Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Is anyone else having trouble sending private messages? Apparently there is a very tiny limit on the number that can be sent. Very frustrating. Guess I'll have to get email addresses right away. Must be related to the fact you can't post a lot of messages in a short time. Now, where's that DAMN button????
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I have a question about bras.
I bought a few athletic support bras, but they are too tight and rub against the incisions which are high.
I have underwire bras that snap in front that don't rub against incisions. Can I wear those? Or is there a problem with underwire?
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Alli, I'm rather surprised that you found an underwire bra that is comfy. I didn't. I think it is mostly important that the bra doesn't rub on your incision OR on your SNB site. Even after 7 months I find that I have undergarments that will irritate my underarm (I haven't figured out how because the area is still rather numb). You might try Genie bras, padded camisoles (I get them in the junior's dept at Walmart for $6 - I'm small and need very little support), and some women have found Coobie's bras work well. But just wear what works for you. If you are having radiation you may find, as I did, that going braless was very nice. HUGS!!
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It's a spanx bra-lellujah front closure that fits loose. Most of the genie and sports bras have straps like tank tops and my incision is high, on top of my nipple so those types of bras rub against it.
The spanx bra-lellujah has regular straps and it falls between my incision on top of my nipple and the incision for the SNB.
I'm 38C but shrinking. I've lost 30 pounds and 40 inches since July and everything is shifting.
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Wow, Alli, that's a huge amount of weight to lose. Good for you! I find "inches" are harder and that's what I'd like to lose (without any effort, of course). It IS tricky finding a bra that doesn't hit one incision or the other, I'm glad you did. Just remember that your newly "reorganized" booby is going to shift for awhile, too.
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The Mods
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Thank you all for sharing! It helps to know my feelings are normal! And I love Scarlett in gone with the wind!!! Alli, you are very brave! I'm very proud of you.
Well I had 2 appointments today
The BS drained my underarm and needs to keep draining it until the fluid stops coming back. And the reason for my lack of movement is due to cording! It'll settle on its own in time.
The oncologist recommends chemo! I start in 2 weeks. A combination of 3 drugs. If I don't do chemo I have a 40% chance of relapse. With it I have a 10-15% chance. For me its worth doing. Like bikerbabe I plan to go to the hairdressers next week. My hair is very thick and curly and down to my waist. It something everyone comments on! I know its just hair and it'll grow back, but its a huge part of my identity. Like Alli I was in an abusive relationship. My ex was a very jealous man. One day he took me to the hairdressers and made them cut off my hair. I was so embarrassed and mortified. I've never been to the hairdressers since. I trim my own hair. So this is a very big deal for me. Its a sign of my independence. Odd I know.
I appreciate everyone's input. It helps me come to a conclusion that I am comfortable with. Hugs to you all xxx
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Good morning, ladies. I'm off for my lumpy and SNB. Will remember all the advice you gave me including checking specifically with the BS that no ALND will be taking place. Doubtless once my head is clear again I will have more questions or at least more complaints
. See you on the other side.0 -
Best of luck surpr
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Good luck with surgery, surprisedat65!!
The Mods
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Shaz, it is a huge mental hurdle, losing your hair. I loved how my DIL handled it when she had colon cancer. She got her nephews together and they shaved off her hair. She made it a party. I'm very glad that you were able to get out of that abusive relationship and are putting a positive spin on cutting your hair. Your attitude seems very positive.
That's a bummer about the fluid in your arm and the cording. At least you know what to do now. Are you in physical therapy for the cording?
Try to spend the next couple weeks doing things YOU like to do as much as possible. And please keep us posted on your journey. Many HUGS!!!
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SuprisedAt65 - Good luck!!!! Many of us have felt good, even right after surgery (I was sure amazed that I did). Hopefully you will be too. But at any rate, you'll feel good soon. And it is so nice to get the surgery behind you. Finally you are doing something to KILL CANCER! And, for me, that was a damn good feeling! HUGS!!!
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shaz101 - I have a lot of anxiety about losing my hair and I'm leaning towards trying to save it using Penguin Cold Caps. There is a whole thread here talking about them. Might be worth checking it out, if it's something that would help you.
B
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BBwithBC45 and Shaz, one of the women here, I think it was PoppyK, used a cold cap and had good success with it. Or maybe Lago. Wish i could remember accurately. IIRC, not everyone can use it but I don't recall why. I'm soooo useless this morning (too cold out to function properly I think
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Shaz, our hair is such a huge part of our feminine charm. We get it. Do you have Locks of Love in Australia? It is a non-profit organization that you can donate your hair for wigs for other cancer patients. There is also a company who will sew your own hair into caps or hats, at a cost. Be sure to bring a friend or two to the hairdressers. A lot of women make this event a turning point in their treatment...an outward expression of their determination to conquer this.
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SweetHope, that's a great idea (Locks of Love)! We should all tuck that away in our mental filing cabinet. HUGS!!
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Surprised---good luck, looking forward to seeing you on the other side. Hugs
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My arm is feeling better, but this cold weather really seems to bother it. And my nipple has been super sensitive the last 2 days. Is this common?
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BikerBabe17 - glad your arm is better. How annoying about your nipple. Every once in awhile mine decides to be annoying but nothing like you're experiencing. Makes it hard to wear a bra I'd guess. Hope it goes away. Those healing nerves are probably doing something screwy just to let you know they're there (like you needed reminding)! HUGS!!
