DIEP in London, ON

Options
2

Comments

  • mks16
    mks16 Member Posts: 415
    edited March 2011

    Ahh Marxi, I've made a fat donation comment myself in the past. I hope my friend was able to forgive me, I do remember that she would just smile and move on whenever I blurted out something as insensitive...

    I wonder about many wrong things I've said or done while she was going through her own personal hell, but she is now here for me and supporting me along the way, so she must've forgiven me :)

    I'll be thinking of you today... wishing you best of luck and speedy recovery!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chalex
    chalex Member Posts: 131
    edited March 2011

    Hi Marxi

    I know you had your surgery yesterday. I hope you are doing well and can you let us know how you are feeling when you get a minute and feel like poating. I saw your post about people commenting about giving you some of their fat for the DIEP. I agree it's not very sensitive and I usually just glaze over those comments when I hear them too. Take care and thinking of you.

    Sharon789- I just got an appointment in the mail to see Dr Evans on April 6. When do you see him? I would love to hear your thoughts on him and the surgery choices.

    Chalex

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sharon789
    Sharon789 Member Posts: 56
    edited March 2011

    Hi Marxi,

    I hope you are feeling ok.  I know it takes time but it will get easier. Keep us updated when you feel up to it.

    Chalex: I see him on Mar 25.  I'll let you know how it goes.

    Sharon

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chalex
    chalex Member Posts: 131
    edited March 2011

    Thanks Sharon, I look forward to hearing about your appointment.

    Marxi, Big Hugs to you. I hope you are doing OK.

    Take care,

    Chalex 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marxi
    marxi Member Posts: 183
    edited March 2011

    Home from hospital today.  First surgery was March 1, second surgery was March 3.  Left flap almost dead despite vast amounts of medications and the second intervention.  7 days of leech therapy (leeches placed on  the flap to draw out the blood) saved the flap.  12 blood transfusions.  Very difficult.  My medical team is phenomenal.  I would not do it again had I known it would be this complex and exhausting.  Having said that, I am grateful that the worst is over and moving on from here.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sharon789
    Sharon789 Member Posts: 56
    edited March 2011

    Hey Marxi,

    Welcome home.  My gosh that must have been such an ordeal.  The worst must be over.  You need to get rest and heal. Hopefully, in a few months the memory of this bad part will fade.

    I'm sending you good healing vibes!

    Sharon

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marxi
    marxi Member Posts: 183
    edited March 2011

    thanks, sharon.  my experience is not typical.  even so, UH staff and my surgical team went above and beyond to get me through this.  left flap still very swollen and needs further surgery.  not thinking about that now.  enjoying being home.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mks16
    mks16 Member Posts: 415
    edited March 2011

    Its good to hear from you again marxi... I am glad you can enjoy being back home:)

    I'm looking forward to hearing more details, when you're ready for it of course! In the meantime, I am sending you best wishes for a quick and painless recovery !

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chalex
    chalex Member Posts: 131
    edited March 2011

    marxi,

    Wishing you good thoughts to recover quickly and feel better soon. Sorry,you have been through such a rough ordeal. I am glad you received great care at UH.

    Take of yourself and we are here for you when you need us.

    Regards,

    Chalex

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marxi
    marxi Member Posts: 183
    edited March 2011

    i'm pretty tired.  i see dr. e next week and hope to know more about what he will do with the left flap. the right one seems fine.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chalex
    chalex Member Posts: 131
    edited March 2011

    Good to hear from you Marxi. Get some rest and take care of yourself.

    Chalex

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marxi
    marxi Member Posts: 183
    edited March 2011

    Dr. E's resident said they had had no hope and that it was like "raising Lazarus from the dead" and a "miracle" that they saved the left flap.  It was deep purple and no doppler response at all.  After several days of leech therapy, it started to change colour and became pinkish and had a strong doppler feedback.  It's huge, though, double the size of the right flap, which is soft and looks great.  Tummy is fine.  I'm fine...just incredibly tired all the time.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sharon789
    Sharon789 Member Posts: 56
    edited March 2011

    Hi Marxi,

    Sounds like you were in good hands.  Now I guess it is just taking the time to heal.  I know it is easier said than done.  I suspect that the left side is just more swollen and will take more time to heal?????  Tired is perfectly normal so don't fight it.

