DIEP 2013
Comments
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Nihahi, I'm starting to worry about you. I just hope you're not in too much pain and taking nice naps. Please let us know how you're doing.
I can't believe I only have 9 days left and I haven started to do anything. No meals, no cleaning, no nothing. I'm actually thinking about calling the cleaning ladies I used to have and tell them to come clean so that my house can be perfect for my departure! I think it's worth the money. Now I just need to ask DH for the money, lol
I spent the day doing yard work. Planted a few flowers, a tree and trimmed some bushes. I got a double knock out rose tree. Gorgeous!! Omg! I just love it. Tomorrow I'm going back to the nursery to get knock out roses ground covers. They're beautiful. If I learn how to post a pic here I will. This is my last weekend I get to do yard work before sx, so I'm trying to get it done until my DH says enough!! -
I've done fine with the even-cheaper-than-Spanx shapewear, the Target brand Assets stuff and also Flexees, which are from Maidenform. The Flexees esp have been great and came cheap ($15) at TJ Maxx.
Hoping nihahi is doing ok...can't wait to hear from her but hoping she's just getting good rest and meds. -
What does the compression do? My ps didn't require it but I'm thinking it may make it feel kind of better. What model of marena do you get?
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sbelizabeth, I am having a 3 hour stage 2 tomorrow so I will be out for the count for some of the same time that you are. Please everyone keep us both in your thoughts and prayers.
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Gini I'm very happy with Dr. Carty as well I'm just going through some sort of phase I think feeling like I'm permanently disfigured because the new girls shape is off. But I keep telling myself that there is still a lot of swelling and stage 2 will fix things a lot. He is definitely great with us making sure he give us his full attention etc. One of the first things my husband and I noticed was that he treated me as if I was as important as a close family member. I don't mind waiting because I know how important is is to feel like your his main focus.
Loved the sex clearance bit Lol so funny cause I've been wondering
and your friends sense of humor is great !
I'm not a fan of spanx at all cause the ones I've worn in the past were difficult to pull up and not breathable at all. I haven't tried any other brands so I figure I will try the binder my PS offers then go from there. -
Kuka - I've been running around doing meals, organizing rides for the kids, cleaning. I realized that with a week to go - it's not worth the stress. I've made a to-do list for next week and decided it's time to just rest. Usually keeping busy makes me feel better but not this time. So I've been downloading stuff to my iPod and iPad for the hospital and listening to my guided imagery download for surgery. I'm getting me ready - the rest of them will be just fine while I'm away. That is why God created the Happy Meal!! When in doubt . . .
Goodie - I just looked up Forks over Knives. I'm going to watch it. I watched Big, Sick, and Nearly Dead. I highly recommend it. I've given up nearly all red meat and alcohol since my diagnosis. I used to be a gym rat and hope to get back to it post-recovery. It's not that hard once you realize that every little bit adds up. I'm big into smoothies - you can get a lot of daily servings in one glass! Yes, two c-sections. I'm not sure if they will really prepare me! But I do remember that I walked early on after and once I realized I could - lots of stress went away. I don't like feeling vulnerable and boy has this experience tested me! The hair alone makes you realize how much you can hide under hair! But it's already starting to grow back and there is some that never fled!
I have pre-op on Tuesday. Just bring it on. I'm ready. -
Nice, Janet.
I'm so blessed. My HMO has walk in mammo screening. yes, you can make an appointment, but you don't have to. You can just walk in and say "I'd like to have a mammogram today" and they'll hook you up.
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Hi, sisters...wow, today is flying by, so much to do, and I don't even have little ones at home anymore! Rode bikes to church this morning. It's a wonderful, heart-pumping ride, up a steep pass and ZOOM back down the other side. I tried to be a little careful--after all this planning, delaying surgery due to road rash would be a sincere bummer.
I'm making a huge batch of molasses cookies to take to the OR crew tomorrow. I've done this for all my surgeries and the staff has always been surprised and delighted. They're my favorite cookies so it's hard to keep my hands off them!
My PS advised me to give myself a Fleets enema tonight so I won't have to worry about constipation in the next few days. Probably TMI, but I thought "I remember seeing a Fleets enema way under the sink a while ago" and didn't think about it again. It turns out I bought it 32 years ago in preparation for labor before the twins were born. But my water broke, we raced to the hospital, and they were born an hour later--no time for no stinkin' Fleets enema! You think it'll still work?!...
