Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
Comments
-
poodles:
so sorry to hear about your mom - I just lost my mom a few months ago . so hard to sit back and see them deteriorate - sending hugs and prayers !
0 -
Boston, my radiation experience was that I was uncovered as the technicians made sure the instrument was correctly algned with my tattoos. Then the technicians covered the area with my gown for treatment. They were very professional and very respectful.
0 -
in your pocket Poodles. Lost my Dad 3 years ago and my Mom was on her own with him much of the time. It was awful for her. We did what we could, but from a distance and when time continues to march on we must take care of the entire family. We weren't able to go and stay for extended periods and he lived at least 18 months after we were told to get to the hospital and say our goodbyes. I'm thankful that you are able to be with her.
0 -
Molliefish, that is what I thought but thought I would ask.
0 -
Hugs, Poodles—now that your mom has a confirmed diagnosis, despite her cognitive impairment she will be likelier to accept the help she is offered (and the information from her doctor). Sorry to see you have to go through this.
Boston, for my rads sessions I wore a hospital gown open in the back (but was fully clothed from the waist down), and when I got onto the table they removed it just enough to expose my R breast and gave me a heated blanket for everywhere else—and after each treatment they let me warm up and made sure I had my bearings before letting me get off the table & back to the changing room.
Tappersmom, I had general anesthesia. They gave me Zantac about half an hour beforehand, and I had no nausea (in fact, I was ravenous and wolfed down the o.j., coffee, bagel-and-schmear they gave me once back in my roomette).
0 -
Poodles, then let the male doctor help her understand as much as she can. It has to be hard for her to not be able to process it all and know she's not able to. HUGS
You know, I don't even remember whether I was covered or not. I think not. I left my jeans on. Make sure you sit for a minute before standing. I found I was often dizzy if I got right up. Never quite understood that. And BTW, the techs are very professional and I never felt uncomfortable.
HUGS!
0 -
Poodles, I am sorry. That sure explains all the kidney problems. I am praying for all of you. Welcome to the new members. Sorry this thread moves fast! I am doing well, thanks for asking 614. My post op is Thursday morning.
0 -
Boston, I had short hospital gown that covered from waist up that I wore snapped in the front. Each treatment is over before you know it.
0 -
Hi Boston,
I am on #22/30 for rads, and wear a gown open in front (with my street clothes & shoes on the bottom half). My right breast is exposed the whole time (a whopping 3-5 minutes, if that), while the rest is covered by my gown. It sounds like everyone has different experiences which may be due to the type of machine or location of cancer? Not sure. Odd that some are allowed to becovered...
0 -
~Boston~
I was covered up until I was in the treatment room. Then I had to remove the gown. Yow will only be bare waist up. I was radiated in the prone position, so the Techs were able to drape me with a sheet, once I was in position. After a while, I didn't need the sheet. If you are concerned about modesty, these people are so well trained and professional, you don't even realize you are bare. At least that's the way it was for me. The initial treatment was awkward, because I had women do my simulation and thought that was the way it was going to be. Imagine my shock when I had my first treatment and one of the Techs was male and younger than my son! I got over that quickly. My team consisted of two men and three women. The treatment also goes very quickly once you are positioned.
0 -
molliefish, we have been forunate to have enough sisters to take care of mother around the clock. Three of us live a considerable distance away and have had to leave work, home, and family for weeks at a time. At this point it takes two to care for her, the pets, and the bills.
0 -
Chiming in on the modesty discussion. My surgeon always has med students in his office (he loves to teach) and asks permission for them to come into the exam room. My attitude now is, what the heck? Let's just have everyone examine these puppies and get them healthy as soon as possible! It is just a tad weird to have three men staring at my boobs!
MJ
0 -
~Tapper~
Too funny...you get used to it. You will likely have them, your RO (if you have rads), your MO & your PPO staring at them for the next 5 years! Good luck on your surgery Friday. I will keep you in my thoughts.
0 -
Thanks, everyone, for the encouraging words and advice on anti-nausea meds. I'll be talking to a nurse tomorrow and will be sure we're on the same page. The surgeon told me I will be having radiation but I don't know yet exactly what type or how many treatments. I'm taking one step at a time. I learned many years ago from my grandmother (breast, lung and bone cancer) the importance of a positive attitude. That woman was amazing! She was not going to let this disease rule her life. And so I'm taking a page from her book and marching forward.
