DIEP 2013

sbelizabeth

Oy vey.  Pass the morphine, Wilbur.  In an hour or so the PS and wound care nurse are trooping in here to debride and scrub the boo-boo and replace the wound-vac dressing.  

The wound care nurse is a total hoot.  She graduated from nursing school in 1966, then went on to get her bachelors and masters.  She exudes strength and confidence.  When she asks a question, you want to say, meekly, "yes, nurse."  Let's make her an official Wilbur woman.

Where's a stick to bite when you need one?  

sbelizabeth

Hey, Bailey...you're the best, and you're getting through this fandango.  You're in my prayers.

Anonymous

LMAO Nihahi...I wondered the SAME THING about the "avoid-cancer-through-good-nutrition a la cheesecake" lecture!



Esbel I think that was a LOVELY thing for your group to do! You are loved , clearly! So happy you are headed home! There is NO place like it



So I am sitting in the cancer center with my snivelling elephant waiting for noob ultrasound....ho hum.



Busy busy busy next two days ...I might not get back here til later tomorrow so have a great Friday and Saturday, friends!

Anonymous

Oh, thanks Sbel....you're the best, too! I know I am getting through, no worries! I have sucked it up and am ready to move on with stage II. More than anything I want to be DONE!



I had quite an experience talking with some nuns and friends and family last night.....nobody gets it! I saw actual mortification on some faces when I said I had had a new breast made of belly tissue. One person said, "Well can't you just stop where you are and be done now???" "I would have just had an implant" "Why would you even care?"



No worries, I wasn't hurt nor did I get upset....i am confident in my decisions and sure of my reasoning and thought processes...but it did make TOWANDA rise up! DH and I were laughing about it on the way home. Aye yi yi!

goldie4040

Oh SBE, I hope they don't hurt you too much.  Hadn't you recently showed that opening to a nurse in your doc's office, and she kind of blew you off?  Hope you are out of there and in the comfort of your own home soon.

nihahi

sooo......

sbe's surgeon prays over cheescake and bailey finds a way to "stun a nun"......

TOWANDA!!!!!!!!

goldie4040

LOL, Nuns? Sorry, but that part of your story cracked me up.  Anyway, you are right, nobody get's it, and you don't wish this on another person, but you pray something will open their eyes, and hearts. 

goldie4040

Sharon, I don't think I ever heard how your BC was found.  It is so scary how many of us found our own cancers, or they were found by accident.  I would love to take a survey of the whole BCO site, and see how many of us found it ourselves, or it was found and we were put off, like you Sharon.

Jeannie57

Katy, what a great surprise and touching evening last night! Now I am longing for cheesecake....prayers for you this morning, that you won't need to bite that stick and will be home soon. Wilbur to the rescue.



Bailey, it never ceases to amaze me how people say the things they do and just don't understand. I'm so thankful for you sisters! At tomorrow's lunch I'm sure Movie and I will want to be comparing scars but the other ladies might not have had recon. Hope THEY understand. Will have to tread lightly....Bailey, hope your elephant is not bothering you much by now and that your US results are super-fantastic!



Goldie, where are your results??????



Towanda, everyone!!!

nihahi

Jeannie....I am so envious of the get together tomorrow!!!! Please give movie many hugs from me.....movie, please give jeannie many hugs from me!!!!!! Have a wonderful visit together!!

ironmagnolia

sbe-- so glad to hear you are getting out of the hospital! Our collective prayers have been heard.

nihahi-- the new nipples are looking pretty good. They are large, but actually not as large as I expected. I know they will shrink about 50%, so's all good. The originals were so small and flat, I realize I'll have to get used to "high beams" for the first time in my life. But they are looking really healthy and pink. I have "lollipop" incisions and have some sutures that will have to be removed next week as well as some that will dissolve. No pain, only tenderness and itching. But hating this stupid surgical bra and "donut" dressings...

Abdominal incision is looking OK too, but this sucker is long! Looks like he extended it slightly, but not sure. Wearing a high-waisted panty girdle now instead of the abdominal binder. There is minimal bruising where PS did lipo above my waist in the back to fat graft into both breasts. I've had no real pain or soreness, only tender incisions that bra and girdle continuously irritate.

Worst thing for me now is having to sleep on my back for two weeks. I'm a side sleeper, so not sleeping well. 

But I'm so glad that this is almost all over. Tats will be in Dec. I've ordered some Rub-On Nipples to be sure of the color I want.

LuvSnow

Hi ladies,

I don't mean to intrude, but I was wondering if anyone here had implants, then moved to a flap type of surgery.  Specifically I am look at possibly doing an SGAP procedure.

I had a SNS BMX in February.  Exchange to implants was the end of June. I was not a candidate for a DIEP and my PS told me that.  What she did NOT tell me was that if I traveled out of the area I could have had access to OTHER flap procedures.  I was led to believe that implants were my only option.  She sold me what SHE does.  

So now I have Allegran Natrelle 410s.  I hate these things and they look awful on me. Not to mention they are cold, and uncomfortable moving under my muscle. The PS put TE and implants that are too large for my frame. The TE were lopsided, i had divots, etc.  My PS kept saying she would fix it.  One of my natural breasts was bigger than the other....she said she would even everything up. I had a SNS, but lost one nipple (my BS thinks it was from scarring from a previous lumpectomy I had done at 23).  She said she would take care of that later.  Well, she pretty much shoved 15cm wide implants in and did no other work.  The implants are in the same position, and have the same issues, as the TE...only worse...the left is much lower that the TE ever was.  Oh, and last appt, my PS told me I have "thin skin" and she didn't think she could make a nipple, that I should just go to vinnie for a tattoo! I have posted on the pic forum.

Anyway, I am going to schedule a second opinion at Johns Hopkins.  I was scheduled to go in August, but had a "surprise" laparotomy to remove a large tumor in my abdomen, so that was on hold.  I have not seen my PS since the first week in July.  I was due to see her in August, but again, the surgery got in the way.  I see her in October, but I am so disgusted, I don't think I want to continue with her or the implants.

Has anyone done this?  Can i still keep my nipple/areolas?  Will there be additional scars on the breasts (right now the scar is in the fold)? Is the recuperation different than having it done at the time of mastectomy? I am so sick to my stomach over this; I hate the way these things look (and feel).  I feel AWFUL for having to put my DH through yet another major surgery, and I feel a bit vain for wanting to do this, all over again.

Thank you for listening.

Sharon1942

Nihahi, the new nipple looks good. It completes me - ha! I bought some of those round cotton facial pads & cut holes in the middle of them & tape about 3-4 of them on top of each other around the nip to protect it & you can't tell under the right clothes. I might post a pic on the pic forum.

Moviemaniac

I cant stay long....DGS had 5 hr. Kidney surgery this AM, and I am going to leave for the hospital in just a bit.  Sbe...glad you are headed home!  sorry you have extra "stuff" to carry with you...      Your church friends visiting and then the PS showing up, giving a lecture on nutrition (while eating cheesecake, no less) and then closing with prayer.....is wonderful!  Loved it!

Bailey.....i am thinking (and praying) lots of positive thoughts for you.... XO

Sweet....I agree with everyone else.....listen to your body.....YOU know it better than ANYONE else.... (((hugs)))

Ironmags....my nipple/lipo surgery is in December......love your description.....is wearing a stocking-knit bra (like a Genie) out of the question after than surgery?

Momof5....so sorry you have had so much trouble......go get that second opinion....you may be surprised what a competent (sp?) PS can do.....There are def. surgery center around the country that WILL do SGAP,etc.  (NOLA comes to mind) so if you really can't do the DIEP......You may want to wander over to the NOLA thread.....there are more than a few of them who end up with something other than DIEP......However you decide to go, if you do a flap surgery, you certainly are welcome here!     (Even if you don't, you are most welcome!)

