Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Hi
My lumpectomy with IORT was February 2014. Will be starting meds for 5 years. I noticed you changed meds 3x every few months. May I ask the reason, side effects, etc.
Thank you,
Rlchall
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Stanzie - About a month after surgery for radiation was the same for me. There are many different approaches to radiation now and your friend will need to discuss this with her RO. In the US it used to be the standard to do 5-6 weeks M-F. But now many seem to be using a protocol more familiar in Canada and UK of about 3 weeks. (I did) Sometimes there are boosts after regular treatments again depending of circumstances and dr recommendation. There are some even newer ones of about a week twice a day.
There is a great book by Dr. Susan Love called The Breast Book. I bought it electronically the night I was diagnosed as it was recommended by many people I know. I found it practical, informative, easy to read and not scarey. This website is great, but sometimes a book you can hand is nice. I found no contradictions between the book and this website. Be sure to get the latest edition if you get it, 5th.
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Thank you Miminiemi - I hadn't heard of that book - Yes I agree a book is great!
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Stanzie
My decision for a lumpectomy vs mastectomy was influenced by the BRCA result. Since the results were negative I went with the lumpectomy. If they were positive I then had to decide is one or both.
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My rads will be starting a month after my lumpectomy. Since they didn't get clear margins the first time, I had my re-excision done last Tuesday. With DCIS, my surgeon recommended lumpectomy. If she didn't get clean margins this time (should find out on Monday), then I think it will be time to discuss mastectomy. I'm not a candidate for the shorter, mammosite (seeds) rad tx due to the location, so I think I'll be getting 6-7 weeks.
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Well I got my onco test results 22, which is 14% recurrence distant in ten yrs. Surgeon said being on Anastrozole the percentage drops to 10%. BS and the oncologist said NO CHEMO, Yay! So, now onto radiation. RADs dr says 33 treatments 5/days wk for 7 wks low and slow no boost since it's my left side. CT scan next probably next week to determine dosage, etc. Ready to get moving forward finally.
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Anyone get a chest rash after rads. Other than this, have had no other side effects, one and one half week after.
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Yes I had a rash and some raw spots beneath the breast. Domboro soak really helped the rash stop itching. It is typically used for poison ivy and was over the counter at local pharmacy by Bayer. The had to order it since they carry it seasonally.
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Update from my above post - Guess I need to leave the "Lumpectomy Lounge". My re-excision lumpectomy came back with more DCIS with positive margins. Next step is mastectomy
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cdelv66, so sorry to hear that
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Cdelv66 - sorry to hear that your report showed more DCIS:( please keep us posted and know that us Lumpies will be in your pocket {{{ squeeze}}}. So come back to hang out anytime...best wishes!
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cdelv- you want to get those nasty cells gone so if a mastectomy is what it takes__ travel safely to your new destination. The "lounge" will always be open for you
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Thanks, ladies...wishing you all speedy reciveries!
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Cdelv66 - Hugs to you. We're here.
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Cdelv66, you are always welcome here. Sorry you are having to go through additional surgery, but you will get through it fine. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Red, I was thinking about you today and wondering how your radiation treatment is progressing and how you feel. I had my CT today and I start my treatments on Monday, St. Patrick's Day! Hope my Irish heritage brings me some good luck as I go through the treatments. I asked the techs to mark me with shamrocks today, but all I got were Xs!
Waves to Cindy, hope your DH is doing well.
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BigDBeating - thank you! Hubby's surgery is 3/17...going to paint his toes green&gold and put rainbow sticker on his forehead! Lol
Stay hydrated during rads...yes, 10-12 cups a day, free boobing, and no skin on skin contact, at home try lying on back so no overhang or use a very soft sock to caress...really air her out...emu oil and 2.5% hydrocortisone worked great for me. Make laser tag fun...I did a count down with stickers...radiation does it make my butt look bigger, also show and ask...every Monday and every Friday...did not want any skin surprises over the weekend....keeping my fingers&toes crossed for you...breathe, you got this...arrive early and get in your zone...sooo hummm!
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BigDBeating - I am so with RMlulu. I made every trip to the rad center with a clown gag in hand. I have a small clown business since retirement. A friend sent me a whole box of tricks and stuff all yellow - a happy color. I fooled around with those who were waiting for treatment, the techs and nurses. I brought twisted balloons, stickers, a whoopie cushion, and more. Puppets were a hit. If I could make them smile it added to my fun. Besides it gave me something to plan each day. I tried to make it as much fun as possible. Plus I went free boobing all over town, used cotton long underward tucked underneath to avoid skin on skin friction, and watched TV flat on my back with nothing on top like some sort of porn star. I even started to get comfortable with myself naked! (I live alone.) As long as the table is comfortable for you it's odd how the treatment doesn't hurt at all. Just take good care of the girls as best you can, and try to laugh every day about something while you are there.
