DIEP 2014

tlbradyful

Goldie - burning describes exactly how my incisions felt (and occasionally feel). Itchy too. I started moisturizing near, but not on the incisions and the itchyness got better. It also helped when the liquid bandage and scabs began to fall off. I stopped taking my pain meds and ended up in the ER for a scolding. The pain meds help you breathe and move as you should. I didn't even realize how shallow my breathing had become. The ER doc said pain meds are for more than pain and you heal better with you take them as prescribed. OK OK lesson learned.

Dyvgrl - I am now almost 5 weeks out and my two are much closer to the same size than before. There was more swelling in one and almost no swelling in the other. I will still need some tweaking in stage 2.

MsW - I had a mess left from three surgeries and radiation burns. I couldn't imagine I could look this good at 5 weeks out. I moisturized my tummy skin and chest twice daily for the months leading up to surgery to keep the skin soft. I don't know how much it helped, but the tummy skin that replaced the tough radiated skin on my new breast is very nice. It feels just like the other side which was skin/nipple sparing. Also, the nipple that was spared was very ugly and during surgery Dr. Massey brought it back to life. It looks like new. Don't give up hope. You will have a new look, for sure, but it can be much nicer than what you are dealing with now. Chin up.

Beebop

Congrats on the good news AnnBR!  What a relief!

Best of luck tomorrow jerseymom, rest well!

lemon68

Jerseymom- sweet restful thoughts tonight. All the best to you tomorrow, sending prayer.

tlbradyful

thinkpink - I was told by my original PS that I didn't have enough for DIEP (not even an A). I consulted Dr. Massey by telephone and sent medical records and tons of photos. She said I would need a 3 flap surgery (two on the radiated side and one for the non-radiated side). She was planning to take 2 from my abdomen and the third from GAP. I am 5'10 160 lbs, so not big. Once we met in person, she thought she could retrieve the 3rd flap from the DIEP incision. She did! After stage 2, I should end up with full Cs. There are many options. You are not alone, but you do need a doctor that is willing to taylor the surgery to your specific situation.

tlbradyful

KooKoo - I am still in the recliner for the first part of the night. When I wake up during the early am hours, I move to the bed with lots of pillows. I use a body pillow to put under one side of my torso and it gives me the feeling of not being on my back. I am only slightly on my side, but it is still way better than just back.

jbdayton

9 weeks out from my bi-lateral DIEP that turned out to be a left uni-lateral due to some bad veins.  I now have a date to do a Ruben's flap on June 2 for my right side.  So ready to get this show on the road again.

GeorgieGirlKC

TBerg and mistral1960 thinking about you! JerseyMomOf3 sleep well and prayers! Hope the rest of you are on your respective paths to healing! Great news about the pathology report! Got 2/3 drains pulled today 1week post op! Holy Moly those things are long! Who knew so much tube could be in there??? I took a pain pill before we went and think it probably helped. Also got some Flexeril for back spasms. My back and abdomen has been pretty sore spasming...Good to catch up on all the news. Thinking good thoughts for each of you and so thankful for all the support provided here on this forum. Good sleeps everyone! 

iowagirl1

Ann.  I am over the moon about your good news!  I am glad they were so thorough so you'll have no more surprises!  Now you can relax and heal.

KooKoo621

Ann - Great news!

Thanks for all suggestions for sleeping.  I did end up with pillow between my legs which helped tremendously. I will try everything you all have recommended if I need to. I just want some good sleep!

Goodnight everyone and good healing!

nihahi

AnnBr.....wonderful, wonderful news....so happy for you!

jmb5

tlbradyful, I got a lecture for stopping my pain meds too early also, from my BS. I ended up on Percocet for a month, and had no trouble going off of it.

the1toC, so glad to hear all is going well and happy with your surgery. I am smiling this morning thinking of Ann's good news and reading how well everyone is doing. Prayed for Jerseymom too. I know she'll do great today!

iowagirl1

Ann.  I am over the moon about your good news!  I am glad they were so thorough so you'll have no more surprises!  Now you can relax and heal.

Teacher64

AnnBR- wonderful, amazing, news

Dyvgrl - I'm so glad I'm close to hospital, so I don't have to worry about a hotel

Lemon - Awake during surgery??? You are much braver than I. So now, you are a flasher!! Ha!

The1toC - glad you are recovering well and had clear nodes, great news. I understand about selecting dates. I chose stage 2 so it wouldn't interfere with our vacation. I'm ready for some relaxation.

Georgie - I made the mistake of glancing done as the last belly drain was removed. I had to grab the table as I saw the long, alien-like tube, no pain.

Yesterday was a long day. Up at 4 to get my husband to surgery center for cataract surgery. Love him but he is not an easy patient.

lemon68

jbdayton- I am so glad to hear you have a plan in place for the other side. I have not heard of a Rubin Flap, what does that consist of? June2nd will be here before you know it!

