Charleston Bound, part 2

PinkHeart

Ashira,

So glad to hear Dr. K is helping you through with his very nice communications. Today I sent short list of questions to him and he answered back in red font vs the usual blue after each questions. LOL the things I notice. 

Trying to figure out a date for Stage 6 in early May, but Dr. K has changed his surgery and clinic days around. ...

Ashira

stage 6? Oh my!  I am scheduled for April 23rd, so if you are there early May, perhaps we can meet 

PinkHeart

Ashira,

Please don't be alarmed ...  I am far from the norm as I started with failed implants, radiation rot, lymphedema, and severe axillary cording, before I came to Dr. K. 

I would love to meet up with you. Their new surgery schedule not working well for out of state patients. IMO. So not sure what date I will do now. Was going to be on a Friday. 

Ashira

How wonderful that Dr. K has been able to help. I can only imagine how exhausting this journey must have been for you. 

lbrewer

Fortunately one of my favorite foods is peanut butter bu the spponful.  Butter on a poon as my granddaughter calls it!

lbrewer

Ashira,

I'm scheduled for April 24th  Lets get together

Ashira

Sounds good. We'll be in the hospital at the same time?

PinkHeart

Dragging my feet a little on next surgery date because I will be doing Brava again before surgery. Dr Kline said two weeks minimum -- best if I could do it for six weeks before surgery. It is total misery and no life during Brava. 

I have had 17 drains through my BC journey, and I think I would rather have drains over wearing this device up to 12 hours a day. I will probably just do 8 hours a day for three weeks. 

Or maybe wait until Nov or Dec and finally enjoy this summer after four summers in a row with major medical issues. 

Or wait to make decision after I go to divorce court on Feb 19. I've got waaay too much on my mind right now, so will take a rest on surgery date. 

PinkHeart

Happy Valentine's Day!  Hugs to all. 😊

💗

cascader

Pink, you have ALOT going on, maybe it is time to take a break from the recon if it doesn't cause any negative results. I know  and understand how badly you want to be done with this nightmare but give yourself the time to mourn your losses and your divorce.maybe waiting for the fall is not such a bad idea,   Hopefully you can get some advice from other Brava users that can make it a bit more bearable and user friendly. Do you think that this next fat transfer will be the last?  I wish you well , you have been thru so much, stay positive. 

I have been consumed with watching the Olympics, we have 3 cross country skiers competing from our small town, classmates of my daughters so it has been exciting.

Have a good weekend everyone!

slh_tn

Pinkheart,

I agree with Cascader about taking care of yourself first in the following days and months and putting recon on the side at least in your mind. i know this has been such a long journey for you.  You and Cascader were so supportive of me when I started this journey almost 2 years ago with Dr. Kline.  I definitely know how it feels to want to be through. I had stage 3 in December and thought it was my last. Dr. K decided to fix some different areas so I'm scheduled for stage 4 in June. I had a mini breakdown in the hospital sfter surgery because I was still so uneven.  It may take several more fat grafting surgeries to get close in size so I decided that I'm done in June.  I have other issues to deal with at home and I'm just tired.   Sometimes i want to call my first PS who messed up my diep surgery and talk to him about how his actions have affected me and my family.  

Sending you hugs and hoping you'll be blessed with a peace as you deal with things in the following months.   

Sandi

Ashira

Pink Heart;

Sending you prayers for strength and a renewed sense of patience as you contemplate what's next and when.

Ashira

lbrewer

Stay strong, Pink 

We're all thinking of you.

philomene

It looks like I am officially Charleston bound: I have a surgery date for late summer for PBM with DIEP. I am excited and freaked out and obsessed. I'm certain that prophylactic surgery is the right choice for me, but I'm starting to second guess DIEP. It's not that implants seem better, it's that I'm suddenly worried about small stuff: will my belly scar be hideous? Will my stomach look totally bizarre being so flat compared to my pudgy rib cage and hips? Will I be grotesquely out of proportion? Eeeep. 

How long do most people stay in Charleston for stage one? The dr told me but I swear I can barely remember our conversation--nerves are addling my brain!

MartyJ

Philomene - congratulations.  you won't be grossly disfigured.  your belly scar will change over time.  mine is 10 months old and is darken than I prefer, but my doc said give it a while.  It is totally hidden by bikini underwear, so I rarely think of it.  There will probably be some lipo done during further procedures (beyond the initial DIEP) where fat will be used to graft.  I still have more pudge than I like, but that is up to me to eat right and exercise off.

Because you are coming in the summer, condos are expensive.  I suggest you look at Homewood Suites (ask for the medical rate) - they provide breakfast daily and dinner Monday thru Thursday.  Also, Sweetgrass Village is a senior independent living complex where they have short term furnished units at a reasonable price with food.  Hampton Inn and Comfort Suites on the Isle of Palms Connector also have medical rates.  You should stay in Mount Pleasant as that will be most convenient assuming you are using Kline/Craigie.  We have numerous doctors who do DIEP here at various hospitals.  Just remember to breath you have lots of time and there is no rush.

