DIEP 2013

Thanks, sbelizabeth and Nihahi, I think you are both crazy....but in the BEST possible way



I would be on my bike on the flat, paved trail TODAY (we have 80 miles of old railroad bed paved trails through beautiful woods a few miles from my house!) (And just cos I'm bragging a beautiful mountain bike trail with 10 miles worth of loops right down the street) BUT my PS says no raising BP or heart rate for 4 weeks. I feel like I can control my heart rate better walking than on the bike....easier to check it while walking too, no doubt! So will leave bike hanging in garage for now. I kind of think maybe hubby hung it up more to keep me away from it than to get it out of the way. Maybe cabin fever is making me paranoid and suspicious.



My girlfriend is ok. Snake of a boyfriend dumped her a few days ago. She loved the shirts I did for her and is of course grateful. She is my hair dresser, too, which is how we met over 15 years ago. Then she bought the house across the street from me a couple of years ago. She shaved my hair off for me two years ago. That is a serious bonding experience. We each did a shot of tequila first (neither one of us are real drinkers but it seemed necessary and fitting) and she cried harder than I did. But we got it done. She cut all my wigs for me (I am a natural brunette but had 3 wigs....blonde, red and brunette) and was my "hair plan" for this surgery! Fortunately I have had no ROM problems with this surgery and have been able to do it myself.



Anyway being self employed and single caught her with no health insurance and it was not a car accident so no coverage for anything. And obviously she can't work. So we are figuring lots of "stuff" out. But she hasn't had any therapy yet. I am pretty good at finding solutions or figuring out ways to do things (worked at rehab center years ago....my dad is a double amputee). Another friend is an accountant, another a dietician another a counselor....all of us neighbors. I have a great OT who has become a friend as well. I will arrange for a few sessions of therapy once she has healed a little more. We will work it all out in time.



Sorry, there goes wordy girl again. Thanks for listening. If you have any extra prayers please say one for her. She needs them.

Thanks, Kuka, we are all (the neighbors/friends) very lucky to have one another. We all bring certain personal and professional talents to the table and have all had our turns at troubles in life. Being able to count on people close by is truly a blessing. no matter what the lawns get mowed and driveways cleared of snow and kids are watched and dogs are let out and errands run for each other. And they are all very funny people and laughter is definitely the best medicine! I am a lucky girl.

Yes, Nihahi and sbelizabeth, our resident crazies, we love you! 'Flapper Food' sounds good to me! Brussel sprouts can be the first topic . . .

Kuka, hope you are still still sane with all those kids in the house? Just don't give them any sugar-containing treats - lol.

Bailey, you certainly live in a lovely neighbourhood where people care for each other as it should be. Your friend is really lucky to have you! I hear you on the cabin fever. Exactly three weeks ago this time I was on the OR table, now I'm ready to start some serious exercise, but we'll just have to be patient. Don't want to wreck the good work, so walking is all I can do at his stage. We live in a hilly area, so it is good exercise.

sbelizabeth, thanks for the chili recipe - will defo try it. Made your Brussel sprout oven baked veggies last night with roast chicken - yum yum! Did not really smell any farty smells either. Maybe my nose is not as good, or maybe I'm just biased, or maybe I'm in denial. Whatever. Cabbage in any form is good for us.

ssla, pecan pie cobbler? Nihahi, there's the next one for our recipe thread - we should get it started, not that I know how - lol. YUMMY!!!!

DH assessed my girls this morning, and said he thinks I will need a little lift and some fat grafting on the healthy breast. I'm sooooo not ready for any more surgery. Wonder how men would feel if they had to get all these procedures? They are so quick and cavalier about advising us what to do, but I bet anything they'll be running for the hills as fast as they can if they have to do all this! LOL!

You will all be so glad when I have more to do than comment here all day! But you're stuck with me hijacking the thread for a few more weeks.



Pecan pie cobbler sounds sooooooooo much better than any manner of Brussel sprouts.



Liefie - I always tell DH he is 2nd most important critic....I get 1st choice! I gotta tell you though.... I LOVE my lift and it has been totally painless ....or I haven't noticed it with 40 other inches of incisions to deal with? It needs some fat grafting next time around but with just the lift it really looks pretty amazing. It's some sweetness to balance out the bitterness of reason I am here in the first place. Kind of like the tummy tuck...only that's not painless. Do you have to have more work done anyway? Like a 2nd phase? Something to consider. You will find your answer.



Shechirple - are you still sitting in the shower? lol!



Our 3 for tomorrow....all systems go? How are you doing? Thinking of you!



B

Well, you know what? Kids are in the pool! I just couldn't take it any more. I'm sitting out here with a towel wrapped around me and they're in the water! These kids are crazy! And I'm crazy for letting them swim, but hey, not that crazy to stay indoors with them all day, ha!

The recipes idea sounds so good! But can we add so e that don't require veggies, please😊

Since we're going off the DIEP topic, can anybody give me advice on how to potty train a very stubborn 3 red haired years old? She knows how to go potty and has done it before, but still goes on her pull-up. I didn't have this much trouble with my other two!

IDK Kuka...we got the kids off bottles because "the store stopped making them". A few ugly days and they were done. You would have messy days though.....if you're able/willing might work.



Do all six call you mom or do you have spares hanging out with you today?

Potty training: ditch the pull ups and go old school with the training pants and plastic underwear. Then when she goes in them, let her be uncomfortable for awhile. Guaranteed she'll think the potty is a much better choice. Pull ups are just absorbent diapers so it's too easy for them to ignore. Let them feel wet and icky for a few mins, they get trained quick. Sucks for you, but gets it done. My son was 3 before he would completely yield but it worked and he was SERIOUSLY stubborn! Good luck!!

