DIEP 2014

Options
1…3031333536…227

Comments

  • Beebop
    Beebop Member Posts: 206
    edited February 2014

    nihahi - yes!  Saw the PS today and he could not see anything surgery related, so he sent me to my primary PA.   Chest X-ray was inconclusive but showed possible mild pneumonia or bronchitis, so stronger abx prescribed.  Labs showed anemia, I had a feeling and pushed for the labs.  He wants me to come back for iron studies.  How long did it take you to bounce back after taking the iron?

    Jmb - my symptoms have been cough, fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, chills. I have had terrible night sweats, but thinking it could be the Tamoxifen.  The PS had me off it for about 6 weeks.  The sweats were a symptom when I first started it, so thinking I have to go through the symptoms again now that I've started taking it again.  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jmb5
    jmb5 Member Posts: 532
    edited February 2014

    jenjen, that pretty much describes my radiated breast too. Hardening is on top and goes around under armpit. My PS didn't seem worried at all but I still am a little. That breast still has redness too. The other breast looks pretty good. I see my BS tomorrow so I'll see what she thinks. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2014

    I am about six weeks post stage II and saw my OT today. She was AMAZED at the difference in my flap! I had a couple of very large spots of fat necrosis and a thick band of scar tissue underneath the breast (also radiated). She was so happy they were able to remove them and make such huge improvement in the noob. Now we can work on my shoulder and pec without the ridiculously heavy stage I noob in the way. Very happy. She used KT tape on my shoulder again this time. She's the best. I am so fortunate to have her on my team :)

    I also saw the compounding pharmacist.....the compounding pharmacist proposes a compound solution to my compound problems lol!! My ps and my onc are on board, too! So tomorrow I will pick up my new prescription for healing up my little unhealed spots. I will let you know what is in it. I am not sure if he will have the scar scrip prepared or not.....that will be a product called Pracasil. And then there will be one more for the neuropathic pain in my radiated tissue. I will let you know how it goes!

    Love you all!

    B

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 3,841
    edited February 2014

    bailey....big, big hopes going out that these new strategies turn out to be the real "thing" for you.....you deserve some major progress in things!

    beebop....you sound pretty much like I did, at the same timeline. For the suspicious chest issues....I made myself stick to a plan of really focussing on my breathing whenever a commercial came on tv (I was watching alot of tv at that time....and I hate commercials). I tend to be a very shallow breather when asleep or just sitting around, so needed to pay attention for quite awhile post surgery, as my lungs are my achilles heal. 

    The anemia for me was similar to your's....weakness, fatigue, and just could NOT get warm, beyond expectation of the surgery. I think it took about 2 to 3 weeks before I started to notice things were better. Blood tests showed it took awhile to get me up to within normal ranges. It is tough on the tummy at first, though, and if you're also on antibiotics, (which could be the loss of appetite thing), maybe ask your Pharmacist how best to manage tummy upsets. Hope you're feeling better soon.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 3,841
    edited February 2014

    zenful....hope all went well today, and you are resting comfortably.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jeannie57
    Jeannie57 Member Posts: 2,144
    edited February 2014

    yes, Zenful! Thinking of you!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jeannie57
    Jeannie57 Member Posts: 2,144
    edited February 2014

    TGIF-----Thank God It's Fippleday!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 3,841
    edited February 2014

    looking for updates from zenful and kelleyb? Sending hugs and positive vibes that everything is going well.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TBerg
    TBerg Member Posts: 27
    edited February 2014

    Beebop, sorry you feel bad...I do feel like I was hit by a truck too, but I'm not as far out as you. Are you achy, tired, or do you hurt? 

    Lahela, thsnks for the info...I had a complication from the radiation and the wonderful TE's so I think my scars are pretty unique!