Faith, be patient with your new girls, as you know, there's still a lot of change coming. Nihahi, I hope you're resting and healing peacefullly. Lilyun, I'll say a prayer for us both in the morning...
I'll check in on the other side--thanks for all the encouragement and support!
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sbelizabeth wow yum I wish I was part of that OR crew ! That's so thoughtful of you.
To both you and lilyun I will say some prayers for you both and will be there with you in spirit. Your gonna do great !
I'm sure your resting comfortably Nihahi we can't wait to hear from you. -
Sbelizabeth - good luck from one twin mom to another. If you do surgery like you ride - you'll be great!! And the cookies are a nice touch!
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Best wishes to you, sbelizabeth and lilyun! We'll be crowded in your pockets and cheering like crazy, when we're not stealing cookies from the OR crew. Can't wait to hear from you on the other side!
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Sbelizabeth, its the moving day for you ab-tissues and hope they are happy with their new location.
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sbelizabeth and lilyun - this time tomorrow it all should be done or almost done! Yeah for you! I couldn't sleep much the night before but I didn't really care because I knew I was going to have a long "nap" for my surgery and the days afterware. Remember sleep and pain meds are your best friends for the next few weeks! LOL
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Sbelizabeth, I wouldn't chance the enema, lol. That was just too funny. The cookies are a really nice touch. Maybe I should do something for my nurses too? I wish you nothing but the best tomorrow. It will be over before you know it!
Lilyun, thinking of you. Good luck tomorrow! -
Sbelizabeth and lilyun-- you will be awesome tomorrow and we will all be in your pockets. Can't wait to hear from you when you feel up for it. (Hugs)
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SBElizabeth.......will carry you in my thoughts tomorrow......by this time tomorrow you will be on the "other side" of DIEP. In your hospital gown pocket! You are in such good shape that you will FLY through this! Please post when you can.....we are ALL waiting.....
Lilyun.....in my thoughts as well! Will be interested to hear of your experience and length of recovery...as my stage 2 is coming up. Fingers crossed that your surgeon gives you what you want! :-) post as soon as you can......in YOUR hospital gown pocket as well!
HHCats....you GO, girl! We are here, cheering you on!
Nihahi.......gentle post-DIEP ((( hugs))) to you! Missing your enthusiasm and energy here! Anxious to hear from you......
To the rest of my DIEP sisters......take care, and......."TOWANDA!" :-)
Namaste and God bless - Jackie -
HHCats - I nominate you to be the new Ghandi - I was grinning ear to ear reading your post about just nodding and smiling! I read a story once where Erma Bombeck, the humorist, was in the hospital and she had had so many doctor visits that once someone came in and she just threw her gown up so they could examine her. It turned out to be the A/C repairman.
Goodie - please be kind to yourself - every little improvement is a milestone. Please don't allow yourself to get discouraged! I also had a lot of trouble with getting winded and tired. There is a breathing machine (plastic) that they gave me to blow into to build myself up, did they give you one? It does gradually get better! Hugs to you, I am reallly feeling for where you are right now!
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heavenschild - Thank you so much for you support. I guess I was jogging/walking 5 miles right up until surgery. Yes, I have been using the breathing plastic thing butI will use that more. I have actually pushed myself to do more walking this weekend too. Friday was forced because my DH surprised me with a limo ride to go see the cherry trees with him and my son. We got out and walked probably half way around the basin. It was so beautiful and so worth the bit of pain. We also went to a fabulous Chinese food restaurant for dinner. YUM. I also did a lot of walking yesterday with DH and my golden retriever, Reiley. I ended up taking a 2 hour nap but I felt so good after I did it. I guess the saying "No pain, no gain" is right!
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You sound great, Goodie! I was planning to take a walk this morning (have not in a few days) but it's getting late and I almost thought I'd skip (again.) Now you've inspired me! Nothing as exciting as a limo ride to cherry trees - but at least a few laps around the circle in the fresh air before bringing my kids to the orthodontist and hitting the grocery store.
I think I have scheduled my Stage 2 for 6/25! Just waiting to hear back from my boss that it will be ok. PS assistant said recovery is 1-2 weeks, typically no drains.... but of course it depends on the exact procedure(s) we choose. I will know mid-May when I see the PS again.
Enjoy your day ladies! Can't wait to hear from all of you who have just - or are about to - cross over to the "other side" of DIEP!
