Charleston Bound, part 2

PinkHeart

Out of hospital after four days. Every single ECMC staff member was so awesome and caring. It helped me get through feeling crappy and no sleep. Dr K and his staff -- the absolute best!



Ketch,



What a Sweetheart son you have!



CRS,



How are you doing with chemo? Are you through most of the treatments?



Catie,



"Kline-athon". LOL.



Diedre,

So nice to meet you and DH! Hope your pain is letting up. Wish I were still out at IOP with you and Catie. Will see you Tuesday.



Marty,

My friend and I enjoyed Morgan Creek Grill, thanks!


slhtn,

How is your recovery going?

Lbrewer,
I may still be here when you come for surgery. What date do you arrive?

MartyJ

Pink = glad you are finally out of the hospital.  You certainly keep the docs on their toes.   Glad you enjoyed Morgan Creek Grill - I think it is a wonderful alternative to Boat House.  I took Catie & Diedre there for lunch, we were the only ones in the dining room and they were very patient with us.

Catie2013

Marty, yes they were patient with us!!! Cannot believe how accommodating they were. That was such a haze, glad to be reminded of the name if it! And the memory of such a nice lunch.



We have finally a beautiful sunny day DD and grandkids will most likely come back from IOP sunburned - they've been out all day!



Hugs



Catie

mags20487

Spoke with Dr M today and I finally am at a mentally ready point. She is just going to even out the girls.



Maggie

cascader

Hello ladies, just checking in to see how the Kline-athon is going. I hope that you are all recovering and healing and that your post ops go well and you will be home again soon. Catie, I became allergic to Doxy also, broke out in hives during my second surgery, I think, maybe it was my first, all a blur. I was told not to take Benadryl with Tamoxifen however, it must interfere, but Benadryl can be a life saver that is for sure! My husband is allergic to shell fish and we always take it with us on vacation.  Pink, that is so cute about spider boy, what adorable kids and always so fun to see them on Dr K's rounds, certainly brightens up a hospital room. Deidre, how are you feeling, beat up from lipo?

This quote popped up on my FB page this morning and I wanted to share: "It always seems impossible until it's done"...Nelson Mandela.

I know that while in the midst of all of this it seems never ending and that your whole life revolves around doctors, surgeries and all the rest that comes with having BC. It is not until this last week or so that I have felt a shift in my world, it is a beautiful hot summer and I am in a bathing suit or little sun dresses and I am beginning to totally FORGET about all of it! I just throw these clothes on without a thought, no taping, padding, and no worrying! I never thought that would happen, it's strange actually,and it brings tears to my eyes. So much of what has been so difficult for me is the mental part, and that is changing. So, I just want to let you know, I am really not that much further along than many of you of this journey, but it WILL HAPPEN, it is not impossible and you will be done.

Have a wonderful restful week ladies, thinking of you.

PinkHeart

Cascader,



Thanks for your beautiful post. I'm dreaming of wearing a cute sundress again someday.



Was hoping to get my drain pulled at post op like Dr K said probably would when he discharge me Saturday. It still going bright red at 4o cc snd this morning bleeding from drain hole. Not gurgling like with hematoma in hospital though. Chris said to meet at Roper ER but I pulled my stubborn act and refused and now have compression in surgery bra and see them in morning as planned. It seems to have stopped leaking.



I've been chill on pain meds so I can drive to appointment tomorrow and have lunch with Catie and Sewanee. Just taking tylenol right now. And swimging on porch swing at friends house. Ready for beachwalking in my mind but not body yet.

Catie2013

Pink, I thought about you when I went to the beach today! Grandkids got really sunburned yesterday so I was pushing DD NOT to take them swimming today. She pulled her stubborn side and reminded me she (and her kids) tan, where I NEVER IN A ZILLION YEARS could or would tan. Then she asked me to join them for an hour at the ocean instead of in the room. Deidre and I had just talked at breakfast and next thing I new, I was dressed in my SPF 50 wet suit type gear and sitting on the beach watching the GK's, DD, and waves! Kiddos just got new boogie boards - so I HAD to see them!



Wow - was just what I needed and certainly understand your yearning to get out there Pink! Though, people we should call Pink "very tan beautiful woman" NOT "Pink" - LOL, she did get her share and then some of the sun and surf before surgery!



