Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Uncertain,
Welcome to a great support group...
I totally understand your frustration, concern. As you can see from my diagnosis below, mine was similar to yours.. I do suggest that you ask the BS to send your specimen for an Oncotype DX score. That will give you a good idea if Chemo/Rad will be of any benefit.
If they offer the internal radiation, it is very easy. the type I had was Contura Balloon Brachytherapy. I had 2 treatments a day for 5 days. I continue to see the RO once a year and the MO every 6 months, because he has me on Letrozole (same as Femara) AI for 5 years. It has been 3-1/2 years since my diagnosis and as of Last Nov there is NED.
Good luck keep us all posted we are here to support each other.
Vickie
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Welcome, Uncertain--I suspect that many of us here went through some of the same indecision and uncertainty that you are feeling. Even though the surgeon presented the lumpectomy + rads as a package, after my lumpectomy for a small, relatively unthreatening tumor with favorable characteristics (see below), I too started having second thoughts about the radiation part of the treatment plan I had chosen.
But my husband, a cell behavior researcher, stepped in and taught me about cancer cells--mainly about the fact that they can be dividing and wreaking their havoc totally undetectably, long before scientific tools of any kind can see them. In other words, even those clean, wide margins free of cancer cells that my surgeon got couldn't guarantee that some invisible devils weren't at work in my remaining "clean" breast tissue and might become detectable in a year, or two, or three . . . . That did it! At my visit with Dr. Weiss, she echoed his words in medical terms and unfolded the whole process, and I signed on. Radiation itself was basically no big deal, just an alteration of my weekday schedule for 7 weeks; those 35 days passed quickly, gave me peace of mind and no side effects--and were really a small investment in "insurance" that those little rogue demons are "stopped dead in their tracks," as the Raid ads say. So far, 2+ years out, things are looking good for me and I am glad I listened to--and heard--my husband's scientific input.
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LibraryLynn,
Just wondering how your surgery went today? Thinking of you, and sending you healing thoughts and prayers.
Love & Hugs
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Uncertainbutprayerful - I felt very similar about rads especially as I am quite old. At least here in the Uk there is no chance of anything being done for money - in fact it might be more the other way. However,as I was so uncertain about rads I took two independent opinions who both thought that I should do rads. So I did. We will have to wait a year or two to see but I feel that at least I have done all I can to beat the b*******
Gatoma - what a lot you have on your plate. Glad you did not get a fine and I wish you all the very best on this other journey. Thinking of you. Stay strong.
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It's been almost 3 weeks since my lump, and after scrambling with my health insurance I am now scheduled to see the onc on Monday and the rad onc on Tuesday. Breast surgeon suggested that I might have to have chemo in addition to rads, but I will find out about that on Monday. He also said I could refuse chemo if I wished, and that will depend upon what the onc has to say in response to my questions. Path report was all good as far as I can tell.
I felt pretty darn good the first week and cut down the pain meds all on my own. By the second week the feeling returned to my underarm area and since then I'm sore all the time with occasional stabs of pain in the upper incision which seems to have a lump at its far end. It's hardly debilitating pain, but very annoying, and Tylenol, which is the only thing I can take, doesn't do a thing. Doesn't seem to matter whether or not I'm wearing a bra. I'm using no deodorant and keeping it dusted with talc because it's suddenly gotten warm around here.
I figured the feeling of fatigue would be gone by now, but without a couple of good shots of caffeine I've been dragging my butt. Reading tells me this is not unusual and I'm just grateful I don't have to go to a job feeling like this. Fortunately (or, perhaps, unfortunately) my appetite is fine.
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MarieBernice, I'm sorry I just now saw your message to me. I've been traveling for work and actually got stuck in Chicago because we got 6-8 inches of snow at home. I have been taking the tamoxifen now for 3 months now. It seems like every time I turn around I have developed a new side effect. So far I have had mood swings, hot flashes, terrible gastric reflux, muscle cramps, mild memory problems, and now I'm starting to bruise really easily (though this could be caused by the naproxen I am taking because of issues with my bad breast). I just keep taking it though. I know it is keeping the cancer away and that is more important to me than all of the side effects. Thus I walk around in layers because i never know when a hot flash is going to hit. I snap at everyone and have to apologize. I call people that I have known for years by the wrong names. Plus I look like I've been beaten up. LOL
I am not taking any antidepressants. We are sort of taking the look and see approach and hope that things will even out a bit. I see the MO again at the end of the month and we are going to see what progress I have made.
