DIEP 2013

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  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 3,841
    edited June 2013

    Morwenna...hope your in a safe part of Calgary tonight....I'll catch up with you ladies later.

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  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 3,841
    edited June 2013

    Hi Ladies, Crazy day/night here...have just been focussing on some "locals" but thought I'd check back here. 

    goldie....In all my pre-op conversations with my PS, we both agreed that flap survival was the main objective. He knew I was leery of a possible tram, but I also completely trust his skills and judgement. During surgery, he found my diep vessels were small, and he felt they would best survive the trauma of surgery if he kept a sliver of muscle surrounding them, instead of "teasing them out". As I have said...sacrificing that little sliver of muscle means I am not technically a diep flap, but more importantly to me....has not made any part of my recovery or future physical status any different. I have had no issues with flap failure, necrosis, etc., so I believe he made the right choice for me. I know for a fact, that he also has done successful "true" dieps, so my "version" is not a measure of lack of skill on his part. Personally, I don't really care if my gloob is classified as a "kangaroo", it's healthy, it's pretty darn good, even at this stage, and IT'S ALL ME.

    I'm off to bed soon, (I hope) so goodnight all. Sending out positive vibes to you all.

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  • Janet_M
    Janet_M Member Posts: 1,068
    edited June 2013

    Ssla01,



    You're almost there! And it's the first day of summer, and the longest day of the year. A perfect for day for rebuilding and a new start. Thinking of you all day. Wishing calm, and strength, and happiness



    Janet



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  • wraithg
    wraithg Member Posts: 93
    edited June 2013

    hi nihahi wishing you to health and safety during flooding in Alta. Wishing all the newbies a great recovery. My last apt with PS was about stage 2 , getting rid of dog ears and doing nipples. I will know more in two weeks as she put me on major antibiotics thinking I might have infection in right breast. Its been somewhat red since surgery in feb so to be safe .......

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  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited June 2013

    Nihani, thanks for th explanation.  I was curious because when I went to see PS last Monday we talked about siea, and he said that would be great, but very few are able to do that, and he also said, who knows, you might be the first one I will have to do a tram on in a while, if you don't have the vessels.  It's all a crap shot.   

    I am so glad you are going well, and happy.  Most important thing.

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  • damiana9
    damiana9 Member Posts: 389
    edited June 2013

    Got my cathetar out this morning and had to get up to use the potty. It went better than I thought it would. Then they put me in a rocking chair to get me out of my bed. The nurse took my pain pump button away from me. She didn't turn it off though- so I reached over and grabbed it with my toes. I got 3 more clicks on it before she turned it off. hahaha! Now I am on pain pills. I imagine they will come and get me to take a short walk. ugh! I can do it, I can do it!

    My flap is still cooler than the rest of my body- but there is some body heat to it. How long does it take to warm up all the way?

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  • Janet_M
    Janet_M Member Posts: 1,068
    edited June 2013

    Oh my God - I can't stop laughing - and laughing really HURTS. Your toe-grabbing stunt is the best thing ever. Sounds like you are doing amazingly well.



    The walk will be good too. You Can do it you can do it you can do it you can do it

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  • liefie
    liefie Member Posts: 2,440
    edited June 2013

    Damiana, I was given a warm blanket to hold over the new boobie, and was told to keep it warm all the time, much like a newborn baby. Walking will be easy. It's the getting up that is a little difficult the first few times, then you get the hang of it. Best wishes!

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  • SheChirple
    SheChirple Member Posts: 954
    edited June 2013

    How do I gain access to the photo site?  I really think I need to see how others look, for comparison, to make me feel better.  I'm more than willing to submit my various photos.

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  • MartyJ
    MartyJ Member Posts: 1,859
    edited June 2013

    SheChirple - there is a great instruction to access the photo site. If you click on the Breast Reconstruction forum, the thread will be the 2nd from the top.  It is a bit of a process as the owner lives in Japan, but you should be on in a few days.  

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  • Dyvgrl
    Dyvgrl Member Posts: 471
    edited June 2013

    For all the ladies with a TimTam obsession, I just watched Kathy Lee and Hoda with Grant Bowler show them how to bite the corners off, then suck coffee through it and eat the whole thing down! Thought you'd enjoy that!

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  • Moviemaniac
    Moviemaniac Member Posts: 949
    edited June 2013

    Dvygirl , I am crying right now.... Can you hear me down here in Oregon????

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  • Dyvgrl
    Dyvgrl Member Posts: 471
    edited June 2013

    He said there are several select stores in the US that sell them. I swear I've seen them at Fred Meyers. I will check next time I'm there. They sure looked yummy!

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  • Moviemaniac
    Moviemaniac Member Posts: 949
    edited June 2013

    They are so delicious they should be banned! :) I am not a fan of store-bought cookies....but......

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  • Dyvgrl
    Dyvgrl Member Posts: 471
    edited June 2013

    Movie: world market sells them if you have one nearby. Also, they are sold at Target under Pepperidge Farms label supposedly in direct partnership with Arnott's the Australian maker. Not sure if they are exactly the same but worth looking at.

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  • RobinY
    RobinY Member Posts: 36
    edited June 2013

    Believe it or not, I've bought them at Target!  I took my son to Australia in 06 after my first fight with BC and have been happily addicted to TimTams ever since! 

    SimplyOz.com has them, so does Aussieproducts.com

    This site has every kind and they are in Texas: 

    http://about-australia-shop.com/advanced_search_result.php?search_in_description=1&inc_subcat=1&categories_id=&pfrom=&pto=&x=9&y=8&keywords=tim+tam&gclid=CLXLwZTVxI0CFSClQAod41QbGw

    Hope that helps with the TimTam addiction :)

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  • Morwenna
    Morwenna Member Posts: 1,063
    edited June 2013

    Nihahi,



    I hope you are on high ground in Okotoks!!! The flooding in downtown Calgary is terrible too, and it was a bit of a trek, but I managed to make it to my ultrasound appt.



    I'm confused and anxious now. The tech said she found and marked a node in my right axilla. The radiologist came in and had a go for himself, but said he thought I was just feeling "normal tissue" but wanted me to have a mammogram "to be sure".



    Then the girl told me the doc had said there was no cause for concern and they would send a full report to my oncologist, hopefully in time for my appt Monday pm.



    So I dried my tears and came home. I don't know what to think now. :(

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  • Moviemaniac
    Moviemaniac Member Posts: 949
    edited June 2013

    Robin I have been getting them from Simply Oz...... Will have to check Target ASAP ..... Will probably buy a case and freeze them ..... It's a happy addiction ! :)

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  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited June 2013

    Morwenna,

    There are no words that can make you not worry, and I know how horrible it is to wait over a weekend.  Hang in there.  We are all here for you.  Trust that you have just been through chemo, and no cancer would dare grow in your body.

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  • RobinY
    RobinY Member Posts: 36
    edited June 2013

    Movie- Cost Plus (not ten mins from my office) has them. woohhoooooo.  Guess what I'll have once I get to a regular room in hospital? lol

    I hear the honeycomb ones are beyond awesome too.  I'm going to have to order those.  Simply Oz is a great place to order from, I've used them a few times in the past.  Next year I'm going to start planning another trip to OZ and my 10yr old has never been on a plane, so I'll introduce her to TimTams as an intro to all things Oz. :)

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  • RobinY
    RobinY Member Posts: 36
    edited June 2013

    Morwenna,

    Nothing I can say will make you feel better until you talk to your Dr., but please know I'm praying for you and will be this weekend, not only for a good report from the Dr. but for peace beyond understanding, and lessening of worry for you.

