DIEP 2014

D(IEP) Day -2  

Cleaned my house from top to bottom, did laundry and gardening.  I want a clean house to come back cos I won't be able to do much housework for a while

I am having a hard time recovering.  the radiated right side is so acting up.  I am doing wound care on it and I think I rather be handling boo-boos with the grandkids. I am so tired of this #### cancer and being tired for three years from all of its issues it has given me.  I can't even look forward to stage 2 b/c of this craziness.  What ifs are going through my head like crazy!  And the iron bra feeling has returned!! ugh.

Today, one of my kitties went to the vet and has issues with liver so life for her as long as she isn't suffering.  She is 10 years old and as skinny as a rat(more since I have come back from Texas).  She came home and proceeded to scream at me so all is well there.

Georgiegirl, glad to see you have a date.  Dr Pisano is nice and will get you to the other side.  

Kim, how did it go today?  Did he give you a follow-up appt since you are in "driving distance"?

Wynne, glad you are healing as you should.

Gotta go.  Kat  sorry I am not upbeat today.

Kat, so sorry you are having a rough go of it. I hope tomorrow is better.

zenful,

Let me know when you post those. I'm a solid D now and want to remain a D but have to do both. I have plenty of belly fat to donate but a lot of it sits higher than the donation site. We'll see how it pans out after my ct scan. Hoping he can cut low and use my c- section scar. He didn't seem too confident anyone have 2 scars? Like a csection scar and a DIEP scar higher up??

great tbradyful!  Did you ever get the financial form you were trying for.??..

Ha Goldie I will have a couple for sure,but will wait until after working hours

Sorry kat-ski . I bet you were sure hoping the iron bra would be gone.

I am now 11 weeks out and just now noticed a little hole on the radiated breast.  A little fluid leaked out and then it just bled a little.  I thought I was past the point of complications.  Has anyone else had this happen?

Kat ski, I am sorry you are having a bad time.  Mostly everyone who had iron bra before diep had it resolve after surgery.  Give it time.  It might resolve yet.  As far as your wounds, patience, protein and rest.  Hang in there.

I spoke to Kuka today over at my PS office (some of you know her from here), and when I pointed out my surgery is now on Cinco de Mayo, she said she knew, and teased the PS already about not drinking any Margarita's till after my surgery.  OMG....that is a scary thought!!!!  LOL. 

Terri's X2 having surgery on same day in same place is so awesome! Terri thank you on the feedback on tamoxifen and surgery. 

K79Miller (KIM?) how long were your in S.A. total, diid you feel like you got everything you needed to take care of your wounds and drains or did you need to go out and buy things? Are you home now? Did you make the trip in one drive? How did it go? We have a 12 hour drive and thought we'd break it up in two days? Stop half way. Any advice for the post op travel. Did you get to the Riverwalk?  

Wynne50 thank you for the offer to help if you feel up to it! There has not been a day that's gone by since my dx that I haven't thought, wow, there are some amazingly kind people in this world. Not that anyone wants cancer but I've sure found some silver linings and blessings through all this too, specifically in the way of new friends. I am from Kansas City and will have some family coming to help after my husband leaves to go back to work the second week. That said, it would be lovely to meet you if you feel up to it. We will have to stay in touch!  We are staying in an apartment close to PRMA and the hospital. Did you go to Methodist? How many days total where you in hospital?

Bluefox been doing some of the same as you with the house cleaning. Weird, feel the need to get rid of things…given a lot to goodwill. Things got kinda stacked up during chemo, rads, and surgery. Definitely a work in progress but hope to have it all pretty much under control by the time surgery rolls around in May! Good luck in your cleaning endeavors! I'm not a momma but I imagine this to be somewhat like nesting!

Goldie and everyone thanks for tips on clothing. Cotton slip over the head dress sound pretty good for going out. I live in yoga pants these days. Also so comfy! Moviemaniac, the pants from target, is there a special name for them? Yoga, sweats? Love me some Target!!

Teacher did your muscle spasms subside? Seems like they should be able to give you a muscle relaxer?  Hope that you and the doc found a good solution so you can rest. 

Etoile how are you? Hope you are able to rest and keep pain under control and are comfortable.

Katski sorry you are having a rough time. Hate those days, especially when they come in a row. Praying that the iron bra feeling will fade and with every passing day you will start to feel better. 3 years is such a long time to be dealing with all of this cancer ^&%$ and the stress that it brings physically and emotionally. I am also sorry about your kitty. They take a big space in your heart, I know. We have two that are 14 and not in the best of health. As you say as long as we can keep them comfortable. I pray today that you feel comfort, love and support surrounding you.  

I am having Stage 2 in NOLA on 4/9. Dk

TR123 I had drainage out of my right breast incision after the drain was removed.  At first, they said it was common and that it often resolves on its own so I just kept a bandage over it. But after a few more days, I developed a hard spot under my breast that was tender.  When I went in for my  two week check, they drained part of it by putting pressure on the hard spot and the fluid came out the incision.   My dr. thought there was still more fluid/seroma in there and he did not want it to get infected so I had a small surgery where they reopened the incision and flushed it out.  They also put a drain back in:(. But that should come out in a day or two.  I had that surgery 20 days post-DIEP. 

Lemon - I had a csection scar before DIEP and it is gone now.  The skin that had all the stretch marks from my 10 lb babies is also gone. Woo-hoo, score for DIEP!

Georgie ... I had mine at another hospital in town as that was where my breast surgeon is affiliated.  Methodist is a great hospital.  I had my surgery on a Thursday and came home the next Tuesday .  The first 2 days are a complete blur.  It seemed to go by very quickly. I'm amazed it's been a week.  So far I haven't had any complications and it's all gone so smoothly.  Hope yours does as well.  We will definitely keep in touch.

Annajo - -hang in there with SNLB - - mine was painful and such as well, but I promise it gets better and now gives me zero trouble!  Thanks for the reply and information!

auburn girl, Stage 1 is when they harvest the fat and create the flaps. The main goal is to establish a good blood flow.  Stage 2 is to make things prettier.  Every PS is different in their approach, but usually a lift is involved and lipo of the flanks or thighs to use for fat grafting to the upper pole of the breast to provide more projection.   Maybe others will chime in about their experiences. 

I've been told stage 2 will be nips, lipo and some contouring to even things out.

Wow, so many posts and newbies to the board, I'm trying to get caught up!

Kat, hope you're feeling better. I had a rough go of recovery but at 2 months past the ab scar correction (so, 3 months past my first DIEP) I'm feeling much better. 

I'll update pics to the board. Things are healing well, the hole in my right breast has come a long way, hopefully I'll be able to swim in a couple weeks. My left breast is full of rock hard areas - all along the incisions and on the upper portion that is technically my chest, I think. It's triangular in shape and protrudes high onto my chest. Not ideal, but I'm told they will fix it at stage 2. I'm doing NO MORE SURGERY until I'm at my goal weight, so we'll be dressing creatively in the meantime.