DIEP 2013

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


    gosh.....thanks goldie.....and isn't it bailey's birthday too???


    HAAAAAAPPPPPYYYYYY BIIIIRRRRRRRRRTHHHHHDAAAAYYYY TTTTTOOOOOO YYYYOOUUU.....(can't sing worth a darn)

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


    OH MY GOSH, AND BAILEY TOO. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! As Deb said, it is an opportunity to go forward thinking positive thoughts only, and be CANCER FREE!!!!

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


    I found this interesting, and this is something we should all do for our hearts anyway. This is part of an article somebody sent me:

    • Low dose aspirin



      Research carried out on laboratory mice and test tubes suggests that regular low-dose aspirin may halt the growth and spread of breast cancer.



      Scientists from the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Kansas City and the University of Kansas Medical Center explained that their tests on cancer lines and in mice showed that aspirin not only slowed the growth of cancer cells and shrank tumors considerably, but also stopped metastasis (cancer spreading to new sites).



      Their research involved assessing aspirin's effects on two types of cancer, including the aggressive "triple-negative" breast cancer which is resistant to most current treatments.



      Cancer campaigners cautioned that although the current results show great promise, this research is at a very early stage and has yet to be shown to be effective on humans.
  • MartyJ
    MartyJ Member Posts: 1,859
    edited November 2013


    Happy Birthday to All!


    If you are having free flap surgery and the subsequent revision procedures, baby aspirin may be something to avoid for a period before and after. It is a blood thinner and can cause problems during and after surgery. Ask you PS when you should take or not take.


    Re Supplements: talk with your doctor, particularly someone trained in integrative medicine. My cardiologist is double boarded. My DH pain doc at the VA has passed 5 boards including integrative and acupuncture, plus internal, rhumetology and anesthesiology. Newer literature is suggesting that the previously recommended 40 level of D is not high enough and that 50 to 60 is better. Get blood tested to be sure you are supplementing with enough. Omega 3s have a strong effect as an anti-inflammatory. There are numerous studies supporting this. A recent study pointed to an increase in prostrate cancer in a small group of men who already had had prostrate cancer. CoQ10 is great of the heart. The news media tends to look at a portion of a study and report it, not always as a whole (example the prostrate cancer study). All I am saying is there is so much media hype about everything it is really hard to determine what is real. A really good diet, with lots of fresh vegetables and fruits, good fats and healthy protein is a great way to get what your body needs.

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

    Thank you for the birthday wishes everybody! Been doing DEEP house cleaning ALL DAY… gotta admit it's been a good LOOOOONNNNGGGG time since its all been clean at once lol. DH and boys pitched in for one of my birthday presents. Always amazed at how much the four of us can knock out in a couple of hours. I ways tell them that's why DH and I had them....we were tired of keeping house. Lol....they love that.

    Headed out to dinner later....Bonefish Grill for my favorite scallops!!!

    Love to all!

  • RHGSR
    RHGSR Member Posts: 774
    edited November 2013


    hi everyone. Not able to read through all the posts. Wanted to send an update. It went well. Still in hospital. Surgery on the 20th lasted 101/2 hours. They found positive lymph nodes :0(. 3 out of ten. We weren't expecting that.

  • Carmelle_in_CT
    Carmelle_in_CT Member Posts: 26
    edited November 2013


    Happy Birthday Deb & Bailey!


    Thanks for the answers re the side boob and bra - I'm going to call them in morn & cancel the appt. That's just way too long of a day..


    My doctor gave me absolutely no information on anything so I really do depend on these posts for info so thanks everybody.


    Freeeeezing here in CT - not ready for this yet!!

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


    RHG.....Wonderful to hear from you!!!!! So sorry to hear about the positive nodes......very happy to hear the recon went well. So...the roller coaster ride continues. Focus on resting and healing, as that is your biggest task at the moment. The next step will take a different kind of energy, and no sense starting to fight that battle until the time comes. How are hubby and the kids hanging in????

  • Ridley
    Ridley Member Posts: 634
    edited November 2013


    Rhg - so glad to hear surgery went well for you. Sorry to hear about the nodes. Looking forward to hearing another update when you have been sprung from the hospital and are feeling up to it.


    Bailey and Deb - Happy Birthday!!

