DIEP 2014

smd33.   Hope all is ok.   I'm not glad that you had to go through this, but sure explains your pain and inability to clear corner to recovery.  Let us know how it goes

Question for you all:   Once I can take a bath, can I start swimming?  For got to ask on my weekly call and I am scheduled for a long, long soak in my tub on Monday and would like to follow with an easy swim that evening.   I so missed my baths.  Lol

Also, for those of you that are treated away from home.... How do you deal with feel questions.  I keep saying to the nurse on the phone my breast feels very hard in certain areas... But she kinda ignores me,   Also with the swollen abd.  It is still huge and hard above scar line.  I would love for someone to touch the areas and confirm they are ok.  But that is hard to do over the phone.  Sigh

On a good note.  Not quite 4 weeks and just finished a successful week of travel at work.  Tired and my belly was a mess each evening.... Magic pregnancy each day I call it.   But otherwise feel good and eager to hit week 4 restriction removals

Came home from the hospital today, feeling much better in my own bed with my cat squished up against me. 

Lonnie, for me the pain was worse with the hysterectomy, everything is kind of numb with this surgery, making me wonder how much feeling will come back. I was on morphine for the first 12 hours, but I've only taken Tylenol since. Last night I did have a very uncomfortable tightness that I can only describe as it felt like they stiched my belly button to my spine. Some Tylenol and laying flat resolved the problem, but I am still walking like a gorilla 

The one thing that for me was worse for this surgery was recovery from anesthesia,  it felt like I got hit by a MUCH larger bus, but I'm only 4 1/2 weeks PFC, so that may be why. I needed two units of blood, magnesium,  phosphorus,  and potassium supplements,  but my levels were low/normal going in. I still have drop foot from nerve compression, but I think  its a little better. The drains are bothersome and painful if the compression garment presses on them. They compession garments are itchy, but it feels better with them on than off.

I think the Murphy's law for surgery must be that when you finally get into a comfortable position you will either have to cough or pee, lol.

debiann,

Wow!!!! So you spent a total of three full nights in the hospital?  What you went thru is exactly what I went thru after the hysto.  2 units of blood...etc. and I was about 4 weeks out from rads.  I see that you also got a mastectomy.  How is your upper body feeling?  My hope is that after having these expanders in for the last year, I'll have very little pain up top. Please continue to provide as much details as you can. I know that everyone reacts differently but it helps to know.  Hang in there.

How are you managing getting in and out if bed?  My plan is to purchase a recliner. 

Lonnie, I was actually 4 nights in the hospital, the first 2 in the ICU because of the frequent doppler checks of rhe breast to make sure they had good blood flow. When I had my hysto I was hospitalized one night and I only took one week off work, but.I was 7 years younger than, and bounced back much faster.

Not much pain up top, unless the compression bra band slides down and touches the drain tube.OUCH! The new girls are pretty swollen, so they are tender but not its not really painful. My skin is starting to get bothered by the garments too, PS said its my choice to wear them or not.

During surgery, the blood vessels in righty gave them some trouble, so it took 13 hours, 3 more than expected. They couldn't.get the doppler sounds in that one for the first two days, but the color and temperature were good, so they weren't too worried. To make sure there was blood flow, they pricked it in the center of the flap with a needle. It bled, but I didn't feel it at all, freaky. I was so happy when righty starting "singing" for the doppler on day 3.

I'm comfortable in bed, its better than the recliner for me. Using lots of pillows to make a supportive nest. Sitting up is easier if I can pull on someone's hand, but I can do it alone. The recliner in the hospital was difficult to get up & down myself, needed someone to help with a little push. My recliner at.home is.easier to open and close, but it doesn't lock into place when reclined, not good for sleeping in. Besides, when the belly gets swollen and tight, laying flatter feels better than being bent. There is one area of a quick, sharp pain on the side when I first sit up, its where they removed some muscle and intalled mesh I think. But getting up and down is much easier than with the hysto.

Wow the girls are getting swollen! How long does this last? 

Good morning! Hope everyone is hanging in there. Got my diagnostic reports back and the general consensus is the lump is a fat necrosis.

