DIEP 2013

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  • Moviemaniac
    Moviemaniac Member Posts: 949
    edited December 2013

    Nancy Drew and the Case of the Disappearing Nipple.......has a catchy ring to it.......

    All kidding aside, Sharon, I hope you get some answers........

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  • Cherrie
    Cherrie Member Posts: 1,423
    edited December 2013

    Kat-Ski- I had no limitations with coffee at all. I did get down to 1 cup/ day right before surgery and now enjoy two. I still wear compression 24/7 at 3 1/2 mo. out, but have cheated a few times. ( not much) each doctor is different with their rules on everything. 

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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited December 2013

    Cherrie...we flew home from Denver last night and we shared the plane with a bunch of people wearing Michigan colors!  I wish you and your hubs had been among them!

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  • Cherrie
    Cherrie Member Posts: 1,423
    edited December 2013

    Thanks Katy! We soooo wish we were coming. My DD and SIL flew into Las Vegas and are driving to Pasadena as we speak. We are snuggled with our beautiful granddaughter Elly, and will watch everything on TV. It is 52 here and 15 in Michigan. We will be leaving here on Friday. 

    Thanks for thinking of us. GO GREEN! GO SPARTANS!! We are so excited just to go to the Rose Bowl for the first time in 26 years. ,

    Happy New Year and hope you are feeling well.

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  • jmb5
    jmb5 Member Posts: 532
    edited December 2013

    Ahhh... Cherrie. You beat our Buckeyes to get there. My hubby's family is from Michigan and his nephew is a student at State. :)

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  • Sharon1942
    Sharon1942 Member Posts: 272
    edited December 2013

    Bluebird, I don't smoke & am never around anyone that  does - I wonder how many smokers have lost their nipples?  They should have to add  that to the label warnings!  Ha!

    Sbelizabeth, I also wondered if the tattoo made the shy little nipple bury it's head. Who knows?  I think he is going to have to build me a news one. 

    I hope the PS will see me this week to make a plan. Don't get me wrong, with the 3D tattoo it looks great, but just doesn't make a matching headlight anymore. 

    Movie, the biggest laugh was Christmas Eve when I while showing it to my daughters,  I said, "Oh, my, it is gone!"  One said, "Did it fall off in the shower?"  It seemed to sink in overnight. 

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  • Dyvgrl
    Dyvgrl Member Posts: 471
    edited December 2013

    I had nipple recon years ago and was told if there isn't enough supporting tissue directly underneath they can sink. I have a mismatched set as well lol. She used scar tissue to try to build it up but one took well the other not so much. When I get my bidiep hopefully that nip and tuck actually takes equally!!

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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited December 2013

    While I was in Colorado I surprised my sister at her LAST herceptin treatment.  It was wonderful.  She has such a great 'tude about this whole thing.  She said, "it was a great big cold, and the medicine took a long time, but I'm cured!"  

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  • damiana9
    damiana9 Member Posts: 389
    edited December 2013

    Sharon- I heard they can inject something into the nipple to help with projection (botox???) so maybe there is something that can help.  Let us know what you find out!

    My PS called me back, had my take some pics of my nipple and email it to them, and they said that I haven't been on the antibiotics long enough for it to have worked and that the way I am covering it, etc is right.  So not it just takes time.

    So yes, otherwise, really I am happy about stage 2.  He said he might still do a tiny bit of tweaking but really the hard part is done.  Since he worked on my ab incision again though, I am going through that 'I sure do look skinny' phase, yet I don't fit into any of my jeans... which kind of sucks for winter, but oh well.

    Hope you all have a wonderful new year!

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  • RHGSR
    RHGSR Member Posts: 774
    edited December 2013

    I'm on 3 boards and am too tired to write separate things on each board. So I'm copying and pasting but wanted to get an update posted. I apologize for cross posts. 

    I started chemo yesterday. I was so scared. The nausea was kind of like I had a stomach bug where you feel really nauseated but can't throw up. It was really bad yesterday. A little better today. More like a bloaty gassy feeling. Not please t but all tolerable.

    Got the shot this morning of white blood cells that is supposed to cause severe bone pain. I took my Claritin (started Sunday) and am only a little achy right now with some sinus pain / pressure. 

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  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 3,841
    edited December 2013

    Sharon...just grasping at straws here, but is there ANY possibility the laser tx you've done recently, could have any affect on the nipple....some kind of "disturbance" in the tissue/capillaries, etc that lead towards the nipple???? I know very little about laser tx, so could be way off base. 

