DIEP 2011

mscal02, please let us know what happens at your pre-op.  It doesn't seem like he would draw on you that early.  The 20th is coming up soon but not that soon.  You want to be able to shower.

or maybe they mark inside where it will be cut anyway?

mscal02  they marked on me the very morning of surgery, 5 min before entering the OR.  I had no special instructions or soaps pre-op.  I had lined up help from my mom and sister for the week after, but they came to see me in the hosp and I was doing so well, told them to just be on-call ( they just live a few miles away)  Never needed them at all.  My hsuband is self employed but works very long days, so I was worried he would forget me, but I was very capable of caring for myself.  He came home at noon the first day to fix me lunch, which I didnt need, and just check on me, and also retrieved a prescription from the pharm since I came home on Sun. and pharm wasnt open.  Otherwise, we set up a table next to my chair with all my meds, books computer, cell phone, remote controls and h2o and I was happy. I was very happy on my own schedule without anyone trying to help me wash and dress, I was able to do things in my own timeframe, at my own pace.  I also have pets and was able to feed and let them in and out as needed. The hosp will not let you go unless you are walking good and can empty your own drains....that was enough to get me going cause i wanted out of that hosp!

Thanks for the info Carberry.  I much rather be self sufficient.  I am grateful that I have loved ones ready and willing to help but I rather be able to do things for myself.  I have pets as well, and it was a concern about being able to take them out.  I do hope they don't decide to roll in the mud or get under the deck like they are prone to doing.  They are white fluffballs but they act like regular dogs and bathing them is a chore.  I bought some inexpensive pull on, knit pants and shorts today and an oversized hoodie per advice on here.  I also bought a couple of nighties made of Tshirt material a couple of sizes too big (in case it is warm like it was last year in June) so I can have something that just hangs loosely when I am at home.  I live in the country and no one will see me even if I am in the yard that way.

iowasue: You have lovely daughters. May 20th is closing in on me too! I am praying that the Lord will guide the doctors' hand and mind and everyone associated with our surgeries. We are going to be just find .

your daughters look like you, they are very pretty, and I agree, your hair is getting long!!

Hi Ladies! Had my pre-op consult today and he will be marking me for surgery on the morning of. He said that he does not recommend binders but I will be given 2 bras. He will have my meds to take home ready for me when I am released from the hospital. I should be good to go on my own after being home for one week, and good to go after week three as long as I take it slow and not try to lift heavy objects.I am one day closer.

kelben: I am nervous and excited. My DH went with me today so that he could find out how long he will be needed around the house. I am going to make and freeze some chicken pot pies and a couple of casseroles, and maybe some soup so that when I come home all that he will have to do is bake and serve. I told my PS that I had lost weight and wanted to lose more before surgery and he told me not to lose another pound that I was perfect just as I am. I wanted to give him my glasses . I told him that you still have plenty of fat to work with. He took more pictures today also.

 charlottesmama :Hooray!!! for you. I am so glad that you have another chapter behind you and that you are doing so well.

IowaSue44, what a beautiful photo!  I couldn't see it on my work computer but I can see it on my computer at home.  Are you tempted to keep your hair that short?  I am.  Tempted that is.  I don't know what I will actually do.  Mine came in curly and black with gray, when it was straight and mousy brown before.  I like it.  But what a way to get a new doo!

Hi Misszed, What date is your surgery? Mine is June 14th- bilateral or unilateral, delayed or immediate?

alexanjb: He answered all the questions that I had, and that was many. He took more pictures.He said a week after I get home I would be able to function on my own.

I love how great everyone is doing post-op and all of the great preparations that are happening beforehand.  It just FEELS better to seem prepared.   I wore the same clothes over and over (my husband did laundry every other day) and I stillI bought things I didn't need.  A few yoga pants, a couple of sports bras, a couple of tanks, shirts or hoodies and you'll be golden.  i also wore flannel nightgowns to be - 'cause I'm THAT kind of sexy.  Flannel night gowns and wool socks , baby!

 I had 2 appoitments today - one with my PCP and one with the Oncologist. I saw my PCP because, since the first of the year, my BP has been SKY HIGH. Gee, I wonder why? I'm on a VERY low dose of Motropolol 2x a day but, since I never had HBP before, I want to see if I can get off of the meds. I had it taken 3 different times today and it was PERFECT every time. She suggested I stay on it until after my Stage 2 surgery on 7/11 then taper off to 1x a day, take readings and see how it goes, then go off of it if all is well.

The second appointment was with my Oncologist. He is the head of the Oncology program and is "The Man" to see about oncology. He basically said I have 3 options -
1) Chemo, which would be highly invasive and not worth the 1-2% chance I have of having more cancer in the tiny bit of breast tissue present
2) Tamoxifen - which  I took 7 years ago that made me suicidal. Again, he said it was too invasive  given the low chance of  reoccurrance.
3) Do nothing. Eat right, exercise, don't smoke, drink, etc. This is the option he recommended for me.

Hallelujah!

BUT, he asked me "Who is watching your ovaries?" I told him I have an upcoming Ob/Gyn appt. Breast cancer - especially the kind that lives off of estrogen like I have - often metastasizes in the ovaries - which is NOT a good thing to get. He suggested that I have my ovaries removed when I start menopause. Given the fibroids I have now, it looks like a complete hysterectomy is in my future. But, that's probably 5-6 years down the line if I follow in my families menopausal footsteps. (I'm 49 now.)

I have a new theory that all girly parts should just be removed before their date of expiration!


So, great news! Next surgery on 7/11, some nip-tats after that and some time for the scars to fade and I'll be back to "normal".  

What a ride this past few months have been, but it's gone so fast.  I'm just depressed I'm back at work.  I want to stay at home and make creative things all of the time.  Damn reality!

I am sure I will end up wearing the same things over and over as well.  We always have favorites, don't we?  I don't think I will be wearing flannel nighties but only b/c they will be too warm!

charlottesmama,Wow you are doing great!  I bet your daughter is glad to have you home. Have you caught up from the lack of sleep while in the hospital?  My daughter was in the same hospital for a couple of extended stays and it was terribly busy and active.  I don't know how anyone sleeps ever.  I hope the one I am going to will be different, I am miserable when I can't sleep and I am a very light sleeper.  After the mx I didn't sleep for over 24 hours.  Too much adrenaline or something.  The surgery center I stayed in was quiet and comfortable.

 I hope the black bear that was sited in Caz wasn't in your backyard!  I like bears but it would be scary to have one so close.