Topic: June Reconstruction Ladies Please Join

Sassie that SUCKS!!! I am hoping the next ENT has more compassion and patience then this one...

Ladies,  I need some advice. I was sailing along pain wise and now I have some pain from under my right arm pit to where my incision starts. It's like a "pulling" sensation and the scar seems to be "thicker" for about 2 inches in that area. Should I maybe be putting some warmth on the  area and massaging? Other than that spot where the skin is thicker, my incision is healing really well so I'm worried something is going on under the skin.

Terri

Dear mbticswol  I am sorry about the pain.  It is hard to say why that happened because so much can depend on the PS and your body.  I was very very skinny on the chest area one of the PS that saw me (before I decided on the Diep) said I was NOT a candidate for implants it would be too painful.  They are stretching that muscle to create a pocket and sometimes that can be very painful.  Perhaps they shouldn't have put as much saline.  I am a novice in this area maybe some of the others can answer this question for you.  My forum has slowed down with responses since it has been up for over two months.  If you don't get a reply start a new thread and ask your question again.  Best of luck.

Dear KLE  I would make sure you advise the anestheologist next time you have to have surgery of your previous reaction.  They should be aware of it and they will usually side step that drug and use something else.  Believe me I plan on making a VERY big deal about my vocal cords when I have my next surgery.  Everyone reacts differently and unfortunately you have to go through it before you know you're the one who gets the negative reaction.  Not a great answer but the only one I have for now.  Maybe someone out there can advise more.

Update on myself:  Still having problems with vocal cords. Still have about a 1 1/2 " of abdominal incision that doesn't want to heal.  I am 7 weeks out today and hoping that I just need 4 more weeks of rest.  It has been a slower healing time than I expected.  Patience is not one of my virtues but I am hanging in there.  Very happy with my breasts which keeps my head on straight.

I hope everyone else is healing nicely and doing well.

Hugs to all

Sassie 

Sassie

Dear Ladies:

I seldom turn on the TV except for So You Think You Can Dance.  I use to take dancing lesson and so anything to do with dance I am glued to the screen.  Last night they did an interpretive dance of a woman finding out she had breast cancer.  There wasn't a dry eye in the studio including yours truly.  It was really very beautiful and very emotional.  Glad I didn't miss it.

Sassie

I had BIlateral masectomy with immediate recon(free flap + tummy tuck) on june 19.  I started Chemo on 7/20.  I am having swelling in my stomach area.  Is anyone that had the same surgery  had this type of problem?

Dear mbticwol

From what I understand talking to others who have implants that the amount and time of fills can vary greatly.  You also are in charge.  If you are exhausted and not feeling up to it there is no reason why you can't wait awhile before the next fill.  I have heard that some doctors are very aggressive with the fills, some take a very slow progression and some let you determine what is comfortable for you.  I believe that we all know what is best for our bodies.  Take an extra couples of weeks before the next your fill.  Tell the doctor you need more time between fills.  He should understand and the final outcome will be the same whether you do it fast or slow.  The difference is your comfort.

Dear Carole01

I can't imagine going through free tram flap and tummy tuck and  then doing Chemo in 4 weeks.  I am 7 weeks out from the Diep.  I am still very sore and still have an inch opening in my incision.  I am sleeping about 9 hours a night with my body trying to get back to base 1.  You have gone through a major surgery and there will be swelling in the area.  My stomach is still swollen.  Of course there is swollen and there is swollen due to build up of fluid or hernia.  Even though you had the free tram flap that means that they still took part of your stomach muscle for blood flow.  That is going to take time to heal and then of course with the Chemo it depresses your immune system and makes your healing much harder.

Go back and see your PS and make sure the swelling is just part of the expected healing process and nothing else.  Only he can determine that.  I have heard of several women that have ended up with hernias and then had to have a mesh put in to strengthen the abdomen area.

Hope I have helped?

Best of Luck to all in the healing process.

Sassie

Dear Carole01

I am glad you saw your PS and everything is fine.  I know the magic words are be patient it will take time.  I hope you can nap during the day and take Vit C.  I don't know if you are allowed during Chemo?  Vit C helps with the healing process.  I know my surgeon advised before surgery and after surgery to take it twice a day with a multi vitamin.

