DIEP 2013

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  • Moviemaniac
    Moviemaniac Member Posts: 949
    edited April 2013

    Faith-you mentioned you are a redhead?  I have two daughters with that gene-one is a true redhead (DD#1) and one is a strawberry blond (DD#3)   DD#3 had to have discs in her lower spine fused due to ongoing soccer injuries sustained over 15 years.  When she was in the hospital, the Surgeon told us that they had to give her "enough anesthesia to kill a 180 lb. man" just to keep her under so he could finish the fusion. pain meds were a nightmare, too. I read somewhere that Redheads react differently (sometimes) to pain meds/opiates.    Maybe you have some of those issues?  I don't think this is an "urban legend"-you can find articles about it all over the internet-I mean legit articles. On another thing you mentioned-at this point "getting hooked" on pain meds should not enter into the discussion.  You have been home ONE WEEK.  Cut yourself some slack.  If you don't stay on the right side of your pain at this point, your body will tire out just dealing with the pain.  Let it get on with the healing it needs to do.  In another week, you may be ready to say goodbye to the "hard stuff" and survive on TylenolExtra.  Take it easy on yourself!  (((Hugs)))

    Namaste and God Bless - Jackie

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  • Moviemaniac
    Moviemaniac Member Posts: 949
    edited April 2013

    Janet....I echo SBElizabeth......."Tawanda!!!!!!"       (I'm older, girls, and I have more insurance!)  Laughing

    If you can't get your date changed, there are plenty of us here in the U.S. that will light a sparkler in your honor and shout that out, on your Independence Day......

    Namaste and God Bless - Jackie

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  • AnnBR
    AnnBR Member Posts: 853
    edited April 2013

    HHACats, I hope to know my surgical date on Friday. I went shopping last night and got my Gilligan & OMalley's (aka 'the Betsy's'). You wouldn't believe how excited I was to make that purchase!

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  • AnnBR
    AnnBR Member Posts: 853
    edited April 2013

    Thanks nihahi. I had knee surgery today for removal of scar tissue from a previous surgery. I thought I better get my knees in shape to prepare for the DIEP. Hope everyone is doing well, and SBElizabeth I will be thinking of you on the 15th.

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  • MartyJ
    MartyJ Member Posts: 1,859
    edited April 2013

    I am confirming what Jackie said about RedHeads - yes, we are different.  I always tell the doctor that my natural color is red as it definitely effects anesthesia and pain meds.  We also tend to have bleeding issues.  When I read the post surg reports from my first MX, the surgeon noted at least 3 separate times that he had to mop up excess blood.  Transfusions are my friend.  Of course at 60, I am now blonde (er, white) and they do look at me a bit strangely when I announce I am a redhead.  I refuse to discuss the proof I can offer Wink.

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  • Gini23
    Gini23 Member Posts: 183
    edited April 2013

    Faith - curious to know if you woke up with a binder on at BW. I did not. They waited until all of my drains came out 2 weeks post surgery to give it to me. But Robin woke up with it on - slits cut in for the drains and the Q-Ball. Curious if they maybe are changing their procedure at BW. Surgeries only a few weeks apart.

    Also what time is your appointment on Thursday?? I'll be there for an 11:30




    !
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  • HHCats
    HHCats Member Posts: 121
    edited April 2013

    sbelizabeth - no luck on calming the nerves yet!  I tried keeping things normal tonight but just had a mini breakdown.  Fears about how long the surgery is; fears about being alone in the hospital and needing help; fears about being in the hospital and everyone at home is just going about their lives so I am missing out.

    In short, I am a spaz.  I am also emotionally spent.  It took a long time to get to this point and it just seems like it's getting even harder.  I thought chemo was bad enough in terms of the emotional part.  I really decided I would "do chemo my way" and I did.  I smiled and wore my wig.  I stayed at home and rested.  I went out when I felt good.  I didn't miss a step of my regular life - kept up with my kids, cooked, cleaned, went out to dinner, even went out and saw the Nutcracker with my family for Christmas.  

