Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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thanks ladies! It freaked me out, feels exactly the same as before except for below where there's the divot. Hopefully that's the case
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Staci, I hope you get only good news today.
djatsw, After my surgery, I developed a huge hematoma. It was very sore and took months to reabsorb. Maybe this happened to you, too. Also, scar tissue can feel quite lumpy as it forms. Don't be surprised if you feel something like this. My surgery was almost a year ago, but was extensive. I am still very tender in some areas. My docs tell me this isn't as unusual as many think. BTW, if you make your diagnosis "public", it would make it easier for us on the board to tailor our responses to your particular situation.
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Hi everyoneI haven't been on here in a while. Kinda taken aback by how everything has changed for me, once again. I'm just wondering if this has happened to anyone else. During LX surgery to remove the IDC they also found another tumor, DCIS. So, my treatment went from a LX with rads with the possibility of chemo afterwards, to full blown chemo for a whole year!! I'm waiting to have surgery for a port placement and I'm just trying not to freak out completely!! Even though the tumors were very small, it's the HER2 status that is the problem is what they're saying. My Oncologists are great and I'm grateful for that. I would just like to know if anybody else has experienced this, and any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.
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Boblajo, So sorry you are now facing chemo. I was told over and over again that I would need lx then rads. Surgery showed cancer in my nodes, so I was off to chemoland. I know this is different from what you are facing, but I know the feeling of being blindsided by needing chemo. It's so great that your team and pathologists found the DCIS, too, so you can get the best treatment. I suggest you look on the boards for topics relevant to your ER-PR-HER2+ status. When you find out which chemo protocol you will be having, check for those threads, too.
I'm a Cali girl, too. Where are you located?
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Thank you Poppy. I think we discussed this before, I'm near Temecula Ca. I believe that we were going to meet up for coffee or something, this was a few months ago that we talked about it. Now I just feel like everything has been turned upside down. I know it's what I have to do. I tried to update my profile, not sure if it took. They are giving me Herceptin, Carboplatin, and Taxotere. The ONC is anxious to get started, they may start before I have the port put in, possibly as soon as next week.0 -
Thanks for being so nice. My brain is quite forgetful lately. I met up with some BC ladies a few weeks ago and they are even more fantastic in person! If you are ever interested in meeting up, send me a personal message. Things have been turned upside down for you. It takes a bit to get comfortable with these new developments.
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boblago nice to see you again. Was wondering where you went! Like you my biopsy found the idc. My lumpectomy revealed 4cm of high grade dcis with microinvasion. My tumors are teeny. But I chose chemo due to my strong her2 status. You can do this! The port isn't fun going in but it makes chemo so much easier. I was totally freaked out and now I love my port.
What is your FISH score?
I'd have your port put in before chemo. But that's just me.
Hugs!
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Thank you Tresjolie2 ,for the encouragement!! Good question on the FISH score!! I didn't even know there was one!! All I was told is that the FISH test is the best test. My surgeon, MO, and RO decided together that chemo was necessary and not really an option anymore. I just love my Drs! That makes it a little bit easier. But I don't have a pretty face, but the have AWESOME hair!! I know it sounds crazy, but that makes me so incredibly sad really. I have some cute new hats, my BFF is also a hairstylist so we cut 6" a couple weeks ago and next week I'm going super short. She is also going to shave my head when it gets to be that time. As I am typing this, I still can't believe all this is happening to me. I felt done after surgery. I kinda went off and vented a little.
PoppyK I'm going to message you tomorrow morning. Thank you for your kind words.
thanks for listening
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I think I even had some of that liquid/swelling when I had a biopsy... the original lump and the area around it seemed bigger after the biopsy!
I'm definitely having a lot of liquid (seratoma?) filling up the whole area of my lx now. I think the radiation is making it worse. Is that possible?
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Boblajo--I read something in the paper recently about chemo patients using something called an ice cap to retain their hair. There are a few different types and they are expensive. They are not always covered by insurance. Anyway, maybe you could ask your MO about it. Sorry about the turns of events for you. It is so tough to adjust when you feel blindsided.
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There is a very active support group for cold capping.... All Topics → Forum: Help Me Get Through Treatment → Topic: Cold Cap Users Past and Present, to Save Hair
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Yes, there are! Penguin caps is one company. I believe it ran a few thousand dollars. US insurance doesn't usually cover it.
I didn't try them for various reasons, but others on the board have.
