DIEP 2013

seagan

Nihahi, sorry to hear about all that back pain and nausea - yuck! Two of the toughest things to experience, I think. So glad to hear they're easing now. It should get better and better, of course, or at least a sort of Slinkie progression - roll ahead and maybe roll back a bit, bit mostly forward with each day. We're rolling right beside you, sister!

Moviemaniac

Speed reading this morning....it's shower day for my 96 year old Mother with Alzheimer's so in a bit of a rush......



Nihahi-I second what Seagan said.....2 steps forward, 1 back.......pretty standard for DIEP surgery. Back pain (for a while-until you can stand straight ) is also fairly standard....talk to PS if you need to. We are right there with you. You have been in my thoughts every day, and I am happy you like the new girls! Take care of yourself, and let others pamper you for a while! :-)



Katie-glad you are home now......give the new girls time......I wasn't sure about mine in the beginning, but at 3 months out-I love 'em! I will sneak a look at latest blog postings after Mom's shower.....and like I told Nihahi, take care of yourself, and let others pamper you for a while! :-)



Faith-glad you are okay......what a frightening ordeal!



HHCats and Kuka-you two are up next.....think there is room in the OR for ALL of us?!? We are in your pockets!



Everyone-TOWANDA! Have a good day! :-)



Namaste and God bless - Jackie

calm

Nihahi----welcome home---just wanted to share my 'back' experience--it was probably the most bothersome thing for me when i came home--ached from not being upright--I did learn from other 2012 DIEP sisters that this 'rights' itself between week 4-5 and thankfully--that was exactly the timing for me. In looking back the PS comments as well about not stretching, keeping legs bent in bed, keeping back upright slightly in bed and letting the body heal was bang-on. My only regret was lugging a heavy box from my basement before I was probably ready--so I think the advice people are giving here to let things heal naturally and not push it is good advice--wanted to let you know about the approximately 4-5 weeks for the hunching-over to correct itself. Cheers.

Gini23

Liefie - "If I can get through chemo, I can get through this, right?" Absolutely!!  I think the chemo part was worse.  At least with DIEP we get better day by day...  with chemo, just as I was starting to feel myself each time, I got knocked back on my a$$ by the next treatment.

Nihahi - glad to hear you are past the nausea.  Hopefully soon the back pain will also pass!  Work on different positions on your bed (or did you get a recliner - can't remember).  Prop on pillows a little differently to take the pressure off the same point on your back.  I had a little bit of back pain from always hitting the same pressure point, until I figured that out.  Keep healing and resting.

Janet_M

Nahihi, sbelizabeth, Marty - Welcome Home! (Marty, I love that you're recuperating in cute pants and pink shoes). 

And HHCats - Go girl, go! So exciting that you're so close to being over the hump. Panic Attacks and all - and I don't mean that lightly, since I've had them myself. But, I'm sending all sorts of Warrior Energy down the 401, and I'll be giving you telepathic pep talks at the crack of dawn on Monday morning.

Pattysmiles - I was similar to you, in that I wanted to keep my changing hair, and bald head, under wraps. Luckily it was the fall, so i was saved by a wide array of little hats. But I cut my shoulder length hair short, then shorter, and people told me how nice it looked. Then all of a sudden I put on my wig, and it was long again. And so I'd hide it under a hat  - and still got a few sideways glances. I didn't want anyone to know that I was going through chemo so I didn't bring it up, except with close friends. The trouble came from 'acquaintances' that saw me every day, and who I didn't trust with my secret. Especially the people I saw every day in dog park who'd say, 'Hey, let's see your hair. Take your hat off!' I felt awkward most of the time, but I kept it private because I didn't want to talk about cancer. About six months after chemo, I went out without a hat. If anybody guessed what had happened, they didn't ask.  But here's the thing. A few times my 'secret' slipped out. At yoga, dinner parties etc. And when people found out, a little door was opened, and the results were fantastic. People responded so kindly. And when my hair grew back and I had my new short gray ostrich hairs I was bursting with pride. I just wish that I'd handled every stage with such pride, because being so self-conscious took too much of my energy. So whatever you do - stay proud.

Kuka - you mentionned that you will not be having nipple sparing reconstruction. Can I ask how you feel about that? I'm in the same boat as you - my surgeon doesn't spare the nipples, and I'm trying to find a way to get comfortable with that. I have one nearly perfect breast, and one very wonky looking breastlette with a nipple about two inches too low, so at least I can look foreword to a bit more symmetry.

My surgery, bilateral DIEP, was originally scheduled for July 4th, but has been moved up to June 13. Friday night I got a message from the PS's secretary saying they may have a cancellation on April 30th,  and did I want it? I phoned the office back, but the office was closed. F*ck! What's a gal to do? Can I be ready in 8 days? I've been reading this thread daily, so I'm (somewhat) emotionally prepared, but do I have to adjust medications pre-surgery? Quit tamoxifen, or take supplements? Mostly I just want to get it over with but not sure I can get myself together in just over a week.

