Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Cancer is cancer. No matter what stage, it's still a sh*tty disease and we all "own" our cancers and everything that goes along with them. (Ooops---just realized I'm missing my support group mtg.--can still make the last 1/2 hr of it, but I'm tired and it's freezing out. Don't wanna make that 20-min. drive up to Evanston. Until the Bar Show run is over, a free evening is a precious thing. Most of the women RSVPd they can't get there tonight anyway, so there's a chance only the facilitator will show up).
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I was worried about not eating for so long, too. My surgery was scheduled for 11am and I had to be at the hospital by 5am for wires, etc. I wasn't awake in recovery until 1pm, I think, and they offered me saltines and sugary apple sauce. I typically don't eat wheat or sugar, so that was a little annoying. Why doesn't the hospital of all places offer healthy food options
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Angela - I had a similar surgery time. I had my wire put in at 9am, and because my bs and ps were doing other surgeries, mine was apparently last. I wasn’t rolled into the operation room until 4:30 that afternoon. I hadn’t eaten anything for over 19 hours. I woke up at 9:30 that night, and the hospital asked if I wanted to eat (as I wasn’t feeling that bad), and guess what they brought me? It was a horrible frozen dinner - like a Banquet dinner. I would have settled for some toast or ice cream. I couldn’t eat it, so since it was late, I ended up staying over night and they did serve a better breakfast the next morning. As a contrast to this, 3 years ago when I had a bypass, they served really nice meals. Things must have gotten cheap with the kitchen, but it was a late hour. I wouldn’t have bothered with the frozen dinner if I knew that’s what they were going to serve me.
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I was also told to not eat past midnight even though my surgery was in the afternoon. I went in for a 9:00am appointment to put in the wires, and 11:00am for the sentinel lymph node injection, and 1:00pm reporting time for the outpatient surgery. I ended up not being wheeled in to the operating room until 4:30pm because the previous surgeries ran long.
I think the trick is to sit down at 11:30pm and have a second dinner with all the fixins, and dessert. I heated up some chicken leftovers, veggies, and had a bowl of ice cream, just as my husband was getting ready to go to bed. He had a funny look on his face watching me scarf down the food at nearly midnight. I didn't really feel my first hunger pangs the next day until past noon.
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It amazes me we all had afternoon surgeries. Didn’t know doctors could work that long on surgical procedures. I was hoping to lose weight by my fasting - no such luck there. I know I do not like that anesthesia they used (although it was common general anesthesia). Hit me a couple of days later for 5 days, but it could have been the antibiotic I was on, or maybe the Codiene in pain pills.
Today I talked to my oncologist and she suggests a 4 round treatment of Taxol & Cytoxan every 3 weeks, or 12 week total period. Temporarily scheduled for Nov. 21st. Just in time for Thanksgiving and Christmas-wheeeeee! I have to think about this - my Grade went up from 2 to 3 after examining tumor post surgery. Oncotype was 27. Ki67 - high at 60%. So she said I had an aggressive cancer meaning it grows fast, but caught early. I think I could manage 4 treatments, but it still scares me how it might effect my future health. The percentage of reoccurrence is 18% without chemo, but with radiation and hormone therapy. That’s a 1 in 5 chance of it reoccurring within 5-15 years or more. With chemo, 1 in 10 chance reducing it 50% down to 8-10% percent chance of reoccurrence. Again, I’m 68, with heart disease - hard decision to make for me at this age. I’ll still lose my hair and who knows what side affects I’ll have, so going to give it a deep thought to make up my mind. She is using the better drugs for heart condition. I can’t use the “mycin” type Chemodrugs.
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I had my radioactive seed placement at 7 am, then the tracer injection for the sentinel nodes at 9:30 (with scan to see if it got far enough at 10:30), then IV placement. Was scheduled for noon, but the OR was running behind. Got wheeled in at 2, and was back in my roomette having my nosh by 3:30, discharged at 4:30, home by 5.
Contrast that with 1983, when I had my first miscarriage. The OB did an ultrasound, declared I had an "incomplete abortion" (I miscarried at 10 wks. but the dead fetus hadn't been expelled) and ordered me across to the hospital ASAP for an emergency D&C. I wasn't even allowed to go home and get my things--had to call friends to come bring them to me. Checked in at 4pm, expecting to get my surgery (I hadn't eaten since breakfast) ASAP. But they didn't have an open OR. So because I was to be NPO after 10 pm, they turned me loose to have dinner before the cafeteria closed, in nightie & bathrobe. I ate whatever I wanted (free--my patient ID bracelet was my meal-ticket), including a piece of coconut meringue pie I can still taste (fondly). Had the D&C the next morning. On the radio in the OR, just before I went under, I heard a McDonald's double-cheeseburger commercial ("double-double cheese-cheese burger-burger please"). Back in my room afterward, I was still on my IV. Bob asked me if I was hungry, and I said I was starving. He surreptitiously sped up my I.V., then went to the cafeteria and brought back...what else...a double cheeseburger.
