Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Hunny, I'll piggyback onto Peggy's advice. Oncologists almost universally recommend chemo for a stage 2, HER+ tumor. My tumor was not HER+, but my tumor changed from ER+PR+ to PR-, a more aggressive cancer. Due to that and an high-intermediate Oncotype, my treatment plan was changed from rads only to chemo. I originally had a lumpectomy, but later genetic testing revealed 2 gene mutations so the breasts had to go, too.
Chemo wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It wasn't fun, but it wasn't awful. I never threw up and I looked pretty good all the way through. I did lose my hair, of course, and my taste changed dramatically for about 4 months. I had 3 episodes of high fever for which I had to go to the ER. I was hospitalized once for 5 days with sepsis. I was pretty sick with that, but I recovered with rest and antibiotics.
All I'm going to advise you is to keep an open mind. Listen and consider everything. Get another opinion if you aren't comfortable with their recommendations. Some people have gotten 3 opinions prior to making their plan. Remember that you are in the driver's seat; you have to decide how much treatment you want to try. But I will tell you what my MO told me: you only get one chance to get this right. You really do need to do whatever you can to make sure this doesn't recur. Now, can it recur anyway? Yes, it can. Can you live with the knowledge that you did or didn't do everything possible to prevent it? Only you can decide.
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I had my lumpectomy almost 16 months ago. About 1/3 of my breast is still numb. Lately I have been feeling like my breast itches, but I can't get relief from scratching because it is in the area that is numb. I have been wondering If maybe the nerves are repairing and the numbness may be alleviating soon. Has anyone else had this itchy sensation that can't be scratched
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MKTO,the initial itching just about drove me crazy. So itchy, yet no satisfaction when I scratched. It's been a year since my BMX and the itchiness is much less frequent. I still get it at times, and it's as aggravating as it ever was. But at least it goes away fast.
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MKTOC, yes I've been experiencing it at my under arm near my armpit where SNB was done. I scratch it but it doesn't relieve the itch. My surgery was last May. I figured same as you, that hopefully it's the feeling trying to come back.
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I didn’t have chemo, but if you have to choose only one phase of adjuvant treatment to stay home from work, hands down it’d be chemo. The infusion sessions are much longer than radiation sessions; and you will be immunocompromised (despite getting Neulasta or Neupogen, which helps with your white cell count) and should minimize contact with crowds, sick people, kids (other than your own—who need to be instructed to ramp up their hygiene), etc. Not everyone gets infections that require ER visits & hospitalization (not to mention I.V. antibiotics), but you’d be wise to bank some sick days or personal time for that possibility. Most radiation oncology dep’ts. will work around your schedule so as to interfere as little as possible with your workdays. (Sessions are not done on weekends & holidays, to give you a break).
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kdtheater....my BS & RO both told me to start moisture before rads. They suggested Miaderm, Jeans Cream and Eucerin....so I used every lotion and position suggested but those were my go to creams
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I start rads April 18th. Glaxal base was the only thing that I was told I could use. No one mentioned before either so I'll check on that when i go for my CT sim.
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Let's do this! Putting it all in God's hands! Prayers for my family appreciated. Walking in to get my wire in a few minutes
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good luck Vargadoll! The wire localisation is the worst part of the whole breast cancer circuit, in my opinion. They poke you with a wire, no anaesthetic, and don't even say sorry!
(I had two of them. Sucked but didn't last forever.)
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In your pocket, Vargadoll
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I agree Tunerr-I hated the wire localization! So horrid.
Hunny-I can't claim to be a survivor yet, but I'm stage 2A, Triple Positive (Her2+), grade 3.Initial biopsy showed I was ER/PR+ Her2-, so when nodes & margins were clear - we were all expecting just radiation. My surgery pathology report however showed one of my masses was Her2+, so that immediately changed everything. Even tho the other mass was not Her2+, they treat the 'worst'...so 5 months of chemo for me. I just finished last week and expect to start rads the first week in March. While I just jumped into chemo, I did start to wonder 1/2 way through if i really needed it. I did talk/consult with 3 different oncologists, who all agreed with treatment
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Hummy, chemo is not as bad as you might think. I'd do it again if it would make a difference, no question.
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KD --- are you taking Herceptin?
In Canada, I think all the Base Glaxol is the only one they offer anyone. Also, if you apply 4 hours before your treatment, you don't have to wash it off before your treatment.
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Vargadoll, Hope everything went well! Prayers and positive thoughts.
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3 rads treatments left . . . . . .having a hard time thinking about what comes next . . . . Already on tamoxifen, not too many side effects . . . .
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Vargadoll, hope they gave you some Emla cream first (my pal who had a BMX was given Emla half an hour before her wire insertion, which was completely painless). Can’t speak to my experience, as I had ultrasound-guided radioactive seed placement instead, and barely felt even the lidocaine shot. (The sentinel-node tracer injection was another thing entirely—dunno why they didn’t numb my areola with a topical before injecting the lidocaine, which felt like a really awful bee sting).
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Vargadoll ...have you and your family in my prayers ...hope you heal quickly.
Tomorrow will be my last rad of 33 ....I can't wait.
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Ring that bell, Cali!
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Thx Sandy
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yahooo Caligirl way to go 👍 Congrats
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Elizabeth-yes, I started the Herceptin & Perjeta in November when the weekly Taxol started (but I only get Herceptin every 3 weeks). I will do until November 2017 I believe
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Lovinggrouches - I haven't been able to find the site for Conquer monthly. Can you share a URL? Sounds like a great resource.
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Taco, I just googled it and I'm guessing that this might be what LG was referring to:
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I got home yesterday about 3 everything went well. Last night was ok but I just got up from a good nap and am feeling a little better.
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VargaDoll, glad you got through your surgery okay. I found it a relief to get surgery behind me. Keep icing that breast and underarm. And take whatever pain medication you were prescribed to stay comfortable. Stay ahead of the pain!
ArtyMom, It will seem strange to just be taking Tamoxifen or an AI after all the intensive treatments. Do you have other treatments ahead?
HUGS!!
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Taco and Juniper, hopefully that is the right website. I get the magazine's in the mail, signed up for free a year ago or so. The website inside the magazine is www.conquer-magazine.com. Hope you can find it!!
Yay caligirl!!!!
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Thanks. Looks right. I don't know why I wasn't successful in finding it and appreciate the help.
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I'm supposed to be on Tamoxifen for 10 years and my MO wants me to join two studies, one about fitness and one about lbrance, I think. I'm a black belt in kenpo karate and I'm anxious to get back on the mat. But first I need to get back in a bra which may be a few more weeks!
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ArtyMom-did you do any chemo
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congrats cali!!! You are DONE!
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