Charleston Bound, part 2

Adey

Good morning Kathy!  Can't help with the tummy thing but congrats on the hotel.  You are very charming.  (c:

Fight-like-a-girl

Adey, you are just sweet! Have a great weekend! I got Marena XL and love it! I want to get another one since 15% discount if you use thankyoumom. What a deal! Kathy

cascader

Hi, Thought I would post  a place I found on vrbo.com for those of you looking for a place to stay in Mt. Pleasant. I wanted somthing other than a hotel room because I am staying for an extended stay(month). This is a two bdrm but they have one bdrms as well, is just 5minutes from East Cooper, and all all units have handicapped bathrooms.  It is an senior assisted living community so you have to be ok with that. I thought it was perfect and I would fit right in after surgery! I spoke with Beth there and she has been great, gave me a good monthly rate, even trying to get me a recliner for the apt. They have a restaurant on site and Gail from Dr Klines says it is good, so that is a plus. If you are travelling alone I believe you can arrange for transportation and nursing services thru them also. Anyways, thought I would share. Will let you know how it is, you never know when booking on the internet. I leave one month from today, excited and very nervous.Here's the link:

www.vrbo.com/402114

GointoCarolina

I will be having my bi SGAP in Charleston and I will be going alone(not sure yet if I will fly or take the train) for my surgery,a friend will fly in when I am discharged from the hospital.Wondering if anyone else had done this and if you had any advice.Also I am going to ask to stay at Hope Lodge for two nights,but I need a hotel as back up.Any suggestions? And were you able to be out and about the week after surgery? I would love to take a ride to the beach and go out to dinner.Thinking we might rent a car for the week,any thoughts? And looks like we will be staying at Sandpiper,thanks Cascader!!

anna4969

Hi Everyone,

I am hoping someone may have had some experience with this in Charleston with Dr. Massey.

I had lymph node transfer for lymphedema about 7 weeks ago and am running into some issues.  I did not have my surgery with Dr. Massey but am hoping that someone has had this very same surgery and might be able to answer some of my questions about swelling and such.  I would be ever so grateful if someone would share their knowledge if they have had this procedure.

Thanks so much.  Please pm me if you may.

jacee

Anna....You can email Dr. Massey at me@drmarga.com

She has a wealth of information, and I am sure she would be glad to help. I didn't have lymph node surgery,but had DIEP surgeries with her.

Hoping you get some answers.

Bogie

I am thinking of moving to Charleston from Chicago and was looking into if they had good medical for breast cancer and could not believe I stumbled across my breast cancer.org site having its own thred for Charleston! It makes me that more motivated to get there and make it my permanent place. We are going down in the end of July or by August 1st to relocate my daughter who just accepted a teaching position. She went down to interview and fell in love with the people, the beaches and historic downtown calling it paradise!



I'm excited to keep reading and learning all this city has to offer medically and otherwise. I plan on looking at Mount Pleasant area.



Karen (my lab's name is Bogie)

Bilateral MX Dec 2011 with reconstruction/ capsular contracture/LE breast

Bogie

I am thinking of moving to Charleston from Chicago and was looking into if they had good medical for breast cancer and could not believe I stumbled across my breast cancer.org site having its own thred for Charleston! It makes me that more motivated to get there and make it my permanent place. We are going down in the end of July or by August 1st to relocate my daughter who just accepted a teaching position. She went down to interview and fell in love with the people, the beaches and historic downtown calling it paradise!



I'm excited to keep reading and learning all this city has to offer medically and otherwise. I plan on looking at Mount Pleasant area.



Karen (my lab's name is Bogie)

Bilateral MX Dec 2011 with reconstruction/ capsular contracture/LE breast

LizR

Karen:  You will fall in love with Charleston - it is a most beautiful town!  (I am also thinking about relocating there some day from NJ).  Charleston is well known for its world class breast reconstruction surgeons but is also hosts one of the few National Cancer Institute (NCI-NIH) cancer facilities in the SE.  It is a very medically oriented town with an American Cancer Society Hope Lodge & Ronald McDonald house across the street from the medical facilities (including Medical College).  You will be in very good hands there!

