DIEP 2013
Comments
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I know how you feel mammalou lol. I have enough fat for 2 D cups, I'm tellin ya! Boy wouldn't my tummy be flat then. I told the PS, don't be shy, I have plenty and go liberal with the lipo!
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MartyJ,
You wouldn't even recognize this place anymore. We have pretty much every main store and restaurant ou can think of now. This summer we're expecting a Bass Pro Shops, Cabelas, and a Dave&Busters! It's still AK tho with moose and bears getting into trouble in town. The latest fad is backyard chicken growers. I'm all for it, except it being bear bait and all. Lots of dead chickens, house pets, and run ins with humans. People just don't understand wildlife! -
Dyvgrl, I'm quoting a story I heard or read somewhere, but it's pretty good. Breast cancer is like an elephant in your living room when you're first diagnosed. Everything you do, you bump into that damned elephant. Can't stop thinking about it, it's in the way, interrupts your work, family life, and mental health. Gradually, the elephant shrinks and it's not such a big deal. You trip over it occasionally, but you're used to its presence. After a long while, it's tiny. The size of a little coaster on a side table. It's still there, but you're past letting it run your life.
I wish this for you. Let the elephant shrink. It will take some time, but you'll get there. Katy
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Katy, I love that story. It is soooooo true.
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To Ladies who replied to my note about DIEP: It is so good to hear from you. Do you have any idea how much your reply means to me? Is it truly worth going through the surgery? Does it hurt a lot? Can you be active again and back to exercising and can you lose weight if you want or do you have to stay at a particular weight? Please forgive me for wanting to know so much. My BC has caused me a lot of anguish and heartache. I wish I could sit with you and talk about it. Before I had my mastectomy in 2010, I had a lumpectomy first in 2007 followed by 16 sessions of radiation on the left hand side. Do you think the radiation makes me a bad candidate for DIEP? Anyone else had the same thing? Please share? If you don't mind. God bless you all. Thank you for making me hopeful.
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Movie sorry that typo was because of both laziness and auto correct Lol thanks for the explanation though ! I can hardly wait to hear stories of your trip sounds like a blast.
Today was interesting my son was playing wiffle ball and I got hit right on my ab scar with a return ball. Bruised up instantly ! Then my 7 year old niece accidentally punched me right in one of the new girls. Watching things closely but aside from a little fear of potential damage i'm fine
Welcome to all the new ladies here ! -
Lsmb: I had rads and my PS and BS both said I was a good candidate for a DIEP. The PS is going to remove a lot of the damaged rads tissue with the dip.
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I have delayed bilateral DIEP flap surgery scheduled on Tuesday 5/21. I have been searching around this thread a little but still have a few questions. I finished up at work yesterday so I finally have a little time before surgery to get a few things done.
I was told I would want a front close, wireless bra for recovery. Do I need to buy this? Where have you gotten them?
What do you recommend for packing and/or having on hand at home for recovery?
Any recommendations are appreciated.
Thanks-
Lynda
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LyndaMarie you may want to wait on the bra because some PS don't let you wear one for a few weeks and those that require a surgical one usually provide it. Have your PS discussed a preference either way ?
Also here are some helpful things I packed for the hospital
1.lightweight bathrobe
2. Slippers (slip on)
3. My cell phone & tablet I didn't use them much because I was tired but I was in the hospital for 6 days and it was helpful to talk to family and Skype with the kids also.
4. an outfit to wear home extra loose sweatpants to allow for swelling in the waist and a zip up hoodie that I had inside pockets sewn in for holding drains. Because the drains were bulky I got the sweatshirt one size too big.