Nihahi - Forgot to welcome home your new sisters. SO glad that you like them!

Janet

MartyJ

Janet - you can do it in a week.  Not all docs want you to stop the tamoxifen.  Many take you off supplements before.  Don't second guess this.  Remember the tasks always expand to fill the time available.  This will give you just enough time to deal with what is necessary and move from there.  You really put a spur under Dr. Escargot's saddle!

Wishing I actually was recuperating in cute pants and  pink shoes - that is my dream.  I came out of Stage 2 with 4 drains and we removed the breast drains last night.  Hips to go in a few days (hopefully).  I think it will be a few more weeks before I get to "cute" clothes.  Right now, yoga pants and a soft cotton t are the most comfy.

Gini23

Janet - something similar happened to me.  I had a 4/8 surgery scheduled, and mid February they offered me 2/27!  I inquired if there might be someone in between those two dates that might also like to be "bumped up."  At first I was told no.... but the next day she called me back and offered 3/11.  Phew!  That was perfect.    So that COULD be an option for you to try....  or I would just say GO FOR IT!  Marty is right, you'll fill the time if you have it, or you will be ready when you need to be, either way.

Marty - "Dr. Escargot" - HAHAHAHA! 

Hugs,
Jeannie

HHCats

It's a relief seeing Nihahi and SElizabeth back!  I'm getting anxious about the surgery.  Nowhere near as bad as yesterday however.  

Spent time with the kids and my cat (my first baby) and now am going to spend the evening with my DH.  Nearly everything is as good as it is gonna get.  Maybe one more run to the grocery store.  My sister-in-law is arriving to move in tomorrow afternoon.  The kids are excited about spending time with their aunt which makes me feel good.  

I think my DH is more anxious than I am actually.  He's having a hard time sleeping which usually never happens.  I am nervous about how long I will be under (7hours for me) and so is my husband.  He also told me that he is more nervous about the recovery period and doesn't like the idea of me being in pain or unable to do things I typically do because I am usually an "Energizer Bunny".  However, he told me last night that this is just another test for us to conquer together.  Thank God I married the right guy!  

I'm nervous but also excited.  For too long, I've pysched myself out worrying about so much stuff that is beyond my control or likely won't ever happen.   I am starting to be able to stop that thinking - a big step for me.  It sounds weird but I think I want to see what I am made of . . .I just hope I am not disappointed! I'm usually not!

Thanks to everyone for their support and kindness.  This board has made me a little less crazy . . . 

TOWANDA!  

Cherrie

HHCats- you will do great. You have a wonderful bank of knowledge with this site. You are a strong woman and you will surprise yourself. It isn't easy, but you can and will do this. We are all here for you. Can't wait to hear from you on the other side.

wraithg

wow so much to catch up on. nihahi so glad you are ok. selizabeth , I know what u mean by new girls being weird , i repeat but call them franken boobs. hhcats hope u are well and yes will agree with gini about using arnica cream. It really is great and I also used the pellets under my tongue. PS says I am healing really well still feels strange and sore , swollen in the middle of girls at times.

MartyJ

Y'all, before you do arnica or other herbals, check with your PS.  Because Stage 1 is such a strong microsurgical procedure, many PS get a bit squirley about what may effect the very delicate stitching (plumbing connections).  The bruising is much worse at Stage 2 and beyond because of the lipo.  I don't have any bruising where the fat grafting occurred, but where the fat was removed via lipo - oh, wow.  What colors!  I am seeing the PS on Monday and will talk with her about using Arnica - I have both the pills and the gel awaiting her approval.

faith729

sbelizabeth welcome to the other side so glad to hear your home and recovering well.I felt the same way about the new girls at first but going into week 3 they appear to be settling nicely. As swelling subsidies you may notice that also.



Nihahi you sound great also this recovery certainly has it's ups and downs in the beginning but it gets easier each week and the long term outweighs the short term struggle for sure.



Gini I called the PS on call as Dr Carty stressed to do ANY time no matter what he said don't hesitate. The ps said no big deal just have bacetracin on hand incase it pops (gross). Other than that healing is going really well and Im feeling very pleased with his work as time goes on. Feeling fortunate to have found such a great doctor for this because I've had a few doctors in the past for other phases of treatment that I could have done without.



Have a great night ladies.

nihahi

Tonight I'm glad to report things are "slinking" along! Hubby went and rented a wheeled walker this morning, and it takes just enough strain off the low back to make a world of diff!

I expected the swelling issues on the chest and tummy.....did not at all expect it so massive in arms hands and feet. At one point, my hands were so swollen, I could barely bend my fingers. They had me well elevated with pillows, pressure things on my legs, etc. Any of the veterans have such arm/hand issues?

