Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
Comments
-
Your stage IV scenario is similar to what I've experienced with all of my psoriasis meds. That's the one, I think I mentioned that is not covered, nor can I use any of the pharmaceutical coupons, and it would be $2,645/mo. The pharmaceutical companies are what give the medical industry a bad name. The poor doctors get less and less, and the big drug companies get more and more. Crazy. But I must admit, Since this whole bc began, I've only paid out $137 for my ultra sound/biopsy and that's it.
0 -
Had my follow up with RO today. He did exam. No issues other than fatigue. He said it would just take time to get energy back. I see my bs in 3 mos for 1st mammogram. RO said I should be seeing one of them every 3 mos.
0 -
Trish, good news!! BC itself produces fatigue, let alone all the treatments. I suspect that part of it is emotional/mental, too. You'll get rid of the fatigue and also get rested! Promise! (Well at least like you were before BC
).HUGS!
0 -
I don't like to stay away from here for too long because it's too hard to catch up! But not much going on in my neck of the woods. The Olympics is starting, which at least is something different on TV. I'm going hiking on Sunday, and then my final chemo will be on Wednesday. But then on Thursday I really really want to see the Perseid meteor shower! It is supposed to be spectacular this year (if the weather cooperates and the clouds stay away). Over double the normal hourly rate of meteors are predicted for the Thursday-Friday dark period. I don't want to do anything strenuous that soon after my infusion, so I think I'll car camp at a mountain campgrounds with a clear view of the sky.
I hope everyone has a good weekend!
0 -
Thanks Peggy. My RO said that sometimes when you are going through treatments your body is in fight mode. Then when all is done the emotions & fatigue catch up with you. He assured me that my energy would come back. Just not fast enough for me
I was surprised at how emotional I felt when I walked into the cancer center. But I did get to see Sister Betty, the chaplain, & one of the other patients who was taking rads for lungs when I was getting tx.0 -
Moondust, thanks for reminding me of the meteor shower. I should be able to see them at my new home. Harder to see when I was living in the city. I'll take a look. Hope you see them. I take it you mean they will be best next weekend.
HUGS!
0 -
Trish, you're welcome. That infamous "letdown." Then you realize how exhausted you are. And we never bounce back as quickly as we'd like but it does happen!
HUGS!
0 -
Oh thanks for the reminder for the meteor shower! I'm taking this week off to shuttle kids to dentist and doc appointments, continue rads and try to fit in some last minute fun before football preseason starts here. Going to put the meteor shower in the calendar so I don't forget.
BTW, has anyone had any issue with their incisions during rads? My skin has been holding up well,but as I was getting ready for bed I noticed my lumpectomy incision was bleeding. Not a lot, but enough to go through my tank top and to be unsettling. My skin isn't that irritated, it's actually my underarm that feels sore and is looking swollen. The incision doesn't hurt but I'm nervous to touch it.
0 -
Peggy, the best show of the meteor shower will be Thursday night, August 11 thru Friday morning the 12th. They say up to 200 per hour!
Fightergirl, I did not have any problems with the incisions during rads. I'd definitely ask to see your RO on Monday.
0 -
Fightergirl, I didn't have any trouble either. It was dry and a little scabby at the ends, but that was all.
0 -
FighterGirl, I had absolutely no issues and definitely not with the incision. Do ask because it seems unusual to me.
HUGS!
0 -
Thanks everyone, I meet with the RO every Monday so I'll certainly ask. It doesn't look infected or anything. I just took a Qtip with neosporin and gently swiped the area, it's not bleeding now. And it doesn't hurt. At least I'll have two days to rest it up.
0 -
FighterGirl, it's very possible it isn't even related to your rads. ANYTHING is possible
But do mention it to him. Have a good weekend!HUGS!
0 -
fightergirl, my incision is what is left to heal 2 weeks out from rads. It's really sore. I was worried it was going to open as well. I think I must have a lot of scar tissue there as it us really hard underneath as well. I'm hoping it is all normal.
0 -
Hello ladies, I'm just wondering how long the recovery time for lumpectomy? I'm working and still under Taxol. Just planning ahead. Thanks.
