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Comments

  • EvaM
    EvaM Member Posts: 272
    edited May 2012

    Arrgh! I'm flying Wednesday. My husband is flying in Friday evening. He came home tonight with a miserable cold. I'm staying away from him and hope I don't catch it. What problems might this cause? Will he be allowed to stay at the hospital if he's sick? Take care of me post-op? What happens if I catch it?

    In worse news, my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer today. :-( 

  • Nordy
    Nordy Member Posts: 1,106
    edited May 2012

    Ahhh, Eva. I am sorry to hear about your aunt. That is so hard.



    As for your husband, just call the hospital and ask them. Do you guys ever use EmergenC? I swear I have thwarted off many a cold using this! Check and see if it is ok for you to use it and maybe get the hubby to use it too. Just a thought - but double check n everything!

  • Springtime
    Springtime Member Posts: 3,372
    edited May 2012

    Geralyn, I added your date! You are ON THE LIST GIRL!!! Congratulations! I am glad your dream came true. A Lat Flap is such an easy surgery for these docs, you'll have a lovely outcome. I am VERY happy for you!

    About arms over head, I could do whatever I needed to get in any clothes. Reaching for the top shelf in the kitchen was not possible for some time... :)

    Eva, I am sorry about your Aunt, and yes, stay the heck away from hubby! I would try Zycam or whatever it is! 

  • Soccermom4force
    Soccermom4force Member Posts: 311
    edited May 2012

    Best wishes to everyone who has gotten a date ( and BEAT their insurers into submission:)) for "transformation" and to those scheduled this week for surgery! Maybe we could start a "Sisterhood of the Traveling Hoodies"!?



    Love you all,

    Marcia

  • Del11
    Del11 Member Posts: 398
    edited May 2012

    I can start off the sisterhood :)  I have 2 short-sleeved terry cloth hoodies, XL, from Old Navy.  Hot pink and kelly green.  I don't think I ever wore them, actually.  They're lightweight, probably intended as swim coverups.  Any takers?  PM me!

  • Del11
    Del11 Member Posts: 398
    edited May 2012

    Oh my. Not sure I like this new look.  There's something to be said for compact and utilitarian.

  • celtic_antique
    celtic_antique Member Posts: 351
    edited May 2012

    Don't like the new format, either. Mainly because it takes forever to load and I am on a T1 line so it should be instantaneous!! :-(

  • denouement
    denouement Member Posts: 190
    edited May 2012

    hmm, am confused by this new look - the sidebar takes up way too much space on the page!  oh well - still waiting on a date for my revision surgery.  I keep bugging Laura - no update yet but will post when I have it. 

    Eva so sorry to hear about your aunt.  Do you have any details/staging info?  I hope they caught it early and she is able to fight it! 

    A very good friend of mine was diagnosed with ovarian cancer a couple of weeks ago.  We were told she was stage 4 but they revised to say she is stage 3c.  I can't even fathom it, it is just so unfair.  She's suffering financially so I'm trying to start a fundraiser for her - she can't even afford the treatment or the surgeries!  makes me feel so luck to have insurance and to have had the money to pay out of pocket what I needed to pay.  I haven't even be able to research this but does anyone know of a good website for treatment fundraising that doesn't take a huge percentage of the funds collected as a fee? 

  • celtic_antique
    celtic_antique Member Posts: 351
    edited May 2012

    To all the ladies who have had Stage 2 and are looking at a Stage 2a or b ... about when did you start asking the Center for a surgical date. Laura had told me at least 3 months from Stage 2 and I am past that. I don't want to have the surgery until the middle Fall (early November). How much lead time do I need? And did you all send photos so there was a determination in advance for your surgery or just go for the pre-op appointment and "wing it"? Thanks!

  • Springtime
    Springtime Member Posts: 3,372
    edited May 2012

    Moderators? Are you listening? I do web design and usability for a living. This new look is a STEP BACKWARDS!!!

