Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Looking for some advice please. Lumpectomy (left) and sentinal node biopsy was on 1/6/14. Been feeling pretty darn good up until last night. My left arm all the sudden started getting really tight on the inside of my arm above and below my elbow. I had some sensitivity under my arm after the first week or so (normal) but that went away. It almost feels like a really bad broken blood vessle and very sensitve to the touch. Also like I have a short rubber band in my arm that isn't long enough to stretch. ouch! I have an appointment with my Onco next Thursday. Just wondering if any of you have any advice until then. Thanks.
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Iwannasee Do your stretching exercises everyday otherwise you will get chording , that rubberband feeling. My surgery was in aug. still have to stretch daily.
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Hi Lumpie sisters,
I have a question to ask of you. I had a lumpectomy in August. went to see the RO last month and he said I was not completely healed yet. My surgery was at the 12 oclock position and I am having a very difficult time finding a bra to wear that does not rub the scar and that does hurt. Sports bras seem a lil looser but I started a new job so am needing to wear a decent bra, the cut of bras seem to just hit there. I tried it last week and after one day I was in pain, so had to wear a sports bra the next day but that just doesn't look very professional to have a moob... Any suggestions?
Thanks
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ndgrll, I can't even count the number of bras I tried on looking for one that was comfortable. I would buy a bunch, bring them home and try them on, then take them all back. I ended up with two I found that worked. The Danskin front closure bra from Walmart and the Genie bra also from Walmart. The Genie bra runs small so if you get that one, buy the next size up. Who knew an inexpensive bra could be so comfortable.
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HI all
Thanks for the info on Canadian healthcare always interested to hear how others are doing it.
Iwanna- keep an eye on your extremity for any swelling- lymphedema is a possible (yet scary) thing and I believe its totally under-estimated in the medical community and patients don't get adequate education on the signs/symptoms. It does not look like you had a lot of nodes removed so you should be at lower risk. One thing I note is that if I "forget" and carry my computer on my shoulder or grab laundry or groceries I know I have "over" exerted and it can get sore.
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This is the morning after my LX and sentinal node dissection. I'm finding it's not much worse than recovery from biopsy (so far). BS told my sister he was "tickled pink" with what he found, preliminary tests results show no spreading, just waiting on the formal results. I had two of the good pills last night but by this morning backed down to Tylenol (mostly for the sore throat) and still using the ice packs. I did have a problem with a fever after surgery, they kept me for another two hours but eventually sent me home with the fever and it was back to norm last night. They weren't sure if this was a reaction to the anesthesia?
So a question I have is around the post surgery arm exercises. BS mentioned in a prior office visit that I would have two exercises - the wall crawl and touching the opposite ear - but nobody mentioned anything yesterday so I'm not sure when to start these exercises. Being the weekend don't want to call BS at home for this minor question. Did anyone have post LX exercises and how soon after the surgery? Don't want to be moving my arm yet, but also don't want to find out I missed the window for something that might help in the recovery. Also, should i expect pain or itching to flare up? Thanks!
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I started my exercises in my hospital bed. Start right away.
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I was told to wait a week before I started the exercises.
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Sounds like you had a great surgery experience and are on your way to recovery. As you can see the instructions you get can vary greatly from place to place.
I started slow but started immediately with wall crawl - don't know about the ear one you reference? Start slowly and don't over-do but your muscles and nerves will be healing so stay flexible.
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I was told to wait until my one week post op appt. with the BS before I started exercises. But my surgery was Lx with oncoplasty, so I had a lot of careful PS work and a drain in as well. I think there is a range here and like so many things, we are different -- slow and gentle, if you decide to start now.
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I just had a lumpectomy with a sentinel node biopsy with the radioactive dye. Pain has gotten better somewhat, but the burning comes on without warning &hurts like crazy! Whats up with that? Why does it burn so much ????
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do you mean the zaps that come and go, but hurt ? Thats nerves regenerating, normal but can hurt. Or the weird burning on your arm maybe, on the side where you had nodes removed? Also nerve damage related, and should, over time, improve. Normal, but again-- annoying!
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Yes hanksmom, we call them zingers. Out of nowhere, doing nothing odd or strenuous and suddenly somebody stabs you with a really sharp knife. Hurts like heck, but it will go away.
(((hugs)))
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It is actually burning in the healthy area. I am still pretty numb around both incisions.
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Thanks! That's good to know. I wasn't sure if I wiuld have to live with that or if it was a sign to come with the radiation.
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Hi Hanksmom, I had the lumpectomy on January 7th, and it did feel like you describe it. I called the BS and she told me it happens. Almost a month later and it's getting better. Less numb and less swollen. Pain, not much. I put ice almost everyday for a few minutes, I feel it has helped. Don't hesitate to call your dr. Just to have peace of mind. I've called mine several times. Blessings.
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My second reexcision lumpectomy was over a year ago, and there is still numbness around the incision. I wonder if I'll ever regain feeling there.
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Minabee - I hope you called your BS for the instructions on starting exercises. My BS's nurse had gone over them with me before surgery and BS went over them after.
