DIEP 2013

SheChirple

Prayers for faith this morning. Looking forward to hearing how she is soon.

It seems like forever ago that we started this journey.  And yet, DIEP is still so far away for me. Almost 2 months.

I have set my goals on "fitness" not the scale. I am off work tomorrow.  I plan to spend the day planning.  Lining up my vitamins, food log, exercise log, etc....  I will be on the right track from now until surgery, and after. 

I commit to: eat right, log everything I eat, get daily exercise of 30-45 minutes (instead of 3 x / wk 1 hr), take all my vitamins and meds as prescribed, get fresh air and sunshine daily, avoid stress, and sleep well.

faith729

Thank you so much ladies we're making the drive into Boston. A little teary but otherwise ok .

Looking forward to checking in from "the other side" for now the thought of having you ladies in my pocket is comforting.

Wish me luck..prayers welcome

MartyJ

SheChirpie - Love your goals.  If you haven't tried it yet, My Fitness Pal is amazingly helpful.  You can log it all right on your computer, phone, etc.  There is even a scan button that allows you to scan the barcode of a food that is not in their database.  All the info just pops up.  You can also adjust their preset protein, fiber, carb, etc. goals to meet your desired levels.  And you can track exercise, too.  I use it every day and it does help!

nihahi

Update on Updating!    Well, I finally have received the OK from the mods to create a list that I can keep updated, and they will keep it pinned to the top of the thread. Haven't heard back from them on the "details" of how this will work, but we are making progress. 

So, I'm thinking to be helpful to the majority of ladies checking out this thread, it could be:

Surgery date, location(city or hospital), type (DIEP, Stage, etc.), maybe also if it was delayed, immediate, pre-tx,???? All suggestions helpful, 

nihahi

oh for the love of dog!!!!! False alarm on hopes for an "updated list" solution. Seems like the mods have gone back to the "start a new thread" suggestion. I really don't want to lose any past or current members. Still trying to get the mods thinking outside the box. My feelings are that there are so many threads on this forum that get abandoned, and for the new, "searching sisters", it becomes so overwhelming AND deceiving when a topic seems to die out, that they then "start a new thread".......I am the only one who thinks this way?????

Maybe all I can do is send a pm to everyone who has posted on DIEP 2013 (like I have THAT kind of free time) directing them to a new DIEP thread that isn't "year" designated and see if the mods will post some kind of re-direct message on the old one???????

Ideas, anybody????????

Moderators

Sorry, to clarify-- could you copy this list, and start the new topic. We would subsequently close this one, and make it "sticky" at the top of the forum?! OR, is the problem that you really don't want to lose all these pages of posts?

Edited to change my surgery date to January 17, 2013 and to add list of 2013 Surgery Dates:

1/16/13 - Joellelee and Hockeymom1

1/17/13 - BleuGirl and 4my4babies

1/23/13 - heavenschild

1/28/13 - TammyT

1/21/13 ?? - gotoell

2/1/13 - KiwiMum

2/4/13 - Sonyalee

2/7/13 - keznick

2/8/13 - cher214

2/14/13 - ketch and peacelovedogs

2/19/13 - seagan

3/11/13 - Itmguy

4/1/13 - faith729

4/3/13 - llr010200

4/12/13 - nihahi

4/15/13 - lilyun - Stage II

4/19/13 - robinlee76

5/24/13 - SheChirple

7/30/13 - christina0001

Robin67

I haven't posted much ... I have been reading and finding all the info so very helpful!! Thank you to those who have Private message me... Your insight has been invaluable. 1 week from today I go where Faith is currently in Boston... My turn to get to the other side

Thank you all again ... Knowledge is power . Robin

nihahi

WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE THE POSTS!!!!!!!!! 

There is a treasury of 36 pages of thoughts, emotions, suggestions, and support that needs to stay together and on-going.

But since the dates on the list have not been kept current by the originator of the thread, it is not an accurate reflection or a source of information either.

Can you "transfer" the posts to a new thread, that will allow a new list that can be kept updated, and somehow redirect people looking for the "old Diep 2013" thread to the new one? I think the ladies on this thread do not want to lose each other, and want to be a support for "new Diep'ers". I think a title that does not seem "date oriented" would be better?????

Cuetang

Mods -- I second nihahi's opinion that we don't want to lose the posts.  It provides a real-time insight of a lot of things we went/are going through.  I know reading the DIEP threads from previous years was very useful.  Is it possible that if this information is provided to you, that you can modify the original posting at the top?  I've seen you edit posts in other threads to remove information (such as personal emails).  Perhaps if the updated information is provided to you on a periodic basis, could you modify the original thread to include at the bottom of neugirl's posting, something like "edited by moderators".  The other option would be what nihahi suggests, if you could transfer the posts to a new thread.

nihahi

It's a beautiful sunny day here....before I toss the computer out the window from "update" frustration, I am going for a walk....I'm taking positive thoughts for Faith, Seagan, et. al. down to the river and just mellow out. 

