Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Haven't smiled too much lately, but reading your post put a big one on my face.....thank you!
Hair cut is done, had a heck of a time to find something that would fit my G cup boobs but finally found something! For nighttime, I found just some tank tops I bought 3 sizes too big, I couldn't find anything button down.
I made meat pies for the freezer today, so we won't starve as I've got it pretty stocked now! Dinner out with my two good friends on Thursday. I will have to think of something else, I was hoping to go swimming with my girls this weekend, but the weather isn't co operating here in Canada....only 65 degree's today.
Thanks for taking the ride with me, it's nice knowing I have someone to go with that's been there already
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actually, you pretty much only do the hormonals after chemo, after herceptin, and after rads. i dont remember if you do ai's during herceptin, maybe rmlulu can say. there are many lymphedema threads on bco where you can learn all about it. if you tell your breast surgeon that you want to learn more and take preventative measures, because she will have to wright you a referal to go to see one. you will be happy that you did, and the thrpist will give you much more excercizes to do, and how to protect your self. she will also measure your arms and that will be your baseline. i dont know , they told me dont pick up anything heavier than ten pounds, but that may have been just me.lookinthe search box for binney , and you will find some info there.
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Jo6202, not lifting my husband "forever" is truly not an option. He has Parkinson's and other issues. We can't afford for him to be in a nursing home. So I have to be able to assist him in standing, sitting, getting into and out of bed. I will definitely discuss with all my doctors. I have no one to help care for him normally. My sons have come in specially from across the country to help out while I recuperate. So I have some challenges facing me.
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Thanks, kathyec!
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its just that since you are doing so much for your husband, you have to be reallly careful with you! thenn again since you are so strong from that, maybe it wont be a problem for you. i hope so! at leastask your surgeaon for a reccommedation. good luck with everything, pontiac!
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Thanks, kathec. I have been doing this for 4 years. Granted it's gotten harder and harder for hubby over the past 2 years. I'm surprised I don't have biceps and triceps to make weighlifters envious
There's so much to learn on this BC journey. I appreciate everyone's input. I guess we all do what we have to do.
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: ) , and a ((hug))!
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Peggy,
By any chance was your husband ever in one of the branches of the military? If so, he should be able to receive care through the VA. I have an uncle that has Parkinson (he is younger than my husband) and the VA provides 2 hours of home care several times a week. Care giver takes care of bathing, shaving, exercising. It is possible, that perhaps the Parkinson assn. in your area may be able to help you in getting help too..
My husband also does all of his healthcare thru the VA and has for about 13 years now and has been very happy with the care.
Our Vets have EARNED this care.
Vickie
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Vicks1960, no, DH was not in the military (he was 4F). No idea where the Parkinson's came from. I agree that our vets deserve all the care the need. Have a son who served in the Navy and his wife is still in the Navy. There don't seem to be any resources for me right now
But it's a good thought, Vickie!!0 -
Hi Peggy, it seems odd to me that there isn't some kind of home care that could help you out. In Canada there are a variety of sources for those who need them. We can go to Kinsmen or Rotary Club or even Meals on Wheels. And the one person I would definitely contact would be our MP. (Minister of Parliament - not sure what they are called in the States, but it is the guy/girl you elected to represent you at the White House - local version) I have found a letter, followed up by a phone call a week later works wonders. Even if they could only get somebody to come in twice a week, it would give you some relief.
Cindy, you got that playlist ready? Pocket party coming up!!! Yay! I love pocket parties because they mean that the bc is going away. It make you feel like you are finally fighting the rotten thing. Yes you will continue to wait for results, wait for rads, wait for docs, but now you are doing something positive. It is such a relief when the op is done.
A few of the ladies have mentioned the needles and I would like to recommend you go to the pharmacy and buy EMLA cream. It comes with 2 applications, I put the first right over the biopsy site and the 2nd over my nipple just before I left for the hospital. It works wonderfully well. Didn't feel much at all when I got my needles and I am terrified of needles.
