Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Good news, finally! We got the path report on DHs cancer--all the cancer was confined to the prostate. All nodes were negative. No need for radiation or chemo. It was downgraded slightly from very aggressive to aggressive, which tells me that surgery was absolutely the right thing to do!
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Woo HOO, Poodles! That's fantastic news. Now you both can breathe. You deserve good news!
HUGS!
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Yay Poodles! So glad to hear the good news!
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Thank you so much for the welcome. I still have so much to learn about everything..
I'm reading as much as I can and some of it I really don't like. Like the chance for
Lymphodema.. and starting the hot flashes again.
I had an appointment with the MO for tomorrow, but it was cancelled because the results are still not back from California. I'm getting worried as we have a trip booked leaving on Sept 12th and I really want to get this out of the way.
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Such great news Poodles!
Elizabeth, sure can relate. My MO went ahead and saw me yesterday, but since my onco isn't back yet either, there really was no new news!
Do most/any of you wear a medic alert bracelet so no paramedic etc. takes bp on your surgical arm? I saw a post on another thread, but hadn't thought of that before.
Molly, hope your sister is more comfortable this evening.
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Poodles, that is great news! I feel so happy to hear it!
One benefit of weight or resistance training is that your veins improve greatly! I asked the tech if I should make a fist and she said my veins were popping out just fine without one. But I did have one tech (a man) who could not get the needle inserted near my wrist for the mri because he claimed the vein kept rolling. I think my arm just didn't like him.
Dara, I sure wish they were not dragging out your results so long. Have you or anyone verified that Genomic Health has your sample and is processing it?
Welcome, Elizabeth! I think you might make headway by calling Genomic Health to check on the status of your report too.
Round three of chemo tomorrow. I'm looking forward to a visit from my BC sister Sloan! I hope we can post a photo!
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Poodles, yay!!!!!! So nice to hear great news!!!!!
Elizabeth, welcome!!!!!! Hope your results are good!!!! The waiting is a killer!!!! I went and got my hair cut and colored while I waited and said to myself, "screw it if I have to have chemo!" Lol!!! My MO had his nurse call me instead of going on another appointment. They told me over the phone my score and that I didn't need chemo!
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Thank you, Lovinggrouches. I am a Louisiana gal too. Move to Canada in '72 and stayed.
Moondust, thanks for the welcome and the tip... I will see if I can find out anything.
DaraB, I was reading another thread about medic alert bracelets and it does make sense. I don't have one yet, but am thinking about it.
I have everything I can possibly cross crossed.
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Moondust, thanks for the empathy. Yes, the BS'nurse verified that genolab has the sample and is processing it. The problem stems from the fact that while they HAD the sample there, they didn't process it because the BS ordered it too early. I honestly think it would not have been ordered at all if I hadn't called to start hounding them for the results. That's when they realized the error. Lovinggrouches, I'm hoping I have the same experience. While my official MO appt isn't until the 1st, the dr promised he'd call me just as soon as the results come in.
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Hi Elizabeth, I'm from Ontario too. North west GTA. You ? I'll be hoping for the best for your test results. It would be awesome to get a nice low score!
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LG, that is fantastic news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You were celebrating and didn't even know it! Now have a bottle or two of wine. Very happy for you!
HUGS!
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Poodles, wonderful news about your DH! Elizabeth, welcome. Hugs everyone.
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Poodles, so happy for your husband's good results - phew!
Elizabeth and Molliefish - hi from another Ontario gal (KW)!
LG, I chuckled at your hair color appointment story while waiting for Oncotype results - I did the same thing! I remember thinking 'I'm going to go into that appointment with great looking hair" just in case it was the last time for a long while that I'd have a good head of hair, lol!
Dara, xo
Hi to everyone else. Hope you have a good day! I volunteer with elderly folks so I'm off later this morning to pick up a bunch and take them to a nice luncheon - they're a spirited bunch so these excursions are always as much fun for me as they are for them
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Yay, Poodles. That's wonderful news!
