DIEP 2014

jmb5 · December 2013

nihahi wrote: Welcome to the Diep 2014 thread. Started as a "home-base" for women considering or undergoing DIEP surgery in 2014, this has become a place of questions, answers, support, courage, tears and smiles. We are from various countries, and are having our consults and surgeries in different locations, and are at different time lines in our breast cancer journeys. We plan to be here in years to come, for women who may find themselves on the same road.

Please send a Private Message to jmb5 with your info. if you'd like to be added to the list.

January 2... Ada2014... BMX with immediate DIEP reconstruction- University of Chicago
January 8... nihahi... stage 2 - Foothills Hospital, Calgary, AB Canada
January 8... kelleyb.... stage I DIEP - NOLA (Dr. Sullivan)
January 8... maggie85... stage I DIEP - NOLA (Dr. Trahan)
January 8... beebop... stage I DIEP - North Memorial Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN (Dr. Landis)
January 14... saddleup...stage I DIEP - Des Moines, IA
January 15... Chinabound13... stage I DIEP - Houston, TX
January 16... browniefranks... stage I DIEP
January 20... jenjenl....stage I DIEP - CLT, NC (Dr. Robinson)
January 20... beck0806... stage I DIEP - Cleveland Clinic
January 21... lea321... stage I DIEP - MD Anderson, Houston, TX
January 21... Daylekbraca2... stage I DIEP - NOLA, (Dr. Stolier)
January 22... KYLady... stage I DIEP - Cleveland Clinic (Dr. Djohan)
January 23... aemcat... UMX with immediate DIEP reconstruction - Highland Hospital, Rochester, NY
January 24...Donna2012... stage I DIEP - University of PA
January 24... jmb5... BMX with immediate DIEP reconstruction - Cleveland Clinic (Dr. Moreira)
January 27... TBerg... stage I DIEP - Baltimore, MD (Dr. Bluebond-Langner)
January 29...Rachlmarch.... stage I DIEP - Cleveland Clinic
January 30... southerngirl1974... stage I DIEP
February ?... Michele2013... stage I DIEP
February 5... LorettaMc... stage I DIEP
February 6... Zenful... stage 2 - NOLA (Dr. DellaCroce)
February 7... Jeannie57... nipples
February 10... KaseyAnne... stage 2 - NOLA
February 11... BellaMomma... right MX/stage I DIEP - Mayo Clinic (Dr. Saint-Cyr)
February 12... BetNY22... stage I DIEP - NOLA (Dr. Massey)
February 14... GwennyMD... Stage 2 DIEP - Georgetown University
February 18... jazlaumir... BMX with immediate DIEP reconstruction - University of Michigan Hospital
February 19... Marivel44... stage I DIEP - Dallas, TX (Dr. Hoxworth)
February 24... Kat-ski... stage I DIEP - PRMA, San Antonio, TX (Dr. Pisano)
February 24... Rosebud14... BMX with immediate DIEP reconstruction - Siteman Cancer Center, St. Louis
February 26... J1971... bilateral stage I DIEP - UC Davis
March 1... annajo... UMX with immediate DIEP reconstruction - Regions Hospital, St. Paul, MN (Dr. Cherrie Heinrichs)
March 3... lahela... stage 2
March 7... melissa2013... stage I DIEP - St. Louis
March 10... jbdayton... stage I DIEP - Houston, TX
March 18... teacher64...bmx in December 2013...stage I DIEP - Forest Park Medical, Frisco, TX (Dr. Bryan Armijo)
March 18... enjoyevrymoment... stage I DIEP - U of Penn (Dr. Wu and Dr. Fisher)
March 20... k79miller... stage I DIEP - PRMA, San Antonio, TX
March 20... nnrbf101... stage I DIEP - NOLA (Dr. Whitten Wise)
March 27... Wynne50... BMX with immediate DIEP - PRMA, San Antonio, TX
April 1... etoile... stage 1 DIEP - Queen Elizabeth II, Halifax, NS (Dr. Jason Williams)
April 5... BlueFox... stage I DIEP
April 9... tlbradyful... stage I DIEP/GAP - NOLA (Dr. Massey)
April 10... bdavis... tattoos with Vinnie - NOLA
