DIEP 2014

brendarj

Give `em hell teacher

Zenful

Lahela, I guess it depends if they are dissolvable stitches. Mine were dissolvable, so they told me I could snip them down to the skin at two weeks. I snipped them, but there was still a small knot there, which eventually came off in the shower. 

nihahi

teacher....I just want to say....you are "my kind" of crazy.....I second brendarj....GIVE 'EM HELL!!!! 

k79miller

I am 1 wk out from surgery & feel like I'm doing great.  I do have binders that I wear all the time unless I'm in the shower. It feels wonderful to get the binders off for that short period of time.  I'm also off all pain meds, not even taking Tylenol.  I bought a wedge pillow to use once I got out of the hospital & it has been the best money I think I ever invested.  So far I have very minimal swelling.  I go back & see the nurse on the 31st & the dr on the 3rd.  I should be released to go home on the 3rd.  Sitting in this hotel room is very boring but I am resting a lot.  I think the worst part is not seeing my 2 yr old granddaughter every day.  We did learn how to skype last night & that was fantastic. It's just so nice to have soft, warm boobs again.  haha

Wynne...I'm sorry I didn't get on here before your surgery.  I hope you are doing well.  I'm still here in San Antonio until the 3rd in the hotel room.  We managed to get a 2 bed 2 bath room that is rented by the week.  If you want a little bit of company from someone who just went thru it I would be more than happy to come see you.  The nurses & PCA's are all fantastic so listen to them.

Kat...I hope the wound healing is going better for you.

Zenful...Love your attitude!  Keep it going!

Sunone

k79 - so happy for you that your healing is going so well!

Wynne - hope your surgery went well today

TBerg

K-9..glad you are doing well....

About the mamos....my only family history of BC was my sister. No one else ever, and I have a big family. My sister died from breast cancer. However, she had disabilities her  whole life and was on a lot of different medicines, so I never felt like I really had a higher risk. Both  parents are alive and healthy in their 80's...but I found a lump in 08.  It was mamogrammed and ultrasounded for 5 years, anď I was repeatedly told it was a cyst and not to worry. By the time I was diagnosed, it was stage 3c, and my  lymph nodes were loaded with it. 

I  know the tests work for some ppeople, but they didn't  work fòr me, so I tell everyone to have any lumps and bumps biopsied...I could have caughht mine 5 years earlier!.....Not that I am resentfful or anything.......lol

brendarj

k79  You sound like your doing great. Thanks for the tip on the wedge. I`m trying to decide which would be the best way to go Wedge or rent a lift recliner for a month. Anybody opinions appreciated.

Wynne - hope you are doing well

nihahi

brendarj....There have been success/happy reports from wedge users, pillow people and recliner fans. I rented an electric recliner, and loved it. What I liked best about it, is that I could easily vary the amount of incline, independently, and as often as I needed. It also meant I wasn't trying to push, pull, move things with my arms, which was a big no-no in my PS's opinion. The other positive thing, is that once I didn't need it any more....it was picked up and taken away. We live in a condo, and I didn't want to collect things I would then have to find a "home" for or store, after I no longer needed them.

jmb5

k79, I didn't want to spend extra money so I used lots of pillows in bed and they worked really well for me. During the day I sat on the chaise lounge part of our sectional sofa with a pillow behind my back. 

Donna2012

k79 - I slept in my regular bed with a lot of extra pillows.  A few to raise my head, 1 under my knees, and 1 on each side - very comfy!  Getting out of bed for the first several days - I needed help.  My husband would put his arm in front of me and I would hold onto it with both hands, and he would pull me forward to sit up.  This worked fine for me.  If you had no one home to help, maybe a recliner is needed.  

aemcat313

Goldie, you asked about diagnosis - my bc was found with a routine mammogram. I was so surprised since we don't have any BC in my family and I was only 44 - BRCA negative though.

And like Wynne, I also felt a bit sad that my (also!) 5 nieces will now have this on their family history. 

Thinking of my nieces reminds of an incident over Christmas. We were all at my brothers house, and I decide to take a dip in the hot tub, so I had my bathing suit on. I crouched down to talk to my young niece (5 years old) who sat on my knee and looked down at my chest and asked, in that super sweet, innocent little girl voice - "Are those your big boobies, Aunt Rebecca?".  I had to grin and laugh, of course, it was so adorable, but had a wistful moment knowing that one of them was soon to go away and never be quite the same again. 

maggie85

Lemon - I am adopted, too!  What a challenge it has been ALL my life regarding my medical history.  

aemcat313

brendarj

I did get a rent a lift recliner and am really glad I did. If you do, I recommend the electric dual control - control feet and back separately. I had a nice little set up in the living room with my recliner, and 2 tables on either side on which to put everything I could need - food, drinks, remotes, tablet, small pillows for under my arms, phone, chapstick, paper, pen etc, etc. I found it so hard to move the first 2-3 weeks, and it was a relief to let the chair do some of the work for me. I slept in it quite well, and actually continued to use for a couple more weeks before I finally forced myself to sit on the couch and sleep in a bed (really didn't need to use it that long, but my little set up was like my woman-cave!). And my kitties (2) cats often joining me (my PS may not have approved of letting my cats knead and sleep on my stomach, ahem).

After I was able to remove around bit more, I devised a 'sort-of' side-sleeping  position - butt in one corner of the recliner, pillow under knees with knees leaning toward the opposite side's arm, with a small (airline) pillow between my knees and the arm, and another small airline pillow to sort of tuck my face into.  Probably not describing it well but worked for me.

Wondering if anyone else got the AxillaPilla - small heart shaped pillow filled with microbeads - from BFFL Co? My sister in law bought me a breast cancer "goodie" bag with various items for those facing breast cancer/surgery. Didn't use most of it, but loved these little pillows (came with 2), although they are kind of expensive - bought alone they are $20 each.  Super soft and cushy and squishy to put under your arm pits to keep your arms away from your torso - and I used them for other types of support too. FYI!

milkyway2

i had bilateral DIEP in nov .today my plastic surgeon saw a stiches on my tummy its veryy hard thing i dont know whos fault was that but it s very hard stuff need to b taken out again anaesthesia but local small cut n stiches any body face the  same  situation bcz it hard 4 me to bend for mop or i still wear elastic comfy pyjamas 

jmb5

We're leaving for Florida tomorrow. A week in the sun! I can hardly wait! I found a bathing suit that I think will work well... it is a Nike tankini, and the bottoms come up high enough to cover my scar, and the top has a band under the breasts that gives a little extra support. My PS told me to be sure to wear sunscreen on my abdominal scar, even if my bathing suit covers it. She said if it gets sun on it, the scar won't fade as well. Just an FYI for those of you who will be outside in a bathing suit this summer.

Teacher64

jmb5, enjoy Florida...sun, sand, seafood. I'm researching where we are going in June before stage 3. Have fun. Sunscreen and a pretty hat are essentials.

nihahi

jmb....your PS is 100% correct about the sunscreen - scar advice. Not sure why she singled out your tummy scar though, because it applies to ANY scar, so slap that sunscreen on your breasts too....often!!!! Have a wonderful vaca!!

milkyway....are you meaning you have a non-dissolving suture that is beneath the skin and causing problems? Something hard could be excess scar tissue, too....hope it gets sorted out for you soon, and things get on the right track for you.

maggie and lemon...both my kids are adopted. I totally agree with the struggle for medical "guidance". They both have had health and emotional struggles all their lives...it makes me very frustrated for them, that they have so little "knowledge" into their history, to help guide the way for them.

k79...you sound great!!!! rest....walk....rest.....drink.....rest....walk....repeat!

wynne....hope you're resting and being well cared for. Up in the chair today, girl.....you're on the way home!!!!

k79miller

Good morning!  Wynne I hope you are doing well.  I used pillows after my BMX that worked great but I have moved since then & unfortunately those pillows are stored & are at the very back of the unit so I can't even see them let alone get to them.  The pillows I had were really firm pillows.  I just decided to buy the wedge instead of extra pillows.  The wedge has worked great so far.  Right now the worst thing is sitting in this hotel room.  We try to get out for a  few hrs every afternoon but I have to be careful not to overdo.  It's a good thing I'm a college basketball fan because we have watched a bunch of it.  haha

maggie85

Nihahi - I'm sorry your kids have had an emotional aspect to deal with regarding adoption.  I've always known, so its never been a big deal to me.  My oldest brother is adopted, too, and he has also always known .... but, he is angry about it.  Or maybe I should say he is cold about it ... I told him I wouldn't mind finding my birth parents, just to see what they're like and get medical history, and he said "They didn't want me, so I don't care to ever find them".  He mostly doesn't want to talk about it.  I find that sad, really ... in my mind, I was chosen ... I wasn't "discarded".  That's how my parents always made me feel, anyway.  

