Charleston Bound, part 2

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  • LAstar
    LAstar Member Posts: 1,574
    edited February 2015

    You are a juicy lady, Tamiami! I'm sorry to hear about the catheter. That sounds uncomfortable. Hopefully it will come out soon. I'm hoping this is my last day with a drain. My husband has pulled almost all of my drains at home. He apparently blocked out the times he did it in 2012, because he could not believe how much tubing was in my belly!

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  • lbrewer
    lbrewer Member Posts: 766
    edited February 2015

    pulling the drain yourself is really an easy thing. I pulled one of mine by accident and my husband pulled the other. It sounds a WHOLE LOT worse than it is

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited February 2015

    Juicy! Hahahaha...I love that!!! You ladies and husbands that can pull drains are amazing...I get stressed even with the Dr. or PA doing it! I'm actually going to see my daughter in St. Louis to have her pull mine. She's an RN and she knows my anxiety level about drains...she'll supply wine with her service!

    Smile

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  • LAstar
    LAstar Member Posts: 1,574
    edited February 2015

    A drain-pulling wine pairing sounds perfect! A cold flute of cava has been sounding so nice! Truly time to celebrate and wear something sleek.

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  • lbrewer
    lbrewer Member Posts: 766
    edited February 2015

    and a perfect reason to go visit family

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  • PinkHeart
    PinkHeart Member Posts: 1,193
    edited February 2015
    Hi all,


    💗.... I'm four weeks out from my Stage 7 Bilat SGAP and doing good. Took pain meds once a day the first 10 days. Still a little sore from lipo but Bruising color almost gone. .... I just got back from driving 9 hours to Ft. Myers to visit my mom. Wearing yoga pants and mem foam seat cushion helped.


    💗... My bulge and hard spot on rads side under armpit still there. Not sure why Dr Kline did not work on hard spot/scar tissue? (that hard spot makes wearing bra uncomfortable). The bulge area he said is radiation edema still in my tissue. Sucks since it has been 3.5 years since rads. I still have chronic intermittent pain in my armpit and arm but I think it is from the evil cording and not LE returning. ... (I had LNT-lymph node transfer surgery by Dr K too) He wrote new order and I started back with my PT/CLT (Rachel) at East Cooper last week. ..


    💗.... At last appointment w/ Dr K, found a lump. It was at top of cancer side flap against chest wall. Dr. Baron came in and looked at it. Said prob fat necrosis but they did ultrasound there in office to be sure. Turned out to be fat necrosis good thing. They measured it and I go back in June to have it checked again ...


    💗 ... Dr. Kline set me up to have Renee do my 3D tats at MUSC in Charleston. She is here all next week but I have to wait till next time to be further out from last surgery. ...


    💗... All the best to you all going through BC recon surgery and crossing finish line with tats! 💗

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  • lbrewer
    lbrewer Member Posts: 766
    edited March 2015

    the cult says it's not lymphdema. Not sure if that's good news or bad. She says it's scar tissue and muscle problems. Scar tissue may be pressing on a nerve. I scheduled therapy 2 times a week for a month. Forgot to,tell her about my 2 herniated discs. Probably something I should have remembered! Wonder if dr k could do something about scar tissue when he does a lymph node transfers.


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  • PinkHeart
    PinkHeart Member Posts: 1,193
    edited March 2015
    Lbrewer,

    Dr Kline has done major repair work on my profound scar tissue during my surgeries and brought me a long way with reducing pain and improving mobility. ... Still, he could not repair everything. I emailed with him again this week about one last chunk still there and he said it is "fried" from radiation and he can do no more and that I still have radiation edema in my tissue. He feels it will resolve in a few years.
    ... I hope you get relief from going to PT. If you are in CHS again would like to get together again.
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  • DontdoALND
    DontdoALND Member Posts: 20
    edited March 2015

    Hello. I hope everyone is doing well.

    Does anyone know who is the best surgeon for VLNT? My problem is mainly a burning pain with heaviness and fullness under my arm and left chest. I have some edema in my chest and arm but it's the pain that's the main problem. My chest also burns from failed implants. The burning pain is excruciating and has caused me to retire early. I just want to get my life back and I want to make sure it get the best surgeon possible.

    I can't afford to make any more mistakes. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

    Healing Hugs to everyone!


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  • PinkHeart
    PinkHeart Member Posts: 1,193
    edited March 2015
    Dontdoalnd,

    Your complications and issues are almost identical to mine. I started at Mayo-MN (nightmare #1), then Johns Hopkins (nightmare #2), and then .... finally and thankfully to Charleston to Dr. Richard Kline, Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction. ......

    He did my VLNT after my Bilateral SGAP to reconstruct me after prior failed implants. Dr Kline did MAJOR repairs working hours in OR to remove scar tissue/radiation rot, old alloderm adhered to chest wall, improved evil axillary cording, etc. For me, his work greatly reduced my pain in my chest wall and improved my mobility.

    .... I def feel your pain. Please PM me for more info. Warm wishes to you and good luck with your research to find help for a better quality of life you so deserve after battling BC crap!
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  • ketch
    ketch Member Posts: 157
    edited April 2015

    I thought I'd share this information, as assistance has been discussed here for post surgery.


    If you are coming into the Charleston area and need help:

    http://www.mindthemanor.com/ is a concierge service. This business is owned by a friend that lives in Mt. Pleasant. She's good and honest & is available to help you out with what you might need while you are in the area for surgery. I think she an RN as well or was when her kids were younger. She might be able to "fill the gap" post surgery.

