DIEP 2014

Thankyou EEM!

Hugs back

Thanks so much ladies, for all the advice, encouragement and support. I think I'm ready - 9 am tomorrow. Can't wait to wake up tomorrow afternoon and have it over with. I'm sure I'll have a million questions for you all in the next week - and fortunately, bought a tablet that I'll have with me in the hospital.

Saltyjack/Bev

Good Luck to you, Bev, you'll do great!

EnjoyEveryMoment - I enjoyed your post and can't wait to be on "the other side" also....  starting May 2014 it's been an experience !  I will see PS in January to discuss stage 2, and set the next date.  I am reassured that your experience has left you pleased with your decisions concerning nipples & tats - I've been fence sitting, but it appears everyone is pleased with their results.  Thank you for sharing, your words have been very helpful to me.

Bev - all the best of luck !  breath - sleep - & this too shall pass

love to all,  Jo Ann

A few years ago I used to work as a physio on the unit where DIEPs and TRAMs were done, and I would visit the ladies post-op. I found I couldn't get any sense out of them for about 3 days, and they often had no recollection of having seen a physio when they came back for their 6 week follow up PT appointment!

It was a combination of sleep deprivation and narcotics, I think!

Little did I ever think I would be in that situation myself one day!!! (I'm not sure whether it is helpful or not, having seen it "from the other side" as it were!)

I'm not sure it's made me better. I feel my crap tolerance has decreased, and I'm more impatient at times!

I am leaving for the hospital for my stage 2b hope this is the final revision. I will update when possible.

Everyone have a good day. Blessings to those recovering and those preparing.

LiLi thanks for the prayers. It appears everything went well. I am at home in my recliner. No real pain as of now. ,hubby is fixing me some soup. I am in lots of compression this time. Knees to upper chest.

I hope I have the right person LiLi from the past.

Another surgery after our healing issues is a challenge mentally. I want to give you hope, after my gallbladder got removed my September Phase 2 went without a hitch. Incisions healed beautifully. So maybe you will be the same. Our gallbladders were harboring a ton of infection our systems were trying to fix.

Love and hugs to all, will follow with details later.

yikes. Does anyone know if they send you home with a lot of stuff after stage 2? Or if you have restrictions on carrying bags... Over 10 lbs agin? Trying to figure out how big of a suitcase to pack. Sigh

Saltyjack, congrats on day 2. I am so excited doc said it went exceptionally well.

As far as stage 2 it depends on your healing. The average wait is about 2 months or 3 months if you experienced a lot of swelling.

Gets lots of rest.

I am feeling great this morning following my stage 2b yesterday. Fat donor sites are letting me know they are there. I am wearing compression from knees to upper chest. I will have a followup appt tomorrow afternoon.

Sarahbb I hope all went well and you are recovering nicely. I noticed you have not posted since Sept 30, did something go wrong?

Julieho and caligirl3 I will be in your pockets tomorrow. HUGS!!

Hi All,

I am trying to wait so patiently for my surgery date. The hospital is supposed to call this morning to confirm 12/16 for my bmx with diep surgery. If they are unable to secure an operating room, the surgery has to wait until January. I guess these things work out as they should but I am a bundle of nerves. I just want to know when the surgery is so I can continue preparing. Just venting....

I'm joining the bundle-of-nerves crew waiting to hear today if my insurance will cover the DIEP revisions for necrosis. I've heard some stories about Cigna recently not covering similar surgeries, and I'm not sure what I'll do if they deny me. Fingers crossed for good news so I can make airline and hotel reservations and move ahead for Jan 21 surgery.

MeFromCC, I hope your CT scan goes well today. Soon you will be home saying "Whew, I'm glad that's over" and having a nice rest.

Luckygirl, I hope they can work you in so you don't have to wait, but you'll have a nice holiday if they can't.

Gila, good luck tomorrow! This will be nothing compared to your last surgeries, so I can understand not getting too worked up about it. I caught myself saying "it's only a 5-hour surgery" yesterday -- I never could have imagined saying that before diagnosis!

Welcome to the other side, SaltyJack! Did they give you an incentive spirometer to exhale all the anesthesia out? It really helps. Drink lots of water, rest, and try to walk around as much as you can. Getting up is the hard part! Best wishes for a great recovery and awesome results!

Bev,

Wow, you sound amazing! so pleased it has gone so well for you, and great to hear that you are not in a so much pain too. Wonderful!

I am feeling a little anxious for my surgery coming up on Monday. Your experience is making me feel a little better, although I do know everyone is different.

Great to hear you are doing well Bev. Amazing that you are already online. Gives me hope:) Good luck and best wishes to all the ladies on their upcoming surgeries. I go in tomorrow morning for Stage 1. I'm surprisingly calm right now. Had my SNB injection today. It wasn't bad at all. I hope I can come back and say the same about the surgery! Thank you wonderful ladies for all your support. It really has helped me get to a better place emotionally about all this. I will update as soon as I can.

Wish me luck! Best wishes to all who are having surgery soon.

It has amazed me that I have come so far in a year. This time last year I was worrying about the bmx with DIEP so far in the future (it seemed) that I couldn't even imagine it. After stage 2, it all hit me but now that I have my lovely nipples with color, I feel whole. For y'all who have just begun or will soon begin the marathon, it does become wonderful again. Looking in the mirror after my shower, I see completeness and can see past the scars, some of which are fading nicely. When asked to talk to a new patient again, I had to refer to my calendar and journal because the details were a fuzzy memory, which made me feel blessed. Last December I was apprehensive,scared, and afraid my life would never be normal. This Christmas, I put up all four trees, decorated the house, made slow cooker chocolate candy, will make cookies tomorrow for delivery Friday. And yesterday I had a good cardio appointment and don't have to go back for 6 months, so much better than every month. Cancer is in the past and my heart function has improved. Life is wonderful