DIEP 2014

Goldie - supposedly the strips stay on all the time, We'll see if they make it through 7 showers. I'll keep you posted once they come in. I just ordered a box online. 

LoveAMB - I am using them on my abdominal, breast and port scar. My port was removed during my surgery. 

My PS cleared me for radiation yesterday for which I am both happy and sad. I go for my initial consultation this afternoon. I am excited to finally have the end of treatment in sight but sad that there is still so much yet to come, if that makes any sense. 

Have a wonderful weekend ladies. 

aff - so glad to hear how well you are recovering!! My husband's
cousin, a nurse, mentioned the silicone strips to me yesterday. I need
to ask my PS at my appointment next week about them. Last time I saw her
she gave me some strips (I don't think they are silicone ones) to place
on my chemo port scar to prevent hyperpigmentation but she didn't
mention anything else for tummy and breast incision scars.

I can't believe that your PS cleared you for radiation already. I have to wait another 5 weeks. I am going through the same emotions. I am excited to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. At the same time, it will be a while before I actually get to the light :-/ I have a second consultation with a RO on Monday.

I hope you will feel more at ease after today's consultation.

Thanks, Teacher!  Makes sense. I will harkin' back to my old ballet  lessons when I was a girl and keep hearing the instructor say, " shoulder's back." 

Loveallmyboys,  I love your posts  They are so organized, and you address each person's concern.  I love it.  I think I can tell what kind of person you are from the posts.  Very organized, always nice to everybody, try never to hurt anybody's feelings, you dress immaculately,  and your house is very tidy too.  You never say, "no," when asked to help out at a school function, etc.  Have I hit it on the nose?  I love you!!!  LOL.  I am teasing, but I am sure I am pretty close to being right. 

Hello everyone - I'm home today thinking why did I do this. The pain is not so bad, but the discomfort OMG. I'm hanging in there.  I will see my PS Monday and drains will be removed

For those in DFW area, I went to the opening of the new Community Cancer Center in Plano. There are active centers in Dallas and Ft. Worth. Their programs are worth checking out. Wonderful, caring people. The patient manager for my PS was there. I had not seen her since 10 days after my surgery and she said I looked fantastic. I needed that, just as we all need the affirmation that everything is moving forward. Another patient of his who had her surgery June 10 was there and was doing great. We both agreed we made the right choice and are pleased with the results so far.

I apologies I have to post before I fall asleep. I'm home from my surgery. Fill you all in tomorrow. Hope everything went well for the other ladies who went same day as me. Healing thoughts your way.

Sammyjokk- remember as others have said on this thread you just had to show up for the surgery, and let the other details fall into place. The same is true for days afterwards, just show up and do what you can at your own pace.  I did my drains, a few routine things, and considered that a good day.  Baby steps and you will be surprised that even though there are days you wonder how your body will ever be less swollen or uncomfortable, it will happen.  Your breasts are not going to be identical in some ways but you do learn to accept the new normal...

Goldie- I know what you mean about bras. I felt like I was starting over like a preteen trying to find the right bra.  The swelling sure goes down so the ones you buy in the beginning might not work later so I think WalMart/KMart isn't a bad idea, and a sports bra is more forgiving as things change shape and adjust.  I bought one at Soma Intimates I like a lot, but I did find it a challenge to know what size to buy, they measured me and that helped.

Aff I do hope your radiation goes super well and zaps out any cells that even considered misbehaving.  Stay well hydrated and eat good amounts of protein.  I have not had radiation but have heard people say that helped them.  

Hoping you all have a great day, it was an early getting up for me for some reason but going to try to go back to sleep.  Thankfully no big agenda today. 

2 1/2 weeks out , and doing not too bad yesterday and today.  After a rough start to the week physically and emotionally, it's nice to feel a bit better.    

I drove for the first time this week.  It's tender, and I don't want to push it, so I didn't go far or out for too long.  The only difficult thing was reversing.  So, to avoid it, I pulled through and parked where i didn't have to.    It was also a bit sore in the belly when done.  So, still won't do it too much, only as needed, but good to know i can, if needed. 

I went to Target and Walmart to look for a Frozen Elsa doll for my youngest ones' 5th birthday in two weeks. I didn't see anything, so I will order it online, but was able to do once around each store with a cart.  That was my walk for the day.  I've been trying to get out and walk a bit each day.  

I am able to rest for a few days, as my kids are at their dads for Friday to Monday.   So, not too much today.  ALthough,  I did go out and water my garden this morning.  That was nice to get out, I've missed it.  It needs a good weeding, my tomatoes need more tying back, but I'll have to have help with that.  

