DIEP 2013

Lmo45

Hi Everyone!



Liefie and Marsha - good luck with your surgeries, you're in my prayers. And if I've forgotten anyone else who is having surgery, my thoughts are with you too! Sometimes this thread confuses me on whose getting surgery on what days!



Today I had my first post op appt and my surgery was last Wednesday, May 1. All stitches and drains were removed, (insert happy dance)! So much easier to do everything, especially showering and going to the bathroom. So much so that I'm forgetting to rest. My only restriction is that I can't lift more than 6 pounds, I'll take it!



I know that we all heal differently, but for me the worst part of this whole thing was my caffeine withdrawal headache. My PS gave me the green light to drink a cup of coffee on Saturday, the day I was discharged, and the headache disappeared in 10 minutes! I admire those of you who are now unaddicted, and have decided to not go back, but I'm going to stick with my one cup per day.



Jeannie you are the biggest sweetheart for letting me borrow your cami's with drain pockets, but you'll have those back as soon as I get them dry-cleaned! My nipple implant will happen at the end of the Summer with a few tweaks to my girls to even them out.



My biggest anxiety was the surgery and it was all for not. I attribute my speedy recovery to working out, so for those of you who have this surgery scheduled out a bit, get fit cardiovascular wise, do some squats and planks and hopefully you'll get to the other side a bit easier.



I'm off to take a nap before dinner.



Love all you women who helped me more than you think!!!!



So very grateful for this thread!!!



Love, Lauren

Marcie47

Marty, what is the name of the phone app? I am at 3 weeks and as soon as my hip drain is removed,I would like to start doing some other exercises, I have been walking, but that is the extent to my exercises at this point.

Good luck to all the girls going in this week and we look forward to hearing from you soon )

MartyJ

Hi Marcie - the app is called Moves.  I believe it is only available for iPhone.  There are others, but Dr. Massey really loved this one.  You can train it by putting in the locations you visit and you can correct it if needed - once a bike ride showed up in the middle of a walk, fixed in a wink.  I just keep my phone with me all of the time.  I am trying for 10,000 steps a day, but am nowhere near close.  I also have an app I paid for called Cyclemeter ($4.99) that helps me track walks and bike rides with routes and coaching.  I'll take anything I can get to get off my a$$.

sbelizabeth

Hi, ladies!  I just dropped my sister off at the airport and I'm missing her already.  We had a wonderful visit.  She had her double mx last fall and STILL hadn't found the right bra/foobie arrangement, so I took her to my fitter and got her all set up.  She looks lovely with her new "girls," but is looking forward to her own DIEP early next year.  Besides that, we went to the movies, to the beach, got world-class pedicures, ate shrimp every day...what a nice way to recover.  

She was in the bathroom this morning watching me blow-dry my hair and said "You have a bald spot!"  It was where I woke up from surgery and had a hard, painful bump on the back of my head.  I'm thinking it's from the pressure of lying in one place for 12 hours.  Fortunately, my hair covers it and it shows signs of growing back in, but wow.

Kuka, about blisters--in the hospital one of my new girls developed a fluid-filled blister about the size of a quarter.  The PS opened it and it drained, and he was a little concerned about the healing of the skin underneath.  I've been dressing it with silvadene and a 4x4 gauze pad twice a day, and it's healing exactly like a deep road-rash type of abrasion would heal.  The drainage on the old dressing is a little gross--greenish and gooey--but again, it's just like a bike crash abrasion has healed, and there's fresh skin coming in from the bottom, and my PS is pleased.  

Pinkheart, I'm delighted you have enjoyed my blog.  It's certainly been a cathartic outlet for me to write about this whole BC fandango.  No article yet.  I'll be sure to share it when it comes out.  

Gosh, I miss my sister.  I need to go console myself with a bike ride.  Katy

sbelizabeth

I'm so behind in reading this wonderful thread!  Heavenschild, my PS is Dr. James Watson.  He originally worked at UCLA, and then went into private practice.  His office is in Santa Monica, but he does surgery and office hours one day a week in Thousand Oaks, which is where I had my surgery.  I like him very much.  Katy

wintersocks

hiya everyone, 

I have posted here before but a while ago now. I am scheduled to have a right diep flap later in the year and I am meeting with my ps in July for the 1st round of talks.