5. Back scratcher (couldn't live without it there ) got a metal one that you pull to lengthen !
6. Toothpaste and toothbrush
Also something others have mentioned that I would have loved there was a tumbler travel cup with a lid and straw. I drank a ton of water in the hospital and at home after surgery as well. I had brought toiletries but wasn't allowed to shower wear lotion or deoderant! I'm sure my guests loved that
Also I brought plenty of underwear but unfortunately because of the swelling I could only comfortably wear the hospital ones. I hope this helps some -
Oh also for at home recovery I had picked up several extra pillows at $5 a piece and a medium size tube shaped pillow to prop the knees up.
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Hi Ladies, have enjoyed reading up in posts and glad that Liefie and crs319 are doing well. Good luck for the ladies going in this week. My thoughts and prayers will be with you!
My surgery was May 1, so 17 days ago. I have the worst breast pain from that damn compression bra! I have no pain from my abdomen, but that has never bothered me, odd yes?
So I'm wearing my compression bra all the time, except for right now because I'm laying flat and trying to sleep at least half the night without it. I'm almost out of pain pills and just don't know if 800 ml of Advil is going to do the trick. I do have Valium, but just for night time.
When will this pain end? I've been walking every other day and that feels good on my belly, I can feel how tight it is when I walk.
I know a lot of you ladies have already had chemo, but I did surgery first and now getting ready for chemo. My port gets put in on June 4 (with this breast pain I can't even imagine a port on my chest), so chemo will start shortly afterward. I probably need to get on a chemo thread, but I've been given two options for chemo treatment and I'm undecided. One has the stronger longer drug and the other is the shorter treatment without adramiacin (spelling?). My oncologist wants me to make decision and he's ok either way I go. Should I be on different thread?
Thanks, Lauren -
Lynda,
At my first PS postoperative appt. he gave me a prescription to a boutique at the cancer center( for me, Smilow at Yale), where I got fitted and was given one by insurance. I also bought one with my own money. So if they didn't have you leave the hospital with something, you'll be hooked up at your first postoperative appt.
Lauren -
Lauren - you might want to call your PS about the compression bra. Not all PS require compression. Mine gave me a soft, hook front bra (sort of like a training bra) that I wore. Perhaps your PS will allow you to change to something less constrictive. It shouldn't be hurting so much.
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LSMB4, I had 25 rads last year ending in July, had the DIEP surgery on Thursday, and going home tomorrow. My PS said that things looked much better than she expected after rads, and she was thrilled with the results. So your best bet would be to find a good plastic surgeon, and let him/her assess you. I'm almost sure you will be a candidate for DIEP.
For me it was worth going through the surgery. It is the final hurdle in this bc ordeal, and it's going to help me feel like me again. I don't think there are restrictions as to losing weight afterwards, but you would not want to lose too much. It will be better to lose most of it before surgery. I am planning to go back to exercise as soon as I can. Will start walking within 2-3 weeks, and go back to the gym in about 8 weeks starting slowly. Does it hurt? I'm on Tylenol extra strength every 4 hours, and that's all I've needed so far. Honestly the only pain I have is when I move. It's more of a pulling sensation than real pain. I'm pretty comfortable, and amazed that I don't have more pain.
You are welcome to ask any questions that you may have. There are a lot of DIEP veterans here who can and will help you.
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LSMB4- I too had 33 rads to left breast and worried about the DIEP. Although, I have had no complications, my radiated side has healed better than the other side. Go figure??? It has also been 10 years ago that I had radiation.
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Long walk today, without camera or backpack....came home and crashed for a couple hours. Maybe it was the ice cream cone I had as a reward that tuckered me out???
Pattysmiles....the camera strap I use is similar to what you were suggesting, it crisscrosses in the back, then has two big loops that come around the front.
Martyj...thanks for the concern, but trust me, I'm taking it slow and cautious!!!! My PS has given me the green light to try what I want, gradually and carefully, and that's my gameplan. I have good friends who will strip me naked before they let me carry too much while hiking. Yesterday I stopped fairly frequently to duck into the trees and check out the boob and tummy. I must have not been too frightening a sight, cause no wildlife was falling out of the trees from shock!
mammalou...so, is your surgery date now on the 26th? I can get the date changed if we have it wrong on the list.
