Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Alex, I hope you've already gotten some clarity from your wife's doctor, but often surgeons will advise removal for something hard to read like a radial scar, or something indicative that cancer may occur down the road, like ADH. Remember the choice is for you and your wife to make, after getting the best advice you can.
Runor, I'm so sorry. That sucks. I wish I could be more eloquent, but right now that's what I've got. Damn.
SCRV, the Oncotype DX test is based on really solid science and your low score of 7 means it would do more harm than good. So while you want to do everything you can to kick cancer's butt, trust that chemo is not the right tool for you.
Hope tomorrow is a better day for us all. Spring is coming, and Runor you'll be out in your garden before too long.
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Georgia1, I sure hope spring is close. But today HUb had to fire up the bulldozer to move the snow banks that the plow truck could no longer heave around. Somewhere under all that snow is spring. I hope.
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oh!! i got Lumpectomy only why??
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Carmelita - you might want tofill out your profile on this site so we can better understand your situation and help you. Lumpectomy may be a good thing compared to mastectomy in your case.
Girls, I have a question for those of you that went through chemo. Did your radiation treatment as first suggested by your bs or OM, change in length because you had chemo? I was told before even knowing whether or not I would need chemo that I would have 7 weeks of radiation. I noticed some people who are on a longer chemo treatment may only need 4 weeks of radiation. Does chemo change that or not?
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Blair2, how did you place your Oncotype Score? I can’t find a way that will meenter it. Thanks!
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Hello all. I've been here a number of times and still am looking for support.
Does this get easier? Will I get to a point where I will not think about breast cancer all the time? Are there long time survivors with IDC, hormone positive, her negative, that had lumpectomies with radiation? I'm afraid it has moved into other areas
I'm still overwhelmed and scared.
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bella2013 - I think since there's no place to put the oncotype in the diagnosis, you can just write in your signature (like I wrote my age at diagnosis)
It's in the "Settings" on the left hand side blue menu buttons - same place where you uploaded your avatar
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Kati - I'm only a bit ahead of you but yes, I think parts of it do get easier. I felt a whole lot better after the surgery. The surgeon will cut the cancer out! I read in your other post you're getting your lumpectomy on the 8th. Yay! Only a few more days!
My lumpectomy recovery was fast and pretty simple, really. Then you can move on to your next part of treatment (I'm guessing rads & tamoxifen for you? Have you spoken with your oncologist about it yet?)For your stress levels, maybe try meditation & exercise? Mindfulness meditation has scientific evidence behind it. And regular vigorous exercise improves mood but also importantly, it's demonstrated that it prevents recurrence. That's a concrete thing we can do to try to prevent a recurrence. Maybe plan out now your exercise, think about the classes or gyms or other activities you will do. I was back in Zumba about 2 weeks after my lumpectomy (just kept my affected arm down and took it easier than normal...)
If you're still struggling, talk to your health care team about anxiety meds. You need to take care of your whole self. Are you able to sleep?hugs
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Hi, everyone,
After 3 mammograms, 2 ultrasounds, and a core needle biopsy, it’s probable that I’ll have a left breast lumpectomy. (I hear the sum of all results, tests, and recommendations in about 48 hours). I had DCIS back in 2004, with a lumpectomy, on the right.
My question is about anesthesia—I see so many different experiences out there. I know a lot depends on doctor preference and location of surgery. My current lesion is left side, underneath and quite posterior.
Here’s my dilemma—horrible vomiting and post-operative nausea. Only one drug, Zofran, helps. I was really hoping the Trans-Derm Scop patch would be great—I got quesy even before surgery when it was used about a year ago for some abdominal surgery. When I say I have nausea, I mean dry heaves and unable to keep down any fluids. Post-op, I throw up so badly, I bruise myself (PONV—post-operative nausea and vomiting). Even my doctor was shocked at the bruising.
So...has anyone had this surgery with local or nerve block only? I recently had my colonoscopy with no sedation, and for me, it was a great option (not for everyone, I know). They tried to convince me to use Propofol—said it never causes nausea. I’ve had it once before, and to be fair, it was less nausea, but still there. I declined and had zero PONV.
If the doctor requires sedation, what other options are there besides Versed and Fentanyl? That seems to be the worst combo for me—breathing problems and the PONV both. I had no problems with lidocaine during the biopsy. Has anyone ever had Precedex for sedation? I think it’s a bit newer and has less side effects.
Like I said, I’d prefer local anesthetic only. If that’s not an option, Propofol with plenty of pre-op Zofran might be okay. I also had Ativan with a really awful kidney stone (so I could stop spasms from pain and try to rest and pass it). What anesthetics have you had, and how did they work for lumpectomy?
I guess it’s a little odd that this is my main worry, but a healthy recovery from lumpectomy will be vastly slowed down if I spend hours vomiting and get dehydrated, know what I mean
Thanks, all!