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  • PinkHeart
    PinkHeart Member Posts: 1,193
    edited May 2015
    Though I plan to get 3D nipple tattoos by Renee Maschinot when she comes to Charleston this summer, here is a great article on Vinnie Myers, 3D nipple artist, who trained Renee years ago: ...

    http://m.fastcompany.com/3043937/most-creative-people-2015/vinnie-myers
    .
    .........
    I can't wait to get rid of these Barbie Boobs!!!

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  • lbrewer
    lbrewer Member Posts: 766
    edited May 2015

    Hope all is well Pink!

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  • HighBeams-14
    HighBeams-14 Member Posts: 53
    edited June 2015

    For those ladies who have had a fat grafting procedure---what does it involve, and how long is the expected recuperation?

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited June 2015

    HighBeams~

    I just talked to Chris yesterday to book my fat grafting procedure. She says that Dr. K will see you the day before to discuss and examine, surgery is 4 hours because of all of the turning and repositioning (keeping everything sterile), you are overnight in the hospital and released the next day. No post-op appointment is necessary. She said for the first couple of days you are uncomfortable and feel like you got hit by a truck, but quickly improve. 2-4 weeks recovery, but by 2 weeks you are feeling pretty good. There can be a lot of residual bruising that lasts awhile. She said I would be put in a compression garment during surgery and that they suggest wearing as much as possible for 2 weeks to help with swelling, but that the swelling will eventually go away with or without compression.

    I'd also like to hear what the experienced ladies have to say about it! Mine is scheduled for 8/25!

    Tami

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  • PinkHeart
    PinkHeart Member Posts: 1,193
    edited June 2015
    Tamiami & Highbeams,

    Chris tells it pretty much right on. For me it was more painful from flanks n thighs than my belly. Also my pain lingered longest from knee donor site.

    My last FG surgery in February I woke up with the long compression garment (below breasts to below knees). I only wore it 3 days. Then wore spanx briefs.

    If you would like to meet up or need any help let me know. I live in Mt Pleasant. Good Luck ladies. You have great docs and staff taking care of you. 😊
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  • HighBeams-14
    HighBeams-14 Member Posts: 53
    edited June 2015

    One more question regarding fat grafting: When can you drive following surgery? Make that two: Was there much scarring at the donor site? (and there are no surgical drains, correct?)

    I am currently, scheduled for July 30. (Guess I'd better find my Nike compression shorts again, huh?)

    Thanks for the feedback, Tamiami and Pink!!!!

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited June 2015

    Thanks PinkHeart!

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  • PinkHeart
    PinkHeart Member Posts: 1,193
    edited June 2015
    HB,

    The donor site scars are tiny and fade almost completely. My belly was lumpy for about three months but then smoothed out nicely after FG. Also, I couldn't cross my legs for a couple weeks when he did thighs and knees. When he did flanks the pain was there for about a month. I was solid pitch black with massive bruising.

    I'm not a good one to ask about driving after surgery. I probably do it sooner than Dr. K would advise. That and kayaking. LOL
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  • PinkHeart
    PinkHeart Member Posts: 1,193
    edited June 2015
    HB,

    Where do you plan to have tattoos done?
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  • HighBeams-14
    HighBeams-14 Member Posts: 53
    edited June 2015

    Pink, I'm still trying to decide. Probably won't be until around Christmas now, with one more fat grafting. Boy, would I like Santa to bring me some tats-ha! I've heard good things about Renee, but haven't contacted her. I read great things about Vinnie. It's probably a matter of which is more convenient for me----which would probably be Renee. If I can't connect with her in SC or GA, then Florida wouldn't be a very far drive for me. I've read sometimes, she's in JAX. What are your plans?

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  • PinkHeart
    PinkHeart Member Posts: 1,193
    edited June 2015
    HB,

    I am going to have Renee do tats in August when she comes to CHS. Dr Kline is considering her coming to their office. Meanwhile I am getting an appt with Renee at Dr Schimpf's office, another plastic surgeon in CHS. Her fee varies a little on locations but I was told at this office it would be $450 bilateral.

    Renee goes to JAX more frequently than CHS.

    She is very easy and fun to talk to and is also passionate about her work with BC patients.
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  • HighBeams-14
    HighBeams-14 Member Posts: 53
    edited June 2015

    Pink: Thanks for the tat information and endorsement. I am so excited for you to be SO close to the finish line after such a long journey. Your persistence and patience is paying off!!! Please let us know about the results. August will be here SOON!


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  • lbrewer
    lbrewer Member Posts: 766
    edited June 2015

    first real exercise day of my 12 week Livestrong class at the Y. Hope I survive!

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  • PinkHeart
    PinkHeart Member Posts: 1,193
    edited July 2015
    Go girl lbrewer! If you survived all this BC crap, you can survive exercise torture. 😊🇺🇸
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  • jacee
    jacee Member Posts: 1,384
    edited July 2015

    I loved the Livestrong at the Y program!!

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  • lbrewer
    lbrewer Member Posts: 766
    edited July 2015

    well we did the leg strength test today. You sit on some machine and push back with your legs. NOTHING moved! :(

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  • PinkHeart
    PinkHeart Member Posts: 1,193
    edited July 2015
    Celebrating today being four years cancer free after having double mastectomy, alnd, and immediate recon (gone bad).

    Stilllll have not crossed the recon finish line yet as I still don't have def date yet for tats.
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  • jacee
    jacee Member Posts: 1,384
    edited July 2015

    pinkheart....congrats on this great milestone!! The hard part is over!


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  • lbrewer
    lbrewer Member Posts: 766
    edited July 2015

    Great news pink!

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