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Well, my oncologist called at 7:30 pm last night to tell me he got my onco test results. Oncotype 20. With the new cutoff <18 = no chemo, I'm in the gray area. I had figured I'd be around 21 or 22 so not that far off. Of course now I really have to weigh my options and make a decision. I'm leaning toward no chemo but will take a couple of days to talk with family, read, and really think. Chemo will only increase my survival rate by 3% but I keep thinking, what if my sister could have been part of that 3%. I know every single cancer is different, but it does make it so real when they start talking 10 yr survival rates. MO presented all the data, studies, and numbers, but wouldn't really give an opinion. He says he's had patients that say no way, and others that said they want every percent possible to beat the bc. After the call, I talked with my husband, had a big glass of wine (hadn't had one since dx,) and went to bed! I'm tired of the train ride, and know it's just beginning!
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Dara, that intermediate Oncotype score is the worst. Nothing is clearcut. We're with you while you decide what you want to do and after you've made your decision. Wine definitely was called for!
HUGS!!
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Poodles, Great news! What a relief.
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Poodles, so glad at least you know the results now. I feel for you with making the decision. When I was waiting on my results, the MO told me that he wouldn't recommend chemo for me unless it was higher end of intermediate or high. Some MO don't want to give an opinion at all. Prayers for your decision!
Grazy, so glad you do that type of volunteer work!! I have worked long term care for 25 years and I'm the case manager over the rehab unit. I sometimes have 18 patients at a time!! I hav e always loved this area. I started out at17 working at local nursing home in activities through the job training program through the state for low income families, I then worked in the kitchen and became a certified nurses assistant while going to college for RN. Clinical were brutal and decided to drop out and went to LPN school and have done that for 20 years. Me and you were the Same, we were going to look GREAT going into chemo if we had to!!!!
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That's wonderful news, poodles!
Dara, I feel for you. Both of my oncotypes were in the intermediate range too. While my MO said she would be happy to approve it for me she also said that chemo would do me more harm than the few percentage points of good it would do. The tumor board agreed so I passed.
the best you can do is read, weigh your options and make your decision. If you are totally at peace with the decision it is the right one for you. Don't let anyone rush you into a decision. Once you make it, don't look back. Good luck.
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LG, I feel that nursing lost when it dropped the hospital-based RN program and started requiring a Bachelor's Degree. Many who want to enter the field just want hands-on, not management. LPN's do most of the care that RN's used to do. Kudos!
HUGS!
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Hello from Moondust and Sloan in Infusion Bay 6 in sunny hot California!
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Yay, poodles! Gonna raise a glass of prosecco on the plane for you & DH.
Dara, 20 is at the low end of intermediate--and at our age chemo might do more harm than good (and might possibly erase some of that 3% improvement).
Elizabeth, scary about coding in Recovery. But part of the upper body soreness could be from the succinylcholine administered to facilitate intubation while you were under. It causes your muscles to seize violently just before they relax. They call it "scoline syndrome"--scary but harmless. I do wear a medic-alert bracelet, with a big pink emblem on the front (my LE doc says emergency personnel are better trained to respond to pink as an LE alert); and on the back, the specifics of the LE alert, my drug allergies, and emergency contact numbers. I keep a card with that in both my regular and travel (neck pouch) wallets, as well as on my iPhone Health app.
Going to don my compression now--we fly to Rome in an hour! Catch you all on the flip side.
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Sandy, have a marvelous time!
Sloan and Moondust - looking so beautiful!!! Try to stay cool - heat's coming my way this weekend.
HUGS!
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Sloane and Moondust, what a gorgeous picture! You both look wonderful!
Thanks for all the considerations with my decision. I haven't made it official, but am 98% sure I will pass on chemo. I just think the long term risks for me outweigh the little bit of benefit. And with my ER at 100%, the endocrine therapy should hold it at bay, along with rads. I'm still taking my time, the doctor encouraged that and will probably call him on Friday. I did already schedule my consult for rads for next week, so that tells me my mind is fairly made up already. My MO won't make a recommendation for me, says he has had patients with exact same dx make both decisions so he feels strongly it should be my decision. I have a few other minor health issues so I just don't think the benefits outweigh the risks. And I think I can make some of that up with healthy eating, exercise, and mindfulness! And I did ask him if wine once in a while was ok, he basically said everything in moderation... except red meat! That he said is now recommended only once a MONTH! I thought he'd say 1X week. Bummer!
Anyway, it's triple digits here as I'm sure it is for Sloane and Moondust, so I'm going to go run my errands now and come home to the AC asap!
