DIEP 2013

Anonymous

So much going on. Sasha thank you for the updates on your mom! We all appreciate it...tell her that her flapper friends are thinking of her!



Nihahi the idea of the Metformin was not for weight loss but to control blood sugar levels and prevent insulin resistance. There was a study somewhere along the way showing that metformin users (for type 2 diabetes) had 1/2 the cancer rates of the general population. So more studies have been happening with Metformin. The trial I tried to get into was studying Metformin for prevention of recurrence. There is a lot of age 40ish onset of diabetes in my family (but little cancer) but the thought for me was since I had a fast-growing, bad-ass cancer and ended up overweight and in not great shape after cancer treatment it could hopefully help keep the bad stuff at bay until I was back to my normal....I believe the study may have been metformin for five years after dx. As far as going off I am told we taper off and should not have problems if done correctly.



I am here to tell you it did nothing for me to help me lose weight!!! High protein, low carb (not no carb, just small amts of goodcarb) low calorie diet, willpower and exercise are the only weapons I have against that! Dammit.

Anonymous

Ha! Crossing posts Sbel!



Nihahi...My heart has been 12 years ago all day....such evil...such tragedy...Hugs sister!

sbelizabeth

Thanks, Bailey, good explanation for the Metformin.  Will you discontinue taking it at some point, or stay on it indefinitely?  I, too, have a long family history of Type 2 diabetes, and like you, had a fast-growing and bad-ass cancer.  The damn stuff is GONE, but I'll use every tool in the box to keep it that way.

Moviemaniac

Well......another night.....very little in the way of sleep.... . Trazodone not working well (or maybe not AT ALL)



Marianne.....in all the fandango going on yesterday, seems we (meaning at least ME) missed your short post.....SO glad you are doing well.....please check in here when you can, alright?



9/11.........Nihahi, your poor family! I cannot begin to imagine the terror that must have gripped you as you frantically waited/searched for word of your sister! I have an acquaintance that lost her mom and sister on one of the planes that struck the tower......terrible time (that they get to re-live every year) for them........the sad part of all of this is.....the evil that perpetrated this heinous act of cowardice.....is alive, well, and thriving.......truly heartbreaking.



Have we heard from SSla ?????



Marty, I have come to conclusion I could never be a NOLA girl.........this compression is driving me NUTS......and I had NO lipo........feel like a trussed-up chicken! (And a bruised one at that......). However, I WILL keep in on until the 23rd, when I see PS again. :P



Tracey......listen to Cherrie.....she is SO right! I raised 4 daughters (youngest is now almost 25) and girls can be particularly vicious......if you are friends with bully's Mom, it may help to engage her, but not in a way in which she automatically feels she needs to defend her bully daughter's behavior. My daughters (at least two of them) were victims of hard-core bullying.......if it's not nipped in the bud, it can blossom into a poisonous tree with disastrous results. Schools nowadays are more willing to admit to the problem, and so are anxious to solve it before it gets out of hand......good luck!



Liefie, I hope you waved as you flew over Portland........one of these days.......you, Jeannie, and I are going to get together, tell our war stories, and compare scars.......

Hope you have a wonderful time in the City By The Bay.......it IS fun!



I could spend all day on here yakking, but today I have to get my 96 year old mother to Dr. to check for gout............fun times.......



Love you all! XO

Namaste and God Bless - Jackie



PS: Katy.....just saw the whaaaambulance streak by.........

Anonymous

Bluebird! Did you have a follow up today? How did it go? Did you take any prisoners? Hugs, honey!

Moviemaniac

Holy Carp....I haven't left yet!



Bluebird??????? (Thanks for the reminder, Bailey! )

goldie4040

Nihani, I know that terror. My brother worked in a building directly across the street.  He is an attorney, and went straight to court that morning instead of going to the office, but we did not hear from him till late in the afternoon. My BIL was an engineer for the water dept in NYC at that time,and he was a first responder because he had to help re-route the water. He spent about a week there.  He now has two types of cancer.  God Bless all those touched by 9/11

Cherrie

Boy this thread moves fast. I try to read it all, but get overwhelmed by all that is happening. Moms' in surgery, bullying, 911, compression, chemo, scars, etc. I read each one and think about you all. There isn't a day that goes by where I don't think about you all and my NOLA thread too. We are such a support to one another.



