DIEP 2013
Comments
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(((Lahela, Tracy)))
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"I'd rather not know!"....?! OK, maybe it's because all of us here are on high alert for breast cancer stuff, but it's my humble opinion that doing the ostrich thing can be deadly.
I had a perfectly normal mammo in June 2011 and only because I was paying attention to my body, I found my Stage III BC just three months later.
Tracy, I hope your friend, and anyone else within earshot of your conversation, goes home and thinks. Hiding from breast cancer is a bad idea.
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Water retention = watermelon! Yep, the best natural way to shed that fluid. My fav, though I have made note of Goldie's Sassy Water recipe for the off season.
Cherrie - we started together and you are gonna beat me to the finish line. Way to go! Here's to an easy rest on Thursday.
Iron Magnolia - Stage 2 is easier than stage 1. Though the lipo is more painful, it does dissapate within a few days. Medicate!
To all - I am really here and am following you closely. It has been an amazing pleasure to watch this list build over the past 9 months from tiny to 282 pages of posts. Wow! Great support network. So glad to be a part of it.
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((((((((Lahela))))))))
((((((((Tracy)))))))))
Tracy, how could you NOT say anything! It sounds like she brought it up....she obviously has been thinking about it. Maybe your words will be the push in the right direction for her. Proud of you, girl!
Bluebird, a puppy will definitely make you smile and would be a good distraction. My seven year old little dog still acts like a puppy!
Hrf, 1,000 steps is fantastic! Way to go!
I'm thankful for a brand new day and for all you gloobsters! -
Lahela- losing breasts is a grieving process. It takes some of us longer to accept this and move on, but you will. Someone on here bluntly told me, " What are your options if you had kept them?" Well many of us wouldn't be here. I am 10 months out and I think I look great. Different from the old me, but I am now moving on. ((((Hugs to you))))
Tracy- You did the right thing. If someone brought it up to me I would tell them the same thing you did.
Marty- Thanks breast friend. I wish we were doing this together, but I NEED to get this over and done with. Thanks for all of your help and encouragement. I will go into surgery hairy as I shaved for the last time this morning. Easy enough to do if it an help prevent any infection.
Ok, grocery shopping, cleaning house, and packing. Gotta go! -
Lahela and Tracy- You guys are in the thick of it right now and we all have been there. I was mostly miserable until about 8-9 weeks post surgery. Mainly because I was in pain bit the emotional toll of the entire last year seemed to crash down on me at once. Hang in there, it does get better. I hated going out in public too when I was all hunched over but moving around is what helped me get out of my slump.
I cant even imagine someone saying that they didnt want to know within earshot of me. I think I would question either the intelligence, sanity, or both. I am certainly glad I found my lump when I did.
I have all the windows open this morning and its about 75 degrees with a slight breeze. My spascapes cd is playing and the house smells wonderfully clean. Love the fall! -
Hello ladies! It's been a while. I tried to keep, and I read some of the posts but not all. I just don't have the time😞. I think about all of you often and miss talking to you. One good thing, my parents are coming to visit for thanksgiving! I'm so happy about it! Doing a lot of stuff with the cub scouts, and trying to decide if I will be up for camping in October. I like my bed a lot, but maybe I will camp for one night with my son, with an air mattress of course! I'm pretty much all healed from stage 2 and I will go to ps October 2 where we'll talk about having more tweaks done to foobs. I'm thinking I'm going to go a little bigger and more lipo, lol. I just love that stuff!! Hummmm! How many lipos can I get before the new year? Really, I was the side of my boobs liposuctioned a little bit and then add in the center. Would this ever end? Maybe one day I can be happy with my boobs again.
Movie, have you found your boobs yet? I'm going to ask my ps for info on the gummy bear's implants. They're supposed to help with projection, which is what I need! I'm really scared to even think about getting implants, but I need to inform myself before I make any decisions.
Yesterday I finally hit the 6 week mark after stage 2 and I got to take my compression off. What a relieve!! I really couldn't stand that thing any longer, and guess what? I haven't have any heartburn since yesterday either!
Gotta go put a couple of cranky 3 year olds to bed. But I promise I will check back😜 -
"There's a bug on my tummy!"
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I have four words....
