DIEP 2013

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  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited November 2013


    Hey Kuka,


    Dec 3rd is my exchange. I am getting very nervous. I am so ready for all this to be behind me, and I am so happy for you that everything has worked out so well, and you are doing something you love.


    Lahela, I have several friend that had their hysterectomy's vaginally. No tummy cuts at all. Now, this was a while ago, but I know it can be done. I thought mine was going to be that way, but my fibroid was too large, but if everything in there is of normal size, I know it's a possibility, if you want it done badly enough. How is everything going otherwise? Were you able to talk to your new PS, and get your stage 2 worked out?

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  • Kat-ski
    Kat-ski Member Posts: 212
    edited November 2013


    Hi to all of my "Sisters"!! It is a nice autumn day here in Rockford. I read the posts everyday and I would love to comment on all of them, but that to me would be like,'there she goes again being Chatty'. And my husband did buy me a "Chatty Cathy" doll for Christmas a few years ago. lol.(I had the original but I loved that one until she gave up on me).


    I will be leaving for San Antonio next Saturday to visit with my daughter and her family. On Monday I will be having a ct to make sure my abdominal veins are working. On Tuesday, I have the consult with the doctor at PRMA and will know what kind of flaps he can do. I have to stay the course this time as I want to get this finished. I know all we have to do is show up but my scared meter is running on overload. I don't say much to my husband now because he is just feed up with my chatter!! He is my rock but I want him to remain strong for me when February comes so I just keep my fears to myself. The blessings with PRMA being in SA having family I can depend on.


    Cherrie, great news that the insurance has paid your doctors more. I have BCBS MN. I have had the conversation of why I was going out of state. I told them that I have researched all of the options and the DIEP(bi-lateral) is the way I want to go. The person did ask why I didn't want here in Michigan and I explained why. Believe it or not, it was okay. I did say if they had a doctor in MN that would do the reconstruction the way I wanted it with the support issues to be addressed, I would go there. She said they did not have a doctor that would do both breasts and to go ahead and do what I have to do. I am glad that I did not have to beg to get it done.


    I can't wait to see and play with my grandsons in SA.


    Ok back to being quiet again. Thanks for being here. Kat

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  • Moviemaniac
    Moviemaniac Member Posts: 949
    edited November 2013


    Gosh......I don't read for a day and a half.......and....... :(


    Good luck to all of our surgery ladies this week.......in your pockets, and praying for you!


    Kuka, it is so nice to hear from you, and that you are happy and thriving in your new job. I would love to work for my PS, but I don't know how that would fit into my hiking schedule!


    Marty, congratulations on your girls' birthday! I have been amazed at how quickly I became attached to them.......and I actually feel more attached to them than the originals !


    Well,celebrating DH 's birthday with DD and DSIL and my 5DGKs.....have to get movin'


    Love to all you amazing, brave, and supportive women......XO

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  • christina0001
    christina0001 Member Posts: 1,491
    edited November 2013


    bailey, congrats on another pound loss. Every pound gone is a victory won, IMO.


    mammalou and mstinpv - good luck this week! I hope your surgeries go smoothly, you are comfortable afterwards, and perhaps most important, heal quickly and without complication.


    Kat, that's great to hear a positive story about an insurance company being supportive of what you want to do. They get thrown under the bus quite a bit. Good luck on your consult Tuesday!


    Well all of the steri-strips on my hips (from stage 2 9 days ago) have come off by themselves, as well as half of the strips on the front of my tummy. Everything was closed and healing well. So I got adventurous and pulled a couple off of my breast. Bad idea, turns out that wound is not closed. I put a bandaid with Neosporin on it, over the open area. It was small and clean looking but still, what a dumb thing to do. I am so impatient! Bawling

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  • Jeannie57
    Jeannie57 Member Posts: 2,144
    edited November 2013


    Christina, patience is something we all struggle with! I hope your boob continues to heal well.


    Kat-ski, I'm glad your insurance worked out. Chat away here! These ladies are good listeners and understand!


    Mammalou and mstinpv, we're in your pockets! Uneventful healing and great outcomes!


    Lahela, what a sweet blessing your son is! So very thoughtful!!! I was remembering today how my youngest daughter painted my toenails, even plucked my eyebrows as well as cleaned up puke after my DIEP. I had a scary ride in an ambulance while she was here and she had to see me in incredible pain. She organized an online chart where people could sign up to bring meals, walk the dog, clean, etc. She took unpaid family leave from her job to fly out and spend a week with me. I knew she was wonderful but she really was love in action. DH is wonderful, too, but he was in a new job and couldn't take much time off.


    Goldie, less than a month for you! You have had to have patience and strength these months. I'm so glad you get to move on!

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  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited November 2013


    I just found out this evening that The Livestrong Foundation and the YMCA hooked up and sponsor a free program for Cancer patients and survivors. It is free, and it sounds awesome. I am attaching the link about the program. On the info page there is a link to a video that you can watch if it sounds like something you might be interested in. Now that it is cold outside in a lot of the country, this sounds perfect if you want to get moving. http://www.livestrong.org/What-We-Do/Our-Actions/Programs-Partnerships/LIVESTRONG-at-the-YMCA

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  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited November 2013


    Thanks for thinking of me Jeannie. It means a lot. I am getting very anxious and excited. I want to move on, and be done. It is so exciting to see how well the majority of you are once the feeling of wholeness sets in. The progression you all have made in the time that I have been here is beyond wonderful. There have been some disappointments along the way, but even those gals have found a way to find some peace, and a way to move on too. I pray that I can find my new normal, and I want you all to know how much it has meant to me that you are still being supportive even after I found out Diep was not going to be my primary option for now. Thank you.

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  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 3,841
    edited November 2013


    goldie....I'm a big believer in "what goes around, comes around"....you have been so supportive of so many of us....of course, we will be supporting you!!! ((((X))))

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  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited November 2013


    Christina, don't beat yourself up about the steri strip. I did something similar today. I had this pokey kind of sharp thing coming through the skin on my left expander. I kept thinking it was a stitch that never dissolved. I even showed it the PA at the PS office. She wanted to pull it with a tweezer, and I wouldn't let her. Finally, this morning when I got out of the shower I kind of raked my finger nail over it (gently) and it popped out, and left this tiny hole. I also put antibiotic cream on it, and a small band aid. I just peeked, and I can't even see where it was anymore. If you are still worried tomorrow I wouldn't hesitate to call the PS, and send him a quick pic. You have done perfectly so far, and I see no reason for that to change.

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  • lahela
    lahela Member Posts: 515
    edited November 2013


    Goldie - I'm keeping my uterus so I don't think there's any other way of getting the tubes and ovaries. The delayed surgery will be right when I'm supposed to be having my stage 2, so it means I've got more time to get that sorted out and research my options. Your exchange is getting close - it will be great for you to move to the next step! So excited for you! And thank you, wholeheartedly, for being such a wonderful support.



    Kat - that's great news for you, too! You will get there!



    mammalou and mstinpv - good luck this week! Healing thoughts for both of you.



    Christina - Patience is soooo hard to find when everything feels like it's taking an age. Healing thoughts for you, too.



    Jeannie - your DD sounds amazing! We truly are blessed.



    Love and hugs to all.

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  • mammalou
    mammalou Member Posts: 823
    edited November 2013


    thanks for the good thoughts guys! I do want to ask those of you that have done stage 2 a question because I don't want to have unrealistic expectations. I'm having lipo, an implant and a nipple. Will I need a long time to look "done"?

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  • Jeannie57
    Jeannie57 Member Posts: 2,144
    edited November 2013


    Mammalou, I had lipo a little over three weeks ago with my Stage II. The bruising is practically gone. I didn't get a nipple or an implant so I'm sorry I can 't help you there. I'm sure it will be another exercise in patience, but NOTHING like your Stage I.

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  • MartyJ
    MartyJ Member Posts: 1,859
    edited November 2013


    mammalou - lipo results aren't instantaneous (darn!). Once the initial bruising subsides, the final results take 6 months to a year to reveal themselves fully. My flanks were done 6 months ago - I do see a big difference. My inner thighs were done 3 months ago - I don't see as much difference. Regarding looking "done", that feeling may not come until you tattoo the aeraola.


    I must say that I am now grateful that my doctor stages the revisions. During my last surgery she used inner thigh fat to fill out the upper pole of my left breast. Most of the fat took, but I have an area of painful fat necrosis (ultrasound verified). Thankfully she will be able to remove it in December and replace it with more fat. Just glad I have plenty more to give.

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  • Janet_M
    Janet_M Member Posts: 1,068
    edited November 2013


    Mammalou - Good look tomorrow! Not that luck has anything to do with it...so Best WIshes! And congratulations on being in the home stretch.

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  • christina0001
    christina0001 Member Posts: 1,491
    edited November 2013


    Jeannie your daughter is a sweetheart! And a testament to how she was raised! :)


    Happy Monday everyone!

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  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited November 2013


    Lahela, I guess you're right. The uterus would be in the way. I wouldn't worry to much about it. You are on Tamoxifen, which overrides any estrogen your ovaries are producing, so if that is a concern, I wouldn't let it be too big of one. Was it you who got the ovarian cyst from the tamoxifen? Because I had one of those many years ago, and that hurt!!! BTW, thanks for the good thoughts on my exchange. It means a lot that you are thinking about me


    Mammalou, if having your implants put in is anything like my neighbors boob job, she was out and about doing yardword within a week. My hairdresser had lipo and she was back to work in a few days (with compression) , and Marty is right, I couldn't tell a difference in my hairdresser's tummy and waistline for a few months, or more. Then, all of a sudden she was wearing fitted tops and low waist jeans and she looked awesome!

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  • mammalou
    mammalou Member Posts: 823
    edited November 2013


    thanks girls. I am now leaving Orcas Island and flying home to surgery. What a jet setter. Lol. It certainly does away with worrying while waiting, but I really am having something abdominal discomfort issues, if you know what I mean.

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  • Moviemaniac
    Moviemaniac Member Posts: 949
    edited November 2013


    good luck to you tomorrow, Mamma.......safe surgery and gentle healing....all while being cradled in Wilbur's arms.......


    XO to all you DIEP sistas!

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  • RHGSR
    RHGSR Member Posts: 774
    edited November 2013


    I am 10 days out from surgery and all 3 of my children have strep (diagnosed today). My throat is scratchy now. UGH!! Called my general practitioner and he is calling in a Z-pack for me. I will start taking it tomorrow. I hope this won't affecct my surery date.

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  • RHGSR
    RHGSR Member Posts: 774
    edited November 2013


    mammalou and mstinpv


    I haven't been on here very long but wanted to let ya'll know I am sending positive thoughts your way.


    RHGSR

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  • Ridley
    Ridley Member Posts: 634
    edited November 2013


    RHGSR -- Hoping the z-pack knocks whatever germs you might be harbouring to the curb

    Mammalou and mstinpv -- best wishes for a smooth sailing through your surgeries

    Ridley

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  • Cherrie
    Cherrie Member Posts: 1,423
    edited November 2013


    Thinking of you Mammalou! You know we all will be sending positive thoughts your way. You have so got this girl!!

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited November 2013


    RHGSR you have plenty of time to feel better.


    2 weeks prior to surgery my doctor had me double dose my multivitamin and take 2 vitamin C up until the day before surgery. Of course that didnt stop my sinus drip from allergies so I threw Claritan. All with docotrs approval.


    Feel good...use that hand sanitizer...and if you don't have it invest in some small bottles, you will want it when you start chemo.


    Pat

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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited November 2013


    RHGSR...great timing! Hopefully the kidlets will be strep-free in 24 hours, and if you happen to catch it, it won't take long to knock it out. But it's just one more thing to pile on the stress mountain, isn't it? Three all at once!


    Stay well!

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  • FierceBluebird
    FierceBluebird Member Posts: 758
    edited November 2013


    Best of luck mammalou! Standing room only with all of us and Wilbur!


    Goldie, can't wait to hear about your results! I'm right behind you sista!


    Good luck to all the new ladies waiting their turn. You'll be done before you know it.


    Bailey, you are one of the most awesome women. Not only do you tuck all the new little chickies under your wing, but you come up with the most profound statements and don't even realize it. I still learn something from you everyday.


    "I figure the fact that I didn't die of shock the moment they told me means I started surviving right then."


    LOVE that!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2013

    Awww....thank you, Blue. That's so sweet. Hugs. I am blessed to be a small part of this large group of amazing women....you included! We get by with a little help from our friends, no? 

    So, I may need to back off on posting for a few weeks. Things don't seem to be slowing down on any front for me. I will read (and pray!) so I don't get too far behind but if I am quiet.....No worries.

    (Yeah.....like that's actually going to happen....)

    Love you all! 



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  • Moviemaniac
    Moviemaniac Member Posts: 949
    edited November 2013


    Bailey....I propose a compromise.....just pop on and say " Hi" every few days, until things settle down a bit......we may worry, otherwise. :)

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  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited November 2013


    RHGSR, like SBE said, 24 hours on antibiotics and nobody is contagious anymore, and you should be good to go when it's surgery time. I had a horrible cold the week before my bmx, but somehow I got better even with all the stress, and I was symptom free for the surgery. God has a plan (at least that is what I believe) and everything will happen they way it's suppose to. If I didn't believe that I would have gone crazy by now.


    Mammalou, I wanted to wish you luck one more time. It's all going to be great!!! Perfect foobs by tomorrow at this time!!!


    Mstinpv, you too will do awesome. Sending prayer's your way.


    I just read an article about women with BC and support groups. Women who develop a positive relationship with a support group during their BC experience had less stress, were better educated about their treatments, had less fatigue and depression, were more compliant when it came following their treatment plans, and were more motivated in general.


    I believe the study could be correct, ya think? God bless this place.

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  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 3,841
    edited November 2013


    yes, goldie.....god bless this place! well said.

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  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited November 2013


    I have been searching the web trying to find help for a neighbor in need. She, and I have spoken maybe twice in the 20 years that I have lived in this neighborhood. She learned through the grapevine what is going on with me, and had reached out a few times on Facebook PM's, which I though was very nice. Tonight she called me in absolute hysterics. She has endometrial cancer, and is under going chemo, etc. She wanted to know where she thought she could go for help. She sounded so desperate and scared. We are not lucky to have BC, but we are lucky to have this place. I am going to keep looking to see if there is somewhere she can go too. Personally, she sounded so upset I gently suggested one on one therapy. I feel terrible, the first person with cancer that has reached out to me since my dx, and I feel I failed her. I don't know if I said anything that helped. I hope I at least validated her feelings.

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