Topic: June Reconstruction Ladies Please Join

Hi Sassie! Im up for LD flap reconstruction on June 9th.....Im excited and scared all at the same time!

Im in the UK so am very fortunate that I dont have the worries with insurance and all that...all reconstruction and any necessary follow up will be provided - I dont know how a lot of you ladies cope with the worry of the finances on top of everything else...you are amazing!

I have bought my new pyjamas too...lovely cotton blue ones with cute little flowers - they will be so cosy! I have my robe which i bought for my mastectomy last year - white with big coloured spots - thats one cosy robe...I dont need another! Cosy is my buzz word....I imagine Im in for a good deal of discomfort so I need to surround myself with all things soft and cuddly!

I am looking forward to the time off work I have to say....I have told them at least 6 weeks before I can drive....well, why not! I am a keen crafter so I call my time off 'crafting leave', and Im very much looking forward to it!

I look forward to keeping in touch Sassy...we can compare experiences and hopefully our rapid recoveries.

Good luck Sassy, I wish you all the best for as little pain as possible and a fabulous outcome!!!

Sue x 

Hi Sassie, I hope you are having a great weekend! Ive had a very lazy day today...a little crafting, some prep for a craft room Im trying to create...but lots of watching tv and surfing the net! Of course, now its well gone bed time I am wide awake!

Im not really sure what drains I will have Sassie - all I know is that they said they wont send me home before they are removed so I am looking at around a week in the hospital. I havent asked enough questions really - I dont know if I will have stitches or glue like last year...all sorts - Im just kind of going with the flow! I have opted not to have an implant under the flap Sassie....the doc said he may well get enough to work with to not need one, but if not and the result is a little small, I can either have lipofilling on the new breast or a small reduction in my good breast. As long as I end up NOT lopsided I really dont mind.

With the recovery time, I dont know where I got the 6 weeks from....maybe I read it somewhere, but I gave that as an estimate to my workplace so they can work on the rotas for now! If I need longer so be it.....I was away for 4 months after my mastectomy, mostly with arm discomfort as a result of nerve damage...and experimenting with different meds until we found one that worked. Part of my job does involve a lot of reaching so I guess I might not be up to that for a good while, but if I can drive....then they will find me things I can do until I am fully fit again, even if its just answer the phone.....mmmm.....my least favourite task!

Our summer weather here in the UK can be very unpredictable Sassie - it could be freezing or boiling, but the weathermen have said we are in for a very hot and dry summer....but when did they ever get things right lol! Last year, I was at home from July....in my view it was a beautiful summer with lots of sun, and definitely hot - I lived in front of the fan. But I think that was just me as everyone says how rubbish it was last year! I was permanently hot while others put sweaters on...and it was heaven to loiter in the chiller ailes at the supermarket!

You are so right, I am very lucky to not have to worry about cost. We do pay heaps of tax and national insurance....but when it comes to needing such help, particularly in the area of cancer care, we get everything that we need and lots of support. Other areas of our health service are pants basically, and unless you earn an awful lot of money, you are not left with enough after taxes to pay privately for care. When I read on here about the astronomical amounts of money you have to find, I just dont know how you do it.....what if you cant do it....would you simply not get the care or treatment that you need? I do hope you can access everything you need Sassy, whatever it takes!

Are you getting excited Sassie...or scared??? For me, nothing is as scary as that first diagnosis and going through surgery and waiting for results - not something I care to repeat, Im sad that you have faced this 3 times...and hopefully no more! The only thing that scares me really is the anaesthetic...I get afraid that I wont wake up! But I try to tell myself that that is so unlikely and i will be just fine...think positive, thats my motto!

Sending you lots of sparkly vibes Sassie and hoping that you are having a nice relaxing weekend, and looking forward to our adventure ahead!

Sue x

Oh it's finally getting closer to June :)  I am scheduled for an exchange of these wonderful TE (NOT) on June 17.  I am lucky that I have only had my expanders since 1-8-09 and they look great but I have had a lot of nerve pain with them.  I am nervous about the surgery BUT my PS said she is putting me in a surgical bra after the surgery to remind me that I had surgery so I am hoping she is correct.  I would love to have to be reminded that I had surgery.  She also told me that it should be a fairly short surgery so that was good.

 I meet with my PS last week and it really is helping me get thru my last treatment that I have everything planned for June.  I am hoping that it makes my side effects from my last TC treatment a little easier.. 

sam1991

I am so sorry you are having problems and that your nipples have been delayed....

glad you are managing the nerve pain.....Are you getting implants replaced?

Hi Ladies!

I can't believe it is time to post June surgeries already!  I am having Stage 2 of my DIEP done in NOLA on June 17th.  How time flies!!! 

Welcome to all that are scheduled for surgery in June.  Thanks for joining us and sharing.

I am sorry some of you ladies are having nerve pain.  I just learned what a sciatic nerve was this year.  Don't want to go there again.  Nerve pain is the worst.

I wish all of you the best and hope that we can support each other.  I know I am getting the jitters as my time approaches - June 4th.  If anyone can give me advise on how to get through these next 3 weeks I would appreciate it.

I am concerned about fluid build up and abdominal bulges after the diep.  I have read about others having this problem.

Question for anyone that has gone to NOLA:  Why doesn't Dr. D. order MRI or other types of Scans to locate the best veins to be harvested as a lot of other doctors are doing now for Dieps or Gaps?

Even though I am having the Diep or Gap (what ever Dr. D. decides) I am very interested in all of the different types of surgeries.  A very dear friend is having implants and she has so many questions.  Like how do you know when enough is enough when they are doing the fills?  And she wants the gummy bear implants and wants to know all about them.  Also she was an A before she had a double mastectomy and she is wondering how does she determine what size is too big for her?  She is 5'8'' and was a size 4 -6.

Any answers to any of the above questions would be greatly appreciated.

Sassie62

Good morning from the UK girls! Thanks for adding me to your list Sassy....but Im LD flap...not DIEP....I hope lol!!!!! Do you know, its just really nice to belong to a group like this....obviously not at all nice that we are going through this, but if we have to be going through this...its nice to belong to a gang lol!

Sassy, I kind of developed the skill of just putting 'the next appointment' out of my mind until it comes around - a useful talent if you can rustle it up! But then, when it all feels overwhelming, thats what we are here for....to have a natter and get things off our chests.....before we get things back on our chests!!!

Sorry, as you can see....I am an early morning waffler - I need to go to work now so wishing you all a nice day. Hang on in there girls!

Sue x

I'm joining the ranks, girls!  Just found out today my exchange surgery is scheduled for June 4.  I'm having my rt-sided TE exchanged, and my left-sided TRAM reduced. 

Cut me open, take stuff out, put other stuff in, slap on a couple of drains (again!) and send me home!  Why does this all sound so stinkin' familiar?  Oh, yeah!  Cuz I've done it 2 other times!  Sheesh!  Considering all the procedures I've had, I would've been under general anesthesia 5 times in one year.  That just can't be good for brain cells!

Let's do it, ladies!!!!

Dear Sam 1991

I have been so lucky to have found Gale Evo in Alternative Medicine connected with Beaumont Hospitals in Michigan.  The first consultation (19 months ago) I had with her I told her what I was going through, what was bothering me physically and mentally and where I want to see my self in 5 years.  She asked me a lot of questions and then made a relaxation/meditation/visualization tape for me.  I have been back to her 3 times and have 3 tapes.  The last one I am taking with me to surgery.

I rarely make it through the entire 1/2 hour tape before falling asleep.  She has a voice that is soothing.  And it helps because she is talking directly to me. Believe me it has been my salvation when my mind won't turn off and I can't sleep.

If you can find someone in your area that deals with cancer patients and visualization don't walk -run to them and make a tape.

Unfortunately, with anything out of mainstream my insurance did not cover it.  It is all out of pocket but sooooooooooooo worth it.

Sassie

Welcome Emily2008

Big STAR for you for making it this far with a great attitude.

What were the 5 surgeries you had in one year? 

Sassie

Sassie62, can you please add me to your list. Had tissue expanders removed beginning of Jan due to seroma and wound healing issues, it is all now healed nicely so will be having implants placed and breast lift.

Thanks Sammyjo

Dear Sammyjo:

Glad you joined us.  Do you have a date in June?  Sounds like you have had a long journey like some of us.  I am glad that all is well now.  Since they took the expanders out in Jan does the pocket stay open for the exchange?

Does anyone have any ideas why some people have a lot of problems with seromas and some fly through unscathed.  Is there anything one can do to avoid this problem? 

Sassie62

Hi Sassie! Thanks for the welcome!  I had a lumpectomy, 2 mastectomies at 2 different times, and several procedures for some stomach problems I was having.  Counting my up-coming exchange, that'll be 5 altogether.

 Jamieh, I know what you mean about ps saying "I'll make sure I use the right one."  My ps told me today that he takes 3 different implants into the OR with him and then based on what he's dealing with, makes the decision.  I so badly want to *know* if I'll be waking up with a C-cup or what, but I'm having a hard time nailing him down.  I don't think he's intentionally being evasive, and he's done a terrific job so far.  I guess I just want some degree of control here, and that ain't the case!!

UM wow, all you ladies are very through with the details .. is it bad that I am not that educated with what I am going through? ( I am hearing impaired, so that doesn't help it)

I have surgery set up June 5th, for my tissue to be taken out and an implant put in, and a nipple will be made for me I think at a later date.

I am scared and nervous that I was told I have bc. But my friends and this site has helped me keep back the tears.

I Love u all ladies, we are all unique and God will see us through to the end of it!

Kimberley30

Thanks alot Sassie,

My BFF of 20 years is going to be there every step of the way. She has cried more then me!

Thanks for your kind words & encouragment. You seem very strong!