Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Weneke, so glad everything went well & he got good margins. What a relief. Now you can rest & heal for next steps.
Poodles, yay for the good pathology & relaxing weekend.
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Congrats to all you Cubs fans!! So happy for them after all the years.
Chemo isn't so bad so far, little nausea this morning, but nothing I can't handle at the moment. I'm just really tired from the steroids waking me up from 2:30-5:30 two nights in a row!! Didn't even nap, and I still couldn't make it through last night. Ugh. Will figure out a fix for that before next round!! Steroids today, then that's the last until next round.
Wig shopping today! Looking forward to it, weirdly enough.
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I was diagnosed with Stage 2B about five weeks ago. I had lumpectomy surgery a week ago, and my recovery is going well. I have an appointment with my breast surgeon this afternoon. I'll find out whether my margins were clear and if I have to have another surgery. I'll also learn about my subsequent treatment. The doctor indicated that I will have to have radiation, but that she wouldn't know about chemo until she got the pathology report after the surgery. I'm quite nervous about this appointment due to all the uncertainty.
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TravelingAFar, Welcome! We're sorry you need to be here but glad you found us. We are warm, caring, informative and helpful. I'm very glad your recovery is going so well. Good to hear. While waiting for your path report (waiting is awful), please fill out your profile AND make it PUBLIC (via the SETTINGS). Also, please tell us where you are located. We've found that our Canadian sisters have different treatment paths (as well as those abroad) from America's.
Many of us have an Oncotype test done to help determine the need for chemo. Do you know if one has been done? Also, while waiting, you might want to pick up Dr Susan Love's Breast Book. It is a bible for many of us and is a comprehensive look at our breasts and breast cancer and treatments. Make sure to get the September 2015 edition (the newest one).
With a lumpectomy radiation is virtually a given. But if chemo is needed it would be done before radiation. Then, depending on your menopause status and hormonal status (ER/PR), you may take Tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor such as Arimidex.
Ask your questions and we'll be glad to answer them. Also BCO has many excellent articles here so search for your questions.
HUGS!
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I have to order Hubby his hat and shirt. He has been so great through all my "fun" .
So whats everyone opinions about rads? Best piece of advice? This is going happen at Christmas and I am determined not to let it stop MY most favorite time of the year.!
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Weneke, (BTW, please update your profile and make it public!!! It helps us answer your questions). Here's the link for Settings .Rads were a breeze. I had very slight redness - called punctation (reddening of the hair follicles). I used Aquaphor. Mostly it is the need to be somewhere every single day at the same time that gets annoying. I found that I was often dizzy when getting up from my rads so sat for a minute or so before standing. Those tables are really hard! You'll certainly be able to enjoy the holidays. You may be a bit fatigued - take a nap or just rest and let everyone else do the work.
HUGS!
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Hi All - just catching up...not much going on here - have my onc dr appt follow-up today to prep for the 12 weeks of Taxol which I start next week (along w/Herceptin & Perjeta on the first one). Not looking forward to the 6 hour infusion (on my 50th bday at that! lol). I have decided not to even celebrate my 50th this year - and will turn 50 next year instead. That will screw up all future geneology researchers, but so be it. Plus - it's nice to gain an extra year!
Leslie - what does the 'homecare for hydration' mean? Sounds awesome - and if I am understanding it..I want it!
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KDTheatre, definitely skip this year's birthday. Two years at 49 is perfect. Hopefully you'll have less trouble with this round of chemo. An early Happy Unbirthday!
HUGS!
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IHGJAnn49, Thank you for your kinds words. I'm so sorry you got hurt. I should count my blessings that all that happened with me was just an annoyance. Having said that, I'm being tested again because my youngest son who failed to launch and still lives with us was in a car accident yesterday. He's fine but his car was totaled.
kdtheatre, happy 49th birthday again! 6 hour infusion? What a terrible way to spend your birthday.
