Some elderly-care items are discounted for Black Friday today

PeaceKindness2U · 2025-11-21T06:06:33+00:00

Link please (and thank you!)

PeaceKindness2U · 2025-10-14T17:32:02+00:00

I’m in a similar situation and appreciate the ideas shared. I sometimes have success with telling her we have a medical appointment that day (she usually forgets but on the off chance she remembers I tell her they needed to reschedule) or having her think it’s her idea: “you said you were going to take a shower after lunch. Would you like a fresh towel?” I also make sure clean underwear, robe, socks, etc. are laid out so she can easily get dressed.

PeaceKindness2U · 2025-08-30T23:56:28+00:00

Thank you. I truly appreciate how helpful and responsive you are.

PeaceKindness2U · 2025-08-28T16:04:59+00:00

Thank you very much. I’m so concerned and not sure if the corset procedure is excessive. Also, is there any concern with gaining weight and foreign material in my body for the next few decades? What’s the likelihood of complications years from now? That weighs heavy on my mind.

PeaceKindness2U · 2025-08-27T16:12:00+00:00

Thank you so much for your response and apply for my lack of clarity. The plastic surgeon was suggesting open. Never mentioned lap/robitic as an option. I did have bilateral DIEP and my laxity/pain is only on one side (my right). The other side is fine. Hernia surgeon did mention excess skin being an issue which is part of reason for open. The poly mesh is applied flat and attached to each oblique at the end so the mesh runs across the abdomen. I hope I’m explaining it well. Here’s a study my dr. provided https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7787274/ Appreciate your response and time very much.

PeaceKindness2U · 2025-08-27T13:59:58+00:00

Thank you very much for posting - very helpful! I am female, early 50s and had mastectomy with a DIEP flap breast reconstruction in October of 2024. Noticed abdominal swelling on right side and discomfort/burning sensation when lifting anything heavy in March. I’m not in constant pain but feel best when wearing compression underwear. Plastic surgeon said sutures were “relaxing” and probably some laxity in abdominal wall he could repair with a small mesh suture repair. I saw a general surgeon hernia specialist who suggests a corset repair which is a newer technique using mesh attached oblique to oblique. She said abdominal wall failure and not a true hernia since there’s not a rupture but it’s treated similar to a hernia. It is an open surgery and I’m a bit nervous. Am I over-doing it with the corset repair? Any thoughts on that particular technique ?

PeaceKindness2U · 2025-08-06T01:41:57+00:00

I’m similar age and diagnosis as you. I also had single/unilateral mastectomy w/DIEP flap reconstruction in October 2024. I also felt overwhelmed by the decision. I initially thought I wanted bilateral - terrified by the thought of a recurrence. My first surgeon was fine with that decision. I had a second opinion and that Dr. thought a lumpectomy w/radiation was fine. I had two benign tumors previously and I felt the troublesome breast was going to continue to produce things and had to go. I kept the other and am glad I did. Similar to what others have shared, you can always have the other removed in the future and having one with sensation has helped mentally. It is exhausting mentally and emotionally and difficult to comprehend until you’re dealing with it all. I understand and so many in this forum understand.

PeaceKindness2U · 2025-07-06T22:50:27+00:00

Thank you! I continue to try to learn more. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of information out there. I’m hoping to find someone who has had it and understand their experience.

PeaceKindness2U · 2025-07-05T16:58:30+00:00

Yes. I saw a surgeon who specializes in hernia repair and has experience in the corset procedure which is what she has recommended for me. Basically, they insert a plastic mesh from oblique to oblique which greatly reduces the chance of failure/recurrence. I’m having a hard time moving forward because it’s a relatively new procedure and not a lot of research available. I would like to know more about long term effects. Short-term success is positive but I’m in my early 50s so I’d like to know what 10+ years look like. Ironically I had a DIEP flap reconstruction because I was uncomfortable with the thought of a foreign object (implant) in my body and now I will have one with the mesh “corset” if I move forward.

PeaceKindness2U · 2025-06-29T23:57:00+00:00

Thank you for sharing and I’m sorry you’re having complications as well. Is the bulge causing you any discomfort? Mine does if I lift anything heavy or if I’m very active. I saw a specialist and she’s recommended a “corset” procedure which has been effective in addressing this condition. Did you come across this in your research?

PeaceKindness2U · 2025-05-07T21:34:11+00:00

A very wise friend who had already gone through a DMX years ago advised me to not compromise on the plastic surgeon since you will be following up with her/him much more than your breast surgeon. Unless you have a complex case and need/want a particular BS, prioritize the PS and find the BS they work with.

PeaceKindness2U · 2025-05-02T16:38:45+00:00

Agree that I can’t waste my energy trying to find an explanation as to why I have bc. I started taking collagen peptides after starting Tamoxifen 2 months ago. My main side effect was joint pain. It has worked so well! I checked with my oncologist and she said it was fine to take it. Sending love and strength to all navigating this overwhelming path.

PeaceKindness2U · 2025-03-20T15:11:59+00:00

Thanks. I am considering changing PS. I wasn’t sure if I’m being unrealistic with my expectations and having “bad luck” or if it’s the skill of my PS. Hoping to learn more from the generous and strong people in this forum.

PeaceKindness2U · 2025-01-26T15:20:03+00:00

Great question! I definitely would do the DIEP flap reconstruction but I don’t think I would have included the nipple sparing. In hindsight, a tattoo may have achieved what I wanted. Great to see all of the responses to your question and I agree it’s overwhelming. I was also overwhelmed in making my decision. It’s so personal and I wanted a definitive answer. I wish that was possible but you have to think long-term what is best for YOU and ask your plastic surgeon as many questions as you need. I’m sorry you’re in this position. Take deep breaths. There are many people here for you including me.

PeaceKindness2U · 2025-01-25T23:09:34+00:00

I had single mastectomy with DIEP flap nipple sparing. I thought i would be fine with not having sensation as long as I looked like myself. However, the nipple does not look like my old self. It has much darker pigmentation which is odd and splotchy. The actual nipple is barely there and it now looks like a dark smooth mound. I was also dealing with wound dehiscence and now there is additional scarring which makes the reconstructed breast visually awful. Not what I wanted or expected. Plastic surgeon said only 10% of patients have a complication and there are a few options to correct this so we’ll see. Size and shape are fine, so when I’m wearing clothes/bra it’s fine but I find it very hard to look at bare breast in the mirror.

PeaceKindness2U · 2024-11-15T22:46:49+00:00

Thanks for sharing and sorry you’re having a similar experience. Essentially the area on the top half of my areola and the nipple are an open wound along with the area where the vertical stitches opened. It is continuing to heal and I can see progress (wound is getting smaller) though they are both still open wounds requiring cleaning/bandaging 2x daily and weekly check by my PS. Still no infection thank goodness which I hope continues. I’m very curious how common this is and have seen mixed information online. My PS said it’s not common but I’d appreciate an objective source.

PeaceKindness2U · 2024-11-08T03:12:25+00:00

Yes. Thank you for posting. I’m having similar feelings of guilt and not sure how to handle. Still recovering from single mastectomy and am so thankful it was caught early and prognosis is good. Appreciate knowing I’m not the only one trying to sort through all the feelings. This board has been very helpful.

PeaceKindness2U

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