Movie....Liefie......I don't have energy yet to keep dropping in on the in shock gang, if you could let them know how things are, I'd sure appreciate it. Hugs to all.

lilyun

Hi Everyone, thanks for keeping me in your thoughts. I am still dealing with my "plumbing problems" and the resultant loss of energy from the rectal bleeding-seems like it's brought on by the pain meds they give you during surgery. Other than that I am doing pretty well after my DIEP Stage 2. Even though the nurse said that I didn't have lipo the side of my body looks like I was hit by a truck. Life has been so slow here that DH and I admire the daily changing colors of my bruises. I am five days out and starting to feel somewhat like my old self although my lifestyle right now it just that-"old." The "girls" have been contoured and received nipples. They actually feel and look lighter and more natural. Can't wait until we are all past this and it is just a distant memory.

kuka21174923

Gini, thank you so much. I can't believe I only have two more days. Everytime u think about it I start to freak out! My parents got in yesterday from Spain and we had my daughter's bday party today. I will in the hospital on her actual birthday😞. First time ever I won't wake her up singing happy birthday. But she had a great time today. She told me this was her best day ever!

I've been doing protein diet now for two months, but my problem is that I don't like veggies. I know, it bad, but I just cannot eat them. I've lost 10 ponds but was hoping for 20.

Janet, I really wanted to keep my nipples. But the PS told me that since he's going to lift my new girls it is better to go ahead and remove it or it would end up being uncentered and it just does not look bad. I think now that I've gotten used to the idea I'm ok. But I won't know for sure until is done. After talking with oncologist, BS and PS I decided the best thing to do is remove it. In 8 weeks you can have new nipple that don't pock out and looks just like a real one! But yeah, I know it's going to be hard for me to look in the mirror. Maybe baby steps for me.

Elizabeth so glad you're done. Now take the time to recuperate and don't push yourself!!

Movie, I want to dress my husband as a dr. So that he can go iin the or with PS and look at the surgery.

Have a good nught

liefie

Nihahi, so glad you found a way to take the strain off your low back. I will keep that in mind. Will let the others know how you're doing. Hugs, and sweet dreams!

faith729

UGH !! Well just like any other day there are ups and downs I guess...and it's nearly 2 am and I am up last night I didn't fall asleep until sometime after 4am !! So frustrated right now. I tried to sleep in my bed for the first time in weeks and just sobbed after an hour of trying to get comfortable and fall asleep. Dh just helped me get settled back on this couch... I just cant understand why all of a sudden there is all this sleep trouble. Honestly I think I just want to lay down on my side like I used to.

Sorry for the rant ladies Im feeling a little lonely given that it's so late and naturally everyone else is sound asleep.



Kuka I personally don't eat veggies either I could never stomach them it's mostly a texture thing. I did experiment though making smoothies to completely mask the veggies and have done that to keep them in my diet. Food for thought !



Lilyun so glad to hear that your starting to feel like your old self ! Hope those plumbing issues get straightened out quickly. Also can't wait for this to be a distant memory ! This time next year we can be getting ready for swimsuit season like most of the female population only we will look better in those swimsuits with our flatter tummies and perky young new girls

MartyJ

Nihahi - re the swelling of hands and feet, I had that issue at about 6 - 7 days after Stage 1. Really swollen. Doctor gave me lasix. Took 2 days before I was back to normal. A lot of relief.



Faith- you are only 3 weeks out from your Stage 1. Don't push so hard to sleep like you used to. The doctors usually prefer we remain on our backs for at least 6 weeks. If they don't say to wait, our bodies often remind us as yours is doing. It is much better to give yourself time than forge ahead. Run some experiments. During the day, take some pillows to the bed to prop up your back and knees and just hang out there resting. If you don't find a bit of comfort, go back to the couch. You need rest (naps and sleep) way more than you need to sleep in the position you used to. Just go with it. You will be back in bed when your body is ready, I promise. There is a lot of healing that goes on on the inside and can't be seen. Even when you get to 6 weeks out and are feeling soooo much better, healing is happening.

Morningsun1

@kuka, NSM has worked out great for me. I woke up looking like when I was breast feeding more than 26 years ago. On the DIEP 2012 thread, someone (beckers) had her nipples "moved" and they survived. She is very happy about them too. On the morning of the surgery, my ps first talked me into not sparing the nipples, but later my bs came in and changed our minds. I am really grateful that she did. I hope you make the decision that you will be happy about.

@nihahi, liyun, sbelizabeth, great to hear your updates.

faith, my theory is that it doesn't matter what time of the day, as long as you do get some rest.

Janet_M

MartyJ,

Oooops. clearly I chose to ignore that you were thinking of pink shoes, and not wearing them. Still, it's the next best thing, and hopefully you'll soon be wearing pretty summer things. So happy to hear that you've had some drains removed.

