Charleston Bound, part 2

SAMayoFL

Hey ladies, thank you so much for the thoughts and prayers.  My laptop charger has a short or something going on and I am having a hard time keeping my laptop charged.  UGH!!!

My surgery was August 3 and we finally got home from Charleston about 9:00 last night.  I was fortunate enough to meet and get to know Miya while we were there.

My surgery went so smooth I am almost afraid to speak of it.  I don't want to jinx my healing as it seems like several ladies were healing beautifully and then ended up with an infection.  I am the minority here and I went to Dr. Kline and Craigie and stayed in the East Cooper Medical Center.  I can not say enough wonderful things about my entire experience.  The hospital and staff were amazing and I absolutely LOVE Dr. Kline. The Hope Lodge was beautiful and a humbling and uplifting experience. I am thrilled with my surgery results.  Probably the very best news I got was that there was no cancer in my left breast although taking it was a good decision as there were a couple of precancerous conditions going on.  

The first three days after surgery were tough but after that I have really been feeling pretty good.  We borrowed a wheelchair and six days post surgery we went to the SC Aquarium.  We were both stir crazy and needed to get out.

Brenda, I will be thinking about you and praying your surgery and recovery are speedy and pain free.  

I have to say you ladies truly gave me the courage to explore this option.  I am so, so happy you encouraged me and that I was fortunate enough to have this surgery.  

Susan

jacee

Susan....what a great report!! So glad you got to meet Miya. She definitely needs some support right now! You will feel better with each passing day. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Joni

LindaG47

Susan, so glad you had a wonderful outcome.  I am happy that your left breast was cancer free.  Take it easy and eat lots of protein for good healing.  The best is yet to come.

Miya,  Please let us know how your treatments are going. My thoughts and prayers are with you. 

Linda 

Adey

I just found out that my other doc will be Dr Sullivan.  No insurance news yet.  I am nervous.  I need to find a "helper doctor".  That should be interesting!

Good luck and peace tomorrow Brenda.

Congrats Susan and what Joni said thank you for sharing.

nowords

Adey, Check with a General Surgeon if your GP is not comfortable.

LindaG47

Adey,  I used the general surgeon that did my mx.  I think that is the best place to start anyway.  If for some reason you would have any complications from infection they are (In my opinion) better prepared to treat wounds and infection.  You'd be surprised how oftern they get asked to be a helper doc.  Start by talking to their nurse or CMA.

SAMayoFL

Adey, I did the same thing Linda just suggested.  My initial mastectomy was done by a local general surgeon so I have already built a relationship with him.  He agreed to follow me post surgery (my surgery was in Charleston which is 9 1/2 hours away for me).  I have an appointment with him on Thursday for him to check my incisions and HOPEFULLY pull my last hip drain.  Having someone here locally has given me great peace.

I have to add that I am 12 days post surgery and I feel great.  I am having to tell myself constantly that I have just been through major surgery so I have to rest and not overdo.  I am honestly amazed at how quickly I have healed from this surgery and how little pain I am in.  I am knocking on wood right now.  I don't want to jinx myself!

Best of luck!

Susan

kimber3006

Brenda - I've just been thinking about you today and wanted to wish you luck tomorrow!

Susan - So good to hear you are doing so well!

bennetts1

Brenda....Sending you positive thoughts for you surgery in the morning!  Give Marga a big Sandy Hug!

Sandy

brendaclee3

Thank you, Linda.

SAMayoFL

Brenda, best of luck tomorrow.  I will be thinking about you and sending positive vibes your way.  I hope you have the best flap ever and it heals beautifully and painlessly!

Susan

Del11

Thanks everybody. I'll need all the good thoughts I can get.

LizR

Brenda:  Best of luck to you!!!  Will be thinking of you all day and sending many positive thoughts!  Liz

Adey

Brenda-  healing vibes and positive thoughts today.

jacee

Thinking of you Brenda... soon you'll be on the road to happy healing.

LindaG47

Brenda,  You are probably done with your surgery.  I have thought about you all day, but know you were in the best hands with Dr. M and Dr. S (?).  I hope the healing goes well and you will be up and around in no time.  

((Hugs)),  Linda 

LizR

Thinking of Brenda - hope she had a very uneventful and successful surgery!

SAMayoFL

Hey Brenda, hoping you are doing as well as can be expected today.  I know you have been down this road before but you feel better by leaps and bounds every day!

Susan

AnneW

Thinking of you, Brenda. Waiting to hear how it all went this time!

SAMayoFL

I just have to share with you ladies my joy over having two breasts again.  I don't think I had really dealt with the grief of losing my breast.  I am so thrilled with the results I have gotten from DIEP surgery.  My noobs are soft, squishy, warm and they are ALL MINE!!!  I may look like Frankenbody to someone else, but I am beautiful in my own eyes!

Brenda posted on the NOLA thread that she is on the other side but in pain.  I hope she feels better by leaps and bounds every day!

Susan

kimber3006

So happy for you, Susan!  Here's a to a full and uneventful recovery for you!

LindaG47

Brenda, I hope no news is good news!  Hope you are feeling and healing well.  

Thinking of you.  Linda

Del11

Hi ladies-

Still in NOLA but out of SCSH.  I posted an update on the other thread:

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/736412?page=397#idx_11896 

AnneW

So glad your new breast is looking good, Brenda! Rest up. You've been hit by a truck, you know! Tell Marga we love her, okay??

AnneW

Charleston sisters, my calendar is ready for sale!!!

http://www.healthlinksfund.org/index.php?page=buy_calendar

That's me on the cover (thanks, Marga, for all your help in making me smile!) and I'm also Ms. March, climbing on a rock!

Adey

Go Anne!

bennetts1

Wow Anne!  You look GREAT!!!

Journey

Anne, you go girl!!

LindaG47

Wow, Anne. We love, we love, we love our Calendar Girl, and on the cover to boot!! I'm going to buy one. HealthLinks looks like a great organization!

AnneW

Thanks for buying, Linda. I hope more people do the same. HealthLinks is awesome. You'll love the photos in the calendar.

Marga's going to be giving a symposium in Denver in a couple weeks--I'm going to give her a calendar. After all, she's got to take a lot of the credit for this body!!