DIEP 2013

I think you'll be happier with that choice butterfly.....I chose to use my energy for "being up", not "getting up"....and I liked the little bit more independence it gave me, when I felt so very "dependent" in the early days of being home. I didn't need it very long, but was VERY glad I had it. After about 2 weeks, I didn't need it for sleeping, as I had moved back to my regular bed, with just a normal pillow behind my head. But, I still used it during the day for another week to nap/rest in. The last week I had it, it basically was a clothes hanger for my bathrobe!!! When it went out the door, it felt like a really major sign of progress, and reinforced to my own mind, how far I had come, from the day I came home.

I lived in my recliner,(8 weeks) but DH had to do the lever for me. A lift would give independence but pay to have the comfy ones.

Hi everybody,

I try to stay up with everybody's posts but by the time I finish reading everything I'm too exhausted to write anything - so today I am!! Two weeks past surgery as of yesterday. All seems to be going well - at least that's what the doc's say. I have a blister on my breast that i have to dress with silvadene everyday - i guess caused by skin that had been previously radiated. Other than that doc's seem happy. Sure hope the boob looks better someday.. I go to get fitted for a 'special' diep bra next week that supposedly helps to form it correctly - we'll see. All in all I feel extremely fortunate after looking at what a lot of you have been thru. I'm doing so much better than that first horrible week (mostly due to the anethesia I believe). I did not get a lift chair or hospital chair - I do love my wedge pillow that I borrowed from my neighbor, that and the shower chair are really the only two special things that I got. Good luck to all just starting out - I have to say I thought I was prepared for this surgery but it did send me for a loop!! But, like I said things are only getting better every day. Sending positive vibes to all..

I sent my picture to Melissa also. I found the book by Kathy Steligo through our Kent County Library. I ordered it through MelCat and the book came all the way from the East of Michigan by Frankenmuth. Wow. I have three weeks to get it read. It is amazing you can borrow from other counties.

Healing prayers to all. Kat

I sent my info in, too. I am sitting in the pedicure chair (gotta get me some Vegas toes!) and all is right with the world!

WHOA I am so behind!

Curlylocks - wow, your poor mom! And poor you, I can't imagine the stress. I'm glad she is improving. Your DH sounds like such a sweetie.

kimdy - love the anti-pinktober post. Thought about copying and pasting it to my facebook page but I won't. I don't want to hurt people's feelings but I agree with so much of what you said. October 2nd a friend gave me a cute little pink bead ring for "breast cancer awareness." HELLO my dear, I am VERY aware... but I know she meant to be kind.

lahela - sounds like your PS is on the ball. I'm sure it's a pain to see his NP every day but hopefully it will be worth it in the long run.

momof5kids, sorry to read the crushing news. I'm sure the PS you consulted with was very good, but would it help to get a second opinion, if a flap is what you most desire? If not, or if that does not work out, are implants an option?

sweetpickle, that is so frustrating! Sounds like your PS's office is not too savvy on lymphedema. Glad your MO was able to help you. If it's any consolation, my MO's staff had no clue what to make of my cording. If it were not for this website, it would have been untreated! Fortunately I shared the information I found here and eventually got sent to an occupational therapist who was certified in lymph issues or whatever. It is really shocking how professionals in the field don't know this stuff.

jakig - you know, maybe your friend is right but it sort of annoys me that she would throw your PS under the bus like that. I too would be frustrated if I was significantly unsymmetrical after my stage 2, but it (unfortunately) does not seem unheard of to need more revisions after stage 2. If you feel your PS is not doing a good job, then by all means have a consult with someone else. But if you feel comfortable with him or her, definitely go back and see what he or she says. A good PS will see your concerns and be motivated to ensure you get great results by the end.

aspinner - love the red hair! Love it love it!

Debdylan - your sister clearly does not "get it." Lucky her. Maybe she'll get it now! Does she think she is being supportive by downplaying your concerns about hair and reconstruction? Tell you what, I had no clue how much my hair and breasts meant to me until they were gone!

All is well here, just excited and counting down to stage 2. It's three weeks from Friday. Thanks for the feedback (forget who posted it now) on whether the PS could target where she removed fat from.

cyber crazy here! Hang in there deblynn. It is unfortunate that your sis doesn't get it. I think they think they are telling us that we are still ok even with all the shitala they have done to us. I have decided just not to discuss with too many people, because it is hurtful when they say things like that.

My tummy scar is getting darker too. Is it a bio oil thing? I am finally feeling like my tummy is flatter and I like it!

Well. It's probably a given that we are "crazies in cyberspace" lol but assure your sister, Debdylan, that we are all completely REAL. (Wilbur, on the other hand, is not).

Not all women get recon. I think I read the other day it's 1 in 4??? So. Some women flat out don't want it. (Omg.....did you catch that there??? I wasn't even trying to be funny). Some women aren't made aware or do not understand their options. Some women cannot afford it (deductibles and copays, etc) or cannot afford to be off work for surgery and recovery. And for a large number of other reasons. And one in four do it. And our reasons are as many, I am sure. Some of those reasons are cosmetic....but that's not a bad thing. Wanting to look "normal" is not vain. Most people desire to look "normal"....to blend in, so to speak. Many women have a hard time seeing their chest everyday with mx scars. Prosthetic breasts are/were not much fun for many of us and we didn't want to deal with them for the rest of our long lives.

Ha! I just realized I am preaching to the choir, aren't I? Lol....

I am sorry you had a dust up with your sister, Debdylan, but you did the right thing for you. Stand tall. (And make up with your sister Stupid disease takes enough from us). Love you, in a cyber crazy kind of way

I can't keep up what with the trip preparations....but reading and thinking of you all! Gnite!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86UXmVy1NaA

This is a must watch, and there is a petition out there to get the drug pushed through sooner. It could mean a lot for any of us concerned about recurrence.

Did I miss something earlier today, about a special "flap shaping bra"??????

yup, Sbel, I agree....I hated the prostheses....it rubbed on my rads scars and caused me pain and floated around and shifted and drove me nuts. Bathing suit was a joke. Same with vnecks...and I love a vneck. First thing I did when I got in the car was pull it out and fling it into the back seat lol! And don't even get me started on the experience of the days/times I got half way, or ALL the way somewhere and realized I FORGOT it! Uniboob.....great.

I feel better with my recon.....better in every way.

There is a link on Facebook to sign a petition to get the drug pushed through sooner, but I can't seem to copy the link to post it here. I will keep trying. If we could get BCO to actively promote signing the petition it would be so great!!!! And, I believe a powerful message to the FDA. For goodness sakes, why is Europe always ahead of us. I remember watching a documentary about Farrah Fawcett's cancer journey, and she travelled all the way to Germany for drugs that were working there, but she couldn't get treatment with them in the U.S.

Tell me having weak bones doesn't make one more susceptible to recurrence.....they aren't weak enough for drugs yet, apparently.

Yay, Sbel!

My 87 year old mom tells me all the time that she wishes she had reconstruction. She felt all decisions were made for her.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/262039.php

Bazedoxifene is the name of the drug, sold as Conbriza for osteoporosis. Wonder if you could get a doc to prescribe it for osteo issues??

bailey....love the new "quote".