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Bella2013 - Go to My Profile - click on Personal Information. Where it says Note: on right, click on purple Settings and then scroll down to Signatures and type whatever you want there - like your Oncotype score, age, whatever.Astyanax - I had some nausea with my breast surgery. It’s the type of anesthesia they use, and yet, when I had my bypass, I had no nausea. Back in 2000 when I had a hysterectomy, I had a lot of nausea. Not as bad as you, but something about female operations cause more nausea - must be related to the early pregnant thing. Not sure why this is.
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Kati218, it does get easier. I'm 3-1/2 years post dx and if I even think about BC it is only in casual way, not the deep, scary way when we first start on this journey. Of course, when I have checkups and mammos I think about it in a more concrete way.
BTW, Please fill out your PROFILE and make each and every item PUBLIC via SETTINGS so we can know all about your diagnosis and treatments. It is vital for helping us answer any questions.
Astyanax66, I don't know what they used for me but I was offered and took a Dramamine before my surgery. I figured it couldn't hurt. I had no nausea at all. You might want to inquire about taking it. I also had none with propofol. I hope you can find something that works for you. Good luck!
HUGS!
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Thank you Moth and Blair2! Got it
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Blair2, I had originally been told that I would have 6.5 weeks of radiation. What changed for me was not the chemo treatment effects, but the fact that I could enroll in a clinical study for bc patients with lymph involvement which increased my dosage per visit, but decreased the number to 4 weeks. That was an unknown option when we were first talking treatment plan at dx.
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My surgery was on 1/26/18, left side. My left shoulder blade feels like it's stuck although I can move my shoulder around due to being given a big dose of anti-inflammatory at the hospital. I already have elbow/wrist problems stemming from my should/back problems and go to OT regularly for this but it's much worse after surgery and being on my stomach in the MRI machines (4 times in 6 weeks!). I'm hoping the surgeon will write me an OT order next week. In the meantime, I'm looking for light stretches to do. It's feels like my shoulder blade is tacked down. Any ideas would be helpful.
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astyanax, a local or regional block is not an option for any breast surgery longer or more invasive than a simple excisional biopsy. Some form of general anesthesia is necessary because for a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy, the patient must be absolutely motionless (and breathing via a ventilator). The surgeon needs to make sure to try to get enough tissue surrounding the tumor to provide clean margins--sometimes not possible first time out--and removing lymph nodes to biopsy is exacting and delicate surgery. Even if they could give you only a local and the paralytic (succinylcholine, nicknamed "sux" or "scoline"), you'd still be awake, aware, frightened but unable to communicate if you are feeling breakthrough pain or discomfort. Before I "went under," I was given a Zantac and then a Versed drip. I had no nausea upon awakening--in fact, I was ravenous after having been NPO since midnight (actually, slightly before, since the night before surgery was Yom Kippur eve).
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astyanax - maybe tell the anesthesiologist that you have had probs w PONV before & ask them to put a good dose of zofran in the IV when you're under.
That's what I had that during my lumpectomy since I did have nausea during a completely different surgery in 2016. It worked very well for me.
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moth - Thank you for the input. I'm hoping things do get better. I am not sleeping the best, about 4 hours per night. There are so many thoughts running through my mind
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Blair, my hair came back poodle-curly, which was a bit shocking--my hair is naturally baby fine and stick straight. I didn't know what to do with it! Thankfully, it all relaxed after 6-8 months and now it just has some body in it. My hair was already a bit thin, due to the fineness, and that has not worsened.
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Mustlovepoodles - I expect my hair to be super thin. It has been shedding since my mid 40s (now 68), and is always all over my bathroom floor from blow drying it. Of course now I’m bald, so at least the bathroom floor stays clean. I hope it’s not going to grow curly - it might be so unruly to style. Oh well, will be what it will be.
Phyfelwr - thanks for input. I just wondered if the doses ever change. That’s interesting what they did. Not looking forward to being sunburned.
Veeder14 - hope that shoulder blade straightens out for you. I’m having ongoing bad back pain due to chemo - which is not a typical side effect. The muscle and pain pills only dull the pain and once they run out, I hope this pain is not going to stay forever. I’m so debilitated by it and sick and tired of it
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Yes, Zofran is my friend! I definitely plan to get it even before surgery starts since it works for 6-8 hours. That worked well for my colonoscopy. I had major nausea from the prep, and they called it into the Pharmacy for me. Btw, Vancouver is my favorite place in the world. : )
With my first lumpectomy, I was able to do local, but that was 14 years ago. Things were very different. I had mild sedation, but I remember most of the procedure. Recovered very well. With that one, the location was also quite different—near the surface and not posterior. The surgeon was not a breast specialist and didn't do sentinel node biopsy. In studying on my current issue, I read materials from Mayo, Sloan Kettering, and Cleveland Clinic. (And Johns Hopkins, which is my son's dream school—he'll hear on March 16!) I'm sure protocols change, but there was no intubation in 2004. It sounds like a lot depends on location of lesion, surgeon preference, and all kinds of things. My guess is this one will be a more intricate procedure and require different anesthesia. Versed is on my allergy list, but I'm sure there are good alternatives. I know it works well for many people, just not me. Thanks, everyone! I'll know more details tomorrow.