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  • Jeannie57
    Jeannie57 Member Posts: 2,144
    edited January 2014

    Sharon, how long was the wait between nipples and tattoos?

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  • Cherrie
    Cherrie Member Posts: 1,423
    edited January 2014

    RHGSR- (((((((hugs)))))) 

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  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited January 2014

    RHG. sounds like you are doing okay considering all you have been through in two days.  Hang in there.  Hoping the Claritin works for you.

    Damiana, glad you didn't have to go all the way to Dallas. 

    Jeannie, I think Sharon waited 3 months, according to the list of procedures. 

    Lucy, I hope my back behaves as well as yours.  I am going to do everything to get it really strong until its time for surgery, which my husband is now asking me to put off 2 more weeks because he can't get the time off around spring break...ugh. I need him to be home with me, so I might not have a choice.  I really don't think they will let me have it sooner, but I can ask.  All they can say is, "no."

    We just got back from having dinner with my DS, DDIL and grandkids.  DH has to work tomorrow, so we are home very early.  We are OLD!!!!! LOL

    I hope everybody has a great New Year, and it brings healing and good health to everybody. 

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  • Sharon1942
    Sharon1942 Member Posts: 272
    edited January 2014

    Jeanie, 3 months between nipple & tattoo.  Nihani, I don't know about the laser treatment affecting the nipple. It was several inches away from the nipple. I showed my girlfriends tonight & they think it looks fine. I'll maybe post some pics on the pic forum in a day or two. 

    Happy New Year!

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  • lahela
    lahela Member Posts: 515
    edited January 2014

    Sharon & Damiana, I hope your nipples turn out okay!

    RHGSR, sending you loads of gentle hugs.

    I hope everyone else is healing well!

    I want to take the opportunity to thank you all, again, for the loving support you have given over the past 6 months. This is a journey I hoped I would never have to make and it has been hell, but your constant presence has given me hope, a better attitude and guidance that is beyond value. My sincerest wish for 2014 is that you all heal and have the very best of outcomes. Much love to all.

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  • Zoemom
    Zoemom Member Posts: 50
    edited January 2014

    Happy New Year to all!   I would also like to thank everyone here for providing valuable knowledge, support and guidance to me through my diep experience.  I look forward to 'paying it forward' to the new ladies who have their flap surgeries coming up. 

    I still have bruising and abdominal pain from the emergency surgery and cellulitis (which is fortunately clearing up) and I will have stage 2 in a few months but hopefully the worst is behind.  

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  • Marcie47
    Marcie47 Member Posts: 248
    edited January 2014

    Here is to a wonderful, safe and healthy 2014 to all you beautiful women who helped me heal. I love you girls!!!

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  • Donna2012
    Donna2012 Member Posts: 201
    edited January 2014

    I have a question for anyone that had radiation BEFORE diep - 

    My radiated skin, which is a big area, is very tight.  It has been 6 mos since rads & it seems like I have full range of motion, but tightness.  Will having diep change this?  It has been 9 mos since modified radical mastectomy.  

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  • Marcie47
    Marcie47 Member Posts: 248
    edited January 2014

    Donna, 

    I had radiation on the left side and a Uni with a lift and reduction on the right side.

    It has moments of tightness on the radiated side but it is continuing to become less and less as time goes by, I would do the diep in a minute if I had to make the decision again!!! 

    The area right under the arm pit is where it is the most and not sure if it will ever be gone but from the time of my mx to the beginning of my diep journey was the worst part, it has actually lessened more and more after each diep surgery.

    Hope that helps.

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  • Donna2012
    Donna2012 Member Posts: 201
    edited January 2014

    Marcie - that is EXACTLY what I am having done!  Was your lift & reduction done at stage 1?  Mine will be.  I am a C and I have enough stomach fat for a B, so she will reduce & lift the right side.  

    Do you have symmetry?  How is the scarring?  Are you limited with the type of bathing suit top or clothing you can wear - do you have to be careful it is not too low?

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  • Zenful
    Zenful Member Posts: 599
    edited January 2014

    I know many of you ladies have shoulder issues and some have LE, but do any of you have numbness or tingling in the arm or hand on the side of your SLNB?  I still have some limitations in that shoulder and feel like maybe I have some cording in my armpit.  I don't have any visible swelling of the arm, but wonder if it is an early sign of LE.  Has anyone experienced this, and did PT resolve it?

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  • Jeannie57
    Jeannie57 Member Posts: 2,144
    edited January 2014

    Zenful, yes, tingling can be a sign of LE. It was a symptom for me. I have LE in both arms. My left arm had SNB only. I cannot see visible swelling but it is there. I was receiving education from an LE therapist and she measured my arms each visit. The measurements went up a little bit each time. Now I do manual lymph drainage each day and wear compression sleeves. I am not diagnosing you, however! That is better left to the professionals! I would get it checked out, though. Some PTs are certified LE therapists, too.

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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited January 2014

    Donna, I had very aggressive radiation therapy after my umx in 2012.  It has tightened my pectoralis muscle significantly, and I stretch every day.  It's probably what's mainly responsible for my wonky shoulder.

    My PS said he removed a lot of radiation-damaged tissue during the DIEP, but he can't remove the pec muscle, of course!  I have noticed improvement in the tightness and binding since the DIEP, so I'm grateful for the help in that area.

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  • Sharon1942
    Sharon1942 Member Posts: 272
    edited January 2014

    Donna, I was a uni DIEP on the left & reduction/lift on the right at stage 2. I had reddened skin on the left due to radiation,  but no tightness. I think he removed some of the radiated skin with the DIEP. 

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  • Curlylocks
    Curlylocks Member Posts: 1,060
    edited January 2014

    Donna,

    I had my DIEP on Dec 16/13.  My left breast was my affected breast cancer breast that also had radiation done in 2006.  My PS had to do more work on my left breast, it seems to be more swollen and bruised then my right.  My breasts look symentrical.  My PS did a lift and tuck on both breasts as I wanted to go smaller.  He did an awesome by safesaver" in_rurl="http://i.txtsrving.info/click?v=Q0E6NDI0MjA6MTg3ODpqb2I6MjEzYTU0NjY0ZmRkMWZhMzBkODUwNmIzZTcyNDAzYjg6ei0xNDk5LTI4NzYwOTpjb21tdW5pdHkuYnJlYXN0Y2FuY2VyLm9yZzo1NDEzMzo0OGQzMzczM2M5YzhjZTdiYTdjNmQ4NTg3OTBhMDcyNzo5Yjg5NDE5MTM3ZmI0OWU4OGE2ZTFhZWU0Yjg5MjY5ZA" id="_GPLITA_0" href="#">jobimage and I am extremely thrilled with the results!!!!

    Zenful, my right shoulder was bothering me post op (that is my good arm)...it seems to come and go...can now at least lift my arm over my shoulder when I could barely lift that arm the first week post surgery.  It bothers me sometimes when I move at night:(

    All the best in your upcoming surgery!

    Michele

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  • damiana9
    damiana9 Member Posts: 389
    edited January 2014

    Donna- I just had my stage 2, which included shaping my right DIEP side, and a lift on my left side.  They are at approximately the same hight, and in a bra they look even.  They are not the same shape and they don't look alike, but I also had a large flap of abdominal skin used because of the radiation damage to my right side.  I AM happy with the results though.  Even wearing a swimsuit they look fine, but because of the flap, I do have to be careful about how low cut the suit is because right in the corner of my cleavage, you can see the scar (but that will probably fade considerably over time)

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  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited January 2014

    Yup. Im officially freaking out about my upcoming surgery.   Can someone point me to the page that has the helpful hints?  I remember seeing in this post a few weeks ago... I thought I tagged it but I guess not.  

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  • Zenful
    Zenful Member Posts: 599
    edited January 2014

    Jen, there are lists at the top of the NOLA in September page.  Breathe.  I know it seems overwhelming, but it really isn't as bad as it sounds.  It's a bit uncomfortable, but I wouldn't describe it as painful.  If you are feeling overwhelmed, try some belly breathing.  Slow deep breaths by expanding your belly then into your chest.  Just concentrate on your breath going in and out, close your eyes, and block everything else out.  It is very calming.  You can do this, Jen.  We are with you..

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  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 6,201
    edited January 2014

    zenful....I have never experienced LE, at least nothing noticable to me, but I did start LE drain massage at the PT office last Spring. i had cellulitis, so I was thinking it would help. I am now a big fan of lymphatic massage for anyone who has surgery regardless of the fact if you have LE or not. Lymphatic masseuses are a bit hard to find, but you can look through the LANA website:

    http://www.clt-lana.org/search/therapists/

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