0 -
Trish, sure hope your energy returns quickly. It seems from others it takes a few weeks, ut hopefully little by little it will return each day.
Fightergirl, I echo to ask your RO. Maybe it depends on where the incision is with rads, probably the edges can be most vulnerable, but for whatever reason, I agree with telling your dr even if it's much better on Monday.
Houston, I may not be the norm, but I only had discomfort for a couple of days. And that was for the sentinel node biopsy. So long as I iced it frequently, I was really fine and probable could have worked (depending on what the job was.) I was also told I couldn't lift anything over 5 lbs for 3 weeks, and had exercises to do 3 times a day. I"m sure your BS will give you guidelines for work. Good Luck!
I finally found a new PCP yesterday and am so relieved. I went with my DH to his appt with him, and right away the dr laughed and said "Has he been bad? Usually when I see a wife, I know He's in trouble!" The dr was so personable, friendly, and ironically has the same last name as my oncologist, Li. When he heard that I have bc, he was concerned asking how I am doing, what stage, etc. Didn't actually make one face or chastise me for having a lumpectomy rather than a mastectomy! Imagine!! Feel quite relieved.
Hi Peggy, Moondust, Molly, and everyone else... Have a great Saturday!
0 -
Houston, Welcome! We're glad you are here (sorry you need to be). If you've read some of the posts, you know we are warm, welcoming, caring, informative, funny and a tad crazy. Like Dara, I had very little pain from the lumpy incision. I took a pain pill in recovery and then only Tylenol. The SLNB incision was much more annoying. I was told to lift nothing heavier than a gallon of milk for 3 weeks and to stretch my arm (e.g. "walk" it up a wall until it was uncomfortable but didn't hurt). It's smart to plan ahead. Recommendations to stay home from work vary wildly. Two weeks was the recommendation for me (though I wasn't working outside the home but I was caring for my 200 lbs hubby who needed lots of lifting - not smart but unavoidable). That gives your body time to concentrate on healing and nothing else. Absolutely keep moving, doing normal activities (as long as they are approved by your BS). When do you think you'll have your surgery? Hope you are coping well with your chemo!
HUGS!
0 -
Dara, I'm envious of your new PCP! Did you go with DH to check the doc out with an eye of having him as your PCP or was it accidental? I'm checking out a new one Tuesday. And Monday my new MO. Getting in to see a new PCP was challenging. Some of them didn't have appointments available until January.
Going with my DS and DIL to see the documentary movie "Gleason" about New Orleans Saints football player Steve Gleason who was diagnosed with ALS in 2011. His wife has been filming their lives since then. He was born and raised in Spokane (though he does not live here now) so the premier has been a huge deal and he came to a special preview Thursday. It should be interesting. My SIL thinks I may find it too emotional and remind me of DH and his struggles and death last fall. Could be but I don't think so.
Happy Weekend!
HUGS!
0 -
Hi ... this is my first post. I am feeling so lost in all of this. I had a right-breast lumpectomy and SNB 10 days ago. They didn't get wide enough margins, so I have to have surgery again next Thursday. My SNB incision is still bleeding, so I'm still changing the dressing daily. I was supposed to start a great job in September (after being out of the workforce for 20 years), but have had to pass it up because I will be starting chemo in the fall, to be followed by radiation. I chose the name Abracadabra because I'd like to snap my fingers and make all of this go away! Anyway, I just thought I'd introduce myself to the community.
0 -
Houston, welcome. Plan on at least two weeks. I took three weeks off work because I ended up with ALND and a drain. Dara, congratulations on your new pcp. Peggy, good luck with your appointments and I hope you enjoy the movie. My current episode caused my IPA to force me to meet the new pcp assigned to me by my insurance. I have an appointment with her this week. Plus a follow up with the surgeon who evacuated the blood out of my breast. Have a good weekend everyone.
