DIEP 2013

Martyj and others...thanks for the "monitoring" info. Always so reassuring to get positive/helpful insight from those who have gone before. 

Keznick....How are things going for you now? Feeling better with each passing day, I hope. 

Joellee..So sorry to hear of the struggles you've got going. Hang in there, hopefully some relief is on the horizon for you.

JanetM....LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the reminder that they are aiming for "sisters" not twins. In reality that's the case for any of our double parts isn't it! I'm going into this looking for "me", not "perfect". Cause perfect isn't reality anyway.

3Mom..I grew up in Jamestown, and graduated from SUNYAB. Still have good friends in Cheektowaga. Are you having your tx and sx in Buffalo? Should be some good docs there.

Seagan....sounds like you're doing GREAT! I'm a poor sleeper too, even at the best of times. I've no doubt I'll be going into this sleep deprived, so expect to be like you, awake at any little disturbance, but then dozing off lots too. We must have similar minds...I've been thinking about the catheter thing too. Never had one, and my feelings of having one in are in the "eeuwww" range, but then realize once it's out, getting to the bathroom becomes a necessary evil! Have they given you any idea of when  any of your drains might be coming out? So glad to hear the "sisters" are looking good! Keep up the great work of healing!!!!

Seagan....I must say, you sound pretty lucid and together for a sleep-deprived, percocetted brain . Shows how tough you are. Have a great day of healing!!!!!

Hi all- been away from the laptop for a few days-looks like those who just had surgery are doing pretty well! I saw my PS today for the first time in almost 2 weeks (I am 5 weeks out) because he had a family emergency and was unavailable for about 5 days. I think I mentioned that I acquired an infection during my hospital stay, and about 6-7" of my center abdominal incision came apart. I have been packing it in saline-soaked gauze for 3weeks. Fun (not). I have been given the all-clear on the "divot", as I like to refer to it, and I made a spontaneous (and probably idiotic) decision to re-suture it......I am going back in tomorrow for what should not be any longer than a 1/2 hour surgery (knowing MY surgical track record-the PS should have DOUBLED that).....would you please send good thoughts skyward in my direction? I know I should not be nervous over something this minor-but EVERYTHING makes me "wonky" theses days! Thank you all! :-). Jackie

You are right, Nihahi. I know he is confident that he can fix it so I won't have crazy scar lines.....I just feel a little gun-shy, so to speak. Thank you for your support! I find I feel better about a lot of things every time I spend a little time here. At least everyone here has one thing in common-trying it kick the (Cancer) Beast to the curb! Namaste!

Jackie (movie), good luck to you. Hope everything goes smooth for you from here on. I saw my ps yesterday as well and I was think about re-suture as well. In my case, it's not necessary, because my opening is not deep and its healing with packing. I have progressed from wet-to-dry packing to dry packing. Home care nurse said it may close in as little as two weeks. Hope that true. The cold sores in my mouth cleared as well. Good thought to all!

3mom,

Did the PS that said you had "just enough" fat to DIEP, discuss having SGAP surgery instead?  I'm very thin so my bilateral SGAP was a better option and the flaps were taken from my upper buttocks.  I still have a nice butt, even at age 53!  Many friends who have had DIEP are thrilled about getting a tummy tuck, too -- but that's not me.   From what I understand (talk to the docs of course), SGAP surgeries require even higher skill level than DIEP surgery. 

Tammy-I just got back from the PS and my "divot" is gone, gone, GONE! I may have opted to do what you are doing if the healing time had been shorter for me, but he estimated at LEAST 6+ weeks......ugh! I am taking another round of heavy duty antibiotics/and antifungals to be sure we have no repeats of the original failure. Good luck to you, I am sure it will heal well, and the time will pass quickly for you!

Heavens child-don't be too discouraged by all this....I have felt from the get-go that this is a 2 -3 steps forward and 1-2steps backwards kind of surgery. I still have the occasional bad day, but I have come to realize that it is my body telling me that "enough is enough" and to SLOW it down......This too shall pass.

Feeling so amazed and blessed to be able to connect with such strong, wise women on this board. I am NOT thankful for my cancer, but very, very grateful for ALL of the amazing women (and men) who have crossed my path throughout my journey. Thank you, one and all! Namaste!

Moviemaniac....Sounds like all went well for you today! So glad to hear the positive "vibes" in your message. Have a good weekend of healing!

Agree from me too. I get tired and tighter in the evening.



Today I've been resting as a good friends 40th birthday dinner is tonight and I'm planning on going. I figured that if I rest today, take pain killers before I go and then sit most of the night I will be tired but fine tomorrow. We shall see.



Yesterday was exactly 3 weeks since surgery and I'm 98% upright. I changed my wound tape this morning and everything is healing nicely!

