Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Besides Zenni, there's also 39DollarGlasses.com and Warby Parker. The latter are the most expensive online vendors but they also have a lot of brick&mortar shops, and are still half the price of the Luxottica monopoly stores (and frame companies). All three have great customer service. The first two let you upload a photo so you can virtually "try on" frames, but Warby Parker will send you up to five pair at a time to try on for real if they don't have a shop nearby. There's a new Chinese online vendor whose name I forget. Zenni does its whole manufacture and design in China and then ships through its Sonoma County facility. Takes 7-14 days depending on shipping options. Warby designs domestically, has its frames made in China from Italian-made plastic, and does the lens-grinding and putting lenses & frames together here in the US (I forget which state). They're working on a new CAD-CAM system that will cut manufacturing and shipping time in half from the current 10-14 days that seems to be the standard for online vendors. 39Dollar imports its frames but does everything else on Long Island, though it too takes up to two weeks.
I used to take my prescription to LensCrafters right away because I wanted glasses the same day, and I did that after my post-surgery refraction (even though my surgeon has an in-house optical shop, he charges more than Warby and takes just as long). But once I had one pair and a spare (old frames) for everyday, I figured I could wait for the "fun" ones to get here.
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Sandy, More good information for me. Thanks. I'll see what they say when they test my eyes May 26th. The length of time until then is one reason why I am buying cheap. My old glasses are useless. I'm happy with the my cheap ones. And love not having to wear anything for distance. Thanks again for all the help!
HUGS!
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Thanks for the overview, ChiSandy. All interesting. I'll check out Warby Parker.
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Nipple inversion CAUSED by lumpectomy.
Is there anyone out there who has had this problem, or know someone with this problem?
6 weeks after my lumpectomy (Sept 2016), my nipple inverted and became painful. Ultrasound was done & I was told "everything is Just Fine", there was edema of the breast & to proceed with radiation. Radiation (Nov-Dec 2016) then made it worse. Does anyone have ideas for relief, assistance, information on how to relieve the pain and/or get this fixed. The breast surgeon was very impressed by how well her scars healed. She could not understand why I would be upset by this "side effect" that was not disclosed before the surgery even though I asked excessive questions about what to expect as far as scarring. On the surface the scars look great. Under the nipple, I am in pain almost all the time.
Original BS finally prescribed Tramadol in Dec, MO prescribed Gabapentin in January. I went to have a 2nd BS opinion in March 2017 & was prescribed Pentoxifylline, Evening Primrose, & B6. The Pentoxifylline, Evening Primrose, & B6 combo, I contribute to relieving the neuropathy pains in my arm, and the "kicked by a horse feeling" throughout the rest of the breast.
Any suggestions?
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Hi everybody ! Sorry for your brother and nephew! It is very nice that this group is very supportive in this difficult time in our life. I haven't written much because honestly i was devastated with my BC. I didn't tell anybody just my mom, brothers and 2 friends. And i feel better like this. I have to pretend that everything is normal although i am really depressed. Today i feel a little better because yesterday i received the report of my surgery. No lymph nodes positive 0/4 and the bone scan was fine. I went back to work 4 days after my surgery and it is good for me because at least those moments i don't think about this BC. I had a seroma as Chisandy told me pretty big but the BS said it will go away alone. And better not to drain it because the risk of an infection. So i will wait it is uncomfortable but i guess is nothing in compare of what is coming. Today i went to a massage therapy because with all the stress that i 've been having lately i have pain in my back. I hope i feel better. Well the next step will be an appointment with the oncologist and she will tell me what is the next treatment. In all your posts i read that many of you had radiation instead of chemoterapy could you please share your experiences and tell me in which case is one and the other. I will definitely appreciate that. One thing that i am sure is that if i have chemo i will stop working. But with radiation i dont know yet i read in some other posts that it is not as bad as the chemo what do you think? Thanks for reading me.
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Vivian, I'm sorry you're feeling so isolated. We need more information on your Dx before we can help you and tell you why chemo may be necessary. Radiation is NOT in place of chemo. Please go to your Profile and fill it out. Then click the SETTINGS Tab and make each and every item PUBLIC. That will ensure that it shows up after every post. It's good that your nodes are clear but they aren't the only thing determining chemo - stage of the cancer and often your age matter too.
