Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Thank you all for the welcome!
Surgery went well, no cancer in the nodes, whoo hoo! Tumor wasn't visible after chemo so they basically removed the clip from the biopsy. Pain isn't too bad but taking the mess and colace. My fingers are a bit numb on that side but my fingertips were numb from the neuropathy from Taxol anyway
. I'm surprised by how little pain I'm in thought it would be more. Funny, my stomach muscles are so sore because I've been using those more to get up. Guess the good news is my abs will be in shape LOL!
Good luck to everyone on here and thanks for the advice!0 -
aeryno -- glad it went well -- congrats on clear nodes! Baby that side for a good long time... Lots of fluids, and take time to enjoy that they got it out!! ((Hugs)))0 -
Sorry to put this here, but I can't find much on the pre/post surgery help section, and am having a lumpectomy for DCIS. Surgeon says I need a front-closing, supportive bra. Suggests a sport store, though I've never seen one that fastens in the front in a sports store. Have enough trouble finding bras that fit at all, and I usually don't wear them. I'm small-breasted. Any suggestions as to brand or place, and is it really so hard to use a back-fastening bra (you can't fasten it in the front and then rotate it to the back?) or pull things on over your head after just a lumpectomy? Can you really not raise your arms above your head or fasten something behind you? Does it mess with the incision, healing right for appearence, what is the reasoning? Do undertand about the support for the breast, but the rest? I'm confused.
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Hi Lumpies
Yippee Aeryno ! Happy Dancing
...congrats on the good report! TeamKims right watch the arm and take good care of yourself! After stitches come out take a no c time out vacation...focus on healing...feeling good:)
TeamKim - hang in there warrior...only 1 more! Than a break before rads...{{{ squeeze}}} we are in your pocket. Students cheering you on...
Percy - welcome to the Lumpies...a great lump of brave warriors! Walmart affordable front zips always 2X larger...just the extra room for comfort...I wore 2 when walking/exercising. Arm limits are for healing...so might think on hair...I cut mine short...very fine curly mess...hubby not the best hair stylist so a razor short do
also means help around the house...work it...and be pampered
Ndgrrl - hope your week improved...did you find any good DVDs?
Saw RO today. She wants an MRI in 6 mos...there was a pre lx&snd MRI which had a questionable spot in another quadrant that post op MRI didn't flag and board said no need for biopsy and mammos don't show. I'm good with the double check in 6 mos...nothing could survive rads...zap...my girl is
(((Hugs)))
Cindy0 -
Percy - I'm going to chime in here and echo what Cindy said. I bought several front hooking bras from WalMart and wore them for a year under scrubs. Fruit of the Loom. They hold firmly of course which feels good after lumpectomy. It is hard to stretch arm up fully and some docs have no-no's about it. And you really don't want to be tugging things off/on across your incisions. I still can get a pull on sports bra or an AH type bra stuck/rolled up on my SNB site. And reaching around behind is darn near impossible. So either the front zips or front hooking are good. I think the zip fronts were too small for me.0 -
Hi ToriGirl, And all you ladies,
I just had my lumpectomy on nov 11th, I had my post-op this past tuesday to go over my path. I had all good positive feedback from it. I'm ER/PR positive and HER2 negative. Clean margins..(well it shows negative) I'm stage 2A and grade 2. 3 lymph nodes removed all negative. I have been doing good since surgery other then soreness and numbness underarm more so then where the mass was taken in breast. I am probably one of the lucky few who pain level has been good, other then moving the arm, which that pain i can tolerate. So far since I've left hospital I have not had to take none of the pain meds that was prescribe to me, it's still sitting in the pharmacy bag, so for that I'm grateful for. I just been so nervous for my next phase. Not sure of any treatment yet, will see oncology on next Tuesday, also await this oncotype # to come back. I read through this board, and so glad to read that some women have same symptons or feelings with breast and arm as I do. Thank you for this post.0 -
Welcome sloyd66 - Congrats on lx&snd and clear margins and nodes! Happy Dance
Breathe, you did it! Focus on healing, be kind to yourself. Fingers&toes crossed for low oncotype score. Once you have your game plan take a No C vacation...just focus on you, life, fun, healing, everything that makes you smile. Let everyone know you are going on vacation so ask now because during my 2-4 wk vacation c is off limits...it really helps the mind body spirit heal R&R))
(((Hugs)))
Cindy0 -
Thank You RMlulu!
I feel grateful as I stated, just still a little nervous because again I don't know what to expect next. So I pray that phase 2 go as good as phase 10 -
waiting is the worst part, sloyd66. So glad for good news so far. Cindy is right -- take a break if you can. But once you get the test results and the onc gives you the plan, you will feel more settled and can explore and read boards which pertain to your regimen. In the meantime, stick here with the Lumpies, and heal, heal heal! ((Hugs))0 -
I know! It is the worst part. Thanks Ladies.
