DIEP 2014
Comments
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phew!
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Visited my PS earlier in the week. He is adamant that I not have the DIEP sooner than November, which is one year since my MX and 9 months post rads.
I'm a little disappointed not to schedule the surgery earlier since many of you have had good results with a smaller wait but this is the only PS practice that does the DIEP where I live so I have no choice. I've seen his work and know that the results will be good so I guess it will be worth the wait. In the meantime, I'll keep a watch here for tips and advice. Thanks for sharing all your stories. I already have the anti-nausea patch on my list and the drain holder sounds good too.
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AnnBR- Sound glad to hear you sounding so good!! Happy healing.
MEG- I am 13 months out from rads. I had a lot of damage, literally charring black in some areas and cant even think about the blisters from rads.. I thought I would fair well with olive skin I was wrong. I have some scarring in the underarm from the burns other than that no damage I can see but inside things needed to heal. I did 3 weeks of rads, double dose daily, I do not recommend to anyone. Healing is so important before this next big step, I am sure it will be worth the wait for you.
Teacher- I agree, immensely. ((hugs))
Zen- I am feeling pretty good, although at about 6:00 tonight my anxiety was making me feel nauseous, I took a half a Xanax and am calm
I don't know what I will feel the next couple days but knowing you all are there is a big help emotionally. If I could sleep until Monday I would be GREAT! Thanks so much.I am so interested to see if they find anything in my 'good' side. How soon did you all get your pathology after BMX? I had ILC, LCIS, DCIS in my rightie, I am so curious if my other side will have any surprises. I really hope I don't wake up with a SNB on left, I have lymphedema on the right and sure don't want it on both sides.
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lemon, I spoke to my BS on the phone 7 days after surgery and she told me the pathology results then. Since you're also at the Cleveland Clinic, I would bet you'll be the same.
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lemon, my dr gave me pathology report about a week or so later. I think it was a couple days longer because of Christmas. My surgery was on 12-16 and I know I had results before 12-31. I didn't write it down and don't remember.
I know I slept only about 4-5 hours total the weekend prior to surgery. I caught up during surgery!
MEG, your dr knows you, your body, and your healing ability. Waiting is always disappointing but the results are worth it. We will be here with and for you.
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lemon, I had my MX on a Monday & was discharged on Wednesday. My BS knew I was very anxious to hear the pathology report & she came back to my room to see me, a few minutes before I was discharged, to tell me that all lymph nodes were negative! She wanted to give me the good news as soon as she could, to put me at ease. So, I knew in about 48 hours.
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I don't know how, but my BS said she was almost 100 percent sure my nodes were clean, and she got everything as soon as she was finished with my surgery. And, they were when path came back a few days later.
Georgie, I have to agree with Nihani on the folding chair in the shower. You never know how it will react when it get's wet, or soapy. It could slip. Gosh, shower chairs are cheap. You can buy them at Walmart. You could buy one, and only use it if absolutely necessary, and if not, then you can return it. I will use mine again, probably. If I needed it with my bmx, I am sure I will use it for this....
Lemon, I just took my Ativan. Thank you to my PS. I am glad I am not the only one freaking out a bit. The only good thing about this is that my husband is being so patient, kind, sweet, and all around overly nice to me. Nothing I ask is too much. He keeps asking me what I am thinking about, or are you okay, etc. I wonder how long this will last? Early he said, "in 20 years we will look back on this and laugh." In 20 years we will be 80!!!!!! I hope!
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Hello all,
Has anyone had a hysterectomy(robotic) on same date/time as DIEP. It was recommended that I have one. Not the first time I hear that I should have one, had just always avoided in the past. I have adenomyosis which is a benign condition that causes excess bleeding and pain. I just started tamoxifen and doctors concerned with potential side effects. Would like to hear your experiences please.
19 days to go....Vivian
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MEG2
I was told to wait. Same office. I'm seeing Dr. Williams. It was hard to wait. But I just got them done, and so worth the wait. I used my weight time to eat for healing, get a few personal life challenges taken care of. Hope this helps. PM me if you want more.
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AnnBR. Hope you are feeling better yet this morning. I found the nursing staff to be the best I've ever had.
I got my pathology reports 2-3 days after surgery. The surgeon who did.my BMX told me on his morning rounds. No surprises!
