Charleston Bound, part 2

Thanks, Pinkheart and Cascader, so neither of you had to have someone there with you?! My daughter has been with me for this part of it and she has been most helpful cooking, driving, carrying stuff, but thinking I may be able to do the next step by myself or at least with my husband for a few days and then myself for the tail end. No pun intended!!!



My drive is 6 to 7 hours. Depending on who is driving (smile). I might break it up, though, if I'm driving myself, or at least tell myself that and probably just drive through.



Yes, can't believe I'm ready to schedule stage 2 either, but I am feeling so good this time so wanting to get it all as done as possible as soon as possible. I will ask Dr. K tomorrow again if April is doable and then pick a date. I have a friend who could come with me but not sure if it's necessary or not.



I also could fly home, we are 20 minutes from the airport and my brother is a pilot and could get me a buddy pass, however they are iffy at best and I could very well (most likely) get bumped one, two or even more times having me stranded at the airport (as was one of my caregivers last May.



Also, were you able to drive at all - how did you get to the airport or to the Dr visit?



Pink, I read your post so quickly I thought it said you had a new job, was woo hooing in my head for you before I read it again! Hoping you do find that special job soon!!



Marty was gracious enough today to pick me up (still not driving) to meet Sewannee, she absolutely did not look like she had surgery last week. A great visit, thanks ladies!



Hugs

Gma, if you have a friend to help then I would suggest it, but if not, I don't think it is absolutely necessary. If you are on your own and need transport to doc appts or airport , I would ask the Drs office. I think one of the gals there may help you out with that. Taxi is another option but don't think they are plentiful. As an ex airline employee, I would not use a buddy pass, just too risky. As far as driving home, I just don't know, I was really sore for a long time, but everyone is different. It will all work out, the logistics can be tricky .

Gma... I am on the other side, but very sore. I had a lot done so I hurt all over.hoping that in just a few days this will be a distant memory.

Catie - if you are taking pain pills after Stage 2, you won't be driving yourself home.  Just too risky.  Ask Dr. K if he will do your pre-op the morning of surgery so you come in on Sunday, surgery on Monday, discharge on Tuesday and leave town Thursday or Friday.

Good seeing you yesterday!

Katie-



Forgot to add.

The reason i am not leaving to drive home for 2 1/2 to 3 weeks post op is to not to be taking narcotics and driving.



Thanks marty for adding that.

Gma10,

I'm scheduled for Thursday, March 28 at 9:00 am for my Stage 2b.  I will still be around when you have your surgery, so let's try to meet up okay?

Gma-



Have u looked into having a home care nurse come each day after surgery if you are alone?



Pandazar was going to have surgery alone with Dr K and they helped find nurse service and she was staying at assisted living place in Mt Pleasant very reasonably priced.



Eight weeks away sounds like a long time , but we all know how fast it comes up. Meanwhile will keep up my high protein diet, multivitamins, PT and yoga stretches, and eat, eat, eat to maintain or gain fat for fat grafting.



And get things done around house while I'm feeling good.

gma10 and pinkheart, you two have encouraged me! I was seriously considering taking a break from all of this surgery nonsense and waiting until fall to schedule my next surgery,( hopefully my last ). But....I have decided to just get this over with(not sure that is the healthiest way to go into this, but I have some time to change my mental state around a bit ) and I have a date ! So, May 3rd I will go back for some more fat grafting and a nipple. Still a little undecided on the nipple vs 3D tattoo, but figured because I have one I should at least try. I understand there is a high failure rate in nipple recon. I would love to hear from anyone who is a uni especially and their thought process regarding yes/no nipples.

Is this considered Stage 3?

I cannot believe I am now thinking about planning for my next trip, as I am still not completely healed form stage 2. It has been 4 years this week since my diagnosis and I want to move forward. Have a good weekend everyone!

Cascader~

Good for you in your choice to get your surgery done sooner!  Just wish you were in April so we could visit again. 

I still haven't even told my DH yet, but will in a few weeks. 