Nihahi- I had my second session of PT. I ice 3x per day and do exercises 2x per day. It takes a lot of time. I am taped right now. No relief yet, but working hard to achieve this. Those isometrics kill me. WAAAAMBULAANCE!!!!



Count down on. Loading up with protein and probiotics. He surgical center called me today. Surgery next Thursday at 10:00AM.

MartyJ

Jackie - strange about that compression, at some point you begin to feel naked without it.  

Metformin - about 5 years ago a doctor prescribed it for me as a preventative measure against Type 2.  All my bloodwork was normal, but both my parents developed the disease in their late 60s or early 70s.  I was only in my mid 50s at the time.  It didn't do a thing except brand me as a Diabetic although i had never been diagnosed.  I took it for about a year and it did not do a thing for weightloss.  I have found that high protein, low good carbs, good fat works the best coupled with movement.  During that time we applied for long term care insurance.  Once they saw Metformin on the Rx list, they raised proposed rates due to diabetes.  The cancer was long enough ago not to effect the rate.

Marianne - so glad to hear from you.  Take it easy and those drains will be gone in the blink of an eye!

sweetpickle

Tracey- So sorry your daughter is experiencing bullying, I spent grades six thru eigth constantly bullied and it really does damage. I hope you are able to help her navigate through it. At least now we have an open dialog in the schools about it being a problem.



Cherrie- We will be thinking of you next Thursday, be strong sister!



I was informed by my nine year old that she plans to attend Duke university because they have a steller medical school and she wants to be an ER doctor. How the heck will I save up enough for that in ten short years? lol I totally see her doing it too, she is that kind of kid. I told her to start building her extra curricular resume now andto get good grades so that we can apply for scholarships. Ahhhh, I cant wait to see how my three turn out :-)

christina0001

sweetpickle, congrats on becoming a girl scout leader. What fun! Yes, life returning to normal is so sweet.

Marty I will ask about the hair dye the next time I get laser hair removal done.

nihahi - 6mg of melatonin is what worked best for me; my onc said anywhere from 3mg - 9mg was fine to take. I have gone up to 9mg at times. Lately it has not been helping much so I gave in yesterday and got an over the counter sleep aid to take at night. I'm so sick of being awake half of the night.

Tracy, so sorry for what your daughter is going through. Kids can be so mean. 

Sasha, glad your mother is coming through this so well. It's not easy and it helps so much to have family support.

DebDylan, chemo does seem to slow healing. I had a terrible time getting healed after my port surgery because I started chemo right after. But the scar ended up no worse than any other scar. 

My heart goes out to all you ladies who are getting recon done during or right after chemo treatment. While in some ways it was so hard to delay recon, I can't imagine going through DIEP surgery right after chemo. My body needed the rest.

mammalou

Maybe I overdose but it works! My naturopath put me on 20 mg melatonin. I only need to take it occasionally. I wake up a lot but I now can go back to sleep easily.



My wound is healing slow but sure now. Also most 12 weeks out, but I am getting better! Yea! I am trusting you guys that this swelly belly at night is normal, cause if it doesn't go away, I am going to be very disappointed.

Anonymous

Debdylan....how soon will you start chemo? How many rounds and which chemo drugs (if you know)?

toronto-girl

Hi...My name is Penny and I want to thank all of you for all the words of wisdom and encouragement you have (unknowingly) showered over me these past months. I have been lurking and learning. I'm not blessed with typing skills but I will be reading everyday and trying to contribute.I have been confirmed (as of today) for my surgery on Dec 5-I'll be having a rt.mastectomy with diep bilaterally at TGH in Toronto --same as Janet M

hrf

Toronto-girl. I think there are a few of us Toronto girls here. I do hope you will join in more often.

FierceBluebird

Good evening girls!

La2shea, hang in there! I feel your pain sista!  Things will get better. I've been to the edge of the abyss and back, and I know it can be overwhelming at times. 

