DIEP 2013

yes, Nihahi, I am getting there....

Nihahi....moving, giving up my garden.

Hi Flappers

I am 6 days from surgery and my roller coaster continues. On Monday I took car to shop, transmission was ok but sensor was broken. While there got call from PS. It seems that he cannot do surgery on Tuesday because he will be flying back from conference on redeye and will not have time to sleep before surgery. He recommended a colleague to do the first surgery and he agreed to do all of the revisions. We had checked out the PS and he has excellent reputation. I was so upset. I do not know the colleague. I called BS to get her opinion. She is out of town at conference until tomorrow and will be in surgery all day long. I checked PS schedule and he does not have opening until end of Nov because he is so popular. He recommended that I meet the colleague because "he is excellent microsurgeon". I was so pissed I forgot to prepare a new list of questions when I went to meet him. So I asked him about everything I had ever read about the flapper procedures and all the the situations and complaints I remembered from you ladies. I was surprised by how much my chemo brain had retained. He actually impressed me because he was able and willing to answer every question and even volunterred info. For now, I am continuing with the planned surgery on Tues unless my BS disagrees. I cannot discuss this with my family and friends because they will try to make be second guess my decision. Some of them are scared of the surgery. One of them knows someone who had a failed flap. My daugher would spend the next few days calling every doctor and nurse she knows at a couple of other hospitals to get opinion on this situation. I have already had the sleepless night about whether this is an omen. But for some reason, I am calmer now. I trust my BS and believe that she would not let me do the surgery if she does not agree that the colleague would do excellent job.

Dyvgrl - I understand. My hair has been growing for a couple of months but it is still very short. My hair was long before bc. To make matters worse it came back the wrong color so I will have to wear wig until the hair is long enough and healty enough for me to change the color.


Debdylan - sorry about run in with sister. I had similar conversation with a good friend. Fortunately, I did not have the problem with my sisters because we have a significant family history of bc and most of them want a tummy tuck. THey even offered their tummies to make my new boobies bigger. LOL


Curlylocks - Glad that your mom is doing better. I lost mine 5 years ago to bc so I know how scary it is when they get sick. Cherish her and stay strong. I am glad you have a great hubby to support you thru this.


I am glad you had discussion about recliners. I orginally planned to bring one from basement to my room, but I now realize that I would not be able to pull the lever. I would love to rent an automatic chair but I do not know if I can spend the extra money since I am still furloughed and do not know when I will get paid.

I am so glad that I found his thread. You ladies are amazing.

Good night.

sbel - congrats on graduating from the wound vac! Huge step forward!

Gwenny, that is so alarming, a change in PS! But it sounds like A. you are comfortable with the new one, and B. I am sure your PS would not have recommended him if he were not good. But if you do have doubts, waiting another month and a half for the one you chose is not terrible in the grand scheme of things. Go with your gut! And good luck!

Debdylan - really surprised at the insensitivity of your sister - sorry for that.

Flap shaping bra - hey, that's what they said - my PS gave me a prescription for it and I get it next Weds. I'll let you all know about it.

I so . . . agree with Zenful. I am BRCA 2 + and have decided to have a double mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction. Not everyone agrees with me. Some people are very pushy with their opinions about it. Yes, "we are each on our own separate quest" and it is about your needs and what feels right to you not other people.

Hi all,

I'm delurking. I've been reading for a couple of months, and feel like I've learned 90% of what I know about DIEP from this thread -- thanks to all of you!

I finally have a plan in place (after what feels like forever) and the next step is bilateral mastectomies and DIEP reconstruction. I started out with a lumpectomy in August, but my pathology came back more complicated then expected, and my team has now recommended a mastectomy on the cancer side. My family history, a few areas that we are "watching" on the other side, and the unexpected level of anxiety that this process has unearthed in me, has led me to decide on a bilateral.

I'm meeting my new breast surgeon next week, and hope to understand timing of surgery then. Unless something unexpected crops up, going this route means I won't have radiation, so I hope surgery is not too far out.

I'm 46 and single, so I'm planning to move in with my parents for a little while after surgery. They are very supportive (and they have a recliner!) so I'm really lucky.

My first question is about tamoxifen -- I just got my prescription from my med onc yesterday. We agreed that I should hold off starting it until I meet with the new surgeon next week and understand more about timing of surgery. I'm nervous about doing nothing right now re: treatment, but at the same time, given one of the side effects is an increased risk of clotting, I don't want to do anything to increase risk of complications during surgery. For those taking it, how long were you off before and after surgery?

Thanks everyone,

Ridley

DeeDaw, love your pic!

Ridley, welcome! I was off Tamoxifen for a month before surgery and two weeks after, but this probably varies by doctor like everything else with DIEP! I took many little walks around the house after surgery to keep the blood moving. I hope your appt. goes well and you don't have too wait too long.

((((((((((Sweetpickle!)))))))))))) Wish there was more I could do for you.