Take care of yourself

Sassie

Oh my! I just watched the massage video....they weren't kidding on another thread when they said you have to massage very firmly! I would have thought that moving the implant around so much would cause sagging or something??? Thanks so much for the video...I would have been doing it all wrong and certainly with not enough pressure!

Terri

Hello Ladies...

It seems eons since I posted last (shame on me) but I am now about 9wks post DIEP dble mast.... and things are going well. I believe I'm healing well. My radiated side is still much more swollen than the other but my PS said thats normal.
Abdomen is still quite swollen and not as flat as I'd hoped by now but oh well.... PS said the swelling takes time to go down

I started cycling about 2 wks ago and am able to do an hour each day so I must be doing well.
Downside is I was diagnosed with Triple Negative and advised to do chemo (despite no lymph nodes involved). I start chemo tomorrow... Carboplatin & Taxotere

Not sure I shared but I chose to remove the right breast (prophylactic) yet when I got my path rpt they found DCIS in there.... so to those still trying to decide. Its really worth thinking loooong and hard about it.

Sassie sorry to hear that you are still battling the vocal chords. How are you doing otherwise? We were same day surgeries so I'd love to hear from you..

Jan27 - my heart goes out to you and all I can say is stay strong {{{hugs}}}}

Wishing everyone a fast road to recovery!!!!!

Reni: I guess we have to fight this beast with whatever it takes. I'm so sorry to hear that you have to do chemo after all. I guess with a triple negative it's what works best. Hang in there, we're all here for you. You're so right about thinking long and hard about the decisions we make. I have a prophy too on my left side and when all was said and done, they didn't find any other cancer in either (except for what was removed by lumpectomy in Apr). I don't regret my decision for a minute, you just never know ....

Dear Sassie, sorry to hear that you had to return to NOLA, and hopefully everything will go smoothly now and be all healed up. I can only imagine how painful having an open incision on your abdomen must be. Glad they didn't have to intubate you again, that must have been a relief. I'm still hoarse from my surgery in June....it comes and goes. Please take care coming back since you're all by yourself.

Hugs to everyone,

Terri

Reni - for the grizzly tongue try Biotine Mouth Wash...also what is your cocktail?  I am on Taxotere/Cytoxan and I eat ice chips/Popsicles during the infusion for both drugs...it constricts the blood flow to the mouth and minimizes mouth sores and tongue fur...  I gargled with the mouth rinse 3-4 times a day for about a week after and only had one tiny taste bud get swollen on the tip of my tongue.   If you do do the ice chips/Popsicles make sure to bring a sweater and blanket cause you do get cold :)

Hope that helps for your next infusion.

Best wishes

Michelle

Hi Everyone:

I am home and on the mend.  My incision is closed but he sent me home with a drainage tube.  I really don't know why since so little is coming out.  I guess he didn't want to take any chances that the incision would open again?

I am calling the center on Monday and telling them that the tube is dry.  They sent me home with scissors and told me how to take it out when I get the OK from them.  Not really excited about doing it myself but I guess I can give it a try.

Had a really exciting time flying with a connecting flight.  Didn't know that there was an hour difference time change from NOLA to Charolette.  So I am taking my time stopping and getting food etc.  They were closing the plane door when I ran on.  They weren't too happy but I didn't realize I had to change my watch when I was connecting to Detroit.  I would have had to spend the night in Charolette there was no more flights going out.  Oh, well never a dull moment.

Now I am getting ready to set my date for stage 2.  I need a break so I am not going to back until the end of November or December.  Technically, October I would be 4 months out and could go back then.  But since I had to have my incision worked on again I think giving my body a rest would be a good thing.

Reni    I am so sorry you are having a rough time.  I hope things get better for you.  It sounds like the ladies are giving you ideas on how to cope with the side affects.  A big hug goes your way.

Sassie

Hi.

I've been reading the boards on and off, but have not posted much.  But I'd really like you're input.  I had my exchange in June.  I still get swelling on the side of my breast and under my armpit. After 3 months, do many of you have this issue?  activity / stress seems to make the swelling worse. 

thanks.