Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
Comments
-
Oh, man, gypsojo, my core biopsy, was also extremely uncomfortable, and I was unprepared then, too. I didn't know until right before the procedure for THAT that I'd have to be positioned on my belly, on a table that curved upward from the middle, with my head cranked to one side, and then would have to hold perfectly still in that position for a long while as the RO or whatever his title was worked on me from beneath the table where I couldn't see anything that was happening. Since I have bad vertebrae in my cervical spine and low back, just the position was almost intolerable, and I had no pain meds or anti-anxiety meds to help me. I couldn't believe this was the only way it could be done. The doctor and techs and nurses were all very, very kind and sympathetic, but it was, indeed, the only way it could be done.The numbing shots hurt, as did the biopsy needle, and that hurt more when I got home and for many days afterward than my actual lumpectomy did! We need to be told these things so we can prepare ourselves. You were right to be persistent. We need to be our own advocates, for sure.
0 -
I HAD had a wire locator and biopsy done 13 years ago and swore I'd never have another it was so awful. Jerk doing it had no clue what he was doing. And I thought I'd die. But the one I had prior to my Lx was a vastly different experience. I also just had a momentary sting from the lidocaine. Everyone was very solicitous and it was done at a breast center. For me it was a much better experience. Not fun, of course, but much more doable, and death didn't seem like a viable option
BTW, I had heard that the dye injection was painful but my surgeon came in and gave my lidocaine and injected the dye herself. Not painful at all. I was impressed that she did it and not a nurse!
HUGS!!
0 -
I hear you Kayfry. It is a little frightening how little information we are given AND that I did not even know what to ask sometimes. I had my biopsy in the town I live in. About 60,000. I was then sent to Little Rock, a major hospital to have the surgery which is pretty normal around here. The woman scheduling my appointment said you need to come in at 11:00 then said no wait come in at 10:30, they have to insert a wire. I got off the phone and thought, wire? Why. They came to get me and I did not know what was going to happen but they lead me to a room to do a mammogram, then to the room to do the wire. A surgeon came in and introduced herself and then proceeded to do the wire. She was a different surgeon than the one that did the lumpectomy. I think it was because the calcification in my left breast was far back. The doctor that did the biopsy said he had difficulty with getting a good specimen. It showed non-cancerous but my BS decided to remove it. I don't remember being told why I was getting a wire. Maybe I was. I had a lumpectomy on both sides. I have never heard of EMLA. Why in the world would they not use that on everyone?
My Biopsy was of more concern for me as I was awake and told I would have to lay on my stomach for 1 hour since I had to have the needle biopsy in both breasts. I never lay on my stomach!! They had a machine that I could see with a tube and I thought oh no, hope that is not going to have my blood running through it but it did! Did not like seeing that so I closed my eyes. I think it should have been hidden somehow. I have a herniated disk in my neck so I was concerned about turning my head and laying for that long. I did not feel the needle and I did not have to lay still for a full hour. After they got me positioned I had to lay still while they did the biopsy but after the first breast I was able to squirm for about 5 minutes. Each time they told me when the doctor was starting so I only had to lay still while he was working. At one point he said have to been taking any blood thinners and I said no, they told me to stop 5 day prior but I stopped 8 days prior....why? The nurse said you are bleeding quite a bit but clotting as fast as it is coming out. I am the type that would prefer to e asleep and not know all this information as it stresses me out!! I did ask for something to help me relax before the biopsy. My doctor prescribed Xanax 1 hour before and right before I left home. It helped calm my anxiety!
0 -
Hi Everyone. I was just diagnosed last week. MRI today. Lumpectomy scheduled for 5/15. My tumor so far estimated @ 6mm . I am trying to figure out how much time I should take off work for the procedure (pending no surprises from the MRI results today.) I work as a high school nurse so not a lot of lifting etc. (My work is mostly emotional issues) The procedure is a Friday and I was thinking of going back to work Tuesday if no complications. Does this sound realistic?
0 -
PatRN10, from my experience, this plan would be doable. You may find the anesthesia after-effects stick around for a week or so, but lots of women are able to go right back to work after a long weekend recovery time.
0 -
Thank You Kay, I hear you about the anesthesia. I'm someone where "less is more" in that area. I felt the effects of conscious sedation from my colonoscopy way over 24 hours.0 -
So I finally went to a bra fitting since I needed a little extra padding to even out the girls. I have been wearing the cheapie bandeau style cotton bras from Walmart . I have very large breasts and those weren't great. Got a silicone shaper and three nice bras but I am having trouble with pain from the darn bras. The pain isn't actually under my arm but more towards the far right side of my back. Could this be rib pain from my rads or some lingering effects from the lumpy/SD?
