NOLA in September?
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Wishing all the ladies scheduled for this upcoming week- much peace and success!!!
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Good luck to all of the ladies this week! You all will do great!
Camiam...I had nausea after stage 1 ONLY because I could hear the nurses talking about what they ate for lunch during my recovery. I asked for something and they gave me a med for it and it went away immediately. So at stage 2, I told them about it and they put a patch behind my ear. I didn't have any problems, but then, the nurses weren't talking about their lunch in recovery this time, lol So, just let them know beforehand and they will take care of you.
Holtbolt..I still have my ovaries, but have not had a period for a year now since after my first chemo. I have had hot flashes ever since. I can't remember after stage 1 an increase, but I noticed after my stage 2 that my hot flashes have increased quite a bit, especially the night sweats. I thought it was just my hormones acting up more from all of the surgeries and treatments from the past year?
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Anyone who gets the anti-nausea patch just know that it can blur your vision but it worked great for me. I also stressed to them that coming out of surgery I like to throw up and they took VERY good care of me. The hospitals around here like to wait until they see it and by then with me it is too late.
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Nausea - I have vomited after every surgery where I was NOT given anti-nausea meds prior to recovery. I always make a big deal about this, since I'm so consistent. And for those anesthesiologist who pay attention and do their job (those at NOLA are very good listeners), I wake up feeling just fine. There are a few meds they can use, or combine, to ensure you wake up without nausea. Make this a priority to discuss with anesthesia in your interview, as well as to remind them prior to your surgery. Personally, I cannot tolerate the behind-the-ear patch (scopolamine). For some, it's great, so it could be worth a try if offered.
Stage 2 Post Op - this is an option, but not a requirement. If you want a post-op, you have to request it and schedule it. If you don't request it, they assume you don't want it, since they do not consider it necessary. I don't know what their policy is if there are more reconstructive things done at Stage 2 .
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2T - So glad to hear you are feeling better, and are in the comfort of the Homewood!!! Little by little, you will begin to straighten up.....just give it time!! As for the food at Fairway....yep, it sucks! I don't think I ate anything that they brought to me during my stay there! For those of you that will be staying at Fairway, you may want to consider bringing a 'stash' with you. I had protein bars, protein drinks, as well as nuts, crackers and other munchies with me. Had I not had my 'stash' with me, I'm sure I would have lost a few pounds! The food really is horid! You may want to consider binging the little cups of yogurt, applesauce, or pudding for the first day or two after your surgery!!
It's Monday!! Good luck to all of you this week!!
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KC that's what I thought about the stage 2 pre-op. I did not request one, but they scheduled me for one a week after surgery. I wasn't planning on being there that long. I'll have to call them to straighten that out--must have been a mistake.
2T, glad to hear you're out of the hospital and feeling better!
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Suzanne~ It sounds like someone messed up the scheduling. I would call
In + news from me I think my backside seromas are finally almost gone....whoo.. I have been out of the compression garment for a while and they keep going down. I have been using the maderma now for a couple of days and I hope it helps some. I need to take pictures tonight and then take them weekly to see if there is a difference. The girls feel awesome but my back is taking a bit to get used to them. I have been really busy since getting the go ahead from the center just trying to get things organized before I go back down for stage 2. I have graduated to sleeping on my side which feels so much better to me. I guess I better enjoy it now because soon I will be back to sleeping only on my back again.
Stage 2 girls who had a mini tummy tuck how long is the lifting restrictions ?? and the recovery ??
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Thanks for all the responses re: nausea post-op. The responses make me feel much better, and I will (as always) make it a big point in my pre-op consult with the anesthesiologist. My husband can't believe I'm more worried about that than I am the pain, but I am!
Any more experiences with nausea (or no nausea), please share. CCBaby- had to chuckle at the nurses discussing lunch & making you feel sick. I can see how it would! haha.
Holtbolt- They haven't said yet when I'll get the biopsy results, hopefully Dr. Lagarde will answer that question Thursday when I meet with her. I would hope I'd get the biopsy results before I leave town.
2T- Glad you made it out, and it really is amazing how just getting to your hotel and settled is exhausting. I remember the day I was discharged with my prior stage 1, I thought I was going to die before we could get to our hotel, and it was only a 25-min drive. I was exhausted and fell (gently!) into a recliner when we walked in the room, and didn't move all evening. I hope the rest of your recovery goes smoothly. Thanks for your "long-winded" post; it really helps those of us up next to know more of what to expect.
