NOLA in September?
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Ttay, the only test that was required by Dr. M was a blood draw. You need to have that done before you head to NOLA. Definitely touch base with your Doc. Hugs! Katiejane
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Ttay -- My pre-op labs ordered by Dr. S for stage 2 in Dec are CBC, UA, BMP. No EKG this time because previous one was less than 6 months ago. I don't think they do a type & screen at the hospital this time, because the pre-op sheet says that is for 1st stage. Your stage 2 is 6 days before mine; did you not receive your pre-op orders yet?
The letter says the testing needs to be completed 20-30 days prior to surgery and results faxed. Uh oh, mine are being drawn 15 days before, so I hope two weeks will be OK. It's in conjuction with my MO appointment.
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Ann -- Mine were about 2 weeks before because that was the soonest I could arrange it. And, of course, the x-rays weren't sent promptly, so they were sent last Friday. As long as they get the results and all looks good, I think that is the point. I think the lead time might be if they see that say perhaps you are slightly anemic they can recommend dark green veggies and iron and like that before the surgery.
Ttay if you haven't receive dyour orders, put your mind at peace and call the doctor's office. It may wel be that they aren't requiring anything other than a blood draw that they will do the day before surgery.
Trying to figure out what to pack ... all my summer stuff is packed away, but the NOLA temps are supposed to be in the mid-70s. For this Yankee northeast girl, that's positively balmy!
NOLA bound tomorrow AM VERY early. Glad we get an extra hour of sleep!
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Packed, bags checked, sitting in the airport waiting to board. Biggest challenge is not the clothes for NOLA or post surgery, but how cold it will be when I return to Charleston. Okay, no more complaining. It will be much warmer than Michigan or Wisconsin.
Maggie, will be thinking of you. Let me know if we can do anything to help.
Cherrie, looking forward to meeting you.
Teddy, thanks for offering to stop by Fairway.
No nerves yet. This is a great decision!0 -
Best wishes to all the ladies heading to NOLA! It sounds like there will be quite the party in the halls!
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AnnAlive- Did you receive a letter from NOLA re your pre ops for Stage 2? I am 2 days after you and was just starting to think about the pre ops. Figured it would make its way in the mail soon.
Marty- Enjoy the warm weather. It is 38 degrees today in Wisconsin! I miss that warm southern air!!
Went to spin class this morning and it felt good to get in a bit of a sweat. Taking it slow but definitely felt good. Working on getting stronger and healthy for Stage 2 next month.
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ttay.. I didn't have any pre -op tests, nothing. I flew in on a Sunday, had a pre-op appt Monday morning and surgery monday afternoon... I assumed they were just working off my tests that were 3-4 months earlier. My doc is Dr D.
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ttay, I had Dr. D too but I had to do tests 20-30 days before surgery. UA and bloodwork only.
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well..it's done. not quite what the doc had planned though..she said I was her toughest case to date. my ob/gyn 20 years ago clamped off most of the blood vessels in the abdomen and so Dr M had to re do them all..something like that anyway. 10 hour surgery and I am beat. got to have a shower today and walked around the loop. but off to nap again. everything is healing nicely and Dr M said they look really pretty
Maggie-2
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Good luck to all the women headed to NOLA this week!!! Sounds like there might be a little party in the halls.
For stage 2, I had Dr. D and I had to have bloodwork and a UA done 20-30 days prior to surgery.
I am having a rough time and I'm feeling very alone right now. I know you ladies know how I'm feeling but don't want to write anything on here especially since there are so many awaiting stage 2. I hate feeling like this!!!! Oh well, just needed to vent a tiny bit to release a little. I feel like a big whiney baby. Sorry, as I really don't want to bring anyone down.
All of you are such amazing women with incredible strength.
I've only met a few of you, but I admire all of you!!!
Hugs!!!
Chelle0 -
Big hugs to you Chelle! We are all here for you.
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KerryA - Yes, I received the stage 2 pre-op letter on Nov 1 (it is dated Oct 26). Surgery is Dec 18. Yours is probably in the mail.
Maggie-2 - Stunning after Dr. M's many cases that she said you are her toughest case to date. Long surgery too, so you deserve a smooth recovery.
