Charleston Bound, part 2

Maggie - I so understand.  Stepping back, taking a break and getting on with life will make your decisions easier.

Maggie,

It makes so much sense to take care of yourself by knowing when to pause. We have our whole life ahead, right? I am exhausted nearing the last phase of chemo and looking toward flap land. I can just imagine what a relief it will be to reach a place where I am comfortable enough to take a break. Congratulations to you for coming this far. May your moments of happiness increase in the coming weeks and know that you'll find clarity when  / if it's time to continue on. 

Ashira

Tamiami,

I know of two patients of Dr. Kline and Dr. Craigie who had PAP surgery with them.  They are Catie2013 and Bethcw.  If you PM them I'm sure they will be happy to tell you their experience.  Dr. Allen assisted them in some of their PAP surgeries if I understand correctly.

I have had SGAP surgery with Dr. Kline, and also lymph node transfer.  He trained with Dr. Becker as well.  So far my LNT has been successful.  I had it in December 2012.  Nodes were taken from my left groin and transferred to my right axilla.  (I started my recon journey with direct implants that were one disaster after another with radiation damage and attempts at revision, and ended up with failed implant with extrusion, then had to be removed.  Then I fortunately found Dr. Kline and went for SGAP.)

I'm sure you have read this article that is on Dr. Allen's web site about the PAP flap surgery.  It's fascinating to read and the patient's results are beautiful.  I almost wish I had had a PAP over SGAP.  The donor site scar looks minimal in comparison to DIEP and SGAP.

http://www.diepflap.com/pdfs/profunda_artery_perforator_pap_flap_for_breast_reconstruction.pdf

Best wishes with your reconstruction, recovery, and outcome!

Tamiami,

The flaps feel a million times better.  For one, they are WARM!  I am still not 100% comfortable (and prob never will be) on right side because of the radiation damage not only from it cooking and hardening my skin, but also the failed bunched up alloderm sling adhered to my chest wall unfortunately in the same spot where one of the tumors was cut out from my IMF during mastectomy.  Dr. Kline worked for 4 hours on meticulously surgically removing fried alloderm and scar tissue, before he even started to do SGAP surgery,  so for Stage I flap recon I was in for 12 hours.  Also, I had severe axillary cording, and still do (also caused by lymph node removal).  Dr. Kline was able to work on cording to give me some relief and more ROM, but I still have low level pain everyday and still see my PT-CLT every week for that.

Your doctor may have told you that you may get some relief from LE just from flap surgery alone.  Are you with Dr. Ahn?  My surgeon said they have never had a patient get LE at the donor site, and that no patient with LE got worse.  Dr. Kline only used groin for node donor site, not from the neck.  Also, he only does LNT surgery on breast cancer patients with upper extremity LE.  I referred a patient with congenital LE in her leg, and he referred her on to Dr. Massey in Chicago.

I'm so sorry you have had a rough road, too, especially with the pain from infections and failed implants.  I had to have one surgically removed, and went for two months lopsided until I had my bilateral flap surgery.  When I met Dr. Kline, he asked if I wanted the other implant removed and I said "Yes, please get this boat anchor out of me!!!" 

Have any of you underwent stage 1 alone?  It looks as if I may be losing my caregiver and am in need of logistical advice....just when t"my plans were coming together so nicely !

Hi Marty. I am speaking about stage 1. My girlfriend may not be able to accompany me after all, so I'm speaking to Gail about other discharge possibilities. It is my understanding that some women have gone through stage one without someone there for them 24/7. Thoughts?

Ashira, just checked again to make sure I was correct in your wanting to be private and not branded in your small community.  Truly I thought people would look at me funny after knowing what I've gone through but they just haven't .  My dx was 2 years ago tomorrow - and I feel light years away from that dx most days.  Where I used to be on this site multiple times a day, I now check back inonly occasionaly, 

Letting people know you need help in a way that let's them decide to help you on their own is such a gift.  I never had to just ask anyone to help - they just read my posts and volunteered just when I needed them the most.  

Big hugs of friendship and hope

Cathie 

Thank you so much for your thoughts. I'm keeping an open mind and feel confident that it will work out.  Still lots of time and I'm exploring as many options as I can.  

CRS319, Thinking of you and hoping that this is the final stage for you. Get lots of rest.

Ashira, I just sent you a PM.

Thanks ladies:)

It went better than I hoped for. I have the torso of a 25 yr old !

Now if I can exercise enough to bring my arms and legs to match!

Dr  Kline and staff were wonderful as usual and the nurses were incredibly attentive. Well worth all the travel to see him!!!!!

Thanks Montrial. 

You hit the  nail on the head-everyone is different.  Even Dr  Kline and Dr. Craigie. 

My stage 2 was revision of the abdominal scar, removing some scar tissue from the left breast and some reshaping. He also did nipples at stage 2. 

For me, stage 3 was lots of lipo to fill in the breasts to make fuller. He corrected the dog ears as well.  That was yesterday and today I rode 4 hours in a car and feel pretty good

I'm am super happy with this surgery. I don't think I will need anymore but I adore Dr. Kline so I may come visit. 

Best of luck with your surgeries. Will keep you in my prayers with all the other Charleston Flappers!:)

CRS, that's wonderful news. You must be so relieved to feel pleased with your final result. I'm certain that you deserve it. Rest well and heal peacefully. 

Ashira

Wonderful news all the way around CRS!  To begin to put this chapter behind you, how wonderful that must be.  I appreciate your encouragement and have just one chemo round left before starting my countdown and attempting to get this tired body of mine back into something that approximates reasonable cardio shape :-)

Be well!

Although went with other docs, I know the hospital as my mother was there before she died.  It is lovely.  Only 4 years old.  Bright and sunny.  Plenty of room for your DH to stay with you.  It is very centrally located in Mount Pleasant so it will be easy for him to go out to get food if he wishes.

I have a question for you Charleston veterans: Dr Kline said they monitor the flap after surgery by keeping a piece of belly skin on it to check for color and that this skin would be removed later. Where on the new breast is this belly skin? How big is it? I'm concerned that it will lead to more scarring.