Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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Hi! I am having the glutteal flap done. I'm tall and thin, so the only place they have enough tissue is in the glutteal area. My plastic surgeon explained that there will be an incision on each "cheek" that will run along the same line as a pair of thong panties.He said while the glutteal flap is a little more difficult to perform (a longer surgery due to the blood vessels and such), that the results typically end with more youthful breasts and the healing is a bit easier that some of the other flaps like the DIEP. The bonus is I also get a butt and thigh lift as a result. Not bad - If I have to go through this, I'm excited about the added lifting and tucking! My husband and I were laughing - I find it funny that my new breasts are going to be made out of my rear end! I'm just worried about the pain aspect. I've never been through anything like this!
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It is also called a hip flap if we are talking about the same area
I had it done in January and I think it is a wonderful option. I still have a little bit of healing to and then I will be having stage 2 at the end of April. 0 -
Thanks so much for your reply! If you don't mind my asking -was it really painful?
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I never mind questions. NO AT ALL ! I didn't find the surgery to really be painful the hospital that I went to uses a device called On-Q ball that delivers pain medication to the donor site. I was irritated by the drains but that is part of the process for me. My body likes seroma's and hates JP drains...lol... I was up walking the halls within 24 hours and I was released early. I think that it really helped that my surgery was under 5 hours for bi-laterials
. I had my surgery done in NOLA so once I was released I went and rested that day and started sight seeing the next. I honestly felt that good. I was slow and looked like a bomber but I was feeling pretty good. 0 -
Jaimieh... My body prefers seroma's too. I'm still recooperating from radiatioin where they radiated a developing seroma for the last 4 days of my treatment and it became infected (first week in January). I'm now undergoing physical therapy to break up the resulting scar tissue, reduce the pain and increase my range of motion.
Police Wife... I didn't have reconstructive surgery but my bi-lateral was done on an out patient basis. I left post op about 4:30 pm and by 5:00 was comfortably ensconced at a Hampton Inn down the road eating cold fried chicken livers and a Wendy's frosty with all my sisters laughing and joking with me. My anesthesiologist did a nerve block that prevented extreme pain for several days. I was uncomfortable, but nothing that Hydrocodone or Tylenol Extra Strength couldn't handle. Went back to the surgeon's office the next morning and, after a 2 hour drive, was home by 2:00. If truth be told, I'm in more pain now, with the seroma/radiation complication than I ever was after surgery.
Congratulations to all you gals that are finishing up. I'm right behind you and should have my last Herceptin in mid-April and get deported in May.
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Oh goodness it great to hear you did so well and that it wasn't too awfully painful! And outpatient to boot! I'm looking at a 4-5 day hospital stay, just to make sure the tissue does what its supposed to. My husband is more concerned about how he is going to keep me entertained and occupied for that long - I have a short attention span and get bored quite easily! As for the pain, it sounds like it wouldn't be any worse than the Neulasta injection. For whatever reason, that shot leaves me HURTING for 2 days afterward. Its the most awful joint pain - I was having to take Hydrocodone just to get somewhat comfortable, and even then it was a stretch. I guess it's doing what it should though, my WBC haven't really dropped since I started treatment, and I go for my 4th round next Tuesday. Congratulations on finishing your treatment. I can't wait! Thanks again for sharing your experience.:) Brandi
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Hi - new to this board - have been on the chemo 2010 board most of the time. Question for any of the ladies on TCH - has anyone had horrendous "menstrual" bleeding? I put the quotes around it because I'm having something that's unlike any period I've had before. It has lasted three weeks now, since right after my first treatment and it got so bad with huge clots coming out the other night that I ended up in the ER. It subsided after about 36 hours, but it's still continuing at an annoying rate. My blood levels were right above needing to be transfused and then they started to go up ever so slightly - getting them checked again tomorrow. I'm 49 and wasn't sure if anyone else on this regimen is experiencing all this fun, or if it's just me. Thanks for any input and hello! Mo
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PoliceWife...I had a HIP/GAP flap surgery in December at NOLA and sailed through it. The only pain I had was the donor site and it felt like a bruise. Like Jamie, I was up and ready right after surgery. I wanted to get up and get the catheter out of me that night, but they wouldn't do it till the next day, lol I was released a day early and went I went shopping with a lot of walking the day after and then rode in the car the 11 hour trip back home (we divided the trip into 2 days) with no problems after my follow up visit.. I just had my second stage last week, and I will admit I am in a lot more pain than last time. But that is because I had a lot of things done, and my pain comes mainly from lipo done on hips, thighs and legs and I had an implant put in both my flap breast and healthy breast.
Mo...I didn't experience a period like that. I haven't had a period since right after my first chemo treatment, which was almost a year ago. Hopefully someone else can chime in and offer some advice.
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Dear Ladies,
Been awhile since I last posted. Been pretty busy of late.
Completed my 18th Herceptin last Thursday. Feeling a bit lost, actually. Waiting to get into neratinivb trial next week. Meanwhile, there's a bit of funny pains below my collar bone and deep inside my right foot when I stand up. Only when I stand up............
Lisa,
You are in my thoughts. Chin-up, don't fret about it yet since we all do not know what is happening yet. Remember, we will face every battle together, all our brave sisters here.
BTW, the stage 4 (uterine) friend who refused treatment passed away last Wednesday. It is exactly a year since she went for her op. I am dreading going to her funeral. I am really a very weak person with no guts...............
