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10-01-2011, 06:44 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 600
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DIEP recovery?
I am trying to decide when I am going to schedule my reconstruction and I would like to hear how you felt after DIEP surgery and how long it took you to recover. Please let me hear from you.
Leslie
__________________
In the world of destiny, there are no statistics.
Jan. 26- mammogram and ultrasound- suspicious lump
Mid-February- lumpectomy, infiltrating ductal carcinoma ~4.5 cm and a 1 cm DCIS, did not get clear margins, did not check lymph nodes
ER+/PR+, her2 +++, nuclear grade 3 of 3
February 20-PET scan showed something on liver. No biopsy.
March- Started carboplatin, herceptin, taxol on a four week cycle
May 3- Pet scan, with intent to do a biopsy, found nothing, liver or breast- no biopsy because there is nothing to biopsy
June 21- new onc, very concerned that there had been no biopsy,
June 18th-CAT scan, bone scan-negative
August 7th - Brain MRI-negative
August 9th- mastectomy, all pathology negative
January 2008 still NED! New oncologist -herceptin for full year after chemo- until July, and tamoxifen---negative scans since May '07
July 2008-Finished Herceptin!
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10-01-2011, 08:52 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Philly Suburbs
Posts: 1,709
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Re: DIEP recovery?
Well, my surgery is this Friday (Oct. 7).
I'll let you know what I think next week. 
Wish me luck!
Denise
__________________
1/11-needle biopsy
2/11-Lumpectomy/axillary node dissection - Stage 3c, ER/PR-14/17 nodes
3/11 - Post-op staph infection,cellulitis, lymphedema,seroma,ARRRGH!
4/12/11-A/C x 4, then T/H x 4, H only,Q3 weeks
8/26/11 finished Taxol!!!
10/7/11 mastectomy/DIEP recon
11/11 radiation x28
1/12/12 1st CANCER-VERSARY!
1/12 Low EF/Herceptin "Holiday" :(
2/12 EF up - Back on Herceptin, heart meds
4/2/1212 surgery to repair separated incision from DIEP recon
6/8/12 Return to work :)
6/17/12 Fall, shatter wrist,surgery to repair/insert plate :(
7/10/12 last Herceptin
7/23/12 Brain Mets %$&#! 3cm and 1cm
8/10/12 Gamma knife surgery, LOTS of steroids;start H/Tykerb
8/23/12 Back to work
12/20/12 Injure back-3 weeks in wheel chair
1/12/13 2nd CANCER-VERSARY!
1/14/13 herniate disk in back - surgery to repair
1/27/13 Radiation necrosis - edema in brain - back on steroids - but not back to work - off balance, poor cordination in right arm
5/3/13 Start Avastin to shrink necrosis
5/10/13 begin weaning steroids
6/18/13 Brain MRI - Avastin seems to be working!
6/20/13 quarterly CT - chest, abdomen, pelvis - All Clear!
7/5/13 finally off steroids!!
7/7/13 joined the ranks of the CHEMO NINJAS I am now Tekuto Ki Ariku cancer assassin!
7/13/13 Symptoms return - back on steroids
7/26/13 Back on Avastin - try again!
8/26/13 Not ready to return to classroom yet :( But I CAN walk without holding onto things! :)
9/9/13 Brain MRI - fingers crossed
“ Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you down or polishes you up is for you, and you alone, to decide. ” – Cavett Robert
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10-01-2011, 10:30 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Bradenton,FL
Posts: 977
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Re: DIEP recovery?
Will call you Faux... Had oral surgery and am waiting for pain meds to kick in  !
Marcia |
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10-01-2011, 10:39 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 600
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Re: DIEP recovery?
Marcia, Thanks. When you feel better. It will be at least the middle of the week before they call me back.
__________________
In the world of destiny, there are no statistics.
Jan. 26- mammogram and ultrasound- suspicious lump
Mid-February- lumpectomy, infiltrating ductal carcinoma ~4.5 cm and a 1 cm DCIS, did not get clear margins, did not check lymph nodes
ER+/PR+, her2 +++, nuclear grade 3 of 3
February 20-PET scan showed something on liver. No biopsy.
March- Started carboplatin, herceptin, taxol on a four week cycle
May 3- Pet scan, with intent to do a biopsy, found nothing, liver or breast- no biopsy because there is nothing to biopsy
June 21- new onc, very concerned that there had been no biopsy,
June 18th-CAT scan, bone scan-negative
August 7th - Brain MRI-negative
August 9th- mastectomy, all pathology negative
January 2008 still NED! New oncologist -herceptin for full year after chemo- until July, and tamoxifen---negative scans since May '07
July 2008-Finished Herceptin!
