DIEP 2013

Sherbab, I went over to UTSW because all I wanted to do was get away from Arlington docs...lol. I ended up with Dr. Marilyn Leitch as my breast surgeon, and Dr. Teotia as my PS. I was lucky, and didn't know it, but Dr. Leitch is a forerunner in saving as many lymph nodes as possible, and big in trying at all costs to prevent lymphedema. I ended up having one node on each side (unfortunately) taken, because I had dcis in one breast and possible dcis with possible invasion in the other. Dr. Teotia really wanted to do a diep on me, and we kept running into obstacles. The list is long, so I won't bore you. But, I ended up on this thread because for several months I was planning on the diep, and then it changed to implants. But, if I hate them, that could change down the line.

When is your surgery?

Sherbab, what a scary ride you have been on! There is a lot of support here, no matter what you are going through. (((Hug)))

sherbab - I'm so sorry that you have had such a journey. Sending you all my best.

Nihahi - I just came on to post the exact opposite, so I'm no help - sorry! For the first time this morning, I hung my robe up behind the door without it hurting where my fistula was - progress at last! I wonder if yours is, as you say, things softening into place - when I first got my abscess and pain under the fold, the PS said it could just be the nerves around where they put the anchor stitch in. My best to you, too!

I know this has nothing at all to do with DIEP but you ladies are my "crew" and I need a virtual slap and to be told to keep calm and breathe... For the last couple of days, I've had an unexplained pain right in the back underside of my heel when I stand or walk. It's too far back to be plantar fasciitis, feels more like it's right in the heel bone, and I have done absolutely nothing that could cause it. So of course, I'm panicking about mets. I should just give it a couple of weeks and see if it resolves itself, right?

goldie...you're sweet. Believe me, if I had some other symptoms along with it, I'd be contacting the ps. This truly feels "positional dependent" and almost "technical", if that makes sense....as soon as I relieve the "weight" stress, the pain disappears. I'm convinced it isn't anything "medical" like an infection or an abscess. It's also on the side that I had the severe cap contracture and rib/shoulder issues, so many assorted tissue/mechanical things have been realigning themselves under my new breast since the recon. It's been a frustrating and painful process, but so worth it!

lahela......sounds like a heel spur or a bone bruise. It COULD be plantar fasciitis, as that area is the origin of the tendon. Did you do a whole lot more walking, maybe in different shoes, of spend more time barefoot, when you had your holiday recently? It is so very hard not to connect every different/new sensations to ca, but many "normal" things can crop up on us too, just like they used to. Try the two week rule, unless it is progressively getting worse. If it still hurts, then get it checked.....but it is very likely a "regular" thing.....nothing to do with mets. ((((((X))))))

sherbab....I sure wish that "magic wand" would be invented soon...I'd run and grab it for you and "magic" that recurrence right out the door!!! So sorry to hear about the new challenge, you defo have your priorities in order. Hope there are ways that we can help you through it. Gosh, there are so many ladies in the Dallas/Ft. Worth/Arlington area.....I can't believe you haven't been able to pull off a get together! C'mon gals, it really isn't THAT hard to make it happen, and is so rewarding!!!! Somebody suggest a time and place....get the ball rolling....!

carmelle....that ps sounds very skilled.....maybe he was having "one of those days"??? It's great that there aren't major concerns to be dealt with, but yes, take the time leading up to your next appt, and jot down your thoughts about the different areas on your recon sites that you may have some concerns/wishes about. If you look in a mirror and think....I wish I didn't/I had"....those are the things to ask about. I would advise against measuring what "should be done" to what other ladies may have had done (imo). We all have different bodies, surgeons, results, expectations. Take the time to really "know yourself" and what YOU need to be content and able to move on. You can get an idea of "what to look for, or where to look" from other experiences, though, which is such a great thing about being on the thread.

cherrie.....you are 1 year out from your initial surgery, but haven't you had revisions in both your tummy and breasts??? Every little bit of "interruption" has taken it's toll on those tiny nerve endings. Nerve regeneration is a very, very slow process. It is way too soon to feel that you will have NO sensation return. It will definitely be "abnormal", in that it may feel duller, less specific sensation, but you will very likely have gradual recovery, and it will continue to change for a long, long time.

Ridley...same response to you.....time, time, time and more time....Things DO change!!!!!

Nihani, I have gotten together with two women in the DFW area so far. Both lovely ladies, and both use my surgeon, even better!!! Poor doc. Only kidding,, everybody loves him. Maybe after the holidays I will make a point of making a get together happen. Texas is a huge state, just because you live in Texas does not mean somebody is close by. I know of five women in my area, but that still could mean a 30 mile drive for somebody.

@lahela...I know it's hard, but don't be scared. This cancer journey is a marathon of sorts. I had a friend that was nearly a decade out (and who had a recurrence at only 9 months out from finishing chemo to her lung no less!) when I was diagnosed in 2006. When she would accompany me to MSK (Memorial Sloan Kettering) I would ask her "Maggie, how on earth are you even able to return to the scene of the crime?!" She told me "Kath, when you have a bit of wellness under your belt you will see. Right now it is all too new and raw. And for each one of us the ability to pace ourselves comes at different intervals, but you will see."

I can say after 7 years that is true. It is scary sometimes, but no matter what we can worry all we want but we cannot change what is to be. We only have the present moment, so why cross a bridge that you may never have to cross? Pace yourself, take a few deep breaths, go to your appointment. There are tons of things that happen to our feet and rarely, if ever, does breast breast cancer metastasize to your foot

PS-Maggie is alive and well at 16+ years out

Mamma, I hope you got a nap, and are feeling better now. Hey, Superwoman...slow down.

Kdoole, what a lovely story. Thank you for sharing. I know Lahela appreciated it, but other's will too. Thanks again.

Stage 1 is scheduled for Jan 20th.

Dyvgrl, I had arranged six weeks off but took five. However, my job is almost 100% desk/office/a little teaching/meetings. If it were any more physically strenuous, I would have needed more time.

RHGSR, sorry for the lousy week--sick kids, split lip, ED visits, house robbed. Don't let all this get to you. It will all be fine and sort itself out. I think we all went through this, to one extent on another! So this is us, waxing your spirits!

Hooray mammalou!!!!!

RHGSR, that is so awful! I hope they catch the bas*&ds! Have the police check for criminals with strep! ;-) Try to hang in there!

Sherbab, no words. Just hugs.

Nihahi, I also have a painful spot in the same area. I too hypothesized that it's from a flap "attachment" since I have one on the opposite side near my sternum. I plan to ask my PS on Monday.

Oy, am I sore and red today and my eschar is opening up again. It took three months to heal and 5 weeks to lose all the skin. :-( One day left of regular rads then a week of boosts.

Hi ladies.

I have been away mentally for a couple of weeks.  I was getting to that sucky part when I wanted to whine about the pain, the drains, the rash between the boobs, the inability to take shower or do most normal tasks without help, the inability to stand up straight, the resulting back pains, etc, etc, etc.  I don't like being like that so I shut myself in for a week once my helpers left and just watched tv.  I am feeling better this week and have just started working a few hours from home.  I drive short distances when traffic is light.  I feel that I am no different that the senior citizens we see driving during the day when we are are work.

I tried to skim a few pages but it is impossible for me to catch up on everything I have missed. To all newbies, I am sorry that you have to join us but this is a great group of ladies to talk to.  

A small area of my stomach incision started leaking a couple of days ago.  As I have seen from your posts, this is not unusual. My next appt with PS is next week, so I guess I can wait.

I wish a speedy recovery to all who have had recent surgeries.

Hugs to all.

wow! A lot going on in 24 hours. Strep, break ins, split lips, It can only get better. Control what you can. You can get through this.

Sher- No words!!! ((Hugs))

Thank you all for the encouragement.

It is such a violation. It isn't a good feeling to not feel "safe " in your own home. My children keep asking if they are going to come back. That makes me sad for them :0(

Nihahi- I was just thinking that going to the hospital would actually be a vacation.

bluebird- I will have to tell the cops to search for criminals with strep. Ha ha. That was funny. Thank you.

Wow...I check out for a few days and the whole place blows up! So sorry for your worries RHG! I am glad you and your family are ok.  Hugs honey. 

Sherbab sorry to hear of your recurrence Hugs for you too. 

Welcome new flapper girls!

Bluebird - sorry for your rads troubles....what are you using on your skin? Almost done...you got this! 

It's very late here....can't sleep