Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Hi Lumpies
CynthianTX - hope you are home and feeling better. Thanks for the heads up! Now, No more excitement just speedy healing and comfort:)
So sorry so many have infections and complications ugh!
Pat&TeamKim - darn...but good that your team has a solid plan...we will be in your pockets in chemo land...check out cold caps for hair.
Kayezzy66 - yeah being in a study...breaking ground for future...good luck with up coming tests:)
Travelmom - congrats! All clear! Sweet words...tears of relief joy! You are Overcomer
70charger - welcome...speedy healing:) fingers&toes crossed for next step!
Laser tag warriors ...does radiation make my butt look bigger...30 shades of pink...counting down hydrate free boobing and emu oil...:) hope you are able to go into your happy place and trust the healing light
(((Hugs)))
Cindy0 -
I saw a new surgeon today and though he is in the same group, it was clear that he did not approve of how the other surgeon had been dealing with me - even so far as "I have no idea what she was thinking when said steriods were the next step". He took a full hour with me, asking questions, giving me information and really inspecting the wound. The other surgeon never gave me more than ten or fifteen minutes at most. I felt like he was honest and straight forward. He feels that my body has rejected the sutures that have yet to disolve. He has had me putting hot wet compresses on it all day today. I go back tomorrow. If there has not been a lot of drainage and improvement he says he will have to go back into surgery next week to remove the sutures. I failed to ask how he would close me back up without them...the bummer is that he said the scar will be nasty and that I probably won't want to risk any plastic surgery now that we know how my body reacts. At this point though, I just want it to heal. The other surgeon saw me on Friday and was willing to wait a week to see me again, just putting me on antibiotcs. This new one felt is was a serious matter and had to be dealt with quickly - as it has been going on too long. He also told me to take probiotcs because I've been taking the Bactrim. It all still sucks, but I feel like I can be confident that he has my best interest at heart. I did not feel that with the woman surgeon. Funny, I went to her thinking as a woman she would be more compassionate about female issues. Not the case. Perhaps men are more compassionat toward those breasts they adore so much! LOL Oh and my coobie bras arrived today. I love them! They are so comforatable, pretty, great colors and still give you a nice shape, feel feminine, not like a sports bra. Thanks for that tip!
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Oh, one other question, have any of you read about the recent concerns about mammograms causing cancer by radiation? I've been getting them every six months for a couple of years now, so can't help but be concerned. I'll ask the doc tomorrow...
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Serena...for all of my surgeries lately they used surgical glue not stitches. That includes node; lumpectomy & parathyroid 6 years ago.
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serenamuse,
I had nipple recontruction two months ago, had 14 days of antibiotics, then still developed an infection under the scar. My PS said it was a reaction to the sutures. Luckily it's finallly resolved itself.
Do take the probiotics. It makes so much difference. I bought a store brand and it stated to make sure and take it 2 hours after taking the antibiotic. Otherwise you'll kill off the benefit of the pill. Not cheap, but worth it.
Hope you'll get better soon.
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Schoolmom, do they use the glue on the inside as well? I had it on the outside, but it is the layers of sutures underneath that are causing the problems. I will ask more questions when I go back today.
Doxi,
I'm so glad yours has resolved. I suppose I'll learn more today. After of many hours of hot wet compresses, no more draining. We will see...
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Just got back from the surgeon. He cut open my incision with a pair of scissors and cut through the scar tissue a 1/4 inch. I have to keep it most and open all weekend. I go back Monday so he can sedate me and cut further. This is to allow the infected sutures to come to the surface. He will not be closing me back up. It has to heal from the bottom up. This is why I will have a realy nasty scar. Right now I hate God. I have always felt like he was on my side, but this year has been one thing after another and I'm at the end of my tether. I know so many people have it worse, but this is mine and I'm just not handling it well right now. I want a break from the trauma.
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Serenamuse, I'm so sorry you had to go through that today and you have more healing and procedures to get through next week. We can always find someone who is worse off than we are, but it doesn't make our pain less real. I hope you can find something to ease your suffering. Sending you gentle hugs. Ridley
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Serenamuse - oh my, what a horrific appointment and experience. My body just cringes reading your post. I hope you are able to get some support and relief over the weekend and have someone to be with you Monday
Scream, cry, break some eggs! None of this is fair...this scourge c:( and it's ok to yell at God...He can take it. Listen to Remind Me Who I Am...
Sending positive healing thoughts and prayers.
Your not alone brave warrior we are in your pocket (((squeeze)))
Cindy0 -
Serenamuse - Scream, cry, LET IT OUT!! Cancer sucks!! We all understand your feelings and you have a right to them. This too shall pass. Sending you healing wishes and very gentle hugs. Know we are with you on this journey and one day we will be able to say we are survivors!!!
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Serenamus,
So sorry you are having to go through this. I hope the interventions taken by the BS will work.
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Went for my dry run today. Was all set up and was told I would hear a buzzing sound as the X-rays were taken. Heard the buzzing then nothing. As I lay on the table flashing my not so pretty boob, I see someone walk by in my peripheral vision. He walks by again carrying a chair. The third time he passes by he stops and introduces himself and tells me that they are having problems with the computer. So a computer tech was in the room as I lay there with my arms over my head? Yes. And dry run could not be done. Will return for more torture on Monday.
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Serenamuse, thinking of you and hoping the treatment you're doing will help quickly. It sounds like the new surgeon you saw has a much better grasp on what's happening than the other one. Can't believe you were going through all this and the other BS was willing to wait another week!
Teachers, one of my rad techs was a boy who'd graduated high school a couple of years after my son, and his sister was one of my daughter's friends. Mortifying.
Kathy
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Serenamuse -
Oh my gosh. I am so sorry for what you are going through! I hope that it heals now. Please keep us updated and know that we are all thinking of you.
Teachers - I am a modest person and have just hated expsong my breasts over and over and over. It all feels really invasive to me. I will be glad when this is all over with. I can't believe they let that guy in the room.
Dawn
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SerenaMuse, so so sorry your "healing" feels like its cr#p. It does sound like you've got confidence in your new doctor, so that has to make a difference. You deserve to be angry. Here we are going through a sucky experience, and then you find yourself getting an even suckier time. Argh! My situation isn't as bad as yours, but an abscess that extends 5" to my back has become a literal pain. We're on this stupid journey whether we like it or not, and boy does it ever have twists and turns. By springtime we will be healthy and able to enjoy life, that's what I keep telling MYSELF.
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Words you don't want to hear as you are in the middle of Rads "just keep lying still, we need to restart the computer."
Teachers, that happened to me--just happened to be a day I was teaching at a tech inservice at school. I was a little late, but it made for an interesting anecdote!
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Hi everyone! I just want to say I feel blessed that my cancer was caught early and has a 90 percent cure rate. Now to tell you my story... On 9/1/2013 a mass was felt at my annual exam, I was sent to have diagnostic Mammo/US and scheduled with surgeon, the surgeon did a biopsy in office and the next day I had stereotactic biopsies of 6 other areas. All were benign except the mass. Path report showed IDC stage 1. Lumpectomy and SNB done the next week, path report came back with close margins and went in for a re-excision 6 days later. Path report came back with clean margins but showed some DCIS grade 2 in that excision. My cancer is ER/PR+ and I am menopausal with an ovarian cyst. Sent to Gynocologic Oncologist yesterday for evaluation and recommends complete hysterectomy. I am supposed to have Rads after this and hormonal therapy. Yesterday I awoke feeling really bad with swollen breast, redness around the nipple and a fever (102) and chills. I went to this GO doc and he says I have the flu. I called my breast surgeon after I left that office and told him my symptoms, he had already spoke with this other dr and says you have the flu and maybe some fluid in breast it will absorb. By 5 pm yesterday I felt fine except for my breast, no fever no chills no body aches. NO FLU! This morning my breast is much bigger than yesterday and the redness encompasses the whole breast now, not just the nipple area, it feels like it weighs 20 lbs and is painful. I don't know what to do since I was pretty much dismissed yesterday and told that an infection 2 weeks after lumpectomy is uncommon. I don't think he wants to deal with me anymore. What should I do???
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KR13
I suggest you call the BS again and explain your situation.
I had a huge hematoma develope in my surgical side (BS removed 1000ccs of fluid). (this happened only a few days after the orginal surgery).
I know how uncomfortable you must be.
Sometimes we have to be a bit more assertive than we would like to be, to get any results.
Good luck and keep us posted..
Glad the flu has bid farewell..
Vickie
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KR13, you're right, infections after lumpectomy are uncommon. I was told it was unusual I developed one 4 weeks after surgery, that they were more usual sooner. There you go, uncommon doesn't mean can't happen. The doctors work for you, not the other way 'round. If you're concerned, get a doctor to see you. Who cares if you're being an "hysterical female" or a "pushy woman?" Even if it's nervous paranoia, you deserve to have your concerns treated as important. This whole thing is scary. I say raise a fuss, and get taken care of. If it turns out to be a "flu" so what?
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Welcome KR13 - I would call my BS and tell RN that you will be there today for evaluation!
It's Friday...no need for emergency over the weekend...go in now.
If its not an issue no harm no foul, but if it is you're on top of it ...either way YOU have peace if mind that you are ok!
Go let us know!
We are in your pocket!0 -
Hi Ladies,
I have been on this site for awhile always reading how others have handled their cancer diagnosis, surgery, and treatments. Such brave women you all are!!!
I really have been looking for a section for lumpectomy with reduction as this was the surgery I chose to have, after so many tests were done. I have looked on breast reduction forums just to see if I was healing well,since I am a slow healer, but none of those women had the procedure for cancer.
I feel like I could write a book from the day in May when my annual mamo showed the lump that I never felt, to today, and the road I still have to go down.
The area I live in does not have a breast specialist/surgeon, plenty of general surgeons, so I had to travel for the bs and ps she worked with. But I am following up with treatment closer to home. Lucky for me all my doctors know each other so communication is very good considering the distance.
I start radiation 9/23/13 that is my dry run then everyday(mon-fri) after for 33 treatments. I just hope I'm healed enough for it. My bs said I am but I'm still nervous.
It seems I could still write so much more cause my mind is always racing since I was diagnosed.
Thank you for reading
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Fephna, I had lumpectomy with reconstruction, and reduction on other side 8/13. It went really well, outpatient, was happy with the results, too. Was supposed to do the same as you- the radiation, and that would take care of stuff. This site has tons of info and someone somewhere going thru what you are. Be sure to question your drs carefully and get full info on what they plan for you and why.
I got bad path rept after my surgery so ended up with bmx and tissue expanders on 8/23, waiting to see onco next week about chemo or not. So you are in good shape! in more ways than 1
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Has anyone been referred for genetic counseling?? I met with my BS today and she said that I will be hearing from Oncology next week and gave me a referral for genetic counseling. Not sure what to expect from this. No one in my family has had BC and only my maternal grandmother had cancer but hers was throat cancer - she was a heavy smoker.
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Travlmom
I am seeing a genetic counselor on October 8th. My BS explained that even though I am estrogen negative with no family history, the fact that I am 46 with grade 3 DCIS is a reason to look at other genetic "pushers" of cancer.0 -
Teachers - that is interesting. My mother had breast cancer at 34 and now I have grade 3 DCIS at 51. I tested negative for the BRCA gene. The genetic counselor did not mention any other genetic pushers to me. It will be interesting to see what other genes they find in the future.
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Thanks ladies, I could not see surgeon cause he was in surgery today, so I went to my PCP and had him look at my breast and told him the story. He is pissed! He says I have a full blown infection and gave me antibiotics. Patalameda, he said the same thing, just because it's uncommon doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Also I am flu free, I knew I didn't have the flu anyway. I was instructed to go to ER this weekend if it doesn't improve, hopefully all will be alright! Thanks so much for all your input. Love to you all.
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I had genetic testing done (brca 1 and 2 I think). It came back negative. I have a very strong family history, but all of the breast cancer (mom, 2 aunts, both grandmothers) has been post menopausal, except for me. I have lots of other cancers as well in the family, including one cousin who died of ovarian cancer. The history combined with my age - 46- put a rush on the testing when I was diagnosed.
Ridley0 -
My onc told me brca testing was not needed because my mom was 57 when she had cancer (now she is 88) and I was 59. He said I could have familial tendencies but not genetic.
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Im going to push for BRCA testing as I want to know if I need to worry about getting my ovaries out. Since Im Ashkenazi jewish it pushes my chances higher, which I hadnt known before. I see the MO Tues.
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Hi Lumpies
KR13 - we are always our best advocate! Glad you pressed for an answer and your PCP recognized infection not flu! Kudos for having answers...a back up plan...healing time now...
Fephna - welcome to the Lumpies....yes, a journey you never saw coming and no one wants to take, but we are here for each other ...may you find encouragement, safe place to vent, and comfort that you are not alone (((squeeze). Breathe, focus on today you will be fine:)
Check out the 2013 spring, summer, and now starting Fall Rads thread. Rads is doable it does not hurt it is more a mental grind of showing up each day climbing in the table for a few seconds if zip zap and off you go. Ask ask ask questions so you are at ease with your treatment. Rads does not hurt, just healing light flowing over your girl...20-30 secs each field with time between as machine rotates to new field. Your rad team wants you to do well
Moisturize hydrate and pamper yourself...now go blow some bubbles and wigge your toes in the sand and let the ocean breeze wash over your body:))
Genetic testing is a plus if your Dr is willing...all data helps make informed decisions for best care and heads up for sisters and daughters...
Yippee Saturady!
(((Hugs)))
Cindy0
