Charleston Bound, part 2

Lbrewer,

How long is your drive? Are you driving alone? I drove to CHS past two surgeries as well as for surgery this Friday. I plan to drive home when no longer on narcotics. I may need to sit on pillows though. It's an 11 hour drive for me but stopping to stay with a friend at 9 hour point.

Was it me that said Dr Kline never uses compression?? I had fat grafting from abdomen and knees in March and didn't have it.

I just woke up with this thing on. Not sure what kind but is silky feeling with lace on bottom of legs. It starts under breasts and is shorts length.

He didn't give me a heads up. Catie, the Go Girl thing sure makes sense now.

Finally, surgery #10 and no drains. And no barfing ... but blue bag within reach!

Cascader, are you getting your insurance plan back now?

Pink, the go girl was great, but you can also learn to straddle the toilet seat while standing and do the jib as well, sorry about TMI, but Pink deserves every bit of options right now.

I had the same thing on when we went to the luncheon in April, Pink, and as Mags said you will learn to get used to it, I did! And, you have gotten through much worse for sure. So glad you have the no barfs and are alert enough for checking in here, been praying about you all day!

And, yes, I think YOU should be able to keep YOUR insurance !!!!!!!! If only, huh?

Hoping all continues to go well.

Hugs

Catie

So glad I checked to see how you all are doing. Pink sooo happy you haven't had to use the blue bag, feeling like that is so miserable on top of everything else. Keep resting, no kayaking! I actually liked wearing the compression for awhile anyways. I did not qualify for any group insurance plans so had to go onto the states high risk plan, extremely costly, but will switch to Obamacare in January. I am off to Nepal tomorrow to see my daughter in the Peace corps! Will be off the grid for a few weeks, so Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Cascader-- so excited for you to have BC behind you and going on world travels. Enjoy every moment with your DD!

I am being discharged as planned today! A first!

Dr Kline said they just got new special equipment for lipo/fat grafting procedure. I was his first patient, and he was amazed how much more fat he got for injecting into my breasts and in radiation and pec muscle trouble spots! I can tell a big difference, and now pray the fat sticks around. I will be doing BRAVA again in spring except just using brava mini pump. Then he will do a little more fat grafting. Then in 18-24 months from now he wants to see radiation edema gone so he can go for perfection on my rads damaged IMF, which was also where one of my tumors embedded so mastectomy was rough on that spot too.

He prescribed Lovenox shots for me to give myself which I will definitely do when I drive home and he said to do while here for next week if I have days not moving around.

I have a post op appt with Dr K on Tuesday. He took compression garment off today because of bruising and swelling. When I see him Tuesday he will put back on and tell me how long he wants me to wear.

Dr K & C patients -- Here is the compression garment (got two) that I received from East Cooper hospital:

"Sculptures"

SC-220 (below breasts to above knee)

Color: nude

Size: Medium ( I am 5'6", 122 lbs)

http://www.medicointernational.com/store/pid-195-sc-220-above-the-knee-girdle.html

Davy-- Thinking of what you said and drinking tons of water!

Pink,

So glad you are doing well. You and Cascader were so supportive when I started my journey with Dr. K in July 2012. Hopefully my last surgery will be in December.

crs319- Sounds like your healing process is going smoothly. I will also have drains and love to hear from those who are having a worry-free go of it.

Cascader- I pray your trip is a good one. Always nice to be with those we love.

Best wishes to all! So much caring here. You comfort and inspire me with your posts.

Sandi

I'm out of hospital now, and moving slooow. He did lipo from my love handles, inner thighs, and a few spots in my abdomen.

It was so quiet at East Cooper this time. Only me and a patient of Dr. Craigie. Then two other patients with other doctors.

Dr. Klein was an early bird and came at 7 am. He said his kids woke him up early. But darn he didn't bring them with him.

When he left said he would see me Tuesday -- and no kayaking.

It's warm again finally! My friend and I want to walk through the Holiday Festival of Lights show again at the park on James Island. That is, after eating at Lost Dog Café, walking on Folly Beach, and watching the sunset over the marsh. Tomorrow or Monday? I will probably end up in bed for two days afterward.... maybe we should just drive through.

For those of you with upcoming surgeries, you may want to check out the holiday lights. http://www.ccprc.com/index.aspx?NID=1546

Had a second post op today with Dr Kline.

My bruising and swelling is crazy. Am doing Lovenox shots. Driving north tomorrow morning (alone) and doc wants me to stop every hour. Will be a loong drive.

Will be back to Charleston in late Spring for Stage 6 of just Brava and fat grafting. . . .

Ah, Pink, you are back in Summerville. Here at the beach, the maples can't handle the soil conditions, though I think my camellia is almost in bloom. It sure is a pretty place to live and to visit!

10 days and counting! Staying at the Homewood in Mt Pleasant this time around. Marty I am sorry that you have been pushed back. I am worried about next year and finishing as my insurance cancelled me as of "summer 2014" ...jerks could not even put a date on the notice. Not sure what will happen...may have to go back to NOLA to finish

Maggie-2

Marty and Mags, hoping both of you are done soon - such a good feeling!

Pink, hoping you got home okay and that the swelling and bruising are abating!

Hugs

Catie

oh, Maggie, I did miss my pre-op in NOLA, but it wasn't you. Has Roper told you if you are early or late?

I am on Wednesday at 3. Of course, I will bring my iPad in case you get tied up.

You bet. How long will you be here?

Maggie, wishing you the best before, during, and after your surgery. Enjoy your time in Charleston. Hopefully, Dr M can get you as close to finish line as possible. The major up in your insurance deductible is much BS.

My doc can't finish me up until July 2015 because my radiated side needs to chill from radiation edema and he said he wants to give that area a break cuz everytime surgery is done it interferes with lymphatics there and my new lymph node friends need time to grow. So who knows what my insurance situation will be then, 19 months and counting!

However, he will be doing moren fat grafting in six months. Guess injecting fat to that area is okay but not cutting and sewing and drains.

Thanks Catie. Got back yesterday. Doing better but in bed at night have alot of pain in calves. The bruising and swelling went down past knees even though holes are up near groin and hips.