DIEP 2013

sweetpickle

congrats Movie

RHGSR

yea movie and movie's. "Girls" :0)

Happy DIEP Birthday !!

goldie4040

Movie, Happy Booby Day!!!! 

Christina, sometimes those last ten pounds are the hardest.  Have you tried just protein and veggies for a week, or two?  That usually works, and not that hard to do.  If you can't handle just veggies, you can have some fruit too. You look so awesome, though.  I wouldn't sweat it that much.

RHG, chemo does suck, and I am sorry you next round might be postponed.  But. I am glad you are feeling a bit better today.

Dvy, glad it's over, and they only had to do the laparoscopic. I was up and around in no time after mine. Hope that holds true for you too.

Dyvgrl

so I just got a good look at my incisions. 5 total and 2 are lower down wherer my boob skin is going to come from. I'm disappointed because I made it clear that tissue was for boobs. Perhaps he didn't have a choice but still. Does anyone else have lap scars on the DIEP boobs?

goldie4040

dvy, my lap scars are also on my lower tummy, but you can't see them anymore.  They were do tiny.  My surgery was three years ago.  I swear, I can't even tell you were they were anymore, except for the one in my belly button.

christina0001

movie - happy birthday to the girls! Wow, it just occurred to me that if I switch from celebrating my birthday, to celebrating my boob's birthday, I can probably totally skip ever being middle-aged. LOL Downside: too young to buy alcohol. What a dilemma!

goldie, I wish I could radically change my diet even for a week but I know I would never stick to it and would probably end up starving and binging. I am trying to increase how often I exercise, which I absolutely hate, but historically this has helped push the weight off. We shall see! If this doesn't seem to help in a week or two I may try to complete cut out carbs for a week or two.

dyvgirl - congrats on getting through surgery. Another step closer to being done with all of this.

goldie4040

Everybody has been so quiet today.  Maybe that is good.  You are all feeling well, content, hanging out with your families, etc.  I have been trying to recoup from our little flood yesterday, and making the grandkids the famous "sleepy" pasta sauce.

christina0001

Why is it called "sleepy" pasta sauce?

sweetpickle

ooooo you gotta share that receipe Goldie. I have been sleeping on and off all day today. Feeling a little uncomfortable but overall pretty good.

Kat-ski

Well, everything is now organized and set in place.  Animals have sitters for the long month away from(which I totally hate).  They give me so much comfort and keep me mostly calm.  We have decided to stay at the Comfort Suites by the Methodist Hospital in SA.  My daughter was a bit upset but I explained I really needed some personal routine for healing.  She is planning on bringing meals now.  And we can use her car unless she needs it for doctors appts. Just said don't you dare rent one.  We are suppose to be saving money.  Very true but I felt like I would get frustrated b/c my routine is going to be all screwed up so having my night time routine will be better for everyone around.(I have found in staying with her the last two times being sent to the room without a tv to fall asleep is difficult).  All is well.  We finally decided to fly first class round trip and had to keep checking the sites online to find one.  No problems except coming back for the longest leg was coach and if I am compressed or have drains,personal space is needed.  Bless my husband, he finally found a flight after searching every flight.  This first surgery is going to cost us alot and he asked if I would be happy about the surgery.  I just looked at him and said I don't know but I can't wake up every morning looking like I am. I am very scared of this surgery for some reason but I know I have done the research and have experienced surgeons and staff.

We will be leaving on Feb. 17th(playtime week with family and to put positive thinking in my head), surgery Feb. 24th then returning Mar. 19th.  I will have internet but you know "Wilbur" will have control for a bit.  I might have my husband put a note.  And, I guess, I will have to move over to the DIEP 2014 but I am so accustomed to this one.  But like Bailey says, Moving on is a good thing.  (I wonder how many drains(spiders) I will have).  I have the pre-op on Feb. 5th.  I just hope I have patience with all of this.  It seems like I don't know what patience is anymore since June 2012!!

I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all of your wisdom, knowledge(first hand with a sigh) and comfort.(My mom still does not get it and it is not my worry as I have to do what I feel is necessary for me to move on and live like the free spirit I am.  Like from Maria from the Sound of Music, "how do you hold a moonbeam in your hand"!  You can't because I flit and flutter lol.  At least my sense of self and sense of humor is back.

