Diep 2012
Comments
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yes, Cindy that's correct. had that test been run, I also wouldn't have ever been placed on Tamoxifen.
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cq1234 - post op nausea etc was a big concern of mine as both surgeries I had prior I had to be hospitalized due to non-stop vomiting (really fun when you had your tonsils removed!!). They have come a long way in the anestesia department, but be sure to make you MD and during pre-op the anestesiast (not really sure about spelling! ) aware of your concerns. One thing I did was for 2 days prior to surgery I had only liquid meals...broth, smoothies with protein powder and fortunately other that one sort of heaving episode (of course just as my family came into the recovery room) I never vomited. Get some ginger candy to suck on if you feel nausea coming on...it helps.
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I was on a unit that specialized in breast reconstruction...but their ICU beds were full so I was put in neurosurgery ICU. They did manual doppler with outdated machine and frankly didn't even do once an hr. They hadn't really been trained in doing the readings. I had to keep reminding them they were supposed to do every hour. Also, I was put on auto monitoring machine with blood pressure cuff on left side that check ever now and then...may have been cause of left side lymphedema since you aren't supposed to have PB or blood draws from arms after node removal. Once I got switched over to breast unit they took BP from leg, but had to keep reminding nursing assistant to draw blood from foot..something they don't like to do!! It helps if you have a family member to avocate for you and you fill them in on do's and don'ts prior to your surgery. Now adays with staffing shortages you can't always guaranteed care with specific knowledge even at fine institutions.
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Cindy said...."As hear about everyone's journeys with open wounds, phantom pain, thrush, necrosis, and flap failure, I have to keep reminding myself that most of you would do it all again, right? As you can tell I'm nervous as the date gets closer."
Cindy...I think we all were nervous...and yes, I would do it again. Breasts look great (PT person was so impressed when she was doing the lymphedema evalutation..kept saying that the PS did an amazing job) I feel great that cancer is GONE. First two weeks were a bitch, but each day does get better...be sure to watch out for the thrush and if you catch it early (and they actually give you meds!!) it won't be an issue. Stock up on prune juice, colace, sennakot (0r whatever your MD recommends) because that is always an issue and you don't want it to become a problem. If you Costco shop, get a small pitcher that your hubby can put juice in. It is hard to lift (and you are not supposed to) those large size bottles and hard to get the caps open.
at nine weeks all incisions (except the ever leaking belly button) are closed and healing and I feel pretty strong. Walked several miles including up and down lots of steps yesterday (son, Mike invited us to his place of business (ESPN in Bristol, CT) and we had the friends and family tour...fun seeing where he works and meeting his co-workers! Have to say, even the steps weren't an issue.
So yes...I would do it again...
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Cg, yes, I would definitely do again!!! The main thing is get the flaps on there, keep Em there, and get healed. Then, we can fine tune, is some of the talk you are hearing. My foobs still look great to me even if nipples aren't identical or one is firmer.
) we are all learning as we go through it together.
Galsal, I'm glad you got the tummy tuck. I do love my smooth skin, stretch mark free tummy. Still swollen but so so much better looking. I'm sorry the flaps weren't successful. :-(
Jenn, hope you made it home safe and sound. I will get on the photo site one of these days. I have the instructions ready. Hope you continue to heal smoothly. I too ended up with free TRAM and happily, I am able to sit up when laying in bed so muscles are working just fine. -
Cindy,
I just want you to know that it is possible that you will not have any complications. I had no flap failure, no open wounds, and no necrosis. I also did not have thrush or constipation. Regarding the latter, I started stool softeners and hydrated like crazy to prevent that happening. Moving is also key - small steps at first and then laps around the unit or walks down the hall while still in the hospital. You'll do more at home and increase your endurance.
Pain meds were my ally not my enemy, nor something that I felt the need to get off of ASAP. Once home my husband and I set alarms so that I could stay ahead of the pain always. There are reasons for managing pain so that you can rest and your body can recuperate. Listen to your body.
Some days January seems so long ago with everything else that has transpired for me. I would do it all again in a heartbeat. Have had nothing but compliments on my reconstructed breast. All the docs, nurses, therapists, etc. have said the symmetry with my healthy breast is amazing. So kudos to my wonderful team here in IL.
You will do great!!!
Hugs,
Diana -
Diana...how wonderful things went so well for you! My sincere hopes and wishes are that every one has the same outcome as you!
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Thanks for all the advice and votes of confidence! It's great to hear that despite the challenges that it's worth it. I can't imagine changing my mind about the surgery but some days I'm just not as brave as other days. Trying to prepare for all the "what ifs". Good to know everyone's experiences.
Jenn, congrats on getting home and thanks for sharing pics when you get them up.
Diana, it's nice to know some of these can go without a hitch! -
Hoya...I am happy that Dianne is rejoicing in eternal life! Even though it was hard not to be with her, I'm sure her wishes were for you to be able to heal and continue living in joy! Thanks to the talk of chips...I broke out my barbeque kettle chips & it's 3:00 am!!! Chips and crispy creams...egads!!! I am so sorry you were diagnosed with lymphedem
Yes, say goodbye to heavy purses and grocery sacks! When I had my first mx (after having had a lump & sentinel node biopsy a year earlier), the PT I saw at week 4 gave me the smack down on learning manual lymphatic drainage (MLD). She also made me learn the 5 no nos, such as not carrying excessive weight on that side, no blood pressures, etc. So, after 2nd mx & bilat diep, I am back with her and continuing MLD. I so hope your treatment goes well. It sounds like you caught it right away...maybe that will help. One of my best friends has LE and has the prettiest compression sleeves 
Goldlining....I was so glad to hear your explanation for hardness in my breast. My L is so soft and supple, the R is more firm (which my ps said is usually more indicative of diep breasts). My PT taught me to put light pressure on the hardened areas, which has softened them quite a bit, but there are still some areas that seen necrotic (although she says she can still feel swelling 14 weeks out).
I just read the last 9 pages...have been absent from reading or posting for a while...so good to see that so many are doing well. I wish everyone happy healing! I just wondered why we don't call our diep boobs TOOBS, as they're not fake, as in foobs, but made from our tummies....what do you think?
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My diep is tomorrow! Maybe getting little anxious. Took little bit of xanax. Did my final work out, little cardio and yoga. Going to see more of San Antonio today.
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Fredntan, I wish you the best, a smooth and pain free hospital stay, and a speedy recovery. Check in as soon as you can and enjoy your day in San Antonio.
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Ronnie Kay, boob toobs is a good one! Good to know about putting gentle pressure on the hardened areas of the breast. Both are DIEP and my right is supple but the left is not so much. I used wash cloth in shower to try to massage firm areas. I though the warm wash cloth might help. Was afraid I would injure it though. I need to call for a physical therapy appt re: LE prevention and to get my sleeves.
I've observed something interesting and wonder if any of you relate....When I first had my surgery, I would show people who wanted to see with no feeling of being self conscience. However, now I feel shy about showing them. Even to my Mom or sister. I think it's because now I have accepted them as being my own. Does that make sense? -
fredntan - see you on the other side!
I finally was released home yesterday on day 9 after surgery. So nice to be nested in my own bed.
Ended up coming home with 2 drains though and a community nurse organised to visit daily. One drain exit site is really sore and irritated and I now feel like its the drains holding me back from getting better :-/
Jenn -
Beckers......how ironic. I have no issue showing my family & friends my new addition. I haven't become self conscious.......yet. Often people are amazed by the reconstruction itself.......& how well my "Toob"
turned out. I often am in a position to educate in a way. Maybe I should be a little less of a Flasher.
I do not have a significant other though. Needless to say......the only men to see my new softwear have been medical professionals.
Unsure how a reveal will go in the future. Or how self conscious I may feel about it then.
I've had good results.
I've fine tuned my dietary & exercise habits.
Quite smoking-almost 4 months now.
Even lost #7 in the last month
I am relieved that my pathology contained no invasion.
Guess I am feeling good or shall I say better than I have in months.
Honestly did not know how this would all work out.
Especially considering I have never had surgery before.
I am happy to have my health & recon that looks so great.
And mostly an opportunity to embrace a new attitude towards me.
Wishing You Fran a speedy recovery & to all those waiting........
I would definitely choose this surgery again.
Despite my own presurgery fears.......I promised myself to walk every day. Sit up for all meals & dress in 'normal' clothes during the days after surgery. Even if your heart isn't in it I cannot tell you how much it does for your attitude & physical well being. -
Fredntan....Sending positive thoughts your way for strength and speedy healing!
Beckers....I can't tell you how my mouth dropped when I read about the change in sharing your new breasts! I have the same feelings! When I had my tissue expander, I always shared about it, simply because it was so odd. Many people tell me they learned much about breast cancer through me and felt fortunate I had shared with them. When I told my oncologist this, she laughed and said it was because it was "clinical"...not a real part of my body. I definitely didn't let them touch my natural breast! So the same thing happened when I had my diep. People were inquisitive and I'd been so open before that it seemed natural to show them what modern medicine can do....until now! I think you're absolutely right...they ARE my breasts! Now if someone asks, I stand sideways and point out that my flat stomach gave me the curves on top
I'm constantly amazed at how we are living very parallel lives through bc!!I think PT is a lifesaver! I had it after my 1st mx and when I had the 2nd mx w/diep, the ps didn't seem to think it was that important, but after 1 session, the range of motion I gained was unbelievable. The scar tissue that made my skin feel tight when reaching is gone. I didn't start until I was at 10 weeks, but my PT said she likes to start at 4 weeks post diep. I did start really rubbing hard and she said that's not necessary, but at 12 weeks, she said it's almost impossible to danger tissue. I think the manual lymph massage has also helped to lessen my pelvic bulge. Is there a reason you're getting a sleeve before you've been diagnosed with LE...maybe just for protection? I hope you have the same positive outcome with PT...I'm a believer!
Happy Sunday to all....and Monday to our gals in other parts of the world
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Fredntan: You are in my prayers for a trouble-free surgery, just like Diana....thanks for posting Diana! Its good to hear it can be that good!
RonnieKay LOL!!! Toobs.....I love it! I was telling my close friends that I was getting "Belly boobs"....because they won't be fake...that's the bigging reason I'm choosing the DIEP! Now I'll refer to them as the Belly boob toobs!
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Fredntan - All the best to you tomorrow. You'll do great!
Jenn - I'm sure you are glad to be home. Drains really are the pits no matter what. I hope you are able to lose the last two soon - but know they do serve an intended purpose. I know you know that :-)
Everyone - I hope it didn't sound like bragging when I shared my positive experience. I think that we often read all about the complications and side-effects and don't see that sometimes it goes the other way. Believe me I am thankful for all the sharing because it paints a wide picture. And I would never discount or belittle your experiences. I share with others frequently that there are so many women who go through so much more. And I don't take it for granted.
Full disclosure: I think I shared this months ago after my surgery. I had SSNS. When I first had my consult with my PS he was not certain about saving the nipple. He was not attempting to dissuade me just putting all the cards on the table regarding reconstruction even if there was no evidence of cancer in my nipple or areola. Of course I knew from consultation with my BS that she would not know until the tissue was sent to the lab, during the procedure, if cancer cells would be present. So I was prepared for that eventuality. But she encouraged me to try for NS if that was what I desired and believed the tumor(s) were far enough away that she expected no spread to the nipple/areola area. [A breast MRI had revealed another undefined tumor area but it was impossible to tell prior to surgery if that area was an independent tumor or if it was part of the same tumor. It ended up being separate.] Since my PS and BS work so closely together and since BS is her area of expertise as opposed to his being reconstruction, he also ended encouraging me to try, but with a contingency plan. So he placed an oval of abdominal skin from the DIEP to the left of my areola instead of just the straight scar. In the event that I had lost the areola nipple area, there was fresh living skin right there that could be used. That was also the area where my DIEP was monitored. And the plan was/ has been/ and is to remove this oval patch of skin since everything went according to plan! I just had to get through chemo and rads. So ....long story longer (ha) I will have additional surgery to remove this. Should just have one surgery to do that. And must admit that with everything looking so good and working so well and then reading some of the stories about open wounds, there are days that I don't want to have it removed for fear that I would end up with a complication. It might be irrational or it might be understandable. But it's where I'm at right now.
I'll just add that he was able to make the vascular connection through the incision for the snb and axillary excision which ended up being the one small scar in my armpit area.
Hugs to all going through revisions and next stages along with those who are about to have their DIEPs. -
Belly Boobs....love it!
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Good luck Fran and hope you sleep well!
Sorry to hear several of you are dealing with le. I didn't realize it was still so common despite snb. Although I know a few of you had to have more taken.
I can understand how our feelings evolve over time with acceptance of the new toobs. Being pre-surgery, I had the realization that I'm carrying around 4 until the cut and paste! It's a strange trip but good to know it feels more normal down the road.
Here's to another day toward healing and hope everyone has a good week! -
RonnieKay, it's so nice to be able to relate with one another! I don't have LE but I had bilateral BC so I've had bilateral SNB's. I will have sleeves because my son is a pilot so I fly with him and also I work as a rehab therapist which can involve heavy lifting. 2 sleeves + heated patient rooms = major hot flash!! That's all I can foresee. I go back to work in Jan. 20 weeks post surgery because of the heavy lifting.
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One more drain gone and one to go but I think that one will be there a few more days yet...
LE - sorry that anyone has to deal with it... I only had one node removed back in December when I had my initial lumpectomy and then just one more suspicious one removed with my surgery a week and a half ago. So, am less likely to develop SE than others with far more nodes removed.
Jenn -
Frendat Praying for a restful night and successful surgery tomorrow.
Hoping for an amazingly easy recovery:)
Keep us posted:)!
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Yeah Jenn! So glad you are home.
dlt I think it's important to hear all sides. Your response was respectful & honest.
People should be able to know about positive experiences as well as some of the pitfalls.
Ty for sharing.
Healing thoughts for everyone. And wishing those making recon & treatment decisions.......confidence & peace.
Sweet dreams to all -
Fredntan-they will take great care of you in San Antonio. I go Tuesday for my post op with the surgeon. My surgery was a little over 3 weeks ago. There was a PAC named maria who was a life saver. They have this whole thing down to an art. Funny you asked about naming...i joke that mine is called Clementine. Because she is cute and tiny like the fruit. Can't wait to meet her sister....
Each day gets better than the previous. Slow and steady. -
Thinking of Fredtan today. I hope all is going well.
I met with PS today for second post op (i am almost 6 weeks out). He said everything looks great. Wants to wait until my open wounds heal (where stitches dissolved) before scheduling Stage II. He thinks all we will need to do at Stage II is niple construction and a little lipo on the side of each beast to remove some excess tissue. Right now there is a triangular bump on the outside of each breast, but otherwise the girls look good now! Great cleavage and very soft.
Best news though is he agreed that I can have ooph during the same surgery. Is it possible I cold have just one day surgery left in this journey? -
Fredntan...Thinking about ya! Hoping the meds are keeping you feeling good and you're happy that bc is a distant memory! Yeah to all of us for taking control over our bodies! I really do stop and think about the number of us going through this incredible procedure, how strong we are, how we overcome the difficult times, celebrate the good results, work at keeping our lives as normal as possible, and find each other to confide in. I know how much bc.org has meant to me. During my treatment..surgery, chemo, rads, etc., I found strength in my Sisters of September...whom I dearly love and was so blessed to meet 2 sisters in Calif during Christmas of '10 (while visiting son's family). I know we cherish each other and welcome all points of view, appreciating, cheering, comiserating with each other. It's priceless to be able to share my life with all of you...and I know you feel the same! So...a big thank you hug!
Beckers! That's one of the 5 rules of LE...wearing a sleeve and moving the arm during flights! Good for you...and awesome that your son's a pilot
Glad you have good time to recover...you'll definitely be lifting a bit more than Costco bags in your job! Take care all!
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Regensshirm - glad you are doing good at 3 weeks. It takes time. I thought I would never be able to stand up straight and around 8 weeks I turned that corner. Endurance is slowly improving too. Clementine is a cute name. Do you have a name for her sister?
I had my almost 3 year old grand daughter and accidentally lifted her today. My tummy had felt achey all evening. I don't think I'm ready for her on my own quite yet. Darn it. Feeling just enough better I am afraid I will over do it. Yikes.
Nite all. -
Rebecca - hope your tummy feels better in the morning!
Today is Day 10 after surgery for me and my last drain was pulled today. What a difference in how I feel already with no pain driving me to take pain meds this afternoon. That drain ebtry was very red and irritated and was causing me pain...
Now can see that I may face a challenge still taking it easy over the next few days now that I am untethered :-)
Jenn -
Waving hi. Doc Arishta did amazing job. Nurses here are incredible. The twin s are doing great. DH went to gift shoo for scratcher. I also have handheld mirror so i can see the girls. Feeling goooooood. Aaaahhhhh
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Great Fredntan! So happy you are doing well!
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