Sandy, have just a wonderful time and we can't wait to hear about the trip. I'm sure you'll post some of your incredible meals in the What's For Dinner thread when you get back. All take care and stay cool out there. Dara
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Dara, It does sound like you have made a decision. As someone mentioned earlier, whatever you decide, don't look back trying to second guess yourself. You have to decide what is best for you with the information you have. I find it interesting that your MO is so against red meat. Seems a bit extreme to me - I'm usually a once every week or two beef person. Wine is definitely good. Stay cool!
HUGS!
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Hello everyone. I had my lumpectomy on June 20, 2016. I still have a lot of pain where the incisions were made. I wonder if this is a common issue. I am not sure it is because of the surgeries or maybe it has something to do with the radiation. I will finish my radiation treatments in 5 more days!!! My oncologist doesn't seem to have any answers for me regarding my pain. Also, is anyone taking Tamoxifen? What do I have to look forward to?
Thanks for reading.
Amanda
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Amanda, Welcome! You've come to the right place for answers, caring, comfort and companionship! We will be better able to answer your questions if you fill out your profile and make it public. (That information will then show up below every post you make - like mine does). We'd love to know where you live since we are all over and get together.
Most of us who have traditional radiation treatments (33 including boosts), don't start treatment until about 4-6 weeks post- surgery. I have to believe that radiation is slowing your healing. I found the lx site was rarely bothersome. On the other hand, the SLNB site was a royal pain and stayed that way for a year and even bothers off and on now. Are you seeing a Breast Surgeon (BS), Medical Oncologist (MO) and Radiation Oncologist (RO)? We usually see all three for awhile. In my case (before I moved), my BS coordinated my care including mammograms for the first 5 years (maybe longer). The MO handles chemo and Arimidex (or Tamoxifen). And the RO, radiation. Your BS should be able to answer your pain questions or your RO. Keep asking until you get an answer from one of them!!
I'm on Arimidex (generic) because I'm post-menopausal. I started it the day after I ended my rads. However, every MO seems to have a different take on when to start anti-hormonals.
HUGS!
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Hi Amanda! Boy you've moved quickly! I had my lx just 4 days prior to yours and I haven't even started rads yet. My dr wouldn't have done them prior to 4-6 weeks post surgery, and then I had a glitch with my oncotype test. Peggy's experiences are similar to mine. The breast incision was a piece of cake, but the SNB area is still tender and tends to swell towards evening or if it's hot. I too will be starting Arimiddx due to age. I really hope you'll keep pushing your drs for answers. I've found even with the best of cancer centers or drs, you have to be your own advocate. I hope things ease up a bit for you. Come back here often, the women are awesome and both supportive and knowledgeable. Take care, Dara
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Moon and Sloan, great picture of yal!!!!
Amanda, I had on and off breast pain with rads. I had lumpectomy and reexcision prior to rads. The sentinel biopsy site pained me more than the breast, but now doesn't bother me at all. I am 2 months post rads and do still have some breast pain at times. It takes quite a while for the breast to heal. I have only been taking tamoxifen for a week. Already have hot flashes since I'm 6 weeks out from total hysterectomy, so I can't tell if tamoxifen made them WORSE. They are terrible period since week 2 after surgery. I have been having nausea every day that tapers off in the pm. I may switch to taking it at night, but afraid that will make my insomnia and night sweats worse than they already are. Well do what we can to give you info. Looks like your treatment went a LOT faster than mine. Diagnosed in January, had to have the 2 surgeries, had to wait on oncotype and genetic testing at different times, mix up with path results and hysterectomy. Just now taking tamoxifen 7 1/2 months after diagnosis.
Hugs to everyone else!
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I was let down today. Developed 2 painful lumps above my hysterectomy incision and overnight, they got bigger, redder, and full of pus. Got into gynecologist and he dug and snipped some and mentioned something about suture being left in? I thought they only used dissolvable sutures now? Then he mentioned he may have sewn up a gland? Anyway, he was so nice, I couldn't be mad despite my abdomen is now ugly, more swollen and painful and have to take antibiotic and use bactroban three times daily and moist heat to help the pus drain. I was looking forward to going back to work Friday, but sent picture of it to boss and they told me to stay home. Oh well, because of the cancer crap, I now know this ain't nothing compared to that and feel bad about complaining. Just had to vent. Ill also eventually get over the chronic nausea from the tamoxifen one of these days (I hope)! At least I have lost 12 pounds since the surgery lol!
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