Charleston Bound, part 2

highbeams - so glad your post op is going well. I hope I have the same experience! 

I'm having a tough week! I am 7 days from  DIEP. Just as the antibiotics start to kick in to heal my respiratory infection (that could have ruined everything), my so gives me a  hug tonight with a running start and head butts me in the mouth. I was in the grocery store with my 2 kids trying to stock up on groceries for my departure. Blood started running down my face. Me and the two grocery carts and 2 kids made out way to the bathroom where I patched myself up enough to get out of the store. Now I'm icing a huge fat lip, my cheek is tingling and I really wish I could take some Motrin. Hoping this doesn't cause an infection. I'm a hot mess. Trying really really hard to stay in a positive frame if mind for this surgery. Sigh. 

brca - will your doc let you take Tylenol?  Might help.  You are getting pre surge nerves so everything that happens will be magnified.  Happens to all of us to varying degrees.  The kids sense it which make them do silly stuff - hence the big hug fat lip.  Try to breath and shift focus.  I know you have lots to do.

Go High Beams!  I'm so glad to hear that things are going well for you. 

BRCA, hang in there. Like Marty says, things feel scary for all of us leading up to the first surgery. Breathe, smile and enjoy your kids. Know that it's really going to be ok. 

bcra35-  Any other time it would have just been "one of those things" that we moms cope with but with your surgery coming up, I think it is like MartyJ said, magnified.  Ugh.  Hope you are doing better now as I am a few days late responding.  Let us know how you are doing as you get ready for your procedure.  Know that we are thinking about you!!

Ally

That sounds perfect BRCA. Charleston is truly beautiful this time of year. Don't forget to bring an umbrella for the beach!

just a heads up on the manicure part before surgery - make sure to have one finger without much if any polish on it (or so I was told by the person doing my hospital intake interview on the phone). We have to have one of those monitors on the finger, used my left index finger and only had a base coat of clear so they could see the nail bed color and it wouldn't have too much to interfere with the machine.

Don't forget a back scratcher!  Perhaps a reacher/grabber too?  

Hoping all goes well, BRCA and you sail smoothly through all phases of the surgery pre and post!  Glad you are feeling better on the antibiotics!

Hugs 

Catie

Hey, BRCA35!!!  Don't really have any new tips.  (I'm S-GAP instead of DIEP by the way)  Just plan some fun distractions the day and night before to keep yourself relaxed.  Pack up all your comfy stuff to take with you--I took comfy button up nightshirts for after the hospital, slide on slippers, a non-see thru robe for over the hospital gowns--I walked the halls a couple of times with my husband.  A few extra large elastic waist paints and oversized button up shirts.  Took some lollipops for after the surgery dry mouth.   Lots of little extra pillows and a wedge pillow to make a comfy nest for sleeping out of the hospital.  The hospital bed at East Cooper was the Best!!!  And the nurses are fabulous.

Really BRCA35, once you get to Charleston, the clock starts ticking with the things that need to get done prior to surgery and the time moves quickly.  And that's a good thing!!  So enjoy your weekend with your loved ones, try to relax and know you are going to the right place to have the right thing done.  Postive thoughts sent your way.  Bev

thinking of you brca. Ask for the pillows to take home as they throw them away anyway.  I take a baseball cap as the ac blows down and really bothers my dry eye.  Ear plugs are nice to have as any hospital can get a little noisy!

Thanks you all for your well wishes!! I have two questions. 1. What does DH stand for? And 2. My sister had a large inflated plastic apparatus filled with warm air that was placed over her chest after her DIEP in MI. Does this happen at East Cooper? 

I lived in Houston TX from 2007-2009, I am sure I will be quickly reminded of how hot and humid it is in the south. I love the heat, though. 

Just got the pedicure, no manicure so my nails beds will have nothing covering them on my fingers. 

brca, we will all be there before, during and after sending positive healing thoughts your way. The best thing I brought to the hospital?  An eye mask, those lights are pretty dang bright when they turn them on to ck on you in middle of night. Ear plugs good too!

I wear an eye mask....found out if you PULL it up and put the strap UNDER your hair rather than down and over your hair ends up really full of volume in the morning !

Changed my username...still can't believe it is going to finally happen.Marty,thanks for the bed info(and the weather update!),I am going to go to a friends who has one of the mattresses like yours and see if I like it....brca35..wishing you great good luck and lots of healing....HighBeams,where did you find button up nightshirts? I have looked and can only find flannel...And what kind of ear plus did you all use? I have tried them in the past and they didn't really help much...Thanks to all of you who post!!!

Ho all!!! This is BRCA35, still using the same name! I'M HERE!!!!!!!!! It's raining, it's cool, their is a coastal flooding advisory, but I'm still going to the beach! Tomorrow is the full day of appointments and Wednesday is the surgery! Woo hoo!! 

Now how silly am I to not think to say what my name was..pandazankar was my previous name.. Goin' to Carolina has been playing in my head for a long long time and it was time for a change...I am ready for the good part of this journey ! I found the flannel nightshirts on Amazon and the Vermont Country Store and I will check Kohls.....Oh how cute!!..your names for your incisions....you had SGAP and I am too,so it really helps to hear about your experience....I talked to and saw so many doctors before I finally landed in the right place..the minute I talked to Dr.Kline,I just knew he was the right one for the job ..it was the same feeling I had when I met my breast surgeon who did my first mastectomy,I just felt safe with him operating on me...Can you tell me more about the bed? When I first talked to Dr.Kline he told me about it,he was so happy that it would make the hospital stay more comfortable .

BRCA35,yes,go to the beach!So excited and happy for you!Thanks Catie and HighBeams,I was going through a fear period,thinking I could not do this,but when I come here,the positive energy gets me back on track.