DIEP Flap Reconstruction 2016
Comments
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Dlia, I think you will be fine by day 10 to be solo. Just make sure that everything you may need is at waist height as you will not be allowed to raise your arms past shoulder height. Bending down will also be difficult, some women have used those plastic mechanical grabber things to retrieve dropped items- I wish I had one as dropped things on the floor drove me nuts! Maybe have some easy frozen dinners so you won't have to cook, just heat. Also see if you can find a protein shake that you like as the extra protein will help you heal, keep you strong and is easily made. Of course everyone heals differently so extra feedback from others should be considered.
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I appreciate all the updates. I am still in the hospital and it is hard to get comfy, I wonder if this was the right choice for me, but it's done now. Things have to get easier
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Dlia - if you pre-plan for day 10 when hubbie is away [meals ready, things easily accessible, and a friend dropping by for a visit or available by phone] I think you should be just fine [barring healing complications]. I did my surgery out of town, so stayed with a friend who is a nurse after the hospital released me on day 5. I stayed for a week before I flew home. I recall clearly it was on day 10 that there was a huge storm and power outage -- I had been out for a visit and dinner with another friend [so must have been feeling pretty perky] when I got a text saying her elevator was out of order
(( so I had to go up 6 flights - she is on top floor naturally. Did it slowly and carefully with little pauses on each floor, but I made it! Next day power was still out so up and down twice. I was pretty mobile by then regarding walking, but still couldn't lift much stuff or reach too far. And lots of resting in between.0 -
mom4four
Keep looking forward!! This too shall pass.
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mom4four:
I know that the whole surgery is difficult! I know it sucks being in a hospital! However, you did make the right choice! You will feel better once you are home...you will need to rest and recover at your OWN pace. I am happy that you will have home health care. I needed it because I live alone, and I knew I would be clueless as to drains and what is normal vs not normal.
I was a slow healer due to my own health issues, but I was patient.
While in hospital make sure your pain is well-controlled before you are discharged!
We are all here for you! Sending you hugs! Reach out when you need to! 💜💜
Lisa
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Dila- I think after 10 days you should be fine to be by yourself. Just make sure you have him make some food and put it in the fridge. Something that is easy for you to just reheat. How long will he be out of town for? By day ten I was fine, still sore but able to get around, and tired. At 8 weeks Im still tired but its getting better. You probably could go back to work if you had too at 4 weeks, but if you don't have to I would not. The more rest you can give your body the better shape you will be in. I was told 8 weeks recovery, and no lifting. No more than 5lb one arm and 10lbs both.
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Thanks all for the info he will only be gone for a weekend.With work and being the only IT Tech i have to lift big network printers, desktops, heavy duty scanners so im concerned about going back after 4 weeks but I'll talk with ps when we get to that point.
Question how are you all getting in and out of bed if you can't put to much pressure on your stomach and upper body
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Dlia, I'm not sleeping in my bed right now, but rather a recliner. So much easier to get in and out of. I did lay down on the bed today, though, and found it reasonably easy to get out of - I rolled to my side then used both arms to push myself up. It would have been harder a few days ago, but today is day 9 and I feel pretty good. My bed is lower to the ground, too, and I probably could have simply rolled my knees over the edge, then stood up from there.
My PS said if I chose to sleep in the bed I'd need several pillows to prop my upper body up, and to place under my knees. It was easier to sleep in the recliner.
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I have a recliner but its a manual one that I would have to push my legs down to close the recliner will that work.
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It might work, depending on how hard it is to close it. Or perhaps your husband could help you open/close it? I slept in the recliner at the hospital after the first two days, and it had a handle on the side for the legs, but I had to manually bring the back up. I grabbed on to the front of the arms and used my upper body strength to hold myself, then scooted my butt forward one inch at a time (moving from side to side...it seemed to take forever!!) You just have to take it slow and easy. While you're in the hospital, you could sk for assistance from the occupational therapist on staff for the best way to get in/out of bed, and in/out of the recliner. My nursing staff had lots of great suggestions that protected my abdominal muscles, and didn't put too much stress on my arms (we can't lift more than 5 lbs, which also includes pulling and pushing).
