Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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I had a lumpectomy and SNB on 2/21. The tape is still on both spots--I'm not sure it's ever coming off the lump incision, it seems very firmly attached! LOL But the ends have peeled away on the lymph node incision and tonight I noticed the strangest thing--a 1" clear thread coming out of my body at the top end of the incision. It's not from the tape--it is definitely coming out of my body. Is this normal?
The surgeon said she'd see me in 6 months--nothing about coming back for stitches. I assumed any stitches were dissolvable, but I don't see how the thread will dissolve if it's sticking out of my body...
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Hi Oahu,
Not sure the size of your bump, but if it is small, it could also be a stitch knot. I had one at the end of my incision, and it eventually smoothed out.
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Lexicoe, Wow! You don't fool around having something new. At least I haven't heard of it. And you haven't seen the surgeon since your surgery?? I seemed to be going back all the time after my Lx. I think a call to your BS is in order. You shouldn't have a thread sticking out. And don't feel guilty about bothering him/her. That's their job! And Welcome!!!!
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Oahu & Lexicoe, welcome. I didn't have any bump or thread hanging out of SNB site. But it was more bothersome than lx site. 10 mos post surgery and underarm is still numb, but it has started itching in places and of course when I try to scratch it I can't because there's no feeling. I'm guessing that it's because the feeling is starting to come back.
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Aren't dissolvable stitches usually black, made of silk or gut? Clear sounds weird to me. But I guess anything is possible. Ask the surgeon what it is and if it needs to be trimmed flush to the surface of the skin.
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Thanks, y'all! It sounds like this is not normal. I just realized what it resembled to me--fishing line! Both the color and thestiffness. I will definitely call the surgeon's office about it.
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I saw my surgeon for a 2 week postop visit and he removed the steri strip and removed a couple of very fine flesh colored stitches that resembled fishing line. He said there were other internal stitches, which I assume must be dissolvable.
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Miko you're going steadily, I'm glad. Hope that you get/got the best tech ever for your mammo. Thinking of you
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Yes, Sandy!!!!! I feel so lucky to be following you in this path (i mean now that we were brought to it) and reading all your updates. Sounds like you got just the right trainer. How is that trapezius
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Love all the info here! Tbalding, I have said for days I still can't feel my arm pit. I can feel the presser but ot doesn't feel like me touching it. The back of my arm still has a few tingly spots other than that my arm is almost normal. So the pit will be weird for months I guess!
Chisandy - yay! Wish I could do that! I would have to drag my girl with me! Enjoy your new adventure.
Gently- good to hear from you!
I'm 4 weeks post off and finally slept without my designated nighttime bra. Did wear a camisole but I did just fine.
Snows in the forecast you lovely ladies have a cozy weekend!
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HI Ladies -
Vargadoll - beautiful daughter, beautiful grand-daughter! Congratulations!
I have my surgery scheduled for 3/24. I will be having a lumpectomy. My post chemo scans and imaging were all good. I have my bras from walmart, some ice packs and aloe. Thinking of getting shirts that button up.
warm hugs - its so cold here - K
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Vargadoll, that baby is a perfect doll!! Welcome to to the new members. I apologize but can't keep up. Anyone facing possible mastectomy after lumpectomy I can answer your questions. I am 9 days away from exchange surgery! I can't wait to get this hard TE on the left side out of my armpit. Sandy, great news about your trainer.
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It has been awhile since I have posted - an update - I completed my radiation in late January - my MO gave me a month to heal completely from radiation (I was burned pretty bad toward the very end), my gynecologist and MO both agreed that I am post-menopausal, so I began taking Arimadex (but I take the generic one), so far I have noticed that it makes me sleepy so I take it at night before bedtime. I also noticed some indigestion and heartburn when I first began taking it - this would happen after my evening meal but Tums would take care of it. Prior to beginning this medication, my MO ordered a bone density test on me and results came back excellent, so I am thinking that this will be monitored on an annual basis? Also stopped having a period, which is very nice! (If I start this again my gynecologist recommends a hysterectomy).
Also had a uterine biopsy because since my blood work indicated that I was post menopausal and I never did stop having a period, many gynecologist was concerned about this - but praise Jesus, it came back as benign!
Also had genetic testing done and found out last week that I am negative for the BRCA gene and do not have anything else that predisposes me to other cancers. The genetic counselor says that means mine was caused by other factors (environmental, lifestyle, etc.) - since mine is ER+ PR+, and I took some type of a hormone for many years, then that would make sense to me.
So, now I am taking my medicine, trying to eat a healthy diet (my MO tells me every visit that I need to lose weight - easier said than done but I try) and due to have my first mammogram in May - I am now considered a survivor!
Celand
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Celand, Great news all the way around!
KLNiss, Won't it be a relief to get your Lx behind you? Sounds like you are prepared. We'll be in your pocket!
Molly, good luck with your surgery. How nice to have it done. It's been a long road for you.
HUGS!
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Just wanted to check in. Sixth infusion of taxol and herceptin was yesterday. They gave me more benadryl than previously and I was able to have a good nap during infusion and last night's insomnia wasn't nearly as bad as previous weeks. Also really front loaded the constipation meds on Thurs. so went in with a clean slate on Friday. I think that will prove to be the best strategy going forward.
I've had some insomnia this week but also lots of energy. Played golf ( 9 holes) twice and an scheduled to play again in an hour. Signed up for a stretch and flex class (with some balance work) at my local center. Think that will be good for me too.
Took hubby out for dinner and a concert last night to celebrate being half through with Taxol. Wore my wig but have mainly going with scarves, hats, or nothing.
WE CAN DO THIS.
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Taco1946, wonderful that you seemed to have found the magic combination of meds to counteract the SEs of chemo. Love all that energy you've had. How fun that you have such great weather now!