0 -
PatRN10, I also think your plan is quite doable. Most of us have been told to lift nothing heavier than a gallon of milk - so watch your purse
Welcome to our group! HUGS!!!0 -
JustAverageJane, I suspect from the lumpy and SD. I have very small breasts and haven't found many brax that works for me. Certainly nothing with an underwire. I last about 3-4 hours. I mostly wear padded camis from Walmart. I would guess that won't work for you. You may have to change styles or sizes - GOOD LUCK!!!
0 -
PatRN10--Your plan sounds reasonable and very doable. While I didn't have to go to work (I'm retired), I was ready and able to return to the gym for a no-arms workout on the Wednesday following my Monday lumpectomy. It also helped that I needed no prescription pain killer, just one over-the-counter Tylenol on Monday evening, and had no after-effects from anesthesia. But with a weekend for recovery, even if you experience post-anesthesia issues, you should be able to return to work on Monday.
0 -
PatRN10....I'll chime in with the others and say you'll be just fine. Be sure to ice the first day to keep the swelling down and just take it easy the first couple of days even if you feel fine... just rest, you've been through a lot already. (((hugs)))
p.s. love your sweet picture!
0 -
My two cents: Patrn10, you might want to arrange an entire week off, just because. Some of us get back on our feet after surgery quickly while for others it takes a bit. Some of it depends on the number of sentinel nodes removed, otherwise it can just be how different bodies react. I was still clinging to my ice packs after several days.If at all possible, why not be kind to yourself and take it easy?
Justaverage, you are still healing. I wasn't able to comfortably wear my underwires until six months after rads. For a long time I had trouble believing I'd ever be able to wear them again, but I'm back in the saddle again! I heard someplace that we shouldn't wear underwires at all after treatment: I asked my RO and he said there was no problem, and pointed out that I probably couldn't get the support I needed without (34ddd). All in all a pretty hilarious discussion to have with a man!
0 -
Palameda, I'm still not doing well with my REALLY PADDED underwire. Since I'm very lacking in the boob department I don't need underwires. But I haven't found much of any bra that I don't mind wearing. I'm 6 months out from my rads. Guess I'm going to take longer.
BTW, Ladies, I had an echocardiogram Tuesday. My lumpy incision is on my left breast from just below my nipple straight down (so at 6 o'clock). I discovered that there were a few times that the little wand-thing pushing my girl around hurt. My mammogram hadn't hurt so I was caught off-guard by this. I wasn't dying or anything but.... So I learned something - I'm still tender there.
0 -
Thanks everyone! The little baby is my granddaughter. She is 2 1/2 now.
0 -
Peggy and Palameda.... I received 3 bras and none have underrwires so I guess that isn't the problem. Today I wore the Amoena Magdalena and had much less pain than with the pretty Trulife bras. I get more bras in 3 months so might just wait until then and hope things are better. A couple weeks ago I went to Nordstrom for a fitting and that was not so great. This time I went to a boutique affiliated with the cancer center. I see the oncologist Friday and after he shames me into losing weight I will need another fitting anyway. Thanks for the responses.
0 -
Glad you have one bra that seems to work mostly. I'd guess that breast cancer surgery must present special challenges to bra fitting. Glad you found the right place to go! HUGS for your Friday visit!
0 -
Hi ladies! Had a lumpectomy 2 weeks ago and am feeling good. I actually bruised a LOT after my biopsy and don't have much bruising yet after the lx. I do feel hard spots underneath and around hte incision though, which worries me but reading through here puts me at ease a bit. Anyone know why I had more bruising after the biopsy? Also, I know it's normal but the area where the lump was is pretty numb. Any estimate as to when I'll get feeling back? It's a strange feeling!
I also had a SNB and that incision site is definitely hard and awkward. How long until the hardness goes away roughly? Also, the dr never said anything about taking it easy other than the first week, nothing about exercises, etc. I asked him when I can go back to the gym during my 1 week post op appt and he said I can go back right away as long as I feel good. It's crazy that everyone gets such different recommendations.
0 -
StefLove, I also had tons of bruising after my core biopsy. It was so bad that no one could tell if there was more cancer in my breast than initially thought. Even an MRI and ultrasound could not tell the surgeon anything. My BS said that the board discussed my case and were even leaning towards mastectomy but she said she was sure it was all hematomas, which turned out to be correct. They were still present 7 weeks after the biopsy when the Lx was done. I had some hematomas after the Lx but nothing like after the biopsy. I think the difference was because they kept taking biopsies from several different spots rather than just cutting it out.
