Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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I know how you feel, when i first got the diagnosis that i had stage 1 breast cancer dcis i was very sad, angry, etc. But what got me through is this Trusting God no matter what. Because at the end of the day CANCER is just a word. There is life after being diagnosed with breast cancer or any cancer. I will keep u in my prayers.
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morherofon- I was first diagnosed with cancer in my left armpit lymph nodes , no primary found!! My surgeon went in where she thought maybe could be a tumor in my left breast 6 o'clock close to the chest wall. She did a lumpectomy with clear margins and indeed positive for cancer !! Then I started chemo......when chemo was done I had surgery again. This time to remove lymphnodes , clean up scar tissue in original 6 o'clock and also remove a lymphnode tail end in the breast @2 o'clock that tested negative for cancer but shrunk during chemo!!! So that's my story, well part of it anyway!!! Guess the cancer in me (refuse to call in mine.....not mine wasn't keeping it lol) was a little odd all my doctors were scratching there heads !!!!
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Annika,
Thank you for sharing. Everyone's stories are so different. There seems to be little normal! What a roller coaster. I'm happy you are doing well now.
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you are so right !!! We are all so different still so much alike
And thank you I'm doing great now finding my way back to a new normal 
Hope you are as well !!0 -
I had a mammogram 6 months after radiation just last week. My Oncologist also wanted me to do both breasts and it had only been 9 months from diagnosis. My hospital had not gotten it pre-approved so I was not too happy as I had to make the decision myself to just go ahead and do what the Oncologist ordered and have them both mammogramed. I told my Oncologist what had went on with the hospital not getting preapproval- he told me if he had to he would write an appeal to the insurance for me as he wanted me to have them both done.
I have yet to hear from the insurance company to see if it was covered or not.
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ndgrrl - thank you for the reply and information. That is exactly what I was worried about. I think I better make it clear to the hospital to get pre-approval. But if not approved, then get doc to write an appeal.
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Lots of new ladies here. I have not been on for a while. I had my surgery 9/28/12 followed by chemo and rads and now arimidex (anastrozole). Anyone facing chemo I used penguin cold caps and kept 2/3 of my hair. Thinned but never needed wigs. Its an option. There is a thread discussion board on here with lots of info.
Any of you lumpies every had discoloration or bruising on the girl 1 year later? I had some dark pink and purple discoloration last week that faded away within 2 days. The onc said I probably burst a blood vessel but it freaked me out. Anyone with similar experience?
Take care all.
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Schoolmom,
It is good to read of someone who has finished her journey. I've heard of a cold cap. I'm so glad it was successful. It is very popular in the UK.
My surgeon called tonight with good news! My node was cancer free! So excited! I was really starting to get worried! She was so sweet and I felt, genuinely excited too, though she said she expected it to be negative. I do not regret the node removal. I'd always wonder. I'm super glad only one was taken.
Other than my good news, I've felt pretty awful today. Coughing to the point of getting sick. Low fever 99.5 ish. I'm supposed to call if it is over 100, so I have not called about it. Maybe I should have mentioned it to my doctor when she called, but I was so elated, I didn't even think about the cough. Perhaps it is some virus completely not related to the surgery. Thankfully I'm still off work until Thursday.
Next step - Radiation. I was told I must wait until I am healed. About 4-5 weeks. Is it necessary for the incision from the node biopsy to heal as well, or just the breast incision. I really want to get started. The sooner I start, the sooner I finish! I would also like to be done before summer. I'm supposed to be away the second week in June and can't if I'm still doing radiation. Am I foolish to want to rush this?
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hi motherofone, yay for the clear node! You're not foolish at all to want treatment to be over. My rads started a little over three weeks after my second lumpectomy. The process starts a week earlier with the "design" and setup of your rads treatment plan. You probably don't have to wait as long as 4-5 weeks -- give your surgeon a call and ask if you can go a little earlier.
That said, is your trip in early June going to be busy/hectic? You might be a little tired at that point. But if it's a relaxing trip, it might be just what the doctor ordered! :-) You will definitely need to be careful in the sun this summer to keep the area either covered or slathered in high SPF sunblock. My RO said keep SPF 15 on it, which seems way too mild. I used SPF 50 zinc oxide (the white opaque kind).
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Smiles here and cheering for Motherofone. Happy about your good news.
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So happy for your news Motherofone! Hope you are feeling better today!
I received some good news today too. Found out my BRCA results were negative! Such a relief, it was a long wait on that one. Makes me so relieved that I chose the lumpectomy option. No regrets at all!
I will still be moving on to chemo next week, due to the positive node, but I'm so glad to have these results so I can move on and not have other major surgery decisions to make in my future.
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Happy Hump Day Lumpies!
Motherofone - Happy Dance Ooo who
congrats on the clear node:))). Now breathe, take a no c time off vacation and heal...rest, relax, recharge...:) your team wants you to heal before rads...all in good time...so enjoy your family and friends. Depending on your protocol you may take 6 weeks to complete and 2 weeks to heal...not a summer bikini tan time so check with your team on timing. You can only do rads once and you want it done right...listen to Gemini.Wampuscat - yippee! Negative BRCA:) we will be in your pocket during chemo {{{squeeze}}}
Ndgrrl - ugh! My BC team was great on coordinating my 6 mo post rad mammo match up either my original mammo time so both girls got their pictures taken! And we passed!
Schoolmom - no, my girl changed about 3-4 months post rads but one peaches&cream
check with your RO.(((Hugs)))
Cindy
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Gosh, RM, I just adore you! You are such a wonderful spirit! It's been over a year for you and you are still on this board helping others. God bless you!
Wampuscat - Yipee!!!! That is fabulous news for both you and your children! What a relief! I would really like to have the test done and have inquired about it, but was told my insurance would likely not cover it since I have no family history. The thing is, I have no sisters and my grandmother NEVER went to the doctor, so she could have had breast cancer and not known about it. My dad died of cancer but he was a big drinker and a big smoker, so there were contributing factors. When I speak with the General Oncologist I will ask again.
Wow! I can't believe chemo is starting so quickly. I'm pleased for you. You can get it done and over with! I know you are concerned about your son's wedding. Seriously consider the cold cap. I've heard/read such good things about it. I believe there is a thread about it on here somewhere. One way or the other, I'm sure you will be a gorgeous mother-of-the-groom! Look at mimi and that hat! She is simply stunning!
How is your healing? My breast looks great. It still does not look smaller. My SNB is, of course, 2 weeks behind. It looks, well, blue still. I'm sure that is from the dye they used. It is strange, but the real pain is in my arm pit, not my incision, since it is well below my arm pit. I need to google exactly from where this node was taken.
Yesterday, 5 days after last surgery, I had a slight fever. It was was 100.1. I also had developed a terrible cough. Didn't want the copay of ER visit so I went to Urgent Care. He thinks I have Bronchitis. Never had it before, but that was the diagnosis. I was given a script for a Z-Pack. Called my BS's office today. She thinks fever is not related to surgery (I agree) and told me to feel free to take the antibiotic. I haven't filled it yet. Cough still bad, but no fever today and much more energy.
Tomorrow I go back to work. Took a couple of fewer days off for this surgery than for last, though honestly, this one was a bit harder from which to bounce back. Probably because it was general and the last was twilight.
Thank you Mimi! and Gemini! Tremendous sigh of relief!
Love you all. Thanks for being there!
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Motherofone, yay on the clear nodes!!! Partay time!
My pain was also in my armpit and not near my incision. I'm guessing here but I think it disrupts things to have a node removed. Kind of like having an infection, where all the nodes work their hardest and swell up. Plus you actually do have an infection... bronchitis! So I'm not surprised your armpit hurts, it'll get better soonest! OK I'm fibbing. I had 7 nodes removed and started experiencing no pain after 3 months. But my mom had 38 removed and had no pain right from the get go. So it's very individual.
Wampuscat, hooray to negative on the BRCA. Not enough evidence in my family for the test despite my mom having bc too. My DD however has been fast tracked and will now get an MRI yearly because she has her own issues. My other daughters will not.
Schoolmom, I'm only 2 weeks post rads, so I cannot begin to answer your question but {{{huggles}}}.
