Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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I had my lumpectomy and SNB last week and it is a bit sore but not so bad. I am scheduled to see a radiation onc. and medical onc. over the next 2 weeks and I think I will ask about oncotype DX although chemo has not been mentioned at all, just hormone therapy. I am 59 and take OTC sleeping pills so will ask about an alternative to tamoxifen if possible.
So far I have been coping ok with diagnosis and surgery. Everything appears much like before even thought they took out a chunk the size of a small Brownie out of my size B!
I did however get overwhelmed with all the paperwork for sick leave and just lost it. This week I worked a couple of extra hours from home just so I did not have to report the time I took for Fridays post op appt. with surgeon.
I have been taking lorazepam for a while due to the stress of my job, being on call and woken up in the middle of the night. My DH is old enough for medicare next month so once the rads are all done I will quit at end of September I hope, so I will just have to find my own insurance. I will have to deal with more paperwork for the hours off for radiation treatments in the meantime. I know I am going to be asked if I am up to doing on-call again in a week or so and it freaks me out even more than the cancer. I am hoping to delay the daily rads until third week in June as I want a few restful days away first with my dog. I was feeling very fatigued before the diagnosis so knowing me I will likely get tired with the rads, such a wimp I am, although I am not scared about the treatment. There is so much good advice from the ladies here.
I know I am blessed to be in a position where I even have the option to quit my job so sorry about my venting but I feel so tired and this is only just starting.
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Lizzysmom, in retrospect I would have taken the time off, but that is because I also don't sleep well. Therefore I lost focus on my job. I have also been working O/T to make up for doctor's appointments. It is actually crazy to feel guilty for missing time due to treatment. I know this, yet, there it is.
You really need rest during this. Afternoon naps, etc. And you need to exercise too. So if you are working full time, can't sleep, must exercise yet too fatigued, well, you can see where this is leading. To a body isn't strong. We need our bodies as strong as possible during this.
Lots of ladies sail through, but for those of us with sleep issues, I think the fatigue hits every aspect. Don't be afraid to say, I need to lie down. Don't be afraid to tell your boss, I need to go home now. And certainly don't be afraid to come back to this site often. The ladies here are loving and supporting. {{{{huggles}}}}
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I had my lumpectomy on April 29th. My 1st appt with the MO is on 6/2 and my 1st appt with the RO is 6/10. This seems to me like I am waiting too long or am I just anxious to get things started? How soon after your initial appointment with these oncologists did they start the meds and radiation?
Thank you so much for your help.
Mary
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Well - my 53rd Birthday is tomorrow. My lumpectomy is scheduled for the 21st. It is almost one month since my diagnosis… and truthfully - I feel like I have been living every moment researching, reading - I am exhausted trying to get to know this foreign territory. I really do feel like I am in an outer body experience. Like this is a dream I will wake up from. That is really isn't happening to me. Perhaps this is the way my brain is coping with the shock of hearing that I have cancer. And I can see I am moving through all of the stages of grief that I have studied. It is amazing to me. Is there anywhere I can run away to? Just kidding.
It will be an incredible relief to have this tumor out of my breast. I am not even sure how I will look when it is over. I don't even want to see it. I hope it is bandaged well because I am not ready to see what it will look like. It is almost like I need to take baby steps to process all of this. My husband has been lovingly supportive and I am grateful to have the comfort of him and my daughter to help me through. She is worried. So I have my tough game face. But there are moments, especially at night, when I just start crying. I don't understand why any of this happened. And I know there is absolutely no explanation for it.
The other thing that is difficult for me is the overwhelming fear that I won't get everything finished. That I don't have the money to do what I want to do with my daughter if anything should happen to me. I have made promises to her. I promised to take her to the beach. Such silly things but now I am scared. I just want to get better. I want to turn the clock back. And I can't. So now this strange sort of guilt sets in that makes no sense. This isn't my fault.
Well - I just wanted to write amongst others who know exactly what this feels like. It sure doesn't feel good. It's bloody scary.
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Good Morning Lumpies!
Wow, y'all are so active! Welcome, Congrats, and Pocket Parties!
Leeleepan - yippee! You did it! Hope we weren't too noisy in your pocket...speedy healing and fingers&toes crossed for clear margins&nodes! Sounds like a dream team...girls will look mighty perky after all the work, but surprisingly the SND is usually what irritates...just not a good place for stitches...you will be amazed how great you do feel because the haze has lifted and you know you are moving forward with a plan. Ha ha 'best report' means early stage with lots of treatment options and great prognosis...in our minds a great report is no c ever ever, but in this upside downside world we accept and hug our good reports! Your BC team will advise to care...go easy and heal...breathe, renew, relax, and just celebrate! It's done:)
Debster - congrats, on round 2 complete. We will be in your pocket in chemo land {{{squeeze}}} Be kind to yourself and celebrate your victories. Has your team shared LGFB if not ask...there's is a lot of support out there so ask! Also, CaringBridge to help ...do not be afraid to ask...now is the time to receive the love you have given so many...in time you can again play it forward:)
Lina999 - how are you doing? Hope healing is going well and you are on your no c vacation prior to rads! Path report will say if c is in vascular system...June is coming already...:)
Longislandl8y - sorry that your hopes were disappointed, but yeah, that your BS stepped up with the news...now you have several rounds done and chemo land will soon be done and then on to rads. A step at a time...hope you celebrate your good days and have someone there for the hard days...again LGFB is excellent...
Islandmama2 - Breathe, your pockets are full {{{squeeze}}} requests for your play list? RedReading and BigD are bring the food and drinks...we will watch that team of yours:). Geeez, sometimes knowing too much is good and sometimes it opens doors...well just go with the good:) your prepared! Today relax those shoulders go blow some bubbles, enjoy the sunshine, gather in all the love laughter of family and friends! You will be surprised how great you do feel after you cross over...really. There's relief you did it! So breathe, laugh, enjoy today because tomorrow you kick b###!
Ktlearn - congrats on lx&snd and clear margins&nodes....yippee! Breathe, and enjoy a healing no c vacation break...well deserved..great that you get to escape and see DD in CA to lift your spirits! A very good thing!
Mary - almost a month...ooo who! How are you doing and feeling! Yeah, XXX Large front zip sports bras...and then genie bras that you can step into...I still sleep in a soft bra for support...moisture up for rads...make a fun countdown rad calendar...you deserve mini rewards along the way!
Shout out to ya Lumpies!
(((Hugs)))
Cindy
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Hey all,
I wanted to follow up for anyone interested. Met with my MO yesterday and discussed my Oncotype DX score of 19. Chemo would decrease my risk of distant recurrence by 1-2% only. He left the choice up to me because I have two very young children and he said more and more moms are choosing to go through chemo even when it will only improve chances marginally. I am so on the fence, I am struggling to decide. He told me the two drugs I would be given, four treatments: one every three weeks, so it is back to research for me so I can make what I hope is the best decision.
Mary, my surgery was on 5/1 and I met my MO and RO yesterday. It was very helpful for me but honestly no treatments could start until I am fully healed, probably around 6/2. So that is probably why you appointments are a little later down the road I would guess
Goodnessme, I hope you can step away from this even for a short time to celebrate your birthday!! It is important to try to give yourself a break if you can. I am like you and have been researching and learning everything I can about my diagnosis but the best advice I was given early on from a member here was: know your sources, ask your doctors first before you scare yourself with information online that might not pertain to you, ask the other members here, and don't forget to breathe! Do you have someone on your doctors team who is the equivalent of a counselor or a social worker? Mine has been very helpful and very willing to also speak with my DH as my main support. Perhaps it might help for you and your daughter to have a discussion with someone. I wish you the best!
Have a nice afternoon all!
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Lina999 - great advice! And great team with a MO social worker....my team also provided helped.
Sorry about the oncotype score...gosh those shades of grey and playing all the odds...it's personal and you will make the right choice for you. Trust you!
Rads will not start until you have healed...if you determine to go forward with chemo than rads will follow chemo...your team can explain the why in the order of things. For now healing...
In your pocket!
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The only time Chemo will follow Rads is if you decide to have internal rads, those have to be done before the cavity where the cancer was located is healed. I had surgery August 19 and had internal Rads on Sept 9th. I scored an 18 on the Onco dx test so no chemo was recommended for me but if I had had it recommended it would have been done after the internal rads. I was 44 at the time so my Oncologist said though I would have a 1 percent chance of reoccurrence it was up to me if I wanted to pursue the chemo treatments. I researched the drugs he recommended for me, one of which could have harmed my heart so I chose not to do chemo as I felt the harm out weighed the benefits and my oncologist agreed. I did get a 2nd opoinion and he also agreed I didn't need chemo. It really is a personal decision.0 -
Happy Birthday Goodnessme! May you have many more happy and healthy ones.
I did the same thing. I exhausted myself reading and researching everything about bc. It is totally exhausting. I too have a hard time wraping my head around the fact that I have bc. You will feel better once you have the lumpectomy. At least you know it will be out! At my prescreen for the surgery, the nurse practioner gave me something to calm me down. A very mild tranquilizer. The last time I took it was the morning of my surgery. I too am so thankful for my husband who has been so supportive. You, we will get through it all. I also joined a support group in my community. The bc meeting is every 2 weeks. There may be a support group in your community in addition to this wonderful site that I have found so helpful. BTW - I have a cousin who lives in Edmonton Alberta!
Good luck to you tomorrow.
Hugs
Mary
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Hi everybody. I have been reading this thread over the last few days and I have been AWED by the strength and courage of everyone here. And greatly appreciate all the encouragement and honest thoughts.
I had a lumpy on 3-24, and a bilateral mammoplasty on 3-31. I am on Tamoxifen, just started 5-1. I was to start Rads today. But I am having so many conflicting thoughts about it. My margins were clean and the tissue from the mamoplasty was also clear on both sides. Was anyone else on the bubble and how did you decide? I am just so confused. Also I have asthma. Where the rads scare the bejeebies out of me.
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Hi ladies! So glad I found this thread. I'm scheduled for a lumpectomy and SNB next Wednesday and have, like all of you, been researching and reading and trying to figure all of this out! I was diagnosed invasive ductal, roughly 1.6cm and am 48 yrs old. One question I have is re: BRCA testing. I am having this done but the results won't be out until after my surgery - June 4. Anyone have BRCA come back positive after a lumpectomy? Does/Did that change your approach?
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Hi Lumpies
Dfroberts - welcome and glad you found us, but sorry you are joining our club. Check out BRCA testing info on the main site and than take your questions to your BS&MO. Are you also having oncotype done. All help give you and your team a complete picture of your BC pathology and risk for recurrence...so much is driven by your age, path, size...remember everyone is unique and while our plans are similar they our tweaked for our specific needs. You will do great next Wed...so breathe...get your hair cut colored medi pedi front zip sports bra and soak in the love of family and friends over the weekend. Remember to take no c breaks between each step and during waits...we will be in your pocket!
Rettimich - welcome and congrats on healing from surgery...yippee clear nodes and margins. Ah, rads...have you sought a second opinion? Have you stared your concerns with your RO? Are there options? Some receive rads with breast hanging down, others hold breath...ask. For me, my c was near chest wall...rads was necessary. I did ask lots of questions, reviewed films of rad areas, and have not had any lung or heart issues. Ask ask ask until you are comfortable and understand your options and than follow your gut. You will know. Rads is very mental...it's the daily showing up and jumping on the table...breathe, you will know.
Goodness me - how's the Bday girl! Yippee many more xo
and lx&snd is done! Healing time!Island mama - yippee! Done! You did it speedy healing...hope we weren't too noisy:)
Lina - sending good confident thoughts for your next step!
Leeleepan - yippee! A day out and recouping...speedy healing:)
Here's to clear margins and nodes! Pocket parties! And asking asking asking questions until you are comfortable with your plan! Hump Day! And Holiday Weekend in sight:)))
(((Hugs)))
Cindy
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had mine yesterday with SNB. They took 3 nodes, which were mobile. That site is actually the most painful. I am in a bit more pain then I thought I would be, but otherwise just doing well.
They took out quite a chunk of tissue, like lemon sized
Have to wait 1-3 weeks for pathology now.
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Lina999, They actually found it in my vascular when they checked for my nodes. Said there was a side note about it from the lab when they talked about the nodes so my doctor was a little uneasy about that find and my Radiation doc was also concerned about that. I had my second treatment Mon. and feel about like I did last time but doc. did tweak my meds a little so it wouldn't be as bad as it can be by the 4th because my reaction is so rough to it. I appreciate her doing that for me.
Have a good day everyone and hugs to all!!!
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Hello everyone, I have a question for all of you ladies. How long did you leave your bandages on? My discharge papers don't really tell me anything. I had my lumpy on the 20th and my follow-up is the 28th. Should I just leave them on until then? They are small and I was told I could shower with them on. Thanks for any info you can give me.
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Hi Dixie, I was told on discharge that my BS wanted to be the one to remove mine so mine stayed on untill I seen her again.
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Thank you Debster. That was kinda my way of thinking but I wasn't sure.
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well, I was told I could remove them in 24 hrs. My incision was glued. I was told I could shower gently. Well...good thing I removed them because...you're not going to believe this and only some of the lumpies know this from my first postings...the wrong lump was removed. A benign lump. Yes that's what I said. I had 2 lumps clipped. One recent and one old. The recent one was the cancer one. The old one from years ago was benign. The wrong lump was located on surgical mammo and wire localization was placed in wrong lump and surgeon followed that one. I noticed the problem as the incision seemed in wrong place. I looked in my past history reports and found that the benign lump was in the location of incision, panicked, I called, frantic. And surgeon called me back and confirmed my suspicions. Had another lumpectomy of correct lump 1 week later. Nodes were done at first surgery and were neg. Margins at correct surgery were clear and here I am. Law suit not appropriate as error was corrected! So there,...glad I could remove my bandages early and found the problem. But wow! Yea that's a very unusual story. But figured I'd share again. I've sort of let it go and moved on. Wring incision looks good but is at 12:00 position and the correct incision is at 2:00 on L, near my underarm. SN initially were very sore but only for a few weeks and that area healed great and can barely see it.
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Dixie1 - call your BS office and ask his nurse. Always best to go directly to the source.
There's bandages and then there's steri strips...no glue here. My bandages could be removed 48 hrs out and BS removed the steri strips and a week later stitches. Unlike Lisa who wanted to look...and good thing she did...crazy wrong lump...I did really want to see...dimmed the lights for 1st look...I also took before and after pics...she looks a lot better now
Speedy healing
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Dixie- same for me, I could remove bandages the next day but my surgeon wanted to remove the steri strips at my follow up the next week -which was fine with me.
Lisaj514- that is horrible! It is such a good thing you realized the mistake. I would have been close to hysterical for a bit I think!
I wanted to also let you all know I have decided against chemo (Oncotype DX score of 19). I just can't accept the potential SE for what I feel is a minimal potential benefit. And to be honest is scares the you know what out of me!! That means I will start rads in two weeks. Any advice for preparing or getting through rads is greatly appreciated. I will have 33 treatments based on what I have been told.
Hugs and strength to all!
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It's been awhile but wanted to check in with a question. My lumpectomy was in November followed by rads in Jan/Feb. All done and feeling great these days!
One question though: after all my treatments are done, starting in April/May I started to develop a pain in my hip after running on the side where my surgery was. That side still feels a little stiff like the muscles need stretching and I'm wondering if it's because now that I'm healing is it that everything kind of shrunk up in there from all the changes and I simply need to stretch or maybe have some PT to elongate those muscles? I see my MO next week so I'll definitely ask him but in the meantime was just wondering if anyone experienced anything similar.
Otherwise, things are well. I passed the one year since diagnosis mark and am approaching the one year since start of chemo mark and I am feeling good. My hair is coming in curly (exactly like when I was a little kid, LOL!) and am trying to eat healthier and exercise more. I've done two 5K runs and have 2 more coming up including the Color Run which should be a blast.
Good luck to all of you and best wishes!!!
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I had stiffness and pain in my shoulder about 1 year after diagnosis and my BS sent me to PT and it really helped.
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Lina, I also opted out of chemo, oncotype 28. My MO said it might reduce risk of recurrence by 2% and that she and I both felt the SE's weren't worth the benefit.
About rads, we do them a bit different in Canada. I got 16 and 4 boosts. More rads daily over a shorter time. I was told not to put any creams or lotions on until I got the go-ahead, which came at 2 weeks. After that I used Glaxal Base cream. It is the base cream for almost all pharmaceutical creams. Between that and my now beloved Epsom Salt baths, I did fairly well. Although for a while there I was taking 2 baths a day. Lol. I worked until day 13 then took the last 7 days off. I was very fatigued.
Hope you do well with your rads and that you are comfortable with your decision regarding chemo.
Aeryno, hi! It's been a long time. Glad you are doing so well. I love curly hair and it's funny that's how it was when you were a little too. Like its starting over. Can't help with your hip though, but PT does sound good. Nice to see you around the lounge.
Cindy, hi. Just hi. You're always here for us and some days it makes me smile just to see that you posted.
Dixie, I was 2 days with bandages, then three weeks with steristrips. I could shower gently once I got the bandages off.
Have a great evening lumpies.
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Thanks Momof3GreatKids - good to know!!
Thanks RedReading
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Hello ladies...I have been frantically reading this forum from the beginning but things are moving faster than I can read. I was dx in Nov, started chemo in December with 4 rounds of A/C followed by 4 rounds of taxol. I had a f/u PET scan last Thursday and went to my MO for results yesterday. Good news is that all the cancer is gone. The surgeon that I wanted is going on medical leave himself June 8th so I was rushed to his office yesterday and scheduled for a lumpectomy and node removal tomorrow!!! Everything is moving so fast!!! I have panic/anxiety disorder so that makes it worse. The surgeon has given me the option to be admitted overnight if that would make me more comfortable and we decided to make that decision after surgery. I guess I got a million of questions, some were answered in the first 10 pages that I have read but now I need to do my laundry and get ready for tomorrow. I have tried to quit smoking since my dx and succeeded for 6 weeks but started again during the taxol b/c I was so afraid of adverse reactions...I had planned to quit at least a week before my surgery but I had no idea things were going to move this fast....I am up to 10 a day and now hope that after surgery it will be easier to quit for good. I am sure you all know what is going through my head as far as questions go so any input will be much appreciated!!!
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Happy Hump Day Lumpies!
Charusa - Welcome! Breathe, you have been through so much and giving up smoking Ooo who! Don't kick yourself go try ecigs...find a new destresser. No not a gallon of Java chip! Hang in there. Great results from chemo...lx&snd will be a breeze.
Going through your mind...hummm crystal ball please. Go get your hair done, medi pedi, front zip 2X larger sports bra, yoga pants and hoody, cute flip flops, and new pillow for your arm. Update your play list, record family friends video clips to make you laugh and feel loved...cause you are. Ha ha only so many hours.
Blow some bubbles wiggle your toes in the grass, walk in the surf, eat some crab legs, dance a happy dance
let hubby or family do laundry it is NOT the end of the world..and they can bring in food!Ask BS about wire localization, do you desire antianxiety meds, cream for nipple shots ( 4 bee stings), why over night? I wanted to be home with family celebrating it is done. Really the stress of all these months will lift after surgery...promise.
We will be In Your pocket tomorrow {{{squeeze}}}
You got this...breathe! You will be fine! Enjoy family and friends today... Don't put any pressure on yourself...just soak in the love and glow...:))) your going to be fine!
And sweet dreams tonight!
(((Hugs)))
Cindy
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Thanks Cindy your post made me laugh....get my hair done well I look like a kiwi with all my white fuzz but I have a few wigs and bandanas...my laundry is done, I am 59 and divorced so only need to do it every 3 weeks...and it was a normal activity to do the day before chemo...tomorrow would have been my chemo day and I was going to go to the beach to break the chemo routine but I will be having surgery instead of building sand castles!!! Going to try and get out tonight to get some front closure bras I guess buying them 2 sizes bigger is to accommodate swelling? Now is that 2 sizes bigger in the cup size or the circumference size? I take anxiety meds on a daily basis and have xanax for any break through anxiety but I don't want to take the xanax before surgery since I will be taking my morning klonaphin before I leave and I don't think they will allow me to self medicate at the hospital. I think my BS thought I would be calmer staying over night than going home but I will decide that when I wake up.
Char
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Cindy is so right! I was a complete nervous wreck from the time I was dx'd until the morning of my surgery. A week before my surgery, I was on xanax. The last time I took it was the morning of the surgery.
You will feel a sense of calm after the surgery because those nasty invaders are out of there!
Hugs
Mary
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Charusa,living alone, it might be easier for you. if insurance is paying, and food at hospital is decent, then you can indulge your self and pretend you ARE a QUEEN, and let them cater to your every whim! and they will keep an eye on ya. I didnt buy any new bras before, but then i wasnt sure if i would want or be able to wear a bra, so i waited for that, and it was good, cause i found out that i should not get them too tight to cut off lymphatic flow. soft t's are good, and extra extra large to accommodate the drain. and easy enough to fit over your head and not have to lift the affected sides arm up over your head. or a softie button up. i didnt have any gauze and tape for changing bandage around drain, for some reason they wanted me to keep that covered and clean, for at least 5 days, i cant remember, so i had to purchase some of that until i saw doc again. Please really just take it easy with your arm, and especially remember as my BS said "that goes for both arms, you are all connected, you know!" And you will be fine. They were all so incredibly nice to me.
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Charusa -
)) lol! Walmart danskin now front zip XXXlarge (2x circumference and cup, yes swelling) worked for me...and around $10. Kathec is right ...spend the night and be glam queen...would not go home alone...unless you have a GF or family member to stay over...just nice to be pampered. Whose going to fill your pain med RX before you go home? Who will stock your refrig? And when and how will you get the results of margins&nodes! Talk over with your BS...you may be able to go on to the beach just stay out of the sun and let someone else drive...watch the arm and stay on top of your pain meds the first 24-36 hours and take a stool softner don't want the big C...Again, you will feel the haze lift and relief...you did it! Will keep the pocket party down to a soft roar:D
(((Hugs)))
Cindy
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