NOLA in September?
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Anne, CONGRATULATIONS
How awesome, don't you just love Dr sullivan!! He does amazing work and is such a personable gentleman! Have an icee for me, it's sure sounding good right now 0 -
Alright, Spring. My date is March 2 at Alta View Hospital in Sandy, UT. Stage 2B. That Marga sure gets around, and I am thrilled to be able to get this done so close to home, even though we'll fly rather than drive. (Who wants to spend 10 hours in a car after surgery??)
Anne
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Anybody in NOLA now?? I got this PM! If anybody is up and around, look for her!
From AnneNRight side mastectomy with immediate DIEP reconstruction, surgery date 12/15/2010 (yes, yesterday). Surgeons were Dr. Sullivan and Dr. Stolier, and maybe Dr. Trahan (not sure).
Surgery went well and I'll be at NOLA a few more days. If anybody else is here and up and walking, please look me up! (I don't know my room number because I haven't been out of it yet.)
Thanks,
AnneN
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AnneN - Wow! You're there! I'm so glad everything worked out for you and you got in so fast! Congratulations!!!!!!! If you see Dr. D., tell him you're another patient from St. Cloud and live just a couple blocks from me! And if you have Nicole for one of your night nurses, say hi to her too! And Yvette - I scared her at Halloween by dressing in a witch costume in the hospital! I'm so happy you're there, Anne! If you miss home, have one of those icees!
Nordy - Your daughters are a hoot! Just focus on them and try not to worry. Yeah, right...
Sallym - Hey, we fly to Ithaca tomorrow via Elmira! Seeing our son graduate on Saturday. Then we whisk back out again on Sunday. Is it as cold there as here?!
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I appreciate all of the information I have received on this thread. I just learned yesterday that insurance has approved bilateral SGAP flaps and I'm scheduled for surgery with Drs. Massey and Sullivan in NOLA on January 25th. I noticed your post AnneW about surgery in the spring. I will be doing my post-op visit with Dr. Massey that week and will have my stage II at Alta View hopefully on her next visit to Utah. I love to hike and snow shoe with my 16 month-old golden retriever. She is awesome and really well-behaved, but I'm a little worried about how I'm going to handle her when I get home. How soon after your stage I were you hiking again? Do you have a dog? I have lots of help, but I'll miss being able to take her out by myself. I've always wanted to hike to Machu Pichu. That sounds like an amazing anniversary plan.
Thanks,
Traci
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Anne,
I am in room 201 now. I am going to venture out of this hospital room and see if I can find Anne and Robin.
Laurie
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Just finished my pre-op and then stopped in to see Anne at the hospital......She looks FANTASTIC! Her color is great and she already had been up in the chair for a bit. Even her hair looks good! I just couldn't get over the rosy cheeks. You look great Anne!
I couldn't remember anyone elses room numbers and the very nice nurses really didn't want me walking around knocking on peoples doors asking if they knew NOLA in September. So sorry I missed Robin and Laurie or anyone else who is over there right now.
I also looked through the scrapbook....that was really fun to put faces on alot of women on this thread. You ladies are sooo creative. That Rockstar picture of Treham DeLacroce and Sullivan cracked me up.
But my brain gets very overwhelmed a few days before surgery so I did not do a great job of matching up people from this thread and the people in the scrapbook. But everyone was very happy in their photos.
Dr. Sullivan.....I can't even speak when he walkes into the room because I am so overwhelmed and greatful for what he has done. I requested bigger breasts because I am in the process of losing the last 30lbs. I gained from since my original diagnosis. As I am losing weight my breasts are deflating. I opted for bilat DIEP flaps to get more volume as my radiated skin keeps me "caged in" as Dr. S. put it. If the insurance does not approve this I will have to go with plan B tomorrow where he will lipo and fat inject me. I told him that whatever happens I will be so happy with the end results.
Even if they're not as big as I want they will be a little bigger but much more perky than I had before. Again I am just so greatful to find Dr. Sullivan after the 5 plastic surgeons I consulted before him gave me only the option of size A breasts. I'm a big girl, I'm 5' 8" with a wide swimmers back. Size A on me would look like half a walnut stuck to each side of my chest.
Sorry so long......in the end it will all work out. I totally trust Dr. Sullivans artistry and again, Anne...You Look Maaaavalus!
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Hello Ladies!
Nordy, your daughter's comment of you on the Biggest Looser. LOL!!! My goodness. You are so athletic and slender! You are allowed to recover from a cold!
AnneW and Tracee, I added your dates above. Tracee, you will overlap with our Liz!!! (Xfit). That will be fun!
It is snowing in Raleigh NC! We leave this Saturday for NOLA! Just have to work tomorrow, then pack, then deal with the house/pet sitter, etc etc.
So ladies, I will not be online for a bit. If someone new comes please welcome them. If they want to be added to the list, a PM is the best bet!
Spring.
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Hello Ladies!
Nordy, your daughter's comment of you on the Biggest Looser. LOL!!! My goodness. You are so athletic and slender! You are allowed to recover from a cold!
