DIEP 2013

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  • Morningsun1
    Morningsun1 Member Posts: 649
    edited January 2014

    kelly, my ab incision opened up long and wide and it took a long time to heal, but it never looked black like yours does. My ps was on top of it as soon as it started leaking a bit, so it was not infected. Hope your trip back to NOLA will have it all taken cared of. 

    I went for my one year post-op appointment at the BS's office and was seen by a nurse practitioner. She happens to be a 17 year BC survivor, and she has worked for my BS (a big shot here in PGH) for many years and she is very knowledgeable about after care. She told me in my case, no imaging will be necessary unless visible abnormal spot appears on the surface (due to skin and nipple sparing). She told me to keep my eyes on all breast skin and incisions. When reading my chart, she was surprised that my ps could make two flaps from my tummy. When she got to see them, she wowed and said that I was "the poster child of..." That made my day. I asked her to recommend my ps to patients she sees in the future and she said for sure. The next step was pre-op clinic for my upcoming scar revision surgery. The doc doing medical clearance made it a really fun experience for me.

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  • FierceBluebird
    FierceBluebird Member Posts: 758
    edited January 2014

    Kelley, my breast incision did that as well. It was open 5 inches by 2 inches wide. My PS was able to clean it out and restitch it but it took a looooong time to heal. But it will heal. The incision was pretty hideous afterwards, but this last surgery I had he cleaned it up beautifully and made a near perfect small thin incision.  I couldn't believe he would be able to make that mess go away but he did. Hang in there! 

    I had a tissue expander put in and the scars cleaned up. I'll be getting a gummy bear implant this time around. No more cutting body parts for me. I just don't do well with surgery and hate the numb feeling left behind. Even with the tissue expander my right breast looks so much better than my flap side. Kind of wish I had gone with implants instead. But you live and learn and if I had a better outcome the first time I'm sure I'd be feeling happy with flaps. I am grateful that there are many options for women to choose from and gifted surgeons who can make it happen.  You just need the strength and determination to find what works best for you.

    Yay Tammy! Always nice to have a positive checkup and experience. 

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  • Morningsun1
    Morningsun1 Member Posts: 649
    edited January 2014

    Hey blue and Marty,

    gung hay fat choi -- 恭喜发财！

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  • FierceBluebird
    FierceBluebird Member Posts: 758
    edited January 2014

    心想事成 - xin xiang shi cheng

    May all your wishes come true! 

    This is going to be a great New Year! 

    image

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  • Morningsun1
    Morningsun1 Member Posts: 649
    edited January 2014

    Love it, blue!

    May all your wishes come true, flappers!

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  • Moviemaniac
    Moviemaniac Member Posts: 949
    edited January 2014

    Blue...so happy that you are happy!  You deserve it, after the hell you have been through......I hope things continue to be very positive for you!  XO

    Kelley.....I had abdominal dehiscence(sp?) that was over twice as long, and twice as wide.  It went clear down to the muscle......PS cleaned it out, and I was on heavy duty antibiotics and antifungals for over 3 weeks.  I had to pack it twice daily with wet to dry saline-soaked curly gauze. (I confess, I couldn't deal with it....DH had to do it for me)  As soon as the infection cleared up COMPLETELY, PS re-sutured me, and overall healing went quickly for me.  This ugly scar was revised in Stage 2.  I just have to say, looking back on it, even with ALL my complications, I would do it over, again, in a heartbeat!  This is a minor setback in the scope of things, and better there, than on your foobs......good luck, and keep us posted!

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  • LucyV
    LucyV Member Posts: 177
    edited January 2014

    bluebird- so happy for you!

    Zoemom- geez. Well I'm glad you are in good hands . This has got to be the last complication!!! No more allowed!

    Kelleyb- best of luck with your flight tomorrow and we will be thinking of you Friday. 

