Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Hi Lumpies!
Scuba lady - welcome, but sorry to meet this way:(. Ask lots of questions, ask for pics, ask BS to mark your breast to show you where and visit with PS and RO! Make sure you understand your options and are comfortable moving forward...it is a lot to process so go at your pace and ask! We will be in your pockets {{{squeeze}}}
BigDBeating - fingers&toes crossed for your test results!
SwissMiss - yippee, vacation! I took mini trips between each step...really helps the mind&spirit! Have you gone for a fitting? Special bra with support prosthesis for girl? Yes, a special swimsuit may fit the bill. I used my old suit, but it didn't have underwire only a D...Hee Hee. Or remove the wire in your fav suit ...just go have fun! Oh, a pretty cover up so you don't over burn or tan the side before rads
Fairydogmom - Ooo who, go girl run run run! Proud of ya:) fingers&toes crossed mo&ro appts are good!
Macintx - ahh, the first shower:) yippee no drain...ah the small simple things
Check out Casting for Recovery...Lumpies all over the USA cool retreat...so check it out...my first fly fishing outing in April BorneTX....heard great things on retreat
gonna surprise my dad and go fly fishing with him. Shout out to all
(((Hugs)))
Cindy
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Swiss Miss, I went to Florida about a month after rads. I slathered on SPF 50. I'm a 38D and wore halter tankini tops without underwire. Not sure the difference between D and DD. That said, since you'll probably be doing rads, you should be careful not to burn or overexpose that skin so that you're not starting rads with tender skin. So you may want to consider wearing a light tee over your swim top anyway to lessen the sun exposure?
I hope you get to go on a relaxing beach trip with your family -- keep us posted!
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Swissmiss, I am giggling right now because my vacation and my bra problems were top of my mind after my lumpectomy. I don't know what page it's on, but it's almost word for word, substitute swimsuit for bra.
I had to cancel my Feb vacation but had a short window in January so I went on vacation then. I had no problems and if you tell your MO and RO what's going on, they are very accommodating. Rads need to start by 16 weeks after your surgery, according to my RO, so you're good there, and if there is chemo, they are usually fairly flexible there too.
Up here, we have a bathing suit called a tankini that would probably suit your needs. A Lot of them have little flyaway sleevettes, that would hide your scar, while the top comes down to the bottoms over your tummy to help hide that extra twenty lbs. The bottoms come in 3 styles, bikini, boy shorts and a skirt affair for those who hate to shave. I think it would be good for you. Built in bra for the DD's too.
Sure you want to verify first but I would say go for it! It's just what you need as a family before all the rest starts up. Have fun.
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Hi Gina - I am going in for a second lumpectomy on Monday, not looking forward to it obviously!!!!! I am getting nauseated just thinking about that wire procedure - I don't have to have it this time thank goodness. I was really surprised at how much that hurt, I had two stereotactic biopsies and thought it would be a similar feeling but no way, I cried like a baby. I thought either she did not use enough numbing medicine or she didn't wait long enough for it to kick in.
Any way ladies.........I am calling tomorrow for my Monday surgery time. After this lumpectomy if all goes well I will meet with the oncologist for radiation info and begin that treatment.
I have maybe a silly question but it's really bothering me..........the incision was made around my nipple and my nipple actual still hurts at times, if touched it has the same sensation as if you had the flu and someone touches your skin..........does this ever go away? My last lumpectomy was December 23...........I know it's only been two months but I was wondering if my nipple would ever feel the same way!!!!!
Hugs to all of you!
Donna
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Swissmiss - I has surgery mid March and went on a 2 week cruise in mid April and then came back and started chemo in early May. I was waiting for the oncotype test to come back and the trip maybe pushed chemo back a week or two, but that was it. That vacation was exactly what I needed and I would say go for it if you can. PM me if you have any other questions.
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Hi Swissmiss
I am a firm believer in vacations! I found out I had breast cancer on a Monday and left for vacation that friday- scheduled my surgery the day after I got home from 2weeks in Hawaii-
I see a lot of variation from the time of surgery to the time of treatment but in my case I started radiation between 3-4 weeks after surgery because of my work schedule I needed to push back. I don't think that delay would be prohibitive- others will weigh in I am sure.
Weekend before radiation I flew to MT to see my son/DIL and granddaughter. Finished radiation the day before thanksgiving and went to Miami on the 10th of December. I brought a bathing suit kind of forgetting that I was not going to be spending a lot of quality time out in the sun after radiation so never wore it- I had one with wire on the sides that was way too uncomfortable to even try.
