DIEP 2015

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  • Tmgilbert1071
    Tmgilbert1071 Member Posts: 47
    edited November 2015

    trvler-remembering back they gave it to me and I think said it would help with back pain. So of course I wore it at first because the pain was intense but after that I just stopped. It's very uncomfortable especially because I still have the drain in.

    Hindsight I probably should have been wearing all along and if so how long?


    lessharp-when was your surgery?

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  • lessharp
    lessharp Member Posts: 122
    edited November 2015

    TM, my surgery was Oct 21. DMX with 1 sentinel node and immediate recon. I had Paget's and high grade DCIS, neg margins. BS says I do not need rad or chemo.

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  • Jillybee
    Jillybee Member Posts: 32
    edited November 2015

    did they tell you what the problem is in your tummy???and how hey plan to resolve it

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  • Tmgilbert1071
    Tmgilbert1071 Member Posts: 47
    edited November 2015

    jilly-they don't seem to think it's a problem. They call weekly to check my status. I've told them about the swelling. When they told me to start wearing the binder I even asked if it would help with the swelling and they said yes. We will see how that works.

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  • Jillybee
    Jillybee Member Posts: 32
    edited November 2015

    tmgilbert10.......tummy still swollen......had 2 further operations,before that,2 aspirations,400 and 600mls.Uktra sound showed the fluid has gone into pockets,so before my surgeon went in again,I asked my local surgeon to speak to the plastic team who did my DIEP...I actually saw them...said ultra sound showed nothing abnormal....just body fat moved south due to surgery....so,still unsure of future...STILL. wear binder.....now 16 month post DIEP...all been difficult.thankfully live in the UK...so have NHS...previous to DIEP. Had implants,they failed...hence DIEP.....

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  • Tmgilbert1071
    Tmgilbert1071 Member Posts: 47
    edited November 2015

    jilly-so sorry you've had some bumps in the road. I too had Diep after failed implants. I had 3 revision surgeries after my bmx in 2012. They were still horrible and when I first seen my chest area after the Diep, both my husband and I knew we had made the right decision. I can't wait until stage 2! I wish you all the best.


    Cloudynight- how are you doing after stage 2

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  • Morwenna
    Morwenna Member Posts: 1,063
    edited November 2015

    Will put this here as I'm not sure who else I can say it to without them beating me up.

    Yesterday I went to see Miss You Already. It's a movie about two friends and one gets breast cancer, while the other goes through infertility treatment, and the effect on all their relationships.

    I thought it was an excellent movie, very well done, and I managed not to cry although I took kleenex just in case! I went on my own, and I'm sure everyone would say wtf were you thinking, but I drove away feeling it was worthwhile to have gone.

    When I got home I found a message to say that one of my bc dragon boat friends had passed away yesterday morning.

    I had a ct scan on Friday to check out a cough that's been bothering me. I get the results tomorrow. My husband is back in the UK tending to his sick mother, and I really need a hug right now! 😿

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited November 2015

    Sending you big hugs, Morwenna!

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  • SA8PG
    SA8PG Member Posts: 371
    edited November 2015

    Morwenna

    I am so sorry about the loss of your friend to bc. :((((. Sending you a big hug & extra love. Praying your scan is just fine & extra strength for your hubby as he cares for his mother.

    Thank you for all that you do on here. I'm hoping someone will start a 2016 thread. My surgery is January 18th.



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  • Ridley
    Ridley Member Posts: 634
    edited November 2015

    Morwenna -- sending you a ((hug)) as well. I saw the ad for that movie -- with your review, I'll put it on my list. I hope your scan turns up nothing -- fingers crossed. [ps -- I had a lingering cough once -- pre bc -- ended up going for pulmonary tests, to an ENT, having an endoscopy -- was silent reflux -- has disappeared now.]

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  • Morwenna
    Morwenna Member Posts: 1,063
    edited November 2015

    I have reflux as well .... and I know that could be a cause for cough. I'm on Omeprazole since chemo, so heartburn is controlled, but I still get reflux and have to be a little careful what/how much I eat and drink too soon before bedtime. Ive not had an endoscopy, but my original CT showed a moderate sliding hiatal hernia.

