Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
Comments
-
radgal I didn't need pain meds, but everybody is different. I rarely take Advil, so when I did, it was pretty effective. But if you need pain meds, take them. You have to stay in front of any pain, because once you are in pain, they aren't quite as effective. Be gentle with yourself and try not to overdo. Oh, and if you sound like you have a water bottle in your breast a few days after surgery, it has happened to quite a few of us, so don't panic. Mine resolved on its own, but some women get the fluid drained, depending on what your specific doctor wants to do. Other than a water bottle boob, and the damn sentinel node incision hurting, I found the lumpectomy process very doable. Honestly, Peggy is right. The sentinel node incision is the worst of it. Even now, 7 months after surgery, some of my tighter tank tops rub the scar and it is a pain!
0 -
RadGal, you can put what you know on the Diagnosis tab of your profile if you want. My memory seems to have gone south this weekend - sorry for repeating myself. Argh!
How wonderful that you said yes to that mammogram. I had regular mammograms from about 40 on but was a month overdue when I went in for a pain in my breast (that wasn't where the cancer was) and they found the BC. Did you ever find out why you were so fatigued?
HUGS!!
0 -
Welcome radgal...will be keeping you in my prayers on the 25th. Hard to say how much pain because I did take the pain pills for 2 days....mostly to help me sleep. Getting comfortable was challenging....use lots of pillows. Remember to keep the area iced...helps with the swelling. My chest was wrapped pretty snug in an ace bandage and I kept it on for about 3 days....til I couldn't stand it anymore. Then I switched to sports bras. You'll probably be uncomfortable for a while and hopefully in not too much pain.
0 -
Italychick, you're in Carlsbad! Love it! Yes, I am getting the sentinel node excised too. Getting in injected tomorrow.
PontiacPegg, I did answer some of the questions that I knew the answer to.
Nash, I will keep the area iced.
0 -
hi all...all of a sudden feeling down and could use some hugs from my Lx sisters...without going into long details: I was talking with a family member about the latest update in my treatment plan and that person made an offhand flippant comment related to the likelihood that I would lose my hair, meant as a joke, that really hurt my feelings. This is someone I feel close to. My reaction was 'really? in what universe is anything about this funny? Whatever happened to just saying, "that sucks. I am sorry you have to go through this."
I just can't bring myself to say anything though, as much as I would like to. What good would it do to make them feel as bad as I did? What would you say if someone tried to make a joke of your situation and it fell flat?
A family member who has had bc always knows the right thing to say, and it has brought us closer. Not that bc gives us all perfect enlightenment or anything like that, but it is an eye opener in so many ways.
Thanks for being there for me, ladies. Feeling a bit down right now.
Octogirl.
0 -
Octogirl,
I am sorry you had to go through that but honestly, I think people are still afraid of the "C"
word and just didn't think through what they said. There's nothing funny about any of this. {{{Hugs}}}0 -
RadGirl, thank you for updating your profile.
ItalyChick, went to Karl Strauss Brewery, Carlsbad, in June when visiting #1 son! Give me more Red Trolley Ale!
Octogirl, HUGS and more HUGS!! I suspect most of us prior to BC, inserted foot in mouth when dealing with friends who had cancer. Try to give your friend the benefit of the doubt. I suspect that she was ineptly being sympathetic to your possible hair loss. Of course it was poorly done. Hard as it may be, try to let it roll off you. I know I've made thoughtless comments too. I didn't know anything at the time. But even "knowing" a lot more about BC doesn't mean I can't be thoughtless (though I hope not).
More HUGS to all of you!
0 -
Radgal- I thought the pain was very manageable. I'm sure if you preferred tylenol knowing you might have a tad more discomfort it would be ok. if you re gentle with yourself and take it easy that will help too. I also had an IORT and it made everything an easy one stop shop. Good luck, thinking good thoughts!0
-
plumster1, you're the first person I've met who also had IORT! I'm so grateful I'm having this treatment and pray that surgery goes well and margins are clean!
I do have Tylenol on hand and will use ice as well.
In that I'm postmenopausal (I'm 53), my radiation oncologist said that I'll likely be prescribed an aromatase inhibitor instead of Tamoxifen. I've read about DIM and am hoping that that may be an option instead. I've very active and the idea of the severe side affects make me anxious. I feel 33, not 53, and don't want the weight gain, emotional mood changes or bone and joint pain that I've heard about. How are you doing on Tamoxifen?
