DIEP 2013

Goldie, like you, every single time I get a catheter, I get a UTI. It's a given. So I warned them before DIEP surgery, was given an appropriate antibiotic through the IV afterwards, and I did not develop a UTI this time -  yayy!

Seeing the PS tomorrow for f/u before she goes on mat leave. We'll discuss stage 2, I presume. Also have a hard ridge along the tummy incision. Must be the scar tissue. I've never had a tummy incision before, and it feels so weird to have this hard rope across my stomach. I've been massaging it these last two weeks as instructed, but it does not feel any different. Does it eventually get soft and go away? Please tell me it does!

sbelizabeth, good for you on that speaking engagement! You will have the audience in stitches, no doubt, and if you ask them to dim the lights, you won't need a facelift. LOL.

Bailey, if you make that Flapper Pie, let us know how it turned out. Maybe I should make one to present to my PS tomorrow - lol.

So sad to hear of someone else passing from this horrible disease. We all worry. One of the first things I learned when I started all this was that our journeys have similarities but are unique, too. We can only do our best and look forward with joy to be here. Hugs to everyone.



Happy about the house sale, the speaking opp. (I wish I could hear it!), drains coming out and all the other good news. Thinking of you in pain and those about to get 'er done! The more I learn here, the better I feel about DIEP next month. And that's saying something! Of course, the crazy humor helps. I love it and wish I were funnier!

Liefie, I don't know how much your tummy incision is bothering you, but if it's enough to get serious about calming it down they can do tiny steroid injections into it to reduce the size.  I use to work for a dermatolgist, and it is amazing what that procedure can do.  There are also lasers that can fix it.  But, you doc might take care of it at stage2

Kuka, glad your are seeing sport medicine doc tomorrow.  Keeping finger's crossed it just a simple sprain.  If it makes you feel any better I open the door that goes out to the garage, the one I have opened and closed one million times, and I opened it right over my big toe.  I almost fainted.  I have polish on my nail, but it is all bruised around the nail.  I am afraid to take the polish off and see what's underneath. 

Wait a minute, I need some diamonds and eyelashes to leave home...lol.  Only kidding.  SBelizabeth, you are right. I didn't bring one thing with me that would have upset me if it disappeared.  Although, my cell phone sat on my table the whole time I was in for my bmx, and nobody touched it.  But, that is the only thing of value I had with me.  I didnt even bring my good electric toothbrush because I didn't want hospital germs on it.  I brought a manual brush with me.  Oh, and those Olay facial wipes are a godsend.  I would wipe down with those fairly often, and they feel great.

There were a few times a nurse would come in and ask if I would like to be sponged down, and I would say sure, but it never happened.  I think they hope you say no.  LOL. 

OMG....jakig.....it is so wonderful to hear from you! Sounds like you are doing well, and I love how positive you sound. Yes, healing is a slow, process, but it happens 24/7, so each day is a bit of a step forward for most. 

Rest, recover and keep us posted on how you're doing. I'm sure your message tonight, will be a great comfort to those having their surgeries this week.

Wow, you simply cannot let 24 hours go by on this board.......



Sherry, congrats on the house sale! That's fantastic news!



Dyvgirl......your news is the hardest news to hear......so sorry to read of the loss of your friend......it DOES make us examine our own mortality, doesn't it? But, like others have mentioned, we just have to live life to the fullest, and enjoy the here and now......sending you a big cyber-hug...... (



Katy, they don't know what a gem they have selected to speak!!!! Wear something that is NOT matronly, and top it off with those lipstick red high heels!!!! Copy and paste a copy here, okay? That way we can all enjoy your evening vicariously!



Jakig,AND Janet...... so glad you are doing well!! Hang in there, it will get even better.



Kuka, hope that knee isn't serious....



Constipation vs .......the runs.......the runs win EVERY time..... . (I know, I know, TMI!!!!!)



By the way, STILL smarting over being beat out of the PS convo about flapper gloobs.....sulking a little......



Good luck to you ladies traveling to the "other side" this week.......you will all do just fine.....



Big (((hugs))) to everybody........



Namaste and God bless - Jackie

Nihahi....methinks you are deliberately taunting me.......first about gloobs/PS convo, and second, about TimTams going to Waterton, and therefore, the mountains.......let's see....there are 3 points of taunt......but the TimTams on their own is quite enough.....my stash is getting smaller.....going to have to order again.....wish I could just walk into a Safeway and BUY them-like other people I know do!!!!!

Bailey (and others) do NOT attempt to remove your own drain!  I know it was said tongue in cheek, but please.  I am always totally shocked to see how much of th edrain is inside.  My abdominal drain was lat least 7 " into my belly.

goldie:  I have horrible UTI problems.  I alwasy get UTI post op.  This time included. I even feel it with catheter.  I suspect I had it when I went into the hospital and did not really pick it up due to catheter.  So, surgery Friday, by satruday I had raging UTI and my period.  Lucky me. I have trouble emptying my bladder in general, so I get a lot of UTI. I take azo at leaste once a month for a few days, stays it off.  If that doesn't work I do end up at doctor with antibiotics.

As much as we hate drains, do not push them to come out too soon. This is why I lost one of my original implants, seroma because they pulled the drain too soon.

1:38 am...yeah, guess who's not sleeping again.

No trans-illumination for me.

