DIEP 2013

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  • EileenKaye1
    EileenKaye1 Member Posts: 469
    edited September 2013

    My boss gave me a rough time regarding BC. Kept ordering me to work overtime.--Until his mother, next his wife came down with BC. This leaves his daughter's high risk.

    He changed his tune. Too bad that two BC diagnosis in his family were needed to humanize him.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2013

    Omg....Sweetpickle.....those are end of the world moments, honey....makes me shudder. So thankful he pulled through. You guys have had more than your share. Hugs to you.



    It's all so long and complicated but I will try to shorten it up. I developed a very large seroma in chest under mx scar during rads. It truly looked like I was growing a new boob. You could actually hear it sloshing when I moved. So disgusting. And I was sure it was full of very radioactive body fluid that would burst one day and I would grow another arm but they assured me it doesn't work that way. Anyway....after weeks and seroma didn't go away they decided it needed to be drained. So they put a drain in.....for several weeks (that drain was a whole different fiasco but I'll spare you). Finally comes my hyster/ooph sx. Drain is out but drain hole wide open. So now I am draining but into a maxi pad taped to me and changed several times a day. My sx report from hyster says I am a strep B carrier....Ok no big whoop. I recover from that sx.....go back to work....Drain hole still won't close and now have truncal lymphedema. Grrrrr. So off to the LE specialists I go. Everybody is stumped. I am draining and hole won't close. I start seeing OT for AWS and scar issues (she works closely with the LE people) and she says whatever I do DO NOT GET AN INFECTION in my chest. Then the hole miraculously closes....but now the fluid builds up in my chest because it has no place to go. Slosh slosh slosh for about a week. OT says DO NOT GET AN INFECTION. I had some very bad pain in my chest ....bad enough I called the MO....we decided it was nerves waking up...Ok carry on and it goes away. About a week later I woke up on a Saturday morning with pain in my chest.....like can't quite catch my breath kind of pain (my mx was on my left side...above heart). It's pretty bad but I am now no stranger to pain so I go about my business (but truly, deep down in the back of my head, I am thinking "what do I want to get done before I go to the ER later today?" So I shower and get house picked up and pain is increasing in severity. I am sitting at the table and I can feel it going down my left arm and up my neck into my left ear and I tell DH. My chest now hurts so bad I can barely talk. We have a brief discussion about hopping in the car and driving 20-30 minutes to hospital. DH says no way in hell and he is calling 911. So eunit came and ambulance and the neighbors gathered around and there was a copious amount of temporary insanity lol. I think my kids and I were the most calm of everyone lol. Anyway...got to ER...funny how you get right in when you have chest pain...DH called my parents and sister and BIL who came a'running. I was pissed cos it hurt so much. They were pretty quickly able to determine it was not a heart attack or pulmonary embolism. They pumped me so full of dilaudid I gave my famous line....when they asked how the pain was I said "it still hurts but now I think it's funny" (said the same thing in recovery room after DIEP and a dose of dilaudid). So they get my hx...decide to do a chest scan....find the seroma on imaging....go to interventional radiation....get surgically drained and a new drain in. Admitted....IV antibiotics....stay 3 days... cultures come back for massive strep B infection. Blah blah blah. Infection causes mx scar to build massive, hard scar tissue on either side of the suture line and there is about a 1 inch deep crevice created. OT gets to say "I TOLD you not to get an infection". And then we laughed and laughed and laughed .....Good times. NOT! Anyway...My theory is....when they did my hyster some of that strep B I was carrying around got loose into my system. It started hanging out in the seroma but was ok as long as it could drain out. Once the drain hole closed the strep b bacteria party was on! It took a few weeks to cook up into a massive infection and then hit me like hammer. I am so thankful that seroma did not drain on its own into my body....I would've been septic in about a minute, I think. I am not a medical professional...maybe my theory is pure bunk, but that's my story lol.



    I apologize for changing tenses so many times in my story. All you get is this first draft though lol...I have a house to keep. Thanks for letting me tell stories lol....reminds me how far I've come. Enjoy your Saturday! Hugs all around.

  • liefie
    liefie Member Posts: 2,440
    edited September 2013

    Mammalou, I'm 4 months out from DIEP, and still have the hard spot in my foob where they had removed an inch of the rib. It is not sore anymore, just the hardness remaining. Bone can take up to a year to heal, so I guess we'll just have to be patient. Not sure if the hardness will ever go away though. It does not really bother me, but it does not feel soft there like a boob should.

    Bailey, excellent advice to Mammalou re: complainer. That should shut them right down. Some people are simply unbelievably insensitive.