I am feeling great tonight! I got all my ya-ya's out at the PS's office with staff and doctor alike!  I politely told nasty nurse how her treatment of us made me feel, and that I'm disappointed in the staff care (lack of care) I received after surgery. I told her she had no right to deny filling out my husband's Family Leave Act paperwork so he could continue to be with me for appointments. (Thank you Bailey!!! You are so awesome!!!!)

She started making excuses and saying that she was "trying to empower me" that I could take care of myself and drive myself to my own appointments.  (This was despite my husband emphatically saying he wanted to be with me during my appointments to support me.)

Long story short, (you just know a story is going to get longer when you read that!) but I told her that we were getting second opinions elsewhere and would be requesting my records. She became very apologetic and profusely apologized up and down. She left to talk to the doctor. He came in and I talked to him also. He didn't say much, just restated how much experience he had and that unfortunately flaps can fail, but that if anyone could still fix me it was him. He's been doing this surgery longer than anyone, (which is true and why I picked him in the first place)  I told him that I knew the risk was there, but to have not seen a doctor for over a month and going into his office 2-3 times a week saying "something is wrong" and the nurses continued to say "you'e fine!" when I wasn't fine, was wrong and that he could be the greatest surgeon in the world, but I lost confidence in being able to get good care at his office.

Long story longer... he promised to make things right; told his personal assistant to put me through to him anytime I called or that he would speak to me personally any time I asked. (a little late I know) He asked if I would be willing to see him in a month to give me time to process how I was feeling and to heal. He has a way of saying exactly what I want to hear. (not sure if this is a good thing or bad!)

I then went on to another practice in the afternoon to get another opinion. Of course second opinion doctors are very careful to not say anything bad, so not sure if it was beneficial. She felt bad for me of everything I had been through, but was actually impressed that Dr. Serletti attempted everything he did for me during surgery. She told me that with my complications, many flaps fail immediately and they pull them out.  She told me that she wouldn't have done immediate reconstruction with me at all and that most surgeons would have done the mastectomy and then waited for reconstruction. So all in all I have a lot to think about and process. But overall i'm feeling much better about things.

My poor Saint of a husband had to hear the worst insult ever on the way home. After getting my sutures out (which I've had for two weeks poking me like a porcupine), he was driving and I relaxed next to him and sighed loudly. It felt so good to be able to sit without the damn barbed wire sutures poking into my skin.(These were sutures from Hell, not the nice hidden dissolvable ones.) I told him that having drains pulled and sutures removed was better than sex!  I should have thought that one over before I opened my mouth.

But it is wonderful to finally be drain and suture free... and to get all my ya-yas out!!   

I will sleep well tonight.

Anonymous

Well, welcome "into the light" Penny! I lurked and learned for a very long time, too! Congratulations on getting a date. It seems far away, doesn't it? No worries, we'll keep you company while you wait!

Anonymous

Aha, Bluebird, we crossed posts! Lmao so glad you got all those ya-yas out! So glad you found the strength to speak your mind to that nurse and doctor. Hugs to you and DH (one for him for the wounded ego! Ouch! Lol). You did it. Yes, lots to process, but sounds like you have your feet under you again...I hear it in your "voice". You will find your way, just heal for now, sista!

sherry35

Hi everyone, I've been lying low trying to make friends with my vac but it's not going so well. I see PS tomorrow and really hoping for something good to come out of the appointment instead of " looks good, see you in 2 weeks."

To make things even better I got into a huge row with my stepdad, who didn't want me at his house, and have since left my moms and am staying at a hotel until after my appointment tomorrow. I'm supposed to be moving in with my aunt and her daughter but she's not talking to me right now either. I might have hung up on her when she told me I was being stupid leaving my moms.

I'm 41 years old, I can take care of myself but I don't need all of this drama in my life!



Thinking of everyone affected by 9/11 today- bless you all.



Congrats to all new flappers, heal well!



Good luck to all of those with upcoming surgery dates!



Sbe- need a dose of Aubrey Rose!



Bailey- how did your sons appointment go?



Bluebird- good for you!



Movie- happy healing thoughts for you.



Mammalou- sounds like you have turned the corner?



Happy sleeps tonight,

Sherry

sweetpickle

Bluebird- You sound so much better and Im glad you were able to let that doctor and his nurse know how their behavior affected you. I hope that moving forward either he provides you better service or that you find someone else to work with.