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


    Happy birthday, Deb and Bailey!


    RHG, I had three positive nodes, too. It's hard, surprising news but your MO will help you figure out the best plan of attack. Like others have said, your job when you get home is to rest a lot, walk a little, eat lots of protein. God bless you.

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


    Thanks, Marty. I meant to come back and say, only if it's okay with your doc, but I got caught up in some phone calls, and then a nap!!! Yeah nap!!!


    Deb, never hear anything about Vit D and cancer. Just heard about it for bone health, and now sleep cycling. If you have an article on it I would love to see it. THC oil, isn't that a derivitive of weed? heheheeheh


    Bailey, now I might be weird for liking to scrub my bathroom, but I think I would take my bday off...lmaoooo. Have a great dinner.

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


    Prayers and good thoughts for my 34 year old daughter, please. She had her first mammogram and will have to have another since the first one was murky. I know that is probably is nothing but it always help for the extra assistance!! Thanks, Kat


    oops, corrected the age!

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


    Absolutely, Kat. Prayers are with both of you. I hate to see a young girl scared like that. Keep us posted.

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


    RHG


    So glad to hear from you. I would like to reiterate what Jeannie said, and send some hugs too.

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


    Kat......prayers on their way from Canada.....may all be well.

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


    For sure, Kat. Why did she get a mammogram at 24, if you don't mind me asking? My oldest, 37, got one after I was diagnosed but the doctors of the other two said 40 was when they should start. I don't really agree...


    Goldie, my cancer center/MO are all over taking vit. D to prevent breast cancer but I can't tell you about any studies on it. I go to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance which does a ton of research through U. Of WA and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. I also have to take lots of calcium because my bones are on their way to osteoporosis. That's also why I take Tamoxifen and not an AI because it isn't as hard on the bones.

  • Ridley
    Ridley Member Posts: 634
    edited November 2013


    Goldie. There is a researcher in Toronto, Pamela Goodwin, who has done work on vit d and breast cancer. If you google Goodwin vit d and breast cancer you will find a number of hits. She is also looking at the impact of metformin on breast cancer.


    Ridley

  • TheHairlessHairstylist
    TheHairlessHairstylist Member Posts: 6
    edited November 2013


    Thanks for this! I am 29 and having my mastectomy in about a week. I am planning DIEP for next summer. Want to look fabulous since I have a LONG LONG life ahead of me!


    Stage 3-FEC, Taxol, Herceptin

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


    Dear Hairstylist, I am so sorry you, too, are dealing with the bc beast and at such a young age, but I'm glad you found this thread. Hopefully someone will start one for 2014, too. There is one ton of great info here if you read through the pages and wonderful ladies to encourage you along the way! I can tell you that I am very happy to have soft warm boobs again and DIEP was a good decision for me.

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


    Happy Birthday Deb and Bailey. I love the Bonefish grill.


    RGH- It is so hard when you don't expect news like that. Heal and take one day at a time. You can get through this and be healthy.


    Kat- Prayers for your daughter. Why did she have a mammo?


    Hairstylist- I am so happy you have found this. Ask any questions that you need. We have all been there and you will look BEAUTIFUL for your long life hon.

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


    Hairless, sorry about your dx, but you will look fabulous, and you will be cured. One of the mistakes I feel I made at the very beginning was not coordinating all my docs, but I was scared and I didn't know any better. Just a little advice from somebody that's been there, make sure all you docs are on the same page, and you are too. Everybody knows what everybody else wants to do, and you should have the best possible outcome. Stick around. You will get lot's of good advice around here, and on the other threads too.

  • Zenful
    Zenful Member Posts: 599
    edited November 2013


    I read about the Vitamin D studies about half way through my chemo, and discussed it with my MO. He requested a Vitamin D level at my next blood draw, and sure enough, my Vit D was very low. I have been taking supplements since then, as low levels are also associated with recurrence. I need to get back to get my levels checked again to see where I'm at to adjust if needed. There seems to really be something to this Vit D thing!

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


    Good luck this week, jbloom and milkyway2 ... I hope everything goes smoothly and you heal quickly and comfortably.


