Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Robin although your Dr said no lymph nodes will be involved it will trust me. lol That's how they can detect if it went out of the breast wall. So expect it, if it don't happen good for you. Even if it's just one or two removed they may do it.
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It was my understanding that they would inject dye and trace that to the sentinel nodes and biopsy those. But not necessarily take them out. But maybe I misunderstood, because you know there's a lot of info coming all at once!!!
I just saw someone say to have a front button shirt. I don't think I own a single button up shirt. Will it really be that hard to get a t-shirt on afterwards?
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i has it done last June and I was a bit sore but able to put on a T-shirt and drive myself home afterwards.
Sher
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You'll have to work to look at the needle, so you can totally avoid that. And unless they completely undressed me to put in a catheter, no catheter either (was not wearing any outside clothing but the surgery outfit they supplied included underwear and pants). I was off liquids at midnight and had surgery at 8am.
Pain was minimal, and I was actually a bit punchy for the rest of the day—went out to lunch, talked a mile a minute, sang, you name it. Did not nap! Wait 2 days before showering.
One thing I didn't read up on until later was about lymphedema. You likely do want to minimize stretching and over the head arm raising. I did the exact opposite because I was afraid of losing flexibility (so I do have full ROM but I do also have an axillary web cord, which may or may not be related)! You can read more about that here: https://stepup-speakout.org/riskreduction_for_lymphedema.htm And yes, you can get LE from just one lymph node being removed.
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Robin- button up shirt, I had to buy one, wore it 2x. LOL Or maybe a zip up light weight fleece; mans pj top; flannel...I know its near summer. Your bandage, if anything like mine, will be on the big side - mine covered entire breast and under armpit where they took nodes; lots of gauze & tape covering everything for small actual incisions. That alone makes it hard to lift the arm up, and add in your pretty drugged.
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Robin - you came to the best place for advice and reassurance. I had an MRI-wire-localization lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy in early May. (I'd had other MRI or mammogram-wire-localization procedures before - biopsies - so this wasn't my first rodeo). Some of what I offer will echo what the others have told you.
PREPARING -
- In addition to your frozen wash cloths, think about going to CVS or Walgreens and getting some smaller gel-packs which you can keep in the freezer. They're a lot better. I just stuffed one into my shirt under my bra.
- I don't know if you have a nurse-navigator or a patient navigator but if you don't, inquire of your surgeon about this. My patient navigator is my go-to-person for any questions or concerns. She provided me with not only a binder full of information about MY treatment and cancer and resources but also a small fleece heart shaped pillow about 10 inches x 10 inches. I thought it was just cute but OH MY that thing came in handy - I'd put my icy gel pack over my bra and hold it in place by clasping the little pillow under my arm. The combination of pressure and cold felt great. Any small pillow or cushion or folded up something could do.
- The bra - for post-surgery, I bought a soft comfortable front-closing bra. I have a bunch of them, as I had rotator cuff surgery 2 years ago and it was the only way I could get a bra on - left it hooked and pulled it up from the bottom. Here's a link to Amazon: Carole Martin Full-Freedom Front Closure Wireless Cotton bra: http://a.co/8qd5W41
- Button up shirts - do what I did: go to Goodwill, an outlet or surplus store, consignment shop and pick up a couple for practically nothing. The nice thing about button up shirts for breast surgery (and shoulder surgery) is that you can slide the affected-side arm into the sleeve and THEN the other arm. No straining, raising, ouching. I advise getting just a couple and getting them a little larger than usual (to accommodate, oh, ice packs, dressings).
- The wire is flexible and will be folded down or taped down, probably with a dressing over it and you won't see it. You'll likely be in a fetching hospital gown, looking stylish and feeling relaxed if they give you something beforehand.
- I had an antibiotic IV drip which is pretty standard, at least by my experience (multiple surgeries in my life, some recently) - an essential precaution against infection.
- Once you're in the OR and they are getting you set up, you'll relax (drugs) and when they have you start to count backwards from 100, I'll bet you get to maybe 98 before you're bye-bye.
- I do not believe they used a catheter for me. There was nothing IN me, since I hadn't had anything - not a drop - since midnight.
- Pain depends - it's not awful; but you'll be uncomfortable. Plan on utilizing the pain meds the first day or two. That's what I did - just used 2 out of the whole bottle and then went to Tylenol. (The remaining pain meds came in handy during my SAVI Brachytherapy radiation week; just needed 2 that week.) Definitely have your prescription filled before you go to surgery.
- Nausea - I get nauseous and sometimes puny after surgery; it's the general anesthesia that does it. But not everyone's like that, so don't worry. So we made sure to have some plain crackers (Back to Nature Whole Grain crackers or Wheat Thins are great) and plain nonfat greek yogurt. A little of those two foods and my tummy settled down. Supper that night of a light non-creamy soup, some rice was just the ticket.