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10-01-2011, 01:13 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,173
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Re: DIEP recovery?
Hi Denise,
I will be praying everything goes well on Friday. Gods blessings to you and your family.
Your Friend,
Nancy
__________________
dx 11/12/09 IDCI
Stage 3a
ER 98% PR 80%
Her2 +3
4/12 nodes
6 rounds TCH
Herceptin 12 months 3weeks
Rad. 30 tx
Tamoxifin 6 months stopped
Arimedex stopped 9/12 (side effects)
Aromasin 10/12
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10-01-2011, 01:30 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Philly Suburbs
Posts: 1,709
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Re: DIEP recovery?
Thanks, Nancy!
Prayer is just what I need!
Denise
PS - when you feel down, or need a laugh...check out the "keeping your mind off BC" message board. I did the other day, and there's some funny stuff over there!
__________________
1/11-needle biopsy
2/11-Lumpectomy/axillary node dissection - Stage 3c, ER/PR-14/17 nodes
3/11 - Post-op staph infection,cellulitis, lymphedema,seroma,ARRRGH!
4/12/11-A/C x 4, then T/H x 4, H only,Q3 weeks
8/26/11 finished Taxol!!!
10/7/11 mastectomy/DIEP recon
11/11 radiation x28
1/12/12 1st CANCER-VERSARY!
1/12 Low EF/Herceptin "Holiday" :(
2/12 EF up - Back on Herceptin, heart meds
4/2/1212 surgery to repair separated incision from DIEP recon
6/8/12 Return to work :)
6/17/12 Fall, shatter wrist,surgery to repair/insert plate :(
7/10/12 last Herceptin
7/23/12 Brain Mets %$&#! 3cm and 1cm
8/10/12 Gamma knife surgery, LOTS of steroids;start H/Tykerb
8/23/12 Back to work
12/20/12 Injure back-3 weeks in wheel chair
1/12/13 2nd CANCER-VERSARY!
1/14/13 herniate disk in back - surgery to repair
1/27/13 Radiation necrosis - edema in brain - back on steroids - but not back to work - off balance, poor cordination in right arm
5/3/13 Start Avastin to shrink necrosis
5/10/13 begin weaning steroids
6/18/13 Brain MRI - Avastin seems to be working!
6/20/13 quarterly CT - chest, abdomen, pelvis - All Clear!
7/5/13 finally off steroids!!
7/7/13 joined the ranks of the CHEMO NINJAS I am now Tekuto Ki Ariku cancer assassin!
7/13/13 Symptoms return - back on steroids
7/26/13 Back on Avastin - try again!
8/26/13 Not ready to return to classroom yet :( But I CAN walk without holding onto things! :)
9/9/13 Brain MRI - fingers crossed
“ Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you down or polishes you up is for you, and you alone, to decide. ” – Cavett Robert
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10-01-2011, 03:55 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Doylestown, ohio
Posts: 334
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Re: DIEP recovery?
Good luck Denise, prays and hugs for you. Let us know how it goes. I will be having reconstruction in Dec. but will be having an implant. Curious to hear some stories on that as well. God Bless. Darlene
__________________
DX Sept 30 2010 at the age of 49. Oh crap! 1.5 cm idc, stage 1 grade 3 er/pr+, her2+ no lymph nodes, mastectomy Oct/10. Started 6 rounds of TCH Dec/10 and will continue herceptin until Nov /11 and just started femara.
Stray kitten found my lump while I was playing with it. It is now my pet and my dog is not real happy about that.
Mammo good
last herceptin 11/21/11 YAY
reconstruction 12/09/11
Chapter closed 12/10/11, hopefully, fingers crossed
Bone scan, chest xray, clear
04/27/12 Expander removed, implant put in, ahh sigh of relief, much more comfortable
Sept 30, 2014, 4 years NED
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10-01-2011, 06:18 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 2,582
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Re: DIEP recovery?
Hi Faux......Had my surgery in June of 2008. I didn't find the recovery too terribly tough. The first few days are the toughest. Once I was up and about I was on my way. Slow, yes, but on my way, nonetheless. I walked a lot and thankfully had no complications to complicate things. For me the worst part was lower back pain.
Good luck to you....
