Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Cindy, I find I can wear very pretty, very padded bras with no problem. Of course, I'm quite under-endowed so that may make a difference. My pretty bras are push ups and since my lumpy was on the bottom of my breast, works just fine. No genie bras. However, I wear bra camis from Walmart quite a bit.
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OK - now I'm never even going to look at raw chicken the same way
It's a good thing I've already gone off it. The prospect of consuming chicken processed in China has pretty well destroyed my taste for it.0 -
Hi Yikes1 -
It seems like you have gotten a lot responses and good advice already. Even so I will add my 2 cents. About the shaving - my only guess is that it could alter the integrity of the skin if you tend to nick while shaving. That could create an area that could react to the radiation. About the deodorant or antiperspirant, I think it has to do with with the aluminum that is inside it, like someone else had mentioned. My center doesn't want me to use any of those items? Instead, they recommend using corn starch (from the kitchen) for this. Aloe was just another option.
About the Zoloft, those two medications do not mix well. Not knowing how high or how long you have been on the Z, I would recommend you talking to your psychiatrist about this soon. You have to come off of it slowly, and start the Effexor slowly. I had a false start on this process, because the Effexor potentiated the side affect of constipation. When are you scheduled to start on the Tamoxifen? I will be starting in mid January.
I think that you will relax once the radiation starts. Usually a person starts radiation a week after they get their tatoos. Please let us know how things work out!
MarieBernice6234
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kKay....did you ever try an electric razor under your arm?? OUCH! I would rather have hairy armpits!! Lol...don't worry too much about being fair skinned...most ladies do really well and I have read that fair skin doesn't mean burns will be worse ...don't put anything on the boob 4 hours before radiation...but you probably knew that! Good luck! Rosie
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Missing K
Try soaking the stained shirts areas with Hydrogen Peroxide. That will remove, blood and many other bodily fluid stains..
Vickie
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Vickie will hydrogen peroxide remove perspiration stains? Is it safe to use on colors or only on whites?
Nancy
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Nancy,
I learned this trick from my daughter-in-law who is a nurse. I have used it on blood stains on many different fabrics. Probably would be a good idea to try it in an inconspicuous area first on colored items.
If anyone reading here would like it PM me and I can send you some information about the different uses for Hydrogen Peroxide.
Vickie
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I saw my surgen to schedule surgery last week. I expressed my concern about having lymph nodes removed and how it will impact my work as a mail carrier. He answered me with a "ah ha, we have to do it". That was it, he didn't seem concerned but I am. I hope that with physical therapy I will be ok and have no problems. Tuesday is my surgery date and I am so scared. I wish I could wake up from this all.
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Metoo, sorry to say, yes you do need the SNB. I understand why you're concerned. You lymph node incision is really annoying but the lumpy is why you can't lift much weight at all. I was told 3 weeks before I could lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk. You HAVE to take care of yourself first. Everything else is secondary right now. Even your job.
You'll do fine from your surgery. Just rest, follow your post-surgery instructions to a "t" and pamper yourself. Don't rush ANYTHING. And don't anticipate problems. You may not any. We are all different. I don't blame you for wanting to wake up - we all have wanted that. But we have what we have and have to cope with it. You will too. Whether it is hard or easy, you'll manage (there isn't another choice, is there?). And remember we are here for you to vent. We've been there. We totally understand all the emotions you're experiencing.
Many hugs and keep us posted on how your surgery goes. Write again before then and we'll hold your hand and give you HUGS and more HUGS!!!!
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Metoo14 - I'm sorry your surgeon didn't come across as understanding your issue with the SNB. Far too many surgeons do downplay the possible effects of their actions and minimize our concerns. It's very unpleasant to have your concerns minimized.
That being said, the sentinel node biopsy is needed and, frankly, is a lot better than what they used to do routinely just a few years ago. If you've got cancer in your lymph nodes you really, truly need to know that so that it's addressed in your treatment.
Don't leave the hospital on Tuesday without a referral for physical therapy. Usually you won't get the referral prior to surgery because insurers won't cover at that point, but once you've had surgery you should get a referral. Then call right away to schedule, as it can take a while to get an appt.
As Peggy said, follow your instructions carefully and be sure to do the exercises they'll give you to do at home.Don't overdo it, though.
I'll be pulling for you on Tuesday. In the meantime, take care of yourself, try to do something fun when you can, and remember to breathe!
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MeToo14 I just wanted you to know that I had an SNB where 3 nodes were removed. I have had absolutely no problems and I am almost 5 months out. Two days after my lumpectomy I was out walking my two chocolate labs. Everyone is different of course but I hope you have little pain. Good luck
Nancy
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metoo14...I had 3 positive out of 11 removed...I was messing around outside by my firepit 2 days after surgery with my pitchfork! I took ibuprofen and ice packs on the boob...was back to teaching kindergarten a week later with a very large bruise but it was ok...that was January 2014...pt was 5 months later and I do stretches...I started pt late but they teach you a lot! Good luck!
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Cindy - missed your wonderful humor. Hope all is well with you and hubby. Keep us laughing!! You helped so much with laughter and great info when I needed it most and I know so many of us appreciate your words of wisdom and encouragement. Hugs, Mar
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I'll second that, Mar. Cindy is part of the glue for this site that we need!
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MeToo, Great advice and support from the ladies here! Did your surgeon say how many nodes he was planning on removing? That might give you an idea of how large the area of dissection and your incision will be. My BS only took my sentinel node and my incision was about 4 inches. I was able to move my arms quite well after surgery, but found it uncomfortable to sleep on my side. Peggy is absolutely right about not lifting any thing heavier than a gallon of milk. You don't want to prolong your healing by doing too much, too soon. Is there a chance that you can get disability until you can perform your mail carrier duties?
I'll be thinking about you on Tuesday!
Poppy
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MeToo, I echo what everyone else has said, you need the SNB. You really need to know if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes to know what the next steps need to be. They removed 4 of my nodes and luckily found no cancer in any of them. Do follow the instructions the surgeon gives you following surgery. You won't be able to lift anything heavy for a while. I will say my incision for my SNB was more bothersome than the one on my breast but then again it gets rubbed all the time. Now I am 11 weeks out from surgery and the SNB incision doesn't bother me at all. I underwent PT that helped with the stiffness in my arm caused by it and now have full range of motion. It is actually better in that arm than my other.
Take a deep breath and just remember that you are doing everything that you need to to get rid of the cancer. That thought has helped me through several dark days lately. I will be thinking of you on Tuesday.
Remember we are always here to listen to you vent. These ladies are terrific!
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I will try the hydrogen peroxide on my white shirts….Thanks!
Rosi - I have an electric razor I use when in a hurry….it's ok, doesn't get as good as a razor and yes it does pull a little …Yikes.
I am having pain under my breast - like sore to the touch for the past week. Now I feel thick cording that is sore running up into the breast….My surgery was in the right upper quadrant a month ago. Called my docs, but none can see me till Dec? I'm not even sure its something to go to them for?? My thought was infection, but I don't have a fever…
Any thoughts?
K
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I am 5 months post op breast lumpectomy.. clear margins. Incision healed extremely well however on the opposite side of the breast I had some slight swelling and site was pinkish. this has not gone away over time. Now I have enlarged pores that are seeping clear fluid. Has anyone else had this problem??
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Thank you everyone for all the well wishes and great advice! My surgeon said I will have at least 3 nodes taken out. It's good to know I have a chance of being well enough to enjoy Thanksgiving, which is my favorite holiday. I had a large tumor and did chemo first. The whole time I was going through that It just seemed like surgery was so far away I really didn't give it a thought. Now it is here and it is scary but I am also happy to be moving forward. Hopefully I will get the results that I want and can start living my life again.
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MeToo14, I can see why you hadn't thought much about surgery. Getting through chemo is quite enough. You should be comfortable for Thanksgiving. Just remember it IS surgery. I took one pain pill immediately after surgery then Tylenol (regular not 3) if I needed it and I really didn't. My SNB incision was annoying at times but not hurting. The hardest thing was finding a bra that didn't rub my lumpy incision which ran from the "6 o'clock" position to just below my nipple. I think that's a common problem. Uncomfortable? Yeah, at times. I definitely took it easy with no lifting. It IS all doable. Praying for clear margins and clear nodes!! HUGS!!!
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Pontiac Peggy... Have to chime in with agreement on the bra challenge! I bought several front opening sports bras and left the tags on. Before the surgery I had no way to know where the SNB incision would be. After surgery one of the bras was perfect with an arm hole cutout that was below the SNB incision. The others went back to the store for a refund.
Referral to a PT with experience in lymphadema ... covered by insurance and something that needs to be part of the get well plan after SNB. Wore my compression sleeve on the flights to and from MD Anderson this week. My SNB incision area was amazingly flat after time with the sleeve.
Best wishes to all!
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MaggieCat, amazing how difficult the challenge is to find the "perfect" bra post-lumpy. I wore Genie bras and then nothing during my rads.
Hugs!
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I wear a 100% cotton tank top that is very thin and snug fitting…then I put my sports bra on top. This has helped me a lot with the rubbing….
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That's a great suggestion, Missing. Thank you!!
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I'm new to this site... so not sure how this works but I had a question above regarding post op lumpectomy & having a pinkish area away from incision site with large pores & some weeping of clear fluid... wondering if anyone else had this problem & apologize if maybe I am on the wrong topic site for this question.
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Bixxli, I didn't have anything like that, but maybe someone else here did. Hopefully, they will chime in soon.
Poppy
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Bixxli, you're in the right place. However, I have no idea what to tell you, except talk to your surgeon.
You might also want to make "public" your diagnosis and treatments so far. That can help us when trying to answer your questions.
We welcome you to our wonderful group but are sorry you needed to find us. Many HUGS to you.
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Peggy and Maggie, I want to chime in about the search for the right bra. I think I have spent more on bras in the last couple of months than I have in years! Each one seems to have it own problems. I'm hoping when this is all over, I can go back to my favorite brand that I have worn for years!
Bixxli, I don't have any advice for you other than speak to your surgeon about it. I know it wasn't something that I experienced.
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I find that I do better now (that I'm all healed and 4 months post-lx) with a nicely padded bra (and it's sexy). I'm underendowed so the padding is very helpful.
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bixxli....sorry you are experiencing this. I did not have any issues after my lumpectomy. Hope you get it figured out. Mine incision was sealed with surgical glue. Perhaps you are having an allergic reaction...I would definitely check with the surgeons office.
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