DIEP 2013

LucyV

I was wondering about compression and my back. I have been wearing a binder since I've been home and walking pretty well. I switched to spanx yesterday and didn't even last a day! My back was killing me! I think due to the difference in back support. Wondering what my back will be like if I wear this binder for 2-3 weeks!

Nihahi- too early for snow! I hope we don't see it for awhile!

christina0001

nihahi, my PS did not recommend taking any more time off than I already am. She said if I had my stage 2 done on a Friday, I would be fine to go back to work on Tuesday. If you are comparing the time off I am taking, to yourself or other women, you might be cautious about that because it seems like each of us gets different things done for stage 2, and fortunately I did not need much done. I think I could go back to work tomorrow (Monday) but I want to make sure I get a good night's sleep, and I have some errands to run ...and a day off just sounds lovely to me. DH and I have been talking about getting a kitten and I may stop by the animal shelter tomorrow.

shechirple, I'm happy for you that you are finally pain-free and healed up. Sounds like you'll get a bit of a break over the holidays. I'm tired of wearing compression too, but I suppose it will be worth it in the end.

LucyV

kitten!

nihahi

For me, I think my back issues were more because my core muscles were just "temporarily out of action". If the front and sides of your body aren't supporting you properly, your back has to take up the slack, and that is where a lot of back pain can originate from. I was just wondering what the effects of long term compression would be. I think marty has the right idea....get active and stay conscious of using those muscles, even if it doesn't feel like you need to. Same goes for the thigh muscles too, I should think.

lucy....I found it helped to wean myself off the compression garment...didn't take long for my back to sort itself out. I'm sure you'll find the same.

shechirple....gee, that sounds like a seroma, not just general excess fluid!!! Compression still sounds pretty important, to try to keep that fluid buildup as minimal as possible!

Anonymous

Shechirple....having had several seromas I have to agree with Nihahi. Can you "make waves" in it? Like a waterbed mattress? I have one now and most of the time I can't find it....it's deep and under my noob...but if I move just right I can hear it go "slosh". Maybe they are hoping it will resolve on its own...I know that's what my medical crew always hopes.

Jeannie57

DebDylan, I think it's pretty normal to be numb. I had skin-sparing bilateral MX and I am numb still, after everything. I would like to remain numb until I get nipples made and tattooed! There is only slight feeling around the outsides. I do feel them jiggle when I am in the car and hit a bump in the road.......

nihahi

jeannie....railroad tracks are THE WORST....but now I don't feel like I have to clutch and grab to keep things from flying out the window!

nerve regeneration is a very, very, very slow process. Eventually, over my mx/alien implant area, I had sensation....kind of dull, like when novacaine is wearing off after dental work...but definite sensation. I'm with you....everything can stay numb until I'm done!

mrtw43

Butterfleyez, I had my stage 1 (Dmx with immediate deip) in Aug. i didn't need any other augmentations, sizing or reshaping since i had both done, there was no trying to match with the other so I moved forward with the stage 2 which for me was just the nipple and areaola recon. Tomorrow I am seeing my PS for my post op appt and I should be getting the bandages off the nipples so I will be able to finally see what everything looks like.

goldie4040

The numbness really annoys me most of the time, like when trying to shave, or it feels like things are tight around my armpit when they are not. Strange sensation. But, I really appreciate the numbness when they stick that giant needle in for fills, which are all done, thank goodness. Even when my PS use to drain my seroma he never had to numb me. I felt nothing.

All's well with the world this evening. My extremely picky eater grandson's loved grandma's homemade meat sauce. I even have to steam and puree veggies into it for extra nutrision. I feel like a hero that they both had full belly's, and one asked for "more." The reward was one piece of Halloween candy each.