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ValJeanS(Flagirl)
update- Had my surgery yesterday lumpectomy with sentinel node biopsy. They removed three lymph nodes. I don't have any results yet, but before the surgery I was told that I probably won't need to have chemo just rads and continue with Armidex. Some soreness today under arm but overall doing pretty well. Waiting for the surgeon to call me with post op details on why three lumph nodes were taken and if the tumor shrunk. The xray appeared to have shrunk the tumor from the 2-1/2 mos of Armidex therapy. I am praying for clear margins and negative lymph nodes, the scars are minimal and stitches are inside with glue on the outside. I was not given any exercises or told not to use the arm except for major lifting. The website is very insightful and I thank all of my "bc sisters" for sharing valuable info.
Update: Clear margins and three nodes taken were negative. Go back to the surgeon on 2/12 to get official path results. Probably do radiation for sure, but maybe no chemo.
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Ummm. Flagirl? Are you sure your doc said, 'I was not given any exercises or told not to use the arm except for major lifting.' I only ask because my doc said, absolutely no major lifting! Start slow, he said, with gentle stretching. The most common is the wall walk which most of us did in a nice hot shower because it relaxes the muscles. Anything gentle, like lying down watching TV with your are up over your head is good.
At least, that's the way I was told.
Have a nice night.
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Five days out from my surgery and the first time I have an issue (other than those zingers) was today when the ice storm took out all cable (phone,tv,net) and cell phone signal was shot. Just got connection back at 8pm. I have my follow up appt tomorrow, but in the meantime, anyone have thoughts on this one - upper arm is a little numb - the skin on that 'flabby, part of the upper arm. Had pins & needles earlier but they stopped when I switched to a looser bra. No fever, no rash, no redness - so not sure if this is early lymphedema (3 LN removed) or maybe I over did the ice packs. I've been keeping arm elevated and massaging occasionally. It hasn't gotten worse, but hasn't gotten better either. It's like suddenly none of the sports bras are comfortable anymore. I'll call BS in morning but would love to hear this is not unusual!
BTW from earlier post regarding exercise, did talk to BS yesterday and he said to start with wall crawl now and we'll talk about other exercises at Thursday's appt.
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MinaBee I had my surgery in Oct 2012 and the knumbness under my arm did not go away. My MO says it's permanent. When I over work my arm I feel it more.
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Nerves have been severed where they ddi sentinel lymph node biopsy. Those nerves connect to that part of your arm. Numbness in the flabby part of your arm is normal. I still have no feeling there , mine was in Aug.
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Thanks for the info. Glad to know the arm won't fall off over night, but not happy to hear how long this feeling could go on for. But in the grand scheme of the disease, I'm starting to learn not to sweat over the small things!
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i have returning feeling but still the pins and needless or burning feeling... Getting better but still there.
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Redreading
Flagirl here. I mean't surgeon said no major lifting, light use only. I haven't received my post op phone call from doc for his opinion on surgery and node removal (took 3 under the arm). Today is day three and I am much sorer today. Tightness and pulling when I try to use arm for minor stuff. I was told I can take shower and wash, bandages have been off since day two. Can't use any lotions or oils on incisions - clean and dry. I want to put aquafore on to avoid scarring and shrinking/scabs. Waiting til 12th to get my path results and hear whether I need chemo or just rads. Am I a few days out yet from pain resolution? Underarm pain from incision still going on, would think it would stark minimizing.
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Aviva had the lx on 2/4 and three lymph removed. Surgeon said he does not recommend chemo only radiation. Waiting for path results to confirm. Onc said he would like to see me do chemo. Surgeon ordering the oncotype test to evaluate chemo decision. Should know more by 2/12. Sore, mostly under armpit from lymph node removal.
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Flagirl, pain will come and go. You are nowhere near out of the woods as far as pain, at least by my experience, if you go through the posts you'll see some are back at work after a week, some are flat on the backs (figuratively, with the creative use of pillows) at that point completely debilitated. Your body is your body, and it will heal at its own rate. Just rest and be good to yourself.
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Hi Flagirl. I can only tell you my experience. Op on 28/11, started exercising same day - just arm over head while lying down stuff. Big bandages off and a shower on day 3. PINK concert on day 4 although I almost didn't go, I was scared to get bumped buy my DH and DD protected me well. Back to work on day 7. Zingers continued for 2 months. Haven't had one in a couple weeks. Tamoxifen makes me tired. Gabapentin makes me tired. Hot flashes and night sweats drive me nuts. But I'm 56 and peri-menopausal so I guess that's par for the course.
Everyone's body is different. Everyone's treatment is different so it's pretty hard to get an accurate answer just by asking.
I hope your recovery goes as smoothly as mine has - if tired after 2 months is all you have to deal with, you're doing great!
(((hugs)))
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flagirl-
My surgeon gave me exercises to do the next day. My lymph nodes hurt
worst then the breast surgery to me. I exercise everyday. I didn't
push too much with the pain.Here is my vent:
I find that as my treatment is coming to an end I’m having
to defend my choice of doing a lumpectomy.
I get these questions from doctors, my uncle/aunt, my inlaws, friends, and
random people. Do you gals get the same
questions? I’m really getting ticked
off. Maybe my tolerance for people is
going down.Here are the questions:
Why did you just “cut them off?”Why not get a mastectomy to avoid radiation?” I’m getting IORT done instead of the 7weeks
of external, because two/three radiologist are worried about my heart.Wouldn’t getting a mastectomy lower your reoccurrence rate? I quote them the reoccurrence rates.
Sorry to vent.
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