Lori, where in Canada are you located. I'm in Ontario.
Kathec, how are you doing? Good I hope. (((hugs)))
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i am doing pretty good, red, thanks for asking! well enough that soon i will have to start looking for work! i am just so slooooow in getting ready for the day! hope all is well with you to red!
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Deb, good suggestions. Right now I can't really plan too much. Just got the date for DH's kidney cancer surgery so have that hurdle to get past. If I am willing to pay, I can have help in. I plan on having someone come in maybe once or twice a month (min 4 hrs @ $20/hr). So many of the services available are need based and we don't qualify.
For my wire localizations I was given lidocaine before they started placing them. While not fun, it was a whole lot better than my experience 12 years ago when I got nothing.
For the radioactive dye, my surgeon also injected lidocaine first and there was no pain at all from the dye injection. I can't rave enough about my surgeon. She is superb, caring, and just damn good.
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Just shy of one week post lumpectomy and node removal. I had an MRI a few days before surgery, and the day of surgery my surgeon said 4 nodes looked bad. She ended up removing 20 nodes, but only the 4 had cancer, the other 16 were clear. Thank you Lord!I have not had any problems with any arm swelling this far. I saw my surgeon yesterday and she said she's going to write me a script for physical therapy just to help stave off the swelling.
I was really glad that she removed the drain yesterday. I thought that there were maybe 2-3 inches of tubing inside me. My husband said when she was pulling it out, it seemed to go on forever.
I'm not sure of the plan and schedule yet, but I know that I'm looking at both chemo and radiation. I see my medical oncologist on Monday, I'm thinking I'll learn more then.
I am leaving tomorrow morning to go to a scrapbooking weekend with some friends. One of them happens to be the woman who was both my pre and post op nurse, so I am confident that if anything wonky comes up, I will be in good hands.
Okay, enough rambling...
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Ramona, Sounds like you're doing fantastic! You might want update your profile to reflect the surgery that you had and the findings. That's wonderful that you haven't had a problem with your arm. Good that 16 were clear! I'm sure it comforting to know that your friend is a nurse and can handle most anything that might come up but I'm betting nothing will. Have a good meeting with your MO Monday. And definitely have fun scrapbooking this weekend. My daughter-in-law is a great scrapbooker and makes exquisite books. I'm in awe!
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Ramona - yippee! The drain us out! Great that your BS is on top of thongs and will send you to PT. It makes a big difference so yeah that you will receive extra care. Most of us have to ask, so it's good to see your BS protect you for the start. Sorry that you had all nodes removed, but glad only 4 we're positive...ugh.
Rest and heel. We will be on your pockets during chemo and rads. If you have any questions there's always someone who has been there and gets it who can share a light...
Enjoy your scrapbook weekend with the girls...just right to make the heart smile
Peggy - you are amazing! Keep those sons working and watch your arm...Mighty Muscles Peggy!
Lori - Ooo who a smile
you are one busy lady! Do you deliver? I'll send some TX heat up your way.Pocket Parties Lumpies!
(((Hugs)))
Cindy
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Cindy, you're the best. I've never figured out how I have managed to toss hubby around. Never had much in muscles. Extremely thankful for the sons as hubby has been very bad this week.
Love this group. So much positive energy and encouragement. It is sooooo appreciated! THANK YOU ALL!
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I'm due for a lumpectomy in mid-Sept. after having had what appears to be a pathologically complete response to Taxol/Herceptin/Perjeta. I won't obviously know for sure until after surgery. I did have lymph node involvement that was confirmed on CT scan and with fine needle biopsy. I'm totally confused about how the whole lymph node thing works. Can someone explain it to me? I assume that they will inject me with the dye to find anything active. Does the surgeon automatically take nodes even if you've had a response? How many? Is there a benefit to having had the response, or does it not change the node removal. Any explanation as to the process and rationale would be most helpful. Thanks!