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Hi all-
I am having my LX on July 23rd. I am not having the wire localization but something else kind of newish I guess. I think they put some kind of locater by the tumor the day before and then use almost like a radar gun type thing to find it during surgery. I think I was on such information overload at that point I kind of gapped out when my BS was talking about it. BS on vacation this week and then i'm doing a quick vacation. So, it's basically see you at surgery. Anyone have something like this? Painful? Tips for having it 24 hours before surgery?
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I just read an article about this. It's a small radioactive seed that locates the tumor I stayed if the wire. It should be easier on you than having the wire put in the day of your surgery. I would consider it an improvement!
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i had three wires the day of my surgery. I thought I was going to faint. The new thingy has got to be better than them jamming a wire through your breast. Good luck!
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Plumster1, I had my Lx exactly one year ago to when yours is scheduled. I had wire locators. I was really dreading them since I'd had them done in 2002 for a biopsy and it was beyond horrid. HOWEVER, this time it was fine. I was at a breast center this time and everyone knew what they were doing and wanted to make you as comfortable as possible. Not quite the same philosophy for the first one.
That being said, the little radioactive thing sounds like a big improvement. They put a titanium marker in when they did my biopsy but apparently that wasn't helpful enough for the surgery, just a good start.
You'll do fine. It's a rather longish day but it seems to go by without dragging. I was there at 7 and home by 2 and I felt good.
Aside from not eating from midnight or whatever they tell you, nothing special. As I recall they wanted me to drink water (so they could find my veins) - that was nice.
You will want to have a very soft, wireless bra or 2. I used Genie bras, others have used Cobbies or front closure sport bras. Keyword being FRONT. It could be uncomfortable raising your arm or bending it behind your back (wear a front closing top if you can).
If they prescribe pain medication, be sure to take it if you need it. No heroics. I took a dose in the hospital but only took regular Tylenol at night to make sure I was comfy (and I was) for several days.
Likely you will be told to not lift much of anything for 2-3 weeks with your "bad" arm/side. That can get challenging but do try to follow all the instructions.
Radiation will probably start 4-6 weeks after your surgery. You may experience fatigue and perhaps some redness from the radiation. At least that was all I had and even the redness was faint.
Of course, what I experienced for my Lx and Rx may not be what happens with you. But know that most of us do well with our lumpectomies and heal uneventfully. But most of us find that the SLNB site is the most annoying thing about the surgery. Not that it really hurts but it seems to be tender and everything bothers it (especially bras). I went braless almost all the time thru my radiation. Luckily I'm small busted and don't need the support.
Keep asking questions! We're glad to answer.
HUGS!!!!!
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Thank you Pontiac Peggy for all helpful hints. I had not even thought about the bra situation and nobody mentioned anything to me. I am going to hunt down some front closures tomorrow. My radiation is during the LX. IORT. So, it's a one shot deal. Will be interesting...
Midgiemoon, thank you for filling in some blanks for me. At least I have a direction to look some things up
Tresjolie2, it does sound better on paper than the wire part you all did, but I guess I will see
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You're welcome Plumster1! The bras were the one thing I hadn't known about until I started reading all the posts on this topic. I learned a lot. You may want to get them a bit larger than you usually wear.
Nice that your radiation is a one shot deal.
I hope your radioactive seed is as good as it sounds!
HUGS!!!
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Thank you Sailorbev! I went to a support group today and it was good. I got a cute reddish brown wig. I don't have the $ for the cap, but what a great idea!
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Boblajo, Did you go to Michelle's Place? If not, I've heard they are fantastic. I have a reddish, short and sassy wig and a longer reddish brown one (which looks like my regular hair). I found the wigs to be hot and wore them less than I thought I would. I usually wore scarves, and sometimes hats. I'm so glad you went to a support group and found a wig! I wouldn't recommend shaving your hair down to your scalp. Chemo makes your scalp very sensitive, plus you don't want infected follicles or ingrown hairs. Others commented on stubble, which they said was uncomfortable when they slept. I would recommend a short, short buzz when (if) your hair starts to come out. Hugs!
Hey Peggy! Were you gone for a while? I didn't see you post.
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Poppy, I *was* gone. Went to visit my sons - one in San Diego and one in Spokane. It had been many years since I'd been able to travel. DH really can't travel with his Parkinson's so bad. But now that he's in a nursing home and being well cared for, I can go visit them. It was heavenly. They had come back when I had my Lx last summer but this time I could just hug and kiss the boys and their lovely wives to my heart's content. Saw DH's relatives (whom I like) and met in real life, a friend of #1 son's who had ovarian cancer and was a huge support for me. So I came home feeling replete with love and motherly feelings. Yeah. It was good. Thanks for asking.
