Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Thanks Hopeful82014....glad to be done with all treatments...this is the last which looks like I'll be taking 5....possibly 10 years. Hope you are doing well.
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Hopeful, 4 rounds total, two down, two to go. I'm sorry to have to do it too, but I want to have the best chance at never having to deal with this again.
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Nash...I did the same thing with tamoxifen...but then I waited another week because I did decide I wanted to take it on a Friday night and see how I did through the weekend! No problems for me and I worried for nothing! Good luck ! Rosie
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I didn't wait to take anastrozole. Started on a Friday, the day after my last rad. I figured I probably wouldn't have SEs and so far I've been right (fingers crossed)!
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Me, too - I was given the RX on a Monday and started it that evening. Of course, we were doing a trial with a re-biopsy after 30 days to gauge responsiveness to it, so the clock was ticking. But I really did NOT think twice about it. I was very eager to try this approach.
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to MarieBernice6234
Hi - thank you for your response. Why no shaving during radiation?
I was told to get Tom's deodorant. Were you advised to use no deodorant during the radiation tx?
I do not keep Aloe in my fridge - but you wrote about that, so I was wondering if that was a good idea to do?
I hate to bug you but I have tried to read other posts, and I also need to switch from Zoloft to effexor type med so any advice on that would be great. I realize you are busy, and dealing with a lot, but you seem to have some helpful suggestions for my situation.
thank you so much. I hope when I get started on the radiation I will calm down, but for now I am anything but calm, and lashing out at any one that gets in my way!
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Yikes1, I shaved during my radiation tx. Rather carefully since my SNB area was (and mostly is) numb and I didn't want to bleed to death (what an exciting thought). As for deodorant, just don't use it BEFORE you tx each day, put it on afterward. And make sure there's nothing there before tx the next day. I didn't use Tom's or aloe since I'm allergic to aloe and Tom's has aloe in it. A lot of women find refrigerating it feels awfully good. I used Aquaphor to keep my skin nice but didn't start it until after my 19th tx (I had 33). I'm still to use it for awhile - my RO said my skin is dry there.
Do take a deep breath. I found radiation very easy, no big deal. And I do like the fact that I'm doing something to make sure the cancer gets killed!
You might want to make your diagnosis, surgery, and treatments public. It helps us when we respond to your questions.
When do you start your rads? HUGS! You'll do fine!
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Hi PontiacPeggy and thank you for responding.
I just went back and found the page to add about my diagnosis, etc. so will do that.
I go for the final step before radiation actually starts on Wed. - getting some more films to confirm something, and getting the tattoos. Not sure when I start, possibly the next day - on the 20th.
I did not know tom's has aloe. My radiation will probably be in late afternoon, so I am confused how deodorant would work - or not. {I know this should be the least of my worries!}.
Do you know if there is a place that lists all the letters used as words? LIke I think SNB is sentinel node biopsy?
thanks
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Yikes, make sure you make your info "public" when you get to your settings - so we can see them
I didn't wear deodorant at all during my rads (not even weekends). For one thing it irritated my lymph node incision (that one is such a pain in butt!). I didn't realize Tom's had aloe either. I *thought* I had read the ingredients but apparently not.
As for the abbreviations, scroll up from here to near the top. On the left where it lists all the things you can look at? Well, below that is a box that says "Help With Abbreviations"
I know....far too obvious. I had to ask too. Felt very blonde when I was given the answer, too! Won't it be nice to get your rads underway? HUGS!!
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Yike, many of the deodorants have an ingredient that causes the radiation beam to scatter, can't remember right now what it is. I found I didn't sweat during rads and didn't need any deodorant.
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Puffin, I think it's aluminum that is the culprit in deodorants.
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Yikes1 - I have my radiation in the late afternoon also. I grease up the girl in the morning and use the deodorant they gave me on that side. I also do this at night after the treatment/before bed. I shaved once at the beginning of radiation but now it is so red/black/purple that I would hate to get a razor near it. Right now I'm on a break from radiation because the skin under my breast is not doing too well. They gave me a burn cream that doesn't seem to be doing anything and it has just gotten worse over the last week. I have to go in today for them to look at it and I'm sure they are going to give me another week off (yeah December rads) since it looks even worse then it did last week and now my nipple area is peeling also so I don't think they can even give me my boosts first. On the bright side, the 3 days off have allowed my rash to clear up a bit and my under arm to heal a bit.
Good luck with your rads!
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Hi all - It's been a long time since I was here and posted a question. My lumpectomy was a year ago and things are going well. But now I am ready to address the uneven size of my breasts. I was pretty surprised at the size difference after radiation and surgery and swelling went away. I know I'm entitled to breast reduction on the healthy size, but it's not worth that to me at age 67. Had that been offered to both breasts this size 42DDD would have been delighted. But who/where do I ask about a fitting for a breast shaper. There are plenty available on the Shop Diva site here, but it seems like there are probably ways to go besides just ordering something that expensive without an actual piece of professional advice. Do I ask surgeon, oncologist, radiologist. Does it matter? Are there people who actually do fittings and recommendations? Thanks
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Miminiemi, That's a good question. I'm at the opposite end of the spectrum - 36A. Where I seem to have problems is with my back muscles. Don't know if it cording or what. With virtually no boob, you'd think I wouldn't need support (and my right girl is happy flopping around). But my left seems to pull those back muscles and I hurt. I also am misshapened. But, like you, at 69 I don't feel the need for further surgery. My padded bra works nicely. Glad you're doing well!
