Moving and starting over

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2miraclesmom
2miraclesmom Member Posts: 131
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

I have always wanted to retire in Florida. So, after cancer rocked my world, I decided to pack up and move and start life over again. We are so excited. I have never felt so much relief. I get to learn to surf!! I just decided if I keep waiting for the perfect time, it might never come. So all of these things I have waited to do, I am doing now.

Right now we are in Clinton, MD at Andrews AFB. We will be here for a few months and then it is on to Orlando, Fl. I have looked on-line for support groups and such, but I am not coming up with much. So I thought you wonderful ladies might have some info on some. Also, when I get to Florida I will have about a month to find all new Doctors! So if anyone out there has an awesome set of doctors I would appreciate some recommendations. I need a new plastic surgeon that can deal with a radiated breast and a new breast surgeon (it will be time for my next check up). Thank you ladies!

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  • 2miraclesmom
    2miraclesmom Member Posts: 131
    edited June 2013

    Anyone?

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  • everyminute
    everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
    edited June 2013

    sorry - no info for you on docs.  I am here in upstate NY as much as I wish I could move south, we just cant swing it at this time.  Ironically - I told my husband about your post yesterday - I so am ready to pick up and move and start a chapter of my life before it is too late.

    Good luck!

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited June 2013

    2miracles - I am not stage III but saw your post.  I live in Tampa, which is a little over an hour from Orlando.  Thee is a branch of MD Anderson in Orlando, I will link it below.  Also, depending on if you feel like a bit of a drive, the only NCI designated cancer center in Florida is here in Tampa, Moffitt Cancer Center on the campus of the University of South Florida.  My BS is in private practice, but had been the department head at Moffitt for many years before setting up his own shop.  My MO is with Florida Cancer Specialists and they have an office in Orlando, linked below.  My PS was selected by my BS because of the type of surgery I had (skin/nip sparing BMX) and he is in private practice here in Tampa as well.  Sorry I can't give you Orlando-specific docs but thought this might get you started.

    http://www.orlandohealth.com/mdanderson/

    http://www.flcancer.com/location_details.aspx?id=80

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  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 5,972
    edited June 2013

    I am not stage 3 but so admire you for making the move that you have wanted to do.  Wish you the very best in futuere months and years, sounds like Special K has given you a good start on finding new docs

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  • 2miraclesmom
    2miraclesmom Member Posts: 131
    edited June 2013

    Thank you guys. I really couldn't afford it either. I didn't start working again until sept of 2012. I didn't have the energy for it and even then I only worked a few days a week. I subbed for our school district and earned my BS in Mathematics. I may not have been able to work during chemo, but I did go back to school! So, we sold everything that would not fit In a 10x10 storage unit and took off. I have applied for a temporary teaching certification in Florida. As of yet, I don't have a job. Sometimes you just have to do it. I am making it an adventure for my 6 year old and she is loving it!

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  • 2miraclesmom
    2miraclesmom Member Posts: 131
    edited June 2013

    Specialk, you and I had the same surgery. I also had DIEP flap. Huge mistake. Now I need to do implants.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited June 2013

    2miracles - sorry that you have regrets - I am glad I went the route I did, although I had a LOT of unforseen surgery!  At the beginning I was afraid of autologous surgery thinking it would be too extensive - little did I know!

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  • 2miraclesmom
    2miraclesmom Member Posts: 131
    edited June 2013

    I don't like mine because he cute me extremely high and cute me from table to table. One specific thing I said to him was that I know I am being vain but I feel like I can be with everything I was about to go through and I didn't want a high scar. I still wanted to be able to wear a bikini. He assured me I would. He also said I would be a large b to a small c. I was barely an A after the surgery. Plus he never told me about the loss of sensation. He assured me all sensation would be normal. I thought it was a weird cement and now I know why. The surgery itself looks good, I am just having issues with the huge scar and loss of feeling.i know that sounds horrible, but those are my issues. Lol

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited June 2013

    Do you mean feeling in the abdomen or the breast(s)? Or both?  My incisions were in the IMF - you really can't even see them, but I have no feeling anywhere across the breast at all.  I am so frustrated for the ladies who are promised things that do not happen - I was fortunate to have a PS who was honest and forthcoming, and has worked very hard to make sure I have a complete understanding of procedures and outcomes. I wish everyone had results they could be happy with, but it seems pretty infrequent.  

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited June 2013

    2miraclesmom, congratulations on your great adventure - wow, surfing!

    As well as the advice and suggestions from SpecialK, you could post in the Recommend Your Resources forum asking for recommendations in your new area, or use Search to look for other members who have mentioned Orlando in their posts.

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  • 2miraclesmom
    2miraclesmom Member Posts: 131
    edited June 2013

    Thanks guys!



    Yeah it is frustrating. I would have gone a completely different route. I don't have feeling in either, but the tummy doesn't bother me. It is the breast area that does. I will say that I have feeling below the skin. If you pinch my breast, I feel that!

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