Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Almost 4 weeks from my surgery and I can move my arm around fairly well. Doing "wall climbing" with that arm and it's only when it's stretched out all the way that there is some pulling. I noticed last week I have that "cording" under my arm which is tender and my BS said to apply warm compresses and gentle massage. She said it will take about 8 weeks for the inflammation to go away so here's hoping that's true!0 -
So glad for you, Erin. Your pretty smile, I'm sure, reflects your positive attitude about this whole thing!0 -
aeryno, I'm 5 week and I was doing good, for some reason yesterday I feel like i'm back to square one with the moving and raising of the arm. I as good my 3rd and 4th week. Is this normal ladies? My mom asked have I laid on it or used it a lot, I don't think I have. I just want to keep being able to raise it straight.0 -
Its an interesting thing- some days you just have better range of motion than others but don't give up and keep doing daily mild stretching- healing is a process.
Erin- did your doctor say you have "cording"?Tightness and pulling is a normal part of the post-op course but if its more than that- I would strongly encourage you to research information on lymphedema and cording and if needed ask for a consult from a trained professional in dealing with this issue. It is my observation that most surgeons think if you only had a few Sentinel nodes removed this is a low risk situation- that is not supported by the literature- those with SNB can develop lymphedema and/or cording. Not sure why this is not discussed fully or baseline measurements routinely taken????0 -
Hi all. Had a lumpectomy and three nodes removed five days ago. There is a small amount of fluid draining from the node incision. I am swollen down half of my side and around to my back a little. My arm is sore where my triceps are. Is this normal? I saw the surgeon yesterday because I was concerned about a possible infection and he said it seemed fine. I'm worried that the swelling is more than from the surgery and could be lymphadema. Anyone else experience this? Thanks!0 -
Rubiayat
without seeing you its hard to tell- post surgery its not unusual to have some swelling that starts to resolve post-op but takes at least a good 72hrs to "re-equilibrate" your system. Where the breast and nodes were manipulated I was swollen for a week. Did you happen to ask him about seroma? If you don't have a drain I am not used to seeing draining from the surgical site 5 days out.0 -
Thank you SummerGal!
The doc did not say the word "Cording" but I did explain there is a band/cord running under my arm from my armpit and going toward the elbow. She said it was inflammation and although it's very tender I've noticed in the last week after applying warm compresses in the evening and massaging it that "cord" seems to be going away. I suppose I shouldn't use that term specifically but it's the best word to describe what it looks/feels like. I did make a note to call my BS if, after 8 weeks, it's still there as she said it would take that long for the inflammation to go away. I'm hoping that it continues to decrease.0 -
Cakes,
So sorry to hear of your problems with AZ doctors. Makes me sad that you were not able to get help right away. You have been through enough already! I left the day after my last rad treatment and am now enjoying the beautiful Tucson warmth! I am peeling right now and am sore from the ride here and the blistered skin but so happy to be out of the bitter cold.
Hope you are able to enjoy your time back home and that the antibiotic works so you don't need another surgery.
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Good Morning All!,
I've noticed a little tenderness on my lumpectomy side, under the breast but in the stomach area is this normal? I haven't started radiation yet, but was just wondering is this normal. I'm in my 5th week of post surgery.
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Had my lumpectomy exactly two weeks ago. Surgery went fine, healing nicely. I've been putting on cocoa butter and vitamin E on my underarm incision and it keeps it nice and soft for when I do my stretching exercises. I've still got the steri strips on my breast; a bit itchy and sore sometimes but not bad. I good the good news last Friday that the tumor was smaller than what they thought from the biopsy only 1.2 cm vs the original 1.7 cm. The surgeon said she got it all and the nodes are negative. I asked to have the OncotypeDX done so we will see what that shows. I am scheduled to see the team on January 16th for followup recommendations which I know include radiation and hormone therapy (highly ER+). I don't look forward to hormone therapy because both my mother and my aunt (father's side) have osteoporosis and I am already osteopenia. The radiation oncologist said I am a candidate for external partial breast irradiation either one or two week treatment as well as the whole breast of 4 or 6 weeks. I had stage IV laryngeal cancer in 2011 and received heavy dose of radiation to my neck (with concurrent chemo - not pretty); so I want the partial breast to minimize the area that gets irradiated. One week sound good to me so I can get back to my life. I am getting treated at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) even though I live in Upstate New York because that is where I got the treatment for the laryngeal cancer because it is quite rare (they treat hundreds). As far as I am concerned MGH cured me and preserved my ability to swallow and eat normally, so I am a big fan of major medical centers.
Every doctor and nurse tells me the treatment for breast cancer will be so much easier than what I went through before (feeding tube for 4 months, second degree burns on my neck, complete exhaustion, etc. etc.). I do hope I don't have to do chemo because I know how sick it makes you and I hate the idea of poisoning my whole body to get rid of some cancer cells that they are not even certain are there. Funny how having survived another cancer makes me less anxious this time around. I know the route and figure if it's cancer that is going to kill me it will take a while before it succeeds. My husbands cousin has had breast and uterine years ago and has gone through 6 rounds of treatment. I just saw her a few months ago and she is doing fine.