Took a long nap, so now to check out the food they serve for dinner! Not the best, but on a budget this time and saving the delicious part for tomorrow lunch with the other Kline-a-thin participants!!! Pink, so hoping you are able to be there!



West Ashley - 11:15!



Lisa, love that saying, I cross stitched something similar "- all things seem impossible until they are finished!" Pretty good analogy for us for sure!



Looking forward to us all finished and in a rental house here by the beach for a week in 2014!!!

lbrewer

Pink,

At least your out!  I should get there the 29th.  I hope for your sake you've headed home. I'm going to have to write down all the restaurants but I promised my husband we could go to Smokey BOnes!

5andcounting

Thanks Cascader for the beautiful post It made me smile. Hope all you Kline-etts are doing well and are able to have drinks at the beach:). I complete chemo number 3 this week. Only 3 more to go and stage 2 is moved up to October 25th. Hoping Dr. Kline will go heavy on the lipo and that the girls will have a better and more even shape.

MartyJ

LBrewer - If you haven't taken your husband to Home Team Bar-b-que on Sullivan's Island, you should give it a try.  Good Que, good beer, near the beach, live music and kicked back.

Catie2013

I think the drink by the ocean is going to have to wait for me until NO meds!!! Meds and me and "drinks" do not mix😏



But hoping we get ALL of you to join us!!!

GointoCarolina

I am so glad everyone is doing well and thanks Cascader,I kind of needed to read a post like yours today!

cascader

Kline -ettes and Kline - a- thins . Lol!

THarmon

Four years ago, gap flap. Craigie. I live close to hospital. Call if needed.

Anonymous

Cascader,



Your post was so beautiful that it literally brought tears to my eyes. Thanks.



Cathie and I have both been staying at Homewood Suites and it has been so great seeing her adorable, mature and well-behaved grandchildren. Just watching them at the breakfast table is an antidote to all that ails one.



And I had a chance to see PI k at the hospital. Cathie is right - she is so lovely that to call her "Pink" doesn't do her jistice. I am looking forward to seeing them both today for lunch.



As for me, I am swollen and feel like a giant tick - in a blue polka-dotted sundress! Hoping it begins to subside and hoping that he got my legs. Do not understand why my legs have holes but are not bruised while my stomach (which needed the least) is purple ... I so wanted my saddlebags gone ... And thankfully I read somewhere (this is probably tmi) that the open area at the bottom of the compression garment means that all parts uncovered can really swell ... And they have. Frightening looking and not very comfortable either. So I have out Spanxx on top of te compression garment to cover the hole ... If anyone has words of wisdom, do please advise!



Deidre

lbrewer

OK Ladies...a question.

My SGAP is scheduled for the 31st and Dr. K wants me to bathe with HIbicleanse prior.  My TE expander will be removed the 24th and the PS says no showering or getting area wet.  NOW WHAT??? 

Any suggestions will be truly appeciated.  I never knew all this coordination would be so difficult!

MartyJ

Lbrewer - why not let Dr. K remove the TE and eliminate 1 surgery?  Just a thought.

bethcw

lbrewer - I agree with Marty.  Is there some reason Dr. Kline doesn't want to remove the TE's?  I would go into the SGAP surgery as strong as possible, and to me that wouldn't involve another surgery a week before.  Since I've had the two failures, I know that having multiple surgeries just a few days apart is no fun!

lbrewer

it has to be out so they can do an MRA.  It has a metal port so he siad to have it removed before coming up.  Believe me I tried!

bethcw

Oh, I see - well that sucks!  I think you could probably carefully take a bird bath with the Hibaclens.  I don't think it will be a huge deal.  (My father in law had a surgery last year without the Hibaclens soap the night before.)  He had just had a stroke and decided to take his shower without my husband's help and honestly it was just easier to let him be in his frame of mind at the time.  I ended up telling the surgical nurse that yes he had done just as he was told (Hibaclens shower, etc), he didn't correct me and no one knew any better.....

GointoCarolina

I have a quick question.Will I be in a surgical bra after surgery?Ones I have had in the past were plain white and seemed to cover a lot of area....Just wondering if I will be able to get away with wearing a couple of sheer button down shirts I have..they are cool and comfy,so hoping to wear them.....and what about underwear? Will I need a bigger size with high sides maybe for the hip drains????Going shopping with a friend and want to only go once!

