Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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MizM..After my lumpectomy I had a sore throat and cough. The sore throat went away fairly quickly. The cough lingered for a while. But it's all good now.The SNB incision site was a bigger pain than breast incision. For the first 3 days I was instructed to wear my surgical bra. It hit me right where the SNB was. But again all good now. I was off pain meds my second day and just did Advil thereafter.
I had front closure sports bras from Walmart. I found that keeping things tightly bound up worked best. The less bounce the better. I still wear the bras today. They're very comfortable.
I did the lots of pillows thing too. Don't forget to keep your arm up on a pillow too as much as possible.
I start rads Monday. 28 TX.
Happy Healing😊
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Keys-Plez, That SNB incision is the biggest annoyance going. I find it still can bother if I wear sleeves that are too tight in the armhole (but feel fine on my good side). And sometimes even sweat will annoy. The nerves are mostly healed and I suspect that's why I have issues. Oh well. A small price to pay. And do keep up the stretching exercises on the bad arm. Do them forever.
I had 33 rads (5 of which were boosts). Only had a slight redness. I used Aquaphor starting about midway through. They'll go fast.
HUGS!!
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Hi all! I'm finally crawling out the woodwork after a several-day bout with the cruddies. Migraines, nighttime fever & chills, muscle aches, and just overall blah. And nightmares! Weird ones about trying to be in the right place at the right time to get paperwork (test results?), but never quite making it. Go figure! Anyway, there's a lot to catch up on but I wanted to say welcome to the newbies:
BGardenia--hope you are feeling more settled after all the great advice and support from Peggy and everyone! This is a very caring group. Hugs!
Helplesslyhoping-(I can't help but hum the old Crosby Still & Nash song of the same name
), Congratulations on the great news re: your tumor shrinking by more than half! It must be relieving to know-or maybe even visually see-the effectiveness of that treatment! I don't have personal experience with neoadjuvant therapy, but some of the other Threads should be able to offer lots of help. Continue to check in with us for emotional support, and definitely lots of help, resources, etc for Lxs. Hugs!And for the not so newbies:
BJclaywell, Hope you win the jackpot tomorrow night
I think it's wonderful that your mom is able to offer such sage advice, and help you through this process--in what sounds like a very motherly way. awe..! Hugs! Mizmimi, wishing you speedy healing and lots of rest this week. Gentle neck rolls helped me; my sore throat went away in a day or two. I have to remember to try a patch behind my ear the next time I have surgery--I get horrible nausea post op, but never thought to take anything prophylactically. Hugs!
Midgiemoon, you have such an upbeat attitude despite suffering from painful sounding burns. I echo Tresjoli's concern, and have been taking notes when people share what was/is helpful. You have my admiration, and I only hope that I will be as positive when it's my turn to share my rad experience and pass on advice. I also know of darker skin ladies having blisters, so I agree with Peggy that's it's baffling. Thank you, speedy healing, congrats on almost being finished, and Hugs!
Octogirl, I also read that article and called my RO to see if they offered the HF-wbi tx...just in case I'm a candidate.
who knows, but it made me happy just thinking there might be some options. Hugs! 0 -
I finished rads over a week ago (28 wb, 8 boosts). I didn't feel that fatigued at all... but then I'm comparing everything these days to chemo, which was just the worst for SEs. I'd say... be prepared for whatever: fatigue, maybe some blisters... But know that they might not happen to you. I worried about blisters all the way through and never got any. I felt fine. I ate a lot. Gained 15lbs. Ooops!
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April25, bet it has just been nice to be able to comfortably eat after your chemo. My DIL had problems with food for her colon cancer chemo - couldn't tolerate cold food or drink (and it was during the summer
). Glad you're happy to be done with most everything! How much longer will you be getting Herceptin? HUGS!!!
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Keys-plz, best wishes on the start of your rads. Did you do the sim already? Sweetmamaj, sorry you have been ill. I hope you are on the mend now.
We managed to take my special needs son and my step son to a movie this afternoon. DS has been sick and we are in a heatwave right now so it was great to get out. We saw Shaun the Sheep. Fun movie!
