Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Lorri, the best thing you can do is stretch that arm so that it is comfortable when you are doing your rads. You will be holding your arms above your head for 10-15 minutes and it helps if it isn't uncomfortable.
Tunegrrl, Good luck tomorrow!!!
HUGS!
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Lorri, I did use some me derma on my scars. I'd used it on some other scars and it seemed to help. I think it's primarily Vitamin E though.
I didn't use the cold caps and did lose all my hair. At the time, I thought that it was too much of a hassle so didn't try them. What I didn't really think about though is that hair grows VERY slowly. For most women, it's 8-10 months before they feel comfortable with their own hair again. I was never one to wear super short hair. If I had it to do over again, I might rethink the cold cap decision. I'm 7 weeks PFC, and still basically look bald even though I can see some growth beginning.
Tunegrrl good luck tomorrow. Hope all goes well.
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Thanks tatatootsie, I just got my internet back after losing it a couple of days ago... He's still in the hospital, he may need a 3rd transfusion, his blood count can drop fairly fast, this will be 3 since last saturday..
and I just finished 2 of 4 boosts, they had to 'pry' me off the table... lol.. found muscles forgot i had, but next week i start PT and maybe get some kinks out
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Judy, that's so worrisome about your brother! I found I was stiff after laying there for my rads. Plus I was dizzy on sitting up. After standing too fast after the first couple, I learned to sit for a minute before going on my way. Glad there are only 2 left!!!
HUGS!
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614-Nice to hear from you. I've occasionally "ghosted" this thread too, but somehow we are welcomed back...hahaha. Glad your recovery has gone so well. Don't be a stranger
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Hip! Hip! Hooray!! CHEMO is now finally over... Last session was at 10:30 this morning.. Tomorrow is a meeting with RO to plan what comes next.
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Thanks Peggy, he's still at the hospital, had to have another transfusion, third in a week... they're going to try again for tomorrow to move him..
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congratulations Elizabeth, Hip Hip Hooray indeed, good going
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Congratulations Elizabeth ! !
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Elizabeth, YES!!! Very happy for you.
HUGS!
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Congratulations Elizabeth! No. More. Chemo.🍾🍾
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Ann, I will keep you and your brother in my thoughts and prayers. My prayer list is growing by the day.
There are some people that I go to church with that have loved ones that have been diagnosed with
serious maladies, some that have had recent deaths....one was suicide, and it is so tragic. It's that time
of year, and I know that is not an excuse but for some that do not think they have anything to live for, obviously,
IT FREAKING HAPPENS !!! and it breaks my heart. I am so blessed and I realize that more and more each day.
Went back to work Monday and today is Wednesday and I feel as though I have already worked an entire
week. My friends and my two sons were right (although I won't admit it to them) ....I really am not as young
as I use to be, but am going to try to rest more when I can. I want to use some of my creative juices this
weekend and hopefully make some new jewelry pieces (will try to send pics) and just have fun. I'm
meeting with my plastic surgeon tomorrow morning and my oncologist tomorrow afternoon and will know
more about my course of treatment. Will keep you wonderful "angels" updated....I've been overwhelmed lately for some
reason and I don't know why.
Elizabeth, that is wonderful news.....KUDOS !!!!!!!!!! CELEBRATE GIRL.
Tunegrrll, you are in my thoughts and prayers as well gal. You are in the best
place on BCO....and it just get's better every day.
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YAY Elizabeth! So happy for you!
JShannon & Tunegrrl, good luck tomorrow. Lifting up prayers for you both.
Judy, sorry about your brother
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Dear Shannon and Tunegirl: Good luck tomorrow. Thank you, Tunegirl, for letting me know that I have an "anchor" scar. I never heard of the terms: "lolipop" or "anchor" in reference to scars. The names make sense. Now you know why I described my scars in such a ridiculous manner. Now I have the correct terminology.
Dear Lorri: Whole breast radiation caused the redness in my scars to fade. Hopefully, that will happen for you too. The scars on my non-radiated breast faded too (although not as much as my radiated breast). I can see my scars. but no one else would be able to see them unless they really looked closely. (That is, if I were to show off my breasts to others.) Actually, the reality is that if I were to show my breasts to others, no one would notice my significant scars. What others would notice, however, is that my breasts look fantastic and amazing. My breast surgeon and plastic surgeons were the absolute best. I was very lucky.
Thank you, everyone, for all of your well wishes. I really appreciate them. It means the world to me. I have been having a rough time these last few months. I really miss all of you and I would like to welcome all of the ladies who are new to me. Good luck.
Sincerely,
614
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Trin, still thinking of you and what you are about to experience. I will keep you, as
I said, in my thoughts and prayers gal. 12/13/16 will be here before you know it and you
will know more about your situation. I think that's good because guessing, assessing and not
knowing is torture. I know it's easier said than done, but stay positive and lean on us when
you need to. HUGS, Tatatootsie
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Trin, Nash54 could not be more right.
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lorri.... I've been putting Aquafor on my incisions and as per BS & RO I bought the Jeans cream to use before & during radiation. The scar sheets sound interesting.
Elizabeth .... Congrats again!
Tunegrrll... Good luck tomorrow!