Penny- Congrats on getting a surgery date, it will be here before you know it!

goldie4040

Bluebird, you go girl!!!  I love how the nurse and doc stumbled all over themselves once you let them have it.  You are sounding so much better, and i know that when you are ready, and you body is ready you will have glorious foobs!!!!!

Anonymous

Awww, Sherry, bless your heart..that's all you need is a big family rumpus...sorry to hear that.



Thanks for asking about my son...can't believe I didn't tell you guys because YOU GUYS!!! It worked! It's called a SoundBite Hearing System. It's made specifically for people with a unilateral hearing loss. A little microphone in his right ear (bad ear) picks up sound and sends it to a transmitter that goes in his MOUTH! (hooks onto back molars like a bridge or retainer). Transmitter sends sound waves through the teeth (bone) to the nerves in his left ear and he can hear the stuff on the right side of him in his left ear.



So they hooked him up and doc asked me to sit on his bad side and whisper, so I said, "I love you, Evan". He got a huge grin and said, "I love you too, Mom!"



Then I whispered, "Take out the trash, Evan" and without missing a beat he looked at the doctor and said, "This won't improve my selective hearing, will it???"



Hee, hee, hee! So they have to review his last audiology test and last CAT scan and make sure there is no medical reason he can't have it....but we'd be really surprised if there was....Then we have to jump through the insurance hoops....So hopefully 6-8 weeks at the most!! So exciting!

Janet_M

Bluebird - So good to hear you back in the drivers seat.  You stood your ground and said what you had to say  - and it sounds like your PS was as apologetic as a surgeon can actually be. Personally, I always find it hard to process these doctor/patient conversations after I have them, but the relief is immediate. And now you're all on the same page, and you can move ahead. That's so great. I also think that having drains removed is better than sex - cus it's absolutely thrilling! Also, I currently think that sometimes a wedge pillow is better than a boyfriend.

Penny - You have a date! Congratulations!

Cstrong

Hello again,
Mom (Cstrong) did well through the night but today had some swelling and bruising in the right breast.  The doctors decided to go back in and check the vessel (the one they initially had a difficult time connecting) to ensure it wasn't leaking and that everything was good. They were pleased with what they found and think the swelling/bruising is just due to the amount the tissue was handled during the long surgery.  She is now out of recovery, again, and back in her room.  She is tired but still in good spirits and says the pain is manageable...still plugging away on that morphine button!  Hopefully the swelling will go down and we can work on healing and getting her back home as soon as we can.  Thanks everyone, I will keep you updated.

Sasha

nihahi

Welcome Penny....these ladies are already "in your pockets"....you aren't going to find better people than are here on this thread. Do you want to be added to the list of surgery dates?

bluebird ....YES....THAT'S TELLING THEM EXACTLY WHAT THEY NEEDED TO HEAR!!!! YOU ROCK, SISTER!!!

bailey....wonderful news about your son's hearing aid....such awesome stuff that can be done now! Has he taken out the trash yet????

sherry....my lord, lady....sounds almost like the wound vac is the least of your issues at the moment!!!! This too shall pass! Hoping to hear good news from you after your appointment.

sbe....I agree....quit hogging our baby!!!

Heading to bed....melatonin #2....keep your fingers crossed!!!!!

Tracy516

(((((Penny))))) welcome!!



Bluebird---better then sex?! YES! When them darn drains (my one poking and falling out I named a$$hole) go it is such a great feeling!!!! Feel better! Great laying it out at the Dr. !!!!



Bed...sweet dreams of Wilbur!!

la2shea

sweetpickle, bluebird, hrf, sbelizabeth, lahela and moviemaniac - thank you for listening, understanding and placing no judgement. your kind words and support put a smile on my face - not the BIG one on my abdomen

movie- by no means did I want to make anyone cry, but it is so beautiful that you shed a tear for all of us sisters. i have to admit the responses i received invoked a tear from me too.

bluebird - you are an amazing inspiration! what you have been through and bouncing back so strong, so soon AND with a sassy spirit! funny how doctors' staff change their tune as soon as they hear the words "second opinion" 

penny - welcome. i wish i had jumped on board before my surgery, so you are in the right place at the right time, that is for sure.