    I did a bottle of biotin this fall in the hopes of it growing my hair faster. Did not notice one bit of difference. Ah well, at least it was cheap. Aspirin - my onc has me taking a baby aspirin every day based on a different study, but glad to see there is more research coming out supporting this. Vitamin D - mine tends to run low, especially in winter, but I have read that is normal for Caucasian women. My onc checks it a few times a year and prescribes a prescription strength supplement when I need it. I've done well taking Oscal + D for the past few months though, so I'm hoping when my levels are checked in January they'll be good and I won't need the prescription supplement.


    Happy birthday Bailey and Deb!


    RHGSR - thanks for checking in, we have been thinking of you. Hate to hear about the positive nodes, and that you are still in the hospital. I hope you are healing well, and that you are comfortable. Keep us posted when you can! :)


    Kat-ski, hoping and praying your daughter's next mammo comes back totally boring... gosh that is scary. I worry about my little sister all the time...


    Welcome hairlesshairstylist!!! You'll do great!!! I love my DIEP results and I bet you will too. I also had delayed reconstruction, by a year. It was hard, but it did make going through reconstructive surgery a little easier, emotionally, since I had time to grieve the loss and then look at recon as something positive.

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

    Pigging out done lol! I ate it all but with the diet I got grilled scallops (no oil no butter) and steamed broccoli (no oil no butter)....actually DH said I always order that there whether I am trying to lose or maintain. I do get the pan Asian sauce and have a bit of that though. Skipped cake and went for some raspberry froyo with dark chocolate chips.....normally I would get creme brulee for bday.....but not today...I'll have DH bring me some after surgery maybe :)

    Hair - welcome to the greatest bunch or women! So sorry you are here, but so happy you found this group. 

    Rhg.....hugs (ok a pat on the head for now lol). I am sorry about the node involvement. Damned stuff anyway. Hang with us, we will stay with you all the way, k? There are some great threads here for specific treatments, too.

    Kat - praying for your daughter.


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


    bailey....I'll be the first to admit....I have no idea what a froyo is....all that comes to mind is a little hobbit with furry feet....surely you didn't...


    I take Vit D for a couple reasons, totally unrelated to bc, but am aware of the "apparent benefits". Vit D is supposed to help with bone strengthening/calcium uptake....hence why you often see calcium supplements that also have D in them. Here, if you have a bad fracture, they automatically put you on Vit D in hospital.


    Because its cold and dark here, we get little natural D in the long winter months. I have had 2 kinds of skin cancer, so ALWAYS have a high full spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen on, which of course, blocks the D too.


    Thirdly, it supposedly has a strong connection to sleep issues. The sleep clinic I worked at for a short time, always tested their insomnia patients, and almost always found really low Vit D levels, and put them on heavy duty Vit D supplements.

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

    Lol Nihahi....Yes, hobbits with dark chocolate chips is just THE BEST! Froyo is frozen yogurt 

    Ya know...idk if it's connected or not...and have no way of ever going back and doing it differently to test the results, but my Vit D level was taken by my gp about 6 years ago and it was "the lowest level" he's ever seen. :(( and a few years later I had the nasty aggressive cancer. I sure as heck make sure I take it every day! 

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


    hahahaha......phew.....ok, got it I'm really not very sophisticated!!!! You'll have to come visit sometime....we have hawks all over the place out here!

  • FierceBluebird
    FierceBluebird Member Posts: 758
    edited November 2013

    Happy birthday to the birthday girls!

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


    I had a typo with my daughter's age. She is 34 and she finally decided to get a baseline. She said she wasn't ready when I had my first round of BC in 2005 in Canada. My youngest daughter had a mammogram at 18 but all it was cysts and that was 12 years ago. The middle one is nursing her last baby and she will probably have a baseline when that is finished. I have three girls over 30 now and I want them to be proactive in all of this. But there wasn't any history of BC until I was diagnosed in 2005. This is all good news for me b/c I know they are on the lookout. And we all know, it is the bad-luck of the draw. I have always said I should go to Las Vegas and maybe I could win big since it was just a 3% chance of getting any breast cancer!!!

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


    Hi hairstyle.....sounds like you'll have lots of time to learn lots of info and tips before your "date". Use the time to get through tx, and get as fit and healthy as you can. It'll pay off big time.


    jbloom....thinking of you.


    veeeerrrrryyyyy quiet on here today...hope all are well

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