DIEP Flap Reconstruction 2016
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dlia- you have every right to feel frustrated! Your life is in limbo according to the medical people. One book I found helpful for helping me to understand the limits of traditional medicine and what we can do as people healing from cancer is Radical Remission by Kelley Turner,PhD.
She studied all the cases where cancer patients went into remission- ever doctor has a few of these cases that they don't understand. She collected data and stories from around the world then culled out 9 common themes for those that experienced Remission. I'm reading it for the second time.
It gives me hope that our bodies and minds can help us heal.
Warm hugs and good vibes,
Tigs
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Dlia, have you tried kefir? It's supposed to do wonders for your gut bacteria and immune system.
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Thanks ladies!! The doctor called me last night and answered all my questions and concerns. He said he checked me for CLL and it was negative. He says I don't need antibiotics. He said that my lymphocytes went up but he is not concerned about the numbers and that it was safe for me to have my stage 2 surgery. He started throwing out other numbers and test and I was like did you call me to make me feel better or to keep me worrying till May... He laughed and said that there is nothing to worry about he is aware of my numbers and would never put me in harms way. I feel a lot better after talking to him especially knowing that I don't have CLL even if it is slow growing...
BigSister, you are truly a big sister. I appreciate your calming tone that gives me peace not to worry. I'm going to look for a doctor here in Charlotte.
Grateful99, I've never heard of Kefir where can I get it?
Tiggerousity, looking up the book right now...
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Dlia, you can get kefir in the yogurt section of your grocery store. If not, a health food store should have it. I make my own from a culture I got online.
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Dlia, kefir is one of many kinds of ferments that you can do. Kefir can be milk or grain based. The kefir that Grateful is recommending is milk based--it is basically a liquid yogurt.
The key is to find one that does not have a bunch of added sugar--sugar pretty much defeats the purpose.
I got started in fermented foods after my sepsis. Between the intense antibiotics and the fact that my immune system was whacked in the first place, it was time to improve things.
Fermented foods are loaded with probiotics that help rebuild your body's normal flora--the various bugs that should be living in your body to keep you healthy. Fermented foods can take the place of taking probiotics, but I still take probiotics.
I make my own sauerkraut. What you buy in the store is pasteurized, so they kill everything. The raw stuff is too expensive at the health food store ($10-12/pint!) so I make my own. A friend showed me how. It is pretty easy.
I also make kombucha, which is a fermented tea. It is pretty awesome! Again, the store bought stuff is usually loaded with sugar and pasteurized.
Another great thing for the gut is bone broth. You can get it on powder form and just add it to smoothies. Easy. You can also make your own.
I roast an organic chicken every week. After we eat it, I dump all the bones (back, neck, and all in a pot with 2 qts of water, a dollop of vinegar and a couple of tsp of sat and a little pepper. I let it simmer for 24 hours on low. Then I strain it into a jar.
I make a soup out of that broth, adding veggies and the leftover chicken meat. The bones dissolve a bit, and the resulting broth is incredibly healing to the gut and good for your whole body. Our grandmothers made it all the time. Why don't we?
Dr. Axe has some great webinars on healing the gut. They are free. Start there. It seems overwhelming at first, but as you learn more and get started, it is pretty easy.
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DIEP FLAP Surgery date December 1st at 7am. Proud to say I'm right now sitting at the edge of my bed drinking water and eating fish on Dec 3, I feel accomplished. I know I still have a long road ahead, but right now feeling ok.
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Nlo322, so glad to hear you are doing well. I had my surgery yesterday and have been feeling really proud of myself too. Ate 3 meals and walked down the hall a bit. Hoping tomorrow is even better for both of us!
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you guys are awesome.. well done and wishing you both a speedy and uneventful recovery. Hugs
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Jcn16, way to go!! Maybe we can be motivation for each other. I'm jealous you ate so well!! Water has been my friend, the food at the hospital hasn't been so bad. I have picked here and there. Actually looking forward to some eggs today. keep posted on how your doing, I would love to know.
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Well already kicked out of the hospital. Dr said your doing great, get out of here. So glad to be at home in my comfy chair.
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Wow, that was fast Nlo! Glad you are home. Now just be sure to rest. You are the queen. Your only job is to eat, walk around now and then, and poop daily. Leave the rest to everyone else!!
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Nlo322, Congratulations! My surgery was the day after yours so I'm hoping to go home in the next two days. Just went for a little walk but I'm more tired today due to lack of sleep. Thank goodness for ear plugs and sleep masks!