    Take care,

    Sharon

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chalex
    chalex Member Posts: 131
    edited March 2011

    Hi Marxi,

    So sorry you are having a tough time with recovery. Glad you were able to save your left flap. Wow, it is amazing you needed leeches to get the blood going.... You have been through alot. Listen, to your body and take care.

    Regards,

    Chalex

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marxi
    marxi Member Posts: 183
    edited March 2011
    Thanks, Chalex.  Yes, it really is amazing that he thought of the leeches and also that they did work a miracle.  I will feel better when the fluid is gone and swelling is down.  I would have been somewhat disappointed to have gone through the DIEP and end up without flaps but I would not have been devastated.  I was fortunate to have a PS who works hard for success for his patients.  Smile
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chalex
    chalex Member Posts: 131
    edited March 2011

    Marxi,

    Thanks for sharing your experience. I will be seeing Dr Evans in Apr. to discuss the DIEP as well. I am glad to know that he truly cares about his patients and will do anything he can to help them.

    Take care of yourself and feel better.

    Regards,

    Chalex

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chalex
    chalex Member Posts: 131
    edited April 2011

    Hi Ladies,

    I was just checking in to see how you ladies are doing? Marxi, How is your recovery from the DIEP going? I hope you are on the mend and getting your strength back.

    Sharon, Did you see Dr Evans in late March? If you did how did it go?

    Well, Fri I got a call from Dr Evan's office to cancel my appointment with him on Wed. So now I have to wait until May 2nd to see him.... I asked to be put on the cancellation list.....I guess a month is not a big deal but I had my head around seeing him next week. Oh Well.

    Question: How do the Dr's determine how much "fat" we have in our abs to support the new breasts? I was told by my nurse practitioner that we have to have a BMI under 30. Anyone know anything about this?

    Regards,

    Chalex

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marxi
    marxi Member Posts: 183
    edited April 2011

    Hi Chalex, sorry to hear they rescheduled you.  I am seeing him Wednesday.  I know he's swamped but it must be disappointing for you.  My left flap is still giving me grief.  There's a large open wound that is now discharging green pus...sigh...it never ends.  Dr. E is awesome and I see him once or twice a week.  Nurses still coming in daily to pack it.  I didn't have a lot of fat either but had a little 'pooch' on my lower abdomen that he took and made the flaps from that.  There are other places they can take it from if a person doesn't have enough there. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sharon789
    Sharon789 Member Posts: 56
    edited April 2011

    Chalex, My appointment with Dr. Evans was cancelled as well.  I don't have a date for another appointment yet so we'll have to see how long it will be until I can get in.  I'm heading back to work next week so I am thinking about that a little more than the recon.

    I am also concerned about if I have enough abd fat for the recon.  I'm hoping I do.  It is just hard to imagine that you can make two breasts out of my stomach fat.

    Marxi, hang in there.  Considering what you went through to save the flap this is probably typical during the recovery phase.  Sounds like you are in good hands with Dr. E.  It is nice to hear that you have such confidence in him.  I know it makes a world of difference for me when I feel I can let go some of the worry when I trust the doc. Just take good care of yourself!

    Please keep in touch with your progress.

    Sharon

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chalex
    chalex Member Posts: 131
    edited April 2011

    Hi Ladies,

    Nice to hear from you both.

    Marxi, Sorry that you are still having grief with your left flap and the green pus. I am glad to hear that are you are in good hands with Dr E. He sounds like a very caring Dr and that is very important to help you to recover. We need to believe out Dr is doing eveything they can to help through surgery.  

    Sharon, Best of luck on your return to work. I am just about done my "gradual" return to work myself. I am glad to be back and it feels so nice to be the "co-worker" again and not the BC "patient". Will you be a "gradual return" as well. I liked that b/c it gave me time to get used to using my brain again, LOL and getting my family used to me not being around during the daytime anymore.