To those having DIEP next week: I send hopes that you have a calm and serene weekend. Soon you can hand the keys to your exceptional surgical teams and sit back and let them take over.
I am not a worrier and tend to fly by the seat of my pants so anxiety is not usually a problem. Que Sera, Sera. Whatever will be, will be! Not always the best attitude to have but good some times.
Hope your day is good.
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goldie, now that you mention it, I remember my husband telling me that the BS told him my nodes were clear too. It was the final pathology report I got a week later. Funny how the meds make you forget things that can pop back up later. I went back and read my Caring Bridge and had forgotten much of what I posted, or my husband will tell me something that happened in the hospital that I had completely forgotten. Those of you having surgery might want to do some journaling if you feel up to it. I updated my Caring Bridge every day I was in the hospital, and it is nice to go back and read what I have forgotten.
iowagirl, I'm not a worrier either. I try to joke around a lot to lighten the mood, and I can also put myself in this place of denial where I don't think about the bad stuff much. I also have a strong faith and know that God goes before me and has it all under control. When I was laying on a bed outside the OR right before surgery, they left me all alone for awhile. That was my hardest moment before the surgery. I started singing a Chris Tomlin song called "Whom Shall I Fear" that we sing in church a lot and it gave me such peace. (I know who goes before me, I know who stands behind. The God of angel armies Is always by my side) I knew God was already in that OR and everything was going to be okay.
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Vivian,
I just had a lapro hyster and everything went fine. Had my ovaries removed with everything else. Good thing too. I had polyps, fibroids, and abnormal tissue everywhere. I also had adenamyoma all over. My naturopath said the cysts could've caused my breast cancer in the beginning. Some release excessive hormones or something like that. Anyway, I'm not taking any AI's or hormone blockers so I can't speak of side effects from that. I have some pretty severe hot flashes and occasional joint pain but that's about it. It wasn't super painful so I don't think it would be much harder with DIEP as far as recover is concerned.
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I had kind of a rough night. Nausea set in and we tried all sorts of things to keep it under control, but nothing helped. I' m doing much better today. I just need to sleep!
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jmb5, my husband filled in memory lapses about hospital time. The doc came in and said how many nodes she'd removed but she wouldn't have the path report for a week and then it was Christmas. At least I can use the hospital as an excuse for memory losses then.
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AnnBR, sleep does do wonders. Hope today is better.
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I had a Diep flap procedure done on 4/28 at Mercy MD in Baltimore. 9 hours. Would have been shorter but apparently had a lot of scar tissue from other surgeries. I would highly recommend Dr Bernard Chang. Great doctor and hospital. Great results.
Bilateral mastectomy on 8/16/13 for bc in right breast
Tissue expanders placed
Bilateral diep flap 4/28/14
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Oh sorry to hear that AnnBr. I had no problem with that and was relieved. Hope you feel better.
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To all the Cinco de Mayo Ladies hoping you have a calm relaxed weekend and sending prayers for all on Monday. I'm keeping the Cinco thread going by emailing my PS on Monday for an update. It's ben ten months since initial consultation and three years since end of treatments. Hoping maybe being a squeaky wheel will get some results
AnnBR Hope today is a much better day
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brenda....hoping your "wheel" gets sorted out soon. The wait times here are "eternal" it seems. If I hadn't given an "I'm available on short notice" statement to my PS's office, I may still be waiting for my recon too! If that scenario would work for you, maybe let them know?? In the mean time, hang in there, and use the wait to get as healthy as you can.
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I am 3 weeks post DIEP Stage 1. My major "issues" have been with the tight, extremely sensitive sensations on my abdomen. I'm not wearing shirts at home, but that doesn't go over so well at the ballpark. I seem to be taking more pain meds as well. Can someone tell me how long the sensitivity will last and if you have any secrets on dealing with it. I've been so blessed with my recovery being mostly uneventful. Thank you, ladies, for all the information you've given us. For those of you having surgery next week - congratulations! Prayers are with you!
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KooKoo, the tightness lasts quite a while. I six weeks out and still tight, but I massage above and below the incision now and that helps. I had to wait til the incision was completely healed to use lotion to massage. Yesterday my PS said the massage would help the ropes feeling of the incision. We will see.
