Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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PeggyG, check out the https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/800978 for cytoxan/taxotere. The title of it indicates it's old, but it isn't, it is current. It is full full full of advice for those undergoing that treatment. Good luck! I know it feels like you're being rushed and it's scary and there's no time to think. I too had chemo delayed so they did everything to make it go fast once they had the opportunity. Make sure you check the topic: "More Tips (and a shopping list) for getting through chemo." It has a wealth of things to prepare yourself. Since you're doing t/c you can skip the plastic tableware and straws stuff, that applies to a/c, but most of it is wonderful advice, like the biotene mouth rinse and toothpaste. You'll be fine.
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The low dose xanax has been a godsend for me. I've never taken any medication until now, and it helps take the edge off. I took one the day of my SNB and lumpectomy and it really helped keep the nerves at bay. Also took one the day of my post op because I was so worried about any "surprises". I usually take one in the evening if I'm feeling edgy. I plan to take them until I feel like I don't need to.
Mariebernice where did you find the sports bras? I've looked in a couple of department stores and can't find anything that zips up the front.
QBee....it's been a couple of weeks since my lumpectomy and I too have some weird feelings going on with my breast. I think it's the nerves healing.
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bras: a lot of the "smaller" women adore coobee bras. For those of us in multiple D's if you go to a Title 9 store (pricy, but you'll be in them through the end of rads) or Walmart you can find a selection.
You're going to get lots of weird pains and sensations for several months as your nerves reconnect, and then rads adds it's own feelings. None of that is anything to worry about. Be on the lookout for swelling of your arm, but otherwise don't fret. It'll all work out.
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Hi Hopeful 8201 -
There hasn't been much change since my last entry - one above the one of yours that I am responding to. I may be starting the PINK program - a 12 week fitness program for patients/survivors of breast cancer. It is being help at the hospital where I get my treatment. Tomorrow will be my first session - going to check it out. If the BS doesn't have time or isn't available to sign off the releases etc, I can still do the program just not the weights.
I still don't like the way that the lymph node scar is looking right now. Especially if it is all possible that this area could be in the way of the radiation treatments.
MarieBernice6234
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MarieBernice, both my scars look ugly. Well-healed but dark from my radiation (only 4 to go). The underarm area is still sensitive and, at times, annoying. Looks like it will take forever to really and truly heal. Oh well, I'll take that discomfort in order to know the BC hadn't spread.
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The program sounds like it could be a good thing - I hope so, anyway.
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you can find front closure sports bras at WalMart. Fruit of the Loom make good ones. They makes racer back style in cotton which is nice. They also make a full back version that's very supportive but in synthetic material. The full back are about $10.98. The racer back style are 2 for 10.98 and really comfortable. For bigger busted gals...Danskin makes a zip front sports bra w good support. They cost around $12.95. one other thing..the racer back style was cut in a way that did NOT rub on my SNB incision! Nice..
hope this helps
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Good to know about the Danskin bras. That's a brand I've loved ever since my first ballet class, MANY years ago....
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thanks zha-an....will check out WalMart.
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Hi Nash -
Not knowing exactly where you live - I went to a store called Lady Grace. They have the whole lingerie spectrum. I asked the clerks specifically if they have bras for post surgery women. Maybe any higher end department store would have these types of bras. These bras have clasps in the front, no zippers, in case there was any confusion.
MarieBernice6234
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Hi Pontiac Peggy -
Yeah, I am still not impressed with the way that scar looks right now. Anyhow, I am returning to the surgeons office tomorrow to have her look at it. I was thinking that very possibly the under arm area could get impacted by the radiation once it starts. I don't know what that would do to it. I have pain on the underside of my arm from the shoulder area down towards the elbow. I am sure that it is related to the sentinel node biopsy.
MarieBernice6234
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I wore Genie bras post-lumpectomy and they worked well for me. I'm an A cup and perhaps they would not do as well for someone well-endowed
I DID buy a size larger than I would normally take and think even now I would size up. I hate tight bra bands.0 -
MarieBernice, both my scars darkened with radiation. My underarm one still annoys me at times. I see my BS in December and by then I should be at what is my new "normal." Plastic surgery isn't really an option for me since I wouldn't have anyone to care for DH and I can't leave him alone for longer than 15 minutes.
Be sure to bring up your pain to your BS. There may be something (or nothing) going on and better to nip it now. You're only 2 weeks out from your lx and far from what you will wind up looking like. If per chance you are having lymphedema you want to tackle that ASAP.
Let us know how your appointment goes. HUGS!
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Hi Again Pontiac Peggy -
I appreciate your suggestion and support. I might be a worry wart, but I'd rather be "safe than sorry". This is all so new to me.
MarieBernice6234
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MarieBernice, we're all muddling through, getting information from those who have gone before us. Absolutely be a worry wart. And make sure you write down your questions so you won't forget any!
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MarieBernice, as Peggy said, you are only 2 weeks out from surgery. I was still in quite a bit of pain then, more so under my arm than my breast. I have the same thing as you, very stiff from my armpit down to my elbow. Even 6 weeks, out it still hurts when I raise my arm above my head. I have a referral for PT but just haven't been able to connect with them to schedule it. Also, my scars now look nothing like they did 4 weeks ago.
I hope that helps.
Jeanelle
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Hi Jeanelle -
Thanks for the words of encouragement. I hope that my incision will look much better a few more weeks out. One thing that is starting now is that the area almost feels chafed. Feels like there is some friction there. Is there some type of creme that I can use on it?
MarieBernice6234
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MarieBernice, use Aquaphor. That's what a lot of us use for radiation and it does soften nicely. You can find it in the lotion section of grocery store or drug store.
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MarieBernice, my underarm incision has that sort of chaffed feeling. I think it is just because of where it is and when I sit, my arm rubs against it. For a while I folded a washcloth in half and placed it under my arm to protect the area. That seemed to help a bit. At this point, we now wearing more long sleeves, it doesn't seem to bother me as much.
It does get better, though I never would have believed that a few weeks ago.
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Hi MarieBernice..my arm felt chaffed too...I started using corn starch. I read that on another thread and it seems to help.
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Hi All - thanks for the suggestions. MY BSW gave me permission to put on deodorant. MD also greed to patient enrolling in a fitness program for BC survivors - it is called the Pink Program. I want to give it a try before the radiation treatments start. I could be too tired out at that time to do it.
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Wow! Deodorant - you must feel almost fit for civilized society again, MarieBernice. Isn't it amazing how we learn to be excited/grateful for the oddest things?
Let us know how you like the recovery program, too.
Take care.
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I can't wait to put on deodorant Friday morning! I'll be done with my radiation tx then. I couldn't tolerate the permitted ones and corn starch just wasn't my thing. So I just stink
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I imagine I'll feel the same way, Peggy. I'll do a little Ban Roll On Dance for you as I'm dressing Friday a.m. (although I use Tom's of Maine).
I didn't even realize that some ROs had a permitted list; I'll have to ask about that when I get closer to radiation.
Congratulations on being so close to DONE with radiation!!!!
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Thanks, Hopeful82014. Tom's of Maine is acceptable but I'm allergic to aloe and started itching immediately (not a good feeling when the armpit is numb from the SNB). Appreciate the Ban Roll-On dance! I'll be doing the Dove dance! Good luck to you!
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Peggy - thanks for the info on Tom's. It must have been hard for you being allergic to aloe, since that's so often recommended for use during rads. Did you find anything that kept your skin comfortable?
I think the Dove dance sounds a lot more feminine than the Ban dance - enjoy!!
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Hopeful802014, I used Aquaphor. I didn't even start using it until after my 19th tx. The RO was very pleased at how little redness I have (me, too). Anyway, I just put the Aquaphor on at night. Seems to do the trick. What reaction I do have is "punctation" - redness at the hair follicles. The NP said she hadn't seen that in the year she had been working with my RO. I had to be different. It looks like little prickles. No problems from them though. I agree that the Dove dance does sound much lovelier than a Ban dance!
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That's right - I think I've seen you mention Aquaphor but it didn't connect, since I'd never heard of it before. Does it help heal scars as well? That's what I'm a bit concerned about. I don't tend to get keloids (sp?) but my scars do tend to remain visible just about forever, it seems.
I picture the Dove dance as being rather free flowing and balletic - the Ban dance in my imagination comes straight from a 70s disco.
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Hopeful82014, I assume most anything you rub on the scars will help them. Mine eventually (i.e. years) fade. Try the Aquaphor. It's not that expensive and if you are having radiation you'll want it anyway. BTW, you might want to update your profile with the treatments you've had (e.g. surgery etc).
I love how you've pictured the dances. I think you're right on!
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Thanks, Peggy. I'll check out the Aquaphor and see what it smells like. I'm not fragrance-phobic but some can be overwhelming.
I've not had surgery yet - I was scheduled for today but we decided at the last minute to try a different protocol of neo-adjuvant HT to see if we can bring the Ki-67 down.
I actually thought I had updated the profile but maybe I didn't make it public - I'll go check.
On the other hand, I do know that, no matter what, sooner or later I'll have surgery and rads. It's just a question of when, as well as whether I can skip chemo.
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