DIEP 2013

Katie - try a cotton swab soaked in hydrogen peroxide.  Learned that trick when I had a septoplasty.

Bdavis - thanks! Wow, I REALLY hate drains, so I'll have to make sure to ask, and my recovery seemed so much slower and painful than I've seen for others, so I'll make sure to ask re: recovery time again.

Got the t-shirt, "Heck yes, they are fake, my real ones tried to kill me," and received some wonderful responses.

Faith - keep us posted, I can't imagine getting a cold after (or cellulitis) after DIEP SX, take lots of vitamin C!

I am back!  Well not really.  Back on the board that's all.  I went through a huge production today which allowed me to appreciate my time at home.  I got up, did makeup, put on my wig, got dressed, hid my drains in my husband's old button-down shirt and new comfy sweats, wore his jacket, packed up the three kids - all so we could drive about 10 minutes so I could get 2 new "surgically approved" bras.  Pardon my French, but CRAP!  What a production.  But now the new girls are tucked away behind nice, comfy garments . . .which only finally proved to me how bruised I really am.  Oh well.  

So I'm sticking close to home.  My first foray out was my last for a while.  I've been napping and starting to eat again.  Hanging out with the kids and just taking it easy.  

My drains are on target right now to come out next week.  They totally suck.  Three are down to "code" for getting out and we are going to watch them this weekend to make sure they don't start up again.  One, however, is unreal -  it's like all the fluid was captured in my left abdomen.  I'm certain that one drain will be in for a lot longer.  Either that or it will just dry up.  The nurse came by yesterday and we set up a plan for when they are ready to come out - so I am just draining and measuring and recording.  I am so bored, I thought about a spreadsheet!  

Faith - thanks for your lovely words.  My DH has been put through the ringer on this diagnosis and is still a champ for me.  It's amazing what they will do for you, isn't it?  I told him that this experience has been Oversharing 101 for us!  His response is that it has all been worth it and he plans to overshare with me for decades to come.  

Nihahi - I hope you are feeling a bit better.  I was in total poor me mode again last night.  Just trying to make sense of it, I think.  It doesn't help that sleep is sporadic but it's gotten a lot better.  However, I'm an 8 hour sleeper - if I get my sleep life is good.  If not, watch out!  You mentioned how everyone is honest on this board - well here is honesty for you.  The moment I get tired - all my fears come out.  I am triple negative and despite being node-negative, going through clean scans, chemo and now this surgery - I wonder if it will be enough to keep this hellish disease at bay.  I was bawling last night about this thinking how will my kids do if I don't make it?  What will happen to my DH?  I went from so happy and loving my life to a surprise diagnosis of this aggressive form of the disease.  I will have "lost" an entire school year with my kids - no volunteering, field trips, etc. like I usually do.  With three kids in school full-time finally, I thought I would be working out more, taking skating lessons AGAIN (oh how I suck), and finding new and exciting things to occupy my time.  Instead - I ended up on two operating tables and in the chemo suite.  So I am an "expert" at poor me days.  

But now I am going to see what the DH has planned for dinner.  He's excited I'm into food again . . .

Robin

Hi, Nihahi!  Thanks for sending great thoughts my way the day of my surgery.  It worked!  I'm so sorry you spent your post-op time nauseated and blowing chow.  I simply can't imagine barfing, even once, in a brand-new post-op condition.  My back's better every day, but I still take a 5-mg valium every night--the PS said it would relax the muscles and let me sleep.  

HHCats, I can certainly relate, although my dark days are very few now.  And I don't have little ones at home!  For me, this surgery was a big step in putting BC behind me.  With your awareness that the shivers come on when you're tired, when that happens, you must develop a bit mental DELETE button.  A friend (with BC!) shared this with me.  Your thoughts wander into dark imaginings...DELETE.  

This morning I rode my bike for the first time post-op.  It's seriously easier than walking; the position is a little bent over naturally and riding on the flats is not much exercise, but the fresh air, sunshine, and getting out was beyond cheering.  Then I came home, showered, and put on my beautiful Soma jamies that haven't been worn yet!  So I guess you could say I spent my day in my pajamas too.

Right after my mx last year I wanted to buy a tee that said "I lost my breast...I think it's in my purse somewhere."  Never got around to it, and now it just doesn't apply.  The new girls are bruised, misshapen, uneven, and numb, but I love them.  I love my new flat tummy.  I am filled with gratitude.

Kuka... Just to confirm... You showered, correct? No baths while you have drains. Also, don't roll to your side. It can distort the flap. Stay on your back for 4-6 weeks.

So glad to have found this thread. Getting more anxious. We leave for charleston tommorow. Couple of days before surgery on Wednesday DH is more nervous than me!!!!

Kuka. Do be careful. I did pass out in the shower. I called for my friend and she caught me but I woke up on the bathroom floor and my left drain hole was bleeding. I ended up with necrosis there and have to wonder if I caused a problem. I am still in the process of fixing it. And that was almost two years ago. Don't be a hero and think you are super independent. It can work against you as it did me.

Has anyone else had GI problems after surgery? I am almost two weeks out from my Stage 2 and recovery from it has gone fine except for the GI part. I was only on painkillers for two days but dealing with the initial constipation I blew open my ever present pesky hemmorhoids. Then I couldn't stop going to the bathroom and having gas...all which resulted in bowls full of blood. My PS sent me to the GI who "banded" one of the internal hemmorhoids which seems to have stopped the bleeding. I go back in 3 weeks to have another one done. My PS also did blood work which now shows that I am anemic from the surgery plus bottom blood loss problems. I have eaten yogurt every day and yesterday started taked acidophilus. Yet several times a day the gurgles start and the gas or BM begins. My poor bottom can't get a chance to heal. If it wasn't for this issue I would be really doing fine in my recovery. As it is now a trip to the backyard is as far as I am going.

CRS319,

Safe travels to Charleston. Getting settled will help, and especially meeting for pre op with Dr Kline and Dr Baron will calm you even more. Still, it's hard not to have anxiety with BC treatments and major surgeries! You are in the best of hands with these top docs through God.

I walk the beach the day before surgery to settle my mind and relax the pre-surgery knot in my tummy.

Were you able to find oceanfront condo?

I know this was all crazy and last
minute for you with your active cancer, but If you have time (maybe after surgery) you can go to the Charleston Bound, part 2
thread and also keep us up to date there if you wish.

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/766866?page=79#top

You can PM the thread owner to ask her to add your name to the list at top with surgery date, doctor, type of flap surgery, etc.

Will be thinking of you on May 1 and sending a prayer for you.

Lilyun... Its unlikely, but antibiotics can cause antibiotic induced colitis. And no amount of probiotic or yogurt is going to help... You would need Flagyl. Also try using a suppository. When I have had hemmorhoids, the suppository helps a lot.

As far as probiotics, I take Align every morning. Even when I am not on antibiotics. I also eat a lot of yogurt. You might also try some GasX or something like that??

Hello All

Nihahi - good for you!  Getting out and about.  I get the boredom thing -big time!  When bored, I think and analyze.  So now I am getting antsy about hair growth.  I lost my eyebrows and eyelashes to Taxol and I think I see itty bitty eyebrows coming in . . .my hair is definately coming back in.  So everyone left the house - for playdates and to go shopping and I took a nap and then played with makeup.  THIS IS NOT LIKE ME - AT ALL.  So I went a made that spreadsheet for my drains . . .which SADLY is totally like me!

Sbelizabeth - I am working on my delete button!  Doing this surgery was a big step for me in putting this behind me.  From the beginning of my diagnosis, I've been looking at ways to get back to living my life and raising those kids and this surgery was the final physical step in that direction.  Now onto the mental . . .much harder.  But I'm trying.  Good getting out on the bike by the way.  

bdavis - you are way ahead of most of us - does the numbness sort of wear off eventually?  I heard that it can but haven't heard of anyone say that it has.  I am just really bruised and trust me - I feel that!

kuka21 - I echo not sleeping on your side!  Do you have a recliner you can sleep in?  You can fold a foam mattress tooper on it to make it more comfy.  It will keep you from tossing and turning.  It is important not to cut off the blood flow of the flaps. 

CRS-good luck on the 1st......will be thinking of you.....please post from the "other side" as soon as you are able-we'll be looking for it! :-)



Lilyun-so sorry to hear about your digestive troubles......I really hope it all get sorted out very soon......digestive issues should not be front and center when you are trying to heal....:-(



Kuka-listen to these ladies......you have gone through hell to get the DIEP flaps......you have to stay off your side-find a way to prevent it........the girls are sensitive, and they need to be babied.......I am over 3 months out, and I still cannot sleep on my side for long.....the girls get really agitated......be careful-you do not want to lose one of them.



I took antibiotics-after I contracted staph......I was also on Flagyl......can't remember the antibiotic.....but wow.....did a number on my intestinal track! Ended up taking a probiotic that had 80Million live cultures in each capsule. I bought it at Whole Foods -called Ultimate flora, and it had to be refrigerated.....it really helped get my intestinal flora back in balance. I took it while I was on the 2 meds from the PS. I take a lower dosage pill now.....30million live cultures....never have a problem! :-)



SBElizabeth -I echo Nihahi.....you win the hairy chest prize.......wow! Can't even imagine doing that at 2 weeks! You go girl!



Nihahi-keep on keeping on......you will get your mojo back......I feel like I am ready to hike ANYTHING.......just in time for my next appt. with PS on May 1, when I will learn date for Stage 2a........more downtime....... :-(



To all of you warrior sisters.......have a wonderful evening, and "TOWANDA!"



Namaste and God bless - Jackie

Mammalou- I had 2 units. The day after my DIEP the Doppler sounds were not quite right. Next morning they were wrong on my right breast. They gave me the blood during the repair surgery. I also had 2 units after the original MX. I sure felt better fast. A very good thing!

I almost had to have blood when my blood pressure was low the night after surgery. But they gave me two shots of some medicine that closed down my blood vessels and made my pressure rise. This was a strange thing for me since I had been taking high blood pressure medicine before the surgery. They made me stop the day of surgery taking it.