DIEP 2013

It is time that I introduce myself to this group of wonderful women.  My name is Robin, I live in Los Angeles and I have complicated breasts.    At 21 I had a breast reduction, at 39 I was first diagnosed with BC stage 3 triple negative (and went through all the chemo, radiation and all that while being a single divorced mom to a then 10yr old son).  In March of this year at age 48 I was diagnosed with bc again- this time stage 2 also triple negative.  This was one week after finalizing an adoption of a little girl. Come to find out I'm BRCA positive and it appears that they will be doing a bi-lateral mastectomy, and the DIEP mid June. 

Having been through the breast reduction some 26 years ago, I'm really not too worried about my new belly-boobs. I remember the recovery and the pains and the drains. (they took me down from an E to a C then, and I'm a DD again now- I'd be happy to be a B at this point)  I find that I'm most concerned about how my tummy will feel after and the amount of time to even go into the office for an hour or so.  I'll take it as it goes and am trying to prepare my boss and my kids for the surgery and my recovery in the meantime. 

I want to add that I'm so grateful for this group of gals to have this place to share information and advice.  I spent a good deal of time reading replies last night and will have lots of questions and concerns as that date grows closer.  I just want to thank you all that have already been through this for sharing your experience with those of us still on the journey!

Welcome, Robin!  I hope you get all your questions answered and feel confident as your surgery date grows closer!  Katy

Welcome Robin!

Sbelizabeth, the hospital gave me a huge cup with a bendable straw and they kept it with fresh ice at all times. I also wanted ice water like crazy, even though I'm more of a soda drinker.

i went to gym twice yesterday! 30 of cardio and yoga class. but left work early due tomysinus pressure. ENT on friday. sure hope he can fix me.



welcome robin



mybreasts are starting to look like breasts. a few weeks ago i posted i didnt lime them. the stitches are almost gone. definately perky. red spots are almost healed

Hi, all! Just wanted to send more good wishes to our two comrades-in-DIEP in surgery today, hoping they feel our support and are doing well in recovery tonight. And welcome to Robin and other gals who've come aboard recently - glad you found this wonderful group!



I'm 10 weeks out now and feeling really good. Back to most normal things and loving the new girls. My waist is back too, hooray! Continuing to do PT for back and hip strength and flexibility, but no pain. Just tightness in my ab incision area still when I get up from sitting after a time. And I still need my Flexees boy shorts too; some swelling still happens otherwise.



Sleep is still not great but I don't think I can blame it on the surg anymore. No idea what's behind all the frequent waking. I'm not particularly stressed at work or home or anything, it's very odd.



Take care, gals, and Happy May Day!

I made it with flying colors, so happy to be on this side, only chemo left once I heal. Surgery went well, 7 1/2 hours. Did so well that I was able to skip ICU and went straight to my room. I'm very sore and my throat is killing me from the tube. I hope CRS is doing well! My DH slept over but just left to help his Mother get our Son ready for school, he'll be back in a while, and my Mom wants to sleep here tonight. My DH didn't want to see any incisions yet, which surprised me, but in due time when he's ready. Eventually he'll need to help clean them.



That's it for now I'm going to rest, I have a headache from all the medicine.



Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers, every one of them helped!



Love, Lauren

Yay Lauren!!! So good to hear from you.  

Congrats Lauren! Let the healing begin.

RobinY - Had to post because you have such a great first name!   And because I am triple negative, too.  

I just went through the surgery last Monday.  I am 43.  I live near Toronto, am married, and have three kids (twin girls aged 6 and an older boy who will be 9 this month).  I was diagnosed last October 2.  Had a lumpectomy on October 24.  Found out in the final pathology that it was triple negative.  I went through the gene testing to learn that I am gene negative.  My tumour went from 1.9cm to 3cm in surgery because it was surrounded by DCIS.  They got clean margins and I was node negative - 1 isolated tumor cell found in one node.  I was stage 2, N0, M0 (all my scans were clear).  

My tumor also had an LCIS tumor marker which indicated a propensity for future cancer in the other breast. I had 8 dose dense rounds of chemo and finished up March 25.  Then I had to choose between radiation (they were going to hit my lung) and a mastectomy.  I decided I wanted a bilateral with reconstruction and ended up having DIEP surgery like I said last Monday.

I've been home from hospital one week today and I have to tell you that I am shocked at how painless this really is.  The thing that hurts most was my abdomen and it was really just with movement.  And I figured I'd have to be crazy to think it wouldn't hurt when I moved after everything I just went through.  I am taking minimal meds (just regular Tylenols) and have been since Day 2 in hospital.  Getting in and out of bed is now thought provoking - you need a plan but I noticed just yesterday it was much easier.  