Ashira

Welcome Philomene;

I will be in charleston this spring for bmx with diep. When I first decided to do this, I spent hours combing through previous diep threads and couldn't find anyone who regretted their decision afterward. I have fears too, less about aesthetics than other things, but for me, after sitting with this for a few months, it seems to be the only right choice. Like Marty says, you have time. I'm glad that you found us. 

Ashira

cascader

Hi Philomene! Making the decision and an appointment is big, takes courage and confidence. Don't second guess yourself,  no looking back; you will only drive yourself crazy, believe me I know:). I was sort of a crazy person for awhile, a bit compulsive regarding all this. You do have lots if time to get yourself in the best shape possible, both mentally and physically which will help in recovery. This is a big surgery and everything you are feeling is normal. Write down all your questions, even the embarrassing and crazy ones, get them answered here or email them to Your Dr, I am sure they have seen/heard it all . Who is your surgeon? 

You will be in the hospital for 4 days I think, and probably want to stay an additional week. Are you travelling? I know it must seem like a huge undertaking, but just make lists, it is doable. We will be here to support you along the way. 

brca35

I just booked my surgery for this summer as well. July 16. Although it may change. Kim, the physician assistant at Dr. Craigie's office explained it this way. Arrive Monday or Tuesday. Surgery Wednesday. Stay in hospital 4 additional days meaning I would discharge Sunday. Visit Dr. Monday. Then visit Dr Wednesday to remove my drains before I fly home. However, my notes from my apt. W/craigie say breast tubes out post op day 7 and I can't fly home until post op day 10. I need to call Monday and clarify. 

philomene

thanks everyone! Dr Kline is my surgeon and I'll be driving in from out of state. I'm concerned about the cost of travel, but it ought to work out alright. The logistics of travel don't worry me too much. 

It's just weird because I was so certain that this was the right choice for me. I did a ton of research, talked to a lot of other women, and gave myself plenty of time to think it over. I was confident in my decisions. Then I officially booked the surgery and BAM! doubt! I guess that's normal. 

I was overjoyed to find a Charleston specific thread here though. 

PinkHeart

All,

Thanks for your kind words -- they warmed my heart as I read them. 

Philimene, Brca, Ashira, and others I may have missed,

So glad you found this thread!  The women here are so caring and courageous. We all have our levels of ups and downs, and we manage to help others on good days and on difficult days find strenghth and understanding in return.  We all get it. Wishing you all the best with recovery and outcomes for your upcoming surgeries. 

If you wish, please know you can PM Jeskachi to add your surgery date to list at top of this thread. That way we kind send thoughts and prayers and encouragement during times of surgery and recovery. 

💗

Kat-ski

This is for my "sisters" in Charleston where I started making decisions on what reconstruction I wanted and where I wanted to go.  Even though Dr. Kline was as great as one expects, I have decided to go to PRMA.  MY daughter is there so it just made sense to go to San Antonio.  My husband and I are leaving Feb. 17th with the bilateral diep on the 24th.  We decided for everyone's health, it would be better to stay in a suite.  We are planning to leave Mar. 19th so my body could recover and heal near the doctors.  Of course, I am excited but the nerves take the best of me at times.  But I just wanted to tell you all that you are just so beautiful and thanks for all the support.  I don't know how soon I will be back on here so I wanted to leave this little message for you!  Thanks a bunch.  Kat

philomene

good luck with PRMA! I'm curious about them. It's kind of surprising we don't have a San Antonio there. 

Ashira

Wishing you well Kat!

All the best ,

Ashira

cascader

Kat, beautiful post. We will be thinking of you and sending healing vibes your way. 

Davy

Will be thinking of you, Kat and praying for your healing...physically, emotionally and spiritually!

Cheers,

Davy

5andcounting

I will be in Charleston next week for surgery 3--anyone in the group going to be there too?

Ashira

Not until April for me. Are you feeling ready for stage 3?  May all go smoothly and healing be swift!

bethcw

I'll be in town starting tomorrow through Sunday.

PinkHeart

Thinking of you that are coming up with surgeries, and wishing you all the best in recovery and outcomes.  Just a reminder that if you would like to know when others are having surgeries and vice versa, you can PM Jeskachi to put your dates at the top of the thread.

For those of you new to this thread, you may be interested in subscribing (to get in your email inbox) to Dr. Kline & Dr. Craigie (The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction) online blog called The Reconstruction Network.  There you can read all the "Ask The Doctor" questions they receive and answer that are current and archived, read articles about nutrition and exercise, find out about events and things to do in Charleston,  etc.  Gail (their office manager), does an EXCELLENT job of this web site.  Not to mention the flowers are so pretty, too.    Please check it out. 

Perhaps their link should be placed at the top of this thread along with the surgery dates?  Thoughts?

http://breastreconstructionnetwork.com/delicious-alternatives-to-dairy/

mags20487

I have decided to take a little break from my recon nightmare.  The surgery I had scheduled for march 5 I cancelled.  I will make up my mind if I want to do the one I have scheduled for July when the time gets closer.  I just needed the mental break from it all and from the recovery.  I am tired of drains and all that goes along with it.  Thank you all for always being there to understand and hold my hand through this difficult phase in my treatments

Maggie