DIEP 2013

thank you everybody for the good vibes about my new job. Even though it was only my first week, I have to say I really like it. The kids love spending time with grandma and I love coming home to them after being away all day. It's a perfect fit!

Sharon, what a great article. As soon as my DH gets home I'm going on an hour walk:)

debdylan....hope things have settled down a bit for you, and are looking more positive???

Just walked to the library and back with hubby....8.95km.

lahela...hope the home nurse is able to help you manage the pain of the at home wound care. Don't for a second think of yourself as "low tolerance"!!!

Rodney Yee is pretty good (re:yoga). I do find his pace to be a bit fast in transitioning, especially for beginners. But...nothing says you can't just skip a few repetitions and go at your own pace. His ballet/yoga body is pretty good to look at, if you run out of steam!!!

get a fitbit. It really motivates you to walk. We could all be fitbit friends!

is it weird that I feel like I know so many of you on this thread!!

I am scheduled for bmx with DIEP on October 23rd. Reading this thread has been so helpful. You are a remarkable bunch of women!

I did my EKG and then had to have a stress test. I passed but should plan on walking in the future!

Had my MRA and kept my eyes closed the whole time ! ( first time I was lying face up in MRI machine)

Meeting with my BS and mastectomy RN this week as well as getting final clearance from my internist.

Still dealing with insurance but other than that trying to just prepare a little everyday because as the date gets closer I will get more stressed and start to shutdown.

Anyone else a diabetic? My A1C was 6.3 in early sept. Getting it tested again this week. Hoping it didn't go up. Don't know if there is a cut off value where DIEP wouldn't be a good idea.

Again know that your posts are helping so many people.

Question: Hey, I need to get my flu shot. I think I am also due for my pheumonia shot again. Will they give it to my in my butt instead of my arm? I am not expecting the pharmacist at CVS to do it, so I will go the my docs office, but are you allowed to get it in your butt. I know it has to be in the muscle.

I googled it Goldie, but am getting conflicting answers. I wonder if the thigh muscle is an option? Also, could you do the nasal mist flu vaccine instead?

Goldie, I got my flu shot at Walgreen's in my good arm. The pharmacist put me behind a partial screen but my shirt sleeve was too tight to roll up so she had me unbutton it & pull it down off my shoulder. My bra was in full view of the tech guys behind the counter (I should have charged admission!). After as much as my boob & foob have been examined I didn't even care. Ha! But, here is the kicker. The pharmacist dropped one of her gloves on the floor & picked it up & started putting it on to my horror. What has more germs than a pharmacy floor?! I said, " You are NOT going to use that glove are you?" She sighed & threw it in the trash & got a new one. Then after she was finished she said the glove was only to protect HER from splatter! Geesh! I'll tell you which store & I sure she won't mind showing off your butt to her techs!

thanks Bailey and cherrie!

Hope each day gets a little better Krissy!

Sharon - I'm a germ a phobe! You don't put gloves back on that have fallen on the floor! Haha

Goldie- I think hip would be the next spot after arm for the flu shot

Goldie- we have always been offered either mist or vaccination....and I know people (my sister) with needlephobia who get the mist just because.

Ya know, one of you ladies who are coming up should ask your surgeon if he/she could/would have a surgical nurse gently bend your arms at the elbow and at shoulder a few times once an hour (or something!) during surgery. Maybe the anesthesiologist could do it...I recall someone saying it's a long, boring surgery for them! Tell them you have talked to a number of women who have had this sx and most say their arms really hurt after sx. Just a thought....

I never know when the best time is to get a flu shot. Are they only good for 3 months? It is either this week or the first week of November.

krissy42.....Sorry about the shoulder discomfort, many of us can identify with it....but it does sound like the surgery went well for you???? How many drains do you still have? Drink lots of fluids, even though it means lots of trips to the bathroom. Rest...alot...walk little bits, but often.

Lucy....welcome to the thread...these are great women with lots and lots of info and encouragement.

jeannie...back from fly fishing yet???? Hope you're having a wonderful time.

Too Funny Bailey!!!!!!......fyi....you would have made a wonderful queen!

This list of "thoughts for self-talk" is from a running magazine...but I think with a few tweaks, it is a good mindset for all of us flappers too.

1. Listen to your internal dialogue. Pay more attention to what you actually say (to and about) yourself.

2. Only accept helpful thoughts. They make a positive difference and allow you to push through your limits, even when your body doesn't feel like it.

3. Banish unhelpful, limiting or downright negative thoughts. They will slow you down and impact your mood.

4. Encourage yourself the way you would cheer on a best friend.

5. Be specific and set small goals that keep moving you forward.

6. Even if you don't fully believe it, think positive thoughts (such as I CAN do this) anyway. Changing your belief changes your reality and ultimately, your actions and performance.

7. Look for concrete evidence. Remind yourself what you have done in the past and what you have already accomplished.

8. Stay in the moment. There is no need to think about the finish line when you are only halfway through the race.

9. Accept your thoughts as temporary. If a negative, defeatist thought does sneak in, notice it, accept it as merely a thought (not the absolute truth) and clear it from your mind.

10. Use positive, rewarding mental imagery and symbols. It's usually your "head" that gives in first, not your body".

krissy....waaaaay too soon to start massaging. Your incisions need to be healed first.

Yes....your tummy skin will stretch, and your back will relax. You are likely swollen, and you haven't used your muscles in your legs...they are going to feel "nervey". If someone can do it for you, a leg massage might help. One of the nurses I had while in hospital gave the best leg massages, in between adjusting the alternating compression torture devices on my legs. I think you'd better follow your surgeons's directions for the compression garment....everyone seems to have had different protocols on that one.

krissy....when the last of those drains comes out....it is MAGICAL FREEDOM!!!!!

cherrie- the flu shot is suppose to last all season but I know I use to get mine first week of nov just cuz I thought it would last longer.

Bailey- I will put in the request for them to bend my arms and shoulders...haha wonder if they would do it!

Janet- I have been keeping receipts for everything! Having a hard time finding drawstring pants! Got 6$ Hanes sweats from walmart but no drawstring. Of course I had to wash a pair of the large and extra large. Large might be to small....extra large might cause an embarrassing situation when they fall off! I was also going to get a wedge pillow! Did get some drain holders but didn't take them out of the box yet.

Krissy- I am worried about my back spazing out on me! Hope your aches don't last long.

Nihahi- your posts have been especially helpful to me. And this new list you just posted is great!