Jeanelle
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It's been almost 3 weeks since my lump, and after scrambling with my health insurance I am now scheduled to see the onc on Monday and the rad onc on Tuesday. Breast surgeon suggested that I might have to have chemo in addition to rads, but I will find out about that on Monday. He also said I could refuse chemo if I wished, and that will depend upon what the onc has to say in response to my questions. Path report was all good as far as I can tell.
I felt pretty darn good the first week and cut down the pain meds all on my own. Saw the surgeon for staple removal at the beginning of the 2nd week and was still feeling ok, then the feeling started returning to my underarm area and since then I'm sore all the time with occasional stabs of pain in the upper incision which seems to have a lump at its far end. It's hardly debilitating pain, but very annoying, and Tylenol, which is the only thing I can take, doesn't do a thing. Doesn't seem to matter whether or not I'm wearing a bra. I'm using no deodorant and keeping the area dusted with talc because it's suddenly gotten warm around here.
I figured the feeling of fatigue would be gone by now, but in the absence of a couple of good shots of caffeine I've been dragging my butt. Reading tells me this is not unusual and I'm just grateful I don't have to go to a job feeling like this. Fortunately (or, perhaps, unfortunately) my appetite is fine.
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Gatomal—after reading your saga with the cop on top of everything else you're dealing with, I'm going to try hard to remember not to complain too much about my problems for awhile. You deserve a medal and many years of good health in the future.
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hey! We all deserve a medal! Cancer sucks. Lol
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Hi Rekidal -
So happy to hear that you now have clear margins. Now you can heal and not have to worry about that so much. It has been a really tough time for you.
MarieBernice6234
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Hi Jeanelle -
I am sorry that you got caught in a snow delay. Seems like that is happening to everyone this winter. It sounds like your response to the Tamox is less than desirable. Like you said, though it is worth the hope that the drug is supposed to be the best thing for it. I am still going to keep an open mind to the medication.
MarieBernice6234
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Hello ladies. I've been reading a lot on discussion boards in prep for my lumpectomy...which was Friday 3/6. I am feeling pretty sore today 3/7. I think I was up too much today. In addition to the lumpectomy, I had an ugly mole removed from my right side. Sometime it feels worse than the lumpectomy site. Iceand pain meds are helping. But resting seems to be more necessary than I anticipated. Pathology report is Tuesday or Wednesday. Hoping for clear margins and no surprises.
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Welcome, Funny! Sorry you had to join us but you'll find us warm and welcoming. I think most of us are surprised at how much the surgery takes out of us, making us very tired. Absolutely hoping for clear margins! (Smart to get rid of that mole at the same time!).
You might consider making your diagnosis and treatments public. That helps us when responding to your questions. HUGS!!!!!
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Thank you Peggy
I did make my diagnosis public from your advise. I'm going to take it a little easier today. Not that I did a whole lot yesterday..
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Welcome Funnythewayitis.....we all recover at different rates but resting is definitely a must. Only do what you feel up to. It takes a while for our bodies to recover. Hoping for a great path report .....waiting stinks!!!
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Thank all of you for posting. For those of us now scheduling a lumpectomy, it is extremely helpful in setting expectations. Mine will be in about 2 weeks. I'm already exhausted just from the stress of waiting. Take care of yourself, funnythewayitis.
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Funny, thank you for making your profile public. Just rest easy!
GypsyJo, waiting really sucks. You just want it all over and your path report fantastic. I waited over 6 weeks between dx and lx. While I hated it, it took that long to get my sons lined up to care for DH so I could recuperate after my lx. We're here for you anytime.
HUGS to you both!
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Funny: I had my lump on 2/16. In comparison to my expectations for my post surgery condition, I felt great. Now I'm about to start my 4th week post surgery and I am sore and fatigued just about all the time. It seems each one's experience is a little different from the others, so if you have the luxury, luxuriate! Here's to good news from your path report (she says, lifting her tea cup!)
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Are we allowed to put links on the forum? This is what comes to my mind as I keep dragging myself around, tho' not for the same reasons as Lilli vonSchtupp.
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I'm tired too! It's been seven plus months since Dx for me. Living with a tumor getting more and more dense through pregnancy was scary. My oncologist finally told me they were getting worried too. No kidding. The last eight taxols really shrunk it, and so did the end of pregnancy hormones,but I still can't wait to get it excised, and find out what's going on with my nodes. Praying for good path
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Does anyone have burning stabbing like pains shooting thru their Breast after lump and SNB? They (tumor and SNB) were all taken out thru the same incision. I am in a lot of pain. Very tired and have chills hit me thruout day but no fever. I also had to have a JPEG drain put in last week because of the seroma I got. I feel so crummy and it's an effort to move around. I also can't straighten out my arm fully, it feel like it is held by rubber band if I try. At thoughts appreciated. First MO appt tomorrow
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@Funnytheway... How are you feeling today? Rest and Relax as much as possible. I've had two LX and felt tired and sore for a few days. Actually, tired all the time. ;-) I did experience tingling around my nipple area, but I think that's just the nerves being awaken once again. Best of luck to you.
@kayfry - how is radiation treating you this week? I'll finally start end of March. I'm curious.
Hope everyone is doing well.
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Carriek, so far, so good. I've only got 3 under my belt, but I haven't noticed any skin effects or anything else, other than that the 90-minute or so round-trip drive gets to be a drag. At least our weather seems to be breaking for the better, so maybe no more having to do the drive through a snowstorm as I did last Thursday! I'm slathering on the Miaderm 3 times a day, even though my skin still looks normal, hoping it'll help when the going gets rougher. Turning my back toward the shower spray, patting the skin dry rather than rubbing, holding my left arm away from my body when I think of it. It seems a little surreal, since I have no outward signs that I'm getting radiation, but I know any SEs are more likely to kick in around the end of week 2, so I'm just hoping it's minor. Treatment itself is easy, just as everyone says. Quick and easy. Main thing is my right shoulder that complains a little bit about the position I have to hold for rads, but it's over so quickly I think I'll be able to manage it fine. The techs really are good, so the minute the treatment is over they come back in the room and tell me I can move that arm. I think from being here, you will be so well-prepared once you start that it'll be fine for you, too. It helped me a lot.
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Carriek, I had no SEs that I noticed until #19 and then it was a redness (very slight) of the hair follicles. I used Aquaphor then. I hadn't used anything before. I also was very gentle drying off and washing both. One thing I found quite peculiar is I was often dizzy when I would sit up after each session. I'd guess it was how I held my head. I was annoyed with it but learned to sit for a few seconds before standing up since I didn't want to wind up on the floor. Never had any other SEs. You'll do just fine! HUGS!
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Carrie, I didn't have any side effects from radiation until like the 3rd week. I then got a rash that itched. Later my skin got really red then black in some areas. I had the skin under my breast actually blister and had to use burn cream on it. I also had some wicked fatigue starting about that time through the end. Now I am about 3 months out from rads and almost everything is back to normal.
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Hi Carrie
Better each day. Just taking it easy. Really my surgery site is so much better than I expected. Almost as minimal looking as my biopsy. But definitely more sore and more tiring. Waiting for pathology tomorrow or Wednesday. Post op 3/19. I really am grateful to have caught this so early. I keep wondering if I hadn't delayed my mammogram by 6 months if it would have shown up before. It almost seems wrong to be on here when so many others are going through so much more. I really appreciate the good thoughts and concerns.
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Funny, never think it's wrong to be here. We ALL have breast cancer. And some are going through a much rougher time. But we all understand and none of us will ever denigrate how you are feeling or what you're experiencing. You posed one of those unanswerable questions. At least you caught it and it was early! That's all tht matters. Do make sure you are gently doing the stretching exercises your surgeon or nurse told you to stretch that underarm (from SLNB). Glad you're feeling good even if sore. That will go away. HUGS!!
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Thanks Marie.0 -
Thank you Pegg. You are sweet. I know its still breast cancer. That's why I chose my site name, "funny the way it is" is a Dave Matthews song that speaks of the irony in life. Here it's all about different diagnosis, how early/late we find out etc.
there are all these amazing women here cheering each other on.
And we are reminded that we all are going through something. It's just not always evident. So less judging. More loving. Cutting each other a break.
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You have it right, Funny. No judging here. All of us striving to be CANCER FREE FOREVER!! HUGS!!
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