Hugs to all -
Jeannie -
Goodie -- how were the crowds at the tidal basin? I went there yesterday and was stuck in major traffic and decided to give up after a while. Not sure where in Maryland you are, but a couple of the NOVA gals are getting together on May 4 in Centreville for a lunch if you're interested.
Gini23 and others planning on Stage 2 -- how are you deciding what to bring up to the PS to take care of in Stage 2? I "generally" think my PS did a decent job in my DIEP. While I was chubby, I only had enough in my mid-section to get me to a B cup level. I'm not sure what the fine line is on whether I'm just trying to get close to how my breasts were before or what is fully acceptable in this case.
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First - Faith I hope that all your friends and family around Boston are safe today. Such a tragedy at such a happy time in Boston.
Cuetang, I am not completely certain yet. I was planning to make my own list, but then ask him first what he thinks should be done. I certainly have some ideas… I know for certain he will take care of the "dog ears" above my hips. I would also like to add a little bit more to my size… Not too much, but at least to get me to where I was before. I think that is where the fat grafting comes in. And I guess they will ask where I would most like them to take it from. Anything we can do to even out my tummy and my waist is great! And if in the process they manage to get rid of a little bit of inner thigh… I certainly would not complain! -
Cuetang - we actually left our house at 5 p.m. on Friday night and the crowds weren't that bad at all. I think having the limo just drop us off helped a lot. We didn't have to worry about parking and we just called it when we were ready to be picked up. The cherry blossoms were absolutely beautiful. It is an amazing sight to see and to see how many people are taking pictures. It's funny because a friend of mine was going to see them with her sister last Wednesday and I said to myself "Lisa, you can go next year!" Little did I know. I think I'm away that weekend you are meeting for lunch though.
Gini23 - I need to inspire myself too. I took it easy today - no walks. But DH and I went to lunch today and I walked from the parking lot and didn't get dropped off at the door. I guess that kind of counts! LOL Tomorrow I will go for the pain!
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Thanks Gini23 we are doing ok just so sad. I waited at the finish line last year camped out all day to watch my dad cross that line.My kids and my husband have done that several times so the scene is to vivid of families waiting for loved ones. My family lives and works in the city so I contacted all to make sure that they are safe and am happy to report that they are
I am super grateful that I canceled my 1:45 appointment at BWH to have my last drain out. Dr.Carty was in surgery all day but there was nobody working in clinic today because they were running in the Marathon. I have a 10:45 appointment tomorrow morning with his office so I hope to see that they are all OK as well.
Crossing my fingers and praying that it's over soon.
Robin thinking of you I think you would be home from the hospital by now but I'm not sure if you were staying at a nearby hotel or if you went home. -
A question for all you vetrans out there: how long were you in hospital? I was told 3-4 nights. Now I've spoken to a great lady who had her surgery done by my doctor in the hospital I am going to and she was there 5 nights.
I'm thinking I need to get more coverage for the three little banshees . . .
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I had surgery on a Tuesday and was released on Friday. So three nights and that is what they told me before I had it done. Of course it could be longer if there are complications. But I think three nights is the norm for NOLA.
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I went in on Wednesday for surgery and came home Saturday afternoon. I just kept telling them I was ready to go home from Friday morning on! LOL Even though I wasn't ready on Friday but they knew I wanted to go as soon as I could. Plus I walked with the PT and did the stairs on Friday afternoon and I went potty. I think it really depends on how your flaps are doing. I've heard of a few with my PS and they were in longer from complications. Maybe have back up coverage just in case?
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I was in the hospital for 5 nights 24 hours in ICU then in a private room for 4 additional nights
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HHcats -
Sorry if I missed - are you having a mastectomy with immediate DIEP? Are you having skin sparing? Nipple sparing?
My surgery was on a Tuesday.i was in ICU (plan from the beginning and no, I did not have any health problems). I went to Step down (provate room) and then another private room off that.
I went home on Sunday afternoon. -
I should have said I am having a bilateral mastectomy with immediate DIEP. I just spoke to my husband and he said "we will figure it out". So I am breathing and focusing on that statement! LOL
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hi girls yes that is basically for me too , step down recovery for a monday and tuesday then semi room for 3 days home on a sat. Today I went to my GP for a regular physical and she was worried about my right side as she said it was a little pinker than left so she wanted me on antibiotics and phoned my PS for an apt asap. May be nothing but because I felt a little a loss for answers from PS my GP wanted me to be safe. I am going to hold off on antibotics until I see PS.
A little worried that nihahi has not posted anything by now.
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