DIEP Post-surgicall care??

fotogirl

Hey y'all! I have been lurking on the boards since my diagnosis in August 2012, but have never posted. I am having bi-lateral DIEP flap reconstruction on Monday 9/8 with Dr. Scott Hollenbeck at Duke University (if anyone has had him, let me know!). I had bmx with TE placement in 12/2012, and exchange surgery 5/2013. I have had a host of issues with upper body functionality and pain, and that's why I am having this surgery. My original surgeon said I wasn't a candidate--which was total BS according to my new guy.

Anyway, my pressing question at the moment is what kind of help do I really need after I get home? I am divorced, my teenage boys are away at school and my ex and I share 50/50 custody of our 11yo daughter. I have plenty of family but not many friends, and everyone works and is busy with their own lives. Do I need someone here all the time the first few days or can I get by with regular check-ins? Should I hire a nurse or caregiver for a few days?

Any other advice regarding this issue would be most welcome. I went through the other 2 surgeries mostly alone and that could be partly why I developed some of my problems because I was not able to rest much with 3 kids and 3 dogs at home back then.

Thank you guys so much!

E

I don't know how to do the little signature thing at the bottom, so:

I was diagnosed 8/2012with Stage 1, Grade IDC, SNB was negative. My cancer was 100% ER+ and PR+, Her2-.

I have had a lumpectomy, bmx w/TEs and then implants. I'm having DIEP to relieve pain and functional problems, and to get rid of my first PS's mistakes.

slv58

Foot girl, try reading a few pages from Diep 2015-  everyone is different on how they react to surgery but I found I was quite capable of being by myself during the day. The one thing I wish I had was one of those long handled grabbers because if I dropped something it stayed there until someone could pick it up for me! I also got an inexpensive shower seat which really helped for a couple weeks. Your not allowed to raise your arm higher than shoulder height so washing my hair sitting down was much easier. There is lots of good info on the Diep 2014 thread as well. Good luck and positive wishes for easy surgery and quick healing!

Morwenna

I just answered this question on the DIEP 2015 thread too

fotogirl

Thank you guys so much for responding! I wasn't sure where to put this, so since I have surgery in a week, I figured I'd hedge my bets. I have read a LOT of the DIEP threads which have been very helpful. I just found that most people had husbands and/or were lucky enough to have other family members come and stay with them overnight for several nights. My further posts will be on DIEP 2015...

Cceandme

Dr Hollenbeck is doing my free tram flap on September 16th. My BF works at Duke Regional and has asked other drs about Dr Hollenbeck and he has only heard really good things about him.

Good luck with your surgery. when is it scheduled for? Do you live in Durham? I live about 30mins north of Durham in Granville County.

fotogirl

Hey Ccandme! I ended up with Dr. Hollenbeck at the recommendation of a friend who just went through treatment and surgery this year. She was not a candidate for DIEP, but her reconstruction with n/s sparing vmx with implants and fat grafting is fantastic. She is in medical sales and knew lots of people at our area hospitals and put a lot of effort into picking just the right person. I have been very impressed not only with Duke, Dr. Hollenbeck and his staff from patient stand point, but I am very impressed with his wide-ranging expertise and education.

I am scheduled for Tuesday 9/8! I can't believe it is so soon!! I live in Greensboro about an hour away. Is this your first reconstruction?

Cceandme

this is actually my third attempt at reconstruction. First we tried implants (thats what I currently have for non cancerous breast) but where I had radiation too much damage was done.

Next we tried Lattismus flap with tissue expander placement, but after surgery I got a staff infection so they took out my tissue expander 2 weeks ago.

Hopefully we are more succesful with the free tram flap. third times a charm right?

Good luck with your surgery. I wlll be thinking of you. please keep us updated to how you are doing. Hugs

debiann

Prepare your house in advance. Put everything within reach, both bending and stretching will be difficult. My first time home alone I got thirsty. The juice was in a large container on the bottom shelf of the fridge, the glasses were in a cabinet and I could reach neither. I felt so helpless. Luckily dh wasn't gone long.

Having help your first day or two is good if possible, someone to wait on you, bring you food & drinks and help you get out of bed, but if you have to do it alone you probably could if you prepared meals in advance and had everything you need within reach, including meds(with caps that are easy to get off), gauze pads, a bottle to drain your tubes into. Lots of pillows help with getting comfortable. It is hard in the beginning, you are very tired and weak.

Have someone there when you shower, just incase. I liked having a shower chair. 

While you might be up to taking care of yourself, taking care of others is another story. I truly relied in my husband to take care of the dogs. I would not have been able to let them out or feed them plus ours are big and I worried they would jump on me. We kept them in the garage the first two weeks. It was at least a week till I was able to even attempt cooking something simple. Is your daughter able to help with cooking and household chores?

I finished chemo just a few weeks before surgery, so I'm sure that added to my fatigue.  

Good luck to you.

Cceandme

Hope your surgery went well Tuesday sending well wishes to you. hugs!!!

39andhip

fotogirl - I also had DIEP recon on 9/8. I hope you are doing well!

Ccandme - yikes! So sorry about all the failed reconstructions! I really hope the third time is the charm for you! When are you going to try the TRAM flap?

Cceandme

@39andhip Just got home from the hospital yesterday. My surgery was Wednesday. So far so good

Nimbus2016

I live in North Carolina near Cary. I have had silicone implants for 13 years post BRCA. I had an injury and now have lots of pain in my breast area neck and back...I think the submuscle implants are preventing healing and my left breast continues to burn.

I am considering DIEP at Duke with Hollenbeck or NOLA (Breast Center in New Orleans). I would love input from women with completed DIEP type surgeries from Hollenbeck. I have had lots of input about NOLA but would love any input for Hollenbeck at Duke.

Thanks to anyone with information or tips where I can gain info.

Moderators

Dear Nimbus2016, Welcome to the community. We notice that this is an older thread that has not been active recently. We suggest that you start a new topic to get more attention for your questions. The Mods