Manuka Honey.
Holy shirt. -
Yeah....you know better....wordy girl never has just four words. Sbel....get this stuff. I can't even believe it. Less than 24 hours on my rope burn and its still pink to red....but it's closed. I don't have a band aid on it now...just washed my hands with soap (of course) and it didn't even sting.
The little open spots ...and one bigger open spot on my noob are just new pink skin.
I am mystified and delighted.
My mom is diabetic and has a hard time healing....My dad is a double amputee and gets pressure sores on his stumps from his prosthetic legs....I am ordering them each their own jar!
Thank you Bluebird! I will be healed up before I see the PS next week!!!
Sbel....I am in love with that baby
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Bailey - this may be a stupid question but is the honey working on your DIEP wounds too? I didnt realize all of this Manuka honey talk was for post surgery issues. Do you think it could be used on an incisional wound? If so I need to get some overnighted. I have a life I need to get back to. Thx.
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Bailey, going to Amazon right now!
Debdylan, we're proud of you, making the tough decision. I didn't have much choice but to throw the kitchen sink at mine, but a decision like yours would have been HARD. No one can predict how you'll tolerate chemo, but my experience was 100% do-able. May the cancercide find any little nits that might be hiding out and stomp on them!
It was my post that you're thinking of, and I was referring to long term care insurance (think nursing home or Alzheimer's care), not medical insurance. I was joking that I would need to drive safely because if I got in an accident and had a nasty head injury for which I'd need nursing home care, my long term care insurance wouldn't be activated yet.
I bet Bailey has a better idea than I do, but if you move to a new job they can't deny you medical insurance based on your BC history. And yes, strictly according to the rules, if your FMLA runs out they can replace you...but firing an employee with breast cancer, in the middle of her chemotherapy? Call your senator. Call Barbara Walters. Call the president.
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DebDylan, I am also divorced.
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Loving this beautiful crisp fall weather. Hating that I had to scrap the frost off my car windows this morning:(
Still waiting on a confirmed date for November...this is getting old already:( I want to know to plan my workload at work (its our busiest time of the year and someone else will be taking over my job), hubby has to plan for a few days off after I get home, for followup appt after surgery and surgery date of course!
Debdylan - chemo is doable, had 6 months of treatment. Lots of meds to elevate side effects. Its not like in the movies! Healing is an awesome word. Its okay to be afraid of the "unknown" with chemo, once you get one under your belt...you will know what to expect with the rest. Do you know what protocol you are doing?
I had AC/Taxol - tough regime but needed due to 3 positive lymph nodes.Sbe - that grandbaby of yours is so gorgeous.
Tracy - I was 41 when I was diagnosed as well, that would be 8 years ago on Oct 23rd! WOW, is all I have to say to someone that wants to bury their head in the sand when it comes to this disease. Let me see...if I can go and get a mamogram and do something about it..would I YES? My childhood friend as yet to get a mamogram and she is 49 and a single mom...it bogles my mind why she hasnt gone? I work in an office where there are many, many women who have seen what I went through and some of them still say "well its been 5 years, you should be good to go?"...I WANT to scream at them and say, well no..actually there is no cure for breast cancer. It can come back at anytime...they soon shut up and then soon forget what they said a few months later. I am all about spreading the word, if people want to listen fine...if they dont tune out my voice and move on!
I unfortunately, lost my baby sister to this disease and people still dont get how serious a disease this is..makes me want to bang my head against a wall. My sister was stage IIa, negative nodes but had a large 7 cm tumour. I always thought she would do as well as I have and when she died, a part of me left with her...Lahela - here is a hug for you:) Did you just start taking tamoxifen? I was on Armidex for five years and HATED it!
Jeannie - wah? No coffee or chocolate...deal breaker! Hope you get to the bottom of your heartburn issues.
HRF - Good for you baby steps at a time. I see you have a FITBIT, bought one here and dont know how to use it? Went online and still none the wiser?
Janet - hope work went okay.
Goldie - good luck on your test. How long for results?
Movie - Happy belated.
Bluebird - love your great attitude! You have been through ALOT...