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it's day 3 or 4 depending on what you call the surgery day. I am feeling more hopeful. The OT helped me take a shower today it made me feel like a human. Tomorrow I am supposed to go home. Feeling somewhat better, and have started some anti anxiety melds that seem to calm my fears
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Thanks Stellamaris, The scar away are sold at Walgreens in the States. If you go to the website they give a store locator, I just looked them up.
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As you said everyone is different but by day 10 the worst was the drains for me at that point I still had 6 as my first follow up was 2 weeks from surgery, and the not being able to stand up straight. I would recommend having some easy meals to reheat and drinks in single serving so you don't have to lift a pitcher.
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Eight week check up on Tuesday. So excited to go and here what my ps has to say. I am hoping he gives me some info on when stage 2 will be and what exactly he will have to do. Started on my elliptical trainer this week only for ten minutes but its a start. Would have preferred to get out and do some walking but the elliptical is harder so thought I would start pushing myself. I think I have gained a few pounds from all the sitting around......not good.
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Slv58: If you only have to have compression around your abdomen try these ->
$16 for both. I bought on Amazon. They are called a "shaping band". Material like Spanx but only for the middle and not for everything else.Nancy - Way to go! I couldn't walk like that for my first two and a half weeks! I was lucky to make it around my back yard a few times. Once I could stand up straight again I started walking and now I'm back up to more than 12,000 steps a day. Most come from my morning walk when my abdomen is stretched out from sleeping.
As for the scar bandages. My PS had me start putting a 3M silicon tape on my incision at week four. As with everything else about healing check with your doctor. I had to wear a binder for four weeks...you didn't. Silicon tape for scars doesn't seem to be something every PS recommends.
Mom4four - I hope you are starting to feel a little more like yourself again each day. The hardest part is over. Each day should get a little better from here. Chin up. I hope you feel better soon.
havilover- I questioned my decision to do this right up until surgery. I had lived with no breast for six months and it wasn't awful. I was back to being active again. When I woke up and felt that mound of warm flesh I knew I did the right thing for me. I hope you will feel better about your decision soon.
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My ps said by the time I come home he might've taken out the drains in the breast but I might still have the stomach ones. How many drains are we talking about? Whats everyones exp
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Dlia, I have three drains - one on each side of the abdominal incision, and one in the left breast (I didn't have surgery on the right breast). The drains are managable and cleaning them three times a days isn't too bad.
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Has anyone had a sudden, significant increase in the amount of output from a drain?? Over the last several days all of my drains have been diminishing in output; two days ago all three of them had been well under 30 mL/day (one was under 10, the other under 20). My breast drain was very low. Yesterday morning I noticed an increase in the amount of fluid from the breast drain, and the color had changed to almost a burgundy hue. Afternoon the amount was "typical," but last night it was high again (17). I drained it at 7:45 this morning (17) and just did it again at 11:20 (18). Am seeing the PS on Tuesday, wondering if this can wait or if I should call this weekend? Discharged instructions say nothing about increased output. :-( Thanks.
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Nancy
I was told activity will increase output for the drains, maybe you were using your arm more?
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Sending thoughts and prayers for those scheduled for this week.
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Well, it's finally here! Tomorrow is the day! Up at 3:30 to arrive at U of M by 5:30 for 7:30 am surgery. Thanks for all the information and support from everyone here. See you on the other side!
Joy
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Joy, I'm so excited for you- sending positive hugs for a quick and easy surgery. Please let us know how you are doing when you feel up to it, we will be thinking of you.