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  • christina0001
    christina0001 Member Posts: 1,491
    edited January 2014

    Wow Kelley, no advice from me, I just hope that this surgeon can help you heal.

    I'm so grateful for my recon results, and it breaks my hear that so many have not only had to deal with cancer, but then such a bumpy road during recon. I hope everyone heals well as we move forward...

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  • lahela
    lahela Member Posts: 515
    edited January 2014

    I'm coughing again and the tearing pain in the ab scar is getting worse, I can't even roll over in bed. Made an appointment to see the PS tomorrow... and wasn't that a treat, trying to explain in French to the nurse! On the up side, she should have access to my bone scan/CT report by now so I might not have to wait until Monday for that (I'm planning on it being good) news.

    *bump, bump, bump down the road*

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

    Kelley, Lahela, my heart goes out to you both.  Healing hugs (((()))).

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

    Is it possible that I am dependent on hydrocodone?  I have only been taking one at night to help the discomfort and help me sleep.  I noticed it wasn't doing anything anymore so last night I didn't take one.  I feel awful today.  Very cranky.  I am glad nobody is home because I would be terrible to be around.  I yelled at the dog for no reason. Crap.  I wonder how long this will last?  

    Kelly, any news.  You on your way to NOLA?  

    Lahela, bless your heart.  You need a break!!!  I am so sorry.

    Zoemom...how goes it today?

    Curly, you are going to kick butt. 

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  • LucyV
    LucyV Member Posts: 177
    edited January 2014

    Lahela- we will be bumping down the road with you tomorrow! Hope it is only good news on all fronts!

    Goldie- how long have you been taking it? It could be a little withdrawal. Maybe your doc can switch you to something else since you have grown tolerant to it also. Hope you start feeling better soon.

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  • Donna2012
    Donna2012 Member Posts: 201
    edited January 2014

    christina,  I wanted to thank you for posting your pics on the picture forum.  You seem to most closely resemble me, compared to the others.  I am 6 days post-op and am very pleased with my results so far.  I think I am going to look great!  If I had not known what to expect ahead of time, I may have been horrified with my appearance  now - bloating, swelling, bruising, etc....  Since I expected all of this, I can look past it and  have a good idea of what my end result will be.  

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

    Thanks, Lucy. I have tramadol, but it doesn't make you sleepy at all.  I just want off all of it for now.  I am going to try to live with just tylenol.  I am afraid when I have my diep that I will have such a high tolerance for all of it that nothing will work when I need it.  Just trying to plan ahead. If this is the worst I will feel coming off them, then it won't be too bad.  LOL...my family will get the worst of it with my very bad attitude.  If I feel worse tomorrow, or later I might call my doc.

    Yeah, Donna.  Glad you are liking your results.

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  • christina0001
    christina0001 Member Posts: 1,491
    edited January 2014

    donna - six days post-op and already pleased with your results! Woo hoo!!!!!!!!!!!! Hang in there, the next 2-3 weeks may be rough but the end results are worth it. Take care of yourself right now, don't overdo it. :)

    goldie, yeah we have to be careful with those pain meds, I don't blame you for stopping. It will pass... if you are cranky for a few days, oh well! Retail therapy helps me unwind! :)

    Happy Friday all!!! My nipple is healing well. I still have steristrips all around it. DH took a fairly close look last night and was very impressed, and said "Wow, it even looks like it has a little hole in the middle!" and it does look that way. We are just so impressed with the fact that it looks like a "real" nipple! I can't wait until the steristrips are off (I see PS on Wednesday and any that have not fallen off, she will take off), and of course tattooing, too. Although right now at least, the nipple is pink and pretty darn close to the color of my other side. But it'll probably look weird once the steristrips are off and there's no areola.

    Lahela, how did your appointment with your PS go?

