DIEP 2013

thank you ladies for all the well wishes. 

I made it through the first infusion. Started at 9am. Got really nauseated on the way home. No vomiting though. Just feel "bad". Can't explain it. Groggy, tired... Kind of line I'm car sick or something. 

Getting Neulasta tomorrow. Started taking my Claritin on Sunday so I'm hoping it will make the bone pain minimal. 

Goldie.. I'm happy that you have a plan to fix all this.  March will be here in a flash for sure.  I can't remember if you had RADs.  I did, and I'm told that it has a lot to do with the tightness.   The diep is a little tighter on that side but nothing like implants with capsular contracture.  

Saw my MO today.  He thought my flap looked great.  I patted my foob and said this is my tummy.  He laughed and said he could hear it growling.  

Mine must be minor. I just figured everyone had this feeling. It is very doable Goldie and like I said, no discomfort, jus some tightness. Not at all what Marty was explaining before her DIEP. I think you will be very happy with the DIEP. 

yep marty.....me too. The last year, before the flap recon was the worst. 

goldie....now you have a new goal, and you need a new plan to get yourself to March. Did your PS offer any suggestions to help with the discomfort??? I found "distraction" by listening to pain management guided imagery, yoga (not just the movement, but the "focus" and mindset that goes with it), spending as much time as possible outside enjoying nature (another type of distraction for me), and lots and lots of icepacks on my chest and back. 

RHG.....drink, drink, drink fluids as much as possible, rest, take the nausea meds.  

RHGSR,

The Claritin 24 really really helps. Stay on it. I quit once when I thought it wasn't doing anything. Boy was I wrong!!! And it took 12 hrs to get back on track. Ugh! I stayed on it through out and didn't have any issues. Glutamine really really helped with the neuropathy on Taxol as well...

Nihahi - will any fluids work? I feel waterlogged already. Trying to sip gingeraile now. 

Dyvgrl- I started the Claritin on Sunday. I've heard it works for many people but my MO had never heard about it. 

Kat... You need to ask your doctor. My doctor didn't restrict coffee, but some do.

RHGSR... drinking any fluid helps flush out the chemo. I drank water, iced tea... whatever tasted good. I also took the claritin for bone pain... and took B50 for neuropathy. I also put frozen peas on my nails during my Taxotere portion of the infusion to avoid nail lifting. And rinsed my mouth with Biotene twice daily to avoid mouth sores. There are a lot of little easy things you can do to help with SE.

Goldie, so sorry to hear about your nipple! That is shocking!!! I hope that your doc can do something to help.

Marty, your explanation of iron bra, or what I am experiencing is so spot on!!!!  I just read your explanation to my husband, and I said, "finally, somebody put it into words just like mine."  So, I guess you just one day realized in the middle of your recovery the sensation was gone?  Or, was it  gradual reduction in tightness?

The way the new PS explained it was that all my muscles that are now stretched out to cover an implant, or cut to moved out of the way will all be put back and laid down nice and flat against my chest again, and the alloderm what was welded against my ribcage will be taken away, and everything that is pulling on the inside will be released.  Doesn't that sound like a relief?  I am scared to death, but willing to do this to feel normal again, 

Speaking of scared, how you doing RHG? You did it? I can tell you are feeling a little tired.  But, listen to these ladies.  The best thing about this group is they all have experienced so much, and they are wise and kind and will share all they can to help you.  So, drink water, take your Claritin, and rest rest rest. 

Damiana, I hope your doc has a quick fix for you tomorrow. Sorry you are driving to Dallas on New Year's eve.  Hopefully, it's something that will resolve itself soon.  Are you happy with your stage 2 otherwise?

Christina, I think you meant your last post for Damiana.  LOL. I have been mixing up names lately too.

How are you feeling?

Damiana, I am so sorry your new nipple is infected! I hope it heals quickly with no complications!

Goldie, as everyone has said, March will be here quickly! You are so well-prepared for DIEP. I bet you sail through it. You will ultimately feel so much better!

Lahela, I hope you get your stitches out so you can shower and the seroma disappears! You have been such a trooper.

RHG, thinking of you! My friend started AC today, too. Rest, drink whatever you can (I like Nihahi's suggestions) and let your doc know if the SEs get too bad. We're with you in this. You will get through it and will be moving on before you know it.

Hey Lucy.......yep, sitting here holding my one cup of heaven, I've been back on the wagon since Boxing Day. I'm guessing your sensation(s) are nerve related, from your description. It's a sign of healing/progress.....annoying to say the least.....pain in the a** at times, but rarely a permanent thing. Has your PS ok'd massage???...that usually helps.

Hubby works today, so he'll be tired. It's always a toss-up if we make it until midnight...some years yes, some no. Depends on the plans for the evening. Tonight will be takeout Chinese and watch a hockey game on tv....he'll be snoring by the third period is my guess, with the remote in his hand!

lucy....I hear whiplash of new flaps can be dangerous!  Stay away from the windows girl!!!! .

Have you tried tapping, on the "spots"??? Start gently, and increase the pressure as you can tolerate it....helps to desensitize and re-educate the nerves.

Sharon, do you think the nipple lost its blood supply? In veterinary practice "banding" is commonly done to cause ...ahem..."things" to fall off. Constricting the blood supply to skin nubs, projections, testicles. The banded skin (and everything with it) will eventually just fall off.

That is just weird! I just saw a book listed called "In Stitches" written by a plastic surgeon who blames smoking or second hand smoke for causing nipples to fall off!