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Hello all, just checking in:
April25, I can relate to the gaining wait part: I've gained five pounds since my surgery, and I blame lack of exercise, but in truth, it is probably all the ice cream I eat when I am feeling sad or stressed. I haven't felt the need to ask for an anti-anxiety drug (yet, that could change any day now), but then I find I get good results from Hagen Daz Vanilla with Chocolate Almonds, and Straus (a CA organic brand) chocolate. It's a bad habit to get into (but tastes so good :-))!
Sweet, hope you are feeling all better soon, and that those dreams go away! And Molly, so glad you got to get out to a movie with your family.
It is finally hot here in the Central Valley, finally like summer, High today hit triple digits, the first time we've had that in August this year, which is pretty remarkable. Tomorrow will be even hotter, possibly 108. So, went for a walk early when it was cool, and spent most of the day relaxing in the AC. Hubby is leaving town tomorrow for three days to go to a conference in SoCal for work: he's been wonderful and I love him and will miss him, but now that I don't need daily care I am sure some of you can relate to my secret pleasure at the idea of having the house all to myself for three days...fortunately, he is back in time to go with me to MO Wednesday. If MO tells me tests say I need chemo I will definitely need hubby to hold my hand (and maybe more of that ice cream!)
Hugs to all!!!
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I've been losing weigh, and it's not a great thing
Usually I comfort-eat, and I did for the first week or two after my Dx, but now I can't seem to keep the weigh on. My body morph has always been tall and lean, but I almost cried this morning when I looked in the mirror to examine my incisions and saw my ribs really sticking out. Had a freak-out moment worrying about not having enough tissue/body mass to stop the radiation beams from frying my heart, lungs, back...maybe even burning a hole in the treatment table. Ok, well not the table, but there are some very important organs right under my (diminishing) L breast that I'm afraid will be unnecessarily exposed to high doses of rad for weeks on end. Yikes!
I hope the RO will give me some reassurance when I finally meet with her again. Although I've been under the weather, I have been eating! (Had tempura fish tacos and chips for lunch, and pasta for dinner). Maybe this weight loss is from stress combined with lack of my beloved (although now suspect ) estrogen patch--and not from something much more worrisome! (Should I go to crazytown now)?
Maybe I'll just go to the kitchen and see if the boys left any ice cream for me...
Octo-I love my staycations when I'm the only human being in the house! It's so.....relaxing. peaceful. clean... (shhhh, don't tell my DH).
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Molly..I've done the sim and have my tattoos. So Monday is the first of 28.
Octogirl..I've gained 8 pounds since dx. I blame it on lack of exercise and don't give a crap. 😊
I just discovered a Tia Chi class on Monday evening close to my apartment. I've always been curious about it. I can't focus long enough to do yoga. Maybe I can do Tia Chi. It should be good for stretching, balance and flexibility. Maybe it'll be good for rads.
I emailed my RO regarding the shorter rad sessions. I did not fit the criteria. I had intrabeam radiation during surgery IORT. That was suppose to be all the rad I needed. But my surgical path report indicated I had ILC-Lobular. That was unexpected. So I also have to do external rads😩. The good news is the IORT counts as my boost tx.😊
U of FL did my surgery and IORT. They said they could do 3 wk rad. My local RO says no.They both have logical stories as to why I should do one or the other. I can't take another 3 wks off from work to go back to UF, so I'll just stay down here and do 28 sessions so I can continue to work.
Good luck to the rest of ya'll. Hope you can get the 3-5 wk tx.
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SweetMamaJ, I also tend to lose weight when stressed. Concentrate on eating those fattening foods you might normally avoid, throwing in some healthy stuff too. Pretty soon you'll get back to normal.
Ladies I also loved being alone when DH would go out of town (or better yet, he and the boys went to Scout camp!). I would get so much done and read and sun. I will say this, now that DH is in a nursing home, I miss his presence. I don't mind being home alone but it is nice to have someone to chit chat with, share small things and just hug at random moments. I don't say this to make anyone feel guilty about loving a few days alone, just to say that enjoy that time alone and be happy when DH comes home.
HUGS!!!
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I have gained 7lbs. But it's from the massive amounts of steroids being pumped into my body each week. I am so bloated. I can't even get my wedding ring on. And the munchies...oh man!
I NEVER get the house to myself with a 3yo and an 8yo. I don't even remember what that is like! Must be so nice!
My new chemo is working so much better than the old chemo. But I am very tired. Fortunately I am up in Maine this weekend where I have lots of support from friends and I can rest.
