NOLA in September?

Dragon~ Are you getting nips this time ??  Wow, typing that out sounds so personal...sorry. 

I sadly enough have gained back all that I lost from Chemo but you know what my girls rock, football flaps and all.  I just wish that I didn't have three darn little keloids near my cleavage.  The knots in the stitches are where I got the keloids and I am not prone to them.  I still love them, my first set wasn't perfect HELL they tried to kill me and this set isn't either.  Like Nordy, I was concave and I had lost all scar tissue so I could feel my ribs without any padding .  It was horrible my baby couldn't cuddle with me and now I tease him all the time because Dr. S gave him back his pillows. 

well, am coming up behind you merrilee for my number 3 next week...and why are you getting fluids today? i saw that on other forum.

also wanted to say too that i am sorry to hear of your loss, and can only hope for all that if it was expected, your brother's passing was peaceful.  and while you lovingly acknowledge how hard this must be for your mother, please dont underestimate sibling grief and how that can play out long term too...there is a good book on sibling loss called the 'empty room' if you are into reading. the whole world readily acknowledges and recognises the deep grief of parents losing a child, particularly mothers, how it eclipses all else and is grossly unnatural for a parent to bury a child - but that means that sibling loss is too often overlooked in our society, or disregarded alongside the enormity of parental grief.. there is a very good support group for parents who have lost children AND for siblings called Compassionate Friends- think they have about 600 chapters all over the world, you can google your city..and they recognise sibling loss equally in how they hold their meetings ie. siblings meet separately. it is def too early now when things are so raw,  but maybe later you and your mother may consider trying a meeting out..lots of love, rosemary

I have another question (sorry). CaringBridge.

Has anyone used this to keep folks at home up to date on your status? I have been on the recieving end of this many times as I have supported others through surgery. But now that it is my turn I am unsure about this. I'm not sure I want the whole world to log on and know what is going on with me. If we did use it my husband would be under strict orders to keep it high level (I don't need friends from high school knowing they were able to save my nipples!). I have told a core bunch of friends exactly what I am doing, other just know I'm having surgery because I was diagnosed with cancer, and others don't even know that. I am very recently diagnosed and haven't really told everyone yet.

But that is beside the point I guess. Have you used it? Were you able to 'keep control'? Was it helpful? Would you use it again? Does SCSH have their own system of some kind?

Thank you 

Hi Dragonfly. I'm so happy all of this fell into place for you and I am so excited to meet!

JustLaura. I sent you a PM. I think we'll both be at the Homewood Suites at the same time.

Fingers crossed - hoping to actually make it there this month! 

Hi everyone. One day post-op and I am doing vey well. Got up and took a walk around the floor. Was pretty tired after that. Turns out Dr. S was able to do the entire reconstruction with hip flaps. It feels great to get rid of the implants. I have not seen my new breasts completely but am very happy with what I see so far. Tomorrow is shower day. Looking forward to that but not looking forward to taking this compression garment off. That is going to take multiple hands!

 Ref- That is wonderful! One day at a time, compression garment?

Hi Ref! That's great. I had the same thing with Dr S. He marked me up for hip and diep but ended up just using the hips. Don't worry about the compression garment - the nurses do all the work for you!

So good to hear from you Bettye. I'm still thinking of you too and sending prayers for your continued strength. Thank you for letting us know how you're doing.

Ref - congratulations! You'll feel better each day now, little by little.

Hi to everyone else too! 

JustLaura, I just looked up the Old Navy yoga pants. I had similar ones to the fold over type they carry and they were very comfy. I don't know about SGAP or back hips, but for DIEP your incision is low -- just a bit above your pubic hairline. Also you will have some fairly thick pads that you place over the incision line. Dr. D starts his pts with a compression binder right away. Dr. S has you wait until all of your drains are out, and you will probably still have one or two when you head home. (I had both breast drains and one tummy pulled at post op visit and the 2nd tummy 3 days later at home. Dr. S has more liberal parameters than Dr D --50cc or less x 3days.) For some reason they gave me both the white binder and the DOM( yes Dragonfly). They said some women prefer the DOM because the white one rides up all of the time. I found this to be true. I had to get them to send me a bigger sze, but once I had the right size, I've been in it since. Do check out the Maternity(!!!!) leggings at Target if you like leggings. Brand is "Be Maternity" and they are incredibly soft and perfect on your tummy -- you can pull them waaay up or roll them down. They have been my favorite thing since surgery. I'll echo what others have said. I brought a TON of stuff cause I couldn't figure out what I'd need and I wanted to cover all contingencies. Normally my husband would have freaked, but he felt so sorry for me...my agitated packing state....that he just quietly hauled all the luggage. I had a huge duffel, and a carry-on ( in case the checked stuff got lost) and I don't think I ever even went into the duffel! One thing that did help...I separated out the stuff for before the hospital, leaving the hospital, flying home, into different zip -thingys, each complete with underwear, etc. I didn't want to have to be directing my husband thru my stuff -- that, no not that-- especially for leaving the hospital when you may not feel like rummaging around.

LOLOLOLOL  - Eve!

Beautiful Bettye- I am sorry to hear about the progression, but do hope that you get into the trial you are wanting. Positive thoughts and prayers for you. 

Ref - I am glad you are doing well! Do not worry about the shower. Yes, it is exhausting. Yes, it does take a bit of help to do it the first few times. Yes, it takes FOREVER to get yourself back together. When you are finished you will be ready for a nap! But it feels so fabulous to have your hair and back washed! (The nurse will totally wash your back and it just feels fabulous to get some stimulation to your skin!). Have a GREAT day tomorrow and don't be hard on yourself when you feel like you have run a marathon after your shower. Just take a nap and rest. It WILL get easier.

Hello Ref.. I remember waking up in the middle of the night and talking with Nurse Holly, Laura and Spenser! I pray that things get better.



Ladies thanks for check on the drain thing- yikes.. They are still putting out 35cc but the color is changing and I know the lighter/ less the better. The pads are not working as they don't stay in place. I am just trying to chill. I know that once these are gone things will be much better.



I am not big on rx meds but I have gone thru a bottle of vicodin like altoid mints--lol.
Yesterday I had a fever called the ctr and the prescribed antibodies stronge enough to fight off anthrax!

I got a chance to meet Dr. Massey as she made the rounds on Saturday before I left. She seem very excited about my new boobs!!! She was even happier that i was so mobile. She said that a lot of women struggle with mobility especially us plus size ladies she said I made her proud. She said I was so far ahead of the curve that I could leave on day 3 vs4 which is her preference. He'll I knew that if not Saturday then it would be never... The care was tha BOMB.com.

I have been reading that you guys were foggy on the details following surgery..ME too.I could not believe that my surgery went from 7:30-4:30??? Dr D said some about a diep 2 case study..

Please update me on what to expect for stage 2... Need to plan this thing out now.

I am so thankful that you guys are here to share! When things get crazy I pray. I love all types of music and new fav is by Kirk Franklin --smile check it out if you are in need of some encouragement..

Enough.. Good night/morning

class='post_sig'>Ro Gamble
Diagnosis: 4/3/2008, IDC, <1cm, Stage I, Grade 3, 0/7 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2-

Morning Surfagrl.. Not sure if they are in network for most people. The good news is that the will work with you and handle the insurance stuff.

What state are you from surf a girl? And what insurance do you have? There are many on this forum and DIEP 2011 that can help you find PS that maybe in network for you. Let the providers deal with the insurance issues. Make sure you understand what your out of pocket expenses will be because some DOCS don't balance bill and some do. Good Luck and hang in there.