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My hysterectomy — worst ever!! I'll never forget it. I really thought the pain and nausea would never end....whew.
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astyanax - I’ll never forget this nurses aide that came in to change my bed sheets day after my hysterectomy. She said I would have to sit in the side chair nearby which was this fake leather, cold easy chair. She helped me get into the chair all right. However, I was so nauseated and stiff as I sat there wondering if I was going to throw up in an upright position. Well she left me there and forgot me! She had said nothing and just stepped out of the room. I thought she would be back. I couldn’t move enough to get out of that chair, so I just slumped over sideways trying to keep my head down so I wouldn’t feel so nauseated. It seemed like an eternity - couldn’t reach the nurses call button or begin to stand up on my own being so out of it. I know I looked ridiculous. I was stuck there for a while in what looked like a dead person slumped in that chair, but someone eventually helped me get back into bed. This was in the year 2000. My great memory of nausea
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Hi ladies! I don’t know if I’ve posted in this thread before, but am having lumpectomy and SNB on Wednesday. 😊. Seems the current topic is PONV. Once I learned it’s a huge deal for me, I’m always sure to let the anesthesiologist know to give me everything they’ve got! Since then, I haven’t had an issue. Before cancer, I was even given Emend in pill form to take shortly before surgery (I get that in my IV now as one of the premeds for chemo.) I did that for 2 surgeries, plus the anesthesiologist giving me everything...NO PONV! I didn’t have the Emend before my port surgery, but came through A-OK. Fingers crossed I don’t have any issues on Wednesday.
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Welcome, mjb--in your pocket for your lumpectomy. Hope the neoadjuvant chemo shrank that tumor! I take it that once you're done with the AC-T you'll be getting radiation.
astyanax, will you be having a sentinel node biopsy? I hope your surgeon this time is one who concentrates his/her practice in breast cancer surgery (there's no such board-certifiable "specialty," so he/she would still be called a "general surgeon;" but there's a big difference between a mainly-breast-cancer general surgeon and one who does appendectomies, gall bladder removal, hernia repairs, colon surgery, etc.).
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But it did. And here you are. There are always upsides0
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I wish there was something they could give me for the post-op vomiting THAT ACTUALLY WORKS. I have have over 10 surgeries for various things. I always throw up, but it's been worsening over tthe last 4 years. They always assure me they they have this great magic drug, but it doesn't matter what they give me, I will literally puke for hours. Since 2015 I have had 2 lumpectomies, a BMX, a full hyst, and a knee replacement. I vomited for 8-10 hours after the BMX , 12 hours after the hyst, and two DAYS after the knee. I still need recon, but i have to be honest with you, the post-op vomiting is giving me pause.
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blessings to you..
Sounds similiar to my case...mammo, biopsy, lumpectomy, 2. Lump, no nodes involved.i decided on radiation , no chemo.
I had radiation 15x after surgery. The surgeon advised as some time you have floaters during surgery and could be invisible to catch. I chose the position during radiation to be face down, with only the breast affected through an opening, and only radiated..did not affect the other breast or lungs or heart, etc.
I also now take 15 vitamins and herbs a day, to.up my immune system, and chose to not take the estrogen stopper...the cocktail of vitamins ups the immune system, and is geared towards attacking. I am happy with how well I feel. The estrogen stop pill had too many side effects..i already have immune problems with psoarisis, high blood pressure and diabetes, all signs of immune system.
I am almost psoarisis free, and improved skin outbreak. My sugar is down and blood pressure down..also.
I also changed my diet to organic meat, expensive, but eat very little of it..salads and very little sugar, and nothing processed. Apples and peanut butter for snack.
It is hard, considering I was a meat eater, but surprised how easy to cut down on meat. Love bread, but then you get into the downside of preservatives, flour, gluten etc. I do cheat.
My journey started in July and ended in Nov. 2017. My mom had the lump, but suffered a brain stem stroke after the diagnosis..so she never had the opportunity for treatment at 72.
Her sister, back in the day, had a masectectomy on one breast, with no other treatment. She lived 20 years.
My dad's 2 sisters, and their 2 daughters developed breast cancer. The daughters were in their 30s.so it was all around the dna, unaware that I could developed this. I have 3 sisters, oldest in her late 60s, nothing..other 2 on 50s nothing, so far.
By the Grace of God, I am cancer free.
BLESSINGS
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hi
You girls need to try CBD oil..it is derived from the marijuana plant with no chemical effects or no way it makes you high. It is the medicinal part, that treats a host of problems. Read up, and try.
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CBS oil, a derivative of the good medicinal part of marijuana, but no high. Always look for high mg. And oil that is not heat processed. It is legal in 50 states. Try bluebird.com. it's worth a try.
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bluebirdbotanicals.com. bluebird.com is a banking site.
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