Charleston Bound, part 2

lbrewer hope your surgery went well and you are resting. Lots of water and protein. 

I haven't been wearing a sleeve, only when I am flying, because no probs since my Sgap. I think I just tried to do too much too quickly. Live and learn. Going to set up appt with PT who can outline a program for me

second round in my Grammies make over complete

I can't remember it either. She had cancer earlier herself. Actually went to the on as I did!

Cascader - yes, I'm still May for my Frosting on my cupcakes (code for nipple tattoos).  Can't wait to hear your info re yours in March!

BRAC - Hoping your logistics get straightened out soon, but it all seems to work out, I believe as mine was a work in progress even as I was in CHS.  And I am very grateful I stuck with my decision to use Dr Kline and Craigie instead of staying local (ATL area)!

Lbrewer pulling for you as well!

Hugs

Catie

lbrewer,

Glad to hear you are doing well. That glue itched me, too, but left it alone. 

After my surgeries that I had incisions I was told six weeks until I could go swimming. Fat grafting just has the tiny holes and I believe I was told four weeks. Check with your doc to be sure. 

Ashira, welcome!  I felt the same almost 2 years ago!  My surgery was April of 2012.  To put it mildly, you are in great hands with Dr. Kline, his staff and East Cooper Medical Center.  AND the ladies on this forum - absolutely turned a not so great time of my life into one I feel has richness beyond belief in knowing some fantastic ladies (several of which I've met and grown very fond of) and a medical team that is truly there for YOU - even to the point of making you feel you are the only patient they have!  (Funny then to meet in person many ladies who are also patients - LOL)

Welcome, relax, breath, and enjoy the ride, before you know it you too will be almost 2 years out!

Hugs

Catie

Hi everyone!

 Lbrewer I also had an allergic reaction to glue, I washed it really well(scrubbed) and put some OTC cortisone cream on, after a few days it calmed down and went away, hopefully by now yours is gone. How are you doing?

Last week I  passed my 5 year mark since diagnosis, unreal to look back at everything I experienced/endured in that time. I remember feeling that it was never going to be over and life would never ever be normal again, but here I am today, feeling pretty damn good! For those that are new, I had a uni Sgap and from start to finish(3 surgeries) it took me one year. You can do this,  you will heal, recover, and flourish, but during those sometimes difficult in between times, the ladies on this forum are the best! Couldn't have done it without you all! Ashira and others I wish you well. Ask, complain, or cry...we have been there and understand what you are going thru. 

Catie, I am sorry I will miss you in Baltimore, will let you know how it goes.

dr k gave me some cream which I turned out to more allergic than the glue. It was like wildfire!  Washed real well and put some aloe and cortisone cream on it.  Took a few days but it's cleared up now.  

Cascader :  CONGRATS!!!!!  5 yr mark is a good one!!! And, I hope 50 more to you!!! When I go to Baltimore I'm going to merge it with seeing my son and his fammily.  My 6 year old granddaughter has picked up on the conversation that "Gramma is going to get frosting on her cupcakes" - so thinks we are having a cupcake party!  SO, I will also be celebrating her 7th bday and will be sure to buy real cupcakes too!  I think frosting on cupcakes is easier to say than getting tattoos on my ta ta's!!!! LOL  So, the May 6th date works for me and wouldn't really want to change it, but so glad you were able to get in earlier and so looking forward to your thoughts about the experience.

Ashira:  I stayed at the Hope Lodge, as Pinkheart has suggested.  Truly a Godsend!!!  I think they still (or did then) want you to get a hotel reservation in advance (make sure it is cancelable) so that if there isn't space at the Hope Lodge you will have a back up.  Hope Lodge doesn't cost you anything to stay and they also feed you several nights a week.  Any questions about it, I'd be glad to answer from my experience.

Lbrewer:  Aloe is wonderful!!!!!  Hope you itchies are gone and you are feeling better.

Hugs all

Catie

Hello all!  Been reading this thread for sometime now and need to ask a couple questions.  I live in the Atlanta area and was hoping to find a surgeon that could do the DIEP - but it looks like Charleston is the best.  I have a Mom and three aunts who have all had bc and two died.  I have regular mammograms and have large, dense breast. They have been watching small calcifications for years now.  I've decided I want to have both breast removed and have DIEP.  I have insurance.  I would have to go to Charleston alone - so I was wondering if that is doable.  I know Davy did that.  How often do you have to make the trip back and I'm confused about the # of surgeries that are required.  

Thanks for the thread - you are helping me make up my mind! 

Catie, so funny about your granddaughter! Just don't make the mistake of actually getting replica cupcakes(or cherries) tattooed on you instead! I am going in on St Patricks day, and don't want Shamrocks, altho he does have a pic of a women who chose that instead of a nip.Thank goodness we have the freedom of choice 

Ashira-all the ladies on this thread are wonderful resources about the area and procedures. They certainly were a godsend to me. I had stage 2 in November. It was about a week before I could drive as the drains stayed in til then. You will likely need someone with you to drive. We went down early and enjoyed the area before surgery. I have stage 3 at the end of this month. Good luck, you will be in great hands!

as dr k says stage two is a catch all phrase so it really all depends on what is done.  Mine was reshaping both sides (prior DIEP) and now uni. SGAP.  Some people it's fat grafting.  Dr k can give you a pretty good idea of what your recovery will be once you determine what is going to be done

Ashira, I agree with Cascader about not worrying about stage 2 details yet.  You have plenty of time to work out your details later.  Concentrate on doing what it takes to get through with Stage 1 now.  After your time in Charleston for stage 1, you'll be more familiar with the area and have more of an idea as to what you will be able to handle.  I have had the unusual experience of having three (yes I said three) stage 1's during 2013.  I don't know of many people who can compare and contrast the SGAP, DIEP, and PAP surgeries - lol!  During my PAP flap in October, I stayed in town for 2 weeks and that was long enough (I beleive that was the longest time I stayed for a stage 1).  The first week was spent in the hospital since I was high risk.  My husband drove down with me and actually went home the evening after my surgery, and I stayed in the hospital in town by myself.  That saved me a weeks worth of lodging expenses.  He came back the following weekend to pick me up when I was discharged.  I am so impressed with East Cooper Medical Center, and absolutely adore the nurses there.  They know exactly what they are doing and take excellent care of you.  I had a lot of people second guess and give me a hard time about not having someone with me, but I had no reservations about being by myself while I was there.  It was actually less stressful for me than the other times when I spent time worrying about what my caregivers were doing while I was in the hospital.  I live about a 4 1/2 hour drive away and don't have a problem with getting back into town for appointments when I need to.  I'm not sure how far away you are traveling from, that may affect how long you will want to stay close by.  And just to give a happy ending for my story, I am finally scheduled for stage 2 at the end of the month!  If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me or ask here.  Like everyone else has said, this is an awesome group of ladies, and I am lucky to have everyone in my corner!

Take care, Beth

I'm a single mom and a small business owner with an insurance plan that ends in November 30th, so my days of spontaneity have unfortunately long since passed :-( 

My need to schedule my daughter's summer and the care she'll need is forefront in my mind, along with my prayers that I 'll be fortunate enough to go through this smoothly and in a timely fashion. I know that things are likely to change, but I honestly don't know how else to manage it all without planning down to the last detail. I imagine that I must sound a bit obsessive...I do appreciate your reminders to take things one step at a time. I just wish I knew how.

Beth, three stage 1's ? I can only begin to imagine how difficult that must have been and what a relief it must be to be finally moving on. I'm sorry to hear that you've gone through so much and glad that you have a supportive husband by your side. I would love to speak with you further and am home lots these days, so please pm me with your number and good times to reach you if you are comfortable with that. 

Pink, I am 15 hours away, so if you were in pain after just a few hours 8 days post op, that tells me what I need to know. It's not likely that I'll want to do the drive home on my own...unless I could stay for a month at the beach!  Wouldn't that be nice :-)

Again, thanks for your guidance and your candor.