DIEP 2013

Newbies- I also wore tank tops that I could slip into. I wore them under hoodies. I found a pair of yoga type pants at Kohls and still wear them. The high waisted tops hid drains. I also found a zip up robe that I wore a lot. The idea of keeping tags on and returning is a great idea. I gave away clothes and jammies I had never worn. 

Having help when you get home is a must. My biggest helps at home was a comfy recliner (pillows in bed just didn't work for me), shower stool of some kind, food from friends, and Miralax. You will want to start a stool softner 3 days before surgery and continue until you are done with Pain killers. This was my biggest problem in recovery. 

Also, walk everyday, drink lots of fluids, and rest. Seriously baby yourself for 2-3 weeks. I was given that advice and was lucky to have the help to do that. Your mantra is: rest, eat, drink, walk= healing.

Take lots of notes from the girls here and ask questions.start your lists.

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.

RJHS - good luck on your chemo.  Keep taking your meds as prescribed.

RCHL/JMB5 - just typed a big long post and it went poof...I am 11 days post op and dont regret my decision in any way.  I was originally diagnosed in 2005 went through lumpectomy, etc (see my stats).  My youngest sister had bc in 2010 and died last year.  My oldest sister was diagnosed this year and I had an aunt with bc.  Due to obvious genetic link I elected to have this surgery done, it was a very tough decision and nerve wracking for sure.
I am VERY happy with my new fobs and flat swelt tummy.  I will not sugar coat it, it is not an easy surgery and a very difficult recovery.  I had six drains after surgery, all have been removed as of day 10 post op. I was on a morphine pain pump the first three days in the hospital which made me sick, I asked to be taken off it day 3 and then managed discomfort with regular strength tylenol every 4 hours with no issues.

I would have your significant other/hubby take the day of surgery off to be for you after you wake up but it would be better for the bulk of the time to be taken when you get home.  It is difficult to move around due to incisions on stomach, getting in and out of bed is difficult but if you learn the moves, scoot and roll to edge of bed it is easier.  I have rented an electrical hospital bed for a month post op and am so happy that I did, couldnt imagine sleeping comfortably in my own bed.  I could image a recliner being very comfortable either.  Hardest thing for me has been sleeping on my back post op, I am a side sleeper for sure.
To bring to hospital items:
Chapstick, ear plugs, mints or gum, dark sleep mask, small clock (I hated not knowing what time it was), mouthwash, toothpaste and toothbrush, housecoat, slippers with good soles, shampoo, deodrant, brush, large safety pins for drains (my drains had a plastic clip that I could attach to my binder so didnt need them), one pair of comfy pjs and a button down pj top to wear home.  I lived in my hospital gown the entire time I was in the hospital 5 days. 
Things to have at home post op:
Rented a shower chair.  I dont have much energy and it makes it safer to just sit on to even have a sponge bath.
Yoga pants, comfy loose pjs and button down pj tops.  I have lived in these.  I can now lift my arms so could wear other loose fitting tops if I wanted to.

My first followup with my PS post surgery is 2 weeks post op.

I have gone to the local wound clinic every day to get drains out, dressings changed, etc.

All the best ladies as you embark on this surgery.  I was so nervous pre surgery, had 4 months between consult and surgery as my surgery date was changed three times.  Being nervous is normal!

If you have any other questions, just post or send me a pm.

Michele

Yes niahai, the ice palace is a warm home since Monday pm., thank GOD!  48 hours without power or heat following major surgery is not my idea of fun:(

Not the way I had anticipated coming home from surgery....I can laugh about it now but then it was like holy crap...WTF! All drains are history as of yesterday, all looks good. 

Mom is doing well, she was here with my sister from Christmas Eve until yesterday.

2014 is gonna be our year, I can just feel it in the air!

Michele

Congratulations on losing the drains Curly.  Best feeling ever!

RHGSR you got this!  Wishing you the best!

Pat

okay ladies I have a question...

Going to have an overnight trip with hubby (just to the nearest city) before starting chemo. Really excited. With 3 little ones this is few and far between. My question is... Can I have a glass of wine or two? I still take an occasional pain mec and anxiety med. I got my port placed today and chemo on Monday. I rarely drink. Especially since I was still breast feeding my youngest when all of this cancer mess began. Any opinions? Can't ask doc since it's the weekend :0( and we just decided to go...

Should I just try to skip those meds tomorrow?  I know I probably just shouldn't drink alcohol but I would like to toast my hubby... 

I concur... skip the meds and have the drink.

Well, the verdict is in.  I hate these implants, and I am going to see Kuka's PS on Monday and talk about either a revision of these implants, or she said he has done DiEP's on woman with BMI's as low as 19.  So, I am above that for sure, so maybe she can do something for me that the other guy couldn't. This guy is really becoming a front runner in the new treatments they are doing for bc and recon. He has done some lymph node transplants, stem cell fat grafting, and he is getting the reputation for taking on the hard cases.  He hasn't had a flap failure yet, but has had 9 wound vac situations.  It was nice to talk to Kuka on the phone and hear her adorable accent, but perfect English.  So, here I go again.  I trust her, he did a great job with her, and I am hoping he takes one look at me and says, I can give you great A cups, is that good enough for you, and I will say "yes," please.  Anything is better than C cup boulders.  Life is going to stop throwing me curve balls only when I make it stop.  Time to take control of my own destiny, or at least try.  No more fear, just determination. 

I'm sorry you don't like the implants Goldie but am glad you are not going to settle until you are satisfied with the results. Good for you for taking control! We will all be here for you!

goldie...hope the appt goes the way you want it to. If he can revise what you now have, to be what you were hoping for, that's super! If you do end up going the flap route, the implants won't have been a total failure, as the stretched skin you now have should act almost like a breast skin sparing type of situation. Does kuka's doc also do the Gap flaps? That might be an option for you also. Good luck on Monday, and say hi to kuka from all of us.

Jeannie, how are you doing?

I spoke to the PS nurse yesterday and my appointment is for Thursday for getting the stitches out - between now and then, I'm just birdbathing at the sink and watching for stains on the dressing. Seems odd to just leave the dressing on for a week!

my face would flush every time my port was accessed. I think it's either the Heparin or steroids. Happened every time and went away about 2-4 hrs later. 

That makes sense. I guess it would have to be flushed with the heparin after placement.  I wonder why it started 24 hours later though?