Charleston Bound, part 2

Del11

Adey-  what's your preference?  To be in an interesting part of the city where you will have to drive to Roper, or to be in walking distance to the hospital?  You can't really have both in Charleston.  

Adey

Right now I just want a clean bed and to stop thinking of all the extra $ this is costing me.  I hope I can get in the ocean before surgery!

Del11

Roper has a list of hospitals, some within walking distance and some with discounts for patients:

http://www.ropersaintfrancis.com/HomePage/Patients_and_Visitors/Travel_Information/Accommodations.aspx

I stayed at the Marriott Courtyard for my stage 2, it's pretty close. We walked to Roper, although in hindsight it was kind of a long walk:

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/CHSCY-Courtyard-Charleston-Waterfront

There's a Comfort Inn a block north of the hospital but it has pretty bad reviews. Cheap and close though.

The Hope Lodge is pretty close to the hospital, if you can get in there. 

Adey

Thanks B!  Slightly freaking and need to leave tomorrow morning.  Blah.

Del11

Also check out Craigslist vacation rentals.  One that might work:

http://charleston.craigslist.org/vac/3176376817.html

PinkHeart

Adey,  Sorry about all the extra stress for your surgery!  Time at the beach would definitely help that - at least for me anyway.

I stayed at the Hampton Inn-Patriots Point-Mt. Pleasant with a hospital rate of $89.  I had surgery at East Cooper, a small hospital in Mt. Pleasant.  Was back and forth to the beach and downtown Charleston from there -- very easy to get around and is a good central point.  The good thing is you have your own car since you are driving.  Just drive over the beautiful Ravenel Bridge to get downtown to Roper in 15 minutes.

From where I stayed it was also easy to get to Shem Creek, fun restaurants at marina and sunset cruises on sailboats, etc.  Also could get to Sullivan's island in 10 minute and Isle of Palms in 15 minutes.

Keep in mind that it's Labor Day weekend -- will be busier and prices will be higher.

Dr. Massey's staff can call in and register you for the Charleston Hope Lodge - which is very nice,  free, and downtown Charleston.

If that doesn't work out can Dr. Massey do your surgery in Chicago?

jacee

Adey..we always stayed in Mt Pleasant, just across the bridge at the Holiday Inn and Suites. It is about a 10 min drive to Roper. Stage 1 we stayed at Homewood Suites in Mt Pleasant...a further drive but closer to Isle of Palms. I don't know about airport shuttles as we always rented a car.

bdavis

Adey.. I stayed at Mills House on Meeting Street. Very centrally located to restaurants. You would need to drive to the hospital, but for a place to stay before and after the hospital, I think its really nice... pool, restaurant and central. And they have valet parking for $20 per day, so they just bring your car around all day long, which was nice. It is $175 per night, so maybe Dr Massey can get a discount for you.

Adey

Thanks so much everyone!  We decided to fly, whew, otherwise we would be driving now and I don't have a hotel yet.  (c:  I hope to enjoy a meal or two and maybe even see something this trip.  (c:  But I'll worry about that later.  Take care Charleston ladies or should I say Mermaids.

cascader

Good Luck tomorrow Adey!

PinkHeart

Good luck tomorrow, too!  Hope you had time to slow down, relax, and enjoy Charleston!  Are you staying long after surgery?  Did other patients who were cancelled opt to go to Charleston, too?

I go back for Stage 2 and lymph node transfer in December with Dr. K.  If I need a Stage 3, I will schedule when the azaleas are blooming.  Hope you got in some beach time! 

Downey30

ADEY, I'll be thinking about you tomorrow.  Wishing you a successful surgery and speedy healing, Hugs, Jamie

jacee

Best to you, Adey! You are in great hands at a great place!

Catie2013

Adey, hope all goes well throughout your journey, in Charleston and at home.

MsSherryInFL

Good luck tomorrow Addy!



Well looks like I'm making an urgent trip to Charleston. Infection, seroma.... Driving tomorrow, admit to Roper Fri night, surgery Sat.