April 10... KooKoo621... stage I DIEP - NOLA (Dr. Wise)
April 11...Sunone... BMX with immediate DIEP
April 14... Chinabound13... stage 2 - Houston, TX
April 14... vikster5... stage I Bilateral DIEP - Omaha, NE
April 17... Ashira... stage I DIEP - Charleston, SC (Dr. Kline)
April 19... GowanusGal... BMX with immediate DIEP
April 22... Iowagirl1... BMX/stage I DIEP - Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN (Dr. Valerie Lemaine)
April 23... liefie... stage 2 DIEP - Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria, BC
April 23... fujiimama... stage I DIEP - Spokane, WA
April 24... Donna2012... stage 2
April 30... AnnBR... stage I DIEP - Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN (Dr. Michel Saint-Cyr)
May 5... lemon68... stage I DIEP - Cleveland Clinic
May 5... goldie4040... remove implant/bilateral DIEP - Baylor, Fort Worth, TX
May 5... GeorgieGirlKC... stage I DIEP
May 7... Varda... BMX with immediate DIEP reconstruction - Stanford
May 7... The1toC... delayed bilateral DIEP - U of Michigan
May 7... cammie4... stage I DIEP
May 8... Dyrgrl... BMX stage I DIEP
May 12... TBerg... stage 2 - Baltimore (Dr. Bluebond-Langner)
May 13... mistral1960... stage I DIEP - Houston, TX
May 13... M_Mah... UMX with immediate DIEP - Lankenau Hospital, Wynnewood, PA (Dr. Sabol & Dr. Kanchwala)
May 13... Kanada... BMX with immediate DIEP (left) & SIEA (right) - Winnepeg, MB, HSC (Dr. T. Hayakawa)
May 14... JerseyMomOf3... stage I DIEP
May 21... naiviv... stage I DIEP - Miami, FL (Dr. Jaime Flores)
May 27... TinaHoff... stage I DIEP
May 29... jmb5... stage 2 - Cleveland Clinic
June 2... jbdayton - Ruben's Flap (Had DIEP on 1 breast in Mar.) - Houston, TX
June 3... gila4936 - BMX with immediate DIEP - Columbus, OH
June 5... thinkpink4ever... BMX, ALND, with immediate DIEP - NOLA (Drs. Sullivan and Stolier)
June 6... Jeannie57... tattoos
June 6... aff...UMX with immediate DIEP (left)
June 10... pollyanna5... BMW with immediate DIEP
June 11... trish01254... UMX with immediate DIEP (right) - Hartford, CT (Dr. Otake)
June 11... Optimi... BMX with immediate DIEP
June 12... OneTexasDay... stage I DIEP - Baylor Plano
June 12... TLeighMD... BMX with immediate DIEP (Buescher & McGinness)
June 15... LisaLou12 failed bilateral DIEP
June 16... HeidiToo... stage I DIEP - Johns Hopkins
June 16... LoveAllMyBoys... BMX with immediate DIEP - BIDMC, Boston, MA
June 17... LiLi-RI... BMX with immediate DIEP - BWH
June 20... rose111... UMX with immediate DIEP
June 23... lahela... stage 2b + nipples
June 23... Sammyjokk... BMX with immediate DIEP
TS13... UMX (right) stage I DIEP
June 30... Trinity0723... stage I DIEP (left side)
July 1... Ashira... stage 2
July 2...tlbradyful... stage 2
July 7... pzercher... stage I bilateral DIEP- U of Kansas Medical Center (Dr. Holding)
July &... Jlg1067... stage I DIEP
July 9...4acure...stage I DIEP
July 15... MsW2012... stage I DIEP - CPMC, San Francisco (Drs. Horton and Buntic)
July 24... k79miller... stage 2
July 30... Teacher64... stage 2 - Forest Park Medical, Frisco, TX (Dr. Armijo)
August 1... Shine14... BMX with immediate DIEP - Cincinnati Christ Hospital
August 6... enjoyevrymoment... stage 2
August 6... naiviv... stage 2a (right), lat flap (left)
August 11... Sweetie1972... stage I DIEP - McGee Women's Hospital
August 13... vballmom... stage I DIEP
August 13... Marcygiff... stage I DIEP
August 15... GeorgieGirlKC... stage 2 - San Antonio
August 18... JuicyJackie... stage I DIEP - Baltimore (Dr. Bernard Chang)
August 18... missnaomi... stage I DIEP - Denver, CO (Dr. Williams & Dr. Williams)
