DIEP Flap Reconstruction 2016
Comments
-
I called the after hours number last night at 9:30 pm and left a message but no one called me back. I called at 8 am this morning to the PS office and they said they will call. My visiting nurse comes today so she called and I told her she will be here within the hour, she said she would call the PS if needed. The bleeding is from a small incision under my right side flap. The PS said my skin was so thin from radiation she had to suture it there during my surgery so I would have an extra scar. It is actually in a spot that I need a small mirror to see it. I am worried but glad the home nurse is coming today
0 -
DL3 so sorry to hear that. What a shock it must have been. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Hugs
0 -
yes taag4.... complete shock ... both my husband and I .... just were speechless. but again .... I am grateful it was found. what if had not been found.... that scares me too...... then .. 6 months a year or ...whenever .... it showed up and had grown. I am upset yet feel lucky if that makes sense.
0 -
DL3, positive thoughts and gentle hugs. I'm sure it was a shock but I'm happy it was found and early.
Mom4four, how are you doing? Has the nurse assessed the situation yet?
I'm just over 4 weeks out and have a few areas where the sutures have not dissolved. This always seems to happen to me. I'm still in Vancouver but see my MO on the 24th. No sign of redness or anything so I guess it's ok.
0 -
DL3: thinking of you. You are very fortunate it was found so early.
0 -
DL3 I'm glad your ps found it. Praying all goes well.
Mom4 glad you have the nurse especially when you are not getting a return call.
When I did my chemo and surgeries I didn't have a support group that lived near me besides my husband.
Everyone else lived states away. I'm glad I found you all who not only have been through it, but lifts each other up
and because you've been through we are able to be real and speak our fears and concerns..
You all are the best!!
0 -
Thanks everyone. And DL3 really thinking of you, I am glad you had a thorough surgeon.
The nurse was great, called and got through to the PS and sent a picture. I am to cover it with antibiotic ointment then gauze and change the dressing twice a day. The PS wasn't surprised that it opened up because the skin is so radiated. I am trying to stay calm and think positive, the nurse said it isn't infected and she comes back on Friday. I just hope it doesn't slow me returning to work as I go back Sept. 6.
I can't tell you how great it has been to have BCO to talk to during this time
0 -
DL3, thinking of you.
Mom4Four; glad the nurse came and was able to offer some comfort and advice. Try to rest when you can
0 -
thank you Simplicity
0 -
thank you Mom4four
0 -
Thank you Dlia
0 -
Yes I am VERY GRATEFUL Thank you Katjadvm
0 -
Thank you slv58
0 -
DL3: I was thinking about you earlier today. I forgot to say that totally sucks! You were at the finish line and got knocked back. Totally bites ass and I am so sorry. Very unfair!
0 -
DL3, my thoughts and prayers are with you. So happy it was found early. 😀
0 -
just looking at the list and see munlyn had her scheduled surgery a few days ago. Here's thinking of you, hope all went well
0 -
Yaay! Got a date for my Stage 2 surgery-August 23. Hope everyone is on a healing path and improving everyday. My very heartfelt best wishes and healing prayers for those of who experience setbacks. Cancer seems more like one step forward, 2 steps back sometimes. I hold you all in my heart - I feel like I know you.
0 -
Munlyn, hope your surgery went well and your starting to put it behind you. Rest and don't push yourself too much.
Stellamaris, so happy you have a date! It's coming up quickly which is nice.what will you be having done? I'm one month plus a few days post stage 2 and feel pretty much my old self. I had a reduction and lift on left and I think a small lift and fat grafting on diep. It's funny because I knew I had a reduction but it wasn't until I saw a couple pics of myself just taken that I realized how much smaller I am. I'm good with it but seems the last three and a half years has been accepting a new version of me. It will be so nice to be done!
0 -
Slv, I am having a reduction to hopefully attain symmetry. I am DD on one side, and I would guess a B on the other. I am not sure if the PS has plans to lift or not. I will be happy with getting it over with at this point. I am planning on a 3D tatoo for the nipple. Like everyone, I still cannot believe this happened, just taking it one step at a time. The main thing for me is getting a pathology on the "good" side. Will be able to heave a sigh of relief if it's clear, since it was never seen on mammo or MRI. Take care everyone. Sending lots of strong, healing thoughts
0 -
hi all!
I'm about 5 weeks post right side MX and DIEP flap reconstruction and it feels like my foob is half in my armpit. Has this happened to any of you? Hoping it's just swelling and will go away, but swelling is pretty much gone everywhere else. PS said I could start wearing underwire bras now, but there's no way, an underwire sorta cuts my foob in half,just won't fit around it.
Thoughts?
Thx!
