Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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First time poster here,
I'm scheduled for lumpectomy <2 spots> and SNB tomorrow. Can't wait to get this treatment finally going. The plan is for radiation afterwards. Feeling lucky that my cancer is on the right side so I don't have to worry about my heart. Trying to work during radiation if possible. My then 15 year old son spent 5 months in the hospital with AML in 2014 so if I only have to do radiation, I will feel blessed. Prayers and advice welcome
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ArtyMom, welcome to the sorority nobody wants to pledge—but rest assured your “big sisters” here won’t make you wear beanies, run demeaning errands, or have to learn the Greek alphabet backwards (sorry, college flashback….). Here is your first piece of BCO lingo: we’re "in your pocket" for your surgery tomorrow!
Please click on the “My Profile” link and fill out your location, diagnosis and treatment info so we can more helpfully answer any questions you might have.
Many people work through radiation—they schedule treatments for before or after work. It’s not the same for everyone. I sailed through it. But I’m retired anyway, and live 15 min. from the cancer center. Your mileage may vary.
But take heart: you got this. And we have your back.
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ArtyMom, Welcome! We're glad you found us. We are comforting, warm, welcoming, informative and (as you just saw from ChiSandy's post) a bit zany at times. Waiting seems to be the operative word with BC. Wait for surgery. Wait for pathology report. Wait. Wait. Wait. We'd love to know where you are located - we may have BCO sisters near you and meeting up in person is the best! I'll also be in your pocket tomorrow jumping around (that's how I dance
). Let us know how you're doing!HUGS!
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I go for my post BC mammogram in the morning.
Rita, welcome, glad you found us
Lorri, sorry you have to deal with the fluid build up.
Caligirl, your right, it will pass. Sending prayers and positive vibes.
KB, so sorry about your friend's diagnosis. Prayers for your friend.
ArtyMom, welcome. In your pocket tomorrow also. Ice will be your best friend post op & make sure you do your stretches. I was able to work all through radiation. I work in an office.
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Trish, hope your mammogram goes okay. I think I would be getting flashbacks to all those stereotactic biopsies, being jammed into that machine for what seemed like hours. But I guess screening mammograms are part of the post treatment new normal, it must feel strange in a way to be have stepped off the treatment treadmill.
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in your pocket , Trish . Welcome to the new ladies . Sorry I can't keep up with this thread .
Anyone besides me having trouble with painful intercourse ? I broke down and used a dab of Estrace on my labia because it felt like it was on fire . I have done my best to avoid using Estrace and have been using KeyE vaginal suppositories daily . It is just not enough some days and I can't keep avoiding my DH .
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Molly, I know my MO yesterday said vaginal dryness (as well as hair, skin, etc) is one of the SEs of AIs. I'll be started Arimidex today as well a radiation. Can you tell me why you switched to Aromasin? I understand Arimidex has some of the worst SEs. MO said they wanted me to try it before the others as those work better in cocktails IF the cancer should ever come back so they try to reserve the others just in case.
Good luck today Trish. Does your center have the new 3D mammogram machines? My BS said I would have that next June plus US.
Welcome to all who are new. Off for radiation this morning.
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Trish, Good luck today!!! I was surprised at how uneventful my first post-mammo was. Probably the least uncomfortable one I have ever had. Of course, I had to have an MRI afterwards. Can't say the same for this year's mammo. It was a 3D one and that may have made a difference. All I know is it was very very uncomfortable and my breasts hurt for a couple days (never had that before). Worth it to get a good read but geez.
Molly, I'm sorry that you are having painful intercourse. I have nothing to offer in the way of advice just sympathy and hugs. I know you don't want to avoid DH but it has to be hard when you know it will hurt. Has your MO offered any advice?
HUGS!
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molly I'm sorry (and scared as I'll be switching from tamoxifen to an AI soon).
Some ladies in my chemo group were discussing Mona Lisa touch? It's not cheap but supposed to be effective.
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Molly, do some research on coconut oil - the type you cook with that comes as almost a salve in consistency. I have read about several women using it for the same type of issue and had good results.
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I've just finished my 4 of 25.. it started burning on the 2nd, so am taking the aloe with me now to put on right away.. I can still feel the heat, will see RO on thursday so will ask if they have anything for cooling... i almost fell asleep today, they just have a radio playing in the back, nothing on the ceiling and the light shines in my eyes, so just close my eyes off and on.. other then the burn, it's not near as bad as I had expected.. even with all the knowledge and seeing how others go through this.. we still have to get around our imaginations.. and mine can go a long way...
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Judy, sorry you are burning already. I hope that your RO can help you.
HUGS!
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Judy, I was pink and feeling some burn the first few days and then it resolved. I then was fine until I think about week 5. I had a large field of radiation and my under arm burned and peeled. Even so it wasn't as bad as some and my RO was amazing. I used a cooling towel like you get in a sporting goods store to cool the heat. Some ladies use cold cabbage leaves.
Thank you all for the sympathy. I have been through many, many different types of moisturizers and always end back up with the KeyE suppositories. They are vitamin E and coconut oil and work better than most. I had one from Canada I really liked but it got pricey to keep buying it. I have a stock of Estrace which against my MO's wishes I use on RARE occasion. I have two active pelvic floor prolapses and have to be very careful to not allow my tissues to weaken too much thus the occasional estrogen. I am avoiding surgery for as long as possible because I cannot do mesh. Anyway, it is the stinging that is the worst during intercourse. I think I will change up what we use. It seems like every so often I have to change to make things better.