Michele
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DebDylan, like Curlylocks, I had six months of chemo. The decision was kind of left up to me because my Oncotype was pretty low but with three nodes involved there was really no question in my mind. I had CMF which is a milder form of chemo in some ways. Being tired was the biggest SE. Good for you for making a decision! I am glad you are healed up enough to do it. Eat as well as you can, get some exercise and drink lots and lots and lots of water. We're with you!,
Sbel, I just want to gently pinch those cheeks! She is so cute! Thanks for sharing her with us.
Off to order some Manuka! -
That baby is precious! It makes me miss my only grand baby in VA. We do have another on the way in March. Thanks for sharing that beauty!
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Hello everyone! It has been a week since my surgery....took me a long time to want to use technology or even read as I recuperated. I was in the OR for 11 hours. Wasn't able to get a CT scan to locate vessels in my flaps ahead of time; the Doppler showed I had good vessels but Dr M later found they were small ones. Recovering well and remembering everyone's advice to take it one day at a time. Living in the Clarion until Fri when we fly home. Doing lots of walking, and then resting. Took the trolley to the aquarium today to walk inside. My DH is giving me daily shots, stripping drains and painting me with betadine.....he has amazed us both. All my caregivers in NOLA were so caring and patient.
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Mtpeteacher - your done...awesome! Your dh is very sweet...
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Curlylocks- I am so sorry about your sister!
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Curlylocks, did you get instructions with your Fitbit? I had to go to the website and followed the directions. Hope you can get it going. I really find it to be very motivating.
DebDylan, I've had chemo 2 times. Not fun but I survived. -
Mtpeteacher - sounds like you are doing remarkably well. I couldn't walk quite that much after Dr. M finished with my Stage 1. Enjoy your time in NOLA
.Kuka - great to hear from you. Wish I had half your energy, but you are almost half my age. Hmmmmm! So glad your folks are coming back to TX to see you.
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Sbel... How can you stand all the cuteness! You must melt a little everyday. Bike path looks wonderful!
mtpeteacher, sounds like you are doing great!
Yes, I am having radiation. Met with a radiologist today. They are anxious to start radiation since I am now 3 months out from last chemo. Due to all my wonderful surgical complications, I'm not healed. They want to start anyway and hoping that skin can hold up. Ugh
No more Manuka honey for me. The honey has shrunk my surgical wound by leaps and bounds, but the way the honey works is by keeping the area moist so enzymes can work. I believe it's helped reduce scar formation as well. But radiologist wants hard scab right now so they can start radiation. Sigh...
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Oh Bluebird. I don't know what to say. You have been through so much. I think you have a great attitude. Hang in there girl.
Mtpeteacher- You are doing great. "One day at a time." Use that wheelchair service at the airport.
I am packed and taking off for the Windy City in the morning. My surgery is now at 7:30 AM on Thursday AM. I am a pro at this now. 😉😉 -
Tracy, you sound so much better. I hope you are feeling better, emotionally and physically. Don't let people get you down just because they want to stick their heads in the sand. You are to be commended for sharing your story...it's sad that there are women who don't want to hear it. I hope they enjoy life in their little bubbles...
sbelizabeth - beautiful photos!
Jeannie I have been getting GERD/reflux lately too. I think mine is from stress. I had some protonix left over from chemo but that ran out. Now I'm taking prilosec (over the counter) and it's helping. Seems like it's always something. Ugh, I hope you don't have to have more tests, but if it helps you feel better than it might be worth it.
(((lahela))) Hugs to you, girl. Not sure if it is dealing with cancer, treatments, recovering from surgery, tamoxifen, but it seems like it drags most of us down low from time to time. I constantly underestimate the emotional toll this takes on me. Hopefully the good days outnumber the bad for us all.
kuka, your post sounds so busy and happy.
DebDylan - I was terrified of starting chemo. I cried all the way to the cancer center and begged my husband to turn around. When I got there they were nice enough to put some Ativan in my IV. *phew* While I am definitely not saying it is easy, it was not even close to as bad as what I pictured in my mind. The side effects I did have, my oncology team worked with me 100% to manage them as best as possible. I worked through chemo; I needed a couple of days off during each treatment cycle when the fatigue got bad. I know other women who were also able to work through chemo. So maybe you will be able to keep your job and not have to worry about job hunting.
mtpeteacher - welcome, and I hope you are healing well and comfortably.
bluebird, I am so glad you are healing well. Good luck on radiation. Remember to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.
