BessB

Beesie,

The picture is a great example.  I was diagnosed with ADH after years of abnormal mammograms.  Since I had previous blood clots I could not take Tamoxifan.  The docs felt that I was "progressing" so when I inquired about PBM there were no questions asked.  In January 08 I had a bi-lateral w/DIEP reconstruction and I have never looked back.  Your picture shows how ductal hyperplasia can progress.   For some it will never progress - but for me it did.  I kept getting too many clustered microcalcifications and I did not want to just sit and wait any longer.  I was comfortable with the fact that I had time to make the decision.  Good luck to you PS:) - Bessie

I'm 57 and had a 13 hour DIEP w/immediate reconstruction.  I did just fine.  I wish you lots of luck and am sending prayers your way.  Take care. Bessie

I am really happy for you Sheila! Definitely time to celebrate!! I had a stubborn wound also ... after 5 1/2 months it finally had to be surgically closed because the tunnel kept growing.  It was soooo nice to not have to pack any more!! Congrats!

It does help.  I just wonder if I have waited too long before learning about the tape.  Thanks so much!

Be very careful with the underwire if you still have any numbness.  A friend was wearing an underwire after her mastectomy and one day she felt "something warm" on her tummy.  Turned out her underwire had worn through on the bra and she did not feel that the wire had poked through underneath her breast.  It turned out she got a very mild infection but it could have been so much worse.  There are tons of lovely bras without underwires.

I had a bilat w/immediate diep in Jan 08.  As I was healing I also felt "nipple sensation" in both breasts every now and then. I had my stage II in June 08 and for some reason I feel even more "nipple sensation"...and I have acquired so much feeling in both my breasts that it is almost the same as before.  My PS says it's probably phantom ... or nerves regenerating ... I say uhuh ... feels too good to be phantom!!!  I just hope I don't lose this feeling when I get my "fipples". 

Sue,

Can you see inside? I had a similar situation after my stage I.  After my glue came off there was an area about a inch or so long that "appeared" to still be opened or unsealed.  I could not see inside and it did appear that there was some adhesion further back.  My PS was not concerned at all.  She said that although it appeared that the breast skin was not making contact with the flap, the area actually had sealed.  For some reason the edge of the breast at that area healed to the glue instead of the flap (Doc did not say this part - this was my observation) and when the glue came off the seal was gone. Gosh, I hope this isn't confusing.  My PS repaired the area during stage II when she made my circles smaller.  I wish you luck and hope everything turns out OK for you.  Take care.

Bettelou,

I know, the drive is the pits.  You drive down from the north and I come up from the south.  I have about 2.5 hours drive both ways.  I seem to do ok with everything until I hit the city.  Then I seem to teeter on the edge of panic!  I don't know why honestly ... I think it's just how close the cars seem to drive beside you ... not to mention the homeless seem to step into the street from no where.  But, it is a very small inconvenience to pay for such a great hospital and awesome surgical team.  You are right - going there is a win-win situation.

Natsfan,

I had a diep and did not do chemo so don't know that I have actual tips to share.  I think by now most folks on this site know that I had a nasty wound initially, but that was my body not wanting to heal.  If I was able to offer any tips it would be to be patient.  I was never patient until I went through this.  I am still not where I need to be ... with patience, but I am learning:)  I am not at all where I want to be with my reconstruction either, but Dr. Manahan has the patience of a saint and is willing to keep going to get me where I need to be to feel like me again. 

Lisa,

I know how you feel.  The week I went back to work from my first lumpectomy I had a coworker send me two absolutely horrible email "forwards" concerning death and breast cancer and one about a woman taking one of her last walks with her husband.  I was horrified.  She knew what I was going through yet she sent those cruel emails.  I sent them to my boss and he told me to "let it go".  I was furious!  Don't know why people have to be so insensitive like this.