Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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ok - I am dropping in to whine because I have developed a Tape Blister at the end of my LX incision due to the steri strips being put on too tighghly. It's the only thing bothering me, and it's a small deal, but it stings and is so irritated. Sigh. Who the heck ever heard of a tape blister? boo...
ok, whine over.
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Pontiac- the left heel numbness is from Taxotere my MO said and it should resolve eventually. I have noticed some progress in the hair growth and am taking biotin. Some say Herceptin slows hair growth but I am not sure.
Midge and Tresjolie - if those steri strips are really painful and itchy, call your SO and and see if something can be changed. It's worth a try. When is your Postop? Is anyone that just got a LX wearing a bra? I haven't. Too painful and swollen still.
Dyanbrooks-Congrats on your Pet. What a relief. Sorry about your incision not healing and having a hole. I had to wait almost 10 weeks after chemo for LX. I know you want to start tx but the incision needs to heal. Does your SO have advice about the incision popping open? It's funny about FB. What is a big deal and a complaint is put into perspective when you have BC. I know what you mean. Hang it there and prayers for that darn incision to close up!!
PMR53
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PMR, glad the heel numbness should resolve and the hair is starting come back.
I didn't find my steri-strips annoying at all. What a bummer.
I wore Genie bras for about 3 weeks or 4. I mostly went braless through my rads. I still find that I have bras that aren't very comfortable after 10 months - really strange. Or maybe I just got spoiled going braless (which really isn't an option for me during summer although I am really small).
DyanBrooks, what a surprise to have holes. I wouldn't have expected that either. It was about 7 weeks after my Lx when I started my rads. Needed to wait until the Oncotype came back. PMR is right - you need to heal before starting the next stage of your treatment.
HUGS dear friends!
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My post op is next Tuesday, and my surgeon is on vacation until then. I think by Thursday they will have fallen off under my arm. I put some lotion on the irritated skin and avoided the strip area. I also tried to delicately buff off the residual adhesive on my skin from the original bandage that covered the strips. That seems to be s big part of my issue! I am wearing a bra, my lumpectomyincision is up high. I miss my underwire though!
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I am 11 days post op and have been wearing my usual underwire bra from the get go. My incision is at 12:00 though and just about healed. Axillary incision is still sore esp at night and this AM I noticed some edema (No bra overnight). Anyone have edema in ax. incision this far post-op?
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I took Peggy's advice and bought two genie bras and then they put a really comfy one on my in the hospital when I woke up from surgery. The blister I have is actually BELOW the steri strips altogether and not connected to my wound. NP said it's because they put the strips on too tightly. They aren't ready to be taken off though. So I whine and monitor. It's not really that bad. but it's like having a blister on your finger you know? Annoying.I'm also waiting on my final path report to be released. The BS went over it - but there were some things I forgot to ask her, and I just want to see the darn thing. I have a patient portal and it's been closed for viewing until I hear back from all my docs. I'm just cranky today I think.
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Tresjoli2, hope the Genie bras work for you. I took the pads out eventually and that was nice since the bra didn't push against my nipple which was now downward facing so doesn't always "sit" right in my bras. Ugh on the blister
I think you never ask all the questions you have until the 2nd or 3rd time on the path reports. You read it, research, more questions repeat endlessly. Don't you wonder why there's a patient portal if you can't access it? You can be cranky if you want. We get it! Have an extra glass of wine with dinner (if you're not on pain pills) - then you won't notice everything so much
HUGS!
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dyanbrooks --- I totally understand you wanting to change your team. I tend to go along with people's suggestions, but first I have to have the information and I have to trust them and then I'll feel better about going along! I changed my team totally a month or two after diagnosis. It was around Open Enrollment so I switched my insurance and could go looking for new folks! It was weird switching in the middle, but records are easier to pass around these days, so it really shouldn't be bad.
Congrats on the PET. I know it helped me feel better knowing that there were no signs of lymph involvement. Although that was because I had the PET and then chemo before surgery! I was fairly certain my Path would confirm this, but it might not have, so it was still a little worrying waiting for the final results!
I hope you heal up soon and can start your chemo. Just get that chemo out of the way. It's a total pain, but you might get through with minimal SEs, might as well try and be optimistic!