__________________
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
Dx. 6/24/05 age 45 Right Breast IDC ER/PR. Neg., - Her2+++ RB Mast. - 7/28/05 - 4 cm. tumor Margins clear - 1 microscopic cell 1 sent. node No Vasucular Invasion 4 DD A/C - 4 DD Taxol & Herceptin 1 full year of Herceptin received every 3 weeks 28 rads prophylactic Mast. 3/2/06
17 Years NED
<>< Romans 8:28
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10-01-2011, 07:31 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 600
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Re: DIEP recovery?
Denise, I hope all goes well. Where are you having this done, if you don't mind sharing? I am looking forward to hearing from you.
__________________
In the world of destiny, there are no statistics.
Jan. 26- mammogram and ultrasound- suspicious lump
Mid-February- lumpectomy, infiltrating ductal carcinoma ~4.5 cm and a 1 cm DCIS, did not get clear margins, did not check lymph nodes
ER+/PR+, her2 +++, nuclear grade 3 of 3
February 20-PET scan showed something on liver. No biopsy.
March- Started carboplatin, herceptin, taxol on a four week cycle
May 3- Pet scan, with intent to do a biopsy, found nothing, liver or breast- no biopsy because there is nothing to biopsy
June 21- new onc, very concerned that there had been no biopsy,
June 18th-CAT scan, bone scan-negative
August 7th - Brain MRI-negative
August 9th- mastectomy, all pathology negative
January 2008 still NED! New oncologist -herceptin for full year after chemo- until July, and tamoxifen---negative scans since May '07
July 2008-Finished Herceptin!
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10-01-2011, 08:01 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Philly Suburbs
Posts: 1,709
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Re: DIEP recovery?
Faux-
My surgery is at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), in Philadelphia.
The surgeons came highly recommended. I'll let you know my opinion next week!
Thanks for the well wishes!
Denise
__________________
1/11-needle biopsy
2/11-Lumpectomy/axillary node dissection - Stage 3c, ER/PR-14/17 nodes
3/11 - Post-op staph infection,cellulitis, lymphedema,seroma,ARRRGH!
4/12/11-A/C x 4, then T/H x 4, H only,Q3 weeks
8/26/11 finished Taxol!!!
10/7/11 mastectomy/DIEP recon
11/11 radiation x28
1/12/12 1st CANCER-VERSARY!
1/12 Low EF/Herceptin "Holiday" :(
2/12 EF up - Back on Herceptin, heart meds
4/2/1212 surgery to repair separated incision from DIEP recon
6/8/12 Return to work :)
6/17/12 Fall, shatter wrist,surgery to repair/insert plate :(
7/10/12 last Herceptin
7/23/12 Brain Mets %$&#! 3cm and 1cm
8/10/12 Gamma knife surgery, LOTS of steroids;start H/Tykerb
8/23/12 Back to work
12/20/12 Injure back-3 weeks in wheel chair
1/12/13 2nd CANCER-VERSARY!
1/14/13 herniate disk in back - surgery to repair
1/27/13 Radiation necrosis - edema in brain - back on steroids - but not back to work - off balance, poor cordination in right arm
5/3/13 Start Avastin to shrink necrosis
5/10/13 begin weaning steroids
6/18/13 Brain MRI - Avastin seems to be working!
6/20/13 quarterly CT - chest, abdomen, pelvis - All Clear!
7/5/13 finally off steroids!!
7/7/13 joined the ranks of the CHEMO NINJAS I am now Tekuto Ki Ariku cancer assassin!
7/13/13 Symptoms return - back on steroids
7/26/13 Back on Avastin - try again!
8/26/13 Not ready to return to classroom yet :( But I CAN walk without holding onto things! :)
9/9/13 Brain MRI - fingers crossed
“ Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you down or polishes you up is for you, and you alone, to decide. ” – Cavett Robert
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10-18-2011, 11:37 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Philly Suburbs
Posts: 1,709
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Re: DIEP recovery?
Faux,
Did you get the info you needed?
Denise
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10-18-2011, 12:02 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 430
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Re: DIEP recovery?
