NOLA in September?
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Thanks for all your commets. I have not felt like I am being pulled forward until a few days ago., I was expecting this from the get go. Now when I get up I have to straighten up very slowly. I feel soooooo tight.
Is it too early to think about PT? I had my surgery Feb. 2.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.
Bettye
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Glad to hear I am not the only one who lost our white thingey..... It's gonna be on it's way out so I will just chaulk it up to a normal thing that happened to me. BTW, the fluid is starting to get stinky so I have a feeling I will be on a dose of antibotic starting soon
Betty~ I would ask about PT. I fixed it by myself and it took a long time all of my doctor's up here thought PT wasn't necessary. I am sure it would be necessary if it was their body.
My glue is coming off more and more everyday and I hear a ton of WOW's from my DH. To say that he is impressed with Dr. S's work is the understatement of the year. I hear a lot of it's just a line comments from him also. I just sit and smile and thank God that I found this thread of you ladies singing the praises of CRBS. I will continue now to sing my off key praises.
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Carolyn so good to hear that you still have your sense of humor through all of this. You truely are a warrior. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Homewood Suites is in a very good location. About 2 blocks from St Charles where you could jump on a trolley to the center and just a few blocks from Canal Street where you can find a ton of stores. The other side of Canal is the French Quarter. I agree with Spring that they provide fruit, snack bars and yogurt in the morning breakfast for snacks.
Looks like a busy week at NOLA. Holtbolt, HelloFromCt and Tammy wishing you smooth sailing through to the other side and speedy recoveries.
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Bettye! No way is it too early for PT! Esp if you're having pain that is more than likely muscular. They(PT) are going to ask you what surgery you had, what date, etc and do what's appropriate. Remember PT's work in the hospital setting too to help people fresh postop get up to snuff w/ daily activites. Their job is to get you back to functional and independent asap. They will help you even if little by little and SAFELY by pushing you or limiting you NOT to do more than you should be. They are also good at preventing or identifying issues w/ scarring causing pain, adhesions, fascial issues, and, etc, etc....all those things can cause pain and mobility issues for some people. IMHO it's not just a physical favor they do us because it does wear on the spirit NOT being able to do stuff or being in constant pain. It is depressing being stuck or in pain!....and REMEMBER pain inhibits your body's ability to heal. You can get a prescription for PT from your local MD or call the center. OR if you know of your local PT give them a call, if you don't know anyone get a referal from your local MD, friend, hospital or ?. They can fax the appropriate paperwork . You need what you need to recover and heal from this. But you may have to start the ball rolling- let them do the details/paperwork. Literally this is what they do. They will be able to tell you if you could benefit and it's pretty certain almost any of us could after such a big surgery. I called my PT girl way back when, didn't know her, got her name from I can't remember whom, but we chatted on the phone and I went in to buy a bra from her, she did a quick look and see and she wrote out the prescription and I had my local MD sign it. This was pre stage 1 for something else. So w/ both stage 1 and 2 I had planned on PT following because I thought it would be helpful and get me back up to snuff quicker. One of the nurses at St. Charles who had BLM and recon and was back to full duty nursing in 6 weeks told me she believed it helped her get back to speed faster too. That was my one of my biggest fears-not being able or being limited on what I'd be able to do at work.
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Warrior, I was anemic too the last time I was tested. Chemo, surgery, rads, surgery, surgery, it took a toll I think. I can't take iron b/c of my battle with constipation!!! ((ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhck!!)) I am hoping just leaving myself alone for a year will help everything! Red count and white count! I will report back. ha!
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Springtime, when I was pregnant and needed iron I took a tonic called Floradix. It helped my iron and did NOT cause any constipation issues. Maybe worth a try?
Leah
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Hey ladies, I've missed a day in checking out the post, so I'm a bit late responding to some of the insurance experiences some of you have had. I would like to say that my docs here in Charleston were awesome about dealing with insurance. Their staff is excellent and helped me with the one issue I had (which was the hospital, not them) on a prequalification for my stage 2. The hospital coded it wrong and Dr. Kline's office helped get it all straightened out. They even got my tatts covered, which I was told prior to stage 1 might not happened. So Sally, you might want to check out Drs. Kline and Craigie as an option. As I said before, both are NOLA-trained and they are both awesome docs. Dr. Kline is my favorite but I'm prejudiced because he is my primary and his intelligence and wit (and talent) blows me away. Each insurance is different. I have UHC. Each hospital is different as well, and coding is the key to coverage, as we all have learned.
My docs have a couple of websites and someone just told me of one today. It's called www.naturalbreastreconstruction.com if you want to look at some of their pics. They don't have as many posted as the NOLA guys (who have zillions) but they do give a sample of various challenges they have undertaken.
Springtime, I took slow-release iron and did not have constipation issues either. OTC at your local drug store.