I think we've gone around the bra topic before, but never hurts to refresh it....my PS wanted nothing for about 2 weeks, so I just wore a really loose cami, that I could pull up to get on, just to be more comfortable in clothes, and for something to pin the remaining breast drain to. After that, he said I could wear what I wanted, but not lots of compression. I've been most comfortable in either cami's with and without a shelf bra, or a slightly loose "ah bra". I find either of those soutions accomodates the difference in size and shape of the girls.
Lmo...so sorry you're having so much discomfort. Sounds like the compression might be too much??? Check with your surgeon for sure. I hope you do stay with us for support, but I bet you will also find other threads that help you too with the chemo journey. I think that most of us find a "home" on more than one thread.
Holy C**P Faith.....sounds like you had a "full contact" day...hope you don't have any se's from the day's adventures!
LSM....we have ALL been there with the 20 new questions every hour feeling. Ask away....I understand how it seems impossible to believe this isn't an incredibly painful recovery (I was a non-believer myself, just a few short weeks ago), but it really isn't. There are so many nerves cut, that pain really is minimized. The first few times getting in and out of bed are a bit tough, but not nail-biting, eyes watering tough, just awkward and uncomfortable. After that, it is a weird, pulling, tight feeling in the tummy while walking around, and sometimes some back pain, until you get straightened up. When you aren't moving around, you really aren't that uncomfortable.
LyndaMarie....is there anyway you can contact your surgeon before surgery, to clarify about the bra? If they told you to get one, then likely they want you to do that, but best to double check to be sure. Hard to know what size to get though, as likely you will have some swelling, so that would be a question also.
Liefie...you continue to amaze us. Hope the family visit went well, bet you enjoyed it immensely. Have a safe, comfortable drive home tomorrow.
Cherrie....how are things going for you????
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I can't keep up these days with all the posts!! I am ok but feel bigger now than 2 weeks after surgery!! Can't fit most of my pants. Yuck , feel fat and ugly. Work is ok but a little hard , I know it will be better the more I do it. I will check in about exercise. thanks for support.
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I was given a surgical bra and a camisole bra at the hospital. Then I was told by the PS that I could wear sports bra. I found some really comfy ones at Walmart for $5. Mine don't close on the front, but I don't have any trouble putting it on.
At the hospital I wore my own pjs, with the button down shirts. I wore my own undies and they were low rise bikini so that they wouldn't bother my scar. I also loved having a back scratcher. I don't know if it was the anesthesia or medication, but I was super itchy. Your throat also gets very dry, so I was very happy to have some gum. The hospital gave me a cup with a straw and I had never drank so much water in my life! I took my book so that I could read, but was too tired to read. I could not concentrate. My PS allowed me to wear lotion and deodorant, so I made sure my DH put lotion on me everyday and the nurses loved coming in my room because it always smelled so good from the lotion😊. Of course, I had my cell phone and iPad with me, and I did use them to Skype with family. Other than that I didn't use anything else. Hope this helps! -
Lmo-we have the same surgery date. My tummy hasn't bothered me once. It will of course need lipoprotein at stage 2 to ale it pretty but it's fine. The girls do hurt some. I've been in a soft hospital bra with gentle compression since surgery and will wear til stage 2 I will look up the name. Dr. Kline gave me 5 bras and 2 Camis w drain pockets.
Chemo port won't hurt you. I have to do it too. Worst part is feeling a foreign object. I had adriamycin and cytoxan last time. It's harsh stuff but I believe in it. It's time limited and you can do it. It will make you sick but mine was only really bad for 3 days then I was tired but ok til next time. Chemo sucks but is time limited.
Can't wait to get these drains out. Maybe today. My best friends hubby is a surgeon and said he'd pull them if they're under 10 today like yesterday. Crossing my fingers!!!!?