Ndrgll, sorry about the insurance woes. Sounds like you've got a great doc tho. Let him take care of the worries.
Mimi & Gemini, hi (waves). How you doing? Kisses!
Cindy, as always, I love you for just being you. Okay, and for all the comfort you've given me on my journey. Remember the day I said I'm really only here for Cindy's hugs? And you gave me one? Back at you girl {{{Cindy}}}
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RedReading, Wow! 38! That is incredible! Interestingly enough, the armpit pain did not start until the bronchitis thing. Maybe the bronchitis "infection" went searching for a node? Hmmm. I haven't filled the prescription for the Z-pack, but maybe I should.
Noticed you started Tamoxifen prior to Rads. Any side effects? My Dr. isn't starting me on it until after Rads. She said it was to know what was causing what side effect if there are any.
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I can't remember if I've posted here before, but I have a question. I had lumpectomy 12/12/12. Then had chemo followed by radiation which was complete 10/4/2013...to this day, the pain from scar tissue is horrible. Just wondering if there are any others who have experienced this.
Thanks..I have enjoyed reading this thread.
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Motherofone, tamoxifen is also very individual. I have experienced fatigue, joint pain and brain fog, but I also know people who have had fatigue for a few weeks and that was it. Sorry I can't answer your question any better than that.
Nettie, very sorry but I have zero experience with chemo, so can't answer. I do hope someone else can help and also hope your pain gets relief soon. (hugs)
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Hi all - Glad there is good news for several friends here. I can't speak to pain at the incision in my breast Nettie, there is none. But about underarm pain my surgeon warned me I would have more pain there and numbness probably permanent because the node was exceptionally deep. My old anatomy class makes me think there are more muscles and nerves disrupted in that area than when taking tissue from the breast. Hope you enjoy seeing the project I worked on yesterday. My bank invited me to put up a display for my Clown business. This is the biggest ballon job I've done for a while since it takes repetitive movement using the pump to inflate the balloons. I'm happy with it and hope it makes you all smile. Consider hiring a clown for a child's birthday, or to surprise a friend. I'm sure there must be someone in your area just looking the the chance!
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EKG is standard for evaluating the heart, starting at about age 40. Shouldn't need a stress test.
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Let me clarify just a bit! I have no pain in my breast or under my arm while using my arm and no pain while at rest! But if someone touches the area even so slightly, it causes excrutiating pain! Now, what made them go prodding in that area was pain that I am having in my forearm, they think it is from some nerve damage so they were prodding around trying to find the problem! So now the assumption is that scar tissue is wreaking havoc on nerves so they are massaging the scar tissue to try to get it to release and boy is that painful! So painful that I almost pass out! The breast itself is not so tender, but the area under my arm is!
Anyway, maybe this makes it a little more clear! I was in a fog last night!
Mimi - I love the balloon figures! You are talented!
Glad some of you are getting good news!
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Mimi, I love the balloons! Wow, that is really super cool and it did make me smile BIG! I am sure you bring lots of smiles to many people.
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Healing is going well. My lumpectomy incision has never really been painful from the start. The sentinel node incision hasn't really been painful either, but the numbness under the arm is rather annoying and parts of the underarm area just feel like a bad sunburn when touched. But it is very tolerable. Saw my surgeon for my post surgery appointment today and he was very happy with the healing of the incisions. Hoping that I will heal this well from the port surgery in a few weeks too. I'll have just a few more survivor scars!
I briefly looked at some info on the cold caps, but when I saw the cost ruled that out as an option. I'm prepared for the hair loss now and I plan on being a beautiful mother of the groom inside and out! Several hats and caps I ordered came today. Loved all of them.
My husband has a great sense of humor. We were talking the other night and I said you know you are going to be sleeping with a rather ugly women for awhile and his reply was, "that's why I plan on looking as bad as possible when I come to bed just to make you feel better!" And trust me, sometimes his mad scientist hair look can be quite crazy! We will be celebrating our 28th anniversary in July. He was my high school sweetheart and always will be my one and only sweetheart!