Jaime, I'm so happy DH and you are in WOW of the wonderful work you've had done. My DH is really smiling now that the tatts are done and everything is looking so much more natural. Not that he wasn't happy before, at each stage of the game... but now it's gone from love/encouragement to yowza! And after all we've gone through with this BC junk? That kind of reaction is an ego boost for sure!
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Greetings
There is a special moment, I think. It may happen 5 weeks after surgery, but it could be 8 weeks, or 3 months. It could be after stage 1 or stage 2 (it is definitely after all drains are out). You may be making love, but you could be washing your hair or tying your shoe. And suddenly you realize that you feel like the old you, or perhaps the new you --instead of a post-surgery patient. And you know that it was ever so worth it. You may laugh, or you may cry. I think I did both.
I played catch with my 6 year old grandson today. I was a bit cautious, I told him, because I had new boobies. "They're not new boobies," he told me. "They're noobies."
I love my noobies.
Regards to all and best wishes to everyone up this week
Margit
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holtbolt, hellofromCT, and Tammy~ I am thinking of you ladies and I hope your travels are safe.
Margit~ I am looking forward to that moment, I think I am close.
Nordy~ Where are you ??? I noticed yesterday when I went to clean out my drain (the one that hasn't been a problem) it is stinky. I did a search on stinky and drains and I found out that you had the same problem. I am still putting out about 40-50 cc from that drain but if it is stinky does it have to come out ?? Of course it is the weekend and I feel horrible calling the center on the weekend with my hey I have a stinky drain question. Ready to lose these things but I only want to do that if I am safe to lose them. I sure hope stage 2 doesn't leave me with drains......
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Oh, MargitN, you just made me cry. Thank you.
HoltBolt, HellofromCT, and Tammy - I'm sending my prayers your way now!
XX
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Margit, thank you for telling us about "the moment". It is a light for those of us who haven't started out yet.
Jamieh, I think you should call the center - if it's an infection you have to deal with it immediately. Best of luck.
Leah
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Margit - Thank you! Can't wait until I'm at that point! That why we go thru this so we can get back to our old self as much as possible.
Thinking of those up on deck this week!
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Best wishes for swift recoveries to Holtbolt,Hello from CT and Tammy this week!
Gentle hugs from a NOLA sister,Marcia
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HoltBolt, HellofromCT, and Tammy.....I am sending positive energy your way!!
Tomorrow, I have a CT scan in the morning and they will compare my films with the ones from NOLA 2 months ago. I had a nodule show up on my lung then, so I hope it is just inflammation. Then on Tuesday, I have an appointment for my year follow up appt with my breast surgeon who did my mastectomy last year and I am thinking about canceling it and saving my $30 co-pay fee. I don't see any need to see him since everything has changed since his surgery when I went to NOLA for the flap surgery. And I will be back in NOLA in 2 weeks for my second stage. I will have Dr S remove my port then since my last Herceptin treatment will be next week. Also, I had a mammogram on my healthy breast a couple of weeks ago and I found out my results from that when I talked to the NP. (which were good results). So, I just don't see the need to see him, what do you girls think?
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CCbaby...your last herceptin..woo hoo!! On my last herceptin, I released a dozen pink balloons into the sky. each balloon represented the month of treatement!! Congrats to you !!! I don't blame you for wanting to skip the appt. You do have drs keepin an eye on you, even if its via the camera lol
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ccbaby, do you have follow ups with a med onc? If you do, the IMHO you dno't need to see the BS.
Leah
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Christy~ I hope your spot is gone on your lungs. I would cancel the appt. if it was me. WHOOO for your last herceptin. Glad your results from your mammogram were good. WOW 2 weeks until your stage 2. I am so excited for you.
Stinky drain issue taken care of. Leah I took your advice and called and talked to what sounded like Dr. S (there was a phone issue) and I am on Augmentin now. When I was loosing my implants they would put me on something and then wait for the culture to come back and if nothing came back they would call and tell me to stop taking the antibotics. Needless to say my culture never grew anything and I have a cabinet of antibiotics.
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He said it was better safe than sorry.
2tzus~ I do not think that we are supposed to tip the drivers. The center tips them (I believe but please correct me if I am wrong).
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Thanks to everybody that responed to my questions. I finally called the center today and talked to Dr. Trahan. I had fever 101.4, bad headache and from my waist down I was in misery. I also have a red place at my drain site that is spreading toward the pubic area. He is calling in two new antibotics in the morning. He was concerned about a blood clot, but I am not short of breath and my legs are not swollen. I took advil and feel much better.
I can't image what is going on,. I have had very little pain until today.
Bettye
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Bettye - Feel better soon!! Glad you called the Center!
2T - I always tipped the drivers - but learned it is not necessary. One of the last days I was in NOLA one of the drivers told us that the Center spends over $1 million a year with the limo company - and a 20% tip is included on every 'job' - so there is a tip built in. There were a few times where the driver did stop at the grocery store or the pharmacy for us - and was happy to tip them for their extra service!
