Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Yes, Rosieride, those who have had multiple nodes removed should avoid hot tubs totally. But since I had only one removed, I checked with my doctors before the trip and they gave the go-ahead. All of them said that having one node removed or two (like Andrea) reduces the risk of lymphedema dramatically,, to about 1%. Two other considerations--1) in two years, I've never had any swelling at all, despite working out steadily since day 2 after surgery, and 2) we set the hot tub temp to 101, and maybe let it go to 102 at most (so we weren't cooking ourselves to death)! . T.
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TG: can I come sit in your Hot tub!???? Please!! Lol.
We are practically twins TG. I had two re-excisions to get clean margins. Turns out I had four tumors in all: two DCIS and Two IDC. Two of which were very tiny , but thankfully were found in the margins.
I used to live near Pontiac , MI and now I live down the road from Philadelphia PA in Maryland.
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Andrea, you lived close to me! I'm right in Pontiac and have been in this house since 1967. You go to PCHS or PNHS? I'm a Chief
Sure was a good thing that you had to have the re-excisions, wasn't it? Not that it was fun but at least they found it all! HUGS!0 -
I'm also a former Michigan girl. Grew up in Irish Hills and lived in the Ann Arbor area for years until I moved to Florida and now to Southern Indiana.
My best friend is originally from Pontiac. She went to the Catholic High School there.0 -
I haven't read through the whole thread, and this may have been answered already, but if not, may I ask - for how long did people here have to wear their compression bras?
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caralex - I continued to wear sports bras for several weeks after my lumpectomy. I am very well endowed and it just helped to have really good support.
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Jeanelle, Hi! I went to Pontiac Central. We're all neighbors or former neighbors!
Caralex, I never wore a compression bra. I'm small busted and wore Genie bras. That was all the support I needed. I went bra-less 95% of the time during radiation. You might want to make your profile public - it helps us when we are giving advice. HUGS!
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Topic: Compression BrasContinue to wear mine as they give better support if you are larger and have a C/D > size cup (went from a DDD to a C/D after surgery).
I also wear several normal brands (a must to try on as fit is very individual to each of us):
BALI no underwire (Kohl's/Macy's, etc.); $16-$40. Some come in S-XXL size other are normal sizing, may have wider adjustable straps, can be converted to racer back (sports) and have a normal hook/eye opening in back. Colors: White/Beige/Black. Fabric is double thick for support. Pattern: double snowflakes (very limited supply on this style, my favorite). Check on-line ordering, many styles/patterns to choose from.
Marilyn Monroe no wire bra (Marshall's/TJMaxx). They only come in S-XXL size and have no adjustable features (straps or back), but if you buy one a size smaller than you are it gives average support for non-sporting events and everyday movement. Colors: White/Beige/Black/Grey. Come in pkgs of 2 different colors; $9-$15; regular back and racer back.
Hope this helps give you options to consider.
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Andrea--Unfortunately the timeshare hot tub is in Utah! Besides, the air would be a tad chilly on the balcony right now (they get 500 inches of snow in Little Cottonwood Canyon each ski season, with temps to match).
Yes, we do seem like twins in terms of our stats. Now, the other remaining detail is age--your photo tells me that you could be my daughter, since I am 73. So, maybe we're more like clones? Seriously, though, the best thing we share is the blessing of being stage1/grade 1/clean margins/no node involvement--and as a result a brighter future than many of our sisters.
Where in MD do you live? If you say near Cecil County or Elkton, then
there certainly will be another strange coincidence, since we live in
Chester County!Have a great Thanksgiving! TG
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Hello
I'm 2 months post lumpectomy and I'm wondering if pin and itching are normal, im getting strikes of pain intermittently during the day 2 to 3 times a day sometimes more, this is new after lumpectomy, however the itching is insane and I had it even before the surgery it feels worse now, I'm constantly scratching the affected breast which now has a lump at the site larger than what they removed in the first plac
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Kcscared-- The best person to discuss these issues with is your surgeon. That advice given, I can reassure you that I felt what I called "pings" or "zingers" daily for several months after my lumpectomy; they are common after any surgery (nerves and soft tissue are cut, after all). The pings are basically disappeared after a year.
The lump at the tumor site that Andrea and I have been discussing here is, according to my surgeon, scar tissue at the excision site; mine was quite large at first even a year after surgery, but now it is only noticeable when touched with a bit of pressure (and of course on mammograms). How long it takes for it to dissipate depends on your physiology--some of us need more time than others. Your itching I don't know about, since the only itching I had post-surgery was an allergic reaction to the Chloraprep they used to prep me for surgery (Benadryl helped tame it).