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Maggie2 brings up something interesting. I had bee wondering if my complete hysterectomy might cause some challenges. Guess we'll know on Friday.
Have a lovely nap Maggie! You deserve it (and so does Dr. Marga).0 -
Chelle -- sorry to hear you're struggling after your stage 2. It thought I was the slow recoverer -- took me 8 weeks to turn a corner after stage 1, and now 3 1/2 months out, I still don't have much stamina. I hope I can bounce back after stage 2. Is there any part of stage 2 you would skip if you had it to do over? Is it extra lipo that is making your feel bad? Do you still need pain meds? Bless you!
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Maggie, if you were anywhere other than Nola, you'd probbly have a tram! Thank God you went to the best! They can deal with all sorts of things.
Chelle, you've been through a lot, I think it is normal to have some blues, I did. Be tender to yourself, and just believe it will pass. Meditate on a healthy working body.
Hang in there...0 -
MartyJ, I had a complete hysterectomy and I've been cut across the abdomen 4 times and Dr. says that wouldn't be a problem for DIEP, but I didn't have enough abdominal fat for two breasts, but had plenty in the hip/butt area so he went that route. Good luck to you!!! Thanks for the support.
I'm feeling really down about how things are turning out in certain areas and there is nothing I can do about it. I am trying hard to be positive and optimistic, but its not working well right now.
On a bright note...I am enjoying my smaller breasts :-)
I am very fair skinned but not a red head and I needed a blood transfusion for stage 1 and 2 and I bruised really bad after stage 2. My body is just odd and reacts and heals differently than others though.0 -
Thank you ladies. The lipo was/is giving me a hard time. My thighs have always been kinda big and I had high hopes they would look so much better, but they don't. I am one of the very few (per NOLA) that continues to swell even with extreme compression. It was so bad last Thursday that I couldn't even get compression on I was so swollen. Then, my hip area where they insert the fat didn't take very well and it's flat and the scar now slopes down my butt area again. Dr. D did an amazing job, my body just isn't healing well and I can't seem to bounce back. I am still need pain meds at night mainly after going all day. I still have areas that are bruised and I'm 6 weeks out :-(
Oh, AnnAlive, I don't regret anything I did though. These doctors are truly amazing. I've always been the person that if something is going to happen it's going to happen to me. Or the person that falls into 1-2% category.0 -
Hang in there, Chelle! The lipo is the hardest part of Stage 2. I am 4 weeks out and still sore on one hip/thigh, but it's much better and I didn't have a lot done. I hope you turn the corner soon.
I've heard that the lipo'd areas take some months to improve -- why is that? Swelling?
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You know, I try to watch what I write when something goes sort of wrong. But I still think it's OK to post about things that are bothering you in case someone else can relate or to get general support. I think we support each other through the ups and downs. Going to NOLA does not mean all will be perfect and blissful (though I do believe it's the best care possible). Discussing our lows and our problems gives an accurate experience so no one goes in blind.
Chelle, I can remember a few months after my first lipo that I suddenly thought wow! It does take months to notice the difference but I wouldn't say it made a miraculous or stunning difference. More of an oomph and yeahhhh for me.
Ttay, I had ovarian cysts show up on my CTA this last time. I had to go to my gyn and he said if I hadn't had the CTA we wouldn't know they were there. Had to get the ultrasounds and decided to follow up in 3 months because the cysts were in the normal size range. Now, I did have a microscopic amount of cancer cells show up in tissue removed 2 months ago. Once my doctors were on it I felt OK. I had to wait to get an MRI anyway, for the post op swelling to go down. My labs look good etc. once I know my doctors aren't panicked or alarmed, I'm usually OK with waiting when that is their recommendation. I trust my instinct and I discern the doctors critically. If you are OK with waiting for the bone scan and so is your doctor, then don't worry about what others say.