I have heard great things about the mastectomy suits- from LE- they have a pocket where people can put forms or prosthesis after surgery on one or both sides. Can't speak to the support issue but I have 3 regular LE suits that have fantastic support- they are made for adult women with real bodies.
I think if you can relax and want to get away you should do it- I think if it will be a break instead of stressful to pack up and go it will be terrific. Don't know why but you sounded a bit apologetic it was "all about you and your health problems" I was thinking if one of your kids had an appendectomy or your husband had his gallbladder out it would be all about them right? Might have misread but don't feel guilty about your health- you don't have control over this thing that happened to you unexpectedly.
Next trip- europe for a month-
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hey wyo -- that's such a good perspective on guilt. I felt so guilty when I was dx'd. To the point that I wondered if my husband regretted marrying me. (Yes, absolute crazy thinking!!!) To take it a step further ... My DH had a lovely high school sweetheart ... They grew apart and had broken up (but remained friends) many years before we met. She ended up marrying a friend of his (they grew up in a small town) ... So through my DH's hometown social circle (he no longer lives there), I have met her and we are very friendly with each other ... There's nothing weird or awkward. In fact I appreciate that he had a healthy relationship to pave the way for ours. :-)
Maybe four years ago she had DCIS and a BMX due to family history. My crazy thinking temporarily took me a step further to a place where I thought, "well, if he married her, it wouldn't have been any different." (I might add she had several long and helpful conversations with me when I was Dx'd ... She's really a sweet person.)
Happy to report I got over this stinkin' thinkin' pretty quickly!!!
Didn't mean to hijack the thread. My point is, it's best to experience these feelings, acknowledge them, and let them go. I think we are so conditioned as women and nurturers and caregivers that we feel guilty about our health issues. Thanks for the good analogy, Wyo.
SwissMiss, I second the LandsEnd swimsuit rec's. Since you have time before your trip, maybe order several styles to try out (regular and mastectomy) and return what you don't like. I think LandsEnd offers supportive styles even without underwire.
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SwissMiss and All - I too love the LandsEnd swimsuits. But I definitely want to add the "Rash Guard" jackets. I go to a lake house and am on a boat for hours in the sun, but always wear that jacket even in the water. My dermatologist said the skin on my back and shoulders looked "pristine". After she left the nurse confided she was so glad because she had just ordered a rash guard shirt from LE. Sale on now!
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Donna - good luck with your lumpectomy on Monday! I wish they'd find a better way for the guide wire placement. Some ladies don't seem to have trouble with it but for me, it was the worst part of the day. I recovered well from my lump (1/16/14), but I do have some scar tissue building from the guide wire attempts. I just started rads 2/17 and my rads onc told me to massage the area to try and break it up. I have a similar incision and it seems like it is still a little swollen and I know it will get worse throughout rads. One week down, five to go!
Gina
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Hi Donna, I know I've already posted this here but a reminder is always good. Buy some Emla Cream. Its an over the counter you can get at any pharmacy. You know where your biopsy was so that is where the first pad goes. The second goes over the nipple. Put it on before you leave home as it takes about an hour before it kicks in. It is a topical anesthetic that will freeze the area so that the wire placement puncture and the radioactive dye needle don't hurt as much. Hope all goes well for you!
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Emla cream is a prescription drug in the US. But, I'm sure your BS would write you one.
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Oh dear, I had no idea it was prescription in the US. Sorry, hope you have time to get some Donna. It really helped me and I am terrified of needles.
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Donna - we will be in your pocket:). Don't worry about the cream...BC will apply.
Enjoy your weekend...soak up family friends things that make your heart smile:)))
Just know that you will this great relief
and will be surprised how great you feel. Take your heads first 24-30 hours than as needed. Watch the arm and confirm with BS hi wwhen you will get the results for margins&nodes! Fingers&toes crossed! 0 -
Cindy, that's an example of how different the treatments are between Canada and the USA. Here they don't give you any topical before wire placement. I'm glad to hear that they do in the States. I think a lot of ladies in the great frozen north would like to have that in place here.
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Darn - forgot to say - Hey Donna, you'll do just fine and we'll all be in your pockets, staring at the docs butts while you travel this part of the journey. It really is a relief to get it done because you're finally on the road to kicking C's butt to the curb!!!!!!!