I posted my cancer news and updates on facebook, also. I just didn't want to keep repeating the details over and over to individuals (although I do that anyway), and can mostly get news out to people that way and not have to get too personal at the same time! ... It DOES seem that so many people fret over the tiny details of life, doesn't it? You kind of want to give then a shake and say: "Be happy that that's the worst you have to deal with!" But I think that's human nature. Hopefully, our posts about more serious matters will help them break out of it and realize they need to relax and enjoy their life a bit more--rather than complain about all the little things!
Tresjoli2 -- Whine and vent all you want. A tape blister sounds terrible.
My tape has a kind of deep wrinkle in it, poking down into the incision... That was a little irritating at first, but I don't notice it now since I figure I'm healing up. Big and little things can really make a difference to comfort!
PMR53 -- I'm getting Herceptin every 3 weeks. I have just a hint of fuzz growing back on my head... not sure if it's slower than it would have been, though!
I started wearing my bra with underwire 5 days after surgery. It was a little iffy the first day, mostly because it felt as if I didn't have enough support (after wearing the surgical bra before that). Of course, as I said, my incision is at the top of my breast, so nothing is near the wire or where there's more pressure. And I'm a A/B cup, so there's less pressure on things in general... My incisions also seem to be smallish and healing pretty well, too, so that helps.
PatRN10 --- My snb incision is a little irritated by my arm rubbing it... I don't think it's swelling there, though, just tender. I did notice bruising on my breast that didn't show up just after surgery... just faded dark spots over the area... I hope your swelling goes down!
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DyanBrooks,
I posted my Facebook update yesterday, so I could control the message. I have a family member who likes to over share, if you get my drift. I had a high school classmate who didn't survive BC, and she was an author and prolific blogger. That isn't me, but I felt I needed to say something and put it out there.
Here's what I wrote:
Last Friday I had surgery to remove an early stage breast cancer from my right breast. I also had several lymph nodes removed. My prognosis is excellent, and I am very grateful for the support of my family, friends, and medical team.
I am not asking for pink ribbons, or tears. But, if you are over 40, or have a family history (I didn't) I beg you to get your annual mammogram. That was how mine was found, and it was so small I couldn't have found it myself.
This is all I will be publicly saying about this. If you would like to know more, or if I can answer any questions, message me. Thanks, and make your appointment!
The feedback was surprising, giving me credit for telling my story, and for being strong ( huh??). I think I have accomplished what I set out to do, and I'm good with that. Several friends let me know they were scheduling their mammograms now! Social media can be awesome, or not, I guess it all depends!
Wishing you all peace and healing!
~Midge
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HI EVERYONE...
IM NEW HERE..I NEED TO TYPE IN CAPS SO I CAN C THE LETTERS lol.I WAS INFORMED ON 03/30/15 THAT I HAD BC. SURGERY WAS MAY 6TH. IT WAS ON MY L SIDE AT 3:00 POSITION..DR SAID 2 INCISIONS WOULD B MADE 1 TO REMOVE THE CANCER & 1TO CHK THE LYMPHNODES..I ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE WIRE LOCALIZATION WITH 4 SMALL DYE INJ. JUST BFOR MY SURG... BUT DURING SURG SHE WOULD INJ ANOTHER DYE BY MY NIPPLE TO TRACK THE NODE...NOT ONLY DOES MY BREAST HURT FROM SURG. MY ENTIRE TOP OF BREAST IS CONSTANTLY SORE & I STILL HAVE BLUE DYE UNDER MY SKIN...I GOT MY PATH REPORTS BACK..IT SPREAD TO NODE..SO NOW WITH THE 5 WKS OF RAD I WAS TOLD ID NEED.. SHE NOW SAID ILL NEED SOME CHEMO & 5YRS OF HORMON THERAPY..IM STILL WAITING TO FIND OUT WHEN ALL THIS WILL START...IM AFRAID...I ALREADY SUFFER 28YRS OF CHRONIC MIGRAINES & WITH ALL MY STRESS MY SISTER WAS ALSO DIAGNOSED (ANOTHER TYPE OF CANCER) & ONLY HAS AFEW MTHS...IM SO STRESSED & SAD I DONT KNOW HOW MUCH MORE PAIN I CAN TOLERATE...THANK U FOR LISTENING...WISHING EVERYONE A GOOD DAY...
