DIEP 2014

Cute new pic, Jmb.  So happy for your friends daughter.  I am glad she can enjoy some healthy and fun times.

Janet, for some reason I thought you had your tummy revised already.  You had your nipples done, right?  I am sure you surgeon can give you your waist back.  I am just loving (sarcasm) my ken doll. Everything just keeps changing.  I wonder why it became more prominent in the last couple of weeks? 

Georgie, did I miss something?  Were they mean to you while you were getting your tests?  Not acceptable!!!!!

Teacher, sorry your lump hasn't resolved.  I had one above my right foob near the top of my cleavage after stage 1.  During stage 2 the PS improved it, but not 100 percent.  It is kind of sore when I press on it.  It is not that noticeable now as it was before.  I am hoping with stage 3 he will finally make it go away completely.  He said something about inflammation.  I don't think they really know when something out of the ordinary happens, and they manufacture explanations.  LOL.  When I asked what he did to make it go down a bit he really didn't have an answer.

Tomorrow I have physical therapy and "mental" therapy again.  I really hope she doesn't try to make me sit through another meditation video.  I can do that at home.  I need to talk, vent, get feedback. The best part about her is that she has had so much botox her face get's all screwed up in weird expressions when she smiles.  I try really hard not to show my horror. I think it's interesting that a person that is supposed to make you feel good about yourself no matter what has happened to your body has had such obvious plastic surgery and botox. So much for self exceptance.

Hang in there smd3.  I had the same thing happen but we did not surgically suture it back.  I hope the surgery will work for you.  It is hard right now but it can be fixed.  My prayers are for a good flight, lower stress level, lower pain level and successful surgery.  

Goldie - Nope. No surgery yet. I'm still a Spongebob until October 14 when I lose the dog ears and get some nipples. 

I've almost cancelled this appointment many times. I've gone as far as picking up the phone and dialing - and then hanging up. And I don't know why. I really want my waist back, and I've heard the nipples are enjoyable, but I just don't want any more life disruptions. I'm trying to summon some excitement about crossing the finish line but I'm just thinking 'Ugh' most of the time. I just don't want anyone touching me - even if it is my handsome surgeon.

Ridley - I'm a week behind you with Dr H. 

Hey Janet - do you know what Dr. H is going to do to give you your waist back? 

I have what I will describe as mini muffins at the end of my ab scars.  He called them dog ears, although they are really chubby ears.  Anyway, he said he could extend the scars, but if we don't remove the chubby part, I think I may end up more squarish.  He is going to do some lipo to fill in a flat spot on one side, but he said he would take the fat from my upper abdomen.  I'll talk to him again the morning of surgery, but was just curious.

Ridley - My dog ears are muffin-ish as well. Dr H said he was going to extend the scar and remove the chub with lipo. Something about cutting a small oval, removing the fat, and then sewing me back up. I'm only having the left side done, as he says that the right side isn't too bad.

And the nipples too.

smd ~ so sad to hear about your set-back but from what the other ladies are saying it will be temporary.  Best wishes for a safe and calm flight, a positive surgery and a quick and speedy recovery.  Keep us posted, we all know what it feels like to want to scream, cry, kick inanimate objects and all other sorts of things to get out the pain and frustration of BC.  

It would be great if you could start a thread on this!  Then it will be easy to find!  Thx!

Georgiegirl- my onc is having me do MRI this month then one in March again then annually.  At least that is what he said last time.  I am so sorry you ran up against one of the compassionless in our masses.  There seems to be no rhyme nor reason why people can be that way, is it that they can't handle the emotion of a former cancer patient and realizing their own vulnerability, or are they just selfish?  One never knows.  Sorry you felt sad there.  Praying all tests are negative.

The abdominal issue I cannot say enough about how very much better the SpongeBob Squarepants belly is now at 6 months out.  I do think everyone is different, I am not a hottie by any means as I am still more overweight than I would love but dang!  It is nice not to have my stomach sticking out like it did.  I am happy to be well and especially happy not to have cancer, far as I can tell!

