DIEP 2014

Thanks Zen, Marty and BD. That's really helfpful. I am glad I won't be stooped forever (because my back is rebelling!) I must admit I feel sad today.  I got weepy just after hearing a baby crying outside of my window. The sound reminded me that there would most likely not be another biological baby in my life now.  And even more, it made me think about breastfeeding and how there would be no more of that (and I was one of those moms that really enjoyed BFing).  I know I should just be grateful that all went well and that I am feeling well after the surgery.  But sometimes I can't help but feel...like I am mourning the loss...or the passing of a phase in my life I was not really ready for. I am only 40 and I thought maybe we'd have a third this year.  Now that possibility seems very remote because of the big bad C.  I hate to cry in front of my husband and kids.  So I find myself doing it when I am alone and watching bad netflix. Sorry for all the sad weepy whining...I am not sure where I should go for this stuff. If there is another forum for it, please feel free to send me there!

- GG

GowanusGal, we have all cried a time or two. It's not whining, it's normal because we do grieve for the hopes and dreams that are now out of reach until we create new hopes and dreams to make us smile.

I just went & got my first pedicure since my DIEP surgery.  It sure was nice to have the massage shake my girls & not the tummy!

Gowanus... When I had BC I was past the baby bearing years, and remember when I was 39 and my OB-GYN told me that I shouldn't have any more children due to my blood pressure. I didn't like having someone else tell me when I was done, as we all want to have control over our decisions. But I have to say that it may seem like because of BC you are done with babies, but don't necessarily close that door. Did you have chemo? If not, and you are still menapausal, then it IS still possible for you. You may feel that after this surgery you shouldn't, but that's not true. Concentrate on healing, and think about the baby thing in a couple of months. You could even delay a stage II surgery until after having a baby and kind of get a mini makeover. Maybe I am way off base, and you have other reasons for thinking you may be done, but don't make that assumption due to the cancer only.

I really think recuperation is age related.  The younger you are the quicker you are back on your feet.  I have been here a year, and that seems to be the theme.  With each decade of age the recuperation gets a little harder. Also, the gals who have always been physically active and got back to it as soon as possible also seemed to fair better.  I don't know where I stand anymore.  I have been a bit of a slacker since my bmx a year ago.  I do walk regularly, but as far as working out, not so much. I am afraid to hurt myself.  These implants have been so uncomfortable. 

K79, you are lucky to be back in jeans.  It could be location of incision, type of jeans you are wearing, etc.  I am glad my surgery is going to be during warm weather.  Little cotton dresses for me.  Anybody here know about Fresh Produce dresses?  They are so cute, and so comfortable.  Do a Google search.  They have a nice little website. I spend my summers in them.

GowanusGal, you are exactly in the right place. We take all complaints. 

Goldie. I do think physical fitness going in helps with recuperation. I feel I was back on my feet quickly (aside from my complication). A month post Diep I was off at a weekend long reunion dancing. But my stomach tightness and back pain were bad the first week because I had very little abdominal fat. So I was pulled tight tight tight. But with every week things improved. My abdominal tightness took a long time to go away but was mostly evident at the gym when I tried to do abdominal exercises. In my day to day life I'd say after a couple of months it was much better. Right after surgery when I first got up to walk I was shaped like an L. Looking at the floor. My day two was more upright than that but my back suffered. 

MEG - You want to do DIEP once, and right the first time! I wept when they told me 6 months after radiation. It truly went by faster than the previous year had and wasn't as long as it first seemed.

Goldie - We had preliminary report that day and final report within 2 working days. You have a lot to deal with already. No borrowing worries!

naiviv - I need a hysterectomy, but am first concerned with reconstruction. My gyn is in agreement to wait. So far the Tamoxifen isn't causing problems so it's a personal choice. I'm curious how robotic surgery can be combined with an open ab incision for DIEP at the same time. Please keep me posted.