    I thought the movie was very well done. Was not too mawkish, although quite baldly realistic ... the only time I really nearly cried was when she was getting her hair cut, as it reminded me ..... It was more about the relationships between the characters and how they coped. There were a lot of comic moments, although some might feel in bad taste :p

    As I drove away, I was thinking, why DID I go see that? .... maybe I want to accustom myself a bit with the reality of breast cancer, and how people cope with recurrence and dying. I guess it's funny how few movies are made about people who get BC and have full remission for the rest of their natural lives! Normally I would not choose to go to "weepy movies". I felt a bit odd, as the theatre was nearly empty on a Sunday afternoon, so I really felt I had to hold it together. I dare say if I had been watching it alone at home I might have had a howl! ;)

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  • cloudynight
    cloudynight Member Posts: 40
    edited November 2015

    Hey guys, I had stage 2 on Friday. My PS removed the skin paddle, and did a little bit of reshaping the foob and lipo: adding some fat to a hollow below my collarbone, lipoing some fullness on the outer edge of the foob that didn't match my remaining breast, doing a little lipo to fix some mild dog ear-ing at my hips. I'm very bruised and rested all weekend, but am already not really needing the percocet. I was very happy with the original procedure, and I'm happy with it now.

    (That said I'm SO HAPPY to be done with surgery! So happy to be done with surgery!)

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  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited November 2015

    Morrwena, lots of {{{{hugs}}}} for results and hoping its reflux. I really hate the way our minds go with any new physical symptom. Maybe one day we will all be able to shrug off an ache, lump or cough. 

    Cloudynight, congrats on being finished! Hoping for speedy healing!

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  • Tmgilbert1071
    Tmgilbert1071 Member Posts: 47
    edited November 2015

    morwenna- I work at a radiology facility. Where I work, if there are positive findings we would keep the patient there while the radiologist takes a look and calls a positive report to your doctor. So it's very hopeful since they did not keep you is negative. Iiumceledemanp

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  • TRINEG
    TRINEG Member Posts: 24
    edited November 2015

    Dear Morwenna you are very special to so many of us. Hugs, good thoughts, and prayers for you. Love.

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  • websister
    websister Member Posts: 1,092
    edited November 2015

    adding my hug, Morwenna - let me know if you need one in person - I will be thinking of you tomorrow, keep us poste

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  • dismay15
    dismay15 Member Posts: 343
    edited November 2015

    Morwenna thinking of you in that scary place we go to whenever something pops up! Sending hugs and wishing you peace while you wait. Very sorry for the loss of your friend.

    Slv58 I hope for shrug day every day! It is bound to happen one of these days! No need to worry anymore...

    Cloudynight you are brave, I need to call and make my appointment for Stage 2 (grafting and fipples, oh and dog ears too) I keep putting it off because I am afraid. I know in my heart freedom is getting it over with... I need to muster up the courage to make that call....

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  • SA8PG
    SA8PG Member Posts: 371
    edited November 2015

    Tmgilbert

    How are you doing? Is that last drain still in? How is your belly swelling? Continued warm wishes & prayers as you heal.

    Shari

    When do you have stage 2? We miss you on the TN board. Stop over and let us know how you are.

    Hugs ladies.

    G

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  • cloudynight
    cloudynight Member Posts: 40
    edited November 2015

    dismay: Not brave! Two days before surgery I cried in therapy for pretty much the whole 45 minutes about how scared I was and how I should cancel and reschedule! I had so much more anxiety about stage 2 than I did about my original mx and reconstruction. My therapist (and my PS) said that it's very normal to be extra freaked out about the second stage, even though it's almost always much easier.

    Hugs to all, especially Morwenna, and anyone who's awaiting results.

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  • Morwenna
    Morwenna Member Posts: 1,063
    edited November 2015

    Well good news on the scan front my friends.No new areas of concern, and the known nodules and cysts they were watching are unchanged.

    I think I don't want to have any more scans unless I develop new and worrisome symptoms. The stress is terrible and I'm sure the radiation levels are building up. I don't want to glow in the dark!

    Back to my happy place I go.

    Websister and Calgary peeps: pop in to the Spruce Meadows Christmas Market if you want to hear me singing with my chorus on this Sunday, and with my quartet on Saturday and the next two weekends after that. 😃

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  • Emma12
    Emma12 Member Posts: 43
    edited November 2015

    Hi Morwenna

    Thanks for showing me this thread.

    how pleased I am and no guessing all our cyber sisters to hear you have had good news with your recent scare.


    Could any sisters out there share some handy hints on recovery from a tram flap. I am now 11 days post but still trying to find comfortable positions to sleep in.....help please

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  • cassylou
    cassylou Member Posts: 52
    edited November 2015

    Hi Mowenna,

    I'm so glad that you've had good news. I understand that this doesn't take away the pain of losing your friend. I can't begin to imagine what feelings that must stir up to lose a friend to the disease that we are all so intimate with. Especially on top of the normal grief as well.

    Stay strong and take one day at a time, and take time to enjoy your recent good news X

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited November 2015

    That's great, Morwenna. Do something nice for yourself today like go see a movie (if you can).

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  • Morwenna
    Morwenna Member Posts: 1,063
    edited November 2015

    Thanks guys and welcome Emma

    I have to see my GP today to refill my omeprazole prescription. Fun fun fun.