About my other Dad dying, my foster brother and foster sister are putting off the memorial service until March 29 so I can get this done and be on my way to recovery.  Bless their hearts.  How can you not feel blessed when you have what I have had since I was 14.(My own parents are alive).  How did I get so blessed to have a family that took me in and loved me for all of these years.  I will go for now and probably will just "lurk" but will post on the other thread "2014" when things start moving along.

Bye for now.

goldie4040

LOL, the "sleepy" pasta sauce is just a joke.  A while back I posted a pic of my grandson's both passed out cold after eating my big pasta meal.  So, it was kind of a joke that my past sauce had magic powers. 

goldie4040

Kat, you got this so organized it has to go perfect.  I am impressed.  You know, you might want to talk to the airlines and explain about your situation on the flight back.  They might do something to help out.

BellaMomma

nihahi, Went to picture forum to prepare 

mentally for my surgery. You look 

wonderful. 

How are you feeling?

nihahi

busy, busy, busy thread!!!!!

From my experience, the first couple years after the end of active treatment were definitely the hardest, emotionally. It took my body a loooooong time to truly recover from chemo, much longer than I mentally was prepared for. It is hard to put the intensity of the early days behind you, when it feels like the safety nets of medical intervention and surveillance have been snatched away.....All I can say is, there is no proof that I have found, that continuing the "active process" of being a cancer patient, has any long term benefits. I realize this may not be the view of everyone. 

The hardest part, can be the realization that medicine has done what it can, and now it's up to "us" to move forward with as healthy and positive a lifestyle as possible. Many of us seek control over our treatments, but, when "self-control" is all we have....it can certainly feel like it is not enough. Maybe that's why every decision, choice, action of the early days is not best served by putting the patient in "the drivers seat"??? Being the  ONLY one truly responsible for what we do, eat, chose...is HARD on a daily, lifelong reality. But, isn't it the reason we all fought our way through this "stuff"?? To have the best life we can have.

Counselling if helpful, support of those who "get it".....it's a journey. Time changes the perspective on everything.

goldie...I think we'd all love to have your pasta sauce recipe, if you'd be willing to share it!!!! I know I would.

kat-ski....I bet once you've had the surgery, and your daughter sees the reality of how important rest and recovery on your own "time clock" is for you, she'll understand why you changed the plans. You need to do what works best for you....not someone's expectations of what they "want to do for you". 

curly....frustration doesn't begin to describe the "wait"....You can use the time to keep healing and getting stronger...it'll serve you well in the future, if chemo is indeed in the cards for you. Doesn't make waiting any easier though...{{{{X}}}}

bella...thanks! Remember to use the picture forum to gain perspective, not to aim for a certain outcome. We are all different going in, and will look/be different coming out. I'm feeling great....a bit tender on the hips, as the Stage 2 incisions now extend over and past my hips and I don't have a lot of "padding" there, but, it's getting less sensitive. Life is good!

lahela

Saw my PS today and asked if she could check my scan results. "Sure!" But they're not on the computer system yet    The CT images were there, but she said it's like trying to read Chinese for her. I *so* don't want to wait two weeks to find out! I know, rationally, that the probability is for good results, but I can get quite irrational in the wee small hours!

I need to shower to wash off all her doodling of where she's going to contract my crop circles and lipo my sidenoob. DH was in hysterics!

christina0001

kat-ski sounds like you are so prepared. Good luck to you!

goldie4040

Getting quiet on this thread. 

We had one of those fluke warm days today, and I got out in the yard and I worked hard.  I was so proud of myself.  I haven't done any yard work in a long time.  It felt good.  Tomorrow will be cold again, so back to indoor chores....ugh.  It's really a shame.  If these implants weren't so tight (iron bra x 10), and they don't look too bad, I wouldn't have to put myself through anymore surgery. It just makes me so angry sometimes.  Venting.  Sorry.

goldie4040

Deb, a lot of these guys had their flaps repositioned. Somebody will have an answer for you. But since you had the skin envelope of your original breast used I don't think they could reposition, but reshape?  But, like I said, somebody that know more than me will pipe in.

sweetpickle

Deb- I dont know the answer to your question bu I would think they would be able to do something. Mine ended up a bit smaller after stage two because he brought some of the side tissue up and in. Im much happier with them now.