I never did the cold caps...my MO dismissed the whole idea. I'm with Dara in the chemo process & I have never rocked the bawled head. When I look at all the new little hairs I realize I won't be even having a spiked do for a long time. But if it came to living bawled cancer free I'd pick it...my grandkids are worth it.
614 .... This cancer messes with our minds and bodies and from what I hear it doesn't just go away. This is why I love this group & my chemo group.
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Hehehehe !!!! I finally have my government paid Brazilian... Found it this morning.... LOL!!!
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B"H
ElizabethAM… been silently listening to your story, you have been thru so much, and you always smile..... i applaud your courage and soooooooooooooo happy you finished chemo!!!!!!! good luck with the Rads!!!
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Elizabeth, Caligirl, and Dara, I just want to give you some hugs. I was in your shoes last Dec. I also did not cold cap and I lost my hair. The best part was losing the hair on my legs, underarms, and lady bits. My last chemo was 12/2015 ,so it's been a year, and the hair on my legs and underarms is still sparse. I probably only shave about every 6 weeks. The lady bits are still rather bald also.
Thankfully, the hair on my head came back in fairly rapidly. I wore my wig from the day I lost my hair until April 1, 2016. After that, my hair began to come in at least thick enough to cover my head. It came in curly! My hair is silver, so I still looked kinda bald. But each month my hair came in thicker and darker. By May 2016 I needed my hair shaped up. By Oct 2016 my hair was about 4" long all over. I just last week had to have it shaped again.
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Poodles, you looked great last May at the benefit!
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Thanks, Sandy. It's nice to have a crop of thick hair--keeps my head warm. I never had thick hair before. My hair has always been Pocohantas straight and very fine, like baby hair. Now it's got some texture and is easy to style. I decided to leave the silver. It probably makes me look older, but I love that I don't have to mess with coloring every 4-6 weeks and I get compliments on it all the time. In fact, my own mother asked who was frosting my hair now, LOL
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thank you all for replying tunegrrl I might try to get some silicone sheets.
614 great to hear that radiation fades the scars,I got a letter today I'm going to see oncologist radiologist on the 14th December I'm very happy that I'm having an appointment for oncologist as I've only seen the Breast DR,I'll find out how many sessions etc I'll be having great to know before Christmas what's facing me, I'll join the radiation board as well.
Elizabeth it's brilliant to have finished your chemo.
Hope the operations went well for the 2 girls having them this board moves fast and I kind of loose track
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I just wanted to share with anyone who might have some kind of gene mutation, there is a clinical trial going on now in case you'd like to participate. I am signed up and am hoping they can learn more about my VUS in my ATM gene.
The name of the trial is PROMPT (Prospective Registry of MultiPlex Testing). You can go to their website to create a profile and sign up to participate through a questionnaire. You can choose to be anonymous or reveal your name as part of the study. You do have to sign a consent form too. Their web address is www.promptstudy.info just in case anyone is interested. They have periodic webinars with information about various studies and trials. They also post this information on their website.
You may be able to register to view the webinar archive from today which lasted an hour. It's worth a try if anyone wants to watch it. https://event.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1125183
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First day back to work after the search for clean margins and I lasted the whole day!!! Feeling pretty good, trying to remember not to lift too much. Oncotype came back at 19, so the low side of intermediate. MO still recommending no chemo and that's the plan. Need to check for estrogen levels because will be starting tamoxifen or the like very soon, also need to meet the RO. Anxious about the side effects but need to take them as they come
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ILSunrise, thanks for suggesting the PROMPT study. I joined it about a year ago because I have the PALB2 and Chek2 mutations, as does my 23yo daughter. My family is just chock full of cancer, especially breast, uterine, and colon cancer--even male breast cancer! My genetics counselor believes that one mutation came down each side of the family.
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ArtyMom, glad you are doing well after surgery! Don't stress too much over rads & hormone therapy. It's all doable. As you said, take it as it comes,. Didn't have any trouble with rads (just done lingering fatigue) & so far no se with tamoxifen. Make sure you do your stretches. I'm 6 mos post surgery and am having tightness & soreness when I raise my arm from scar tissue. BS said I need to do more exercises to loosen it.
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Poodles....thank you for sharing. It sure gives me something to look forward to. I have always has fine, straight hair so any body in my hair would be a bonus.
ArtyMom...sounds like you are doing so well..I am happy for you.
Three weeks since my lumpectomy and I'm more tender now than I was my first two weeks post-op. But otherwise I feel great. Thank you all for so much helpful information. I guess I should check out any radiation groups.
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caligirl I was worse a few weeks after my lumpectomy as well had to have some fluid drained unfortunately didn't get clear margins so had to go in again but now it's been done altogether 7 weeks since original operation and it's not a bit sore back to normal.ill be going to the rads board with you as well
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Goodmorning - Sentinel node removal went well, just sore this morning - feel much better than expected, now waiting on pathology report again. Seems like we have been waiting for some kind of report since October. Hopefully this is the last one!! Hope you all have a great weekend, expecting lots of rain here in East Texas. Perfect for baking, Hallmark Channel and family! Hope my Aggie comes home from college this weekend.
Have a great day!
Shannon
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