Charleston Bound, part 2

Do any of you get a tight, full sensation in the tummy area? I notice it most after chemo when gastric motility is down. Like the food is sitting there. It's a strange feeling.

Cannot wait to buy new bras after stage 2. These frankenflaps are not pretty!

Will be down in late October, would love to see anyone who is there

Yes, I think we both enjoyed it as Diedre even suggested it to go to lunch with Pink last week. Can't believe it was only last Tuesday - yikes - when at home CHS seems so long ago!



Marty how do you stay slim with all the foodie places there???

Congrats, lbrewer, that much closer to the other side!!! Hoping all goes well.



Hugs



Catie

hospital lets hubby stay and hotels around have special medical rates.  My SGAP is next week with Dr. Kline.  There is also a Hope Lodge but they give preferecne to chemo/rad patients so they are often full.  It is a long surgery but they do it routinely.   My DIEP was that long but really the major problem I had was constipation!

Sorry LBrewer, haven't been there in quite some time.  Went to Morgan Creek Grill last night to sit on the upper deck.  Very, very casual up there, but great crab cakes.  Wish we had better options beachfront or on the water.  This is the height of the tourist season and everything seems a bit off and rushed to keep up with the crush.

slh tn- thanks for the info. I'm thinking my husband will want a real bed too. Don't want to deal with this surgery AND a cranky husband! Lol



lbrewer- hoping your surgery goes well!

The handicap sticker isn't always as helpful as imagined.  We have one for my DH.  You really won't need it.  Homewood will be perfect.  Great location with Target behind it, a Pig and great restaurants.  Opal is good for a fancy dinner and is one block from Homewood - a great little walk.  Across from Opal is Basil, an upscale Thai restaurant.  Love it!  Gilligans is also right there - fresh seafood.  Crave is right across from Homewood - I like their Sunday brunch.  Calder's Pub has good thick juicy burgers.  

I actually didn't let my DH stay the 1st night after surgery since the nurses are in and out of the room so very frequently.  I wanted him to sleep so he could take care of me during the day.

DH and I had dinner at the Boathouse in February, the last night of my stay at IOP for my PAP. I wasn't thrilled. Can't remember why, but could be I was still uncomfortable sitting, the rain outside, the cold (we had such a beautiful stay until the very end) or what, but I thought the menu was a bit limited and a little pricey. But truthfully cannot put my finger on it now (could be I was medicated and memory lapse?? LOL). So, I wouldn't be good to give a good critic on the service (which was okay I think). The owner was very cordial, the rain was pouring as we pulled up and he opened the door and thanked us for coming out on such a night - but the food just wasn't memorable enough to remember it.



Slh_Tn - I am doing fine = 2 weeks out from stage 2b and feeling good. Drove for the first time as I took myself off any pain pills earlier in the week, so about 9 or 10 days. For me that's pretty good. A little twinge now and then - but other than that no problems. I'm now anxious to get in the pool, to take the glue off the incisions, to get out and about - so pretty much back to normal. Drove 2.5 hours today shuffling cars after the return from MP (we stashed DH's car at my DD's house 2 hours away, so had to go pick it up today). I think they told me the fishing line stitches (clear) will dissolve inside and then just fall off outside. It took forever on my stage 2 to do so, but they did. I would wash with a wash cloth and then the light friction would sort of 'knock' the fishing line off. If that makes sense? But it does do just what they say. I have some that look pretty hairy on my flap incisions from this stage and looking forward to them going too. I made the mistake of cutting one last time, and got too close to the skin and actually cut the skin - so this time I know they will dissolve and waiting for them to do so on their own!



Bailey - I didn't want my DH to room with me right after any of the surgeries. It's better for mine to sleep in a bed and come visit instead of hover 24/7. I slept, he slept - but in different places! I like to get a hotel the day before and get prepared as to what I need or think I want when I get out, that way it's all at the hotel before I get back. DH then can go and do work, watch his sports, or sleep and let me just get as much healing in before I get released. I stayed at the Homewood Suites as well, and 89 is a terrific rate - what did you say to get that rate???? I'd like to book now for my next and final stage in November!



Lbrewer - best to you!!!



Hugs

Lbrewer, just my opinion but I think the Boathouse is only OK, not great. Atmosphere is nice, but you can get better food elsewhere. The Boathouse that used to be downtown, however, was excellent. I haven't tried Morgan's Grille but hear excellent things about the new but pricey seafood restaurant on IOP, Coda del Pesce. We also frequently dine at Basil, the Thai restaurant in the Seaside Farms shopping center with 'The Pig'' Target, etc.



For less expensive but good food, we like Burton's Grille in Towne Center. Have a whole gluten-free menu, which we need. There's also a PF Chang, if you like Oriental.



Closer to the Ravenel bridge, we like Graze in the Whole Foods center and, nearer the hospital, Five Loaves' in the Crickentree shopping center.



Hope that helps you or others.

I have to find the carved panels that are in some of the front porch railings on IOP. They would be perfect on my front porch!

I really can't believe it, but that darn chair is back in the living room.  This time set up in a very central place of honor so now when you walk in you are slammed in the face with a big chocolate brown leather recliner.  Aaarrrggghhhhh!  And, this time it has to stay there for a while.  We just learned that my DH will have to have open spinal surgery very soon to replace the hardware on 3 fusions and extend by adding 2 more.  Doc says he will be pretty out of it for 2 weeks and in total recovery for 6.  Sounds like he is having Free Flap surgery.  Now I need to go through all that prep again.  Too bad he can't wear my post-surg comfy clothes.  Just waiting for a date from the doc.

Marty,



I'm also sorry to hear about your husband having surgery. Is he in a lot of pain?



Is he able to help you during your first week of surgery and recovery?



I haven't had chance to meet you yet, but please know I'd be very happy to help you in any way. I don't have job yet, so have plenty of free time.



Someday that chair will go away!

Take care

Lbrewer

Hope all went well and welcome to the other side!



Hugs

Haven't been there yet, Pink, but it looks to be an addition to the Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina.  Let us know how it is.

Hi Jamie!  We just learned that Chuck's surgery will be on the 7th, day after mine, so we are working out all details.  My pre-op is on Monday at 4, though Dr. M is stopping by the house tomorrow evening.  I think we will eat somewhere near the Hampton Inn on King Street - maybe Fish?  Do you have any preferences?  I am back to getting everything ready as if I were having Stage 1 since he can't bend, lift, stoop, twist or move for 6 weeks.  Ah life . . .