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Linzer - welcome, you have been on a journey in BC land
. Sorry we meet under these circumstances. Yippee, THP response. Read the main site for info on lx&snd...very solid info. At my BC center, arrive early morning for wire localization after which they smear numbing cream all over girl, than off to nucelar for the 4 bee stings in nipple...sounds frightful but really is not that bad...ask to squeeze the hand of the tech...girl is numb and then off to get ready for LX & SND BS looks at the dye injected into nipple to see which nodes light up...I had 5 and BS took 2 more...ask your BS how many nodes thinks will be removed...everyone is different...so ask! They do a quick path and you will get the final a few days later...
Again, the procedure is explained in detail on main site. Preop ask all your questions and what to expect. Be sure and ask for booklet on exercises for arm after SND and prevention of LE.
We will be in your pocket {{{squeeze}}}
Cindy
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Great news today from my BS. She really took out a big chunk considering the tumor was 9mm. It was 5x3x2.5cm taken out. The MRI was iffy pre-op due to a huge amount of hematoma from the core biopsy that had been done 4 weeks before the MRI. So BS decided to take really big margins and even a bit of chest muscle to be sure and so she didn't have to do a 2nd surgery. Fine by me.
She also took 5 lymph nodes, not 3. Turns out one LN had 2 that branched off it so got 3 for the price of one
. She was very pleased at my progress and that I had no trouble raising my arm straight up to the ceiling. She said I'm unlikely to have LE - that was a relief. The only forever thing is no blood pressure and preferrably no blood draws on the "bad" arm but blood draws allowed if my good arm doesn't cooperate. Two more weeks of no lifting hubby. Now to wait for my appt with the MO and the results of the oncotype test. She's quite positive I won't need chemo but the committee (which my BS chairs) thought it better to be sure. That's fine too. I trust her judgment 100%. So probably on to radiation in 3 or 4 weeks. Then DH's partial nephrectomy for kidney cancer - they're doing it laparoscopically which is wonderful and will make his recuperation a bit less challenging.
Linzer, I'm in your pocket too. I bring the goodies. We're with you and you will do fine. Just want to get the damn stuff OUT! I'm a novice but I suspect they will take out lymph nodes. They may test them while you're in surgery so they can get all the bad ones. It is quite confusing and you've been through a lot already. Hugs!!!
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Thank you, Cindy! Glad to hear things went well for you, Peggy. I hope you continue to heal nicely. Linda
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Peggy- This may be too late or not even helpful but I read on one of the posts that the local American Cancer Societies often have programs to give assistance. People volunteer to come over, etc. it might be worth checking out to get some assistance. Best of luck!!
Ally
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Ally2345, a good thought. Never too late. I've been lucky having the boys here. I have one all next week then I'm back on my own. What I find most challenging is that I can't leave DH more than 15 minutes most of the time. He's not that stable on his feet most of the time so I worry hugely about falls. It would be nice to have someone "sit" with him while I have doctor appointments who is able to help him stand, sit, go to the bathroom etc. It is very very physical. Not something a little old lady could do (as my son has found out and his brother will find out).
I appreciate all thoughts of where to get help.
Thank you, Lumpies!
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Good Idea Lumpies!
Caring Bridge.com
Also ask at your BC Center...social worker there will have local connections or local church.
Speedy healing Peggy
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Thanks, RMlulu! I am healing well. However, that damned SNB site is driving me nuts. Everything seems to rub there and quite annoying. So loose t-shirts and sweatshirts (with my son giving me a hard time because I'm cold when it's 70° out!). The lumpie site, while still swollen, doesn't bother 99% of the time. I'm very lucky.
I will contact my nurse navigator next week for help.
Have a great weekend!
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Peggy-glad things went well with your surgery and your boys are able to help with your DH. Definitely ask your doctor office for any assistance you could get since you AND your DH both have this awful C. There must be some civic or health organization that could provide help. One of my friends even mentioned that there is a free maid service for recovering C patients. Good luck and (((hugs))).
Linzer-welcome to this site where you will find tons of great info and the best support of fellow BC friends! They ALL rock! While this journey is scary, we're here for you no matter what question you have, there are always great thoughtful responses. Check out many of the discussion boards and articles for info as well as ask your BS tons of questions. I wrote my questions down as I read things and whatever popped into my head. I took these to my doc appmts and even gave a copy to the BS and also more to my RO which they answered every single question! I was sure that they would think I was asking too much, but it was quite the opposite. The BS and RO appmts were 1 1/2 hrs+ and they took as much time as I needed to feel comfortable with my long list to make sure everything was covered. I love my team, so caring and knowledgeable and take time for each patient. I dont even care if my doc is running late with another patient cuz I know he is giving them all they need. One more thing, take notes so you can review them after your appointments and better yet take a support person with you to all your appmts so they can take notes and just hear everything cuz there is way too much for us to try and remember, especially being under stress.
My SNB was done the same surgery day as the Lx and the BS ended up taking 3 to biopsy (thankfully all negative). I got prelim results of LN immediately after surgery. A relief! I had the dye injected to light up the nodes during surgery and with numbing plus the needle wire, neither were painful at all with the numbing med. Only a slight sting when they injected the numbing med. I got PT referral right away so I could be informed for LE. I highly recommend you ask for that too.I dont have LE but everything I can do to be pro-active is what I want. They gave me exercises to help get through rad and lots of good info. I will be going back 8/20 for 2nd PT mid way through my rad Tx. My scars ( 3) healed quickly and are really flat which I am really pleased with. post surgery I used the 100% Aloe gel and Vitamin E oil twice daily (before and after incisions healed) and I think this was why I had great results. Well good luck and we're here for you! Ask away with any questions!
Mari
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Mari, I will be asking. I, too, write my questions as I think of them and ask them all at my appointments. Been doing that for over 45 years. My general practitioner doctor delivered both my sons and he got a kick out of my list of questions (we were great friends too). So I've kept up the practice. It's impossible to remember everything you want to know if you don't have your list.
How are you doing with your radiation? I assume I'll be starting at the end of August (my BS doesn't anticipate the oncotype test will change that). I meet with the MO, RO and BS each one day for 3 straight days. I'll be doctored out.
BTW, has anyone else noticed that there seem to be more left breast cancers than right? Wonder why. Or am I nuts?
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My rad is so far so good. My commute is the most irritating part due to lots of traffic which begins when I'm leaving rad at 2:30 pm, but I can deal with it. My son offered to ride with me next Thurs/Friday and DH can when I need him. So far I'm able to drive myself. RO appmt this Wed said I had some slight swelling but skin is looking mostly normal. A slight pinkness of the bumps (which he said are hair folicles) on my areola. He said to NOT wear a bra as much as possible to allow for air flow around boobies! But I work and will wear bra during work if I can! The girls arent so perky after 2 kids!!
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Mari, glad your rad is going well. Luckily, I will have only a 10 minute drive. Unless I find someone who can stay with DH everyday, he'll be dragged along with me.
I'm quite ready to go braless but BS said with my swelling to keep wearing my Genie bra. My girls are rather small and I'm retired so when I'm ready, braless I'll go
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linzer, also check out the info on SNB from Bessie in the thread "A Laypersons guide to DCIS." Although you might have a different form of BC, this has some good info I think you are looking for that relates to lymph node removal.
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Thank you so much, all of you! I did call a local PT who's LE certified. While she doesn't take my insurance, she did refer me to another person who does. I spoke with the surgical onc nurse and she's going to do a referral so that I can get measured for a baseline prior to surgery. I feel so thankful to have found this site as I would have never thought to have been so proactive about this. I did have nodes confirmed positive prior to chemo, so I'm sure they are going to want to hunt and harvest (haha! my terminology) to be sure that it's truly gone. I'm also in for rads after, which I know makes for a higher LE risk. I'm not overweight (i.e. reasonable BMI) and haven't h ad issues or surgery on my right side before, so I'm cautiously optimistic that I will be able to do everything possible to try to ward off LE. Thanks again! You are all so amazing!
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