DIEP 2013

FierceBluebird

DebDylan, hopefully it is just some fluid or serum leaking out and either way I'm sure Nicole will tell you "You're fine!"

She was always very nice to me when I went to see her before everything went south. If it is a colored or smelly discharge insist on seeing doctor or at a minimum, nurse practioner Rachel.

I am also in a dilemma about radiation. There is some controversy if people still need it if they have a complete response to chemo and a clean pathology report.  I'm planning to have it, just to cross my T's and dot the I's, but with radiation there is also a window and I just had surgery again and the eschar scab.

Thanks to the honey, my wound looks fantastic. (Bailey I switched to Manuka honey at your suggestion!) I've been extremely happy with it. Silvadine was doing nothing and with the honey I smell better too. lol...

CJKLOSE

Guess I'll find out what the PS requires regarding smoking.  If it is the 3 weeks prior as yours, then I know I won't have a problem, cause I'm kicking it and almost there.  This is some incentive, that's for sure.  I'll likely be getting opinions from 2 PS's.  One near my residence and then possibly go to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore for a 2nd.  I see my surgeon tomorrow for the first time about the mastectomy.  So guess I'm just starting this process, huh?  I'm so glad I found you ladies.

Anonymous

Welcome CJ.....So you must be reeling from that news yesterday. So sorry you have to be here, but know you are amongst friends



I had a left breastful of bad ass cancer. I had chemo first, then mastectomy, then radiation, then hysterectomy...and a year of Herceptin...plus a lot of complications in there, too. My thoughts on double or single mx and recon changed over time. My recon was almost two years from diagnosis. I decided to stay a unilateral. Lots of conversations with MO and research on my own part led me to my decision. But it's a gamble. You have to decide if you can live with the possibility of recurrence in the other breast. I did and do everything else I've been told to do to get rid of what I had and prevent recurrence!



Congratulations on quitting smoking. Good job!!! It's so hard for people when they are going through such a stressful time. We have 3-4 women here who quit right before sx, too. It's doable from the sound of it. Hugs!



Christina - I waffle on the nipple issue...there is a nipple recon thread here that I lurk around on. I think i will order the rub on nipples and see what I think about that.

mrtw43

Hi CJ I too had DCIS only in the right breast, but I decided to have the Dmx with deip for the same reasons as Tracy. My PS was out of Hopkins but my surgery was done in Annapolis. It seems like each of us assess our options then decide what's right for us. Whatever you decide, single/double MX or immediate/delayed recon we are here for you.

sbelizabeth

Bailey...waffles might make OK nipples, but you need a blueberry or a chocolate chip or something on top, you know, for the bump.  They probably won't last long, but sound like fun anyway.

Anonymous

Sbel...I tell you what, this H-cup that they pasted to my chest could use a waffle for a nipple....but only on Sunday mornings....not making waffles everyday lmao!



(Ok it might not be a full H-cup... maybe I just grow weary of deciding if my left arm is supposed to go over it or under it....decisions, decisions)

MariaNL

Hi,

I have been reading and learning from you ladies thanks. I have been penciled in for October 31st, Ps is checking with Ro to see about timing as I am supposed to start rads in November. I'm a little worried about Diep before rads but my Ps is not happy with what is happening on my te side. Have any of you had your Diep before rads and if so how was it? Also how long were you in the hospital?

lahela

CJ - I had a bilateral MX due to family history too. It was peace of mind for me. I was also a smoker and stopped two weeks before surgery (BMX with immediate reconstruction) - it all happened very fast from diagnosis to surgery, so stopping earlier wasn't an option. Because I wasn't a heavy smoker, my PS said that was okay as far as she was concerned if I stopped 2 weeks before and for 6 weeks after, but different doctors want different things. I also wasn't allowed coffee, tea or chocolate for a few weeks after! But the important thing is, I have had no healing issues at all with my noobs. And I'm about 7 weeks smoke-free now 

Christina - Same thought process on the nipples going on for me! At first, I was like, "I do not need another surgery just for that" but now I'm finding myself doing a bit more research and asking about options.

Welcome, Pat. The next couple of weeks will fly by!

Love and healing hugs to everyone!

Jeannie57

MariaNL, wow, that is a challenge. I had BMX, chemo, rads, more chemo then waited six months after that before DIEP. I came home on the fifth day after DIEP. My surgeon wouldn't do immediate DIEP with BMX in case I needed rads, so he isn't in favor of doing DIEP then rads. I had a bad reaction to five weeks of rads after I finished: very painful, skin fell off. Not to scare you, most people sail through.Recovering from DIEP is hard by itself. Can the PS take the TE out, let you have rads, heal, then do DIEP? I say that, not knowing his concerns with your TE side. The skin for recon is better before rads, though. You would have to wait for several months after rads before you could have DIEP. I wish you wisdom as you figure this out! It seems there is no one-size-fits-all in this whole bc/recon fandango. Keep asking questions, both here and of your docs.

