DIEP 2013
Comments
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Lily55,
I was told by my PS that he would not do recon until AT LEAST 4 mos after rads, but preferred 6. He said the radiation is still in your body and can damage the tissue from your belly. If that dies, you have yet another surgery and another donor site to worry about... -
Lily, as I said, I know nothing of rads, but I had a BMX with immediate DIEP........., rads seem to be a roadblock of sorts....I know others can answer with firsthand experience. Good luck in your investigation......hang around here....I always learn something new.
Namaste-Jackie -
Lily- I had my diep just a tad over 3 months post rads. My doctor seemed confident in it working without any problems. I am less than a week out from surgery, so I can't say what might be down the road but so far so good.
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Lily55,
Hiya, Hope you ok? I was told to wait a year to 18months, the reasons given for this was if there was a recurrance the whole thing would have to come off and that would be that for the diep procedure (only 1 tummy).
I had my mx in August and I am seeing the surgeon in July to start diep discussions. I am hoping to have it done this year, but I guess that also depends on NHS waiting lists.
Hope this helps.
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Hi everyone, just checking in. My surgery took under 2 hours. I have an abdominal binder on with a post surgical bra. I asked for the patch behind my ear that supposedly helps with nausea-- so glad I got it again as I feel just sleepy now and sore. Thanks for the wishes today!
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Jackie - I think it might be best if you have some help for the first few days. You will be fighting the effects of the anesthesia, taking pain pills and stripping drains. I was in the hospital overnight fighting nausea. Can you get a sitter to come in for 4 hours or so for a few days? You won't be incapacitated like after DIEP, but you will be sore and movements can be painful. In fairness to you and your mom, a bit of help would probably be best. And did I mention that while my mother was living with us, my DH's uncle was here too. They didn't like each other at all. Their rooms were next to each other and they shared a bath. I lost the entire first decade of the 21st century with elder care.
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Glad that so many are doing well and more ladies are passing successfully to the other side. Just an update on how I am doing. Physically, very well. My energy level is back to where it was pre-DIEP. I'm happy not to have my pot belly but my waist is still a little big, mostly from not exercising due to my incision taking forever to close. I am drawing on my BC experience to help me thru my son's gay announcement. I think that I can see that there will be a light at the end of the tunnel but I still waver between that and "why us?" and this must be a dream that I will wake up from. Without having the BC experience I dont know if I could deal with this at all. It helps to think that it could be worse but as my DH says we are tired of having to console ourselves that way.Thanks for all of your insight and support. Just because we have had BC doesn't mean that we get other problems in life as well.
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Marty, thank you for the sound advice ...... I will plan on having some part-time help for the first 3-4 days.......hopefully mom and I will survive for a week or two after that! Your story about your mom and DH's uncle is crazy....how did you survive? I have had my mother living with us for 10 years......gets harder every year.
Jackie -
Question for those that have done the same as me. I had bmx on April 1 2013. I pretty much feel normal except for some ROM problems caused by these expanders.
Will my recovery from my diep be worse than the recovery from my bmx? I shouldn't have the same ROM problems with my arms this time because I am not having the bmx, just reconstruction. I understand that my tummy will be very sore, etc. I was just wondering if I will at least have my arms this time around.
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Wow, spend a day at work, then try to catch up!
Re: blisters. Yes, tape can cause an allergy, which can lead to blisters. The big, fluid-filled blisters on our flaps, though, are probably caused by diminished blood flow to the skin. The skin then becomes necrotic, blisters up and sloughs off, then scabs and heals as the blood supply is re-established. My blister was on the non-cancer side. Started off a 50-cent piece and gradually, with two dressing changes daily, disappeared. There was a lot of green and yellow ooze in the meantime, though.
Re: Neosporin. A lot of people are allergic to this ointment, and will get an itchy rash, maybe with tiny blisters. Polysporin is a better choice. My personal favorite is "Brave Soldier" ointment, made for road rash. It works miracles.
Lily, my PS wanted me to wait at least 6 months post-rads, and I waited 8 months. I was eager to get on with it!
Movie...ha ha ha ha...they should lock up internet and TV shopping sites while we're gorked out on pain meds. I've named my red patent leather stilettos "Perky" and "Set."
Sweet dreems, gloobers!
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My arms worked really well after my diep in march. I had my stage 2 last Monday and thank goodness for my arms for lifting me up and from pushing up with them. I had a ab plication and lipo, so I have used my arms a lot.
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6/25/13 dbarkow (Stage 1, Diep) NOLA....thinking of you and knowing everything will be great. I'm sure you'll be well cared for. Have a gentle, easy healing.
