Charleston Bound, part 2
This is a continuation of this topic: http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/752999, so if you're new here you might want to start over there and make your way here.
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I know there is a NOLA thread but I think that the docs in Charleston SC ROCK! So if you have been there, thinking about it, or already have it planned post away. Quite a few of us have BTDT. Lets also keep this running with past and future surgeries : ) If you want to be added to the list, send jeskachi a PM with your information.
SAMayoFL: August 3 Stage 1 with Drs. Kline and Craige. Bi-lateral delayed DIEP
jeskachi: August 17 Stage 1 stacked DIEP (left side redo), Dr. M, NOLA
Sept 2: nowords: stage 2 w/Dr. Massey
Oct 6: jacee: Stage 3, Dr. Massey, Charleston
Nov 20: bennetts1: tattoo touch-up, Dr. Massey, Chicago
Nov 21: jeskachi: stage 2, Dr. Massey, Chicago
Dec 6: Adey, Stage 1 SGAP, Dr. Massey, NOLA
Dec 9: AnneW, stage 3, Fairway (NOLA), Dr. M
Dec 9: nowords, Fairway (NOLA), Dr. M
Dec 29: Jeskachi, left nipple (almost done!), Chicago, Dr. M
Jan 31: LizR, stage ???, Charleston, Dr. M
Feb 29: mamachick, NOLA, Dr. ?
Mar 15: Adey, stage 2, NOLA, Dr. M
April 24: gma10 with Dr Baron, Dr Kline, Dr Craigie
Jun 7: cascader, stage 1 uni SGAP, Dr. K & C, Charleston
Aug 1: PinkHeart, Stage 1 Bilateral SGAP w/ Dr. Kline, Charleston
Aug 8: MsSherryinFL in Charleston w/ DrMassey
Aug 27: Adey, stage 2B, NOLA, Dr. M
Sep 20: jeskachi nipple revision, Chicago, Dr. M
Oct 5: Downey30, Stage 2, Dr. Massey, in Charleston
Nov 9: MartyJ, stage 1 in NOLA Dr. M
Nov 26: LindaG47, stage IIB with Dr. M, Chicago
Dec 7: cascader Stage 2 with Dr. Kline
Dec 14: PinkHeart, Stage 2 Bilateral SGAP and Lymph Node Transfer w/ Dr. Kline, Charleston
Dec 17: Downey30, Dr. Massey Stage 2B, Charleston
Dec 19: florafarm, Stage 2 with Dr. Massey at Roper
Dec 27: MsSherryinFL, Stage ??? with Dr Massey in Charleston
Jan 3: gma10, Dr Kline left breast redo PAP in Charleston
Jan 23: Sewaneegirl, bilateral SGAP, Dr. Kline, Charleston
Feb 22: Cherrie, Stage 2A with Dr M in Chicago
Mar 13: Threeteens, bilateral SGAP, Dr. Craigie, Charleston
Mar 14: bethcw, left side DIEP with Dr. Craigie
Mar 28: PinkHeart, Bilat SGAP Stage 2b, Dr. Kline, Charleston
Apr 5: MartyJ, Dr. M Stage II, Charleston
Apr 9: Downey30, Charleston with Dr. M, 2B or2C.
Apr 12: Catie2013, stage 2a with Dr. Kline in Charleston
May 1: crs319, Dr. Kline, Charleston, stage 1 DIEP
May 3: cascader, Dr. Kline, Stage 2b? nipple recon
May 6: Sewaneegirl, Part 2 of my GAP (the revision) in Charleston with Dr. Kline
May 10: Cherrie, Stage 2B- Dr. Massey-Chicago
June 28: slh_tn, Stage 2 with Dr. Kline
July 10: Pinkheart, Bilateral SGAP, Stage 4 (fat grafting), Dr. Kline, Charleston
July 11: Catie2013, Stage 2b, Dr Kline, Charleston, both breasts
July 12: sewaneegirl, part "2a" fat grafting to even everything out and fill in divots, in Charleston with Dr. Kline
July 31: lbrewer, SGAP, Charleston
August 6: MartyJ, Stage 2b with Dr. Massey in Charleston
August 8: Downey30 with Dr. Massey for a 2C
August 21: Mags20487 Dr. M Stage 2 Charleston
Sept 4: pandazankar with Dr.Kline and Craigie Delayed bilateral SGAP
Sept 19: Cherrie stage 2C Dr. Massey Chicago
Nov. 7: Montrial, Stage 1 DIEP, Dr. Craigie, Charleston
Nov. 15: Catie2013 Dr. Kline Charleston
Nov. 15: PinkHeart, Bilat SGAP, Stage 5 (BRAVA & Fat Grafting), Dr. Kline, Charleston
Dec. 4: Mags20487 stage 2b in Charleston
Jan. 17: lbrewer stage2 with Dr. Kline Charleston
Mar. 4: mtpeteacher stage 2 for bilateral DIEP in Charleston with Dr. Massey
Mar. 5: mags20487, Dr M, Charleston
Mar. 21: Montrial -- Stage 2 -- Dr. Craigie -- Charleston
Apr. 23: Ashira, bilateral mx & DIEP, Dr. Kline, Charleston
June 24: HighBeams-14, Stage 1 Reconstruction with Dr. Kline, S-GAP
July 2: Ashira, stage 2 surgery with Dr. Kline
Jul. 29: mags20487, Dr. M, Charleston
August 7: PinkHeart, SGAP stage 6, final breast & donor site revisions, Dr Kline
Aug. 12: GointoCarolina, Bilateral SGAP with Dr.Kline, Charleston
Oct. 31: Montrial -- Stage 3 -- Dr. Craigie, Charleston
Nov. 21: ashira, Dr. Kline, Charleston
Jan. 15: goodrhue, Dr. Craigie, Charleston
Comments
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(posting here and on the NOLA thread, sorry for the dup)
Well, the ball is rolling. I decided to have another stage 1 to replace my left side. It's the one that had trouble in my first stage 1 SGAP. It's been over a year and it's still too firm for my liking, and now it seems to be shrinking, so we're starting over on that side. Stacked DIEP tentatively scheduled for August 17 in NOLA. I'm nervous, but trying to be confident that I'll be extremely happy once I'm on the other side.
