek!  Just got my Bali bra in the mail and put it on - it feels so weird! My noobs are still quite solid (they remind me of rubbery burger buns...) and everything feels a bit tender, but for the first time in 4+ weeks, I can look down and recognise myself! It looks like my body! I have cleavage!  

Funniest thing is, there is nowhere on earth apart from right here on this forum that I could be so excited about putting on some underwear and know that everyone gets it.

mrtw43

I hope you are able to catnap throughout the day

Janet_M

Bluebird - 

I love your rant, and I love your honesty, but I hate what you've had to go through. Your PS's office's treatment is horrid, and Wilbur's balls are too good for that wretched nurse. You deserve nothing but kindness.

I can't imagine how difficult it must be to read about the activities going on, and other upbeat stuff. Or stupid whining (me) about not being able to swim.  It seems clear in your post that while you are down - you are certainly not out. The inner warrior is kicking. Sounds like your spirit is intact, and when it is ready, will come emerge stronger than ever. 

I will be sending strength and postivity to you Bluebird. But first, I'm going to take a few momemnet to exhale all my nasty & uncharitable thoughts about your Surgeons offie.

sbelizabeth

Lahela--yay for Bali bras!  Isn't it great to feel even a little bit normal again?

And speaking of undies...I just ordered a Calida camisole that's made in Switzerland.  The cotton is gorgeous.  I wanted to order something from Hanro, another Swiss undie company, but they're just too spendy!  You people make some ridiculously nice underwear over there!

First day back to work after lazing about last week.  ...sigh...

Janet_M

Zoemom -  'I don't think I can do this' is normal. The day before my surgery I thought the same thing. I also thought ' I can't believe this is going to happen'.  I got a massage, did lots of breathing, meditation, etc, and took an ativan to sleep. The morning of my surgery I walked in ot the hospital, bought my mom, sister and Jim a coffee, and thought, 'let's get this f*cker over with'. Thirteen weeks later I look at my stomach and see all the scars and I think ' I  can't believe that I actually did it!' . My point is that you're right on track and it's a lot to absorb. Mind boggling, sometimes. And amazing! I also found it helpful to think of all the tings I love to do, and pictured myself doing them with a strong healthy body.

You may not be able to fight the feelings of 'not being able to do this'  - because it's really hard - but try to remember all your reasons for having this surgery. I actually founf it much easier once I was in the hospital  - becuase I felt like much more of a participant, and less like a nervous wreck on the sidelines. Plus, they have good drugs.

Bailey - SO nice to put a face to all your lovely posts. Your family is adorable.

hrf

Zoemom, I also felt like you did. I am just 25 days out and every day gets better. The hard part is surviving the cancer. This surgery is a way to put cancer behind you and to move forward. The women here have really helped me through this and we will all help you too.

nihahi

My lord....does NO ONE on this thread ever get a decent night's sleep???? Thinking of this weeks group of ladies.....stay strong, stay away from Wilbur's balls, and let us know how you are when you get to the other side.

Bailey.....LOVE the photos! What a wonderful family you have AND beautiful scenery. I love waterfalls. Have the leaves started to turn colours yet??? They are starting here, but I remember mid October as being prime "leaf time" when I was growing up back East.

Tapping.....basically you are "de-sensitizing" the skin" by re-educating the nerves. Think of it this way....normally, when something is itchy what is our reaction....scratch it or rub it....right??? Well, this is the same, but "safer" technique. The longer you wait to sort things out....the more entrenched the post surgical changes are, and the harder/longer it takes to sort things out. So do it as often as you can.The more sensitive you are, doesn't mean the softer you should tap....you need to be firm, but not "pounding". Start tapping on your skin somewhere that feels normal, and gradually move towards and "on" the abnormal areas. Just keep doing it, over and over, moving from normal to abnormal. Tap a little longer, where you are the most sensitive. It really does help settle down the nerve endings, doesn't take that long to see progress, can be done anywhere and at anytime, on bare skin, through clothes, in bed, watching tv, whatever.  Hope it helps. 

Gotta dash....have good days ladies!!!!! sbe...I HATE it when you go back to work....we get less of your posts!!!!

nihahi

oops....forgot to say....cherrie...hope things get sorted out with your shoulder today.

Cstrong

Holy, been gone for a couple of days and 10 pages to catch up on LOL!