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I had my lumpectomy and lymph node biopsy on 10/26. Is it "normal" to have pain or discomfort in the incision cite? and how long should it last? My report reads Posterior margin of the specimen is involved by invasive carcinoma. The nurse says the doc is not very concerned with it because it's at the fascia. To me that is saying you still have cancer in your body. I will be doing 6 weeks of radiology. Can I add, I'm sick of this cancer crap.
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Samantha yes it's normal, you are still not far from surgery. Make sure to wear a sports bra so the incision is not being stretched and call the surgeon at any sign of infection.
The margins would concern me. Can you get a second opinion about whether or not to clean them up?
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Hi Everyone... Day 2 of 25 Done! I am really appreciating the weekend.. and nothing til Monday. I saw the RO yesterday and they are supplying all the skin care.. Aloe and Emu oil..
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Kdtheatre, I have a nurse come to my home and hook me up to a litre of saline for the 3 days after my chemo. They can do it over 4-6 hours. We did 4 hours yesterday and today. It sits in a fanny pack,so I can still go out and do what I need to do. She comes, hooks me up, comes back 4-5 hours later and unhooks me. Today, I REALLY notice the difference with having it. I was off this morning, a little nauseous, not bad, but just feeling blah and tired from not sleeping (steroids) Now that I've eaten a couple of times and had my hydration, I'm feeling pretty good now. I'm glad I accepted this option! The hospital offered it to me, so it's all covered, not costing me anything.
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Sandy, glad your second eye surgery went well. Poodles, woo hoo on the good path report! Weneke, glad to hear the margins are clean now! Heal well! Moondust, so good to hear from you. Good news about your MO. I hope you love the new one. Judy, one day at a time and rads will be over before you know it. Hello everyone that I missed.
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chi Sandy,
Bet the city is jumping....yay Cubs
Molly, please do something on your 50th
Funny when I flew from LA to RI I thought of you all. You just seem to go with me.
Somehow, I thought I would feel different going with a lumpectomy...this was my first trip with the strips on. And then I thought of you all and we all are not so different. I did see a young man that I knew had a false leg and then look closer and was sure he was a vet.
I just lost a lump.
So we all have losses and battles. But, just so you know I never feel alone because of you all.
Positive Linda
Ps my strips are still on. I must be a slow healer
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Travelingafar & Samantha, welcome
Travelingafar waiting is the hardest and most nerve racking. You just have to try to keep busy and take it step by step. Sometimes the path isn't very straight but just remember that it is doable and you are not alone.
Samantha, it takes a while to heal. I still have some occasional tenderness. I agree with Jill, wear a sports bra for support & ask about the margins.
Judy, I kept a calendar I marked off after each tx. Celebrated when I hit half way. Also I kept up my normal exercise routine to combat fatigue (& it also made me feel "normal") otherwise I did what RO told me to do and didn't have a lot of soon issues. Major fatigue set in after rads.
KDTheater, bummer on starting your next round on your birthday. I'd defer it a year too
Trying to prepare myself for my first mammogram post BC this Tuesday and I confess I'm a little nervous. So will try to keep keep positive thoughts and stay busy this weekend.
Hope you all have a relaxing weekend
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I never used a calendar. I just showed up when they told me too. Of course, I was going back and forth to the hospital where DH was battling post-surgery pneumonia (both were on the same property). But I think a calendar is a great idea.
Samanatha, yes, pain is not surprising after less than 2 weeks. Or even longer. Just stay comfortable and if it changes and gets more intense, contact your surgeon.
HUGS!
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Checking in...prayers and positive energy for you new ladies....this is the best group of women- ever. Such a fast thread and having gone back to work...I read the posts but just cannot keep up. Am so blessed to have had Peggy, Sandy, Molly, Poodles and LTF, and others when the going was TOUGH....but, while difficult, whatever the plan is...it is "doable" as Peggy always says. Hang in there and keep posting- there are others who have walked in your shoes ad who will shine a light for you....you will probably do the same for others when you can. Enjoy the weekend....cooler weather in the sunny south is always a nice reprieve....hope you have the same where you are....:)
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Did I tell you all adam and i are going to Cuba-no kids-in mid-November!!! Squee!!!
