Double with Diep flap and Ooph July 9th ... Take It All!

That's what I said " TAKE IT ALL"!

The best decision I have ever made in my life.  BMX with immediate  DIEP reconstruction!

Mena

Gotcha,

I also said "take it all!" I had BC in BOTH breasts, IDC (ER+) and ILC (TN). I also turned out to be BRCA2+. Such a lucky gal! Tried lumpectomies initially last June, but they couldn't get clear margins. Surgeon said they gotta go, so I agreed. 

Did chemo first (A/C,T), then on Jan 8, I had double MX, immediate DIEP, and ooph--all done in a 10 hour surgery at MERCY Hospital in Baltimore. I couldn't keep my nipples either. Surgeons were great. Surgery recovery was tough, but first week was the hardest.

On May 8, I had stage 2 DIEP (lipo, fat necrosis breakup, nipple reconstruction). All I have left to do are tattoos. 

So, back to your Q, yes, you're going to look a bit "Frankenstein" for a while. The coolest thing is that nobody can tell from the outside. I have a hard time looking at them sometimes on the one hand; on the other, I'm grateful all was caught early and could be removed & reconstructed at the same time. We have indeed come a long way! Much different from when my mom was diagnosed in the early 80s and had radical mastectomies.

It's hard not to worry, but as most women on here say, the anticipation is worse than the actual event. Ask your doc for some xanax if you need it (I did and it really helped). Good luck & hugs!

Gotcha,

Yep, I had SNBs on both sides during my lumpectomies. Had one removed from the right (clear) and four removed from the left (microscopic cancer cells, which led me to chemo). It was uncomfortable for a while. If you need something to help you sleep, I'm of the opinion "do it!" Sleep is an important part of the recovery process.

The nervous anticipation and doubt are quite normal, I think. I went through it too. A lot. But based on your DX and BRCA, etc, it's the best decision. Same for me. And your supportive boyfriend sounds wonderful! I'm blessed with a wonderfully supportive husband.

Any other questions, please ask. And if you haven't seen them already, look at the DIEP threads under the Reconstruction topic. They are soooo helpful. 

Gotcha,

Apologies for not checking in sooner. You're 11 days out of surgery? How are you doing? Are you able to sleep okay? Use that ativan if you need it. 

You're right, many others just don't know how it is. And that's understandable, as they probably haven't had to face what we've faced.

I'll check in on the DIEP thread b/c I remember seeing you post there also. I hope things are going well! Again, feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

So glad to hear you are feeling better! In addition to the drain discomfort, my biggest source of pain was my back. I would shower and literally come out crying the first few times. It hurt so much! I talked to my surgeon about it and he would say, of course, "walk more." I felt like I was stuck in a vicious circle: supposed to walk to help pain, but couldn't walk across the width of my house without sitting and/or crying. It was tough, but it got better very quickly.

I understand the mental switch between depression and grateful. Not sure if you're to this point yet, but if you need to, talk to your onco about an anti-depressant. It helps 2 things: (1) depression/anxiety, and (2) those god-awful hot flashes that come on like crazy after the ooph. Since you're ER+ (as I was, on one side), he/she will likely suggest Effexor. They started me on a low dose, but I didn't start feeling better until we upped it 2x to 150mg.

Chemo isn't fun, but "doable." So many ladies on this site say it, but it's true. When do you start, and are you having AC/T (Adriamycin/Cytoxin and Taxol)? I did dose-dense AC biweekly for 4 treatments (and thank god it didn't last any longer than that....that's tough stuff), then weekly Taxol for 12 weeks. I know it's hard, but try not to think too far ahead. Your body needs to heal first. If you're overly anxious, again, ask the onco for something. Xanax helped me 0.5mg twice a day.

Nipple recon went very well! I can't even tell it's not my original. The only thing I hate are my Frankenstein tracks across the front of my chest. I'm sure I'm not the only one. If it weren't for those, I likely wouldn't even still think of my journey every day. I still have to get the nipple tattoos, but I'm waiting until after summer b/c they said I'd have to give up swimming for a week. We have a pool, and with this east coast heat, I definitely enjoy it, so I'm not giving it up, even for a week! Plus, the tattoos are such a minor thing. They'll happen when they happen.

It's such a cliche, but yet so true...try to take everything one day at a time. And check in here/PM me whenever you need to. Hugs!

Michelle