DIEP 2014

tlbradyful

Ann - so happy for you. I felt naked when that last drain came out, so free!

Iowa - My left breast which was the cancer/radiation side was much more swollen after surgery than the non radiated side so it appeared huge to me. It required much more work than the mastectomy only side. At 5 weeks out, the swelling has gone down and they are much nearer the same size. My PS told me that it is much easier to fluff up the side that has not been radiated in stage 2. She made the radiated side as big as the flaps allowed and will re-size if needed in stage 2. Don't worry yet. 

Dyvgrl

my cancer side is extremely swollen so going in this morning for an ultrasound to see if there are any pockets of fluid that need to be drained. Hoping it's just swollen tissue but it's quite large so we'll see. The prophy side shrunk down pretty quick so I'm pretty lopsided right now. I'm just glad I have 2 living flaps and small scars! Please pray I don't have to get any drainage done!!

LiLi-RI

Dyvgrl: Congrats on the Path Results! and to your new digs! Rest and Recover!

Ann - So  happy you feel so well with your final drain out!

JerseyMom - Sending healing thoughts!

So...I am really scared to have these procedures. Drains, leaks from incisions - and Stage 2 surgeries? I thought this would be the only surgery??? I must have missed something...? How surgeries does it take to get to the end?

Lisa

Teacher64

Iowagirl, my breasts are not the same size and I've been told that's a stage 2 item. I'm not concerned about it. I haven't been able to wear a bra comfortably because of hardness under my arms and breasts. Camis are not good at concealing the difference but are more comfortable than anything else for me. Sorry about the detestable drain, but as previously said...better out than in. 

Ann, I agree with Lahela because my PS said gentle massage to loosen the tissue. I use lotion to allow my hands to sort of slide over the area. 

Have a great weekend, everyone.

nihahi

LiLi......your bio shows that you are already booked for your flap surgery, in about a month's time. Hopefully, you have had consults with your PS and have discussed the scope of flap recon with that surgeon. Every PS and every patient has differences in their protocols and pre-surgery situations and post surgery expectations. Can you book another consult appointment, write down your questions and take someone along with you to help you "hear the conversation." You do need to be aware of the reality of "this is not a one and done" type of reconstruction, and it is pretty normal to not really absorb the PS "talk". I have a medical background, and researched quite a bit before my consults. Even with all that "knowledge", I would leave my appointments and find what I "heard" and what hubby "heard" were often very very different. 

I get that what you read here about the experiences of others can be scary. But it is a DOABLE surgery and recovery. There certainly are some women for whom recovery is a struggle, and others, that seem to do quite well. Try to read enough that you also learn that for almost everyone, the "issues" are short-lived, things do heal and get better, and that the vast majority of women are happy they choose a flap recon.

Cuetang

Lili-RI -- I don't hop on to the reconstruction boards quite as much as I did before, but your question caught my eye (and me remembering being in the exact same position last year).  Sorry ladies, if what I say was covered in the previous pages!  Nihahi has given you great feedback.  There are many of us that have gone through the surgery and the Stage 2, and are doing well so far.  I wouldn't say it was easy, but definitely doable (and yes, lots of grumbling at the wretched drains).  But these things pass, and you move on.   I was very surprised at the various amount of protocols and approaches that surgeons had.  I was very fortunate to not really have a whole lot of issues from the surgeries, and all 4 drains were out in 2 weeks and was feeling fairly normal by week 3/4.  Stage 2 was minor stuff for me, more little things that annoyed me (i.e. removing dog ears, etc) and lasted just over an hour (and I was off painkillers in 1 day).  My PS is not the most patient of surgeons and is very busy, but I had a huge list of questions when I went in for my consults, and he answered all of them for me.  It's been almost a year since Stage 2, I find that I'm doing great, other than the stomach scar and the fading DIEP scars, the only issues I seem to be dealing with BC nowadays are other things not related to surgery. 

Nerves for something like this is completely normal, the doubts, the YIPEs when you see all the stories.  Hang in there and all the best to my DIEP 2014 sisters! 

Dyvgrl

getting 2 seromas aspirated in an hour on my right side. Anyone else had this done? Anything I need to focus on?

nihahi

sorry Dyvgrl.....no experience so won't advise anything other than because of lack of sensation it likely won't be painful. BUT.....hoping it helps you feel better quickly, and stay focussed on it's a step to healing. Good for you for staying on top of things.

TinaHoff

Oh, Ann, GREAT news!  So happy for you!

Tina

jmb5

iowagirl, my radiated breast is smaller than the other one too. They looked the same immediately after surgery, but by the end of week 2, the radiated side got all wonky and a little flatter. My non-radiated side sags lower also. Stage 2 for me is in 2 weeks. I'll let you know how they turn out. I keep thinking of that song... pump up the volume, pump up the volume...

TinaHoff

Dvygrl, SO glad to hear you got your room situation sorted out, and that you can at last have some comfort while you recover!

Tina

TinaHoff

Dyvgrl, was your Amoena cami the zip front kind?  I had one before my mastectomy, and I still have it, but I've gained 30 pounds since then, so I'm thinking I should get a new one before my DIEP, which is 11 days away.  Worried about support, but not wanting to squish the new tissue.  At the pre-op appointment the nurse was recommending a cami with a shelf bra, which I also have (also Amoena) but the elastic seems so tight.

On another note, I'm glad to hear about your "splash down."   I find a cup of coffee works wonders for me in that regard, as well.

goldie4040

Tina, LMAOOOOO....Splash down! I have never heard that expression, but I like it.  I might use it with my grandson who is potty training right now.  He will love it. 

I couldn't wear a bra now if you paid me.  I am wearing cotton white ribbed tank tops under everything.  And, if I spring a leak, which I know now is everyday, I can wash it in hot water and a little bleach if I have to. 

TinaHoff

Goldie, full disclosure - I can't take credit for the "splash down" term.  Dyvgrl's word.

Thank you for the tip on the ribbed cotton tanks.  Are those working out well, support wise?

I've been wearing my surgical bra that I bought for after the mastectomy, as most days a regular bra just cuts into my flesh.  Ugh!

I think I will just get a bunch of those ribbed tank tops.  Summer is coming, and I'm thinking you're on to something genius here...

Teacher64

Shorts, cami, sunscreen, garden gloves, knee pad...those were the essentials today as I played in the dirt adding color to my flower beds. It felt wonderful. Yeah for something normal.

TinaHoff

Ah, Teacher, you do give me hope.

 

Tina

Dyvgrl

yeah Teacher, that sounds perfect!! Good for you! 

goldie4040

Tina, I get these tank tops at Target.  I must have a zillion of them.  I have mostly white, but I got some colored ones too. They are cheap.  They are Mossimo brand and they are in the Junior dept, I believe.  Now, this was back a couple of months, but I think they are a staple. As for support.  Not really.  Just makes me feel better to have something soft and snug close to my skin and nothing can rub or irritate me.  A lot of gals use them under those awful scratchy binder's they give you at the hospital. 

TinaHoff

Cindy,

I totally get that "Is cancer a gift?" question.  I wouldn't wish this beast on my worst enemy, but yeah, for me it left some good behind.  I let go of a LOT of my own personal BS, and I no longer waste my emotional energy on things, which two years ago, would really have put a knot in my tail.  I'm a lot more compassionate, I think, not only towards others, but for myself.  Plus I give myself permission to eat off "the good china" everyday, because to me just being alive is a special occasion.

TinaHoff

Thanks, Goldie!

I love Target, and the Mossimo brand!

Tina

Zenful

dyvgrl, are your seromas on your breast or at the donor site?  

k79miller

Lili...if you have a smart phone it should have a voice recorder on  it that you can use at your appt.  I've used mine a couple times at dr appts. The drs never mind.  That way if you have a question about something that was said you just go back & replay it.  If your phone doesn't have one I'm sure you can find an app for one.

Dyvgrl

my seromas were on my right breast. They were able to pull some bloody fluid but seemed to not be worth the effort to me. Lots of lidocaine and saline, so seemed they put in as much as they pulled out. Didn't make a lot of sense to me. Oh well. Just don't want anymore bruising or sources of infection. 

AnnBR

Teacher, normalcy is wonderful. Glad you were able to enjoy the outdoors.

Teacher64

Goldie, I used cheap camis under the binder. When I no longer had to wear the binder, I put the  camis in the trash. It made me feel good to toss them. There are a number of significant rights of passage on this journey. That was one.

goldie4040

Teacher, everything I am wearing since I have come home from the hospital will be thrown away too.  I have leaked, sweated, spilled food, etc.  I wish I could burn it all.  I was dreaming earlier about wearing the cute new clothes I foolishly bought last month.  I guess I really didn't think I would be down for the count like this.  I love thinking about you out in your garden today.  I want my life back too. 

nihahi

Goldie....you'll be giving those new clothes lots of wear in the future..keep looking forward!

Teacher64

Goldie, it's taken me a while to be able to be able to play in the dirt. You will be there, too. After working outside, I'm like a puffy marshmallow tonight. It's one day at a time. I also bought a couple of cute things that have yet to be worn due to lack of comfort although I did wear a new cute hat outside today. At least something new fit and is comfy!

Dyvgrl

has anyone had a hard red spot above their abdominal incision? It's painful but doesn't feel hot.

JerseyMomOf3

Hi everyone. Starting post op day 3 today. Things are going well, much better than I imagined actually. I can stand up pretty straight and took a few steps without assistance this morning. Pain is under control pretty well. I can feel some strain on my back (I have a bad back) but not sure what to do about it. So far so good! Hope all the cinco gals are making good progress in healing. And sending good thoughts to everyone here for having some positive steps forward wherever you are in the process. This really is a big surgery and I anticipate recovery to be more of a marathon than a sprint, but I think it is so worthwhile. I am just delighted with my ta ta's already. Dr Levine is an amazing doctor, and he had two other micro surgeons work on me too so the surgery time on the table was as short as possible which I appreciated a lot. The nurses here are very professional and caring- on a high level surgical step down unit so they are knowledgeable about the procedure and what needs to be checked , so all good!