DIEP 2014

Sweetie, I am so sorry to read about your infection! It sucks that they keep you at the hospital on the other hand you will get all the care you need. Speedy recovery to you!!
Oh Georgiegirl, these are feelings very familiar to all of us I believe. Hang in there! Every day you will look and feel better! P.S. I am happy they were able to revise your chemoport scar. Keep me posted on how that turned out
Aff, yay to finishing rads!!! I am so excited for you! I am glad you have a few days to recover before you return to work!
MsW, it sounds like you had the Horton/Buntic team for your surgery as well? I have to say I was very pleased with their work. My former BC breast looks anything but appealing but I trust Dr. Horton will be able to fix it in future revision surgeries (not sure how many I will need after I am done with rads). Hope you continue to heal well. I am glad you are over the funky three week mark!
tbradyful, I had the same experience as you. The first PS I went to thought I didn't have enough fat for two breasts whereas the second PS was able to get me B/C cups on both sides. Annieb4, definitely worth shopping around. It is amazing how techniques vary between the different PSs.
I had no restrictions regarding caffeine at all. In fact my PS encouraged me to have coffee if I am used to it for the body not to have to go through additional stress from withdrawal. However, after surgery coffee was the last thing I wanted ....but that is a different story lol
HeidiToo, I am amazed at your experience and so happy for you that you finally don't have to suffer of migraines anymore! What a silverlining to this otherwise depressing experience!
MartyJ, so glad that stage 2 surgery went well for you!
Teacher, how wonderful that your doctor can relate to what you are going through! I am sure you are a great inspiration to everybody around you.
Crs629, WOOHOO to the clear scans. There is no better news than that!! So very happy and relieved for you!!!
Juicyjackie, missnaomi, Kathy1965, you are all in my prayers. I hope all of your surgeries went well and you are resting and recovering well!
I had a very touching experience yesterday as I went for my rads. I got to see my RO who came into the room all jittery and nervous to see my breast. She told me that she had been waiting to see me for the past week as she had adjusted the rads dosage due to the cancer recurrence in the skin. As soon as she looked at my breast she did a little happy dance and started cheering out loud! She told me over and over again how pleased she was that the skin looked so much better and how seeing me had made her day. It makes such a difference to have doctors who care and are passionate about their patients!!

optimi, I had no idea we had the same docs! Yes, the Horton/Buntic team. I will pm you!

My goodness, Jbdayton.  I am sorry about the Gallbladder! Was it something that had been bothering you for a while and it finally "had" to go, or was it a surprise problem that popped up?  Either way, I am sorry.  I had my hysterectomy through laproscopic holes, and they disappeared.  I hope the same for you.  Rest, and be well.

Sweetie, I'm so glad you went to the hospital when you did. I know it's no fun being there, but once this infection has cleared, you'll be on your way to healing.

Jeannine, I'm sorry you needed your gall bladder out! Hopefully this will be the last surgery for a long time. Have a wonderful, relaxing time at the beach.

Georgie, how are you doing?

Teacher, how's that lump coming along? I hope the ultrasound has shrunken it even more.

I think of you all often, and I apologize to those whose posts I miss commenting on, but I use my iPad and it's just too hard to keep scrolling around to read everything. Wishing the best to us all!

Wow, Vballmom!!!  You went through some scary stuff.  You are right, the ones waiting, like your DH, suffer more than we do during the surgery.  I am glad you are resting comfortably, and that you love your new body already!!!!!!  Hopefully, you will get through the rest of this with no more complications, and you will be a very happy camper!!!!!!  I am so glad you finally let us know what was going on.  Glad you are back.

vballmom: so sorry to hear how hard your surgery was! I hope you are able to relax a bit and recover at home comfortably.

Vballmom - yeah for the benign report! I think most of us are surprised how big we are post DIEP...swelling. Just wait for nipples! They would match your breasts now but they reduce, too. I'm sure your hubby is glad you are home. Blood draws are no fun, but hopefully they will determine the cause of your clotting problem so you can move forward.

Hi Shine,  I still have approx. 30 Tylenol 3 for pain - I requested script at last doc visit - to hold me until next operation.  I was left without on a long weekend & don't want to be in that situation again.  I have gone up to 4 days without - but when the pain hits - I will take the pills to sleep.  There is enough we go through without worrying about not having pain medicine.  Good luck. 

I am walking on the beach for each of you who can't get there right now.  

Vball, oh my I am so glad to hear you have been through so much yet looking at the good parts, but sorry to hear of your troubles--praying the rest of the recovery is kinder and they figure out the clotting issue.

Sweetie, hoping things turn around soon!  Tell them to get this figured out, for you have much more living and healing to do!!

How are you doing today, Goldie?  I hope you feel stronger and things are behaving!

Teacher, did the ultrasound work well?  Hope your pain is less! 

Georgiegirl, i had a meltdown sometime post op, no one here thinks anything about it when we vent, as you can see we have all been there!!  You are supported by us and you will see better days.

I see the PS tomorrow, i am adjusting well to things and hope this will be the last time I see her for a long time.  The general surgeon wants to see me in October but I am not sure I really need to take another day off for that.   

Gotta run, the hub is doing laundry so I am taking him up on the offer.   Now that is a real man hahahah

Hugs to all

Enjoyevrymoment - ah, a walk on the beach! There should be a stampede of footprints in the sand because we are walking with you.

Well, looks like diep is off the schedule for me now. My CT scan shows the veins in my abdomen are very small and deep in the muscle. PS thinks I would have healing issues, and I've dropped some weight, so I don't have a lot of tummy fat. So, we're just going to replace both implants, remove the scar tissue, and do fat grafting. He said he won't use my tummy for fat grafting, as a "just in case" for my radiated side. I'm disappointed but I really trust him. I thank each of you for the support you've given me, and wish you the best.

Goldie, my radiated side is uncomfortable. The PS says it's the contracture and will remove scar tissue which he feels will also help my shoulder issues. He is supposed to be the best surgeon in this area, works extensively with BC patients, and anyone I've heard of who has used him, has been happy with their results. So on September 9, instead of a diep, he'll be swapping everything out, removing the scar tissue and doing fat grafting. He said I'll most likely have a drain from the amount of work that needs to be done. How ironic that this is the one time being small has been a disadvantage.

Thanks, teacher. I will.

Andrea, Sorry to hear you were mentally preparing for DIEP and have had things changed on you.   As this is the DIEP board that is what we know other than those who had implants first but we are all cheering you on through whatever the final surgery decision is!  Praying you get the best possible outcome and find peace with however it plays out.   Hugs to you!!!

Andrea: I am sorry for your news but glad that you trust your doctor. You can see from this forum that even when things go as planned, it is no picnic. For what it's worth, even a great DIEP result isn't a perfect answer. I would still just like to have my old breast (and body) back. I am glad you have some options to get better results and feel more comfortable. Wishing you the best.