Nihahi.....will be sure to give Jeannie a hug from you!  However, I don't know how "big" it will be....I am still plenty sore from surgery......        Wish you could join us!

I hope all of you have a good Friday!  Love to all........XO

Morningsun1

Ps prays over cheesecake and bailey stun the nun... My screen is all spotty. TGIF, flappers.

Jeannie57

Momof5kids, I'm so sorry for your troubles!!! I know there are women here who went from implants to DIEP. Have you considered going to NOLA (New Orleans) for a second opinion? They have lots of experience and do "second tries." It might be worth a call. I don't think you are vain at all! All of us on this thread just want to feel whole again. You certainly aren't intruding! All the women here are amazingly supportive. Best of luck to you!



Ironbutterfly, thanks for sharing your experience. It was very informative.



Nihahi, I will be sure to give Movie big hugs from you. I wish you could be there! Someday more of us will meet, I'm sure.

goldie4040

Sharon, you are a genius!  You will have to show Dr. T what you did.  He might use that technique.

Cuetang

momof5kids -- also try Bernie Chang at Mercy in Baltimore.  My colleague had SGAPs done on each side 10 years apart (two different BC diagnoses) by Dr. Chang, as she doesn't have enough fat for the DIEP.  She had the implant on one side for years before she opted to do the second SGAP surgery recently. 

nihahi

TGIF to you too, Tammy....we've all "christened the keyboard" reading some of the posts on here !

Thanks for the nipple progress reports ladies...I know I want it, just don't know much about it yet. I appreciate hearing from "my sisters" who have gone through it, as opposed to researching it.

Momof5...if you look at my "bio", you'll see I am someone who went from implants that I had for years..to a free flap. We all have different expectations and experiences, but I can assure you that I am THRILLED with the look, feel, shape, location, warmth, and "emotional" wholeness of the flap boob, as opposed to the alien implant (at any stage)!!! I have no advice to give re: gap flap, but agree that there are surgeons experienced in the technique. But most importantly, I want to let you know.....YOU ARE NOT VAIN!!!! You are just looking for a way to physically and emotionally put this whole "thing" behind you. Everyone on this thread would agree, I'm sure.....we get it!!!!!

movie....cripes...I didn't realize the extent of grandson's surgery!!!!! Wilbur could check in on him too, I bet!!!!!

jeannie....count on it....we'll be getting together someday!!!!!! I have a sister in Seattle....I'm just saying........!!!!

nihahi

oooops....forgot to ask....kuka....how did it go today at the "office"???????

ironmagnolia

Movie--I was told I have to wear the surgical bra until I see the PS's nurse on the 4th. Then she will let me go into a wireless like before right after the DIEP. I guess each PS has their own ideas of what works best. A friend of mine going to the same PS group but a diffierent PS, was put into a wired bra 2 weeks after her recent DIEP, but I was told absolutely no wire. I was put into a wireless bra at 3 weeks postop.

Sharon-- the little cotton makeup pads sound like a super idea!! Thank you!! I hate these huge nursing pads, so bulky. I think the makeup pads will work so much better. 

kuka21174923

Momo, that's aweful! Change doctors!

Sharon, I knew those cotton circle shapes were good for something;)

Sbe, so glad to got to go home. Take care.

Nihahi, I won't go to the office until Wednesday. Once I spend the day there I can decide if I want the job, which I already know I do. Hopefly I will be able to do what's expected so I don't let anybody down.

This is going to be a busy weekend. Camping with cub scouts and shopping for new job;)

goldie4040

Kuka, start with the basics, and work from there.  Invest in really nice black trousers, and some nice tops.  You can build from there.  I wouldn't spend too much money till you know you love it.  If you are anything like me, when it was time to go back to work all I had was work out clothes, and jeans....lol.  

Sharon1942

Movie, my PS said I could wear bra right away, as long as it has some type of shield like I described earlier.



Goldie, I will tell Dr.T about my invention. His LVN told me to get Kotex pads & cut them into circles, etc. Well, I bought some & the way they were designed they had little channels formed into them, & when I cut one into a circle, it came apart in layers. It was a joke! Now, to go slather on some bio oil!



The finish line is getting closer for so many on this thread. I had my DIEP in September of 2012 is why I am a little ahead of some of you. It took one year to get to now but will be 15 months in December including the tattooing. I had my mastectomy in August of 2011, so the whole thing was a 2 year journey. I had one little blip along the way. I was lucky enough to get SHINGLES in April of 2012 - on my face! I looked like a freak with blisters & scabs all over half of forehead, nose, & cheek. And it was very painful! I did have the shingles vaccine so they said I probably had a lighter case than I would have. I was blessed that it didn't affect my eyeball. So, we always have to look for the positive, huh?

kuka21174923

Goldie, I actually have tons of work clothes. I stopped working two years ago. I need to try them on and see how they fit on the top since I'm way smaller now. But yeah, all I've been wearing for the past two years have been sweats, not even jeans, lol

Anonymous

Good evening everybody! Busy day here! Sbe, home with DH and comfy despite your new appendage, I hope.



Stun the nun...THAT is hilarious....My DH's aunt is a Dominican sister. I have been hanging out with nuns for years now lol. They were very good "pray-ers" for me when I was in active ca tx. I am very thankful and DH' s aunt is one of my most favorite people! I do have to say, after 25 years of knowing nuns they have stunned ME more than I have stunned them, without a doubt!!! (Stun the nun....can't wait to tell DH that one!)



Momo....welcome! You are the purpose of our being here.....not an intrusion! We are all here to support one another through flap surgery....and other bits and pieces of life along the way! There are remarkable women here....you landed in a good spot!



Oh! Sheesh, almost forgot! Ultra sound results were super good (thanks Jeannie!) All dead tissue or scar tissue lumps....no blood flow to them. All is well. Well, I have a small seroma in my armpit but this is no surprise. Fluid loves me. No worries.....stage II soon enough.



So now I just have a PET scan to get through (not scheduled yet). and I'll be good to go for another six months.

goldie4040

Bailey, glad to hear all is well.  You sound better.  I am so glad.  Pet scan will be a breeze, and show how perfect your insides are. 

Kuka, what did you do before you stayed home with your kids? Hey, for the few tops that might be a little big you can always get a padded bra.  I love that Bali one. 

Jeannie57

Sharon, shingles??? I had the shot. Guess I shouldn't count on it. (



Super-fantastic, Bailey!!!



Katy, hope you're home and cozy. Really wish you didn't have to bring home unwanted friends, though...your talk next month will be all the more interesting. BC really blows, doesn't it? Sending you hugs.

kuka21174923

Goldie, I used to teach prek. At first we had an uniform, and the last year I worked they changed it to where we could wear bussiness casual. So my clothes are like new. Actually some items still have the tags on;)

sbelizabeth

I'm home and cozy!  It's so good to be here!  The boys and my DIL brought Aubrey over and we all had pizza and watched a movie.  It would be great if I weren't hauling around two packs with me everywhere--the wound vac AND the antibiotic pump--but I'm home and I'm not complaining about nuthin'!

The pump for the wound vac is carried around in a bag about the size of a large binocular case.  Every few minutes, it lets out a little purr, or chugging noise, that's a bit disconcerting.  When I was holding Aubrey I kept thinking she was filling her diaper, and when I wasn't, everyone thought I was...uh...breaking wind.  Carrying around a machine 24/7 that makes farting noises is just another unexpected challenge of this BC rodeo. 

OK, time to go figure out how to take a bath without getting wet!