Charleston Bound, part 2

Brenda, woohoo!!!!  You are the only other person I know of so far that have used Drs. Klein and Baron.  They are the same team and hospital I am signed up for.  My surgery, however, is not until November, although that may change if my onc. releases me at the end of this week.  I can not wait to hear about your experience.  Where are you?  Are you traveling?  Have you already met the surgeons?  Please stay in touch and let me know how things are going.

Susan

Thanks ladies for the support.  The itching was very intense yesterday.  I was about to go out of my mind and ended up taking one then had to take another valium.  Finally, the itching went away.  This morning it was back again, but not as intense.  It helps to apply pressure to the area.  Anne, your explanation does make sense, but why is it happening in the mornings?  It would be wonderful if I am getting feeling back in that breast!

we love you sherri always!!!!!   IT ALL STARTED  WITH YOU1!!!   LOVE HEATHER

Sandy, I am curious with your itching how long ago your DIEP surgery was.  I had a mastectomy in September, 2010.  The back of my arm is still totally numb.  Every once in a while I will get an itch way down inside like you are describing but I can't scratch it because the surface is numb.  Like someone else said though it is nowhere near as intense as what you are describing and it lasts only minutes.  I hope you can scratch your itch today!

Snobird, every time I doubt my decision, which seems like happens daily, can you repost your story to reassure me?  LOL!!!!!  I was really active before BC.  I walked last night for the first time in 6 months.  It took me almost 30 minutes to walk 1.5 miles but by golly I did it!!  I am really trying to get myself back in shape before attempting this surgery.

Sherry, we are all thinking about you and praying for you.  Please post an update soon!

Susan

Journey- not so tuff just motivated. I love to ski and my DH and I had month long trip out west that was bought and paid for. My PS said I could start out easy at 4 weeks but I wasn't ready at 4 so one more week and I was jonesing to go. I had to keep it easy on blue groomed slopes but by the end at 8 weeks I was doing black diamond powder runs. Just hung up my skis for the season. I believe that all that activity everyday for 4 weeks is what kept me from gaining weight and loosing mobility. I was very in tuned to my body and knew when I needed to dial it back or rest. On none ski days (about 2 per week) I did yoga for flexibility.

 Brenda (jeskachi)  I think the other Brenda is referring to Kline and Craigie, but Baron is the regular surgeon that may be doing her mx.  BrendaLee can confirm, but this was my take on it.  I had Massey, Craigie and Grice.  Grice did my Proph. MX.

Hi Susan,

I can't help you with Klein and Lee.  MD Anderson has a great reputation though.  Of course I would certainly try to find out a little more about them.  Ask to see some before and after pictures.  Find out what their success and failure rate is and foremost how many they do a year.; i.e., Dr. Massey has a 99% success rate and does over 100 a year.   I know money is important, but I wouldn't let that stand in my way if I wanted the BEST!  Weigh all the pros and cons and then decide.

I see there is a member named paras that had her surgery with Klein and Lee in 2008.  Maybe you can PM her and find out what she thought of them.  Good luck and you can always stop back by this thread and say hi and let us know how your are doing. 

Best wishes, Linda 

Linda...no itching in 2 days!  I don't know what was going on, but I am glad it has stopped for now.

 Got an e-mail from Ashley today and my surgery was approved by my insurance!  She just sent papers in this week...that was quick!  I was so impressed! Huge relief since I have a new policy and had to get new approval. 

Susan, I agree with Linda.  Find out all you can about the surgeons...and you DO need to see photos!!  I knew there was a surgeon I could go to 2 hours from where I live, but I knew he had not performed that many DIEP procedures.  He was a new PS to the Memphis, but I just felt I wanted someone who did nothing but breast reconstruction.  My wonderful husband knew how much I wanted this surgery and said if we had to borrow the money to have it, we would go wherever I wanted.  I contacted NOLA first, and it was going to cost more than a new vehicle to go there.  Then I contacted Dr. Allen and Dr. Massey.  After the phone consult with Dr. Massey, I knew I WAS going to Charleston!  My insurance worked wonderful with her...I paid VERY LITTLE out of pocket for medical expenses, just money for travel!  So Susan, you just have to do your research and follow wherever your heart leads you. 

 Best of Luck to YOU!

Sandy

Thank you all for your input.  I will keep you posted as I continue on the journey.

You know Sandy, that is soooo crazy.  I called Ashley yesterday and talked to her about Dr. Massey.  So many of you have had good results with Dr. Massey that I figured I would give it a whirl.  Ashley said that if NOLA was out of network for me Dr. Massey would be too.  I don't really understand how all of that works.

Susan

Susan, is your out-of-network cost significantly higher than IN network cost? Mine wasn't. I used Roper for the big stuff, as the hospital was in network, even though Dr. Massey was not. My insurance will never pay for the cool digs at The Center, but I was still able to use Fairway Surgical Center in New Orleans for my last surgery. Dr. Massey and Dr. Sullivan do surgeries there, too. One of my friends had Dr. D at a hospital in Slidell. There are ways to get the doc you want, even if you can't go to the Center!

My deconstruction was partially funded as in-network, since Roper Hospital is in my network. However, I have to max out my OON deductible and OON cash out of pocket expenses. That money is what will pay Dr. Massey, since she is OON. She also told me she wouldn't balance bill. I have a hefty out of pocket limit, so this surgery and cost of travel is a financial burden to us. I consider it an investment in my long-term health and well-being. The lymphedema element just wasn't available locally, nor was any other surgeon going to repair muscle after removing implants. Dr. Massey rocks! I've been treated so well here - almost have to pinch myself!

Susan, I am in Fla, too - let me know if you decide to go with Klein and Lee.   Do you know if they do SGAP?    The breast recon site says they do, but on the MD Anderson site, it only mentions DIEP on their page. 

What are some things that might cause flap failure?   Other than inexperience of doctor?

Tina and Kim...how are you both doing?  Haven't heard from you in a while!

Brenda, glad I could help you out!  That was exactly what I had in mind!!!  Hopefully it will be perfect for what you need.

Countdown has begun for me...8 weeks!!!!  I know it sounds like a long time, but time will fly by.  I have lost 25 pounds and I would really like to get 5-10 more off by then (Mike said I could only lose 5 pounds more!). This means new clothing because I will be less than pre-chemo weight!!!!  Mike did remind me about swelling from lipo, and I know that will last a while, but it will be worth it!  Wish some more Charleston girls were going to be there when I am going to be there.  It has been so much fun meeting some wonderful bco friends in Charleston. What ever happened to our summer reunion?????  That might be a great weekend for one...we all could rent a large condo!!!  We do need to think about this...so much fun!!!  I know Marga will be in Germany the second half of June, but I do not know for how long and then back in Charleston in July.  I would be glad to ask Marga a convenient time for her if enough people are interested in a weekend reunion.

Have a great week Mermaids!