    Also, Call Dr E.'s office and ask for another appointment when you feel up to it. I was given May 2. I am concerned that their office misses you and forgets to reschedule you.

    Take Care,

    Chalex

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marxi
    marxi Member Posts: 183
    edited April 2011

    He is incredibly busy, for certain; however, he is also the kind of doctor who goes above and beyond.  For instance, three times he saw me on non-clinic days - either between surgeries or left the OR - because he genuinely cares about what is happening with my recovery.  I feel fortunate to be his patient and can't say enough about how great he was when I was in hospital for 13 days (he came 1 - 4 times daily to see me), has seen me within a few hours (at least once a week) whenever there is a concern, and never ever makes me feel that I am a bother.  You will have a great relationship with him whether things go well or not as well as you hope.  He really cares. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sharon789
    Sharon789 Member Posts: 56
    edited April 2011

    Hi Marxi,

    I'm so glad that Dr. Evans took such good care of you. I feel good about going to see him.  He sounds very caring.

    I hope you are healing well Marxi. 

    Take care,

    Sharon

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marxi
    marxi Member Posts: 183
    edited April 2011

    It's a slow process for me, Sharon, and certainly nothing like I expected.  But, yes, I am in very competent hands with Dr. E and that helps more than I can say.  I think I would have gone over the deep end by now without his support and care.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chalex
    chalex Member Posts: 131
    edited April 2011

    Marxi,

    Hang in there. Thanks also for posting when we know you are still in the process of recovering. So, sorry that things have been so rough for you.  Also, thanks for letting us all know what a nice Dr E is. It gives a good feeling when we go to see him and we know he cares.

    Sharon, DId you get a new appointment with Dr E?

    Take Care,

    Chalex

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sharon789
    Sharon789 Member Posts: 56
    edited April 2011

    Hi Chalex,

    Yes, I got another appointment with Dr. E. on May 2.  I'm looking forward to meet him.  He sounds like a great doctor.

    Sharon

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chalex
    chalex Member Posts: 131
    edited April 2011

    Hi Sharon,

    I am on May 2nd as well. Why don't you PM the time and maybe we could meet up if you would like and compare notes on what Dr E said.

    Glad you got a new appointment too.

    Chalex

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sharon789
    Sharon789 Member Posts: 56
    edited April 2011

    Hi Marxi,

    I've been thinking about you.  I hope you are feeling better. How is your recovery going?

    Sharon

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marxi
    marxi Member Posts: 183
    edited April 2011

    Hi Sharon, it's slow going.  I have two open cavities and a couple of smaller ones, all oozing and requiring daily packing and/or dressings.  Ab wound is getting better.  Still needs daily dressing but is drying up.  The left flap is getting softer (as more fluid drain, I guess).  I still see Dr. E once or twice a week.  He says it will be a few months yet before the flap issues are resolved.  I'm going back to work May 2 with some accommodation in place which will be that I work in office.  Still very tired so it will be a challenge.  How are you?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sharon789
    Sharon789 Member Posts: 56
    edited April 2011

    Hi Marxi,

    My gosh, try to keep your spirits up.  I know it must be discouraging but it sounds like Dr. E. is keeping his eye on things.

    I`m back to work fulltime after a couple of weeks of half days.Does your accommodation include partial days to start. I would advise it.

    I see Dr. E on May 2 so I have to wait to find out what and when the next step is.

    Take good care Marxi

    Sharon

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chalex
    chalex Member Posts: 131
    edited April 2011

    Hi Marxi,

    Sorry to hear you are still recovering from the surgery. I hope you better soon. Glad Dr E is on the ball.. I hope your return to work goes well. Thinking of you and happy Easter.

    Sharon, Looking forward to meeting Dr E. and chatting with you later about out appointments. It will be nice to talk to you on the phone and best of luck as well with your return to work. Have a Happy Easter too

    Regards,

    Chalex 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories