Best Of
Hello everyone, I am new to this.
I am scheduled for two lumpectomies on the left breast with needle localization. One lumpectomy is for an irregular enhancing mass measuring up to 2.1 cm at 2:00 o’clock, 8 cm from the nipple and the other lumpectomy left breast lower outer quadrant. I had my consultation yesterday for surgical planning and I feel like everything that the doctor told me I forgot. I feel like my brain went blanked. What should I expect after the surgery? Not sure if she told me it is general anesthesia? I need clearance from my PCP, Chest XRAY, and EKG. When can I drive again post surgery? I am 37 years old with 4 kids ranging from 16 years of age to 2 year old. Will the recovery be painful? I do remember that the surgeon said I wont have any sensation on the breast and that it will be a lot small than the right. Treatment will be decided once we get answers from pathology. Thank you in advance
suzy2618
Re: cording (axillary web syndrome)
@nope123 it went well. Pretty big truncal cords! PT helped me figure out some stretches, showed me massage for cording and scars. Or course, since I started radiation today and my bood is very red, I'm now agraid to touch that side. Slathering on th aloe vera!Decided I might need a 2nd plant…
Re: Who's starting Radiation in November 2025? Let's gather here to share!
Hello@nope123
Thank you for your message!! 😊
First off, it is great that you and your husband were able to have a getaway. So great for the mind, body and soul to be in a different environment and enjoy beauty!
I absolutely LOVE walking the trials we have close by, and being in the forest. But winter is upon us and I live in Ontario, Canada, so that may be a bit difficult walk, although not impossible. As long as it’s not icy ! haha
Thank you for sharing on how you are feeling. Happy to hear that you are feeling better. Like you said, it’s a marathon and we will finally make it to that finish line in terms of treatment. And I was told by my team that the side effects are gradual and build up over the course of treatment and the “worst” is about 2 weeks after the last radiation treatment, which sounds in line with what you described.
I am most worried about the fatigue. I am off work til the new year so me being home and resting is on the books for me.
Good news!!
I heard from the Cancer Centre yesterday. I am restarting on Thur Dec 4th. Isn’t is crazy that I’m “excited” and a bit anxious to restart and then just want to be done with it!!
Just the whole process.. checking in, getting a hospital bracelet, changing into the scrub top (which here, volunteers make them and BC pts all get one to wear through radiation, as they open and close with a velcro strip at the sides and down the front) and we get to keep them. A note came with it saying , do whatever you want with it once you are HEALED!! Keep it, Burn it, Bury it) and I so understand the meaning of that now), then I grab a warming blanket, then I wait my turn.
Just the process, but I will have a positive attitude and WILL get through it just like all of us here!!
So I have 8 more rounds.. as I had the one on Nov 21. 4 more whole left breast, and then 4 boosters to the anterior (so partial)
I feel good and hoping I can reach my new baseline this time and hold my breath. But if not, I’ll have to do it free breath.
I’ll send an update!! 💗
Re: Getting ready to start chemo? Join the December 2025 chemo support thread!
welp, here we are. This time last week, I was having a biopsy. KEYNOTE 522 starts Monday.
For those of you who have to drive hours for treatment and wait weeks for tests, I’m so sorry.
I guess I’ll start by saying I’m grateful to live in a terrific medical city - big med school paired with some of the best hospitals in the world. My life is infinitely easier for it today.
I’m in shock. Trying to figure out if I can work (I work in ambulatory surgery as an RN), telling everyone (my hair stylist cried when I told him), tests, tests, tests. This part is exhausting by itself
anyone else feel like they need to comfort their friends? It’s weird.
I’m buying cold mittens and socks. Got some cute hats (but it’s winter in Minnesota, so need the warm ones, too!). Gonna pack a big bottle of water and a ginger ale for chemo. And my headphones.
Oh, intro stuff. I’m turning 60 December 19. I have three kids - 37, 35, and 7. Not a typo. I have three grandkids - 6, 8, 9. We have two kitties and a dog about the size of the cats. My wife is a hospice transitions coordinator RN. I’m an endoscopy nurse - your friend from your colonoscopy.
Looking forward to meeting y’all and hanging out.
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
cookie54 you and your husband are dealing with a lot. I hope you get some time out to take a break and not have this so heavy on your heart.
Intolight pocket duty for your upcoming Pet.
