Charleston Bound, part 2

MartyJ

Linda - drive safely and have a wonderful Monday.  Almost done!  The best thing about Christmas is that it will happen whether you decorate or not, with exactly the same meaning.  (Okay, gotta excuse this Jewish friend of yours here trying to take some pressure off of you).

I took my first drain free shower this morning.  Put on the new Marena LGS -biggest thing I noticed is that the legs can ride up more than the Veronique.  The top band also has to be folded down.  If I left it up, it would cover my new little boobies.  I was also able to get into a pair of my own jeans with a zipper and snap waist.  Y E S !  Celebrated with 2 biscuits at Seabiscuit for breakfast.

Jamie - am holding time around 16/17th to see you and Rick.  The Hampton Inn downtown or Mt. Pleasant?

Pink - so glad to hear good about your  DH as I was worried.  Let me know if you need anything!

jacee

Linda, have you decided what all you are having done, or will you let Dr. M decide? S glad you are up next!!

cascader

Good luck tomorrow LindaG!

Downey30

Hi Marty,  We will be at the Mt Pleasant location.  Does that make it more difficult for you?  I am excited to see you.

MartyJ

Jamie, Mt Pleasant is perfect!!!  Once Dr. M gives you a schedule, we can figure ourselves out.  You will have to tell me more about the scar release - not that I am ready yet.  Not really ready for much of anything yet, but getting better.

Downey30

Marty, sounds like a good plan. Jamie

bennetts1

Linda...SOOO excited you are up next!!!!  Your personal cheerleader  here signing in to let you know you are going to do great!!!!  Go ahead and let Marga do EVERYTHING she thinks she needs to do.  You will be happy once it is all over with.  Still planning on our trip to get our tatts...we need another "mermaid trip"!  Love you and DO NOT forget to have someone call me after your surgery! Safe travels and will talk to you on the other side (unless you need to call me before!)

Sandy

jacee

Linda...thinking of you this morning. Knowing you are in good hands. Let us hear from you soon,

ketch

WElp...no rentals at Sandpiper for February! Already booked up! So, I have been on VRBO trying to find a place for 3 weeks. IOP seems like the place I will be. I was so hoping for the Sandpiper, but a high school friend's father has a Wild Dunes condo on the beach. I am checking with him...maybe he will cut me a deal! Otherwise, it is just more money out of pocket. My mom will be staying with me and I am hoping for some homecooking from her when I start feeling better!

I've noticed several have mentioned the Marena/Veronique. Should I buy one? What size would i buy?? Larger or smaller? I assume there will be swelling(?).... any other info??

PinkHeart

Hi Ketch,

You might want to email with Chris (RN) at Dr. Kline's office to see what she suggests.  They may provide you with compression garment that works well for you.  All these surgeons have different compression they provide.

Hope the Wild Dunes condo works out for you - what a wonderful place to recover!  If that doesn't work out, have you considering staying at the ACS Hope Lodge in Charleston?  There is no charge for you or your caretaker to stay there, and Dr. Kline's staff can register you.  You will still need a back up hotel if it is full.  It is about 15 minutes from East Cooper Hospital.

Link to video of Charleston Hope Lodge:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qelEpXLoqfc

bdavis

Ketch.. I would hold off on ordering a Marena. You will need to measure yourself after your drains are out... and as pinkheart said you may get a garment. I was given a stage I garment (one with zippers), and later purchased a stage II garment (one without zippers)... When you have drains, you need zippers, and that is the only difference.

cascader

Ketch, Too bad about Sandpiper, but Wild Dunes would be great! Love IOP. I did not have any compression after Stage 1, and will not need it after Stage 2 according to Dr. Kline, but of course we are all different. East Cooper Hospital will provide it if you need it, but the Marena sounds like the way to go comfortwise . I have a spanx that I will bring along with me just in case and go from there. 