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  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited June 2013

    Shechirple

    I have been looking through the photos.  There are many implant photos, but I have found only one diep photo, and it was right after surgery, and not a pretty site.  She never did post an end result.  I go on google, and do "image" searches, and also YouTube is a great place to see real people's experiences, not just the "best" job a doc did on his own website.

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  • MartyJ
    MartyJ Member Posts: 1,859
    edited June 2013

    There are quite a few DIEP photos on the photo site, you just have to scroll through as their thread may not be on first page. Also some excellent DIEP repairs. Because implants happen more often, there are more photos.



    I finally googled Tim tam to see what it was. Looks yummy. Pepperidge Farm and Arnot are under same ownership. Pep Farm says they sell in Target from October thru March.

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  • kuka21174923
    kuka21174923 Member Posts: 427
    edited June 2013

    Marty I had to google it too. Didn't want to sound stupid asking what it was, lol! They look good and who doesn't love some pepperidge farm cookies!!!

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  • damiana9
    damiana9 Member Posts: 389
    edited June 2013

    drain ?- where were everyone's abdominal drains? I thought they would be near my hips on my tummy area- but both abdominal ones are coming out of the top of my pubic area- under the scar. It looks like I have a vagina with fangs :-O I don't know how I am going to wear underwear or shorts!

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  • MartyJ
    MartyJ Member Posts: 1,859
    edited June 2013

    Damiana - going comando may be appropriate in this weatherCool with a cute sundress.  The ab drains will be gone soon.  They will be a reminder not to overdo while they are in.

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  • liefie
    liefie Member Posts: 2,440
    edited June 2013

    Damiana, that's is exactly why I did not wear any panties until the drains came out. I had two pairs of really large, loose drawstring pj pants from Walmart, and pinned the bulbs to the waistband with the top hanging over that. Vagina with fangs - LOLOLOL! Once the fangs are gone, you will be left with two crotch eyes . . . like many of us. Just have to have a sense of humour, eh?

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2013

    Morwenna - so sorry for your experience today and the worry and wait you are going through. Know that you are in my prayers and we are all holding you up.



    Damiana - there have been several people on the thread with pubic area drains instead of hip drains....must be doctor's preference kind of thing. I had hip drains but they were so low that I couldn't comfortably wear panties....I went commando for almost four weeks until they pulled my last hip drain....and to tell the truth I have actually found it more comfortable to go without since then too! My abdominal binder comes down past my hips and undies are just sort of another layer I don't want to deal with right now. You will figure it out!



    Somebody was asking about ports.....make sure they (chemo nurse) use lidocaine cream on your port site before they access it each time. I have heard of some places that don't do it unless you ask. My onco prescribed a tube of lidocaine and I got several 2x3 pieces of tegaderm. On chemo day I would put a good dollop of lidocaine over port side (thick and don't rub in) and cover it with tegaderm so it wouldn't get all over my clothes. Then I would drive 30 minutes to cancer center and by the time they got me checked in and settled 45 minutes had passed and it was nice and numb.



    Omg..all this TimTam talk....wth.....now I have to find some....feel like I am missing out.



    Hope you have a great weekend, Flappers!



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  • RobinY
    RobinY Member Posts: 36
    edited June 2013

    Bailey: re ports?  They never offered me anything when I had my port.  It was like getting an ear pierced each time.  Didn't really hurt much, but to know they could have numbed me up...... 

    Back to Timtams... :)  While I'm going to be stocking up, I'm going to have to ask my ps, because I don't think I can TimTam right away because of the chocolate. :/  I'll find out tuesday. 

    Am I the only one that feels like the days are suddenly rushing by.  :gulp:

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  • Janet_M
    Janet_M Member Posts: 1,068
    edited June 2013

    My drains are in the pubic area as well. And hopefully not for much longer. But tonight, they weren't pinned up too well, so everything ended up in my drawstring pants, and when I looked down it looked like I had giant testicles. Classy.

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