DIEP 2013

HHCats, love, love, love your strategy with that letter, and handing over the elephant. Each of us deals with this differently. Way to go! I've decided months ago that if/when the elephant ever wanders back into my life, I will handle it THEN, AND NOT BEFORE. Life is just too beautiful, too precious and too short to let that beast steal my joy, and make me live in fear. I'm approaching post-op week 2, and will see how it goes. Hope it's not too bad.

Marty, you make me wanna come to southern California too! Was in San Diego for a few days last August, and I know exactly what you mean . . .

Mammalou....eat well, get something to help you sleep if you need it, something for anxiety if needed and stay active. Those things will help you more than you know.

Liefie....how's the walking going??? Enjoy daughter's visit.

HHcats...you're sounding so much stronger. Time does work wonders.

Dyvgrl.....interesting dx protocol! Are you going to glow in the dark?

sbelizabeth...lost moments of time, yep, me too. Short term memory was toast while in hospital, but things are coming back now. Anesthesia, heavy meds, sleep deprivation, stress.....I'm amazed I remember how to do the laundry!!!! (dang, wish I'd forgotten that one). Spent the rest of the day after my bike ride doing housework. So not my "thing", but I always like the way things look when I'm finished. re: hard spots....can't help you much, as I don't really have that issue. Are you referring to along the incision or areas within the flap itself?

Martyj.....enjoy California, can you send some sunshine up north? We now have a rainfall warning, and snow possible at higher elevations. Spring...hmpff... not so much yet!

Sorry Dyvgrl....don't know that drug. What is the purpose of it.... is it an anti-anxiety or is it a sleep med?

Hmmmm....can you contact a nurse hotline or maybe a pharmacist? I was ok'd to take Ativan (my anxiety med) up to 4 hours pre diep time. But, I had prior clearance from my pre-admission session. If you don't have definite clearance, maybe not a good idea to take it????

One last question. Did anyone have to take off the tagaderm to scrub with the Hibiclens? They gave me two packs, one to wash with and one to wear but then after the SNB they put tagaderm on my breast and said to keep it there...

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 (delayed bilateral DIEP) Fontana, CA

Prayers and good thoughts for all of this weeks surgeries. 

I, myself, and FREAKING OUT! I had a meltdown yesterday.  It just all hit me at once. Trying to get it all together before being home for 4 wks, and off work for 4 wks and life stopping for 4 wks.  This is surgery #14 for me, yes 14.  I've had so many complications, I have to beleive that all that is behind me and this is the one that is going to go smooth.  I'm healthy, I'm in shape, I'm ready for ME!!

It is so hard for me to keep up with all the posts, but I take inspiration from every single one.  Good and bad.  I find tips or preparation, recovery and encouragement for coming through this just fine.

I just have to get through today.  In 24 hrs I will be out like a light and on my way to the other side. I'll post update as soon as I can, post op, but I'm sure it will be a few days, at least.

Not to proud to ask for big prayers!!!!!!

She-Chirpie, big hugs to you! Exactly one week ago at this hour I was lying in the pre-op room, waiting for surgery at eight. Here I am now, doing well and feeling great. You will be okay.

Nihahi, you asked about my walking. Yesterday I walked from my front door to the street and back. Guess it is about 130 feet to the street. Today I will do it twice, tomorrow three times, and so on. Feeling good, just sleep-deprived. The post DIEP insomnia has struck with a vengeance - lol. How long after DIEP can I drink coffee again? I will kill for a cuppa Joe right now!

Liefie...longer walks are good for the endurance.... but I found it uber important to do lots and lots and LOTS of little walks in between....I seemed to tighten up so quickly, and my back was a major issue if I didn't get up and try to appease it almost every 15 minutes!!! Exhausting, but seemed to pay off quickly! I bet you've discovered doing the stairs aren't the obstacle you anticipated!!!!

Liefie, my PS said I could drink coffee when I was three weeks post-op.  I wasn't sure I wanted to put that monkey on my back again, but now that I'm at work, it's like, hook up the IV and pour it in.  Buzzzzzzz...

SheChirple, the headquarters for my old flight nurse job used to be in Fontana, and my son lived in Loma Linda for a year while he was a resident at Arrowhead Regional.  I know your end of So Cal!  You will certainly be in my prayers.  Try to relax and go with the flow of the hours.  Tomorrow you'll take a nice nap and every need will be met by the physicians and nurses who are there to take good care of you. 