MartyJ

Ketch - hope Lodge has had to back off on the recon patients because they are swamped with people needing close access to downtown hospitals and medical uni due to special chemo, etc. Wild Dunes is perfect - about 15 min to East Cooper hospital and rather quiet during Feb. One other option might be The Palms, which is a seniors independent living apartment building. Sometimes they have temp lodgings to let like Sandpiper. It is even closer to the hospital. Although you may be the youngest person there. Looking in Wild Dunes, I would check for units in Lagoon Villas, Port o Call, Summerhouse, Shipwatch, Seascape. Lagoon Villas, twin oaks and lake village are not oceanfront and may be less expensive. If you need any advice about IOP or rental contacts, PM me. Happy to help.

jacee

Linda, hope all went well!

bethcw

Hi Ladies,

I just wanted to pop in and say hello.  My stage 1 bilateral s-gap is scheduled for January 11 with Dr.'s Craige and Kline.  Being able to read everyone's stories and experiences have been invaluable to me as I am preparing for this next step.

Take care,

Beth

bennetts1

Good morning Linda...hope you are feeling well this morning!!!!  Sending healing vibes your way.  Rest up...love you!

PinkHeart

MartyJ~

Just talked to Dr. Kline's office regarding Hope Lodge.  An email from Priscilla came out in October about the pause in allowing breast recon patients staying at Hope Lodge due to a high registration of cancer patients with immediate treatment needs.

I believe that breast cancer patients with Active cancer are still eligible.

Also, after the first of the year, the Hope Lodge will re-review and accept breast recon patients based on availability.

Call Sundi at 843-958-0930 for more clarification.

When I went on the tour there in end of July and a week before surgery, I was told it wasn't full and in a quiet spell.  Still, the Hope Lodge overlooked calling me to let me know there was availability, and we stayed at our backup hotel (Hampton Inn with medical rate of $89 per night).

When I called the ACS Road to Recovery program after SGAP surgery for going to 30 days of HBOT therapy, the representative saw the Charleston Hope Lodge registration in the system, and suggested that patients keep calling them to see if they can get in and don't always count on getting a phone call.  I was kind of in La-La Land in hospital and didn't think to do that. 

So patients going for recon in 2013, there is still hope to get in at the Hope Lodge.

MartyJ

Pink, thanks for clarifying.  I was going on the info Sundi gave me when I cooked dinner there in October.  They really do like having us there as we are rounding a corner and uplifting for many of the patients.  Another good option here is Homewood Suites in Mt. Pleasant as they serve breakfast 7 days a week plus dinner Monday thru Thursday.

PinkHeart

Marty~

Thanks so much for posting about that because I was not aware.  It's great to have a local to help us out! 

I feel bad that I've been referring patients to Dr. Kline the last couple of months, and some patients had concerns about cost of travel and I was PMing them info on Hope Lodge not knowing about the change.

Catie2013

Ketch, I'm one of those that stayed at Hope Lodge, when I had my surgery in April. I called to see about this upcoming surgery (PAP flap with Dr Kline and Dr Allen) in January and was told basically the same thing Pinkheart was told, to call back to see if they are able to take us bc recon ladies. I thought it was a long shot the first time, but actually with calling often to see where I was on the list paid off. My stay was extended for quite a bit because I had some complications. They were very gracious. But I do have to say that I felt that there were so many more needy than I people there and I often felt that while it was the best place for me at the time, that I was anxious to go home so I could free up my ''space" for someone more critical. The people there can walk to their radiation, chemo, etc and it seemed I was in much better shape than they.



It was a very healing place as no matter what went wrong on me, I could just be thankful for the progress I was making. There is a Rite Aid just across the street within walking distance easy. They have volunteers bring in meals 4 nights a week so that is another plus, you could have your mom cook the other 3.



My advice would be to register there through Dr. Kline's office and then call Priscilla after enough time has lapsed and ask where you are on the list and when you should call back.



My opinion is that there are enough of us going that they could do a BC recon Lodge!!!



I thought I'd wait to find something after I was certain my insurance is going to cover the parts that aren't Dr Kline, hope I will find something. I plan on being in Charleston a month, just in case.



Linda, hope you are feeling good today.



Pinkheart, are your eyes back to normal? Cascader? Mine are almost getting back to normal but not quite. My seromas are getting bigger, so instead of the indents from the surgery, I've got water padding.