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TETLEY, I'M SO SORRY. BUT WELCOME TO THIS COMFORTING PLACE. THE SORENESS WILL LESSEN ALTHOUGH THE SLNB INCISION WILL PROBABLY BE ANNOYING FOR AWHILE. YOU HAVE SO MUCH ON YOUR PLATE RIGHT NOW IT'S NO WONDER YOU FEEL OVERWHELMED. JUST CONCENTRATE ON EACH DAY, DOING WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, BEING THERE FOR YOUR SISTER, AND YOU'LL MANAGE, SOMEHOW, TO GET THROUGH IT ALL. ASK YOUR DOCTOR FOR AN ANTI-DEPRESSANT - IT COULD HELP.
FEEL FREE (AND SAFE) TO POST HERE ANY TIME.
HUGS!!!
(BTW, PLEASE FILL OUT YOUR PROFILE WITH YOUR DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENTS AND MAKE IT PUBLIC - THAT HELPS US WHEN YOU ASK QUESTIONS).
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Midge That was an excellent statement for FB and I might need to borrow some of it at some point. I have not said anything on FB yet and only people in my "real life" immediate circle know about it so far. I didn't want to seem like I was begging for sympathy or anything, but the way you put it was excellent! Also, we never told the kids, who are 12 and 9. I mean they know I had surgery to take out a "spot of bad cells" but we did not use the C word and they never asked questions so if they know, they haven't said. (Thanks to the ladies here for helping me come up with a plan when talking to the kids!) So I don't want anyone saying anything to them, but most of the people on my FB that don't already know I don't really see in person often or ever, so I suppose I could. We may need to go into more details with them soon though, only because I am starting radiation tomorrow, going for my "dry run" today and school will be out before radiation is done so they are going to know something is up when I have to be somewhere every single day the first few weeks of summer. Ugh!
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UpstateBee, feel free to plagiarize! I have kids in college and we waited to tell them until finals were done. Both of them thanked us for that, and they were here for my surgery. I can't imagine how to tell younger kids, but it sounds like you have a plan. Good luck on the dry run and rads to follow!
~MIdgie
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HI TETLEY, I HAD THE EXACT SAME PROCEDURE THAT YOU DID AND I HAD POSITIVE NODES SO OFF TO CHEMO FOR ME. CHEMO IS NOT AS HORRIBLE AS WE IMAGINE, IT IS DOABLE AND THERE ARE DAYS THAT YOU FEEL CRAPPY BUT THEN YOU FEEL GOOD AGAIN. I'M SO SORRY ABOUT YOUR SISTER, THE OLD SAYING THAT WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS IS SO VERY TRUE, BUT I ALSO BELIEVE THAT GOD NEVER GIVES US MORE THAN WE CAN HANDLE, IT DOESN'T FEEL THAT WAY WHEN YOU ARE GOING THROUGH IT, I KNOW. LIKE PEGGY SAID, BEING THERE FOR YOUR SISTER IS IMPORTANT BUT TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF IS IMPORTANT TOO, TAKE IT A MOMENT AT A TIME AND SCREAM AND CRY IF/WHEN YOU NEED TOO AND ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT WE ARE ALL HERE FOR YOU. BEING AFRAID IS NORMAL, YOUR GOING THROUGH LIFE AND THEN YOU GET SLAPPED WITH THE "C" WORD, YOUR ENTIRE WORLD STOPS AND THEN EVERYTHING STARTS TO GET CRAZY, DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS, MRI'S, SURGERY, RECOVERY, CHEMO, LOSING YOUR HAIR, ETC. DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR GRADE AND STAGE ARE?HUGS AND POSITIVE WISHES SENT YOUR WAY!!
Sue
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TETLEY, ONE THING TO DO IS TO TRY TO STAY POSITIVE. i'M SURE IT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE RIGHT NOW. BUT IT IS VITAL FOR YOUR JOURNEY THROUGH BC. OF COURSE THERE WILL BE DAYS THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE BUT KEEP TRYING. LISTEN TO OTHERS WHO HAVE TRAVELLED THE ROAD YOU STARTING ON. HARD, YES, BUT THEY SAY IT IS DOABLE. YOU KNOW THE SURGERY IS DOABLE. RADIATION IS DOABLE. WE'RE HERE FOR YOU.