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Hello, all. I'd like to know if any of you needed to have the Oncotype DX genomic test but your insurance company refused to pay for it. This test is only for those with early stage DCIS which is estrogen receptor positive and who have no cancer in the lymph nodes. The patient's score on the test helps the doctor determine whether or not chemo and/or radiation therapy should be used for the greatest chance of keeping the cancer from returning.
I have a Medicare Advantage Plan and the company has flatly refused to pay the $4000, yet I am told that Medicare alone does pay for it. I am hoping to get some ammunition to make my appeal to the insurance company. Thanks in advance for any help.
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When nodes are removed (in my case, the left sentinel node), how long does it take to recover sensation in one's armpit? I was told absolutely nothing about this before surgery, so I am more than a little surprised. Also, one node removed (which was clear); however, my incision is about two and a half inches long. Why is it so long? Are nodes enormous in size?
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This is for "Surprisedat65" - perhaps it will help you: https://www.medicare.gov/what-medicare-covers/medi...
Something doesn't sound right; however, insurance companies and medicare folks seem to have issues knowing about their own coverage. If you don't like their answers, can you call back and get a different person? If so, you will get a completely different answer. From what I am reading Medicare Advantage must cover all of the same things that Medicare covers. Good luck . . .
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BGardenia3 I am 6 and 1/2 months from lumpectomy and I have feeling back in my armpit. I'm not sure exactly when it came back, but I did have a few months of zings and zaps while the nerves reconnected
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Theresa - How long was your incision? (Thank you for the good news, by the way - 6 1/2 months does not seem too bad.)
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Surprisedat65, of course Medicare will pay for this test. You would appear to be an excellent candidate for an Oncotype test. Tell your oncologist to keep trying. They should know how to get this test approved. You shouldn't have to lift a finger to get anything done.
HUGS!!
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BGardenia, it can take up to a year to get sensation back in your armpit. My BS said whatever sensation I had at a year is likely what I'll have forever. My incision was about 1-1/2". It remains annoying at times. Keep stretching that underarm! I still have to do it regularly. I never had any zingers. Just numbness. Now when I shave my bad underarm feels pretty much the same as the good one.
HUGS!!
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Surprised, the oncotype isn't just for DCIS, I don't believe, just FYI, but it is only for estrogen receptor positive as you say. It sounds your medical insurance actually turned you down? Do you have that in writing? I do agree with BGardenia that sometimes they don't seem to know their own coverage (and I have to admit, I sometimes wonder if this is intentional, to discourage us from asking for expensive tests...). For example, I had checked to see which of two hospitals my bs was affiliated with was in the top tier of my (rather complicated) insurance plan, and chose that one for surgery. During their pre-surgery call the financial office was sure it was only second tier and that my out of pocket would be several thousand dollars, based on what she said insurance company told her...She insisted she was right, I insisted she was wrong...but it was two days before surgery and I wasn't going to change hospitals at that point and miss my surgery date! We finally agreed that I would pay several hundred as a 'downpayment' and they would then bill the insurance company and see what happened. Sure enough, insurance company paid all but $100 that they said was my responsibility as co-pay under the top tier, and the same person called Friday to tell me that a check for the difference i paid is in the mail :-)
In any case, if you fit the profile, oncotype is standard of care, do don't give up! Your doctor should be sending them a letter as part of the appeal indicating that it is needed to determine course of treatment. Good luck!
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Bgardenia my sentinel node incision is about 2" long. It actually irritated me more than the lumpectomy incision which never gave me any trouble at all. The node incision oozed twice in me, but that was because of a stitch that was stubborn to dissolve. I could feel it poking out in my armpit. Armpit hair also grew back.
Honestly, at this point I don't feel like I even had a surgery except for the scar tissue I can feel where my lumpectomy was.
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My SNB was initially about 2" long, but almost a month later, it measures about 1 1/4"! I think it's because most of the swelling had decreased, and the site consequently shrunk (for lack of a better word). The area also is a lot less numb. Good luck!
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Surprised....I see your bio says you've received chemo. Are you trying to decide on rads using the oncotype score? Rads was a given with my lx, the onco score was used to determine chemo. I'm not sure my doc was even going to order the test until I asked about it. My insurance coved it but I had an out of pocket to meet.