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Hi, everyone. Simulation=DONE! It was easy and much faster than I expected. Two female techs who were fast and friendly and considerate, support under my knees and neck, both arms overhead but no gripping onto anything. I have only 1 tiny tattoo, in addition to 3 (I think) markings with purple marker—circles with X's and then a clear sticker stuck over them (I guess to keep them from washing off). I feel a little bit like a crossword puzzle
Probably the worst that will happen is I'll get irritated by the stickers, which do feel a little itchy.Next thing is my "set-up" appointment at the somewhat closer location where I'll be getting my treatments, and that's on the morning of March 3. I believe I also meet with RO that day, since I didn't see her today at all. Then the next day the real thing starts. The tech told me I'll probably be back at the main Johns Hopkins rad onc facility at the end for boosts (4 of them, unless that changes). She probably knows what she's talking about, so looks like on that schedule, if all goes well and I can just power through, my last day of rads might be March 30. Counting down . . .
My thoughts are with everyone facing tough days ahead, hoping those days fly by.
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Kay, glad it went well for you. Hope the stickers don't irritate. That's one thing about tattoos - one and done. Interesting how each facility does things differently, isn't it? End of March? YES!!!
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Hi, I have a question for everyone. My surgeon called me on the 6th and told me that the margins were not clear, so I had another lumpectomy on Thursday. I told the doctor I wanted her to be aggressive, and she told me that she was much more aggressive based on our conversation. My question is, did anyone get massive bruising after their surgery? More than half of my breast is covered with deep red/purple bruising. I didn't have any of that after my previous two surgeries, and was really surprised that there was so much a day later. I know that 3cmx3cm was removed during the first surgery, and the next surgery 6cm x 5cm (she said the thickness was probably a 1/2 to 1cm) was removed. I won't know how much was removed this time until my path report comes back, and my surgeon went on vacation the day after my surgery (I was last surgery of the day). I am going to try and get a hold of her nurse tomorrow, since their office was closed today due to the holiday. Should I be concerned? Or is this normal because I had the surgeries 2 weeks apart? Any input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.0 -
Rekidal, I was bruised. And it took awhile to go away. Heck, I was still bruised for 5 weeks after my core biopsy. It will go away. I would think that 2 surgeries in 2 weeks could cause all the bruising. You might want to ice the area if your BS approves of it. I'd probably steer clear of aspirin and use Tylenol for any discomfort. Praying the margins are nice and clear, quick healing and that the bruising goes away ASAP! HUGS!!!!
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Thanks Peggy. I have to say it freaked me out when I looked at my incision the next day. My mantra has been ice, ice, and more ice. Lol. Hopefully, it will start fading soon.
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Glad to help, rekidal. Hell, this year I bruised from both my flu shot AND my pneumonia shot. Each for at least 2 weeks!!
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Thank you all again for your support.
Peggy, the BS has told me not to worry too much about the exercises at the moment. He said he was confident it would settle down and that I should just continue moving it within my pain threshold.
I'm hoping to see if the local hairdresser will cut my hair at the end of the day and lock the door so I have some privacy. My mum and sister said they will come. I think I'll buy a bottle of champagne and a box of tissues.
BB I get terrible migraines and I can't tolerate anything tight on my head. A cold cap isn't something I could do. Even the thought of it gives me a headache.
Sweethope I think there may be an organization I can donate my hair too. I'll ring the cancer council about it. I did think about getting a wig made out of my own hair. I might enquire about that as well.
Kay, I'm so pleased that it went well today. Can you choose the color of your tattoo? Can they draw it in the breast cancer logo design ☺
Surprised, I hope your recovering well.
Hugs to you all.
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Shaz, Champagne and tissues sound like a good plan. Migraines can be brutal, so sorry. My DH takes Imitrex which works well.
My DH gave me a buzz cut which I do not recommend. Found out that chemo made my scalp very sensitive while the stubble was falling out. Felt like needles stabbing my brain. Best advise is to leave at least an inch that can lay down nicely. Bikerbabe posted a darling photo of her new do in the February Chemo thread.
You have a beautiful high forehead and will look gorgeous bald. I found out I look healthier without the wig that fools no one. So I wear big earrings and a big smile and just get out in the public. People take a second glance but nothing offensive. The only person to bring up my baldness was a woman who commented on her 3 year old son going thru chemo. He is now a healthy, happy 27 year old man. I figure I'm not ashamed that I am in chemo so why hide.
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Shaz, no, they didn't offer me a choice of tattoo colors. I think it's very dark blue or black, but it's so small I can barely find it. However the sharpie markings all over are not at all hard to find! They're bright purple and kind of look as if my grandson (who is not quite 4) decided to use me for drawing paper
I have a big cross right on the front of my chest, right down the middle of my cleavage (such as it is), and then I have, I now realize, 4 good-sized circles with lines through them, each mark covered by a circle of clear plastic tape—two on each side kind of straight down from my armpits. I feel very colorful.I think champagne and tissues with your mom and your sister will be a good way to say a TEMPORARY farewell to your lovely long hair. Tears should be shed, yes. But I think it will grow in even more beautiful, and you will have killed the cancer and will be that much stronger. You'll get through chemo and watch as both your hair and you grow even better and stronger every day.
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Shaz101....sorry you have to suffer with migraines. Have you ever tried magnesium ? I've read it can help with migraines if you are deficient. Some good articles on the net regarding this.
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Shaz, As always, BS's give good advice, don't they? I think champagne with your mother and sister is a great idea. Tissue for having to lose your hair and champagne because you're losing your hair in a good cause: killing cancer. You probably do have enough hair to make a wig. My DIL didn't wear wigs though she had them. She went bald and looked pretty. Just do what feels comfortable for you - it IS your head! HUGS!!
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