Take care all of you and Godspeed your recovery -
Coming up this week:
5/20/13 BeezusComplex (Delayaed bilateral Diep) Nashville, TN
5/21/13 LyndaMarie (delayed bilateral Diep)
5/23/13 bailey6760 (Uni-Delayed Diep) Grand Rapids, MI
5/24/13 SheChirple (bilateral DIEP)Sending wishes for successful surgeries. We are saving spots for you all in the veterans group!
Liefie....have a safe and comfortable trip home today. I bet there are tears of joy and a huge smile on your face when you walk in your front door! Enjoy the new life of no "looming" date on the calendar!!!!!
crs....I've got everything crossed that you get those drains out today! Sounds like they are ready to be history.
Geralyn....hang in there. Hope today is a better one for you. Get on that phone on Tuesday and get the ok to get walking, moving, doing.....it'll help your "headspace" bigtime!!!!
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Lauren, can you not get another Rx for pain meds? You heal when you are not fighting the pain! Facing chemo with pain would not work for me.
How many nodes were involved in your dx? I would think that knowledge would be helpful with your chemo decision.
Hope your pain subsides soon. -
Thank you crs for your insight of the chemo. I'm leaning toward the adramiacin. I pray that your drains come out ASAP!
Catie, I'm certain I can get another rx for pain, I think it's better today, but overdid it with activity yesterday.
I just need to chill out today and plan to just that. Tomorrow too.
Have a great Sunday everyone! -
Lmo-
I had ACT and never once got sick. There are lots of women who do not get nauseous because of oncologists giving good premeds - emend and aloxi. Actually was able to run through all my chemo. Was fortunate not to have the joint pain, etc associated with Neulasta shot ( which I self-administered at home). I did not take Claritin, but many, many women and men swear by it.
Now there are patients who do get sick despite premeds, etc., but they seem the exception, not the rule.
Drink tons of water before, during, and after your infusions. Make certain you are getting your water intake daily each day (this is really a lifelong best practice regardless of having an illness). And get out and exercise - anything that gets you moving.
My chemo followed my umx at 6 1/2 weeks.
So sorry you are having pain.
Diana -
LMO, I had ACT as well for six rounds. My brew included the aloxi and emend to prevent nausea, and I'm truthful when I say I never had a moment of nausea. I would get my chemo treatment on a Wednesday, and felt fine that day and Thursday as well. Then I'd have what we called "chemo Friday," when I felt like I had the flu, without the cough and sore throat. Just tired and foggy. Like someone had stuffed my head with cotton. Saturday I felt better, and Sunday was fine. I was ready to go back to work on Monday.
My biggest yuck was my first round, when I didn't know how constipated I'd get. It was pretty bad, and I was considering dynamite. For the next five rounds, I started taking stool softeners, miralax, and metamucil three days before the treatment, and that "smoothed" things over.
Honestly, I know I had a blessedly easy path through the chemo. Maybe because I made a point of riding my bike every day, even if it was slow and short. There's not much that some fresh air and sunshine can't make better.
I know you'll make the right choice, and whatever you do, you'll spear this dragon in the belly and kill it dead.
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Nihahi, thanks for your continued cheerleading, and good wishes. You are a very good steward of the dates indeed!
Just lost the breast drain, and will keep the other two for a while longer. Homeward bound!
You all have a very good Sunday.
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Thanks for the support, ladies. Friday seems so close. I am getting more and more anxious as the days go by. I was originally scheduled in December of last year, but had emergency appendectomy in Nov, so we had to reschedule. I'm now scheduled for 5/24. Last Monday I had a terrible sore throat, I thought was strep. Turns out just a cold. Well, at my pre-op on Tuesday, as you can imagine, my 'just a cold' was a threat to my surgery and now doc is going to call to see how I am. They will cancel, again, if my cold does not go away. Grrrr....