On the buying compression before, East Cooper supplied me with one, but didn't use it after the first or second day. No clue on this surgery though. I'll call the office and find out.



I've just recovered from a nasty bug, so taking time to catch up. Hugs to all

MartyJ

The Hope Lodge here is not as big as many (like the one in NOLA), so they probably operate a bit more fluidly making changes when needed.  I think all of us share the travel cost concerns, but am glad to know that the medical rates are so low at the hotels.

LindaG47

Thank you all my breast friends for thinking of me and sending me healing thoughts and prayers.  My surgery was Monday the 26th and I was discharged on Tuesday after an overnight stay.  The drive home 2-1/2 hours was uncomfortable mostly because of the compression and drains.  Got out and walked a short distance at the Michigan rest stop.  It was very cold and windy so I didn't walk long.  When I got back in the car my teeth were chattering and my body shaking.  Too much to soon. Much better today especially tonight, but still feel tired.  I don't do well with anesthesia even if they put anti-nausea meds in my IV. I'm sure by this weekend things will get better.  Dr. M said I could pull my 1 breast drain on Sunday.  Hopefully the abdomen drain will slow up and that can come out soon too.  

PinkHeart

gma10~

Will you have a caretaker with you the entire month?  On VRBO, there is a cute 2 bedroom cottage on Sullivan's Island that is $50 night, but is a monthly rental. 

http://www.vrbo.com/380569

Are you wanting to stay in Mt. Pleasant?

My eyesight got really strange from HBOT.  Just had eye exam and my eyesight improved, so Dr. changed my contact prescription. 

That's awesome that you have Dr. Allen operating with Dr. Kline for your PAP surgery.  Will you have a pre-op appointment with both doctors?

For my pre-op appointments the day before my upcoming Stage 2 bilat SGAP & Lymph Node Transfer surgery, I have two separate appointments with Dr. Kline and Dr. Baron.  I also have an appointment at Imaging Specialist for a TWO HOUR MRI/MRA LymphAngiogram test, which will require a xanax for me to be in that machine that long!  It will be a long pre-op day, but I guess I can sleep it off the next day during 6 hours of surgery. 

Cherrie

Linda-it was good to hear from you. Dr. M wants me to stay in Chicago area for 3 days after with no overnight in hospital. She will do rounds right at my hotel. Maybe I could come home earlier. We have a 3 1/2 drive in February. Where was your surgery? Advocate or Magna?



Sending healing thoughts your way.

cascader

Gma10, my eyes seem to be back to normal. Mine too actually improved, but I am back wearing my granny glasses for reading. Will be curious to hear about what dr klines says about compression,. After stage 1 I stayed a month for my own piece of mind, did not have any complications but just needed to do it . A cottage on Sullivans island sounds wonderful!

Cherrie

Cascaded, my eyes have not been the same since my surgery 16 days ago. My vision is somewhat blurry. Has it gotten better for you. I haven't mentioned it to my doc yet.

MartyJ

Cherrie, my eyes are on the fritz, too.  I am fine with my cheaters at a close range, but there are middle distances that i just can't handle (about 2 arm lengths away).  I think I will ask Dr. M when I see her tomorrow.

PinkHeart

Cherrie & Marty~

Cascader, gma10, and I are referring to eye/vision changes because all three of us went through HBOT-hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment that Dr. Kline ordered on us.  Vision changes are common with HBOT, and I know my HBOT doc discussed it with me during the consultation appointment.  I had HBOT treatments (20 days) for radiation damage to chest wall and tissue that needed help for internal healing.  My flaps were a happy success -- just so much damage underneath first from evil implants then radiation.  Dr. Kline had his work cut out for him as Dr. Fix-It before he could even start SGAP part of my surgery.

I feel like I have heard of other women having vision issues from their surgeries.  What causes it?  Meds?  Anesthesia?

Cherrie

It must be the anesthesia as I am on nothing else but antibiotics. I am hoping time heals.

LindaG47

I think it is anesthesia and meds.  I know if you are taking Cyclobenzaprine ( Flexeril) It states on the label that it can cause blurred vision.