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Lemon and Teacher64....thanks. Fujiimama, I am finding out that the wait is standard protocol for this office, I am seeing Dr. Oliva and trust him so I'm just learning to deal with the delay, patience is a virtue right? Glad to meet someone on the boards from the area. I hope you are getting to enjoy the sunny weather we are having. I may have some questions closer to surgery about what to expect and recovery tips.
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ladies, I have the same question. How long is the tightness in my stomach going to last? I peeked at my tummy incision today because the stitches are itchy. I am just 13 days out, so I can't complain (only one a tylenol and the antibiotics now).
I am hoping once the drain is out I will be able to be more active.
Dr. Ahn says I can stand up straight, but I really don't think I can. I
feel as if I have been stretched to the max. I am not sure if there
are some exercises or things I can do to make it feel less tight? I
rubbed a little lotion on the top part of my abdomen today, but am
afraid to do too much near the belly button or incision below.I
am definitely going to need some type of revision and the thought of it
terrifies me. I felt so good 2 days ago that I over did it with guests
and walking...making me out of it all day yesterday. So now I am back to
resting on the bed.Oh and my incisions are super itchy...help!
If
you all have any words of wisdom about the streching and the strange
numb/heavy feelings on the tummy and boobs, please let me know! Thanks! -
Thanks nihahi - Never thought of that but I will definitely add it to my email. The wait time does seem forever but I have learned a lot from this sight a feel a lot better prepared. Once the snow finally went I started walking to get healthier and build my stamina for the long surgery. I started at 20 minutes and worked up to 2 hours three or four times a week and guess what I sprained my ankle. (never been the most graceful ballerina in the box) Almost healed now and can't wait to get back out there. Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend
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Ann, sorry about the nausea. Hope you are sleeping and resting more comfortably now. I told them at my pre op that I get nauseous. I never have thrown up, but I get awfully queasy. So, they are giving me the patch behind the ear this time, and something in my IV too. Hope it doesn't make me too loopy.
Brenda, hopefully you will get in soon. I do have to say, it seem like you Canadian gals wait a long time, but when you finally get it done you all have fabulous results!!!! Good things are worth the wait?!
sibrhusky, glad you are doing so well. Sounds like you had a great PS. Stick around. Keep us posted on your progress.
Dvygirl, I am glad your lap hyster went so well. I had mine 3 years ago, and I had some pain. But, I had a huge fibroid they had to break up and take out, so maybe that is why. It was 5 pounds!!!! LOL. I had such a nice flat tummy immediately after, but then I got swelly belly for almost 6 months, and by the time that went away I gained the 5 pounds the fibroid weighted, so......
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Well, how about people who don't think. The lady with the wheelchair who came to pick me up at my my discharge might qualify. So in front of the nurses desk and all my family, she loudly announced "you had a boob job and a tummy tuck!" I said I had a BMX with DIEP reconstruction. "She said right, you had a boob job and tummy tuck." Thankfully I was only on the 5th floor so it was a short ride.
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Gowanus and KooKoo... yes, tightness can last for months. Kookoo I didn't have sensitvity, but I have heard some people do. I think it may be nerve regeneration. But the tightness is something that takes time. I basically dealt with it until my stage II surgery 3 months post DIEP... then about 6 weeks post stage II, I went to the gym and did some crunches, not much at first. After a month or two of that I eventually moved onto laying on a huge exercise ball and arching my back . I think that helped a lot, but all in good time. I would wait a few months to do something like that. I am now two and half years post DIEP (and revision) and most of the time feel no tightness, but occassionally when I really stretch, I can still feel it.
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Gowanus, it is going to take a number of weeks for the strange heavy boobs and tummy feeling to go away. That is the feeling I describe when I tell women on this thread and others that "it is not painful, just uncomfortable". The breasts will soften and not feel so heavy, and you will be able to stand up straight soon. Just take it easy and be patient. It will come. Be conscious of your posture and try to be a little more straight each day. Baby steps...
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This is a song I sing in the car at the top of my lungs..LOL thank goodness no one can hear me but it empowers me. Its not about C but when I sing it, it makes me feel like I have won the battle with BC.. that I am stronger than it and plan on kicking some A$$ on Monday!! I am listening to it now with a little tear.
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goldie4040 I think our wait is longer because our government (Ontario) health insurance pays the tab so longer wait times but I hear my PS is the best and I really like him First time I met him he put me at ease with my decision
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