Jeannie57

mrtw43, that is so great! It encourages me that you are almost done. I think you are very blessed to not need any "touch-ups." I, too, had BMX but had DIEP after chemo and rads. My boobs are not a perfect match. I think it is largely because my irradiated skin on the right side, even though it's been a year since rads, is tighter and that boob sits more upright as a result, even after Stage II. I may just accept them the way they are, we'll see. I hope you love your new nipples!

mammalou

deblyn... Yes, I am lopsided. I was a uni DEIP. I had a reduction in my good breast over a year ago. My PS tells me that they used all my fat and it just wasn't enough. I still find that hard to believe! It should be a very small implant as I don't need much to catch up. I just hope I don't get contracture like I did on the last Implant. My belly feels like it is tightening up on one side. Is this normal.

butterfleyez

hey ladies,

I've been looking for a front opening sports bra do I can ditch the hospital bra I have. Any recommendations? Question of the day: i had a skin sparing recon.. does the patch of skin ever start to appear the same color? I'm wondering how much of what I see today do I need to get used to as my noob. I know it's early.. and still scabbing but it's not quite looking like what I'd imagine.

I've been thinking about getting a kitten or puppy also but I'm not sure what I want. They are so cute. Mrtw that's awesome that the journey is almost over!

christina0001

Good morning all!

debdylan - I too have very little feeling in my noob. I can feel pressure, but no real sensation. I hope eventually there is some feeling of sensation but I'm not counting on it.

mrtw - good luck with the big "unveiling" today! That's so exciting!

butterflyeyez, I switched to a Bali's bra after surgery but it hooks in the back. I got mine at Penney's and I believe Goldie got the same or similar from Kohl's. They are very comfortable and the ones I got are sized S-M-L-XL so it was easier to find a good fit. I think they might have had the kind that clasped in the front but I can't remember 100%. Good question about skin color; it does bug me that the new skin doesn't quite match. I thought I was just stuck with it; never occurred to me to ask if eventually it might become more like the color of my breast skin.

Dyvgrl

I have several cotton sports bras that clasp in the front. I got them at Fred Meyer. They are pretty comfy. I wear them pretty much most of the time. I'll check and see what the brand name is when I get home.

goldie4040

Thanks, Deb. I like to see them eat, which is funny, because my grandma loved to see me eat. I guess it's a generational thing, Or, maybe it's an Italian thing...lol.

Yep, Christina...love my Bali bra's from Kohls. Very comfortable. I believe they are style #3488.

I don't think numbness will ever go away completely in the breast area. The tummy, I bet you get that back.

christina0001

DebDylan, I have a patch of hair on the edge of my flap. I tried to do laser hair removal but the hair was too light. It's one of those things that no one will ever notice but me. Once I am healed up from stage 2 I am going to try waxing it off.

Enjoying the day off of work. I ran out and got the oil changed in my car, and picked up kitten stuff from Walmart. Running out made me really tired and I thought I would take a nap when I got home, but of course as soon as I got home I woke up. lol The local animal shelter opens at 1pm and I am going to call and see if they have what I want. I have my heart set on a female orange kitten. My first cat was orange and I have a special spot in my heart for orange kitties. I hope they have one.

goldie4040

Christina,

I don't know if you have Petco's near you, but a lot of them have on site cat and kitten adoption.

nihahi

Of course, we'll require "kitten photos" christina....!!!!!!! You sound great today...must have had a better sleep last night, eh?

mammalou....not sure what you mean by "tight tummy"? More info might help...

movie....I'm thinking your PS appt is today???? or maybe tomorrow???? sorry, can't remember the date for sure...I'll just park myself in your pockets anyway .

Had to drive hubby into Calgary this morning at 0 dark "thirty", as sbe puts it. Now I'm very confused as to how I could possibly be this far behind in my day, after getting up much earlier than usual....something is just not right here????

Have good days, ladies.....hugs to all.

nihahi

debdylan (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((X))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Jeannie57

Nihahi, my stage II post-op appt. is tomorrow....maybe you were thinking of me? I am ready with my questions and feel more relaxed about it all.

nihahi

....I'm always thinking of you jeannie.....you have just "stuck" on me!!! OK, I'll camp out in your pockets...ok!!!

nihahi

http://articles.latimes.com/2013/apr/07/opinion/la-oe-0407-silk-ring-theory-20130407

I'm not sure if I have copied this correctly to act as a link, or if you need to just "go to" this web address.

