Charleston Bound, part 2

Linda...DIEP was in Sept 2010,

Joni,  Did you know your are over 1 foot taller than me?  Mutt and Jeff.  LOL!  

Sure is quiet around here?  Nobody up until Cherrie in less than a month? 

gma, Pinkheart, Sewaneegirl, Florafarm and Downey......How's it going?  Hope everyone is still doing well.

Jamie,



What will Dr M be doing to give symetry? Just fat grafting?



I'm with you on the nips or no nips. I'm starting to work with Dr K scheduler on dates for 2b. I will need a 2c so dont need to make decision on nips for a while.



Sounds like you are getting close to finish line on recon.

The weather turned colder here at the Isle of Palms, but it is what I expected the whole time to be so no biggy, kind of nice watching the waves look more like Hawaii! Brr at night but good brrr. Home was for sure brrr without the view.



I've not heard from Sewannee yet, hoping her hospital went well and she is released soon, hoping also that Marty and I get to meet her.



I had part of stitches (the only ones that will be removed) removed yesterday, the others dissolve. But sore anyway, think its the way I positioned for them to be reached. All in all things are going as planned per Dr. K and the new flap is "beautiful" - trusting him as I don't see it yet, but I'm sure he sees the big picture.



And, sure has been quite here. I haven't been on the photo section, but will try to get there too. I'm also in a quandry re nipples. My daughter doesn't think I need them, however I do. Just not sure which. Will look to you ladies for guidance there.



Happy Weekend!

Hi ladies,

Yes it has been quiet here lately! I am continuing to heal and am looking forward to my next appointment on the 4th with Dr. Craige.  Hoping to get rid of some more drains - the bane of my existence these days!  The one on my left hip looks to me like it is trying to come out (the stitch on the drain is no longer next to my skin).  I talked to Kim yesterday, but she didn't seem concerned.  Hopefully it will hang on - lol!  And also looking forward to talking to them about scheduling my DIEP for my failed left side.

Hope everyone is healing well! Take care,

Beth

Beth,



I've had 15 drains in past 18 months. I always use white hypoallergenic medical tape to tape down drains about an inch or so from drain incision site so it's not tugging on stitches. Have heard that many patients do this. I always ask nurse in hospital for roll of that tape. Good to hear from you and that you hanging in there well. Take care.

Marty, Too funny!

Linda, I see the same thing on Downey's posts.

Me to, might be something in her settings?



How long do tattooed nips last vs the protrusion ones? I guess I've been so concerned about just getting the flaps that I put the nips on the back burner. But thinking about them now. So many questions!



Pink, I'd be interested in that type of tape, I've made a little carrier for my drain with a 2x2 gauze with tape at the top of the gauze about a couple of inches up to serve as sort of a sling, trying to not put tape on the tubing, do you tape the tubing without a problem? If so, that would be even better. This drain is coming out of my thigh and it is bothersome 90% of the time.



And, yes, good weather coming on Tuesday I think!

Catie,



Yes, i put the tape across the tubing to keep it flat against my body. When moving my drains from cami pouches to lanyard when i take showers, i have dropped the drain but having the tape in place stopped it from pulling directly on stitch holding it in.

Hope u get your drains out soon. Are you driving yet or still on pain meds?

Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one seeing that on Downey's posts.   Oh Downey, don't worry about it....we want to hear from you.

Marty, what is a coobie?  A bra?  Also, are you saying that your new girls are pointed?  Mine are quite round.  I like the bra by Sassybax.  It is similar to a Geni, but the fabric is sturdier and it is pricey.  If you like the pointed look then this wouldn't be a style for you, but I like how it holds me, is comfortable and eliminates bra bulge.  Not pretty with lace, but they may have one that does.  Only comes in the basic colors.  The one I get is called the bralette from the classic collection. Not for everyone, but I like it for me.  One drawback is that is should be hand washed, but I just put mine on a hand wash cycle in my machine and hang to dry.  You could also put it in one of those lingerie bags.

Bdavis  Three days and counting.  Sending good vibes your way with Dr. D in NOLA!  Let us know how you are doing.

Downey, I agree with Linda, would rather have you post than worry about seeing stuff. I think we just wanted to make sure it wasn't our particular screen/computer that was giving us those weird codes. I for one can very well overlook them, and think your posts are pretty interesting.



The whole nipple thing is what sent me out of a PS in Atlanta in 1994 in tears. I was a single mother, 3 sons in college and a teen age daughter. I freaked with my dx, thought I was going to die shortly and if not, be single forever. I was wrong on both counts. However the nipple thing had me decide to do the lumpectomy, rads and chemo instead of mx. My second son and his girlfriend were with me for the appt but waited in the waiting room. Up until that visit they hadn't seen me cry at all. I came out in tears. The PS had NO bedside manner at all, took pictures of me and told me that the nipples would be tattooed on, and that was my only option.



In between sobs (I think it all just let loose then) going into the elevator to go home, I told my son (who had no idea why I was crying so hard) that they were going to tattoo me. He was relieved to find out it was ONLY tattooing I was crying about. He told me that I should remember that when he was in boot camp the previous summer he was his in charge of designing and drawing the flag for his platoon and that every time I needed to go on a date, he would draw nipples on my breasts.



I didnt think he needed that responsibility, but it stopped my crying and had me laughing the remaining time in the elevator.



Now, I am thinking which way would be best for me. My daughter doesn't want me to do more surgery stuff, I'm thinking at that time it must be a piece of cake compared to all the other surgeries, and I want to feel and look as close to normal as possible. I'm not married to protrusions but not sure what it would be like without. I know that I was happy with what the SGAP looked like in a bra (albeit only 1 side) and that Dr. K. is pleased with the PAP breast.



I saw Vinnie's site and a couple of his tattoo breasts, if that isn't protrusion he must be an artist!



How long after stage 2 do you do the tattoes?



Pink, no havent started driving yet. I still have the thigh drain in my right thigh. They took the tissue from my right leg/thigh for the left PAP. The position of the drain is kind of funky so would probably wait until that drain is out to drive. I thought from last time I was told to wait to drive until the drain was out. And, I still am taking pain meds, not as many or as often but certainly taking them. I tried to decrease more but really was not keeping up with the pain.



I'm hoping to lose the drain soon though. But I will do your tape thing as the most pain is when it moves on the thigh and pulls.

Downey....yes, PLEASE keep posting. Don't ever let a computer glitch keep you away!!

Thanks everyone.  I can't figure out what it going on but I'm gonna try.  I posted before about the tattoo inks.  I started with permanent makup almost 30 years ago when the Opthamologists were doing it.  It was my girlfriends husband that first did it.  Not good!  Anyways, long story short I have been done many times over the years because my body absorbs the ink. The tatoos for radiation only lasted about 10 days. I found a lady here in NC and everything that she has done on me has really stayed.  She uses an organic ink called Premier Pigments. Regular ink is not to be used in intraderall (permanent makeup)....so close to the eyes.  She doesn't do the three D tattoos.  I wish she did because she is really good. I am so looking forward to when I get to this step.  I'm going to do a HAPPY DANCE!  Still on the fence about nipples but really leaning that way.  Hope if I do she can do it in April.  Hugs to all.

Catie, I know our family wants to see us finished too.  I know I am not done until I know it.

gma10, The Center told me that Vinnie requires 12 weeks post final surgery.

Bennetts1,  What do your know about Erlene?  I live in NC

Bdavis,  you have been here so much for all of us.  We will be sending prayers and healing thoughts your way.  Enjoy your time with your DD.