Mara I like my air fryer for heating pizza as cookie said and also for quick easy meals that just need to brown/toast.
Wren I haven’t been to joes in a few months bc it’s a 1/2 hour drive and sprouts is closer. Joes does have some things that I love so will probably have to go soon. In your pocket for test tomorrow.
Threetree hope you got some good rest over the weekend.
Sf cakes glad you enjoyed the dog show. My sister was watching while talking to me but I got busy and dint remember to turn it on. Maybe I’ll find it streaming somewhere.
Chicagoan kudos to you girl for shoveling snow. That’s great exercise!!!
Take care all
Tanya
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
It is snowing right now. Don't know whether it will affect the schools in the morning. My DD is at work so it is up to me to look for the message. It is the slippery kind of snow as it is wet and very cold. It is also up to me to put up the Elf and the Advent Calendar. My DGD doesn't really believe anymore (she's ten) but she wants to. We will keep the magic going as long as we can anyways.
Just diagnosed - big drinker, hard job, feeling depressed
42 and diagnosed 11/7 via annual mammogram, right breast idc grade 2, ER+ 90% PR+ 80% HER 2 minus. Got an mri that showed some more things, MRI Biopsy on right for NME, all clear. Did left yesterday and awaiting results. But given Xmas cruise planned likely will not schedule surgery til new year (is that bad?).
I’m hoping for just a lumpectomy and radiation. I was a moderately big drinker. I work in big law and work is long and tough and stressful? It has not gotten less stressful.
This puts such a bummer on the holidays too.
I keep thinking when will this be over and then also..
If anyone was in similar boat - how did it all go?
Re: Bone Mets Thread
I was dx in March with a single met to my right iliac crest. It never hurt, well, until the bone biopsy. I have had a bone island in my left hip for about 7 years. That always hurts. I had the right side radiated and the cancer is gone. Never paid rent anyway, the bum. Then I had a bone scan and there was this big disagreement between my RO, MO, and the mean dude that did my bone biopsy on left side. Basically, no one could agree if I had cancer or not. Bone scan showed something, MRI showed something, nothing on CT, so the biopsy was pointless. That was in April. Believe it or not, my MO did nothing about whether or not there was cancer after that. Now the pain is about 1/2 way down my thigh and I decided enough was enough and changed oncologists. My new RO ordered both a Bone Scan and MRI and said there was clearly cancer there. UGH. So I am hoping Femara kept it localized to this femur and it hasn't run around to squat in another one of my bones. I find out next week. At least this time, it know it's there and it's going to get treated. He also said he would arrange for a MRI guided Biopsy, which I was told by the mean dude that wasn't possible. HA. Jerk. He let me, a diabetic, sit the entire day, until 4, before allowing me to eat anything. I have his name and I won't let him touch me again. Ever. Hoping for good news!
Mzmerz
Re: Are you currently (or have you been) in a Clinical Trial?
Dear cureious… my Sandra got a dendritic cell vaccine. First she was given weeks to live, then THP+dc vaccine, 8 doses+CIK infusion, 5 doses (both autologous, matured with HER2+ cancer cells). And now look… she's NED for past 5 years, and almost 8.5 years out with absolutely deadly diagnosis: just before treatment 9 cm tumor with many lymph nodes involved, liver full of mets and doctors saying "we cannot take the risk to give you THP, as it can kill you - if you want it, you have to sign it on your own risk". Exceptional responder and survivor? Or all treatments simply did their work?
Saulius
bsandra
Re: DCIS Stage 0 High Grade HR+
Hi@sunnywithshowers
Well, I continue with this up and down in regards to treatment.
I went on Wed, and once again they could not continue with treatment with me doing free breath.
My alignment of my sternum was straighter, as a result of a massage I had gone for. (Which I asked my team about and was told I could go)
They said, a massage normally does not affect anything but in my case, when my massage therapist worked on my collar bone, it straightened out my sternum
So, I did not have treatment on Wed, and had to go back on Thur for another CT Sim. This time I didn’t ot take a deep deep breath as the tech told me it doesn’t take much to keep the heart away.
I was such a mess on Wed, came home crying my eyes out to a very good friend over the phone and drank wine. I just need a break from being positive!!
Now with a new plan and mapping being done I am hoping to restart the week of Dec 1st.