Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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~kdtheatre~
My RO recommended baby cornstarch when he thought the under side of my breast might blister. I used it a couple of times, but didn't need it as I didn't blister.
I wore my regular bra (I wasn't wearing an underwire at the time) throughout treatment. I took medical leave from surgery through radiation, so when I got home, the bra came off. My RO wanted me to go bra-less as much as possible.
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Cornstarch, with a soft cloth between the midriff and underbust (to avoid skin-to-skin contact). Piece of clean old t-shirt should do the trick. Didn’t go bra-less (not even for sleep!) till this past June when the BS gave the okay. (Sleep bras were from LeadingLady—knit, front-hook—needed them so I could keep a SwellSpot over the bulge and fibrosis. When my breast returned to a normal shape, I was greenlit to let ‘em hang free when not dressed. But wearing some sort of bra prevents the yeasty rash I often got even before bc. I use a prescription triamcinolone/ketoconazole cream for that, as well as a glide stick when there’s no rash—don’t use the latter during rads.
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Sandy, for those of really lacking in the boob department, braless is okay. At least it was for me - I'm an A cup. I went braless 95% of the time during rads. Luckily it was sweatshirt weather so no "headlights." But I think if I actually had a REAL figure, it wouldn't have worked at all.
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thanks all for your advice on juicing and diet. I know eating veggies and fruit is better than juicing, but I would never get in all the servings I need. I also like juicing the roots...weird I like the taste of turmeric root, horseradish root etc.
I have not given up half and half yet. I have given up cheese
AND Are eggs a no no .....??????
I am not disciplined to exercise everyday yet
I started to lose weight before my Dx and I have kept going. I am done 15 lbs
I would like to lose another 15 lbs
I am upset to learn of Noreen Frazen's death, she had Stage one to begin with.
Ladies help me be positive What do you do
I keep calculating.....she was 63 and I was dx at 66 I wish more long term survivors would post on her...what they did etc how do you all stay positive.
MyDH says they took it out you are cancer free don't dwell in it
I know he is right but hard to do
I stopped going to my Nc support group as many of the women are having a tough time
Love you all and your wisdom
POsitive
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Positive2Strong, who is Noreen Frazen? I don't recognize the name. I understand why you are upset. It is scary. I haven't changed my eating habits at all. Luckily, my weight is good and has been right along so I don't have to cope with that. It has to be hard. I never had time to dwell on my BC since I was caring for my DH and then he was in a nursing home and I was there all the time. BC was just another thing on my already full plate. I'm not diminishing it, but I was so focused on my husband that there was little room for anything else. When I did have time to think about it, my treatments were done and things looking excellent on the BC front so I guess I just haven't worried about it. I tend to see the bright, positive side of things, too. My way is unlikely to work for many of us, but it did for me. Do whatever helps you to be positive and hopeful! Find your own way.
HUGS!
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Eggs are almost a perfect food: high-quality protein, high iron in the yolks, not very much fat (and the yolks have a good kind of sat. fat), cheap, and extremely versatile. Cholesterol? Eating cholesterol doesn’t raise cholesterol levels in your blood, and the HDL type of cholesterol is very beneficial (it mops up the bad LDL type so you can excrete it).
I know it can be depressing to go to a support group and hear all the tales of woe. They are there because they need more support than they can give—but you & I are in a position to give that support (and it makes us feel better too). And often you can learn little “life hacks” from other patients, as well as blow off steam and even indulge in some humor.
An ideal BMI, especially body-fat percentage, is a huge advantage in keeping ER+ bc at bay, because it will help you combat the weight gain on letrozole (muscle burns more calories than does fat, so the less % of body fat, the less likely you are to gain weight due to lower metabolism). You are one step ahead already. (And not having had chemo—therefore having undamaged hair follicles—will probably lessen the chance of AI-induced hair loss).
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You must mean Noreen Fraser, not Franzen. Yes, she died at 63—but after being Stage IV for 16 years. That means that she was 47 when her bc spread—and though she may have started out Stage I, she was decades younger at diagnosis than we were—in younger women, even Stage I is more aggressive. And it might have been a more aggressive form (high-Oncotype, HER2+ or triple-neg) than ours. Stop worrying and live your life as healthfully as you already are.
Why give up cheese, especially if from cows (or sheep or goats) not exposed to hormones or antibiotics? European cheeses, especially. My MO said as to dairy, make it organic and don’t consume too much. (e.g., it shouldn’t be a primary protein or fat source). You can make cappuccino by diluting your half-and-half and frothing it to put in or atop your coffee.