sherry - i hope your appt brings you good news tomorrow.

sasha - i am thinking of your mom tonight and sending prayers up...

nihahi - wishes for a restful night of sleep. and so many more of you struggling for a slumbering "deep sleep"

bailey- what exactly is a good carb??? i am so confused - whole wheat vs. 100% whole wheat; 9 grain vs multi-grain; i just don't get it - and this is off of a gov nutrition website!!!!

me - i have a visit wit my PS in the am to get sewn up - again - 3rd time is a charm, right? crossing my fingers for success this time.

goodnight ladies

lahela

Welcome, Penny. Glad you've got a date and are on the road to recon.

Bluebird - I am so happy for you! You sound feisty and strong now, which is just wonderful. Hopefully, you'll be comfortable about where things go from here.

Sherry {{{hugs}}}  I can't believe you are having to go through that right now, of all times!!! I went through the same thing as a teenager without it being in the middle of BC stuff and it was difficult enough! I feel for you.

Bailey, I'm so pleased for your son.

Sasha, thanks for the updates. SEnding healing thought's to your mum.

I've got my 5 week appointment with my PS today and can hardly believe it has been that long! Got to update the question list - she must hate when hubby pulls out his phone! LOL!

Edit - la2shea - I am so hoping that it is 3rd time lucky for you! {{{hugs}}}

Moviemaniac

Wow Flappers.......or.....Holy Carp!!!!!!! (I'm pre-emptying this from Nihahi. . ).



Bluebird!!!!!!! I am so proud of you! You may not have your flap, but you sure as heck have your MOJO!!!!!!! (((((((((((((((X))))))))))))))))). I think you have turned the corner......and like Bailey said.......heal up!!!!!! Love you!



Welcome Penny......we are a noisy, crazy bunch here........so glad you've been lurking......but you need to speak up more.....we DON'T bite (much)!



Bailey, so wonderful to hear your son's hearing can be improved with this device! I love his sense of humor......he has two parents with great senses of humor........such a gift!



Sherry........can I send Bluebird up to help you straighten out your PS? She has remarkable abilities to bend a PS to her considerable will. . Seriously girl......this surgery has the ability to make you crazy under the best of circumstances....then you throw in healing complications (which I know only too well......) and you have the perfect storm for a protracted stay in the looney bin.........I truly hope you can get all sides into a temporary truce.....you need to have as little outside stress as you can......because your surgery brings enough drama on its own......sending you a Movie ((((HUG)))) tonight. Keep us posted, and use US to vent to.....maybe preserve some peace on the home front, at least until you are in a better place physically to be on your own..... . XO



La2shea.....no feeling bad here allowed.......I was just so touched by the raw emotion in your writing.......I think people on the outside NEED to see and hear more emotions like those you wrote about......they are painful, and they are REAL. XO



Sbe..... We NEED an Aubrey fix.......pics please! I am working on flight times for my flight into Burbank.........could we meet for dinner on that Thursday eve? Or lunch on Friday? Wish I could just tuck everyone into my pockets and take you all down with me.



Nihahi.......I am so sore and my muscles are so pissed off right now, that I have been to Iceberg Lake at least 20 times since surgery last week. .....sigh.....Let's do it again, next year, and spend a week there, okay? You are a great hiking buddy.....XO miss your infectious energy and upbeat mood.



Marty, I am waiting for that feeling......right now it's just a great big PITA......but I WILL persevere........I want to get the best outcome I can.....I am just dreading the 2b surgery...because then I will have lipo to deal with.......



Sasha....sorry about your mom's complications, but happy she's back on track.......tell her we are all cheering her on......and give her a gentle post-DIEP (((hug))) from all of us.... XO



Well, I know I have not mentioned all you gorgeous Flappers......anesthesia brain IS real, and living in my head......but I love you all, nonetheless.....please forgive me



Okay.....I gave up on the Trazodone .......melatonin it is tonight.........



Namaste and God Bless - Jackie

lahela

"right now it's just a great big PITA"   Movie, you just had me rolling around with laughter at my own stupidity! I read PITA as pita bread and in the context of a remark about compression, I imagined you with this enormous flatbread wrapped around you! Took me a moment to see the acronym