HUGS!!
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UoStateBee..I never did tell my daughter (16) about my radiation. My husband had to take her to school in the morning and I picked her up after my 2nd treatment each day. I was able to pull it off without going into detail because I only had to do 5 days twice a day and I just said I was going for some followup. She never saw the implant device and I was able to keep it covered by wearing loose clothing. I know it will be harder for you due to the length of time and during the summer months. I really didn't want her to worry any more than she had to even though she was older. Good luck with the kiddos.
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I was taking anti-depressants before my DX... mostly for low energy (which it wasn't helping much). I was going to quit, but I figured it couldn't hurt to keep taking them through all this stuff!
I also got a rx for xanax, but I really haven't needed it. Still--if things get too rough, I really hope people will try and get help, if at all possible. I think it just helps get through this all if you're sleeping decently and not totally stressed out!
I was mostly stressed right at the beginning, just because there was so much going on at once and so much to figure out. After treatment started, a lot of that got better.
Chemo is do-able. It a lot of extra stuff to deal with, but as with the other treatments, just take it one day at a time. And if you are experiencing nausea or any side effects at all, there are drugs and non-drug (homeopathic, meditation, exercises, acupuncture, etc.) things you can do that could help.
I've probably got 5 years of hormonal therapy ahead of me, too... but I hear it's usually just pills with no major SEs, so I'm not worried.
I have 7 weeks of rads coming up... I'll just deal with it when it happens. Right now, I'm happy to just take some time to recover from the LX and SNB, and take a little break from BC! It's really quite nice! Even if it means I had to do things like get the plumbers in to unclog a pipe so I can use my washing machine! I feel so accomplished!
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April25, I think that the first weeks after Dx are the most stressful. It eases as time goes on and you become familiar with BC and what your Tx will be and are actually DOING something to kill it.
It is nice that you have a break before starting your rads. They most take a bit of time out of your day and cause a bit of fatigue. After all you've already done to kill BC this will be much easier. My DH was in the hospital for post-surgery pneumonia and extremely ill while I was doing my rads. I'd go up the hospital by 7 (to hopefully catch his doctors), drive next door for radiation at 8:30, and back to the hospital by 9:15. I'm lucky that my radiation center is only 10 minutes from my house - very convenient.
I know how nice it will be to be able to use your washer again. I detested having to take my laundry to the laundromat this winter when I had to have our drain re-done.
BTW, I've been on generic Arimidex since October with no problems at all. I do take Fosamax to help protect my bones.
HUGS!!!
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Upstatebee I told my 8yo that our body is made up of cells, and that sometimes those cells get broken. That mommy has some cells that got broken, and that I had to have surgery to get them out. I also told him I might need medicine to keep my cells from breaking again, but we weren't sure yet.
My 3yo is actually harder. She wants to be picked up and I cant. And she walked in on me showering and got really upset by my boo boos and she wants to fix them. She's become clingy and keeps asking me not to leave her. And she's starting telling strangers that her mommy is sick. :-(
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It has to be terribly difficult to figure out what to tell young and even older children. I'm glad that mine are in their 40s (and they came to help when I had my surgery). Good luck to all of you having to do this.
HUGS!!
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Oh Tresjolie that is tough.
They cannot understand at that age, she is too young. Yes, we basically said that about the bad/broken cells and I was thinking that I would just say exactly that, I have to go get medicine just to make sure the cells don't go bad again, but it's temporary and then I'll be done. At some point we will explain that is was the C word, but I'd rather wait till it's all done, so they won't have to worry since it will all be over with.
Starting RADS today! Just happy to be getting started so I can be done!
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Pontiac,
Glad to hear you didn't have SE from Arimdex. I will be on something also. I have heard on threads that AI causes joint pain. I have this leftover from chemo so don't need anymore! I had a bone density already and it was normal.
Good luck with Rads today Upstate!
I am still waiting for Path.