    Goldie, we are all waiting with you for those results - B9, please?????

    I've also been up since 5.30 after rolling around since 4.00. Slept less than 4 hours, and will not make it through the day without a nap - lol.

    Movie, it will be awesome to see you and Jeannie in Seattle in January 2014. Can't wait! Hope you have some peace and quiet today - you seem really exhausted.

    Mky, such a tough decision at your tender age - wow! Don't know if everything can be done and dusted by January though. Maybe give yourself enough time to recover before you start job hunting in Seattle. Best wishes to you!

    Sweetpickle, you have been through so much, really. Heart attacks are so scary, but at least your DH had a good attitude about it, eh?

    Nihahi, beautiful pictures as usual - so glad you did not freeze there yesterday - lol.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2013

    Just thinking about our slang word for this whole experience...DH and I and a few of my friends call it "the yuckery" or take the y out and replace it with an f....not a word I use often or lightly, but seemed to describe it the best.





    Sbel calls it the fandango....which is a great (and much more polite) description....was just thinking how we all dance our own fandango.

  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited September 2013

    Bailey, quite a story! Thanks for sharing because for some of us who are having healing issues, we wonder if it's just us and how will this ever go away etc? I had no idea you had been through so much and now can look back and even have a sense of humour about it. I look forward to the day I can say the same thing.



    Nihahi, great pics!



    Have a good Saturday, everyone.

  • Jeannie57
    Jeannie57 Member Posts: 2,144
    edited September 2013

    Wow, Bailey! That is quite the story!! It reminds me how mysterious and wonderful our bodies are, that they fight off nasties, sometimes with lots of medical help, but still. The way you told your story shows a lot about your great spirit, too.



    Christina, I'm sorry you don't feel well and I hope you get a good nap! I was kind of careful with what I ate last night, no red sauce, but I'm sure the margarita wasn't wise. I was very nauseous when I went to bed. What the heck. Feel better!



    Nihahi, awesome photos! I'm glad a rock didn't fall on YOUR head!



    Liefie, Movie, can't wait until January!! It's nice to have something to look forward to already in the new year. It will also be my two-year cancerversary.



    Wow, Sweetpickle. I am so glad your DH recovered from those heart attacks. You guys deserve a break.



    EileenKaye1, I can't believe your boss was so mean. You sound like you have a strong spirit. Welcome here!



    Good grief, Mammalou. I'm sure your coworker didn't know her comment would make you cry. People are so very clueless. I, too, like Bailey's retort but don't know if I'd be brave enough to say it! Mammalou, I can't even wrap my head around the fact that you've been teaching a room packed with kids day after day while simultaneously dealing with your wound. You are a warrior!



    Happy naps, some of you, maybe me, too! The rain has arrived here so it's a cozy kind of day.

  • sweetpickle
    sweetpickle Member Posts: 749
    edited September 2013

    Bailey- Holy kashmoley!!!! Thanks for sharing that and thank goodness you didnt get septic from that. Fandango indeed!!! It is so hard to know what is normal healing pain and what isnt and I can totally see myself brushing something off as just part of the process.



    Liefie- He really does, three attacks before age 43 and he still jokes away. He often says vertical and breathing is a good day.....lol.....that is why I love him and it certainly helped me in my bc fandango :-)



    Mky- So sorry you are facing these decisions, lots of good info here so you are in the right place!



    Kuka- Hope your minecraft party is lots of fun,:-)my twins are into that game too.



    Eileen- That does suck, my old boss was frustrated with me one day because of being out for appts and I lookedat him and said "sorry I got breast cancer" with an eat poo look. He realized he was being a donkey and apologized. People are usually just caught up in themselves and cant see the other side.



    Nihahi-love those pictures, wow!



    Sbe- We need an aubrey fix! Where is that adorable baby? :-)



    Happy saturday everyone :-)

  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 3,841
    edited September 2013

    mammalou....it's the eternal struggle of what it truly means to live with the dx/tx/sx/unknowns of bc. sbe....I truly hope your presentation helps to shed a glimmer of light on what "awareness" really should be.

    sweetpickle...vertical and breathing....my daily mantra!!! I post the photos for two reasons, my friends...first, to maybe give a chance to pause and take a deep breath, while dancing the fandango, second, to reinforce that you can get back to living the life you want to, WE ALL ARE GOING TO GET THERE!!!!!!!

    Gee whiz...trying to figure out how to get to Seattle in January!!! I have a sister there. When are you guys all meeting up????

