Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Hey girls! For once, I am back with two answers instead of ten questions.
First.... I've always been an insomniac and taken various prescribed or ITC sleep meds. Anastrozole (Armidex) made sleep elusive again. Started taking magnesium at night and have been sleeping and staying asleep much better.
Second... the real biggie for me. Achy joints (mostly hips) had me considering quitting my job. I love my retirement job as a bookseller at an indie bookstore. I get paid to do what I love. But being on my feet all day ( even tho I shortened my shifts to 6 hours) was seriously difficult thanks to my AI.
But.... I stumbled onto some decaf tea made with Turmeric and Ginger, and I am a new woman. Turmeric is known to help inflammation. So my Achy joints are at a 2 instead of an 8. Woo hoo.
Sleeping better and not having joint pain have helped my attitude and depression tremendously.
I know different things work for different people. But it never hurts to give something a try.
It's been five months since surgery. Three months since radiation. Three months on my AI. And I finally feel like I have turned a corner. I still think about breast cancer and my experienc every day, but it isn't totally dominating my life and thoughts anymore. I know my first follow up mammogram may cause some anxiety. But hey....
"And yet, she persisted."
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Thank all of you ladies for your support and let you know I got home late yesterday. Yesterday was a bit woozy, today feel weak but am trying to stay up, eat and moving slow. Pain isn't bad but uncomfortable and hard to sleep. My throat spasms which is scary probably from the anesthesia tube. I will say though some of the staff weren't too swift, the ladies who greeted me as I walked to the operating room provided me with love. They all did a group hug and I nearly cried, telling them not to let anything happen to me. Going under wasn't as bad this time and actually woke up probably when they took the tube out coughing. Did not see the Dr. but he said no spread to lymph nodes though I am very worried since the biopsy pathology was not good! I will see him October 9th.
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Robin - thank you for the tips, I used to take Turmeric, I stopped because of my BC surgery. Since then I haven't take it, I just wonder is it okay to take turmeric with taxol Chemo?? I need to ask MO or the nurse.
MFPM - so happy your lymph nodes are all clean!! Rest up and you will be fine in matter of days! Hugs!
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Robin, I'm not having inflammation as a SE, but I've heard great things about that tea just for general inflammation anyway. Paulette, is there a reason it may not be okay while on chemo? I think I'd like to add that to my day, but don't want to interfere with chemo.
MFPM, I'm glad you made it through okay. Get plenty of rest and drink lots of water.
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Posted in Brachytherapy group on this topic also, but thought I would update my lumpectomy ladies too as a follow up . I had to have a second surgery yesterday to close my original surgical incision. I posted in early August about the issues I'd had with this opening up during brachytherapy. I was seeing a wound specialist and although it was getting closer it was not healing. So I asked for a surgical solution as I was so tired of the dressings and going to wound specialist weekly. Apparently BS had to do something (scrape it) to create some blood flow and then stitch it from inside and out? (I was put under sedation for this). I'm not really sure exactly what she did, but I just know I wanted this hole to close. I am in quite a bit of pain today from this but hoping that when I can take off the bandage on Sunday I will see that that is healing...It's been a long road since June 7th when I had original surgery.
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Barb, hope your pain eases and your incision will heal and stay closed uneventfully.
MFPM, glad you're home safe & sound. The throat stuff will ease over time--I had a scratchy throat for the first couple of days and my voice was breathy for about a week. Perhaps when you were intubated the airway irritated something. For showering, you might want to get a pair of shower mitts (or even potholders) in which to place your drains, attach cloth ribbons or strings, and wear them over your shoulders so that there's no tension on the drains. My friend did this for after her BMX and it worked like a charm. You are probably entitled to a few visits from a home health nurse, too.
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So I just returned from my yearly mammogram and they were concerned with some calcifications they found. A little background about me I am 36, 2 years ago I was diagnosed with stage 1a, only 1.2mm of idc found, lumpectomy and radiation completed. So back to today they found a few in the actual lumpectomy site and then what looked to me to be a line of them right behind the site. I am scheduled for biopsys of both places next Tuesday's but am just stressing out about this whole deal. Was wondering if anyone had any past experiences they could share or information since I can't seem to find much on the internet about this. Thank you in advance.
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Could be fat necrosis or scars.
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Jenny - I just found out I have BC since this year April, so I'm no help at all. hugs!! Sent prayers!!
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I had a lumpectomy 4 yrs ago, this past April I had a 3 D mammo for the first time and it was noted there was calsifications, which were never noted before on a regular mammo. My new MO as well as my previous one said it could be scar tissue and we would just look for changes when I have my next mammo.
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- Hello I'm a 48 year old mam of 2 girls & recently was diagnosed with breast cancer & just had a lumpectomy on Tuesday of this wk. I'm healing well still have some pain & had to go to doctor yesterday with very bad constipation. . I haven't slept for 3 days and am missing work ..feel like I'm going crazy
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water - you need to take some Miralax for your constipation and ask you doc for Ativan so you can calm down and get some sleep. You need to sleep and recovery.
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Thank you for the helpful suggestion!
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RobinLT...any particular brand of tea you are using?
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I finally got a surgery date set after seeing the Doctor last Thursday. It will be Oct.20th In one way,I wish it was tomorrow, but in other way I'm glad to have time to get my "ducks in a row" (any suggestions?)I have been doing fine since I had the "falling -apart" upon hearing the initial BC diagnois. For whatever reason I'm not holding it together today,is it normal for anxiety & stress to do a number on us when we are facing the unknown? I get so angry at the medical communitee when they say,"just don't think about it" then hand you a big packet of material about bc that they want you to read.(I haven't even opened it) I want the ol' me back.I'm normally an optimistic outgoing person,but I can't seem to look forward to anything.
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Chips - sorry that you are here with us, we all get upset and ask why me! Unfortunately we can go back to the time we wished, all we can do is take it one day at a time. The waiting period is hard, so much will go though your mind, if you have questions this website is one of the best to give supports and information
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Hi Chips. I just had my surgery on 9/13. From the moment I was diagnosed until I received the post-op pathology report and knew exactly what the plan was, I felt like my entire life was on hold. I couldn't make plans, I had a hard time focusing at work, etc. It was pretty hard. Now I've had the surgery and tomorrow I meet with the radiologist. I know I won't need chemo. So I'm finally starting to see beyond this and feel more like myself again.
You'll get there, but it does take time. Good luck!
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Thank you Angela & Paulette for the speedy replies.Sometimes,I feel I must be in denial,when I go on with my life as if nothings wrong.Your support made me feel better & I hope that after this is all over with ,that I can be of help to someone else.I know that God is running the show,& I often get mad at myself when I hear of someone that is going through a lot more than me.After all gratitude changes attitude !
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I had the seroma in my right axilla area aspirated today (finally - the insurance company had trouble finding an imaging center that would do it). The cool thing was the doctor told me to turn my head and look at it on the US monitor. He wiggled the needle so I'd see it, then started drawing the fluid out. I watched the seroma collapse on itself. He said the fluid looked normal but they send it off to the lab for testing. Now I'm feeling uncomfortable - how can such a tiny needle cause this much discomfort?
MJ
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Well, they just called me from the surgeon's office & my surgery will be on the 18th of Oct. Yay! 2 days less of anxiety.I have to go one place & get the seed inserction & dye shot,Then to the hospital after that for surgery at noon.I know not to eat or drink anything ,but do you smokers out there think I could have a cigarette in between (I really hate our hospital & don't want to spend any more time than necessary. Thanks all
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Chips, you should not smoke close to surgery! It should be in your pre op instructions. Glad you got an earlier date. Tappermom, I am glad you got the seroma aspirated. Hugs everyone!
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Hi,
I originally posted this in the breast reconstruction section but didn't really get any responses--so I thought I'd try here.
I'm currently in chemo treatment for a small, probable Stage 1 tumor in my right breast (about 6 mm). I'll have surgery in January, and I've decided to have a lumpectomy due to the small size of the tumor, and based on mammos and MRIs it doesn't seem to have spread anywhere. I'll then have 6 weeks of radiation.
I'm considering and will probably have symmetry reconstruction to the "healthy" breast, and could really use some tips from others who have done this. My natural breasts are a mess. I'm 44, and I had gastric sleeve surgery a few years ago. The results were wonderful, health-wise, but left my DD breasts sadly deflated! (Ironically, the nature of my breasts probably made it easier to detect my tumor early, so I guess I can't hate the deflated breasts that much....) I've also always had tremendous asymmetry in my breasts since I was a teenager. My right breast (with the tumor) is a full cup size larger than the left. It is very noticeable even with clothes on. Not to mention it makes finding a bra that fits almost impossible.
So, once the tumor is removed, my plan is to 'lift" both breasts, and remove a little of the extra tissue from the right/ bigger breast.That may not be needed since that's the breast with the tumor, and will get radiation treatment.
Has anyone else done this, and if so, can you share your experience?0 -
I wouldn't do anything until you are healed from radiation. Since the lumpectomy is coming off your larger size, that may take some of the additional size, then radiation may tighten it up further. I've heard women say they have one old lady boob (the untreated side) and one perky teenaged boob (the radiation side), but in your case, it may actually even them up so additional surgery isn't necessary. If it is, you can plan it later, after you're healed.
Hopefully those with more experience will be able to give you better input soon
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I've been considering it. (I'd be delighted to have DDs--my R one is F, down from H after the seroma shrank, and my L one is--depending on the mfr--H or I. The R one, but for the faint scar along the side, looks "normal:" big but round & perky with nipple pointing straight ahead. The L one looks like a basset hound's ear, with nipple pointing at my feet). I've filled in the cup on whichever breast was smaller (soon after rads my seroma swelled so much that the R was slightly bigger and my cleavage skewed left) with pads taken from an old Genie bra that was too small. I get by now with a 40F in Empreinte or Third Love, or 40G in Prima Donna or Elomi.
You might want to look into Third Love--they make cup-and-a-half sizes. If you're a D or smaller, you have lots of options color-and-style-wise. The thing I like about them (besides the fact that they're mail-order and you don't have to try them on in front of a fitter) is that their T-shirt bras (the only ones that come in 40F, albeit in a choice of either pale pasty nude or slightly tan nude) have cups lined with memory foam, so that evens out the bustline).
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Autumn1031, we have a fair bit in common. I had lumpectomy and oncoplastic reduction two and a half weeks ago and have been very pleased with the results. I hadn't thought about the state of the large breasts after bariatric surgery (had Roux N Y in 2013) would make tumour detection easier. I'd wondered why my ILC was palpable, visible on 3D mammogram and ultrasound when I keep reading that ILC is so difficult to detect. Hope you're as pleased with your results as I was.
Brightness, you make a good point about radiation. I haven't started that, so don't know how things will be afterwards but my thought was for surgery to be one and done and life with whatever the results were. Had been on the fence until genetics results came back about this or BMX w/o reconstruction.
ChiSandy, thanks for the info about where to shop for bras; I'd been freaking out about not being permitted to go without the post-surgery bra long enough to wash and dry it and didn't know how to find another without knowing the new size. Ordered a cheap zip front sports bra from Amazon and wore it while washing the other and even that was too long; stupid thing was tough to fasten and refused to stay fastened. After the follow-up where all bra restrictions were lifted, I discovered that I could still wear my old ones so they must have been much too small before. Glad to know of some other choices.
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Most women are wearing at least one bad size too big and one or two (or more) cup sizes too small, simply because most U.S. lingerie makers refuse to make any cups larger than DDD or even DD, and no discount stores carry anything larger. And in those sizes, you're lucky to find anything other than white, nude or black. Before I saw an Oprah segment on the subject and went to Intimacy (now Rigby & Peller), I was wearing a 42DDD or 44DD and wondering why, even though the band was riding up in the back, the center of the front of the bra between the cups "pooched" out despite my efforts to try and bend the wires. Turns out my real size was (depending on brand) 40G, 38HH or 38H. And the variety of colors & styles (lacy, t-shirt, sports, plunge, etc) was dazzling. European (including UK) brands routinely make large cup sizes and know women of all shapes & sizes want more than "prison bras."
In anticipation of not being able to wear underwires or reach behind to close a bra, and having to wear at least some sort of bra 24/7, and being unable to find anything at Kohl's or Carson Pirie Scott, I went online to HerRoom.com, typed "post-surgical" into the search box, and came up with Leading Lady's "leisure" bras (sometimes called "sleep" bras). They are front-hook (7 or 8 of 'em are a PITA, but the fabric is stretchy enough to be less burdensome than front-hook large-cup sports bras) and come in a rainbow of colors (I even found one in leopard print). They have three cup ranges (the largest being F/G/H) and bands up to 52. You won't get a perky profile from them, but you will get sleep support, and will look better if you have to answer the door in your nightie or PJs. They run $25-30 each--and Woman Within/Roaman's and BareNecessities carry them too.
Once my incisions healed, I was able to get back into my underwires, even during my radiation weeks.
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I had my consult with my plastic surgeon on Friday. I was actually pretty shocked at what he said, but in hindsight it makes sense... my deflated breasts are actually a DD only because of all the extra skin (post surgery). There's not really that much tissue there, not as much as I thought. So after I do the oncoplastic reduction, and they tighten up all the skin, I'll either be a C or even a B cup! O_O I was shocked to hear this, because I've been naturally full figured since I was about 14 or 15 years old. Even before I gained all the weight in my 30s. So now the choice becomes, do I accept the new size and become an "average cup" woman for the first time in my entire teenage and adult life, or do I add implants to get me back to my natural size. I'll have several months to think about it, since he won't do any further surgeries until at least 6 months post radiation. I know I shouldn't care so much, but I've never much liked the way I look - the only thing I've ever been happy with is my breasts. I'm tall and curvy, (hips too), and I just can't imagine being that much smaller.
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I saw my surgeon yesterday for a follow-up after having my seroma aspirated. He has released me from his care. I told him I might pop in to say hello as my MO is on the same floor of the medical building. In a crazy sort of way I'm going to miss him and his staff! He told me to be sure to get my annual mammograms. My RO told me she's going to order one for me six months after my completion of rads - January. I'm going to ask if she'll order an US at the same time as my breasts are still so dense.
Hope everyone's doing well!
MJ
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I just had a lumpectomy yesterday, and I did not expect for my left breast to be so swollen to the degree that it is more than twice the size of my normal right one.It is so big and hard? as if they filled it in with a rock... Is that normal? and after around 5 weeks when the swelling will be gone or reduced, will my left breast eventually look smaller than my normal one?
I am a high school student so I'm worried about how strange this will look and feel in throughout my days till I recover.
Thank you all
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Daniela44, Welcome to the place you didn't want to be but will be glad you found. Yes, it is normal for the breast to be swollen. I'm not sure that twice the size of your other breast is common. Others may be able to comment.
Without more information, it is hard to tell if your breasts will be the same size. Like there will be some difference. It does depend a lot on how big your tumor was and how much tissue was removed. If you would fill out your profile and then click the SETTINGS tab in the upper right and make each item PUBLIC that will help us answer all your questions. Also let us know where you live - perhaps we have gals nearby and there's nothing more helpful than meeting people who have been where you are.
Please keep posting here with all your questions. We are WITH YOU!
HUGS!
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