Goldie- I am so sorry that you are having to go throug the dreaded iron bra! I hope you are able to get your diep on soon.  I have spent the better part of the night looking at garden plans since I couldnt sleep. I want to do some window boxes and raised beds in the front of our house. I may even do a veggie garden out back if I feel brave enough. Most green things die when I touch them but I am declaring 2014 as my year so why not give gardening a whirl right?  Vent away, you know we are here for you.

Cherrie

Goldie, I know how disappointed you are. I hope it becomes very clear as to what you are going to do. You can only step forward now. Thinking of you.

MartyJ

Deb - one of my flaps was off to the side and it was repositioned.  Once the blood supply takes, they can move things around.  The hardest thing to remember is that Stage 1 is about getting a healthy flap.  Stage 2 is about the aesthetics.  It take incredible patience because you want to be whole again, but the wait might just be worth it.  Stage 2 will make things better

nihahi

Deb...try to keep in mind, that even for those of us who are "ok" with the results after the initial surgery, the stage 2 makes things better!! Try to focus more on getting as healthy as you can now, and hang in there. Things could still turn out for you.

Goldie..it sounds like you are able to do a little more now, with your gardening. Hope that means the muscle relaxant or biofeedback is helping? How is that open spot?

goldie4040

Yes, Deb. It's all going to be okay.  Wait and see.  We will both be posting pics of beautiful boobs soon.

Nihani, I have taken nothing, and done nothing different except say f..k it, and I am doing what I want with some limitations, but I am not going to sit around and be an invalid.  It feels better to keep moving.  I was told about another diep support thread on Facebook, and I took at look at it last night.  There is a woman on there that had the exact same problem as me, and this is how she explained it.  What she wrote is in bold below:

Yes, Tissue Expanders that had to be removed after only 18 weeks due to EXTREME pain!!! They also caused a lot of internal damage to my Pectoralis Major and Serratus Anterior muscles that were detached from the rib cage to place the Expanders. They contracted and rolled up like a roller blind inside my chest cavity. Fortunately Dr Harris who did the DIEP surgery was able to stitch them back into their correct anatomical position which cured the "tight band" feeling I'd had ever sicne the Expanders were placed in July 2008.

I contacted her, and we talked a bit.  Her diep pics are spectacular, and she is out of pain after 6 years!!!!!  Even when the took out the expanders she still had the tightness because her muscles were not re positioned correctly. My new surgeon already told me that he would be putting everything back where it belonged.  So, I am looking forward to that, needless to say. 

Dyvgrl

so I'm 5 days post op and am still having issues with my bladder and bowels. Ugh! I haven't been taking any pain killers since I left the hospital, it just seems they aren't working properly yet. My bladder will fill all of a sudden then I'm cramping and racing to the toilet. It's kinda painful cuz my muscles won't relax. I've gone a little but my bowels are sluggish too. I did a full bowel cleanse prior to surgery so. I wouldn't expect to have to go a lot yet but I've had several solid meals. Everything there just seems tight and cramps also. Is this normal?? Sorry if it's tmi.. 

MartyJ

Dyvgirl - i hope you are taking stool softeners.  They are really, really essential!

christina0001

dvygrl I do not know why you are having trouble with your bladder. That makes no sense to me. Any chance you have a urinary tract infection?

RHGSR

Goldie- so glad you got out and enjoyed the outdoors. I had a day like that weekend before last. It was awesome. 

nihahi

debdylan....have I been mis-understood??? When I wrote things could work out for you, I meant, with a stage 2 or 2b, whatever, you could end up happy with what your final result turns out to be. Because many of us are happier after the "secondary" surgeries. I didn't mean you will "adjust" to where you are now...!!!

goldie...it is HARD to put pain on the back burner, and just get on with things. I'm glad you are finding ways to do that.

goldie4040

Nihani, doing my best, anyway.  I think Deb knows you what you meant.  I did. 

I am jealous of everybody getting snow.  I would love just a little bit of that.

RHG...how are you feeling?  Any better?

Dvy, I always get "sleepy bladder" after anesthesia.  They don't know why.  After my hysterectomy they sent me home with a catheter for 3 days till it woke up.  Also, you went into this with a know UTI, and I came out with one.  Be careful.  If you can't pee call the doc ASAP. 

nihahi

goldie....speaking of snow....have you ever tried ice packs on your chest or around your back?? Seriously, literally icing my capsular contracture area and shoulder was the only way I got through the last six months before my flap surgery. Nothing else touched that pain. I had bags of frozen peas in the freezer, and would just keep rotating them. I spent months "on ice"!!