Charleston Bound, part 2

Options
1…116117119121122…149

Comments

  • MartyJ
    MartyJ Member Posts: 1,859
    edited April 2014

    Ashira - so glad you are doing well.  You will be discharged on a glorious Lowcountry day.  Today is just a preliminary.  It looks as if Spring is finally here!  Will any drains be out by discharge?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Davy
    Davy Member Posts: 114
    edited April 2014

    Ashira,

    Welcome to the other side! I'm so glad it all worked out for you after all of the ups and downs beforehand. 

    Take it easy as much as you can after discharge tomorrow. Despite what they tell you, I do believe there is a correlation between how much you move about and how much fluid drains. Anyone else think that the more you do the longer you have the dreaded drains? 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ashira
    Ashira Member Posts: 161
    edited April 2014

    thanks Davy. My drains are putting out very little. I'm hoping thart they at least a few, prior to discharge. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,591
    edited April 2014

    Congrats Ashira!  I am so happy that you are doing well...rest up and get that walking in!

    Maggie

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PinkHeart
    PinkHeart Member Posts: 1,193
    edited April 2014

    Ashira,

    Hope all is well after discharge. When is your post op appt with Dr K?  Take care. 

    💗

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ashira
    Ashira Member Posts: 161
    edited April 2014

    hi pink. I feel ok after discharge yesterday. Typing is hard. On dilaudid. Still anemic and taking iron too. very sleepy and nauseaus all the time. . See doc k tomorrow. Condo is amazing and comfy. Glad to be here a while. I hope I feel better and can walk more soon. I want to be a tourist. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ashira
    Ashira Member Posts: 161
    edited April 2014

    thanks mags, Davy, pink, marty, for cheering me on. Recovery so far really is easier than i anticipated. Just slower  Wishing we could all take a walk on the beach together. Would be nice.  Instead I'll just cozy up on this comfy couch and take in the ocean air.  Not bad !

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PinkHeart
    PinkHeart Member Posts: 1,193
    edited April 2014

    Ashira,

    What island are you staying on?  Wont be long before u take a short walk on beach and keep going farther each day. Did you get a transfusion?  Dr K prescribed Rx iron pills and roast beef n spinach sandwich. Hugs to you n your caretaker. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ashira
    Ashira Member Posts: 161
    edited April 2014

    I made it all the way down IOP and back to Oceanside !  Saving the beach for another day, but mighty proud :-). Dr. K prefers iron to blood, so it's little red pills and roast beef sandwiches for me. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MartyJ
    MartyJ Member Posts: 1,859
    edited April 2014

    Ashira - sounds like you are doing really well.  You can always supplement with that classic - liver (yuck).  Wonderful walk today. You have great weather.  Keep taking the dilaudid and take thing slow you will be better by next week.  Remember, tomorrow is only your 1 week boobiversary.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ashira
    Ashira Member Posts: 161
    edited April 2014

    :-). Never heard that term Marty. Tomorrow is my follow up with DrK. I still keep my surg bra on and don't look. I think that I'll be ready to face it head on once drains are out and don't feel hurried. Meanwhile, I feel pretty great.  Refreshingly positive. Is this nightmare slowing toward an end? Am I really on the other side?  Not sure why I feel the need to ask, but I do, and always appreciate your reassurance. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MartyJ
    MartyJ Member Posts: 1,859
    edited April 2014

    Yes Ashira you are on the other side. I am on the way to NYC so I will text you soon. Just remember this is not a sprint. Run it slow and steady. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cascader
    cascader Member Posts: 599
    edited April 2014

    Ashira, you sound fantastic. Slow and steady is good advice, take one day at a time. Remember that Stage 1 is for flap survival and  cosmetic work done at stage 2. Good luck at post op. thinking of you

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ashira
    Ashira Member Posts: 161
    edited April 2014

    will check in post op. Yea for me! I'm on the other side, on the other side, on the other side....want to do the happy dance 

    :-) !!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ashira
    Ashira Member Posts: 161
    edited April 2014

    I know, I know, the SLOW happy dance :-)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • philomene
    philomene Member Posts: 45
    edited April 2014

    Maybe just a happy shuffle?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ashira
    Ashira Member Posts: 161
    edited April 2014

    concerned about a hard, cord like structure on the upper outer portion of my left flap. It is about 2 inches in length. I have an appointment on Monday afternoon.  Does this seem like something that I should call the office about sooner?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cascader
    cascader Member Posts: 599
    edited April 2014

    Could  just be the edge of the flap where scar tissue is forming??? Is it red or hot? If you are concerned send an email to Chris or Dr Kline , don't wait till Monday. I always needed the reassurance to know all was normal and nothing to be worried about.  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ashira
    Ashira Member Posts: 161
    edited April 2014

    thanks cascader. I took your advice and already received reply back that it's the drain, soon to be removed. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Catie2013
    Catie2013 Member Posts: 1,023
    edited April 2014

    wow seems like it's been forever since I've been to this forum - catching up!  Lbrewer, hoping you are coping and MIL is peaceful.