That SNB seems to be the royal pain of BC. It is SO annoying. If possible, I think I would wait another week before doing heavy lifting with your SNB arm. Most of us were told to "walk" our Lx arm up the wall to stretch things out and prevent lymphedema. Don't stretch it beyond comfort but keep at it. In the shower is good.
My actual Lx site feels normal now. But I still don't have much feeling around the SNLB site. The BS said whatever feeling I have there after a year is what I'll have forever. It does feel weird when shaving. Doesn't hurt, just strange.
Take care and I'm very glad you're doing so good! HUGS!
0 -
Peggy, Mine is the same when I shave my underarm. It is still a little numb I guess. Luckily, radiation took care of about 1/2 the hair there. Too bad it didn't get rid of all of it...LOL I also have a little of that around my lumpy incision but not as bad as under my arm.
0 -
I know the nerves are very much alive around my lumpy incision, Jeanelle. I had an echocardiogram Tuesday and you know how they press that "wand" in and push things around? Well, I found I was very sensitive there. In fact, at times it hurt. My mammogram didn't hurt. I suspect it was the "pushing" around that was the culprit. BTW, I haven't had much underarm hair in many, many years. Not particularly heart-broken about it either
HUGS!0 -
Thank you, Peggy!!
0 -
Peggy (and anyone else for whom this might be useful information), since my surgery about 3 months ago I have been on a bit of a bra search. For anyone who is very modestly endowed, and especially with a lumpectomy at the 6 o'clock position (my situation is almost exactly as Peggy describes), this can be a challenge. Prior to my Dx, for years I had worn VS underwire bras—in particular, racerback styles because an old separated shoulder on my lumpy side causes a very annoying tendency for the left bra strap to constantly fall down and/or rub that separated area. VS racerbacks were expensive, but they lasted a long time and seemed to fit my petite shape as well as any bras I'd had. I didn't really question the underwire, though as a barely 34A, I certainly didn't need it for support. But I did want some shaping, in the form of soft and light padding, but not TOO much padding, and I had the idea that the underwire helped keep things from riding up. After Lx and rads, wearing those underwire bras seemed out of the question, and even now that my skin is getting better, almost 3 weeks out of rads, I don't want to go back to them.
I discovered that it's very hard to find wireless bras that fit, are comfortable, look & feel natural, and stay put. Who knew that most of the bras in the world are underwired?? However, here's something I did find that works pretty well for me, and doesn't cost a whole lot more than Walmart bras, I would think. Good old Warner's has a whole line of wireless bras with soft, mostly light padding that fit my shape—even my "new" shape, which is probably still settling and changing, but I couldn't wait forever. I highly recommend the Warner's "Elements of Bliss Lift Wire-Free Bra," though saying that wearing it gives me bliss is an overstatement
It's a very simple, smooth, minimalistic design, lightweight, with just enough padding for my taste. The "lift" is a slightly thicker rim around the bottom of the cup, which does give a little extra lift, helps to even out the dent on the underside that I have now, and also seems to keep the whole thing from riding up. The straps are adjustable, and the only thing that makes it less than perfect for me is that the left one does want to slide a little too much. I solved that problem with a cheap fix I discovered in my searches—a little stretchy, adjustable length of lingerie strap with a clip on one end, with which I can hook the straps of any bra together in back to create a racerback effect. Genius. Those are made by Maidenform if anyone else has a problem with slipping straps. This Warner's bra is $17.99 at Amazon, and there are several others in their wireless line as well.Pricier options I found that I like include a sport bra from The Little Bra Company (yes, caters to those of us with smaller assets exclusively!), called the Elizabeth bra. Stretchy, over-the-head racerback with no wire, lightly padded, low-cut cups that push up and actually create a bit of cleavage, even on me, and very soft and lower-cut under the arms than most sport-type bras. But as I said, expensive at $58. For me, with all my requirements, worth it to have a couple. It runs small, so I had to go up to a 36A in this one. My other find is also pricey—the Spanx pillow-cup wireless bra. Very soft nice material, very soft padding in the cups, super comfy to wear. Comes in a 34A, when a lot of wireless bras I found don't come in anything smaller than a B cup. But kind of ridiculously expensive, like $65.