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Dara, to answer your question about the AI's. I was doing really poorly on Anastrozole. To the point that I was out of breath walking, my legs felt like lead and I thought I was developing Alzheimers my brain was so foggy. My MO wanted to change me to Tamoxifen. I have a strong family hx of clots/strokes in my family. So he put me on exemestane instead. I do worry that I am getting the big guns now instead of later.
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Thanks Peggy and Molly, Thursday's only a couple of days, and the burning isn't too bad yet, just a little stinging, so the RO should be able to help on that
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any one with an oncologist score of 29?
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sorry, my tablet spells for me. the oncotype score.
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Mine oncotype was low, 13. It sounds like you are headed to chemo? My guess would be you had a high Ki67 and since you are PR - , you have a more aggressive type of IDC. Have you seen your MO yet?
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Yeah, what Molly said. My Oncotype was 23 and I'm PR-. My MO didn't hesitate to recommend chemo. I had already researched PR- and found that it is a more aggressive cancer, so I didn't even bat an eyelash. I started chemo 2 weeks later.
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Hi Twins. My onco was only 20 but since it was intermediate, my MO ordered the Prosigna (some also use the MammoPrint). They are genomic tests that help determine if you are at low or high risk of recurrence. Mine came back high risk, so I was recommended for chemo. I'm now finished and just had my first radiation today. If you and MO decide on chemo, know it's not as terrifying as at least I first imagined. Most have a few SEs for a few days after infusion, but they have so much now to help with nausea, blood counts, etc, it really is doable! Just weigh all your options and then make your decision and be confident in it. We are all very different but we are all here to support each other whatever the treatment. Keep us posted.
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My Onco was 24 so it was midway.. and my MO said at my age, the risks for chemo outweighed the benefits. so I just went with rads... no regrets..
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My oncologist is presenting my case to the tumor board on Thursday morning . I should hear from them that afternoon . This waiting so so stressful .
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TwinsMawMaw, it definitely is stressful. Indecision is stressful, too. Sending you calming thoughts and loads of hugs!
HUGS!
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Thank you Peggy, you are so sweet .
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Twins, the good news is that you are Her2 negative and your tumor was small. Hopefully, even if you need chemo, you get to do the 4 rounds. Are your lymph nodes clear? It looks like it from the diagnosis and that is good too! So you have several positive aspects of bc going for you. I mentioned cold cap therapy to someone else who had to do chemo. I was prepared to do whatever was necessary, so I looked into cold cap therapy. For many women it saves 3/4 to 2/3 of their hair and there rest grows back fast. If you do need chemo, there is a page on this website dedicated to cold cap therapy. Hopefully you can go right into radiation and some sort of estrogen modulator.
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how long did it take biopsy to come back? had lumpectomy today hurts!!!! dr told my hubby he feels like he got it all but sending it to biopsy- he is a general surgeon- he told my husband it didn't look cancerous cancer looks a certain way?! finally read report birad 4 on mammo n US both.. so 2 questions really-
how long for biopsy
n can dr tell by looking at removed mass if it looks cancerous?
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how long did it take biopsy to come back? had lumpectomy today hurts!!!! dr told my hubby he feels like he got it all but sending it to biopsy- he is a general surgeon- he told my husband it didn't look cancerous cancer looks a certain way?! finally read report birad 4 on mammo n US both.. so 2 questions really-
how long for biopsy
n can dr tell by looking at removed mass if it looks cancerous?
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Pokie, please take a pain pill! Don't let pain get the best of you. You should be fairly comfortable, not totally miserable. They always send the tissue removed for a pathology report. They need to know if the margins are clear. When I asked my breast surgeon if she could see if she got the cancer, she told me she didn't want to see any cancer (because that would mean slim margins or no margins). Your pathology report will also tell you if your nodes are clear. It's possible your tissue may be sent out for an Oncotype test, often used to determine the need for chemo.
I had my path report 2 days after surgery. Most get it within a week or two.
Right now, ice your breast and underarm. And rest.
HUGS!
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TwinsMawMaw, I know how frustrating it is to wait... and sorry you have to go through this, praying you can go right to rads and the big finish...
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Hello all of you wonderful survivors.I had my surgery on 11/01/2016 (bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction). The surgery took about 4 hours and the next day my bladder did not want to wake up and work, so I went home with a Foley for about 2 days and then all was well; not trying to make it out to be a horror story but it's a side effect of general anaesthesia, not just the digestive tract.This was the first time I ever had a problem with my bladder after surgery.
I do not mind to tell you that I am truly thankful for percocet....I was taking 2 at a time the first 3 to 4 days and then to just one with tylenol chaser and now just extra strength tylenol, every 4hrs. The worst part is the 4 drains that need wound care and emptying. My surgeons told me they got it all with clear margins. I obtained a copy of my pathology report and it stated that there was one isolated cancer cell found in one of the sentinel nodes, positive for AE1 & AE3 (cytokeratin) and it's significance is presently uncertain. My surgeon did not know this information at the time he discharged me from the hospital. I am not paranoid but to me personally, one cancer cell is one too many for me, but my oncologist will have all of this information when I see him, which is soon I hope. I've edited my profile with my information regarding my surgery and pathology;I am thinking also that one cell does not necessarily mean "total lymph node involvement"......gals please tell me if I'm over-reacting.My pathology days were many years ago but I still remember a lot.
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