DIEP 2013

liefie

I've just been lurking here, but have to break my radio silence . . . Deb and Bailey, you are so funny! Hahahahaaaa!!!!

Cherrie

deb-((((((hugs))))))

goldie4040

Bailey, I sent this article to Deb, maybe she still has it, but it was all about how good chemo makes a lot of women's skin look. Something to do with removing all the toxins from it, and it makes your skin all smooth, and even toned, although a little dry. Deb said she did notice the difference. I have several friends that went through chemo, and their skin always looked good, sometimes a little pale, but good. I will try to find article again, and post it here. I also have bouts of Rosacea, and it is so frustrating. There are a few things you can try, like taking an antihistamine every night and a baby aspirin.

Okay, so this is what my meat sauce and pasta dinner did to my grandson's last night. LOL.

Zenful

Goldie, those boys are precious. Looks like you really filled their bellies. Food coma! I am so ready for grandchildren, but apparently none of our five children are. So we are happy for now with our grandogs.

mammalou

I had the best skin ever during chemo.

Regarding the different colored foob skin. I had rads so my radiated skin is darker. The PS had to remove a lot of my skin because it was so damaged, so I have a big circle of new tummy skin. The tummy skin is nice but it is a lot lighter than my rads skin. It does bug me and I am wondering if maybe once the scar mellows out, the contrast in the skin will also fade. I'm really worried that when they add the nipple, I'm going to look like a bulls eye!

My tummy gets the same tightness my breast got after MX, rads, and TE. Like, if I don't stretch it, it is going to tighten up. It just reminds me that once you do stuff to your body, it is never quite normal again.

Deblyn...yes, my foob is smaller than my reduced/ lifted real breast. I was very disappointed about the implant especially since I had an implant for a year and got rid of it for the DEIP. At this point though, I am resigned to just doing it and getting these boobs even!

I had a couple hairs on my foob and I plucked them!

sbelizabeth

My skin was gorgeous during chemo. I think it was that I couldn't generate enough immunity to even grow a zit, and the usual, normal facial fuzziness was gone.

Goldie, those kids are in a coma. We could market your pasta and meat sauce as a weapon.

goldie4040

Nihani, love the article from the LA Time. I might pass that one on to a few people.

Deb, anybody who has a mx will have numbness whether they had no recon, diep, implants, etc. The nerves are cut, and if nodes are taken that makes it worse. I have numbness under my arms, and the back of them too. It has become the new normal. It just adds to all the fun we are having!

SheChirple

At my last visit PS said it was seroma. Which freaked me out as that is how I lost my implant, due to complications from seroma. But I am 5 months post op.

It sloshes, but not much. I love the waterbed reference, and that is pretty accurate. It's about half of the left side of my abdomen.

nihahi

goldie.....adorable photo!!!!! What the heck do you put in that meat sauce????

my skin became uber dry during chemo, but mostly I believe, because I got so dehydrated. Plus, I had chemo during our drier winter months, which never helps anyone's skin around here.

Oddly, many women who receive methotrexate for ca, also report a great improvement in arthritis symptoms of joint pain....I had two neighbours a few years ago go through chemo and swore their joints never felt better, but got worse again about 6 months post chemo.

goldie4040

Nihani,

I really think it's the time change blues that got to them. An extra hour in the day really can make you tired.

But, that pic is a keeper. They are 2 and 5, and always fighting. I am going to live long enough to show them that pic when they are all grown up, and prove to them that they really did have a sweet relationship.

I have a friend who has RA, and takes methotrexate for it.

butterfleyez

Got a Bali bra today and it seems really comfy so far. Thanks for the tip... I finally get to dutch my surgery bra.

Deb I feel the same way about the group. Def a pick me up when u are having one of "those" days. My son had a college visit scheduled in two weeks and I'm really bummed I can't make the trip with him.

What is seroma? I need to look that one up.

jakig

It's been a while since I posted. Just wanted to say hello and Jeannie57 I'm looking forward to your update. My Stage 2 follow-up is Dec. 4th. I posted some time ago that the DIEP left breast is not symmetrical with my natural right breast. I thought it might be temporary swelling. Though the scars are healing, and the boobette is somewhat smaller, it STILL is not symmetrical. I would say it's about 30-40 per cent larger than the natural breast. So, I'm concerned.

