Diep 2012

After my stage II and before IIb, my doctor said to get in as good shape as I could. Apparently, easier said then done. When I went to my MO last month, he said I had lost 5 pounds since June, but my clothes don't agree... I am about 37 pounds above my ideal perfect weight. I don't have expectations to be that weight now, but if I could lose 25-30 pounds I'd be very happy. So with only 2.5 weeks til my stage IIb, I am hoping to drop 5 pounds, and then go from there. If by fall I have lost the weight and I need a little revision I will cross that bridge then. I think it will be fine though. My fat is well distributed now, and if I lose, I will lose all over. So no matter what, it will all work out I am sure.

Ronnie, Good to hear from you. Hope you are having minimal SEs from treatment! I'm glad things are sounding encouraging. I am mailing you the blanket soon! hang in there.

Can they also tighten things up at a 2b? I only have 5 1/2 weeks. Hoping to get at least 5 off before 2a, then 10-15 after. I don't want to delay surgery at this point as it is all set up.



Thanks for the info.

I will email them this week. Looks like mine will be late march due to hubbys schedule. That puts me at six months between anyway. Going to new PT tomorrow. Going to start some US to that scar tissue in radiated breast. Going to get them to do some massage to armpit area. I just have this mild nagging pain tightness ti breast and arm pit area. We have new LE person in area, but I couldnt get her on phone. She is occupational therapist anyway. She probably doesnt do massage. And I probably know more about LE than she does



Been going to gym. Can do 30 min on the bouncy eliptical

Sonyalee - there is a great packing list on the NOLA in September thread.  Before purchasing any post surgical garments, talk with your PS to see what you need.  Different PS have different approaches.  I know some women who didn't have compression (abdominal), my doctor prefers it and a garment was provided (I woke up in it).  Most seem to use a simple, light hook-front bra.  As time progressed, I moved to other soft (non-wire) bras and am now wearing a Coobie Bra.  Just ring up the PS office and speak to the nurse as she should be able to tell you exactly what you will need in the way of garments.

Sonyalee... Maybe you could measure yourself and order the cami online?? I didn't wear a cami, but rather I wore a bra as Marty described... As Marty said all doctors have their own thing.

Well... you can certainly ask your PS.. In NOLA they only use bras. So if you want to wear the bra only, just ask if its ok.

Ronnie, glad to "see" ya

I cannot comment on chemo, however, we are only weeks apart on when we had our surgeries.

I have noticed some feeling along the side of my breast especially where the "stick" part of my skin paddle is.

It radiates toward my new nipple which is awesome

That is really all of the feeling I expect. Surface/skin sensations but weird and nice all in the same sense.

I also noticed that the total numbness in my snb site is slowly easing and having more feeling there too.

I have nothing else to offer, but thought that the timing of our surgeries and having some sensations was worth throwing out there.

Wishing you well and great comfort during your treatments with few SEs.

XOXOXOX

piper

Hi Ronnie. ... I don't think most have chemo first.... But certainly some do. I had a lumpectomy and then chemo and then decided to have MX. They tried to remove my port during surgery but had trouble and left it for my radiologist to take it out. In the meantime it got a bacterial infection and really hurt. So just make sure the port is fine.

Ronnie, so good to hear you're tolerating your treatments well! I'm hoping its doing the job and you get good news at your next scan. Have you healed up well from stage 2 now?



Rebecca, hope you are well too! Looks like several of us will be headed for stage 2 soon.



I'm 3 months out on Thursday and we'll celebrate my little one's 4th birthday too! My darn abs (and boobs) are still swollen after an active day but my energy is great. It's been quiet on here lately but if any of you have an idea of when the swelling finally stops, it would be great to know. I can also ask at f/u in a couple of wks.



Hope the quiet means everyone is doing well!!

CG--Definitely ask for the anti-nausea patch. They put mine on before I even was wheeled into surgery. (I am very prone to nausea, although don't vomit.) I had to take a very strong antibiotic when home, and it made me so sick I couldn't move or feel like eating. Finally, after many phone calls, the PS nurse approved an anti-nausea med (expensive) that I believe is the type people take when having chemo. That helped immediately. So don't let nausea, especially vomiting, go unchallenged. Let them know up front that is an issue for you.

As for no stage 2, my shape (DIEP and lift) is fine and I wouldn't need to tweak anything. I do have some hard necrosis (this is not unusual) that I want removed, plus the nipple will be built from the extra skin where it used to be. So I will be having outpatient surgery for that at the end of Feb. But nipple creating and tatooing (after the nipple heals) may be the only stage you may need.

I'm happy you three have done well! Ronnie, I'm glad you got through stage 2 as well (even with the port now). Your positive attitude and lifestyle are wonderful! I agree with Rebecca...12 lbs is great!



Chris, I'm with you on the patch and zofran. Despite being under for so long with stage 1, it's the first time the anesthesiologists were able to help me avoid post-op n/v. What a difference!



Rebecca, do you plan to eventually go back for more fat grafting? I can't remember if you did nipples too or planned for 3d tattoos. I'm hoping some fat grafting will do the trick for me since I have one side that's flatter. I totally understand wanting a break after stage 2. It's been a long year for you but great you've recovered well!



Thanks for the responses! I'm looking forward to celebrating today...3 months post-diep, dh and I had our first date 27 yrs ago, and my son turns 4. I was up late making a requested strawberry batman cake last night. Kneading homemade fondant (my first time) wore me out, but the cake is cute! Let's hope it tastes good!

Aww, it was a nice day, and the cake was good! :-)

Cg1234, I would be open to another fat grafting. It's looking better though. It's so interesting. I had nipple sparing. They may be done. Time will tell.

Rebecca, that's great! Hope you end up happy with the results.



Fran, sorry about the email problems, especially if you had pics in there! How are you otherwise and when is stage 2 for you?



Ronniekay, I hope you're still feeling good this week. You're sweet, and I hope you're enjoying those cute grand kids every chance you get!