- Lymphedema - in my case, the contrast dye showed "activity" in two lymph nodes, so my surgeon removed those to biopsy (no cancer in them - yay!). However it did mean an additional incision which is no big deal; and lymph fluid accumulation under my arm which was uncomfortable and a little weird. When I went back for my 1 week checkup, my surgeon removed the fluid (a simple in-office needle procedure using a local numbing agent). Your surgeon is the best bet for telling you how to deal with it, should you have a node or two removed and experience lymphedema.
- Home - we live 2+ hours from my cancer docs, so we took the precaution of staying at a favorite hotel that night. Smart move. If I lived closer - even 1 hour - I'd have gone home for sure.
- Shower - I had waterproof bandages on so, yes, a shower in the morning including shampoo was a DEFINITE!
- As soon as you can - for me it was right away - get out and walk. We walked the night of my surgery, slowly and just around the hotel grounds, but the next day we walked our neighborhood when we got home and I walk every single day. Walking really really helps healing.
I hope some of this is helpful - please keep us posted!0 -
are lumpectomy bras supposed to be tight
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Micahmom,
When I woke up from my lumpectomy I was wearing a surgical bra which I would describe as “snug”. It had a lot of Velcro and was fitted closely to me. My surgeon advised me to wear a tight bra (including at night) for the first 7-10 days after surgery.I did so and it actually felt very good.
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today is my daughter's 16th Birthday. That in itself is significant as you can imagine. What adds to it is that Friday the 8th marks the third anniversary of my lumpectomy. I had forgotten how close to her birthday it was. And how we lied to my m-i-l who was visiting for recital weekend, until we had to admit that I was having surgery on the following Monday. :-). It seems so long ago and far away.
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Molliefish: I had surgery the day before my daughter's 17th birthday. And we had a party the next day. My husband did pretty much everything. Tomorrow, my daughter graduates high school! Hopefully I don't cry too much.
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Michamom- tight so you're supported, not bouncing around; but not so tight you're uncomfortable.
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I had an MRI-wire-localization lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy in early June.
PatsyKB the hospital I went to Missouri Baptist hands out those little pillows to every patient who has a lumpectomy. That pillow was my companion anywhere I went. What a blessing! Like you, I put the ice pack next to my breast wrapped in a dish towel and then shoved that pillow right under my arm. I even went to bed with it at night. Mine was approximately the same size.
Robin - Not really any weird things for the surgery, They gave me pants and a gown that had slits on either side that they opened in surgery. I had to write yes on the breast where they were doing the lumpectomy. Recovery was a piece of cake. I was up and moving within 24 hours. Not much pain or nausea. No catheter. I did experience fatigue, but that could have been the cancer (IDC).
Michahmom, I did not have a surgery bra, they just had me use my regular bras. I wore a BALI bra with a lot of support, I would not consider it tight, just very supported so you were not bouncing around. You don't want your breast moving around a whole lot. My incision was probably 3 to 4 inches long with plenty of padding.
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They shoved my size 38I boobs into a size XL front-velcro-closing surgical bra (which had a high back). Could've been worse--my NP warned me I might just wake up bound in ACE bandages.
I had radioctive seed localization, which with a tiny shot of lidocaine was painless. I didn't get the blue dye (or maybe they injected it once I was "under") but I did get radioisotopes injected into my nipple (ouch--but it lasted maybe 5 seconds). They gave me a Zantac to prevent nausea & GERD, ran Versed (tranquilizer) into my I.V., and wheeled me to the O.R. Last thing I remember was the overhead light, and next thing I knew I was in the recovery room and they squirted Fentanyl into my I.V. I wasn't even given a pain prescription to fill before surgery, nor did I need it--from then on it was Tylenol (regular in the hospital, Extra Strength after) and ice.
Yes, they do biopsy your sentinel nodes--but they're tiny little things, too small to take a frozen section or withdraw fluid for a needle biopsy. They have to remove them whole and send them to pathology, so you won't know their status till you get your full surgical path report. I had only two nodes "light up" as sentinels, but they each had a non-sentinel hanging off them so those, too got removed & biopsied. I got my hand & arm measured before surgery, and was given a prescription for a compression sleeve & gauntlet. I was told not to do stretching exercises too soon lest I get cording. Too late--I was already doing the old "Reach to Recovery" thing and I did get a cord in my forearm, as well as stage 0 lymphedema. (It's in remission after 12 OT sessions). Like everyone else, the SNB incision & seroma were more bothersome than the tumor incision.