Back then I was an HMO patient, and the HMO was owned by the hospital. A year later, after delivering Gordy via C-section, they kept me in for 6 days. I was out of pocket only for the TV and the newspaper. 11 yrs later I had my gallbladder out laparascopically--they checked me in the night before, and kept me in until the second day after surgery. Nowadays, practically everything is a "23-hr admit" except for either ambulatory (drive-through) or major complex surgery (like Bob's hemicolectomy or my knee replacements). Down in Oak Lawn, they were going to send my friend home the morning after her BMX--we had to fight to get her an extra night to get her pain under control and a home aide set up for when I went back up to the N. Side.
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Blair2 - I am with you on the side affects of the drugs! I was reading yesterday and one of them can cause cancer of the uterus! WTH?! Why would I take these with so many side affects? They sound scarier than BC does!
chiSandy - I wonder if they push us out of the hospital so fast because there isn't enough room to support the amount of people? I would have thought it would be different for the US seeing as you have to pay out of pocket for medical care. I don't think they push people out quite as fast over here, but you don't stay long that's for sure.
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Vampyes - fortunately I had a hysterectomy years ago and one of the reasons was to avoid uterine cancer. The main reason though that I had one done was because I was tired of the heavy bleeding and discharge due to fibroids and polyps. It was one of the best things I ever did. Felt so “clean” afterwards. It didn’t interfere with sex in any way. I had ovaries and cervix removed also. I did the vaginal technique that was somewhat new in 2000, and so I healed quite rapidly. My grandmother on my fathers side died of uterine cancer, but I always thought the paternal side in the family didn’t matter. So - won’t ever have cancer in that area, but I too have read articles that say these chemo drugs can cause other futureailments with the body. My treatment is suppose to be on the “mild” side of treatments, but even a little can go a long ways of harm - just can’t say and I’m scared period. I feel my body at my age is not that strong, but maybe I underestimate myself.
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I wanted to say Hi, I am new here, 10 days post op lumpectomy, right breast IDC. Clean margins and nothing in nodes (3) Had my surgical post op visit today. My first oncology appt will be Monday. Have all pathology except HER2 FISH results as the initial pathology on HER2 was equivocal. My biopsy done in August showed HER2+ but that was done via IHC test, not FISH. I believe this result will make the biggest difference in how I will be treated..waiting again and learning that seems to be the name of the game in this journey. I appreciate finding this site, the wealth of knowledge being shared and sense of community. If there's a protocol or somewhere I need to post first please let me know.
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GigiBee, Welcome! Glad you found us. Waiting is rotten. Some tests take longer than others to get back. While waiting would you mind updating your profile AND making each item public, please? Also let us know where you are located - that can make a difference too. Now we'll always know all about your BC dx and tx. Thanks!
HUGS!
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had lumpectomy with a few lymph nodes removed yesterday, took a pain pill they gave me right b fore I went to bed at 8:30 then slept till 5 am, I propped my pillow up had a body pillow on the effected side and a pillow to try and elevate that arm , this morning so far took 2 Tylenol’s and so far I’m ok. Pre op yesterday my oncology surgeon injected liodocain , and one of those actually hurt , then he injected the 4 radioactive. Then I went to ultrasound room where radiologist used the ultrasound to guide the wire inserted by a needle, she also did an injection of lidocaine prior to this too. My surgery wasn’t till 12 so by that time I had a headache from no coffee and I was hungry and dizzy and weak. They brought me to recovery at 3 and I woke up like 4 and was told my heart rate had went up to 130 beats , so they wanted it to get under 100 before I could go home which I left hospital finally at 6 , they only fed me 4 mini laroona cookies 😖 on the way home we drop script pain meds and ran across street for take out went back got my prexfiption then came home
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Motherofall - they sure don’t know how to take care patients..... sucks!
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Had my ex-cision Tuesday & all went well.I had to take minocycline(antibiotic)this time after surgery.Didn't have to take after my Lumpectomy.I felt ok after surgery then kept feeling worse & worse.Was dizzy & really unsteady.Called the surgeon's office Friday & he said I could stop the antibiotics.I sure did & I must say I'm feeling much better today.Guess I must have had a reaction to them.