August 21...Kathy1965... BMX (Dr. Johnson Miller) DIEP (Drs. Ashinoff & Rose) Jersey Shore Medical, Neptune, NJ
August 27... The1toC... stage 2 - U of Michigan (Dr. Kozlow)
August 29... gila4936... stage 2 - Columbus, OH
September 4... Anne-Mc... BMX with immediate DIEP - Westside Surgical Hospital, Houston, TX
September 4... lovesroses... Bilateral DIEP - Wake Forest Baptist Hospital, Winston-Salem, NC
September 9... Kb33... stage I DIEP - NOLA (Dr. T)
September 9... Andrea623... stage I DIEP (right side) - IMC, Utah (Dr. Ferguson)
September 9... smd3... BMX with immediate DIEP - NOLA (Dr. Lazarus & Dr. Delacroce)
September 11... Tan72... BMX with immediate DIEP - CPMC (Davies campus), San Francisco, CA
September 22... Far... mastectomy with immediate DIEP - Hamilton (Drs. Hodgson and Avram)
September 23... IzzyB... stage I DIEP
September 26... tbradyful... stage 2b - New Orleans
September 26... Rosebud14... stage 2 - Siteman Cancer Center (Dr. Terry McKatyn)
September 29... debiann... BMX with immediate DIEP - Lehigh Valley Hospital, PA (Dr. Subbio)
September 29... jbdayton... stage 2a- Houston, TX
September ?... Trm... stage I DIEP - UPMC Magee Women's Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA
October 2... OneTexasDay... stage 2 - Baylor Plano (Dr. Jason Potter)
October 3... laurie2025... stage I DIEP - U of Chicago (Dr. Chang)
October 3... jmb5... stage 2b - Cleveland Clinic (Dr. Moreira)
October 6... ChrisInPA... stage I Free Flap - UPenn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA (Dr. Serletti)
October 9... iowagirl... stage 2 - Mayo, Rochester, MN
October 13... sollertia... delayed stage I DIEP w/lymph node transfer - PRMA, San Antonio (Dr. Nastala)
October 14... Kat-ski... stage 2a
October 20... annaleise... BMX - Seattle, WA
October 21... MDnowPatient... BMX with immediate DIEP - Wynnewood, PA
October 23... stinkiesissie... bilateral stage I DIEP - Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia (Drs. Berger, Copit and Ehrlich)
October 28... K79miller... stage 3
October 28... Danadane... remove implants/bilateral DIEP - U of Chicago (Dr. Park)
November 7... Seashore... stage I DIEP - University of Kansas Hospital (Dr. Butterworth)
November 10... Meg2... unilateral DIEP - Sacred Heart Hospital, Washington State (Dr. Oliva)
November 14... Seashellie... stage 2 - NOLA (Dr. Wise)
November 17... georgiagator... prophylactic BMX with immediate DIEP - Worthside Hospital, Atlanta
November 18... RedshoesClaire... BMX with immediate DIEP
November 20... youngmama... stage I unilateral DIEP - Halifax, NS
November 24... wintersocks... stage I DIEP
December 2... Lurinda... stage I DIEP
December 3... Warrior50... stage I DIEP - MD Anderson, Houston, TX (Dr. Villa)
December 5... Sarahbb... BMX with immediate DIEP - St. Vincent Hospital, Portland, OR
December 8... jbdayton... stage 2b
December 8... SaltyJack... stage I DIEP - St. Luke's Hospital, Woodland, TX (Dr. Keith Gordley)
December 10... julieho... stage I bilateral DIEP (replace implants) - NOLA
December 10... caligirl3... stage I DIEP - San Francisco, CA
December 11... kb33... stage 2 - NOLA (Dr. T)
December 17... rhogue... BMX with immediate DIEP
December 17... Gramof2boys... stage I unilateral stacked DIEP - NOLA (Dr. T)
December 19... trish01254... stage 2
December 26... tbradyful... stage 2c - Chicago (Dr. Massey)
January 6... Annieb4... stage I DIEP - Mayo Clinic (Dr. Valerie Lemaine)
January 21... LAstar... stage I unilateral DIEP - Charleston
April 3... jmb5... tattoos with Trent at Little Vinnie's Tattoos