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Thank you for starting this thread. So, so much information. Well, my lumpectomy is tomorrow. 3/13. I did not have a wire placed as many have mentioned. I had a radioactive "seed" placed today. This will serve as a marker for tomorrow's surgery. I've been told nothing is sticking out. I will not take my bandage off until the morning when I shower. The seed was a bit more uncomfortable than expected. It was put in while squished in the mammogram machine. I was numbed, but still felt some discomfort. The worst part was that as I was talking (small talk) with them, I realized that I was passing out. I've fainted before and recognize what is happening. I begin to sweat, voices start to echo, and I start to faint. Thankfully the nurses realized what was happening and cooled me with wet cloths in a hurry. I could visualize myself passed out and hanging by my breast from the machine. Not a pretty thought.
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Motherofone - Welcome! We will be in your pocket...tonight we will sing and rock you asleep...tomorrow we will give you a {{{squeeze}}} and try to hold the noise down! but our Happy Dance shoes will be ready to celebrate...you did it!
Passing out...it happens...hot stuffy room...sounds thoughts tension unknown...it does happen...you did good!
Sweet Dreams the cloud is about to lift...:D
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BigD, hi I'm doing OK. Has a long talk with my RO and I feel better about it all now. Yesterday's was a surprising 10 mins on the table. What a joy when they said ok all done. Today was cancelled due to weather so another one tacked on, but I'm ok with that now. You will do just fine, and I think St. Paddy's day is a fine omen! Lol
Flagirl, Yay to no chemo! Good for you. So off to rads and you're done. Good for you.
It's been a bumpy ride, but with all you ladies in my pockets, I can make it.
{{{{{Cindy}}}}} Hope your hubby is doing fine.
Welcome, mother of one. Sorry you had to be here. But glad you found us. This is a great group of ladies who will support you well. Come to laugh cry, vent or just chat. It's all good.
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My journey began on Feb 21, 2014 when I received the results of my biopsy that confirmed I had IDC. Mine was detected at my regular annual mammogram, followed by an ultrasound and then the biopsy. I am 50 years old and just recently retired. This is not exactly what I had planned for retirement! It feels like life as we knew it has come to a screeching halt and we are on a major detour. During the past few weeks my husband and I have had a whirlwind of doctors appointments along with many other tests. It has been a roller coaster of emotions. So thankful for many positive test results at this point. I am scheduled for a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy on my right breast next Wed. March 19. The waiting is the toughest part as you all know! I am ready to just proceed with the surgery and forge ahead on this journey! I have found such encouragement reading all of your stories on this discussion board. Praying for a smooth surgery next week and a good pathology report which I will wait for with great anticipation!
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Cindy, shove over, I want to look at the doc's butt for a minute. Mimi & BigD, I think we need more drinks. Oops better turn the tunes down, doc's looking around like he hears us.
We're in your pockets, motherofone, we're making sure all goes well and cheering you on. Gentle (((hugs)))
Welcome to wampuscat. Glad you found us. Sorry you have to be here. This is a great group of ladies. Very positive support! Welcome again.
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wampuscat,i too went through the same thing as you...mamagram,surgery,chemo,radiation,and meds for 5 years.Found out i had breast cancer the last of March last year.I am proud to tell you i am a survivior,and i made it.And you will too..Its very scarey at first,but i got a load of information on this site,and so glad i found it.Dont forget to get in touch with the american cancer society.They were a big help to me.They can answer alot of questions too.
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Hey wampuscat! Your story is same as mine. My surgery was in December and I had radiation after that. Now hormones. But I wanted you to know I'm doing just fine now in March. And you will too. You have friends here that will answer questions that occur to you in the middle of the night or ten minutes after you leave the docs office. You are lucky to retire so young and will have rich experiences when you have finished this detour. Pat yourself on the back for doing that routine mammo. Allow yourself to nap as much as you need to after surgery. Appreciate that we retired gals can afford that luxury. And March 19th would be the day to remember St Joseph: A great family caretaker who watched out for his wife.
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RUlmia, You are too sweet! Thank you so much for the welcome and positive support!
Wampuscat, looks like we are beginning the same journey. I'm 51. Problem detected by mammogram. Biopsy confirmed, DCIS, but I'm still a little nervous that the pathology from surgery could show something more extensive. Crossing fingers it is just DCIS as original biopsy reported. Roller coster of emotions is exactly right. Decision, decisions, decisions plus the learning curve. Seems like it doesn't take to long to become an expert. I feel more and more knowledgable each day thanks to the internet and forums like this.