  • jlbloom
    jlbloom Member Posts: 228
    edited September 2013

    Bailey, I agree with Goldie, you look like a teenager at the most, in your blonde wig.  And, Goldie, I love the idea of living until we don't know we look silly.  Sometimes I think I might already be there when my daughters see my taste in clothes.

    Sharon, thanks for sharing the wig website.  I'm a bit concerned the Femara is going to make my hair thin.  I know there is more hair coming out in the shower and my curling iron than there used to be.

    Bluebird, love the picture!  That wig looks fabulous.  However I just read that you didn't like it.  Well it still looked good.

    Jeannie, forever in blue jeans could be my theme song!  So sorry to hear about your friend.  What a great thing she and her husband do each morning!  I think I will start doing that.

    Gotta run.  I will have to finish reading more later.  Have a great day everyone!

  • mammalou
    mammalou Member Posts: 823
    edited September 2013

    Thanks for the pics nahahi... I will have to ask my husband what the rock does, but haven't because those headaches and his unwillingness to seek any traditional medical treatment has been a sore spot for us. The poor guy just fell to pieces inside( he was a great support to me) after my diagnosis. He has had a constant headache for 2 years. I did get him to see the dr once. He got an MRI and it looked fine. They diagnosed it as stress. Looking back, I realize he needed more support as a caregiver and it makes me so sad that he didn't get it.



    To anyone with open abdominal wounds, when it starts to heal, it goes fast. In the last 4 weeks, I have gone from a 5x2 2 inch deep hole to a 2 x 1/2 in. opening. It's not pretty and i don't care. There is a light at the end of the tunnel!



    Have a great Saturday. I'm going to go to school and work for awhile. I will probably see my oh so supportive colleague, so I need to prepare for that. You are right, they don't get it, and I don't honestly think you can unless you live it or live with it.



  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2013

    Hmmmm...mammalou...Hugs to the DH. The people that love us and care for us are truly the unsung heroes. You know, I was thinking this morning, how nowadays when a woman in a relationship gets pregnant you often hear the couple say, "we are pregnant" and there is recognition of the involvement of both parents. But nobody ever says, "We have cancer" or "we have MS"....but the kids and the DH's and partners and parents are just as involved as when there is a baby coming. It happens to everybody that loves you. Prayers for your DH's headaches honey.



    And I don't want to push since it's a sore subject..but I am super curious about the rock....if you get a chance to inquire do let us know! (Maybe you should suggest a trying a pickle on it.....idk).

  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited September 2013

    I know there are lots of us here who don't have the support of a DH, and I hope there are people in your life who can support you and share your burdens.  We are not all meant to be married, and you don't have to have a husband to get through cancer-land with dignity, grace, and hope. 

    In my own case, my DH was the life raft on which I floated to keep my nose above water.  I did one of those "Strides Against Breast Cancer" things last year, and I found myself chatting with a survivor who'd had a stage way below mine--small lumpectomy/1weeks worth of rads and she was done.  I came home a little depressed.  "I just want to talk to some whose cancer was as bad as mine," I said.

    Jerry said, "MY cancer was as bad as yours."

  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited September 2013

    SBE, you gave me chills with the story about Jerry saying he had cancer as bad as yours.  

    Bailey, you are right. For those of us who have DH that are there for us every step of the way, it's almost harder than having cancer yourself.  Watching somebody you love suffer has got to be the hardest thing in the world. 

    Hey, JBloom, always so nice to hear from you.

    Sweetpickle, that is scary about your husband and his heart attacks.  I hope they have figures out what is causing them, and have it under control.

     Chrisitina, hope you feel better soon.

    Mammalou, the woman at work is clueless, and I know you want to say, "look here b...h, you have no idea what I have been through, and then tell her in detail." But, you know what, she's not worth it.  She is ignorant, and I really hope she doesn't have to learn the hard way what BC is all about.  I have put aside a very close person in my life because she was so ignorant, and hurtful.  Also, sorry about your DH headaches.  My husband use to get migraines years ago.  They went away, and we don't know why, but there were was this acupressure thing I would do for him that helped.  It is on the hand between the thumb and first finger.  I am going to see if I can find a Youtube video that explains it, because unless you see it done it's very hard to explain. 

  • Tracy516
    Tracy516 Member Posts: 183
    edited September 2013

    Hello all! No names tonight..



    Hair- looks great



    Picture- yes looks like Lisa kudrow



    Puppy yet?!



    People/co workers- they don't get it. Some don't until breast cancer or such is in their lives!



    Pickle- cool



    Welcome newbies and lukers!



    Here's to the unsung heros of BC!!