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  • lahela
    lahela Member Posts: 515
    edited January 2014

    Saw a resident who agrees that I've probably torn the scar tissue or separated it from the surrounding tissue. An attending came in (not my PS) and was going on about nerve regeneration pain, but the intern booked me in for an ultrasound next Wednesday because he knows that I know what I feel! So the off-road dirt bike ride (I think that's more descriptive of this particular bumpy road) continues!

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  • LucyV
    LucyV Member Posts: 177
    edited January 2014

    Goldie- how are you feeling?

    Christina- that nipple sounds nice and pretty! Yay!

    Lahela- we will put our helmets on for the ride.

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  • kelleyb
    kelleyb Member Posts: 94
    edited January 2014
    Labels, glad you got the ultrasound scheduled!  Donna, glad you're happy with the results!!  Goldie, I went off the hydrocodone, it felt like I was having an issue with it so I went to extra strength Tylenol.
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  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited February 2014

    Christina, funny you should talk about retail therapy.  I did that yesterday.  Got some really cute stuff cheap at one of those spontaneous 50 percent off sales at the Loft.  Glad your nipple is looking so cute.  Your DH cracks me up examining it so closely.  I love it.

    Lucy, thanks for asking.  I finally took 1/2 of one today.  I got way too mean.  I will slowly taper off over the next two week. Probably healthier that way.

    Kellyb, thanks for asking about me, what about you? How's it going with the tummy?

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  • christina0001
    christina0001 Member Posts: 1,491
    edited February 2014

    lol "I got way too mean." Goldie I can't imagine you being mean!

    Getting my hair done today (3rd time since chemo Happy) and going shoe shopping! I have a new dress and it desperately needs a pair of red heels to go with it. I can't wait to try on every pair of red shoes at the mall. Loopy

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

    Go, Christina, go! I hope you have a really great day! 

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  • Sharon1942
    Sharon1942 Member Posts: 272
    edited February 2014

    Found this pic to represent all the "incidentalomas" encountered on the breast cancer reconstruction journey. 

    image

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  • FierceBluebird
    FierceBluebird Member Posts: 758
    edited February 2014

    Sharon, love it!!!

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

    Christina, of course I get mean.  Don't we all once in a while.  I just wish it was from something normal like the old days, like PMS.  I would trade all this for a good week of PMS...lol    If you get some great shoes make sure you post a pic.

    Sharon, love it!!!!!!

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  • Kat-ski
    Kat-ski Member Posts: 212
    edited February 2014

    Question?  How do you get up and move about after having both breasts done with a DEIP?  Does the hospital make sure you can get up and move on your own before releasing?  Just wondering out loud here.  

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  • Kat-ski
    Kat-ski Member Posts: 212
    edited February 2014

    Sharon, love the picture of the graph!!  Thanks for sharing. 

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

    kat... absolutely

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  • Ridley
    Ridley Member Posts: 634
    edited February 2014

    Kat-ski - is your question how to physically get up?  In the hospital, you can move your bed up to sitting and then swing your legs over the side and stand.  I was up walking on day 3, first with help from the nurse, but then started to manage on my own pretty quickly. I'm sure I had to be moving before I was discharged.  At home, I slept in a recliner for the first couple of weeks, so just moved it to sitting and stood up.  Once I moved to a bed, I swung my legs over the side and used that power to sit up with a little help from my elbows or arms.  Not graceful, but it works:)

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited February 2014

    kat ski. They had me up and out of the bed the first day after surgery.  Then by day 3 they wanted "substantial" walking...so I did a lap around the floor. Thankfully  it was not timed!  The more walking the better.

    Pat

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  • Moviemaniac
    Moviemaniac Member Posts: 949
    edited February 2014

    Kat, they will make sure you are able to get up on your own, and will help you find the way that works the best for you, under the circumstances....don't worry.

    Sharon.....I love your chart!  So true!

    Goldie.....I'm sorry, but your post made me laugh out loud.....can't imagine you being "mean"......

    Christina, I hope you enjoyed your "retail therapy" day........

    XO

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