I did the plastic undies route with my youngest. It took two days and he decided it was gross and that he wanted big boy underwear.



If anyone wants the pecan pie cobbler recipe, pm me your email address or phone number. I'll text it or email it to you.

ssla - horrible to make pecan pie cobbler (and not share!!!) Never heard of it but would LOVE the recipe!!! Are we allowed to do that??? Please!!! DH loves pecan pie and cobbler!!! Would love to make it for him (of course I'd have to taste a little - or a lot!)

Sure, and the brown sugar is healthy too. Lol

OMG....I'm sitting "in the dust", licking an ice cream cone as I read through the latest "epic novel" of posts!!!! I figure I earned it after a bike ride this morning, then walking my hubby's drycleaners to the store, instead of firing up the car. You guys are incredible! 

I "kind of" get the theory behind the keep your bp and heartrate low, but I gotta tell ya, I'm sure mine was thumping pretty good in hospital, the first few times I was getting out of bed and walking around!!!!!! Unless you're training at altitude for a spot on the Olympic team, I cannot imagine anyone would do enough to put the "new connection" in jeopardy, while still tired and low endurance????? But.....just my opinion.

FYI - OT's lurk everywhere, and see all!!!!!! bwaaahhaaahaaaa!!!!!  (from a retired OT)! 

Kuka, same here!! My 3 year is in the same boat and just turned the corner this week! Like your daughter, mine is also smart enough to know better. At daycare she was great going pee on the potty, but wouldn't poop. Then when I had my surgery, she reverted back and started peeing in pull up. I was thinking pure laziness! She is motivated by treats and that is what ultimately turned things around along with our praise. We and daycare make a huge deal of it when she goes poop, turns out she liked it and it just clicked. She will be 4 in October. By the way, my almost 8 year old boy did the same thing. Was peeing from 3 on, but used to give me a diaper when he had to poop. He was 4 when he finally started to poop in the toilet.



I guess just keep reinforcing it and be patient, it will happen. I know that dealing with it is the last thing we need, I just started chemo today, so I'm thrilled to not have to change pull ups and I think she is too! Hang in there, it'll happen!!

One week countdown. Yikes! Just did a half hour of downward dogs and planks. Also, I got my pre-surgery hair cut, bought a shower chair, a grabbing tool, and some super - cheap pj's that are so bright they hurt my eyes to look at them. Not to mention the waterproof mattress pad, some frozen food (organic), baggy shirts - and  I've downloaded some more of Belleruth's guided meditation. We've fixed up the basement so Jim (my DH) can have a bachelor pad, and my mom can have the guest room. I've had experience with one tube, and I'm pretty sure that with four, I'm going to need to sleep alone. Veterans - what's the sleeping situation like after coming home from the hospital? I'm guessing I'll be better off alone. Jim's  a snuggler and I don't want him ripping a tube out in his sleep.

Tomorrow is my pre-op appointment, and Saturday is the Goddess barbeque I'm having for myself. For some reason, Toronto seems  stubbornly locked in spring and it's wet, gray,  and chilly. I'm hoping for sun, but have warned my guests to bring a sweater. I'm determined to sit outside. 

I keep meaning to buy a back scratcher, a bed tray, and a wedge pillow - but I might put that off till Monday. Jim  has stocked up on hand wipes and towelettes, and I've cut down to have a cup of coffee a day (miserable!). If I have time - I'm going to cook up a batch of sbelizabeths's chili (with turkey) to have on hand for the next couple of weeks. I LOVE turkey chili and I'm always looking for a new recipe.

Most of the things I've been doing, and stocking up on, have come from suggestions from this board. so thanks to everyone for sharing. Today I was feeling amazingly calm and steady - my inner warrior was leading me on. Yesterday I was a basket case and crying in my car, but I figure that it's all normal, right?  

Movie - I told a few people your story about the hot springs, and they've all loved it - it's such a charming, brave,  and inspiring adventure. 

I have a confession to make...I love vegetables. There was a time when I couldn't eat them - but I blame it on the 60's - it ruined them for everybody. We had to eat those disgusting frozen diced carrots/beans/peas/lima beans that came in a bag and were served still frozen, or overly cooked, and mushy, without any salt or pepper. Gross. But now - next to wine, fresh vegetable are my favorite thing and I can't get through a day without my greens.

Anyway - can't believe that at this time next week I'll be waking up from my surgery. It will be so nive to have it all beihind me after all this time. However, I will not allow photos - although I sure liked looking at them.

Nihahi, I broke my wrist about ten years ago when I was still a full-time flight nurse.  I was distraught when they took the cast off.  My wrist was frozen in position.  I thought I'd never take care of patients again!

Then an OT clinic got to work on me.  The things they did to me brought tears to my eyes, and it wasn't because I was all emotional and soggy.  It hurt like hell.  Within six weeks, though, I was back flying again.  For my first shift back at work, I talked the pilot into a low, LOUD fly-by around the OT clinic, while I stuck my healed arm out the window and waved farewell to my friends who'd worked so hard to make me better.  Good times!

Janet, I don't know if you have a recliner in the house, but it's best thing that ever happened to me after my bmx, and from what I understand many women couldn't have done without one.  We had a really old one that I had bascially given to the dogs, but we through a clean sheet over it, and it was the first night I had slept well in 2 weeks.  My husband literally sat there and watched me sleep because he hadn't seen me that comfortable in so long.  So, he went out a bought me a brand new one!!!!  I love it.  I will spend most of my time after my diep in it too. And, the dogs are not allowed in it...hehehehe.  I have even heard that some hospitals that do a lot of these surgeries have the recliners in the rooms for you.