DIEP 2011
Comments
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mspradley, it sounds like you are having quite a time of it and yet you are staying positive.
I am concerned about being multi-coloredl. My radiated skin is several shades darker than the surrounding skin and the area that will be used for the flap. A bolis was used so I have a perfect rectangle of darkened skin, it is approximately 6"x10", so the new breast will be in the center of that. My PS didn't mention anything about the radiated skin other than to say he didn't feel that implants were a good idea and I went in anticipating that. I am all healed but I was badly burned by the end of radiation. With some necklines the two tone shows even now. Oh well, most people would be lighter on the chest area....
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alexanjb - it sounds like your radiated tissue is exactly the same as mine was since a bolis was used and I was badly burned - especially on the underarm end of my mx scar. Normally, the radiated skin would simply be a reason to consider avoiding implants. My situation is that that radiated skin was further compromised because of the Avastin that is still in my system. Before my radiated rectangle did show slightly with my v-necks, but I don't notice it as much since the DIEP. Perhaps it was because I was not only darker on that side, but flat. When the PS filled the original mx side, he used a margin around my original scar (and removed the original scar in doing so) and filled the cavity with the transplanted tissue. You would think that you could see my scar in my cleavage because no skin was originally spared, but because they are stuffing in the new tissue, they stretch the native skin (no new stretch marks) more than I thought. I wear a shelf camisole and have a full C on the original mx side and a shrinking D on the other side. They look absolutely normal in clothes - so much so, that stage 2 can wait until later (but will happen because I get lots of lipo if I want!), but when I take the cami off, my Frankenboobs look like I have an invisible cami or sports bra on... more minorly smushed than relaxed. But hey, they used to be 46 year old with 2 kids relaxed, so I'm a happy girl.
In a nutshell, the radiated rectangle used to show (at least one corner) in my v-neck (Chico's t-shirts if you know the style), but now seems to have disappeared in the same shirts. My guess is the skin now has three dimensional tissue underneath and has slightly stretched.
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Thanks for the info mspradley. The worst part of my burn was also towards the underarm at the end of my scar. I never had the Avastin and I am 9 months out from the AC and Taxol and will be 6 months out from radiation by the surgery date.
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My large wound that has yet to heal from first surgery and then infection is the only area of the radiation burn left, but it is at the most stressful point in the sutures.
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Carberry, I am sooooo happy to hear that someone else understands the way a shirt pulls when you are not even. Although I have a prosthetic that appears to be proportioned under my clothes, my shirts always pull to my nautural side. This weekend I was trying to explain it to my DH but he said I am the only one who notices it. It is bad enough though that we were outside for several hours and the suntan line is skewed.
Mspradley, you are an inspiration to me. I second what Alexanjb said in that you are facing difficult circumstances yet you are staying so positive. I hope the wound center can help you. I don't think I could pack my own wound. I would have to have help. Please stay in touch and let us all know how you are progressing. I am sending healing prayers your way!
Susan
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mspradley- thank you or your post, such great info. Funny I was thinking about my stretchmarks on my tummy the other day and how I'm scared to see them end up on my new boob.
My horizontal mx scar is very faint (I am very fair also) I'm curious about scarring, and I need to talk to my PS to get more detail about exactly where my scar will be. Will they use the same mx scar or will I have another one.
How soon were you able to drive. I just bought a house and I'm supposed to be moving second week in July...haha and my surgery is June 14th...eeek looks like I'm gonna need some help.
Just wanted to also share with everyone that I finished my LAST herceptin...woot!! It's been a long year.
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I have that uneven neckline thing too. I have mx bras that have lace over the (non) cleavage area, they are called camisole bras in the TLCdirect catalog and the lace always looks like it is slanting to me. I like them because I am actually a bit concave on the mx side. And I always feel like the prothesis is riding in the wrong spot. Think about it, our boobs hold bras down and now nothing is holding it down. It rides up all the time and although I doubt anyone else is noticing, I sure feel it.
Ladym13, yes I think you are going to need help with your move. Yikes. Congrats on ending the Herceptin, I never had that since I am triple negative there are no targeted therapies. You are the first one I have noticed on this thread that is close in stage to me though.
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@ladym13 CONGRATS on finishing a year of Herceptin !!! I had a year of H infusions also - mine were free of charge as I entered a trial and was in the non-control arm of it. Being Her+, I was thrilled to be able to get the Herceptin. I'm sure my insurance company was thrilled that I entered a trial so they didn't have to fork over the $$$ for the goods. I had my port removed several months after the final Herceptin - what a relief that was (no more monthly flushes).
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alexanjb-i had bilat mast, but was only able to have skin sparing done on one side. I then had bilat DIEP done 14 months later. The side with the skin sparing actually shows more scar tissue than the side that I was not able to have skin sparing on. So, you just never know.
