Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
Comments
-
Great news, Plumster1. I agree with you that I wish we didn't have to live with worry about a recurrence. My sister had bc in her mid twenties. She went about 35 years cancer free. She pass away from something else. I hold onto that.
0 -
yay plumster!!! very happy for you!
yes, I wish we all could be at zero percent. Me especially. Mine came back high risk, and off to the chemo chair I will be going, starting in two weeks. When I cried in MO's office and told him I'd have rather lost my breast than my hair he took my hand and said that he has heard exactly those same words from a surprising number of his patients...that did make me feel better somehow. Anyway, I am going to take a night off to process and feel better, but I will see you all on the boards tomorrow.
Love you all and I could sure use some hugs!!!
xoxxox
Octogirl
0 -
Octogirl, I've got a whole lot of hugs for you! What depressing news. The only positive thing I can give you is what my DIL said when going through chemo for colon cancer: Every chemo session she told those drugs to KILL CANCER! She focused solely on that - no other reason to go through chemo other than killing it. Now that you know your hair is going to go, I do have a suggestion for you, also from DIL. When you start to lose your hair, get all the youngsters (grandkids, nieces, nephews, kids) together and have a party to shave your head! DIL did that and it turned a very negative thing into smiles. Her niece and nephews enjoyed being part of her treatment and got to do something memorable. Remember that hair loss shows the chemo is working. Take that huge lemon and make the sweetest lemonade ever!
So HUGS, cheers, positive thoughts and KICK CANCER'S ASS!
HUGS!!!
0 -
BIG hugs to you, Octogirl. I probably won't be far behind you. I suspect MO will want to do chemo. Maybe you can buy some pretty scarves to treat yourself. Have you looked at the cold cap thread Btw? I was reading it this morning.
0 -
Octogirl, Hugs, Hugs, and more Hugs! Losing your hair is really scary as well as what it all means. But FWIW, some women who go through chemo swear by cold capping to prevent or reduce hair loss, and it might be worth while to look into.
Also, it's important to remember that your oncotype score is an prognostic indicator of your future chances for recurrent or new BC--without chemo. It doesn't mean that your breast right now has cancer that needs killing; it means that you are at a higher risk for future cancer, and the chemo now is meant to reduce that higher risk of developing new or recurrent breast cancer in the future. I hope that is some small comfort to you, but this must be so overwhelming and I hate that it's happening to my surgerytwin.
(Love you!!
0 -
Octogirl big hugs!!! You are going to rock chemo and make sure those little bugger of cancer cells are never coming back!!! I am sending you good thoughts and prayers!0
-
You can do it Octogirl!
0 -
crazy question: anyone got a fool proof way of keeping track of what to say to who when posting responses. By the time I finish reading everything and get to the reply screen I forget even how to spell the persons screen name. Gets so confusing
0 -
ankle dolphin - I totally understand. I'd probably have gone back to work by now too but they would chase me out of there. Even one of my bosses called the school yesterday to make sure I wasn't there. I have been working at home though! I don't sleep during the day - never have. I have to be busy. When I sit around I hurt more and get down. Staying active keeps me going. Glad you are doing well! That attitude is what's going to keep you fighting and winning
0 -
Hi again! I'm back after reading the new report from JAMA on DCIS and mortality. If you remember I struggled with the decision on whether to do LX OR MX. In reading this report, it says some women die from DCIS, although it is rare, but it happens and that radiation reduced local recurrence but not overall 20 year mortality rate.
I just found out my sister might have breast cancer. She is 5 years older than me and discovered a swollen lymph node... The radiologist called her to say that he saw two types of mammary cancer in her two nodes that were biopsied. With me testing negative on a broad genetic panel, but my mom and maternal grandmother having BC, and now sister...we have a stronger family hx than I thought!
I am considering going back for a double MX as was my original plan. All my doctors thought I was having an emotional reaction to DCIS. But I was looking at my strong history and my age plus wanting peace of mind for the long term---- that is why I chose that route.