I think I am 9 days out with 4 drains making me crazy. The top 2 hurt I am ready to take them out myself so I can have some relief. I see PS again on Friday, today they have only put out 7.5 and 5 so that's a good sign. Belly drains are pumping out high numbers but those don't bother me as much. I took out all the fluff gauze today  and tried to take a peek, I couldn't see anything they are completely taped up. DH says shape is nice, look forward to seeing them on Friday.

I am taking my Percocet every 4 hours if I can last that long. Sometimes I feel okay and try to skip it and regret it within the hour. I took 2 Advil this morning and got no relief.

Teacher hope DH is doing okay and resting quietly for you.. our men such sweeties but most not good patients at all. Hope you can both rest tonight.

JMB- it sounds like your Stage 2 is going to be great, you will not only look great in your bathing suit you will be bringing "sexy" back! You deserve it.

goldie4040

Had a little scare today.  After my shower, which I am only taking every other day, my belly button bled a little bit.  I covered it with gauze and put a call in to the PS.  By the time he called the gauze was wet.  It looked to me like the same drainage that comes out into the drains. He agreed that's what it is, and since he pulled my drain the other day he thinks I just had some excess that found it's way out at the place of least resistance.  He told me to put a maxi pad over it!  Okay, doc...if you say so. Also, I couldn't take the back pain anymore, and I sent my husband to CVS to buy me a walker with wheels.  What a relief. I have been taking laps around the house all day.  My DH was teasing me.  He said he was going to set up a walker race, and he just knows I would be the winner.  Even though I am bent over I go pretty fast. 

Georgie, glad you got rid of 2 of your drains.  Better to hold on to them a little longer than pull them too soon.

bdavis

Thinkpink... I have a stacked DIEP on one breast and GAO and tdap on the other. When I went to NOLA, he initially did the GAP flaps, but I had a problem and he fixed it using the DIEP flap. There are lots of options in the right hands.

nihahi

Goldie...I'm soooooo sorry I have not mentioned the wheeled walker for you. I used one in hospital, weaned myself off it the day I went home (7 days post op). The next day, hubby was at the door of the medical supply place, to rent one for me. Just being able to take a tiny bit of weight through the arms, made a huge difference for me too. I no longer needed it after about 4 to 5 days. So glad you thought of it, and even more happy that it is helping you. Hang in there!

Teacher64

DH better today so I plan to sleep tonight so I can get chores and errands completed tomorrow. After a ramped up exercise cycle ride today, my belly has felt it, but I'm going for it again tomorrow! 

goldie4040

Teacher, you give me hope.   You are exercising already.  That is awesome.  Glad your DH is better.  Men are such awful patients, you are right!!!

fujiimama

officially hit week 3. Walking pretty well. Had a slight hole open on the underside of my left breast. Nurse gave me some medicated gauze. Check up next week. Love reading everyone elses experiences. Nice to know I'm "normal". Love the walker ideas. I have one from my back surgery. This time I used it folded up and shoved between the nightstand and my bed. It made a great hand rail for getting in and out of bed.

k79miller

Dyvgrl...check with the American Cancer Society.  They found us free rooms while we were in San Antonio.  They don't always have them but it's still worth a shot.

Ann...YAY!!!!!!!!!   Congratulations, I know it is such a relief.  I'm relieved for you.

lemon...I know it hurt to laugh but I'm sure it felt good to be able to laugh about something.  I had to go buy a belt to keep some of my pants up.  Luckily, they've never fallen off of me though.  LOL

k79miller

8 wks out tomorrow & I had my first workout at the gym today.  I took it easy but it felt good to be able to do it.  I've noticed the last few weeks that my legs have felt really weak.  Has anyone else had this problem?  They were ok up until the last few weeks.  I would have thought that if they were gonna weak it would have been right after surgery, not at least a month out.

JerseyMom...hope you are doing well tonight.  Welcome to the other side.

jbdayton

Lemon I had never heard of a Ruben's flap either.  It is basically the upper hip and waist area.  He explained it as the love handles starting where the abdominal DIEP flap ended and up and around the hip or iliac crest.  It will pull the waist in .  The incision will go from the side of the abdomen incision and around the hip and part of the back.  My other side will have to be adjusted at stage 2 unless they have enough time to do it at this surgery.

This flap uses the deep circumflex iliac artery and vein.

Amazing how many different flaps are available.

jmb5

Thanks, lemon! I don't know about sexy, but I do think my new perky boobs look pretty good. I think the drains were the worst part. I hates them with a burning passion, but all 4 came out on day 11. Hoping yours will be gone soon. 

