DIEP 2014

Options
1…4445474950…227

Comments

  • Beebop
    Beebop Member Posts: 206
    edited February 2014

    Can someone tell me where the picture forum is and how to access it?  I would love to see Kelly's pictures since I have a size difference as well.   

    Bella- I am glad you are enjoying our Winter Wonderland in Minnesota, but I sure hope you can escape soon! This cold is unbearable!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kelleyb
    kelleyb Member Posts: 94
    edited February 2014

    sbe and goldie, I had IBC and haven't ever met another women with it who wasn't node positive. Goldie, they didn't check your nodes before chemo & surgery?  sbe - how's your sister doing?

    So it's been almost a month since I had the ab incision revised (1/31) and I'm finally feeling good!  I can go up and down the steps like a normal person - no weird Frankenstein posture. The swath of black skin (necrosis) on my right breast is starting to come loose. I went to my first concert last night with the new breasts and wore jeans. I wore stretchy briefs and was comfy. Now to get to the gym and get a few pounds off.

    Curly - glad you empowered yourself on the hair front!  Dvy - congrats!

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

    Kelly, my path report was dcis with possible invasion.  I chose a bmx with sentinel biopsy on both sides because a subsequent breast MRI showed something suspicious on the other side.  All my biopsied nodes were negative, and I was able to avoid chemo.  I was very lucky in that respect.  My reconstruction has been my nightmare, and I am hoping that will be over very soon.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lemon68
    lemon68 Member Posts: 684
    edited February 2014

    Ridley- Thanks for your post. I agree with your thinking I probably would want my nipples to match too. My scar from lumpectomy is along the nipple, completely faded but I know its there. I also have a dimple from the rod jammed into my breast before lumpectomy which makes me think my tumor was deep.  I hope so I think from what I have learned from you all I will ask about the skin sparing. I go on Friday, I am getting excited to move forward and get a plan in place.

    Iahela- 15 hours.. wow, scary. I know we are asleep but still scary. I hope I can be as brave as you all have been. I noticed you had your ovaries removed also. I did also and I am really struggling with the SE from it. Did they last long for you? My estrogen was at almost 100%, I will be very interested to find out how much it has dropped since the surgery. Somedays I don't even feel like me anymore, big changes but I hope for a good reason.

    Curly- Your an inspiration! Congrats on the weight loss. Sorry you had to go though this twice, your attitude is wonderful and truly reminds me to put things into prospective. I hope your tx goes by quickly.

    Bellamomma- I hope you get to get home soon.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Donna2012
    Donna2012 Member Posts: 201
    edited February 2014

    Kelley - I think you meant me for the ibc...  I had a pet scan before chemo and my mo thought that 1 or 2 lymph nodes  lit up a little, but he said they could light up from my breast biopsy that was done the week prior.  None could be felt.  After chemo, my surgeon took out 15 lymph nodes, which were all negative.  She said that by looking at them she did not feel that they ever had cancer.  She said that if they had cancer and the chemo killed it, they would look different.  So I will never know for sure.  

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

    Lemon, I had a large, persistent cyst on my fallopian tube and the gyn-onc wanted both ovaries out just in case (strong family history) but I was perimenopausal so the difference it made wasn't huge. Femara is kicking my butt big time, though!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • iowagirl1
    iowagirl1 Member Posts: 130
    edited February 2014

    Beebop,  if you click on the breast construction forum , look for the picture  forum near the top of the page.  Just follow the directions there.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • GeorgieGirlKC
    GeorgieGirlKC Member Posts: 132
    edited February 2014

    Appreciate everyone who shared their stories about HRT/pill. SBElizabeth, I'm with you,  they better not come up with some scientific study in the future that shows leafy greens or exercise are causing cancer! It would be nice if something awesome like chocolate or wine prevented cancer!! Dyvgrl congrats on your date, that is so exciting! JMB5 that garment sounds awful! Zippers, velcro, eeks!! You will have to keep us posted on how that goes. Katski, Bella, Rosebud, continued prayers your way for gentle healing. :)

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

    GeorgieGirl, I choose to believe that both chocolate and wine prevent everything bad! As my ONC tells me repeatedly, it's all about quality of life because there's no point in quantity without quality - I agree with her wholeheartedly.  :)

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

    Lahela, I love your MO. She sounds wonderful.  It's true. Everything in moderation.  We beat cancer, why spend the rest of the time we have left being miserable.  No smoking, and no heavy drinking are the only big no no's.   The rest is just gravy.  A piece of chocolate, a glass of wine, a wonderful piece of pie....I am all over that!!!!  I eat my kale and I take my walks, and I have fake boobs, and I have scars , and I cried buckets, and  so if I want something fun I am going to have it.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SouthernGirl1974
    SouthernGirl1974 Member Posts: 86
    edited February 2014

    I wish there was a like button because I would like your post goldie

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

    damn right Goldie! 

    I posted pictures to the picture forum of results.  Also, a pic of this red area that has developed.  Any feedback would be welcomed.  

    Exhausted!

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

    jenjenl, I'm not in the picture forum so I can't see them, but is the red area in the breast that had radiation? I had an area on my radiated breast that got red and then hard. They treated it like an infection just to be safe and put me on antibiotics for 2 weeks, but they thought it was probably just the radiated breast not healing well because of the damage to it. The redness got a lot better, but it's still darker around and at the top of the flap, closer to my armpit. It's still hard by the armpit too. 