I feel more myself, then I have since surgery, which is nice.  I'm sure I'll still have bad days, but I feel like I've turned a corner.  Things are still sore and tender, but I realized I haven't taken pain meds for a bit, and only advil or tylenol.  So that is an improvement!  The pain is a good reminder when I reach to far or do too much, or attempt to, as it hurts, so I stop.   I'm still sleeping more then usual, and tring to give myself permission to do so.  This is when I ran into trouble following my breast reduction in March, I was 3 weeks out, felt good, and popped a few stitches, included internally, and caused  problems.  The PS really emphasized little activity for 6 weeks, and then we will talk.

I'm surprised at the swelling that still is going on.   I think my breasts are more swollen now then earlier.  The stomach really does blow up at times, especially when I leave the binder off for a bit.  I'm not liking the binder in summer.  It's hot and itchy, but on it stays.  

Also, my scabs are starting to fall off.  Including my belly button.  It reminds me almost of a newborns'.  It's scabby and you wait for it to fall off.  I have a totally new belly button, it looks completely different! (after 5 kids, it was a bit worse for wear!).

What is roping? I think I'm seeing it on my right breast..  I have what looks like a rim, on the left side of the right breast.  I'm trying to massage as the PS said to do, but it hurts to do it.

I've had a bit of seepage (clear/pink), so I'm back on homecare, to just keep an eye on it..  From my drain hole in the groin and one small spot on the abdomen.  It's actually a good sign if I do too much, as it starts to seep again.

Still really weirded out by the barbie boob look (no nipples), so I cannot wait until that can be fixed, even though it means more surgery.

I do need to get out and pick up a new bra or two.  Do you reccommend a sports bra, or just a soft cup.  I need to do this, as my pre-surgery ones I bought after I had my reduction, are now too big.  I've gone for GG(G) down to a full C, to a B cup in 3 months.  My reduction took off almost 4 pounds from each breast, and I'm probably down another pound or two, just in breast tissue.  I haven't been this tiny since I was a teen.  That is still strange to get used to.  I'm very tall and big boned, so I feel a bit dispropriate still, but glad to have something still.

It also hard to get used to how different they feel.  Even just being there.   It feels different how fabric feels against them, water when I shower, etc.  I didn't comprehend how different that would be.  Not sure if that is bugging me, but you are just aware of how different they feel.  

Thanks for the reassurances earlier in the week, it helped when I was really down.  No one I know has had reconstruction, or even breast cancer at my age, so I'm kind of a lone wolf with this within my circle.  It's good to talk with those who can relate.  I've posted how well I'm doing today, I hope I'm not going to now have a few rough days !

Love reading all the positive posts.  Really energizes me for the day.  Happy for everyone that is moving forward through their recoveries.  I'm going to a family reunion type picnic today.  So excited about it.  Family is so important.  Little bummed that i still have the 2 drains but hopefully I will have shirt long enough to disguise the bumps.  I might even have a beer since i'm off the rx meds.  Also trying to concentrate on the shoulders back.  i notice it really makes my back ache if I stay slouched too long when walking. 

I'm still hunched a bit too, and straightening up is uncomfortable.  I'm trying to do it as much as possible, but I eventually ended up hunched again.  Teacher64, I like the idea of shoulder lifts, I will do that!   No one has mentioned anything about physio, which I heard was part of the recovery.  Haven't heard anything from the doctor, perhaps at 6 weeks?  One thing I am looking forward to is swimming again.  I haven't been able to for a few year as my large chest prohibited it, which is why I had the reduction.  Now recovering, can't do that.  He said at 6 weeks, we could talk about a water aerobics type of class (light activity), and I'm sure that will help my mobility and range of motion.

Also, great idea for the cami under the binder.  Talk about a duh moment, I hadn't even thought to do that!  

When this is all done, I'm going to drop some serious change on some really pretty bras.  I miss that.  Since 2003, I've been in maternity bras, nursing bras, and then as my chest increased with each child and nursing, more industrial strength bras, so pretty was not the top priority at a GGG (double or triple depending on which bra), then finally surgery and sports bras).  I want to wear pretty bras again.  That is going to be my treat when the nipple reconstruction is done and healed!

Another side effect I've noticed is my appetite has tanked since surgery, so between eating less, walking a bit and the tissue removed, I'm done almost 18 pounds since surgery.  I don't look like it at times, due to sweeling, but it's nice to see the scale go down.  I think they told my mom, they took out about 1 kilogram from my belly, but were only able to use about 750 grams due to damage from all my c-sections, plus whatever they took out for the mastectomy part.  So, I don't think I had more then 3-4 pounds of tissue removed.  So, nice to see weight loss.  

Trish, hopefully your drains will be out soon!  I know once they were out, i felt better a bit.  Enjoy your day out, it helps! I went out yesterday, and it was so good to be out!  I'm pooped today, although still feeling good, I just need to take it easy today.  It was a mental lift to be out, and I hope it is for you as well!

hi everyone,

I am one week and  one day out from surgery and feel ok.   I am going to try the shoulder shrugs also.   I have been gently trying to straighten up a little at a time.  I also love all the positive posts, it is very encouraging.