Mom4four, how are you feeling? I hope you are seeing a bit of improvement. Have you been able to walk a bit, I know it's really hard when we are hunched over but remember to move a bit
Omickijo, thank you so much!i am definitely getting those, I hope they ship to Canada. I tried several spanx- like panties at Marshalls and was so discouraged as to how difficult it was to get on and off I had given up and figured I'd just wear the binder longer, but these look perfect!
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Mom4four - You could be right, maybe I used my arm too much. It's really, R-E-A-L-L-Y hard to sit still sometimes, and I think this has been a bit of a wake-up call to slow down. Today's take was 48mL total in 12 hours, up from 12 yesterday and 13 the day before. So - slowing down I am until I see the doctor on Tuesday.
How are you feeling today?
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Ok I can say that I have learned a lot thru all this, I am much better mentally today and that helps, my daughter is here for a few days so she gets it better than my 20 sonmethimg sons, and my. Sister rented me a recliner from rent a center, just tried it out, what a blessing. I may make it through all this after all. I tend to be a depressed person so this is feeling good for me. Thanks to all and I will continue to be thinking of you too
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rosiegirl - we are almost on the same schedule. My surgery is Tues morning. My hardest thing I'm dealing with right now is getting my emotions ready to send my son off to the air force he leaves Tuesday morning although we say our goodbyes tomorrow night. I worry about the hot room I am hot all the time anyway. The drains sound like a drag... Again. I had bilateral in January followed by expanders. The worst thing with that surgery was constipation from pain medicine and the drains but I got thru that fine. I will not miss these expanders they are so uncomfortable makes me sure I never would have wanted implants.
Glad you are getting along mom of four. One day at a time. My best friend is staying with me first week out of hospital then my sister the second week. I'm feeling pretty blessed. My daughter lives in California and has young children so not able to be here... It's hard on her.
Looks like you are doing great Nancy thanks for the updates.
Peace n love ladies
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the days leading up to surgery were hard for me, lots of anxiety so I will be thinking of you gals coming up in the next few days. It is hard but you can do it.
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Christianna, I wish you well not only with your surgery tomorrow, but saying goodbye to your son tonight. There's a lot going on in your life right now and I can imagine how many emotions it must stir up. I'm keeping you in my thoughts for a successful surgery and easy, comfortable recovery.
rosiegirl, I know you're in surgery right now, and I'm sending positive, healing energy and good thoughts for a successful surgery. Dr. Momoh is incredible, and I hope you're as happy with your results as I'm finding myself.
Mom4four, you sound a little better today. I hope every day is getting better. For me, everything got infinitely better once I got home and could relax in my own space. Are you going home sometime soon?
Sending love and hugs to everyone.0 -
Hello Ladies,
So..
Had this conversation today:
Onc: Just checking in
Me: Thanks. I'm good
Onc: How are you feeling?
Me: Awesome.. Except for this weird headache.. Doesn't exactly hurt. But if I over exert myself or have an orgasm it hurts pretty bad for an hour or so. I've also been losing my words. Maybe I'm getting old
Onc:How long has this been happening
Me: About 2 months
Onc: !#$@$%#$%^#&%$^&^&^%
So.. I'm in trouble. I'm now thinking that maybe I should be concerned. Anybody experience anything similar?I googled it like a month ago, and Dr. Google didn't seem to concerned. So, I dismissed it.
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Myajames - did you have chemo or rads or both? Please try not to stress until you know for sure there is a problem - are you on any other meds, like an AI or tamoxifen? Are you scheduled for any tests? Keeping my fingers crossed for you. Hugs
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mayajames, hope you get answers soon, hopefully your oncologist will have answers- please don't minimize the pain - thinking of you.
I am a bit better and tomorrow the nurse comes in but not to help to do an evaluation so I thought it was a for sure and now I don't know. I have the recliner and a stool for the shower but I was hoping to get a shower tomorrow. Still I painted my nails today. So that is fun. Trying to be careful and not do too much
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