Charleston Bound, part 2

ahhh, and I'll probably have what you need, Downey - but staying near the airport!!! (LOL)



I serously will pack and then take out a couple of times (weeding the stuff I don't think I'll need).



He really enjoyed golfing there, it was a tournament type thing I think - not sure as I didn't go with him. But he said it was very nice.



Well, whatever stage it is, hope you have speedy and happy healing!!



Pink, hope you are doing better - wonder what the yellow gunk is/was??? If you were in Atlanta, I'd say it was the pine pollen which makes EVERYTHING yellow at this time of year! But seriously hope your yellow gunk has a) stopped and b) nothng to worry about!



Hugs

Okay, y'all have convinced me.  I will pack very light, because if I need anything Catie will have it.  Of course we are in different hospitals in different cities, but what the heck!

Marty, and if you go that route I will be able to justify even packing more!!!! LOL Maybe I can get my DIL to make a house call to your hospital with what you need!



Seriously, though, I was thinking how cool it would be to be you - for this stage at least - you are at home practically and can get your DH to bring what you need!



I think I'm going to do a 'run through' in my head of what my day actually needs from me. Judging from the last 4 surgeries in the last year - and go from there. The variable was the 'leaking' part, but as Pink said the holes are pretty much shut with stitches, so maybe the leaking won't be an issue.



I actually underpacked clothes for stage 1 the first stage 1. I was there over 6 weeks and wore the same thing over and over again. I packed big overshirts and larger pants and could have used the normal for me sized clothes. By the time the 6 weeks was over they were REALLY too big (my appetite went south big time). And, I underpacked last stage 1 by thinking Charleston would be cooler in January - NOT ! We had a very warm spell and had to go buy short sleeve shirts!



So, like Cascader, I too spend lots of time - no matter what I pack, in the stores. Mine was Walmart near IOP and Rite Aid - and can pretty much do the same this time. Good way to get out and walk.



Downey and Marty - enjoy your dinner!



Cascader - thanks for reminding me that they do have stores in Mt Pleasant/Charleston!

In that case, maybe I'll WAY underpack so I can utilize that perk!



Hoping I feel as good as those who have felt good after stage 2!

I saw Dr. Kline today, and he didn't seem to think the yellow stuff was infection.  Can't remember what he said it was.  Saw the PT-CLT.  She could hardly do any work on me because my ROM so limited and especially by the surgery stuff that was done to me. 

I got my records from Dr. K's office today.   I noticed that he doesn't refer to all these surgeries as Stage 1, Stage 2a, Stage2b, etc.

He just refers to them as Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3.  So I guess my next surgery will be Stage 4? 

He said I can come back in to see him either on Friday and get squeezed in between surgeries, or next Tuesday in West Ashley office when I can get actual appointment time and more time to discuss.  He does not charge for these follow up appointments.  I think I should wait until Tuesday, just to make sure hematoma is closer to being resolved, before driving home.  Hopefully off oxy then too.

I walked beach today and got sun burned, too.  ......  I'm going to have to really cover up on kayak being out on the water.

Catie, I will PM or call you soon.  Take care all!

Beth,

That's got to be one heck of a relief to get that wound vac off!  So happy for you and will keep you in my thoughts as you continue on your road to recovery.

Beth, so happy things are rolling along.  Not the way you planned, but none the less getting better.  

Marty,  unless you already know, I think Dr. M's DH had some sort of surgery; eye maybe.  So, are you on for the 12th.  I haven't had time to read through everything lately.  Retirement?  I've got 6 grandchildren.  The two little cousins just turned two.  My daughters threw a humdinger of a party and guess who did a lot (all) of the decorations??  Had fun anyway.  That's what I get for being a crafty grandma.  I love it though.  

Good luck everyone past, present and future.  I'm thinking about all of you.  

To all the women who have stayed at Hope Lodge in Charleston - yesterday morning we lost an incredible woman.  Margot Strauss Freudenberg, founder of Hope Lodge died at 105.  She was an amazing woman.  I have included a link to her obituary.  If you have benefitted from Hope Lodge, I hope you will consider a donation in her memory.  She readily shared her gifts with her beloved country and we have benefitted greatly.  May her memory be a blessing.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/charleston/obituary.aspx?n=margot-freudenberg&pid=164134897&fhid=6051#fbLoggedOut

Pink and Catie - please go to the West Ashley office. If you were on the east bank of the Ashley you would be way too close to the county corrections facility.

Thanks, Marty. She sounds incredible, and my next donation to the ACS will be in her memory.

Packing is finished! Much less than both of the 'last times' - and two bags that will stay in the trunk - "just in case" (full of camisoles and compression stuff that I may or may not need). But what the heck! The bag is fairly light, so I can sneak it in the back of the trunk along with another bag with the ABD pads, gauze pads, etc. Both will stay in the trunk unless I need them (and hoping that because I brought them I WON"T need them!)



I did pack a few extra clothes - prepared for both chilly or warmer - but heck I thought why not? We will have a rolling caddy from the hotel to bring it in and out, and I thought I'd be nice to myself and not cut it so close like the first time. I wound up wearing the same thing over and over and over - I wanted to burn the clothes when I got back I was so tired of them. My DIL won't say a word negative, she's a sweetie, and DH won't expect me to be any less of a packer going forward - didn't want to spoil him.



Now to do the running around tomorrow - and on the way early on Thursday, God willing.



Downey hope you are doing well on the other side of your surgery today.



Marty - the bag I have for the hospital is so light!!! I really slimmed that on down big time - so sort of envy that you are so close to home. And hoping your surgery goes as planned and without a hitch!



Hugs

Well I guess I've been put in time out ...

I over did it on Monday. My friend took me to see Dr K, then PT/CLT appt, lunch at Poe's, then slow but long walk on beach involving sunburn, two antique shops, then dockside for appetizers at Boathouse restaurant, where friend had glass of wine and I needed an oxy with water.

So yesterday was very light headed and not feeling well at all after done with tour guide paddling me around kayak at Shem Creek, and then found my drain output that had been 40cc in 24 hours period for past few days had jumped to filling 40cc in just 4 hours and called and talked to Kim, Dr K PA.

She said that the hematoma I have may have released pocket of blood AND I was over doing it and to hang low for next day. She called and checked on me again at 4 pm, then I fell asleep and now woke up 12 hours later! So what better to do at 4 am then go on bc.org.

The hematoma bulge seems to have gone down under my arm so hoping that's a good thing. So even though I'm tapping my fingers already (not just on iPhone), I will just rest and read today. Tomorrow is my friend's birthday with plans to go out.

Davy, Thanks! I like your avatar!

Pink, so sorry that Dr. K is slowing you down, but I have a feeling your body needs it.

Although I could not attend Margot Freudenberg's funeral today (didn't want to be around a large crowd of people so close to surgery), my DH said he was pleased with the diversity of the mourners - mayors, MedU president, long time friends, family, ACS officials, business leaders who still use her translator's list begun 50 years ago.  Her memory will truely be a blessing and my life is better for knowing her.

Y'all probably won't be hearing from me again til after my surgery. Going for a day of calm and dusting.  TaTa!

Marty

Here's to a great surgery with a great doctor on Friday!  Don't stay away too long, we will miss your posts!