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Hi Lumpies
Welcome to our newbies!
Lizzie - congrats on path results
whew, you've been thought so much...yes, our medical teams are amazing! Speeding healing and yippee to the shorter rad protocol. Sloyd66 - call your BS and ask. Tenderness remained for me primarily in the SND incision area...ask! Then let us know.
Aeryno - ask ask ask do show&tell until you are comfortable with the answer. We are all so different be persistent...resolve before rads.
Wyo - how was the Miami vacation
Rubiayat - I was very swollen for a long time...SND very tender...during rads slowly calmed down...you will see you BS at 1 week & 2 weeks so ask...also ask RO before rads. Best wishes!
Wow, it's been a year since that horrible phone call! Very thankful to all you Lumpies for being in my pocket...yeah...Happy Dance! Whew what a year...:)))
(((Hugs)))
Cindy
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Hey Cindy-
Still in Miami- winding down and fly home Saturday- not looking forward to the plane ride but have to get home hahah
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Hi gals.
It has been over 3 mo since my lump/nodes were removed. I still feel off. Maybe that is what cording is? I canceled my original 3 month apt with my surgeon as I was sick. I don't see him for two more weeks. I am concerned as I am still numb inside upper arm and top right back side. I noticed swelling now and then with my ankles which I never had before but my hands and forearms look ok. My MO and nurse pract. advised me of the poor info we have on lymphedema and not many specialist around to help. I am very concerned.0 -
Cindy -- You should be so proud of the way you have survived and flourished through the whole BC ordeal -- it's not an anniversary that anyone wants to celebrate, but is a time for reflecting on all you have overcome and we Lumpies will join you in a giant pocket party to celebrate you!!!!
Calling all Lumpies -- Please hop in my pockets tomorrow morning to provide moral support as I am planning to tell my MO that the risk of severe allergic reaction is greater than any teensy benefit that I might get from the last half of a chemo tx. I have had an unusual allergic reaction (rash/hives), increasing in severity with each tx -- following 3rd tx I had hives over about 40% of my body. MO decided to split up the two drugs for my last infusion, and to start with just Cytoxan which is less likely to produce rash, then to substitute Gemzar for Taxotere with a separate infusion one week later. I have been doing my research on Gemzar (which also causes rashes and neuropathy), and found that it is FDA approved for use in later stage BC with mets, so seems like overkill for my pathology. Also, I have gotten the rash again from just the Cytoxan, so that might turn to hives in a day or two, AND I have extreme muscle weakness in my thighs and neuropathy set in toes after 3rd tx. Saw my PCP today on another issue, and decided to go over my chemo reactions with him -- he said the risk of life threatening allergic reaction definitely outweighs the minuscule benefit I might get, and I should stop. I was timid about asserting myself with the MO, but now that my PCP's opinion agrees with my instinct, I am going to call enough!
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Furfriend2 - ask your mo for a referral to your LE clinic...I called my MO and office faxed it to LE clinic for PT
my 1st appointment and assessment was done within days...call...in your pocket!TeamKim - in there {{{squeeze}}} pockets full...be your best advocate
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Team,
I am glad you spoke with your primary. You are one walking rash girl!!!. I understand the rash thing /am with you with my hand/foot nonsense, but yours is so severe over 40% of your body Good Lord! Best of luck speaking with your MO. and let us know what he/she recommends moving forward.
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RMIulu, I will do and thanks for the advise.
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Lumpies -- Thanks for the pocket party!!! I felt your strength standing behind me as I made my case to my MO. He made a halfhearted attempt to spin one infusion of Gemzar as a good thing, but said he was completely OK with my decision to be D O N E with chemo! I gave my holiday treats and thank you cards to the gals in the infusion room, and I am home doing the happy dance, wrapping presents, prepping for DS to be home from college tomorrow and blasting Christmas Carols -- my feet are barely touching the ground!!!!!!
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You go teamkim- your body, your research, your decision. I think I can hear your carols from my house can you turn it down a bit LOL
Fur- I am going to have a lymphedema eval myself- I keep thinking nerves are healing and that is what I am feeling but I want to be proactive as most of what I read says we seek information later than we should.
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TeamKim - yippee Happy Dancing! Turn it up! Wyo is still in FL! Ha ha!
Now enjoy the Christmas Holidays with family
. You did it!0 -
Team,
You got this lady and good for you happy dancer
Make it a great Christmas- I can see you grinning now
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Wyo,
Yes, I believe I am over due for a lymph check. You gals give me courage to seek advise.
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Yay TeamKim! Wow that was some pocket party! I had way too many of those tiny bottles of beer in there, while doing my happy dance!
