Charleston Bound, part 2

Hi All!  I am a local gal - live on one of the sea islands.  I will be having bilateral diep with Dr. Marga on Nov 9 in NOLA and will be doing stage 2 in Charleston (I hope).  My mastectomies were 27 years ago and I have had TE then silicone implants since then.  The implants leaked and were replaced in 1999.  They need to be replaced again and are misshapen.  I am really excited about having warm, natural breasts again.  Of course, I haven't worn a bra in 27 years so that will take some getting used to.  I am posting to say hello and to thank you in advance for all the wonderful information you are sharing.  You will make the next year a lot easier!

Charleston was beautiful!  I'll have to go back...... FOR FUN!  (c:

Adey,  Glad you are home and happy.  Everything looking like you expected?  Glad you liked Charleston.  Isn't it a beautiful city.  You must go back and visit.  Was Roper alright for you.  Where did you end up staying?

Take care. 

Linda, thanks for the warm welcome. We are very fortunate to live in paradise. I have been here for 24 years and love it. We considered this surgery for about 5 years. Went to a Dr. Marga presentation in February. Half way through and my husband leaned over and said "she's the one". I will be at Fairway. Let me know if I can do anything for you when you are here.

Marty

Going to Charleston on Monday for Tuesday appt with Dr Kline and Dr Baron, need to see if seromas are going to be ok and wound on radiated Breast has new bleeding spot, looking forward to getting healed!



Where to stay? Will see the docs at the clinic in Charleston. I'm bringing my friend with me for the 6 hour drive. Probably a 2 night stay, hopefully. Any suggestions?



Addy, glad all went well.



MsSherry hope you are doing well too.



Martyj welcome, you are basically why I chose natural, even though I've had some bumps in the journey to get here, I knew I'd have even more if I went implant/ te especially on radiated skin!



Hugs to all.

I'm doing good. This has def been a rollar coaster for sure.  Arrived Friday night at Roper ER.  Got a tiny line put in and the anasthesia could not get a good line in using US.  Poor guy tried for over an hour in my only arm he could use.  Spent Fri night throwing up because of the IV antibiotics then surgery on Sat afternoon.  Marga made a few incisions in my old scar and added 2 new drains.  One spot on my hip ended up culturing out an infection.  Today I am down to 1 drain and have had 3 days under 30 cc but keeping it in a bit longer.  Feeling finally normal.  I go back Dec 27th for hopefully FINAL.  Lipo to inner and outer thighs, an adjustment to the left (still pointing a bit lateral and low), possibly a nipple to that side, and fat grafting to the upper poles to fill in hollow areas.

How's everyone else? 

Sandy-  I'm interested!  I don't know if I'm done yet.  I have to let things settle and see if the fat grafting sticks.  Slight possibility of baby flap in the future.  If I'm not ready for nipples I can get some eye liner!  (c:

gma-  I stayed at the Courtyard Riverfront.  Great outdoor area and medical rate and balconies.  I think it was Sandy that recommended it.  You can walk to Roper.

Hi all,

I am trying to get my head wrapped around everything to be done before surgery - travel arrangements, clothes, cleaning, rearranging things to be within reach.  I now understand how the tasks expand to fill the time available.  Would y'all be so kind as to provide a bit of info for me about Stage 1 at Fairway?  I am cross posting this to September in NOLA, as well since several of their girls have been to Fairway as well.

 My surgery will be at Fairway.  Were your pre-op appointments there or at the Center in NOLA?  Did you stay in NOLA the night before surgery and drive over to Covington? 

Did you feel you needed a caretaker in the room with you or is the staff at Fairway on the spot to handle everything?  I have been considering flying my 24 year old son in so he and his Dad can have a guys weekend built around visiting me. 

The packing lists have been really helpful.  Was there anything in particular you wished you had brought to the hospital, but didn't? 

