DIEP 2013

Janet - It did help me to put the obsessive head lists down on paper (or ipad).  I use Evernote a lot and had created a bunch of check lists.  Really made me feel like I was under control - to check off that I actually put socks in my suitcase.  Little things do the strangest things.

MartyJ - 

For me, making lists falls under the category of 'Doing Everything I Can'. Like the DIEP itself, and my buckets of bluberries, I want to do everything I can to be prepared.

I'm loving this thread. I love the wisdom, the advise, the stories, and the triumphs.

Nihaha - Anitoxidants! Some studies have shown the blueberries help prevent cell damage, and increase immunity. And they're delicious! I freeze wildbluerries and put them in my oatmeal every morning.

Ok ladies just got back from my PS appointment and my CT scan looked great! So we will proceed with the DIEP april 1st as planned. I asked all of my remaining questions and left feeling happy to proceed.

I did however find out why they were looking at my liver and that was because they discovered some masses in the liver and with my history they felt it was best to look into it further. They said they believe they are just cysts but to be sure my breast surgeon may want to biopsy. I would be lying if I said that I wasn't freaking out just a little because the words metastatic cancer don't sit well obviously. But that being said I am choosing to relax and not worry till or if there is need to.

Hi Ladies, I had my first post op yesterday and had 2 of my 4 drains taken out, I am really not draining much but my PS wanted to leave the other 2 in until Monday. One of the drains was pretty painful and he took that one out and I feel like a new woman. He said I did not have any fluid buildup in my abdomen and everything looks great. The flap is soft and warm and there are no areas of concern...yeah! He shared with us the play by play on what and where he attached everything from flaps he stacked to the arteries and vessels he connected....fascinating. He said I was a textbook case for everything going right, just a ton of microsurgery to get there. I got to say I really feel great, sleeping well, moving well and so worth it!

I have decided to do a bilateral masectomy with diep reconstruction . I really only need to do the left breast where cancer has come back after 14 years. The more I thought about it the more I felt I should do both. I don't have a huge risk of it returning to the right side but even the smallest risk is enough for me.  The procedure can only be done once and I would rather have two breasts looking similiar than worry about ever having it happen again. Honestly I wonder whether I am doing this because of vanity. I am afraid of the length of the surgery,10 to 12 hours under is a very frightening. I worry about the recovery and the time it will take . I freelance and can't earn any money while not working. I don't get sick pay but my health insurance may cover some costs. I am very lucky to be in toronto canada knowing that my health care is covered and that our doctors are excellent. Surgery will be sheduled for mid february. There is some time to change my mind about a unilateral or bilateral. I am trying not to think about it too much or should I say over think it. Its great to read the experiences of others. The thought of the drains and pain . Owwww. Hope I can take it all. 

Thank you for that support. It makes my decision feel right.  Unfortunately I do alot of standing and lifting at work. I will probably cash in some retirement savings but kind of looking forward to the break , it gives me a great excuse to not work for awhile. Positives are rest, tummy tuck, and no mammos!! 

Geralyn,

What's wrong with a bit of vanity?

A year I had to make the choice of radiation or dble mastectomy with immediate DIEP reconstruciton, and it was a brutally difficult desicion. I thought I was going to have a neervous breakdown (literally) so I went to see a psychiatrist at Princess Margaret (Toronto) to help me talk it through. So we broke it down into all sorts of scenarios, and pro & con lists, and I realized that one of the things that is really important to me is symmetry. I'm bilateral and had two lumpectomies, one on each side. But the right tumor was much larger so that breast is crazy looking, while the left one ( sigh) is almost perfect. But having them looking the same matters to me, so that was one of my 'pros'. 

I  really wanted this surgery but I had all the usual fears. The length of surgery, and recovery, the pain, and time off work (I'm a freelancer too). But I decided that I would just throw my hat over the fence .

I called a girlfirend and told her all that I was thinking, and she said 'What's missing from all your lists' and I said 'courage'. And she said, 'Well then, we're going to get you some. Book the operation!'

Congratulations on making a desicion. Sometimes that's the hardest part.

Janet 

PS When I met with my surgeon I asked a whole bunch of very intelligent medical type quesitons but the one I really wanted to ask was the one I saved for the end. 'Can I still wear an underwire bra?' The answer. Yes! 

Wow! I feel so much better and positive about it now. Yes vanity is ok. Thank you , thank you. Another concern is a comment from someone "what about chemo after" ? As far as I know the surgeon doesn't seem to be too worried and if I do masectomy there is very little chance of any cancer coming back, but there is always a chance.  I suppose it depends on the lab reports after surgery.  This other person was concerned as she was told to do chemo after her bilateral to make sure cancer didn't spread. I really don't want chemo, refused it 14 years ago and managed to make it this far. Any thoughts on after care , femara, chemo etc.?

Hope they get the thyroid meds sorted out quickly for you. I would way the excited overlayed by nervous is pretty normal. I seem to be more calm with nervous/scared overtones. We are all choosing a big surgery and an even bigger "body change". It would be impossible not to have lots of emotional colours to this journey!

Nihahi - I am in your boat.  I had 2 sets of implants over 27 years. I had lots of scar tissue that they removed.   I do not know the technique used, but once the implant was removed, they adjusted the muscle and stitched it back in place.  I would imagine (emphasis on imagine) that they do something similar to a plication.  That is part of a tummy tuck - when they tighten the abdominal muscles by sort of folding them over and stitching together.

Biggest challenge now (12 weeks post diep) is that I need to rebuild the muscles because they work a bit differently now that they are back where they belong.  It is nice to flex the pecs and not have your implant flex too.  That was just annoying and wrong.  

Ketch - so glad you are seeing someone who can work out those thyroid meds.  I am on Armour and like it much better than synthroid (which I was on for 15 years).  Being nervous is good.  Finish all your pre surg tasks and then a sense of calm will come.  It is kind of amazing how that seems to happen for many of us.

Heavenschild - might be too early to try to lay flat in bed.  I used pillows under my knees and behind my back.  These helped prevent me from rolling onto my side.   My doctor didn't want me sleeping on my side for 6 weeks and longer for stomach.  Go very slowly, give yourself plenty of recovery time before you push yourself to do more.

BlueGirl - glad to see you back!   I don't know how bad your sleep apnea is, but if you sleep sitting up most of the apnea goes away  I tried to sleep on my back and it wasn't a good experience, although I really enjoyed the proximity to my husband, which I have missed.  Lots of heaviness in my chest area when I lie down.  I also am pretty achy and my sternum hurts.  You might also want to call your sleep apnea doc and explain the situation to him. 

Thanks for the feedback Marty about the stretched muscle. Yes, I cannot wait to be able to "activate" my pec muscle without my implant folding in!!!!!! Are you doing physio??? How long did it take before you were comfortable lying flat to sleep???

Bleugirl, so glad to hear you're back with us. Thanks for adding me to the list. Sounds like you had a tough go post-op! So happy to hear your reports came back so positive. Now all your energy can go towards healing. 

What is up with sternum pain??? Is it due to accessing the vessels in the chest to join the ones coming from the flap, or is it because of something else?