charlestoncat

Recent comments

• Posted to Can anyone advise me about what to look for and what to expect after I return home form my DIEP flap reconstruction? on 12 Jun 2012

  Dear all - really wanted to share a great bra with all - Coobie bra. They have a great website but I couldn't paste it here. If anyone has any trucal lymphadema issues this will count as a compression bra for insurance purposes and s/b free once all your deductibles, etc. are met. Really comfortable and cool - much better than the Genie bras - and has molded cups to boot!
  
  Good luck to all and hand in there!

• Posted to Can anyone advise me about what to look for and what to expect after I return home form my DIEP flap reconstruction? on 9 Mar 2012

  I know that our PSs do surgery for a living but they need to be reminded that we do not! They are so cavalier with their "I can fix that" without realizing that for folks like me who have a complication every time a scalpel touches me, I do not relish the idea of hopping back into the OR!
  
  SeattleSunshine - I am 8 weeks post op and just returned to work this week. Most definitely not 100% and probably should not have worked 30 hours, but I could not stand being at home any longer. it has done wonders for my mental health just to fill my days with some sort of productivity and to be around my wonderful friends and co-workers again. Depending on your age and overall health, recovery times vary so greatly even if there aren't any complications so let your body, as Beverly said, tell you when it is ready.
  
  To all - physical therapy is a must, it keeps me exercising and has helped me all along the way with range of motion issues. PSs do not recommend this valuable service enough.
  
  Best of luck to all!!

• Posted to want implants removed after double mastectomy on 26 Feb 2012

  Stella - I too experienced exactly what you are talking about on my left side (radiated side) and suffered for a year with horrible pain. Get a good PS who is an experienced in DIEP surgery and see if you are a candidate. Where do you live?

• Posted to Can anyone advise me about what to look for and what to expect after I return home form my DIEP flap reconstruction? on 24 Feb 2012

  Thanks for the post - I think this happens more than we are told. I was healing nicely until a cave developed and then started splitting side to side smack in the middle. Yes - I am still in the throes of a Wound V.A.C.- a pain in the behind but already it is healing up and I should only have 2 more weeks on it. It keeps me from having to worry about changing dressings and infections. I have to wonder why you were not given one.
  
  So glad you are back to normal and I know I will get there eventually. I can't even think about any revisions and may never!

• Posted to Can anyone advise me about what to look for and what to expect after I return home form my DIEP flap reconstruction? on 23 Feb 2012

  Hey ladies - so glad to have found this forum! I have been looking for something like this since my surgery 1/12/12. Complication from the incision opening like the Grand Canyon still has me out of work and somewhat frustrated after a nearly 2 year journey of a full BC ride - lumpectomy (before finding invasive in the other breast), bi-lat mastectomry, expanders, radiation, chemo, implants, implant removal and this last surgery - DIEP. I think for me that looks like it could stand for "Damn I Enjoy Procedures" but I assure you all, I do not.
  
  Anyway, not to bore everyone with anymore details, I am here to answer any questions that any "negative outcome" folks may have as I think I might have been through it all and do have some tricks up my sleeve.
  
  God bless all of us who got this disease but have stayed strong and true to ourselves. It isn't easy but it really beats the alternative!