DIEP 2011

XRay, thanks for answering all of my questions.  I feel like I am obsessing about every little detail right now!  I hope your recovery continues to go well and you feel better and stronger every single day!

Susan

Hi Susan, I am mostly homebound except for Dr.'s appointments although on the weekend I went to StarBucks and Chapters with a friend.  I could get out more except the ab binder is noticeable even under my jeans and I'm also self-conscious of how the left flap is so much larger than the right flap (triple-layer bandages as the packed wounds leak).  Had I not had these other issues, I would be fine and would have easily been on the go a lot sooner because I haven't had pain issues.  When I first got home on day 13, I was still pretty wiped because of the what I went through but really believe had I not had those problems I would have been perfectly fine.  Although I don't lift or carry anything, I do try to putter around the house and do what I can because I just can't sit all the time.  I am hoping to get permission to discard the binder this week and get out and walk more now that the snow has finally melted and the sun is starting to shine.  I love walking and can't wait!  I have a treadmill but PS said NO until after 6 weeks (which is tomorrow, I see him Wednesday so will ask).  I so badly want things to heal as they are minor irritants now that the infection is clearing up.  But, alas, it will take a few months, I'm told.  Ugh...this has been difficult, but I'm sure there are lessons in the process.  I am still hopeful that in the end it will all work together for good in every way.   

x-ray girl, I had a stitch like that too and also didn't know what to do with it!  It fell off after about 4 weeks on it's own...

It was my first day back to work today (after 6 weeks) and I worked a full day (desk job).  I've been working from home a bit, but I think I could have gone back at 4 weeks or so, particularly part-time.  I would not have wanted to go back to work after 2 weeks because of drains and driving, but that was just me... 

Good luck upcoming DIEPers, I hope you will be very happy with your results!

Re: taking time off from work... To the ladies who plan on going back to work after just a few weeks (or are already doing so), may I ask what is your career? Reason I ask is when I sent my FMLA form to the PS office so the Clinical Nurse can fill out the "Physician's Statement", she emailed me to ask how much time I would like off. I may have up to 14 weeks off (took 2 in Dec for a BSO, so I really have 16 weeks, but minus the "2"). I'm not sure how much time I should take. I do not work at a desk and rarely sit during an eight-hour shift (except for a 20 min break in the a.m. and a half-hour lunch break). I also have to wear 16lbs of lead on occasion, push cumbersome (and heavy at times) equipment, and lift and move patients. There is no "light duty" in my line of work. I'm thinking perhaps 8 to 10 weeks under the circumstances that I mentioned. I have been a fast healer in the past (was told to take a month off after the BSO but went back to work after 2 1/2 weeks with minor lifting restrictions), but after this upcoming PMX and DIEP(S), maybe I won't feel as spry as I usually do ???

@xray-girl How many weeks do you plan on being out of work for? And are you a staff Tech. like me or did you specialize into a different modality? 

TY

~L

XRay, your situation is completely different than mine.  I work at a desk job for an attorney.  I hope you are able to take off plenty of time before returning to your job!!  When is your surgery again?  I swear I need a timeline to print!

Susan

I am 1yr 8 months post a double MX with an immediate DIEP that turned into a Free Tram on the table.  My stomach is still uncomfortable. I am numb in one area, but I can live with that. I wake up feeling like I have a 2lb bowling ball inside, and by the end of the day it's a 10lb ball!  What's weird is that there is no noticable difference to the exterior of my stomach, my clothes fit the same as they did in the morning, and I don't look swollen.  It's all on the inside. I have spoken to many Docs and nurses about this and they all look at me like I am nuts, and have no explanation.  I have done a lot of research and have found zero on this subject.  In contrast, I have no problems with my Foobs, they look great and I have full sensation. Can anyone help? Is there anyone with a similar story?

Hi Ladies,

I had my BMX and reconstruction (TUG) on the 5th of April and as I was in surgery and recovery for 22 hours (hematoma complication) I'm Day 8 post-op.  I came home on Day 6.  I'm posting on this thread because there are so few TUG's here and this type of reconstruction uses perforator vessels which are transferred to the chest in a similar way to the DIEP.  My donor site was between my thighs.  I find this thread so useful post-op.

I have a question about breast pain and what is normal.  I haven't had a lot of pain since surgery and have only needed over-the-counter pain meds but today my breast is pulsating intermittently with pain.  Is that normal?  Perhaps is the feeling coming back and that's why the pain? 

Any advice is appreciated.  If it keeps up I'll call the breast care nurse but I'd like to hear what you all have experienced with pain and what is normal or what may have surprised you post-op.

lifelover ~ I know how you feel because I'm 6 weeks out and still worry about the flap failing!!! 

I didn't have the pulsating pain, but I do have a ton of tenderness in the area where the blood vessels were reconnected.  But then again, the spot on my hand where I had an IV for 3 days is till bruised and tender too, and all they did there was stick a needle in it!  So I figure if they cut it straight off and reconnected new vessels it makes sense that it still hurts and am thinking of the FULL recovery in terms of months and months, although I feel very good now.  

But I'd say don't hesitate to call the surgeon's office if you are ever unsure!  I'm sure they would want you to if you are concerned.  

XRAYestinMA ~ Re: work, I'm off til after stage 2.  Have you asked your PS about it?  If it were me, I'd play it safe and take at least 8 wks off - esp. if you do portables, etc.  I work p.t. in a clinic but don't take too may x-rays, though I'm on my feet a lot and dealing with patients all day long.  I personally could go back sooner, but my kids are home during the summer and I figured a little extra time would be good.  Is there any chance you could leave it somewhat open, in regard to your return to work date?   Are they at all flexible?

X-mas ~ hoping my stitch falls out like yours did.  thnx

lifelover  ~ from inner thighs?  Nice!  I wish I could have done tummy and thighs together!  I haven't had breast pain so I can't comment.  My only breast issues have been range of motion related.

treesprite ~ thanks for the link.  I ate pineapple for the extra bromelaine yesterday :-)

IowaSue~ from the sounds of it, you'll do great!  Just be sure to pace yourself so that your body has a chance to properly heal.

liz~ hope you can get some answers or hear back from someone who's experienced the same thing.

Happy healing ladies!   ~ Daiva 

@xray-girl . Yes, I am assigned to portables as well as special procedures in fluoro and OR. Management is pretty flexible and there is quite an extensive per-diem staff. Short-term disability will pay me for 11 weeks a year, then long-term would kick in if needed. I plan on NOT needed that. Anyhow, my children are home for the summer also...DD12 travels to Florida for 7 weeks, but DS10 will be home and in need of entertainment and supervision - we have a pool and driveway with hockey net and b-ball hoop, so most of his friends prefer to come here when they get together.  If I am home for a good part of the summer, he will not have to go over to my IL's much, if at all. I'm thinking 10 to 11 weeks will be sufficient. As far as stage 2 goes, and revisions, I was told it is done in an outpatient setting - no overnight stay (yea). I have a week off in November already scheduled, so I'll probably wait until then to have a stage 2 if possible.

~L

@SAMayoFL Susan,I know EXACTLY what you mean. My DH works in a business where he doesn't have an alotted amount of sick and/or personal days, any disability insurance, or retirement plan. He has a business of his own also, with just him as his "employee", so no extra benefits with that. His boss is cool and tells him he can take off as many days as he needs when I have my surgery, but no work = no pay for him either. I'll be sending him to work after my surgery and be fine until he gets home. I am able to purchase these policies thru my employer, "earn time" for vacations and sick days, and save for retirement. Thank heavens one of us can.

~L

IowaSue44: My PS cleared me for driving after only two weeks as long as I don't over extend my DIEP side (uni-lateral DIEP/delayed recon). I started driving after three weeks, so two days ago and I'm sore! I feel uncomfortable driving and I'm very cautious; I don't like how unpredictable it is (I also had a nasty accident 1 1/2 year ago . . . still getting treatment for neck sprain/strain). I remember feeling this way after my uni-mx. It also sounds like different PS's have different guidelines.

Marxi: Any chance of financial assistance from the breast cancer organizations? My clinic told me to talk to their social worker if finances were an issue and she would direct me to resources. Seems like with all the fund raising for BC there should be funds available to have the kind of reconstruction that you want.

Fresh pineapple is the best . . . I rub fresh pineapple on scars and it seems like it works but no 'control' scar to compare to. I keep some of the rinds in the fridge and rub the cut side on the scar and let the juice dry. I am also using probiotics and yogurt to restore the good bacteria in my gut after all the antibiotics.

I have little shock like pains off and on but my PS told me to expect those. I am sore under my arm, I'm pretty sure from using that arm more. I would call my PS and ask about pulsing . . . probably normal, but why worry?

I did a stupid thing yesterday; decided to use a heated wheat bag (the kind you microwave) for the soreness and forgot that I have no sensation in places, so I didn't realize how hot the bag was; my skin was pretty red when I went to bed so of course then I worried that I had burned my skin. I am going to be so happy when I stop obsessing over my flap! Some of my hard areas seem to be loosening up, so I hope they are hematomas that are being reabsorbed (my PS said that was a possibility). I bruised very badly after my MX and pretty bruised after DIEP.

Whatever happens, I'll have plenty of flap to work with in stage 2. I've always been a DD and my PS matched my DIEP side to the other side; I want to go down to at least a D, maybe a C for stage 2; I'm pretty darn droopy, so I'm looking forward to being rejuvenated in stage 2. Any advice on how to decide what size you want to end up?  I'm also really looking forward to taking my boobs for granted again as just another part of my body . . .sheesh!

No Driving for 6 weeks for me.  My PS said he didn't want me driving in case I had to slam on brakes and possibly doing something to my stitches inside.  Just finished my first day back to work part time it wasn't too bad.  I worked 2 1/2 hours. 

SAMayoFL:  I know what you mean about no work = no pay.  I used all my time last year with chemo & radiation, so I only had 2 weeks time built up.  That's why I was glad to be going back at least on a part time basis.  Fortunately, I had a hospitalization & cancer insurance policy which has help compensate for the time I have missed.

here is what I understand: the flap is the section of fat and blood supply removed and 'installed' to replace the missing breast tissue; called a free flap because it is totally disconnected and then reconnected. I had plenty of abdominal fat to work with and only one side, so my PS was able to transplant a large section. In stage 2, they will reopen my incisions and shape, trim, tuck etc, the tissue as needed to create the desired size & shape of breast and then do the same with my other breast to get a matched (as close as possible) set. My DIEP side is more football shape and my understanding is that after stage 2, it will be more cantaloupe shaped. Liposuction and fat augmentation come into play for contouring as needed. Everyone at the hospital used the term flap . . as in "now that is a happy flap!" Women who have been through stage 2 can probably give more accurate information.

I'm not sure about financial assistance re:  BC organizations.  I'm fine financially so that's not an issue for me.

I saw my PS today and also mentioned I am having some shooting pains around the large cavity and he said this is normal as the nerves fire up.  I'm surprised at the changes over the past few days with more sensation in the flaps and ab. 

And, good news!  No more binder for me...it feels great.  More of the swelling has gone down, too, thank goodness, although it will be a couple of months before the flap wounds are healed.  Things are looking up.