DIEP 2014

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

    it's on this page! She says take stool softeners (Colace)morning and night, I think a couple of days before surgery. Chug down Miralax and Metamucil at night.

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  • Donna2012
    Donna2012 Member Posts: 201
    edited January 2014

    when did you get the "okay" to start to straighten & stretch your stomach after surgery?  I will, of course, follow what my ps tells me to do, but I was just curious...

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  • lahela
    lahela Member Posts: 515
    edited January 2014

    Donna, I wasn't allowed to do anything until my binder came off, about 6 weeks.

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  • Donna2012
    Donna2012 Member Posts: 201
    edited January 2014

    6 weeks!  I can't last like this that long!  I will see what my ps says.  I don't have a binder - did you get one right after surgery, or later on?

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  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited January 2014

    Donna I don't have a binder either but I must say it really seems like you are rushing everything.  Your body will tell you when you can stretch it a little bit further. 

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  • Beebop
    Beebop Member Posts: 206
    edited January 2014

    Donna - I had a binder on when I woke up from surgery.   I hate it, and got the ok from my ps to take it off at night.  I didn't wear it much over the weekend because I wasn't feeling well and noticed yesterday I seem to be tighter and more sore than I was.   It seems to help me to stand up straighter.  I wonder if you ask your PS about the binder, it might help?  Just a thought.

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  • lahela
    lahela Member Posts: 515
    edited January 2014

    I woke up in a binder. As much as I felt more comfortable in general when it came off for showers, it did help my back. I was incredibly stooped over because my belly was so tight and the binder provided some support.

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  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 3,841
    edited January 2014

    goldie....remember, everyone's body is different. I never did any bowel stuff pre or post surgery the first time, and I was on the verge of "the runs", once things started moving. Just recently with stage 2, I plugged shut for about 3 or 4 days. Talk to your PS, when you are closer to your date. 

    donna....I agree, imho, you are trying to rush things. Recovery from this is NOT something you can force your way through. First, you need to get some guidelines from your surgeon. Everyone's post surgical instructions differ a bit, and I believe it is because each PS knows what he did, what his closure techniques are, the specifics of how tightly YOU were pulled, etc. etc. etc. If your back is a big issue, ask for a muscle relaxant, as that will help. 

    I was pulled quite tightly, and was told to straighten up as I could, that pain would not let me "overdo" it. I found that once all my drains were out, it was easier to straighten, but also found that wearing an "off the rack" compression garment really helped my back feel better, and helped me be more confident about straightening up. Getting straight too soon, is not the main goal, even though we all understand the frustration and discomfort of the bent over position. I found that I did better with standing straighter, by gradually lessening the amount of "bend" I was using while lying down, after about 2 weeks post op. If you cannot bear to be less bent while lying down, you will not be successful at forcing yourself to stand any straighter when up on your feet. Patience, lady, patience!!!!!

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

    Constipation is a big issue for many of us, because so much of our treatment results in a stalled gut!  First, chemo can cause extreme constipation (as it did for me) because of the anti-nausea drugs. Surgery is almost a given for constipation.  The combo of anesthesia, anti-nausea meds, narcotic pain meds, and immobility, are a set-up for never-poop-again-itis.  I developed my recipe when I was in chemo, and didn't "go" after the first round for six days.  I was miserable.  So here's my own technique:

    • Starting two days before surgery, start taking 1 colace (stool softener) morning and night.
    • The afternoon of the day before surgery, chug a bottle of mag citrate, followed by a quart of water or Gatorade.  You should experience a reasonable complete bowel clean-out.
    • The night after sugery (assuming you're home, and not an inpatient), take your colace, and mix two tablespoons Metamucil (a fiber supplement) with a capful of Miralax (an osmotic laxative) in 8 ounces of water, and chug it down.
    • Keep up the colace twice a day, and the Metamucil/Miralax cocktail nightly, until you're moving your bowels normally. 
    • If any of this gives you stools that are too loose, back off on the Metamucil/Miralax.
    • If it's too late and NOTHING is working, either chug another bottle of mag citrate or send someone to the store for a Fleets enema.  It's low-volume, easy to administer to yourself, and works in an emergency.
    • If it's REALLY too late, see if your state requires a permit to purchase dynamite. 
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  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 3,841
    edited January 2014

    hey, sbe......guess I'm just an abnormal "pooper" !