0 -
RadGirl, I've been on Arimidex for nearly a year with no problems. I think most women have few or minimal side effects from it and the other AIs. Keep in mind what they are for: to suck all the estrogen out of your body that has fueled your breast cancer. And they do do that well. I think it's worthwhile. You will note on the Arimidex board that there are quite a number of women who do have SEs and they have real ones. But most women on Arimidex with no problems don't post there since they don't need any help with SEs, so it can present a skewed picture of AIs. And even those with SEs are glad that they took them for as long as possible! I have no idea what DIM is but remember, nothing that even pretends to be estrogen is good for you if you want to do everything to keep your BC from recurring. I take Fosamax for my bones, other ladies take Prolia or some of the other choices for bone health.
Read the articles on this site about aromatase inhibitors and try to keep an open mind. Is there a reason why you think you would have SEs from them? Most of us don't take medications anticipating a problem and AIs are no different. Think positive!! That works best as you know.
HUGS!!!
0 -
Octogirl, I agree with others that people just don't know what to say sometimes and they try to make light of things to let you know they're "cool" with whatever changes they see you go through. The bald head is one of the first things people think when they hear the C word (the *other* C word ;-). I had an enormous head full of crazy curly hair. Then I was bald with my head out like all that hair was still there. I was fine with it but could see that people could be uncomfy trying to figure out how they should react. (Oh and if I had a dollar for every great double take when people looked at my drivers license? I could pay for all these treatments, no problem.) This was my kids and coworkers I've worked with for 10 years! We all learned to get through the visible and not so visible changes I was going through. In short , I found that I ended giving up lots of people a pass and that helped both of us cope with BC and keep our sense of self. And sense of humor. I know this will get easier for you and those close to you. Stay strong and stay positive!
0 -
PinkDiva and others, thanks and I know you are right that it is best to just give it a pass...just having a tough time this weekend for some reason. I started out great, did get lots of exercise, but still feeling vulnerable and sad. Attitude does mean a lot, it's true.
So here is a question for you (given your motto :-)) and for others too: I know that drinking alcohol is a bad idea. It can fuel estrogen, and in any case, not recommended while on chemo. and I've never been much of a drinker at all, but these days I find the idea of a glass of wine or even a scotch and soda appealing in a way it really hasn't been for me until now. Is that a sign I should just bite the bullet and ask for a valium or xanax prescription? I really haven't felt a huge level of anxiety (other than a very occasional melt down of course) up until now, but now it is all starting to hit me...at the last MO apt they asked me if I was having any trouble sleeping, and the truthful answer is that I have not...but I do feel the pull of something pleasant to get my mind off of all this crud. That ale Peggy is talking about sounds a bit too good....
just tired of feeling weepy and bad. I know many of you can relate...
0 -
Octogirl, I don't know what is and isn't recommended with chemo so won't comment on that as far as drinking is concerned. I have a glass of wine most nights with dinner. I read in Dr Susan Love's Breast Book that IF you are going to drink, add folic acid to your supplements so I did that. I enjoy my glass of wine. I know that when we BCO gals get together most everyone has a glass of wine or does a tasting. I can't imagine that wine or a scotch and soda is going to be bad for you. Just don't drink the bottle (but at times that sure is appealing!). (You can buy Karl Strauss Red Trolley Ale...I can't get it in Michigan - envious!).
BTW, you are entitled to feel weepy! You've gone from "normal" to Cancer and chemo in less than 3 months. That's hard to process. Don't apologize. We all have meltdowns, rants, weeping spells and all the other emotional blowups that can occur. Just realize that they are part of you coming to terms with the unacceptable. You'll be back to your new self soon. Just hang in there!
HUGS!!!
0 -
Just touching base with y'all...I'm on post-op day 3 now. The bruising and swelling are pretty substantial, but the pain is manageable. I have Percocet here for severe pain, but I've not needed it too much, just at bedtime to help me get through the night. Mostly I've taken Arthritis-strength Tylenol for pain. I'm doing a lot of sleeping, which is odd because I don't sleep during the day, ever.
