Charleston Bound, part 2

LizR

Kim:  Hoping to hear that you are finally OUT of the hospital today.  Are you going to be able to go back to work?  Sounds like you are so busy at work - this is probably the last thing you need (unplanned and all).  Please keep us posted.

I see Susan has posted at one of the DIEP threads - sounds like everything went well.  You are in our thoughts Susan! 

Liz

Del11

If anyone's curious, I posted a couple of recent pics on TimTam's site so you can see what I'm dealing with.  My thread should be toward the top.

LindaG47

Susan, anxious to hear from you.  Hope all went well and you are doing well.  

Kimber, hope you have been "sprung." You have really been through the ringer.  Know all about those shop vacs and I commend you for all that you are going through.  You are truly a trooper.  Let us know how things are going as you progress.  

Brenda, Thanks for the post on Timtam.  Wow, I can't believe how much you have gone through either.  For the most part you are looking good and Dr. M will fix you right up.  Sending  positive thoughts for a wonderful outcome.  Failure is not in our vocabulary! Which hospital will you be at?

Sandy, I am sooooo happy for you and Mike becoming grandparents.  That is great news! It sure is a different life.  You'll love it. 

kcshreve

Anyone worked with massey in chicago?

kimber3006

Hello all.  I am finally home.  I got out yesterday.  I had to go learn how to inject these IV antibiotics at an outpatient clinic.  I'm stuck with the PIC line for 28 days (though the Rx was for 28 days of vancomycin, so wouldn't the 3 1/2 days in the hospital be time served?).  I'm still not sleeping, so I'm still exhausted to the point of nausea.  I had some serious deadlines to meet in the next couple of days, or I've got a store full of employees with no health insurance for the coming year.  Renewals were a complete nightmare this year.  So I'm not supposed to go into work this week, but that's simply not a realistic scenario.  I've got to spend today getting the insurance stuff wrapped up as well as I can from home (promised DH I wouldn't go to the office today) so I can relieve some of this horrible anxiety.  I'm in this awful spiral where the anxiety is affecting my sleep and ability to eat, which creates more anxiety that the cancer will come back because I'm not getting enough sleep or eating right.  Argh!  Okay, sorry, that was my little vent for the day.  The nice thing is I'm finally home with my sweet little man who just got up!  So I'm going to quit complaining and get off here and spend some time with him. That will probably do more to get my blood pressure down than anything else anyway, right? Hope everyone is doing well! I'll check back later and try to find that post from Susan on the other thread......

LizR

Kim - Congrats on getting "sprung" (as Linda put it!) - but it does sound like you have a lot on your plate.  I realize you should not be working (but with those kind of deadlines, who wouldn't be working?) - hopefully once you get through these very pressing work issues you will have a chance to settle down and maybe? take some time off.    The cancer fears are totally understandable - especially since you are not that far out from your diagnosis - I know this is keeping you from the additional surgery you want and we all feel for you.

Brenda - Just saw your photos & posted a note.  We will all be thinking of you as you go into surgery next week. I know this is the last thing you wanted - and I know you must be so nervous about potential failure - but you are in the best hands and you know Dr. M is going to do everything in her power for you.   

This is such a tough journey sometimes - it is really not fair that crappy things happen to such nice women like ourselves!   Liz

Del11

kcshreve:  yes, most of us on this thread have gone to Dr. Massey. What's your question? If you're asking specifically about seeing her in Chicago, I can answer your questions. I'm also in Chicago.

-Brenda

LindaG47

Kcshreve,   Brenda is correct.  Most of us are Massey "Mermaids."  I am.  We are all here to help with any questions you may have.  It's a big decision to make, but hopefully this thread and some others will help you in your journey.  

Linda 

Adey

Okay all.  Insurance dance beginning.  Date right now is Dec 6.  Yikes.......

LindaG47

Adey, hope your dance goes well.   Insurance companies can be quite a challenge sometimes.  Hang in there.  Will you be going to the Center or to Fairway?  My insurance made me go to Roper which was in-network for me.  I had a great experience there though.  Who will be doing your surgery?  Let us know how it's going.

Linda 

Adey

As of now I will be at the center.  Dr M says she prefers NOLA to Charleston for stage 1.  I just want to be there now!  (c:

kcshreve

Why I ask about Massey in Chicago is that we are considering a relocation there.  I had my surgery at NOLA last year, but will need to have a followup breast surgeon and thought of her.  I wasn't sure if she is still working out of Chicago, or exactly what types of procedures she does in Chicago.  It is reassuring to me that she understands lymphedema, since I did develop that after my surgery.  She's so lovely and really a precious person.  I can't say I'm a "mermaid", but I did meet her and she helped to wrap my arm prior to one of my surgeries at NOLA.   I'd love a recommendation or two to good doctors in Chicago/north Chicago area.

Del11

Email me and I can give you some suggestions. jeska773 (at) mac (dot) com  Dr. M isn't in Chicago often and doesn't do many surgeries here. She doesn't have privileges at any local hospitals, she operates out of a surgery center on Michigan Ave. But I'm very familiar with docs in the 3 university systems in the city.  I can recommend a few. 

jacee

I've been off the boards for awhile. Went to Malibu for my youngest son's wedding. Was just beautiful. Was scheduled for Stage 3 Jun 28th, but had to cancel due to an infection. Have been on antibiotics since April. Went off for 9 days and infection returned. Now scheduled for Stage 3 on Oct 6th, but may have to cancel if this doesn't go away.

Miya- I am so sorry to hear of your cancer returning!!!! You have been through a ton already. I hope treatment goes well, and kicks it good!! Hang in there and know we are here for you.

Joni

Adey

Healing vibes to all who are recovering. 

Does anyone have any recommendations about preparing for surgery?  I have a long time to do so because I have a trip in November that I didn't want to muck up and I am having delayed reconstruction.  TEs in now.  Any advice appreciated.  Thanks!

LindaG47

Adey-  Dr. Massey has on her web site "Getting Ready for Surgery"

http://drmarga.com/gettingready.html  

I would take a look at that and see if that helps.  Anything in particular you are wondering about?

Joni- good to see that pretty face back on the thread.  Congratulations on the marriage of your son.  Malibu;  How cool!    What's with the infection?  Is it still from your last surgery? 

Linda 

Adey

Duh oh.  Thanks Linda!  (c:  I guess that chemo brain hasn't worn off yet!  I read something about arnica, anyone have experience with it?

brendaclee3

Susan, we are all anxious to hear from you.  I tried to call a few times, but you're probably not up to answering your cell yet.  Didn't have your hubby's phone number.  I hope all went well with your stage I Diep.  ~Brenda

LindaG47

Most of us have chemo brain from time to time.  My kids just think I'm old!  LOL!  I know a lot of ladies have used Arnica.  Dr. M doesn't think it really works or is necessary.  I think some will tell you they think it helped especially with the bruising.    I think it comes in pill or pellet form and ointment or cream form.  I'm sure some will pipe in with their 2¢ worth.  Hear anything on your insurance?  Also, keep in mind that if your insurance won't pay for the Center maybe Dr. M can do it at Fairway which might be in-network for you. However, I don't really know if she can do stage I there.  I know she's worked there for other stages.  Anyone know????

Linda 

LindaG47

It looks like Susan (SAMayoFL) posted in Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Surgery - Before, During, and After,  you can see her post there.

LindaG47

Oops!  I told you wrong.  Susan posted in DIEP 2011

jacee

Linda-they don't really know when I acquired the infection. Though most think it was from surgery. But, I've only had 7 surgeries the past 2 years, so God only knows which surgery it's from.

brendaclee3

Linda, I can't find DIEP 2011.  Where is it?  Thanks.

LindaG47

Brendalee,  Go to the top of the page to Search in the right hand corner.  Click on that and write DIEP 2011 Don't put in her name though because then everything will come up that she wrote.  You can also go to member list at the top and put in her user name and that DIEP 2011 will pop up.  Let me know if you find it.  Good luck

kimber3006

Just checking in on Susan.  I saw her post on the other thread, but nothing since then?  Hope all is well!

I'm doing okay - feeling much better since I went in for a few hours Wednesday and got things under control at work.  Then I was able to take a couple days to work a little from home, but otherwise take it easy and just keep up with wound care, etc without all the worry.  Plus I cancelled the planned October surgery.  I've been through too much and so have my guys.  We're taking a break - not even planning the next step right now.  The only planning we're doing is for a big vacation in the Spring.  I've always wanted to take a Disney cruise and we are booked!  I'm hoping this is one vacation that doesn't get scrapped for my health issues - been a terrible pattern of that the last couple years....

Hope everyone is feeling well.  I'm fully enjoying my Saturday morning AT HOME! 

LindaG47

kimber-  You go girl!  I think you have made a sensible choice.  You are cancer free and will be up to par soon, so take a cruise, have some fun and then you will know when you are ready again.  You've got a lot to look forward too.  How much longer for the vac?  Enjoy your morning.  Linda

LindaG47

Brenda, Less than a week for you and then you will be on board with Dr. M. Are you going to the center or Fairway?  Give Dr. M  a big (((((hug)))) for me and best wishes for a successful redo!! 

Nowords. Wow!  I can't believe it is time for stage II already.  Keep us posted. Hope you are happy with things so far and hope all goes well.  

Linda 

Del11

I'll be at the center. I think Dr. Sullivan is the second surgeon.  We're flying in on Monday, pre-op Tuesday, surgery first thing Wednesday.  She estimated 8 hours, hopefully it'll be shorter.

bennetts1

WHOOHOO Brenda!  I know you are ready for beautiful breast again!  I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.  Stay cool in NOLA...I bet the heat is really bad!  Kim...a cruise...how fun!!!! 

kimber3006

The cruise isn't until April (during my son's spring break), but we're planning a few other little weekend getaways between now and then.  My husband travels a lot for work, so we are going to burn through some rewards program free nights so we can get away a bit, but save up for the cruise at the same time.  We haven't had a proper vacation since May 2010 (during my 3 week break between chemo and radiation) - too long!