Mammalou, they considered the diagnosis of my BC carefully, since there was dermal lymphatic invasion, and IBC was a possibility.  However, I had a 0.8mm solid lump of IDC just under the skin, and the small red spot with the IDC in the skin was directly above it.  To meet criteria for IBC, more than 2/3 of the breast must be involved.  That being said, it's all semantics...dermal lymphatic invasion means aggressive, cut/poison/burn therapy.  My sister, in fact, was diagnosed with IBC about nine months after my own diagnosis of IDC, and her treatment has almost mirrored mine.  She's doing well.  When my DIEP was done, they biopsied everything they cut off my chest, and no BC was found.  Yay!

Nihahi, for the first time in my life, I hired a house cleaner.  It's like a miracle.  Every other week, two lovely ladies come and spend the afternoon cleaning every corner of my house, and a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders.  More time for biking!

Gini, glad you enjoyed my humble writing.  With the new "sisters" all perky and out there, and teetering around on red high heels, I felt a little like I misrepresenting my middle-age, almost-grandma self.

Happy Thursday, everyone, and blessings to those approaching their surgeries. 

Oops...I meant to answer Mammalou's question about what to do to prepare for surgery. 

I absolutely second Liefie's opinion that the best thing we can to to be ready for surgery is to be fit and strong.  Whatever you do for aerobic fitness, push yourself to be in tip-top shape.  Do abdominal strengthing exercises (SITUPS) to help the surgeon find the vessels and help yourself to move around post-op.  Develop strong legs to help yourself walk and use the bathroom (read, "lower your butt to the terlet") when your core is stitched up and sore.  Be sure your shoulders and arms have a good range of motion--stretch, stretch, stretch. 

All of this will help you get out of bed, avoid leg clots, avoid the need for transfusions during surgery, move around, and be more comfortable during your recovery.

I must be channeling Jack LaLanne.  Commercial over.  Katy

SheChirpie, those docs are working over you, but fortunately this day will be a lost day in your memory. In a few hours it will all be over, the nurses will take good care of you, and in a few days you will feel like a hot new mama . . . sending loving thoughts and prayers your way!

I have had a very successful surgery and recovery so far. My surgeon was able to do SEIA flap (Surgery was Tuesday). It has been a bit of a blur, but I have been up walking and feeling pretty good. Definitely feel better than I thought I would. Pain meds do have me in a bit of a dog.

Gini23



Vinny Myers Tatoo website

http://vinniemyers.com/section/105672_Nipple_Areola_Tattooing.html



Article

http://community.breastcancer.org/blog/3d-illusion-nipple-tattoos-the-finishing-touch/



I have not used Vinny but I will when the time comes. He is located in Baltimore but travels to the center for restorative breast reconstruction in New Orleans. I don't know if he travels to other PS offices. In Baltimore he has a tattoo studio, so it might not be reimbursable by insurance. However in New Orleans since it is in a medical facility it can be billed to insurance, but it may be out of network for you.



I'll probably go to Baltimore because I can drive there in 3 hours and save myself a flight and I have girlfriends who seem to think it would be a fun girls weekend.

Shechirple - Sending you lots of positive 'you can do it ' energy from Canada. I'm due for DIEP three weeks today, so when I write in feeling panicked, you'll be feeling relaxed, relieved, and well on your way to healing with your great new boobs. You don't have to do anything tomorrow - your very talented doctors will be doing it for you.



I've had a few freak outs of my own, and try to remind myself that my anxiety is not who I am. I am still me, and my anxiety is living with me for a while, but it's only a temporary relationship. I think you'll do great. I've been reading this thread for a while, and it's sounds like what you're feeling is normal. A few more steps, and it will all be behind you. Hang in there, sister. Your surgeons are brilliant, your body is intelligent, and you are safe, and in good hands.



Liefie - I love what you said about having a 24 hour notice for surgery, and being able to cope with a non-perfect house when you got home. What you said makes sense. Also - it makes me feel less insane about trying to make things perfect before I go in to the hospital. Your progress is so wonderful.

Janet M, so right about trying to make things perfect. After my bc diagnosis I have learned to say 'Good enough', and my life is so much more fun now. Took me a very long time to realize that perfection does not exist, and yet we buy into it over and over. Life will happen regardless of how much we stress over perfection or not, so I choose to let go, and have peace.