Charleston Bound, part 2

Dr. Kline is an artist. It takes different procedures for different patients. I had nipples and shaping at stage 2. Stage 3 for me will be fat grafting and more shaping. Stage 1 is difficult but I'd say worth it. Very pleased I drive the 9 hours. Ask your friends to help. People are usually happy to help, it makes them feel good  maybe you could use multiple friends for a couple of days at a time. I'd plan 7-8 weeks off for stage 1. Some people recover faster but build in that time so you might recover your strength. When you first wake up after the surgery, you'll think "what have I done". That will pass. If you decide to do it, don't second guess. 

You can do this, it's just a moderate size bump in the road and six months from now-it's a memory. I was DD,am now C and we are working to make me a full C or perky D. It is fun being perky again-I don't even need a bra:)

Ashira... As I may have told you when we spoke, I also have had multiple flap procedures (GAP, DIEP and Tdap) so that was two stage I surgeries (first one included the BMX), a wound surgery, and three stage II surgeries. If I had insurance issues, I could have been done after the first stage II, but I am so much happier with my revisions. The best advice I can give is to follow the recovery rules and don't overdo it. My issues were just dumb luck, but I do think that I needed the Tdap cause I passed out in the shower after my first stage I and think I caused necrosis in my left breast. So be careful and don't push yourself. 

Also, I understand the need to plan. I am a planner too. I think the best thing for now is to get all your ducks in a row for stage I, and come up with a few scenarios for stage II. Make the assumption you will have no complications, but make a PLAN B just in case there is. Make a plan to bring your daughter and stay in a hotel in an area you won't need a car, and have a PLAN B to stay at Hope Lodge with a friend. you get my point. This way, you have all bases covered.

I had lumpectomy in 2009 with my first cancer. In 2013, they found another small tumor. I wanted as much breast tissue gone as possible. My new girls are going to look better than the old:)

I am getting neulasta. Did you? The pain is awful for three days after and the pills they give me for the pain (tramadol) put me to sleep. That makes a week of sleep post chemo, a week of the blahs, and about a week of near normalcy and anticipation for the next round. Thank goodness I'm halfway done. Only 2 more to go :-) My daughter moved in with her dad for the last round and hasn't yet returned. She's not so happy with it all, as you can imagine. 

Ashira, Cascader is right - concentrate on Stage 1 - then let Stage 2 fall into place.  You will have plenty of time after the surgery to come up with a plan for 2.  I started sent out a mass email to my friends and family and started a Caring Bridge page (free) letting them know the progress or lack of it when I was first diagnosed - and that led me to several volunteering to be there for me for Stage 1.  I had some complications particular to my body type while in CHS and at the Hope Lodge.  I then had a steady stream of people ready and willing to step up JUST when I needed them.  I am positive that it was my prayers answered to stay at Hope Lodge as it was an open ended ticket there with no charge.  It was very comfortable for both myself and my caretaker(s).  There are lots of nooks and crannies, rooms and porches, and beautiful walking grounds to give them the space they need plus other caretakers to talk to when you are taking a nap.  Check it out on - google it and take a look.  I do think you have to be older than 12 though.  Not sure on that.

As for a hotel close to drugstore, shopping, groceries and restaurants - Mt Pleasant Homewood Suites has it all.  Dr. K has a driver and also I believe Sewanneegirl found an excellent driving service to take you where you need to go including even to the beach (and will wait for you to drive you home).  All is doable - ALL of it.  

The biggest thing is to take it one step at a time (kind of like "how do you eat an elephant?" - one bite at a time).  This whole thing is just like that ol' elephant - needs for us to take it one bite at a time or it becomes so overwhelming it freezes us in our tracks!

Praying it all comes together for you, but trust that it will even if it doesn't feel like it right now.

Hugs

Catie

Thank you Catie. Feeling ill this evening from treatment. Can't imagine tomorrow much less stage 2. One step, one moment at a time. Just what I need to hear about now. I admire your ability to begin a caring bridge and share yourself publicly in the way that you did. I have been much more private, sharing with only a few. There is something for me about being single and fear of being branded in my community, which is small. It's a point of contention between my daughter and I actually, who is dismayed over my insistence that she refrain from sharing this with 12 of her closest friends....

Soaking up those hugs :-)

Ashira

we used to own a nursing agency. It is possible to hire a nursing assistant to meet you at the hospital and accompany you anywhere you need to go.  East cooper probably has either their own agency or can definately give you a list. The hospital porbably will not discharge you alone unless they do it left against medical advice.  

Ashira... 

Aw... sorry. This too shall pass. Kids just can't handle their mama being sick. I remember when my son came to me and told me he had been reading about BC. Initially they thought my nodes were clean and then found out they weren't. So he wanted reassurance that my prognosis was about the same as it had been. For me, the node was a micromet, so still a pretty good prognosis. I was just so in awe of his concern and love. My daughter on the other hand didn't "show" me anything. She of course was concerned, but handled it differently. She was not home, but away as a freshman in college and going through her own set of stuff... So try to be patient, but follow her lead. If she needs to talk with her friends, then you should probably let her.

He went to Trinity College, but didn't like it and transferred last month to Hobart.

Thank you Mags. My insurance ends on Nov. 30th, which should be ok barring complications. (prayers). Summer 2014? I would want to know the date! You are way more laid back than I. After all you've been through, perhaps that's the result? I hope some of that rubs off on me :-)

Glad my chemo is over, but can totally relate to the feeling crappy frmo the chemo, then the shots, then feeling almost decent, then starting over again! As far as talking and people knowing about the BC, I've been an open book.

