Charleston Bound, part 2

bethcw-  You sound like me.   I don't post much either but have learned so much from the ladies on this board when I was researching my options.  I'm 3 weeks out from a left S-gap procedure on December 12.  Everything looks great- I have an appointment with my helper PS today and expect to get good news on my progress.    Dr. Kline and Dr. Craigie are wonderful.   The nurses at East Cooper were my cheerleaders and took wonderful care of me.  

Sending you big prayers for your surgery!    

Gma10-

So good to hear from you so soon.



Take it easy and we look forward to hearing from you later.

Panda, that was my suggestion. I am glad to see the rates haven't risen in years. Just remember the average of the residents is about 85. Walking on their grounds is okay, but the area is more commercial than residential. Glad you found it! So sorry that your surgery has been postponed. I know it is a disappointment.

Panda,

I'm so sorry you had to postpone surgery with Dr Kline. I hope that your and DH health improves soon.



In between my stage 1 and 2 surgeries my very young and active 56 year old DH ended up having open heart quadruple bypass surgery. I was pretty much recovered from August stage 1 at the time so was able to care for him and drive him to appts and cardiac rehab. So we take turns taking care of each other. He wasnt planning on going to stage 2 surgery anyway as I had girlfriends in Charleston. He first day back at work was day of my stage 2 Dec 14 surgery.



Thanks for the info on The Palms. Can you please PM info to me? I have two more surgeries. The next one I may drive down with DD and friend and have our own place versus staying at friends house. Everything up in air. May be first week of April. Will they rent by the week?



So take it easy and keep up hope and healing. I enjoyed talking to you and will be praying for you to get well soon. Please keep us all posted.

Gma, good hearing from you and know things went fine.  I'm always impressed with all that can get on the computer so soon after surgery.  My eyes would cross and I couldn't see the screen.  Healthy healing to you.

Panda,  sorry for the postponement, but things happen for a reason.  I hope things get better and you can reschedule soon!

Marty, as usual, it is so good to have our own personal Charleston Concierge.  You Rock!

Just got my first shower. Surgery was on Thursday - so was overdue! Felt so good! I am leaving out lots of I's and stuff, but thats not because my fingers can't type but because I don't want your eyes to get tired reading it!



First time I've felt up to writing although have been reading. That miracle shower. Im at East Cooper Medical Center, the nurses are true to form and wonderful.



My surgery was short this time, it went by like nothing for me, but almost nothing for my husband as well. I had a 7:30 OR time and at 11:30 Dr Kline came out and told DH I was going up to recovery. DH was astounded, and he said Dr. K was very impressed with how short the procedure was. Granted the first stage 1 was for two breasts and the SGAP. Now I had a left breast PAP so only one breast and not the repositioning needed.



I was able to investigate where the stitches actually were while in the shower and they go from the middle of my thigh under my panty line in front to almost all the way around in the back about an inch or so below panty line. It feels swollen and like a football, but I don't remember feeling the SGAP area that soon so don't know if it's more or less.



I was to take it easy Thursday and Friday and could start walking yesterday. I had the catheter in until yesterday afternoon and at that time I started walking every time I had to use the restroom, figured if I was up for one thing I could be up for a little walk. And my goal is to be able to walk pretty decent while I'm here so I can sightsee a bit (a tiny bit) and walk by the ocean, or close to it.



Walking isn't a problem so far. I've had someone's arm to hold onto and have been very careful, but no problem going slow and even picking up speed for a short area.



The shower was no sweat either. Didn't need a seat, but used the arm rails to help out.



Dr. Allen assisted Dr. Kline and I was able to meet Dr. Allen when he came to my room with Dr. Kline. It was a honor to meet him and he is very personable. Of course, Dr. Kline is absolutely the tops for me, it was nice to meet his Mentor and the pioneer of this and the muscle sparing recon techniques.



The plans are for me to go home (to the condo) tomorrow. I am staying in town long enough to have a mini vacation out of it but close enough in case there are any complications or concerns.



Pink, I don't know what Dr. Kline will say about it, but I am going to try for my stage 2 in April as well with the nipple thing in the fall. But will have to do what Dr. K says.



At this point I might be rambling. All in all it's been a very good experience, and the pain pills can handle the pain associated with the procedure. I am trying to stay on top of the pain too, so I guess I know a little more and that helps.



The Surgery nurse was so fantastic that the usual angst I get when they start an IV was taken care of. I do not remember a thing past the initial gurney and them putting something in the IV.



I have a left breast now! Woooo Hoooo! I won't have to worry where the 'pillow-stuffing football' stuffing has gone, nor the prosthesis weighing heavy on my chest!!!! Praying it stays this way, and it looks pretty good that it will.



More later - but for now, so glad to be on this side of the 1b!!!



Thank you so much ladies! Marty, I'll be here a month, so maybe we can meet up? It looks like my condo may be down the street/blvd from Wild Dunes! Will pm the info to you.



Hugs to all



Catie (feeling pretty clean and good right now!)

Catie,

So, so glad to hear you are doing great and have a happy new breast!  I'm sure you will be glad to get "home" to the condo.  Weather looks like it will be warming up, too.  Is your condo ocean front?  Do you mind PMing me with info?  I can't stay a month though and it seems most rentals are monthly.  If we happen to be there the same time for next surgeries, we should definitely try to get together.

I'm healing fairly well.  I think if I'd stayed at the beach for 3 weeks post surgery I would be better off as I try to do too much at home.  I thought I was on my way to weaning off pain meds, but the other day all 4 big incisions and the 2 little lipo/fatgrafting spots all ganged up on me and were screaming in chorus for 2 oxycodones. 

Do you just have one follow up appointment with Dr. Kline, or since you are staying so long plan to have more?  How many drains do you have this time?  You are so lucky to be a relatively short drive away from Charleston.  I live a 12 hour drive, or $425 plane ticket away.  So cheers to you (with my glass of milk) for healthy, happy healing at the beach!  

Thanks everyone and I am so happy to read so many of you have had surgeries and are doing well.This is a very quick update on The Palms.Here is the email I received today:

"For a “respite” stay in our Independent Living, you can do as little as one night.  We do not offer assistance in Independent Living with showering or emptying drains, etc.  You could hire someone to come in and assist you with this and I could provide a list of home care companies that could provide these services.  We can do this in our Assisted Living or Skilled Nursing Facility.  We do not offer respite in Assisted Living, because we are completely full (and it stays this way).  Our Skilled Nursing Facility availability fluctuates and we would have to find out if there is availability closer to the time that you would require a stay there.

In Independent Living (in the guest suite), we offer meals, transportation to medical visits, housekeeping weekly, laundering of linens and towels, emergency call pendant, daily check-in system and access to amenities and activities.  Like I mentioned, you could hire a home health care company to come to help you with your care.  Our rate for this guest suite is $85 per night."                                                                        Sorry if this is hard to read.....Anyway,they have been great with correspondence,so I think maybe my surgery being postponed is going to work out for the best.Marty ,thanks so much for telling me about them.I  don't think I will have a problem with the age gap,I love older people and think they may be more active than I will be after surgery!!  I was feeling pretty depressed,but this has made me feel better and now I am ready to start planning again.I think I am going to try for late September. 

Sewaneegirl & Ketch-



You will be in the best of microsurgical hands with Dr Kline and Dr Craigie! Both very down to earth and patient friendly docs. I've been blessed a 1000 times over to finally find a surgeon I trust and who does not have a fat head.



I had bilateral SGAP stage 1 on Aug 1. Had major stage 2 on Dec 14. Will have a 3rd stage in April, May, or June. Please let me know if you have questions or PM if you would like phone number. You will find all the women on this thread to be very caring and resourceful. Warm wishes to you on your upcoming surgeries.

Sewaneegirl... I found wearing lounge pants (similar to sweats but better looking) were the answer. I bought size Medium (my size), but the legs were flowy and the waist super soft and elastic. After GAP you may need to wear a compression garment, and the one I was given was kind of bulky. No way that I would have been able to wear any of my regular pants post surgery. I wore the lounge pants (I bought Gillian and O'Malley at Target) for about 2 months until I was out of compression. I also bought larger underwear to wear over the compression... It has a crotch opening, so no need to pull it down for the bathroom.

Sewanee & Ketch - Now that you have dates, be sure to PM Jeskachi to ask her to put you on the list at the top.

Sewannee and Ketch: you are in the best hands and in the most beautiful spot for this time for your surgeries. I am just a week and a day past my stage 1b, a redo of my left breast flap. It was a new to my Dr procedure but he asked his mentor, Dr Allen to assist - I was in great hands too!



I brought stretchy (Chico 's traveler pants ) or soft elastic waste pants and button in front shirts both times. This time I underestimated how hot it can get in in January so did some local shopping today. I also bought some lounge type pants from SAMs.



Pinkheart is so right, you can just about ask Gale or Erica or nurse Chris anything and they will get back to you with an answer very soon. Their practice is about the most patient friendly practice I've ever been a patient of.



Best of luck on your surgeries. I found that I thought I had all the time in the world and then before I knew it the time was here!



This area is so easy to get around and everything you need so handy.



There is also the Hope Lodge if they have room available. You can ask the Drs. Office for info. I stayed there for what was to be a week but turned out to be 6 weeks last Spring. I'd be happy to answer any questions about it if you like.



Hugs



Catie

Bethcw,

Thinking of you today and hope all is well. Rest and relax and let us know how you are doing when you are up to it. Blessings.