Charleston Bound, part 2

Beth praying for a smooth surgery and healing for you!

Panda... My PS says we can leave the day after the post op appt which is one week after surgery... So for a Wed surgery, one week, one day later.

Thanks Betsy,hoping I can talk Dr.Kline into a shorter stay.The Palms is a retirement facility in MT Pleasant that has a guest suite they rent out for a short term stay.It is not available when I am having my surgery so I will stay at Sandpiper Village,which is also a retirement community,but they have little separate cottages.I was told of a place called Somerby,but I have not contacted them.

I will call them Monday.When I talked to them,I was planning on staying at my cousins,but that may be changing.And I just really want to come home as soon as possible.

ketch,

Good to hear from you!  From what I hear the fat necrosis can be resolved.  Do you have a date yet for Stage 2?  Are you drain-free and driving? 

The arm limitations drive me crazy!  Gotta' get a Grabber! -- Like Catie did 

I looked at grabbers..there are so many types..any recommendations??And can you all tell me exactly what the arm limitations are?( I know I will get  this info from Dr.Kline,but I am trying to get things ready as time seems to fly by) Thanks!!!

My grabber was a Grip-n-Grab that I got from Amazon. I read someone's post who said be sure not to get the folding grabbers because they don't stay extended.

Panda -  you can't put the clothes on the clothes line as that usually means stretching over your head.  You can take clothes from the washer and move them to the dryer in small groups, just don't grab a bunch.  Use detergent pods, they're lighter.  You can wash dishes, just remember 5 lb limit (bet your plates don't weigh that much).  You should be able to do normal house work by the 6 - 8 week mark.

I think this is starting to sound like you won't have any use of your arms, but you will.  I can't remember if you are having GAP or DIEP.  Please PM Jeskachi and ask her to post your date with the type of procedure.  There are some different restrictions for each type of surgery.  Because GAP comes from the backside, you don't want to put undue stress on the incisions with forward bends and squats.  But DIEP comes from the front, so it impacts differently.

Oh darn..I hate washing dishes..it is a running joke with me and my husband.When I had my first mastectomy, on my final visit to the breast surgeon,I asked him how long it would be before I would be allowed to wash dishes.He knew exactly what I wanted to hear because he responded with a perfectly straight face,looking directly at my husband"it will be several weeks,perhaps months".My husband believed him!!!But then Dr.Tyler and I both started laughing and ruined it..for me...Every time I go to a doctor I ask if I can wash dishes..last time I saw my GP(for my sinuses),he gave me a note saying no washing dishes and for a full recovery I must be doted on and pampered.I am very lucky to have so many doctors caring for me that have a sense of humor.I will be having delayed bilateral SGAP.I did PM Jeskachi with my date and info.Another question,will I be able to go up and down stairs? And my washer is a top load,so I am thinking I will not be able to reach down in to get the clothes out..but maybe I can use the grabber??

Sommerby is not as centrally located as the Palms & Sandpiper.  They are about 7 miles further north on 17.  If you have transportation from the hospital, it shouldn't a problem.  It is in the Park West Subdivision.  

Another option is Sweetgrass Village Senior Living.  This is at 601 Mathis Ferry Road about 2 miles from East Cooper Hospital.  Just be careful as there is another Sweetgrass - Sweetgrass Court.  It is a dedicated memory care facility and while we may feel we need that at times, it is really not an option in this case.

One more option might be Extended Stay America.  It is in Mount Pleasant, right near the Ravenel Bridge into Charleston.  They have a grab n go breakfast, the rooms are studios with kitchens and the rate is about $89 per night.

Panda - I think you should be able to go up and down stairs.  Slowly.  I watched Sewaneegirl do it within a week of her SGAP.  

I was told no bending, reaching or lifting with the SGAP - as much as the flaps need TLC the SGAP area needs time to heal too, I spring a huge leak 2.5 weeks after surgery withy SGAP stitches coming open and another surgery with several days on the hospital - just saying'



With the PAP I was told no bending and squatting would not have been impossible even if I could have. 2 months post op though, very possible!



Vacuuming isn't smart for awhile because of possible LE, I was told years ago. DH is on charge of that. I have them pack groceries very light and make lots of trips into the house from the car. Same with wash - I have front loaders and take a few items at a time.



I bought my Grabber ( actually called the Reacher) at a pharmacy for about $29.00 - more than paid for itself! Bought the backscratcher at Bed Bath and Beyond for under $4.00.



Sewannee - loved the toe story! I use my toes when practical, but was limited by size of what I dropped and how slippery ;(....

Had a problem dropping about everything with the PAP- good idea to have a spare bar of soap handy within reach while showering!!!



Panda any chance Hope Lodge might work for you?

Another tip for during recovery for SGAP or DIEP or PAP, etc. . . .

I keep a small step stool in kitchen, so I don't have to reach up into cabinets or when putting food in microwave.  I'm fairly tall (5'6"), but still needed the extra 12 inch lift.

Catie,

How is your recovery going with your PAP flap versus your good SGAP flap? 

I just now read Dr. Allen's web site explaining the advantages of the PAP, and how the surgery is performed.  Wow!  Did you say Dr. Kline was primary surgeon with Dr. Allen assisting or vice versa? 

Here is the link where I found the info.  The pictures at the end are a little graphic.  The video of the surgery even more so - closed one eye to watch. . . .

http://diepflap.com/br_treatmentoptions_papflap.html

Michele - I know Elizabeth Christian.  She was my doctor when I first moved here 25 years ago.  She is very well respected and my neighbor absolutely adores her.  Since I have not seen her in many, many years I can not comment on whether she will be in and out.  I can also recommend Dr. David Ellison in her office. He is caring and compassionate beyond measure.  BC is one of his primary areas of focus.  Either of these doctors should serve you very well!

Glad to hear Dr M will (should) be finalizing your recon in April.  She will be doing my Stage 2a on the 5th.  PM me if you need any info on anything.

Hi everyone! I've made it to discharge day, so far so good!  I am cautiously optimistic that this flap is here to stay.  I can say that for me, the DIEP is more painful than the SGAP was, but I do feel a bit better every day.  My drains have very low output, so I am hoping they can go at my post-op appointment later this week, but that may be too much to ask.  One of my drain sites is very red and swollen.  I always seem to have at least 1 angry site.  So far, I am trying to do NOTHING with my left arm/hand until I am feeling more certain that the flap will make it.  Dr. Craige seems pleased, and the nurses are very encouraging, but I can't help being a little skeptical.  I have been hooked up to the biometric monitor the whole time I have been here.  They told me the change in policy  was a result of my flap failure in January.  They said normally failures happen within a day or so, the fact that I was so close to discharge when mine failed caused them to change the way they monitor everyone.  That makes me feel good, maybe some good for someone else will come out of what I have been through.

Thanks for the continued prayers and good thoughts!

Beth