Cascader congrats on the date! I KNOW this is a big deal and a big thing to go for a date when you aren't completely healed from the last - but like you, I want to get this over. Feb was the month I was diagnosed, and April was the month of my first surgery, and I too am not sure about nipples. I loved the 3d pictures of Vinnie's nipples, and haven't talked to Dr K about their nipple procedure, I guess I was just taking one step at a time, but need to research the pros and cons. One day I want to be as accurate as possible and the next I want to be able to wear a bra that isn't' lopsided or has to be padded. With the lumpectomy for 18 years I had to wear the Victoria Secret miracle bra type thing that hid the empty space part on the breast that had the cancer.



Then I wore the prosthesis when I had the failed flap. But sure liked the size of the one that took. What do husbands usually (if there is a 'usual') say about the nipple recon?? It just dawned on me that maybe he should give his input?



I have a son who lives in PA and a nephew who lives in MD, if Vinnie is in MD maybe that may be the route, but not sure either.



Pink, you are waiting to tell your husband? Hope there will be no problem. I was a bit concerned in telling my husband and family - thought they'd think I was nuts but so far everyone is good about it and asks "is that the last one".....I say, nope there is one last one for the finishing cosmetic touches (thought that sounds better than saying - I need them to tattoo and/or make a nipple on it).



Having had no flap on the left side for so many months, I do like the look of the new flap even though there is a long way to go in symmetry and shape when I am wearing a towel after a shower. I can only imagine I will feel that much better after the next stage.



And, Cascader, I too wish it were closer to my next one so I could meet you as well.



Hugs



Catie

HMMM, that is curious, Pink. I spoke to Erica when she made the appointment on Friday a.m. to make the appointments? I'll call back to see, because truly if I have to have an appointment prior to the surgery, Monday is a tough day for surgery! I'll check again this week. Maybe April is different? I don't know how they work the OR time, but will find out. I have not reserved a room yet, so can be flexible and would be nice to have a closer to the weekend time.



I played around with using the prosthesis and using the filler that comes in the cammies they give us. I'd have to take some of the stuffing out, and pretty much mash it up and in and then stuff the bra. It would travel to silly places. Once it was almost a uni-flap, it seemed to travel to the successful flap instead of staying where it needed to be. Mostly it traveled upward and closer to my chin. Never knew, unless I stuffed it in the mastectomy bra that had an insert. Then it was just lumpy.



Ok, so the nipple/vs no nipple thing had my mind going this morning. The pros of no nipple recon at all: NO wardrobe malfunctions!!!! Unless I'm mistaken the only part of the woman's breast that is a NO NO for TV, etc is the aerola and the protrusion of the nipple (wet t shirt contests). SO if I don't do anything I can pretty much not worry ever about either of those problems???? Now to weigh that in my decision (LOL) (NOT)



BDavis - how you doing????

Catie - due to the lack of feeling in the breasts, you could have a wardrobe malfunction and never even know it.  

But, Marty, if I dont have nipples then its not a problem, as if you think about it, the only part that made the Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction was the showing of a nipple.....so just think, the whole hamburger bun of a flap/breast could be seen but not be considered 'naughty'! Hmmmm, also could make just about anywhere a topless beach without having to worry, because as it is, if I went sunbathing without a top, there is nothing that really resembles a nippled breast!



Now I truly haven't overdosed on pain pills or been smoking anything, but maybe the ocean air! Gotta love Charleston!



Will be going back home this week, so soaking up all the ocean air I can get.



Is there a butt lift in with stage 2 BDavis?

Catie,  I am not having nipples because I have promised my family no more surgery.  I know how you feel about the battle with should I or shouln't I when family isn't in favor of it. Yes, my family would support me in whatever I decide, but really would rather I didn't.  So for me I will stay looking like Barbie or do the 3 D.  Besides, even if you did decide on nips and you had a malfunction.......it is just your abdomen that is showing, or hips or butt.  If it is a SGAP you'd just be mooning someone. LOL!  

Pink it would be great if you could stop by Earlene's in Asheville to check it out and report in.

Yeah, Catie!  So glad you are going home drain free.  Good news about the Friday option.  Much better for scheduling.  My stage 2 will be on a Friday and I am loving it.  Just makes life so much easier.