Okay, ladies, that's my report
0 -
I also had a lot of bruising from my core biopsy, and it took a long time to go away. I'm sure I was still bruised from that at the time of my Lx, some 6 weeks later. Much less bruising from the lumpectomy, and also less pain. I have no idea why, since the Lx was a big incision and seemed like it must be a bigger deal to remove 2.4 cm of tissue than just what the needle biopsy took. I did not have any nodes removed, and my understanding is that it's the node surgeries that take longer to recover from, and cause more discomfort.
Lately I've been getting occasional pains in my lumpy breast, like sharp, shooting pains that actually hurt quite a bit but don't last long. I'm 3 weeks out from rads and about 3 months post-Lx, and I assume this is nerves trying to heal from all that trauma. Everything is still pretty sensitive but for the most part doesn't bother me. I guess the healing is a work in progress.
0 -
Thanks, Kay, I'll check out those Warner bras. I have quite a few VS Second Skin unpadded bras that are in 36A and really ancient. I took out the underwires in them. They are pretty good but not really t-shirt friendly
I have the same bras in a 36B and left the underwire in and have some pads I put in them for when I want some shape. I have so many cute cute bras WITH lots of padding and underwires and they still don't work for me 9 months out (ARGH!). Maybe eventually. I've never had good luck with Warner bras - it costs nothing to try them though. (on Edit: Today Kohl's has them for 17.99). Appreciate the info, Kay!! HUGS!!P.S. BTW, the padded bra camis I get from Walmart and wear almost all the time have little hooks on them to convert to racerback. I also have some clippy things but haven't used them yet.
0 -
Adding a couple of thoughts/comments...
Kayfry you said, "....occasional pains in my lumpy breast, like sharp, shooting pains that actually hurt quite a bit but don't last long." ----> I am experiencing the same thing, infrequently, but can't be ignored. My RO nurse smiled when I described.. apparently fairly common and can go on for months. She suggested aleve or something similar. I was just glad to learn it was nothing to be alarmed about!
I finished rads yesterday (15 whole breast, 5 boosts). My skin held up very well. I did keep the breast and underarm area well lubricated with Calendula ointment except for the 4 hours before treatment. I am using Spanx bras, no under-wire.. luckily I had two without wire..
0 -
Oh wow! New here. Just reading through as I was just diagnosed 2 weeks ago and everything is moving so quickly. Surgery scheduled for April 24, so just a week away. I didn't even think about worrying about what kind of bra I'll wear after surgery. Guess I need to go shopping.
My "spot" is very tiny, only 1mmx2mm, the surgeon was impressed the Radiologist even caught it in a routine mammogram, my first actually. It's very far back, almost at the chest wall and hard to see and get to. Having a Lumpectomy and SNB at the same time. I had a core needle biopsy and it wasn't too bad really, more fear of the unknown. I assume the wire localization is similar to that? The lidocaine to numb the area and then they insert the wire? I am pretty good with needles, I can't watch, but they don't bother me too much.
Of course this is all dependent on the BRAC test coming back negative. If not, I will probably be changing to double mastectomy which I am terrified of.
Lots of great information here, thanks for sharing.
0 -
UpStateBee, Welcome! Sorry you're here but we are very supportive! You definitely need to decide about the bra you'll wear post Lx. I wore Genie bras. Something really really soft. Easy to get on. NO UNDERWIRES! Some gals like front closure sport bras. This you'll want now. You'll also want something that is low cut on the sides. Everything seems to rub the SLNB incision. It's not that it hurts particularly but ANNOYING as all get out.
The wire locator is sort of similar and, yes, lidocaine is used.
Will you get your BRAC test results back before your lumpy? Fingers and toes crossed that it comes back negative. Good for your radiologist catching it. He's obviously very good!
Ask away with your questions! We'll try to answer them all. Do keep in mind that each of has their own experience. So what you feel may be different than what I felt. But you'll still get a good sense of what to expect.
HUGS!!!!
0 -
Wow Upstate. I thought mine was small at 6mm. Lx on 5/15 scheduled. I'm surprised there was anything left after the bx.0 -
StefLove...my lx area was numb for several months. I still have a hard area around the site and a little tingling/numbing in my back....not all the time but comes and goes.
Kayfry....I also had those stabbing pains come and go for a while. Haven't noticed any lately.
0 -
KayFry, I found the Warner bras you like at Kohls. And I got them. They are definitely comfy. My issue is that I'm rather "hollow" on top and there isn't enough padding in the bottom to push me up. The comfort factor may trump everything and I can always stuff Kleenex in my bra (shades of being a teenager at 69).
0