Janet_M

Lehala & Christine - 'Nipples Shnipples' as my girlfriend said. I'm rethinking it too. I'm starting to get used to my new Barbie boobs and I'm not in a hurry to see the inside of an operating room again. My friend said that she buys padded bras to avoid showing nipples, so why wouldn't I enjoy my smooth new breasts. 

However, I'm not stressing about a decision. I have a date with my PS in October, and we're going to assess my situation. I was hoping I could live with my dog-ears, but at 13 weeks, they're still getting in the way. They may need a bit of tweaking, so If I have to have one procedure done, I may as well go all the way.

I'm going back to work on Monday (gulp) and I was trying on some clothes and my shirts barely fit. My stomach is nice and flat but I'm wider on the sides. Basically I look like something from an elementary school supply closet. Spongebob Square Pants body, Barbie boobs, and a Muppet hand, thank to lymphedema. 

MariaNL, CJKlose, and Pattysmiles - Welcome. Nice to have you here.

Regarding restrictions - I had almost none. (I think I was told to go without coffee for a couple of days. No big deal). But Lahela - chocolate restrictions? In Switzerland? That made me giggle. I keep picturing your nurses going down the hallway with giant bars of Toblerone, and truffles, and other delicious treats. 

lahela

LMAO, Janet!!! I wish it was like that! You've given me a craving for Toblerone, now!

sbelizabeth

You guys are cracking me up. 

Welcome, MariaNL!  I'm a Southern California girl now, but I left my heart in Denver sixteen years ago.  If you need a snorkel or a boat or something, let us know.  I hope it dries out a little there!

sbelizabeth

On, and "on subject," Maria, my RO was very much against doing rads with a tissue expander in place.  I know others have no problem do it, though.  I had a umx with no TE, then rads, then I waited nine months for the radiated side to settle down, then bilateral DIEP. 

hrf

Welcome to the newbies. This is a great place for support and information.



Bluebird, you're amazing. I was so pleased to read that you told the nurse and the doctor how their actions affected you and you did it so well.



Sherry, sorry about your family issues. Right now put your own healing as your #1 priority and I hope the family issues can be resolved to your satisfaction.



Well after 4 weeks my left foob is still not healing. I'm getting more and more concerned. I see PS again on Monday.



I've been going to movies this week at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). All the major stars have been in town this week. I don't go in for star gazing but it's nice when some of them stay to talk to the audience after a screening.

Sharon1942

Today is nipple day! Hopefully, that is. I was stung by some attack bees as I watered my plants yesterday & my hands are very swollen. The pain was intense yesterday as I just sat & doctored the stings with everything 2 pharmacists & google advised - ice, meat tenderizer, Benadryl cream, cortisone cream, baking soda paste, Campho Phenique. Also got stung on my arm that had lymph nodes removed! This has all made me a nervous wreck! Prayers, please.

FierceBluebird

Sharon, prayers and anti-venom on their way. Ok, well not the anti-venom. Actually, bee venom has been used as anti-arthritic and pain therapy, so maybe your surgery will hurt less! I have a phobia of bee stings though, (and a friend who's a beekeeper) so sorry you got hit!

Bailey, I have annoying large swellings on my side, not so fondly thought of as my "innertube". I feel like I have an floatie innertube around me under my arms. So sick of my arms resting on top of it! Like you, I can't decide if my arm should go around it or on it!

All this talk of radiation is making me nervous. I have been through so much all ready and the thought of facing yet another challenge already is overwhelming. Meeting with radiololgists next week. Still have a huge scab on my breast mound, but they seem anxious to get started. ugh

hrf

Sharon, prayers coming your way.

nihahi

hmm....tried to post repeatedly...kept getting booted out. Soooo....quick post to say:

Maria...welcome, I know you from another thread....these ladies will be wonderfully supportive and informative for you, as well as rather insanely crazy.....movie and liefie are part of this group too.

sharon....hugs and prayers. Hoping for "no glitches"for you today.

bluebird....sheesh...another hurdle....hang in there. You are made of tough stuff...even if things don't "go right" for you, your positive spirit is what's going to make the difference in your final outcome.

hmmm....did I miss a message from sherry after her appt yesterday???

I'm defo going for the nipple/tattoo....Being a uni, I want as much symmetry as I can get, being a longgggggg time uni-nipple...I know that for me, no matter how lovely the "mound" is, without the "decoration", it is just not going to truly become my "breast" emotionally, and that's what it's all been about for me.

going to end here and hope this message goes through. Have good days, ladies.

FierceBluebird

Is there anyone on the forum who has a flap side and an implant side?  Not sure if I want to go through the long surgery and crappy healing issues again. Need to look into fat grafting also. 

