DIEP 2011

grdnslve (cute name!): welcome! You will find everyone here is supportive and will help in any way they can.

We are discovering that surgeon's have different protocols, so call and ask when you'll be able to wear a bra. My PS said okay to wear a non-underwire bra at 4 weeks (or was it 3? can't remember) and an underwire at 6 weeks, but your surgeon may say something different and you should stick with his/her rules. Once you know the rules, you'll know what kind of dress to get! Congrats on your daughter getting married!

I had a uni and I was well back to being myself by week 5 and I thought I looked great in my regular clothes (she says ever so modestly).  Are you having immediate or delayed reconstruction? I had delayed and went home with three drains, two for belly and one for breast and all my drains were out within 10 days but I really really rested and took it super easy 'cause I wanted those drains out sooooo bad (keflex antibiotic makes me super sick). Everyone is different but most women seem to recover quickly. There are exceptions, but those are the exceptions!

You're scared because you're normal! Most of us went through that - I almost cancelled my surgery just a couple of weeks before, but I came back to my senses. I'm sure you have a great team and will be fine! You go to sleep all nice and cosy warm and wake up with a new breast -- I was happy drunk girl when I woke up in post op!

A fishing vest -- that is AWESOME! Just think about what you can put in all those pockets!

treesprite / kathy

Wow - I didn't even notice - you are a fellow washingtonian!

Seattle; SCCA for my mx and UW for my PS. I am very happy with my result. Some hard spots from fat necrosis but overall I'm very pleased and so happy I went the DIEP route. I love my PS. I've been up to art therapy, yoga, & support group a few times at providence cancer care. My local Y has a great cancer support group.

I am planning for stage 2 this summer; lift on other breast, some refinements to diep side.

grdnslv  at 5 weeks you may still be in a soft bra, it took me awhile before I could wear the normal underwire bras that I usually wear, they seemed to rub in the wrong places from the swelling.  You may want to do some dress rehearsals with different soft comfy bras under the dress you are wearing, otherwise you should feel good. Having your daughter getting married is great incentive for a fast recovery!  Congrats!

ditto to x-raygirls's post - using meditation and creative visualization to prepare for surgery was an important part of my preparation.



Years ago I had two identical surgeries grafting bone from my hips to my wrists; I went into surgery for the right wrist terrified, woke up with aching legs because I was so tense going under and had a difficult recovery. I used a surgery preparation tape for the surgery on the left side, went into the surgery super relaxed and had smooth and fast recovery. The graft on the right wrist eventually failed and had to be redone.



There were likely other factors involved but I believe my mental/emotional state was a huge factor and ever since I've used meditation and visualization to prepare for surgery (as well as job interviews and other stressful events). It cuts down on the meds and is so much easier overall. I had my IPOD with me in pre-op and after with meditation; just used it the other day at the dentist getting a crown.



You might even find something that you can download from your local library, but for something specific to surgery, you'll probably have to go on line or to a specialty shop (I use The East West Bookstore here in Seattle).



Thanks x-ray girl! I did figure out (thanks alexanjb!) how to get my DIEP info added to my signature. You can put whatever you want into the signature box.

grdnslve: my husband keeps lobbying to move to arizona.Can't believe we had only one nice day and now back to rain - I keep thinking it is still March instead of May.

My PS said three months before stage 2, but I have to wait a bit longer to get on his schedule. I sent you a PM - love to know who you are using and where. 

Treesprite,  thank you for the lead on the post by MissSophieGreyand thanks to MissSophieGrey for listing the items.  Ear plugs sound like a great idea and certainly worth a try.  I am also going to check out the guided meditations for surgery.  I like Belleruth Naperstek and have one of hers for insomnia.

 Do any of you have an idea of what they do at Stage 2 about symmetry of the opposite breast when you have a uni-DIEP?  My doc said something about a possible lift.  I am naturally very small breasted and I really don't want an implant in the healthy breast.  Will they make the new breast smaller if they need to?  Or plump up the old one?  Do they save the left over tissue from the abdomin and use it for the other breast if needed? 