Catie2013

Sewanee - hope Dr K answered ?? On swelling, I'm sorry I didn't ask at lunch, which went by way too fast!!!



Pink, you look mahhvalice (great!!)



We did it, the Dr Kline-a-thon (like a marathon or tri-athalon ) 3 appointments at the same time!!! My head is spinning!!!



Drains gone, so I am thrilled! Really got painful last night.



Hugs

cascader

Deidre, sorry I can't help you with any swelling advice. Is it better today? And it took me months to see the benefit of lipo, I think it too changes with time as your body and skin adjusts. You can take arnica and bromelein to help with swelling and bruising.

Catie, drains gone! Congrats! You are in your way to full recovery.

Pink, I KNOW you look beautiful but how are you feeling, drain sites? You will be in that cute sundress and all this will someday be a distant memory.

Hope you enjoyed your lunch together, what fun.

PinkHeart

Still have my drain #17. At least it's been more friendly than most. Dr K saw me today, and will see me again Friday to remove the drain.



I loved having appointments and lunch together today with Catie and Sewanee. The support from BC.org and from meeting up with other patients of Dr Kline and Craigie, has given me much needed strength to get through this part of my BC journey.



I've been having a rough time dealing with the stress of living on unemployment pay and all the financial and physical pain of these surgeries.



And now divorce is being added to the mix .....



So now having to devote more time to remember to breathe deep, pray, and try to take one-day-at-a-time to not get overwhelmed.



I have made the decision to relocate to Charleston, and will live with my friend in Summerville until I figure out where I will work and the area to live.



My house has been on market for 3 days with 6 showings and 2 interested coming back. At least it won't close until after my kids go back to college. But my heart is heavy thinking where will home for the holidays be for them?



I've been applying for jobs in Charleston for a few weeks. Today I was contacted to have my first interview the last week of July. (Thank goodness the drain will be gone by then).

Have hope for calls from other openings, too.



So now at least I don't have far to go for my remaining appointments and surgeries to complete my reconstruction. I also would like to offer help to other patients when I can. Please let me know!



One day at a time. Amen.

lbrewer

I bought a Softee mastectomy camisole I wore after my DIEP and I loved it.  It has pockets for drains and is SOOO soft.  I wore it after my second mast too.  Ordered another one for this surgery.  Insurance and MEdicare usually covers them.

lbrewer

Pink, where are you moving from?  If you are in Summervile maybe we can get together.  I want to drive out to IRongate and see my old house.

bethcw

lbrewer, I will be in town for an appointment with Dr. Craige on August 5.  I'm thinking about coming down on Sunday the 4th with a friend (instead of my usual day trip by myself).  If you're feeling up to it, maybe we can work out a get together.

bethcw

pandazankar, I woke up from both surgeries (SGAP and DIEP) with a surgical bra and hip drains.  The surgical bra does cover a lot for a bra, it is cotton, fairly lightweight and velcro front.  I don't know how I would feel about sheer tops, but it was cold weather when I had my surgery, so I lived in zip front hoodie type tops most of the time.  I also had the surgical camisoles that I used for all of my drains.  I wore my regular underwear after leaving the hospital (which are mostly bikini type cuts) and padded all the drain and incision areas with guaze and ABD pads.  Kim told me that a lot of women use maxi pads on the SGAP insicions instead of ABD pads because they are cheaper and they have the adhesive that you can just stick to your underwear but I found when shopping for those they tend to be thinner than the ABD pads and don't provide quite as much cushion.  Having the adhesive is helpful when trying to puteverything in place though!  In my opinion, I liked the more snug feeling, and don't think I would like a bigger size underwear with the opportunity for things to slide around.  But I think in this everyone is different.  Let me know if you have any other SGAP questions!

Beth

bethcw

Pink, sorry to hear of your added emotional stress; but it sounds like you have a positive plan and that is a good thing.  Just remember you have all of us to vent to/lean on as you go through your changes!  Let us know what we can do to help!

Beth

GointoCarolina

Thanks Beth,the tops aren't real see through,but definitely need a bra under them..thanks for the tips on the underwear,I was afraid I was going to have to go out and buy some...Pink,you have been a main force in my pushing forward when I had setbacks.You are incredible and I know you will turn this to your advantage.So many brave,strong,caring women here who are always ready to reach out,even when you all have your own stuff going on...