Loveallmyboys-you are right, a few days in the "Sahara" is worth it since it is encouraging blood flow.

My ps told me to wear nothing around the house as much as possible.    Since is just me and DH, it is do-able, I just have on an old button up dress on with all the bottoms undone.  Anyone else advised to do this?

Hope everyone has a healthy healing weekend.

Goldie - I do squats while I brush my teeth! One more added measure of exercise morning and night.

Hi All,

Congrats and restful healing to those of you just coming to the flap side.

Vivian, I am jealous of your soft breast, mine are still hard. The radiated side is really hard. The other side is loosening up and is still bigger. I now also have a dent or divot next to the nipple that wasn't there last week! Seems from week to week they are changing. I am sore in the chest above my breasts and no feeling back but I am hopeful.

I have only worn surgical bras and sports bras. I did buy a normal bra and it didn't fit once home. I only own underwire and PS says no. I too will be going out to splurge after Stage 2. Today I did go to JCP, all dresses 50% off! I went a bit overboard and even got shoes too. I am down 2 sizes from my diep tummy and weight loss since I was thrilled when everything was too big!! I also got a maxi skirt, I love it! The maxi dresses are way too long for me but the skirt I can roll up to the perfect length. I am 5'5" so not short but those things are LONG even in wedges they are too long for me.

My tummy incision is fine its my upper tummy causing me pain. Did anyone else have this at 7 weeks out? I have moved the binder up to the upper tummy for support. I feel like my muscle is kinked or something it hurt bad enough to pull out the percocets

No regrets and eternally grateful this surgery was possible.

my best to all of you.

Goldie I am so glad to hear Lily coming along and strong, just like her aunt. xo

Naiviv, you still sound like you are doing great!!!!  Don't worry too much about the scar on the failed side.  When they are ready to reconstruct that side they will take care of the scar.  

Lemon, I am sorry your upper tummy is giving your problems.  Except for my incision opening, and the wet to dry dressing twice a day my tummy really doesn't hurt anymore.  It is tight!!!  But, no real pain except if I cough or sneeze.  I wonder how long that will last? Now, the boobs, that's another story. They are still very tight, and my pec muscles are still not right.  I am doing all my stretches and I start PT on July 8th.  Seems like a ways off, but not too bad.    Thanks for mentioning Lily.  She is strong. I give her  a lot of credit. I wish we were closer to help her parents  Give them a break.  Anything.  It's hard being so far away.  

Also, have we heard from our other Cinco De Mayo girl, Georgie?  I haven't seen her.  Hope she is well. 

Thanks Teacher, I figured I was not alone. Like a metal bar in there!! Tonight a trip t Walmart and I bought some imitation spanx, going to give up my binder and give these are try. I pay the price if I don't bind. I also bought yet another bra, no wires, it doesn't fit..and I have no cleavage at all.. I know patience patience patience but some moments I do miss my old girls although they tried to kill me.

Goldie, funny I sneezed a few times yesterday and was bracing myself and felt nothing! I am sorry you are still feeling it, but you my friend will be in a bikini by next summer and it will have been worth it all. My chest is tender above breasts and between, could that be my pecs? I know you had a lot of pain with your implants there. Mine might just be from the rib shaving, I don't know. I am taking my 800 mg ibuprofen but not as I should, makes me nauseous.  I begin PT on Tuesday with a Breast assessment and Lymphedema specialist, I am looking forward to it. As I was reading I was trying to pull my shoulders back, I have a bad habit of slouching and my back hurts from it. It did before surgery also. Shoulders back, girls out! Haven't seen Georgie for awhile, hope she is healing and having some summer fun.

Enjoyevry- Wow that is enough to put a big smile on your face! I am not exercising other than walking but I have changed my eating habits. Crazy I think its the green apples I eat, I am addicted to them. My appetite has returned but eating a lot doesn't feel so good on the tummy. My path reports says my left boob was like 1.3 lbs, right 1.5 I was surprised I would have thought they would have weighed more. I was a large C or small D. Wonder what my belly fat weighed? I probably don't want to know. When I got home from the hospital I was 8 lbs heavier than when I went in! I am sure it was fluid and I really think I still have a lot. My left side boob is still tender and swollen, I feel like its going to burst. I should be doing more, I wish I had a GF to walk with etc but I don't.

Tomorrow I am driving to upstate NY to interview a candidate for a job returning on Monday. I am staying at my favorite hotel/casino. My DH is already worried but I know I will be fine. Its only about 2 1/2 hrs from here. It will be a bit lonely but good to have a little alone time too. I plan on room service and then getting into my jammies and eating on the bed watching a girlie movie. I as I am sure many of you don't get that alone time often so I will take full advantage. Of course I will play the slots and hope lady luck is with me.

XO