Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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it is nice to have a good check up. YAY and congratulations. I had an ultrasound right before Thanksgiving because I had some on and off soreness in the bad boob. My MO ordered the ultrasound to make me feel better lol
Nancy
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Good to hear you had a good check up, Peggy. I hope everything else is going well, too.
Nancy, it's nice of your MO to care about reassuring you. A little bit of that goes a long ways, doesn't it? Take care.
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Sjacobs--Since you have such an issue with the unaffected arm and want to protect the other one, why not try asking the med onc to order a port for the chemo, thus bypassing both arms? tgtg
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Glad to read your updates.... and happy for the good check ups.
I start rads on Dec. 29. Poo.
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That is terrific Pontiac Peggy!!!
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tgtg, the port is no picnic either. With one treatment left, I'll hang in there. Besides, my MO said that if I had major trouble, they'd put in a PICC line
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Pontiac Peggy...thanks for sharing ... always does my heart good to hear someone with good news!
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hello again. I'm so glad I went for the bra fitting and got a pro thesis shell. I feel like My former self and don't have that snowball uni-boob look anymore thanks for the encouragement to go RMlulu.
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RMlulu went for the bra fitting and also got a shell to even out the girls feel lost like my old self and no longER have the snowball shape I've been sporting this past year thanks for the encouragement to go.
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Mimi, I'm so glad you are happy with the results! I know it can be very difficult to do things like the fitting, but I am so glad you went. Feeling like your old self is the best news!
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Good News PontiacPeggy!!
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Lumpies TGIF!
Miminiemi - Happy Bra Chick Filet Dance! Cha Cha Cha...:))) glad your fitting went well...luv a good fitting...Lumpies, yes a fitting helps the girls look good and the support is wonderful...luv my compression cami helps trunk LE 3rd girl... So go!
Peggy - good news:D how's hubby?
Sjacobs - how our twins? Thinking of you:)
Poppy - you will rock laser tag...make a countdown calendar and reward yourself each day, week:))) and hydrate!
KKay - best wishes as you countdown rads....free boobing helps so much...but it is the holidays:)
Pocket Parties continue!
(((Hugs)))
Cindy
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FYI all - I've been fitted for Bras over the years, but it is always measure me and then ask what did I see that I would like to try. This mastectomy/lumpectomy trained sweet fitter brought the ones she knew would work best for me. Education pays. I had no idea what an "M" frame bra was, but I should have been wearing one for about 55 years now with or without surgery. All the ones she let me try on were perfect and I probably could have skipped the "shell" to put in the pocket once I had the right bras. But she encouraged me to try a minimal shell and that was even better. If you have not done this I would encourage you to. By the way, if you are on medicare they allow 3 bras at first, and 3 more after three months if I need them. And on and on…They also paid for the shell, which is costly.If the bras cost more than medicare allows, then my supplement insurance should pay for them. And so…why would my male radiologist offer breast reduction surgery instead of explaining this to me. I'll be educating him soon. Happy Day to you all.
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Minnie - thanks for all the info. I'd LOVE to be a fly on the wall when you educate your male radiologist.
I'd never heard of an "M Frame bra" but in looking at definitions/photos on line, I think that's actually what I've generally gravitated toward over the years. You learn something new every day!
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Thank you everyone!
Cindy, hubby is doing okay. It is such a relief to have him in a nursing home. Few worries and I get to sleep all night (well, except for getting up to pee once or twice). Now if I could get rid of my bug/flu/whatever I'd be fantastic! No holiday decorating or baking this year. Just too tired to do it. But the shopping is done!! (Love you internet!).
Mininiemi, I also want to be a fly on that wall when you education your male RO! Mine would absolutely love the discussion (he's a bit "twisted" and I adore him). That's really nice to know about the bras. Hopefully, it is knowledge I won't need but I'll tuck it away. Sounds like you had a great experience.
Hugs everyone!
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Glad to hear your husband's doing o.k. As for Christmas, it's o.k. to take a pass on the decorating, baking, etc., every once in a while.
I LOVE Advent and Christmas but would dearly love for someone else to host it this year. It ain't gonna happen (as they say) but it sure would be nice. And I have to ask, what good is having cancer if you can't even get out of hosting Christmas? (wink)
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Hopeful, I hear you! When I'm not up for visitors who stay too long, I wear pajamas for the visit... hoping they will take the hint. If not, I tell them I'm tired and going back to bed. I've even told people, if you can't wear pajamas all day after having a baby or when you have cancer... when can you?!
Pretty amazing that you can even host! I'm waaay too tired!
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Hi, Poppy - Well, since I've not even had surgery yet, much less chemo, I have a bit less (o.k., a lot less) of an excuse than you do! Still, you'd think the darn dx. would be good for something.
For me it's not that people overstay but rather all the cooking, baking, and cleaning before hand. It's exacerbated by my husband's Christmas tradition of coming down with the flu on the 23rd, leaving everything last minute to me (I kid you not - this has happened 3 years running). I'd LOVE a year when all I had to do was wrap gifts and do the baking... I doubt I'll ever see the day, however. I need more females in the family to share the burden.
However, I will be thinking of you on Christmas, hoping it's a quiet but festive day for you and that next year will be degrees of magnitude easier.
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Hi ladies!
