Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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VargaDoll, mine were all scheduled at the same time - maybe 15 minutes difference. Makes it easier for everyone. I saw my RO once a week so I had to wait on those days since my rads were at like 8:15 and I couldn't see him till 9. Just figure out at time that you think might be good for you and hopefully it will be good for them too.
HUGS!
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VargaDoll - first eight rads were a bit all over the place - all in the evenings - ranging from 7:15pm at the latest to 5:45pm at earliest - may have been because I needed after work appointments, After that, 4:30 pm mostly, except earlier appointment on 3/10 due to rads 1st & then setup for boosts. I like going after work, so I can be distracted all day, get rads & then be home after to apply creams, etc. Treatment center is 15 mins from work and then a 6 min drive to home. Like PontiacPeggy said - figure out what will work for you. You may want to consider where your treatment center is, going in before or after work (if working) & how far from home. Hope this helps.
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Thanks ladies. I am an AFL provider so I work 24/7 and my work (my girl) goes everywhere with me. I need to find a time that works with my DH schedule. He can keep my girl for the time I'm getting tx. Cancer center is 15 minutes away but could take 20-40 minutes. It's in the busy area of town. DH wants to go early. I truly think later would be bether for me. I just do not want to have to deal with a angry boob and arm all day while caring for my girl. I would rather have tx then just have to cook dinner and get everyone to bed!
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Vargadoll, she is just precious! Just such a beautiful little face.
Synergy, I can't imagine having a biopsy without local anesthesia. Even when I had a skin biopsy, he used a numbing agent prior to removing the spot. As for the mammas and other tests, I certainly am not the expert, but when you consider how many mammas, x-rays, etc., I think we all just move forward knowing that there are no guarantees with anything. Sorry this is so stressful for you.
Nastera, Peggy is correct, the Pathology Report Guide on this site is exceptional and defines everything. My Nottingham score was 3. I was diagnosed with IDC but in the pathology they also noted that they found DCIS. My surgeon explained that it is very common to find bits of "debris" of DCIS that can be found in different parts of the tumor excised. I highlighted every word I didn't know, and there were SO many!, and then I found the definition in the path guidebook. I made a whole list of questions I took in to my surgeon to ask.
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Lmcc123, my cancer was caught really early,too. I had a lumpectomy x 2(this is what the surgeon put in the report); basically I had two areas (DCIS & IDC) removed through the same incision. I had to wait six weeks before the RO would do any radiation. My breast got really red and sore quickly. I pretty much stayed on Advil for the entire treatment. Sleeping was an issue as well. I am a (right) side sleeper and couldn't for a while. I have very large breasts and it was hard to try to find a comfortable position for sleep. I finally found a way to sleep semi-side. I took a soft bed pillow and, turning slightly to my right side, was able to place the sore breast on the pillow. It gave it a soft cushion to lay on and I was able to eventually sleep. I slept this way for about 2 1/2 months.
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Thanks, Dara. I'm guessing that it may be a similar explanation in my case. I have looked at that guidebook but I'm a stickler and there are things you folks mention which are not in that guide. But I have an appt with the surgeon early tomorrow and I'll ask.
What I'm getting REALLY tired of is that it seems that everyone in my social circles has advice and they tell me a lot of conflicting things. And it's overwhelming and makes me doubt my own conclusions. So I'm trying not to listen to anyone at the moment and just biding my time until the oncologist visit on Wednesday. Seems like the waiting game never stops. And I'm more scared by the well-intentioned advice than by the cancer itself!
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Nataera- I had my LX on Feb 7th and everyone has passed me as well. We have basically the same diagnosis if you look at my profile. The BS thought he took 2 nodes but their were 3 one was hiding. I meet with my MO tomorrow for the first time. I am not 100% sure what my tx plan will be. I have met my RO and my next appointment with her is the 21st. I have decided that I have my own journey and it migth differ from others. As long as the outcome is good I accept the path I am traveling.
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I saw the surgeon this morning. Turns out she IS giving me a referral to radiation. I figure it's good to be able to ask questions because I still haven't made up my mind 100%. In addition, she's referring me to the lymphedema clinic because although the risk is low, it's not nil, so I do need to learn about it. I guess things are pretty intense in the beginning of treatment but should calm down later. But for now, I'm pretty intimidated because I'm not all that clear on what to expect. I do appreciate that they are being cautious. My lack of knowledge is what's driving me crazy!
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Vargadoll, yes, we look very similar. Did you decide to go ahead with radiation?
And it's very true that we each are on our own journey. It's just hard not knowing quite where that journey is going to lead!