Norita, for me the catheter came out just a few hours after surgery.  The morphine pump I didn't use initially probably since I was so post anesthesia I felt no pain.... It did work for me just fine and I switched to Vicodin pretty soon.  We are sure all different though.  Probably the most pain I had for sure was abdominal.

debbiann, I love your sense of humor. Isn't that the truth, about getting into a comfortable position? I am sorry you had to have blood transfusion and are having some complications like with the foot. I hope everything resolves for you quickly. You're pretty close to the six-week point, which is when my doc had told me I could start doing as much exercise as I wanted, using arms and abs etc. Just start slow. It feels so good to be working up to normal activity again.

Msw2012, the only alternative to laughing about all this crap is crying, don't want to waste time on that. 

I just had my surgery Monday, so its only been 5 days. I may have written something different in a post, but I don't even recall writing the first few posts I made after surgery. I was surprised as all heck to read my own posts, lol. 

Yes, exercise would be wonderful, but I doubt it will top the euphoria of losing these drains. How long did most of you keep them? 

I'm doing the foot exercises PT showed me, its slowly improving, but was told to be patient, nerves heal slowly. 

The flaps seem to be doing well, but they are porn star size swollen (I think I remember Teacher using this very accurrate description).How long does this wonderful phenomenon last?

Anyone using the rub on nipple tats? Any recommendations where to order them? How soon after surgery can you start? The big empty moons I see in the mirror are a little freaky. I think my permenant tats will incorporate nipples and flowers or birds. I would like it to look like I had my natural nipples tataooed rather than I had nipples tatooed on, if that makes any sense. Anyone see any good designs?

 

Hi Ladies. Released from NOLA today.   Even with my complication , I was thrilled to be under such great care.  Met Dr. Massey for the first time. AWESOME bed side manner.  My surgical oncologist Lazarus helped Dr. Wise with my surgery too.  She has been a godsend.   and I love that they listen about pain management and give you a say on drug choice. No drains this time! Sitting in hotel.  Can't wait to get home to my little ones.

As far as catheter.  This time it was put in before I went into OR.   Surprisingly it did not hurt at all. Hope everyone is doing well.  

I'm looking forward (or dreading, not sure which) my DIEP on Monday the 13th. Flying off to San Antonio because I wanted a group with a more experience and who would attempt a lymph node transfer.  Doing OK with no vitamins, caffeine, and alcohol, but have come down with a head cold.  My throat is sore and I'm intermittently dripping  or gushing from both eyes and nose.  Of course didn't realize this until too late Friday afternoon to contact PRMA.  

This could be a reaction to dust as we were inventorying books from the 1700s and 1800s at my aunt's earlier in the week or the chamisa coming into bloom when we returned home. Was told I could take loratadine for the allergies, but still dripping up a storm.  Any words of wisdom?

ChrisinPA, Prayers and positive thoughts for you as you get ready for your big day. It will be the longest day in your family's life, mine said the waiting was hell, but the shortest day in yours. All I remember is "I'm going to give you a little something to relax now" followed by what seemed to be in the next breath "Surgery is over, it took 13 hours".

I can understand the anxiety of going out of town for surgery, but you'll have a team of people who've done this before and they'll be ready to take care of you. Don't hesitate to tell them what you need and let them help.

The recovery process gets better everyday. The DH said I'm getting good at this, lol. I have everything organized within my reach. I know the most comfortable way to arrange the pillows. I've figured out something that works for these stupid drains. I have a grandma type housedress with the large patch pockets on the sides. I'm wearing it inside out with the drain blubs in the pockets. Also, a handheld mirror is important for checking out whats going on with the drains and incisions. 

Chris, how long do you plan on recovering at the hotel before heading home? Btw, can't wait to hear your porn star name, lol. Sounds like you work with a fun, supportive group of people! 

Norita, I am bigger as well, 5'10 and on the heavy side and did ok with the catheter, I had a slight infection after a few days, however, it resolved quickly once removed. I am 3wks post surgery and doing better everyday, hang in there.

Congrats to all who are out of surgery and best wishes and happy thoughts for all who have an upcoming procedure. 

On a side question: My onc put me on Femera and I asked if I could start after surgery and he said that would be ok, I am 3 weeks out and hesitant to start, is anyone else on Femera, if so, anyone not have side effects?