HUGS
BTW, one of my BCO friends speaking of the cold caps said her theory was that the chemo needed to go everywhere and if you used the cold cap you were preventing it from working on your head. I have no knowledge one way or the other and put this out there as her thought.
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Glad your trip was wonderful, Peggy! I remember now you posting about it, but I forget things all of the time now. Drives my DH nuts.
I, too, wanted the chemo to go everywhere the cancer cells might be lurking. I didn't cold cap my head or ice my fingers and toes (to prevent nail damage). I didn't want icing to be a reason all of the cancer wasn't gone. BTW, my chemo nurse said that she had some patients that cold capped. The one's she saw still lost their hair, just at a slower rate.
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Oh, Poppy, I do know what you mean about forgetting things. Me, too.
I also would want the chemo to go everywhere. Interesting that your chemo nurse said it didn't really help.
HUGS (did I say that before?)
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Sigh. Taken the gauze pad off after Surgery #2, and now wondering where the distinction is between lumpectomy, quadrantectomy and partial mastectomy; I look like a cross between a kid with those hideous old braces--the surgeon used staples--and a lemon shark bite. And also where does BCBSM draw the line between surgeries, in regards what it'll spring for in regards paying for reconstruction. (While I'd pass while dressed, in a good bra, if you didn't look too closely....in a bathing suit? Nopenopenopenope.
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Queen, I believe they have to pay for reconstruction. I thought those terms were pretty well interchangeable. Staples? Hmm, they used steri-strips on me. I'm small so maybe that makes a difference. Definitely talk to BC or ask your surgeon - he/she should know. Hope Surgery #2 went well and you're feeling good.
BTW, where are you in Michigan? If you are halfway near Jackson, 4 of us are meeting up Saturday at Sand Hill Crane Vineyards at about 11 or 11:30. It will be our 3rd get together. We'd love to have you join us!!! I'm from Pontiac, one gal from Kalamazoo and the others are closer to Jackson.
HUGS!
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Steristrips for the first lumpectomy, staples for this one; I don't know why. And BCBSM beep well better pay for some sort of reconstruction! If not, I'll be sitting on the surgeon's head explaining very sweetly but with a flamethrower, just why HE wants to explain to BCBSM why they're to provide me with reconstruction on the left and reduction on the right, plus a down payment on a tattoo, if i decide to go that route.
i'm way over in St. Joseph--Kalamazoo I'm familiar with, between the Medievalists Conference at Western, and Bronson/West Michigan Cancer Center (cancer scare that thankfully fizzled) but I'll definitely look into Sand Hill Crane Vineyards...tomorrow. Tonight, bed and sleep.
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The Vineyards seem to be pretty centrally located for us and is a lovely venue. They are in Jackson though, not Kalamazoo. Let us know. PM if you like.
Night.
HUGS!
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Hi Everyone.
I had my three month check up with a diff plastic surgeon this time. 3 months ago I had my mammo and ended up with a lump where the cancer had been. Old Plastic surgeon who I call EGO MAN-- said it was dead fat from the fat grafting and it would absorb in 3 months- funny how it was perfect before that mammo - Guess what? It did not absorb. Whatever it is, it is getting larger. So new PS( such a difference in Doctors) said he doesn't like it and doesn't understand why it suddenly showed up and said I could have the option of having an ultrasound every 3 months or to remove it and test it and then fix if it later so SIGH- once again I am going in for surgery. UFFFFFFFFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!He gave me the option of being put to sleep or letting him just numb it as its so close to the surface though large. I agreed to let him just numb it. More shots in the breast UFFF.. but being put to sleep Is no picnic I am a very hard IV start and get very nauseas from being put under.
I called my GP and he gave me a prescription for Ativan and hubby has agreed to drive me, though its his 2nd day at his new job, as we are moving 4 hours away from the PS center. I will have surgery on July 28.
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I had staples with my C-sections, but not with my breast surgery. My incisions were very long and they had dissolving stitches and steri-strips. They usually use staples in area where the skin moves a lot and is stressed.
Ndgrrl, Sorry you need another surgery. It sounds like your new doc has a good plan. I would want it out, too. Whatever it is, I hope it turns out to be b9.
Lumpectomy is not a technical medical term. Another term for lumpectomy is partial mastectomy.... of any size. A quadrantectomy is the removal of an entire quadrant of breast tissue. It is still considered a lumpy or partial mastectomy. (I learned all of this from Dr. Love's Breast Book.
BTW, Dr. Love's updated book is supposed to be out this year. I wonder when??? I want to buy it.
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Dr. Love's Breast Book 2015 update is going to be released Sept. 8th.
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