nihahi · December 2013

Good luck to everyone joining this thread.....it's an amazing journey to share with others.

Zenful · December 2013

Hi jmb5, I had DIEP and GAP surgery in September and will be having Stage 2 surgery on Feb 6 in NOLA. Thanks for starting this thread. There are many ladies from the 2013 DIEP thread that still have various stages to go through that will probably join.

MartyJ · December 2013

I started in 2012 and will finish in 2014.. It is good to go through this with friends.

Rachlmarch · December 2013

Hello everyone I am posting on the DIEP 2014 as well as the DIEP 2013 to be able to reach as many woman as possible. I'm tentatively scheduled for a DIEP Jan 29, 2014 at Cleveland Clinic. They handled my reconstruction with an implant back in 2006. Unfortunately I developed a rare lymphoma from my breast implant (please see the following link if interested).http://www.fda.gov/medicaldevices/productsandmedicalprocedures/implantsandprosthetics/breastimplants/ucm239995.htm . Although I had it for 7 years apparently my body doesn't want it there. I've had 2 pet scans since the removal of my implant and both have been clean. They believe it is all localized to the breast due to the implant. (That's what makes it rare) I am scheduled for another in several weeks and if all is clean I'm allowed to move forward with the DIEP at the end of January. I am in a position where I am currently not working but need to get back to work as soon as possible. I left my job back in July. It's very hard to start a new job and then ask for several months off for surgery. That's why it's important for me to get this completed asap. To add to the confusion, through the pet scan they did see a large cyst on my left ovary. I've had a ROMA test done for ovarian cancer and a biopsy for uterine cancer, both negative! However, according to my gynocologist due to my breast cancer I am at a higher risk for uterine and ovarian cancer. She feels I need a full hysterectomy soon. I feel like I'm being pulled in 50 directions. In one respect I'm perfectly healthy but in another I now have the lymphoma and the hysterectomy hanging over my head. I've been looking forward to getting this DIEP completed and moving forward. I am very optimistic and we all feel the pet scan will once again be clean, but now I have another hurdle. Thanks for letting me vent.....No one ever said it was going to be easy when diagnosed back in 2006 and I am so fortunate to be healthy and have not had to have any treatments to date in spite of these diagnoses, but you know, it seems just when your ready to get up and hit it head on, there is always something to knock you back down. My husband is not 100% supportive on the DIEP either. He feels it's to invasive and I still won't be satisfied with the results. I guess my question is, with all of these other issues on my plate, how many of you are satisfied on a scale of 1-10? Would you do it all over again if you had to? Is what you go through the 1st three weeks worth what you do have for the rest of your life? Any comments on my posting would be very beneficial for me and I would appreciate any response be it positive or negative. Thank you all so much. I have been so touched by reading many of your postings over the years.

Your friend in BC, Rachelle

nihahi · December 2013

Rachelle....I've been no recon, implant recon and now tummy flap recon. In a heartbeat, I will tell you the flap recon is hands down the right thing for me, and I would do it again without a breath of hesitation. I feel it is a better "fit" for me, physically and emotionally. My husband tells me, I am happier with "myself" than I have been in years (I am now 22years post initial dx and mx). I will tell you, I feel more whole, more feminine and more "bc is in my past", than I have at any point in those 22+ years.

