DIEP 2013

Kuka, like Goldie, I have to ask how you lift it. If it is 20 - 25 lbs per arm, it sounds a little too ambitious.

So I've been to see a physiotherapist just now to assess my ROM. After she had put on some heat first she started testing to see how far the arm would go. The main reason for the stiffness is the rads scarring in the armpit, but she thinks that with physio and exercises to do daily at home, I can come very close to normal ROM. That is very good news, because I don't want to feel debilitated in any way if I can do anything to help it. She said that the best time for physio after rads is 6 months after rads are done. That's when physiotherapy is most effective on radiated tissues. I wished somebody told me that, so maybe it is a useful tip for somebody else out there.

well well well....It looks like I have something else distracting me from surgery on Tuesday now.   My jeep heated up this morning....for seemingly no reason at all.  I tow it to the mechanic (out of caution) and it's the fan ($300) the radiator ($300) and the thermostat should be replaced when you do the radiator...ugh.  July is gonna be rough. But at least I'll be done with this surgery.

kad22, seven drains? Wow - that is a lot! Hopefully you can lose some of them soon. Glad to hear you sounding so upbeat. I heeded the no caffeine rule for two weeks post DIEP, then went back to my two cups per day.

kad22. glad you are happy, except for the headaches.  They should subside soon.  I am surprised you had headaches with the pain meds they give you.  Interesting.  Sorry about your discomfort, but when you feel bad, just look at your boobs!

Good idea, Kuka. The last thing you need is another injury, especially to your new boobs. This trainer understands what you have just been through, right?  Because, if he has no physical therapy background at all, and he is just a rah rah, build big muscle gym trainer, he might make a mistake that you could regret.  You should start with very light weights, and build up, on your upper body.  You can do all the squats and lunges you want, but be careful of your boobs.

Goldie thank you for putting it into that perspective for me.  Really it was just bad timing I suppose.  Here in CA its going to take almost a month for any disability check to come through and money is pretty tight already.  That is why I was in a panic earlier.  But looking at it in terms of my flaps to be, you are right.  A couple of months from now I'll be past all of this and thankful for my new boobies and flat tummy.

HOLY CRAP kad22.....10 DRAINS?????? You are definitely the record holder for that one!!!! Good to hear from you, things get better steadily for most of us. 

For those ladies who are determined to lose weight......remember that you could not possibly exercise enough to lose pounds, if you are eating the wrong foods, or even the right foods, but too big portion sizes. You have to build your weight loss by starting with food intake awareness...imho. 

Kuka....sorry, but that exercise regime sounds pretty hardcore for someone just coming off an episode of acute bursitis AND diep surgery. Does he know that a week ago you were in pain and in a knee brace???? I'm just saying.....careful girl, again....imho.

Robin.....another pothole of life...aggravating for sure, better to have issues like that behind you, than on your way to a post-op appt to get a drain or two pulled!

I did the most decadent thing today (and now I feel a bit guilty). My eyebrows and eyelashes did not fall out during chemo......they fell out 3 weeks after my LAST chemo. It was so disappointing. They have never recovered properly...very thin. I used Latisse and it works but it makes my eyes red and looks like I've been crying all of the time. So today I had eyelash extensions put on. Lmao....holy doll eyes! Don't think I will keep up with it as you have to get them filled every few weeks, but I might do it again for a special occasion. It's a bit ouchy while they do it and it took almost 90 minutes. The very best part was the tech, who usually does me nails, was sitting behind my head painstakingly applying eyelashes. She knows my bc story. So we discussed the surgery and how it went right away. I could tell she assumed I had implants but I didn't bother correcting her....figured no biggie and didn't feel like explaining DIEP. After about an hour she said, "I am so sorry but I have to ask, why did you get the left one so big and the right one so small?" Awesome. That's just awesome. Cannot WAIT to tell my PS. So I had to explain the swelling issue. I am totally making a sign that says, "I didn't ask for this" and putting it across my chest. For crying out loud!



Yes I have ridden my bike ...still short rides. I went to the Y today for the first time since surgery four weeks ago. Walked a mile and rode stationary bike for 5 miles. Actually feel better than I do if I do "too much" around the house. So obviously my body needs more bike rides and less house work. It's for my health.



Cherrie- thinking of you and your daughter. I agree with those that advise her to make sure she insists on mammogram and probably MRI....even if you aren't BRCA positive.



I just finished reading "The Dog Lived (And So Will I)" written by Teresa Rhyne, a breast cancer survivor. Funny and sad and happy and she has a great attitude.



