DIEP 2013

Anonymous

Bluebird...red

I met a boy dog named Zephyr the other day. I have always wanted to name the girl dogs either Jezebel or Floosie but nobody will let me.

Cherrie

Bluebird- Whichever puppy grabs your heart the most.



Good luck today Bailey. I know you are excited to hear what your doctor has to say.



CStrong- Hope for healing days ahead. GHEEZ!!! Praying for that flap to stay with you too.



Lahela- Ah! Independence. You ARE getting there.

Curlylocks

I got a surgery date!!!! - Monday, Nov 18/13.  Hubby and I are going to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico with some really good friends Nov 9-16...return on the Saturday and surgery Monday morning.  For those Canadian gals, what does this mean?PS assistant said my surgery is tentatively scheduled for Nov 18.  There is a possibility that this date may not hold just so that I was aware.  I am hoping this is just the "normal protocol" as with all surgeries, if there is an emergency...I could be bumped/cancelled to another date.  I sent an email to the office to clarify.  It seems like an awful lot of work coordinating date, OR, two surgeons and other docs? Feedback?

Okay I clarified this with a doctor friend of mine and she said it would normally be if they had no bed available...I am gonna think positive!

Not sure if I am relieved I have a date or more anxious because it is really happening.LOL

Cstrong - Sending big hugs your way with everything that you have been through.  Hoping the flap survives:(

Bluebird - I love the red one, mind you I am biased as we have a fawn coloured Belgain Malinois (she is a beauty)!

Michele

Debwarrior

HELP! I really need some advice, quickly.  I was all scheduled for double mastectomy, with immediate DIEP for next Tuesday. My plastic surgeon calls today and says that in consult with the breast surgeon they think I should have delayed DIEP. They will do the mastectomies and put in expanders, fill them over several weeks and then take me in for the DIEP.  They think there's a better chance of saving my nipples that way and less complications. I'm disappointed as I wanted to go home with breasts and it just delays everything and puts me in line for two surgeries. What do the  NOLA or PRMA or other surgeons do? Can anybody tell me? Do they do immediate DIEP after skin sparing/nipple sparing or delayed?  I read on NOLA site that you needed to have immediate reconstruction to save the nipple.  I'm  losing confidence and completely stressed. Thought everything was worked out.  Thanks for any advice.

Deb

Zoemom

Hi everyone!



I have a couple questions...



I'm two weeks out from my diep surgery (and removal of 30 yr old implant). I'm experiencing sporadic pain/burning behind my new foob, near my cleavage (always the same spot). I saw my PS last Friday who said it is typical post op pain and he confirmed he did not have to remove a section of my rib to get to the blood vessel. Has anyone else experienced this? I wonder if I'm doing too much and how long I should accept this before becoming concerned. It just does not seem to be getting better. I also have a bruise streak across my breast which also doesn't seem to be improving. Is this normal?



I realize the pace of healing differs for each of us but if my experience is not the standard I want to be proactive and do what I can to be safe.



Thank you all in advance for your input.

Curlylocks

Debwarrior,

How shitty that they are changing the game plan so late! 

I am doing a skin sparing prophy mast with immediate DIEP, not saving nipples.  I was told the option was there to save the nipples or not but with strong family history and having had bc the BS advised against it...not sure what the standard protocol is for this.  Hope you get this straightened out to your satisfaction. Can you call the PS and ask for an emergency appointment to discuss?

Michele

hrf

Cstrong, so sorry that you are having such a terrible time. Sending gentle (((hugs)))  I do hope the flap survives.

Janet_M

Curlylocks -

Congratulations on getting a date!

From what I understand, it's a lot of work to coordinate the BS & PS, as well as an operating theatre for ten hours. When I was given a date (I'm in Toronto) it was a solid date - but they also added that there was always the chance of a last minute change - 10%. I think that takes into account emergencies, and rescheduling. 

mrtw43

Zoemom, I had the same type of sporatic pain and I think it lasted for a while it slowly got better over the weeks. I found placing a cool (not ice cold) damp washcloth between the foobs helped.

CJKLOSE

Hi all. Do you really get a totally flat stomach with DIEP? I've read lots of ladies stories where they are enjoying their totally flat stomachs. For real...

Cherrie

Zoemom- I also had the type of pain you were experiencing. It was a sharp pain that took my breath away until I got used to it. It did go away. Could it be nerves that are regenerating?

goldie4040

Debwarrior, I hear that is not unusual if they are trying to save nipple too.  I hate to even bring it up, but I will.  Angelina Jolie had a similar surgery, except she then had implants, but they separate the nipple from a lot of it's blood supply when they take out your breast tissue, and they are giving it a chance to recuperate before they go in for the diep.  They will just keep your skin expanded with the expanders.  You will have something there, just not soft breasts yet.  It's a small sacrifice if you want your nipples.  Good luck.  Keep us  posted.  I really think you should be fine. 

Tracy516

I have a flat stomach;)

But my hips don't lie!



I would post pictures here but never saw any so I didn't?



Drs tomorrow hoping for date for stage 2!