Like I said, I have three young kids.  They are old hands at this stuff after being flung into it last October.  We did a lot of just being honest (although I am one of those people who never told my kids Mommy has cancer despite the insistance of the counselor at the cancer centre that I should - I know my kids and they were just too young to understand what that meant and my eldest would then let his imgination fly to all sorts of bad places) - there was going to be surgery, mom wouldn't be able to do a lot of the usual stuff at first and needed to rest, and then we just let them help.  We also committed to making sure their routine wasn't disrupted that much and that part has taken a lot of coordination.  Friends to pick them up from school and take them.  I have friends who are making meals, helping clean (we got someone to clean, too), and taking my kids when we all need a break.  Once we realized that keeping the routine normal was making life easier for the kids - it got easier for us.  

So a week and a few days out, I am tired (but remember I am also just 5 weeks out from chemo) but cooking dinners, packing some lunches, and folding laundry.  I rest a lot and am trying to take it easy.  I still have one drain in me (oh how my future engineers and doctors love talking about mom's tubes!).  I've been shopping and yes, yesterday I even drove (OK just two minutes out of our neighborhood and around the corner to our new Target).  

My advice is to let people help you out, keep a normal routine as much as you can, and know it's not as bad as you expect it to be.  

This board is an amazing resource.  Tons of big advice and even more pieces of little advice that make it all easier.

Cheers!

Robin (see I told you that you had a great name) 

Movie, you and I are in the same age braket and we are 10 days apart with DIEP stage I. Hearing that you are a couple of months away from stage II, makes me feel hopeful that I may be able to have a September date.

TOWANDA, all DIEPers!

Wow....we've been busy.....I know I'll miss some recent comments, sorry.

Robin....hello, hope we can be of help. I know how much I have benefitted from these incredible ladies, I'm sure you'll find the same.

re: calf tightness...I had it somewhat too. I'm sure it's due to having knees flexed so long, with pillows, bed positions, etc. I found mine went away quite quickly when I stopped having to have something behind my knees all the time. Same with hip tightness. 

Lmo....welcome to the other side!!!!!! Gosh, you sound awesome!!!! rest and heal, the hard stuff is behind you.

Fredntan....so happy to hear you are in a "better place" re: feelings about the new girls. I'm sure, if they could sort out your sinus pain, everything will seem better!!!!!!

Back spasms almost settled down, much better today. As they were upper back and shoulder spasms, I have no doubt it is more related to my pre-surgery shoulder/implant issues than to the diep. But, all body parts ARE connected so there likely is some link. 

Sbelizabeth....I tried going without my "self-prescribed" support garment and was much more uncomfortable than with it. Maybe you could get one, and see if it helps you??? I don't wear it while sleeping, but it am very glad I got some. Mine are not as ìndustrial strength as post surgery binders or probably the Marena`s , but they work for me. 

Kuka, sorry to hear about the blisters, hope they resolve with no issues.

HHcats.....green is never a good colour when describing body secretion.....keep on top of it!!!!

Faith....your walk sounds lovely, so glad you were able to do it and enjoy it.

Gotta end here, time for my walk outside!!!!!

Ooooh hey I forgot to mention that I got a little bounce back in the girls yup I was going down the stairs and noticed that they moved a bit and also I felt it so...



Sbelizabeth I echo your comment on having the tumbler cup w/straw ! Came in handy for sure.



Nihahi sounds like your doing well .



Kuka hang in there things change so quickly in terms of the appearance and feel of the abdomen & new girls /scars. It's normal to have those feelings but rest assured if you had a weepy moment you'll have better ones to come. You be careful now on that scooter don't run anyone down

Ok ladies, sorry for all the questions. I'm laying in bed in tears because I just took a shower and put on a white tshirt. I never wore white before because I was a DD and I don't like to draw attention to myself, specially about having big boobs. I requested to be a C after DIEP, but when I looked at myself with that white shirt on it looks like I'm flat. Maybe an A! Does this change after you stop wearing the compression bras and everything heals and settles? I know I'm not just a pair of boobs, but I want to have something up there. I really didn't think I was going to feel this way. I think today is the hardest day since my surgery emotionally. Sorry, just trying to vent, don't want to bring anyone down.

Kuka, I'm still waiting for surgery, and can't answer your question. Just want to give you a BIG HUG!

((((((KUKA))))))

Kate - yes, my doc fixed my ab incision.  During the 5 months between DIEP and Stage 2, it became lumpy and bumpy and ropey - really yucky.  Mostly in the middle.  Dr. M lowered the incision when she fixed the dog ears.  While she was in there she gave me a plication (tightened the abdominal muscle fascia).  My tummy is flat, flat, flat.  I think the lumps are gone as well, but . . . she used a new closing technique to try to ensure a better closure.  Although there are internal sutures, the exterior is glued together.  On top of that there is a reinforced tape to help support the incision.  I will be 3 weeks out tomorrow and it is all still in place.  I am getting a bit anxious of that, but will talk with her to see what is up.

Kuka - give it time on the sizing.  You will swell and change over the next few days and months.   Before my MX, I was a 32 DD - little girl with really big boobs.  I, too, dressed to draw attention away.  When I had my first recon with implants, I was about a C.  I was absolutely amazed how "flat" I looked.  I really didn't look flat (per photos), but my brain was so used to the big bazooms that I had a hard time adjusting.  I have to say, I did look better in clothes after.