So, I have spent the last 36 hrs in bed trying to kick this thing. I'm feeling 90% better, with just a cough. I have basically 4 days to get rid of the cough.
Meanwhile, I'm freaking out about how dirty my house is. Am I ready? All the questions racing through my mind. I tend to overprepare for everything and, yet, I have done NOTHING to prepare for this.
In my mind I plan to: clean my house, top to bottom, organize, scrub, all laundry done, groceries stocked, kitchen organized for easy access, lift chair with plenty of pillows in place, housekeeper hired, yard manicured, pool clean (yes, it's my job), bag packed, bills paid, mail processed, and then there is all the stuff at work!!!
In reality: nothing, nada, zilch, zip. I've been sick with a cold and can't clean house, besides surgery is Friday and I'll be in the hospital for a week, the house will be filthy by then even if clean today. Laundry I'll do. Groceries, well, the kids will eat it all and hubby will have to go shopping anyway. I won't be fixing my own meals, so who cares if the kitchen is organized. $600+ for a chair I'll only use for a couple of weeks...nah. I'll suffer. I wont see the yard, or use the pool for weeks, so who cares. I really don't NEED to pack a bag. Hubby will bring me whatever I need. Bills...eh who cares. Work....well, oh well. Someone will pick up the slack.
So, what's wrong with me? Anyone else go through this? I think in my attempt to NOT stress out, I have just convinced myself I don't care.
Now, I am keeping up my walking and vitamin/food routine well. That doesn't change. I'm just not willing to do anything different. Is this denial?
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SheChirple -
You have a great attitude about this. Hope you kick the cold so your surgery date is kept.
On the recliner front (I'm guessing that's the chair you're skipping) my boys brought ours up from the basement while I was in the hospital. I really lived in that thing - and slept really well. You'll do we'll whatever you choose ... But ;0) ...
Is it possible that you have friends that have a recliner that you could borrow for as long as you need it. I bet that could be true. I know I would loan ours out if need be. I've had two sons with broken clavicles (in college) and they needed a recliner to sleep in before and after surgery. They (recliners) sometimes get a bad rap from the decorator crowd but they do come in handy :0) -
Sbelizabeth, the elephant story is perfect. I told my hubby and he agreed. Thanks for that.
SheChirple, I have go e through the same process in my head, ad my house too is a hot mess lol. I did find a lift chair on Craigslist for $100. It looks like crap, but it works, and with a good washing of the cushions and some extra blankets and pillows, I think it'll work out just fine. We decided to put it in the bedroom as its closer to the bathroom and window (I really miss the sun!). We have recliners on the main floor too so that works. Have my UMX scheduled for Thurs and my recon Jul 2. I'm so distracted I can't concentrate on anything at work or home, drive to the wrong locations, mess up conversations. I really need this over with!! So don't stress over the house, focus on getting healthy. I'd highly recommend some zipfizz. That stuff works wonders in killing a cold. Good luck! -
SheChirple- Hello, raising my hand because I feel exactly the same. My surgery is also Friday and I just spent a good thirty minutes boo hooing to my DH about all the things I need to have done before then. Im also recovering from my last chemo still so there isnt a lot I can physically do. I am a hot mess with a side of crazy!
So just know you arnt alone, sending lots of get well vibes your way and I too will be working on saying "oh well"this week. :-) -
Thanks for all of the advice! I will call tomorrow to make sure I do not need to buy a bra in advance. I am guessing I won't need to as I won't know size. I definitely appreciate the packing suggestions.
SheChirple - I understand the apathy. I overwhelm easily now [post chemo/radiation] and am having a very hard time motivating myself to get things ready before surgery in two days. I guess it is just that I have made it through everything so far and realize this is the last really big step. Even if I need a phase 2, it will be small compared to this surgery.
I also got a lift recliner on Craigslist. I plan on selling it on Craigslist as soon as I am done with all procedures.
Tuesday is coming fast. yikes.
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