Charleston Bound, part 2

it will be awesome...you'll see. Getting on with things makes such a differnece in your stress levels!

I have one diep side one sgap side.  The sgap is a little less pointy but definately not any burger bun I would eat!   Remember stage one is all about getting the flap to take.   Cleavage comes later!  But I wore one of the t shirt bras (kinda boob shaped anyway) and put a small amount of fiber fill in it after stage one 

Greetings ladies, writing from the hospital room which I just received post stage  2. Forgive me in advance please for typos, as well as any nonsense that I may write due to our friend Wilbur. 

Apparently after stage one, I freaked out my daughter by having a seemingly lucid conversation with her about how she needed to be sure that she reminded her father to kill plenty of horses for her dinnerI've no recollection of the conversation, but at least a few witnesses...

So, here I lay in what my experience are truly remarkable surroundings. From the check in attendant this morning, who offered a warm hug and reassuring words, to the unfailingly kind, attentive nurses, and the comfortable, tastefully decorated surroundings, punctuated by yummy food (not gourmet, but hospital delicious)  I feel truly well cared for. 

Dr. Kline was just perfect at this morning's pre-op, offering up more than a small measure of hope for a wonderful outcome after this stage. I haven't looked yet though. I'm getting up the nerve and will definitely share when I do. I had remarkably good cleavage from the start, even without a huge amount of belly fat, so I never felt the "bun" thing. Also, so far no tummy swelling. I am hopeful that is one SE that I'll be fortunate enough avoid!

High Beams, are you at East Cooper?  If so, and you feel like company, I would be happy to drop by for a visit tomorrow morning. I'll be here through early evening tomorrow, so let me know. I understand completely if it's just too much. Welcome to the other side!

Cascader, congrats on the beautiful bra. I can imagine what a milestone that might be. My heart goes out to you and I'm sending prayers for all imaging to turn out just perfectly. Meanwhile, enjoy that vacation. You deserve it 

Pink, Panda, BRCA, thanks so much for thinking of me. I hope that my ridiculously long post above, contributes to your confidence for the big day ahead!

Marty, thank you so much for your flexibility for last night. I have a story to share around the whole thing that I look forward to sharing.   I'll be in touch soon and barring the need to leave early due to impending weather, I look forward to our later date. 

Well wishes to you all. 

Ashira,

So happy to hear from you again and how comforting Dr K and hospital staff make you feel. 

Is your daughter with you this time since school is out?  I would have come to visit if still there. Maybe next surgery?

Do you have post op appt. 

All the best!

Pink, daughter is in Maryland on a writing course for the next three weeks. Really odd dropping off my 12 year old at a college campus to live in the dormitory. Sweet of you to want to meet her!!!  Next surgery will be on November, so she'll be in school. I do hope to bring her down sometime though. I like the idea of spending done time on CHS while not under the influence of narcotics. 

Marty, I can always count on you for practical advice. What a gift you are!  Will definitely be thinking of you while sitting on the potty next time Can't wait to see you again. Let's make a point of speaking tomorrow. When you're freed up, please call. You know where I'll be. 

craigie is the lead, Kline assisting and baron breast surgeon.  

Ashira, just how do you prepare horse's for your daughters meals?  LOL. That is the funniest pre or post surgery conversation I have ever heard!  Glad you are on this side of surgery!

Cascader, truly hoping necrosis or scar tissue from previous surgeries and benign on other side. Mk now how important it is for you to find out though and prayers your way for all clear outcome!  Kudos for your vigilance!

Happy 4th all!  Last 4th I was getting ready for my stage 3!  Safe celebrating for everyone!

Hugs 

Catie

The one thing I did not talk to the surgeon about was the belly button. For DIEP, do they actually cut it out and replace it on your abdomen? And how do they know where to put it so it's not too high or too low? Thanks! 

thank you for the clarification Jacee

Has anyone been on antibiotic for sinus infection just before diep? I've gotten sick 10 days before surgery - great timing.  Ugh!!!!! 

This office never ceases to impress me- my worries are gone. I got an email response already. The antibiotic I was prescribed is ok for pre- DIEP! Yay! A huge weight has been lifted. Now I need to get healthy for this surgery in 9 days!!

brca35,hope you are all ready feeling better..do you use a Neti pot? Last time I had a sinus infection, the doctor told me to use it at least twice a day.It really helped a lot.I have another question.We sleep on a futon..only thing I have found that is firm enough for my back.I have one of the thickest mattresses,but it is still lower than a regular bed.So I know it is going to be harder for me to get in and out of bed after surgery.A friend suggested I try a memory foam mattress topper that is 8 inches thick to add height and softness,she thought my hips might appreciate it!Any idea if this would help?Or what would?

Brca, You should be just fine, those antibiotics will start kicking in. I too am a firm believer in a neti pot, altho can't say I am a fan of actually using it. I also got sick right before my stage 2, I was so afraid they might cancel my surgery I didn't leave the Homewood and just slept, took baths, and massive amounts of Vit C. I was glad to have a cpl extra days built in to my trip, altho  they were supposed to be for fun! All of this can be so stressful, take care of yourself.

Pink, the retreat has a labyrinth , so a walking meditation, which I just love. I have never been very successful with the more typical mindful meditation practices. Glad you got to kayak during your last visit. We need to stand up paddle board with the dolphins at Shem Creek! Retreat was wonderful, I am going to try and attach a photo of the ferry ride home which has Mt Ranier in the background. Love this city this time of year.

My mammo on my unaffected left breast was fine, still keeping watch on a little area, but no significant changes which is good. On my sgap breast there is a very obvious mass of some sort that they do not know what it is. I don't have alot of confidence in their readings, as they kept referring to my "tram breast" and wanted to schedule a mammogram on it. As so many others have commented on these boards, they just do not know what they are looking at, not being familiar with autologous tissue transfer. I am having my results sent to Dr. Kline's office and he is going to have Dr. Baron and his radiologist wife look at it. I am sooo thankful to have his continued support. I am expecting it to be fat necrosis, but guess I need to find out just in case. 

Panda, Use this time now to try and strenghten your ab muscles and your quads. It will really help in getting in/out of bed, using the toliet, sitting, etc. It was one of things that helped me the very most in recovery.

Cascader- I was on that ferry last November and will be back in September. We are going to Orcas Island for a couple of days. Then on to Mt. Hood with a bunch of ladies who have had the DIEP surgery. My son and wife live in Seattle. He just finished a Ranier climb and snowboard down. He scares me. 

Cherrie, Orcas and Hood. Two of my favorite places.

Hurray for us all for getting to doctors who know their stuff!!!  And hooray for the doctors and their teams who put us back together!!!!  I'm having a good day today, post-op, can you tell???