I'm almost 2 months post 2B. My breasts are looking beautiful! I need to get back on the ball with exercising and eating right to maximize my results (and that good health part). I had a lot of breast skin removed for clean margins and then a rare issue with that same breast after Stage 2. I had 7 months between Stage 1 and 2 (got surprise chemo in between). 9 months between 2 and 2b, mainly because I wanted to play in the summer and I was tired of surgery and doctors. So I feel like it's been a while to not have breasts I'm pleased to see and feel (my displeasure on a much smaller scale compared to others). I think my stupid cancer side is still smaller, but I think I might be OK with that. I still have more to wait, to get all my test results in on any more residual cancer before I can schedule tattoos. I understand Vinnie is booked through the end of this year at the Center anyway. I'm OK with more settle time before I decide I'm ready for tattoos.
Look at this latest CRBS video: http://www.calgaryherald.com/health/women/battle-scars/Video+Orleans+rising/7478414/story.html#ixzz2B636niVD0 -
Chelle,
Are you back at work full-time? I had bi-lateral SGAP, and was on pain meds longer (up to 9 weeks) than most patients it seems. Last year after initial BMX, ALND, immed recon, then rads (PMPS) -- I was on oxycodone still almost six months later - though like you was needing it just in evening time.
If you are back at work, are you sitting on pillows to be more comfortable? I still sit on a pillow in my car for drives longer than 30 minutes. I'm 12 weeks out from bilat SGAP. I did not start driving until six weeks post op.
Did you have a rough time with pain on your flight/drive home after Stage 2? I am flying home alone 3 days post op with one connection. I suppose with airport assistance, no carry on luggage, a little pillow, and my BFF oxy, I should make it home okay.
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Chelle, I have been told that it will take 6-9 months to see the results of lipo. At 6 weeks, you are way to soon to be seeing anything from lipo except swelling, numbness, etc. Also, if you are not happy with things after a while, you can schedule revision surgery (aka what we have been calling 2B on this thread). Lots of us do it.
Cider, you'll love it when you get tattoos. like a cherry on top! Makes things perfect.
Here's our upcoming ladies!
Nov 6 - CelticAntique - Stage 2B, Dr. D., NOLA.
Nov 6 - Pamela44 - Stage 1 DIEP, Dr. S., NOLA
Nov 9 - MartyJ - with Dr. Massey in NOLA - bilateral diep, stage 1 at Fairway.
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Ladies, Just a quick question --- did you stage2 gals get a letter to get you through security at the airport? I'm leaving NOLA in the early morning and it just dawned on me that no one mentioned a letter when I was discharged and of course, I forgot to ask! Katiejane
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I got a letter, but never used it... You'll be fine without it.
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Thanks bdavis!
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Maggie2- if you need anything let me know. I believe I gave you my contact info. If not PM me. I will be in on Thurs. evening with pre-ops at Fairway on Friday.
Marty- I can't believe it is here. I will see your hubby before my 3:00 pre- op. you will be walking halls when I go in. Please stop in my room.
Celtic-hoping we can meet up. We may be without a car until Fri. Morning. We are at Hope Lodge for the weekend only.
Pamela- hope we can meet.
I too am doing well. I am a little overwhelmed, but comfortable with this decision. Keeping a positive attitude and leaning towards a DIEP with smaller breasts.
My labs came back with very high glucose. (144) 3 mo. ago this was fine. Has this happened to anyone?? Please tell me surgery goes on as usual. I couldn't take another canceled surgery.0 -
Chelle- vent We are a support group and sometimes we need to circle the wagons and feel there are others we can lean on. What you are feeling is ok. Hang in there!
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Hi all...had a rough evening last night...little feverish and just feeling crappy...today is another story...feeling really good. The nurses here are just amazing. Being bilateral LE is such a pain for everything!!... Hope this surgery makes that better too like Dr M thinks it will. Been up and walking as much as possible. Only 4 patients here so primo care!!
Maggie-2
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Maggie, I am so happy you feel better today. It makes a big difference. Keep walking and take care of yourself.
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thanks Cherrie....they just drew blood to check my electrolytes. nappy time
Maggie-2
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Morning Maggie! Walk the halls and relax. Weather is a bit overcast and rain expected. We flew in to NOLA yesterday, just leaving Biloxi's only non smoking casino for Pensacola. Will be happier when we return to NOLA Tuesday. Although blackjack can be a great diversion from thinking about upcoming.
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