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alicem · 10-18-2011, 12:02 PM

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

10-18-2011, 12:02 PM	#12
alicem Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 430	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 Attached Thumbnails __________________ 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