Charleston Bound, part 2

Wow Pink and Catie, you two are on the same schedule again. Pink please let us know how this next part of the journey goes, you are a courageous woman going thru so much right now, stay strong. Are you Dr. K's first Brava? Catie will this be the last for you? If you are having nips made ask for the extra large variety Mine has shrunk down to barely a bump, but still happy I had it done. Montrial, I know it can be scary reading of some of the complications, after a failed implant recon I was so afraid that things would go wrong again. I waited until my head was in the right place and then just forged ahead and I am now done,no complications.  It is nice to know that no matter what your experience, there are women on here who have been there done that and can help. Stay positive, take this time to get in good shape, Nov 7 will be here before you know it.  I am so happy that just a little over a year ago I started this process and it has been truly life changing. I don't come on here as much as I used to, which I suppose is a good thing, but I wish all of you ladies the very best. If I can help anyone, please PM me.

Catie, it must be very difficult,lost my mom to Alzheimer's. Certainly puts things into perspective, will keep you in my thoughts.

Thanks, Cascader and Montrial - so sad for sure, sorry you are having to go through that as well. Wish there was a way to help him.

My stage 4 is November 14th! Finally a date close to some other "regulars"

Hi all,



I am still scheduled for BRAVA and then surgery November 15. I saw Dr Kline, Chris, and Kim last week to get measured for device. Today they asked me to send pictures. I have gained a few pounds with 10 to go. Wine has a lot of calories right? It's currently TGIF happy hour.



... I left Charleston and came back north this week to interview at two companies, one being my former employer. If I get a call from certain Charleston companies, I will jump in my car and head south to interview. I have to go where I can get a paycheck soon. Divorce still ongoing.



Hope it's CHS in the end. It was 100 degrees up here two days ago, and now tonight a low of 45!



I'm not giving up my flip flops until it snows.

Thanks for the reminder. Glad you are safe.

Catie I am sorry to hear of your father's passing. Damn cancer. Always hard to lose a parent. Hugs to you.

Rant: This morning i learned that my health insurance will not be renewed and expires Oct 1. Not enough people to call us a "group". In Washington state I cannot get individual insurance because of cancer diagnosis. This will change on Jan 1 when Obamacare kicks in. So as a self employed person I am left scrambling looking for coverage. I am scared to be without until January because I have over $30,000 of medical bills still from chemo and my failed implant recon. I had crappy insurance back then. I am soooo thankful I am finished with my flap recon .

So, if any wash state people out there have any suggestions......

Rant over.Perhaps I should have posted this elsewhere but thanks for listening.

Cascader,



I'm with you on lapse on insurance.



If I can even continue paying my COBRA, it still expires December 15. Some of companies I have interviewed with have a ridiculous 90 day waiting period and then I would be dealing with lack of certificate of continuous coverage and get screwed for pre-existing condition. I am applying for Medicaid just in case but not certain will get it. Dr Kline's office does work with Medicaid, but I have to claim residency in SC. What a mess. I pray to get a good job soon with immediate insurance and that you find a group insurance plan.

Catie, sorry about your father. Cancer sucks....but we all know that personally.

Insurance is a bitch....can't live with it or without it. Only good thing I can tell about ObamaCare is that pre-existing conditions will not preclude you from coverage. I second the option for finding a group type insurance. There used to be a self employed organization that offered health insurance. I cannot remember the name, but you might be able to find it by googling. I bought some temp insurnace once to stay in continuous coverage.

Pink, have you thought of applying for disability? I know it takes a while to get it and 2 years before Medicare kicks in, but you may qualify with your past health problems related to your botched surgeries.

I had stage 2a two weeks ago. I breezed through it. I felt worse on the Armidex than I did with the surgery. The nipples look good and I am pleased with the "looks" of everything even though it's still scabby and stitched up looking. Stage 2b is in December and I am hoping it goes as well, but figure the fat grafting and lipo will hurt! I am hoping that all will be done with that surgery. So far, so good.

We stayed at Sandpiper. I would have prefered on the beach as I felt good enough to enjoy it, but we went where it was cheaper. The location cannot be beat & we learned shortcuts on the frontage road and could go pretty much anywhere with no problem with everything being within a 3 mile radius...except the beach! We had to rent a recliner for me for the week and I found the furniture in the cottage to be of poor quality. I was going to stya on the couch but it was probably the worst couch I'd ever sat on. We told them about it and they said they would replace it.

The set up there was good, but was very basic bordering on sparce. We got a 2 br. It had a small kitchen that was sufficient for our needs. Each br had a full bath which worked well with my mother and husband. They have a community laundry in each section of cottages. It was free, but horribly slow. My mother loved it there as most residents were her age or older, so she spent her laundry time meeting people. ( We kidded her about finding a rich old man, but no luck!) Everyone was friendly. We ate one night in the dining room and the food was ok...I'd term it comparable to a buffet. Since I felt so good, we went out most days for a late lunch (got those lunch specials before the rate hike for dinner!) at Shem Creek and the other eating establishments. We ate breakfast in the cottage and had snacks there. All in all, it served and met our needs. We are staying there in December as well.

Catie I am so sorry about the loss of your father. Both of my parents are gone and I miss them.



I will definitely check out that website and write a letter. Thanks for giving us that link. It's healing for all of us too.

What a great idea. You should post this on NOLA and DIEP 2013 thread. There would be a lot of interest, I think. 😄

Very disappointing news today. My stage 2 with Dr. Kline set for October 25 was cancelled today. My Hgb is 8.0 and platelets low from last chemo. I didn't realize how much I was looking forward to getting it behind me. Now will be Nov/Dec if I can get my Hgb up. Any tips?

CRS,

I'm so sorry about your delay, too. Have you rescheduled? Dr Kline prescribed iron pills for me after my March surgery. Also ate iron rich beef, spinach, etc. Grits have lots of iron, too! Hope your numbers return to normal and you are feeling good soon.

Hi. Is it true that New Orleans is the mecca for excellent reconstructive breast surgeons? Thanks.