Diep 2012

Goldlining...I feel like I could've written your post!  My belly button area is just a little raised on one side, which makes it look a little off center...but I hear you on the "when I stopped thinking about the surgery all the time...not soon!  I do the same 5 months out.  Glad it gets better. 

Ruby, my hardness, which was definitely where stitching positioning was done (outside, close to underarm area) was removed during stage 2..but it had softened up prior to that surgery, I think in large part because of massage. That was only on the non-cancer side, which is and has always been firmer.  The cancer side was expanded, which I think is why it's softer, and jiggles. They actually tightened up some of the skin underneath during stage 2, and I think it made that side a wee bit smaller.  But I'm obsessed with evenness..and that one used to be larger. I just bought 2 different styles of the bali comfort revolution...thanks to all for the referral!  The gal at Macy's said as soon as I feel like going into a more firm bra, there's a wireless wacoal that's nice.  I love the softies but just want to feel like I'm in a real bra and jiggle less (good info Goldlining).

My toobs are very roundish, maybe sports-bra-ish, but I don't mind that. Maybe nipples would make them look less so???  I think it sounds like you're doing awesome, Ruby, being only weeks out!!  My ps said (and I totally agree) that diep breasts get better as time goes by.  By the time I was going in for stage 2 at 4 months, I was quite happy, and the improvements then were great.  Are there still things I wish were a bit different...yep...but there were parts of my body I wasn't crazy about before cancer (oh how I wish I would've appreciated that healthy body more!).  Anyhoo...ps is amazing and I know that if the spirit moves me, I will request my ps work his magic again...but like Goldlining, I can wait a while  

Downey...Will be thinking of you during Stage 2b!!  Hope it goes GREAT!!!!

Mags..Your positive attitude is awesome!!!  Good luck in your next surgery...but good that you're healing well now!  With your oozing spot on your tummy incision, I had the same thing and I went in twice (being seen by PA and nurse).  They just said it wasn't infected and would heal.  When I finally said I wanted the ps to see it, he wiggled the skin around and found a stitch that hadn't dissolved.  As soon as that was cut out, it healed beautifully.  The stitch was not deep enough to dissolve and not close enough to the surface to be easily seen.  Oh, that it could be that easy, right???   Hoping

Wishing you all a bright Sunday!

Hello everyone. This site has been great for me--a treasure trove of information.  I have been a fly on the wall for a few days since my DIEP surgery over two weeks ago. Everything went fine--although I did feel like a train wreck for the first 2 days--the body is very remarkable in bouncing back--now I am mostly wondering about when I will feel i can fully stand up straight and not feel so stretched (4-6 weeks?), what people did to help the back pain when hunched over (I have had a lot of pain around my back/hips), did your PT give any kinds of exercises to help the back? I am going back to work in 7 weeks post op--althought my PS said some patients go back as early as 4 weeks--I think I will need the full 7 weeks. My heartfelt thanks to everyone here whohas shared their experiences so openly. I am so grateful to have had this surgery. Unlike my mx, I have kept this surgery more private (only a couple of people at work who also had breast cancer know). I will stay in touch to see what the next weeks and months hold.

I am so sorry you are going through this. It makes me feel bad that I complain about my one drain at 4 weeks post -op. take care of yourself. This will pass, but apparently longer than usual. Read, do jigsaw puzzles, watch movies and let friends and family take care of you. You need this right now. This is the place for you to rant and rave. It isn't being negative as this is reality and right now it sucks!!!!! Please take care of yourself.

Stipey,  you have had a VERY hard time.  You are allowed to rant and rave.  We are all here for you.  Hang in....things will get better.  Try not to put so much pressure on yourself.  Listen to what your body needs.  Gentle hugs your way.

Thanks so much for the supportive messages. I think am just so frustrated my control freak self does not know what to do. I am very lucky to have a very supportive family who have been with me through the whole thing. After a good cry and a long talk with my sister I am headed to PS tomorrow. That is one thing where I feel I have been very lucky. My surgeons are amazing women who will see me or talk to me anytime.



Thanks again and good luck to everyone.

Stipey.. I wanted to tell you that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it may be a longer tunnel than you expected and planned for, but in the end it will all work out. I say this from experience. I had a BMX and GAP flap surgery in July 2011. I had lung issues as well where my lungs wouldn't fully inflate. When I got home (two weeks after surgery) I ended up getting lung function tests because I was having problems taking a deep breath without pain. That same day, one of my breast incisions opened up. I was leaking all over the place. Then I developed a fever and it was determined my port (from chemo) was infected. So I had to have emergency surgery to remove the port (all while my breast was leaking).  Then my doctor decided my leaking/open incision was too much of an issue and brough me back in for a wound surgery to remove the necrotic skin and tissue (most of the right flap). Five days later I had a DIEP flap to replace the lost tissue. This all took place within a month. From there it was clear sailing... but oh boy what a month it was.

I might suggest you get a second opinion about what next. I don't know where you went to have surgery, but not all doctors are great at fixing the complications. I went to NOLA and they are excellent at fixing all problems. I am a bit unsure why you weren't in compression 24/7 to avoid the hematomas. And you say your drains all clogged and then were stripped... were they not stripped several times a day? I stripped my own drains once I was out of the hosiptal, and had to do it at least 2-3 times per day... much more often in the early days.

And you are right, you should be pleased that you made the right decision to have the MX... So keep reading the path report... and believe it or not, in not the too distant future you will barely remember this period. It will seem like a blur.