Oy vey... so many decisions!

nihahi

Bluebird....have you thought of inquiring about possiblities at the NOLA centre???? Not that they haven't had ladies lose flaps or have healing issues either, because they have. But, they do have the experience with other flap type surgeries as opposed to implant. Plus side: they have lots of experience....downside: I believe your stay there is short, and you would need to access local help post surgery if there were healing issues again, or travel back to NOLA. Just a suggestion.

nihahi

Deb....nobody here is going to judge you!!!!!!! Just wish there was some way to help make things easier/better for you. Hang in there sounds "trite".....but please do....you have all the hugs and prayers of everyone surrounding you.

lahela

{{{{{Deb}}}}}  I understand completely. The better I get physically, the harder it gets not to smoke and I don't have anywhere near the stress you have had since before any of this happened to you. PM if you want. I'm here for you.

nihahi

Deb....is this the same nurse who gave neglectful care to bluebird???? If so, maybe demand to see the PS before Tuesday!

Anonymous

Hugs, Debdylen! No judgements here, honey!

Jeannie57

((((Deb))))). No judging here! I am sorry you are going through so much! You are a strong, brave woman who has tons of support here. If you are having trouble paying for treatments/surgeries, have you talked to your hospital/cancer center's social worker? They can guide you to any help out there. Also the American Cancer Society may be able to help. I am praying for you. I hope the PS looks at you and decides you are healing fine! Have you tried the honey on your scab that Bailey knows about? Or an ointment with silver in it? I'm no doctor, just trying to help somehow......

Anonymous

Bluebird is our honey girl (pun intended)...I haven't used it. It was a medical grade honey I found online when she was talking about using honey on her wounds. BB what is it called?

Moviemaniac

OMG........so much to read, so much to say, and so little time right now!



Welcome to all you newbies ! This is a fantastic group of women, and they are SO supportive........keep those questions coming....someone here will have an answer!



DebDylan ....... Honey, one thing at a time.......never been a smoker, but when I was younger (well, up until I was about nine). I would suck my thumb whenever I would get anxious, or stressed...didn't matter if I was in public, or not. (Yikes!). Anyway, I KNOW that thumb sucking and smoking are not even close, but just wanted you to know that I get it.......wish you the best of luck and sending ((((hugs)))) as you continue down your road......I know it's not easy.....eventually you'll get there, I know! XO



I want some of those waffles (WAPPLES* : a combination waffle/nipples given to DIEP recon patients, available in a variety of flavors, such as: strawberry, blueberry, AND the always-a-favorite........Chocolate). *WAPPLES stolen from my oldest DD......she used to say I nursed her from my WAPPLES........



Nihahi, wish you could join me in SoCal.....going to meet oldest DD (actress) and drive back up to Portland with her and my grand doggie Ellie.......Sbe is being gracious to try and meet up with me.



Sbe, Janet, and Bailey......you ladies ALWAYS make me laugh......thank you for that. I don't seem to find humor in as much these days......speaking of that: my foobs are STILL.......Wait for it........MIA.......only I am not caring as much, especially after reading Bailey's and Blue's descriptive narrative about where to put the stuff under the arm! My tummy is FLAT (yay!!!!!) and I am not thinking that the compression is such a PITA......(Lahela , that was for you! )



I know I have left out something, but I have to run...returning post-surgical supplies I bought. I was anticipating the worst, and I at least got better than just okay......



Will check in later, Flappers.

Love you all!

Morningsun1

TGIF!

la2shea

Deb, I am an ex smoker due to DIEP. I planned to quit while in hospital for MX, but you know how that goes. My oncologist actually encouraged me NOT to quit because there was already too much stress in my life, but gave me a gentle reminder that I would have to quit should I go the DIEP route. So I smoked like a chimney through chemo. When it was time to quit for DIEP it was quite a challenge for me. You know, obviously. My PS is very hesitant to operate on smokers but they take into account your age, overall health, how much you smoke, yada yada. My original surgery date was May 20, but I wanted to move it out because I knew I wasn't up to it so soon after chemo, PLUS I wanted to give myself more smoke free time (I was sneaking just a few too many here and there) so we moved it to June 10. I was completely honest to him about the smoking thing and ended up being smoke free 3 weeks before surgery. He said no patches, no gum, no nicotine. Since I did end up having some wound issues I think it would be naive to not put the two together, but my PS said he had only seen two other cases like mine in 7 years and they were non smokers. He thinks we moved too fast after chemo, and I wholeheartedly agree. Take it for what it is worth, but if I could do over, I would slooooowwww everything down instead of wanting to rush in order to get back to my life, because ironically I did the opposite to myself. I wish I would have understood better what exactly "slow healing wound" meant and given myself much more time as a non smoker before taking on this major surgery. I'm not trying to scare you - this is just my opinion and my experience. Im sure there are many smokers who have had zero complications! There is a silver lining to everything - I'm 4 months smoke free and not turning back!!! - after MANY years. You are in my thoughts, and I completely understand what you are going through. I know it gets tiring to hear but "stay strong" you can do it!

goldie4040

Lahela,

It amazes me that you quit smoking, and still lost weight.  Way to go!!!!  When I was a little girl my parents took us to Switzerland, and I was treated to a chocolate bar with caramel in the center of each little square.  I got my hands on one again years later in a gourmet deli.  Gosh they are good.  When you said Toblerone, I thought about those, not that there anything near the same thing. I was just thinking chocolate and Switzerland.