0 -
I'm at 2 weeks 3 days out. Healing is going well. I don't feel the need for pain Meds so I am down to maybe 1 a day. I am so emotional has anyone experienced this?? I feel like it's my body letting go of the Meds heck I don't know. I feel so blessed with my outcome and healing process but emotionally I'm a wreck! Still so tired most of the time I did walk around the block this morning my poor husband decided to walk with me he is very athletic next time I'll do it by myself not sure Anyone outside of us going thru it can truly understand the steps we take in this journey forward.
Holding you all near today....prayers for quick healing
0 -
I am 6 weeks out from bmx and diep flap reconstruction. Saw the ps last week. I was concerned that the left breast is still painful while right breast feels fine and I have a bulge above the incision on my tummy. He says its all fine. Swelling due to surgery that will resolve. I hope he is right. I'll see him again in about 6 weeks. He gave me go ahead to drive and get back in the pool all of which is helping me feel like I am moving on from this. When I first joined this forum someone told me that at 6 weeks they felt so much better. That is true for me too. They all said at 10 weeks it was even better, so I am looking forward to that. My breast don't look good to me so I am hoping when the swelling goes down and I have stage 2 surgery it will look better. I am glad the cancer is gone. That is the most important thing, but I was hoping to get some nice looking noobs out of all of this.
DL3 So sorry about your news. My thoughts are with you.
Mom4four Hope things are going well with your incision healing.
0 -
Havilover, I saw the PS and she said keep it covered with the antibiotic ointment and it should get better in two weeks, since it is radiated skin that is why it burst open and may take a while to heal, but the good news is it is only on the skin not the flap so I am not going to loose the flap.
I am 3 weeks and 2 days from my surgery and the turning point for me is when I get all the drains out, then I begin to feel more like myself. Still one more week of arm motion, lifting and driving restrictions but my energy is getting better every day. My anxiety on the other hand is through the roof and I don't know why.
I can relate to the emotional ups and downs it really sucks to be so out of control
0 -
Mom4four So glad its not the flap. I know getting those drains out is a major milestone. I went through cancer and breast surgery eight years ago. I tend to just push through what ever I have to do and don't feel the emotions until later. Maybe 5 years after surgery, chemo, radiation and everything I began to have anxiety issues. It was almost like PTSD symptoms. Jumping out of my skin at a loud noise, not being able to relax after a stressful event. I got into counseling and saw how traumatic all these assaults on my body were without me even acknowledging it. So this time I set it up to see a counselor a few times instead of waiting a few years! Sounds like your anxiety is right there close to the surface which must be really uncomfortable but so much better than burying it like I did. I wish you the best getting through it.
0 -
thanks havilover, I also had BC before in 2007. It was rough and I am in counseling now but this anxiety is really bad this time, family issues don't help. One day at a time.
I did go into work for a bit today my friend took me, it took a while but then it began to feel regular. I haven't worked since April 29th! I think that is part of my problem not enough to do
0 -
Question for you all:
I got my ab drains out yesterday, and am feeling "movement" in my tummy now,. as well as a little pain, almost like a pinch inside.
Anyone else experience some weirdness once their drains were out?
0 -
Jwoo, I didn't have that but I do have rib pain when I breathe in deep, it seems this is a surgery that takes a toll on our bodies. Get lots of rest
0 -
I had a ripping sensation and a little pain in the early days after my DIEP. The PS thought it was just scar tissue readjusting.
I am now 8 months out and I still feel like my belly has some stretching to do. Went on a walk bra less today and regretted it--felt like I needed more support.
Nevertheless, I am delighted with the results and am so happy that I did this.
Healing wishes to all of you. For those of you still in the early days, hang in there. I remember having a bit of a setback at about 3 weeks. I had been feeling better and overdid and ended up feeling really crappy and frustrated that the recovery was taking so long.
It is a long haul after stage 1, but so worth it. I have enjoyed quite a bit of normalcy this summer. After more than a year of dealing with cancer and its aftermath, this at least has been encouraging.
DL3, my heart goes out to you. Just when you thought you were on the tail end,it came back to bite you. I do hope that it is just a tiny bite and that you can keep moving forward. We are all here for you!
0 -
I still have a couple of weeks to go before my surgery but now wondering if I should have scheduled my surgery for my disc in my neck first. The pain keeps me awake every night and I'm having a hard time getting in a comfortable position. But the orthopedic doc said since I had already had this one scheduled he would have to wait 6 weeks before he could do that surgery. Having a hard time with new management about being out and working from home now so I don't know what its going to be like with having to be out for disc surgery and a stage 2...
0 -
StellaMaris hope all goes well with your stage 2 on Tuesday sending good thoughts and prayers for the outcome you desire.
0