Sounds like you're still doing really well, KiwiMum. Do you find that you have to "force" yourself to be more upright, or is it a more natural progression? Does it seem to be tightness or pain that has limited your ability to "stretch out"?

Just checking in. Thank you so much kiwimum for sharing your story - nice to here the experience of another woman getting recon after a UMX. I'm trying to eat a little better and exercise a bit - it's a struggle for me but I want to recover from surgery quickly and smoothly. I hope everyone is healthy and well!

Nihahi, (and anyone else on the pre-op side)I am wide awake at 3:30 am, and saw your last post about the waiting time for your surgery. I was diagnosed last November, and between my BS and my PS, I could not get in for my Diep until the 18th of January, 2013. I know you have been waiting longer, but believe me, the closer you get to your date, the time will fly, because you will be in the midst of putting all your pre-op and post-op plans into action!



I am a PLANNER.....First I planned out my meals (I opted to go with a company, "DreamDinners", where I could select from about 20 or so menus for pre-made up dinners.) My DH is a CPA, and this is his busiest season. In order for us to have some good-quality food, I thought this was a good option. You select your dinners, make an appointment, then make them up yourself, and pop them in the freezer, where they can be pulled out to thaw and prepare. You have to add side dishes, but my DH is glad to do that. (The first three weeks after I returned home from the hospital, friends and a church group supplied my family with meals, so we are using the frozen ones now. They really come in handy!)



I also planned for clothing post-surgery. A friend of mine gave me a pj set from Soma from what I think is called their "Cool Nights" collection. Über soft, and, for someone post-menopausal like me, cool, just like they say! I loved them! She had purchased them a size larger, because she was a BC survivor, and knew first hand how tough it is to have a tight waistband! (She wanted me to have room for my new, and improved foobs, so the top was also one size larger.). I liked them so much that I went online and bought several more, and was lucky enough to find most at a good discount due to a sale. I literally live in them-they are nice enough to wear to my Dr appointments, so I put a coat over, and go!



I knew I would not be able to get into my bed, as it's a high four-poster, and the top of my mattress hits above my waist. I ordered a rental hospital bed to be delivered two days before surgery, and , as the bed was a XL twin, went to BB&B and rounded up XL sheets on sale ( two sets, so I could launder one set at a time, and still have a set on the bed). When it was delivered, I made it up, and placed it,and the hospital rolling tray table I also rented under a plastic drop cloth (new) to keep it clean, and to remind my daughter who lives nearby, to keep my inquisitive grandchildren out of the family room and off my "stuff". (It worked!). Everything was set up so all I had to do was crawl in when I arrived home-and I arranged everything I thought I would need next to me- IPad, books, magazines, and the all-important TV controls..... : P



As I am full-time care-giver to my almost 96 year old mother, I had to arrange for help caring for her, as well. I am lucky in that I have four siblings that get along reasonably well, and so each came for a week, to be there for my mom. My incision infection was not figured in to the 4 week time frame, ( of course) so we had to make some adjustments, and one DB came back for another week, and all pitched in to hire someone to stay with her during the day for another two weeks. Enough time for me to get back on my feet.



My post-op infection set me back about two weeks, and of course no one plans for complications. I did, however, work out time for friends to stop by every day to check on me, and help me with things I needed to do, so I would not be a burden to my sibling caring for my mom. My friends would just pop in, maybe help with my lunch , and throw in some laundry, or something like that. I splurged , and hired someone to come in and clean my house once a week-best "waste" of money ever! I had her come the week before surgery, so she would know what my expectations were, and she is great!



The last thing I did before surgery, was get together with my best girlfriends and plan a "Itty Bitty, No Pity for the Titty" party. Everyone brought a dish, and I couldn't believe ow many had a "boob" theme.....right down to the mini-cupcakes with a Rasberry on top! It was so fun, but more importantly, it helped me to realize that I was stronger with the support of good friends and family to see me through this. I have been truly blessed.



All those things I mentioned took a lot of pre-op planning, and before I knew it, it was 4:30 am, January 18, 2013' and I was on my way to St. Vincent Medical Center, in Portland, Oregon, for a date with my new reality. All in all, it hasn't been too bad. ( I suppose that could change, as I head to the Onc. in a week and a half......I am trying to remain upbeat on that minor little blip on the radar screen of my life!)



Bottom line: use your time now to get "all your ducks in a row", so to speak. We have a luxury that many of our sisters don't have-time to plan. Namaste, and God Bless! Jackie

Moviemaniac... I love your party idea and I may do something similar. I promise I will not claim the idea as mine!

Movie....sounds like you're an awesome lady, with spectacular friends. You have just the right mindset to do terrifically well on this journey!!!!!! Thanks for the planning tips too. Yep, I'm also a planner, but I keep losing my lists! Oh well, they'll turn up eventually, when I do my pre-op staging/cleaning, etc. Hope you have a wonderful day.