HUGS!
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Pontiac Peggy,
Yes, for the most part great news. Last week, also met with dietitian, social worker and NP at the MO's office - they provided lots of literature for survivors of cancer - all were very helpful and encouraging. Like I have read, it is great to be referred to as a survivor but I still feel a bit uneasy at this point in time post treatment. I suppose as time passes I will become more comfortable once my Mammograms are clear and my blood work continues to look good and as my MO visits become more spread apart.
Now, I do notice a hardening at my surgical site - wondering if this is something that I see my surgeon about or do I schedule a mammogram sooner? I have read about post surgical seroma - could it possibly be this - has anyone had this and what is done about it? I am terrified about more cancer being there even though the surgeon told my husband that he got all of it out.
Celand
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i had a partial mastectomy(lumpectomy) it was stated partial mastectomy in my report.,feb 9. started my radiation march2nd. everything was going pretty good, till now. never took any pain meds till today. my right side from elbow up to shoulder blade hurts. almost feels like the socket is dislocated. i cant lift my arm up past my shoulder. plus my right breast is more sensitive,my nipple cant be touched. i am exhausted, totally but cant sleep at night and no naps during day. i was a really good sleeper 8 to 9 hours, but cant sleep now. heavens dont want to take another pill. in a way i feel so lucky at my prognosis and that this was caught so early, but i am now feeling like i am a cancer survivor. i am feeling alittle pain, what do they say 'NO PAIN NO GAIN' i am feeling the treatment. i am also a bladder cancer survivor 10 years.0 -
ChiSandy, thanks so much for the explanations. They really help. I'm the kind of person that the more I know, the less I worry, and you really put my heart at ease!
Latest update: I'm feeling a lot better, and the only "complication" is that the underside of my arm is numb and occasionally I feel a zinging sensation which is NOT painful. I wonder if the feeling will return, but at least it's not a place where it's crucial to be able to feel.
There is a large reddish-brownish discoloration around the incision site, but it's not painful or swollen, so I think it must be part of the healing process. It was never noticeably bruised, so I have no idea what it is.
Is there only one follow up with the surgeon? Would the oncologist be the one who would talk about pros and cons of radiation? And of tamoxifen vs AIs? I'm seeing the oncologist on Wednesday, and want to be prepared.
And I SO appreciate this site and you wonderful ladies who are patiently guiding me through this unwanted adventure!
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natsera - I see my BS every 3 months for followups. i also have a medical oncologist (MO) for chemo and hormone therapy stuff vs a radiation oncologist (RO) for radiation treatments.
Gail
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Celand, I'd call your surgeon. I would think it's not cancer, mostly likely a seroma, but best to find out.
LMCC123, call your surgeon or MO NOW. Definitely not right. And I would call even today. Perhaps lymphedema or I don't know what but you shouldn't be miserable. Your profile doesn't show (you need to make it PUBLIC - every single item) so I don't know if you've started radiation or hormonal therapy which could influence things. Your nipple being tender could, perhaps, be nerves still healing - was your surgery around your nipple? Please just don't wait to call your surgeon.
HUGS!
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NatSera, your underarm is totally normal. That area can remain numb for up to a year or forever - no one knows. It took me about 13-14 months and I now have near-total feeling. My BS guided me through everything. The tumor board decided what treatment plan to follow. Your best source of information for radiation might be your RO. But do ask your MO. Radiation can get those stray cells that might linger that are hard to find. Radiation was fine for me. As Sandy mentioned, the thinking has changed in the last year or so about who might benefit from it so read up and ask tons of questions.
HUGS!
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natsera - I do not see the Onc Surgeon until summer & last saw him at 1-week post surgery follow up. Radiation Oncologist consults about about Rads - currently in process. Medical Oncologist was consulted about AIs and pros, cons - not yet started. Hope this helps. Ask lots of questions! We need to be pro-active in this fight. Best wishes.
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PontiacPeggy - How are you doing on the Arimidex? Not supposed to start until after Rads - very concerned about side effects.
natsera - Also have the underarm issue and been advised up to a year (as PontiacPeggy stated)
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CeliaC, I've had no trouble with Arimidex (generic of course). Not everyone has issues with AIs. There are 2 others to try if one causes problems. Some of the problems mentioned, like hair loss, I was already experiencing before Arimidex. Plus I had a lot of stress in my life for the first year and a half. Give AIs a try. If they cause SEs, try another. *I* think they are worth it. But not everyone does. You have to decide for yourself.
HUGS!
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Trap is still sore but not as much as it had been. Doing my “Moves Like Jagger” exercise (shoulders back, chest out, arms at waist level, imagining getting elbows to touch behind my back), w/o weights, 3 sets of 10 reps a day.
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Sandy, can you touch your elbows together behind your back? If I put my hands on my waist and move my elbows back, keeping that "triangle", I can't and I'm fairly flexible.
HUGS!
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Of course I can’t do that, Peggy, and almost nobody but a contortionist or gymnast can. (The exercise doesn’t have me putting my hands on my waist, but starting by holding them—crossed, fists gently clenched, palms up, elbows bent horizontally—in front of me at waist level). The point is not to get your elbows to touch but rather to try, using a mental image of the possibility. I guess that’s where it differs from Mick Jagger’s wing-flap—he keeps his hands on his waist, which can damage the shoulder joint or even the rotator cuff.
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Sandy, I couldn't imagine anyone I know being able to do it but I supposed it was possible!
Yes, definitely don't injure the joint or rotator cuff!!HUGS!
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I should be starting radiation soon. I meet with the RO on the 21st I am curious about the scheduling of my daily treatments. Do they need to be scheduled around the sametime everyday? Just trying to get an idea of how my next few weeks will be going.
Thanks ladies!
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