Can you talk more with your hubby as to his "invasive" concerns??? Many people feel implants are a "minimally invasive" procedure, and that certainly is not usually the case. It may be that he is worried about the length of the surgery and recovery time. It is a long surgery, but that is mainly due to the microvascular work the surgeons have to do to reconnect the blood vessels. The length of surgery has nothing to do with how "at risk" you are, medically. The tummy part of the surgery is really no different from most cosmetic surgery "tummy tucks".....and those are often done as day surgeries as just your average, "no big deal" type of procedure!

If you go into ANY breast recon with the mindset that you will have "completely normal....just like nothing ever changed" expectations....you likely WILL never be satisfied with the results, no matter how good they might be. If you are going for the "as close to normal as I can get" look and feel....in my opinion, a flap is a better choice. Like me, you have already experienced what an implant "breast" is like.....a flap breast is hands down more of a natural feel, weight, warmth, movement, etc.

The recovery is different for each of us. I think the norm, though, is not that it is mind-blowingly painful and physically hard or difficult, but that it is tiring and requires a passage of time....this is not a recovery that you can "force yourself through" at a faster pace than your body will allow. I'm not sure of your current circumstances, but, I was 62 at the time of my flap recon, and 4 months later was hiking mountain trails in Montana, with a woman I "met" on the thread. Other women are still struggling at that same time frame. From being on the Diep 2013 thread, I think there is a pattern that shows the farther out you are from your initial mx or chemo or other tx and emotional bc "hurdles", the less "bumpy" is the road to recovery and satisfaction with the results.

The one thing I would say, is that since you are a "delayed recon", as was I, you aren't needing to rush to decisions based on timing of chemo or mx needs. Since you say may need the hyster....maybe have the discussion with your surgeons/docs as to which should be done first, in case the type of hyster surgery you have, impacts the tummy flap options. But....there are other kinds of flap recons available, so keep that in mind too.

4acure · December 2013

jmb5,

I am scheduled to have my reconstruction from my bilateral mysectomy on July 7, 2014. My PS wants me to consider the DIEP flap surgery and we are scheduled to talk about it on February 13, 2014. I have mixed emotions about it. I am pursuing a teaching position and only have the 6 weeks left of the summer break to recup so that I can go back to work. I'm afraid that will not be enough time. I am happy that I have found a place where others are going through the same thing. Their personal stories help to educate me and give me hope.

Zenful · December 2013

4acure, 6 weeks will probably be enough time to recoup, but you might find yourself still getting tired after that. I was off 7 weeks, but would have returned to work after 5 or 6 weeks if it wasn't for some stubborn drains that just kept flowing. Bit those were from my hip flaps. The DIEP drains were out by 4 weeks. I am only 14 weeks out from surgery, but I still think it was the best decision for me when considering all other options. You will know in your heart what the right decision is for you. Listen to your heart.

Moviemaniac · December 2013

HI...just popped in to give my 2 cents worth......I had DIEP in January 2013, and just had my new nipples installed at the beginning of December.....I have definitely had some bumps in the road through-out my recon journey, but the new girls are AWESOME, and they are all ME.......I am beyond thrilled! I would do it again, even with all my issues, in a heartbeat......

All that being said, I agree with Zenful about listening to your own heart.......THAT is what will make your attachment to the new girls a strong one......best of luck on your journey......

kelleyb · December 2013

I'm having bilateral DIEP at NOLA with Dr. Sullivan on January 8, 2014. Just waiting to hear back on a chest X-ray, there was some non-specific indeterminate opacity that the radiologist marked as likely from radiation but Dr. Sullivan requires a CT before he will clear me for surgery. Hopefully all goes well.

jenjenl · December 2013

Bilateral DIEP scheduled Jan 20 in CLT, NC with Dr. Robinson. It will be here before I know it. I had my abdominal CT scan last week. In 2 weeks I go in to finalize the details.

jmb5 · December 2013

Rachelle, I just might be in Cleveland the same time you are. I'm supposed to have a surgery date soon. Hope you can get everything figured out and decide the best next step.

4acure · December 2013

Thank you both for your honesty. I am giving the DIEP procedure another hard look. I would prefer to use my own tissue if possible, my PS said he could probably make one breast out of the tissue I have now, but I told him whatever he took is the size I would be! I want it to be all me when I am done too He said that would be fine. I would have "athletic" breasts, lol.

Donna2012 · December 2013

I am having diep on 1/24/14. Getting excited & nervous! Going to meet with ps again on 12/30, since I last saw her in October.

goldie4040 · December 2013

4acure, I have the weight issue too. How much do you weight and are you only doing one breast. If I go ahead with this I am hoping for 2 small B breast. I can't stand these implant rocks on my chest and I have only had them a month.

Donna, you will do great. Excited and nervous are very normal. There are so many success stories. You have read 2013 thread, right. A lot of happy ladies there with tons of knowledge to share.

From what I am reading you are all going to some of the best places. Nola, South Carolina, Cleveland Clinic....you will all do awesome.

jmb5 · December 2013

I have stayed very calm since I found out I have a recurrence. I've felt a lot of peace and not been overly worried, but knowing that surgery is getting closer, I am starting to feel more anxiety and completely anti-social. I don't want to go anywhere, because everyone will ask me how I'm doing, and I don't want to talk about it. I also don't feel like smiling and acting like everything is fine. I'm feeling a lot of sadness too, which isn't like me. I hate feeling like my life is on hold and I hate that my mind is consumed with the thoughts of surgery and recovery. Just feeling a little sorry for myself today, ladies. Sad I guess there are good days and bad days.

Zenful · December 2013

jmb, sorry you are having a rough time, but don't feel guilty for feeling the way you do. And we have all felt anxiety leading up to our procedures. Many of the ladies have said you don't need to be brave, you just need to show up. I know it can all become a little overwhelming, and if you feel as if you don't want to talk with anyone, you can always talk to us. These ladies will give you great comfort. (((Hugs)))

nihahi · December 2013

jmb.....it sounds like you are reacting normally to me!!! I can't imagine having a "better" reaction to being diagnosed with a recurrence...it is a difficult, emotional time, as is the "run up to surgery" time, and you have every right to be sad, anxious, withdrawn.....whatever. Save your energies for "showing up", and doing things that give you some "moments of relaxation or release". If the anxiety gets too much, interferes with sleep, etc....get some short term help with meds. We get it.....{{{{{X}}}}}

Moviemaniac · December 2013

I echo Zen and Nihahi.....your reaction is totally normal....and if you feel too anxious, and it interferes with sleep.....get an anti-anxiety med to help you out......you don't have to be brave, you just have to show up! And post here anytime.....we get it!

As an aside.....one of you 2014 gals should take it upon yourself to be the thread monitor......adding names as women join, so you know who is going in when....it really is a big help to all of you, and it will make your DIEP journey that much better, as you are going through it together.....just take a look at the 2013 thread.....amazing how many women have added their names to that list!

Have a happy Sunday!

bdavis · December 2013

Movie... It can only be done by the author of the thread. That would be jmb. Here you go to get started:

January 8... kelleyb.... stage I DIEP - NOLA (Dr. Sullivan)
January 20... jenjenl....stage I DIEP - CLT, NC (Dr. Robinson)
January 24...Donna2012... stage I DIEP - University of PA
January 29...Rachimarch.... stage I DIEP - Cleveland Clinic
Feb 6... Zenful... stage 2 - NOLA (Dr. DellaCroce)
April 19....AnnBR... stage I DIEP
April 22....Iowagirl1....stage I DIEP
July 7...4acure...stage I

goldie4040 · December 2013

Wow, Betsy, you are good! How did you collect all those dates already!!!!?

iowagirl1 · December 2013

I am having a PBM and stage 1 DIEP April 22, 2014 unless there is a cancellation earlier. It's been a long wait since I made the decision and I will be relieved to get the process started. So glad to be here.

bdavis · December 2013

Goldie... magic!!!