Just try to avoid refined & processed foods, starches & sugar, and follow Michael Pollan’s advice: “Eat food. Mostly plants. Not too much."
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Thanks for clearing that up for me, Sandy. I did hear about her death but wasn't familiar with her. One article did say her original cancer was estrogen positive and she took Tamoxifen after her initial diagnosis. Again, your advice is great.
HUGS!
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~Positive2strong~
I know exactly what you mean about being unsure about your BC. My cancer was taken away with my biopsies. The surgery was to clear the margins. My BS & RO both told me the margins were cleared "by a lot" and my mammo in November was clean. The radiologist actually came out and told me personally that there was no more cancer. But sometimes....I worry. I keep busy and try not to let those nagging 'what ifs' get to me. Trust your doctors and try not to worry. They are there to help you.
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Woo-hoo! My anesthesiologist was a rockstar - Zofran did the trick. Woke up in recovery with a completely calm stomach. The injections of nuclear isotopes for the SNB hurt like a mother! The radiologist was pretty cool - "I'm going to hurt you," he said. And he did. But that didn't last long. I have no idea what went on in the operating room but I'll find out in two weeks when I return to the surgeon. Anxious to hear the pathology results. Just some discomfort now so it's not bad at all. I had read about a breast navigator on this site but didn't know what that meant. Well, I met my navigator, Michelle, at registration this morning. What a doll! She'll call me on Monday to check on me. I'm pretty wiped out (lack of sleep and food!) so I'm going to rest and relax now. Thanks again, everyone, for your support.
MJ
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MJ, Awesome! I'm so happy for you. I know how worried you were about the post-anesthesia yuck. Hope you've put some food in your tummy. Be sure to ice that breast and node site. It really does feel good and help. I'm sorry the dye injection hurt. My surgeon did it and used Lidocaine first. Perhaps what you had was different than I got. Hopefully you'll continue feeling decent and just uncomfortable. Make sure to take the recommended pain pills (whether prescription or Tylenol) before you are miserable. That's what they are for. And don't overdo. This is major surgery and your body needs for you to take it easy so you can heal. Let everyone pamper you!
HUGS!
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Tapper - Great news about how your surgery went. Here's to one part of the journey being over. Hope you have someone to give you some TLC while you are recuperating. Sending you healing thoughts.
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~Tapper~
Glad you got through the surgery okay. Yep, that nuclear dye is a real bear! At least you had a decent radiologist. Mine came in stabbed me 4 times & when I complained about the pain he said I should be glad this wasn't 30 years ago! He was a real b-----d, but his tech was good to me. He held my hand & helped me to get back out to the waiting area. Now, do as Peggy says and rest!
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Hi all, I had a post-chemo ultrasound today. The lump has shrunk to less than 2 cm (was almost 3 cm before chemo) and all nodes look clear now (I know there might be still some "micromets"). However, the numerous simple and complex cysts (all subcentimeter) they found in both breasts really make me wonder if just a lumpectomy is a right decision. Please give me some advice again. Thank you very much.
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MJ, so glad surgery went well & you didn't wake up with nausea. Ice it and do your stretches, otherwise rest. Sending positive energy and healing your way.
Stephi, my situation was different than yours so not sure what is do. But if you do lx first you can always have MX later. If you do MX first, there's no putting it back.
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Steph, if I were you I would consult with a plastic surgeon. Get all your options and make an informed decision. I personally think you will be better off with mastectomy but you will have to deal with reconstruction and bigger risks and loss of sensation in your breasts. Have you had a frank talk with your BS?
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hi i am recently diagnosed 3 weeks ago i have a IDC in the right breast 1.5 cm high grade not lymph nodes involved. I am going to have a lumpectomy April 6th, i am so nervous that i am feeling that my right arm hurts like if the lump was spread already i can't sleep i can't wait to take out this lump from my breast. Is it normal to feel that things before the surgery?
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It is very normal to feel aches and pains that before your diagnosis you would have shrugged off or not even noticed, but now imagine are metastases, aka “mets" (and sorry to say this, but our minds will continue to go to that dark place the rest of our lives no matter how successful and how long ago our treatments). BTW, not to throw a damper on things, how do you know your lymph nodes are not involved without having had surgery? You can't know until at least the sentinel nodes have been removed and biopsied, and that removal happens during your lumpectomy.