I keep seeing people on this thread constantly referring to 'dog ears'. I cannot identify any area post-mx where they might be.

Could someone please help and tell me what/where these are!! - Thanks   

dltnhm

Wintersocks -

I had a umx with immediate DIEP.

I didn't and don't have anything resembling dog ears. But they seem to be quite common with a lot of the gals who post on the DIEP 2012, 2013, and NOLA threads.

MartyJ

Wintersocks - the dog ears are at each end of the DIEP abdominal incision where the drains come out of the skin. They are kind of pointy and dog ear is the nickname.  My PS fixed them at Stage 2 by making the incision a bit longer and having the drain come out about a 1/2" beyond the end of the suture line.

5andcounting

I'm on the other side:) home from hospital yesterday and taking short walks. Had a complication and almost loser the flap but dr Kline had me back in or so fast, girls are great now:)

Tired but pain not bad. Belly pain is nothing. Chest hurts and I can only move arms like a T. rex. Long staws and cold water rock.

Thanks for encouraging and supporting. Those who are waiting, you can do it. It's exhausting but will be well worth it.

MartyJ

CRS - So good to hear from you.  Glad you are home and taking short walks - they are so good for you.  Soon your chest won't hurt and you will be reaching for things.  It is amazing how quickly we forget the tough stuff.

nihahi

sbelizabeth....SO GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU AGAIN!!!! I had forgotten about your sister's visit, and pictured you grinding up some killer hills on your bike, dust on your goggles and a huge grin on your face!!!!!! What a wonderful time it sounds like the visit was....unbelievable what you two share re:bc. You have surely given her a huge boost of confidence for her own Diep journey! I don't think you're alone on the post op bald spot issue. I don't remember where, but I'm sure I have read of others having the same, "no movement for hours" issue. Glad to hear it's looking temporary. 

Marcie.....there are lots of different opinions, but, have you gotten the ok from your surgeon to start significantly increasing your activity at your stage of recovery? Trust me, I understand cabin fever, though!!!!!!

I seem to have "lost my mojo" since the weekend. Was so tired after grocery shopping shopping today that I absolutely collapsed in bed for a deep 2 hour nap!!!

crs....wonderful to hear from you. Sounds like you had some challenges, and I'm so glad to hear your doc was able to set things right for you. Love the t rex arms comment....so descriptive!!!! Rest now and heal.

dltnhm

Marty J -

Very interesting description.

My drains did not 'exit' on the ends of the abdominal incision. They came out below my abdominal incision in the pubic area. My surgeon incorporated my 21+ year c-section scar also, so that scar is low.

Janet_M

Lmo45 & HHcats - you are so inspirational.! I can honestly say that posts like yours make me excited about my upcoming surgery. And CRS - Congratulations on being on the other side. (That t-rex reference is pretty funny)



Winter socks - I just wanted to mention 'dog ears' are not big. I read about them here, after which I went running to my surgeon to ask for clarification. I have a basset hound, so was picturing mounds of saggy skin. So just in case you've got the same crazy visual, I didn't want you to worry. Please correct me if I'm mistaken, anyone, but my PS said they're small, uncommon, and easily dealt with.

nihahi

dltnhm...my drains also came out below my incision, I don't think I will have a dog ear issue either....Bassett ears....too funny!

bdavis

Janet... I never had dog ears. I think it may be more related to one's body type, and is always corrected at stage II. For me, I had GAP flap first, so I had hip drains for 8.5 weeks. i then had DIEP drains, but they were in the pubic area, very low by my groin. So I think it all depends on your body.

kuka21174923

Bdavis, 8.5 weeks of drains?!!!! Wow! You're my hero! I had one for a week and it was hard enough!

Crs, I love your description about the arm movement. I feel the same way. Tonight I went to my kids with my arms up and told them to run because T-Rex was coming to get them. They all took off running and screaming, lol. Good times!

PinkHeart

CRS,



I am so glad to hear from you! So very sorry you had a complication, but fortunate that Dr Kline got it quickly resolved and he is taking great caring care of you.