I am going to wait until I have more info about my sister before I decide to cancel radiotherapy and go back in for surgery.
I welcome anyone's opinions. I will be posting this at the DCIS thread, too.
0 -
MizMimi, what a blow. I can certainly understand why you are re-considering your decision. There does seem to be "something" going on that didn't show up in your genetic testing (environmental maybe?). Or perhaps something that only shows up with a more specific genetic test. I think you are wise to wait until you know more about your sister's dx. I will not presume to tell you what to do. YOU have to decide what is best for you and what will bring you peace of mind. Once you do NEVER LOOK BACK!!
BTW when posting links to make they active, you have to click on the little infinity sign to the left of the smiley face and other formatting thingies and insert it that way.
Sending positive vibes to both you and your sister.
HUGS!!!!
0 -
Hi Peggy.. Thanks for the link tip... I tried it and it went through the steps but didn't work. If anyone wants the link, it is being discussed over in the DCIS thread.
Thanks for your advice Peggy on my situation. You are right that I still need to wait... Time will tell what directtion I go. I am now so worried about my sister and her health. I hope that cancer in her nodes does not mean a high stage
0 -
Mizmimi....I don't think the survival rate is any different for a lx plus radiation versus a mx. But I think it's important that you do what you feel is best for you after reviewing the stats. Best of luck on your decision.
0 -
Hi all:
feeling a bit more like myself today...thanks for the words of encouragement...the weather has cooled down here and I am just going to try and have a restful weekend once I get through this pile of work on my desk. What? It is only THURSDAY? really? oh well, back to the grind for a bit. At least it is distracting..
HUGS AND XOXO TO ALL!
0 -
MizMimi, I am curious why no Oncotype dx? Why no HER2 test? I would ask for those so I could make an informed decision but that's me. I am a numbers kind of person.
0 -
MizMimi, You are rightfully concerned about your sister AND yourself. But do remember that YOUR breast cancer is yours and could be very different from anyone else's in your family. It was found early. It's possible that your mother's and grandmother's were not found as soon. Your outcome will also be yours. To me that would go to choosing an Lx. I still do understand why you might go with a bmx but keep talking to your oncologists before deciding and see if they can answer your concerns.
To make that link active: 1. Copy the link. 2. Then click the linky symbol 3. Paste the link in the LINK line 4. Type in the text you want to be displayed 5. Click Okay. Voila!! Dammit - it had better work!
HUGS!!!
0 -
Ringelle, I end up scrolling back and forth for spelling and what everyone posted but I still miss some. Octogirl, hugs hugs hugs. My BS said to today for sure chemo and probably rads. Last time it was maybe chemo and for sure rads. Sigh...one step at a time. Surgery Tuesday.
0 -
Hello all,
My wife had her lumpectomy 14 Aug ( at 0900) and was just wondering when we might hear something back from pathology. A few days or a couple weeks?
Thank you all in advance!
0 -
Hi Bat- I hope your wife is resting comfortably. My pathology was done in about 4 days but I did not hear the results til my second follow up about 10 later ( my first follow up was 3 days post Lx ). I have a feeling pathology times vary and BS style of telling you vary too. Mine waited til I came in but I have heard of some getting phone calls. I'm sure you could call her BS office and at least get a time table. I know the waiting game is difficult.0
-
BAT, welcome to this wonderful, supportive, caring site. Sorry you and you wife need to be here. I had my lumpectomy on a Wednesday and my BS called with the path report about dinnertime on Friday. So I didn't have to wait over the weekend. I was so appreciative of her thoughtfulness. But as Plumster said, the time varies wildly. I hope your wife is comfortable and doing well. Encourage her to rest. Her poor body has been through so much and needs a chance to heal. Let us know when you get the results or if you have any questions, we'll be glad to answer them if we can.