V
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ladym13 CONGRATS on the last Herceptin, that must mean you are a year out wahooo! A year sounds like such a long time but really goes by so fast, especially since all these docs are keeping us so busy. My year will be in Oct and that is my goal. Looking at that magic mark to say I am done and can get on with my life.
mspradley,, you are an inspiration. I envy your patience and perseverence
About the flap..I dont have stretch marks but forgot to tell the PS to stay away from the middle of my tummy cause I have that fine hair line that comes up. Well cause of chemo there wasnt any hair at the time, but now i have fine little hairs on my boob flap!
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Yeah, I thought about the line of hair from the navel to the pubic area. My hair has grown back so I am sure my PS will see it. A lot of you have joked about having tattoos on the flap (other than a nipple) have any you actually done it? Or intend to? Just curious.
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LOL!!!! There isn't much we don't discuss on here! Carberry, that is sooo funny. I never would have thought of that. 10 days after my last Taxotere, all of my hair fell out - AGAIN. I lost my hair, eyebrows, eyelashes and body hair twice. UGH!!! I don't have any hair growing back on my head but I have that same fine hair coming up all over my body, I especially notice it on my face. Good grief.
I never even considered stretch marks when I had my mastectomy. The first time I saw my incision I was horrified to find that the bottom of the scar line is stretch marks which were attached to the top of my bikini tan line. I am telling you, that was a bad moment! I had a total meltdown. Tonight when I get home I am going to have to look at my tummy and see how much skin doesn't have any stretch marks. LOL!!
LadyM, congratulations on finishing your treatment. Woohoo!!!!
Susan
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@SAMayoFL For me, it SUCKED losing my hair once, never mind to grow some in and lose it again! I began losing my hair on Mother's Day, which was 2 weeks after my 1st AC infusion. It was not a very happy Mother's Day for me, since until that point, I really thought I would be in that "special" 1% of ladies who don't lose their hair, LOL. Even if I would have said, "Forget it with the chemo", it wouldn't have mattered since one dose pretty much did in my hair follicles - on my head anyway. My hair never grew in until weeks after the last Taxol...and the very few eyelashes and brows that I had hanging in for dear life left me a week after the Taxol ended - that sure added insult to injury. At least now that you are done with chemo, your hair can grow back in and be healthy. All mine came back pretty much the same with a few exceptions = my head hair grew back much darker than I remembered it and straighter (it was curly but the curls came back eventually, just less springy), and my leg and armpit hair is much lighter growth-wise, under arms almost non-existant. No complaints on that one.
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@ladym13 - my surgeon gave me the green light to drive at my 2 week post-op check up. He said I could drive as soon as was off any narcotics (which I was) and felt confident to use the brake in an emergency. Even from day 1, sitting was comfortable for me so I knew I'd be fine driving. The most uncomfortable position until about week 3 was simply standing still. My back would ache as if I'd been pulling weeds for hours, but walking and sitting were actually not painful at all.
I did get better news from the PS today. I have been seeing him weekly with my surgical wounds. I don't know if this would be a normal 6 week post-op, but that is where I am on the time line. He is going to allow me to return to work part time on Monday and then full time the following Monday and will not check my wounds for two weeks! I still have to wet pack them, but he said I should expect to see them fill with new tissue daily until I pack less and less and they fill in. He did say this may take another 4-5 weeks, but I take that horizon over simply not knowing if I am getting any better. Woo-hoo!!
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Mspradley, woohoo for your progress. You are one tough chick! Open wounds and still going back to work. You are a true warrior!
Susan
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@XRAYestInMA my hair used to be straight and came in curly! I love it and hope it stays. I actually woke up one morning with a white fuzz all over my face. I shaved it and it didn't come back. It was weird.
Today I bought a pillow called a boomerang to use after surgery. I am not sure how to cover it, maybe two pillowcases will work or I can sew something. I was actually looking for a wedge but didn't find one. I was told to look in Bed, Bath, and Beyond.
I talked to my Primary doc about potential hemoroid/fissure issues from constipation after the surgery (because I had a real bad time with it during chemo) and she wrote a rx for a steroid cream just in case. She also gave me sample allergy pills b/c I have a chronic cough from post nasal drip and I doubt coughing is going to feel very good after surgery. I am trying to get prepared.
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@alexanjb Your whole face had a white fuzz on it ? That's wild. Man, that chemo sure does a job on us...I sure hope it did what it was supposed to do (obliterate the BC cells) in addition to all the extra incidentals (thrush, baldness, constant runny nose (from lack of hair in the nose), and in my case, bleeding nose from constant dryness in the nares, heartburn big-time, etc., etc.,
I am considering purchasing a wedge pillow that I saw on MakeMeHeal.com. It looks pretty nice, and I figure after I'm done using it, maybe I can donate it to my DH who snores like mad !!! He says I do also, but I never hear myself, so who knows ??? I tried BB & Beyond and had no luck. Also, I'm no seamstress, but I'm going to try and sew a pouch to carry the drains rather than buying one (or two). The concept seems pretty easy and they don't have to be fashionable, just practicle. I'm thinking I can make two from a few soft face cloths, maybe some Velcro, and a stretchy band to fit around the waist. What's your take on that one?
