DIEP 2014

Breast cancer is breast cancer but I will not speak for those who are in a different stage than I since I have no idea how it must feel.  I had a lady at church who had cosmetic breast lift and she kept saying things implying that we were "twins" etc.  I finally just changed the subject and realized she just wasn't thinking, I don't think we truly had the "same" procedure but it was one of those times it wasn't worth wasting my breath.  Let us hope that each of us is kind to others no matter what their "degree" of severity, mets, nodes, or treatments.  That is why I love this group....Nice is as nice does.  

http://www.ameribag.com/Choosing-the-Right-HBB-for-You.html

I love to share when I find something that is helpful.  I don't know about you guys, but since my mastectomy a heavy shoulder bag is not fun to carry anymore, and I hate having one in the crook of my arm.  I saw a very stylish woman carrying the coolest looking half back pack bag.  It's the only way I can describe it.  So, I went in search of such a thing and guess what, I found them, and they are cool.  I ordered one and have been using it for about two weeks.  It has changed my life.  Well, that's a bit of an over statement, but it sure has made life much more comfortable.  Imagine no strain on your back, or shoulder and hands free purse carrying.  Plus organization beyond your wildest dreams.  I am attaching the link here.  I got a inexpensive one for now, but I know by the fall I will be going for a more styling leather one.  I am giving you the link to the manufacturers website.  But go read the reviews on Amazon, and if you purchase one I would get it from Amazon too.  Free shipping and no tax.

Aff, you are so right. This is a wonderful non judgmental place where we can all come for positive feedback, and understanding that we can't find any place else.  I love that we can share our most intimate feelings, and our silliest and it's all taken in the vain that it was meant.  Where can you find genuine compassion with no strings?  So far, from my husband and here.

I don't understand why links are not working right lately.  Let's try this one more time. http://www.ameribag.com/Choosing-the-Right-HBB-for-You.html

I had an amazing day with my family yesterday. We went to High Point State Park which is home to the highest elevation point in New Jersey, where a monument stands. From the base of the monument, the views of the Delaware River and miles of NJ are breathtaking. Inside the monument it's 220 stairs to the top. We started our way to the top and I told my kids I would go as far as I could. I made it to the top, slow and steady! 220 stairs up and down...holy cow! It felt great and I felt fine afterwards as well as today. 

Hope everyone is doing well!

It is so great to have a chance to review this board and see how well everyone is doing. I have been in "recovery bootcamp"aka my normal crazy life with the three kids out of school for the summer, which has really helped me build my strength and stamina the old fashioned way LOL. Hard to believe that I will be 7 weeks from surgery tomorrow and I go back to work full time next week. Our daughters just left for an academic trip to Costa Rica and our son will be going to visit friends so we will have a little down time before I go back to work. It has been nice to be immersed in regular life again. When I was awaiting surgery I was thinking of what I most wanted to do after surgery, and it boiled down to just having my old life back. So that has felt pretty darn good. I feel like I put a lot of things on the back burner so trying to get to them now.

Does anyone else have swelling more prominently on one side of their body? I have been sleeping on my left side and noticed my left ab incision is a lot more swollen than on the right side. I am going to try to sleep on my right for a change and see if it corrects.

Does anyone use bio oil? Just bought a bottle to try it out. Have been using aquaphor but it is pretty greasy and I am not loving it getting on my sports bras, etc.

Regarding bras, my PS said "some support is preferable but not necessary." I wore a front close sports bra at his recommendation for the first couple of weeks, as well as the surgical bras. Then I switched to soft medium support pull on sports bras, which I still wear. I also wear an inexpensive bra from Walmart - simply basic- that is a wireless soft stretchy bra with cups that give a really nice shape and hide the crop circles well. my prophy breast looks good but my right is pretty hamburger bun- ish so having the cups evens them out nicely. 

Sending you all very best wishes!

aff - yeah for you and all those steps. We once had to walk down the Washington Monument due to an elevator problem. It made me dizzy and glad we weren't going up! Glad you are in the swing of things.

Congrats Dee hope everything continues to progress grandly.  

Aff way to go with the stairs, remarkable.

Goldie still keeping Lili in my prayers.

JerseyMom many prayers for strength, good luck going back to work.

Ally special prayers for you as you continue to struggle with the TE's.  

Teacher are you still working the abs as hard or taking it easier? 

Hope everyone continues to improve and get back to their "normal" life.

Good Morning Friends - Just caught up on about a weeks worth of reading. Great to hear all are doing so well. True sign of my daughters love. She has offered to shave my legs Had a great visit with my son. He took an extra couple of days and was here for a week before flying back to B.C.

Feeling a little anxious today. I see my PS tomorrow for first post-op appointment and there is still a good two inch opening under lefty and two holes on righty where cleavage would be. Flaps are still warm and soft so praying that it's all just going to take time. Nurse is still packing them and says there is grandulation which is good. So fingers crossed.

