Charleston Bound, part 2

Sewaneegirl I had a very complete stage II after DIEP and GAP flaps including nipple, butt lift, breast revisions, scar revision, lipo, fat grafting and missed 2 weeks of work but could have gone back at 1.5. After my stage IIb I missed less work and had all those things again minus the nipple. Yes, a second butt lift and lots of lipo etc. most women find stage II to be very different from stage I. The first 2-3 days I was in more pain than stage I, but as long as I didn't move I was fine. But I improved quickly. Lipo makes you feel like you way overdid it at the gym, and on the way home got hit by a truck. LOL

Pain is such a strange animal and everyone's is so different. 

I do agree with Betsy on the lipo/fat grafting pain - does not tickle, but was only acute for me for ~5 days and then subsides pretty quickly.  I am so incredibly bruised from fat grafting over a very large area, but my need for extra pain treatment had nothing to do with the lipo pain and that aspect of my Stage 2b surgery. 

I think a nerve went wild on me that was refractory to the oxycodone that has ALWAYS kept my pain in check through my past six surgeries.  So getting the pain block injection to break the pain cycle did the trick.  I didn't get it at first -- thinking that as soon as the pain block wore off, I would be back at square one.  But I'm much better now, still persistent low level pain going on which oxy is working on.  Have also been on Neurontin for past two days and want to drop it.  I have a feeling after my PT appointment on Monday, I will need to add back a dose of oxy.  Trying to decide on if I should take before the appointment. 

For my last few surgeries which will JUST be fat grafting (I so hope!), I don't see me taking more than a week off work.  Maybe planning it around a holiday would eliminate number of days needed to take off work.   

Pink and Cathie - thanks for your responses - they were really needed.



The weather in Paris is freezing, but to give folks an idea of stage one progress: at 10 weeks out I walked 5 miles yesterday ... Seriously. Les Invalides to the Isle St Louis - to the Eiffer Tower - to La Defense (beyond the Arc de Triomphe)! This was in connection with dinner and shopping with an old girlfriend from work. But if even 2 weeks ago someone had told me this was possible I would not have believed it. Am not lifting anything heavy and still have some painful areas and incomplete ability to reach up and behind, but encouraging.

Good luck tonight Pink!  It sounds as if you had a great day today, but maybe did too much?  Sleep well tonight!

Go Syracuse!

We had a nice dinner at bistro Nikko (French food) in Buckhead tonight and got there 1 hour early - just because of the Basketball - the tv and radio warned us to be aware that Atlanta had not only the BB but a Braves game and some other stuff going on so the roads would be impossible - not! Sped through town like it was a Sunday afternoon - the six people we were meeting lived on the opposite end of town and got there at least a half hour later!!



Marty I told hubby about Charleston's Bridge race - hope it was easier to get around than was expected, like Atlanta was for us.



Deidre, how wonderful that you are able to enjoy your trip and not just work, sorry it's so cold though - did you bring a warm coat? That in itself would mean an extra suitcase!



Pink - hope you enjoyed your dinner out!

Glad the flexeril helped and you are feeling better ketch. It took me awhile to get my stamina back also, nothing wrong with a nap or two! I am super sore today also, but I am bumping up the workouts in getting ready for surgery may3. Going to have to be indoor exercise today however, woke up to snow. Ugh, yesterday I was hiking in just a t shirt.

Catie and Sewanee, normal to be nervous but just stay focused and strong, will help with recovery. Yes, lipo does give you that run over by a truck feeling.... But how quickly we forget , I am going back for more

Pink, sounds as if you have turned a corner, hooray. Can't wait to hear about your kayak trip.

Marty, glad Marga could get you rescheduled so quickly. You once told me about some really good local?ginger ale ... What was the name again?

Yellow yuck does not sound good. Are you still on antibiodics?  Glad you are going in for a check tomorrow, remember, this too shall pass.

Pink, if you didn't get a response from Dr K - email him again - yellow yuck from drain would alarm me as well! He is big on family stuff on weekend, so just nudge his email a bit! I was so into picturing you at a nice Italian dinner last night and doing your Flowertown gig - hope today is going to be better. The no fever sounds good though.



Hugs

Cascader - Blenheim's Ginger Ale available at the Piggly Wiggly in hot and mild.  I can only drink the mild.