Curlylocks, I'm glad you've got your date.  I hounded my PS secretary and waited 6 weeks for my date (which was 2 weeks later - yikes)

hrf I'm sorry you're having issues healing - sending positive energy your way and hoping it turns around

nihahi - I found the joys of Ativan after my second lumpectomy surgery.  I take 1/2 when I need it and don't think twice!  Thanks for the heads up on the shower situation.  I ordered a swivel shower stool and will use that to help conserve my energy.  Anyone in Canada - check out well.ca as they have a ton of items for home care and wound care and free shipping for orders over $25.  If you order over $40 and use the code Colleensave10 you will get $10 off (expires Nov 1).  Also you can "borrow" aids from Red Cross and sometime your local Lions Club has items you can borrow as well.

goldie4040 and Janet M - thanks for the encouragement.  It is so helpful to read about other women who have gone through it.  I feel much better prepared for the emotional stuff because  of everyone who was willing to share the challenges. 

Surgery tomorrow morning.  I have asked my daughter Sasha to post how I am doing.  Wishing everyone health until we speak again!

Morningsun1

Lahela, I completely agree with sbe about swiss undies. Years ago (1991), while on vaction, I got two very shapely and the most comfortable bras made with a single layer of a very thin material. I have not been able to find anything close to those all these years. Being a tag-hater, the very first thing I did was cut off all tags on them, so there was no way for me to even find out what make/model they were. One of these days I would like to make a trip back there and buy me some comfy undies

Bailey.....LOVE, LOVE LOVE the photos!

Morningsun1

sherry35, when reading others activities, don't forget to also note when their initial DIEP surgery was. In my case, it was full 6-month before yours. I have no doubt you will be more like yourself 6-month from now. Have good ones, flappers and flappers to be.

sherry35

TammyT- if you are referring to my reference about the activity sometimes pissing me off, it was completely a reflection of how I'm feeling. Dates are irrelevant because sometimes it also inspires me that people are able to do so much.

I get pissed off because I, at this time, am unable to do much at all.

I apologize if I offended you but my statement actually had nothing to do with anyone but myself and my feelings.

Morningsun1

sherry, not offended at all here and you have every right to be pissed... I was just trying to paint you a brighter side of the picture to look at. I didn't do a very good job at it, so you will have to excuse me since English is my second language. Have a good one.

kuka21174923

Hello ladies, I've been gone for a few days. I just don't have as much time as I used to anymore to read all of the posts. I did read bluebird's post and I got sick to my stomach! I hope you're not going back to that office anymore. There are plenty of good doctors out there and I'm sure you can find one where his staff treats you with some respect!

I've been doing really good, but busy! Talked to PS's office today and I'm going in on October 2nd to discuss stage 2b and set a date. I think I'm happy with the volume but I would like some improvements on the shape. I've even been contamplaiting the idea of inserting a small implant for shape, but I'm scared that my body will reject it and quiet frankly I'm done with surgeries for this year. I think I can give it one more time and then I just want a break! Last night I was talking to DH and told him that after stage 2 I have the iron bra feeling on my chest. I know my ps had to remove some skin to get rid of the scar tissue from my blister, so maybe that's why? If so, will my skin end up stretching with time so that I won't have this feeling anymore? My nipples look great though. I just can't wait to tattoo them and give them some color!

I miss talking to you ladies so much! I don't know what I was thinking volunteering for cub scouts, but that's a full time job!

I will try to check in with you later!

sherry35

Tammy, no worries! Hope I'm playing tennis in 6 months!

hrf

Cstrong, best wishes for tomorrow. I'll be watching for an update from your daughter

faith729

Thanks ladies for responding

Bailey your family is beautiful !



Zoemom I think Janet M is right. I know what those pre surgery thoughts feel like and it is scary but the ladies are right you just have yo show up and we'll all be here for you on the other side. ((Hugs))



Busy morning here went to urgent care because my doctor wasn't in. I just couldn't take the pain any longer. I've had constant severe neck pain since Friday. They did an xray to make sure there was no cancer spread to the bone etc. F*#%ing cancer will always be a thorn in my side ! Anyway as it turned out I have such a bad muscle spasm going on that my ( C5 & C6 area in my neck). Natural curve in the neck is being pulled in the opposite direction ! That would explain the pain.

mrtw43

Thank you for the advice, I took a few long warm showers and I was able to take off most of the tape. I feel great. Thanks again.

faith729

Tracy it does go fast my oldest just became a teenager this past week and it is mind boggling! I remember being worried for him when he went to middle school last year I can't even imagine how sending them to hs feels but I think that its much harder on the parents. Hang in there

Jeannie57

Ooh, Faith, I sympathize with your neck pain! I hope a muscle relaxer will help knock it out. I'm considering taking one, too! (Chronic neck pain from car accident long ago, yuk.)

faith729

Jeannie I'm praying my way through my last 2 hrs of work so I can take it. I wasn't sure how sleepy I'd get on the med and I really just didn't think I should miss work given how much I've missed this year I just couldn't bring myself to call out.