MJ
0 -
TapperMom, Your grandmother's story reminded me of my dad's cousin (his favorite cousin at that). This would have been back in the late 1970's. She had breast cancer (and I would guess mastectomies). By the time I actually met her, it had spread to her bones. She would do chemo for a time, the quit it and go back to her whiskey and cigarettes and back to chemo. As near as I can remember she lived quite a number of years after I met her at a birthday party for my grandmother. She also didn't let it get her down. She lived the way she wanted to. And that's what I've done, as many of us are doing. I'm one for a positive attitude though I know that doesn't work for everyone - that's what makes this lounge so successful. If what I'm doing isn't for you, maybe someone else's path speaks to you. And we are all working towards the same goal: Get Rid Of CANCER!! BTW, you may be sorry I'm dancing in your pocket - I'm terrible
HUGS!
0 -
Re: Covered or Uncovered - Was never covered for Rad treatments, which were done to Left Breast, laying on back. Went into the Treatment Room, peeled off from the waist up, onto the table, positioned, treated and then back into clothes & out. Techs offered a cover, about the same size as a pillowcase, but since they would only be removing it, never bothered. A warm blanket was always available - was never cold, so did not use it. Years ago, I would probably have been more modest.
0 -
Hi everyone... Sandy, loved your bathing suit story... I have mutt and jeff, but can still wear the same size, wear a vest a lot more.. when I had my rads, they told me i lost volume.. and had to mark me because they couldn't use the tattoos... I had pushed my rads back a couple of weeks... and shrank... and Sandy, you are not a jinx.. I used to feel that way when i was out of town and my father died, then out of town when my uncle died.. then when I went on a couple of retreats, each time i came home and turned around and took DH to the hospital where he spent a week... you start thinking if... Things happen.. Life happens... and sometimes we are helpless to change it.. I'm grateful for our friendships on this site... they are invaluable.. and precious..
Poodles, I'm so sorry you are going through this.. wouldn't wish it on anyone, prayers continuing..0 -
TapperMom....welcome and I'll be praying for you Friday.
kdtheatre.... Woo hoo...your get in it done!
0 -
First radiation treatment done! The techs are so nice and like many of you said so compassionate. Although you are laying there naked from the waist up they make you feel so comfortable. I took them up on the warm blanket. I'm glad the first one is over and I now know it is quick and easy. NOT so easy....A 40 minute drive one way for a 10 minute treatment. My clinic recommended Virgin Tamanu Oil on my skin to help with effects of the radiation. Do you think I should start now? For those of you who are done with radiation what did you use?
0 -
Boston, my RO and staff recommended Aquaphor. I didn't start using it until after my 17th treatment. I had slight punctation (reddening of the hair follicles). That was all I ever had. A lot of women start using something right away. I am not familiar with the product your clinic recommended. Glad you have been reassured about the sessions themselves. That's a long drive for your rads. Mine was less than 10 minutes away from home. And for the first 3 weeks, less than 2 minutes because DH was in the hospital on the same grounds as my radiation center.
HUGS!
0 -
Hi Boston,
Congratulations on your first treatment completion! My radiation treatment center was also 45 minutes away. I did mine at the end of the day so I could work before and then go home and sleep afterwards if needed. I didn't miss a day of work
I did bring a co pilot with me on occasion when I felt tired. Towards the end I was so excited to be nearing the finish I actually felt more energized! I started with the aquafor when I got pink, maybe session 6. Then I started to itch and added cortisone cream before applying the aquafor, around the 17th. Towards the end, added calendula cream after the cortizone and before the aquafor. Overall, this kept me blister free! I used the calendula cream for about two week after treatment stopped, and I have no color change at all. I am really fair skinned, so this was quite a pleasant surprise. Good luck!
0 -
BostonTerrierMom - Your treatment center must be progressive. Have heard the Tamanu Oil is a good, natural product to use, but your center is the first one I ever heard of that recommended it. I started using Miaderm cream (RO recommended) a week before 1st treatment & continued using 4x a day (still using 2x a day & last treatment was 3/21) Also used an aromatherapist prepared blend of essential oils in organic cold pressed almond oil, augmented by prescribed Mometasone furoate cream & lidocaine cream when things got a bit irritated. No burn & very fair skin - just a slight "tan" in armpit area. Check with your treatment center - mine advocated using creams from the 1st treatment on. Good luck!