Any ladies who have had both SGAP and DIEP, or have had stacked DIEP, any advice is welcomed!
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Brenda, I just want to thank you for keeping the ball rolling on this thread! I can't give you any advise on your upcoming surgery, but want to wish you the best. I hope the outcome is just what you want it to be. Linda
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Brenda, thanks for keeping the thread going. I was totally reliant on this and the NOLA thread to prepare me for my surgery. I would have never done DIEP without all this info!!
Congrats on getting a surgery date. Hoping you finally get the results you want.
Joni
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Let's keep this going for all the Charleston gals and Massey's Mermaids out there!
Thanks for taking over the duties, Brenda!
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Brenda: Thank you so much for taking over the thread!!!! I would have missed you guys! How did you decide on another Stage 1??? I am sorry to hear that you have to go through Stage 1 again - we are all pulling for you that you will get the excellent results that you deserve! Liz
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I guess I just faced the fact that this side was never going to soften up. Plus the weirdness that's been going on with it since my 12/29 revision is a sign that this side just ain't right. I'm trying to look on the bright side--it would have been harder to have this surgery 3 days after the first one, which almost happened. At least now I'm back to my normal self so I'll be healthy for the next surgery.
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Brenda, thanks for continuing this thread. Best wishes for excellent results on your surgery.
Would you be so kind to add me to the surgery list for April 5? Dr. Massey will be deconstructing my reconstruction - removing implants and capsulectomy. I am totally stressed, as my insurance didn't authorize until this past Thursday. Have been running around getting pre-op tests, which have yet to be received by Ashley. Ugh! Can't I just get a break before my surgery? I haven't even packed and we're leaving on Sunday.
Tina
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Tina: done! Thanks for the good wishes, I'm a little bummed I have to start over again but I'm warming up to the idea. Good luck with your surgery! I'm glad insurance finally came through. Hopefully you'll be there and relaxing before you know it.
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Tina--As far as packing goes, really, they will give you everything you need "medically". So don't stress too much!!. How long will you have to be in the hospital? In the area?
Insurance DOES cause most of us alot of stress in these surgeries. So happy you got approval. Try to relax once you are on your way. You will be taken great care of by Dr. Massey. Best Wishes!!
Joni
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Sorry Brenda, Creature of habit. I now have Part 2 in my favs!
Brenda, I think you have mentioned the Merena brand of compression before. Is that something that Journey might want to look into also? I have Stage I Design Veronique which I do like, but wondered about the Merena and getting compression without the zippers. Anyone else have an opinion on this? I don't need the lower body compression only through the midriff. I usually wear my Veronique at night and Spanx or Kymora during the day. Right now I am wearing a binder that was put on me after stage IB. It's pretty simple. Just wrap it around and Velcro where it feels best! I am going on my third month of compression. I have gone without compression a few times at night and to be quite honest it doesn't feel good without compression. Wondering how long others have been wearing compression and how long you plan on continuing.Tina, best wishes for a wonderful outcome and speedy recovery.
Linda
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I got fed up with compression about 10 weeks out of stage 2. I wore it as long as I could, and then I just had to have it OFF. I figure that's just a sign I didn't need it anymore.
The Marena zipperless garment I wore is like Spanx higher power, very similar shape. I like it better than Spanx because the top has wide elastic, which seems to stay up better. The fabric is really soft too. I think you should wear whatever makes you comfortable, but since Marena was designed to be worn post-surgery 24/7, I felt like it would be best for my skin and my swelling. I have sensitive skin, but I didn't want to deal with washing a garment every day or even every other day.