I do know I need to lose 10 lbs. so guess what? The fatty tissue would definitely reduce in the new breast, and I'd probably save myself another revision surgery.

Juicing here I come...actually, I juice already for nutrition, but not often enough.

Otherwise, fatigue seems to be my greatest enemy, and I'm adding supplements and rest. Rest seems to be a great healer, doesn't it?

Peace to all = Jackie

butterfleyez

I have another question ( they seem to come at night when I should be sleeping). I have to take a drug called tamoxifen for 5yrs after all this. Not sure when I start it but wondering if anyone else is on it and what to expect as far as se. Ok.. I'm going to try to sleep again

Moviemaniac

hi all.....just popping in to say hello, and to say my Stage 2b is scheduled for Tuesday, December, 3rd...........and the fun just keeps a'coming!!!!!!!!!

Love you all.....XO

mammalou

butterfleyez... I'm sure lots of us take Tamoxifen. I've been on it for 2 years and was told I would go 10 as long as it keeps working. Worst side effect is hot flashes and vaginal dryness. I do have achy legs too. Otherwise, it's not too bad.

Jeannie57

Nihahi, my chronic neck pain from an MVA many years ago disappeared during my chemo; methotrexate did it, according to the MO.

I take Tamoxifen. I get a few really annoying hot flashes but that's about it, I think.

Zenful

Goldie, thanks for the tip on the Bali bra. I am returning to work today and was looking for something comfortable. A trip to Kohl's with the style number you provided, and I'm ready to go. Very comfortable. Thanks! The things this group shares is priceless.

goldie4040

Zenful, I am so glad you like the bra. it has several things going for it: the arm holes are are cut a little lower so nothing digs in you armpits, the front is cut higher so the bra can double as a cami under something lower cut, and the straps are wider. I love that bra.

Movie: You and I have the same surgery date!!! Yeah, maybe we will see Wilbur together. I kind of feel like mine is a stage 2 (even though not a diep after all) because I am exchanging expander's for implants. What are you having done?

LucyV

Goldie-love love love the picture of your grandsons. So adorable!

Every morning I wake up wondering what I will find when I take off all the binders/dressing! First night I slept without vicodan!

Hope everyone has a good day!

nihahi

Lucy....that's a great milestone!!! Hope it was a good sleep, as well as a more "natural" one.

movie....I pm'd the mods, and they already got your date posted....they are quick!!! I know you listed what the "plan" is, hope the appt went well for you "emotionally" too. (Ade says "hi").

jeannie....pocket party today!!!! We'll behave while you're driving, but all guarantees are off once you get out of the car. Can you skype hubby while he's out of town??? (I have got to learn how to do that!).

jakig....good to hear from you....I truly hope you are able to get closer to the symmetry you are looking for.

gotta dash ladies....Have wonderful days!

ps....debdylan (((((X)))))......better get moving...I can see bailey and she's putting on some very pointy, steel toed size 7's !

sbelizabeth

I'm hoping to find some nipples in my stocking this year. 

nihahi

Dear Santa.....all I want for Christmas is a date for my "stage 2" that isn't going to screw up my skiing/hiking season!!!!

goldie4040

Jakiq, I was going to say the same thing as Deb, if you lose weight you will lose it everywhere.

Nipples, you want nipples? You can get paste on ones, just for fun, in the meantime. I have a friend that told me her husband was very squeamish about the whole recon thing until it came to nipple time. Then he helped her pick the color, size, etc. She said he had the best time. She is a very happy camper these days.

I am hoping to be happy by xmas!!

Lucy, glad your pain level is so good. Looking forward to your reveal!

Zenful

Goldie, the bra isn't cut high for these DDs to double as a cami, but it still provides support and doesn't squish my new breasts like a sports bra does. And it is super comfy.

Jackiq, my new breasts are DDs after Stage 1, even though I wanted to be reduced to a C. They will shape and refine in Stage 2. I think some docs build bigger so they have enough to work with to get the desired shape in Stage 2. I hope you get the size you are looking for.

Moviemaniac

Hi all!

Goldie, here's the agenda according to the PS......Nipples created (out of thin air!), dog ears removed, and extra skin transplanted to to fipple area to make the areola, and lipo'ing of flanks, tummy, etc.......PS said nothing would hurt,except the

lipo'ing.......but since I will be having skin removed from dog ears area.....will plan on back-sleeping for a few weeks.......again!