Cuetang....great to hear from you...sounds like all went well.
lilyun...you're sounding better, and your feelings are honest and understandable. Hang in there.
goldie...you'll likely have restrictions on arm movement and "use" for a period of time (differs with each dr.). That may result in some decreased ROM and loss of strength, but should regain it fairly quickly.
sbelizabeth....you're someone special, that is for sure!!!!!! I just love your messages. Now I have to come up with some names for my shoes???? What would you call dusty, old runners???? Never have done the internet shopping thing..probably not a good thing to start either! How is your physio going??? Mine has another "go" at me tomorrow!
Have good nights ladies....kuka...can't wait to hear your trainer stories!
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Lily55, my rads ended in July last year, and my PS wanted to wait until May this year for DIEP. So it was 10 months after rads. The radiated skin healed very well after this sugery, no problem.
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Lilyun, my heart just breaks for you. I know you'll process your son's announcement and find a way to be ok with it, but in the meantime, it's just one more heavy rock in your already over-burdened backpack.
When I was about three months into my diagnosis and in the middle of chemo, our son's wife left him. I loved, and still love, my DIL like my own daughter, and we were all grief-stricken. It felt like there was no bottom to the hole in which we'd been dropped. I thought I'd never stop crying. Those were wretched, miserable days, but we lived through them, processed our loss, and showed up for chemo every three weeks. I'm praying that there will be peace and joy for you in the midst of these speed bumps.
OK, this time I mean it. I'm going to bed now.
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Goldie, for me recovering from DIEP was way easier than recovering from MX. You will not be allowed to use your arms to push yourself up, and will have to roll over to get out of bed, etc. For me it was easier because I had DIEP only on one side, so I had one arm that I could use. Don't just assume that you tummy will be very sore. As long as you are immobile in bed or a chair/recliner, it is fine. When you move is when it is a little uncomfortable, but it gets better soon. As far as as ROM, mine is almost normal 5 weeks post DIEP with just a little tightness in the armpit. It took months after MX to get ROM back to this point. Hope this helps.
Sbelizabeth and Nihahi, I've done internet shopping. Love the convenience, because I just don't like wandering around stores. One has to be careful - it is very easy to spend a lot of money very quickly - lol. Planning to buy myself an outfit for DS wedding on the internet one of these days.
Lilyun, BIG HUGS to you!
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Dbarkow....best wishes for a safe transition to post-DIEP life......in your pockets.
Namaste and God bless - Jackie -
Hugs and prayers to all the ladies going through surgery this week. See my onc tomorrow. Received my Good Wishes scarf today. Must be a sign lol. They even sent a hand written card signed by all the volunteers. I thought that was pretty sweet.
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Sbelizabeth, something similar happened to us. After three months of chemo, five weeks of rads and before the last three months of chemo, our oldest daughter told us in October that her husband had been unfaithful multiple times and was verbally and emotionally abusive (they live in another state). She was leaving him after the holidays and would we keep it a secret until then? It was almost more than I could deal with, especially since we have a 7 yr. old granddaughter we were worried about. But time passed and my daughter is much happier now; gr.dtr. seems to be doing well.
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Hello DIEP Sisters!
I've been away awhile... The past 2 months back at work have been a whirlwind. My computer time has been all about work, and otherwise I haven't wanted to be on it much. BUT since today is the last day of school, I am hoping to read back and see what I've missed on the past 40-50 pages!
I am actually on my way to Boston now (missing the last day of school) for Stage 2! Nihahi I never sent the date to you.... We're fixing the dog ears, making the girls more symmetrical, filling a divot & I'm going for the nipples. I hope I don't have buyer's regret (worse than Internet shopping, eh?). It is currently 4:30 am in the northeast!
For Goldie - my BMX was tougher on the arms for sure than DIEP. That was good cuz I used my abs a lot post MX, and had my arms to help post-DIEP when I couldn't use my abs. I had 11 nodes out of my BC side and other stupid complications on my other side. Reaching up was still a little restricted after DIEP but not as much and not for as long.
So send your happy thoughts towards Boston this morning, ladies, if you are up early reading!
Hugs,
Jeannie -
Needing some advice. My 31 year old daughter has found a lump in her breast. She is rather new to the Chesapeake, VA area and has never been to a doctor yet. She is seeing an OB-GYN on July 1. Is this the right path for someone that has family history? Does anyone out there know of a breast specialist in that area? Any ideas? She is scared and I am obviously very troubled. She is a young mother of a two year old. Help!!
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Cherrie....sending prayers out to your daughter AND to you. This impacts the whole family, and you've got mega reasons to be scared, troubled, etc. Your daughter has to start somewhere, so any good doc is as good a point of entry into medical care as anything. Keeping everything crossed that things go well for you all.