0 -
I just did my registration with the hospital on the phone - my surgery is scheduled for 11:15 tomorrow. The nurse and I discussed my anesthesia issues in depth and she said she'd put a big note on my chart for the anesthesiologist. Fingers crossed! I'm naturally feeling anxious but am glad I'm taking this first step. From all I've read on this bulletin board, I know I'm in it for the long haul but the sooner I start, the sooner I'll be done! I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks for the support.
MJ
0 -
~Tappermom~
I will be right there with you tomorrow morning! You are going into this with the right attitude and I will keep my fingers crossed as well. Good luck and when you feel up to it, let us all know how you are.
~Boston~
My RO recommended Aquafor the first day. I put it on right after treatment and showered it off each morning before the next treatment. You can't have anything on the breast when you are being radiated. I never had a single blister. My breast did get really red & it hurt some, but Advil helped with that. Did your RO tell you of the possibility of shrinkage? My breasts are large and the radiated breast shrank almost two cup sizes. I compensate with a breast form. The breast also has a nice tan to it now.
0 -
Tappermom....will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow. It will be over before you know it. Be sure and apply ice to keep the swelling down.
0 -
Tapper, “in your pocket” (as if hospital gowns had pockets) for surgery tomorrow.
Boston, my RO said no need to prepare skin before the first treatment, but to begin using Aquaphor immediately (literally, before getting dressed again) after each treatment—he gave me a whole bag of sample tubes. At night, I used it, calendula cream and 100% aloe vera gel (alcohol, dye, and fragrance-free Fruit of the Earth brand—eight bucks for nearly a quart at the cancer center’s pharmacy). Then just before getting dressed to leave for each treatment (20 minutes ea. way), showered it off completely. Because I had partial-breast radiation, I was able to wear my regular underwire bras—the underwire was outside the radiation field. Make sure that any bra you do wear (if you indeed need a bra) doesn’t have any scratchy lace edges or non-woven interfacing “inner sling.”
I got pink (tanned over the scar area) but no irritation whatsoever, much less skin breaks. I did get enlargement of the seroma inside my breast, making it larger than my non-operated one for awhile. (My cleavage actually skewed left), Had to move up to a 40 I. I also got some thickening of the skin over the seroma and my areola (radiation fibrosis), which is harmless. The seroma is down to 10 cm, and while my cancer breast is once again the smaller of the two (but still very oversized), it is round and perky instead of long & droopy like it used to be (and the left one still is). I was a 38 I before the surgery but the difference wasn’t a full cup size; the left one is now nearly a J and my right a bit bigger than H, so I’m splitting the difference and wearing 38 or 40 I, with a thin pad (from an old Genie bra) in the lateral right cup to center my cleavage, which now skews a little right. No need for a form yet. This may be as small as the seroma gets—fine by me.
0 -
TappenMom... Thoughts & prayers tomorrow ...honestly surgery was the easiest part of my 3 part plan.
Boston...woohoo...one down! Isn't funny we are all told different things by our doctors. My RO & BS both had me start moisturizing right away before rads started.
0 -
Tappermom, thoughts and prayers are with you today. You've got this.
0 -
Boston-I've been trying too many creams/ointments since first rad. A friend of mine (survivor) swears by the calendula ointment, so started using that right after treatment. Also used the RadioPlex, prescribed by RO. Then used miracle aloe cream, recommended by another rad patient. Lately, I'm dealing with one itchy spot on chest and some skin irritation under the breast...so have also tried Bag Balm and hydrocortisone ointment & cream. I also use a cold washcloth on my breast right after treatment before I put lotions on. Not sure what/if anything is working as i feel my skin is on the verge of rebelling & blistering.
Curious what folks wear at this late stage of rads (today will be 24/30)...scared to wear sports bra due to under boob irritation, but scared not to due to skin on skin friction. Not liking the looks of under boob rash...any suggestions? Ive tried corn starch twice, after showers & before treatment. But worry that might bemaking it worse?
0 -
Tappermom, figure you're already at the surgery center but thinking of you and hoping all goes well and no post-anesthesia drama!
HUGS!
0