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Hi ladies! Thank you Brenda for starting this thread for all of us!
Today marks 8 days since my stage 2, and I can't believe how wonderful my new body looks already!! I am so ready to shed the little bit of swelling I have left and get active again. My hips and boobs are looking great. I can tell there is a little bit of hard necrosis still in my left boob ,but it is so much better than it was.
As for compression I will wear the two zippered things for the next six weeks and then switch to high power spanx for as long as I can stand it. I did order a non zip garment from design Veronique and hope to add that to my current rotation as soon as the last drain comes out.
Tina, I know how frustrating all this is at the last minute! Hang in there and try to be good to your self. Dr. Massey is an angel on earth. We'll be here when you get back! -
HI LADIES: PLEASE LETS ALL PRAY FOR SHERRY AND WHAT SHE IS DEALING WITH. I KNOW IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR HER ADVICE I WOULD HAVE NEVER MADE IT TO CHARLESTON.
ANYWAY-- I AM ACTUALLY DREADING COMPRESSION GARMENTS--AND HOW CAN ANYONE HANDLE THAT IN THE SUMMER TIME?? IT SOUNDS SO UNCOMFORTABLE--GOSH, I HOPE I CAN DO IT.
LOVE-- HEATHER
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Thinking of Sherry and wishing her strength and the best possible outcome as she deals with this new diagnosis. Lousy, effing cancer!
Thanks for adding me to the list, Brenda. I really appreciate your kind words, ladies. I'm trying not to stress and just do one thing at a time. From my contact with Ashley and Dr. Massey, I can tell I'm going to be in very good hands. As of today, everything has been received by Dr. Massey except my Helper Doctor forms. His office is closed on Friday, so I'll talk to them on Monday from Charleston.
Joni, I'm arriving on Apr 3rd and leaving on the 18th. Surgery is on the 5th with one night in hospital. My lymphedema doctor recommended I try and stay long enough to have my drains pulled before I fly home. We'll see. I am packing casual clothes so I am able to take walks and have dinner out if I feel up to it. I'm bringing my regular compression garments, but I'll wear whatever they want me to wear.
Heather, speaking of compression garments in summer . . . During the summer of 2009 when my truncal LE really flared and I finally got the proper diagnosis and treatment, I spent four months 24/7 wearing a compression tank and additional nighttime inserts. It wasn't fun, but it was doable. I found that direct sun, high temps and humidity were the worst. A/C was my best friend! I made sure I scheduled myself for indoor tasks during the hottest hours of the day. I was so happy in October when I no longer had to wear the tank. The ladies in the LE forum have talked about how the constant wearing of compression garments can create a kind of sensory deprivation. It really can make you feel nutty, so I don't blame you, Brenda, for wanting to take that darn thing off!
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Tina: You leave tomorrow!!! You must be so excited! You ARE in the best hands - Dr. Massey is such a loving, caring person and a perfectionist as a surgeon. You know, I just realized that I will probably just miss you in Charleston. I am in the midst of planning a southern college tour for my 17 year old son and we hit Charleston on the 18th (but will probably arrive quite late, coming from Richmond with lots of stops on the way). What time do you leave? I fell in love with Charleston on my first visit - now I have this "master plan" of plopping all of the kids in colleges in the south - so we can join them! Let's see if it works!
Heather: You are up soon as well - you must be so excited for your trip to NOLA. Please keep us posted! (Did they ever figure out where they were going to find fat on you???). I think about Sherry every day and check her facebook status regularly. I am holding out hope that the doctors have it wrong and she is going to finish school and be OK.
Take care all! Liz
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Tina!!! Wow, you're up already!! I know Marga will do a fabulous job for you, and you'll be happy with your results. I hope your LE stays under control. This is a wonderful time of year for Charleston. Eat some good low-country food for me!
Please tell Marga that her mermaids of the forums send our love. And that I in particular want a report of how much rest she's getting!! I find myself wanting to be her big sister and take care of her. She's so precious to me--to all of us, really!
Heather, I've been thinking of you, too, and hope all goes well for you. I know you've been through a really tough time, and you so deserve to get a better quality outcome than you've had. And life in general has been sucky, which makes it all seem worse. Keep your head up and pointed forward, girl.
Liz, I think srtaegic placement of your college-aged kids is ideal. Good planning there!!
Journey, I know you're thrilled with your results. And they'll just keep getting better over the course of the coming year. Do you post pics on TimTam's site? I need to get a few of my own revision photos over there. I've been too lazy or ADD or something!!
Hugs to all,
Anne
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Hey Anne, several people have mentioned TimTam's pictures. How do you get there?
