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NOLA in September?

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Comments

  • Russell1
    Russell1 Member Posts: 413
    edited June 2013

    Yes open wounds take what seems like forever to heal! Especially if you add radiation in the mix! It seems like I just healed up and i'm going back to be reopened.

  • Russell1
    Russell1 Member Posts: 413
    edited June 2013

    PerryDawn..hope your surgery went well.

  • MartyJ
    MartyJ Member Posts: 819
    edited June 2013

    Melanie - I had hard spots (like hard lumps) in one of mine.  Dr. M fixed most of it at Stage 2.

  • Cherrie
    Cherrie Member Posts: 921
    edited June 2013

    Just got my notice that it is time for my mammogram. I know I don't need one anymore. BMX However, how are we monitored now? I forgot to ask Dr. LaGarde this last November. I did have nipple and skin sparing surgery. Just wondering.

  • motherandchild5
    motherandchild5 Member Posts: 111
    edited June 2013

    Ok... just got word that the underwire is ok. Yea!

    The med I am using is totally user friendly and won't hurt healthy tissue.  It's really something.... luckily the wound isn't bad enough for a wound vac but at the start of the process I may have thought so.  It's very close to being healed... It'll prob need another 2 weeks... It's been 8 so far so yes, it's been a long time.... but I know others have taken much longer.

    I can't believe Perry Dawn has had surgery already... It just seems like she had first one... time flies sooo fast!  I hope she is well.

  • Russell1
    Russell1 Member Posts: 413
    edited June 2013

    Thanks Marty for the response:) Cherrie...my oncologist is ordering a breast MRI in mid December since my last petscans showed no metastasis. Maybe that's what you'll have.

  • Judy_63
    Judy_63 Member Posts: 129
    edited June 2013

    Drain free again!!!!

  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 3,192
    edited June 2013

    Cherrie... The doctors I see all say just to get a breast exam. That if I had a recurrance it would be by the skin or in the nodal area therefore MRIs aren't helpful. I am still waiting to hear from the Center about my MX operative repor, because that is true mostly unless the fascia was taken during MX. I guess some doctors take breast tissue but don't scrap the chest wall and actually remove some fascia. And others do not. So I want to know which way Dr Stolier does it.

  • lastar
    lastar Member Posts: 553
    edited June 2013

    I'm pretty sure Dr. Stolier takes the fascia.  In fact, he said it was like pulling chicken meat off the bone because it comes off so clean.  That one stuck with me!  

    Update: Of course, I had chicken breast for dinner.  Ew.

  • jacee
    jacee Member Posts: 219
    edited June 2013

    Cherrie...Dr. M recommends a breast MRI every year for me after bilateral DIEP.

  • Marcie47
    Marcie47 Member Posts: 163
    edited June 2013

    Mother, I bought cami's with built in bras at target in the nightie area and I wear them under my tops. They are great, I am uneven and it doesn't really show so much with these 😄 and my breast just sit in the built in bra with no pressure put on them 😊

  • Russell1
    Russell1 Member Posts: 413
    edited June 2013

    Ladies:) I posted updated pics in the forum. Please take a look and give advice or opinions. I am so indecisive!!!!

  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,092
    edited June 2013

    russell--fabulous.  Your bottom looks so great too.  Anything you have done at this point will be icing baby! I say keep going til you are absolutely sure you love the results. 

     I found older pix and took some freshies to post up --finally got the nerve :) --and would not work.  Computer ended up with a virus when I went to suggested site to resize and now my son is trying to fix it.  Good thing i have a spare.

    Maggie

  • Russell1
    Russell1 Member Posts: 413
    edited June 2013

    Thanks Mags...I posted these from my phone. I emailed to myself then added them. See it that works:)

  • Russell1
    Russell1 Member Posts: 413
    edited June 2013

    Does anyone have implants with their flap?

  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,092
    edited June 2013

    i will try that thanks russell

  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 3,192
    edited June 2013

    I looked and replied!! You look great!

  • gmp300
    gmp300 Member Posts: 196
    edited June 2013

    Hi Russell - that was the plan for me to add a small implant with the flap for more volume but it didn't work out my last surgery:( due to the small flap I needed to fill in the side wouldn't take due to - well we don't know Ha!  To many surgeries, scar tissue not sure but the mini flap didn't take and my skin is to tight so I never got them.  Wish I did just for more volume.  

    Point is - that was the plan with Dr. D.

  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,092
    edited June 2013

    I almost do not want to say it out loud but I think the drain is slowing down. I really hope so...2 days ago it went up to 72 again. Lowest its been is 55. At 5 1/2 weeks I am running out of time. Dr M will usually only let you keep the drain for 7 wks max. Fingers crossed



    Maggie

  • Russell1
    Russell1 Member Posts: 413
    edited June 2013

    Thanks gmp and all of you for the responses!

    Mags....hoping it keeps going down..down..down..

  • m1970
    m1970 Member Posts: 261
    edited June 2013

    Anyone here have their belly button moved at stage 2? Mine is off center by about a half inch and I'm wondering if this can be fixed without having to cut a new hole. I hope it could be moved into position if they open my abdominal scar and stretch it over a bit . However isn't the navel still attached to whatever it comes from underneath? I feel like my navel looks unnatural and doesn't go in as much as it should.