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Fantastic, LovestoFly! After all you've been through, you deserve a no-kids trip!
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thanks. Love them so much, but we need to relax and reconnect big-time.
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Hi All!
My story starts innocent enough. About 2 months ago, my husband and I decided that we hadn't had a physical in far too long. At 62, we needed to do the colonoscopy, mammogram for me, prostate exam for him, etc.
Well, the mammy showed a lump.
Then came the ultra sound, then the hollow needle biopsy. Yep, cancer!About a month ago, I had a lumpectomy of my right breast. The surgeon also removed 5 nodes. The pathology report showed that the surgeon didn't get it all, and 2 of the 5 modes were cancerous. Well, DA**!
My surgeon went out on maternity leave, so last week one of the partners did my second surgery. The first one produced a small 3 inch hairline scar. The second was much more aggressive, I now have a big, 6 inch battle scar. I start chemo in 2 weeks (4 rounds, every 3 weeks), then 4 weeks of radiation (5 days a week for 4 weeks). Then hormone therapy (that's the one I dread the most).The oncologist said "you are going to have a rough time, but you will be fine, and you ARE going to lose your hair!"
Pathology showed I have stage 2b cancer.
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SueWP, you can prevent hair loss by using Penguin Cold Cap Therapy during your chemotherapy. There is a page on her somewhere dedicated to those that saved their hair, 2/3 to 3/4 of their hair during chemo. Their hair seemed to grow back thicker in the places where it fell out. I think it is worth looking into.
TBalding, when did your fatigue kick in? I have been getting extra rest and hope to prevent that aspect of treatment with my antidepressant and good nutrition. I have to say, that after each treatment, I felt energized. I was so energized that I could not sleep until 3am.
Judy, I kept a calendar and every day I would come home from treatment and mark out that day and add in a how many days left section. Time really flew by for me and I am staying in touch with some of the other ladies who had similar appointment times that I chatted with while waiting for tx.
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im always open to a second opinion.
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Thank you so much.
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SueWP, Welcome! You've found the right place to be. We're warm, comforting and informative. You've sure had a roller coaster ride. Sorry that you have to do chemo. The ladies who've been that route will chime in. My DIL had colon cancer and had chemo. Every session she told the drugs to KILL CANCER. She said it was doable. Not fun. Not easy. But doable. I don't recall any of the ladies here having used a cold cap but do inquire whether your MO thinks it is an option.
Please fill out your profile with all your treatments, diagnoses, etc and make it PUBLIC. That way it shows up every time you post. We find it difficult to remember each person's particulars and it helps us answer your questions. Also, make your location public. We are all over and there might BCO sisters where you are.
BTW, I've been on Anastrozole (generic Arimidex) for over 2 years with no SEs. Keep in mind that not everyone has problems with them.
HUGS!
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LTF, Cuba?!! Wow! That sounds great! Should be interesting. You deserve a break. Have fun!
HUGS!
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SueWP, welcome. Sorry you have to be here, but you have found the best group to help you get through it all. I also dreaded the hormone therapy because of all the possible side effects. As Peggy said, not everyone has side effects. I take Tamoxifen and don't have any noticeable side effects. Just take everything a step at a time. You will find a way to deal with whatever is thrown at you. There are plenty of ladies here that have gone through what you have & will gladly share their experiences. Sending you positive energy
Jill, fantastic news about the trip to Cuba!
Michelle, I noticed the fatigue about a week after rads. My RO said that often our bodies are in fight mode from dx through tx. Once tx over and things slow down it all catches up with us and fatigue sets in. Hopefully with you getting extra rest during tx you won't feel the fatigue. Unfortunately, I'm one of those who keeps going until I drop. DH lectures me all the time. I'm working on saying no when asked to do things that will add to load. Hoping today is downtime for me, desperately need it
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I was the most tired about 3 weeks after rads...then it slowly started getting better.
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