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NatSera, if you haven't read Dr Susan Love's Breast Book, you might want to consider it. It gives you tons of information and helps you conquer that "I don't know what I don't know" feeling. There is so much we don't know. Write your questions down for the RO and ask away. Then armed with all that information, decide treatment you are comfortable with (or no treatment). Once you decide, though, do not look back! That could drive you crazy. Good luck!
HUGS!
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Natsera, just because you’re being referred to an RO it doesn’t mean you will receive radiation. The RO will explain his/her recommendations and your options, and it’s up to you. My BS was opposed to my getting partial-breast radiation as either intra-operative or brachytherapy (internal temporarily implanted seeds) because my hospital isn’t set up to do either of them, and to get the latter I’d have had to travel to another hospital w/in the system. She and my MO said that external radiation was usually 33 whole treatments, but also that I “might” be able to skate by with 16. It wasn’t until my first RO appointment that I learned that the 16-treatment protocol could be targeted just to the tumor bed and that I was a candidate. (That means if I get a local recurrence or new primary tumor in a part of the breast that hadn’t been radiated, I might still be able to get another lumpectomy & radiation rather than mastectomy). So don’t jump to any conclusions yet.
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Hi all, Just chiming back in to share that I learned that clear thread/fishing wire coming out of your incision can be normal--what they call "spitting stitches" during the healing process. The piece ended up just falling out yesterday!
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Natsera- my MO appointment is tomorrow. I hope to have a better idea what's going on then! I meet with the RO next Tuesday.
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Hi to all! Thought I would share this crazy last week with yal. I got a call from breast center, out of the blue that said they scheduled left breast mri. I was told by MO that I would have 3d mammogram in May and that I could wait to have right breast done at the same time ( it was due in January) to get back on track. Good thing I questioned them because multiple phone calls later and much confusion at their office. My nerves were getting so worked up, yet I was happy because I would finally get some answers on how the breast is doing. Finally told it was an error! Jeez!!! Do they have any idea of the stress they create? I wanted to cry, but finally realized that I just can't live my life waiting for the other shoe to drop. Still trying to get past the fear .
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Vargadoll, I have the MO appt too. We're really in this together, aren't we?
I don't know why I was imagining that once I had surgery, it would be over, but I'm feeling overwhelmed by the amount of doctoring I have to do!
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Hi, I'm a newbie so I hope I'm doing this right.
I'm scheduled for lumpectomy (plus excision of other suspicious growths) as well as sentinel node biopsy in 2 weeks.
I'm plus size with large breasts (42 G) and am worried about bras:
1) A few days after lumpectomy/sentinel node surgery, when I return to work, what type of bra would be comfortable, would provide appropriate support, and would be presentable?? I have a talk to give 1 week after surgery and can't imagine I'll be able to wear my typical underwire bra that closes in the back.
2) I've heard that when radiation starts, it helps to wear camisoles or to roll up old t-shirts and keep my breasts separated. I'm not sure how I can support my breasts. Is it OK to wear an underwire bra? Would that be too painful and would that irritate the skin??
Anyone else in the forum have ideas? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
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Blooming, please re-post. You are in the right place and we have several gals who are nice and curvy like you to give you great ideas. We care and we can help!
HUGS!
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Blooming, as a fellow top-heavy (38-40I) gal I can relate. But you have options: Lane Bryant's Cacique line has several wire-free bras that are offered up to 46H. You can go the “sister-sizing" route: for every inch you go up in band size, in order to maintain the same cup dimension, go down a letter designation. 42G=44DDD, which is more widely available in wire-free at dept. and discount stores (such as Target or Wal-Mart), and includes mfrs. such as Playtex, Olga, Bali, ExquisiteForm or Warner's. (Wacoal offers several soft 42Gs). If you are unsatisfied by a too-large band riding up, a seamstress can shorten the band for you.
If you are anywhere near a Rigby & Peller (formerly Intimacy) boutique and can afford to "drop a little coin," they will fit you precisely (albeit not cheaply) and if you need a “sister-size" there, they will alter the band for you for free. (If you find one you like there, you can always go online and order it more cheaply in the same or other colors from other sites listed below).
