DIEP op in 3 weeks

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I joined this forum in December 2013 in a blind panic, convinced I was going to die. Hard to comprehend the state I was in now. I had a 50mm aggressive grade 3 stage 3 invasive ductal carcinoma. So they threw me into FEC-T chemo just 10 days after my diagnosis, followed by a mastectomy of my left breast and full node clearance on that side, then 15 sessions of radiotherapy. I was also put on Tamoxifen, as my cancer was 8/8 E+.

Then I was told there was no evidence of disease, and advised that I’d have to wait a year until I could have reconstruction.

Well, that quickly became 2 years with waiting lists etc, but here I am, counting down to the 25th of August, when I will finally have my DIEP flap reconstruction at the Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead.

So, I’ve stocked up on support bras, support knickers, support stockings, bra expanders…

I’ll be in for about 4 nights. All being well, due to go home on Bank Holiday Monday. Can anyone give me advice on what else I need to get in before the big day, and what I need to take in to hospital?

I’m 50, by the way, and will be taking time off work as a Hotel Reception and Functions Manager for this.

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Hiya 

I’m 6 weeks post mastectomy and DIEP. You sound very organised and all I can think of to add is 2 drains bags. See if you can get hold of ones you can put over your shoulders / criss cross, I forgot these and had carrier bags for the first couple of days and it made such a difference when some one got me ones with longer shoulder straps.

I had some M&S strappy vests which made it easier to slip down for examinations, and I was so hot they were enough. 

See if you can get a fan… we get put under a warming blancket for a couple of days post op to keep the new blood vessels dilated, so a little battery or a Spanish one was good.

Hope everything goes well, it is a big procedure, so you will need people to look after you when you get home,

Caroluna 

 

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There is a huge list of what you need in hospital…but,I think the most important thing is a pillow to have in front of you,when in the car …protects you from your seat belt .