All is well in my corner of the world. Just excited and waiting for stage 2. I love my new breast and want her to match the size of my other one a little better. My reward after that will be some new lingerie I think.
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I haven't posted much, but have read this board faithfully until about 2 months ago. At that time I traveled Europe for 3 weeks, came back to work and full swing...and then to camp with the students at my work for a week. All to say...time has pasted fast and now my DIEP is set for a week from tomorrow......
So now I'm starting to get anxious that this surgery that I've waited 2 years for is actually going to happen.
Any words of wisdom?
Must have items to take to the hospital or have during recovery.
I will be traveling to San Antonio from Oklahoma....so hopefully I have all my bases covered for my kiddos here at home!
Grateful for you ladies that have shared our journey!
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Has anyone had to deal with fat necrosis after surgery? I have a huge spot on my affected side just to the insideof the crook of my arm. I have faithfully massaged it but it is reallygetting painful, to the point of tears tonight. PS is aware and says its to far up from my current breast incision to take out and that it should resole on its on eventually. I just took four ibruphrofins and Im thinking about using the heating pqd but worry about lymphodema since its my affected side. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Kimdy- I needed way less than I thougt I would, there is a list somewhere on this thread of suggested things to take with you. I was very glad to have my chapstick and gum. I also went to Target qnd bought some super soft bikini underwear that fell below my tummy scar. It will be over before you know it! -
Can you put this honey into open wounds onto granulation tissue? Cause I've got one of those is like to heal😊.
I ordered a fitbit yesterday. Can't wait to start counting my steps. I'm supposed to have an MRI soon but I don't think I can raise either arm over my head for the time it takes. I don't think I'll ever recover my ROM. -
Gosh, ladies. Lots of stuff going on.
Curly, very sad about your sister. That has to be so hard, and also scary for you at the same time.
Sweet, take something stronger if you have to. Are you sure there is no infection? I am just wondering why it hurts so much.
For you guys taking advil for pain, and also have heartburn/gerd/acid reflux, my regular doc gave me a prescription strength advil that is coated with nexium to protect your tummy. Awesome stuff. I found out from one of my many CAT scan that I have a small hiatal hernia. So he wants me to be careful.
Mammalou, I think that honey stuff is more for surface wounds that need some help, not an open wound. But, I could be wrong.
Bluebird, sorry about having to do rads now on top of everything. You get the most bullshit that had to be put up with in a short time award! And, I might add with grace, dignity and humor. Good times are coming. I promise.
Kimdy, are you going to PRMA? Just curious. I read so many good things about them. I am in Texas, and thought about going there.
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Hey Marty! Trust me, by 9:00pm I'm in bed pooped out! Poor DH hasn't gotten any in a while because I'm so tired.
Christina, I'm happy for the most part. Busy is an understatement! But I'm really going to try to be in here more often. I miss talking to you girls😄
Ok mammalou, what the heck is a fibit? Sorry, but I have to ask. Is it some type of exercise machine?
I haven't exercised in a few days. By the end if the day I'm so tired and its so hot here, I just take a shower and lay down in bed. But tomorrow I'm doing it. Well, shoot, tomorrow is my birthday, so maybe on Thursday. I'm turning 36, which means its all down hill from here on. Don't take offense! It is just a joke. I believe it's all about how old you feel. And I feel like I'm 80! See..., besides taking care of a couple of 3 year olds while my two oldest are in school, I keep an 8 week old baby girl for a friend. I love babies, but it's kicking my butt! Actually, my 3 year old is the one kicking my butt!
Bluebird, I've been wanting to tell you how brave I think you are. Holly crap, have you gone through enough?!
Ok, pills working now, so off to sleep. -
Cherrie.......I just popped in to wish you well........hope it is a non-event on Thursday morning.....:)
Thanks for the b-day wishes.......they ARE appreciated.....
Have had the day from hell (stress)........ Will try to post tomorrow.
I ordered my Manuka honey this morning.......
Welcome Mtpeteacher......you are a full-fledged flapper now!
Love to all........
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