I never was able to find a new bra. Today I decided to just put on one of my sturdy underwire bras. I layered on a men's undershirt, then the bra, then my t-shirt. The bad thing about this method is that it's hard to get the ice packs situated right. And getting the bra fixed so that it doesn't rub on the suture line is trick.
The suture line looks pretty good, despite all the bruising. The scar itself is numb, as is much of my underarm. I have several small skin tears from adhesive tape on my swollen and bruised skin, but that will recover well, I'm sure.
My BS had advised me to plan to take off 2 weeks from work. I don't think I'll need all that, but I will probably take the rest of this week to rest and recover.
0 -
Rad and Plum...I too had intrabeam radiation during surgery at the University of Florida. I hope it works out for you.
0 -
Radgirl - I also had an IORT with my Lx. If you are a candidate it is an easy way to go. I found my incision took a little longer in healing, but overall an easy route. The Tylenol and ice worked well along with a small stuffie to tuck under my arm to allow air circulation to my incisions. I wish you an easy time.
0 -
I will tell you without reservation that the Ativan often used to combat nausea got me through many a tough day. It is low dose (very) and considered sub-therapeutic (if you're talking about the amount normally used to treat anxiety disorder) but it leveled me right out in terms of nausea as well as those crappy BC related anxiety moments. The compazine that most people use as an anti nausea med just made me glassy eyed and out of sorts. The Ativan served many purposes, however. Hmmm...may be responsible for my good spirits.
0 -
I awoke from surgery tightly bound in a surgical bra. I was instructed to wear it for 3 days. Afterwards I wore a $6 hook in the front bra from Walmart during the day. At night I wore a sports bra, maybe even one size larger. I found less bounce equaled less pain. I liked having the girls all snug and secure. My surgeon said wear a bra day and night for 3 weeks. It was easy. Think about it. How are you going to heal if everything is bouncing around and stretching out?
Just wait till your car hits a pothole or a speed bump. You're gonna wish the girls were snuggled down. 😃
0 -
Radgirl - positive thoughts your way - I just had my LX with the sentinel node removal (I can't remember the acronym for that right now) on Thursday morning. I've found the pain to be quite manageable, but everyone is different. I'm using Tylenol when necessary. I have more irritations and spots that feel raw than I do pain. I did not have the Intrabeam Radiation, tho, so I can't speak as to that...
MLP - I've been sleeping a ton too!!! Which is also odd for me - I NEVER nap - so this has been very strange. I go back to work tomorrow, but I'm not going to push it. If I'm worn out early, I'll go home early. Take care of yourself, and keep napping if you can. Also, I have one underwire bra that is old and ratty that I took the wires out of and that seemed to help some - although it still rubs the incisions weird. At least it is softer. But of course, that ruins the bra... My newer bras are super soft - I got them at Lane Bryant - they have some kind of cooling fabric in them, and are SO comfortable - and they don't come anywhere near the incision under my arm.
Octogirl - I'm so sorry for the insensitive remarks that are made - even if they are supposed to be in jest. Doesn't help. I have a relative who had BC tell me that I got it because of something or another I did (in this case, I didn't eat right all of my life). It doesn't help, and makes you feel like crap - but just come here when that happens. We are all here for you!!! AND - we all have our weepy and emotional times. I certainly do - and they can be hourly even!!!
0 -
I awoke from surgery tightly bound in a surgical bra. I was instructed to wear it for 3 days. Afterwards I wore a $6 hook in the front bra from Walmart during the day. At night I wore a sports bra, maybe even one size larger. I found less bounce equaled less pain. I liked having the girls all snug and secure. My surgeon said wear a bra day and night for 3 weeks. It was easy. Think about it. How are you going to heal if everything is bouncing around and stretching out?
Just wait till your car hits a pothole or a speed bump. You're gonna wish the girls were snuggled down. 😃
0 -
Hugs to you Octo! I wish people would think before they say some things. I think we put on such a strong front that people think we can take more than we really can. I know they don't mean to be insensitive.