Pink - that yellow yuck doesn't sound good.  Have you taken your temp?  Might be a good idea - just some more information for the doc.  Your body is clearly telling you to slow it down.  Sorry you missed dinner and Flowertown.  You might consider skipping that kayak tour as well.  I know that you are not doing the paddling, but you do not want to get the drain sites wet.  No telling what is in that water.  Hope you feel better.

Cheers to the ladies of the week - Downey and Catie.  Okay, me too!

Thanks Marty,  I'm putting a few things in a bag and heading your way tomorrow.  We look forward to seeing you at 6:30 for dinner.  I hate that I put more pressure on myself by having a girlfriend flying in Thursday.  I'm sure it will work out....things usually do.  I'm am so hoping to get ALL fixed up.  I'm not sure what Dr. M will be doing until I see her.  So sorry I haven't posted much but I never know when all of that stuff is going tag along with.

Pink,  good luck with the drain yuck.  Hopefully, this will resolve very quickly.

Catie, We all will be thinking of you on the 12th.  It will go great. 

We are certainly all troopers.  Hugs, Jamie

That's so true.  The last time that whole thing cost me almost two more days in the hospital...not good.  I'm hoping the anesthesiologist tempers the amount of that one drug.

Catie - you had me laughing!  You really will not need the kitchen sink, promise.  The weather is turning at last, but don't count on 80+ yet.  Your hotel is right near the Tanger Outlet Mall.  There is a Panera not far and several other restaurants nearby.  And fast food places, too.  I wish I could say you will be out and about a few days after surgery, but I have absolutely no idea.  This is virgin territory for me, too.

Blenheim is the real deal - so gingery it is almost spicey!

Marty and I will be able to compare notes as this is our first stage 2. Downey is this your stage 1 or 2? I'm thinking 2 something, but so sorry I don't know exactly. I have trouble trying to remember where I am in the mix!! LOL



Went to Target here to get incedentals - yikes, the bill was crazy! I've been living off of my usual incedentals stock pile that I had accumulated prior to my dx a year ago Feb - things have gone up and some have just plain vanished as in discontinued!! Good grief.



So I asked my daughter for the "Go Girl" lady camping urinal for Christmas. I used it a couple of times with the PAP, it works fine (had to practise in the shower so I didn't do a spray all over like little boys do) - but didn't really need it much as the PAP wasn't as bad as I anticipated, and only had it on one leg/thigh so could compensate with the other. Anyway, not knowing what the stage 2 will bring, am packing that - its a tiny little thing, easy to fold up - and the LEAST of my packing whoes!!!!



Marty you laughed when I said I pack the kitchen sink - well almost! Had to bring a step stool last time (called my daughter and asked her to bring it) to fit between the wall and the toilet in the condo. There was such a gap and I didn't want to kill my arm by trying to reach the wall to help me up - so I had her bring a small kitchen stepladder with 3 rungs and a big area on top to hold onto. I put the stepladder opened up backwards with the big area for me to hold on while getting on and off and to just hold onto like a handicap railing. I also kept tp on the ladder in case I ran out! Worked fine!!!!



Like I said, I tend to overpack - so much so that my daughter packed the car the first time and my son the second so my husband couldn't tell until we got to Charleston exactly what was packed!!!! Then I used the 'poor me' bit to make him not blow a gasket!



So, my incedentals include some tea, honey, some real cups, some dishwasher liquid, peanut butter, graham crackers, face clothes, wet wipes,....etc, etc.



The pharmacist came out to talk to me to make sure I knew how to use the blood thinner shots - oh, boy can I use them!!! I feel so enpowered! I am WOMAN! (LOL and been there done it a zillion times!) Gonna do the Culterell this time EVERY Day with the dang Doxy again!



So, I guess I pack like I ramble....better quit now before you all blow a gasket - and I know I cannot use the 'poor me' on this site!!!!



Can you believe this whole post was only intended on wishing Downey and Marty a very happy healing from their upcoming surgeries!!!!

Hi Catie,  It's kind of like a golf mecca I guess.  People either have horses (I have one) or golf.  It is a very pretty little village.  I can't figure out what Stage this is.  I had Stage 1 hip flaps...Stage 1B Diep....Stage 2 worked on hips a dog ears....2A or 2B abdominal plication and more tweaks and fat graft. So this is a 2B or C I think.  LOL

I am not a good packer either.  I must say I brought very little for this one.  If Murphys law works this will be the time I need the most.