DIEP 2013
Comments
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It's 9.20am here... off in an hour for my noob US... and guess what?! I *knew* there was something wrong, not just fat adhering to scar tissue making it hurt... just lifted her up and took a look and there's what looks amazingly like another freaking fistula!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The abscess must never have healed so it looks like I am about to start the whole d@mned draining merry-go-round again!
F-IRETR-UCK!!!!!!!!!
I'm going to ask them to admit me and do it under a general this time. They offered last time but I was bloody brave for my own good. Not his time. I've had enough!
Update: so, yeah, abscess back, new fistula... now waiting on a call from the PS. The radiologist called her while he had me there and the PS said she'd look at the US video and decide whether to do an MRI and then decide how to proceed.
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sbel - your midnight ride sounds like so much fun? Did you see the bird you were looking for?
mamastewart - yes I have been told by staff at KUMED (I am a Dr. Buescher patient myself) that they have brought on board a male PS who also does DIEPs. Other than that I don't know anything about him. If you want a consult I would just go ahead and call. I set up my whole referral myself when I went there. It wasn't hard, they had me send them my records from my local doctors, and they gave me an appointment. As far as what your local PS told you, I would take it all with a grain of salt. In my experience, docs that do not do DIEPs, do not know a whole lot about it. And what they do know is usually based on TRAMs. Again just my experience. Photo forum - it's a separate website - I believe there is a thread that is pinned to the top of the recon forum on how to access it. It is very private and you will need to request authorization from its administrator. It's a bit of a process but well worth it, IMO.
(((lahela))) My heart breaks for you, seriously you have been through so much. Karma, this woman needs a break, do you hear me!?!
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Lahela. I'm so sorry to hear your news. F-iretr-uck indeed!!(never saw that before, but I like it:)
Take care of yourself. Is it time to consider a second opinion from a surgeon who specializes in wound care (do those exist)?
Curly - hope you are in la-la land feeling no pain.
Nihahi. Thanks for the weather. It's 9 out there with the windchill. Sbe - only place for bike shorts here now is under 5 more layers:)
Take care everyone.
Ridley -
Lahela...I'm so sorry to hear this lousy news. We'll be in your pockets for a procedure, done under general, that cleans out the whole bug bunker once and for all so you can finally get along in the healing process.
Marty, welcome to ANOTHER other side! Heal well, sista!
Christina, no nightjars last night. I think it was too warm for them. But we saw two bats, heard a couple of hootey owls, and almost ran over a toad the size of a dinner plate. Amazing. -
Lahela, that really sucks! Maybe you need a hyperbaric chamber, too. My heart is with you and it hurts for you.
Ridley, how are you doing?
Sbel, I dreamed we met in a hospital. You were working, I had an appt. You were beautiful, we shared a tearful hug. You had your shirt on... -
Lahela- I'm sorry to hear your news. Sending you gentle hugs. -
Lahela, I am so sorry. This has all got to stop!!!! Your heart must have gone right up into your throat when you saw that. It's probably best that they admit you this time, you are right. -
Lahela- so sorry you are having to go through this. Sending you positive thoughts.
Mama- I may have missed this in another post, but how old are your children? I also have 3 children ages 9yr, 5yr, and 22 months. I want to start by saying that every journey is different... Originally I had an IDC and DCIS in my right breast. The BS did not think I had positive nodes. We choose to do a BMX. I personally did not want to have to worry about every lump or bump in the real breast had I decided for a single mastectomy or have to go through it all over again in a few years. So we opted to take them both and have a bilateral DIEP. I am so glad I did. After surgery they found an additional lump in the affected side and LCIS in the unaffected side. Plus positive lymph nodes. So although it isn't reccomeded to do rads with the DIEP , I'm going to have to anyway (after chemo) because of the positive nodes. But I do not regret my BMX or DIEP. I feel they were both good choices. -
My PS's nurse called and my new appointment is Thursday at 2pm... a whole 2 hours before the one I already had!!! Back to the dressings because the fistula has opened and it's oozing cr@p... *sigh* Back to being scared of losing the noob... but I'm pretty sure she'll admit me and clean it up properly this time - in fact, DH won't let her let me leave without it done! I won't even think about the pain, burning sensation and swelling in my abdomen that started today... In the meantime, I'm going to distract myself tomorrow by baking a stunning chocolate macaron layer cake. Don't worry, I never eat more than a mouthful of what I bake because if I did, I'd be an elephant!