I can't imagine having chronic neck pain !! How on earth do you deal ? This weekend it got progressively worse to the point of tears and that takes a lot for me so dh said that's it your going !

Moviemaniac

Wow....I FINALLY fall asleep, and THEN the shirt hits the fan.....*o*!



Cstrong-best wishes for a swift surgery, and speedy recovery.....and may Wilbur cradle you in his arms until you return to us-a full-fledged Flapper!



Bluebird...I agree with Nihahi....Wilbur's balls are too good for that heinous hag of a nurse in your (I hope) old PS's office....I hope you are doing okay, my friend......I laugh (sorry) at the mental picture of you living under a bridge and coming out to shout obscenities at passersby...... . XO



Sbe-I would LOVE to order me some new undies.......but I think I will wait until my foobs decide what shape they think they are, and then go from there......I am still searching for my old girls.....miss those flaps! {



Tammy, I f English is your second language, I guess that makes me a failure at it, because you write beautifully! Carry on......



Sherry, I was a mess clear up until the 7 week mark (but my dehiscence was re-sutured at @4-5 weeks out) and then one day I woke up, and realized I felt WAY better....I am praying for the same drastic turnaround for you, my friend.......it WILL come.....just a meter of WHEN.......XO



Janet...love your inner writer........your posts are always spot on........XO



Kuka-nice to hear from you.....could you check to see if my original foobs are at your place? I seem to have misplaced them! . (You lucky girl, you.....talking about projection....I'm still trying to see if my flaps are still on my chest!)



I know I have forgotten a bazillion flappers.....suffice to say....my day is NOT complete without several visis to this thread........please forgive my forgetfulness......XO



Namaste and God Bless - Jackie

Jeannie57

Faith, I have had years of physical therapy and massage. I even have a massage chair. I have had scary injections in my neck. Chemo calmed everything down, believe it or not. Now it seems to be coming back. I have to nip it in the bud with drugs sometimes. I will also start those old PT exercises again now that it's been 7 weeks since DIEP. You have so much stress in your life these days. Could that be a contributor? Try to keep your shoulders down and back after the muscle relaxer loosens things up, and your neck aligned, not hunched forward. Deep breaths! Praying for you.

hrf

Faith, so sorry you are dealing with yet 1 more issue. Sending gentle (((hugs))). What is the treatment now that you know what the problem is?



So I saw PS again today. She is still concerned about the area that is not healing. They are going to try another different antibiotic called AquacelAg. It's a silver product although I don't know what means. Is anyone familiar with this?



Anyway, I see her again next Monday and unless there is some major improvement she may do a revision sooner rather than later. I didn't even as what that involves. Don't know that I want to hear that it's another major surgery.

liefie

Cstrong, Zoemom and mpeteacher, all the best to you today. May your healing process be boring and uneventful. Wilbur, you better take good care of them, or we will not mention you on our T-shirt!

Faith, glad you got that neck sorted out, and hope it gets better soon.

Sherry, shout some more obscenities if it makes you feel better, anything to get you to a better place. BIG HUGS! Bluebird, the same applies to you.

Kuka, still remember the days when I was so busy with my children's stuff. Then one day it is suddenly over, kids are all gone, and you wonder where the time went. Glad you are so happy with your girls - it was all worth it!

Movie, I sincerely hope you find your foobs soon. Don't know what I will do when mine goes missing - there is not much that can go missing anyway - lol. The ups and downs of this rollercoaster are really something else, eh?

Hrf, best wishes to you too. Understand your desire for no more major surgery only too well. Enough already!

Jeannie57

Hrf, I was given a moisturizer that had silver in it during rads. It has healing properties, evidently. I hope it works fast for you!!!

Pattysmiles

Faith,

Could you possibly need a new pillow?

For quite a while I kept getting "neck lock"..it was killing me to turn my head. Chiropractor told me to get a new pillow, and I haven't had a problem since. I use a memory foam type with the dip in it. Worked great when I was a back and side sleeper. I've gravitated to a tummy sleeper (until I get my DIEP) and I turn my pillow lengthwise and my head fits nicely in there.

Hope you get relief soon.

Pat