I am sorry your left breast was not nice to you, pzercher!  I am telling you, our bodies on revolt is just not what we signed up for!  I am glad you are doing better, it sure wasn't always fun and yes, like someone else said, there are still emotional things that puke out when provoked.  

I have had the clinical supervisor of the nurses at the practice where I work just ride my behind for every little thing, many of which are just her preference and not a protocol at our office.  I finally talked to her and I hope she backs off.  I shouldn't let her bother me but she is seriously someone I would have tolerated in the past---- but my bs meter just doesn't tolerate things like that like I used to.  She is outright degrading and I am not letting her get away with it.  I am a nurse practitioner, she would not talk to the male doctors that way of course!!!  And I know you don't know me but my patients love me and I work like a dog there and did not do anything wrong.  

Lonnie- I think I stood up straight within about 10 days, granted I kept slouching when I was tired or having pain..... best wishes! 

Smd3 oh sorry to hear about your incision opening, maybe it just needed to drain and I am hoping they can fix you all up soon!  We are all there with you in wishing you the best outcome!

JbDayton, glad you are through the fire, hope healing is in your very near future, you are definitely a superstar going through another procedure, hope all continues to go well.

JerseyMom, glad your experience went so well!

JMB Love your new hair, you are such a little hottie!

Well poo I was going to try to be like GG who always impresses me with her remembering everyone, but I have to run to practice at church.  Hang in there everyone, hugs!

Cindy

Teacher64,

I'm cracking up at the "lowland gorilla walk" comment. I swear I never thought of it that way but you are soooooo right. Hahahaha!!!!

Today I attended an In the Pink luncheon because my PS was a featured speaker. A breast surgeon with whom he works also spoke, as did a survivor. I nearly lost it when she spoke. The speakers spoke about education and options. It was a great presentation and helped me move beyond the idea of Pinktober's commercialism.

When I went to a luncheon today, I had to change twice because the right side bump is still so prominent and makes my waist larger than before stage 2. I'm hoping working out will help.

My Dr. didn't call mine dog ears.  She referred to them as cones!  I can't wait to get rid of them. I try to keep them below my waistband but they always pop out.  Looks like the last inch of an ice cream cone stuck on the ends of my incision.  Okay that was a bit of an exaggeration but they do show under some clothes. Will be glad to get rid of them next week.

Good Luck to you Sky. Take care and Happy Healing..

iowagirl...I see you had Dr. Lemaine as your PS. That is who I am having do mine. Were you happy with your experience with her? The few times I have talked to her, I did really like her.

Sky78 - Best wishes for an easy surgery and fast recovery. We are all here for you!!!!

SMD3 - I am so sorry to hear about your situation. You are in my prayers and thoughts!

I am preparing for my gallbladder removal today...I am just praying it can be done laproscopic and not an open surgery which will be a much longer recovery.....unfortunately due to all the DIEP surgery in June - there is probably a lot of scar tissue. I am very nervous, but what can I do at this point. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.

I will catch-up with all the posts as soon as possible.

You are all my thoughts and prayers.

Lisa

sky, you are in my thoughts today.  I know you are worried about your 6 year old and him not understanding, but it might be for the best. If he was a little older he would have fear which could carry forward for a lifetime.  This is better.  Mommy has a boo boo, and we have to be careful of her for a while, and then it will be forgotten.  Hopefully, for you and for him!!!   Prayers and hugs today. 

Janet, glad I could help a little bit.  

We had a horrible storm here yesterday afternoon.  I had cancelled my appt with the "mental" therapist and came home early after physical therapy.  For once my instincts were correct.  I made it home just before it hit really hard.  There are still people with no power.  Trees are down everywhere, and the schools are closed in my town.  I have been going outside to try to clean up the debris in short spurts.  Normally, I would have had this done!!!  I hate this physical restriction.