    I think I have to get back into that mindset.  I need to "do DIEP my way".  THe first thing I need to do is get my brave on!  Then I need to organize the mom troops to help me out and my husband's family (my family is all in Ohio) to come and stay with my kids.  Finally, I need to organize my "nests" - the one at the hospital and the one at home.  I have to figure out what will make me happy and make sure I have it at the hospital and close to me when I am home.  

    I'm not going to worry about one thing when I come home.  My job will be to rest in my nest.  So if I get things together before I have the surgery - I can do just that rest in my nest.  

    Maybe after I do all of this stuff - I will get over my nerves?

    I'm a spaz, right?  Be honest now. . .

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  • Gini23
    Gini23 Member Posts: 183
    edited April 2013

    HHCats - you did it before, you can do it again! I know what you mean about everyone else going on with their lives... when I was doing chemo, I was very emotional about that. And probably it hit me again about 2 weeks post-DEIP when I needed less help and everyone else seemed to "go about their business" and stopped taking care of me so much... cuz it's all about me, right?? But you said it - do it YOUR way. Get your mind wrapped around it. It will all be over before you know it!



    sbelizabeth - I only wore the hospital gown until the catheter came out. I put my comfy PJ pants and button up top on as soon as I could. I wore my own bathrobe for walking the halls, too. Everyone seemed fine with that!

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  • wraithg
    wraithg Member Posts: 93
    edited April 2013

    HHcats congradulations!! Janet I will think positive thoughts for your date to be soon. You must be home now and I hope not too many cars were taken on the way. What did surgeon say? 14 years ago I delayed my radiation by a few months and it all worked out . I know the cancer came again but it took 14 years and this time it was so small , that I wonder whether I should have done this radical surgey but.. no looking back , we all must go forward and I am kind of enjoying my franken boobs now. Just think no more mammograms!!!! Kuka 21 the recliner story is so funny , I do agree with you , think the hubby wants it and you will be just fine with a step and lots of pillows.

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  • Janet_M
    Janet_M Member Posts: 1,068
    edited April 2013

    HHCats - You need to get your inner warrior back on board. She may have laid down her sword after chemo. Time to bring her back. 

    I think it's fairly common to find things harder after the hard part's over, maybe because the body, & mind, and friends reactions, and your routine, are all completely out of synch. During chemo I was a friggin' genius, and my friends said I 'sailed through'. Then I crashed.  

    But I'm sure you'll feel better once you get everything in order. You sound like a gal who works well with a plan. Some wise women on this thread said that the anticipation is the hardest part, and as for the length of the surgery? My PS said that's his problem, not mine. 

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  • HHCats
    HHCats Member Posts: 121
    edited April 2013

    JanetM & Gini23- you are right about the inner warrior and getting my mind wrapped around it.  I need to get busy.  I just got up out of bed and started my lists of what needs to be done before I go to the hospital.  I'm not talking about cleaning the house - it went to hell during chemo and we all lived.  Things like who will take my kids on the PA Day at school that Friday.  And stuff I want to take to the hospital with me.  Then stuff I want at home to build my nest.  I ordered that U shaped pillow that was all the rage and I just got a box of books from Amazon - light easy reading.  I also have Upstairs/Downstairs to watch.  Many seasons of it.  And I'm PVRing all the shows I love on HGTV.  

    I'm feeling better already. 

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  • kuka21174923
    kuka21174923 Member Posts: 427
    edited April 2013

    HHcats, I have the same thoughts at times. Yesterday when I talked to the nurse at the breast center she told me not to worry about the change I will be going through. Our bodies go through change every time we've been pregnant and having a baby. That change is only for a certain amount if time and then we get our bodies back. In my case with a few more pounds😜. So this would be the same thing, but the end result will be better than what we have now. And not to mention we don't need to worry about BC!

    So every time I start having second thoughts I just think about that. If I went through 3 pregnancies then I can do this. I gained 90 pounds with my first one, and believe me, it was not easy to get my body back. I've gone through kidney stones, several times, at the same time of having kidney infection. I can't even describe the pain, but I can tell you I would rather give birth!! So, I'm sure I will do just fine. Look at everything you've gone through in your life. I'm sure you've gone through difficult times and you've overcome it. So you will do the same this time.