To everyone on deck - SOOOOOOO HAPPY FOR YOU!! Whoop-Whoop - you are alsmost there!! Best of luck - and here's to awesome results!!
LouAnn
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Bettye, I'm glad you called sounds like more than back pain and good for Trahan being cautious. Hopefully the antibiotics will clear up that redness.
CCbaby- congrats on the clean mamo and final herceptin! You do already have enough MDs and appts. You can always call him when you get back if you have to follow w/ him or need something.
Tzus. Katie from the center told me not to tip that the center does that when I asked.
appts! Yikes I see my med onc in the am. Saw her last 6 mos ago pre stage 1 to see if I needed a petscan-she vetoed. Also see the gyno friday to check the ovaries and recheck to see if there are cysts....that was another pre-stage 1 consideration......can't believe 6 MOS!
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Hello from NOLA.... easy trip in yesterday (2 short flights)... then we spent the day checking out the french quarter... stopped in cafe du monde for a beignet... walked along the river, hooked up with Suzanne (HellofromCT) and daughter Torie... (great company and great surgery buddy if you have to have one!
)......ate dinner with them at Margueritaville... even stopped in Harrah's and won a few bucks...saw a few meandering crazies talking to themselves (hey, that's all part of it right?) lol. Riding the streetcars.. very cool... up and down St. Charles to the Hope Lodge... love the scenery, beautiful houses.. beads hanging from the trees.... anyway... all good so far but today is pre-op day so the mini vacation feeling is starting to feel over and I'm getting a little nervous... but hopeful, very hopeful.... and eager to move forward...I guess it's marker day for me and Suzanne... TrainerTam... safe travels... hope you are in tip top shape for Thursday!More later... New Orleans is a very cool place to see.. I have never been here... even though DH's brother lives here... (we are going to try and see him tonight)..... and hope to go back to the french quarter to do some shopping after appointments today....
It will take me a while to catch up reading.. you miss a day in here and it's like reading War and Peace when you come back.... but good thoughts to everyone and thank you so much for the good vibes, prayers and well wishes!!
P.S. and oh dang we tipped the driver $20 just to bring us to Hope Lodge.. we definitely were not sure what to do there, it seemed weird NOT tipping...? guess now I know. Jen at the Hope Lodge is FANTASTIC.
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Holt, Glad you are there!!!
LA - I did not know a 20% tip was built in!! We always tipped! Oh well, spread it around I always say.
Margit, - I remember that moment! I think it came in little bits, little moments, as I get better and better. Mine seem to focus around activity, my "marker". Yoga, walking. It is a sweet sweet thing!
BettyE - keep us posted on what is going on. My goodness!!!! Something seems amiss. Thinking of you!
HoltBolt and Hello are up tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!! We'll be thinking of you girls. Check in here when you can, we'll all be sitting on the edge of our seats.....
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Just wanted to say I already love the level of service I've gotten from NOLA- I have 2 jobs so I've had to have them fill out quite a bit of leave paperwork and I sent the most recent ones @ 2 on Fri and when I left @ 5 i checked the fax and the response was there and filled out already! Then she called me this morning to make sure I received it. I just thought that was so nice.
Good luck to those up this week!
Jaimieh- let us know how you're doing, I'm think NO infection!
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I am doing great Melinda thanks for asking
I just started the antibiotic last night just to make sure that if it is an infection I have already started combating it. The service that you get from the center is honestly above and beyond. They called this morning to make sure that I am okay and they are overnighting me some new drain bulbs.0 -
2tzus - I had been wondering about tipping also - so glad you asked.
Jaimieh - thinking NO infection for you!
Hotbolt - I remember the beads hanging from trees along St Charles when I was there in Cctober, I bet it's tripled with super bowl and Mardi Gra now! Big day tomorrow!
Bettye - glad your doing better! Hang in there!
CCbaby - WOO HOO! Last treatment! I agree with everyone, don't see any reason to go back to your surgeon at this point! My surgeon released me after 6 months but did say he'd like to see the results from the SGAP.
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I HAVE MY DATE!!!! Add me to the list.
April 14th-Stacked DIEP St Charles Surgical Dellacroe
So ecstatic. I think I'm going to book Homewood Suites, but would love some feedback. I thought about Hope Lodge, but I am such a baby. I have to be able to eat in my room. I might stay there for the first couple of days before surgery. I should fly in April 12th, pre-op April 13th and surgery April 14th. Leave home April 22nd.
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Thanks girls....I did cancel my appt with the surgeon for tomorrow. And yes, I will see my onc next week before my herceptin treatment.
Warrior...that is a great idea about releasing the balloons after my last treatment!
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mileha, congratulations on getting your date! Best of luck with your surgery.
Leah
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Thanks Leah. I'm ecstatic.
Has anyone had children accompany them? I would like my 5 year old to be there for part of it, with my hubbie (of course). Is there enough space for her to sleep at the hosptial? Or is this a totally stupid idea?
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