Charleston Bound, part 2

I have to admit, I wasn't nervous before my bilateral DIEP. I met Dr. Massey the night before at my preop. After about 2 hrs with her, I felt TOTALLY at ease. I was in surgery for 11 hours. The first 2 days  yes, huge amount of pain...I had 4 abdominal flaps taken. I just wasn't prepared for that kind of abdominal pain.BUT, I wouldn't ask for pain meds due to nausea from the long day of anesthesia And nausea meds gave me a terrible headache, so I wouldn't ask for them either.So, alot of it was my fault. But, (as much as it can be) it was a wonderful experience...the staff was great, the hospital was wonderful. I would not hesitate to do it again if I had to. I am SO happy with my breasts. They just feel so natural, and I still don't have nipples. I did develop a seroma on my rt hip, below scar. No big deal.....drained once and never had any problems with it.

Had one hip drain for 7 weeks. Never did get below 50cc, but had it pulled. Then got the seroma.

At the time they are happening, any little issue is "big" and you wonder if you will EVER heal, and get your life back. I'm almost a year out from Stage 1 and 6 mos. from Stage 2, and I couldn't be happier. Nervousness is ok!! 

Hey Brenda!!!!  I was thinking about you yesterday.  I can't believe it's already next week.  Time flies.  Girl, when I am 5 days out I am going to have to take Xanax around the clock.  I will call your sister next week and check on you.  I hope all goes well!!!!

Susan

Susan, the drains are not fun but are necessary. If for any reason you end up with one for awhile you kind of reach a point of tolerance with it. ( at least I did, but I still complained). It's not the thing you want sticking around but you know each day that goes by is a day closer to being drain free! And, the only regret I have is that I didn't do this surgery at the beginning of recon. Instead I went thru implant hell first.



Brenda and Nowords your dates are coming up. Relax and be good to yourselves.



Did anyone take a look at the post I wrote about a compulsive planners guide to free flap? It's buried but I had hoped it might help. ; )

Brenda....Sorry I forgot your last question.  Stage 1 was definitely the hardest. Stage 2 was 1 night in the hospital, one night after in hotel and then flight home.

However, Stage 2 I had a huge amount of lipo to my inner thighs. I woke up and could hardly move my legs...like I'd ridden an elephant for a thousand miles!!!! Couldn't raise my legs, couldn't squeeze my knees together. Had 4 drains. I remember thinking ....THIS is Stage 2???? I thought this was easier??? But as soon as I started moving, the pain decreased greatly. I remember the hardest thing being getting on and off the toilet...trying not to use thigh muscles!!! HAHA try that! I just kinda plopped down with dead weight- HOPING the hospital and hotel toilets could withstand the force!!!    BUTTTT, 2 drains were removed before leaving the hospital. Wearing the full length compression garment actually felt wonderful on the lipo areas, and recovery happened very quickly. That's why I say, you just have to struggle through those first days of surgery and after...it's doable ...AND worth it. And even with each person's struggles, setbacks, etc.....they get through it and are so happy to have done it.

Joni - Thanks for the laugh this morning re: the controlled fall onto the toilet!

You've all given me a little strength.  I'm dreading 1B (scheduled for October 7th in Charleston) and knowing stage 2 is going to be so much easier makes it a little easier to face.  Dr. M also says SGAP is much easier and less painful than DIEP, though I'll probably have my drains longer.  Since I'm only doing one side, though, hopefully I'll leave the hospital with only one.  It's not even really the pain that I'm dreading though, not so much as just being incapacitated and so tired for so long.  I just need to keep focused on hopefully being able to finish up the big stuff (first stage 2) in January and being all back together by next spring!

Brenda, thinking of you...you're almost up!!

Brenda - I guess tomorrow is your scan to prepare for surgery? Wishing you a peaceful nights sleep. All will be well.

Brenda and nowords:  Thinking of you this week and also sending positive thoughts your way.  Nowords - didn't I see you post that you had a car accident (NOLA thread?) - hope you are OK and you have been able to squeeze some "you" time in before your surgery.

I am doing good here - my wrist/hand still seem a bit swollen/sore to me but the PT took measurements and my non-cancer side was actually larger than my cancer side (would have expected the opposite) - so if this is LE, then it would be very very mild.  I'll be getting an off-the-shelf sleeve and hand piece - and will be keeping a very close eye on my arm.  I found this PT by going through the LANA recommended therapists - the local gal on their list actually was no longer at our neighborhood hospital - so I went to the woman who took her place.  Not quite sure she is the expert I was hoing for - so I am only partially relieved at this point.  Very happy the PT did not recommend therapy or even wearing the sleeve (only if I feel I need it) - but a little nervous that I may not be doing enough.  But maybe I will be like Anne and this will be a 1 time swelling!!!!

Sandy:  Not much longer for you!!!!  Have you made a decision on the plication? 

Brenda & nowords - Thinking about you guys and hoping all goes smoothly - good luck!

Also hoping it's cooler wherever you call home than it is here.  Spanx and SC summers do not mix!

Brenda-- my thoughts are with you this week.  I am sure everything will turn out great!

Pink Butterfly-- Good for you for working on a plan for your reconstruction.  I strongly recommend talking to Dr. Richard Kline in Charleston.  He and his staff are great. I had my reconstruction a year ago.  Everything was successful and these folks held my hand through the entire process.   Gail is the office manager-- 843-513-1010 is her direct line.  She can make arrangements for you to talk with Dr. Kline.  You really will get answers to all of your questions.  They are terrific about explaining how every step of the way will work.  Good luck in your journey!

Thanks Better-body-babe and Annie W. It's comforting to think about going to someone who is so highly regarded by others who have BTDT. Otherwise it's just a crap shoot.

As it was explained to me - the TUG cuts thru the lymph node system which in my case would have been disastrous. It's bad enough to have to deal with swelling in my arm.

Prayers for Brenda today!

BetterBody, thanks so much for posting that about Dr. Kline.  I am scheduled to be DIEPed by him on August 3.  So far, I have been really really pleased with him.  He spent almost an hour on the phone with me and my husband.  Pinkbutterfly, keep us all posted on what you decide to do.

Brenda, I have thought about you all day long.  Can't wait to hear from your sister tomorrow!

Susan

Brenda, I hope everything went well today. Wishing you a speedy recovery and excellent results!

Nowords, good luck on your upcoming surgery, too! 

Brenda...you are on the other side now!  Hope everything went well.  Cannot wait to hear from you.  Nowords...you are up next!!!  I am sure excitement is all around you, along with nervous energy!  Enjoy NOLA before your surgery...Give Marga a hug from me and tell her I will see her in a couple of weeks!