Goldie -  I did the same with my recliner using a fitted sheet

LoveAllMyBoys. - My left side also smells a lot stronger (same issues) I used baby wipes for a quick freshen up.

Teacher, I had stage 2 about 2.5 weeks ago with fat grafting from the thigh/flank ("saddlebags") area.  My PS said after stage 2 to wear "bicycle shorts" shapewear for 4 weeks.  I got a cheapy pair, Spanx off-brand at Target, which I didn't like much so they are my backup pair, and another pair of Spanx from Herbergers which has a smooth fabric that I like much better.  She also said no tight bras while the nip is getting established.  Can't wait to get out of these Spanx!!  I think a lot depends on where you get your fat grafting from, if any.  My legs were quite sore so I would think about soft, light fabrics.

Also, at night I use ace bandages instead of shapewear.  I find it more comfortable for sleeping and also easier to deal with middle-of-the-night trips to the bathroom.

Finally drain free!!!!  Feels wonderful.  On my way to beautiful NH.  Hope everyone enjoys the holiday.  

pzercher- you do have a tough crowd...yikes!  That must be extra hard because conversations probably become clinical and matter-of-fact while the emotional element is low on the list.  Waiting is so hard yet it seems to be a big part of this journey, regardless of what route we each select.  I think you are in great company with the cleaning and organizing.  For me, it was something I could control, accomplish and check off as completed.  I don't regret my surgery and would do it again in an instant.  However, support from friends, family and people you find here certainly make it a much better journey.  Monday will be here before you know it and you are going to do great!!  The virtual Pink Bus will pull up and all of us will be on board to take you to the hospital and be with you throughout that day!!

Hugs!!

Ally

Vivian - hope you got to splash in some puddles.

Pzercher - sorry you had to join us, but we will be here for you. You are not being melodramatic because you are doing what many of us have done pre surgery. Cry if that helps you. Come back to us often with questions or if all those family docs are being too clinical. Lots of us have also pampered ourselves prior to surgery with mani/pedis and hair appointments. I was complimented on my Christmas red toes after my bmx and my practically glow in the dark pink toes after DIEP. I have stage 2 on July 30 and am going to be red hot!  My PS has been the most compassionate of my docs because his grandmother had breast cancer (why he spends 80% of his time doing reconstruction). Maybe this will be an opportunity to educate the docs in your family to the emotional needs of women going through this experience.

Ally - I like the image of the Pink Bus. 

pzercher, I like you am in my 40s and have a home filled with teenage boys. I know how you feel.  I also know how nervous I was right before my day. I don't even remember the drive there, I think I completely removed myself mentally so I could be brave enough. Damn straight is right you will do this and be better for having it done. All the best to you.

Today I went to my PT and Breast specialist, she was really nice. I do have lymphedema on the right from the SNB and the additional one taken back in May. My right arm is 9% larger, and much weaker and I am right handed.. ugh. She had me do lots of exercises with weights and is hoping this will bring down my swelling. I am still having swelling issues from the surgery. I will see her weekly and she is hoping in 6 weeks to be able to fit me for a sleeve. I have to do my work out 4 X a week at home. She checked my incisions and I have 2 small areas on tummy that have not healed, I thought it was just very dry skin patches but she said they are little tears due to tightness so No Pool yet I look out back everyday wishes I could jump in. This dang BC is the gift that just keeps giving.

Goldie, I love those purses. I have one very similar but its a Coach but I would like a leather one, mine is cloth. I don't use it very often mostly when I travel, its very comfortable. I think I might need to treat myself, thanks for the tip on Amazon. Hope your wounds are healing up or at least getting better.

Trish, congrats on being drain free!! have fun on your trip!

Hi Dear Sisters!  Here I am back again for another ride on the roller coaster.  After my first mastectomy (lefty) my BS had me on the dreaded drain for 10 weeks, therefore my silly name!   With recommendations from the 2012 DIEP sisters I ditched that BS and I found a new PS in Baltimore, on the first visit his nurse pulled my drain and all was fine.  I had righty removed and expanders inserted I hated them, they were removed and "gummy bear" implants inserted.  Fast forward to 2014.. here I am again.  These implants are extremely uncomfortable, my PS now suggested removal of the implants and going for the DIEP Flap.  I couldn't be happier because that was what I wanted in the first place.  

I've been reading your posts and feel this is where I want to be as I go through this next procedure.  

Ally - I also like the image of the Pink Bus!!

Goldie - I'm still praying and sending good wishes to Lily.

Congratulations to the drain free!!  Sending gentle healing hugs to everyone.  (((HUGS)))

Goldie, so glad to hear the good news about Lily's road to recovery.  Bless her heart, such a terrible thing for her to go through.  What a trooper she is!

I've had my implants for almost a year, they are a lot larger then I wanted, lefty isn't staying where it should be and there is a lot of pressure on my rib. If I lay on my back they just seem so heavy on my chest.  They are creepy cold most of the time.   I had the same type pain and discomfort with the expanders.