DIEP 2014

Loose, comfortable clothes to go home. I lived for my Burt's Bees mango flavor lip balm. The nurse put it on all that first night when I was so dry. Have a pillow for the trip home. I had pain med before leaving and didn't mind any bumps in the road.

April 9 is a great day. Originally, my date was April 8 but I didn't want to spend anniversary in hospital because our anniversary is the 9th and dr agreed. 

k79, I think that could be an oxymoron. Comfortable underwire?

I have a Wacoal bra but it is very expensive. The fabric is so soft, though.

kookoo621

The one thing I took, and highly recommend, 2 little homemade pillows measuring about 8x8 square.  They were filled with polyfil.  I  wish I had them in the hospital to hold to my abdomen to cough(the bed pillow as too big to do that easily).  I did have them for seatbelt usage (one between abdomen and set belt and one between chest and shoulder harness.   Los used them in need...sometimes under n elbow, to get me z"just right" and other times under my head..sorta under, more to the side, in order to get comfy.

Also recommend Biotene gum.  Mouthwash very dry after surgery, in fact I gave some to. A Friend after her non- breast surgery and she was VERY greatful.

And final thing, I found a must have was a shower chair, preferably with a handheld shower.  I picked up my shower chair at a church tag sale for $5.  Best investment I made.

Wishing you the best.

Pat

Kat ski, it's just going to get better and better from here.  You will see.

Teacher, glad it turned out to be nothing to worry about.  Massage away!!!!

Lemon, I am doing the count down too!!!  So nervous.

On top of everything else,  haven't worked in a year.  Tomorrow is the anniversary of my mastectomy... ugh.  Anyway, I get a call out of no where, and it's a job offer.  Now?!!!!!!!  I went to the interview today, and they are willing to wait for me!  The wife, and husband interviewed me together (small insurance agency), and she just finished chemo for stage 4, and is doing great.  They were very open, and talked about their experience, and they are willing to wait for me.  OMG!!!  The best part.  I get to work from home most of the time, and it's part time, which is what I want at this point.

Etoile - Good luck today. I hope the nurses are not on strike and your surgery goes ahead.  See you on the flap side. 

Ridley

Zen, laughed at idea of "comfortable" underwire.

Jeannie, I wore Wacoal in the before days. I agree, costly, but pretty.

Lahela, six months no underwire? I could go the rest of my life without them! Thankfully, I am and will be much smaller when finished so maybe there will be more choices.

Goldie, congratulations on the job.It sounds like you are going to be with good people. I have chosen to think of THAT day as "cancerectomy" because docs put too much emphasis on body parts removed, while I choose to concentrate on the ridding of cancer. My wonderful PS and his staff are working to make me whole again. Yeah, it's not the same, but I'm looking at less sag and a flatter belly, and still no C.

Etiole, I hope you are sleeping peacefully today while everyone around you works.

Today I have permission to get on the treadmill. Sure I won't last long but it's a start.

Be well today.

Hello everyone,

I have been reading and feel so much better and prepared for Diep. Thank you all for being so open and sharing your experiences and pictures. I officially feel that I can post here now, that I am scheduled next month, still 51 days away and counting. I am setting a schedule to do things weekly to get the house and kids ready.  I am doing my best to eat well and exercise as I get past the chemo fog. I'm still tired/some neuropathy and will be dealing with tamoxifen soon. I also still get my herceptin weekly and will thru the end of October. Did any of you on weekly herceptin get it while hospitalized after surgery ?  Are  you able to go the following week ? or were you delayed due to surgery ?

I  hope to be more active as I get more info from my PS. My appt this month is to talk about test needed and what he intends to do.

Vivian

aemcat...thank you!  I will look for that bra

lahela...they specifically told me one with an underwire.  They gave me some follow up papers & I double checked them to be sure that I had understood right.  It does say definitely one with an underwire during the day.  At night I'm supposed to sleep in the bra that I wore home from the hospital.

Alright you guys quit making fun of my question!  hahahaha  It's been so dang long since I've worn an underwire I had forgotten how much I hate them & that the words comfy & underwire can not possibly fit together in any way, shape or form.

I'm so ready to get these tummy drains out.  The darn things just keep pulling & hurting like crazy.  I should get at least 1 out either tomorrow or Thursday for sure.  I see the PS Thurs morning & will be released to go home & I can not wait.  I miss my granddaughter like crazy & can't wait to hold her & give her the biggest hug in the world. 

Etoile Hope all went well for you today and you could have your surgery.

Goldie- wowee..yes.. nervous and anxious as we move into April!

k79miller- I only wear underwire and unlike so many I don't know what I will do when I cant! I wear Playtex Secrets, comes in numerous styles and so comfortable. I could easily sleep in them. I guess I am not the norm. Jcpenney's sell them as do Kohl's.  Hope you get those drains out and home to your grandbaby fast!

naiviv- Welcome, I cant express how much I feel for the women here who have answered so many questions for me and the support is truly a gift.

when BDavis comments on the pants from Target, listen......we all took to wearing them on the 2013 thread, and called them the "Betsy's"......VERY comfortable!

Hi Vivian,

Your MO will probably move you to an every 3 week schedule for Herceptin as you get closer to your surgery date.  I had my Herceptin weekly until a week before my surgery and then I got my next Herceptin 2 weeks after and every 3 weeks for the remainder of the year (which was 10/13).  I was able to drive myself at that point, however I had a UMX with DIEP so I am sure I had an easier time of it than someone having a BMX.  

By the way, I was very apprehensive about the surgery but now I am a little over a year out and I love the result.  It feels as real as you are going to get.  Its a hard surgery and a rough recovery but doable!  Keep reading this board.  I did not participate but I read the 2013 and everything happened exactly as the women described.  Good luck to all.

Wonderful news, Teacher!!!! Congratulations!

goldie...."5th of May sounds like a lovely day"....there....some poetry for you ! Why not put your date in your "profile"?? It helps everyone know where you're at, especially once Stage 1 is over and you are "on your way"!

a few words to let you guys know I did have my surgery and everything went well. Yes the nurses are on strike but was selected as essential surgery. Thank you to Dr, Williams and his team. They are amazing!