I am 8 weeks out from stage 3 with tummy tuck. Swelling has gone down to nothing on the left side, but my stomach on the right side is noticeably swollen. Any one else have this? How long to all the swelling leaves?

I will go back for finishing touches next January. My dead fat has to be absorbed by my body first. Some of it is already going away. We'll lipo next time to replace the fat. Dr. K is an artist, as someone said above! My only complaint is that my nipples are flat, in that they do not protrude like real ones. If you look straight on they look fine, but there is no definition there. He put extra fat behind them at Stage 3 which helped but they need a bit more help. But, I am perky and braless!! If these babies fall in 20 yrs, I'm ok w/ it!!

Davy;

Thanks so much for chiming in.  I've been following everyone's advice and am wrapping my thoughts around Stage 1.  As for stage 2, I've decided to put my thoughts on hold for now.  It's just too overwhelming, with all of the unknowns.  Worst scenario, I go alone, get discharged to a nurse, and leave my daughter behind with friends to help.  My thoughts were going to planning a vacation with her, and wrapping it up in my final surgery as a sort of celebration for having come through it all. I get that's too much to count on -- at least for the moment.

I am 11 days post chemo today, which seems to mark the point where I feel reasonably human again, so onto the treadmill I went. Started planks and squats, as well as a mini work out created by my new, 11 year old personal trainer. Looking toward getting in the best shape that I'm able prior to surgery date, which is scheduled for April 23rd. 

It is nice to hear from you and am glad that you made it to the other side with such loving support.

Ashira

I know , it is a TON of protein. There was no way I could get it all in but tried with protein bars and shakes in between meals. Trader Joes has a decent premade  choc shake at 45 grams. Google high protein foods and try to make meals around that. I am not a meat eater so had tuna, quinoa, peanut butter,eggs etc. Every little bit helps. While in Mt Pleasant there are a couple of juice bars and my husband would go everyday and get me a hi protein concoction. Good luck!

Ashira, I'm a different bird for sure and this is not at all typical, but I've gone through the BC thing twice now.  The first time I was a single mother.  My 17 year old daughter just didn't seem to be aware what I was going through, and I went through chemo and rads after my surgeries.  She went to the first appointment with me when the Dr. told me it was cancer but after that seemed to 'check out'.  I cut her slack because her father had passed away a few years before and I thought she just couldn't take another parent dying.  It was friends that got me through the toughest parts, not my daughter.  I didn't want to put that on her and she didn't seem to mind that I didn't.  

Fast forward 17 years - new diagnosis, other breast.  She just happened to be at my house the day I found out about the new bc.  And, this time she had 3 children 1, 5, and 8.  No way could she be my caregiver in CHS - thus again friends stepped up.  She did, however accompany me for two of my future stages and combined the caregiving with a mini vacation for her and the kids at the beach.

It never occurred to me to not tell people.  I didn't ask for or cause the breast cancer, I wasn't contagious, it wasn't from doing anything negative or immoral - and sort of organically knew I'd need support.  Support the first time came in many ways:  co-workers coming to my home for a pizza/painting party getting my bedroom ready for me hunkering in while going through chemo.  Male friends coming to my house to make sure the tile person did a good job, making sure I was doing okay, and prayers!!!  The last was certainly not the least!

The second time, I wanted to talk about my diagnosis only when I wanted to, so as was said above, I wrote it - they read it- and it basically wasn't some monster but something that could be handled with prayers, friends, support, a few meals here and there, and certainly it became a tool which I never expected but nonetheless it helped some very nice ladies who I didn't know as well then (but certainly do now) become my caregivers when I needed them in CHS.

Yes a weight off your shoulders for sure, yes a way to moderate what you say and when - you can blanket explain it all at once so when you are at a social event everyone pretty much knows where you re at so no need to re-hash it!  That was the best part of it.  I could be 'normal' with just the caring bridge comments all done on the internet.  I actually updated the caring bridge right before major social events so I basically didn't have to update anyone when I got there!  Much more fun to talk about the weather or  other trivial stuff. 

My daughter also told her friends both times, I think it gives them the 'shoulder' to lean on when they get a bit confused or concerned.  It might be harder for her to go to you with her concerns than it would be to her circle of friends?  But you have to do what is good and workable for you - I'm just relating what happened to me.

A good hamburger every now and then has lots of protein, and it's a red meat so it helps with iron intake and ingestion.  The protein requirements I think are ideals, but as hard as I could - I couldn't get all the protein in.  I've got a dairy/whey/soy problem, so hard to do protein powder without any of those.  Peanut butter became my friend.  Egg whites, chicken, beef, even popcorn has protein.  Almonds.  You start to look at protein content for sure!!! LOL

So hoping it all comes together for you.  

Hugs

Catie

Thanks Catie. Based on my doc's urging, I've been attempting to go vegan, which complicates things around the chemo and my need for high protein. I can feel my body actually craving meat, which is unusual, so I am indulging occasionally, but mostly making a study of plant based protein. I discovered a chocolate hemp based powder which should be good for one shake a day in the morning.  I bought a pea based protein for a second, hopefully green smoothie and will be trying it tonight. Nut butters are a great idea! It's going to be interesting to see how I do with lowering my BMI given all that protein :-)

Thanks Davy, I emailed Dr. Kline about it and he told me not to make myself crazy over it-- that the extreme protein levels are more important after the surgery to assist with wound healing. That helped! I am truly grateful to be going into surgery with a doctor who is so very responsive to my questions and concerns. Each point of contact that I have with him gives me more confidence.