Keep up your spirits and walking! Sounds like you aren't hunched over -- just your self described T Rex syndrome.



How long are you staying in Charleston?

5andcounting

We will be here til sat or sun. I'm not hunched over at all just hate feeling like a turle on my back. I look forward to getting to know all of you better. How long before you can actually wash your hair?! I put make up on yesterday and like I ran a mile. I'm hoping to return to work in five more weeks. Sound doable?

MartyJ

CRS - I assume you have taken your first shower?  You can wash your hair.  I am sure you will feel much better.  You won't be lifting your arms past your shoulders, just from your elbows to hands.  Okay, that sounded weird.  If you are feeling wobbly, then outside help might be best.  Not sure where you are staying.  There is a DryBar on upper King Street - they wash and blow dry only.  If you are in Mt. Pleasant, there are lots of options - Ulta or Great Clips at Towne Center.  Stella Nova is there, as well, but might be more $$ though more spa-like.

faith729

MartyJ thank you I think I'm getting impatient because going from running pre surgery to walking is like breaking down on the highway. I'll try to be less bored with the walking and just do what I'm supposed to do.



I have to agree 100% with Lauren on getting that cardio workout in often before surgery. I also think it really helped make recovery easier along with the squats and lunges for the quads.



Crs so glad your doing well now and that the complication didn't result in the loss of a flap that must have been frightening !

Cuetang

Congrats crs319, you sound great! Have you been cleared to shower from the PS? It seems that advice given by different PSs differ. I was allowed to shower in the hospital and whenever I liked after I got home (though I could only muster up the energy to do it twice that first week I was home, with assistance because of the limited ROM). For me I went back to work at five weeks (but I got my job to let me work from home and I have a office/desk job). However, I think I could've gone into the office to work, as I felt pretty darn good by then --but chose to avoid some extra stress I knew would occur in the office.

Janet_M

Good morning. I have a question regarding post-surgery travel. My surgery is June 13, and I'd like to get on a plane early August. I'm feeling so inspired by the T-Rex super-healers on this board that I'd like to plan a trip. Nothing ambitious, just a three hour plane ride to the east coast to visit family. Is that doable?

Janet

MartyJ

Janet - at 6 weeks out you should be fine.  I did a family trip to DC at 7 weeks.  When I got tired, I rested.  Otherwise, I walked and did.  Since I traveled for surgery, I had to fly home 10 days after surgery.  Not a problem.

nihahi

Good Morning Ladies,

crs....you do sound good. It is said often, but hard to believe until it happens for you.....you will be amazed at how you improve in all categories, from day to day. In the early days when I got a bit discouraged, all it took was a look back at what I could do just a day or two in the past, and it reinforced how far I had come. Clean hair does such wonders, I completely understand your anticipation of that feeling! I considered going to a beauty shop, but I already struggle tolerating the position they put you in to wash your hair, and couldn't imagine it when my tummy was so "fresh". Marty's advice of tucking your head down and getting those elbows/hands into action worked for me. The first time, though, I sat on a shower bench and hubby did it for me. Not everyone needs it, but I found a bench, stool, plastic chair...whatever you have, to be both an energy saver and a safety factor in the shower. Keep up the awesome healing you're doing!

Faith...boy, I get the "I could do....before" frustration. I was running, hiking, showshoeing, etc. You'll get there!!!! I think, again, it was Marty, in the past, who "reminded" us that even though we look well along the road of healing outside, there is lots of internal healing to do. The activity and cardio pre-surgery don't just help with the recovery, it also makes a huge difference on how our bodies deal with the surgery and anesthesia itself. 

Janet...don't see any reason why you shouldn't plan and ENJOY a trip that far out from your surgery. Sounds like a wonderful "reward"! Are you headed to the maritimes????

nihahi

forgot.....

Cherrie....how are you doing? 

HHCats

To all of you who think I am inspirational - I am feeling like a fraud today.  I just did some light grocery shopping and now need to take a nap.  But it gets worse and I am almost worried to tell you all this.  