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Donna - I asked for emla cream to be given plenty early. My doctor already have it planned here in Iowa, so I'll bet they have it planned for you. Just ask as soon as you get there so there is time for it to work. You will be so happy Tuesday when this is behind you. What a relief you will feel. Be sure to let us know. Thelma aka Miminiemi
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okay- where was that emla cream when I was getting poked around. They used lidocaine but that still takes a few minutes to set-up. I did not really have pain but I did have some kind of vagal reaction and needed the smelling salts and to "recline" for a bit. Emla has to be on for about an hour so get it early.
gemini- very interesting story about the person from your DH's past and how similar your stories were in life and that you met and get along- That is such a good thing. Its so funny I don't know if its disappointment my body let me down or guilt but I know I hate having to admit I am going through this- just so weird
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Hi Girls,
i only knew about EMLA cream because my cousin told me about it. After my 1st chemo my onco ordered for me. I use for my bloodtaking post chemo now. Lodocaine is one in the same and needs to be put on 30-1hr prior to getting "stuck".
Hope you all are well today. {{{{HUGS}}}}
Fur
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Donna- thinking of you. Fell better soon. Edit to say feel better soon. No falling allowed.
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Does it hurt after the wires are placed? I have to go to my Breast Center for the mammo/wire placement procedure, then I have to drive over to the hospital for the surgery. Its in the same complex but 2 different buildings. I know they said that the wires are teeny and will be taped down but it just sounds so darn -- uncomfortable.
Maybe I am building this up in my head more than necessary?
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fearywings, in my case it wasn't comfortable, that's for sure. But others may have different experiences. That said, I was in a full hospital Johnny at the time my guide wire was placed. I can't imagine driving myself anywhere. Will you be driven by someone else?
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faerywings, my breasts were still completely numb from the insertion, so the two wires were merely annoying. Then I had to go have the nuke shots for the SNB in another hospital area before the lumpectomy. They use the cutest little Geiger counter for tracking.
Good luck with your surgery.
Carol
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faerywings, I was numbed up before wire insertion also. Then had mammo to make sure wire was in right place(had to be adjusted a couple of times) Paper cup taped over wire to keep from being hit. This was done in same building as lx. It was weird but not too bad,at least for me. Good luck.
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Paper cup taped over wire to keep from being hit.
hahahah!! I am gonna be Madonna!!!!!!!
Thanks for the input ladies!
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faerywings_They wheeled me around from place to place, but the wires didn't hurt after they were in place. Just looked like a radio antenna!
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OK ladies, I know you've heard it but faerywings hasn't, so tune me out now. I honestly don't know why this isn't disseminated more widely.
Faery, get some Emla cream. It's a topical anesthetic that takes about an hour to work so take that into consideration. Comes with 2 doses, one over the biopsy site and one over the nipple, for the radioactive dye. It works. I'm scared of needles and I didn't feel too much - I sure didn't cry like I usually do. Good luck, faery. Talk to you soon.
Cindy, fly fishing with your dad sounds really neat. I've never heard of recovery retreats. Wonder if we have any in Canada?
Donna, sorry about the mess in your pockets but it was a really good get together. Did you hear us all cheering you on? Now just twirl once and your pockets will be clean and ready for us to cheer you on in the next phase. (((hugs)))
Well, I have to make dinner now, so everyone have a good evening.
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Ok I had implants put in about 7 years ago, was diagnosed in June 2013 with DCIS stage 1 grade 3 they never checked my lymph nodes or ER/PR or HER2 weird I know. I completed radiation 6 months ago 6 weeks of radiation. Anyway why I'm here is because my implants have hardened and now have been forced out of the pocket and are painful. I was told that the radiation could cause them to harden and it has happened has anyone had this happen.... not to mention my left breast is very deformed now not that it wasn't prior to this. Wondering if PS will fix this?
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faery- did you have it today? I used to work in a place where people had the wire placed in the out-patient rad center then came to us at the hospital for surgery- cup and all. Personally I don't like it and in my case would not have been driving anywhere because I kind of passed out during the wire insertion (not pain just some kind of nerve reaction I think) The rad centers are usually nicer, better equipped and good at placing the wire but honestly driving over seems to be ow customer satisfaction and service.
Let me know how it was
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Swissmiss -- I can't help with the swimsuit question, but I say TRAVEL! I took a trip across country 3.5 weeks after surgery, and while I tired easily and had to prop pillows around myself in bed! it was so nice to have the break from treatment and relax. Mentally, our whole family really needed the trip -- it allowed me to gather myself for the next stage of the fight. Go for it!!!
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wyo- yesterday was just pre-op testing stuff. My surgery is on March 3. Thankfully hubby will be driving me around. The breast center I go to is just amazing, everyone there is so wonderful, so hopefully it will all go well. TY!
ETA: I think hubby might have some lidocaine cream from when he used to do tattoos... I will have to check.
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