Mammalou thinking of you for tomorrow!



Welcome to the other side the rest of our ladies who went this week.



Y'all rock. So glad I found this thread!



B

Hi Bailey,

First let me say I am very sorry for the rudeness of your eyelash tech. This too shall pass.  The second thing is be careful with those eyelast extentions. My friend who has losts of money, and time on her hands goes every couple of weeks to have her lashes done, but pretty soon she had no lashes to attach fake ones too.  I can see doing it for a special occasion, but I wouldn't make it a habit.  Just sayin.  I would try taking biotin and continue using the latisse.  You should start to see results.

Cherrie- sorry about your daughter, she must be so scared. I lived near Chesapeake for over10 years. It was before cancer happened so I don't know specifically what is in that area for oncologists, etc. BUT that area is amazing in regards to medical issues- some really great hospitals and doctors there, so if she does need a specialist, I am sure she can find a really good one very close.



My blister broke open today. I am glad- it was so black and gross and I was terrified that there was gonna be a deep hole under it- but it was very superficial and looks much better now. My abdominal drains are getting kind of gross. I cleaned the area really well and it is still gross- it tends to leak blood almost constantly so I keep it covered. Now I am wondering if I need to let it air out more (but it leaks). I am still having a terrible time walking. The side of my abdomen has been having some really bad spasms- I have been taking my valium and I do think it is helping. I was getting cabin fever terrible, and wanted to do some shopping (but I can't walk!) so we went and rented a wheelchair for the week. Went to Costco and it was so nice to get out. I bought a couple of skirts that I can wear that should disguise my drains rather well.

Goldie....I didn't think the tech was rude at all....maybe you had to be there. She is full of sweetness and light and not at all schooled in the bc world. If you saw me you'd think it was a fair question lol!

Damiana, it's only been 6 days since your surgery.  You should be resting.  I have to say I am very impressed you are out, and about already.  I am planning to sit in my recliner and be taken care of for at least a week....

Careful with you tummy incision.

About the eyelash extensions, be careful with those. The way they attach them is with glue. They don't seen to last more than a week and when they start to fall off it looks kind of funny, lol.

10 drains!?!!!! I'm not trying to be rude, but I'm curious about where all the drains where placed? Omg! I can't even imagine. I thought it was hard trying to keep up with four!

My trainer knows about my surgery and the bursitis on the knee. We didn't do any exercises and put stress on the knees and none of the lifting was done using my pectoral muscles. We thought it would be better to wait for that. Not like I need to work those muscles anyways! We're concentrating on using the ab muscles and the thighs. I went to the gym tonight to do cardio. I followed the app from couch to 5k. Nihahi, thanks for the tip. I just love that app and I know I'm not overdoing it by following their program.

I've been using the silicone strips on my scars for a week now. I placed one on my vertical scar on one of my goobs. I guess I must have very sensitive skin, because when I took it off tonight to take a shower it looked like the start of a blister. Really?!! What do y'all do to lighten the scars? My ps said the best thing was the silicone strips, but I guess I can't use anything with glue on my chest, so I need to look into some type if cream or something.

Very glad to hear that everybody is recovering with no problems. Before you know it you will be stringer than you were before surgery. Time flies!! I can't believe it's been 9 weeks for me!!

Kuka21- yes 10 drains - I am feeling more awful as everyone posts ! I hade 4 with my blmx with expanders 3yrs ago. So they put 8 - 4 one each side with the acutual bulb connections 2 - 1 on each side that had no bulbs and drain constantly into bandages. 4 rg now are on my left side 2 for stomach and 2 for boobs 3 are on my right side with 2 for stomach and 1 for boobs. Talk about having a lot of lugging to do! They are all towards my side and back where it hard to see them without a mirror.



Yes I allowed to take a shower in the hospital all by myself what a picture with 10 drains hanging out of me !



Also very glad to have found this site!

Hi all,

Caught myself a flu bug so haven't been feeling like doing much. Now the cold is lingering. Better now than to interrupt my surgery date- only 32 days to go!

I've got myself all worked up about upcoming events that I can't sleep. I've got my fourth court appearance Friday morning, home inspection on Saturday, see my PS on Wednesday.

That's just this weeks schedule!

I'm getting nervous about surgery. I'm excited but nervous too.

Congrats to all the new vets. It's been a busy couple of weeks! Good luck to those in the next little while. Thank you to all of you who continue to post, whether diep related or not you all help keep me sane! Thanks for getting it and for validating some of my thoughts and fears.

Cheers,

Sherry