Teacher64

Our son is adopted and has been the most significant blessing. He has had issues and we had no medical history because his birth mother was adopted, but at nearly 25 , he ends every conversation with, "I love you, Mom." It never fails to give me a glow.

lemon68

Maggie- I like you have always known, I also have a brother 15 months older from a different family. Neither of us have ever felt angry, just so lucky to have such wonderful parents. I did go though a time of wonder and after my dx it began again. In Ohio next March the records become unsealed. I will NOT be checking them and I hope she doesn't either. To think someone could show up and say "hi, I am your biological mom" freaks me out, I would never invade someones privacy. In 1968 things were different, I have my paperwork she was 17, unwed and although I don't know for sure I always imagined her parents made her do it. I don't care the reason I am just glad she did! I hope your brother will come to feel lucky one day. Now if my parents had been horrible I may have done some searching. She gave my parents the best gift anyone could ever give. Strangely enough when I was in my early 20s I would go to Psychics. Two different ones told me my mom was dead, I kept saying no she isn't I just talked to her,  but boy did it make me wonder, and still does.

Nihahi-I am sorry your kids have had trouble. I still think sometimes it is better to not know our histories, sometimes not so much. What are the laws like in Alaska? I was shocked to find out they are soon changing here. I so wish that were not.

Teacher and Nihahi- You are both wonderful for adopting and giving love to your children. Anyone can give birth or make a baby.. to be a mom or dad is something completely different. I am sure you both know that. I  pretty much forget I am adopted, to me they are my heart, blood and everything else.

etoile

anybody used the cream "pracasil plus" for scares after surgery? Wondering if I have to buy it or not. I'm schedule for my surgery April 1, but nurses are under negotiation and may go on strike. (Halifax, NS)😔 lets hope not....I'm ready for this surgery.

Zenful

Lemon,  it is good to hear how connected you are to you'd family. That speaks volumes about how wonderful your parents must be. I hope you don't harbor too much resentment against your birth mother. 1968 was a very different time.  Why, you could be my niece. My sister was pregnant in 1968 when she was 17, and I didn't even know it!  I would have been 11 or 12 at that time, and my parents told my brother and I that she had to stay with my dad for a while to care for our stepmother, who was in ill health. Back then, they hid it. She didn't go to school and she completed her studies by working from home. She then turned the baby girl over to the adoptive parents. I didn't learn of this until many years later. I always felt very sad for my sister, but she said it was the right thing to do, and the baby went to a wonderful, loving couple. 

lemon68

Zen, Wow, Its kind of what I always imagined would have happened back then. I hope your sister had some peace is having to give up her baby, I cant imagine a woman ever truly gets over it. In my eyes she was a caring loving woman giving such a gift. I don't have resentment towards her mostly its just wonder. If I had to tell her one thing it would be thank you.

You could be my aunt! I was born in December of 68.  I am also in Ohio like you... makes you wonder huh?

Zenful

Lemon, I recall hearing that the couple were college professors and loved music., which made my sister happy because she was a musician. Does that describe your parents?  Just checking.

Kat-ski

Today I saw new PS in GR.  It went well.  I have been running a low-grade fever and PS wasn't concerned.  Tomorrow is my other dad's memorial service.  I can't believe how fast time has gone.  His sister's family are flying in 11 a.m. Saturday and the leave at 9 p.m.  All in one day.  Wow to me that is rushing a bit but perhaps since sister's husband is a preacher, he had to return.

The PS fixed the drain stitch so the terrible sunburn feeling would go away.  It is acting better except it went from 13cc(morning) to 40 cc(evening).  Next morning like 90cc--what the ****?  So, I guess I will have it for another two weeks.  As long as it doesn't pain me lol!

Hubby is on his way for pizza which I have not had in three months!!  All of the house issues are slowly being resolved.  I hope all is well with all of you.  Kat (I am wondering about Kim and Wynne and how their recovery is coming.)

lemon68

Zen- mom was a stay at home mom, dad was an architect/engineer. I guess we didn't make a match! Fun, to wonder what a small small world it really is! My adoption was in Cleveland, just in case!

Zenful

Lemon, yes, what fun!  I'm going to think of you as my pseudo niece anyway. Haha. 

lemon68

I like that idea Zen, made me smile.

goldie4040

Interesting topic about adoption.  One of my best friends was adopted, and recently met her birth mom and dad in her late 40's.  Her adoptive parents have both passed, and she was open to meeting her  biological parents. Sadly, after she read the history of why she was given up, and the fact that her bio parents are married till this day, has made her kind of bitter over the whole thing. It was tough to watch her go through.  Lots of emotions, and unknowns.  But, she does know her health background now. She was blessed to have such wonderful adoptive parents.