    Teach, I bounced back pretty quickly after my "cancerectomy"..cool word, btw, and I hope to from this one as well...but I think it's going to take a bit longer. It's been a lot harder for me to move with the abdominal incision...I'm pretty stubborn, though, so I know I'll get there..eventually. Good  luck on youtr surgery. If you haven't already, read the rest of this thread and even into 13 for a lot of good information. I didn't post much, I mostly just read, but I learned a lot and feel like I know these ladies...now that I'm sitting home from work trying to heal, I have a little more time to respond. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lahela
    lahela Member Posts: 515
    edited February 2014

    Yay Jeannie!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jmb5
    jmb5 Member Posts: 532
    edited February 2014

    Saw my BS today for the first time since surgery. She seemed very concerned about the look if my "angry boob" as I now call it. I told her that the PS didn't seem very concerned on Tuesday and thought it was because of damage from radiation. BS said maybe it was some cellulitis. She took a picture with her phone and texted it to PS. I'm waiting to hear back from one of them. They have me on a second round of antibiotics. 

    Hope the girls who had surgery this week are doing well. Been thinking about all of you healing in other parts of the country... and world. Hugs!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Beebop
    Beebop Member Posts: 206
    edited February 2014

    tberg - Achy, tired, hurt, cold, coughing, loss of appetite.   Just went for more labs to see if they can figure out what is causing the anemia.  I want to get this fixed so I can start to feel better!   I had to have a blood tranfusion during chemo and I remember feeling so much better right away.   I don't think my #s are low enough to need a tranfusion this time though.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Zenful
    Zenful Member Posts: 599
    edited February 2014

    Had surgery yesterday and feeling pretty good.  I took my first walk after lunch, and the dang hip drain is annoying. I have one drain in each breast and one in the right hip.  I am hoping to have them all removed at my postop on Monday. I am getting ready to take a shower, so I will get my first look at everything, but the girls from the top view look nice and perky.  I'm not sure if it is the lipo or the butt lift that is causing the pain, but the pain isn't as bad as I thought it would be.  My doctor told me I would be swim suit ready and "slick as a race car". Love him. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jeannie57
    Jeannie57 Member Posts: 2,144
    edited February 2014

    Zenful, so good to hear you're doing we'll!

    I have nippleage! I got nipples, veins cauterized, necrosis lipo'd and I watched most of it, piece of cake!! The nipples look so real. My lipo'd boob hurts already from the digging around but hoping it doesn't get too bad. My PS wanted universal parenting advice so I told him, "Relax," not knowing his issues. It turned out to be good advice. The whole thing took three hours. Unfortunately I was so hydrated I had to stop after one nipple so I could pee! So, fresh set of drapes, re-sanitized me, etc.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Zenful
    Zenful Member Posts: 599
    edited February 2014

    Yay for nipples, Jeannie!  I had NS, so I can only guess how joyful you must feel to be complete. So, so happy for you. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jmb5
    jmb5 Member Posts: 532
    edited February 2014

    Yay zenful and yay Jeannie! Hope you both continue to heal and feel good. 

    Beebop, hope they can figure things out and you feel better soon. My blood counts were a little off and my BS told me to eat more greens and red meat for the iron. I called my mom and asked her to make me a spinach/strawberry salad with her homemade dressing. She said yes. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 3,841
    edited February 2014

    yeah jeannie!!! So glad it went well. Hope things don't get too uncomfortable for you.

    zenful....you sound great too! Glad to hear the drains will be short lived.

    jmb....did you ever hear back about possible cellulitis? That's nothing to drag the feet on!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jmb5
    jmb5 Member Posts: 532
    edited February 2014

    Nahahi, they are treating it like cellulitis and I started a new antibiotic tonight. They aren't sure it is though. The PS still seems to think it might just be from the damage from radiation. The skin is a darker red, but it hasn't gotten worse through this week, so who knows. PS is out next week but I have an appointment with her PA on Tuesday. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2014

    Jeannie - crossed the finish line and wide awake, to boot! Great job! I hope your pain is short-lived!

    Zen- you sound like you are doing well :) I hope your shower revelations were awesome! 

    Jmb - sorry you are going through this uncertainty with the possible infection and differences of opinion. 

