Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Molly, I'm sorry you still don't have the answers you need for your post-surgery treatment plan. Does rather leave you up in the air. At least the time is passing and soon your Mx will be done. I'm sure you'll be glad to have that in your rear view mirror.
Octogirl, you must be breathing easier knowing that nothing is wrong. Those must be really special bandages! I'm not sure I had stitches, just steri-strips. I'm small so not much stress on that incision. Glad the weekend was great!
HUGS!!! Sounds like we are all in need of them right now. MORE HUGS!!
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Catching up on the all the posts! Hugs to everyone for their positive news and hugs to everyone that just needs some!! Xoxo0
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Hi, ladies. I think I will never catch up on all the posts I've missed, so I'm not even going to try tonight. I've not been able to check in so often lately. Life. But . . . for those earlier on in this journey, a message from the farther side. I had my 6-month follow-up mammogram of "bad" left side today, and then follow-up with BS. Because of my fancy new Medicare insurance, I think, I had the option of 3-D mammography, which I did. I was a little bit apprehensive that the compression would be painful, but it was quick and not bad at all. And the results were great! No problems at all. BS was pleased and said my dent and etc. should continue to settle and improve over time. I think this first hurdle is a big one to get over, even though for most everyone I think the result will be good! In Nov. I will have regular bilateral mammo and also follow-up with rads nurse practitioner. I have no lingering side effects from rads that I'm aware of, and I finished treatment just a little over 4 months ago.
Now if life would just slow down a little bit . . .
I hope everyone is feeling well and doing well.
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Hi, Kay! I've missed you. Hope all's well with the family. Wonderful news about your mammogram. Isn't Medicare grand? Apparently my BS doesn't think a 3D mammo is indicated for me. And I never thought to ask for one. I had my first bilateral 6 months post-radiation. And it wasn't even uncomfortable. Shows that our surgeons did a good job I think.
I hope things calm down for you.
HUGS!!
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Hi, Peggy, I've missed you too! I don't know if my BS cared about the 3-D mammography, but the young lady who checked me in offered it to me and made a good case for it, so I went for it. I was mostly concerned that maybe it would see TOO much, risking false positives and more follow-up, but was assured that the opposite is generally the case. I got to look at the images and they are very detailed compared to regular digital mammograms. Anyway, the important thing was that there was no evidence of anything that shouldn't be there! Yay. I do feel that we've been lucky and have had good care, and I wish the same for everyone here. I think I just need to get used to the idea that life is going to be this way . . . but it's okay, really.
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Nice that they offered it to you, Kay. Like you, I'd have worried about false positives. NED is good! When I saw my MO Monday, I mentioned that I thought I was swollen a bit on my bad side, maybe LE. So he pushed and poked and prodded. I asked what are you looking for? Lumps. That didn't even occur to me (what planet do I live on??). I must have moved on to my new reality but apparently I'm not obsessing. I think I just swell a bit if I don't stretch my SLNB site regularly. All very strange. Our lives are moving on whether we are ready or not.
HUGS!!!!
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Hello everyone! I have a lumpectomy scheduled for Monday...
I know the lump/one lymph node has reacted to the chemo I had already in a large way since the doctors were shocked at the size reduction so I am hoping for the best....but any advise you can give would be great.
thanks,
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Welcome, AnkleDolphin! How marvelous that your cancer responded so well to chemo! That has to be an "upper".
Several things I would recommend for your lumpectomy.
- Get soft supportive bras. If you're small, Genie bras will work well. If you're larger, a front closing sport bra will probably be better. You don't want to bounce.
- Your lx site will likely be less annoying that the SNB incision. Ice is good for both.
- I found wearing a front buttoning top to surgery was good since I really didn't want to raise my arm to slip something over my head.
- If they offer you a drug TAKE IT! I was offered Valium and took it. I also was offered Dramamine (to prevent anesthesia nausea) and took it and had no problems. I also took the pain pill offered in recovery but took only Tylenol after that.
- While some of the procedures prior to the actual surgery seem scary, they are doable and generally not very painful. The lidocaine shots were pricks and worked well for me.
- Plan on resting up for at least a week afterwards if at all possible. Your body is already tired from the chemo and the surgery is major even though it is outpatient. It needs you to rest to heal. I was told to not lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk for 3 weeks.
- You will likely be given stretching exercises to do for the lymph node incision. Do do them! Don't push yourself too hard.
- You may feel quite good after the surgery. I did. But REST REST REST!. Gentle walks are good.
If you have any questions, ask away. We're here for you. We each have had slightly different experiences which will give you a broad breadth of information so you are prepared for Monday.Continue your positive thinking! It's powerful!HUGS!0 -
Hi kayfry...good to hear things are going well for you.
