Diep 2012

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  • DFOnt
    DFOnt Member Posts: 145
    edited October 2012

    Hi ladies

    Just checking in and commenting on a few topics.  I'm about 5 wks post unilateral diep.  Feeling almost back to normal.  Slight tightness in abdomen. Little hardness in one area of new boob but seems to be softening up with massage.  Using bio oil on scars.  All is healed well. I am hoping to be able to lift my 40lb severely disabled daughter before 3 months!! Hoping closer to 6 - 8 weeks post op.  I feel I am functioning pretty normally except for the no lifting.

    I did not have and abdominal binder nor was told to wear anything tight, just whatever's comfortable.  I have just started wearing slightly tighter pants, but no zipper pants. Wearing normal bras if they don't have underwire, holding off on buying good ones until after 2nd stage I think.  I will probably have a lift on my original breast, think they said even out some triangles on the sides, nipple...They do look uneven, not too bad if I have a more supportive bra on.

    I also had thrush, it was horrible.  I ended up having pills because the mouth wash was back ordered.  I think pills were better!!  Took a while for my taste to get back to normal.

    The rib thing...I only heard about it when the surgeon's fellow said something like, you know we're taking a rib out right? just before surgery.  Um...no!!  Ok, he said not really taking it out more like shaving it down.

    So, it's been a bit of a challenge, especially organizing my daughter's care and having someone here overnight every night since I've been home, but it has worked out, and I am proud of myself for going ahead and doing it. I am glad I did. So nice not to have to deal with a prosthetic and to have a bit of cleavage and be able to wear lower tops!

     Had my 3 week post op check up with the nurse, all looked good. Can't remember when she said to go back, lol. I think it was 6 weeks post op, then probably have 2nd stage around February. 

    Been reading the posts, just haven't had a chance to comment. Hope everyone is well and getting better by the day!!  Take care!

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited October 2012

    No abdominal binder for me but my instructions say to wear an unwired bra 24hrs a day from two weeks post surgery for six weeks. The only time I am supposed to take off the bra is for my shower.



    Jenn

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  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 6,201
    edited October 2012

    Rebecca. I bought a couple different styles, but in the end kept the one that looks like it goes up mid abs, but in reality in goes right up to under the breasts. I also had lipo on my legs (including my inner knees) so my Marena goes to just below the knee. I also get hot flashes and found this garment to be the best for not getting too hot. I had a different girdle for post stage I that had zippers on the side and had to wear it for 9 weeks post stage I as I had GAP flap as well as DIEP flap, and had drains for 8.5 weeks, and that was in August in New Orleans... talk about HOT.

    I suggest for anyone looking to buy one of these, to wait until you are home and about to lose your drains. The body with swelling can change in size and you'd hate to buy it to fit the swollen body and then its too big. They also sell stage I girdles (with the side zippers) but I didn't buy that one. In retrospect, having worn a bulky stage I girdle for 9 weeks, I should have bought Marena's stage I... but most people don't have drains as long as I did.

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  • RonnieKay
    RonnieKay Member Posts: 2,067
    edited October 2012

    I had both weights of flexees, the supportive undies (which I wore "out") and supportive ones that are more like spanx (only not as tight nor expensive). They did come up past the tummy but were not high cut.  Not all stores may carry the ones I got, but they were great and washed well. Guess I got lucky :)  My ps office recommended them so that's all I really looked for...may have been nice to know about Marena.

    Mommof4..sounds like you're healing great...awesome news :)

    Fredntan: Your insides won't fall out...when I asked that they said I had 3 layers of stitches :)  Hope the mofm works today...that should make your stomach and back feel better!  Glad to hear your toobs look great!!!  Hang in there, girl!

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited October 2012

    I am happy to report i had BM today. Very traumatic. It had been a week

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited October 2012

    fredntan - in your life before BC did you ever imagine that you would be happy to announce that to the world :-)



    I love that we are all supportive and friends on here despite our distances from each other. Online support is really the best!



    Hubby has gone back to work today after having the past 2 weeks off to look after me. My girlfriend who lives in another city has flown up to stay for 5 days to help out. She is upstairs cleaning my kids bathroom - bless her!



    Jenn

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  • Beckers
    Beckers Member Posts: 1,883
    edited October 2012

    Mommaof4,



    Congrats on doing so well since surgery! I was instructed to wear the abdominal binder a full 3 months.

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  • cg1234
    cg1234 Member Posts: 181
    edited October 2012

    Well I made it through most of my pre op appts today. Got my prescriptions, bra, and binder from the ps. I think we are all on the same page and I feel comfortable with the plan. I did start having dreams about the surgery over the weekend though. I hope that doesn't keep happening every night! I'm nervous but ready for next week to get here. All the staff said I'd be doing well by about 3 wks so I am seriously hoping for a good path report and steady recovery from the Diep. I would be lucky to do as well as all of you with recent surgeries but am not expecting too much just in case. (I am also planning to be aggressive about colace etc.) Don't know what I'd do without all the advice! I agree that this online forum has been a blessing to speak so openly and receive such wonderful support from you all.



    One last story for a smile...my ps had on crazy pink and green striped socks with his dark blue suit today. I had to comment, and he said he lets his 6 yo daughter pick out all his socks. Gotta love a man who is that confident and sweet on his daughter!



    Have a great week and happy healing everyone!

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  • cg1234
    cg1234 Member Posts: 181
    edited October 2012

    Oh and my new ps was pretty confident he wouldn't need to take any muscle after reviewing my ct. I am hoping it works out!

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  • kimdy
    kimdy Member Posts: 66
    edited October 2012

    cg1234  where will you be having your surgery?

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  • MENA1954
    MENA1954 Member Posts: 194
    edited October 2012

    May I ask you where are you havig your surgery done and who are your DR? 

    Mena

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  • cg1234
    cg1234 Member Posts: 181
    edited October 2012

    Hi kimdy, I'll be getting my surgery at Ohio state since I work at the university and have their insurance. I know many posting here are able to travel to the well known places, but it seems there are a growing number of academic centers with well trained teams too. How about you?

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  • RonnieKay
    RonnieKay Member Posts: 2,067
    edited October 2012

    Cg...what a sweet ps...love the sock story!!!  When you're happily healing and go in for your 6 week check, you should take him some awesome Christmas socks...or something super cute :)  Bet he and daughter would love it!   Sounds like you're totally ready for the big day and that's fantastic...maybe you're doing the play by play in dreamland so that when the time comes, it'll be a piece of cake!

    Jenn...what a fantastic friend!!!  Especially cleaning the bathroom....when do you add dusting, laundry, etc......??????   My sister came to stay with me, and really, the best thing is having chat time, don't ya think :)  She's probably thinking you're one amazing woman!!!

    Fredntan...Yeah for the bm!!!!

    I had my stage 2 preop today....talking lipo, fat grafting, scar revision...as my ps put it....really minor thiings.  OMG...but hey, 2 hours compared to 12...piece of cake :)

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  • RonnieKay
    RonnieKay Member Posts: 2,067
    edited October 2012

    Just wanted to say an extra Bless You to all of you that have children at home and have gone through your treatment and surgeries!  I'm an oldie at 58, with children in their 30s (and 3 beautiful grandkids), but just thinking of your day to days while healing and taking care of the family (even with the best of helpers), you are amazing!!!!

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  • Beckers
    Beckers Member Posts: 1,883
    edited October 2012

    Ronniekay - I'm having stage II Dec 27 th. I will be interested to know how it goes for you. Sounds like we are having similar things done.

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited October 2012

    Well guess where i am, in the hosp with pnuemonia and a hematoma under one of my breasts.. Felt reallyperky today. Went to botanical gardens here in san antonio. I was dragging and reallyvtired. Temp back at hotel was 102.2. Wenr to ER. They took me right back. Did lotsa blood work, chest xray, and ct of abomin a nd chest. I was scared to death there would be something not so funny onct scan

    Good night

    So tired

    Fran

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited October 2012

    Aahhhhh, so sorry this has happened Fran! Relax and let them make you feel better...



    Jenn

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  • Beckers
    Beckers Member Posts: 1,883
    edited October 2012

    Oh Fran, I am so sorry to hear this! Glad you went to ER to get treated. Wishing you speedy recovery. Hope it's just a speed bump! Rest well.

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  • kimdy
    kimdy Member Posts: 66
    edited October 2012

    cg1234 - If things go as planned, I will be traveling to PRMA in San Antonio in January for stage 1. My bilateral MX was in 11/11, but I had to switch insurances to get to San Antonio...so I've had to wait. All the waiting drives me crazy! Will be praying for good results and rapid healing for you.



    Fran - so sorry to hear of your difficulties. Hoping you feel much better today! Keep us posted.



    Happy Tuesday to all:)!

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  • Linda-Ranching-in-the-mTns
    Linda-Ranching-in-the-mTns Member Posts: 319
    edited October 2012

    Fran, I am thinking of you ... and sending good energy your way. 

    I leave tomorrow for San Antonio -- to meet (for the first time) my surgeons (Nastala at PRMA and Alex Miller for the mastectomy) -- have a bi-lateral BMX/DIEP scheduled for Nov 6. Struggling with the decision to go bi instead of uni -- but was diagnosed 5/30, had lumpectomy 8/24, and they found more cancer in the margins, so I need at least a uni -- and honestly, I dread the idea of having to spend a second year with my thoughts/energy/time devoted to breast cancer appointments, surgeries, and recoveries. Seems wiser to just dive into the deep end and get it over with.

    I am new to the boards here, and will scan backwards to learn more about you (all)... but it sure speaks volumes about the community here that you (Fran) are expending the energy to post here so soon after your surgery, and when you aren't feeling well.  

    Best of luck ... and I would love hearing how you rate your PRMA experience when you feel up to it... 

    Nice to meet you all --

    Linda 

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited October 2012

    They couldnt find source of infection. Kidneys clear. Lungs good. They initially thought it was pnuemonia, but figured out that shadowing was from my rads. Sending me home on levaquin. Feel better now.

    All bloodwork good. Hemoglobin 8.6-no wonder i am tired

    Linda i was soover that other boob. No more mammos for me.

    Dr a said all my insicions look great. Get to leave san antonio friday

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  • Downey30
    Downey30 Member Posts: 337
    edited October 2012

    Fredntan,  Good news even if you feel awful.  Get lots of rest and feel better soon.

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  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 6,201
    edited October 2012

    Fran.. I had a fever post surgery... my first fever was lung related... my lung wasn't fully inflating.. and a week or so later got another fever that was a bacterial infection due to an infected port... so just 3 weeks post GAP I was having emergency surgery to remove my port. It all ended well.

    Linda... I chose bilateral and with no regrets. I am all about symmetry and not worrying.

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited October 2012

    Fran - you "sound" good. :-)



    Linda - welcome! This group is full of wonderful women who welcomed me with no reservations a number of weeks ago. They are great!



    Jenn

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  • jenlee
    jenlee Member Posts: 504
    edited October 2012

    Fran, sorry to hear about this bump in the road for you, but you sound like such a trooper.  And that is pretty low hemoglobin -- mine was a little higher and I was still exhausted!

    Just curious, does PRMA do both sides at one time?  I had gotten the impression that they would only do one side at a time and you had to come back later for the other, but I must have been wrong.  Sounds like it's been a positive experience. 

    Linda, I too chose bilateral for the same reasons as bdavis.  My breasts had betrayed me and I didn't trust the "noncancer" side.  Couldn't imagine going through regular "high risk" screenings for the remaining side.

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  • Linda-Ranching-in-the-mTns
    Linda-Ranching-in-the-mTns Member Posts: 319
    edited October 2012

    Thanks to you all for the welcome!

    Jenn-- I think with DIEP you must do both sides at once (or only one and can't do the other) because you can only use the donor site once. I am having my first meeting with the PRMA surgeons in two days, but all the priliminary stuff on the phone has OK'd for all-in-one (depending on the consultations) and because I am traveling long distance, they have already penciled in my surgery date for Nov 6. 

    I already saw docs in Denver a couple of weeks ago re DIEP, but they couldn't get me in until January so wanted to stage the surgeries (mastectomy soon, followed by DIEP in January). I couldn't see waiting (just based on an over-full surgeon's schedule) -- nor could I see putting myself through two surgeries and two recoveries instead of just one -- plus all that stuff with tissue expanders, etc... 

    Fran: "Kidneys and lungs good" = Great news! I am impressed that you are already out and about exploring San Antonio. I, too, will have to stay at a hotel SA for a week post surgery (until they take out the drains and do follow-up appt). How have you felt (besides tired)? How many days did they keep you in the hospital?  Who was your surgeon? 

    Thanks again for the welcomes :)

    Linda 

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited October 2012

    Linda you're right. If you only had one side done you would not have the option of another DIEP or TRAM later on because they can only use that donor site once. I had the bilateral for that reason and because I did not want to have to worry about getting cancer in the other breast and potentially go through more surgery and chemo later in life.



    Now I feel like "all" I have to worry about is cancer popping up somewhere else in my body :-/



    Jenn

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  • Linda-Ranching-in-the-mTns
    Linda-Ranching-in-the-mTns Member Posts: 319
    edited October 2012

    Don't worry ... be happy!

    I remind myself from time to time... the worrying about what 'might' happen only ruins the joy of the moment -- and does nothing to change what might eventually come! 

    The surgeon I met in Denver told me that by having the mastectomy, she can virtually guarentee me that the breast cancer will not be the death of me -- but she can't promise I won't get hit by a bus tomorrow!

    I sometimes wonder if MOST people over the age of 40 out there don't have cancer somewhere in their bodies -- it simply hasn't been identified yet. After all -- cancer isn't some 'external disease' that we 'catch' -- it is just the cells of our own bodies mutating and becoming over-active. People used to die younger - of things like pnemonia and smallpox, starvation, or maybe an Indian raid or falling off a cliff while foraging for food in the wilderness. Now we live longer because our lives are 'safer' -- allowing us to die from the inside out instead of from outside events. 

    So how is that for encouragement? Don't worry about the cancer showing up somewhere else, because you might be hit by a bus tomorrow!   :)

    BTW -- I loved Sydney -- was there 4 days of a month-long trip to Aus about 10 years ago. I went to the Opera House every night! My favorite part of the trip, though, was driving (alone for about a week) on the Great Ocean Road. Stunning... and what a thrill to see wild kangaroos!

    Thanks again for your welcome. 

    Linda

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  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 6,201
    edited October 2012

    Linda.. My doctor told me that all people do indeed have cancer in their bodies, but healthy bodies can ward it off...

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  • cg1234
    cg1234 Member Posts: 181
    edited October 2012

    Fran so glad you got discharged and seem to be feeling better. Did they give you anything to take care of the anemia? Hope you get good rest tonight!



    Ronniekay, you made me laugh...great idea about the socks! Let's hope he does a good job on me next week first! I bet it's nice to be thinking about the last leg of your journey. It's in early Nov, right?



    Welcome Linda! I think there are several threads about umx vs bmx that you might find helpful. Multiple biopsies on "healthy" side, being er/pr negative (thus can't take anything to protect the other breast) and the one shot deal with Diep were my reasons. Whatever you decide, it's a personal choice, and thank goodness most of us have the freedom to chose now. Btw, my bs said the same bonehead thing about the bus...Somehow I feel like I have a little more control over avoiding the bus compared to cancer! :-)



    Kimdy, lucky for you that you can go to prma! It sounds like you'll be in a great place!

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