Diep 2012
Comments
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To partly echo what I just wrote on the surgery site (sorry to be redundant)...
You are really terrific and amazing women who deserve the best.
Finishing the last of my housecleaning chores so this may be my last post for a bit but will continue to follow everyone's progress. Sister is arriving Monday from Seattle and then we're off to Houston on Tuesday and then the whirlwind of pre-op stuff before Friday's big day.
Sending Light and hugs to all the surgery gals for this week, and continued healing thoughts for those of you past.
With gratefulness for your friendship...Elisabeth
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I went for a CT angiogram the other day so that the PS can see if I'll be a good candidate for a DIEP reconstruction - my appointment with her to discuss this is on Monday and my BMX and reconstruction surgery is scheduled for April 6. I've gone back and forth (and back and forth and back and forth) with my feelings about what to do and I've ended up hoping that I can have the DIEP. Reading this forum has helped me deal with the fear and indecision so thank you, all of you, for that.
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Annabelle... It is so very normal to second guess yourself... I know I did. And I knew that it was either a BMX and DIEP or radiation and no MX... I had an appt for mapping my radiation and my appt for surgery... I cancelled my mapping the morning of and knew it was no looking back from there. And I have no regrets at all... It is a BIG surgery, but for me now, it is a distant memory.
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Elisabeth, I'll be thinking about you this week, and sending strength and peace to you and your sister on Friday! I know you'll be busy but check in when you can.
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Elisabeth- I will also be thinking of you this week. Sending you many blessings for a successful surgery and an easy recovery! (((hugs))) for your sister too! It's going to be a long week for her! Let us know how it went as soon as you are able!
annabelle- Perfectly normal to second guess yourself. These are huge, life-changing decisions we are forced to make. There are no easy choices in this. DIEP hasn't been the easiest road, but when I look down and see two boobs where I had only one for three years- I know I made the right decision for me. And the flat belly is just the icing on the cake! I really can't wear real clothes yet (I'm 4 weeks out from surgery), but I tried a few things on this morning. Wow! I'm going to like the way some things fit when I can wear them again!! I was pleased. And I have zero regrets about removing my healthy breast even though the pathology came back clear.
I have had so little pain since the surgery, but the last day or two I have had some pain in both my breasts (which never hurt before) and along my ab incision. I'm wondering if it's because the swelling is going down and maybe some feelings are coming back? It's not bad pain,but it's definitely there. Just weird to have it now four weeks later. Other than that, doing good here.
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dresseger: I really think you'll be okay with your time frame. I am now 6 weeks post op with complications, but I'm back to my before life. Certainly I have aches and pains, but I did clean and stain my deck and cleaned up the yard today. I think with 12 weeks, even with something going wrong, and it probably won't, you'll be good to go!!!
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I just spent a half hour reading through the posts. It's amazing to me how different the surgeries are. Binders...no binders, bra...no bra, caffeine....no caffeine, etc. My PS does binders, (which I know I'm a weirdo, but I really like it) and bras 24/7. The bra really hurts my two breast drain sites, but I'm sure it will go away in time.
I too have the perky and droopy and found that putting a shoulder pad from an old outfit in the smaller new breast helped even things out. We'll do the reduction from DD to perky C in mid-May.
Thinking of not doing the nipple - husband could care less. The little circle doesn't really bother me at all and frankly, I love not having to wear a nipple shield because in my work clothes, I hated the look of the headlights. PS says that can be done anytime if I change my mind.
I'm hoping to exercise some of my hips and thighs away because I don't really want lipo. I would certainly consider that if I were 25, but I'm not. It's enough I'll be able to have a blouse stay buttoned and for the first time since my kids were born, I don't have that huge pooch hanging over.
TexasRose: I have to say, I have spent some time wondering if I made a mistake by leaving the good breast. Clear mammogram, never had any problems with the right side. But if something happens down the road, I can't do the diep again. I can't help but think that both breasts would be done now instead of facing the reduction surgery if I had the guts to just be done with both of them. I know regret is useless, but I can't help but wonder......
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Mary... I had stage I last summer and stage II in November, and I get these pains that last about a minute... I think it is nerve regeneration.
Sadie... I had lots of lipo and LOVE my slimmed down waist.. no more love handles... and he lipo'd my outer and inner thigh... my legs look awesome... I will be 50 next year, but plan to lose 30 pounds and get back to my size 4. I do believe I am worth it at any age. It has also inspired me to get back to the gym with a gusto... I spent 4 hours at the gym between Thurs and Fri, and another hour today... eating better... just the kick in the butt I needed.
I didn't have a binder, but had a girdle because I also had hip flaps... and wore the bra for two weeks 24/7. If you are having discomfort at the drains site, use ABD pads to put between the skin and the drain... sort of wrap the drains hose with the pad.
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Elisabeth: Heartfelt thoughts and hugs going with you. Soon you will be on the other side. Remember you have all of us on here cheering for you. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Annabelle: For anyone considering Diep flap I am thrilled I had this option. I decided to do both breasts even though only one was affected. Recovery has not been nearly as bad as I feared although it was no walk in the park either. I'm 31/2 weeks out and I am now walking again, light cleaning this morning and have been mall shopping with my teen daughters. My energy level is not great but I just recently finished chemo so that is probably as much of a factor as the surgery. I have a flat tummy and my own breasts it has been worth whatever discomfort I had. The drains and the binders were the worst part and in the big scheme of things even that is for a short period of time considering the benefits.
Sadie: Your signature line is great it gave me a good laugh and it's so true. -
On the subject of second (and third and fourth!) guessing, my experience started out like bdavis. I had a relatively well-behaved lesion removed and was headed down the radiation pathway. I even did mapping and have the tattoos. Two days before I was to begin radiation, my BrCA test results came back with a variation of unknown significance. I called my breast surgeon, who supported my request to consider BMx and reconstruction. She got me a consult with the PS the next morning. I was due to begin rads at 3:30; at 9am, I dropped by the department (same campus) to cancel my appointment. The rad oncologist insisted on speaking to me and really tried hard to talk me out of the surgical pathway. He's a sincere and thoughtful physician and can be very persuasive but I stood my ground.
The abdominal CT I had in preparation for my DIEP revealed issues that had to be dealt with immediately so my reconstruction is postponed. It's hard not to spend time second guessing my decision and wondering if I'll ever feel normal again. Sharing the experiences of all the women on this thread has really been a godsend for me. My friends and family are loving and supportive but they have no idea what this is like. And I have no interest in trying to tell them, really.
My sincere thanks to all here---I am grateful for your generosity!
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dressager - just wanted to give you more hugs, knowing that your journey has been a series of obstacles. Also wanted to share that I completely understand about giving up trying to let folks know what this is "really like". I love the optimism that some have but it gets a little old to hear "I just know you're going to be great and it's all going to be okay" moments after I share some of my fears about surgery or long-term recurrence, etc. At that point, I decided that I need to stop trying to educate and find simple (but truthful) answers to questions about how I'm feeling.
Okay, back to cleaning...shouldn't have popped in but was taking a quick break and this is my favorite break place.
Love and hugs to all...
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All of our journeys are different. If you had told me at the start of this mess that I should have a mastectomy, I would have said "no way" but then I had a lumpectomy and the margins weren't clear and they found IDC, then another lumpectomy and SNB, still no clear margins. After a third lumpectomy, I felt that we had tried our best to avoid a mastectomy. My BS agreed. So then we moved forward to MX land. I still second guess myself though. Should I have just done both when I had the chance? BS saw no reason to do so, and so I didn't, and I'm good with that decision, but I do still occasionally wonder if I should have. Overall, I'm happy with the results so far. I've got a few more minor tweaks coming, but hopefully they will be just that, minor tweaks.
Elisabeth - wishing you all the best for an easy surgery and stellar results! HUGS!!
-Judy
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Sorry I haven't posted. But wanted to let everyone know that this is absolutely doable. I had BMX and diep on one side but the other he had up take out some more so called it free TRAM. First week was very very hard. But after that everyday was better than the previous. 2.5 weeks out I could drive the kids to school. 3 weeks put could work from home for a few hours each day. Today four weeks out I went to the Rodeo with the kids. Walked the whole stadium grounds, with of course stops in between, but no issues. DidNt go on any rides.
Still bent over a little but otherwise doing fine. I am not very athletic, just your average person in her early forties. Si those getting ready for surgery good luck this is not that bad. -
Speaking of light housekeeping, when did you go back to vacuuming, sweeping, etc.? I am doing some things, but I really need to vacuum and not sure that I am supposed to be doing that. I'm 4-1/2 weeks out. I remember at the first consultation, PS told me that around week 3 and 4, I would feel really good and think I could do anything but to remember that I can't. So now I find myself in that place where I feel like I can do anything but I am trying to remember his advice to cool it. I alternate between feeling completely useless and then not wanting to take any chances after coming this far. I do wish I had gotten just a little more guidance on exactly what I can and can't do from PS.
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I was told not to lift anything more than 10 lbs. But could do anything else so long as my body didn't object. Just to be on the safe side I am also not pushing or pulling things that are slightly heavy.
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I pushed a vacuum for two minutes at 2 weeks out... but hired a cleaning lady to come every week and clean for me... When I came home from the hospital, my husband had moved the litter box for out cat into the bathroom... made a huge mess.. so I vacuumed that up, but did not lift the vacuum. I also had my son help carry groceries etc... It is hard to always remember.
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Up and getting ready to head to the hospital . . . .
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All the best to you!
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Good luck, iswimibikeirun!!!
My PS gave me the rundown on post-surgical restrictions and they were fairly extensive. She said no cooking (no heavy pots), no vaccuming, no lifting arms above the shoulders, no laundry, no grocery bags...sounds like my DH will be a little busy for a couple of weeks! She said a physical therapist would meet with me in the hospital to review a list of things I "can't" do! It's a short timeframe, so it won't be a big deal. It's definitely a different story for anyone with young children or who lives alone.
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iswimibikeirun- Wishing you a successful surgery and a very speedy recovery!!
My DH has been so good about taking care of everything, but he worked all weekend in the yard and never got around to vacuuming or mopping floors inside. I hate to complain because he is doing everything right now, but my floors need some attention! Guess I better just close my eyes and forget about it. It's just us and he works long hours, so I am probably doing more than I should be just because I'm the only one here. I am doing laundry and have been almost since the beginning. I don't carry the basket. I make lots of trips to the laundry room carrying small amounts. Neither one of us have cooked much. My mom brought us a lot of meals and we have bought a lot of ready-made things from the grocery store. I've been cooking the last few days.
Today I'm going to the grocery store. Solo. Not sure how I'm going to pull that off. I guess I will just get someone at the store to take the bags to my car. They always offer and I always say no. Today, I will let them. And once I get home, guess I'll do the groceries like I do the laundry- carry in small amounts at a time. I don't need to buy anything big or heavy, but DH has been buying the groceries since the surgery and it's time I go. We need something besides cookies and junk in the house! I'm not sure he's ever found the produce section!!
I appreciate all he has done over the last several weeks more than I can say. I'm just ready to contribute again myself and I need to remember that I'm not really ready yet. I'm so close though...the 27th will be 6 weeks!! One more week!! -
Hello everyone !!! I'm waiting to see my PS, for my BMX, I have no surgery date yet, Wed it will be a month since my DX,
I have no feelings about this surgery I'm facing, I guess I'm numb about the whole thing? It's maybe because I have other issues with myself to deal with, I have degenative disc disease of the spine, Im dealing with chronic pain, as for housework I can't do much of that,
I have to say my family is helping a lot with the household chores, mainly because I have breast cancer.I tell them the cancer doesn't hurt, it's my back that hurting me, anyways I'm staying positive about everything, sending positive thoughts out to everyone !!! And warm hugs!!! -
See you on the other side iswimibikeirun! Best of luck!
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Thinking of you, iswimibikeirun! Sweet dreams!
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Looking forward to good news about a successful surgery and your speedy recovery, swim/bike/run!
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Tammy - this is a tough time, so much to process and so much to deal with. We're here to listen, to support you, and to cheer you along your journey. Lean on us if you need to.
iswimbikerun - best wishes to you for a speedy surgery and even speedier recovery!! Hope to hear from you soon on the flip side.
-Judy
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Here's a question - is it best to have an ooph or hyster before reconstruction or after? My thought is why would you want to mar what's just been done for recon.
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I am having a ooph during stage 2 of my DIEP. My PS said no during stage 1. I suppose it is because they are taking belly fat and skin during the first stage. I was wondering the same thing? Do they take the Fallopian tubes in an ooph.
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I had considered getting an oofrec during stage II and did a little research.. They can and should take the tubes during the oofrec... and I was told that as they are revising abdominal scars in the belly the other doctor takes out the ovaries... Denoument had it done in August... Its like one stop shopping.. killing off two procedures under one anesthesia... this was the biggest reason I was thinking of doing it... For me, I chose against it only cause I am not ready to get my ovaries out, and didn't want to make that decision JUST cause I was under anesthesia.. If I have it later, they go through the belly button and a couple of little incisions... I think.
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Thanks. I do have ovarian cancer on top of everything else in my family. It is still a hard decision. It was brought up to me because of my recent DX of ADH. I have already had breast cancer. This is why I am choosing to have a BMX and DIEP Iin NOLA. P
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Has anyone on here had their abdominal scar revised? I have small dog ears that the PS will take out during stage II and I'm wondering what it'll be like.
I'm also having my foob reduced to hopefully a C cup so I'm going to be lopsided for a few months, I think. He's doing that with lipo. I'm wondering what that recovery will be like too.
Anyone here that can fill me in? Many thanks. (if not here I'll go to the 2011 thread, but I thought I'd start here)
-Judy
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