    Hope this works, it has for me so far.

    Marty, I didn't know you were a red hair. That's too funny how many red hairs we have in here and you all agree about being different. You guys surely have a mind of your own!

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  • Gini23
    Gini23 Member Posts: 183
    edited April 2013

    HHCats - awesome turn-around! You're doing it. And I like the not-clean house attitude! ;)



    I sooo wish I had the backscratcher with me! Kept it by the bed when I got home. Cuetang/Faith- I hadn't thought of the morphine as the cause.... thought maybe antibiotics because I have a penicillin allergy, but you may have something there!! It happened after both my sx. But my legs and arms itched like crazy. I also would've used it to reach things!



    The warm temps are to help the flaps. It's doable! A fan sounds like a good idea....



    I also went home with 4 drains - 2 breast and 1 ab came out at 10 days post-op, 2nd ab came out 5 days later. They would not have removed the 2 ab ones on the same day. We also used a little alcohol wipe when we stripped the drains. It cleaned and made it easier to strip. :)

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  • ssla01
    ssla01 Member Posts: 480
    edited April 2013

    Update on the G&O Betsy pants. I went to my local target today & found the Capri/culottes on the sale rack for $10.48. Yippee!



    While I was looking, the girl stocking them told me that the Target website has them in he modal fabric (breathable?) and those come in TALLS. I'm so happy!



    Thanks Betsy!

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  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 3,841
    edited April 2013

    Hi Ladies....Been reading today, but this is the first realistic chance I've had to post. Sorry for the way the latest dates were added to the list. I've asked the mods to keep it in sequential order by date, so hopefully they will sort it out. 

    Absolute zoo here now, at my once calm, organized condo. I feel like a hoarder, trying to navigate around piles of "stuff". Trying to stay cool and let it go, but sooooo not me to live in clutter, it is hard. I escaped for awhile this afternoon to do some errands, and extended my "free time" by having a cup of decaf coffee. Then came home and had a 2 hour nap, which is completely out of the norm for me. Hope I didn't screw up my chance to sleep tonight....might just pop a pill to give myself a better chance. Tomorrow, we have no water at the condo from 9 to 4, so daughter and I will be "homeless" together....sob! She has an afternoon appointment that I need to drive her to, so then I will maybe get together with a friend, or just find a log somewhere and crawl under it. 

    One of my errands today, was to the postal office...picked up my "jacki", and some meditation tapes I'd ordered. Jacki is hanging in the closet, tapes are downloaded onto my Ipod....I'll let you know what I think of them tomorrow. 

    It is so awesome reading all the posts, and seeing what strength we are getting from each other. Hope everyone has a good night. 

    Robin.....healing thoughts going out, and to you too Faith....TO EVERYONE, ACTUALLY, ((((X)))))

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  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 3,841
    edited April 2013

    ok.....what the heck does "towanda" mean????

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  • m1970
    m1970 Member Posts: 337
    edited April 2013

    Towanda is a reference from The movie Fried Green Tomatoes. Evelyn the main character (Kathy Bates) said that she got her courage from Towanda the avenger. Towanda, righter of wrongs, queen beyond compare.



    parking lot scene:

    www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b9Z3MYo2M0



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  • faith729
    faith729 Member Posts: 244
    edited April 2013

    Movie & MartyJ absolutely true about the pain being a little different along with meds. There are several red hrads in my fam amd its the same for most of us. In the hospital my IV's were only good for aprox 2 drip bags of my antibiotics after that the vein would not support the IV and longer and they had to call the IV nurse to replace. My end total was 5 I had three on my left arm/hand one in my left foot and one in my right hand. Also when they switched me to oral pain meds it took some playing around and switching meds to find one that lasted more than 2 hours.



    Gini I think it may be because Robin has a different doctor because Dr Carty did put my binder on yet either he said he would do that after the drains we out. I forgot about the binder actually , what will it do for us? I will be there at 10:30 ! So funny I will probably be leaving as your going in.