But to be sure about what's going on, do call your surgeon or ask at your next visit if it is soon. Don't rely solely on anecdotal input, which can certainly be reassuring, but can also be unrelated to your particular situation. TG
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Kscared, Please call your surgeon. I hope you can get some relief soon!
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Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving with "lump-free" gravy!!!!!
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"Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving with "lump-free" gravy!!!!"
Oh dear, Nash - that just had to be said, didn't it?? Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving as well.
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RMlulu - made an appointment at Decolletage. It's a fancy style boutique almost like a spa run by the University of Iowa Hospital that will file the insurance and fit me for prothesis and bras! Coffee and tea served while you wait and browse. I'm looking forward to this. Thanks all for the suggestions.
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Miminiemi, that's wonderful!
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Mimi, that sounds like a wonderful way to go about your shopping mission!
Nash, the lump free gravy comment just cracks me up.
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
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Even I could learn to enjoy shopping under such circumstances! I am really going to have a hard time not cracking up over the gravy tomorrow - never any lumps in it but that suggestion will be lurking...
A very Happy Thanksgiving to all.
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No lumps anywhere - by golly!
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Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
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You too!0
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Hello Lumpectomy lounge,
I've been reading your posts in prep for my lumpectomy, coming up soon, perhaps mid January. it looks like I'll have a scheduled c section the week of January 12. That's six weeks away. I don't know how I'll make it, but every day in is better for the babies. I am just huge right now, bigger than when I delivered my first set of twins (yes, I'm pregnant with twins,finished my AC chemo. And finished 2/12 taxol wed, and have 2.5 yo twins at home). Don't know how close together (I'd love to do them the same day!) but it would be easier to recover from both instead of staggering them. I would be taking a break from taxol during that time, and I don't really want to very much. I may get up to seven taxols completed before delivery, so that would only leave five after surgeries, and then rads. I am concerned that my pregnancy breasts won't have time to shrink before the lumpectomy, and consequently we will have to take out more tissue than we would if we waited a bit. Not sure why my MO wants to schedule before taxol is over, it makes me feel like he's concerned the chemo isn't working. It's very hard to tell, with all of the breast changes during pregnancy. Waiting to see my BS and talk it out.
Also worried the lumpectomy will be very disfiguring. Tumor is at 2 o'clock from the nipple. With rads recovery, looks like I wouldn't be able to do any recon until 2016. I'm usually a C/D and could really use a lift, especially after all these twins.
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Gatamol....welcome and congrats on the twins. You sure have your hands full. I was put under for my lumpectomy...not sure how they do a c section but aren't you generally awake? I would think you would have to have two separate procedures. Hopefully you have a good medical team and they can point you in the right direction.
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Hello,
I had my lumpectomy done on Nov 18, 1.4cm tumor, 0/3 SNB - i had a numbing sensation on my right arm, the side of the surgery. Its been two weeks but I still have a lingering numbness and discomfort. Is that normal?
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blueflowers,
If you don't have a drainage port/pump attached, you might want to see your breast surgeon for possible fluid seroma. They can drain, which may reduce the pressure/numbness/discomfort (if this is the issue) difference is noticed almost immediately.
Had similar issue happen on my surgical site (left side), noticed 10 days after surgery as the pain kept getting worse, lost feeling in my left arm, lost use of my left hand for gripping, pressure/pain was so intense, impacting nerve in my arm from node removal.
You can't see the seroma, but you can sure feel the knot/lump and pain of it not draining properly.
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blueflowers I had my surgery June 24th and I still have numbness behind my arm. I don't notice it though unless I touch the area. I am hoping it's going to go away but I don't know.
Nancy
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blueflowers...I'm two months out and I still have some numbness in my arm and breast. It's not painful just uncomfortable at times...especially if I overuse my arm.
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Blueflowers I am 6 weeks out from my surgery and still have numbness on the back of my arm and underarm. I have regained feeling in my breast area and feel that my arm is better than it was a few weeks ago. I hear that it can take up to a year to have full feeling back (if it all comes back). It is from disturbing the nerves during surgery.
Always call your surgeon if you feel something isn't right. Hope your feeling returns soon!
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I had surgery on Tuesday and I too have numbness. I also have shooting pains that feel like being stabbed with a knife that is on fire. I really hope this goes away quickly.
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Thanks for all your input. It helps to know that I don't have anything abnormal. But I am going to call up my surgeon'e office tomorrow since I have a discomfort around my elbow, I don't have any pain at the incision area, just the numbness on the underside of my arm. I hope it goes away soon. I also stopped taking prescription pain medicine for the last two days, maybe that's making the pain worse.
Thanks Ladies !! your posts really gives me strength to fight this monster.
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