My straight hair didn't stay long - I guess my follicles woke up and started producing curly hair again. The color (dark) lightened when my virgin hair met the sun once again.
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@XRAYestInMA -Yes, my whole face (well from the cheekbones down) had a light fuzz and on my chin it was probably 3/4" long from just overnight, it was very disturbing.
I bought a belt with pouches and a cami with pockets before my mx from TLCdirect.org. In my opinion the cami isn't worth it, it opens in the front and closes with velcro that pops open when you move. I think you can make a belt easily enough. In fact I might do the same so that I will have one to change out. The purchased belt is just some kind of soft elastic 3.25" wide with a piece of velcro on one end, the pockets just attach with velcro too and are made of a light terry cloth. The belt has a lot of overlap so it doesn't pop open when I move.
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I slept in my husband's big recliner for a few days, but the couch would have been fine with a bunch of pillows; the couch is nice because it is low to the ground, easy to swing a leg out and reach the floor. I needed help getting out of the recliner at the very beginning, my DH slept on the couch next to me. When I moved to the bed, we had a step stool (sturdy; you don't want to fall!) next to the bed. We also had little side tables around so my stuff was in easy reach. (chapstick, water (don't forget to drink a LOT), tissues).
I found a cheap hoodie that had two low inside pockets, soft and made a great cover-all for trips to the doc or wherever. I tucked my tummy drains into the waist of my yoga pants and pinned the arm drain to a big stretchy granpa t-shirt, but I only had the three drains and they were out quickly.
mspradley: I'm glad to hear that things are getting better. I am fortunate that I didn't have to deal with the issues that go with chemo and radiation. I hope you are getting plenty of vitamin C and consider zinc and bromelain; I may be off track since I don't have any idea about dealing with the effects of the other treatments but my RN friend is big on the vitamin C and plenty of rest and a good nights sleep, if you can get it!
So great that the not fun things fade quickly once they resolve - I barely remember how crappy I felt. My issues were all med side affect issue; keflex makes me sick and gives me thrush, narcotics make me sick -- for stage two I'm going to ask about alternatives. I never really needed the narcotics. I would definitely have opted for valium the first couple days home like some women said they had but that was more because I had a bad case of worry/stress the two days days home; I missed the 'whoosh whoosh' of my doppler and I worked so hard to be upbeat in the hospital, I had to let off some 'crabby' energy at home.
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I got my Stage 2 date confirmed today - July 11th. I had to choose a Monday which meant 6/27 or 7/11 (the 4th was obviously out). The 27th is our wedding anniversary, and I want to work over the busy July 4th weekend, so Mini Market Day it is! I feel like I am almost done!
I see the Oncologist this coming Monday (9th) and hopefully that will be a good thing. I just have to be adamant about NO Tamaxofin.
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My Mo told me last week that he is waiting til I am done with Stage I to start my TAMOX... too much risk of clots... and the take baby asprin when I do start, like 3 days a week... so I wonder when its time for Stage II, how many days do you go off TAMOX surrounding the surgery?? ANd what if one needs an emergency surgery, how does that work?
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Hi Girls,
Just wondering about CT scan, I was told that this would be done prior to surgery to map the abdomin. Just curious, how soon before surgery did you have this done.
Also about the tamox, I guess I should inquire into when I need to stop taking it before my DIEP...hmmm
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My CT was done on the Thursday before my Monday surgery. My PS mapped me on Friday using the results.
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What does mapping mean? He drew on you then? Or he charted something out on paper or what?
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PS used a marker and drew on me the location of the veins he was planning on using and the location of the back up veins if the first ones weren't viable. He also drew where he would be making the incisions. This was done in his office.
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I went in for a CT the friday before my tuesday surgery. I didn't see my PS again until pre-op at the hospital, they probably had the CT results up on a screen in the OR.
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My surgery is scheduled for a Wednesday. They are doing the MRA on Tuesday morning, then they have to burn it to a disk and I take it to the PS later in the day. He is going to mark on me then.
Ladym, I can't remember where you are having your surgery. If you go to www.naturalbreastreconstruction.com, on the left side click on resources/forms, on the top of the page click on Forms, in the middle of the page click on Reconstruction Booklet. It is about 15 pages long but it has some really great information about what to expect before, during and after surgery, medicines to avoid, etc. Some of the information is specifically about having surgery in Charleston but a lot of the information is just general information for any DIEP patient. Stopping Tamoxifen is specifically mentioned in the book.
Susan
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Thanks Susan, I had a look at that link, guess I need to stop the Tamox about two weeks prior to surgery, I'll confirm with my PS also.
I am haing surgery at toronto General in Canada by Dr. Toni Zhong.
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latest lump was B9, thanks for the prayers
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IowaSue44 - CELEBRATING!!!
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