PM me if you want any more detail about all of my problems.

Hi Stipey,



Just like everyone else, I am so sorry you have been going through such a hard time!



Can I just add the suggestion to make sure you are doing everything possible eating wise to help with the healing process? I know there's not a lot of emphasis on it, but I really believe that what you take in during the healing process is really important.



I made sure that prior and after my surgery I changed my diet to a low fat, high protein diet. Instead of a cookie with my cup of tea or coffee I stocked up on cute little protein bars (chocolate...mmmmm). I made sure to eat protein at every meal.



regards Jenn

calm, I started walking in the hospital, like they tell you, and was beyond proud to shuffle 5K around the ward on day 3, in verrrry slow 1K sets of 10 laps per km. Then I got an infection in the incisions and the antibiotic knocked me back into bed. I went home at 6 days and I started on the treadmill at the Y at 4mph at about 10 days. I could not straighten up so I used the side rails of the treadmill to partially support my upper body. I wasn't doing much with the abs there - the hips pick up the slack, which is why we get sore low back and hips.

I was also given the rule of no ab work for 6 weeks (and had learned about not overdoing the lifting and reaching after my mx the year before). I started at physio 4 weeks post-op (in part because of all the Xmas holidays). She was very gentle about it, getting me to stretch around the shoulders and also strengthen muscles around my core without using the ab muscles. I saw her twice weekly for the first while, before switching to alternate weeks. She was watching the calendar, because when I passsed 6 weeks, she really prodded me to start gradually on the abs and she started working on the scar.

Although I was on the treadmill for up to 90 minutes on a weekly basis, I had not run three steps in a row before the trip to Disneyland for the Tinker Bell half marathon. The jiggling just didn't feel "right". My PS was supportive of it. He said it's after 6 weeks, and I could do anything I wanted. He agreed it was crazy, but only because for lack of training, my time would suck. I was so happy to get a PS who understood running. I am not good at it, but it is good to me.

My only acute issue was swelling in the flap. That was when I first noticed I seemed to have LE. I changed sportsbra (to Shock Absorber) and have not had the problem from running again. I also fly in compression bra and compression socks so that I don't arrive already having LE issues. (Not sure if the leg swelling is DIEP ab surgery or vestiges of old C-section.) The tired back (from the leaning forward) was much relieved by physio and massage the following week. Surprisingly, my legs were just a bit stiff for a couple of days and then 100%. I guess that's the payoff of the treadmill walking even if I wasn't able to run. 

This year, not only did I have the DIEP in December '11 but I sustained a stress fracture in one foot in late June that was in an aircast boot all summer. I had taken a break from training after the January '12 run because of the backlog at work from my sick leave and my poor mood. I kept putting off training and found myself at a half marathon in June with no training. I ran 5K then walked the rest and felt great, but two weeks later, I developed the stress fracture (not running related). I got so fed up being immobilized that in August I did a 15K run (walking) in the boot! When I got 3K along the course, relief just washed over me. I think I smiled the rest of the way. I had a business trip to Berlin in October and walked all over sightseeing in my spare time, and the foot pain came back -  so, back on with the boot, babying the foot, because I had the Walt Disney World "Wine and Dine" half in November. After this year of such scarce actual running, I am trying to get back to training for a half in January and maybe run more and walk less. The winner is home with her shorts and socks in the dryer before I finish and that's never going to change, but would be nice to shave a few minutes off my time!

It's good if you have some physio covered by insurance. Mine is covered under my employee benefits if prescribed by a doctor. I pay about $50 per appointment (20 minutes) and then it's reimbursed.

Stipey, so sorry you are having such a difficult time! This is the best place to vent, as all these ladies care about everything you a re going through....even when we may not have the same experience to share. Blessings to you!

Btw, Nordstrom had only 1 wireless bra, but I found a great selection at Macy's this week. Besides the bali, I second the recommendation for wacoal. They have several great styles.

Thanks Cindy,



I am three weeks out and feeling a bit weary... I still have a lot of pain in my breast area and very numb everywhere. It is great to hear updates from ladies ahead of me. Gives me something to work toward. What a long road this is.....I am looking forward to feeling "normal" soon.



Healing thoughts to all,



Ruby

Jackie, I read a number of your posts when I first went through this site--you have had quite the journey and I wish you the very best in this next phase. I hope you will keep us posted.

I too am grateful to read about those ahead of me. I am still ever so slightly stooped--enough that my back is quite sore after a lot of walking--so am looking forward to the day when that is behind me. I am doing the arm exercises-up the wall, above my head, etc--just like the post-mastectomy exercises--in fact I still have pencil marks on my wall from two years ago when I was working to get arm range of movement back--and here I am again.

This time of year is always a bit emotional--was first diagnosed after biopsy on December 23--remember the intense fear and worry during Christmas, not saying anything to my kids/family other than my husband--now I am intensely grateful to be here and to have had the opportunity to have this reconstruction. 

Been in chicago to see the block group if docs. Flying back to va in little bit.



I am going vegan. Giving up the drink.



Ruby my breast was tender still at three weeks out. I am over ten now. It slowly feels better

Thanks MartyJ, I'll remember to hit the pain pump!! 

Calm, I'm excited to continue with different bs and ps!!

Thanks for those words RonnieK, I feel the strength of all of my sisters.

Blessing and healing love to the sisters that are struggling or in pain.

Hugs...Jackie

Fredntan, I too have been advised to go vegan. I'm struggling though. Let me know how it goes for you as you transition.