Gini....got your pm. Sending positive vibes to you too. I'm planning to do nipples too, and I imagine that there are as many variations with that, as with everything else on this journey.
Jeannie, sbelizabeth, lilyun....everyone.....there is no end to the impact our children's lives bring to our lives, no matter how old they may be. Same goes for our parents....Movie, Marty....."circle of life", eh!
shechirple....hope the return to work was doable, pace yourself.....!!!!
kuka....did the trainer do you in???
Bailey....any more bike rides???
Gotta dash...just remembered I have to move my car by 8am cause they are cleaning the condo parking today.
Have good days. Hope those who had surgery yesterday are doing well.
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Cherrie, as a mom, I know you are scared to death. I can almost guarantee your young daughter is fine, but I would certainly get that lump looked at on a mammo as soon as possible. Are there any local hospitals with Breast Center's in your area? Usually, you can get in with them fairly quickly.
We are all thinking positive thoughts for her.
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Cherrie, I'm sorry you and your daughter are going through the scare, and I'm sending lots of B9 thoughts along your way.
Maybe the OB-GYN can provide breast specialist recommendations to her. My lump was found by my OB-GYN on a routine checkup-- she's the one that sent me for an ultrasound and subsequently the biopsy. Given her age, she probably has very dense breasts so an ultrasound will likely see things better than a mammogram. It's a bit of a drive from where she is, but University of Virginia is a designated NCI center, so I'm sure there are plenty of breast specialists there that may possibly be useful if the OB-GYN route doesn't work for her in getting to the bottom of this. Good luck! -
Cherrie, I also think the best place to start is your daughter's gyno. He/she knows the best way to get her into the system, and if your daughter insists (and she must!) she can get in quickly and hopefully receive reassurance that all is well.
If she's new enough to the area that she has no gyno yet, I agree with Goldie. Check out the hospitals in the area and see if there's one with a breast center. For me, I would start local, and plug into a facility that's a long drive away only if there's a definite need. If it did turn into something that needed lots of trips, the drive would get very tiresome.
Sending prayers your way...
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Cherrie, my BS specializes in BC and is in Charleston. Dr. Paul Baron, his wife is a radiologist MD as well. Not far from VA - and Charleston is lovely!!! If she goes there and you want to join her = there is an airport in Charleston, the Homewood Suites have medical discounts and they have a very nice meal in the morning and four nights a week. The pool is great and they are 3 miles from the Isle of Palms. Mt. Pleasant SC Homewood Suites.
I was told by my surgeon with the first go round with bc that I needed to get another mammo - in a few months and if the lump wasn't gone to come back in 2 months. But with a family history it may be different.
So sorry your daughter is going through this scare - not all lumps are malignant and family history isn't always a factor. Have you been tested for the BRCA gene?
So hope it's nothing! And, so wishing you a big hug and a deep breath! -
Oh, also meant to say he specializes in Breast cancer - only!
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Cherry, an Obgyn is a great start. Most times you need a referral to I to a BS anyways. She needs to tell her doc about her family history and insist on an MRI.
Training went great yesterday! I was able to do everything the trainer asked me to do. I was able to lift 40-50 pounds. My DH said maybe I shouldn't be lifting so much, but I'm 9 weeks out and I have no pain at all!! What do y'all think? -
Kuka, I have a little background in weight lifting. When you say you lifted 40 to 50 pounds, were you using your legs, was it a bench press, exactly what and how did he have you lifting that much weight? That makes all the difference.
I am glad you had no pain. That is awesome. Are you sore anywhere today?
BTW...thanks to everybody who answered me back about ROM issue and my DiEP. Sure did make me feel better to know I will have some extremties that are usuable.
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Hi Girls -
I sill have a post-op shirt (Jacki) up for grabs. It's designed to hold four drains, and has velcro openings so everything is easily accessilble. It's the 'All Star Design'. Size medium, blue, soft cotton. And it's never been worn because I was a psychotic over-shopper before my DIEP. I never even needed the large granny underpants or the shower chair that I bought. The only thing I'm using is my pillow wedge, and a large linen GAP blouse which I wear every single day.
I'd love to pass the the Jacki on to someone. No charge. But as I'm in Canada, it probably wouldn't arrive for a couple of weeks.
http://www.alittleeasierrecovery.org/index.php?link=features
Janet
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Kuka - 9 weeks may seem like a long time, but perhaps you should back off on lifts that put stress on the incisions (particularly the chest). I know you want to get into shape, but . . . I am 10 weeks from Stage 2 and my trainer is letting me do planks, but not a whole lot using the pecs. Just want to give the area the maximum time to heal on the inside where we can't see it.
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