I had my DIEP surgery in Houston on Dec. 11, 2008. Below is a picture that was taken 2 weeks later on Christmas Eve. The first day or 2 in the hospital were the worst, but once I was able to get out of bed and move around things were much better. The hardest part for me was having to sleep in a recliner - I did that for 6 weeks. The doctor only recommended 3-4 weeks, but I am a stomach sleeper so I didn't trust myself in bed. I followed the surgeon's instructions to the letter, and was fortunate enough not to develop an infection. I was told not to lift anything heavier than 5 pounds for the first month, so my husband did all the cooking and cleaning. I was physically active before surgery, so it was important for me to start exercising again. I had to wait 6 weeks, but I was able to run a mile, and ride my bike for an hour by the end of Janurary. Feel free to send me a private message if you want to talk, I'd be happy to answer any questions ... to the best of my memory!! I hope all goes well for both of you, Leslie and Denise!!
~Alice
__________________
9/15/08 (age 52) - Mammo: calcifications
9/22/08 - Biopsy: DCIS, grade 3. ER,PR status: Pos. in 75-90% of tumor cells.
10/01/08 - Ob/Gyn appt.: found complex, mostly cystic mass on right ovary - 11cmx12cmx 8cm
10/15/08 - Hysterectomy & Oophorectomy, Lumpectomy: Cyst on uterus, not ovary - all was benign. Breast - 5 of 6 bad margins. 2 Sentinel Lymph nodes removed, both negative. Stage 0, Tis, N0
12/11/08 - Mastectomy & DIEP reconstruction: Surprise! 2 cm Invasive DC, grade 2 found. One benign internal mammary lymph node. Stage 1, T1c, N0, all clean margins. ER+ (Proportion Score = 2/5, Intensity Score = 2/3) and PR+(Proportion Score = 3/5, Intensity Score = 2/3)
HER2 score = 3+
1/09/09 - Oncotype DX: Recurrence S/core of 60 !?!?! ER status is NEG!! PR staus is NEG! HER2 score = 12.2 (still positive, greater than 11.5 is positive).
1/20/09 - Started chemo: TCH
5/26/09 - FINISHED CHEMO!
1/05/10 - FINISHED HERCEPTIN!
1/22/10 - Port-a-catheter removed!
3/07/18 - Still NED
9/10/23 - Still NED
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10-18-2011, 05:22 PM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 12
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Re: DIEP recovery?
I had bilateral mastectomy with immediate DIEP reconstruction almost two years ago. I would say it was the easiest part of my treatment. The worst part was the uncomfortable surgical bra and abdominal binder that I was supposed to wear 24/7---and sleeping on my back. My plastic surgeon said it would be about six weeks before I felt like myself, and he was just about right.
Plus, the finished products are really nice. They look like what I had twenty years ago. When I show off my new breasts, friends marvel. Just wish I had sensation.
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10-18-2011, 06:13 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 600
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Re: DIEP recovery?
Thanks Denise. I am still waiting on some information. I have spoken with the patient advocate in NOLO and am waiting for some information from the patient advocate at PRMA in San Antonio as well. How are you feeling?
Alice, it nice of you to share your experience. 20 years, huh? I really do hate the loss of sensation, although I do have some where my mastectomy was performed. A "ghost" breast is a weird feeling. That is why I have such mixed feelings about a prophylactic mastectomy on my left side. I see my omcologist in November and I am going to discuss it with him.
__________________
In the world of destiny, there are no statistics.
Jan. 26- mammogram and ultrasound- suspicious lump
Mid-February- lumpectomy, infiltrating ductal carcinoma ~4.5 cm and a 1 cm DCIS, did not get clear margins, did not check lymph nodes
ER+/PR+, her2 +++, nuclear grade 3 of 3
February 20-PET scan showed something on liver. No biopsy.
March- Started carboplatin, herceptin, taxol on a four week cycle
May 3- Pet scan, with intent to do a biopsy, found nothing, liver or breast- no biopsy because there is nothing to biopsy
June 21- new onc, very concerned that there had been no biopsy,
June 18th-CAT scan, bone scan-negative
August 7th - Brain MRI-negative
August 9th- mastectomy, all pathology negative
January 2008 still NED! New oncologist -herceptin for full year after chemo- until July, and tamoxifen---negative scans since May '07
July 2008-Finished Herceptin!
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10-18-2011, 07:16 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 430
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Re: DIEP recovery?
Leslie,
It sounds like you are in my neck of the woods. You might want to also check out Dr. Spiegel in Houston. Here is her website link:
http://www.breastrestoration.org/
I highly recommend her. Her staff is wonderful and she is such a perfectionist that she does wonderful work. There is a photo album of before and after pictures on her website. She studied in Europe under the doctor that developed the DIEP procedure.