AnneW and Tracee, I added your dates above. Tracee, you will overlap with our Liz!!! (Xfit). That will be fun!
It is snowing in Raleigh NC! We leave this Saturday for NOLA! Just have to work tomorrow, then pack, then deal with the house/pet sitter, etc etc.
So ladies, I will not be online for a bit. If someone new comes please welcome them. If they want to be added to the list, a PM is the best bet!
Spring.
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traci, I hope our paths will cross while I'm in Utah! Another of Marga's patients, glostagirl, lives nearby, and we plan on meeting up.
I had my Stage 1 in mid-May 2008 (was it that long ago?) and I was hiking in late July. My hips hurt a bit, more of a tight, scar-tissue feeling thing, but I did okay! I had Stage 2 in Nov, and I think I did a little snowshoeing in Feb and March.
I don't have a dog! I love them, but my cats don't, and I prefer the low-maintenance nature of cats. You definitely won't want a dog pulling on your arm for the first 6-8 weeks post-op. But if you get PT, you'll get your strength back quicker!
Anne
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Hi ladies! Okay, tomorrow morning - US, so fingers crossed. On another note, just got my second denial from insurance stating I don't need revisions. Another deep breath and a sigh. I have one more appeal. I just asked my husband, is it worth the fight? He said, "Yes," so off I go to formulate yet another letter. Now here is the question, do I take it all the way to the US Dept. of Labor and file a formal complaint with them? I may just call and talk to the lady that I spoke to before, but I don't know if this is a fight worth taking when the insurers are also the employers. I am SO, SO glad that I got my reconstruction when I did. I have no doubt that they would turn me down flat if I tried now, just like they did with my friend. Anyway, at the moment, I have other things to worry about, like getting a negative ultrasound tomorrow! The rest I can worry about later if I choose to do so!
Spring - you have fun in NOLA! I wish I could be there! Fourboy - you will be awesome tomorrow - you know this, right?!
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Okay, you guys are awesome. Husband made it out of the snowstorm and my boys (ages 16, 14, 12 and 9) enjoyed a snowday without any parents around. Talked over the DIEP with husband, he was totally against it but said the final decision was totally up to me. Told me how beautiful I am. Called my big sister who said I was nuts and that my boobs are awesome the way they are and not to try to go bigger. So I called up the VERY VERY VERY patient Laura (Dr. Sullivan's PA) and told her I was just going to stick with what I came down here for.....stage 2 surgery.
Nordy Thank you for telling me I will be awesome tomorrow, and so will you. And that insurance crap! I'd be calling 911 cuz that is a flat out crime. Like you have time for this. How can they go to sleep at night denying reconstruction surgery. If I were a lawyer...........
Springtime Have a great trip tomorrow. Hope your travels go smoothly.
Still hoping to get together with whoever Sunday evening. Prayers for continued healing ladies and I will update as I go.
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6 WEEKS TODAY!!! I knew you could share in my excitement that I get to take off the dom as of today.....hooray!! I had Stage 1 in Jan and healed with what looked like a lower abdominal hernia. Stage 2 in April, and the herniated area got a little bit of attention but not enough to fully take care of it. So, had a Stage 2B in early Nov specifically for hernia repair (and other small touchups which were so appreciated). I have been a good girl, obeying the lifting restrictions, wearing my dom and binder full time. So, hooray, I'm here!! I really didn't know of any other group of people who would fully understand the freedom I am feeling tonight! And now, fingers crossed that the herniated area does not return as I wean off the dom/binder. I'm kinda scared. It's been almost a full year that we've been messing with this. My ab muscles are entirely shot from not doing anything with them for so long.
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I'm going to be off the thread for a while, too - heading out to see my boy graduate from Cornell U in Ithaca, NY. Nordy, I'll be thinking about you, hoping all goes well for you tomorrow. The insurance crap is soooooo unfair! I agree with your husband - fight it. But take one thing at a time...
Good luck tomorrow Fourboymom - soon you'll be on the other side of this!
Good luck Beverly! Have a beignet for me! No - 3! Melinda, Amy - you too!
Continue to heal well, AnneN and Carol! SCSH rocks!!!! Congrats KC on being dom free!!! (Just wait, you'll end up missing that dom! The dom is your friend!)
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Count down is on. Leaving for Nashville tomorrow and flying to NOLA on Sunday morning. Going to start the Arnica montana today. Feeling scared and excited. Sure hope I get to meet some of you on Sunday.
Fourboymom, Good luck to you today.
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Thinking of many of you today- those travelling for surgery, from surgery, for kids graduation! for tattoos. Fourboymom- You're UP! You should be there now listening to Deirdre or one of the other fabulous unforgettables.
NORDY- thoughts prayers and YES-your girls are a riot! biggest loser! LOL!
I come here to share worries too as seems like nobody else really gets it and just don't wanna hear trite comments from family/ friends who really do try but really do PUNCH my buttons!
I am up today for the annual Gyn appt -all the fun stuff! transvag US, look at eggos and endometrial Biopsy-Oh Boy! Put it off as long as possible. No reason to suspect bad but ya know just nerve racking. Monday is labs and heme onc F/U...again no reason to worry...except the whole reason I had to start doing all these 'extra special' appts in the first place-makes us all(or at least me) a bit neurotic......I'll just wear my rosary bracelet and say a few extras -OH and remember where I was last year-2 years ago and that I just got back from a vacay of a lifetime. VERY thankful for all.
Today also the beginning of my Christmas as I get to work Christmas day and be on call the day after. A few friends/family over sunday for victuals, libations and holiday cheer after I finish outdoing myself w/ cleaning and decorating- very close! and will be photgraphing for FB! Not back to work until next Wednesday and Thurs and will be off christmas eve at least. Oddly we have this dept policy about people not being off the same holiday yrs in a row.....umm the last 2 christmases I was post op lumpect and last yr post op stage 2.......deep breath.....I had 2 weeks off prior to and including T-giving and I have a job, benefits and can pay my bills.......OK back to decorating and Christmas carols
Merry Christmas everyone , love you all, have a safe and wonderful friday!
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Safe and smooth travels to everyone. I am freaking a bit because the "how are things going to turn out" questions fill my head. Then I look at my stage one results and think of Dr. Sullivans artistry and I kick myself like "what is there to worry about". The rosary would be a good solution to my current anxiety. Thanks plainjane.
My ride to Fairway comes in 1 hour. I just can't wait to get the loopy pills, see the lights dim, dream a good dream and then the next thing you hear is "wake up honey! Your doing great! All done!"
Coffee ladies!! My pre surgery advice is to take a no doze the morning of surgery so you don't have to deal with caffiene headache. Works for me every time.
Nordy In my prayers. All will go well.
Yah!! No more DOM! your abs will kick in with time.
Good luck and prayers for all who are packing to come down here, all who are hear and everone else for continued healing. I will say hello to Dierdre and Julie and Tahja ( not sure on spelling
and everyone at Fairway. I will update as I go. I need go to pray before my head pops off. 0 -
Congrats KC of the dom release! I can't imagine 6 weeks. You qualify as my new hero! Enjoy the freedom!
Wow, there is so much coming and going. I love it! Everyone stay safe in your travels and good luck with your procedures. How reassuring to know you are all in good hands.
Nordy, I anxiously await the good news from your tests. I hope you keep fighting the fight with the insurance. It is a matter of principle by this point.
--Ann
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in my gown waiting to see dr. s. pre surgery
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Thinking of you fourboymom! Maybe you are in surgery right now.
I'm in pre-travel mode as well. Also Christmas eve mode as we are opening presents tomorrow morning.
So I think there will be 6 of us in NOLA on Sunday: Springtime, fourboymom, AnneN, Melindastn, lciscarroll and me.
How about the Palace Cafe at 8 pm? Should I make a reservation?
Looking so forward to being with some BCO sisters:)
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Sounds great to me. I will be there. Oh my it is getting close.
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YYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAWWWWWWW!!!!!
US shows oil filled cysts (just like PJ has) - and more than just the one or two that I can feel. There are 5 just in the area of the one I feel - but most of them deeper so I don't feel them. So, just keep an eye on it... possibly check back in year or sooner if any significant changes, but other than that everything looks GREAT! Woooohooooo!!!
Fourmom - Sleep well and have a GREAT day!
Jennifer - deep breath - hoping all will be fine with your gyn appt. I know it is nerve racking! Hang in there!
SO, I have contemplated not pursuing this breast revision stuff any further... but I think I am going to. The next appeal goes to an independent company, so I think it is worth trying. If not, I am starting a savings account so I can pay it out of pocket. It might take me a year or two to save up!
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woohoo!! Happy Friday for Nordy! Excellent news.... (especially since I was feeling around and found 2 pea size somethings like that this morning).... I am so happy for you... that news should make for an excellent weekend! I had a feeling it would turn out like this!!
fourboys - Good luck!!!
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Whoop, whoop NORDY! Sooooooo happy for you!!!
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Thanks! Just got off the phone with the dept. of Labor... they are looking into this some more to see if my insurance is actually breaking the law... If they are, I want as much information to send them on this appeal so that I don't have to actually report it and go through all of that fiasco. If the DOL decides that denial is within their rights as an insurance company, then I will still appeal, but also start saving my $$. Have a great day ladies!
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Great news Nordy! And just in time for the weekend. Have a happy one!
Hiya Holtbolt! Have a great weekend too! I can't believe we were in NOLA just two weeks ago!
Good luck to all the women at NOLA, and those who are on the other side getting better!
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Yay Nordy!!! Whew! I am so happy and relieved for you. Have a wonderful weekend!
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Great news Nordy!
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So happy for you Nordy. I know you are breathing easier now.
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Re; Dec 19 get together in NOLA:
Palace cafe didn't have any 8 pm reservations left, so I made it for 7:30. Is this ok with everyone?
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