Hope all of the Charleston Bound women are well and enjoying the long holiday weekend!  I just scheduled yet another Stage 2 with Dr. Massey for Thursday, Oct 11 in Charleston - trying again for a nipple! Take care! Liz

jacee

Liz....my stage 1 was in October. It was a gorgeous time to be in Charleston. Hoping you get a good nipple this time. I was really concerned but mine turned out ok after all. I am heading to NOLA in July to have Vinnie do my tattoos. I could have come to Charleston as well, but we are a day's drive from NOLA, so cost became the deciding factor this time. I was told by Cynthia at the NOLA office it is a flat rate of $400 for Vinnie to do both sides. No facility charge. Not a bad deal. Then hopefully I will be finished!!

Hoping to go to Dr. Marga's symposium in Santa Fe in August. I LOVE that place!

Summer is here it seems....wishing everyone a blessed Memorial Day! I'm a Veteran, so it is more than just a day to BBQ for me.

cascader

I fly out a week from tomorrow for my June 7 surgery date. Cannot believe after all the planning that it is finally here. I think I am ready but still scared, what after all of this,it doesnt turn out? I think that is my biggest fear, not the pain or recovery...been there done that. Afraid of another failure. Have been doing the meditation tapes and visualizing successful results and that has helped . I will be spending  4 weeks in Mt Pleasant, looking forward to escaping work for awhile altho we are small business owners and not sure how that is going to play out, but it will still be there when I return and they are just going to have to figure it  out without me. It is sure to be a crazy and stressful week preparing to leave town so I will be distracted from my obsessing over all of this. I know I have a very long road yet to travel, but I do hope that some day soon this will all be over. All of you have been so helpful to me in making this decision to try again. Any last words of wisdom?

Fight-like-a-girl

I am going to Charlston Wed. May 30th for Stage 2 on Friday June 1. Am really excited to go to Charlston....any recommendations for restaurants?

Cascaded: when will you be in Charlston? Not sure what to expect for Stage 2... A little nervous. Thank you to all who have served our country ...happy memorial day.

Kathy

jacee

Kathy...for nice dinners, we love Poogan's Porch, S.N.O.B. (Slightly North of Broad)' and across the bridge to Mt Pleasant...The Water's Edge. The Hominy Grill in downtown is famous and we have just had lunch there. Hyman's Seafood is touristy, but just good ole seafood platters. Usually a wait,, but we went late so didn't have a problem.

We love going to Kaminsky's for late night coffee,dessert,wine. It is down by the Market. These are just a few....also there is a great restaurant next to Poogan's Porch that we didn't get reservations for...can't think of the name,but came highly recommended.

You will wish you had more time there just to try more restaurants!! Good luck on your Stage 2!

AnneW

Kathy, WOW, already? My experience at Roper was good. We stayed at Hope Lodge the first time, and I could walk to Hominy Grill, which I thought was fabulous! Walked to Hyman's, too. Hyped up but a fun spot with good food. I love Charleston!

After my Stage 2 (the first one) I spent one night in the hospital then was released to go back to Myrtle Beach where we were visiting family. Man, I was sore. Black and blue. But I drank tons of water and walked on the beach in short bursts.

Best of luck to you, and tell Marga hey for me!

bdavis

Restaurants: Fleet Landing, Magnolias, Poogan's Porch, Husk, SNOB... just don't get the pork at Magnolias.. order shrimp and grits. Poogan's Porch is great for brunch too.

cascader

Kathy, I arrive late on June 4th, a day to get settled, pre-op on the 6th, and surgery June 7th at East Cooper. Staying in Mt Pleasant at Sandpiper Village in a condo until July 2.Thinking I will probably miss you, but good luck with your Stage 2. I will be thinking about you. The above restaurants sound great, one of my favorite thing to do. Don't think I will get out much this first time around but will take the list. Anyone have suggestions in Mt Pleasant?

jacee

Cascader....The Water's Edge is on the water in Mt Pleasant. The area is called Shem Creek...several restaurants there. Nice to sit outside and watch the shrimp boats come in in the evening. Also, a nice shopping mall in Mt Pleasant. Can't remember the name though.