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Peggy, I thought I replied to you this morning, but apparently it was not sent. Yeah, unwanted weight loss stinks. 2 days ago, I ate an entire wedge of triple-cream brie with an avocado, spread on sour dough toast--and that was just a snack.
I feel for you about missing the company of DH living at home. I know I'm preaching to the choir, but you know that you always have us, and can talk about more than BC if you need to. Goodness knows how many countless sisters have been helped by your tireless energy on this board, and I know that I'm not alone in wanting to be there for you. Hugs and oxox.
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SweetMamaJ, I know you guys are here for me. There's been many a day when you all are my island of sanity! And it was even more true in the months before DH went to the hospital (and then onto the nursing home), when I couldn't leave him. I appreciate my pink sisters!
HUGS!
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@PontiacPeggy-- I did not have Onco testing or Her2 testing. They said my cancer cells were only 5% responsive to hormones. And no chemo is not being recommended since it's DCIS only.
I'm waitng anxiously for the surgery pathology report. One more week to find out at post op appointment.
Thanks everyone for your support and well wishes!
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MizMimi, Oncotype testing is often recommended for DCIS and your cancer was ER+. You might want to read this article Oncotype Test. See if it applies to your situation. I think a lot of us feel more comfortable with our choices when supported by the Oncotype score. Waiting for that path report is hard! When was your Lx done?
Your RO will be extremely careful doing your rads to prevent damage to your heart and lungs. And it's an excellent way to kill any stray cells that might be lingering.
Let us know what we can do to support you!
HUGS!!
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But the RO didn't see the point in doing the ONCO because I am high grade with comedo/necrosis. He said it's not going to come back as a low score due to that.
My ER, PR status was almost negative. It only reacted at 5%. My BS said that hormone treatment is not an option for me.
My Lumpectomy was on Friday Aug 14th.
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MizMimi, I'm sorry that I was questioning that. Your RO certainly knows better than me and he has your interests at heart. Mea culpa. I'm not familiar with comedo/necrosis - it obviously messes with everything. Your rads will take care of any problems that might have escaped (though not likely from what you have said). Whew. Just get through the rads with a positive outlook and go right on living.
HUGS!!!
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Hi everyone! I'm sorry I've been MIA again! Things got pretty intense for me time wise just before surgery. Between work and preparing myself and my life for surgery I found I was burning the candle at both ends. To top things off, my husbands work decided to cause problems for us relating to my "condition." That's another story entirely. My BMX was Thursday and I was discharged from the hospital Friday afternoon. I have to admit that I am doing much better than I ever expected. I'm sore, uncomfortable and very tired but all in all, I feel pretty good. I haven't had too much pain except when I "forget" and stretch farther than I really should. The night before my surgery, I went out to dinner with some friends and 16 ladies showed up! We had a great time of laughs and stories! I asked each one to write a scripture, prayer, poem or note of encouragement and put them all in a bag to take to the hospital with me. I've been reading them slowly over the days to keep myself encouraged. I am so relieved to be on this side of the surgery. I find actually dealing with the recovery is easier than dealing with all of the "I wonder if's." I did have a SNB (was not mentally prepared for that ordeal before surgery) but I do not have a separate incision. After reading some of your posts, I think I'm grateful. I woke up from surgery with two drains and surgical glue over my incisions. There was nothing else covering me so I forced myself to look at the results right away. I'm planning delayed reconstruction, so they did skin sparing BMX. What is left is hideously ugly but it's still better than the alternative. My daughter (9) is being amazing with everything. She stays on me to rest. She's also become my drain monitor - she stays on me to empty my drains 3 times a day and she helps me get my shirts on and off. She actually said it's easier for her to see my bmx than it was the LX incision. I've been very open at home about the new "me" and my husband, daughter and I are all okay with it. I know there will be a time of mourning but right now I'm mentally and emotionally okay. Now that I'm at home and taking it easy, I'm going to try to get caught up with what's been happening here with everyone. Of course, I'll be waiting on my results like always and waiting to see if there will be next steps in this process. My BS is hopeful there won't be rads or tamoxifen for me. I guess we shall see! I'm also curious to see how long these drains will be a part of my life.
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Ringelle, sounds like you are recovering very nicely! Continue to rest and take it easy...we missed you here; glad to hear from you!
Octogirl0