0 -
Abracadabra, Welcome. I'm sorry you have to be here but you'll find we are caring, warm, welcoming, supportive, informative and just plain nice. Damn that the margins weren't good
Damn that you have to have chemo. BTW, many women do work while doing chemo and definitely while having radiation. Some of the other gals here will be able to tell you their experiences with chemo. It is definitely a bummer to have to pass up the perfect job. It will get better, though it may take awhile. You will heal. Chemo is doable and it helps to keep in mind that you are having chemo to KILL CANCER (which is what my daughter-in-law told those drugs to do at every infusion for her colon cancer). Ask your questions and we'll do our best to answer them.HUGS!
0 -
Molly, did you like your "old" PCP? Hope the new one is good. Nothing has been easy for you, has it? Please do keep your fingers crossed that I really like both docs. Take it easy and enjoy your weekend!
HUGS!
0 -
Abracadabra, welcome! I concur that this is the very best group to join for support and even friendship, although most of us probably never get to meet in person. Don't you just wish we all had a magic wand??? I'm starting chemo in 2 days so will definitely update you on experiences. Most people say it's definitely not fun, but doable. There is always a group that starts each month for chemo and we can compare notes and support each treatment, and offer suggestions for what works for each of us. I couldn't have made it so far on this journey without coming daily to this site and sharing, venting, and asking SO many questions! It has really kept me sane in a very insane situation!
Peggy, yes, I did basically go with my DH to "check out" his PCP! After my last fiasco, I didn't want a repeat! Was so happy when I left there. Hope you have similar experiences with your new drs.
Molly, hope you continue to heal quickly and that you like your new dr.
And Moondust, thanks for the info about the meteor shower this next week. That sounds very cool, but I think I'll also have to find a nice dark spot to view it.
0 -
Thank you, DaraB. I found it so hard to write that first post, but your kind reply makes me feel much, much better.
0 -
Abracadabra, we all find it hard to write when we start out. We're scared and everything is so new. It won't be long until you "know" the people here and make good friends. Don't be afraid to rant, cry, or anything else here. We seem to bare our souls in this wonderful, safe forum.
Dara, fingers crossed that I'm as lucky with my docs as you were!
HUGS!
0 -
Well, I've got the crying part down pat. I guess the ranting will be soon to follow! Thanks, Peggy.
0 -
Welcome Abracadabra, sorry you need to be here and sorry about the job. You found a wonderful place to share your fears, thoughts, frustrations and some laughs.
Peggy, I didn't really care much for the last two pcp I have had so I hope I like this one. I have been healthy for so long I haven't really seen my doctors except for my annual gyn appointment. My gyn was wonderful and got all my authorization for my bc.
0 -
Abracadabra, The crying part is usually the first thing we experience. Then the rants and all the other emotions that BC brings out. We're good at listening, commiserating, comforting and advising (if asked). The hard part is realizing that this is a safe place to express all these emotions. We will never laugh at you (with you, yes) nor tell you you're crazy (though you may feel that way). We GET IT!
Molly, know what you mean about being healthy and just having that one annual visit. Now, we have lots more. Hope you wind up with a good one!
HUGS!
0 -
Hi Molly ... thanks for mentioning the job ... everyone keeps telling me that something else will come along when I am healthy again, but I really feel like I'm grieving the loss of that job (it meant a lot to me!).
Peggy, I'll keep that in mind as I get further into this process. I don't even know the full picture at this point ... since the cancer made it to 2 nodes, I'm now freaking out about metastases. Eventually I guess I'll get a bone scan etc. to see what's what ... in the meantime, I have to turn off my brain and stop creating 'worst-case scenarios' for myself! Stayed tuned for the continuing adventures of Abracadabra!
0 -
Abracadabra, I recommend you read Dr Susan Love's Breast Book. It virtually a bible of everything breast cancer and can help you navigate the maze of treatments and choices. If nothing else, it will help you understand why you are having the treatments you have. You have had a lot to process in a very short period of time. I had 6+ weeks between dx and my surgery. Plenty of time to adjust to my new reality.
Of course you are mourning the loss of a job you really wanted. I don't blame you. Telling you you'll find something else, while it may be true, doesn't really help right now. You wanted that one!
BTW, my oldest son and his wife just returned from visiting Montreal this past week and loved it! They had an AirBNB apartment that was in an ideal location. He was just disappointed he didn't need his fluent French!
HUGS!
0
