surgery in 5 days for DCIS

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Giselle4
Giselle4 Member Posts: 23
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
surgery in 5 days for DCIS
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  • Giselle4
    Giselle4 Member Posts: 23
    edited December 2009

    I am new to this wonderful support group, I was DX back in October with DCIS in the right breast cribriform type with necrosis grade 1 to 2. After many appointments and second opinions I am having a right mx with immediate DIEP. If any of you have any advice or info they can offer in regards to this surgery I would appreciate it. I would like to know what happens before, after and when you go home. They told me I will be in the hospital for a least 5 to 7 days.  Its been only two months since I was DX and I feel like I have been walking this journey for much longer than that. At times I feel like I am on a roller coaster that I can not get off. What also hurts is I know that I will never have my "normal" back again. 

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  • neversurrender
    neversurrender Member Posts: 508
    edited December 2009

    Hi Giselle4,

    Sorry to have to welcome you to our group. 

    I am having my bmx with diep recon Jan 25, so I can't comment on the 'after' for you.  I would suggest before hand to go shopping and get everything you may need and have your home ready for your return from the hospital.  You will find a list that some of the ladies put together of recommended items to have on hand, I think it is under the surgery thread. 

    Unforunately, we will never return to our 'normal'.  It is up to us to make our new normal and make it better then before :) 

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  • lizcola
    lizcola Member Posts: 12
    edited December 2009

    Hi Giselle4,

    There are a lot of great tips in other sections of the board for reconstruction, but I'll add just a couple of my own:

    - When they say it takes six weeks to recover, it really takes six weeks.  I'd bounced back from other surgeries quickly, so it was difficult to accept that I wasn't again ahead of the curve. As long as you don't expect heroics, you won't be disappointed.  This is a great time of year to hunker down with some movies and let the outside world wait a while.

    - Your surgeon may not allow you to wear a bra afterward, and this could make going out difficult depending on how you're built.  My remaining breast is large, so having one saggy and one high & tight prevented me from taking short trips to the store, long walks, etc., until I was allowed to wear a bra at week 4.  An extra pouffy, big down vest took care of it for the most part.

    - Get ready to watch a lot of tv.  Reading didn't work at all for me for a long time.  I had to be careful with what I watched, because it hurt to laugh, any violence made me sick, and anything with death or dead spouses was way too emotional (Sleepless in Seattle, etc.).  I was basically left with talk shows and home improvement. 

    - Insist on a month's worth of sleeping pills.  It's more comfortable to be slightly propped up which can make sleeping difficult.

     I could go on and on.  Please feel free to PM me :)

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  • jane1254
    jane1254 Member Posts: 62
    edited December 2009

    Giselled4

    I had a Rt. Mast. 12/7.  I realized today that by not setting my goals too high or in this case too soon, I have been very satisfied.  I had immediate recon, but with TE.  I stayed in the hospital 2 nights.  I was weak when I got home, but with support of my family, it was manageable.  I needed very little pain medication, none after I left the hospital.  Sleeping was much better in a sitting position.  I used a foam wedge in my bed and still propped with pillows even under my knees. I was able to wash and or bath carefully.  My Husband helped me wash my hair in the sink.  I was able to get my hair cut and colored about 12 days later. I had a doctors appointment 2 days after discharge, I did not drive, but made it there without much fuss. I have enjoyed the holiday season.  The new me is starting to feel somewhat "normal".

    I hope this helps.

    Jane 

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