Thank you all so much for your healing thoughts and kind words. I know many of you have complications and extra burdens of your own and I feel guilty for always having bad news instead of being the good advice veteran I had hoped I'd be by now... it will come, though. I'm fighting and won't give up. -
Lahela, So sorry that you are dealing with yet another issue ! Your tenacity and perspective are an iinspiration to me .Best Wishes for Thursday. ..Toronto-girl -
Lahela, I am so sorry to hear you are dealing with SSDD as far as the fistula is concerned.....I hope PS can do something so that it will FINALLY get resolved.......keeping you in my thoughts and prayers......
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So happy for you, Nihahi!
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Yeah---wooooooot! "Spider" drain is gone!! they did put a bigger size drain b/c ultrasound was concerning about pocket but when he put pressure on it(thanks goodness the nerves are disconnected!) and no fluid came out. He just took it right out!! I am freeeeeeeeeeeee of drains for now!!
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That is such a great feeling Kat.
Lahela- I am so sorry you are dealing with so much from your surgery. (((( hugs))))
Bailey- You've got this. I know you are keeping busy and are very prepared physically for this. Heal well and let your wonderful family take care of you.
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Lahela- sending you hugs. I hope they figure this out and fix it quick!
Martyj- hope the pain subsides fast
Kat-ski- no drains! Yay.
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To all of you who have braved the DIEP, I"m grateful for your posts and am looking to choose a surgeon. I know that NOLA is wonderful, but my understanding is that it takes months to schedule a consult and I need to schedule surgery by summertime. Am considering Dr. Massey and wondering if anyone has experience with her. Other names that I hear are Allan, Craigie.....? I feel like I need so much more information to choose something so personal. I'd be grateful for your feedback with regard to specific surgeons.
Many thanks!
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Hi Ashira... I go to NOLA, and they are actually very easy to get appointments with. Have you called them? They are busier at the end of the year due to insurance and people trying to fit it in before the end of the year, but you should have no trouble getting an appt in January. Also, Dr Massey is wonderful and people love her.
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Ashira,
Dr. Craigie and Dr. Kline are the breast surgeons at The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction in Charleston SC. I spoke with reps there and from Nola. Nola did not accept my insurance. Dr. Craigie and Kline did. I had a phone consult w/ Craigie and felt very comfortable proceeding with him. The people at CNBR have always been super kind and helpful. Best to you.
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Hi I'm home. Got released today at noon. Having a shower and getting into my own comfy PJ's has never felt so good.
Everything went well surgically, I'm on track with healing, on top of pain and have been up from bed, walking etc. un-assisted for 3 days now.
My challenges when in hospital were dealing with wicked nausea and throwing up (memories of chemo). Turns out it was the meds in the self administered pain pump that was making me sick. Then I was really backed up without a BM so that made me nauseous all over again. Finally got things moving today and happily came home.
I already love my new left girl and even with the swelling it looks amazing. I know, early days and lots of settling down. I feel so amazed that this procedure is even available. I am feeling so happy its hard to describe. Looking forward to slow and easy recovery. Okay, tired. I know you understand.
Love and healing energy to all.
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I had no problem booking with NOLA. I had an answer to my out of pocket costs after insurance within one week of contacting them. I was also offered a date within one month. I was also under the impression it was difficult to get a surgery date with them,,,based on what I had read on the boards, but clearly I was wrong!
Wishing you all the best!
Pat
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Ocean.....so glad you are back home, and resting.....let the healing begin!
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Ocean
You painted such a nice picture of yourself climbing into your own comfy pj's and being all cozy at home. You sound awesome, and happy. Rest rest rest. Congrats on your new girl. She sounds perfect!!!!
Nola didn't accept my insurance either, but I am determined to get my tattoo's from Vinnie one day.
Marty, that thigh lipo is wicked. I know what you mean about the toilet. I asked my husband if he thought they still made those padded toilet seats. He said, "no, " but I think that was because he didn't want to go to Home Depot and then come home and install it...lol. It took a week for me to be able to sit comfortably in anything other than my recliner. I too thought how could my thighs look worse than before, but that passed in two days, or so. No pain, no gain. Who said that? Ugh. Hang in there.
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Sssssscccccrrrrreeeeecccchhhhhh (that's me slamming on the bakes long enough to pop in to say hello to my peeps)
Life is a whirlwind right now! Such a busy time off year anyway...then throw in a surgery and YIKES.