Now that everything is done and I can do no more treatment, I have way too much time on my hands and I am becoming a freak.  I am completely terrified that the cancer is coming back.  I'm triple negative - but Stage 2, node negative and with clear scans before chemo began.  I have a very good prognosis which my husband recounts for me whenever I get weird but in my current state of mind it means nothing.  

I know a lot of people get depressed after major surgery and I think I am one of them.  However, I've got some weird symptoms going on which I finally confessed to my husband (the poor guy is at work and I'm telling him I've gone mental).  Everywhere I look - I see cancer.  I have lost 18lbs since my diagnosis.  Since my DIEP - I've decided I have to change my lifestyle and how I eat immediately.  Yeah, I can't buy 6 items at the store without wanting to take a nap.  Today at the grocery store, all I saw was cancer in every aisle.  Even the poor produce section was under heightend scrutiny.  Organic or not?  Blah blah blah.  This morning before I took the kids to school - I actually stood in front of our toaster with a piece of white bread and thought "will this kill me?"  I keep thinking (irrationally) that if I just figure out how I got cancer - I can just stop that and it will be OK.  I've already given up alcohol and red meat pretty much; added more and more fruits and vegetables; and started taking supplements.  I want to try to start some light walking now the weather is better, too.  

This is new to me.  I am typically a push-on-through kind of woman.  Face the fear and move on.  Last night I kept waking up and the first thought on my mind was recurrance.  THis is no way to live.  

I am really angry with myself right now.  I should be better than this.  I did the DIEP so I could eliminate one pathway for the triple negative to return.  I went through chemo as an insurance policy and was told before I began to consider myself "cancer-free".  One of my best friends told me last night I've been to hell and back in 6 months and I need to cut myself some slack.  

Has anyone experienced anything like this and if yes, does it pass enough that you can get back to living?

Sorry for the craziness,

Robin 

nihahi

HHcats.....such a normal reaction to the "end" of bc treatment!!!!!!  

You are not crazy, you are not abnormal, you are not alone!!!! I think having these thoughts, worries, fears, etc. are more the norm, than the exception. So many ladies feel "cast adrift" after everything that has been so intense, comes to a halt. You also, still have healing to do. Do remember that you are still in the "toddler stage" post chemo and surgery, too. Respect the energy it cost you to get through all that, be kind to yourself and rest when needed. 

If you have access to a breast cancer support centre, that may be something for you to look into. You will be amazed to discover how "normal" you really are!!!! There is also, an amazing book for this time in your journey. Can't remember the name....I'll find it, and get back to you. I too, crashed yesterday after grocery shopping.....maybe it's got something to do with the cost of good food these days???     ((((((X))))))

Catie2013

Robin

It's like looking at a painting with your nose against the canvas. All you can see is the cancer. But daily or weekly or maybe even longer you will slowly get further and further away from the canvas and see a little more and more of the good stuff that's called life until at sometime you will have a distance that what you see is life with the distant memory of the cancer.



You did the right things to make yourself cancer free - trust that!

nihahi

Catie.....wonderful analogy, thanks for sharing that. 

the book info is:

Picking up the Pieces: Moving Forward After Surviving Cancer, by Sherri Magee and Kathy Scalzo

liefie

CRS, I haven't welcomed you back, and doing it now. So glad your PS could save the flap, and that you are well on your way to healing.

HHCats, Nihahi and Catie are so right about these feelings after everything is over, the dust has settled, and our minds begin to wander to dark places. Catie gave us an excellent perspective with the nose-against-the-canvas analogy! I'm going to remember that. There are no guarrantees, but we are here today, healthy now, and should just make the best of that. Hugs to you!

Going for pre-op bloodwork this morning. Then I'm all set for May21. I'm even getting a little excited now about the new boob, and (hopefully!) flat tummy.

A question for those of you who had TE's removed during DIEP. Was there a marked difference the moment you woke up from surgery, and realized that thing was gone from your chest? I have pretty good ROM with the TE in place, but the TE arm cannot go as far back over my head as my other arm in the yoga class, and I can feel the pulling in my chest where the TE has been sown in place. Does you arm ever go back to 100% full ROM like before all this surgery happened?