HUGS!!!
0 -
Thank you Plumster1 and PontiacPegg. DW's follow-up in on the 27th...hope we don't have to wait that long.
0 -
Me, too, BAT! Waiting is awful. Period.
HUGS!!
0 -
Welcome BAT. Sorry you and your wife need to be here but you found a wonderful place! My BS was very clear that she does not do pathology reports over the phone. I got mine 6 days post op at my appointment. It doesn't hurt to call and ask.
0 -
Hey ladies - been home for 3 hours - feeling decent (took a good little nap). No drains - doc said lump was small and he only took the one sentinel node...he said it looked good too and initial analysis was good. Hospital lab said clear margins, but of course, everything will be sent out for full work up. Will have full pathology report on Wednesday.
Anyway - haven't taken any pain meds yet, but I will probably before I go to bed. Drinking a lot of water as I'm parched, but that's okay...eating butter cracks and slowly easing in some cheese. My mom got me some miso soup w/ veggies for later.
Anyway - just wanted to update - will catch up more tomorrow. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers! I fully believe they are working!
Hugs to all that are on board for today and tomorrow - sending my positive vibes your way!!!
0 -
BJClaywell, way to go! Isn't it nice to have it done? Glad the preliminary report is soooo good. Keep the food light for today. Then dive in tomorrow. Remember, too, that nothing is gained by not taking pain meds when you are in pain. Now just rest and heal for the next week or two. Really glad to hear from you!
HUGS!!!
0 -
yay, BJClaywell, glad you are feeling decent...I'll admit it, I jumped right into heavy, spicy food, but nausea has never been a post surgery issue for me. Peggy is absolutely right that you should ease in... and definitely rest!
hugs!
Octogirl
0 -
Woo hoo bjclaywell! I love good news. Rest well and thanks for checking in.
0 -
talk to me ladies.
On 9/9 I'm having LX on left with sample of nodes. And what I guess they're calling an excise biopsy on benign intraductual papilloma with atypia on the right.
The benign one was found first. surgeon I saw about it found the 5mm malignant tumor.
She said take rest of week off. Telework a couple of days the following. Off heavy workouts for two weeks.
I keep reading about people with drains? Doc did not mention that. But DX she was out of the office and scalled to give me the quick run down. Then I was at Cub Scout camp with my Pack when I got pathology. Now she's gone until week of surgery. Feel like I'm missing info.
0 -
Outrunning, welcome! Glad you found this forum. We're a caring, supportive, lively group! You probably won't have a drain. They seem to be used most often when more than a Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy is done. That usually involves 1-5 nodes. If more nodes are done (an ancillary excision) then a drain is often used. And it's often used with a mastectomy.
You definitely will want to take a week (better yet, two) off from work, especially when they seem to want to play with both of your girls. The Lx IS major surgery, even though it is done outpatient, and you body needs rest to heal. A good time to pamper yourself. You'll want a soft front closing bra or a step in like a Genie bra. If you are more endowed, perhaps a sports bra will work better (no experience with that since I'm small). Wear a front closing top. You probably won't want to raise your arms to put on something over your head.
Have you gotten any sort of itinerary for your surgery day? Will you be having a wire locator? (Sounds terrible but nowadays they load you with lidocaine and it's all right). Another thing, if they offer you something like a Valium when you arrive at your surgery center, TAKE IT!! If they offer you a Dramamine to help with anesthesia nausea, TAKE IT.
That's all I can think of at the moment.
BTW, if you can, fill out your profile with all that you know and what you have planned and make it public. That helps all of us when we are answering your questions.Keep asking away!!
HUGS!
0 -
Welcome BAT....I got preliminary path report right after surgery and then the full path report at my follow-up appt which may have been around 2 weeks.
Outrunning....I didn't have drains. I think it dependent on size of tumor. Mine was 1.2 cm. since yours is so small I don't think drains will be an issue.
0