    Had a good day. Slept late. Did wash, food shopping and no cooking. Hubby made us sandwiches! Went for a fast walk with my 14 daughter. Who is having teenage blues:( ugh



    Question; anyone have a long strand of incision hanging? I have one on stomach! Put a bandaide over it. Had a nightmare I pulled a my foobs feel out ALONG with a penis!!!wtf! Very weird and Freudian !?



  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 3,841
    edited September 2013

    tracy....I have no words for that dream....nor do I understand what you mean by "long strand of incision hanging".

    What the heck did hubby put in your sandwich?????

    sbe....can you hug Jerry for all of us!!!!! What a hub!

  • FierceBluebird
    FierceBluebird Member Posts: 758
    edited September 2013

    nihahi, you are too funny!  Come to think of it, I bet sweet pickles and honey would be good. I used to eat sweet pickle and peanut butter sandwiches when I was a kid.

    sbel, what a wonderful husband!

    Don't discount the rock for headaches! I have a friend who is a Reiki master and has a rock for most any ailment! lol... Or it might just be a nice cool object to put on your forehead.

    Cherie, glad to hear things went well.

    Bailey, I have no words for all you've been through. Wow.

    The Tzi-tse syndrome I mentioned can be very painful also and feel like a heart attack. I'm a bit worried about going into rads. I have an area of hardness that is painful as well that I'm wondering if it is the broken rib everyone mentions. EXCEPT my doctor!!!

    No puppy yet. So torn!!  Kuka checked out the puppy apartment and it is similar to the dividable crate I have. Just a lot cuter and more convenient! Makes me want a small tiny dog too!

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2013

    Omg Tracy..didn't anybody tell you DO NOT PULL THAT STRING....your hidden penis implant will fall right out and then wth will you do???? Ladies, seriously, we are falling down on the job here....we need to warn everybody.



    Too funny, Tracy. In all seriousness, no I did not have any more than about 1/8" long stitch hanging out here and there....I just pressed down the skin around it and snipped them as short as possible with sterilized scissors. They were like annoying stubble. I would not pull on it, but I would cut it short.



    I wouldn't be a 14 year old girl again for anything....ugh...I always say I hated everybody and myself....that's an exaggeration, of course, but I most definitely do not want to go back.



    I like 47.....47 has been pretty darned good to me so far :) I like the confidence of my 40's and the feeling of being really comfortable with who I am and what I think and believe and who is in my life. I really am pretty lucky. I am comfortable with my body...as wrecked up as it is...I don't have any qualms about my scars etc.....I just wish and want it to feel good....to not hurt....to make it do what I want it to do (bend to my will lol!)....to have stuff in the right place and not be conscious all the time about how my body feels....I wonder if that ever comes?

  • mammalou
    mammalou Member Posts: 823
    edited September 2013

    Goldie... I would love to know more about the acupressure.



    Helping my husband would be so great. It is hard when you go thru BC and come out determined to have a good and happy life...and then your spouse is miserable. I cannot even explain to him how I look at things differently now and how I just want to do things that make my life fulfilling, but I have this person in pain all the time. It is so depressing sometimes and I can talk to so few people about it because he doesn't want to tell people. I know I can tell you ladies and you will understand.



    Listening to you talk about my work friend, I realize I just put up with too much. Well, I am about done with that. I'm going to have to learn to stick up for myself better. I never confront her because she makes it worse on you if you do, but I don't need nor want to put up with these kind of people in my life. I think I better just smile politely, go about my business, and not let her be part of my real life.



    Tracy, crazy dreams!

  • sweetpickle
    sweetpickle Member Posts: 749
    edited September 2013

    I want some of whatever your having Tracy.....lol......crazy dream!



    Good for you mamalou! I hope your dh is able to get out of the funk, I certainly understand it and hate that our loved ones go through so much with us!



  • Tracy516
    Tracy516 Member Posts: 183
    edited September 2013

    This string has been getting bigger by the day!! I did cut when it was less then an inch. Then it GREW to about 2 inches! I showed my husband and he's the on that said my foobs would fall out ( penis not included) lol ... I'm gonna bandaide it up til PS appt on Tuesday!

    Thanks ladies!

  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 3,841
    edited September 2013

    Tracey...does this string look like dental floss? Kind of "whitish"? If so, it's likely the tail of a dissolving stitch that has been "spit out". 

  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited September 2013

    mammalou

    I found a couple of videos that might be helpful.  If your husband is having true migraines with light sensitivity, and auras before, and during he really should see a doc.  If he is having just bad tension headaches some of these pressure point exercises can really be helpful.  I am attaching two videos. 

     I don't know if these will work.  Let's see. 