    I was just looking at photos of belly dancers on a photographer friend's website and it made me a little sad to see their bellies and navels. It's the silliest thing because I've never really felt drawn to do that, but I thought to myself I will never want to show my belly like that now.

  • Judy_63
    Judy_63 Member Posts: 129
    edited June 2013

    Marsha,

    I just had my stage 2 and my belly button was way off center from having stage 1 done. He was suppose to move it over, Ii dont know if he did or not since there was no cutting done around my belly button. I think it is closer...I had a plication done on my stomach so I'm hoping when the swelling going down it will move it more into place. I know it's a minor thing but it bothers me too when I look down and it's not centered.

  • annalive
    annalive Member Posts: 286
    edited June 2013

    I have the same off-center belly button feature. Embarassed  It was moved off-center at stage 1 and also became necrotic. At stage 2, Dr. S did umbilical hernia repair and abdominal scar revision. I think maybe he forgot to recenter the belly button at that time (I had mentioned it pre-op and he marked it) and I was disappointed to see it was still off. I'm having a minimal stage 2b flap revision the week after next, but haven't mentioned the belly button this time. Do you know if it is a big deal or time-consuming to move it about half an inch? I'm paying out-of-pocket this time, so trying to keep my OR time at a minimum and might skip it. It is strange to look down and see it off-center, though.

  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,092
    edited June 2013

    Djffro....how is your daughter doing? Check in when you can.



    Drainwas down to 45 yesterday --the lowest a hip drain has been on me! Today looks promising too! Maybe next weekend this sucker will be gone



    Maggie

  • DianneNC
    DianneNC Member Posts: 113
    edited June 2013

    Cherrie, I was out of town last week so I am late to replying about your daughter. First, I am so sorry to hear this and sadly, I can relate. My 16 year old daughter has found a lump as well. We had an ultrasound last week and they think it is just a cyst but because of the history, she will be having an ultrasound guided biopsy next Monday. They told us to go on vacation and not worry, but they are going to take the aggressive route, rather than wait and see. She would have had the biopsy that day, but there was some shocking news at the hospital that day. My BS was doing a fellowship in Scotland and he died unexpectedly. He is such a great man, and the whole hospital (UNC)was just a mess emotionally. It is devastating news, and a huge loss to the medical community. He was the doctor who helped me so much when I needed aspirations, and he would email Dr. D whenever I came to his office just to be sure both doctors had complete records for me. No ego, just a passion for patient care. Poor man was in his early 40's and has three young daughters.



    On to your daughter, I am originally from Va Beach and my sister still lives there. I am the third sister of 4 to have breast cancer and my cancer-free sister is seen every six months by a Breast specialist named Claire Carman. She's about 30 minutes away from your daughter and is supposed to be top notch. Depending on what happens tomorrow at her appointment, it may be worth trying to get an appointment with Claire. I wish her luck tomorrow.

  • Maxine58
    Maxine58 Member Posts: 23
    edited June 2013

    Hi everyone!! Back from NOLA and finally able to get back online. Thanks for the good wishes and sorry to not update till now. Had problems with my tablet and had only phone access.

    Dr. M was spectacular. My whole experience was incredibe. This is what health care shoulld be for allll!!!

    My surgery took 12 hours and Dr M added a gap flap to my right side with vein and artery grafts. Thank goodness the inital PS left both in one side when the original DIEP was performed. After removing tons of scar tissue and replacing the irradiated skin she was able to go through the old incisions and add almost 750 mls. She said my lymph flow should be improved and my symptoms and flares may be reduced in the coming months. I love my new tata. But am surprisingly most excited about the improvement in function now that its done

    I hope everyone has as good an experience with any future surgery. God bless you all for educating me and restoring hope.

  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,092
    edited June 2013

    Maxine...welcome back. I am so glad that she could make this work for you! Take it easy the next few weeks and happy healing.



    My friend who was just dx is exploring options and her insurance said she was not covered outside of this area...Hogwash! There are two docs in area that do recon and its just implants. She already knows there will be lymph nodes removed and is worried about le. She has to finish up tx first so she has time to explore her options so I told her about nola. By then her baby will be a little older too.



    Mags

  • MartyJ
    MartyJ Member Posts: 819
    edited July 2013

    Maxine - So glad all went well in NOLA with Dr. M.  Sounds like you are doing great!

  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,092
    edited July 2013

    talked to Dr m last night for a long time.  she reassured me that my pain is totally normal from that stupid pseudo bursa and that the drainage is also right on track--at least now that it is going down.  i am so glad there is hope for my butt yet!  At least 3 more weeks with the drain but she is letting me use my emla cream left over from chemo on it.  She said no revision on the backside for 5 more months and I am ok with that.  My side is shot where the dang drains have been for so long back to back with little break in between.  I just know it will be spectacular when she is done.  My daughter had on some jeans that she felt were too baggy on her....she says "try em on mom"  I just knew that would not fit (jr size 11) and poof...they do!  Shock and disbelief for me.

    tried to get pix up to forum but email on that computer is shot from virus i got on it trying to resize...errrr!!!  hope to get some up soon. 

    Maggie-2

  • MartyJ
    MartyJ Member Posts: 819
    edited July 2013

    Maggie - sounds wonderful!  Are you still going ahead with the August surgery or wait on everything.  A break does sound good.

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