DIEP 2013

Deb, the eye isn't good, vision worsened this week. I have to wait two months to see how it ends up. thanks for asking.

I don't know about weight distribution. I still have little love handles even after Stage II. I do worry about gaining weight again in my belly someday. Ugh, don't want to do that.

kellyuhope, I sent you a pm.

Just wanted to THANK everyone on this thread for all your input !! I really appreciated your help, it allowed me to put it out of my life until I had to deal with specifics---like now. My surgery is this Thursday and I feeling ready--just not relaxed.For those with surgical dates the "bowel prep by selizabeth" is on page 360 and the "what to bring to hospital by bailey6760" is on page 344. If you're Canadian,you'll need your health card and if its not a photo ID ( like the old ones) then a photo ID. "Thanksgivings " goes from me to this thread for giving me a life,while waiting in line--so much appreciated. Best Wishes for all having surgery and Best Wishes for all in recovery.....Penny

Penny - good luck this week.. I'm sure all will be fine - just find that morphine button after surgery..:-)

RH - it will be 10 weeks for me on Tuesday and I'm still wearing a bra 24/7 - to me it actually feels better to have it on. Love those Bali 3488 bras (just started wearing last week during the day but still wear a sports bra at night).

When did most of you start really exercising? I'm thinking of trying Zumba this week but just taking it slow..

Jeannie - sorry to hear about your eye - my sister is having major issues with one of her eyes also and has been getting chemo shots right into the eye - ouch! (I'm sure that won't happen to you). They're doing all they can at Duke to save the eye - it has been a long process tho.

I am so out of the loop after a few days off the boards! Welcome newbies! 

Jeannie....So sorry about your eye. Still praying. When do you go back?

RHG....how ya doing, girl? I was in a post surgical bra, I think....kind of fuzzy now....like childbirth lol!

I think Nihahi is out of town so I will post this week's surgeries....
12/3/13 moviemaniac (Stage 2b)
12/4/13 marieann1020 (Stage 2)
12/5/13 toronto-girl (uniMX with immediate Diep-rt, and delayed Diep=lt)
12/6/13 sbelizabeth (Stage 2b)

Prayers and love to you all. We are in your pockets!

Debdylan....most women (not all, but most, or so I've been told and have read) gain weight during chemo. I know it goes against what we see on tv, right? I was able to take it back off. Now working on the rest of my "baby weight". Baby is 14 years old lol!!!

Y'all are not even going to believe it, but my incision (under noob) opened back up.  It's superficial and small....but the same spot it took me forever to heal. Back to the Manuka honey.

I love reading all of these posts - trying to be as prepared as possible! My diep is in under 8 weeks now. Seems far off, but with the holidays and everything - I think it will be here before I know it. At least I am busy now and have less time to be anxious about it. Very happy that I am having it done soon, and also at a time of year when I can just hunker down inside for a month or so during the cold winter. Hopefully the birds and I will start singing in the spring!

Bailey, no! I will be praying for you! I see the Neuro doc in February. Whatever happens, happens. I kind of hope his dx is correct because I don't want more tests if it isn't. Of course, I'd like to get some vision back. A lady at church said today, "you're not going blind! You still have one eye!" I have been losing vision in one eye, which is like going blind since there is nothing we can do about it to help me see better. It's possible it could happen to the other eye since the optic nerve anatomy there puts me at risk but I can't go there. Still hoping my vision improves.

Deb, we wondered about surgery but the 2 events just don't seem close enough to each other. Sometimes this eye thing has happened to those that had a sudden drop in bp or in those that have high bp. My bp sometimes drops low in sx, don't know about this last time. I don't have high bp, apparently, though I have to have it taken in my leg which gives a higher reading. I would like a boring life for a while. Every life is a story to live, to share and to learn from, though. I'm thankful I can do that here and learn from all of you about courage, among other things.I'm just getting tired of yelling "Plot twist!" It may never make any sense but I'm determined to keep my faith, at least. Haha, I meet my therapist on Tuesday!

Now on to DIEP! Godspeed to all the sisters having surgery this week. May everything go smoothly, may you have speedy, uneventful healing and may you be thrilled with the results! Thanks, Bailey, for posting the names.

Donna, sounds like you will be ready. It's normal to get anxious as the day approaches but like others have said, you just have to show up. You'll be rewarded with a warm, soft "boobage."

Nihahi, welcome back.

PS: all the other's on the docket for the week....big hugs, and good luck. I will be thinking about you too. Lot's us seeing Wilbur this week.

hi all......first off, I want to apologize for failing to wish those of you with birthdays this past week and a half "Happy Birthday" ( you all know who you are.... :P)..... My only excuse is that I flew to SoCal (had dinner with Sbe, which = fun!) spent time with my crazy actress DD....drove back to Portland in one day.....enjoyed another FULL week of DD#1 hi jinks ......ate way too much....

And now...I am paying the price......way exhausted, dragging, and 5th (and hopefully, FINAL) BC surgery looming on Tuesday (Goldie, we'll be Wilbur-mates...)

I have nothing worthwhile to contribute tonight....just wanted to check in......love you ladies!

XO

Movie, maybe me, you and Wilbur will all meet out there in lala land together on Tuesday.

Oh my gosh, Jeannie. Nothing? Wow. I am so sorry. I don't know what else to say. Like I said before, you have been through to much. It's really not fair.

Jeannie, of course I had to go read about your condition on Google. Yes, it is possible!!!! I am going with it will happen, and your vision will be restored. Since they have obviously ruled out all the really terrible things that can cause this, I believe you will get better.

Movie & Goldie - Go girls go! You're so close to the finish line! How wonderful to have everything all wrapped up in time for Christmas. Wishing you calm, and happy healing.

And later on this week sbelizabeth & Marianne will be crossing the finish line. My warmest thoughts to you too. Doesn't this just feel like a giant Marathon? And here it is nearing the end of 2013 and I'm picturing everyone with a number on their T-shirt, arms held triumphantly in the air.

I had the pleasure of meeting Torontogirl last week, and she's having her DIEP on Thursday. I feel confident saying that with her great attitude, wonderful family, and excellent doctors, she's going to do just great. She and I have the same fabulous ({and handsome) PS so I know for sure that she will be well taken care of. A visit from Wilbur would just be a bonus.

Janet

DebDylan, I feel for you girl! I have a coworker who went through a similar situation. Scarred her arm all the way down. Scary stuff! Get that port and chemo will be so much easier. I assume you have more after AC? Taxol perhaps? Not sure how many tx you have left but the port is worth it even if it's only 1 more. Wish your docs had given all the info you needed. I really hate not being fully informed! God Bless and take care. I feel the same as you. Not interested in playing this game at all. It sucks! Just know there are lots of us here to get through this with you. Chin up and take it one step at a time. Hugs!

Deb it does take stubborn and scrappy for sure. I wonder the same thing. All the shows I watched were here and gone in a flash. Weird seasonal structure these days I think...