I'm now 71 and I had a lumpectomy, radiation and then an aromatase inhibitor (AI) - Arimidex generic in my case. AIs are for post menopausal women. Tamoxifen is generally given to pre-menopausal women.
We'll chime in when we know more about you. Try to stay calm - we're here for you!
HUGS!
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Vargadoll, Jack is in his late 40's, but always a kid... loves his piano and trains..
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Peggy, if you try progressives, have the doctor measure you for what mine calls occupational progressives. They have me measure the distance to my computer and the height of the monitors and some other measurements, I forgot what else. Then they adjust where the progressive portion is based on the distance and the amount of area Ineed to be for computer use, reading, etc. My first try at progressives was a fail for me because I was constantly having to move my head around to find the correct viewing angle. But once I got them properly set up, they are wonderful. I use mine for reading and computer work since I don't need a distance prescription so they are like 3/4ths reading and computer and 1/4th at the top plain lens.
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ItalyChick, thank you. I wouldn't have known that. I'll print your post out and take it with me when I get my eyes tested. Great info. I've learned so much about my cataracts and stuff here!
HUGS!
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IHGJAnn49- my girl is developmentally 2-4. She is nonverbal and walks with assistance. She does say a few words Momma, bye bye, go, good girl and she calls Candace (my oldest) ka-ka lol
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Vargadoll, I am a special needs mom too! Judy, I am so very sorry about your brother and nephew. Your family has been through so much. My prayers are with you.
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Judy, im sorry im late, but i do want to acknowledge your distress. We are of that certain age when people begin to decline all around us. I wish you strength and hope for your lovely nephew and your brother.
And isn't it interesting how many here have special needs family? My youngest has Pallister-Killian syndrome. He will be 22 in Monday. Although he functions at the level of a 1yo, he is very musically inclined. He cant bathe or dress or toilet himself, but he can hum parts of The Star Spangled Banner and Silent Night, LOL.
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MJ - I can relate. I am 4 weeks after lumpx and got a great pathology report. But, I have been more emotional these past 3 weeks than during the whole process. I had to have that conversation with my husband that went like "Yes - I am very happy about my pathology report but I still hurt - a lot". It's not like we are all of the sudden back to what other people consider "normal".
I am going to look for a BC support group in my area. If only all of you lives next door!
Kathy
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Poodles, I have noticed the same thing - how many of our ladies have special needs children. Wonder if knowing how to reach out for help and support plays a role in that. Whatever it is, we have amazing women here.
HUGS!
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Thanks, Kathy. I've felt better since my meltdown - guess I had a lot of dammed up emotions that needed to be released! I'm struggling trying to find something other than me and my cancer to talk about with my DH - I know he just doesn't want to hear about it but I seem to run off at the mouth!
I went to my first support group meeting here on the mountain yesterday. One woman is a year out, one five years, two about 12 years so they were delighted to have a newbie in their midst. I was surprised to hear that thetwo who had lumpectomies both wear prostheses. Since I'm still swollen, I have no idea what Little Miss Rightie will really look like. I came home with a handful of literature and a list of names and contact info. They all offered to drive me to radiation if I need help - just having that offer of support is so helpful!
Speaking of radiation, got a voicemail message late yesterday from some doctor's office - couldn't understand the name. I'll call in a bit to see if it's the MO or RO; apparently my referral went through although I haven't gotten anything from the insurance yet.
Happy Thursday, everyone. I have a project I have to get written today - I'm having trouble mustering up the energy and willpower to do it. Wish me luck!
MJ
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Thanks Poodles, you're going through so much yourself... it's good that we can share other life problems here without feeling we're in the wrong place or it's the wrong time... and vargadoll and molly, I never had kids, just lots of nephews and nieces, but I get to spoil everyone, because they are all special
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There are different types of progressives, as Italychick mentioned (besides the custom ones she got). The main differences seem to be the gradualness of the corrections and the dimensions of the “middle distance" area (the most expensive ones seem to take it all the way out to the periphery so you have to turn your head less when you drive in order to read digital screens on cars these days). The online retailers tend to offer only one std. kind of progressive, though I've found Zenni's to have a more generous middle-distance area than either Warby's or LensCrafters' (at least the mid-grade ones the latter keep in stock for same-day pickup).