I just finished chemo and am scheduled to have my lumpectomy with snb this Friday on the 19th. I've never really had surgery before so I am a bit nervous about this. I know they will probably cover this in the pre op appointment but I thought maybe I can get some answers here until then, maybe I'm more than a bit nervous
How long does the actual surgery last? I remember reading 2-3 hours somewhere and that sounds so long!
Any smokers who had lumpectomy, did you have issues such as dead tissue? I am quitting, used to smoke half a pack daily I would say before diagnosis, and decided to quit. I have smoked about 25 cigarettes (so bit over a pack) over the past 4 months which is much much lower than what I used to but still not completely clean you know. I know it sounds so stupid to even smoke one after the dx but it has been a rough ride for me (breaking up with significant other). Think my scar will be around the aerola if the surgeon can, and I just read scary things about nipple necrosis. My fingertip oxygen level was 100% a week ago, my blood pressure is normal and I do not cough. I've also healed from my port surgery ( which was right around the dx) fine, although my scar is still a bit dark it has been fading and think will go away.
I have other questions too but these are my top two. Thanks ladies, this forum has been great to ease the anxiety and I really like readingyour experiences.
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Hopeful, That's awful that your husband gets sick right before Christmas! I usually get sick right after Christmas because I over do everything and get worn down. I agree, all the cooking, cleaning and so on is the most of the work.
Windgirl, Have you read the section addressing what to expect when having a lumpectomy on this website? I think it's very helpful. Here's the link: http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/lumpectomy/expectations
The actual surgery time is usually less than 2 hours, but every surgery is different. Some estimates may include pre-op and post-op recovery room time. When you go for your pre-op, take a written list of questions. Ask about your estimated recovery time. Age and overall health can make a huge difference.
One of the issues with smoking/lungs is anesthesia. Just be honest with your docs. I am not a smoker, so maybe some else will chime in. I do have incisions around my areolas and they are nearly invisible. I have no loss of sensitivity, no necrosis. I helps to keep in mind that doctors have to inform you of any potential outcomes. Unless they have to cut the blood supply to the nipple, necrosis is unlikely. Again, ask your doctors and stay away from scary Dr. Google!
I'll be thinking about you on 12/19!
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Good luck, Windgirl! I understand being nervous, especially since you've never had surgery before.
If there's a nurse navigator or maybe a patient advocate ay your hospital they can answer just about any sort of question that will occur to you, and even walk you through the pre-op area if you ask.
Check out the October surgery group thread for LOTS of useful info, too.
Hang in there!
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PoppyK and Hopeful,
Thanks so much for the support and messages. I went to my pre surgery appointment today, looks like it will be an hour and will have general anesthesia. I also informed them that I had quit regular smoking but smoked occasionally in stressful times over the past 4 months and they were not concerned, I am a bit more relieved and hopefully this will be it for me. Thanks again, I will post here how it goes
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I'm glad to hear you're more at ease about the surgery, Windgirl. We'll be thinking of you these next few days.
Poppy, I swear if he gets sick this year I will pitch a fit to end all fits. I see it as his way of getting out of all the holiday activities, many of which were pretty stressful in his family. That's gotten pretty old, however! The icing on the cake is that I live in fear of catching whatever he's picked up, despite flu shots, etc.
Hope everyone can stay healthy and strong to whatever degree is needed in order to have a meaningful holiday season this year.0 -
Windgirl, Glad you feel more comfortable about your surgery. Looking forward to your update.
My 15 year old son brought a friend over on Sunday. My DH and I were doing some Christmas decorating around the house. This other boy wanted to help us decorate.... instead of play video games, watch tv, play pool, hang out. It was so nice to have help to put up all of the garlands, especially the ones that are too high for me to reach. The boy said he liked helping and his family only decorates a tree.
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Hi Ladies -
Tomorrow is my last day of rads. Can't believe it finally here. The boosts are really making a mess of my girl. My armpit skin is peeling, with the baby skin underneath it. Around the wound -bed is a very red color. The follicles are all burnt. I look like a victim of a nuclear accident, although I was told it will heal up quickly after the radiation is finished. I certainly hope so. A lot of people at my radiation center are finishing up before Christmas. I guess a lot of people don't want to start radiation until January. This will be the Christmas present that doesn't get wrapped and won't fit under the tree, So much to do now to get ready for Christmas.
MarieBernice6234
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Congratulations, MarieBernice!! I can't believe you're done - that's wonderful to hear.
I hope you do heal up very quickly and cleanly and recover quickly as well from any fatigue.
Best wishes for a very happy Christmas, MarieBernice, and all the best in the new year.
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MarieBernice, So glad to hear that you are done. The best Christmas present ever! I just had my 2 week after visit with my RO. You really do heal quickly after it is done. Most of the brown skin is gone and replaced with new normal looking skin. I still have some burnt follicles and my nipple is still peeling and tender (That is basically where I had my boosts). Every day, it seems like it is looking better and better.
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Congrats MarieBernince....movin' on!!!!
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Hi Jeanelle -
Yes, it does feel good to have it over. Glad to hear that that skin areas heal relatively quickly. That makes me feel better as well. The RO that I saw today due ti it being the last day says that my skin looks really good. Not to me guess it just proves that beauty does lie in the eye of the beholder. I am really proud of my completion certificate. There was a time about 10 days ago, that I wanted to quit and almost did.
MariBernice6234
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MarieBernice, Congratulations on completing rads!
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