PS told me that the nipple is actually a flap itself-interesting, and that he will stitch a surgical sponge (special -made, just for me) to each areola, to provide needed compression for two weeks, and a special plastic shield -open on top to air-for the fipple for two weeks.....I will be in a Marena Stage 1 compression-thingy.....and he puts a stitch into each lipo site...but is like Jeannie's PS, and prefers to let them leak for several weeks rather than holding the fluid in......um....., yeah, okay......Chirstmas is gonna be......interesting........

All that will be left is tattooing the fipples....

Jeannie.....hope all goes well today for you......is DH gone this week? Can I call you???

Katy.....???

Nihahi....I wish I had 1/10th your energy........I might actually get something done! XO Hug Ade for me!

Good luck to those going with Wilbur this week....looking at the 2013 schedule, he has been a busy boy!

Love to ALL!

NYTXSPHR

Hi, Ladies!

Sorry I've been absent for a bit. I went back to work and got sucked into life for a while. Two babies and work and I'm down for the count early each day!

I have hair on both sides. PS said I will have to commit to 4 laser treatments before it will work.

Butterfl..the intense color difference hasn't changed even a tiny bit since I showed you so I can at least say that it won't change by 6 weeks

I took Tamo for 6 years the first time I was diagnosed and gained a bunch of weight, but, that may well have been a lifestyle problem not the med!

Goldie...send me some of that! My babies NEVER seem to sleep at the same time and I could use some quiet time!

My first revision is Nov. 27th. In the afternoon. I didn't want to miss much work. Clearly I need to order Thanksgiving dinner for delivery. Can anyone recommend a good site? I looked at Harry and David but geez, almost $300 to feed everyone!

I have literally purchased 18 bras and still don't have the right one for daytime. I have this giant German rib cage(some say barrel chested) so I am disqualified from the bali's everyone recommends. I was able to find a 2x Bali for night that is awesome.

Oh, and call me crazy but I found a great solution to the pants problem by accident! My full panel maternity pants work perfect. The panel is tight enough to hold them up and goes high enough because I am not actually pregnant that it doesn't roll down. The panel is completely hidden under my shirts and the panel is soft and comfortable underneath. Seriously, try maternity pants!

Ok, back to work...well wishes and peaceful thoughts to everyone!

Dyvgrl

my favorite bra is a jockey. It's stretchy and has pads in the front that are removable so I can stack them on my smaller wonky side. Really can't tell at that point. It's stretchy like a coobie or a genie but has 2 clasps in the back so I can get it on and off one armed. Need to get me some more. I literally spent a week bra shopping all over town before I found these.

Moviemaniac

NYTX...try Whole Foods for Thanksgiving dinner.....glad things are going well for you!

Ridley

Hi all -- I have a date for surgery!!

December 12, 2013 -- Nihahi -- could you add me to the list please.

I'm a ball of emotions right now -- psyched about having a date this year (thought it might not be until Jan/Feb), but now its real -- this big surgery that I know in my heart of hearts is the right thing to do, but still -- I'm scared!!  You have all taught me that I just have to show up -- my job is to get to the 2nd floor of the hospital for 6 am that morning.  My team will take it from there. 

goldie4040

Movie, sounds like your surgeon has a big routine for nipples. Sounds awesome!!! The lipo sounds a little scary, but now that a few of the girls have done it, and seem to have survived nicely, I think you will be fine too. I hope you surgeon let's you remove compression for showers. Jeannie, sorry, but your surgeon was a little over the top with that. You needed to bring him that stinky garment and let him sit with it for a day, or so...lol. He surely would say, "okay, you can take it off every two days for 30 minutes to shower."

Nytx, you could also get a turkey from Honey Baked Ham store. They are really good. Just heat and serve. Now, all the fixings would probably be really good from Whole Foods. Glad you are doing so well. Oh, love the pants idea. I bet that works great!

Dvygirl, I have a couple of Coobie bras that have those removable pads in them. I love them. I did the same thing with the pads. Now that I think of it, Deb those are probably the bras for you. I will send you a link for them. They have some that are like cami bra's and won't ride up.

Ridley, congrats on the surgery date. You are going to do great. You are right, show up and get it done! Phew!