Hugs.
Ipohgirl
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ipoghrl - Good luck on the neratnib trial. I tried and just could not tolerate the drug. There was no doubt that I got the reall deal not the palcebo.
mo - You should really have a gyno consult with your onco about this. Most of us never had another period after the first TCH. Good luck.
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Lisa1964 - good luck with the bone scan. I will be sending good thoughts your way.
Mo - I just had a baby in October and got my first period day of cancer diagnosis, then I got a period 3 weeks later right after my 1st TCH, I have had none since. I had horrible cramps in January when I should of had a period but never had one. Nothingsince either. I just turned 38.
I go for treatment #5 Wednesday and I hope it doesnt get put on hold because I have a horrible cold.
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Mo- I also pnly had one period after my TCH started. I got my period back one year exactly after I was diagnosed.
Lisa- I am thinking of you and I hope you bone scan goes well.
Lisa(ipoh)- I am sorry to hear about your friend
Good luck with the neratnib trial. I am hoping to get on it after my reconstruction is done.
Christy- now I am scared about the lypo but I am still going to do it
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Jamie...I didn't mean to scare you....I knew what I was in for going in to all of the lipo...and I can already see results (under the bruises) and it will be all worth it in a few weeks when I am healed! You may not need as much lipo as I had.
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I had my last Herceptin today guys!! Woo Hoo! Now I need a last MUGA and to go get that dang leaking expander replaced. and then get deported!!
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Congratulations Wendy!!! It is a great feeling to get things all rapped up!
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Stlcardsfan- I thought I was the only one with the pulse in my ears during chemo. It did go away after I recovered from the last treatment but was especially annoying at night when trying to go to sleep.
At 2 1/2 months PFC I have developed joint pain in my hands, elbow and knees. My onc thinks it is a residual affect from the taxotere and not the herceptin, but he can't tell me if it is permanent.
Lisa 1964- I'll be thinking of you and praying that you can deal with whatever is found.
"Deported" what a great term! In some ways I wish that I had be given one as my arm has been used as a pin cushion for the past 8 months but your comments have made me think I was better off with out one. Thank you all for the great information. It's very helpful.
Juli
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Christy~ thanks for the encouragement I am going to need a lot of lipo but I figured a week or 2 worth of discomfort is worth it in the long run. Glad you made it home and I hope you are recovering.
Lisa~ Thinking of you.
Wendy~ Congratulations!
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CONGRATULATIONS cakelady!!! Can't wait till I'm there!
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Ya Wendy!!! Getting deported is a wonderful feeling!!!
Thanks for the wishes and thoughts everyone.
Have a great day.
Lisa
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anneoz: I have had no issues with hair coming back! I did lose all my eyelashes after I finished the chemo portion which really threw me since I hadn't heard of that! Hopefully someone else will give some thoughts!
cakelady: Congratulations on being done! On to deporting!!!
So good to see more and more of us being able to say were done!
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anneoz: I have had no issues with hair coming back! I did lose all my eyelashes after I finished the chemo portion which really threw me since I hadn't heard of that! Hopefully someone else will give some thoughts!
cakelady: Congratulations on being done! On to deporting!!!
So good to see more and more of us being able to say were done!
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Lisa1964, I am thinking of you and I am also going through a scare of recurrence. I had a needle biop and it came back not enough to tell if it was cancer so on the 24th I will have what they call a punch biopsy. they will have to make a small incision and take a chunk out and sew it up. she said just a couple of stitches and I could go to work after it. I am not sure because I am still tender from the needle thing! I think I am getting to be a sissy now. I am going to find out about a trial on the 17th but I may not get to be part of it because of the possibility of new cancer. I guess we will see. I see why he did not want me de ported now and also the red blood count being down and not coming back,
Cakelady I am happy for you and I hope you can get all this behind you soon. I am glad most are getting much better too.
Carolyn
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Lisa: Still praying for you. I hope you have good news to report soon.0
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Carolyn and Lisa- we stand with you in love and support. Please update as soon as you learn something. This stuff is so hard. The waiting is the worst! But you are NOT alone!
Amy
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PoilceWife - Have you tried taking Claritin to help with the Neulasta pain? It does help a lot! Good thoughts and prayers for those headed to surgery, as well as for all of us facing this horrendous diagnosis!!
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Carolyn: Praying for good report for you also! I know the waiting is hard.0
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Anyone with messed up bloodwork AFTER finishing chemo? My blood work is still all over the board 3 months after finishing chemo. WBC's are kind of staying in the 2's and 3's with an occasional bump into the 5's. Platelets are in low 200's and still dropping. I'm curious if anyone else had these problems.
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Weety....My WBC was low all during my chemo and still is even 8 months PFC. It is at 2.4 and my RBC is 3.7. They keep telling me that it just takes a long time to recover after chemo.0
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Cakelady!!! Congratulations on your last Herceptin!!!
I finished Herceptin today too!!!! YEAH!!! I didn't know it was my last day until I got home :-( I had no chance to say good bye to my chemo lounge friends or the staff that took such good care of me (nor to ring the bell and get my picture taken to add to their "Survivor's Wall of Fame".) It's been a long year and the gals here on this board have been so encouraging and helpful. I wish you all the best!
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Congratulations Swampy!!!! WOO HOOO!!
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