I'm so anxious to call call my PS's office back, my hand will be hovering over the phone at 7:59 tomorrow morning. If there is actually a cancellation for April 30, I'll have to grab my sword and get the troops in place.

I'm thinking of everyone today, in every stage of prep or recovery, and wishing you all courage, and patience, and serenity. ( And pink shoes)

Janet

Morningsun1

@Janet, I second you: courage, patience, and serenity + pink shoes to all. Hope you hear good news tomorrow.

liefie

I have two questions for you experienced DIEP ladies. My house has a lot of stairs with no bedroom on the main floor, and my bedroom is at the very top. Will I be able to get up there coming home from surgery, or should I just make myself a bed downstairs so I don't have to climb stairs? When I had a (laparoscopic) hysterectomy 15 months ago I had no problem climbing the stairs, but this may be different even though I'm fit and strong.

My next question is how many of you were asked by your PS to stop Tamoxifen for the surgery? Mine asked me to stop 10 days before, and to start taking it again 10 days after. Just curious as the protocols seem to differ vastly from dr to dr. Makes no sense sometimes.

Judy_63

I'm on Arimidex and I stopped taking it the day before and I started back a little over a week post op with no problems.

dltnhm

liefie-

Wasn't on tamoxifen before DIEP as had mastectomy and DIEP first.



I recently had a revision surgery (outpatient) and stopped tamoxifen 2 weeks before and restarted 1 week after.



My father had a pulmonary embolism, so I know from past surgical experiences that that is a concern of the surgeons for me - even though I have neither heart, circulation problems nor a history of blood clots.

bdavis

Liefie.... stairs were not a problem for me... And for my recent stage IIb surgery, my MO didn't want me off T more than a week... my PS would have liked it to be a full week before and week after, but I followed my MO and was off for a week only (4 days before and 3 days after).

Nihahi... watch the swelling and if you suspect LE, get therapy. I didn't have swelling in arms/hands or legs... just boobs.

5andcounting

Many thank yous to all of you posting here. I was diagnosed with local recurrence last week and am looking for diep expertise near Louisville, Ky. I haven't decided on umx or bmx. I'd like symmetry and I'm scared of another recurrence but also scared of loosing both. I'm triple negstive and even though my pet was negative, I can't stop thinking about mets and wondering if mo will prescribe chemo.

I was energizer bunny with lumpectomy , chemo, and rads. Sure hoping to repeat the same way.

seagan

Faith - I had similar back/sleep issues & the timing was similar too (emerged sort of out of the blue a few weeks in). I ended up going in for physical therapy and the PT's advice was to do whatever was necessary to sleep at night, including trying a muscle relaxant (i was prescribed Flexeril), and to do very gentle stretching and flexibility exercises during the day. So I went back to sleeping on the firm couch in my post-surgery position (on my back, back on an incline, pillows under knees), which did work better than a bunch of pillows in bed. The PT really helped, too, I think.



I'll be honest though: Even at 6-7 weeks out, when I could at least sleep in bed again and could sleep on my side finally and didn't have back pain anymore, I still struggled with sleeping through the night. And even at nearly 9 weeks out, I still wake up more than I'd like. But now I can always go back to sleep and don't ache and squirm like I used to.



Not sure what it is about this surgery that messes with sleep.



Someone asked about stairs: I could manage them fine even on the first day back from the hospital, though definitely slowly. I found a slow stair climb a nice way to get some movement in a small house, actually.



Kuka, best wishes tomorrow!! We will all be right there with you - remember that! You have prepared so well, I can't wait to hear from you on the other side.

liefie

Thanks everybody for your input re the stairs and Tamoxifen issues. Seems I will be able to get up to my bedroom, and get in some exercise using the stairs, as seagan suggested. My dad died from a pulmonary embolism three weeks after knee replacement surgery, so I guess that's why the PS wants me to stop Tamoxifen.

Nihahi, sbelizabeth and Marty, hope you are recovering well.

Kuka and HHCats, I will be watching your progress closely. Best wishes!

Movie, will be doing my ab exercises faithfully for the nex few weeks. Have been doing ab exercises in the gym for months now, but will step it up. By the way, I'm also 58, same as you.

seagan

And the same good wishes to you, too, HHCats!! Sorry, I thought you were later in the week and Kuka was earlier. You will BOTH be in our thoughts and we will all be there with you for the ride, every moment, cheering you on!!

wraithg

Liefie u will defn get to your bedroom, I had no problem. been through the hysterectomy 2004 too. mastectomy and recon feb 28 , home after 5 days and went up stairs. bdavis I find that alot of doctors are not open to anything natural . arnica has no known problems and I go with alot of what my heart says so took it regardless and PS says I have healed really well! The arnica I never discussed with her. ........