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definitely being woke up every hour was not fun. On top of the loud people in the hospital. Ear plugs and face mask would of been a good idea!! Hopefully i will get sleep tonight! Still have belly pain at home, but tolerable. Just emptied my tubes all by ourselves, piece of cake. Still just doing the minimal walking to and from the bathroom and maybe a lap to the kitchen. The walker really helps on the back. Hoping you get to go home soon too!! Be strong, your on the right road to be home!!
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Thanks Grateful and Bigsis!!
NLO and JCN glad you are both doing ok!! I'm almost 3 months out and preparing for my stage 2 this month. Not really sure what besides the breast the PS will be working on but I am really LOVING the breast. With a few tweaks my head won't be able to fit in my door...lol.
Question for those who have already been through how long will my stomach stay tender? Not pain but tender, more so up at the top where my navel is. Sometimes it seems to be bloated and I worry that I should've wore that binder but I couldn't because of the pain and open incision.
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Morning ladies. Sorry I have been absent. So much going on here. Stage 3 Dec 21st to take care of the puckered abdomen. With the dehiscence, when it healed, it pulled inward. Not awful but causes a lot of stomach discomfort.
Dlia, my tum has been tender since initial surgery May 20. I think it was normal, and then the way it healed, is causing more issues. Really hope Dec 21st makes it better.
BigSister, you look great! Thanks for an updated photo. Your tummy looks great
Tanya, love the body art. Beautiful!
Maya? How are you?
Fast healing wishes to all recent surgeries! Do be careful (I have been lurking via email). I felt great the first 2 weeks or so. Was standing up straight I think the second day? Remember your body just had major surgery. It takes a bit for all the wonderful drugs to wear off, and I think it was BigSister who reminded us that the stitches don't start dissolving until around week 2. So just be mindful. Rest when you can.
I am trying to see the bright side of my recon. I have one round, kind of firm nice breast on the right (radiated side)-O yea, BigSis, did you have radiation on your left side? My left breast is another story. Very nice and soft, but flat in front. Eh.
Hope all have a great day
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Dlia, my doc didn't believe in using a binder, so it is unlikely to be that. I think it is more from your dehiscence--things just took longer to heal.
My abdomen felt funny forever. Wearing yoga pants with their light pressure helped a lot. I think that went on for almost a year. I just realized that I stopped thinking about it! So maybe a month or two ago?
Previous years ladies have reported bloating. They called it sweet-belly it lasts indefinitely seems to be part of the healing your belly got whacked, and it takes awhile to settle down
Simplicity, no radiation, but my left got infected twice, so lots of scar tissue from that. They couldn't keep an expander in on that side, so it got a bigger flap. The corner of it shows if I wear a particularly revealing neckline, but I can usually tuck it out of sight
The breasts are not quite the same shape as the originals--a little flat (bun like) but close enough! They make feel like me. They make me feel sexy, so I am delighted with them
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Going home tomorrow! Need a suggestion on how to keep the drains from popping open. Happened twice today.
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jcn16 and nlo322, thank you so much for sharing. My surgery is Jan. 24th. I'm excited and nervous for it to get here. Congratulations on your surgery being behind you and you being on the road to recovery. My doctor said I would be in the hospital about 4 or 5 days. The 1st couple will be in icu so they can monitor circulation for the transplanted tissue. I'm thinking that maybe she will do stage 1 and 2 all at once. I will ask when I go for my pre-op appointment on Jan. 5th. I don't know what I would do without this wonderful group to help with my questions and by sharing your experiences. Thank-you again.
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Simplicity...did you have rads before or after your DIEP? I am going to have to make that decision soon. Having the bmx next Tuesday with expanders, do I have a choice or rather PS does. I am having chest wall not whole breast
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Jcn, mention it to your doctor. Theseain bulb might be faulty. I don't know if they could easily replace it
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i have one of my drains that want to be difficult, I just pay attention before getting up that they are all shut tight. I was excited to get to get a shower today. It took three of us and alot of time. But a pain free event and feeling fresh and clean now. Still doing my steps today, 100 steps 3x a day, and already cut out one pain pill for Ibuprofen.