Robin...you'll do great! You and Faith can be mentors for me, as you both will be on the other side before me. (X)

sbelizabeth

And Nihahi, you'll be on the other side just a few days before me!  I only have two weeks of work left and I'm desperately trying to get things tied up, processes in place to continue daily requirements, and get my office shoveled out.  I know it will be difficult to catch up when I come back several weeks later, and I don't want to come back to an office that still looks like a bomb hit it!

Moderators

Okay, since we really don't know how/have the capability to transfer the posts, how about we (Mods) take over ownership of the topic, as suggested. We could do the updates if they are provided to us, and we could make it a sticky post as well. 

MartyJ

Ladies, I think the moderators have provided an excellent solution. They are willing to update the list. It is important to remember that all threads go into disuse at a point and that people will look at this, like we look at other threads. There have been 2 Charleston threads as time has changed interests of the participants or of the owner. The hot topics for today to each of us will change as we progress through this surgical path. Believe me, you really may not be into list management during recovery. Just my personal thoughts.

Janet_M

Please don't lose these posts! It is such a privelage to be able to follow these woman through their reconstruction. Being able to follow their progress in real time is so inceredibly helpful, and provides  invaluable information.

I don't know about everybody else, but I treat this thread like a self-help book, and I go back and forth through the posts all the time. It's so much more than a discussion.

seagan

Thank you, moderators, and many many extra thanks to Nihahi for persisting on this important project! I agree with what others have said: it's important to keep the whole string of posts together and easily accessible to all. Maybe the post-it at the top should include an invitation to new gals to shoot their dates/info to the moderators, so they know they have that option.

Hoping your day at the river is blissful, Nihahi -- or at least mellowing to some degree! I can't imagine a more beautiful spot on a sunny spring day. Soak it in for all of us - we're in your pockets too!

KiwiMum

Wow ladies! I've only been away 5 days and there were 6 pages to read!



Thanks to all those who offered advice regarding fat grafting. My PS did mention this at my last check up so I will need to follow up.



I'm now 8 weeks post op and still going well. I am continuing to heal and to continue gentle exercise. I have found that post surgery I feel considerably less fitter than before. I'm sure this is all part of the recovery journey. I will continue slowly building up.



My challenge over the past couple of weeks has been bra shopping. I rushed out and bought 3 pretty lace bras with underwire. The lace itched and irritated my skin - I had to stuff a tissue in one at work to make a barrier between the bra and my skin to give me some relief! The underwire seemed to dig right into my incisions!!



I then went out and bought soft, no lace, no wire bras ... But these don't offer very much by way of support. I've finally found some soft underwire bras, with lots of padding around the wire, which are comfortable and supportive. Who knew it was going to be so hard?? I figure I will progress on my bra journey!



Thinking of you Faith and hope all is well.



Glad to hear you are recovering Judy and out of hospital.

Morningsun1

I am with seagan. Thank you mod and many many thanks to nihahi for all her effort on this project. I also like seagan's suggestion of having an invitation to new DIEPers to pm mods to add their information. It would be nice if BCO would grant the access of this thread to one of our own: nihahi.

kuka21174923

So I have my MRI app for tomorrow at 11:00. How long does it usually take to get results? This is my first MRI, and I'm really nervous because I've always have dense breast tissue. I'm afraid they're going to find something they haven't been able to see on mamos!

Also, has anyone have the DIEP surgery as a result of being BRCA positive and not due to having BC? I was wondering if the results are the same and if you would still need to have a stage2 surgery.

My BS mentioned something about maybe removing some of my lymph nodes. Is this really necessary if there's not cancer cells?

Thank you

nihahi

Back from a day of sunshine and Ommmm! 

Kiwimum...again, so nice to hear from the other side!!! Sounds like you are just getting down the road and doing well! Bra shopping...was never easy before all this started...I'm guessing that won't change now either!!!! Frustrating but kind of funny too. Hope you don't mind a gentle grin???

Good points, everyone on the "update" stuff. I have no ego, don't care WHO keeps things current and helpful, just want SOMEONE to do so, without losing any of us or our "shared past". Mods, if you are willing to take up the challenge, just please let us know who and how to access with the info. I really like the thought of the "welcome/invitation" as part of the new header. 

Faith....thinking of you.....(((((((X))))))))

wraithg

wish I could help but not sure I understand what is going on. I would be bery unhappy too loose this post!!

MartyJ

Kuka - the MRI results are pretty quick, depends on the reading radiologist's schedule.  Sometimes a day or two, sometimes a week.  You can get the results from your BS.  If they find something that hasn't been seen on mammos then you will be very fortunate to most likely have caught it early.  A very good thing!

