Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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That sounds fantastic. I wish I'd been able to do it, though there might not have been enough tissue, in my case, to rearrange
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I am also having the sentinel node biopsy... is that what is the most difficult as far as recovery?0 -
Leighrh, from what the ladies have said here, it sounds to me that the SNB is the most difficult part of recovery from Lx. Without having it, I had very little post-op pain or difficulty, and no arm mobility issues. But I know there are exercises you can do to minimize all that, which Peggy and others have shared here.
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Leighrh, it's not that it's so painful. But gee it's annoying. Everything seems to irritate it. That's why you want a bra that doesn't go into the armpit. And no underwires. And it seems to take longer for it to heal. I still don't have much feeling there yet after 7 months. My BS said it could take 2 years for the nerves to heal IF they are going to. Oh well, there are worse things than having a numb underarm, aren't there?
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Ladies, we were talking about Gypsy Vanner horses earlier this week and just saw this video. Apparently these guys didn't have a car to do doughnuts so came up with this. Horsey Doughnuts It was on RightThisMinute today.
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Leigh, I had oncoplastic reconstruction also. I would anticipate more swelling with this surgery than a lumpy only, since the PS will be rearranging the remaining tissue. That's what happened with me. I bought front zip sports bras in two different sizes since I wasn't sure which would fit after the surgery. Returned whatever didn't work for me. It was really important for me to keep the breast tissue still, so this worked better than the Genie type bras. I used those later on. After surgery, I was wearing a surgical binder with Velcro closure over my bandages. You might have something similar. I wore that the first few days post surgery. The surgeon or med center may have "bra" options available to you.
BTW, I had a fair amount of tissue removed (even with only 1cm), so the PS operated on the good girl at the same time to make them match.
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bambooangel - I had a seroma develop after my lumpectomy. I do not know when exactly it formed but it was sometime during my radiation, we think. I didn't know it was there because of the swelling due to the radiation and I had pain due to the skin issues I had. Last week, I finally contacted my MO about it as it was hurting really bad and I figured out what I thought was a peeling nipple was actually a discharge. I ended up with a mammogram and ultrasound and they discovered the seroma. They drained it which helped the pain I was having. It doesn't appear to have filled up again or if it has, it isn't as big as it was. The surgeon wasn't worried about it and they cultured it and there was no infection. I'm now in a wait and see period. I am following up with the MO today.
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Thanks Hopeful8201. Will let you know if I get any answers! I'll just be glad when xrt is over, although it has been no where near as bad as chemo.
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Thanks for the info Poppy.. My PS said that we will wait until after radiation to match me up and maybe do some fat grafting if needed. I really am pretty comfortable in sports bras so I might just pick up on or two of the zip front ones.
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Leigh, I obtained a couple of zip-front bras (complete with little pockets that are great for mini-ice packs) through the breast care center at the hospital where I'll have my surgery. I used them after the biopsies, including at night. My chest isn't large but minimizing motion really felt good at that point.
The breast center coordinates with your surgeon to bill insurance. In my case, my out of pocket for these was minimal and they are much better suited to my needs than anything I found in stores. You might ask about that option.
Good luck preparing for your surgery and your down time. Here's to clean margins and clear nodes!
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Where can you find the zip up sports bra? Can't find one where I live.......
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Here in Louisiana.. they have the zip ups at Academy or Dick's Sporting goods. I think I have even seen them at walmart.
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Thanks I will check there!!
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Hi, I sure wish I had known about this site before I had my lumpectomy. For some reason I thought they would give me and bra after surgery but they didn't so I free girled it home which really was not comfy. As soon as I could I went out and bought just cheap bras from our local department store that hooked in the front, made out of cotton sports bra look but were very comfy. I saw Walmart also sold them. I lived in them day and night for quite awhile. I also bought them larger around then I normally wear as my girl swelled and it felt great to have them loose. I wore them also during my internal radiation treatments.I have two surgeries coming up, finally found doctors that will listen and not tell me its in my head- I guess baseball sized ovaries were NOT in my head- IDIOT MO!!! They are so big I can not do laparoscopic surgery and have to do the old fashioned belly surgery. Another surgeon( he is the same one who did my breast surgery) will do a hernia surgery for me an assist the OBGYN - will be done either Feb 24 or March 3rd still waiting for the doctors to coordinate their schedules. Just praying its not more cancer as my cancer tumer marker test is elevated. UFFFFF...
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I bought mine at Sports Authority. Champion makes a few styles that are ok. Under Armour also makes them but they are for D cups or higher.
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Holding you in my pocket NDGrl!!!
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Things to take for lumpectomy. For your drain: a too-big bra that hooks in front and won't put pressure on drain. You can stuff it to hold the injured girl steady. Big men's button front shirts with front pocket to hold drain. Or a diaper pin. (I actually threaded a string through loop on drain and hooked it on my ear when showering.) A few sterile gauze pads to prop under the drain with a bandaid or two to hold everything in place. If you have arm issues, cut the toe out of a sock and pull it all the way up to your armpit (jiggling in car can be unpleasant, and the compression really helps.). Get some small ice packs (the ones you snap to activate).
For ride home: Easy pull up pants. Now is not the time to be a fashionista. Comfort is what you will want. Several small pillows: ring one for neck, one or two to shove between you and seat belt. Pudding cups for if you need to take pain meds.