Cwayman650 this sight truly helped me get through this surgery. I found a wonderful lady to message and it helps to have someone to talk to. Please feel free to private message me. I was told 4 days in ICU by both my surgeon and PS. The flaps are most vital in the first 48 hours. Constant monitoring of those flaps. every hour they did ultrasound checks and also had me hooked up to a machine that also monitored the oxygen in the tissue. Once the seen my flaps were ok, and I was doing well, they put me on the floor. Said I would be there 3 days. Plastic surgeon checked me the next two days and said your going home. I couldn't believe it. One of the nurses mentioned your more likely to get infection at the hospital than at home. It kind of made more sense. Im home, no hugs from family, just tell them a kiss on the forehead would me nice, I have Purell at my table by chair. Whoever empties my drains where's gloves. I have an air purifier running next to me. No infections for me and I get to be in the comfort of my own home.
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Nlo, great suggestions for first days at home. When I get home tomorrow I'll be careful to empty drains often and wear gloves. Hospital gave me a zipper sachel on adjustable strap that should work in the shower. Can't wait for a shower
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hi everyone, I haven't been around much but popping in to say I finally have my stage 2 date for mid January. Yay
I am getting one 'kitten' ear [tiny almost cute pointy bit on r side - too small for dog ear!] fixed up and then so looking forward to origami swan nipples. My r side is flat at the tip, with a crop circle, so having a nipple will help, and they had to go back and take the middle of the nipple on the left, so that shape is more typical and pointed. Both my breast shapes are already pretty darn good, so don't know how much I want to mess with that. The rad side did lift a little bit higher and bulges slightly more towards the armpit, but still soft, so will discuss with my rockstar PS a few days before the surgery, and make a decision about how much to monkey around. jiffrig - I did rads after my immediate recon diep [not thinking I would need rads] and waited as long as possible [4 months] to let my post surgery breast tissue heal properly first -- my RO wasn't happy, but agreed, and things went quite well.
jcn - I had one persnickety hip drain that I really had to make sure was closed, but short of putting a plastic bag over it, I don't think there is much to be done -- can't easily remove it and insert a new one.
healing hugs and wishes everyone
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jcn, for the lovely drains that pop open, use surgical tape. I cut it to a smaller size to fit the drain top. Get the hospital to give you a roll to go home with.
I am 1 week post op to close my abdominal wound. I have stitches along 8 inches. The first 2 days I was in a lot of pain but it's better now. I can't yet stand up straight, the incision is still oozing slightly and I feel a lot of pulling so I'm trying not to move around too much and crossing my fingers that it doesn't reopen again. Still home bound more than 2 months after the original DIEP surgery and it's driving me crazy.
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Maya, good to hear from ya. I bet you are! Any coloring or reading?
Jiffrig, I had rad's then DIEP/TRAM. Not sure that either is better per say. I wasn't given a choice with much during my treatment. But I am finally healing up on the outside, with stage 3 Dec 21st to take care of my abdomen.
Hope everyone else is doing ok tonight and rests well. PS tomorrow to discuss stage 3. Kind of excited. Going to see if he can do anything at all with left breast. Its flat in front. O'well if not.
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Hello! I'm having my DIEP surgery on the right breast on 12/28. Just barely under the wire for this December group! It's really really nice to read all your posts in preparation. It's been helping calm me down as I face the next 3 weeks.
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Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions on the drains. I think yesterday's accidents occurred when I rolled over on them in bed so last night I was particularly careful to position the drains when I got into bed. No problems. More concerned about leakage at home so I'll put a waterproof cover on the mattress for the time being.
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Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions on the drains. I think yesterday's accidents occurred when I rolled over on them in bed so last night I was particularly careful to position the drains when I got into bed. No problems. More concerned about leakage at home so I'll put a waterproof cover on the mattress for the time being.
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Maya, Simplicity's suggestion for reading is a great one! I use audible and love listening to books when I am sick or recovering. It keeps your mind busy and gets your brain into another world. Your library likely has a bunch of audio books as well.
I am working through agatha Christie's "ABC Murders." We love Terry Pratchet. Start with "night watch" or "going postal". If you have never read through the Harry Potter books, now is your chance! Oh, and "journey to the center of the earth" read by Tim Curry is a hoot.
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Phoebe yaaay for stage 2☺. Let me know how you feel about the new nipples. I am thinking about changing my mind and getting one on the foob. I see my PS Monday to talk about it. I also have a kitten ear, that is bugging not me, but DH. Hope all continues to progress uneventfully for you. I passed my last check up and don't t have to go back til May! Hugs
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