Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Vargadoll, glad you are doing well. Just keep taking it a step at a time. You'll be on the other side before you know it.
YAY Mellang! Congrats on finishing rads! I take my Tamoxifen in the morning, easier to remember & I didn't want to take a chance on it interfering with my sleep. So far no noticeable side effects.
Well I went to my marathon of Dr appts today. 6 mos post rads & 6 mos on Tamoxifen. Saw my RO & MO and then went to my PCP for my pap. They all poked & prodded on my boob, so kinda sore. My MO is sweet, she said I looked like I was in my 30's (I don't feel like it) and she remembers me as the one with the tiny tumor. (I don't care how small, it still scared the crap out of me!) But she assures me that all the tx will take care it. And my PCP told me that I did the right thing going through all the tx even though I was early stages. Was running a low grade temp when they checked it today. Have been extra tired this week, hope not coming down with something. Did some retail therapy after, ate at Panera and came home and took a nap
Hope you all have a relaxing weekend!0 -
Trish, glad you survived all your appointments today. That's a lot in one day. Smart of you to indulge in retail therapy and lunch out. Have a lovely evening!!
HUGS!
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Congratulations Mellange!! Trish I hope you are not getting sick. Hugs everyone.
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I got the call today from Evanston Subaru that my Outback was ready after I had to leave it overnight for its maintenance checkup (and key-fob battery replacements). And I needed to return something to Old Navy nearby. So I headed out the door, jacket on—and it was really, really warm out. So I went back inside to change into a lighter jacket and headed back out, locking the door behind me.
Just before getting to my deck stairs, I felt something small drop on my head. Looked up—no birds around, didn't seem to be anything in my ready-to-bloom magnolia. Put my hand to my head to see if a bird had indeed pooped on me….and UGH. Let's just say it wasn't guano and it wasn’t white. (I will leave it to your imagination). Was running too late to strip, re-shower and do my hair (which is fairly labor-intensive). So I went to the bathroom and cleaned the top of my head with soap, water & paper towels as best I could, dried off, sprayed about half a can of dry shampoo and worked it in & brushed it out. (Sounds involved, but it took about 1/10 the time showering shampooing, conditioning, drying & styling usually would). I knew there was a salon in the mall near Old Navy, and remembered a few months back that they didn't have any shampoos that were safe for my keratin treatment. So I grabbed my own keratin-safe shampoo & conditioner, put a plastic bag over my head in case that critter was about to aim at me again, & headed out to do my errands and get my hair done. (I didn’t tell the stylist the real reason I was just getting a shampoo & style rather than my roots done also, so I made up a story that my own stylist across town was booked up. On such short notice he probably was. Had I said “a bird or squirrel pooped on my head,” nobody would have touched me with a ten-foot…blow-dryer). My hair looks good and nobody is the wiser. But I don’t feel so confident any more walking outdoors anywhere near a tree with my head uncovered.
By the time I’d finished my errands around 5:30, I noticed the mall had a branch of 90 Miles Cafe (a local mini-chain of Cuban restaurants). Hadn’t had a Cuban sandwich in ages, so I threw caution to the winds and had one. So crazy-good I ate both halves, and some of the tostones (plaintain chips) on the side. I almost hate myself for doing that. Almost. No room for dessert, so I ordered a cortadita (I guess the Cuban version of a cortado—somewhere between an espresso macchiato and a classic cappuccino). The menu mentioned sugar, so I asked them to leave it out. Unfortunately, the Cuban coffee beans were roasted with sugar. I figured, "who am I kidding—I just ate a French roll and the equivalent of potato chips and I’m complaining about a little sugar?” Well, when the cortadito came, I realized that I have completely lost my taste for sweeteners of any kind in any version of coffee drinks.
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Sandy, what a crazy day! Glad you survived and treated yourself. Never had Cuban food. I don't do sweeteners in coffee or tea (except a pinch in Constant Comment tea). I just can't drink it. Not into flavored ones of either. DH loved Island Coconut coffee from Keurig. I could barely tolerate the smell. Enjoy your weekend!