FireDragonll

Good news. I got a shower by myself and dressed too. Breast surgeon says I am healing very well. I made cream of mushroom soup for dinner. Yum

Bad news, Got my path report back.......... I have IDC and a postive lymph node, so looks like chemo in my future.

So all the people that said BMX was drastic for DCIS can go suck it.

hrf

Curly locks, congratulations on getting a date. I had less than 3 weeks notice. Maybe because I was a delayed DIEP, I was at the bottom of the list. I was told that the women who need immediate reconstruction get priority and I just had to wait until the doctor could confirm an opening.

Curlylocks

HRF- Thanks i was thinking of how much notice you got for your surgery date and was hoping that I would not have to wait down to the wire as well. Lots of planning to do with my job (I work in HR) and pay almost 300 people. It's our busiest time of the year so lots of prep for year end payouts, etc for my backup...it's gonna be stressful enough for her with me not being there. Also need to get Christmas stuff organized and plan for backup with my mom as she lives on her own with my older sis ( they are both not very mobile).

I got priority due to strong family history and having had bc already. My PS dud what he said he was going to do, that I am thankful for!



Fire dragon - that's shitty news...you never know what is hiding in that tissue. Just know that chemo is doable. Quite a few of us have travelled that path too..



Michele

mrtw43

Firedragon congrats on the shower that's a good step forward. Sorry to hear about the path report, you will get through it we are here for you.

Morningsun1

Debwarrior, I had skin and nipple sparing BMX with immediate DIEP recon. Great looking results right away. I did not need radiation nor chemo. I hear that's a big factor. Good luck to you.

Anonymous

Ladies and Wilbur, May I present Debdylan, the brave and beautiful!!!

Thank you for sharing with us, Deb!

hrf

FireDragon, sorry the news was not as good as hoped for. But chemo is doable. Many of us have been through it.

Curlylocks

Bailey - thanks for helping Deb post her picture. Beautiful smile:)

hrf

Great pic, Deb.

Anonymous

Firedragon - hugs...So sorry...I am so sorry you are in this boat. I am thankful you followed whatever instinct or fear or information (all three?) that led you to bmx. When do you go back to the doctor?



I went to my appt with PS today. Unfortunately, it's tomorrow. I'm afraid my brain hasn't aged well!!!

Curlylocks

Bailey hopefully you didnt have to travel to far to that appointment!

Cherrie

DebWarrior- I ditto Tammy except I had radiation. BMX / immediate DIEP (nipple and skin sparing) Great results!!

goldie4040

Firedragon, I am so sorry about your path report, but I guess it was a blessing in disguise that you had the bmx.  The only other positive thing I can say is that you get to go through chemo with great tits!? We are hear for you all the way!!!!!

christina0001

cstrong, wow you have been through so much... I really hope things turn around for the better for you. 

curlylocks - hooray, a surgery date! And a trip to Mexico too!!! Whoo hooo!!!

cjklose - I have had a tummy my whole life and now it is flat and I am loving it!

tracy - good luck at your appointment tomorrow and I hope you get a date set.

firedragon, sorry to hear about the positive lymph node. That's such a blow. I know chemo sounds so scary but truly, it is doable, you can do this!

debdylan, love the pic! And I can't help but be jealous of your long beautiful hair!!!

lol @ bailey  Well at least you didn't forget your appointment.

Someone (kuka?) asked why we don't post photos here? Well I can only speak for myself... this forum is very public, that's my real picture as my avatar... there's no way I'd post a photo of my breasts online for the world to see. I could possibly lose my job over something like that. And I don't want people I work with or know personally seeing me that way.

Anonymous

Debdylan you DO have gorgeous hair!

kimdy

Well..had my consult with my dear PS today!  Really liked Dr. C & the PRMA staff.  Now to keep busy until Wednesday AM....Getting a little nervous!

Any of you ever have people respond to you like it is some kind of vanity issue that you want to have reconstruction.

Sometimes I think people think because it had to be delayed...."why are you doing it anyway?"

Jeannie57

Kimdy, one of my best friends said to me, "It's what's inside that really counts, anyway," as I was recovering from my twelve hour DIEP surgery and recovering from being slit hip to hip. It made me feel like all I had been through didn't count, wasn't important, was maybe vain. She of course meant well but I explained to her that it hurt my feelings and that all I wanted was to look kind of normal again after having had my breasts AMPUTATED!



DebDylan, your hair is so pretty! Good photo. Remind yourself that you are doing chemo to kick cancer's a$s!!!!



FireDragon, I am sorry about your path report but if you have chemo you will make it through. You are strong! I liked your comment at the end about BMX and DCIS.



Bailey, I laughed when I read you went to your appt. a day early. I usually go a day late!



Curlylocks, yay for a vacation and a date! Tracy, hope you get a date tomorrow. I should get mine next week!



I volunteered again at the food bank today, the first time in the 9 1/2 weeks since DIEP. Holy moly, my belly was screaming at me after two hours so I came home. So much bending down and then getting up again! But at least I lasted two hours. It's one of my favorite activities so I'm glad I was able to be there, at least for a little while.



Movie, look for a redhead on Saturday! I'm getting my hair colored tomorrow. How are you doing????