Curlylocks · December 2013

Jmb,

Being diagnosed with a reoccurance is shitty and you have every right to feel the way you do! Putting on that smile for the outside world who dont get it is hard too.

I am a newbie to this surgery --- just two weeks out of surgery tomorrow. I am doing fairly well, definitely need a lot of rest, some uncomfortableness but doing okay. I waited 4 months from my consultation to surgery (surgery date was changed three times since end of Sept and finally happened Dec16). It was nerve wrecking for sure waiting and wondering how things were going to turn out. I have often heard it said on the 2013 thread, you just got to show up for the surgery. Put your trust in your medical team, the rest is out of your hands. If I think back pre-surgery I lost way too many nights of sleep stressing about the surgery.

All the best to you Jmb!

If you have any questions, there are many wonderful ladies that can help answer them.

Check out the 2013 thread for lots if great info as well.

Michele

jmb5 · December 2013

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. I have a few friends who have had BC, but not one has had a recurrence and not one has had a mastectomy. I have a huge support system, yet I'm feeling all alone. I'm so thankful for all of you who really understand.

bdavis, I guess if I'm the author of the thread, I will attempt to keep the list updated. I'm assuming I just need to edit my first post and add names? I will give that a shot and see if it works. Thanks for getting things started. Everyone feel free to bug me about adding names.

goldie4040 · December 2013

jmb, I believe you need to send a request to the BCO moderator's to have names added to the list. I am sure Nihani will be more than happy to help you get started. She did a great job for 2013.

I know what you mean about feeling alone, even if you're not, it's easier to talk to people who really get it. Your friends all mean well, but sometimes they will say things that will really annoy you because they can't possibly understand unless they have been through it themselves. The one I always loved the most was, "Oh, now you get to pick out any boobs you want!" Really?!!!! I use to want to scream. I just had to keep reminding myself they meant well.

jmb5 · December 2013

goldie, I copied and pasted the list bdavis started and just edited my original post. I also messaged nihahi to ask if I could steal her words from the 2013 thread for an introduction. I tried, but the words aren't coming out.

I've had my fair share of dumb comments from friends, but I know they mean well. I think that's part of why I'm not wanting to be out in public much. Just not in the mood to deal with the comments and the "How are you?" comments with the sad face.

nihahi · December 2013

no goldie......jmb can begin and maintain a list of dates and names within the header, since she started the thread. The only reason I had to go through the mods on the 2013 thread, is because it was not my thread, but was started by bleugirl.

jmb....I'm sure many people would be happy to have you maintain a list, but, it also means you'll need to stick with the thread for the full "life" of the list, which means the entire year. If you have any questions about it, please feel free to pm me. If you feel you want to take on the "role", I'd be happy to be added to the list......

January 8...nihahi...Stage 2...Foothills Hospital, Calgary, AB Canada

edited to add: jmb.... just saw your pm. I have no doubt that you have even BETTER "words"....but if you want to use anything I wrote..feel free. You can always go back and "retool" things when you feel you need or want to.

goldie4040 · December 2013

Oops, sorry Nihani. I misunderstood. You always talked about contacting the moderators about adding to the list, so I assumed that's the way it was.

JMB5, hope I didn't confuse the issue to much.

bdavis · December 2013

jmb... I should have added my tattoos...

April 10....bdavis....tattoos with Vinnie - NOLA

Rachlmarch · December 2013

Thanks to everyone for your support and responses. jmb5 I am feeling the same way you are. I am more anxious for my pet scan on the 14th though. If everything looks good that's when I will have to scramble to be ready. Who is your surgeon at CC? Mine is Djohan. Great surgeon. I will keep you posted on my dates and you do the same. We all know how things can change from one day to the next. I will say after reading some of your posts ladies, that I am determined now more than ever to proceed forward with diep reconstruction and I'm just praying that things fall into place as I need them to. Hats off to all of you for what you've been through. I admire your stamina and courage. Major hugs to you all !!! Smile

DIEP 2014

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