I found this on another thread....I think it is an amazing article!!!!!!

Anonymous

(((((((Debdylan))))))) we are glad you are here, too. What are you feeling sad about (if you want to talk, of course. If not, just know we are here....hop up on the raft and we will float you around the tranquil Caribbean sea! How many more chemo tx do you have and when is the next one? I eventually lost all my body hair....some not til later tx or after last tx...except for a patch of inner eyebrow on each side and 7 eyelashes (ok I didn't actually count but it wasn't much, for sure). A coworker (also a close friend) said, "So did you lose all your hair?" 

Me, "Yes." 

Her, "No, I mean did you lose it ALL?" 

Me, "Yes." 

Her, "I mean like your leg hair and your .....ya know...." 

Me, "OMG what part of yes do you not understand?"

Silence for several long seconds.

Her, "I bet when you are naked you look like a baby bird."

Smack. LOL. I loved the people during treatment that laughed and joked and made fun of it all with me.....they were the same people that held me on the days I sobbed. I am fortunate to be surrounded by such good friends.

Dyvgrl

speaking of hair loss, I am 5 weeks post chemo and my eyelashes are completely gone and most of my brows. I have hair growing everywhere else. Seems it comes in from the bottom up! How long does it normally take to grow back? I also have these red blotches on my cheeks and my face still feels like leather. Please tell me this goes away??

Jeannie57

debDylan, hope the walk helps. I may take one, too, before it rains again. I have asked my "nipple" questions already. PS will make nipples out of the round flaps I have. Thankfully they are not hairy.

Nihahi, thanks! You're so kind, I really mean that. Nice article---I will remember that when I am in those situations.

I didn't lose hair on my head with CMF, but everywhere else. I do remember counting my eyelashes--I had about twenty! Losing nose hair was the most surprising and more annoying than I would have guessed. Dyvgirl, my skin is not what you described but still very dry everywhere. Lots of lotion after my shower.

Bailey, having supportive--and funny!-- people around us is SO good when we're going through it. Glad you had that.

DH measured my arms for me last night and they are bigger after stage II. 😟I will have to wear my super-strong compression sleeves for awhile and see if that helps. At least they are black so I look like a bada*s.

nihahi

jeannie.....I'm no compression/lympha expert by any stretch of imagination....but I wonder. Once you are done with the body compression, and have recovered FULLY from your recent lipo, your arm "increase" may resolve back to what is was before Stage 2??? Maybe??? Stronger sleeves for now, sounds like a great bad-ass idea girl!!!!

Jeannie57

Nihahi, I just don't know. I couldn't massage much after DIEP, either, and didn't wear much compression except a smallish tummy binder. After about six weeks when I saw my LE gal, my arms had gone down 4% from pre-op numbers. So there is always hope. There are also specific exercises to do. Raking leaves is probably out for awhile, though! There is a fine line between moving enough and overdoing it.

Anonymous

I actually had really good skin during chemo....go figure...now my rosacea is reappearing ....I had my last chemo October 2011. It was about six months when I had enough hair to gel and make look cute. My hair did grow slow due to the Herceptin infusion which I had until July of 2012. Eyelashes and eyebrows were slow, unfortunately.....that, for me, was worse than no hair. But I went hypothyroid in there as well...So that affects hair growth, too. I did/do use Latisse on my lashes and brows and it worked very well for me. It is spendy, though. I wouldn't start it until well after chemo is out of your body. 

Anonymous

Feeling down sometimes is a normal thing....and then you add cancer and treatment and its even more "normal". Sometimes you need to let yourself feel it.....need to go "through it" not "around it". Know what I mean? We got your back, Deb.

Anonymous

You got it, sista! No worries.....I'll give you a size 7 right in the arse lol!