My surgery was yesterday and I'm pleased to report that I thought the surgery was way easier than both the biopsy and certainly the radioactive seed placement. It helps to finally be ASLEEP for a procedure! I checked in at 8:45 and was out around noon and felt well enough to go to a local mall for food court lunch and a little shopping. I'm a BiG believer in retail therapy! Works for me! The Vicodin from the surgery lasted all day and most of the evening. Around 10, I was hurting, but moved to Tylenol and another ice pack. We got the Vicodin filled, but drugs like that are scary to me. Hoping to avoid if possible. Happy with Tylenol, but not completely pain free like yesterday. To be honest though, pain free makes me think I can o more than I should be doing, so a little pain is a good reminder for me to take it easy.
Now waiting for pathology from surgery. Praying for clean margins. Happy dance that the cancer is hopefully gone and the marker and radioactive seed are definitely gone! The seed really gave me the heebee geebies (is that really a word?) In good spirits now. Hugs to you all! Thank you for being there.
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Thanks motherofone, miminiemi, kayezzy66, RedReading for your encouraging words and welcome. I too have been reading and getting as informed as I can through forums and the vast amount of knowledge on the web. It is so helpful to actually have some understanding of what the doctors are talking about. Trying to keep life as normal as possible, rather than sit around and stew about the upcoming surgery. Lots of activities with our children this weekend to keep my mind occupied. So thankful that I have always been faithful to my annual mammograms.
Motherofone, praying for a quick recovery for you and a good pathology report!
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Good Morning Lumpies!
Wampuscat - Welcome! Sorry you are joining our club, but glad you found us. The wait is the hardest ugh:( but soon you will have that #### out and a game plan. Enjoy you family ...they are the best medicine
so soak in the love...get your hair done, mani pedi, front zip sports bra, yoga pants, soft hoodie, sparkle flip flops, bubble machine, fav book, and know that we will all be in your pocket! We are a fun party group...so big pockets...Red&i like our music loud...so what's on your play list?Motherofone - yippee! You did it! Proud of you...if you take the pain meds add a stool softener
cheers to clear margins&nodes! Enjoy your weekend...xoxoBigDBeating - thinking of you in Rads...will be very still in your pockets during zaps...emu oil, hydrocortisone, free boobing, and lots bad lots of water! I see the light:)))
TGIF! Lumpies ...pocket parties!!!
(((Hugs)))
Cindy
If any if you are game...check out Casting for Recovery...consider applying for a fly fishing retreat...to be pampered and enjoy the outdoors with other warriors...I'm going in April! Ha ha my first fish...love the outdoors!
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Wampuscat, for sure we will be all small and stuff in your pockets. I've got wine and beer, who's got the glasses and the hard stuff? Stereo is ready to go, hey Cindy, we get to stare at the doc's butt again! Yay us!
BigD, I'm in your pockets too. Monday huh? St patty's day. Wonder if you could get away with painting your boobs green before rads? Something that washes off easy tho or they won't find it amusing. I know- get some of those films they use on windows at Christmas but with 4 leaf clovers and drape em over your buppies. I can only imagine the looks on the techs faces. Lol
Motherofone - glad your surgery went well. Remember your wall walk. It really does help. Shower tomorrow, yes? That was the worst for me, waiting to be clean again.
Just wanted to let you all know that I have finished my full breast rads. Only the boosts are left now. I am bright red from armpit to midline and almost down to my tummy. They told me I should go topless all weekend. That should be exciting at the mall, even if it is legal. Especially with my one white boob and one red boob with a blue nipple!!
Omg, I'm one of the almost dones!
To those just starting or about to, I am totally with you on the 'when will this ever end'. But it does. The ladies here have supported me through some pretty dark moments. I wouldn't have made it with my sanity intact without them. (Of course, I guess that's if you consider me sane, bahaha).
Can you believe it's almost over? This has surely been one of the longest months of my life!
Thanks again everyone!
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Hey Red - braless at the mall will be just fine. I vacationed in Arizona with friends who were warned ahead of time. I did wear some sort of loose tunic over a tee shirt, but nobody even cared.
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You guys are the best! Thanks for all your nice words. Red, so glad you are almost done!!! I am very happy for you.
Cindy, great advice and I will take it all. Drinking lots of water is hard for me, but I will step it up! Will be thinking of your hubby too on Monday.
I don't have that much up top so braless I will be, won't be difficult at all. I have ordered some cotton t's to wear under my clothes for the next while.
Mimi, you have such a great attitude! Wish I had been in the waiting room with you; I am sure you bring smiles to many.
A big welcome to wampuscat and motherofone. You have come to the right place. These ladies have helped me in so many ways.
It has been a rough time, I am dealing with more than this diagnosis, but I try to keep my crying to when I am at home and I smile and laugh with everyone. Life is difficult for us all at times, but we can all be proud of how we are dealing with this monster. The waiting is horrible, but as you progress through, get your tests done, get your treatment in place, it does get better.
Have a wonderful weekend, find something to laugh at every day! Love you all.
Joan
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