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I think sometimes our bodies go into shock hours after surgery. I think the anesthesia got to me 2 days after my breast reduction lumpectomy. I wasn’t sure if it was from pain pills, antibiotics, or anesthesia. I didn’t take many pain pills, but I wanted the antibiotics to be taken. I still felt unstable for 5 mornings after that second day. They say anesthesia stays in the body for as many as 10 days - so I blame it. Could be wrong, but just saying
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What a difference between surgeons and countries. I didn't receive any medications to go home with or prescriptions to fill. I didn't need anything till my lymph incision started to swell up with fluid. That is a painful pressure and no one will drain it for me, but the surgeon...give me the needle I'll do it myself. lol
chips530 - did you have another tumor or just not enough area taken from the first lumpectomy? My have my re-excision on Wednesday due to another tumor.
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Gigiebee- the waiting is so hard. This a good place to be though even though I sure wish we didn't have to be.
Blair2 - I had my LC with SNB on 5/24 and still have some tenderness. My BSO said many say that breast is more tender and sensitive forever. Not looking forward to my mammoin February. As fas as shape - i had a mini lift, they look good, but the radiated breast is a bit smaller.
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ML1209 - yes, I was told the radiation shrinks the breast a bit. My ps hates radiation. He made my cancer side a bit larger, but I think it’s swollen on it’s lower side and what I call the “pointy area” above relocated nipple. I’m hoping that does flatten some to match the other side eventually. That’s where the tumor was. The pointy area is not noticeable through the sports bras I wear. Just looks a bit deformed in that area in the nude. It points out above the nipple while my other breast is flatter. I’m still trying to get use to the new youthful shape, but still wish all of this mess never happened to begin with.
Good luck with your mammogram! I know I’ll be a bit nervous next April - they already scheduled it. Probably protocol
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After having a 2 pm colonoscopy five years ago, and being so sick from dehydration because I hadn't eaten or drank anything since the night before, they had to pump me up with fluids via IV. The doctor told me I am never to have a late operation or procedure again which is how I got an early lumpectomy.
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Had lumpectomy on Oct 24, 2017. I was diagnosed with invasive mammary carcinoma and Her2 in the left breast and infiltrating lobular carcinoma in the right breast. It has been very overwhelming especially after undergoing the lumpectomy as well as removal of the sentinal node and the surgical biopsy on the right. The pain wasn't bad at first but as I entered into week 2, I'm feeling some pretty strange and somewhat painful things. Numbness, tingling and stabbing pain that is intermittent. I have yet to find a bra that supports good enough. With one of my incisions being under the left breast crease that is roughly 2-3" across, it is painful to wear anything. I still have to have the Oncotype DX test to see what treatment will best benefit me. I'm anxious to get it all started and very scared at the same time.
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Vampeyes,The surgeon said the margin was still questionable,thus the ex-cision-he said the only area left to clear after this was air.Surely this is the last surgery.Not feeling as good as I did yesterday,but I guess it takes a bit to get the antibiotics out of my system.Now,broke off a tooth last night so going to get that seen to before starting radiadion.I'm sick of being sick!
Dianne
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Goose48 - the waiting for test results drives everyone crazy. Oncotype takes a month on average. It needs to be sped up some how. The surgical pain is a pain as well. First there’s the stiffness along with the pain - mostly annoying. Then the careful protection of keeping incisions dry, so showering is awkward. I used ice packs briefly that helped, but the ps nurses said not to put it directly on nipples in my case. 20 minutes only at a time. I also got sudden throbs Now and then, but eventually it subsided. The tape I was using for gauze made my skin itch. Now at 4.5 weeks, I use no bandages.
Chips530 - sorry about your tooth - that adds to the fun I’m sure! I felt bad from day 3-7 upon waking. I believe it was due to the anesthesia. It’s important to try and take all the antibiotics- but if they cause stomach problems - it’s best to notify doctor- that’s all you can do. I wondered too if they were causing my problem, but I think it was the anesthesia in my system because I felt so groggy.
Hope both of you feel better soon
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Dianne - so sorry about your tooth, like you needed that on top of everything else, right!? I do hope you are feeling better today. Try and rest as much as possible, I know it's hard, but it should help. No chemo for you then? I am still waiting to see an oncologist, plus I want to see a specialist in London to talk about my best options.
Goose48 - waiting is the worst! Have you tried a sports bra for comfort? My incision is right where the underwire would sit so I have been wearing a sports bra non stop for the last 3.5 weeks. Hope you are feeling better today, remember to take it easy and rest.
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Waiting for my chemotherapy schedule... should start next week, or the week after Thanksgiving.
Completed two surgeries for my lumpectomy. First time, the margins were not clear. Fortunately, my lymph nodes are good, but I have quite a swollen lump in my armpit from the lymph node dissection. It would be okay with me if that went away!