TLBradyful,

I could wait til after recon. Here are my thoughts.  So far on tamoxifen I only feel joint pain. But tamoxifen does cause changes within the Uterus and I already have Adenomyosis which is a b9 condition, it causes bleeding and pain and the uterus enlarges. My uterus is currently 4 cm smaller than pre-chemo. They believe because I am currently still in chemopause.  But at a size than can be removed robotically or laproscopically (without having to cut uterus into pieces) Adenomyosis is sometimes called internal endometriosis because the extra tissue is located within the muscle lining of Uterus. You don't want those tissues to get out and attach to the pelvic cavity walls, because like regular endometriosis(they will still respond to shifts in hormone and cause pain or bleeding). One of T's side effects is this condition grows and worsens. 

It may never happen, If I were in true menopause although I am ,53 hormone tests still show I am not.  I might wait it out and see, but if any issue then happens the answer would be hysterectomy. I am hoping that post DIEP, that is it . I can go back to work full time as soon as recovered.

Not saying I may not need revisions, but my PS has really good results record with breasts that have the skin and nipple spared, that you only need one proceedure. I have seen his work on other patients, they are very happy to show their reconstructions. He even constructs nipples in some phase ones. I guess it just depends on patient.

So If I can avoid complications, I really don't wish to start bleeding again and get it done in one surgery. I will.

I am see an expert in the procedure and he does a one incision surgery( flaps not compromised with any holes) through the belly button if he can. I believe my ps will be on breast upstairs, while other dr is downstairs. They have done this before and if there are no unforseen issues it is less than 1 hr beginning to end.

One I get all details (i will ask) of how . I will let you know.

Sorry for long post.

Vivian

I am 5 days post op bilateral diep.    Feeling fair but blood pressure seems to drop and get a little temperature (100 F) at night.   Tummy tightness     Is this all normal ?

for those ladies doing a hyster and DIEP you might want to consider having your hyster first. My concern was having DIEP first then hyster means more cutting on a new flat tummy. Means more scarring across the middle of your abdomen. I had my hyster first and had the surgeon consult the ps so he knew where it was safe to cut. Right now, my incisions are high, but post DIEP they will be gone or extremely low near the bottom of my ab incision. The area used for boob flaps was kept clear. I also had adenomyosis and ended up with 5 incisions in a half moon shape around my belly. Once DIEP is finished, I should only have the paddles on my flaps and a single ab scar. Just something to consider if you have a choice with timing, etc. since I had a total radical hyster, no tamoxifen for me...

I leave Mon for Seattle, Tuesday is imaging and Pre-Op, and surgery Thursday. Getting excited!!

CindyB and Teach.  Sorry you had similar experiences.  What shocked me the most is she must be a hospital employee.  Kinda kicks HIPPA privacy laws in the face.

Great news AnnBr.  Glad the nausea is getting better.  Just curious as to whether you have to wear that scratchy bra 24/7?  Or did you get a softer one?  I was on complete bed rest for 5 days.  The plus side to that is I got a mattress that was almost like memory foam to prevent bedsores. So I'm no help.

AnnBr

I had my diep flap 2 days  before you.   Lying flat in bed would be unbearable.    A recliner is better.   I have an adjustable bed and it has been great.   Are you still taking pain killers?    I do well in the morning, but by evening things are difficult.   I also got a visiting nurse and found her tips very valuable.  

Teacher, my fav was, "well, you get to pick what kind of boobs you want this time."   Uh, the ones I have are fine thank you.  Ugh....I tried really hard not to bit her head off.  I keep trying to tell myself they are just trying to be nice, or they don't know any better. etc. 

Yes, bradyful, the sooner you get the results, the better...I agree.

Nihani, it seemed like the younger ones like Christina, Tracy, Kuka,  etc.  They were all doing so well so quickly.  All under 40.  I don't know.  I could be wrong, we know that, but it just seems age plays some roll in recovery, but not always.  Physical condition is probably equally important.