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Miminiemi - One of our local home health equipment shops had a certified mastectomy fitter on staff. She fitted me with a "compensation form" that I wore until I had my opposite breast reduced and my treated breast fat grafted. Maybe check the yellow pages. Also, the American Cancer Society may have a local office and a mastectomy fitter who can help. Good luck!
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Miminiemi - you might ask your medical team, especially your BS and a PS if you have one, for recommendations. Ask as well whether there's a possibility that insurance might cover anything you need. The American Cancer Society is a good bet, too.
The breast care center at the hospital where I'm being treated has a certified fitter on staff - you might find one at a nearby hospital as well. Good luck!
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Yes, insurance usually pays for a prosthesis as well as two or four mastectomy bras per year. Definitely worth checking into.
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Thanks all. Now I've got a place to start. Also a good tip about the bras.
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Yikes - I was told that I could use an electric razor for shaving - you may want to ask about that. Also, my friend used 100% Aloe on her breast every day, from day one of radiation tx. She had no redness and she is WHITE! Red hair, fair, fair skin. When I start radiation tx (next week??) this is what I have planned and will let everyone know if it really works (for me).
I have used the Toms deodorant but find that it doesn't work for me and it also discolors any white shirts horribly! Not sure what is in it, but I stopped using it mostly because it ruined all my white shirts. Ha.. I read somewhere that deodorant, or should I say antiperspirant, only works on 20% of perspiration…so what's the point really.
I had my tats and await "the call" for dry run and to set up time for radiation appointments. Really don't like the "hurry up and wait" as I would like to finish this up and move on to the next step - Tamoxifen (not really excited for sure! don't do well with any type of drugs - very small amount affects me horribly)
K
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Good morning....just took my very first Femara pill.....1,824 to go or 3,650 depending on 5 years or 10 years!
I really had a hard time starting because I have never had to take prescription meds for any illness. Reality bites!
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MeToo14: I had 2 lumpectomies but did not have the node removal; I only took a week off from work each time but I am an admin - your work is much more physical and I would definitely ask your surgeon what he/she thinks for time off - the LAST thing you want to do is hurt yourself. I didn't really experience pain after surgeries, more the "girl" was sore.....like right before your period but everyone has different pain experiences as well and like I said, I did not have node removal so that may be an entirely different ball game.
Wishing you the very best - please make sure to come back and tell us how everything went and how you are feeling. We will all be thinking of you.
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Nash, don't think of it as medicine for an illness. You are taking the Femara to PREVENT the BC from coming back. Huge difference. Think positive!
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Thanks Peg....attitude IS everything!!!
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Yes, it is, Nash!!!
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Nash - glad you got started. I finished my first bottle of it late last week, tossed it to my husband and said "One down, 119 to go - assuming 10 years."
I hear you on taking medications - when I was dx with silent GERD that was causing significant bleeding, I fought taking medication for life and made huge changes in an attempt to avoid it. Once I accepted that it's just the way I'm put together, it was easier to swallow the notion of pill popping (pun intended). As for Femara, I'd rather take that ANY day than deal with some of the alternatives. I'm grateful it's an option, grateful that it's generic and grateful that, for now, I don't seem to experience any side effects - although at this time of the year I would welcome a hot flash!
I hope you adapt well to it too!
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Hopeful, hot flashes were welcome 25 years ago and would be fine now. I'm always cold! Like you I'm damn glad to take anastrozole. I've been on it 4 days less than you. So far so good!
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Miminiemi - yippee! Congrats on cancerversary
)) yes, a mastectomy fitter is perfect. Your breast center may have one that visits and does fitting or schedule appointment. Insurance should cover bra, and prosthetic...yes Lumpies we can get a chick fillet to help fill the new wireless bra. Agree the thought of going in to make the girls twins is )) really you would be hard press to notice the difference even in my bathing suit:)Ooo who Lumpies! You all rock getting ready to celebrate 2 year cancerversary....ah
))Breathe, blow bubbles, pocket party, and wiggle your toes in the grass...life is good! Make your heart smile!
(((Hugs)))
Cindy
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Oh, RMlulu - That is too much! I totally cracked up over 'chick fillet'. If laughter is the best medicine, I think you just killed at least a million cancer cells!
Thank you - that's the best laugh I've had all week and I will never, ever look at a Chick Fil A sign without a smile and thinking of you.
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Hopeful - it does look just like a boneless skinless wimpy breast waiting to be marinaded... I keep her in her box so hubby and pup don't take a bite
. But the support&fit make bra look better and my lumpie appreciates the support...much better than a boob sock in my genie bra...poor beautiful wonder bras are out!Yes, I laugh when we go to Chick Fil near and dear to my heart!
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Cindy, you always know what we need and that definitely was a great belly laugh and felt so danged good. The thought of surgery to make the girls twins is not a happy one for me. Maybe someday I'll change my mind. Right now I just want to be healed and rested. Thanks!! Hugs and happy almost 2 years!
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