DIEP 2011

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  • mamaoftwo
    mamaoftwo Member Posts: 267
    edited January 2011

    Ray -

    Glad to hear your cold is gone.   Are you going forward on Jan 5th?  My thoughts are with you and keep us posted on how you do.

    Laura 

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  • scubacat
    scubacat Member Posts: 113
    edited January 2011

    Happy and Healthy 2011 to everyone. It's a new year with new challenges.

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  • happy2bhere
    happy2bhere Member Posts: 4
    edited January 2011

    Scubacat, so glad to hear from you and know there is someone else going through this at the same time. I would love to share notes as we go through this. As the date gets closer it is hard to focus on anything else really. I plan to work up to the day prior which will help keep me busy until then. I put in for my leave from work today and hope I will be able to go back to work at least part - time 3-4 weeks post surgery. Luckily I have a desk job.

    Yes it has been a long journey, however, I been very fortunate in that I did not require any chemo either time. Knowing this surgery was possible has kept me going over the last year. Yes staying healthy and fit is the key. I am a firm believer in that a strong immune system fights the disease and aids in a speedier recovery.

    My pre-op visit is this Friday, 1/7. I am scheduled for a CT scan to map the blood vessels, a physical, a visit to the anesthesia clinic and my last visit with my PS before surgery. Wow it's is really here!! 

    Where will you be having your surgery? I too wish you all the best in the weeks to come and to anyone else who may be needing a hug and some moral support at this time....

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  • scubacat
    scubacat Member Posts: 113
    edited January 2011

    happy2bhere, I dont think I want to watch the video link you posted! I will work until 14th Jan and then taking a weeks vacation and then go into Presby Dallas, TX (Dr Gregg Anigian) on Monday 24th Jan. I too am hoping that 5 weeks max will see me through as I work from home, so as long as I can sit at my desk with the laptop I should be able to go back. For BMX I had 5 weeks off, I hope this wont be longer. All my pre-op stuff is next week, with appointments virtually every day. My own Dr has to sign me off fit for this surgery. I am not booked for any scans, just blood work, chest xray, ecg etc. My next PS visit will be lengthy as they explain everything. I am most worried about the nausea. At BMX in Sept I had dreadful sickness for 24hrs after, and I cannot bear to think of throwing up with this surgery, so I want them to do everything they can to prevent that. Last time I took Emend, but it did not help. Today I did a little shopping for some support wear for after. I am now concentrating on eating well and avoiding all the stuff that thins the blood.

    Positive attitude, positive vibes and strength to you to see this through. Keep in touch.

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  • Iamstronger
    Iamstronger Member Posts: 378
    edited January 2011

    Anyone else think that we should move this thread to the reconstruction board?

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  • CalamityJane
    CalamityJane Member Posts: 26
    edited January 2011

    Signing up here for the Jan 2011 DIEP list.

     I have a potential date of January 20th, and hopefully I will know today whether or not it is a go, or whether I'll be bumped to the Feb list :)

    I watched youtube videos of the procedure last night, normally I'm quite squeamish about operations but there was a part of me that was quite fascinated and able to watch - I am so thankful that we have this option.

    I lie in bed at night though, feeling my stomach fat dissolving: I spend the last 15 years trying to lose weight, and then just when it is going to be useful, it starts falling away. I am forcing myself to eat [got up at 10pm last night and made macaroni and cheese], has anyone else had this experience? I am afraid that if I have to wait too long there might not be enough fat left...

     CJ 

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  • snowflower
    snowflower Member Posts: 68
    edited January 2011

    I did'nt think I would have enough stomach fat but my Dr. reassured me he can always find some.I did eat some extra food the few weeks before just in case. I had a unilateral mx with immediate diep flap 3 weeks ago. I'm not supposed to carry more than 5 lbs. so I've been careful except today I walked to the grocery store to buy 1 or 2 things. When I left I think I was carrying more than 5 lbs. but I walked for 25 mins. home (sitting down to rest often) and I feel alright.I'm also wearing a thing around my stomach with velcro for support and it helps.It's been a strange 3 weeks, starting with the loss of my beloved cat (10 years) who had to be euthanized 2 days before surgery. I think the grief over losing Archie has been worse than the pain from the surgery. I'm still taking some pain med. in the evening as my breast is really sensitive. God bless!

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  • nora_az
    nora_az Member Posts: 720
    edited January 2011

    Hi there DIEP sisters!

    I had mine on Oct 13, 2010 and absolutely THRILLED with the results. For me the immediate reconstruction meant never having to see myself without breasts. I am very happy with the nipple sparing mastectomy as well.

    Good luck to all of you!!