Thanks bunches!  Marty 

Martyj, I too had hubby stay at hotel ( which in my case was Hope Lodge). Like Pinkheart said, the nurses were well trained, came in more often than I expected and everything I needed was attended to with extreme compassion. I was told I needed a 24/7 caregiver from the friend who recommended Dr Kline to me. However, in retrospect I realize she was the 24/7 caregiver to her daughter who was BRCA positive. She wanted to be there non stop with her daughter. My friend was a tram/diep recon several years ago and in Atlanta, she didn't have the same Dr or nurses in Atlanta that we have in Charleston, or NOLA.



I too had to stay longer, hubby went home and a good friend flew in to be with me. I was readmitted a couple of times and all of those hospital stays all had girlfriends there to visit and then go back to hope lodge. Easy - they sleep better, you get some rest, and lots to catch up on. Wouldn't have been able to do it without my girlfriend angels.



My two sons offered, but thought it better to use my lady friends.



I took too much to the hospital, but was glad to have some hair clips to pull my hair away from my face, I brought a back scratcher, bed bath and beyond, and used it for everything including getting stuff I couldn't reach for on the bed tray table. Gum was another keeper, or ricola, as my mouth was dry. I also drink bottled water, so had hubby bring in a case of my favorite. The nurses would gladly put it within reach.



Hope all goes well.



Btw, I have reservations at Embassy Suites for my friend (one of the ones who came to Charleston as a caregiver) I did a Priceline and got the room for $65.00 per night, staying two nights to see Dr Baron and Dr Kline. Thanks for the tips though.

Sandy darlin'. I am in for a girls retreat no matter what.....tats or no tats.  Just give me a heads up when you think you are going.  Maybe closer to spring.  It can get chilly (snow) in Ashville.  

MartyJ, I tried to get a date for Fairway this year, but didn't have any luck.  I was scheduled for Charleston in Oct, but then the date didn't work for my caretaker.  I can't go to the Center in NOLA because it is not in network with my BCBS.  I might be going to Chicago in November after Thanksgiving if the date works with Dr. M's schedule.  I only live 2-1/2 hrs from Chicago and a daughter that lives 30 minutes from the city.  

Adey, I loved your comment about eyeliner!  

Sherry and All, glad you are doing well.  In a month or two you won't even remember the recovery.  Still all worth it to me.

Happy week ahead to everyone.

Linda 

Linda - I understand the challenges.  We scheduled the Novembert Fairway date back in February.  Good luck with the post Thanksgiving date.

gma10 - Thanks for the information.  I think my husband will be happier staying with me and if we fly our son down it will be the weekend after the surgery.  Becky in Dr. M's office tells me that with surgery on Nov 9th, I shouldn't plan to leave before the 18th. By then we will be in NOLA.  Scratcher/reacher is a great way to be independant - good idea.  

Pinkheart - Sounds like you have a great plan!  My girlfriends are all poised to do whatever is needed when I get home and one will fly to NOLA if needed.

 Y'all are getting me right on track! 

Sandy,  I "tentatively"  have a maybe date in Chicago after Thanksgiving, but the schedule isn't set in stone yet.  Next Charleston date would be right after Christmas and we're getting ready to go to FL then.  If it doesn't happen this year, then maybe next.  I'll talk to you later about everything.

Liz, are you still going to Charleston Oct. 12th?  Let Brenda know so she can put you on the calendar.  

Marty, if Ann get in on this thread she can pipe in on Fairway.  She's been there and Charleston. 

Pink heart...So happy for you that everything is FINALLY all coming together!! You have had quite a ride!! Congrats!!!

gma10 - Wish we had cooked while you were there.  Just missed you as we were there on June 11.  Hope we can coincide again.  It is an honor for me, DH and friends to cook and serve at Hope.  The Charleston lodge was the first in the US and was founded by a friend of ours who just turned 105.

 BTW - Charlie Hall clinic really is in Charleston, not North Charleston.  Kind of funny how the divisions work here.