Also, not sure about your 20 years comment??
__________________
9/15/08 (age 52) - Mammo: calcifications
9/22/08 - Biopsy: DCIS, grade 3. ER,PR status: Pos. in 75-90% of tumor cells.
10/01/08 - Ob/Gyn appt.: found complex, mostly cystic mass on right ovary - 11cmx12cmx 8cm
10/15/08 - Hysterectomy & Oophorectomy, Lumpectomy: Cyst on uterus, not ovary - all was benign. Breast - 5 of 6 bad margins. 2 Sentinel Lymph nodes removed, both negative. Stage 0, Tis, N0
12/11/08 - Mastectomy & DIEP reconstruction: Surprise! 2 cm Invasive DC, grade 2 found. One benign internal mammary lymph node. Stage 1, T1c, N0, all clean margins. ER+ (Proportion Score = 2/5, Intensity Score = 2/3) and PR+(Proportion Score = 3/5, Intensity Score = 2/3)
HER2 score = 3+
1/09/09 - Oncotype DX: Recurrence S/core of 60 !?!?! ER status is NEG!! PR staus is NEG! HER2 score = 12.2 (still positive, greater than 11.5 is positive).
1/20/09 - Started chemo: TCH
5/26/09 - FINISHED CHEMO!
1/05/10 - FINISHED HERCEPTIN!
1/22/10 - Port-a-catheter removed!
3/07/18 - Still NED
9/10/23 - Still NED
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10-18-2011, 08:38 PM
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#16
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: New jersey
Posts: 24
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Re: DIEP recovery?
I had bilateral mastectomy and DIEP procedure this past August, with PRMA in San Antonio. I left the hospital in early September, and I'm now bike riding, doing yoga, and walking. My doctor doesn't want me running yet...probably not until December. The recovery was most difficult for my left side, because I had radiation on that side 4 years ago as well as a partial mastectomy, so i am very stiff on that side. I'm in physical therapy now working on stretching the muscles and skin to be more flexible. My abdomen nevr hurt too much...just feels tight, and its a bit difficult to close heavy windows...puts too much pressure on my abdomen.
I'd agree with the person who said the abdominal binder was one of the "hardest" parts of recovery...just very uncomfortable. All in all, it's really not too bad of a recovery. Although the drains are a pain in the neck too, but they come out soon enough! I'm glad I had the procedure.
__________________
6/2007-stereotactic biopsy: stage 0 carcinoma L breast
6/2007-partial mastectomy, L breast: stage 1 invasive carcinoma, estrogen +
7/2007- Removed sentinal lymph nodes....all negative. 33 radiation treatments, followed by tamoxifen
5/2011-stereotactic biopsy: stage 0 carcinoma L. breast again, estrogen/progesterone negative. Nobody used the words Her2+ yet.
8/18/2011-travelled to Texas (I live in NJ) for bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction with DIEP flap. 3 days later, left breast turned blue...had emergency surgery to unclog vessel and try to save the flap. 24 hours after that, had another emergency surgery... took a vein from my left arm and re-routed it to the breast. Saved the breast flap but went into congestive heart failure because of all the IV fluids. Spent 10 days in ICU...8 days on a ventilator. Traumatic experience!!! Then was told it was actually Stage 2, Her2+, and I would need chemo.
Now back in NJ.
10/11/11-port was placed
chemo starting in about 2 weeks
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10-19-2011, 05:47 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 600
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Re: DIEP recovery?
Alice, I meant that comment for Rachel. Sorry. Please read her post. ; )
__________________
In the world of destiny, there are no statistics.
Jan. 26- mammogram and ultrasound- suspicious lump
Mid-February- lumpectomy, infiltrating ductal carcinoma ~4.5 cm and a 1 cm DCIS, did not get clear margins, did not check lymph nodes
ER+/PR+, her2 +++, nuclear grade 3 of 3
February 20-PET scan showed something on liver. No biopsy.
March- Started carboplatin, herceptin, taxol on a four week cycle
May 3- Pet scan, with intent to do a biopsy, found nothing, liver or breast- no biopsy because there is nothing to biopsy
June 21- new onc, very concerned that there had been no biopsy,
June 18th-CAT scan, bone scan-negative
August 7th - Brain MRI-negative
August 9th- mastectomy, all pathology negative
January 2008 still NED! New oncologist -herceptin for full year after chemo- until July, and tamoxifen---negative scans since May '07
July 2008-Finished Herceptin!
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