Good news from this end too lumpies! Got my dx today. Clear margins (6mm), 0 of 7 nodes, HR+. So, next is 3 appts over next 2 weeks, rads in Jan, possibly chemo too bit I'm going to stand against that one for a bit. Poor boob still very swollen, doc looked a bit shocked at first but the looked again and said 'o yes, you're one of the lucky ones. Position of the lump was such that I did it all with one incision. It is swollen because I had to dig for the nodes a bit'. Okay, I'm good with that. So 3 weeks ago surgery, today swollen along entire right side of right boob and around to my back a bit. Sleeping is still tough. Arm is okay though, armpit not so much. All in all, I'm ok.
(((((Happy dance)))))
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Red, good for you on the clear margins! Two thumbs up
!!!!!! You are going to start radiation first then? Wow only one incision I have 3 incisions-seems a bit much??? What do you think? Dr. had advised I had clear margins so I did not say anything about the surprise 3rd cut. I tink I was in shock then shook it off when he told me about the clear margins. I go for my last f/up w surgeon in two weeks. I delayed it because I have been sick. Are you propping your arm up a bit on a pillow Red to give some relief? I am still doing this like every other day as I am still uncomfortable with numbness from elbow up and back side. 0 -
RedReading - Ooo who! yippee Thursday Night Happy DanceM
Wow, a fun pocket party! Great news on margins&nodes...:D
Lumpies I still elevate my arm, but I have LE...great that many if you are asking for evaluation before it presents itself...advocate ...ok let's keep dancing....TeamKim turn the music up ...Ontario is a bit further than Miami ...ho ho!
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Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, ROCK....
Turning up the volume and tapping another keg, pocket party in full swing! As long as we are all elevating our arms, we might as well raise a toast, right? Here's to all the courageous, witty, strong, big-girl-panty-wearing, persevering, wise, loving and awesome Lumpies! Have a restful healing weekend, everyone!!
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hi girls, I had a lumpectomy and snb on Tuesday. I have three positive nodes and more were removed for further testing. I came home with a drain and a frankenboob. My surgeon is wonderful so i know the girl will heAl well. shes just scary looking right now. I have to say I was completely deluded about the seriousness of this surgery. I though they would scoop the cancer out like a boil, easy peasy, and I'd be good to go. But I look like I had major surgery on my breast. And arm pit. And this drain! Totally wasn't expecting that. We won't know the extent until the final pathology next week, but I was wondering if positive nodes always means chemo. Do they do chemo and radiation simultaneously? I wasn't even thinking about thinking about chemo because we never expected node involvement.
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lisacm, so sorry that things didn't go as expected. They usually don't do chemo and rads at the same time. I didn't need chemo, but I think they usually do that first and then rads later. I am hoping you can have a good holiday--try not to think too much about what could be coming (I know that is not easy). Take care of yourself or better yet let others take care of you. I was diagnosed last December so I know that this time of year can be hard
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Hi Lumpies!
Yippee TGIF! Yes, a toast to us
)) cheers !Lisacm - congrats on lx&snd done...but sorry that you weren't prepared for drain and the swollen assault on girl&arm pit...ugh drain:( but you did it! There is a relief of crossing over and moving forward...maybe it's the big girl panties...miss those thong days:). I described my lx as a golf ball with a Vienna sausage coming out ha ha. Sorry that you had positive nodes ugh. Not sure what your BC team will determine is your best course of action...expect chemo first than rads...but for now focus on healing.
Breathe, stay focus on today. Don't get ahead of yourself...one day at a time and live well each day! Watch the arm...at your 1 wk visit ask about LE and stay on top of it. You will be fine...you can do this...the girl will look better...promise...I took pics to document my girls journey...she looks great! Before during and now almost a year out! Bookworm is right, the stress of the holidays added to the stress of waiting, surgery, treatment, the unknown, and family & friends that don't just get it...makes this hard journey just a bit harder. Breathe, blow some bubbles soak in hugs and giggles and know that we will be in your pocket!
(((Hugs)))
Cindy
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Lisacm- I'm hoping for a safe healing.
I did my Lumpectomy Sep. 9, 2013. I have an "extra" nipple from the incision. I call it "nip". I put coconut oil and vitamin E on my scars. We have to go back in after chemo, because I had a close margin, so I'm hoping to get that fixed. For me, I'm doing chemotherapy first then I will do reexision, then radiation, then another surgery. Right now, I'm trying to get out of the normal 7 weeks of radiation. One radiation doctor doesn't want to give me rads, because my Felix (cancer) is over my heart. The other rad doctor won't give me a boost, because of the "heart issue." I told my oncologist surgeon that I"m reading more about secondary cancers from radiation, so I ask the OS if I could do something else. We are now trying to look at partial breast radiation with the balloon. The other option is do a mastectomy with reconstruction and reduction in the other breast since Insurance won't pay for a double. I told the OS, the next time they can take my breast.
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