Many women have DIEP because they are BRCA positive, but don't have active cancer.  Whether you need a stage 2 will depend on several factors - if you have skin sparing, if you have nipple sparing, how the flaps take, if you need a lift for better position, if you need fat grafts to fill hollows.  If your BS has suggested checking your nodes, he/she may have reason to suspect OR just wants to be very cautious.  I believe you mentioned a history of Cancer in your family.  Sounds like your BS is trying to be very conservatively pro-active.  

nihahi

Kuka....Marty is the best anti-anxiety med on this whole forum!!!! Listen up, she's good!

Moviemaniac

Wow......I have been away too long......thinking of you, Faith, and hoping all is well.......anxious to hear from you asap.....

I will catch up on reading the last 6 pages......then try and post a coherant note.   I am with Nihahi-don't lose these posts!

Love you all!  XO

Namaste and God bless - Jackie

kuka21174923

MartyJ, I'm planning on skin and nipple sparing if possible.

I'm scared of the BS taking lymph nodes and then having to deal with lymphedema like my mom, or having to worry all of my life about not getting a cut or puncture on that arm. Does it matter how many lymph nodes they remove for that?

I do have a lot of breast tissue under my right arm. Is it possible that the BS has to remove some of the lymph nodes to get rid of that breast tissue?

kuka21174923

Nihahi, yes I agree that MartyJ has really good advise. I actually have been trying to catch up on all of the stories on this board about all of the ladies. I find myself reading in the middle if the night when I can't go to to sleep. I think I've made it to page 31, so I'm almost there! Reading all the different stories has helped me so much at understanding how the DIEP works. I go see my PS on Wednesday and hope to have all of my answers then. I have never been a very patient person, so when I have a question I like to search for the answer. And believe me! I have lots of them!! You ladies are all great, and have wonderful stories. I admire your courage to go through all of this and still have a great attitude about it! I'm sorry if this sounds wrong, but I'm kind of glad I tested positive for the BRCA. My sister tested negative, but I've read that even if you're negative it doesn't mean that there's not another gene mutation that doctors don't know how to test yet or that you are not at higher risk of developing cancer because if family history. Being positive forces me to do something about it before it's too late. After having BS if I still develop cancer, then I know I've done all I could and God just had other plans for me.

Moviemaniac

Mods...some of us didn't even make the original list.....I think there are more of us than the list shows, by far.   Nihahi is right-we need to keep this current, so those us going through it right now (2013) have someplace to "be"....

Namaste and God bless - Jackie

bdavis

Kuka.. The problem with taking nodes when you don't have cancer is that its sort of a stab in the dark. If you had a cancerous tumor, they would do a Sentinel Node Biopsy, by injecting a dye in the tumor and see where the dye goes. The node that turns blue is the SN, and then they just take one. If there is no tumor, then there is no dye, and it sounds like they'd need to take the first level of nodes. Which, yes, would open the door for LE... This would be a great question for your BS.

As for stage II, most women get stage II even if they have skin sparing and nipple sparing. Of course it depends on how particular you are. Stage II is to make things better and isn't or doesn't have to be a big deal. I am very particular, so I go back for revisions (and still need one more)... many women though would probably consider themsleves done. Stage II is for symmetry and scar revision mostly, but some do more and others much more. I am in the much more category (my choice).

nihahi

Kuka....the words "honesty is the best policy" was never more true than on this thread. Never regret expressing what you truly feel, it is the best way to moving forward, I believe. Everyone who may seem wise and brave to you now, certainly has had their moments of fear and tears. All over this forum, you can find the advice that the "waiting for the plan, truly is the hardest part". YES, IT IS! You certainly sound like a fighter, and someone who wants to "get on with it". You have a right to ask questions, and to question the answers. Listen to what your surgeon says, get other "knowledgeable" opinions if you feel you need them.....I know it's hard, but try to stay away from statistics and Dr. Google. At some point, you will be someone lending an ear and a shoulder to someone else. ((X)).

Sharon1942

Stage 2 - 4/5/13

nihahi

The mods don't feel that their "control" of the thread to keep the list updated is the best solution, but also seems to be the only solution they feel would keep us and our previous posts together. I am sooooo not an IT type of brain, so have to trust when they say there is no other way. They have acknowledged that we seem to be a "tight" group, and my intention was NEVER to break up the "family", so my thoughts are to let them "be the ones". One of the mods asked me if I wanted to write the welcome.

What do people think of altering the header to include something like this: (suggestions eagerly sought!).

Welcome to the Diep 2013 thread. Started as a "home-base" for women considering or undergoing DIEP surgery in 2013, this has become a place of questions, answers, support, courage, tears and smiles. We are from various countries, and are having our consults and surgeries in different locations, and are at different time lines in our breast cancer journeys. We plan to be here in years to come, for women who may find themselves on the same road.

If you want to be included on the surgery list, please send a PM (private message) to the moderators.