I have tips for handling constipation but it's TMI and rather gross, so stop reading.  My ob/gyn actually gave me this tip years and years ago, as I have had tons of surgery and get constipated from the meds.  Stool softeners do not help.  I will get backed up with what seems like a basebal sized rock hard clump, simply unable to pass through the rectum. Medically, they can prescribe a vaginal pessary, a cone like structure that you place into the vagina that puts pressure on the rear wall of vagina.  This allows there to be pressure to push against to force the bowel movement. However, if the stool is already hard, and round, and too large to pass through the rectum, it may need to be broken up.  You can do this by inserting a finger into the rectum and breaking up the stool (yuck) OR, as my ob/gyn suggested, place your thumb into the vagina, soft pad towards the back, and assert pressure against back wall of the vagina.  You will need to push with your bowels at the same time.  Doing this, you can feel the stool through the wall, and apply pressure where necessary to reshape the stool.  Do not assert too much pressure, and do not do this regularly. This will help prevent development of a rectocele, where the bowel actually sort of herniates through to the vagina, resulting in possible surgical repair.

Ha! No I don't recommend most people remove their own drains either. If you haven't noticed....they are sewn in place and if you do accidentally get the tubing caught on something and rip it out it's gonna HURT! And I am aka Queen of the Seroma which is why I still have the drain! BUT! It was at 10 cc last night and only 5 cc this morning so, OUT IT GOES TODAY.

Thanks for sharing, SheChirple, it was what happened to me in the hospital: backed up with a rock hard clump of small pebbles that simply cannot pass through the rectum... not a good experience.

Movie....I DID NOT use the "t" word....seriously girl, I'm taking you with me in the backpack. I was going to send you mega photos.....do you not want??? 

Currently pouring rain, thunder, lightening...wrath of god stuff here, but hopefully it'll stop soon so I can get out for a walk. Gotta start my day!

Damiana...you sound very, very ready. I bet like most of us, you'll find whatever you "don't have in place" you won't end up needing anyways. Odd how that seems to work. I remember being really "skeptical" of all the veterans who said, the pain really wasn't much.....turned out to be true for me, too! Try going into it expecting to be well cared for, then, deal with the any "issues" if and when they arise. You're gonna do great!

Bailey...sounds like you've found the magic combo to minimize drain output....girlfriend time and some tequila!!! Congrats on the output....if that last drain does get the heaveho today....that is a recipe for a celebration!!!! 

Kuka...hope the sports med guy has some good answers, plan of action for you.

Liefie...safe trip down to Victoria...bet your PS is happy with you.

Goldie....did you have a good rest last night????

Oops...rain moving off...gotta get busy.

Later, Divine beings!

Hello all just an update on me.  I saw my breast surgeon this morning.  What I thought were potential lumps are typical rigidity. She did find one spot of fat necrosis forming on the other side though.  She said everything looked great and to see her in October - 6 months post surgery.  So it was a quick appt and all is well.  We spent more time complaining about our kids schools and talking vacation plans for the summer.  

Otherwise, I'm coming off a busy week last week.  I hosted our school's annual BBQ which was successful despite the downpour.  It just turned into a huge house party in the gym - actually very fun.  Then on Saturday, we hosted 13 9-year-olds for a swim party and then on Sunday it was Father's Day.  I'm still pooped.  Too much fun stuff.  

I have been working out more and more - lots of walking and weight/resistance trainer.  I didn't lose that much strength if any.  I don't hurt that much after a training session (mainly my legs because I hate lunges) and I feel really energized.  My trainer has lots of stuff for range of motion too which has been working wonders for me.  I'm trying to keep up those fruits and veggies and invested in a Nike Fuel Band to track my activity.  Exercise and fruits and veggies are one of those tricks they advise for us triple negative girls.  

A week and a half left of school - I am more excited it will be over than the kids . . .LOL  What a school year it has been.  A real learning experience for all of us!

That's it from my corner of Ontario.  

Just a note on pulling drains - those of us who have traveled for our surgery are typically charged with pulling out drains.  Some do it themselves.  Others (like moi) have our DH do it.  Just a couple of snips to the stitches holding it in and a gentle pull - never even felt it.  So, if a drain's output is really down and it is getting irritated, you might ask the doctor if you can pull it yourself without waiting for the next appointment.  

Dyvgrl,

Yes, I have this issue too. The 'stage' thing bothers me a great deal.  I think for me it's because it is one step away from stage 4. It's too too scary.

But, i realise that it doesn't always progress that way, and my understanding is that stage 1 can go to stage 3...

But, nevertheless, the stage 3 thing feels awful. I'm really sorry to hear about your friend and co-worker. I can understand why you are under that cloud. Maybe, soon the sun will come out and you will begin to feel a little better.

Nihani

No, I did not sleep last night.  I think I mentioned the PS decided to fill my expander's even though I a having the DiEP so he has more skin to work with.  Anyway, he told me to go home a take a pain pill.  I did, even though it didn't hurt that much.  Well, that stupid Tramdol keeps me awake. I was up till 2 am again.  Then a big storm came through and woke me up, and then the dogs had to go out at the crack of dawn.  Today I will not let myself nap, and try to go to bed early.  This insomnia is ridiculous!!!!!!! I have a haircut appt late afternoon, I hope I don't fall asleep in the chair.  I feel bad enough for this hairdresser.  I had only been to her once before I got my diagnosis, now when I go see her I can tell she is nervous.  She doesn't know if we should talk about the BC, or not.  And, I can tell she is trying to figure out if my boobs are fake, or real.  She is young, so I don't get too upset with her.