HUGS!
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OMG, Sandy! I'm dying here, LOL. Now I'm going to be worried about air-borne poop every time I step off my porch.
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Sandy, too funny, LOL! I'll be looking up when I go outside today! And I'd say you deserved the treat after the day you had
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Sandy, I can just picture you leaving the house with a plastic bag on your head! And am just sitting here laughing also! I remember a story of my aunt who lived in Connecticut and had a clothes line (those of you old enough to remember clotheslines!?) but the mockingbirds used to swoop down and try to peck her when she hung out clothes; so she kept a metal pot by the door which she put on her head whenever she went out to hang clothes! Maybe you should keep something by your door as a safety factor! too funny.
Melang, congratulations. My breast was so very burned, blistered, etc at the end of rads, but someone said in 2 weeks it would get better. I was beginning to wonder, when almost overnight at 2 weeks the skin all healed up. Junt hang in there!
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I should find out Monday if and when I need radiation and or chemo. I guess I should read up on radiation just to prepare myself. How soon does radiation usually start and about how long does it last? I haven't let myself think about it to much since surgery. I have just been focused on rest and healing. Only doing things that bring me joy. ( with just an occasional dose of something that wasn't joyful; o) )
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Vargadoll, the MO and RO usually want to wait at least 3-4 weeks post surgery to start any other treatment. You want to be healed before starting anything else. It was my experience that each step gave me that 3 week break before something else started. Just rest and pamper yourself for now.
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Hi Vargadoll: I didnt have chemo so I can't help you there. Radiation can go from 21 to 33 treatments and anything in between. I started by expecting to have 33 and changed halfway to hypofractionated which changed me to 21. The initial couple of visits are long since they set you up for treatment via a method called a sim. At that time marks were placed and tattoos on the next visit. My marks are all bit gone now. After that, the actual treatment is about 30 secs. The treatment is mon to fri everyday. Nothing on sat and sunday.I was prone since my bc is on the left then changed to on the back for the boosts the last five treatments. My advise, keep totally moisturized:). Check with your RO. Good luck it will be over sooner than you think.
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DaraB and Miko- thanks for the info. I have had to teach myself to rest. I have always been a busy girl. Just got to keep moving!
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VargaDoll, whether you need chemo or not, you will likely need radiation so definitely read up on it. Lots of good articles here on BCO. I had 33 treatments, 5 of which were "boosts" targeted to the tumor area. I was lucky and had no skin issues. Absolutely do what brings you joy!!!
HUGS!
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Varagal, just tp piggy-back... I had 36 rad tx, 5 of which were boosts. (City of Hope didn't offer me the hypo fractionated option.) I really had no SEs until the last 5 regular and then 5 boost treatments. I was prepared for everything after reading the radiation thread. One of the products I found most helpful that I ordered on Amazon, was Miaderm-L. It's just a moisturizer but also has a small amount of Lidocaine which helps with any sensitivity. Just check with you RO with anything you use. Sometimes they are very picky and other times not so much.
If you're the type who wants to know as much info as possible, drop into the rads and chemo threads, but MOST OF ALL, remember that everyone reacts differently and just because someone has one experience doesn't mean that you will be the same. AND remember that it's not fun but all doable!!! So many of us have now made it through and are here to support new people just as we were supported. You may have to be patient, but you'll be back to your busy self!
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If you're not getting chemo (chemo comes first after surgery—or before if the tumor is large and they want to shrink it or see its response to chemo), then radiation starts when you've had a chance to heal from surgery, usually 4-6 wks. If you are getting chemo, radiation comes thereafter. Hormone therapy starts when chemo & radiation are done. Some docs let you have a couple weeks' breather after rads (mine gave me a month), some have you start hormone therapy during rads.