  • kuka21174923
    kuka21174923 Member Posts: 427
    edited September 2013

    Wow! I feel like I had DIEP surgery all over again! Tired is an understatement. First we got up at 6:30am to go do a community service with the Cub Scouts cleaning along the river. We were there until 12:30. Then came home and put all the decorations out for my son's birthday. Party started at 2:00. It is 8:50 now and the last kid just left. I can barely move and I still have a house to clean. But you know what?, tomorrow is another day. I've done everything I could with my body today. I'm even too tired to eat dinner, which is great for my weight loss;)

    Bailey, what a story! It's amazing how we can be so strong. My DH went to the ER last night with a pain on the side of his torso. Doctor thought it was kidney stones and after running some tests he had nothing! Really?! It was probably gas pain and he had to go to the ER? Yup, that goes to show you!

    Sweetpickle, no weird dreams last night. My body is so used to my nightly cocktail that sometimes I have to take 2 ambiens;(

    Good night all!

  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited September 2013

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rcteMDNSxI

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCpEtQ0sfJY

    Mammalou, unfortunately we have had too much experience with headaches in our home. My husband had true migraines with light sensitivity, auras, nausea, and even vomiting.  I use to get terrible stress headaches.  For whatever reason, we both do not suffer with them anymore.  I believe mine were hormone driven.  Anyway, here are two videos that will give you a pretty good idea of the acupressure points.  If they don't cure his headache they will at least feel good while you are doing them for him. 

    • I would certainly look into other possible causes of his headaches.  I am glad he had the MRI to rule out anything terrible, but neck alignment, what glasses he is wearing if he is at a computer for long periods of time, etc. can contribute to migraine/headaches.  I sympathize.  It's no fun.  Also, when was the last time he was tested for glaucoma?
  • liefie
    liefie Member Posts: 2,440
    edited September 2013

    Kuka, I remember those children's parties only too well where it feels if your house has been turned on its head  with peanuts, chips, crumbs etc. everywhere - lol. Your child will have a happy memory for ever, and that makes all the hard work worthwhile. You sound like an awesome mom!

    Those of us who have supportive, loving DH's should really appreciate them. I think they have a very hard time when their loved one is diagnosed with something as traumatic as bc. I am the stoic kind, and did not cry much when diagnosed, but DH was totally devastated. He told me over and over again that he wished it was he who got cancer and not me.

  • Tracy516
    Tracy516 Member Posts: 183
    edited September 2013

    Nihahi: yes!! Ok but still not pulling!!'lol

  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited September 2013

    Kuka, maybe you are tired enough to fall asleep without the ambien?  I know you are tired from all the stuff you did today, but I wish I had those days back.  They go way to fast.  Enjoy every second.  Before you know it they will be borrowing the car, or going off to college and then you will miss them so much.  I got to spend the afternoon with my son today, and even though he is grown and married it felt so good to have that alone time.  It was like the good old days.

    Tracy, don't pull anything.  You could unravel..lol

    The heat has finally broken in Texas.  The worst is over.  I walked across a parking lot today without breaking a sweat.  Yes!!!!!  Time to break out the bike!!!!!! My husband is going to get me some new tires this week.

    While a lot of you are buried under snow us Texan's are out having fun.Don't be jealous. Remember it's over 100 here for 3 months, and over 90 for another 2 

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2013

    Yeah.....I will likely still be kind of jealous come the depths of a Michigan January, Goldie! Have a great ride. We are starting our outdoor group (The Dirt Devils) back up today with a 5k walk, run, bike or crawl on the trail...I might have to crawl I feel so crummy right now. C'mon Advil....do your thing!



    I go to PS tomorrow...kind of excited....hoping to schedule a stage 2.....we will see. Trying to remain realistic.



    Have a great Sunday, friends!





    Oh! Mammalou...great news on your wound closure progress! So happy to hear that! Very encouraging!

  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited September 2013

    Bailey, sorry you are not feeling too great.  Maybe your walk/crawl will help...hehehehe.   

    Hope it's a great Sunday for everybody. It is another beautiful fall day here!!!  Yeah!!!!  

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2013

    Oh...today is the first official day of fall, isn't it? Awesome.



    Hey a Manuka Honey update ....two of my spots are virtually gone in 6 days...each has a pinhead red spot. The other area, under my noob, where the blister was, is making good progress...I think another week of nightly applications maybe. My rope burn is totally healed. I think it kind of acts sort of like a drawing salve....anybody else getting that?. And it seems to dry it out...I keep getting dry skin around the edges of the wounds by morning so using good moisturizer during day.

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