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  • CalamityJane
    CalamityJane Member Posts: 26
    edited January 2011

    Hi Snowflower - That is a relief about the stomach fat, it is funny how you can fixate on crazy things during this process. I am sooo sorry to hear about your cat, when my fellow died it took me a good 6 weeks not to get teary eyed. Being able to go to the store 3 weeks out is a relief to hear as well.

    Hi Nora_az - It is so great to hear from people who've recently had it done and are so happy with it.

    CJ 

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  • snowflower
    snowflower Member Posts: 68
    edited January 2011

    Hi Calamityjane,

    Thanks for your condolences, I know I'll be crying for some time to come. After two weeks at home I started taking little walks around the neigborhood. I'm going to do a small load of laundry tomorrow. My nice neighbor and some friends have helped with groceries, vacuuming, laundry, picking up my pain med., dr's. appt. etc. I've never been in such a "needy" position for this long so I've gotten tons of practice asking people for help. People are usually glad to help. I started some arm exercises this week, just crawling my fingers up the wall for a stretch 10 times twice a day. I'm finding it's not the incision on my stomach that hurts, but my breast is so sensitive and painful. I want to know how long it takes for that pain to go away. I'm sure each case is different but is there a general time frame? 

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  • scubacat
    scubacat Member Posts: 113
    edited January 2011

    Regarding moving this thread to reconstruction... I searched and searched through recon thread before I found the DIEP 2010 thread, but there is so much else there it was difficult to find the information on diep. The info I wanted I found at this thread so I was happy with that, plus its specific for those waiting and needing info for this or providing info having just gone through it. Just my humble opinion.

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  • scubacat
    scubacat Member Posts: 113
    edited January 2011

    does anyone know if rayofsun had the diep as scheduled jan 5th, yesterday? I doubt she will see this if she did, but just to let her know we're all thinking about her and wishing her well.

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  • SAMayoFL
    SAMayoFL Member Posts: 958
    edited January 2011

    Well ladies, I hope to join you in 2011!!  It is all that is keeping me going through my last 11 weeks of chemo and I still have radiation to go.  Please keep posting so I know how you all do through the surgery!

    Susan

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  • mamaoftwo
    mamaoftwo Member Posts: 267
    edited January 2011

    Calamity Jane- same issue here with me. I'm not large-framed.  Your PS will let you know if you have enough fat and tissue for the DIEP.  I believe it's not just the fat, but the tissue also that gets relocated, and the abdominal tissue is not going to just melt away.  I am not a doctor so my information is only anecdotal.  You might want to ask your PS about fat grafting for the second "revision" surgery to enhance breast size. 

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  • kelben
    kelben Member Posts: 269
    edited January 2011
    I'm going for consult with PS next month, so hoping to join you here later on in the year.   I have lots of tummy for them to use        Kiss
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  • Alaina
    Alaina Member Posts: 461
    edited January 2011

    Ray and I share the same plastic surgeon.  I had my DIEP in August 2010 and had a follow-up with Dr. Chang this morning.

    I went over to the hospital-side and visited with Ray today.  She looks GREAT and came through everything just fine!  She is experiencing the normal pain/discomforts that come with this surgery.

    Hopefully they will let her come home tomorrow.

    Alaina

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  • rayofsun
    rayofsun Member Posts: 204
    edited January 2011

    sure vmarie if yiu know how to move it go for it.

    ray

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  • rayofsun
    rayofsun Member Posts: 204
    edited January 2011

    well I had the diep done on weds jan 5th as planned. My cold symptoms went away but i was still quezy from the side effects from the doxycycline i was on. My surgery was later than planned but i dealt with it as it all seemed so surreal. Was supposed to start at 11 am and I think it started 145 pm. First i had my ovaries and tube removed. My gyn said they are now removing tubes with the ovaries be they have still seen ovarian cancer in the tubes when ovaries removed. The DIEP took 8 hrs, they were able to use my old c section incision and extend it. Friday morning I was still pretty week but as they took me off of iv pain medicine and put me on oral and removed my other connections i was able to get up and ambulate easier. The foley came out friday am, followed by the doppler, then the leg mobility wraps and then the iv. Friday I was wondering how I would be able to come home saturday but I was so ready saturday am. My appetite still is not great but I am doing plenty of bland and fluidy foods.  I took a shower this am and feel good. I brought both facial wipes and body wipes to the hospital and they def helped.I still have the pain pump in my belly. I would say my belly is the most tender at this point. I think having had the bilateral mastectomy first I was better prepared for this and what to expect.

    I will keep everyone posted.

    ray

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  • scubacat
    scubacat Member Posts: 113
    edited January 2011

    rayofsun, congrats on being over this hurdle and back at home, best wishes for a speedy recovery and return to normal. Your post is helpful and I too did bmx before so am somewhat prepared for a long surgery. How are you managing at home and are you OK in/out of bed etc? We have just got our spare room ready, plenty of pillows, raised toilet seat, shower stool etc. Anything else I will need urgently.  I'm going to stock up with soups and crackers! For me this is just the diep surgery and nothing more, so I'm hoping for a few weeks off work then back to normal. Keep us posted.

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  • nowords
    nowords Member Posts: 423
    edited January 2011

    Can you go up and down stairs when you are at home after the surgery? What is the deal with the raised toilet seat? I will have the surgery in New Orleans area in May...so probably flying back to MN at day 8 or 10...how do you feel then? Any extra lymphedema issues encountered by those who flew to have surgery? I will have a unilateral DIEP almost 2 years after mastectomy chemo and about 18 months from radiation.

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  • mamaoftwo
    mamaoftwo Member Posts: 267
    edited January 2011

    Ray,

    Thanks so much for the update.  It's nice to know you're doing well, and also very informative for those of us who will be behind you with this surgery.

    I'm up this Wednesday Jan 12th for a BMX plus DIEP, plus SNB and hopefully they won't need to remove too many nodes.  I know it's coming up but I feel eerily calm after spending three weeks of anxiety, waiting for the date.  Today was the last date at work for a month leave of absence and I feel so relieved that this will be over with soon and the cancer out of me I hope. I imagine the pain will be similar to a C-section, although with the added chest pain too.  

    Please keep us posted on how your recovery goes.

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  • Iamstronger
    Iamstronger Member Posts: 378
    edited January 2011

    Congrats Ray of Sun.  Wow, you tackled this big one.  How exciting!!!  I know that I am only  7 weeks away from mine, so I will be following you!  Hope that you heal quick and have no issues!  Relax!!!

    PS-i have no idea of how to move this.

    V

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  • rayofsun
    rayofsun Member Posts: 204
    edited January 2011

    My incisionslook really good. I finally got a close look at them. I find I am more comfortable in our padded glider or the bed. I used a bed wedge, pillows under my arms and them rotate a boppy pillow under my bottom or knees. I showered sunday for the first time and it felt god. I had been using a raised toilet seat but got riid of that. I just did not feel comfrotable on that. Monday my biggest issue was gas that just would not seem to pass. I have been on colace, tried raisins and cherrios earlier in the day, then fruit cocktail, followed by 3 prunes later and it seemed to passed. I wanted the gas to pass but did not want it to pass too fast if you get my drift.

    I have been using safety pins for the drains to help position them better. I also use a lanyard around my neck to help when I change clothes, shower etc. I have basically been living in fleece drawstring pants and snapped flannel shirts with the camisole underneath. When I had the c  sections my belly felt looser and needed support, not so now. When I go to see the PS next week I will find out when I start wearing the binder. I tried to use only tylrnol during the day yesterday but my body said no way.It is surreal to me that a week has almost passed since my surgery.

    Ray

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  • dee7493
    dee7493 Member Posts: 155
    edited January 2011

    RayofSun So glad you seem to be doing well and thank you so much for sharing details

    Mamaoftwo - every good wish to you for your surgergy tommorow.

    As for me...the next few months just trying to keep healthly walking & excercise most every day 

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  • scubacat
    scubacat Member Posts: 113
    edited January 2011

    mamaof2, tomorrow (12th) is your big day. Many, many good wishes to you and a speedy recovery.

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  • rayofsun
    rayofsun Member Posts: 204
    edited January 2011

    mamaoftwo, good luck tommorrow and wishing you a smooth recovery. I cant believe I am a week out.

    ray

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  • kelben
    kelben Member Posts: 269
    edited January 2011

    thinking of you mamaoftwo...hugs gently

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  • momtomygirls
    momtomygirls Member Posts: 119
    edited January 2011

    Yesterday I saw my PS and I am scheduled for my DIEP June 20th.  I'm excited and scared.  I know it's a big surgery with a long recovery but I'm so looking forward to getting rid of my TE and moving forward with  my life!

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  • kelben
    kelben Member Posts: 269
    edited January 2011

    yea mom... you must feel good that you finally can see a light at the end of the tunnel.

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  • mscal02
    mscal02 Member Posts: 522
    edited January 2011

    Hi All

    I am new to this board ,but did post the other day. I am interested in having the DIEP done. I am 58 and live in Memphis,TN. There is only 1 doctor here that does this procedure and I have a consult with him on the 25th. I don't think he has enough experience in this but I will find out. Can anyone tell me the process with insurance if I wanted to go to NOLA and have it done?

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