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Leighrh..the only thing I can add is to be sure and ICE the area. It really helps keep the swelling down. If you have SNB, as the others have said, it is more bothersome that the LX. You will have strange sensations afterwards for a while due to the nerves trying to repair themselves. Bring a pillow for the car ride to rest your arm. I felt fine the day after my LX and was back to my normal routine in 2 days. Best of luck for a speedy and uneventful recovery!!!
p.s. I've never found a comfortable bra before or after LX LOL
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Hi Girls, I've been reading, but not posting. The waiting was really starting to take it's toll, I've been a mess the past few days. Had my meeting with my BO this morning, and as expected, chemo will be part of my treatment. I'll be getting my port next Thursday, and then chemo the following week on the 26th. I feel so much better now that I have a plan and can move forward. 4 rounds, the yucky part will be done by the end of April, then RADS about a month after. So...if all goes well, I'll be done with treatment by the end of June. The BO was suitably impressed with my knowledge, thanks to all of you who have gone before me and given me the knowledge. I'll be moving on over to the February Chemo DB, thought I might be starting in March, have just been waiting... I have an appointment to get my hair done this Friday, and will post a pic of my new do. Looking forward to having pink hair, especially if its just for a month or so
Ok, now it time to study up on my cocktail, and pay special attention to those posts.PS I gave myself 2 weeks after surgery to get back to my normal exercise routine, and I'm happy to say that I am back to running my 2 to 3 miles per day and my exercises without any problems---yeah! Please, let us hope that I can weather chemo as good as the surgery. This is indeed a wonderful site, and I love you all for sharing, I will continue to pay it forward after I am done, so those in the future can have benefit as I (us) and have some peace of mind.
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Do you always have a drain with SNB? My surgeon said that I prob would not? I guess I will prepare for it in case....
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Bikerbabe, you rock!
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Leighrh, I did not have a drain after my lumpectomy and SNB. I only got the drain after the mastectomy.
You should ask your surgeon if and how many drains you'll have. I asked mine and was prepared, mentally too.
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Usually, if the SNB finds a positive sentinel node, the surgeon will do an ALND (but he will need your consent before surgery). You can get the details on the "Jump to a Forum ALND." With that you will get a drain under your arm. With some reconstructions, a drain is placed. But if your surgeon says you probably won't, you probably won't.
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leighrh, I didn't have a drain. I don't know what seems to determine that.
BikerBabe, sorry you're going to have chemo. But your attitude is great. And it is nice to know one way or the other. Can't wait to see your pink hair! You'll do fantastic. It helps that you're in such good shape. My daughter-in-law (colon cancer) had a positive attitude and thought of chemo days as KILL CANCER days. Worked for her. Nice that you'll be all done by June. Please do come visit us regularly and let us know how you're doing. Wishing you all the best!!!
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leighrh...no drain for me either. 1 node removed and it was negative.
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NDgirl - so sorry you're going through all that, and especially that you can't do it larparoscopically due to surgeons not listening to you. Grrrrrr!
BikerBabe - yuck. I know that's not the news you wanted to hear. T/C's not as bad as ACT but still presents plenty of challenges. I'm sure you'll surmount them in the end but want you to know it's o.k. to bitch about it. You might want to check out the discussions of cold capping as well as icing your hands and feet. Brrr - it hurts even to think about it at this time of the year!
Good luck to both of you. PLEASE continue to hang out here with us, or at least stop by with updates. We love you!
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Two nodes removed here and no drain. My armpit was doing better than got agitated again after the re-excision. I feel like I had to start over. Some days feels pretty OK other days it's much more sore. Aggravating
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My surgery date is Monday. Doctor told me the MRI showed a clean rt breast but another small tumor was found in the left. He said I would be having a lumpectomy and an SNB with a possible ALND which I had assumed. However, today a nurse called to get updates on my meds, etc. and told me that I was scheduled to have an ALND and a possible foley balloon. Why might the latter be?
The surgeon told me twice that he would do a SNB and depending on what they showed he might take more nodes. What the nurse said makes me feel the doc expects the initial lymph nodes to show malignancy but didn't want to freak me out by saying so.
Getting my hair cut tomorrow so I don't have to worry about styling it w/ brushes and dryer post surgery. Depending on how the haircut turns out I'm liable to be more upset about my hair than I am about my cancer!
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Surprised, I would call back and make certain they are looking at the right records. Do not agree to an ALND without a thorough discussion of the issues with your BS. ALND carries a high risk for lymphedema and that is something you really do not want!
I'd insist that the sentinel node be done before signing consent for ALND, even if it did mean another surgery, frankly. And, should it be necessary, ask about the option of Axillary Reverse Mapping, which spares most/all of the nodes draining the arm, thus reducing the risk of lymphedema.
A Foley is a urinary catheter - I'm not sure why that would come in to the picture. It certainly wasn't required when I was scheduled for lx. and ALND (which I cancelled).
Good luck with your hair cut. Tell your stylist you don't need any bad hair days on top of what you're already dealing with!!
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A lot went on today, so I'm apologizing if I miss someone. The last two days have been so long and stressful for me, and have left me exhausted.
Bikerbabe, Sorry you have to journey through chemoland. I did, too. Here is the link for an active forum for those undergoing cytoxan/taxotere chemo: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/800978?page=131#idx_3925 I found it very helpful. There are so many chemo protocols, it was nice to find people undergoing the same treatment protocol.
NDgirl, Glad you finally have someone taking proper care of you. It's so wrong when the docs don't believe you or discount what you are telling them.
Surprised, you got excellent responses from the ladies here!
Leigh, no drains for me. PS doesn't like using them. I would definitely ask about them. Better prepared, than surprised!
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