Sweet, don't even go there! You can do this. I know you have had so many set backs lately, and the bureaucratic tape you have to deal with just to see a doctor is crazy, but taking a drink is not the answer, and I can tell you know that. Just come here and blow up!!! We will listen, and answer, and hold your hand. Anything you need. I am hoping that your regular doc will have an answer on Monday. I have a feeling something else might be going on.

Ridley, welcome. I am so glad you finally said something. We are here for you. Sounds like you have a great support system in place, which is great.

DeeDaw, hello! Yes, you are right. Everybody feels differently, and we should all have the right to choose without being criticized

Gwenny, that is very frustrating. I had my original surgery date (which hasn't happened yet for various reasons).changed at the last minute, and I had all kinds of help, etc lined up. VERY UPSETTING! I wasn't even offered a different surgeon. Turns out my postponement was for the best, but I know how you feel, and I hope your BS can help you make a decision.

Sweet.....my lord, you sound so "medically abandoned"!!! You are 1000000000% correct....YOU NEED HELP!!!! Your BS should have done SOMETHING to help you, even if just take some time to talk with you and try to ease some fears, not just flip you over to another doc. Please, stay strong and away from the alcohol....whatever the time of day...message here if the temptation becomes too strong....you know we will respond as soon as someone sees your messages. YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!!! I am so very sorry that you are going through such a tough time. DAMN IT WILBUR....GET BUSY AND HELP THIS SISTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ridley.....welcome. I "know" you from another thread. Don't beat yourself up AT ALL about delaying the start of the tamoxifen...ladies go on and off it all the time for surgeries. If it was THAT critical a weapon, that protocol wouldn't be recommended.

gwenny....."Excellent micro-surgical skills" are the whole focus of the first stage of any flap recon. It sounds like a good scenario for you....first rate micro skills then an excellent surgeon for the "refining" stages. It also bodes very well that the new doc was good at answering questions AND offered more info. The sense of calm you said you are feeling is something to listen to....it means something!!!!

zenful....wise, wise words!!!

deedaw.....welcome to you too. These ladies are the best on this entire site!!!!

Gotta dash.....Have good days ladies.........sweet ((((((((((((((((((((((((X)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Hi Flappers......I have been MIA for the past week or so......have I missed anything?!?!

Deb.....glad you resolved things with your sis.....we have enough on our plate(s) without family drama thrown in, don't we! Zen had some great words of wisdom...

Sweet-so sorry you are having problems! I hope you get in sooner, and that your PCP can help you find something that may help you. Glad you didn't take that drink......(((hugs)))

Ridley, welcome on the DIEP thread! Nice to "see" you here! I know you from the In Shock thread, along with Nihahi, Liefie, and TammyT.......still waiting for you to tell me about your walking vacation in Nova Scotia(?).......I would LOVE something like that, and I know Nihahi would join me.....maybe a few others, too!

DeeDaw.....happy to see you here, too! I think you will find a LOT of encouragement, support, and love from our fellow DIEP sisters.....this really is a wonderful group of caring, courageous, and FABULOUS women......by the way, I LOVE your picture, and the fact that we are close neighbors means we should probably meet up for lunch sometime! Jeannie and Nihahi can tell you I don't bite.......I met Nihahi in Glacier Park in August, and Jeannie and I met in Olympia for a NW BCO group lunch.....I adore them both! I already know who your surgeon is, and you are in the best hands.......

Okay ladies.....I am trying to be on more, but PINKTOBER had me a little grouchy for a while.....Nihahi has since straightened me out, and I am going to fly right......will check in later.....

Prayers for all coming out of surgery, going into surgery,facing healing issues, or other health problems.....I really do love you ladies.......

XO. Jackie

Thanks everyone for the welcome!

Sweetpickle -- I'm so sorry you are suffering. Any chance you can get into see your PCP today or tomorrow? Maybe they have a cancellation? I'm sending you lots of positive energy and healing thoughts -- and I know so many others from are as well. If you turn your palms up, maybe you can feel the tingling? I fully appreciate that I just posted my first message on this thread and now you might think I'm a loon for suggesting that, but I've actually felt it before with a friend who knows a ton about energy healing, etc. Not that I'm thinking this is a solution to your physical issue, but might help knowing so many are thinking about you.

I hope you get some help and feel some relief ASAP.

Ridley

cyber crazies and loons....we are all here 'cos we're not "all there", if you know what I mean

Gwenny, at least you already know that another PS will do your surgery, and that you will be in good hands. Janet M on this thread found out on the day of her DIEP surgery that her PS was on holiday in Germany, and they had to find another PS in a hurry to do her surgery. There had obviously been a huge screw-up, as you can imagine.

Ridley, welcome here. Ask away - here is always somebody with advice and answers.

Sweetpickle, big hugs to you. You are being tested to the limit, and this cannot continue. I sincerely hope that you will get some answers and relief soon. Don't grab a drink; grab the laptop, and pour your heart out here.

Deb, glad you and sis are friends again.