Vivian, Peggy is correct that chemo & radiation are not an “either-or." Whether or not you get chemo might depend on the results of an OncotypeDX test, which is run on ER+/HER2- tumors in the “gray area" (between 1 and 1.5cm, node-negative or
positive, grade 1 or 2). Chemo might be recommended for you, without running an OncotypeDX test, because the size of the tumor (>2 cm) and grade 3 would probably return a result of at least “intermediate risk" if the test were to be run. Your age and other medical conditions would be factors, as tumors are more aggressive in younger women but chemo is harder on older women—especially those with or at risk for cardiovascular disease. Those of us with lower Oncotype scores (or who had DCIS, for which chemo isn't given) were able to skip chemo—we didn't choose radiation over it. If you get chemo, it is almost always given before you have radiation. Those who’ve had chemo can better explain their experiences with it. And radiation affects different women differently, depending on type (external or internal, partial or whole breast) and number of treatments. One might think the fairer-skinned you are, the more skin problems you will have, but that's irrelevant—because radiation “burns" come from the inside out (due to temporary impairment of the skin's ability to generate new cells), rather than like a sunburn or surface-injury burn. Peggy and I are both quite pale, but pretty much sailed through it. I got some reddening, and my breast seroma got bigger with some fibrosis (skin thickening) because my radiation was short-protocol, high-dose and targeted just at the tumor-cavity. But I didn’t even get any irritation, much less pain or skin breaks. It is what it is, and you can’t tell how you’ll do till you’ve started. For those of us in the “lumpy ladies’ club,” radiation is a given. (Some with a single very small area of Grade 1 ER+ DCIS are offered a different version of OncotypeDX to determine whether they can safely skip radiation even after lumpectomy, but it’s pretty rare).
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Sandy, good explanation for Vivian (as usual
).I hadn't thought about all the types of progressive lenses. Right now I don't think I'll need anything for driving (at least that's my hope). I'm fine for distance even now. But I likely I'll get progressives to wear around the house so I don't need to juggle computer and reading glasses (and I'll have distance part clear). Thanks again for clarifying things.
HUGS!
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Peggy I like mine also for chopping up vegetables, etc. I can leave them on and gaze in the distance, but they help with detail work so I don't cut a finger lol. I have no distance prescription either, knock on wood that I won't need them!
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ItalyChick, how you use yours sounds similar to how I think I'll use mine. Looks like progressives are the way to go.
HUGS!
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I was sure I didn’t need a distance prescription (indeed, mine is so mild I can legally drive without glasses), but when I put my new glasses on for the first time, I was shocked how sharp and clear everything looked, especially at night). It’s a testament to the brain’s ability to adapt that we don’t even notice mild sensory impairments until they’re corrected.
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Thank you Peggy and ChiSandy. As you said it is what it is. With all this grieve that we've been through we have to accept whatever treatment is coming. I let you know when i meet the oncologist i am waiting for that appointment. Thanks for your support.
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Sandy that's something I hadn't considered. I'll keep an open mind.
Vivian, you're welcome. Was an Oncotype Test done? Where are you located? We probably have BCO gals there. I had no trouble with radiation. A very mild redness that's all. You never know how your skin will react. Let us know what you find out about your treatment plan.
HUGS!
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First time posting. I was avoiding forums, assuming they would be negative. Not the case here and now I wish I had checked it out sooner. Three weeks since my lumpectomy. Not as healed as I anticipated, but no unusual problems, either. Just some hardness, tenderness.
I do wish we could see the age of the people who share on this site. Being 62, I wonder if age has anything to do with how quickly I heal or "bounce" back.
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Robin, welcome! This is the best group! Looks like our diagnosis is similar. I was an active 52 yr old when diagnosed. I was able to go back to low impact excercise at about 2 weeks after LX (am small B & wore high impact sports bra), and then slowly worked my way back. While I think being active helped me through all the treatments, I struggled with fatigue after rads, & still don't think I have all my pre BC energy back. Also still notice tenderness occasionally when excercising. So hang in there, this unfortunately takes a lot out of us both emotionally & physically. Take it a step at a time & don't overdue.
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Robin, Welcome! We are definitely a positive group, informative, helpful, and a bit zany. I think age doesn't have a huge role in healing. We all heal at different rates. If you want to put your age in your signature (and of course make it public) you could do that. Are you post-menopausal? I'm rather surprised that you will be taking Tamoxifen. That isn't usually the first choice - aromatase inhibitors such as Arimidex are usually done first. I found that my underarm incision was very annoying, the one on my breast not so much. Do keep in mind that the Lx is major surgery and there's a lot to heal. Do what feels comfortable for you.
HUGS!!
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Robin, I was diagnosed at 64, and three months after my lumpectomy I was cruising the Mediterranean—with long walks on the shore excursions. I have since been to Europe three more times. I am by no means an athlete—never have been—and am the least fit person in the gym at any given time (probably including some octogenarians doing Silver Sneakers). The only 10,000-step days I’ve had were on vacation: Paris (twice), Rome, NYC and last week in London—all post-lumpectomy. I actually ended up doing some real dancing (as opposed to organized walking & arm waving) in the Bar Assn. musical this past Dec. So if I “snapped back,” you probably will too! But in the meantime, you have a license to be as much of a diva and lazybones as you want, until you feel ready to resume your routine.
Bob is talking about maybe going to Prague this summer, perhaps Amsterdam &/or Barcelona—and we might decide to travel light so we can go by rail once on the Continent.
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Peggy they haven't done the oncotype test I guess when i see the oncologistist. I am in Ontario Canada. I am 46. I feel ok although the seroma in my axila it feels uncomfortable but i am working and doing everything. Even i feel emotionally very bad. But as i did not tell anybody I don't have to answer questions or feel like people feel sorry for me. I don't either talk much about this with my husband because it hurts so much. But i hope this nightmare ends soon. Thank you for been so nice with the new women in this forum. Welcome Robin you will find a little bit of hope sharing your thoughts and talking with them here. Keep in touch!
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Vivian, keep in close touch with the ladies in this forum - you'll get nothing but support here. We all need that emotional connection.
Welcome, Robin. I found this forum prior to my surgery and it has been a godsend! I'm also three weeks out; experiencing a lot of discomfort in the armpit where the lymph nodes were removed. I'm missing my mat Pilates and strength training classes - going to give them a go next week. My instructor is aware of my situation and will help me modify. One thing I'm very aware of: how exhausted I am. I fall asleep every afternoon for about 15 minutes. But as long as I get at least one thing done every day, I feel as though I've accomplished a lot! By the way, I'm 70 (I'd like to think a very young 70!).
Peggy, Sandy and tbalding - you are three of the biggest cheerleaders on this site! Thank you for supporting all of us. I hope you also get support from your ladies here!
I don't have any big vacations planned yet but the DH and I are going to Colorado this weekend to celebrate our grandson's 1st birthday. Can't wait to snuggle with him
My DH who has cooked only a handful of meals over the course of our 34-year marriage just about has dinner on the table (!!! - yay) so I'll sign off for now.
MJ
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Vivian, Oncotypes aren't done as often in Canada as here in the States from what I hear here. I wasn't able to talk to my husband about my BC either. He was very unwell with Parkinson's disease and heart problems and I was his 24/7 caregiver. He also was very pessimistic by nature and who needs that? I was "saved" by the ladies here who kept me sane as I was going through treatment, hubby had surgery and got pneumonia and then had to be put in a nursing home, winding up with his death Sept 2015. I couldn't have made it through without them. They held my hand, cried with me and supported my decisions. I love these ladies with all my heart. I hope we can do that for you. I wasn't working so didn't have to make decisions about who to tell. I told my friends and family and finally on Facebook after my surgery. We each handle that differently. Let us know how we can help.
HUGS!
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