So the food at Fairway is THAT bad? Like worse than other hospital food? I've always been okay with other hospital food- it's not the best, but I'm usually happy to eat it b/c I'm starving. Is Fairway so bad that it's worse than the usual?
& 2T- I sure hope that Dr. S will be willing to do the GAP on me. I called today to find out what I'm officially down for, and Liz said it's the DIEP, but that it's not set in stone and if I want the GAP, he'll do what he can to get it done for me. I guess I'll know by Thursday.
I hope everyone's surgeries go well this week. Good luck to all who are up next, and I guess to me, also!
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Camaim, I added you above as follows:
Mar 26 - Camiam - tage 1 unilateral mx with immediate GAP (hopefully...he said maybe DIEP instead), Dr. S, NOLA. Fairway Hospital.
I am sure Dr. S will give you the pros and cons of each...
Stephanie, I missed your post last time. We TOLD YOU Dr. D would fix the dent! I am glad you are happy and up and walking and enjoying. Sounds like a piece of cake for sure!
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Hi. Haven't been here for quite a while. My next surgery in April 16th and I hope this is the final one. The last time I was in NOLA it was for a stage 2 but turned out to be a mini stage1. So now I will be going for my stage 2. Anyway, I only read one page here and there are a couple of things I wanted to comment on. Fairway is FANTASTIC. They take great care of you. I found the food really bad at times but sometimes it was edible. There is a diverse menu at the nurses station for a place that will deliver to your room. I think you may have to order a minimum of $20 though. Good luck to everyone with their upcoming surgeries!
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CAMIAM - Regarding the food at Fairway.......it really is that bad!! I am not a picky eater at all, but found I could not eat the food. 2T has confirmed this....honestly I did not want to say much because I thought maybe it was just me. I vaguely remember breakfast being brought in 2 days after my surgery - I took one look at the "eggs" and pushed the plate away! It's pretty difficult to mess up scrambled eggs.....but they did!0
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Hi. Haven't been here for quite a while. My next surgery in April 16th and I hope this is the final one. The last time I was in NOLA it was for a stage 2 but turned out to be a mini stage1. So now I will be going for my stage 2. Anyway, I only read one page here and there are a couple of things I wanted to comment on. Fairway is FANTASTIC. They take great care of you. I found the food really bad at times but sometimes it was edible. There is a diverse menu at the nurses station for a place that will deliver to your room. I think you may have to order a minimum of $20 though. Good luck to everyone with their upcoming surgeries! Oh, also I wanted to say that I never asked for a post op but they just gave me one. I will be discharged from the hospital on Sat. and my post op is on Monday.
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2t...Good for you! Sounds like you are doing great!!
Camiam....I don't know about the food at Fairway, I hope it isn't as bad as they say for you. I had my surgery at St Charles and I must say the food is excellent there. My husband wanted me to stay longer because of the great food, lol No wonder the nurses like talking about their lunch! Also, Dr S will look at you and tell you what he thinks is best for you, but don't hesitate to tell him what you would like. He is open to all questions and opinions. Another thing about nausea that I have read on these boards is to not drink too much water right after surgery, it comes right back up. Just chew on the ice chips or just take small sips of water.
Jamie....I am so glad your seromas have finally went down. That must have been miserable!
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2tzua, lol. My eggs did the same thing when I was there. I forgot all about that.
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Whoa! That sounds like it is truly BAD food.
I'm usually able to eat most anything, but it sounds like this may be beyond edible. Thanks for the heads up so I can think of little things to bring in with me. I'm glad the food at St Charles is that good, though- I'd love that! Thanks for the advice on talking with Dr. S. We shall see what he thinks when he sees me, and if he thinks GAP would be fine.
I'm glad to hear Jamie that your seromas are finally resolving. I read all about that as I was reading up on this thread last week. Love to all!
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Thanks so much for the heads up on the food at Fairway. I have plenty of applesauce left over from chemo. Do they have a microwave we can get to? Heck, I have eaten cold canned soup before. Wonder if I can sneak some fruit in...
As much as I long for surgery at St. Charles, I am not going to complain. I am so grateful my insurance is covering this, I will gladly suffer the food at Fairway, especially the way everyone raves about the care they receive. I will take a good nurse over good food anytime.
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They will warm up anything that you want.
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Ladies with Blue Cross - did you end up at Fairway or St. Charles?