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

    Hahahah...Nihani, feel free to be the "outlyer"!  Actually, after I had armed my sister with my recipe before her first chemo, she wound up having diarrhea and chucked the whole plan.  We are all so different.  But my own body reacts to almost anything out of the ordinary by clenching down on the intestinal process.  In fact, when I get home after being out-of-town, I always have to head to the water closet immediately--I think my bee-hind can recognize the porcelain in my own bathroom!

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

    Geez, all this constipation talk brings back memories.  I took my ambulance ride because it was too late. My body was cramping trying to pass a softball. I will love the nurse who helped me until the day I die. I don't remember the experience of the hospital-sized enema because...Wilbur took me away!

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  • littlesara11
    littlesara11 Member Posts: 20
    edited January 2014

     Have you tried prune juice? My BF has problems with regularity and since I suggested prune juice daily he has had no further issues.

    If you are on pain meds they will cause this problem. Try a mild lax. like Senacote (spelling??)

    Good luck

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  • Donna2012
    Donna2012 Member Posts: 201
    edited January 2014

    going tomorrow to get 2 out of 4 drains out! So happy.  According to my "drain log" I thought I'd have 3 removed, as they aren't putting out much fluid at all.  However, the nurse said that they will never remove 2 from the same location at the same time.  So, I will just get 1 hip & 1 breast drain removed - still good.  I will ask tomorrow about whether I need a binder & when I will be able to try and straighten up.  

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  • Beebop
    Beebop Member Posts: 206
    edited January 2014

    interesting Donna that they won't take out 3.   I had 3 of mine out with one left in my abdomen for a few more days.  It amazes me how different all the Doctors are.

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

    SBE, I have now cut and paste your constipation recipe into my computer.  One day somebody is going to go into my documents, and wonder what the heck would anybody have a recipe like that. I wish one of you lived closer and we could go in on the giant three pack of Miralax at Costco. 

    Donna, take your time.  You will get there.  Have you been on the 2013 thread today?  Did you see poor Zoemom tummy.  I am not saying she pushed herself.  What has happened to her is awful, and I feel terrible for her, but if you push yourself that could be you too.  I had music teacher when I was a kid that had a saying, "slow is fast, and fast is slow."  As I got older and made some big mistakes that really set me back, because I was in a hurry.  I finally got it.  Take your time, learn it right the first time, and you won't have to do it all over again. That saying works in so many situations, even this tedious recuperation from the diep.

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  • MartyJ
    MartyJ Member Posts: 1,859
    edited January 2014

    Goldie - it was KelleyB's incision, not Zoemom's.  Her problem did not come from pushing herself - that happens to the best of us even if we stay curled in a ball.

    Donna - I so understand your desire to get this thing behind you.  My surgeon also suggests taking only 1 drain from each location at a time.  She said that often the output from the remaining drain goes up and by leaving it in a few days longer there is less of a chance at getting a seroma that would have to be drained.

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  • Moviemaniac
    Moviemaniac Member Posts: 949
    edited January 2014

    Donna....what everybody else is saying, sister!  Don't be in such a hurry to get back to your "normal"......DIEP is a surgery where the recuperation can NOT be hurried......you will just put extra stress on YOUR body, which it DOES NOT NEED right now, as it is VERY busy trying to heal you from the inside out.   Take a look at Zoemom's photo in the 2013 thread. (I am sure that pushing too much was not her issue.....but it can and does happen...  THAT was ME (mine was 2x worse). DO NOT RUSH THIS...........let your BODY tell you when it is ready.  ( and get a binder....it really does help ease the back pain.....and muscle relaxants, too!)  Hang in there, Grasshopper....this, too, shall soon be a distant memory......