So, pretty well prepared at work. Will tie up the loose ends tomorrow and am planning on the 2-3 weeks off the doc recommends. Thing 1 turns 18 tomorrow so his presents are purchased, and I ran at the last minute for a card. We will go out for dinner tomorrow night and he wants to see Anchor Man II as well.
Christmas shopping is done. Nothing is wrapped, but it'll get done. I have paper and ribbons, tags, tape, etc. Sounds like a good job for thing 1 and thing 2, no?
Laundry is done (or as done as it ever gets). Groceries are stocked up.
Saw my PS today for my "marking appointment" and I am covered in sharpie. She will lift the right side again and redo the scars. She will redo my belly button and tummy scars and remove the spots of fat necrosis there. The major work will be on the noob. She will open along the scar and remove the large amounts of scar tissue and fat necrosis. She will try to get rid of the area on the inner, lower portion where I have a large spot of stretch marks (from my 18 year old lol!!!) and lift and move it more toward center. She will also contour my tummy and flanks with lipo and use some of the fat to graft into the noob.
SO.
No sweat, right?
She is a two weeks of compression kind of doc. I think I will stick with it as long as I possibly can based on the advice of so many of you.
I got my haircut today. Massage tomorrow. Nails quick a minute on Thursday morning on the way to the hospital!!!! It's all good.
I have not even attempted to catch up on reading here but I will!!! Hopefully Friday. We'll see how close I need to dance with Wilbur
Thank you for all the good thoughts and prayers, friends! Hop in my pockets!!!
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Wow Bailey, you got it all together. What a whirlwind. I am almost glad you are having surgery just so you have an excuse to rest. All kidding aside, I am praying for a complication free Stage 2 for you. If anybody deserves it, you do. Good things come to those who wait, and you have waited long enough.
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Good luck Bailey. We are in your pocket, and I hope those pockets are huge! You have a lot of ladies here that love you and your beautiful spirit. Hugs and prayers for you.
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Bailey - Boy, do you ever sound on top of things! A lot of organization...a little delegation to the Things. Did your PS give you an idea of how long the surgery would be? And what's up with the bellybutton?
I'm heading in to see my PS this morning to discuss my stage two (I've given myself a pedicure and set aside some nice underwear). Until recently I was desperate for the 'contouring', but now I've gotten used to my oddly square shape. I think I'm just scared of more surgery. We're also going to discuss nipples and I don't know what to do. Does anyone else still have big circles where the areola used to be? Mine are like friggin' crop circles, and still very red. My bb is still very red too. Does this ever fade?
Ocean - Yay! So glad to hear your back in your pj's. I hope you can fully relax amongst your pillows and enjoy being cozy.
Lahela - I'm really sorryyou're dealing with such crap. Hopefully your new year will be hassle free, and pain free, and full of more lighthearted pursuits.
Sbe - In my attempt to catch up with all these posts, I flew through the last several days. Did I read correctly? Are you cycling topless? Awesome. You rock! (And the same goes for your wingman).
Kat-ski - You're drainless? Isn't that the best feeling in the entire world? Congratulations - that's wonderful.
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Ocean glad to hear you are home and in your comfie jammies. I had my first shower yesterday and agree it was the best feeling to be clean and warm:)
Janet - good luck with your appointment. Will be interested to hear what they say. I have the same crop circles, except one extends into some sort of elongated bird like shape as they removed the lumpectomy scar and the remaining tissue width betwwn the scar and the areola was too small to hold a blood supply, so they took all of that skin.
I'm looking forward to homecare today - I think my first two drains are saying bye-bye!
Take care everyone,
ridley
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Janet, I have circles where my nipples used to be and where my new ones will go. I don't really know if he will use all of that skin to make the nipples. I told him I certainly didn't want to end up with nipples/tats that big!
Somebody asked how DH and I are doing. We're ok. He is busy applying for jobs. I can't see much out of my right eye. We only bought presents for our granddaughter this year. It's sad but it certainly eases the pressure of the holidays.
Bailey, you've got this, especially with all of us and Wilbur with you!
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I got my grades for this semester- I got a 94 and a 95- not bad for my first semester of grad school/ first time going to school in 14 years!
I am feeling so much better. After stage 2, I really thought it might be almost as tough as stage 1, but I feel better so much faster than I did after stage 1. the only issues I am having are with my lifted side. It is SO itchy that I think I might go insane! Also, it is leaking from one of the insision- not red, but bright yellow! It does not smell bad and there is no sign of infection. I see the PS tomorrow, so I will ask him about it but it has never happened before.
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damiana....those are AWESOME grades.....kudos to you girl....!!!!!!
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