Thanks! I want to start my secret food stash now if I'll be at Fairway!!
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I had BCBS and I was at St. Charles. I believe it all depends on your individual plan.
Christy~ How is you healing going ??
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I am doing good Jamie, thanks for asking. Everything is looking good. I am going back to work tomorrow, it may be a little soon because it will be 2 weeks on Wednesday since my surgery. But I think I can handle it and I need the money, lol I can ditch the 'dom' on Wednesday too! I can't wait for that. I had to wear a longer one than last time because he did lipo all the way down to my knees.
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SPANX ADDS NEW ITEMS!
Just thought my NOLA sisters might want in on this~
Hugs,Marcia
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Well hell. My sister's breast MRI came back with a nodule showing that wasn't there last year. She is getting in to see my mom's breast surgeon and has to have a diagnostic US and mammo. I told her to have Dr. Evans, the bs, stick a needle in it right away.
Think good thoughts for her if you can! Thank you.
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Oh Tricia - thoughts and prayers for you sister. And lots of positive vibes.
2t - they moved up my preop w/Dr. S to 11:30, and with Sally to 11:00. SO, I may still get to see you! You have my # and I have yours, we will meet up somehow.
Cam - Hoping that all goes well w/your biopsy. I look forward to meeting you Thurs!
Okay, I am off for a while - we head out tomorrow AM and I am at my in-laws' right now for my kids. I can probably read, but my hubby's i-phone for some reason does not work to post on here. Good luck to all this week, if I don't see you prior to surgery!
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Have to chime in on a few things....I have California BCBS, they made me go to Oschner(in network), many of you know about the horrible treatment I received there. Because of that, Dr. D vowed NONE of his patients will go there again. So, if you have Dr. D, I'd bet you will be at St. Charles, thank goodness!!! Dr. S has rights at Fairway.
As far as throwing up goes, I didn't throw up until I got out of bed and SAT UP for the first time. When I told the "nurse from Hell" (at Oschner) I was about to throw up she said "No, you're not" and walked away! I said again "I'm giving you fair warning, I am throwing up, now!" She slapped a container on the table next to me, and walked OUT of the room! I did indeed throw up and it was all the yucky black stuff from surgery. I actually felt better afterwards! BTW...After I filed my 5 page complaint with Oschner, I did hear from them, they said they were, "sorry, and mortified, and would be investigating this over the next few weeks." I'm not paying them a penny till I get satisfaction that the nurse I had for 2 days is dealt with.
Finally,I'd be happy to help some of you with your page for the book, just PLEASE don't wait till the last minute before I leave to go to NOLA. I have to go back to full time job in April so my time will be limited. PM me if you want additional ideas or instructions for the pages.
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Trisha, was you sister's name Mandy? I can't remember exactly, but I met her that day in the waiting area of St. Charles! Remember! That's when you pulled out your fake nipples! They were so real!! LOL! Yes, that was a good day! I am so sorry about this, but perhaps it is nothing. Let's keep thinking good thoughts. What I always tell my friends is, it is mostly likely nothing. Cysts and things are so common. Keep the hope for now!
Thanks Marcia! for the Spanx link!
I know some of you have had issues with insurance. so GET THIS. We have Cigna, which is IN NETWORK for NOLA. We recently got a letter from some company that was doing reviews of something for Cigna, and they said my phase 2 was not covered b/c it was considered "experimental". We have paperwork from NOLA that shows we owed no $$ for the surgery (We had already met our out of pocket max) -- but it is just so nutzo!!!
DH will be calling them this week, in NOLA, to see if they want us to do anything, or if they will just deal with it. I just can't STAND all this crapola!!!!! So even when you're done with surgery, it's not over!!! LOL!!!
Just for the record. The food at St Charles Surgical is the BEST hospital food ever! What Christy said!!!
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Path reports - I had surgery on Tuesday, told the report would be in by Monday,post-op day, and got a call from LeGarde on Friday afternoon. She said sometimes they do come in early, and I was so glad mine came in early so I could relax for the weekend. Which day of the week is your surgery?
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Hi Ladies.....just another comment on the food at St. Charles - I think it is awesome that not only do you get great food, but they also feed whoever is staying with you! Good thoughts and prayers on all those coming up this week..
Ginnie
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Thanks Nordy, I am, too! Best wishes to you this week!
kcshreve- oh, I hope so! Surgery is on this Friday, post-op on the next Friday.
TrainerTam- HORRIBLE nurse! I think that the hospital you were at is the same hospital I was at for my original SGap in 2001. It was Memorial Medical (Baptist) at that time. I also had a horrible, cruel nurse during my stay in the ICU. I wonder if it could be the same one, even! During the night when she came in for her hourly doppler checks, she would walk in & flip on the overhead fluorescent lights- it always made me jump awake and killed my eyes & aching head. I told her the nurse before her had come in quietly and flipped on a small lamp that was next to me, and not the overheads. She just replied that she couldn't see to do the doppler without the overhead lights. Hmm, no one else had a problem with it. She would be rough --very rough-- when she stripped my drains. I would be near tears! NO other nurse was rough with them. And when she checked or emptied my catheter bag, instead of gently hanging it back up, she'd just let it fall down. OUCH. I told my husband when he came in to see me (visits were extremely limited while in ICU), and he pulled her out of the room and told her to stop doing all that and be more gentle. She was more gentle after that, but still not great, and her attitude was almost begrudging from then on. It was a HUGE relief when the shift changed and I got a new nurse who somehow didn't do all those things! So I relate to your experience and have to wonder if she could be the same nurse even. I'm glad you've gotten an investigation going.
Tricia, I hope it all turns out to be NOTHING.
Cat & Sally, good luck tomorrow!
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Cat and Sally - only a few more hours! Good luck to ya!
Wow, I just got one of those cute little computer things so I can keep in contact from New Orleans and write and whatever else this thing does! So cool!
Spring - Ok, some more things to add up above - I cannot believe how busy Dr D will be on th 29th! And it will be up to Sandy and I to keep him on schedule or everyone will be mad at me! Just keep in mind that sometimes he gets started late, so it may not be out fault! Adding all the appt times is a great idea! If we can all format it th same, then Spring can just cut and paste. So:
March 29 - Cat 1 - post-op Dr. D - 9:15 - NOLA
March 29 - BC Diva - post-op Dr, D - 10:30 - NOLA
March 29 - Nordy - post-op Dr. D/S - 1:15 - NOLA
April 6 - Minnesota - post-op Dr. D, - 3:00 - NOLA
Sandy - Thanks so much for your 10 reasons not to worry! It helps! Today was hard because I had to explain to my 2 different writers groups why I wouldn't be at our next meetings. I hate having to explain this. It stresses me out, I feel like I have to justify, I worry thy'll think I'm nuts, plus I have to go over all the bad reasons. But everyone always says they think I'm doing the right thing.
2t - So sorry you had to go thru all that. But so glad you're ok now! this just shows why it's so important that we have such great docs!
tammy - could you leave some empty sleeves in the album, so we could bring new pages and put them in the album ouselves? In case we can't make he deadline?
Mack6 - I'm so relieved to hear how well they fixed your divets! And for my own selfish reasons, too!
Holtbolt - here's hoping your biopsy is benign!
Trishia - so sorry about your sister, She's in our thoughts and prayers.
I hope I can make that lunch! I have those hospital tests after seeing Dr. D and then see Stolier at Omega at 1:30. Hey ladies - we'll have a whole line of limos waiting for us!
Wow i didn't make as many typos on these little keys as I thought I would!
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Minnesota - Oh! I'm not having a biopsy... there's nothing left to biopsy on me (thankfully really).. I think you got me mixed up with someone else...
Trishia - Ugh.. I'm so sorry your sister has to go through this... I hope it's nothing....
These stories about horrible nurses freak me out.... unacceptable... you are at your most fragile and vulnerable and to have someone treat you like that.. it's just terrible.. I'm sorry any of you had to endure that... even in my drug haze a couple of the nurses "stood out" in NOLA and I am going to see if I can request them again... I think a good nurse who is compassionate and knows her stuff is iinvaluable. Shout out to Karen and Erin who are the two I remember being there for me at St. Charles... I'm not saying the others weren't good.. I just remember them as being really good... I am missing big chunks of memory from the whole experience which is weird for me... is anyone else?
Re: Insurance. I am nervous to see the Explanation of Benefits come through on this surgery... nervous... and with Lanita gone... the one who helped me through the insurance process... I'm extra nervous. I hope there are no bumps there but I guess I'll push that to the back of my mind for now....
Happy Belated Bday Cat.. and good luck today.... also good luck Sally, Nordy, Diva and Cam...
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