Got my port during the initial lumpectomy, November 2. I wonder if I will ever get used to it! I'm aware of it all the time, and being HER2 positive, I will have it for a year.
I'm ready to get started! The sooner we start - the sooner it is over.
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Are you ladies using ice after your surgery? I found ice really helped post op with lumpectomy and especially the underarm incision from the axillary node removal.
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I used a bag of frozen peas, because they contour to the exact spot that needs icing. You can also make your own reusable flexible gel ice packs by freezing a 50-50 mix of isopropyl alcohol & distilled water inside 3 or 4 Ziploc bags.
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My lymph node dissection was also annoying pain wise. The sports bra edge went practically right on top of it. The bandages kept getting pushed off from arm movements, so it was a sensitive spot for a long time. Ice helps the pain, but you must be careful not to leave it in place too long - can worsen it - somehow - so they say - if applied too long. Should do it off and on 20 mins. max, but ask your doctor to be sure
Meowmmy65 - I’m scheduled for chemo next week too. I thought about changing it, but then my sick days after my 2nd treatment would fall right at Christmas time. So I would rather be sick at Thanksgiving time.
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hi ladies
I just joined today! Never posted to such forum in my life, but I guess breast cancer is so strong event in someone's life that you feel compelled to share. I had my diagnosis on Aug 4, surgery Sep 8 lumpectomy left breast with 3 lymph nodes removed and my first radiation is on Nov 20. I am grateful to God that I don't have to do chemo as my Oncotype was 18 and my oncologist recommended only radiation then 5 years of tamoxifen. Read a lot about both. Really not looking forward either but as it was explained to me, they are reducing my chances of reaccurance. I pray I will never have it again but I believe we all should do everything we can to reduce this risk even though it means taking this painful medication if it is chemo, radiation or any bill. I am 53 years old and the doctor said that this is not in my favor. It is nice to feel young but not in this case!!
I decided to work normal schedule and have the radiation sessions at the end of the day. Not sure if I can but I have a strong will. What is your experience with radiation ladies, is it really that tiring? I had 4 weeks to recover from surgery but I was so bored and went back to work after 2 weeks. Not that I was fully recovered but I just didn't want to stay home watching price is right!
I still have seroma or hardness around the incision which is the most annoying. I was searching the topic when I found this forum.
I know we all are in different stages. The most scary part was the unknown and the waiting. I tried to educate myself although it got me more scared sometimes but at the end really helped me. I hope I can be useful to someone to find the strength in the next stage.
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Hi Loza! Sorry you had to join us, but you'll find lots of helpful insights here. What stage is your breast cancer? And how many radiation treatments will you need?
My timeline has been pretty similar to yours: Diagnosed August 15, surgery September 13 (lumpectomies), and radiation started November 6th. As of today I'm 7 sessions into radiation, and the only side effect so far is some tenderness in the treated breast.
I'm also working full time. These first two weeks of radiation, the treatments are at noon, so I leave work, get my treatment, and then go back to work. Fortunately, the radiation team is able to adjust my schedule for the next two weeks, so I'll be able to have the treatment at the end of the working day and then just go home from there.
There's a forum on here for radiation, and we have a thread for those of us who are starting radiation November 2017. Come join us!
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Loza - you were lucky to not go through chemo. I’m jealous! I thought I wouldn’t need to, but my Oncotype score hit 27. My surgery was Oct 12, and I have a small seroma under my breast that won’t go away. It is very loose like as if there’s some fluid in it, but I guess the body takes a long time to absorb the fluid. I️ see my ps this week and will ask him about it
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Loza, so glad to hear your surgery went well. I, too, did not have to have chemo. I had 33 radiation treatments and fared very well. My skin got a bit red and I had a little rash but the oncologist gave me ointment to put on the rash. The fatigue was my worst side effect. If you can have your treatments at the end of the day, you should be fine. But do give yourself a break and try to take it as easy as you can during the treatments.
I’m now taking anastrozole (generic Arimidex) as I’m post-menopausal. I’m having a few side effects but nothing I can’t handle. I’m considerably older than you - 70 - but I feel compelled to do everything I can to prevent this from happening again.
BTW - I was already going to fitness classes when I was diagnosed. The only break I took was the two weeks after my surgery. I went to class every morning, then went to my radiation treatment. I think the strength I built up through these classes helped me heal faster and helped me tolerate the rads more easily.
If you have the particulars of your BC - stage, ER, PR, HER status, etc., it would be good to post it on your profile.
Keep us posted on how you’re doing. And follow Angela’s advice and join the November radiation thread. It’s so helpful to chat with others who are in the same boat!
MJ
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