PMR53
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Hi everyone,
My heart goes out to all you ladies with little ones to care for . Sounds like everyone is doing a great job though.
A question for all you past Lx sisters in the past year or so. I will be 2 weeks post op and both incisions look wonderful. Is it normal to have some edema under the SNB incision? This started in the past 2-3 days. I was wondering if the lymphatics need to adjust now that there is one less node and things may back up a little. I have applied heat and doing exercises . I was wearing an underwire bra as it was very supportive and comfortable but switched to a Genie bra to see if that made a difference in case the underwire was cutting any drainage channel off.
I did call my BS to ask about Oncotype. He said my MO would discuss that with me. Although it is a very small low grade tumor I am going to bring this up as I am very concerned that My ER is just 25% positive.I plan to take endocrine therapy but 75% negative seems like a lot to me.
Thanks
pat
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PMR, some ladies do have joint pain with AIs, many do not. It would appear that you don't know until you try. And there are several choices if one does not work for you. Keep in mind that many of the women posting on the AI threads are those with problems looking for solutions so they can keep taking them. Most of us who have no trouble don't post so you are getting a skewed view. I'm not diminishing the SEs that they are having because I know they are really rough, just saying most don't have them. I wouldn't go in expecting SEs.
PATRN, I don't recall having edema under my arm. Make sure you are moving your arm and stretching. I think you may be right that everything has to stabilize to its new normal. But don't hesitate to call your BS and make sure. Like you I think I'd want an Oncotype done (and I did have). For me it made me feel comfortable with the course of my treatment (i.e. no chemo).
HUGS!!
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PontiacPeggy -- Wow, you had a lot to deal with during your rads! I'm glad the radiation wasn't too hard on you considering all the rest. I hope your DH is doing well now?!
Tresjoli2 -- agh, that is rough, dealing with how this affects your little ones. Although, hopefully, being so young, they don't really know everything that's going on and will forget a lot about this time! Thinking you are sick isn't terrible, as I'm sure they are thinking of sickness in their terms, and it would be a way for them to understand what's happening without all the details!
Hopefully you'll be back to normal soon and you all can not worry so much!
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LX vs MX -- I'm so glad to not have to go through all the surgery and post-op issues that the MX folk have to. I do wonder why so many people end up doing MXs instead of LXs because of all that. And every time I see someone who had a LX first and then had a MX, that concerns me. But I guess most of the folks who just have an LX and that's all probably haven't had to keep posting in the threads I'm checking (chemo, surgery, radiation, etc.), so it only seems like people are having a lot of surgery...!?
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April25, I had to put DH in a nursing home (he has Parkinson's plus he had a heart attack 5 years ago that effect his thinking and body coordination). A rough decision but I could no longer manage him alone and our kids are on the other side of the country. He's doing okay. Thanks for asking.
HUGS!
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Still trying to get a hold of my pathology report. But according to my doctors notes in my patient portal my tumor is PT1, N0 which I am translating in my head to Stage 1a. Hope I am right about that.
Also see that my microcalcifications were 3.8cm. I have to have another mammogram in two weeks because of that per my RO. I wonder why. I'm tired of squishing my boobs! Sigh...
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oh Peggy, what a difficult time for you with all that going on plus making decision about your DH. You are a very strong woman!0 -
PatRN, it was a very difficult time. But life has smoothed out. I don't think of myself as particularly strong - just doing what has to be done. Thank you for the kind words!
HUGS!
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PatRN- it is normal to have some swelling at the LX site for awhile. I am applying cold compresses a couple times a day. The SNB site can be painful too as they cut through nerves and went in deep to get the nodes. I found that was more painful then the LX site. I try not to overuse that arm but get busy and forget. I am 1week Postop and it's still sore.
April- I think the MX decision is more popular now because of the thought of reoccurrence. In my case I am refusing radiation so I will get a MX with reconstruction in the Fall. Studies have shown that a LX plus RX is just as effective in some cases as a MX. Because I had a recent infection the plastic surgeon is waiting for 3 or so months. I had a LX last week and this will tide me over until I can get it done. I didn't sign up for all these surgeries but that's the way it goes. I can wear my swimsuit this summer I guess.
Hugs to All!
PMR53
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