    But then I'm going out for lunch with a "non cancer" pal, which I'm looking forward to.

    Onwards and upwards!

    M.

    PS on the subject of sleeping. At 11 days I think I was still propped up in bed on a chair shaped collection of pillows and one or two under my knees. I remember I started to get a sore bum so the first thing I tried was turning slightly just to get the weight towards one hip.

    It takes time. Now I can sleep in any position and mine was back in January so I'm probably not that accurate in my memories. Try reading back through the thread :)

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  • websister
    websister Member Posts: 1,092
    edited November 2015

    Morwenna - thanks for the update re: scan, I agree - these tests are very stressful! Hope you had a wonderful lunch out and relaxing day today.

    Thank you for the information re: singing :)

    Emma - I used 2 long pillow holders that I found at IKEA - each holds four pillows; I positioned one along the head of my bed, folding down the end pillows as arm rests; I laid the other on lengthwise down so that I would be semi-reclining and popped another pillow under the knee area, it was very comfortable but I did need some help to get up out of the first bit. Agree that it is wonderful to gradually start to be able to turn to the sides by bits. I'm two weeks out today from stage two so going through similar again where it is not comfortable to turn to either side but progressing much quicker this time around. Take care

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  • NotAgain2015
    NotAgain2015 Member Posts: 223
    edited November 2015

    Hello,

    I am going to be scheduled for double mastectomy with immediate DIEP recon (no muscle tissue) in December. Any info on what to expect, what to buy beforehand? The thought of being in surgery for 10+ hours is daunting. I also have 4 large dogs wondering about if I have to stay away from them at first. Wonder how long before you could start to think about resuming normal activities. I ride a horse and wondered how soon I could attempt it again.

    Thanks for any feedback

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  • lessharp
    lessharp Member Posts: 122
    edited November 2015

    NotAgain, so sorry about your recurrence... The surgery time is nothing! Well, for us going thru it, it's instant....just family/friends have a bit of a wait. The pain for me was not bad at all...although I'm not sure that's usual. I was off all pain meds by my 3rd day in hospital...but could have stopped them by day 2.


    My PS suggested I buy a certain bra at Amazon and she told me what size. Carole Martin Full-Freedom Cotton bra. (thing is I wore it to my BS follow-up and she kept asking me where I got it and how much she like it.) PS also recommended a binder, but my PS's associate didn't seem to concerned with me using it, so I only used it for car rides.


    Also, make sure you have some comfy, roomy pants and a button up top. You won't be able to raise your elbows above your shoulders for at least a week....I think to ensure the flap blood supply stays put. Lots of pillows to prop up your arms...and of course sleeping on a recliner or in bed with pillows under torso, legs and arms. You will be bent in half.


    I am only 3 weeks out...but I imagine you would have 3 months to be clear on more strenuous activities....but really don't know. As far as the dogs...certainly don't want them jumping up on your newly constructed breast flaps until things are good and healed.

    You will need someone to help you for probably a week. My sister came down from DFW and cooked meals, took my kids to work, etc. My husband had to work...but helped with drains and my showering.


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  • Jillybee
    Jillybee Member Posts: 32
    edited November 2015

    I had this op last year.You will need to keep the dogs away from you for some weeks,as you may suddenly reach out,or they can pull.Dont know about riding.

    I went round like a thunderbird puppet for the first 2/3 weeks,as for the first week or so,you can only lift a kettle.

    10 hours is daunting,but you are completely unaware of time.

    It is a huge op....major surgery.

    Be kind to your self....take painkillers,no heroism,get out and walk in the fresh air.....x


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  • Emma12
    Emma12 Member Posts: 43
    edited November 2015

    good evening everyone. Thank you for the good pillow tips and I will try tonight.

    I had my first review today with the plastics. I am 2 weeks out from my tram flap. I apparently have a minor infection around the breast sight. A bit of oozing around the wound site. Got to go and see PS again next week. In the meatiness I was told to keep clean with a change of dressing everyday. Was wondering if this is commo???


    Good luck Notagain.. With your up coming surgery. My advice. Use the pain killer button when u need it. I stopped using paradol after about day two, it wasn't very painful. I hope u get a good surgeon.

    In Australia the doctors tell you to wear the shape fitting or compression bras and underwear. I am wearing them day and night and expected to for the next three monthsapparently it helps with tissue healing....

    Also the other sissters have suggested lots,of pillows.propped up around you. No heavy lifting etch... The Drs will tell u all,this and you may get some physio advice as I did at the Mater Hospital in Australia.


    Let us know how u go with your surgery. Good luck

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited November 2015

    I was probably doing 15 VERY slow minutes on my elliptical at 2 weeks out without arms. By 6 I was at full capacity, although I used lighter weights while working out because of lymphoma risks.

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