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percy4 - I echo what the other ladies said about getting a soft, cotton, front-closure bra (I found mine in a regular old local dept store), but here's something - even if you don't find one before surgery, don't worry. Before you even wake up from anesthesia, the op room staff will have put you in a surgical bra (it's a soft, cottony thing, very supportive, with velcro in the front). I wore mine for a few days after bilateral lumpectomies. In the first two weeks, expect that you probably won't be able to reach behind your back to fasten a bra. Are you having a sentinel node dissection? That's the thing that usually limits arm mobility in the first weeks. Most PT exercises prescribed will include one where you slowly try to bend your affected arm behind you and reach with your hand up your back. It took me weeks to be able to do that, post-surgery. When is your surgery? We like to know so we can "go in your pocket" with you!!0 -
percy- I have to say I think sometimes the instructions on bras are "over the top" no pun intended. The most important thing is that underwire is uncomfortable and most can't tolerate it post-op and its not recommended during radiation (for those that have it)
First time around 3 years ago for core bx- I got a low-impact sports bra from a store called Title IX- not for the budget minded but was very stretchy, washes well and dries quickly and had the right level of support. Wore it for my bx- this time.
For post-op I knew that would probably not do the trick so I have sassybax bras and genie bras. Heard about the sassybax on this website and researched then ordered from Amazon- wonderful compression not too little and not too much, sides included. Cut high in the armholes is actually above my SNB scar so no rubbing. machine wash- air dry. I also bought a tank top style sassybax shirt because I fly a lot and hope that will provide compression during long air trips.
The genie bras I got because they are cheap and have removable pads- compression not as "huggy" but adequate and pads are good for work clothes since I am not equal on both sides.
I step into these bras- no drama with hooks, adjustable straps etc. Just step in and pull up then slide your arms in. Highly recommended. Now wearing them to rads and to yoga may never wear anything else again.0 -
Thanks, ladies. As far as I know now, I'm getting a larger olive-sized lumpectomy in upper, outer breast. May go in through the nipple, may be an incision; she will have to see on the table.. I now wear, when I wear bras (I'm small) those that are just a little lift, no cups, no padding, could step into them, but hold my breasts a little higher. Could step into them, from below. Surgeon saw this, and said not good enough. I do want what will make my healing, feeling, and appearence at the end the best. But I am about a martini- size. - P.
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percy- you are having a lumpectomy right? I spent a ton of time researching and agonizing on this one. I slept in a bra for a good 10 days post-op just felt more supportive to me. My incision was around my nipple and I would say the bottom 1/3 of my breast tissue is gone so I am noticeably asymmetrical.
I am a B cup- the bras I described have cups- the lift part is there but you don't have uniboob, there is support on all sides and there is no "jiggling" up and down stairs etc. I was told not to wear a front closure bra during radiation as it can be irritating to the cleavage area. I pasted the site here- they make an underwire style but that was not recommended. I ordered medium- it is a little more roomy now but was perfect after surgery and with swelling. Straps feel great and never fall down.0 -
I found a good selection at Walmart also... Force different kinds and sizes.
Whatever I wore was uncomfortable underneath...I OK a soft old t shirt of husb, cut into wide strip I could fold and put under the bottom edge of bra. Padded it just right.0 -
I see women who have had lumpectomy one month and the following month shows mastectomy. What was the reason for a mastectomy a month later, was it your choice, or was it advice from your oncology? Just curious..0 -
Ladies how did you do with the showering, and having a hard time washing under the surgery arm? this is my second week since my lumpectomy, it's getting a little better, but I feel like I can't wash like I want to under it.0 -
Make sure you dry thoroughly in the beginning. I ended up with a fungal infection under my arm.0 -
OMG! I tell you it's always something =/0 -
sloyd66 - the first 2 weeks showering were difficult as I had to support my boob with my other arm as leaving it unsupported felt very uncomfortable. That left me an arm short to wash and hold soap etc.
But things got better slowly.
Had to remind myself to pat myself dry as I usually rub vigorously.
Am now doing radiation and have to remember to be careful again.0 -
Sloyd66 - breathe, give yourself time. Healing time
Sometimes reading profiles makes our heads go... Lx&snd ...but if BC team reviews path report/tests and feel next step is needed Lumpies may have mx or bmx...we are each different...just such an unique journey together...yet very personal.
Do you have a shower wand? Helps...be sure and dry...cool blow dryer air...think the hardest is not shaving during rads...oh my a mouse under my arm...ha ha!