Welcome AnkleDolphin....hoping your LX goes well. Most of us had very little problems. Peggy has offered great advice. Just rest and pamper yourself. Sometimes the emotional part is harder than the physical. (((Hugs))))
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Ankledolphin, Congrats on your excellent response to chemo. I second everything Peggy wrote....especially the taking it easy! Good luck and keep us posted.0
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AnkleDolphin, Nash is right - the emotional is often more difficult. I'm sure you're quite aware of that with all that you've gone through so far.
HUGS!!!
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Hi Kayfry, congrats on the 6-mo checkup, and thanks for your report on the 3-D mammo! Looking forward to getting one in the future.
AnkleDolphin, Welcome to the lounge and I echo whatever Peggy says. She will probably kill me for saying this, but she is the queen of the lounge--and it's really because of her dedication to offering support and her sage advice. Having said that, this lounge works because of EVERYONE's energy, support, and willingness to share. Awesome to hear that your chemo was effective!
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SweetMamaJ, you're too kind. I'm paying back all the support I got last summer when I was diagnosed. Without everyone on this lounge posting it wouldn't be nearly as good. Our newbies need to know that there isn't any one path to killing cancer. Our surgeons each have their own approach. I can only point out what mine did - we need YOU to tell what yours did and what worked for you!
I'm just glad to have you all here. It lifts my spirit. You are all supportive and understanding when life gets me down (i.e. DH). So Thank YOU!
HUGS!!
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Here! Here! (as she lifts her glass in the air) Well said, Peggy. Hugs and major Thanks all around.
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Hey! Where's my glass??????
HUGS!!!
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PontiacPeggy - thank you so much....
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AnkleDolphin, you're very welcome. Anything we can do to help, just ask. (And if my kitty doesn't stop pacing between me and the laptop and being REALLY ANNOYING.....nothing like a cat that THINKS she's hungry)
HUGS!!!
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Cheers...🍷
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That works!
HUGS!
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Hey fellow LXers-
Three weeks post today and I have noticed a lot more soreness on my bad side and shoulder. I wondered if anyone else experienced this around this time frame. I have been doing a lot more now that my kids are home from camp. Can you say 2 kids=1 month of camp=1 million loads of laundry=ugh!!. I am going to pull back and try to take it easy and see if I get back to where I was.0 -
yes, AnkleDolphin, Peggy's advice is great...I will only add that I found that a combination of one extra strength Tylenol and one advil every four to six hours was a great combo (recommended by my bs). Oh yeah, and REST, REST, REST after!
Hugs and we will be thinking good thoughts for you!
Octogirl
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plumster, I've had some soreness but nothing too bad (now four weeks out). But then, my kids are grown...I couldn't resist picking up my two year old grandson this weekend several times, I admit. Fortunately, he is small for his age. :-) Yes, I'd worry that you are doing too much! Try and take it easy!
Octogirl
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Plumster, be sure to watch for subtle signs of swelling - lymphedema. Most likely you have overdone using your bad arm. I find mine still needs babying but I know not everyone has that. Remember to stretch that arm and that may help. I find it does. And you've been doing a lot more than you had been recently. Take it easy!
HUGS!
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Plumster....I noticed pain for a long time after lx in the same area whenever I would overdo. I think I've learned to adjust . It really takes a while to get back to where we were before LX.
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plumster I had that happen when I thought I was "all healed". You not only start using the arm, but you try to make up for lost time of not using the arm. Especially with kids. I would forget not to lift my 3yo onto the potty etc. while I would certainly call bs to let them know, my guess is slowing down a bit will help
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Plumster, listen to your body and rest if you can.
Welcome ankledolphin!
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Yes, I am going to definitely take it easy today and this weekend. I have my follow up with my BS Monday. So it wil be good to check in with her too.0
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Hi, Nash! Good to "see" you again, too.
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Hi all,
Just checking in and catching up. I have 5 boosts left of my 33 RT left. My skin is a mess, crispy is a good description. I now can not wear even my softest bra. Oh well! I should feel a little better soon since my under arm will no longer be blow torched!
Wishing you all the best! I love my beagle, so glad we got her a few weeks ago!
Enjoy your weekends!
~Midgie
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Thanks, Sweetmama! I may not be here as often these days—that may be the goal of many of you here!—as life comes back to whatever normal is. But I think about you all, and those of you at an earlier point in this journey. This is a wonderful resource, and I can guarantee you are all in excellent hands with Peggy! I learned so much here, along with large doses of emotional support when it was most needed. Beaming healing thoughts to all of you.
I guess it's never fully "over." I have my annual bilateral mammo in November, even though I just had the "bad" side done, in order to get things on the same schedule. That will be another hurdle to get over, but I will. And that same month, follow-up with rads nurse practitioner. That will be a year from my Dx. Onward.
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