    To all the ones just going in or coming up, you too will soon forget most of the time that you even had the surgery - my last was 9 months ago and most of the time it's forgotten!

    Going in for Vinnie's magic for the 3d nipples on the 6th of May! And now thinking about it - but have heard great things about the results from so many that have been on this forum.

    Thinking of all of you, even though I'm not on often.

    Hugs

    Catie

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ashira
    Ashira Member Posts: 161
    edited April 2014

    Catie;

    That's great news!  Keep us posted on the wonders of Vinnie's magic. Congratulations on being so close to the finishing line. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lbrewer
    lbrewer Member Posts: 766
    edited April 2014

    keep is posted on Vinnie. I am thinking about doing it as well. I'm really getting tired of surgery!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Davy
    Davy Member Posts: 114
    edited April 2014

    Ashira,

    I'm so glad your concern was quickly alleviated. Flap surgery can be bad on the nerves...lol! So many different, new things going on at once. My flaps started out very hard in spots. So hard that I couldn't imagine them ever softening to a natural breast like feeling. But, low and behold, they feel just like the old ones (well, the ones I had twenty years ago ;)). All the hard spots are gone. I pray this time is passing quickly for you and each new day brings with it less pain and more strength. 

    Cheers,

    Davy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ashira
    Ashira Member Posts: 161
    edited April 2014

    Davy, that is the sweetest prayer. I appreciate your sentiments so very much. Two more drains pulled today, leaving just one more to go, which makes me happy. Strangest thing happened this morning, when I awoke after the first time taking Percocet because my dilaudid prescription had run out. I thought that the step down to a milder pain pill would be good, but instead I ended up dizzy, fell in the shower and hit my head in my attempt to protect my precious noobs. Definitely a setback. Fortunately, no irrepairable harm, but I did get rid of the Percocet and get a refill on dilaudid, as I feel sooo much better when taking it. 

    Can anyone chime in on how long you took the major pain killers?  I feel like I still need them, but was a bit taken aback when I had to go through the triple checks at CVS to pick them up. Must be some heavy duty drugs, though seem to be what really work best for me. I don't want to end up one of those statistics who started on them for good reason and then end up stalking dealers in a back alley someplace :-0  Thoughts? 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Davy
    Davy Member Posts: 114
    edited April 2014

    I think everyone is different on their use of pain medication following stage 1. And I don't believe you are outside the norm to still be on them now. There is a lot done during Stage 1 and it takes a considerable amount of time to heal. Some people just choose to grin and bear it, while others have the attitude of why be in pain if I don't have to. The only correct approach is what feels right to you. Now if you're still on the heavy duty meds two or three weeks from now, you may want to start asking yourself if it's really for the pain... 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PinkHeart
    PinkHeart Member Posts: 1,193
    edited April 2014

    We are all so different. I had major pain issues after three of my 10 BC surgeries. I was on pain meds for six weeks. The first three weeks I was taking them about every 6-8 hours, but later only one a day in early evening when pain set in on me.  Had to do extra fiber since pain meds cause constipation. After one surgery while in Charleston, Dr K sent me to an anesthesiologist for pain block injections who also prescribed neurotin, which I couldn't tolerate. Our bods are our own. 

    Before BC, if a doc prescribed me pain meds for surgeries like wisdom teeth, i would take one and the bottle would sit in cabinet for years and I would pitch. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Catie2013
    Catie2013 Member Posts: 1,023
    edited April 2014

    thanks Ashira and Lbrewer, I'll let you know.  I know Cascader has gone already and BDavis I think.  

    And as far as pain pills, I think you listen to your body, and just sort of know when it's time to taper off and then just stop or switch to something not so regulated.  I was worried I wouldn't get off them, but did with no problem at all except mild tummy upsets because of the opposite of needing fiber when I stopped!  Trying not to give TMI ;)

    Hugs 

    Catie

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PinkHeart
    PinkHeart Member Posts: 1,193
    edited May 2014

    Ashira,

    How are you coming along in your recovery?  Are you home now?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ashira
    Ashira Member Posts: 161
    edited May 2014

    Hi Pink;

    I am still in Charleston. My last drain comes out tomorrow and I'll be on the road by Sunday. Weather is beautiful, people are wonderful, and I'm healing perfectly. All is well. Thank you so much for checking in!

    How are things for you?  Are you near the finish line?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PinkHeart
    PinkHeart Member Posts: 1,193
    edited May 2014

    Ashira,

    So happy for you that you are doing great and enjoying Charleston, too!  Did you schedule your Stage two yet?

    Me? Finish line?  I feel like I'm on a marathon that won't end. :)

    Dr. K has a fat grafting surgery for me when I get in mood to feel beat up again, then one last surgery (cut n sew) to get radiated breast some hope at being almost normal. Due to radiation edema, he won't do last surgery  until July 2-0-1-5 !  

    Have a safe trip home and enjoy Spring scenery along the way!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories