DIEP 2011

I am home at last! Feeling well. Still walking pretty slumped over. And have bruising on my flap which they think will be fine, but told me to keep an eye on. Still walking hunched over and have all four drains still. Visiting nurse is coming tomorrow. I think I am going to heal quicker now that I am home.

Betsy I have a similar problem. We have to go pick my daughter up at camp this Friday. I will be 9 days post op. It is a 3 and a half hour drive. We would stay over 2 nights. It is a performing arts camp and she has a dance recital, a circus performance and a gymnastics performance that she really wants me to come and see. The worst problems are it is a camp and getting around it would be difficult for me. It is hilly, the bunks and the theaters are far apart. It's dirt or black top paths, wood benches to sit on, I'm sure muddy and damp with the weather we've been having. I really don't think I can do it, but I hate to disappoint her. I don't know what to do. My dh and my.niece will go whether I go or not.

Kay, maybe your DH can video the performances for you.  You'll notice lots of mention of using recliners and wedge pillows and putting pillows under your legs in bed.  Camps are usually not too accommodating to these types of things, you may be expected to sit on benches and bleachers once you have made it up and down the hills through the mud.   Only you know how you feel and what you feel up to, but don't push yourself too far or you will have a set back.

Thanks ladies.  I think you are confirming what I think.  I think the video taping is a good idea.  Maybe I will go up and stay in the hotel and miss the performances.  At least I would drive home with her.  Appreciate the advice.

Sohardbnme, you are doing so great!  I can't believe you walked up 3 flights of stairs.  I hope you won't have to walk up and down again for a while.  Once we're both healed up, we will have to meet up.  Maybe on follow up appointments or something.  It was great meeting you in the hospital.

Sohard, hooray for being home!!  I am happy for you.  I hope you get plenty of rest and a very speedy recovery!

Susan

Thanks for all the recaps! I'll go with passing for just "tired" over the holidays (no dogs, alas). But now from everyone's comments I'm anxious about how soon I will have walking endurance back. I'm expecting to walk rather than run, but there's a race medal I have my eye on. I guess it will motivate me! I was on the treadmill for an hour at a time by a month after uni-mx but the abdominal thing is the big unknown. My C-section pain was horrible - it would take me 20 minutes to walk a 1/4 mile to the campus cafeteria at 2 weeks out, but in a couple more weeks it got better and better. Lots of time to ruminate yet!

I want to echo what Kathy said above about modelling good self-care.  I think often our "reward" for pushing ourselves too hard is that those around us think "whew, it's over, she is all good now".  Kind of like the saying give a mouse a cookie and he will ask for a glass of milk.  If she could do that, then she can do this.....None of us want to be mopey whiners, but being realistic is good for us and those that are around us.

OK, I'm up for tomorrow. I had my final chat with the PS today while he measured and drew on me. Ran into the breast surgeon in the hall and got a nice hug from her, too. I did ask PS about size, and he said he was going to use all the available tissue and if I wanted them smaller, we would take care of that in Stage II because it is easier to remove than to put back in (I get that -- it is like speechwriting!). He once again complimented me on how prepared I am (thanks again, ladies!) and said I was his favorite kind of patient ... One who does the research and asks the questions.



I have all my stuff lined up to go to the hospital and all of my stuff set up for when I come home. DH is ready and the cats have been briefed. Sx is at 7:30 am tomorrow -- snb injection is at 7, I report at 6. Off I go -- see you on the other side!



L

Good luck Lib, you're going to do great!

Lib!!! "Cats have been briefed"  hee hee

Good luck!  Sweet Dreams!  Check in soon.

BdDavis, I would double check with the Docs. My Drs had me stop every 45 minutes on my drive home of 5.5 hrs which made it 8 hrs. And walk around for 15 minutes to avoid possible blood clots. That was 8 days post DIEP.

Sohard, glad you are home.  I could see the walmart shopping, did that on saturday in a cart.  But walking UP 3 flights, No Way!!! I could barely walk to the wheel chair to go home.  You go girl!!!

It's too late for paper tape.  I woke up out of surgery with tegaderm everywhere.  So much for my alergy to tape. Sores are getting better.  Putting on a soft cami under the bra really helped.

Going back to the doctor tomorrow.  Hoping to get the other breast drain out.  Not felt to good today, low grade fever most of the day.  It's gone finally, feel a little better now.  

bdavis good luck tomorrow

sohard glad you are home but can't imagine climbing 3 flights of stairs.

Suz: Does that mean that you have IDC in your other breast? How are you feeling and what are you considering?

And you have a big black stitch, an actual stitch? maybe your PS was marking the center for future reference? 

kathy

Suz39,  Sorry to hear of your extra findings with the path report, but all will be okay.  Just wanted to say, don't be too scared of chemo.  It is hard, but doable.  Also, with such a low onco type, you would probably skip the hardest chemo and do an easier one that wouldn't have the cardiotoxicity dangers.  But take the time and do what you feel is best for you.  Also, I had a stitch in my breast to mark where the nurses/docs should listen with the doppler.  Maybe that's what yours is?  But they took that out just before I was released from the hospital. 

Sohardbnme, I wish you would post another update.  I am thinking about my hospital buddy.  Hoping you are still doing so well.  Take care of yourself.

NJ, good to hear from you.  We are very close to the same time too. 

Betsy, thinking of you today.

So I am 6 days (I think I had surgery on Wed. 8/17) post surgery now.  Doing pretty well.  My right arm (where I had nodes removed) is kind of numb to my elbow.  Not completely numb though. My breast does feel hard, but I'm told it will get softer.  Also have some small blistering on it which they say to put cream on after they pop and will also be okay.  Left the house to go back to hospital yesterday to pick up something we left.  UGH!  Also went for a walk with DH and dog, but only went half a block.  Unfortunately we live on a hill and it is going to take a little while to be able to walk my block I think.  Calling PS nurse this morning.  I still have all 4 drains in, think they may tell me to come in soon to get a few out.  There is only one that isn't really close yet to her recs to remove.  She is apparently very liberal with her values.  She wants below 30 cc in 24 hours before taking them out.  I guess some want as little as 10?  And some want it that way for 2 days before they will remove?  It is crazy how different all these ps are.  Mine is VERY young.  (Gorgeous too!)  I am guessing that may have something to do with her being more liberal with what she wants. 

Have a good day everyone.  If anyone hears from Betsy, please post the good news.  I'm sure we're all feeling anxious for her.