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

    Jenjen

    First let me say congraduations.  You look marvelous!! You are healing so well.  I see some discoloration on the top of the left boob (in the pic), but isn't it bruising, or brusing going away? 

    You should be thrilled with your results so far.  After stage 2 you are going to look perfect.  Your tummy looks amazing.  

    Of course, if you have concerns about anything at all you must call her PS.  Take no chances.

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

    Goldie, that was a fantastic post - uplifting. {{{hugs}}}

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • brendarj
    brendarj Member Posts: 72
    edited February 2014

    Janet M

    Thanks so much for the info I guess I better start being the squeaky wheel. We are planning a family vacation in Maui in November with our children and grandchildren and would so love to cleavage


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BellaMomma
    BellaMomma Member Posts: 77
    edited February 2014

    Going to be readmitted for IV antibiotics. My DH left on the 25th, after staying with me since Feb. 10th.  

    Okay, all you Minnesota gals, I love your wonderful hospitality-but it's time I went home. Say a prayer for me tonight girls, Cancer is tough, but I know who's in control of my life. God, thank you for all my many blessings.

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

    BellaMomma, I'll be praying for you, for sure! You are in the right place to get just the right care. I pray for quick, complete healing!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • iowagirl1
    iowagirl1 Member Posts: 130
    edited February 2014

    Prayers for you, Bellamomma.  It's no fun to be without your family at times like this.  I'm sure you'll  be better soon.

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

    jmb & goldie - It's not bruising. I would be suprised if an infection started now 5.5 post op and with an infection doesn't it normally spread?  I'm going to go see him on mon or tue it hasn't change (good or bad) since Monday.  I'm a little scared I won't lie.  

    So happy its the weekend, 1st week back was long. 

    Bella - goodness I hope you get better.  No fun!  We are here for you all sorts of hours. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lemon68
    lemon68 Member Posts: 684
    edited March 2014

    jenjenl- Thank you for posting your photos, you look wonderful!! I hope whatever the small area of concern is clears up for you.

    I got my date today May 5th at the Cleveland Clinic! I am eligible to do the nipple sparing on both breasts :) Thank you all for sharing and inspring me!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jbdayton
    jbdayton Member Posts: 700
    edited March 2014

    Glad you got a date.  Now you can plan and feel like you are making progress again.  

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

    Bella - praying for you that you can get out of Minnesota ASAP.   My husband and I spent the evening strategizing on where to move to.  Enough is enough.  Any Savannah gals out there?  That is at the top of our list.

    Met with the oncologist today for the results of the PET scan.   He does not see anything that would indicate a malignancy.  Thank The Lord!   He said it is not uncommon for nodes to show up after a surgery to the chest wall.   As for what has been making me so sick, it's a combination of things, but he suspects Tamoxifen may be playing a role.   I went off of it for 30 days before surgery and a couple weeks after.  It was around the time that I started taking it that I got really sick.   I am going to stop it immediately and hope I start to feel better.  I have to start work on Monday so need to get better fast.  Today was the first day in 6 weeks that I spent the day out of bed.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • annajo
    annajo Member Posts: 84
    edited March 2014

    fantastic Beebop!  Peace to you.

    BellaMomma, please take care and heal heal heal!

    Lots of Minnesota peeps here.  I won't be sorry to miss this great weather during my op... Tomorrow 7:30 am. Looking forward to being unconscious.

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

    annajo- Will be thinking of you tomorrow.  Praying everything goes well.  See you on the other side!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jbdayton
    jbdayton Member Posts: 700
    edited March 2014

    Annajo our thoughts and prayers will be with you tomorrow.  See you on the other side.  

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

    Annajo, excited for you. I hope everything goes well and you have steady, uncomplicated healing.

    BellaMomma, I would come visit you if I could! Prayers from Seattle.

    Beebop, what a relief that you are okay. I hope you really start feeling better this weekend and there is a medication you can take to continually whip cancer's butt.

    Lemon, it must feel good to have a sx date! 

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

    Annajo,

    Good luck tomorrow.  You are in all our prayers.  Hey, a Saturday surgery has to go well.  Everybody should be relaxed and ready to take on the task.

    Beebop, it is awful humid in Savannah. The Carolina's are nice.  Of course, there is always Florida, which I always call NY South. 

    Bella. I hope you are not too lonely without your DH, and that the antibiotics work quickly so you can go home.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jazlaumir
    jazlaumir Member Posts: 91
    edited March 2014

    Bella: prayers are with you for a speedy healing and recovery !

    Annajo: see you on the other side, best wishes and prayers!

    Beebop: I hope and pray that you get well soon! 

    Lemon68: congrats on getting ur date and the nipple sparing!

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

    Annajo, all the best for tomorrow! We'll be in your pockets!

    BellaMomma, sending healing thoughts your way!

    Lemon, congrats on your date!

    Jeannie, when I read your message to Lemon (it must feel good to have a sx date) I read "it must feel good to have a sex date"! LOL! My eyesight is deteriorating rapidly but at least it gives me laughs ;)

    Had my bone density scan yesterday and everything's great so I can continue with Femara.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories