DIEP 2013

I think I need to check out a Ken doll, cause I can't picture it. As far as ab problems... My belly button is shifted one full belly button to the right. My PS says it is from scar tissue in my tummy. Because of my wound healing issues, I have a ridge of tissue above where my abdomen opened up. I don't like it, but I don't know if I will ever want to fix it if I have to wait a year.

hey sisters! I made it to SA. I did a big boo and did not put my compression sleeves on. I have put my left for tonight. I swoop my grandson in my arms!! When we made it home, Trevor was full of smiles. I am going to just love on them.

I hate the Houston airport. Even though I requested as stance, I was transferred 4 time. And rod the train with luggage behind me. Quite the experience. My arm are sore but I felt bad for the two little Laddies trying to get their connections. Due to the grace of God my flight was delayed 30 min. I thought I had my energy back--not. So now it is time to re-energise myself. Hugs to all! Kat

what  type of bra i will need after recontruction 

For sure, Mammalou.

milky way, once I was done with wearing the post-surgery bra my PS gave me, I started wearing (and still am wearing) a bra by Bali's. It's style number 3484 (just had to order two more so I have the style number fresh in my mind!). They come in sizes S-M-L-XL and are very soft and comfy. I got mine at JCPenney's... I think Goldie here wears the same kind and she got hers at Kohls. I would definitely check them out, that was the only bra I found that was comfortable after DIEP. Definitely no underwire, and I think having something with clasps is easier than a sports bra to pull over your head.

mommalou - OMG tiredness is what you get with your new DIEP breast(s). For me I think this was mostly due to the fact that I could not sleep well, and that adds up over time. It does get better though!

Kat, take it easy, I hope you feel better today.

Jeannie - now I'm going to have to go see if my belly button is centered or not. I hate the pink ring I have around my belly button from the surgery. Hoping it fades well.

butterflyeyez, I've been thinking about trying shea butter, I read an article about it in some woman's magazine and it sounds wonderful. Might have to pick some up when my cocoa butter runs out. Yeah I am blaming the tamoxifen for my giant uterine fibroid. But my mom and my aunt took tamoxifen for 5 years and they never had that sort of trouble. And it's got such a great track record for preventing reoccurrence. Tough choices we have to make, right?

Mammalou - 'Shifted one full belly button to the right' had be laughing my head off in bed this morning. I don't even know if it was meant to be funny, but I can sure relate. I'm one full belly button towards my head. If I close my eyes and point, I can pinpoint where my old belly button used to be. I don't hate it - but I don't love it either. I feel like I'm wearing old man pants that have been pulled up way too high.

Bluebird - Have you tried aloe gel for your burns? I only had minor burning, but I found the aloe wonderful.

I've also got that dark pink ring around the belly button. Will that ever go away?

Hmmm, just went to look at the difference between the Bali bra 3484 and 3488, and for the life of me, I don't see a difference. They are both called Comfort Revolution, and the one I get says it's the "U" design, but I don't know why. Either way, the are the most comfortable bras ever.

*playing catchup as best I can after a busy few days*

RHGSR - I'm so sorry to hear about the rough road you've had this past week! We'll be in your pocket this week for your surgery. Sending you and bdavis healing thoughts.

My belly button is like yours, Janet - one belly button north of the original! I kind of wished they hadn't bothered... but I guess it would look too weird to not have one at all.

My Bali bras are the 3488. They are so comfy, but the L, which fit perfectly when I first wore it, is now too big. I'm trying to find something locally, though, because ordering online means I can't try it on.

I'm sure there were more things to respond too, but my brain is non-functional today. Foot still hurts (and I tried to reassure myself about the non-likelihood by googling "heel bone mets" and one of the first hits was an article about a woman who had BC mets in her heel...) and my neck is killing me so I will be so relieved on Tuesday when the doctor tells me there's nothing to worry about. I know, logically, that it's unlikely, but my 2am brain wanderings always go down the "worst case scenario" route!

Love and hugs to all!

I has the worst night. I was freezing freezing freezing and convinced myself that I must be burning with fever. My temp 95 degrees? (Guess I was freezing). I was also convinced that my ab incision was red in another area and felt sick and nauseous. Didn't sleep all night. Then I realized it was the first night I didn't take ambien. Wonder if that had anything to do with my weird night?

I am still wearing my surgical bra but I think I will order a Bali bra now so I am ready. Do you usually go to a wireless bra? Does it have to be sports bra like or can you just do any wireless?

Sending positive vibes to RHGSR and bdavis. Best of luck!

Ladies,

I just went to kohls online and got 3 Bali 3488 bras in colors. They were on clearance for $15.20 so thought I'd stock up. The person looking for a deeper cut should check out 3463, it looks like it has a lower cut V. Hope mine fit!

debDylan,

Glutamine powder worked wonders for me during Taxol. I never had neuropathy during AC but I'm sure it works just as well. My naturopath insisted I had it daily without fail. It took it away completely as long as I didn't miss a dose. I put a heaping tablespoon in my morning smoothie or juice. Had to be cold for some reason. But it was wonderful and is all natural.

You could also try alpha lipoic acid (which is really an enzyme) and Vitamin B-6 for neuropathy. I took L-Glutamine during A/C, but switched to alpha lipoic and b-6 during taxol after reading that tumors actually use l-glutamine to grow. I still had my tumor so didn't want to take any chances. I only have some slight to numbness in my toes, but hoping it goes away. My MO was fine with both.

I know it's not something everybody is supposed to do right now, but when my plantar fascitis acts up, and I usually have fairly mild symptoms, downward dog yoga posture works wonder's for me. I have never gotten my heals completely on the floor, but who knows, someday. I do downward dog right before I go out to walk, and it helps heel pain tremendously.

Dvygirl, I saw that on Kohl's today, and I was so tempted, but I am not buying anymore bras till I am done with surgery. I know you will love them. What great colors did you get?

Dyvgrl, that sounds so awesome. A lot of times I will wear a bra and let the straps show, especially with a boat neck top, or something big enough that is falls off my shoulder, and I would love those cool colors, but right now I got to stop spending money on clothing I might never wear again. When we were at my pre-op the other day I told my surgeon I wanted to stay the same size I use to be, and he said he wanted to go a little bigger. My husband said, "no. do you know how much money is hanging in that closet waiting to be worn again?" And, I agreed, I want to wear my favorite stuff again. I wonder if I had a woman surgeon if she would be that hung up on size? Men are men no matter what profession they are in, and they all like a good size boob...lol.

RHGSR - you might try egg protein. It doesn't smell great, but once it is in your drink you don't even notice. I use it instead of soy or whey proteins. Of course you might want to eat a bit of protein if you need to chew. For healing, 90+ grams of protein is good. Not too hard to do.