GointoCarolina

Thanks for all this great info.My surgery is not until February 13,I have to switch insurance at the end of the year.It is just as well as I need to start saving for all the travel expenses.Is there anything I should plan for other than lodging,flight,food,taxis(for when I am there alone before surgery) and a rental car? I am going to try and stay at Hope Lodge the two nights before my surgery,but I have to book a hotel just in case.Any suggestions on a reasonably priced hotel close to the hospital?After surgery I plan to stay at Sandpiper Village for a week.I was also wondering if there is a way to get a better price on flights,does day of the week you are traveling make a difference? I am a home body,so planning a trip is all new to me.

jacee

We actually flew into Charlotte, NC, rented a car and drove to Charleston for my Stage 1. It was that much cheaper, and we had the time. Next time, for Stage 2, it was cheaper to fly into Charleston. I have a friend who has flown into Myrtle Beach cheaper, so be sure and check surrounding airports. I just did ALOT of searching on Hotwire, Expedia, Travelocity, etc. A flight/rental car package will save you a bunch.

I believe many of the hotels give a "hospital rate", so be sure and ask.

cascader

thanks jacee

Fight-like-a-girl

Wow! I wish I was staying longer just to go to all the great restaurants! I always seem to be in a hurry. Thanks for all the great recommendations! I love this board!

Cascader: sounds like you are doing it the right way! Enjoy and hope your surgery/recovery is great so you can enjoy yourself.

Jacee: thanks any must do's?

I am not at all ready to go....so much to do!

Thanks everyone!

Kathy

GointoCarolina

Thanks so much Jacee....I will probably have to fly into Charleston,right now I will be coming alone and a friend will fly down when I am discharged.But a lot can change in the coming months.Thanks for the advice about flight/car rental,I did not know about that or to have asked for hospital rates.Looking forward to the restaurants...Cascader and Fight-like-a-girl,we will all be thinking of you.Good luck!!!!

Adey

Safe travels Kathy!

jacee

Kathy, we did a sunset cruise aboard the Schooner Pride around Charleston Harbor. Very relaxing! We also did a city bus tour that was very nice. We had a great driver/narrator and it was a great way to see the historical parts of the city, and learn about the history. Also toured 3 different homes/plantations...enjoyed it all. All of this was before my surgery though😏 Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Fight-like-a-girl

A sunset cruise sounds just like what I need! That sounds like fun. I will definitely check it out, am so excited and crazy nervous all in one. Thank you for all ideas and support.

Charlston bound. Kathy

fredntan

So charleston of all places is really known for breast recon? I am originally from sc. Family only 2 hrs away.



Lived in charleston for couple of months before getting married. Lived at what is now George street Inn. Now nice fancy inn.



What hosp is the recon done at? Did they treat everyone well? I had horrible experience with my mast. And now dont trust healthcare professionals. Are the rooms all private? Had horrible roomate during mast.

jacee

Fran, the flap surgeries are done at Roper Hospital with Dr. Massey, and at East Cooper Hospital for Drs. Kline and Craigie. Private rooms at both I believe.

My experience was at Roper and I couldn't have asked for a more caring Dr. and Nursing staff.

cascader

Fredntan, I am flying out monday from Seattle to have flap surgery at east cooper with dr Kline as my primary doc. So I will find out soon enough, but have complete confidence in my decision after having a failed recon previously .

Adey

FLAG-  My thoughts are with you today.  Healing vibes and prayers.

cascader

Kathy, thinking of you today and hoping u get to take that sunset cruise