    UGH. I hope they didn't hire an expensive agency to boot. good grief. going to be more careful with my donations in the future. 

  • Springtime
    Springtime Member Posts: 3,372
    edited May 2012

    Celtic, call now. Get it booked now. There will be a huge flurry at the end of the year with everyone trying to get in the surgery before the new insurance year begins. Best to be booked and ahead of the wave...

  • Del11
    Del11 Member Posts: 398
    edited May 2012

    Spring: you're a UX person? me too!  small world.  I'm baffled by this too. It's like they developed for "mobile first" (not a bad thing) and then just stopped caring about what it looks like on the desktop. At least they fixed the size of the text in the reply box.  It is "responsive", technically, but what's the point of that when it looks crappy for 75% of your users?

    I think it's possible they used a codebase for this (Twitter bootstrap maybe?) and tweaked it.  But they obviously didn't tweak it enough.

  • gmp300
    gmp300 Member Posts: 196
    edited May 2012

    Thanks Springtime!!!   I almost can't quit crying!  It's been 3 years of pure nightmare's!  Did you have a lat flap?  I read so much I get lost and can't remember, sounds like it.  Tell me tell me more what to expect. Not many on here has had the lat.  Dr. D said it was his 3rd or 4th choice for a flap but my situation I need more skin and he said no expander or implant for me and also little if any muscle taken so I am hoping for an easy fix!!  I know it will be alot easier than that awful tram flap!

         I have a question about hotels.  I have to decide today. which hotel to book.  I thought I had the Homewood Suites but they are booked.  My choice's are the Clarion Grand Boutique Hotel. The Monteleone (still checking on availability)  or the Hampton Inn Garden district.  Can someone give me choice #1, #2, or #3.  I can't decide. I want to be close to the fun!

    Your input is much appreciated!  Geralyn 

  • Adey
    Adey Member Posts: 2,413
    edited May 2012

    Geralyn,

    If you call the Center they might be able to work their magic on the Homewood Suites.  I've stayed at the Monteleone twice, very nice.  Never the other two.  Good luck!

  • cider8
    cider8 Member Posts: 472
    edited May 2012

    Oh, you techie ladies! I thought something was wrong with my iPad. I bet there will be some more tweaking. It doesn't look that great on my iPad.



    I am waiting on my 2b date. In my case, I have been in touch post op with a specific concern. I let it go after it was less of a concern. A few weeks ago I sent in updated photos with a list of my concerns. Laura and Dr S reviewed and agreed more revisions are in order. It ran through insurance and now I am waiting to schedule in Aug or Sept. I know you can't book too early, but others will start getting priority before us. Like the active cancer and stage2 in this calendar year, etc.



    Geralyn, I'm so glad you are going to the Center! I can recall only one other woman on this thread that had lat flap. I know it's not first choice, but Dr D wouldn't do it if he didn't like it as an option.



    A mom at school who I park next to was just diagnosed w/BC. Very early in her diagnosis, still more testing to do. It was found during routine mammogram. She's quite hopeful. I'm hoping it's very early stage.

  • EvaM
    EvaM Member Posts: 272
    edited May 2012

    Geralyn, when I called Homewood they were booked up, but the Center got me in when they called on my behalf.

  • EvaM
    EvaM Member Posts: 272
    edited May 2012

    Any of you get super spaced out in the days before surgery? I didn't think I was too affected by this one, but the other day I was baking brownies from a MIX and didn't realize until I went to take them out of the over and saw a molten, simmering lake in the pan that I hadn't put in the eggs. And then this morning I made coffee but forgot to put anything under the spout for the coffee to pour into. What a mess! I hope I manage to bring what I need to NOLA!

  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 3,192
    edited May 2012

    Geralyn.. I agree.. ask Katie to call HS for you. I had looked there and seen they were booked, and yet Katie could get me a room.

  • Jane123
    Jane123 Member Posts: 198
    edited May 2012

    I stayed at the Bienville House (you can check it out online).  I got a discount by booking through Katie at the Center.  It is in the French Quarter and is charming and quirky; clean and in the midst of the action.  I will stay there again.

  • gmp300
    gmp300 Member Posts: 196
    edited May 2012

    Thanks Cider8!   I know my situations is different than most so I have to trust Dr. D will do the best with what I have!  Thanks for the encouragment!

    EvaM - The Homewood is now booked due to a convention or somthing going on so I have to choose.  I'll probably try for the Monteolone - thanks Adey!  Then if I can't get that I'll pick a straw for one of the other 2.  Main thing they are all close and by the streetcarline to get me to the casino!!

    Thank you all!  Geralyn 

  • gmp300
    gmp300 Member Posts: 196
    edited May 2012

    Thanks Cider8!   I know my situations is different than most so I have to trust Dr. D will do the best with what I have!  Thanks for the encouragment!

    EvaM - The Homewood is now booked due to a convention or somthing going on so I have to choose.  I'll probably try for the Monteolone - thanks Adey!  Then if I can't get that I'll pick a straw for one of the other 2.  Main thing they are all close and by the streetcarline to get me to the casino!!

    Thank you all!  Geralyn 

  • gmp300
    gmp300 Member Posts: 196
    edited May 2012

    Thanks Jane!  I'll check that one out too!!

  • gmp300
    gmp300 Member Posts: 196
    edited May 2012

    hi BDavis - Katie is working with me.  To many choices!

  • need2new
    need2new Member Posts: 165
    edited May 2012

    Hotels - I am at the Clarion Grand Boutique and like it. Stayed her last time too. # blocks from cenetr, on the St. Charles car line. Coffee, pizza (Slice, super thin & yummy), smoothies, walgreens & restaurants close by. Nice area to walk.

    Stayed at the Homewood last time, was OK, did not like location, I prefer the quieter locations so this time will stay at the Hamptom Inn in the Garden District.

    I am all marked up with blue marker, scar revisions, lipo and fill in the donor site - ahhhh.

    Jane 123 - sorry I missed you before I left, Will need to see you when I get home - do coffee?

    Hate the new look too. 

  • gmp300
    gmp300 Member Posts: 196
    edited May 2012

    OK - I have a hotel.  Homewood is booked, Monteleone's rates are only for Sunday and Monday and it would be $229 a night and zi need 5 night so that's out.  Bienville is booked :( so now it was between the Clarion and Hampton.  boy did I go down the ladder LOl!  It will be fine - I am right by the streetcar line!

  • gmp300
    gmp300 Member Posts: 196
    edited May 2012

    Nope - ended up getting the Clarion for $89.00 a night.  Was thinking of the pool at the Hsmpton but switched.  I am so confused right now.  All I know is I am going soon!!  Hope I see some body there from here!!  Good luck to anyone going for surgery this month!

  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 3,192
    edited May 2012

    For those with a bulge / bloated belly, check out this thread:

    http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/87/topic/709073?page=2#post_3007506

  • Springtime
    Springtime Member Posts: 3,372
    edited May 2012

    Jesk, yes I have been a Human Factors Engineer at IBM for more decades than I wish to admit! I went to the thread about this new look and gave them my feedback. ugh.

    Geralyn, I did not have a lat flap but considered one locally before I found the center. Dr. D. has mentioned in the "Ask the Doctor" forum (see header info for how to access that site) that Lat Flaps are a piece of cake compared to what they normally do. You'll be in and out of there quick girl!

  • Springtime
    Springtime Member Posts: 3,372
    edited May 2012

    Betsy, about that bulge thread, I would think TRAM is way different than DIEP right? (using muscles vs. not).

  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 3,192
    edited May 2012

    Yes, but many women who have had DIEP have commented about their bulge on this thread.

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