DIEP 2013

Geralyn - I am sending you good thoughts; don't try to stress too much until you hear from the PS.  Thanks for the information on how long you were in hospital, too.  I'm going to be at Hamilton General.  I just spoke to this great woman who had my doctor, my surgery and was in the same hospital.  Guess where they keep us?  In ICU in the burn unit for the entire time.  I know Hamilton is known for it's burn unit but I never thought I would ever see it.  

And yes, I wonder about Nihahi too.  Maybe the internet access there isn't that good??

HHcats -



He'll take of it. You just inhale and exhale. Hug your kiddos and your husband. You'll do fine.

I keep coming on to check for news from Nihahi.  I hope all is ok and you are resting and recovering.

I also wanted to say I am thinking of you all after this mornings bombs in Boston. I hope all your families and loved ones are safe. 

I was told 5 days in the hospital...  so going in Monday I thought I was going home on Friday.  Turned out Monday was "Day 0"!  So I went home on Saturday.  Our friend staying with our girls was more than happy to help out and stay an extra day.  And if he couldn't, there was back up ready to step in.  If I'd really wanted, they would've discharged me on Friday, but I was not feeling ready yet.  Funny how quickly that turned around as by Saturday morning I was eager to be in my own bed.  

Geralyn - I hope you hear from your PS soon.  Have you checked for other signs of infection? Is it hot to the touch?  Are you running a fever?  I would rather not take pills if I don't need them either!  

Cuetang - My DH was the smart one! (I'm much more frugal.)  I have to say it's one of his best surprises for me!  

HHCats - I would have a plan for 7 or 8 days just in case.  Your DH is right "we will figure it out."  The We is the important part of that answer.  Your family will definitely help you out!  I think the hardest part of this is that we have to let it be about ourselves.  This will truly be about you and your recovery!  Take the time for yourself and let people pamper you.  You and your family will be better in the long run!  You will be back to taking care of everyone soon enough.

Faith and others in Boston - my thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Thinking about nihahi and getting a bit concerned so I went back to check my first posting after surgery. It was Feb 9 when I posted my first update after my January 28th surgery, so... I believe you are correct, @ calm, not having a suitable mobile device in the hospital is the reason for me not posting sooner.

By the way I emailed my tennis pal that I was turning into Jell-O, so she had me out on the court for half an hour. Boy I was bad. Even the racquet feels too heavy for me. On Sunday, I went to a team practice clinic and I was on court for one hour. It felt soooo good to be there and I had a two hour nap afterwards. Before surgery, I could last for at least 3 hours/day on the tennis court...

Thanks for the well wishes and thoughts Bostonian's are a tough bunch it's historically a strong city. We will recover from this with time

Gini23 I went in to DrCarty's office today to have that last drain pulled. when I called this morning to confirm with Susanna that my appointment was still on she sounded really stressed (so unusual) and told me that Dr Carty canceled all of his reg scheduled surgeries for today and was in surgery all night helping victims of the explosions. So sad to hear all the different ways that it has impacted everyone but dh and I stopped to get some flowers for the office and for Susanna and Dr Carty in hopes of bringing so sunshine to them even just a little.



Looking forward to hearing from Nahini I'm sure she is doing great ! I know I was exhausted and had little energy available to get online so that could be why also.



Have a nice day ladies enjoy this beautiful sunshine !

faith my thougohts and prays are with everyone there. It brings tears. Sure your sunshine was much appreciated. 

Hi everyone, thanks for all of your good thoughts and prayers. I had my Stage 2 yesterday and I am doing fine. Recovery is much easier than stage 1. I have alot of sweling and bruising on my left side. My PS had left extra fat and skin at the left hip incision during Stage 1 to recreate my belly button during stage 2 so that area took a a beating. However, I am glad to get rid of that lump. Now maybe my pants will stay up.

Wow, Faith - thanks for sharing that! I had kind of wondered if he might get involved as I'm sure there is a lot of need for the PS right now for the victims, and they were talking about B&W on TV (ATF? Automatic weapons??) Makes me very happy to be working with him - truly a kind soul. I was emailing with Suzanna yesterday about my scheduling, and then wrote to her later in the day to check if everyone was all right. She mentioned that some of them were running, but all were ok. What a nice idea to send them flowers!



So today (5 weeks post-op) I was walking myself around our circle with no one to chat with so I put some music on. It "inspired me" to move a little more quickly! By the end of the first lap I jogged a little - very slowly/gingerly to start, but got up to a decent jog at the end, alternating walking/jogging. 4 laps! I even did a tiny bit of dumbell lifting when I got home. (5 pound weights - biceps/triceps/shoulders). I avoided anything that would affect by chest muscles and core. Felt great!! No nap again though, so I am beat. Having the kids home on vacation for the last week of my leave was NOT the best idea!



We went for manis/pedis today - I SO needed it! (I was one of those "no polish allowed" for surgery....) The color I chose was a sparkly red (think Dorothy's ruby slippers) called "You only live twice!" I couldn't resist. Think I need to buy me some!

http://www.amazon.com/OPI-Skyfall-Collection-You-Twice/dp/B009I0KSVO



Jeannie

I have been gone for a few days and thought I would check to see if Nahahi had been on. Hope all is well.



Faith- Your city of runners, family, first responders, volunteer help, etc. are in my prayers. What a senseless act.



Sbelizabeth- heal well, rest, walk, hydrate, and take those stool softners. Ha ha!

Emily - Tracy saw me the day I got my binder, and she cut back a panel for me. I think she cut off washing instructions, though! Does anyone know if we can toss them in the machine?



Dr. Carty did "ok" wearing other things like Spanx/Marena. Still have not gotten anything. I was thinking about trying Nordstrom's to meet with their women's prosthesis specialist.... hoping they may have some knowledge in the area of reconstruction and shapewear. I definitely need someone to tell me what size I am! Almost all of my bras that aren't jog bras are underwire "push-ups" and the new girls do NOT like them...

Gini23 - OMG I am so inspired.  I am I guess 9 days behind you and you were jogging already.  Yeah for you!!!!!  So maybe I can start next week?  Seems impossible.  I am walking around much better than last week!  It's amazing how much better I feel this week.  I am even driving myself to my dental cleaning this morning and meeting a friend for lunch.  I hope it doesn't tire me out too much but hey we've gotta live too ladies.  I don't care if I sleep the rest of the afternoon away!  

He said 3 months??? I thought post-op instructions said something to the effect of any exercise ok after 6 weeks (ok I'm a tad shy of that mark) except for core/abs.... I will email Suzanna... And I'll toss in your question about leg exercises.

I found wearing a cami all the time until I could wear a bra was more comfortable for me. Still wearing them now under the binder anyway. Glad the girls are settling in!

Sage words from Mary J, as always - so good to hear from you!  Definitely am working up my exercise routine slowly.  4 laps on my cirlce is just over a mile, and I only did 2 sets of 10 reps each on the weights in my house.  I hope I didn't imply that I'm running miles and miles and body-building!  And I would have to suggest only starting by working up to what you were doing prior to your surgery - my long term goals are to get up to what I was doing before BC became a part of my life!

What I would REALLY love to do is put on my roller blades!!  The weather is perfect and the streets are clean and dry.  Usually my first time out is in March.  Sadly, I know I cannot do that just yet.  *sigh*

How are you feeling, Marty?