Where does your right arm hurt? If it's in the armpit, you might very well have an infection somewhere (even just a large zit), because that's where your axillary nodes are and they (and/or other nodes) can swell because of an infection or even stress, as “priming the pump" of your immune system in anticipation of bacteria, viruses or other perceived threats to the body. You wouldn't feel “mets" as arm pain. If the pain is elsewhere in your arm, you must either have strained something or tension caused your muscles to contract. (If the pain were in your left arm, I'd say go get an EKG to rule out a heart attack…but coronary pain doesn't generally radiate to the right arm, nor in women to the arms at all). You’ll get (or have already gotten) an EKG in preparation for your surgery. If you had a heart attack, it would’ve shown that.
Anything that helps you manage your stress before surgery and until you get your final path report is a constructive thing. Don't waste your mental energy on fear and worry—channel it into planning & preparation.
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Vivian, Sandy has given you great advice. Please take it to heart. And welcome to the best lounge on breastcancer.org. We are all stressed when we get diagnosed. Once we have surgery, that often lessens it. Do help us help you by filling out your Profile and making each and every single thing PUBLIC (via SETTINGS) so we can know your diagnosis, projected treatments and dates. And also where you live. Could be someone lives in your area.
HUGS!
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Vivian - Welcome to the lounge - Echoing PontiacPeggy's sentiments - chiSandy is indeed a wealth of knowledge and good advice. Once you havepath reports post-surgery, there will be a clearer picture of things. Do you know if you are a candidate for the Oncotype DX assay? This was something I did not know about until 1st post-surgery visit. Sending you peaceful and relaxing thoughts and will be thinking of you on the 6th. Please share any questions you have with us. Lots of good answers to be found here.
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Vivian, welcome. What you are feeling is very normal. Once diagnosed, I wanted it gone! Keep yourself busy so that your minds doesn't go to dark places. The waiting is the hardest for all of us. The surgery, for me, wasn't bad. I had surgery on a Wednesday and was back to work at my desk job the following Monday. Just had to take it easy on the surgery side. Had to have a second surgery because did not get clean margins first time. Aggravating to have to have another surgery, but wanted to make sure the BC was gone! You can do this. We are all here for you. Sending you positive energy
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hi thanks for answering. Yes i am not sure about the lymp nodes the only thing. I know is in the biopsia says right axilary lymph node biopsy mignute fragments of lymph node without pathologic abnormality, i dont have the results of the receptors yet and not stage or anythinh just that. So reading all the posts i wish i would have morei for information. I gues i have to wait few days.
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Hello and Hi and Hugs to All: I agree with the posts of everyone else.
Dear Steph: I would go for a second opinion to help you make your decision. I had 2 lumps in one breast and so I had a double lx. I did not have a mastectomy. As was already stated, you can have a lumpectomy first and then have a mastectomy later, but not the other way around. If you are a worrier, you may feel less anxious if you have a mx. However, the survival rate for lx with radiation is the same as the survival rate for mx alone (depends on stage, grade, and lymph node involvement). However, all factors of your dx must be considered before you make your decision regarding lx or mx: size of tumor, stage, grade, ER, PR, Her2 status, oncotype dx, ki67, and what the cysts in your other breast mean. You also have to find out whether you will need chemo. Good luck with your decision.
Dear BostonTerrier: I hope that you feel well.
Dear Vivian: What you are going through and feeling is totally normal. The waiting and wondering is awful. Good luck.
Dear Poodles: HUGS!!!!
Dear Molly: Thanks for letting me know how you are doing. Prayers for continued health and feel better quickly.
To whoever (sorry that I forgot who posted) almost got off the table during surgery: LOL! I woke up during one of my excisional biopsies (I had 3 excisional biopsies since I was in my 20's, prior to my bc dx) and I was totally awake and aware. I said to the surgeon, "Since I am awake, I would love to watch the surgery." The anesthesiologist must have given me so much medication because I do not remember a thing after that. I woke up in the recovery room. lol
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Hi All, I had a lumpectomy on March 29. Not diagnosed yet. I had a stereotactic core biopsy that came back negative for cancer, but the biopsy was taken from outside of my lump, as the drs. thought the lump was a hematoma/cyst from a car accident I had 2 years ago. After the biopsy, the lump grew from the size of a pea to the size of a plum, so the surgeon elected to take it out. Since the lumpectomy, I have been in quite a bit of pain and have had nausea and am extremely fatigued. I also have 2 open areas on my breast outside of the surgical site that the surgeon thinks are a reaction to the tape. They are big and very red. No fever. I'm feeling quite down and worried about the results. The last 2 years have been gruelling as my sister and I were hit head-on on the highway by a drunk driver (I was the passenger), and I had extensive injuries that I am still recovering from - both feet and ankles shattered, huge laceration to my knee, etc. etc. I needed help showering, was in a wheelchair for a few months and still can't walk without pain. I am having to dig very deep to find the strength to get through this. Praying for positive results and thankful to connect with so many strong women on this site.