    Fried Green Tomatoes....excellent movie



    Second night in a row that I have been unable to sleep ladies!

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  • kuka21174923
    kuka21174923 Member Posts: 427
    edited April 2013

    Where do you go to get the Jackie? And does it come in short sleeve?

    Robin I hope you are doing good. Write with an update whenever you feel up to it.

    Faith, why can't you sleep? Are you uncomfortable, in pain, or just not tired? I hope you were able to go to sleep at some point.

    Nohahi, hopefully it won't be too bad today and you get your water back sooner.

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  • faith729
    faith729 Member Posts: 244
    edited April 2013

    http://www.alittleeasierrecovery.org/

    Kuka this is where you can find the Jackie you can use the link above to see if the hospital your using participates in the program also.



    I think I'm just unable to sleep because I'm uncomfortable. The first couple of nights were fine but now an old problem has been aggravated and that is making it hard to get comfortable. I had a really bad cyst on my tail bone years ago which until it was lanced I was unable to walk sit or lie down without extreme pain. It has reoccurred before and I'm getting discomfort from sitting and laying down so much so It's tough not to be concerned that it is happening again.



    Ladies I got the call my pathology report came back with nothing new no surprises !!

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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited April 2013

    Oh, Faith...what great news about the call with the pathology news.  The worst part of this whole fandango for me was the waiting for the latest news, which sometimes was really lousy.  

    Happy dance for Faith!

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  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 3,841
    edited April 2013

    Yeah Faith, great path news....hope the sleep thing gets sorted out, it's certainly hard to heal when you're exhausted. 

    Love the Towanda thing, I nominate it as our "rally call"!!!!!

    Tried listening to the tapes last night. I got a bundle of 4, all by Belleruth Naparstek.

    Successful Surgery, Ease Pain, General Wellness and Healthful Sleep. Interesting, I'm going to keep listening to them, as I like the positive, calming thoughts they include. Can't hurt I figure!

    Hope all have a good day....I got 40 minutes left of water, so gonna hop in the shower!

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  • tina66
    tina66 Member Posts: 1
    edited April 2013

    Hi im Tina i'm also looking towards september 2013 for my reconstruction to start, and i know what you mean about feeling mentally drained, i cant wait tilll one morning i wake up full of energy like i used to or even close, i also get very anxious at times about the surgery and the results but just try and stay positive as poss,  Smile

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  • liefie
    liefie Member Posts: 2,440
    edited April 2013

    Have not posted here in a long time. Nihahi, thanks for the updated surgery list, and your efforts. My DIEP surgery will be at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, BC, unilateral DIEP Stage 1. That is approximately 6 weeks from now. It seemed so far away, but is really approaching fast now. Have not heard anything from my PS's office re the procedure, but I guess it's too early still. Fortunately I have a very good friend in town who had the exact same surgery done by my PS in November last year. Her recovery has been remarkable, fast, no complications, and she looks wonderful. She is also a nurse, and has been 'coaching' me in so far as one can be coached for something like this - LOL.

    I am not scared, at least not yet, and sees this as the final hurdle in my bc ordeal, which started in Dec. 2011. It is also different in the way that it almost feels like a reward for all the crap I've been through. Never thought one could look forward to surgery, but I just want it over and done with, get rid of the hard TE that I've had now since Feb. 7, 2012, and feel whole again.

    To those of you getting surgery this week and next week, best wishes, and a speedy recovery. I will be following your posts with interest, and learn a lot from you. To those of you recovering from surgery, big hugs to you!

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  • Morningsun1
    Morningsun1 Member Posts: 649
    edited April 2013

    Hi Tina, welcome. My younger son was born in England.

    I am calling us "DIEP International"

    My ulcers are mostly gone. Now I am waiting for something else to pop up. When it does, I will yell out "Towanda!"

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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited April 2013

    Holy cow, four days to go.  I have a house to clean, a bag to pack, legs to shave, office to organize...not necessarily in that order.  I put my foob in my bra this morning and began having farewell thoughts for it.  Also farewell thoughts for the healthy remaining boob, who has done nothing to deserve this, but the fact that BC attacked me so fast and so hard means she's got to go too. 

    Sorry, sister. 

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  • Moviemaniac
    Moviemaniac Member Posts: 949
    edited April 2013

    TOWANDA!!!!!

    That makes me feel so good yelling it on my computer..... Yell  Warrior Sisters all!

    Faith, that is such happy news!   No  more waiting for the other shoe to drop now.  Relax and rest......the uncomfortable stage won't last too long (unless you're are an unrepentant side sleeper as I am.....I would try to sneak onto my sides without my foobs knowing it-I never got too far-they ALWAYS woke me up!)  Anyway, hopefully it will subside soon.

    Welscome, Tina!  This is a great group of warrior sisters on this thread.  Lots of good information for those going into DIEP, and those of us on the other side......On a side note, my father's family was from Luxulyan, Cornwall, England.  Are you near there?  I believe it's near St. Austle.

    Liefie-I didnt know you were a future DIEPer!  Glad you are on here occasionally, too.  I am almost 3 months post surgery.....waiting for Stage 2 now.

    Tammy-you are not allowed to get anything else!Wink

    Robin?  How are you? Check in when you can.

    Nihahi.....calming thoughts(and maybe one last hike?)......getting excited for you-2 days!

    Marty-good luck with your Stage 2 Friday-let us know how it went, and how you are doing asap....(I have selfish reasons....my stage 2 will be coming up somewhat soon, and I need info!)

    Sbelizabeth.....thinking of you as well, as your day is Monday!  Soon, you will be joining us on the "other side" of DIEP-get out and enjoy your bike this weekend....count the legless reptiles, as Nihahi refers to them....for both you and Nihahi, these last few days will fly by!

    (((Hugs))) to all!

    Namaste and God Bless - Jackie 

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  • seagan
    seagan Member Posts: 166
    edited April 2013

    Humbling scene 7 weeks out from surg: I'm late to pick up my son after work, so I decide to jog a bit to get to the car quicker. Involves running up a verrrry slight incline. OMG you'd think I was on mile 25 of a marathon! I was practically heaving and my legs were about to crumple under me...after about 3 yards! I had to laugh (once I could breathe again). No, life is not back to normal yet!



    Hugs and peaceful sleep to all!

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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited April 2013

    Oh, dear.  After I've worked so HARD to bump up my cycling time and take more hills and get stronger...now I'll have to start all over.  Oh, well.  Thanks for the warning, Seagan.  It will be worth it.

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  • Gini23
    Gini23 Member Posts: 183
    edited April 2013

    Oh Seagan - that IS humbling!



    Checking in before my afternoon nap. My DD with the concussion and I tried a stop in Marshall's and then a quick grocery run - both of us were ready to drop when we got home!



    Faith - major OUCH on all the IVs! So glad your path came back clean!! Before I forget - the binder Carty uses is much more comfortable over a cami. I happened to wear one the day I went for the last drain out (I was able to wear them when I was down to 1 ab drain - they made me feel a little more "contained" since still not wearing a bra.) Tracey (PA) suggested I put it on under the binder. Today I put the binder under the cami because my top shirt was very sheer - very uncomfortable against my skin and hitting the new girls. ;) Next time I'll double-cami if I have to! Still hoping for some good news about the Marena when I go see him tomorrow. I would find it odd that Caterson and Carty would do things differently. Perhaps they are trying a new procedure based on what others are doing.



    Nihahi enjoy your meditation tapes! I loved mine. And now when I am trying to fall asleep, if I am too lazy to get my iPod, I can recite most of it in my head anyway. Go to my "happy place" all on my own. So excited for you and MartyJ Friday!! I am eagerly awaiting my chance to plan my Stage 2. But I can see why they wait. My body - especially my abdomen - keeps changing. At first my upper abdomen was very swollen/distended, but that seems to have shifted downward toward my incision line.



    Nap time!

    =) Jeannie

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