I'll be attending a Look Good Feel Better session Monday following my first chemo treatment. Looking forward to all of the helpful tips. My Nurse Navigator also told me I am eligible for a free massage once a month during treatment at a local salon spa. Oh yeah, I'll take that! Sign me up!
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Wampuscat, Bad sunburn is the perfect description. I didn't feel a thing there until 6 days after surgery, then bam! Not what I expected. My breast incision and SNB incision were not too bad. No painkillers used except Tylenol. The SNB was close to my bra, but I was able to fold a square of cotton over the contact point which helped a lot. Today the underarm hurts even worse and, although I have full mobility, I feel it when I attempt to put my arm up. I don't have any numbness, but even the back of my shoulder has that sunburn feeling as does down the inside of my arm. The feeling seems to be growing. As long as this is normal, I can handle it. My fear was that it wasn't "normal" and meant there was an infection inside, although the outside looks good, blue, but good! Lol! I must admit, my biggest fear with this node situation is lymphedema. Does this sunburn pain have anything to do with lymphedema?
I went back to work today. I'm totally shattered, but the day went well. I'm officially on a Z pack for the Bronchitis. Even the coughing hurts my armpit! I feel like an idiot grabbing myself when I'm about to cough in hopes of stabilizing my body to keep pain from shooting in my underarm when I cough.
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Just one more thing, Wampuscat - Wonderful husband you have! He's a keeper!
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Hi there! I had a lumpectomy and SNB yesterday (Weds 4/2) Prelim on the nodes were clear. Tonight my surgeon called to let me know the margins were clear as well! Final staging is Stage 1 grade 2. Now I just need to heal up so I can start radiation and get this behind me! The incision on my breast isn't sore at all but the the one for the SNB? Ouch! I've experienced the numbness before when I had a tummy tuck (my entire abdomen is still numb 5 years later) so that doesn't bother me, but that area sure is tender. The surgeon told my husband he had to take a bit more tissue than he expected when removing the lump. Ummm yeah tonight I unwrapped myself to find my boob is about 1/2 the volume of the other. Surgeon said it should fill in with fluid. I sure hope so! But is it going to just shrink up again with radiation? I'll be meeting with surgeon and oncologist next week to come up with a schedule to start radiation.
Tonight my main concern is this cough I have. Pretty sure its from being intubated, but I am coughing up tons of "gunk" from my throat and its driving me crazy. i finally took something to help me sleep because I can't stop clearing my throat. Very annoying for everyone in the house!
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Lespring - My breasts looked surprisingly different sizes right after lumpectomy, but they have evened out by now (four months). I'm not sure they were as different as you describe though. It makes me laugh that one nipple still points towards the floor and one is looking straight ahead.
Sort of like this icon. Wampuscat - where's the picture of you in your favorite hat. As someone who has NEVER had much hair (fine,thin,blond,straggly) hats have always been my friend. Seriously, pictures please. Hope you find the wedding hats a blessing so you don't have to worry about salon appointments or wind/rain.
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Lespring, My lumpectomy breast was slightly bigger than my other breast right after the surgery which was 3 weeks ago today. Now it is about the same. Doesn't look like anything happened. Getting your pathology report back so soon is wonderful! I had to wait until the next week. SNB is worse than lumpectomy IMHO. I did not have immediate cough, but I did 5 days later and ended up being diagnosed with Bronchitis. I'm taking antibiotics for it now.
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So happy for you Lespring. I had surgery yesterday, and won't have the pathology report back until Tuesday. The doctor did say everything looked clear, of course, we won't know until the full report. I know what you mean about under the arm! There were three nodes removed. A bit sore, but nothing like the surgery I had before for a fibroadenoma.
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Mimi, we did hire a clown a few times, for my kids birthday parties, and most recently for our company Award Banquet. They are always so much fun. Wish I could hire you to do my annual Spring into Summer party, but you're kind of far away.
Shoot just got called in to work. Darn. Ok talk later.
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Red - I know several clowns in Ontario who attended school at Mooseburger Clown Education Arts Camp. It would be fun to have a mutual friend. Many of them traveled together by automobile, and some flew to Minnesota where the camp is. It's a big place, but.... Good for you hiring a clown. Glad you liked the experience.
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