Now go blow some bubbles...giggles for today))0 -
Hi ladies!! I feel like I just had a serious a$$ whooping with this last surgery lol the first 4 days after my eyes were blury, not distance, just reading. Don't know if that was from the patch they put behind my ear or what. I can say that patch worked great!! First time I've ever had anasthesia and not got sick after. My insides were a mess from 2 previous csections. Sooo much scar tissue and right Fallopian tube and ovary were attached to the abdomen wall. Dr said this is gonna take more then 2 weeks to recuperate. I see him this Monday for a follow up. I need to go back to work already but I can't even stand up straight or bend over to tie my shoes. Ughhhh!!!!
I can say healing well from rads. My skin now is lightly tanned. Getting hard to see the rads field. I am having chording under my arm. 1 lymph node out and I have chording and swelling. Last night my fingers were all pins and needles. I hope to get back to pt this week as long as surgeon says ok. I also get pains in my ribs. Has anyone else who's done rads have pain in the ribs? Do they do X-rays or some sorta scan to see if ribs were hit during rads? I see my ro for my post rads check up in 2 weeks. I will ask her to but trying to gather info before I see her.
So I'm 41 and officially in menopause. I have to keep saying it so it sinks in lol I woke up last night completely soaked in sweat. So the fun of menopause has begun lol. Next step, meds. I have my arimidex, boniva, vit d and Effexor(incase hot flahes are bad)inside. Nervous to start any of them.
I am gonna go back now and catch up on everyone's posts. I hope you are all doing well!! Welcome new lumpies
Hugs to all!!0 -
Thanks ladies! I'm trying to remember everyone's story may not be my story, but so hard when you see similar stories. Yes I think soon as my underarm hair really start growing back, I'm not going to be happy. I do have the shower wand also.0 -
I was dx with dcis, so went for lx, two spots, with match up reconstruction on left side same day. Path report came back that week showing invasive tumors both beats. Went back ten days later for bmx..... no rads, and onco test came back a 2, so anastrozole only. And reconstruction0 -
Hi ladies. I have a question for you re arm pain. I had a lumpectomy and snb at the end of August. For a couple of weeks after, I had some intermittent pain on the inside of my snb arm about half way between my shoulder and my elbow. My surgeon said it was from moving the nerves when finding the sentinel nodes. I haven't had anymore treatment (having a mast in a couple of weeks).
I was surprised that the pain reoccurred today after being pain free for a few months. Has this happenned to any of you. Any ideas?
Thanks all,
Ridley0 -
Does anyone know stats about the stainless-steel clips (2) my surgeon wants to leave in there after lumpectomy, so RO can see where to put the boost? I was skeptical about the titanium clip put in there upon biopsy; almost refused it, glad I didn't, so they know where it is. Looking up titanium, I felt OK with it. Is stainless steel a heavy metal? MRI tech today said that if stainless steel has iron in it (apparently possible) could interfere with future MRIs, set off alarms, etc. Can I ask that these clips also be titanium? Always such a close call about alienating one's surgeon, makng them feel you think you know more than they do.
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another question I have when you had nodes removed, you no longer for the rest your life to let them do BP and bloodwork on that side?0 -
percy- I have a clip in my right breast since 2009 for calcifications they are watching after negative core bx. I had a clip placed in my left breast before my lumpectomy but it was removed during the surgery and noted on the path report. The type that stay in after surgery are slightly different- my understanding is they can cause artifact on an MRI if they are surgical steel. Here is an MRI Q/A from the web that discusses dental fillings to pacemakers. You can always ask if the clips they are leaving behind are something that you would need to report before having an MRI later on.
sloyd You should not have blood draws, IVs or blood pressure measurements on your operative side after surgery. Though less of an issue than in the days of radical mastectomy with full axillary node dissection there is always the concern for lymphedema in the operative extremity so better to stay away. I even had my flu shot in the opposite arm just to be sure.0 -
Ridley, You may want to talk to your doctor about lympodemia as that can occur anytime after lymph node removal. I returned to work 10 days after internal radiation and over did it which triggered mine. OT and I are still working on the swelling.
Sloy, I was told to avoid the side I had the lymph nodes removed on for the rest of my life if at all possible- That includes blood draws too. my surgeon told me it was on " old wifes tale" and I didn't have to worry,, but my radiologist and my medical onchologist as well as my GP all told me to not use that arm again for those things if I can at all avoid it.0 -
O dear lord. I had no idea. No-one said anything about a bra, I went out and bought two pretty ones cuz I thought folks might be seeing them. I won't be able to do them up????? My hair is long, I won't be able to brush it or put it in a pony tail for work??? My dr said radiation was no biggy. An hour off work every day for 4-6 weeks, and back at it. Really? They told me to sleep with my arm above my head for a few weeks after the surgery and I'd be fine.
My surgery is Thursday and I thought I had it all figured out.
Is there more I need to think about. I'm not really scared but I do want to be prepared and I thought I already was. Oh dear.
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