Downey30

MsSherryinF,  so sorry to hear about your problems. Hoping you get all fixed up and recover quickly. Where is your infection?  I'm assuming at the drain site. Hugs

PinkHeart

MsSherry~

Was sorry to see your post about complications, and hoping for the best for you.  We all have the very best surgeons so we know they are doing everything possible for you.  Warm wishes for a quick turnaround and on to a straight road to recovery. 

MsSherryInFL

Abdomen from the drain. Had to pull it early (was still putting out close to 60) but infected. So my backs growing a second tush plus I have a streaky red belly and fever.

AnneW

Sherry!!! I hope you're doing okay. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow. Get well, girl. You've been through so much in the past year or so.

MsSherryInFL

In SC. Love Massey!! She's so amazing. She wanted a ct scan to locate all seromas/infection. Issue is I have nothing for veins. Anesthia tried 3 times with ultrasound. So hopefully hydration will help. Surgery tomorrow. Thanks everyone.

jacee

Sherry....wow girl, you WILL get through this. Thinking of you.

Catie2013

Mssherryinfl hope all is well after your surgery today. I have 2 seromas and getting them drained weekly. When you recover, tell Us how the surgery went.



Big hug



Catie

Catie2013

Big hug, not his!

Downey30

Sherry, sweet dreams and speedy healing. Hugs

jacee

Sherry, hope everything went well! Thinking of you!

LizR

Adey:  Thinking of you - hope you are all settled in Charleston!  When is your new surgery date?

Sherry:  So sorry to hear you are having complications and now problems finding a vein.  In Dr. Massey's hands, I hope you find that this is just a small bump in the road.

Haven't posted in awhile - all is good here!  I am scheduled for surgery #5 (is that possible, my 4th Stage 2 or maybe this is 3A???) on October 11.  All is approved on the insurance end (I got a network gap exception, which treats Dr. Massey as "in network").  This is try #3 for a nipple to match my left original nipple (I am a uni) - not an easy feat (now I just have a little scar tissue and nothing).  Hope third time is a charm!  Otherwise, my breasts look amazing and I continue to be thrilled with my results.  

Question for you gals that had lipo - my outer thighs are still discolored from the lipo in January - like a very large oval - where the brusing subsided but never fully went away.  Does anyone know if this is permanent or will maybe go away with more time????  

Take care! Liz 

LindaG47

Pink and Cascader,  Very interesting about HOBT.  Thanks for sharing.  Glad all you gals are doing fine.  

Adey,  Looks like you had your surgery two days ago.  Hope you are doing well and if you have a day and feel well I hope you can tour the beautiful city of Charleston.  I hope you found a nice inexpensive place to stay.  Were you able to get into Hope Lodge.  Roper isn't "The Center", but I like Roper and it is comforting to me to know that it is a full-fledged Hospital just in case something goes wrong.  Glad you are safe and didn't have to deal with all weather in NOLA.  Those poor people.  Do they ever get a break?

Sherry, I am glad you are doing well.  I have an Oct. date, but if it doewn't work out for my caretaker then I might have to go after Christmas.  Don't want to, but might have to.

Happy Labor day all.  Stay safe.

 

PinkHeart

LindaG47~

You're welcome - I found HBOT interesting, too  -- thought it was only for scuba divers with the bends and here I am now a breast cancer patient receiving the treatment!  Here is a link to American Cancer Society's information about HBOT:

http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy

Or Medscape's HBOT info that lists on left column indications such as for Flaps, radiated tissue damage, etc:

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1464149-overview

jacee

Liz.......my inner thigh area that was lipoed stayed a shade darker for about 15 months but has now returned to normal color. Hopefully yours will too. Nipple recon I think must be really hard for surgeons to get just right, mine were both bigger than grapes the day after surgery and shrunk to normal size......I really didn't think they were going to work, and I'm amazed they did!! Hope yours is perfect this time, Are you having more lipo too??

LindaG47

Hey Brenda, how did your nipple revision go this time.  How do they look?  Linda