Susan
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Thanks Brenda for taking over! All my Charleston girls sure did help me through this process! Yes, I do have friends in my hometown, but they do not know what you are going through. The support from this thread has been wonderful!
Tina...Hope your surgery goes well. So you will not be having any additional reconstruction at this time, just the de-construction? We will be praying everything goes great. Dr. Massey will take great care of you, and we will be waiting to hear from you after surgery. Hopefully you will be able to enjoy Charleston during your extended stay. I hear it is beautiful during April...I think Liz had her first surgery last April and she spoke of how beautiful it was! Where are you staying? I need to start thinking about our stay in June, I usually stay at the Marriott for $79, but they do not have that rate this year...any suggestions?????
Brenda...I am a stacked girl! I think it ended up being over 900 grams!
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Susan, send TimTam a PM through the boards here. She will give you the website and password!
Anne
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We're stuck at the Philadelphia airport, as our flight's been delayed a couple hours. Almost took Southwest, so it could be worse! Still, it's hot as hell with this compression tank, inserts, sleeve and glove.
Bennetts, yes, just the decon. I think Dr. Massey will do a great job and watch out for my LE as well. Charleston should be lovely this time of year, and I'm hoping to enjoy walking in the historic area. I visited 12 yrs ago and loved it. We're staying at the Marriott Residence Inn on Ripley Pt Dr, and we got a suite at hospital rate for $119. As a gift, a friend gave us a bunch of her points, which is the only way we could afford. There is a big tennis event happening while I'm there and several places were booked, so we were lucky to get what we got. -
Tina - Congrats on getting everything set!
It looks like we'll be in the hospital at the same time. I got well enough to go ahead with my surgery in the morning. We do have a small change in plans, though. We're going to just do my mx side tomorrow with a stacked DIEP. I have a lot of pain in the radiated skin and huge hollow under my arm, neither of which they were going to be to fix with SGAP. So we decided when I met with Dr. Massey this morning to do just do that side now, and then do the prophy mx and SGAP on the healthy side in a couple of months. I hated adding another surgery, but it really seems like the best way to go in my situation. Dr. Massey is just the best!
Brenda - Good luck with your do over - hope it turns out perfect this time!
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Kim: Wow! You are up tomorrow! Sandy had the stacked DIEP with Dr. Massey and ended up with the most fabulous results. Sounds like you have a great plan! We are all thinking of you - best wishes for your surgery tomorrow!
Tina: Will this be your first time meeting Dr. M in person? If so, you will just LOVE her (I met her in person just before my stage 1). Hopefully you are now safely on your way to Charleston and have some time to relax before your big day on Tuesday. She will take very good care of your LE - last time she spent so much time personally wrapping my arm before surgery (and I don't even have LE!). Talk about caring!
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Kimber, best wishes for your surgery tomorrow. Sounds like the change of plans is a positive one. How many nights will you be in hospital, and how long in Charleston?
Liz, yes, this will be my first time meeting Dr M in person. Was impressed with her during my phone consult - I was amazed by how genuine and caring she seemed in comparison to my previous PS and the others I met locally. So happy to hear once again how proactive she re LE. I meet with the LE therapist tomorrow at 1pm and Dr M at 5pm. -
Tina - I think I'll be in the hospital 4 nights? I'm not sure where I got that number, but that's what's stuck in my head. I actually live in the Charleston area. I feel so blessed to have Dr. Massey right here. I wouldn't be able to do this with travel in the mix. I'm so nervous this morning....and thirsty.....and missing my little boy already. Hope everything goes well for you tomorrow.
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Kim & Tina-- Wishing you both uneventful surgery days!! You are in great hands and will be so grateful to have had this choice. Dr. Massey is an angel. You'll be in our thoughts and prayers.
Joni
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Tina and Kimber, my thoughts are prayers are with you both. I can't wait to hear from you!
Susan
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Kim, I hope all went well today with your surgery. You have the best and caring dr. in the world.
Tina, same to you for tomorrow. We're all pulling for both of you.
Sherry, You're still in my prayers. Stage strong sister!
Linda
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Love you all-- wishing the best for sherry! I will call her and check in!
For everyone who asked about my progress: this is at stage 2 revision for symmetry in the breasts. I do not have any any issues with lymph nodes. Keep you posted --love
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Kim and Tina- thinking about you and pray for good healing.
I received the Veronique non zip today and can't believe all the seams. My skin is way too tender to deal with this. Anne I think you tried to tell me! So should I go with the super spanx? Or does the Merena have no seams?
As for pictures I will post in a week after I lose this last drain. -
this is the Marena I wore:
http://marenagroup.com/garmentstore/product/tabid/199/p-98-2nd-stage-girdle-with-short-legs.aspx
It has light seams on front and back, and inner thigh. Nothing noticeable though. I have sensitive skin too and I don't remember the seams being an issue.
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