But you might also consider that depending upon the location of your incisions and your reactions, you might not be able to close a bra behind you or pull stuff on over your head. You will be sent home in a velcro front-closing surgical bra (probably way too small) or binder. Wear that the first couple of days (you can't shower then anyway). You will probably want to wear a bra to sleep for awhile. (I still sometimes do for vanity while traveling, so I don't greet the room service breakfast waiter—or go down to the breakfast room—with “the girls" flapping at half-mast beneath my nightie or housedress). I was able to find a line of stretchy knit front-closing “leisure" bras by Leading Lady in a rainbow of colors and even patterns, offered in A/B, C/D/E and F/G/H cup up to size 50! Not the most attractive profile, but adequate support & comfort. Look for them at HerRoom.com, BareNecessities.com, FigLeaves.com, and the Roaman's, Full Beauty, and Woman Within sites & catalogs.
I find that the Genie, Fruit of the Loom and Coobie soft-cup pull-on/step-in bras some here swear by do not come in sizes large enough for us.
I especially like HerRoom, which has developed a “universal cup size" (D followed by a number) so that depending on which of your own bras fit you best, you can choose a bra on their site with exactly the same cup dimension and proper band size.
As to radiation-wear, your goal is to prevent skin-to-skin under-breast contact. Amoena makes camisoles with thinly padded built-in shelf bras (and pockets for prostheses if your surgeon needs to take a bit more than expected "off the top") in sizes up to size 20 (they used to offer 22). They are expensive (around $50), though, but can be worn as tank tops or even tankini swim tops. You will generally be advised to avoid underwires, but I found that neither my incisions nor my radiation field (I had partial-breast) contacted my underwires. One way to prevent skin-to-skin contact is to put a piece of soft old t-shirt or other cotton cloth beneath your breast, between it and the band of your bra. If you want to go braless, buy cheap soft cotton tube tops or cut the tops off some cheap t-shirts (boys' or men's, even) and either pull them on or step into them just below your breasts so that the underside of your breast touches only cotton.
Companies that offer more attractive-profile (but still not “standing at attention-perky") wire-free bras are Elila, Goddess, Glamorise and Elomi. I find Elila's fabric to be too stiff and its lace trim too scratchy; and Glamorise's “Magic Lift" inner-cup fabric “sling" is made of a sort of non-woven Pellon-interfacing-type fabric that I find irritating. Goddess and especially Elomi are my favorites in large cup sizes and offer many of their chic-est styles & colors in both underwired & soft cup. And for sexy & chic underwire bras, theirs are much cheaper than PrimaDonna, Fantasie or Panache. There is also the option of a front-closing sports bra, but they have even more hooks than those Leading Lady leisure bras and tend not to be comfortable, since they're designed to prevent bouncing when you exercise.
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Thanks so much PontiacPegg and ChiSandy,
I appreciate the encouragement and the practical advice, which is tremendously valuable.
I deleted the post because I wasn't sure I'd posted correctly. This is the original:
*** I'm preparing for a lumpectomy (plus excision of other suspicious growths) as well as sentinel node biopsy.
I'm plus size (2x) with large breasts (42 G) and am worried about post-surgery support.
1) A few days after lumpectomy/sentinel node, when I return to work, what type of bras would be comfortable, would provide appropriate support, and would be presentable?? I have to give a talk 7 days after surgery. I can't imagine I'd be able to wear my trusty underwire bra that has a back closure.
2) I've heard that during radiation, it helps to wear camisoles, and to roll up old t-shirts to keep breasts lifted and separated. I'm not sure how that could support large breasts.
Anyone have suggestions of bras/types of bras that would offer enough support to be presentable, would be easy to put on/take off after lumpectomy/sentinel node biopsy, and would promote healing? I figure that front closure would be better than back closure. Would any specific fabric be better?I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks so much!!!
***
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blooming. 48H 3X/4X depending on company here. Just had a lumpectomy on 02/20 with a 4.5 x 4.0 x 3.0 tumor plus three nodes removed. Post surgery they put me in a. Compression band. I had two drains in. While in the hospital I bought these camisoles. They Velcro close, are very soft and have drain pockets. I did not use the drain pockets but I did clip ,y drains to the bottom as it was lower than clipping to the compression band. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I0P6V0A/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
As for bras I found these and they're great http://www.barenecessities.com/leading-lady-front-...
And these http://www.barenecessities.com/glamorise-complete-...
Just fair warning, you will probably still have drains in 1 week post surgery. I had two for mine. Surgery was on Wednesday, first drain came out Monday, second came out Thursday and they mentioned it was quick but my output was low for all but the furs two days post op
Good luck!
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Blooming, now that we've got you firmly here, I have a request. Would you please fill out your profile with what you know (you can always update) and the via the SETTINGS tab, make each and every single thing PUBLIC? Even where you're located. That information is then shown after every post and we don't have to remember it (which is impossible).
Keep asking questions and we'll keep answering!
HUGS!
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I didn’t have any drains. Whether you will with a lumpectomy depends on the size of the chunk taken out and the location of the tumor. With a mastectomy, drains are a given.
Some hospitals—as did mine—give a wealth of informational handouts covering all eventualities (they even gave me a “drain diary” even though they told me a drain was highly unlikely). My friend SW of Joliet, who had a BMX at a different hospital (same one where my DH is an attending cardiologist), got a large book, a zippered camisole and a pair of “foobs” twice the size of the real ones she had removed. I got a mini-bagel & schmear (hey, it was late aft. on Yom Kippur and having been NPO since midnight I'd technically “fasted"); and the three-sizes too-small ugly white surgical bra I woke up wearing. (XL—were they freaking kidding me)?
There is a series of pre-operative online videos called “EMMI” that walk you through your pre-op, surgery, & recovery. My health system had me watch them before my knee replacement surgeries, lumpectomy/SNB and before my first RO appointment. They are easily understandable but not at all condescending. You might want to check if your online patient portal (if you have one) gives you access to them.
One thing I strongly urge is that you start a master notebook with pockets for each aspect of your treatment: initial path reports, surgery, surgical path (and genetic tests if any), radiation, other adjuvant therapies, related treatments and after-visit summaries with test results. If you itemize deductions or have an HSA/FSA, have a pocket for receipts—even parking. A diary/journal as well. And one for insurance documents—bills and (mostly) EOB’s (explanation of benefits). I kept mine up for the first six months, which was all that was necessary since a lot of it was duplicated online. And you will probably kill an entire forest with all the paper your insurer will use up generating your EOBs! But if you keep the notebook current through your active treatment (sounds like yours will be fairly short before you start your AI), it keeps your mind occupied and organized and makes you more knowledgeable about what you’re going through and what to expect.
Instead of a standard looseleaf binder, I’ve been using the Levenger “Circa” system for 15 years. Staples has a far cheaper yet identical version called “Arc.” You can get a cheap plastic one-sheet punch (for a couple of bucks) to punch handouts to fit the plastic discs used instead of looseleaf rings. You buy plastic covers, punched dividers & pockets, and of course paper. (And they’re offered in starter sets). What’s really cool is you don’t have to take the whole thing with you to appointments & treatments—just the pertinent section. All the components—pages, covers, etc—lift up & out of the rings and then you just press them back in—without having to move any other pages or sections--when you’re done. Unlike a looseleaf binder, these notebooks fold flat like a spiral notebook, but you can remove and add pages & pockets just like with a looseleaf binder.
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I was given an accordion folder to store my information - especially test and path reports. It's been helpful. The nurse practitioner from the cancer center gave it to me. I also kept good notes in a word processing file.
I also did not have drains.
HUGS!
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Hi everyone... I'm 3 months from rads, but thought my 'zingers' were finished.. now I'm getting them back double time... feel like i could just take the rest off and get some relief... anyone else have this?..
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Yup, Judy—you can get neural-pathway regeneration for a year or so after the nerves were first cut. Hurts, but think of it not as a “neuropathy” (nerve disorder) but as nerves healing…returning to normal.
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Thanks Sandy.. so looking forward to more fun times...
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RE THREAD Full Size and Bras Post Surgery
Thanks so much for the many suggestions, which are very constructive.
Pontiac Peggy pointed out that it helps to add info about my location and about the diagnosis and treatment. This should now show up in my signature. I'm learning the ropes about breast cancer and about this forum. My mother had cancer many years ago. Resources and treatments were very different then.
I appreciate the forum and am looking forward to having info to share as time goes on. Thanks.
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Blooming: welcome back!
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Blooming - perfect! We are glad to be here for you and anyone who needs help coping with BC. As you may have gathered, we don't limit ourselves to discussing lumpectomies but cover everything associated with BC. Other forums certainly cover particular aspects in detail and are an excellent source of information. We seem to be "home" for most gals. Many of us have met in real life, too, which is a wonderful experience! Again, Welcome.
HUGS!
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Hi all - just had #12/30 rad treatment today. So far so good - no burning or skin issues yet (knock on wood). For those who did radiation (and can recall) - when did you start to experience skin issues?
Also - I have been researching Artemisinin...as anyone heard of this and/or took it? While I don't trust just any website - I did find the original research abstract from the US National Library of Medicine too...so it appears the general info about it is legit. I think I want to start taking it - but trying to find a trusted source to get it from (and that won't break my bank account) is tricky. I did find this...which seems the most trusted - but truly have no clue.
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