DH and I were laying in bed last night and I said, "Remember that one time I had to lie on my back in bed for 2 months straight?" We kind of laughed and started talking about the trials of recovering. He told me he is proud of me. I can't believe it's been almost 4 months for me. It really does go by fast. I started exercising finally. I don't enjoy it, but know I need to do it. I can't believe what little arm strength I have. Couldn't even do 10 push-ups. It will come in time, I guess. 

Dyvgrl

hi everyone. Checking to see how everyone is feeling. Didn't sleep much, ridiculously uncomfortable in this shitty room. I've reached the end of my rope. Yesterday we drove around in the van trying to stay comfortable in the AC. By the time we got home I was literally in tears from pain. I could feel every bump, pothole, jiggle, cobblestone, you name it. And that was after 2 Dilaudid!!! I had called at like 1:30 to see if I can get some drains removed and to see if I can have Dr. Suver my doc in ANC do my two week follow up. They've yet to call me back... I'm so miserable, it is severely affecting my recovery. I just need to go home. I have huge dark circles under my eyes cuz I can't sleep. I'm using my arms more than I should because I'm constantly adjusting my house of pillows since there's no decent chair to sit on and the bed has NO headboard. There is this "stand" behind the bed so you can't even use the wall. Sigh... My breasts don't even feel like me. I feel like I have a huge car wash sponge taped to the front of my chest. So alien. I will also have to use another enema cuz I haven't gone since I left the hospital 3 days ago. I'm taking dulcosate and senna but it doesn't help. Drinking tons of water, eating fruits and veggies but still no joy... Okay, my woe is me session is over!! Lol. I will wait til 10 this morning to see if they'll call me back. If not, I'm calling to tell them  I'm on the next jet outta here!!

Janet_M

Dyvgirl - I'm sorry to hear you're in such a sh*tty situation. Being tired, sore, and in miserable surroundings is a crummy combination. But - you're description of the car wash sponge taped to your chest made me almost spit out my coffee. Best description ever! I always felt like I was wearing a snow suit, especially when I hugged somebody. 

The joy will come. It takes a long time (months) but one day you'll wake up and won't be thinking about your breasts first thing in the morning

AnnBR - Yahoo! Such great news about your lymph node. What a great outcome.

Goldie - I've been following your progress and I'm sorry about al the pain. But the walker sounds like a huge help - it's all about finding relief during those first few weeks following surgery, isn't it?  I was surprised to find how comfortable & enjoyable it was to ride an upright bike pretty early on in my recovery. Lots of support for arms and back with a a little exercise thrown in for good measure. 

MartyJ

Dyvgrl - get some miralax, it is fantastic just takes a day or two to work.  OR, magnesium citrate - that works really quickly, a few hours!  It is a 99 cent item at the drugstore.  I used lemon flavor and refrigerated it before I chugged the bottle.  Do not push yourself too hard to leave town.  I know how miserable you must be, but things are still very fragile and they usually won't let you fly until at least 10 days from surgery.  Too many risks with those very tiny blood vessels.  I am not sure where you are in Seattle, but I know that there are quite a few hotels near SeaTac that are in the $70 - 80 per night range.  It just might help to get down there and get some AC and rest.  Your body needs that now!

Dyvgrl

thanks ladies for listening. I followed someone's advice on here about contacting the ACA and they actually have a program that works with extended stay suites if you travel for care. You have to give them 2 Fridays notice to see if you can get a room for free or for 12$ a night. It doesn't help me this trip but something I'll do for Stage 2. My hubby frequently uses them for work so he's going to call here in a bit to see if they'll give us a break. Each city has different programs so check with the ACA. There are 31 cities with Hope Lodges too. Unfortunately Seattle isn't one of them. 1-800-227-2345 is the ACA number to call. Wherever we go, I just know I'm not spending another night here!! Thanks for letting me vent and whine. Hugs!

jmb5

dyvgrl, I second the Miralax. I took Colace too and I went eventually, without issues. Sorry about your crappy hotel. I cringed when you said there was no headboard. Hang in there. You will be home soon! 

Dyvgrl

Houston, we have Splashdown!! Lol. Nothing like strong coffee, ripe melon, laxatives and stool softeners to start your day!! Phew. No dynamite blasting required. Hunny is busy looking for new digs with AC and a headboard for us lol. I'm looking at photos of Snohomish County and wishing we lived there. Such a cute town!! So glad I have you ladies to "get" me and my ups and downs. No one else can understand. Hope anyone else recovering is doing well. Has anyone laid awake wondering how to modify these stupid camisoles so they are actually functional? I have an Ameona and I am going to turn it inside out so the bulb bags are on the outside instead of digging into my skin. I'm gonna cut holes in the sides to route the drain tubes through so basically all the soft fabric is against my skin and the bulbs and Velcro and tubes are away from my skin. Someone really needs to make a decent camisole. I tried on several for mx patients and they all suck. I picked this one because it had removable drain pockets and insurance paid for it lol. Did anyone else modify theirs?