OOooo it is getting so close, we leave for Mayo in the am. 2 appointments. Then the big day TUE. hey is it ok to take something to help me sleep? Over the counter sleep aide? I for got to ask them this Fri. anxiety med?  I have some left from when was 1st diagnosed.

Wish I had that cd preparing for surgery, to late for me to get it. i love those kinda of cds.

Hello everyone!  I haven't been on in a bit.  I was back to work (ugh) and working on stuff of a craft fair.  I healed too fast and didn't get enough time off!!!!  (Life could be SOOOO much worse!)

Sue, most of the OTC sleep aids have some sort of pain reliever in them which you can't take before surgery, so just watch the ingredients.  Benedryl usually does the trick for me.  And, GOOD LUCK on your surgery!  Having good veins with the surgery is a BIG plus.  I had good veins on the right but not on the left, which is why I had to have my second, emergency surgery the day after DIEP.   You're going to do amazing.

Treesprite: re: my details -skin sparing  DMX w/DIEP 3-29-2011 at UCLA with Drs Prati and Festekjain (PS)  dx: 1-10-2011.  RADS in 2004 after lumpectomy.  No rads, chemo, or tamoxefen this time.  Path report included DCIS in 2 areas plus invasive DC in one spot.  Stage 2 scheduled for 7/11.    - 

I'll be 7 weeks out on Tuesday.  I'm looking forward to Stage 2 and have a list of minor  modifications I want to address.   I have a dent where the right drain was, I'm still larger on the left than on the right (I was before due to the lumpectomy), I can see the edged of the flap in places and I just need a little tweaking.   My skin has gotten looser as the swelling has gone down and I'm not sure that is fixable.  I AM 49 and really shouldn't expect to have elastic skin on my California-fried chest (although growing up a pasty white punk rocker sure helped my aging abilities!)/. But, mostly, I want another week off of work!  Not that I can afford the luxury as I am self employed, but I really loved being able to spend time focusing on creative projects rather than taking care of pets.  I'm finding that going back to work has put me in a funk.  Maybe it's just delayed depression since I went from diagnosis to several months of fighting, then pretty much right into surgery.  I'm just going to have to ride this out too, but I think it's ok to whine a little bit (since I never used my silver whiny bullet)..

I also wanted to chime in about meditation.  I actually went to a pre-op hypnotist.  It was amazing (I've never been hypnotized before) and I do believe it it was got be back having absolutely no restriction at 4 weeks instead of 8.  Those 2 sessions along with follow up meditation did wonders for my ability to heal.

Hey Sue, you are sooooo close to your big day.  We need a plan to hear from you.  Is there someone in your family who can post for you or maybe give one of us a call, text, PM or anything?!?!?  I will be on pins and needles waiting to hear from you.  I will PM you my cell phone number.  Lots and lots of prayers will be going up for you on Tuesday!

Susan

IOWASUE: I wish you the best on Tuesday and l will pray for your quick recovery.  I will wait to see your post after surgery ((hugs))

{{{{{HUGS}}}}} to all having surgery this week.   Should have added a lot earlier, but just thought of it (chemo brain)  My sister brought me hard candies to the hosp.  they scratch your throat sometimes when intubating you.  i was on clear liquids for a couple of days post-op and the hard candies were allowed and really helped with the sore throat and dry scratchy cough.

oops the path for health journeys is http://www.healthjourneys.com

you don't need the faq_download.aspx at the end, sorry.

iowasue and mscal02 - Thinking of you and wishing you the best recovery -

Marci, are those your new sisters?  Wheet whooo!!!  They look great. I want cleavage sooooo bad!  Also has your hair grown that much post chemo?  I think I am going to be bald forevery.  UGH!!!

Susan

Marci, NOOOOO!!!!  If I remember correctly, you have a DIEP breast and a "normal" breast right?  So, between your DIEP breast and your armpit it is raised or concave?  Is that something that happened from your surgery?  But then you will still have stage 2 later?  Please tell me more.

Susan