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

    Marty, I guess I got the name wrong on the tummy incision pic, but I did say I didn't think it was from pushing herself.  I had my breast incision open after bmx, and that had nothing to do with overdoing.  It just happens.  I just wanted to encourage Donna not to overdo, because look what can happen even if you don't.

    Sorry, Donna.  I guess it is Kellyb.  Either way, healing prayer's are being sent her way. 

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  • Moviemaniac
    Moviemaniac Member Posts: 949
    edited January 2014

    Jeez...I did too...sorry Zoemom....brain fart here.....It was Kelley....but hers not due to trying to do too much....she had an infection....as did I, but I WAS trying too hard to get back to my "normal"......now I am aware that I am NOT normal....and probably never was.....

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  • LucyV
    LucyV Member Posts: 177
    edited January 2014

    just caught up and hope everyone is pooping, sleeping well and their belly button is in place!

    Hope you don't think we are picking on you Donna! We just want you to have a nice recovery!

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  • Donna2012
    Donna2012 Member Posts: 201
    edited January 2014

    just saw the pic on diep 2013 thread - looks painful, ouch!   (((((Kelley)))))) hope you heal soon! 

    Thanks for the concern but, I am definitely not pushing myself.  I sleep well each night and am remaining totally hunched over as to not put pressure on the incision (as instructed).  I take care of the drains, keep my drain log & am taking my antibiotic as prescribed & putting an ointment on all incisions 2x each day.   I spend most of my day on a recliner with my feet propped.  Mentally, I feel fine - am not tired and don't have much pain.  I have actually completed part of my 2013 federal tax return today, from my recliner!   My husband works from home, so he will get me anything I want, whenever I want (which is great).  I am not reaching high or low for anything or lifting anything with any weight.  My incisions looks great (keeping my fingers crossed!).  

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  • bluewillowskys
    bluewillowskys Member Posts: 365
    edited January 2014

    Has anyone had a DIEP /BMX in a Wisconsin hospital other than at Froedtert? I fo so who was your doctor and what was your outcome?

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

    There's a hospital in Wisconsin named Froedtert?  Wow...

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

    Had my oncologist appointment today...unfortunately I am doing chemo again starting Feb 11/14.  This time 4 rounds of TC - Taxotore and Cytoxan (sp?) .  I will also need one neulesta injection after each round.

    The chemo I had in 2005/6 really messed up my veins in my good arm so I have to get a Pic line inserted next Wednesday.  I also have to have a CT scan, bone scan and chest X-ray as this cancer is invasive and triple negative (er/pr-,her2-) to make sure the little buggars haven't set up shop somewhere else in my body.  

    I am going to cut my hair short...sigh...I just finished growing it past my shoulders and will be ordering some head gear online.  

    On a positive news front, saw my PS yesterday and he is really pleased with my healing..doesn't want to see me for another 6 months.

    I am a little sad and feeling sorry for myself tonight.  I hate cancer!

    Michele

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

    Donna, I hope it didn't seem like we were ganging up on you.  We just all care.  We have all seen too many people who hurt themselves, or had set backs from over doing, or not. Glad you are doing so well.  You are SO lucky to have your husband home with you everyday.  What a blessing.  Mine will be taking off from work again. 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2014

    Curly ...the good thing is having a plan...that always makes me feel better when I have a plan.

    In the meantime huddle up and I will be sad with you tonight....that way you won't be alone. Got your back, sista.

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

    http://www.ted.com/talks/deborah_rhodes.html

    Interesting, and worth a watch. 

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  • bluewillowskys
    bluewillowskys Member Posts: 365
    edited January 2014

    SBE: yes , apparently its in the Milwaukee area and Ive heard from a lot of WI women that they have very good results, but they dont accept my insurance 

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

    Michelle, I will make a threesome with you and Bailey.  We will be sad tonight, but just long enough to grieve the loss of your hair and the fact that you're obliged to endure this next chemo speedbump.  Then...it's big-girl knickers for us. 

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