And given your age, stage, location and type of tumor you might need only 16 treatments, and maybe only to the area of the tumor (the “bed"). But those treatments are higher-dose. I had 16 hypofractionated external treatments to the tumor bed.
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Sandy, that reminds me of one time when I stopped to get gas... the fast food place was across the street with lots of seagulls flying around... Peggy it was Dicks at division and third... I started to go across to pay for it and Plop... on my shoulder... i had a windbreaker on, thank goodness... but it makes you a little more alert... lol
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Mellang ....yay for being done!
Sandy....crazy story...haha but Dara & I would be happy to have enough hair to worry about bird poop in it..!
Vargadoll ....good luck on what decisions are made ...we will be here for you. Just relax as you wait. Easier said than done.
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Thanks everyone, I feel like I can breathe a little bit better now.
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Vargadoll....I had the SAVI device (which is inserted into the breast and left there until radiation treatment is finished) and received radiation 2 times a day for 5 days. Not all facilities offer this option.
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Hi, I had my lumpectomy last Monday, so its been a week. The problem I'm having is where they took the lymph nodes out and in my arm, right above the lymph node incision, it is still very painful and I keep getting these shooting, almost like a bolt of electricity up my arm, has anyone ever had this. I just don't know if this is normal or should I be concerned about it? Thanks for any help you could give me.
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It’s very normal. Nerves were cut. Also happens again when cut nerves begin to reconnect. It’ll pass. Meanwhile, try to wear clothing the edges or seams of which won’t irritate your SNB site. Ice (or a bag of frozen peas) 20 min. on, 30 min. off (covered with a cloth) should help provide relief. A small pillow between your arm & side will help (my BS’ NP gave me something called a PPP, for Protective Pillow Purse, which is a pillow with a velcro-adjustable shoulder strap to keep your hands free and a “kangaroo pocket” with a smaller pillow inside that you can use between you and your car’s shoulder belt. Volunteers in our area make them).
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Angelaw69, Welcome! Yup. Absolutely normal. Nerves were cut when they did your surgery ( you get those zingers in your breast too). So they are zapping away. Your node incision will likely be bothersome for sometime. My breast incision wasn't a problem at all. Besides those nerves going crazy, you likely won't have much feeling under your arm for awhile (even up to a year). Plus many of us find that our bras and clothes rub on that incision - most annoying. Hopefully you'll be one of the lucky ones and the nerves will heal quickly and feeling will return just as fast.
We're here to answer any questions you may have.
HUGS!
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Welcome Angela. Hope you heal quickly from the lumpectomy. Give it time, and if they gave you any exercises to do, make sure to follow their instructions. It will really help with mobility, but you should be cognizant of the restrictions. Hope you're feeling better soon. I had my lx in June of last year and I still get weird twinges by both incisions. I found ice helped also.
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OMG thank you so much, I can not tell you what a help this information is. I thought I was doing something wrong or it was becoming infected, even though it didn't look infected. I am so happy I found this site. I have learned so much from so many people on here. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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Angela, It IS nice to know you're normal, isn't it? Where are you located?
HUGS!
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I am from Milan IL, it is a very small town, but there is a wonderful cancer center real close. I feel very lucky to have that but I am still learning so much about breast cancer.
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Angela....Welcome! This is a great group ...so helpful to know others have been through the same thing.
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It is great to be able to ask questions and learn about things you are going through or will be going through with people that understand and have been through it or are going to go through it. It creates almost a calm within you to have this kind of group and support. I don't like having to be here for the reasons that I am but I sure am grateful to have found it.
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Angelaw, check out the “Illinois Ladies Facing BC” thread as well. Are you getting your treatment in the Quad Cities?
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Welcome, Angelaw. I'm 9 mos post surgery & my SNB is still numb. I think the numbed area is getting smaller. So I think the feeling is coming back. It's also itching which is weird, because I can't feel it when I scratch it. I don't have the zingers anymore but sure did right after surgery.
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