I went to church for the first time today and a close friend of mine (male) gave me a side hug, smiled and said "there's a lot less of you here today". Now I know I've lot 35 pounds over the past 3 months and since I choose not to wear my pillow puffs the weight loss without boobs is more pronounced but for the first time since the BMX I felt vulnerable about my appearance. I'm not mad or hurt I just wish nothing had been said. I also started my period yesterday and I'm in heightened pain that sent me looking for pain meds for the first time in 3 days. I've been nothing but a weepy crying mess all day! Hoping tomorrow is better I was thinking about starting back to work tomorrow but today helped me to realize I'm not physically or emotionally ready
0 -
Octogirl- I somehow missed and just retread your post. I'm sorry your friend let you down. That sucks during a sucky time. I agree they probably did not know what to say. You will rock chemo! I actually asked my MO about alcohol. I would say I'm just a social drinker but I do like my occasional glass of wine. He said no problem. However, if your are feeling like you might need some mood helpers. I say go for it. Better to have on hand..then you can decide to take or not.
Good to know so many IORT gals. Radgirl, I doubled checked with my BS at my follow up that they did the procedure because I literally had no signs..no redness, incision healed easily. She laughed.
I just started tamox 4 days ago ( had to wait for oncotype result for chemo status - which was negative ) so far so good. But I plan to take it full course - baring some of those gnarly super super rare complications. My Mo, BS, internist and allergist all told me it is usually well tolerated by most. I, as Peggy says, will do whatever to keep any cancer buggers from forming. Plus, my Mo reminded me there is something like 30 or 40 years clinical evidence of its' effectiveness. So I say bring it on 0 -
Even I, with my barely A girls, was happier wearing a bra after my Lx. The trick for me after a few days was finding one that didn't annoy my SLNB incision (everything did). Nothing ever really hurt. Mostly I'd notice when something rubbed or that proverbial pothole if I wasn't secured (and Michigan specializes in ginormous potholes!).
I was given Dramine prior to surgery for possible nausea. I didn't have any nausea. The Valium I took worked nicely - just enough to take the edge off (a glass of wine takes more edge off than the Valium did BTW but of course THAT wasn't allowed).
Have sweet dreams tonight, Ladies!
HUGS!!
0 -
I found the champion spot comfort full support sports bra worked really well after my lx's. Kept everything pulled together with minimal bouncing. I spent so much money on bras this summer only to not need them anymore. I guess I'm going to look to donate them.
0 -
Hi Ladies, I finally decided to chime in! I love the support & encouragement I see here, you're all awesome!
Radgal, I don't do pain meds either. My BS injected Lidocaine around the incisions and tumor bed for both LX/SNB & reexcision for clean margins while I was still under anesthesia. I woke up pain free and didn't need anything but ibuprofen when that wore off. As far as support goes, when I woke up I had on an elasticized tube top with Velcro closing front & center. It reminded me of my younger days but it was great because it also kept the gauze pads in place over incisions. I wore that 24/7 for about 5 days except for showers. Hope it goes smoothly for you!
0 -
Ringelle, I'm going to donate all those Genie bras I purchased too. Perhaps someone will be able to use them. I'll talk to my nurse navigator.
HUGS!
0 -
Welcome, BT828! Glad you decided to join us. I bet you already know how awesome we are! Caring, supportive and warm. Please keep offering your experiences. It helps our ladies just starting their journey to know what to expect.
HUGS!!
0 -
Peggy - I just quickly did a search on bra donation! Wow - lots to choose from and some supporting really good causes! I particularly like the one for "Free the Girls" I'll have to do research and choose!
0 -
Ringelle, didn't occur to me to do a search. I go to a cancer center attached to my hospital and I would guess that my nurse navigator would be able to put them to good use. I like that "Free the Girls", too. I'll say this for my center, they really took care of me. The total focus seemed to be on breast cancer but I know they treat other cancers there. But everyone was gentle, helpful and very reassuring. They knew what they were doing because they did it day in and day out!
HUGS!
0 -
Octogirl - I'm thinking a glass of something here or there wouldn't be terrible. I think everything has to be weighed! I got the news of needing another surgery the day before my first post op. That night I went out and had a drink. At every appointment they ask me if I drink and when my last drink was. I told them I had self medicated with a margarita the night before. They just laughed at me. With starting Chemo I would definitely ask. If you are looking at alcohol as something to ease your pain, it might be time to talk to the doctor about a little something something to help manage things. There is absolutely no shame in that! A few years ago my doctor put me on a very low dose of Celexa to help get me in a better head place, not necessarily for depression. I think being on that has helped me manage some emotions better than I could have if I wasn't on it. Your doctors should want to help you approach this part of your life in the most positive way possible.
0