    Prayers for all!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jeannie57
    Jeannie57 Member Posts: 2,144
    edited February 2014

    I am not too uncomfortable today, Nihahi, thanks. I am supposed to massage the lipo'd area but that won't happen until it's less sore. I am more tired than I expected but that is typical for me.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited February 2014

    Jeannie, so glad you got your nipples.  You would think that with so much hydration they would have put in a catheter. Is your foob bruised from the lipo?  I can't imagine having to massage it.  The little bit of lipo I had with my implants was torture.

    JMB, keeping my fingers crossed your issue resolves itself soon.  Hang in there. 

    Zen, glad you are feeling pretty good.  Those drains are so annoying.  I would bet anything it's the lipo that is making you sore.  I love your surgeon, "swimsuit ready!"

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jeannie57
    Jeannie57 Member Posts: 2,144
    edited February 2014

    Goldie, I was just in an exam room. No catheters there. The bathroom was five steps away, it just meant cleaning me up again, new sterile field, etc. I'm glad I was hydrated well and I'm glad my doc was understanding. I don't want my lumpiness  to return so I'll have to figure out how to massage that ouchy area soon.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited February 2014

    Are drains common for stage 2?  

    Jmb- any changes? 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited February 2014

    jenjen, it depends on what you have done.  If it's fairly invasive like Zens butt lift, then yes.  If it's just lipo and nipples. then no.

    Jeannie, I guess you're right. No point.  If you were a man they could have handed you one of the pee bottles.  No fair!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Chinabound13
    Chinabound13 Member Posts: 3
    edited February 2014

    Hi Everyone--I'm a bit late to this thread. I had my DIEP surgery on 1/15/14 so I am 3 1/2 weeks post op. I wanted to ask how much pain others are having post-op. I am still having a fair amount of pain. I am taking Oxycodone/Acetominophen 10/325 every 5 hours or so during the day. Pain is getting better, but my PS feels I am having more pain than most. I am getting stronger but I am still napping for 2-3 hours each afternoon. I am just curious what others are experiencing.

    Thank you.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sweetpickle
    sweetpickle Member Posts: 749
    edited February 2014

    Congrats Jeannie!

    jenjen- I had two drains in stage two for the foobs but they came out pretty fast.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lahela
    lahela Member Posts: 515
    edited February 2014

    Chinabound, I took Tramadol regularly for about 4 weeks after, then on occasion when needed. I'm also a pain sufferer. 

    Jeannie, congrats on the nips!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2014

    Chinabound - welcome to the thread! Based on what women have shared here recovery rates are on a broad spectrum. I think what you're saying about where you are at is definitely within the lines of what others have said. Pain is different for everyone. 

    Hugs!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited February 2014

    chinabound, You haven't said where your pain is located.  If you had a bmx with your diep you would probably have more pain than somebody who had delay diep.  I have not had my diep yet, but I did have my bmx, and that was no cake walk.  I can't imagine having both done together.  Well, I can, because that is what I would have preferred, but I know the pain level can be difficult. Take your meds, and your naps.  No shame in that.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 3,841
    edited February 2014
    • February 10... KaseyAnne... stage 2 - NOLA
    • February 11... BellaMomma... right MX/stage I DIEP - Mayo Clinic (Dr. Saint-Cyr)
    • February 12... BetNY22... stage I DIEP - NOLA (Dr. Massey)

    Successful surgeries and gentle healing to the ladies of the week. 

    kelleyb....you've been very quiet since your recent surgery, I pray that means things are ok, and you are resting and heaing.

    chinabound....as bailey says, pain is a very individual thing, and has nothing to do with how "strong or brave" you are....it's just how your body reacts to things. At your stage, afternoon naps are more the norm, imo! Don't try to push yourself beyond your pain limits...it won't really accomplish anything. Figure out what or how much you can do within a pain "tolerable zone", and work within that. As time goes on, you will find your "zone" gets bigger. 

    jenjen..... Stage 2 usually means breast flap revision and/or ab incision revision. How much work is done, your previous hx post surgery, and your own PS's protocols are the deciding factor about drains. If things like seromas or hematomas are part of the "fix", than drains are even more likely.

    bailey....by my reckoning...you were posting in the very wee hours of the morning! What's up girl????

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories