Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Daniela, welcome. I am so sorry you are hear at such a young age! I would call your surgeon if you are that swollen and your breast is hard.
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Awww glad to feel welcomed, thanks, PontiacPeggy and Molly50
My tumor was a 5 by 5cm, and I live in Ontario, Canada! I did send a message to my surgeon about the swelling but did not ask if the size is normal, he still has not answered but maybe he'll get back to me soon. I wanted to relate to as many lovely ladies here...
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Daniela, Molly is right, CALL your surgeon so he knows you are very concerned. If he deems the swelling normal, fine. If not, then steps should be taken.
You made a good start on making your information public. Here on this site you have make each individual item to have it show up in your signature line. The size of the tumor is important. When you find out the hormone status, that also is helpful information. When you get your path report, the staging and number of lymph nodes removed all should be listed and made public. We just can't remember each gal's particulars and that info below your posts reminds us.
With a 5 x 5cm tumor being removed, your breasts will likely be different sizes. I don't know anything about reconstruction etc so others will have to comment on whether that is a good way to go (or consider).
That you live in Canada is also good to know since Canada does things differently than the US at times.
HUGS!!!
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Daniela, it could be a seroma. With a tumor that large that is a lot of space that can get filled by fluid. Make sure it doesn't get red or warm which are indicators of infection.
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Daniela , with your size of turmor, big chance you will have two different size breast, make sure your left breast is not red and warm, if it does call your doc right away
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Daniela, echoing all the advice on here--the enlargement is probably a seroma (normal); if you get radiation it might get bigger before it gets smaller. Your breast will eventually be noticeably smaller than the right one, but it could take months before it "settles in." Definitely check for redness, heat (it will feel warmer for awhile anyway) and any fever or unusual pain.
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Thank you so much ladies, yes most probably it is that but either way there is not much pain, and no fever or higher than normal warmness for me to really worry about
it's just weird because it's like secretly hiding a kitten at one side ahaha, but like you said as well, I'll continue to keep in touch with my doctor. 0 -
Daniela - your doc office still hasn’t get back to you? Hope you are wearing your compression bra that will help.
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Hi,
I just received my results from my biopsy. I have breast cancer. Will call surgeon and Oncologist next week. The mass is very small found on a routine Mammogram. I am 65 and breast fed my five babies. I am scared. My Dr thinks they may do a lumpectomy because of size. What are your thoughts? Were you offered a Mastectomy as another choice?
Thank-you,
Marmieof5
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Welcome, Marms. I'm glad you found this forum. You are at what I think is the most difficult part of this unasked-for adventure - pre-plan. Once you talk with the surgeon and the oncologist(s), you will feel more in charge. It's good that the mass is small. Have you had a biopsy? Is one planned?
Here's my story: I had a routine mammo, then a diagnostic mammo and ultrasound, then an MRI. Then I saw the surgeon, who ordered a core needle biopsy. That identified my cancer as both DCIS and IDC. The surgeon did offer me a choice of a mastectomy or a lumpectomy followed by radiation. I chose the lesser surgery; you can always have them take more, but you can't put it back once it's gone! I had 33 radiation treatments and am now taking anastrozole as my cells were estrogen positive.
The more information you have - and the more you can share with us - the better we can help you through this process. Be sure to ask for copies of every report. It's hard to take in all the doctors tell you when you're half dressed in the examining room. It's helpful to be able to reread them at home. And there are many wise women here who can help you understand all the new lingo we have to learn!
Best of luck to you.
MJ
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Welcome, Marms. I'm glad you found us. We certainly can offer our opinions on your choices but only you can make them! Most times a lumpectomy is the best first choice. With that comes radiation (and there are often several choices of how the radiation is done). As Tappermom said, you can always have a mastectomy later if it is indicated but once that breast is gone, it is really gone. Reconstruction can make you look balanced but it is not the same as having the breast. Most of the women here who had a lumpectomy then went on to have a mastectomy are glad they did the Lx first. Your recovery time from an Lx is much faster than with an Mx.
You might want to get a copy of Dr Susan Love's Breast Book. It is filled with so much information and will help you understand what is going on. And you have to know something before you can ask questions - the hardest part of this journey.
Tappermom is also right about getting copies of every single report. You will want to go over them at your leisure and make sure you understand them.
Please help us help you by filling out your profile and then go to SETTINGS (in the upper right corner) and make each and every item PUBLIC. Every single one. Please let us know where you live because location matters. Canada, Australia, UK and the US often do things differently.
FYI, I also breastfed my two sons. Maybe it helps but as Dr Love points out in her book, a 1 in 100 chance doesn't matter if you are the "1." For my two cents worth, I would go for a lumpectomy. But definitely see what your breast surgeon recommends and find out WHY (s)he recommends it. Ask questions. You do not need to decide TODAY what to do. Usually taking the time to digest the news and explore options doesn't make things worse.
HUGS!
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Welcome, Marms. My tumor was found based on something "suspicious" on regular annual mammogam, followed by diagnostic mammogram + ultrasound. Diagnoses was result of core needle biopsy. My surgeon advocated lumpectomy w/radiation as he said mastectomy was too much, considering early stage, & size < 1 cm. Hope you find the answers you need in the coming days. Lots of ladies here who have all been where you are now. We are here to help.
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Marms, my surgeon offered me lumpectomy and I just took it. I was totally in shocked and I took his advice. Also I don’t want to have big surgery so I didn’t ask for other options,
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They still have not gotten back to me... It's not actually comfortable for me to wear a bra so far, at least not when I have not yet let go of the big outerwear bandages. I suppose after taking these off, I'll be needing the support of a bra?
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Daniela,
My lumpectomies were 4 weeks ago, and it's still uncomfortable for me to go without any support. About 2 weeks after surgery, I was able to go back to wearing my usual bras during the day, but I still wear the compression wrap at night every night because it hurts if I don't. I don't know if this is normal, though.
Angela
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I was offered a mastectomy (single or double), but lumpectomy + radiation has the same overall survival rate. IMHO, when it comes to major surgery less is more if at all possible. For me, a lumpectomy was a no-brainer. Remember, you can always go back and do a mastectomy, but once a breast is gone it's gone.
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I was also offered a choice but the doctor encouraged me to get the lumpectomy - she said it was small enough and I could get back to normal quicker - I did end up having 2 lumpectomies and now I am glad I went that way..
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My surgeon beamed when I told her I would go for the lumpectomy--"I was hoping you'd say that," she said, even though skin-sparing mastectomy is her "claim to fame."
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I initially went with lumpectomy. My cancer was fairly small, about the size of a cherry, and my breasts are large. Even after LX and re-excision for margins there was barely even a dent in the size. My BS hid the scar in the fold of my armpit, so unless you knew where to look you'd never see it.
Unfortunately, a few weeks after my LX some genetic testing revealed bad news--two gene mutations which cause BC. I thought I was out of the woods because the initial tests were negative for the BRCAs. I had no idea that there were other baddies out there. So, when I turned up positive for Chek2 and PALB2 mutations my MO insisted that I get rid of the breasts. So if you look at my stats below, you can see that I've had a lot of surgeries. I would have been happy as a clam to stick with the LX. My recovery from BMX was horrible and I wouldn't wish it one anyone.
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I assumed that I would have a mastectomy. Then my surgeon explained why that was not necessary and that a lumpectomy was the best choice. I'm glad that's what I had.
HUGS!
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I was certain I was going to need a mastectomy because a couple of weeks before that fateful screening mammogram, I'd dropped a bundle on a bunch of fancy European bras in my size in various styles & colors (US mfrs. think we well-endowed women need only white, black & maybe beige, if they make our size at all). I was sure I'd get karmic punishment for my vanity.
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I had a lumpectomy but now after I've read so much more about how "sneaky" lobular cancer is, I wish I had insisted on a bmx. Especially now. I was supposed to have another MRI in September to confirm that the BS had gotten all of the cancer. Instead I was told I'd only be getting a mammogram - not even a 3-D one (my insurance doesn't cover 3-D) .
Since ILC doesn't show up on regular mammograms, I'm going to pay for a 3-D one and I am asking the MO to order a MRI.
I'm frustrated and stressed out. I thought I would know by now that the lx had worked. The problem is my ILC was in a "string of pearls" formation. The spots weren't connected so even though I had clear margins, there might have been another spot or two outside the margins. A MRI in May wasn't conclusive which is why I was supposed to have another one in September once swelling went down.
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Hi Marms.....I was 59 when I got the dreaded call. My tumor was about 1.5 centimeter. I had a lumpectomy but I think the choice is yours as to whether or not to choose mastectomy. There are alot of factors to consider. This is the scariest time...trying to decide and waiting for answers. It's hard to believe you'll ever feel normal again but you do. Hang in there.
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What an unwelcome education I'm getting. I'm sure you've all been through the same......"Suspicious" mamo, leads to diagnostic mamo, leads to stereotactic biopsy - pathology says aductal hyperplasia bordering on DCIS, leads to lumpectomy -pathology says DCIS Grade 3. So biopsy didn't tell the real story...frankly makes me question testing. Family history of colon cancer - 3 generations in a row perished. Awaiting genetic testing to help develop game plan.
That said, I'm two and a half weeks post wire localization lumpectomy. Most of my remaining discomfort is stemming from the site where the localization wire was inserted. I still have a couple of black bruises at the site and a painful "knot" under the skin on the side of my breast. I would have thought that the surgeons incision around my nipple would be the source of discomfort - although I must say that I also have numbness, but no bruising left at the incision site. Has anyone else experienced this?
Thanks for any insight
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After mammograms and biopsy I was diagnosed with DCIS in left breast. First surgeon was leaning toward mastectomy. Second opinion surgeon said that was too aggressive for my case and recommended lumpectomy followed with radiation and tamoxifin (or other), which is what I did. Last week I had a wire localization procedure and lumpectomy. The elastic bandage they put around me after the lumpectomy kept falling down (I'm large on top). Once I took it off and put on a sports bra it made a world of difference. I took my first shower the other day (prior I was doing sponge baths) and laid down with nothing on top to kinda air dry. THAT was painful. I need to have support on at all times. Probably because I'm still a little swollen and pretty sore. I have my followup next week with my surgeon and will hear about what I need to do to set up radiation. Feeling pretty good overall ... considering what my body went thru
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Hi, Ellyn. I'm glad to hear you're doing well so far. And I'm glad you got that second opinion. I didn't have a wire localization but I did have a sentinel node biopsy. My experience was that incision site was more troublesome than the incision on my breast (at 6 o'clock). I had 33 radiation treatments, which I did not find that difficult. The only challenging thing about the mapping (when they create your plan) was holding my arms over my head for about 45 minutes. But the treatments themselves were quick. My greatest side effect was the extreme fatigue. The good thing is there is a definite end date so you know it isn't something that will last forever.
Best of luck to you. Keep us posted!
MJ
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Hi all,I had a lumpectomy yesterday & am doing great so far.No swelling ,no pain Must have been great surgeon.I had same-day surgery & lots of friends calling with love & support.Now only the anxiety of waiting for the bioposy report of the lymph nodes.Glad the surgery is over.Sure am glad this chat room is here!!!!
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Glad you're feeling well, Chips. I'll give you the same advice that was given to me: Keep in mind that a lumpectomy is major surgery. Even though you're feeling well and have no pain, pamper yourself. I only had surgical glue on the outside and forgot about the internal stitches (when I got my surgery report, I realized they were there). I found my SNB site to be more bothersome than the BC surgical site. A small pillow tucked under my arm helped a lot.
Here's to clear margins and negative nodes! Keep us posted on how you're doing.
M
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Thanks Tappermom,for your quick reply.I am so relieved to have the anxiety of the impending surgery behind me that I don't want to forget that I've just had major surgery. Thanks for the reminder so I don't do too much & have a set-back.I think sometimes we as women forget to take care of ourselves because we are so busy taking care of others.
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Just thought I'd check in this evening...I've been following in stealth mode for months now. Welcome to all the new ladies. Sorry you have to be here, but I'm glad you found us.
As you all may remember we put our house on the market a month ago. We had a moisture problem in the basement. that had to be remedied, so that put us behind the 8-ball for about 10 days. But it's showing strong by now.
Our plan has been to move into our camper once we get the house on the market -- I'm happy to say, we are here in the north Georgia mountains NOW and it's just lovely and relaxing. I've had a lot of anxiety over the past month, but happy to report that things are starting to move along.. We'll take our camper to the shop next week, in anticipation of moving it to the Florida panhandle the first week of November.
Aaaand you'll never believe this, but I have a job lined up...starting in April, LOL. Yep, I was talking with some of the staff here at the campground about our plans to snowbird and she asked me if I'd ever considered working right here as a camp host from April through October. Would I?! Oh boy! I always said I'd want to live up here and now I'm really going to make that happen in 2018.
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