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I'm having a weird feeling today - it's hard to believe that I have breast cancer. I felt perfectly fine - it was only all the tests that showed an abnormality. I've read the pathology report, had the lumpectomy but am having a hard time accepting that I have this disease. Has anyone else experienced this? I'll get the surgery pathology results in a couple of weeks, then start radiation. I imagine it will all hit me then. There is a breast cancer support group here on the mountain; I'm going to contact them.
MJ
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Gardner, definitely keep your surgeon in the loop. If you were given pain medication or told what OTC to take, please take it. You will feel worse without it and that does seem to delay your recovery. Being fatigued isn't unusual. Probably you are somewhat depressed - which is quite understandable. You have been through a lot in the past 2 years. Try to take it one day at a time. Fingers crossed that your path report comes back negative! BTW, you're welcome to stay with us as long as you'd like no matter what.
HUGS!
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Tappermom, It is amazing the huge range of emotions we've all experienced. It all seems to be normal. And it is possible that you won't have it "hit" you that you have BC until long after active treatments have finished up. Then you'll have time to think about what has gone on. Don't worry about it. What you are feeling is likely normal - for you. We are truly individuals when it comes to BC. Hope your BC support group is excellent and supportive.
HUGS!
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Tapper and KB, i felt the same way. Strangely distant. i never felt panicky, never thought I would die. My general anxiety went on high alert and I needed some medication for a while but I wasn't hysterical, just restless and sleepless. Even now I don't perseverate over whether the cancer recurs. I figure it will or it won't. No need to spend precious time and energy on something that may or may not ever happen.
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~Tapper & KB~
I had so many emotions when I was diagnosed. I had had twenty years of clean mammograms, so I wasn't a bit concerned. This was just routine. I had other plans: retirement in March & visiting my mother in Michigan in the spring. When it came back fuzzy, I was told 'no big deal...probably a flaw on the film', so I still wasn't worried. The second mammogram showed something and my PCP ordered the biopsy. That was the DCIS diagnosis. But there was also another shadow on the post-biopsy mammogram, so she suggested I consult a surgeon & helped me find one. The surgeon talked to me about the results of the DCIS diagnosis and what my options were, but she also wanted another biopsy to 'look at' the shadow. Second biopsy showed IDC. I panicked. This was no easy, you'll be back to work in 4 days situation. I stayed stressed throughout the entire process. My whole life had turned upside down. I wasn't able to take my retirement as I had planned. I wasn't going to be able to see my mother (radiation) and I couldn't tell her why. I felt like a rag doll being dragged here and there at the whim of some doctor I barely knew. Yet, the day of surgery, I woke feeling completely calm. I knew I had no more control and just decided to give in to it. The docs were going to do what they were going to do and I had to trust that they would do it right. I had to be at the hospital at 6 am for processing, dye injection and wire localization. My surgery wasn't until 1:30 pm. I felt like I was on a conveyor belt just being shunted from one department to another until everyone had had their chance to poke, prod and stab. I was so ready when I was finally taken up for surgery.
I still worry about the cancer coming back or showing up somewhere else, even tough the BS, RO & MO have all told me the biopsies took all of the cancer. I was told I could opt out of the radiation and the hormone therapy because my cancers were very small and the margins were clear 'by a lot', but I just wanted to be sure every little bug that could be in that breast died. I don't regret this decision. I know there are no guarantees, but I have hope that this is the last I will have to deal with any cancer.
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Gardener, welcome. You've been through so much & this is just adding to it. Sending you positive energy and praying your results come back negative. Hugs!
Tappermom, I felt detached at times too. When I went to appts or procedures it would hit home but other times I didnt dwell on it. Now, I don't realize that it's still there in the back of mind until I have to have a test. I get tense waiting for test results now. Not stressed out, but I can't fully relax until I get the results. Happened with my mammo & also with my pap in February. And have to have next mammo in May, so I'm sure I'll get tense again with it.
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