I bought a crapload (the official medical term) of front-closing PJs and shirts. Second day home I was able to pull stuff on overhead and fasten a no-wire bra in back. Here's a tip if you don't have front-button shirts or zip hoodies: take your two rattiest, least favorite T-shirts and slit one down the front & the other down the back. Put the latter on first, like a hospital "johhny-gown;" then the former on as if it were an open jacket. Or get stretchy support camisoles (Amoena makes them) you can step into. Later on you can use them as tankini tops for swimming.
I second the walking--it helped me a lot.
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The wires are very, very thin and flexible. I'd say, "hairlike," and no trouble at all. While each and every anesthesiologist I've ever had presented pre-medication as an absolute, a nurse friend clued me in that this is actually an option. I always refuse the versed or whatever. I'd rather stay awake and aware.
It never would have occurred to me to see a lymphedema specialist before surgery, but I surely did measure both upper arms, and still continue to do so. I was very lucky in that the hospital where I was treated had a breast cancer exercise class led by two lymphedema therapists. Not only did it include stretching, range of motion, strength, cardio, and comradery, but I learned that I needed a couple of appointments for cording. The exercises she prescribed were wonderful, but the education and fear reduction were amazing. Our class leaders felt that every one of us should have at least one post-surgical appointment with a lymphedema therapist.
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Wendysch- here’s my Yes “tattoo” - my surgeon wrote it on me, but believe me, I made sure it was on the right side! I have a cousin who’s a professional musician and a huge YES fan so this photo highly amused him.
Bra - surgical center didn’t provide a bra but their pre-surgery instructions told me generally what I needed to get.
I have to say that if you want sturdy - and I mean STURDY - support, the bra the radiation oncology folks put on me during SAVI Brachytherapy is the ticket. I am still wearing it, 1 week after the last treatment. Breast sore from incision to cavity if I have inadequate support so this is great. It’s a FRUIT OF THE LOOM sports bra with 5 hooks in front. Solid. Sleeping in it too. Walmart carries them (or at least most Walmarts, according to the radiation techs.)
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Yes it is good to have a button up shirt. You may have problems raising your arm to get shirt on. I still had my sisters help me get shirt on with a button up.
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I have to say ladies that I was ticked when they did the wire localization. They put Valium in my IV. I was out of it before they even wheeled me into the room for the insertion of the wires. I would have rather been alert. Valium knocks me on my behind, and I am out cold for hours after just taking 5 milligrams. It ticked me off that I did not know they were doing it and I had already been through two biopsies with no issues. This stuff does not bother me. I actually find it very interesting and it helps me when I know what is going on. So when I went in for the second lumpectomy, I made sure that they told me any drug that they were going to administer.
I had two lumpectomies with no therapist, but I went to a lymphedema certified therapist after my mastectomy. She gave me all kinds of information, exercises and techniques ti drain the lymphatic system. But she also had me do an exercise that I believe resulted in a hematoma where there was already a seroma. I am still trying to deal with that four months later. They have drained it once. They really dragged their feet. The surgeon wanted the plastic surgeon to deal with it. His idea was to wait 6 months and just take it out with the reconstruction. Who wants to wait with a painful, motion restricting encapsulated hematoma/seroma that is 8 CM long. I insisted and they drained about 17 ml from it. That reduction helped my shoulder area considerably. That was in April, it is still there, not as big obviously but still causing restrictions and pain in my chest, under my arm and around to my back. They said they think it is solid. The radiologist performing the procedure told me after he was done that there was more fluid in there. I think it is worth trying a second time. Waiting until the end of September for reconstruction, because the plastic surgeon would not touch me since I became septic during chemo. They keep saying they are worried about infection. They just use a large gauge needle and/or a catheter. Less area than if I fell and skinned my knee. For me it is quality of life. This hurts every time I stretch out my arm. Cutting up fruits and vegetables, washing the kitchen floor, lifting my arm above my head, every day stuff. And who wants to go into surgery with an existing issue? I really do not care if the plastic guy says it is no big deal. I have heard that before and paid the price.
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I was reminded of two more things—that contrast blue dye? You will pee caribbean blue after surgery, fading out over the next day or so. Don't be surprised!
And I walked into surgery. In my facility, the screening suites are a few minutes walk away from the surgery suite, so I did a standard top only undress for the wire placements, then walked back to the surgery suite, was given the rest of my surgery outfit (actually, I really liked the pants. Sorry I didn't pack those up!), inventoried my belongings w/a nurse (I was by myself it was so early), and met the anethesiologist. After all of that, another nurse walked me into surgery, got on the table, counted back to 98 and woke up in recovery.
Once I woke up and got a nurse's attention and felt I was ready to get up, I got dressed and sat in a lounge chair with the family drinking juice, coffee, and graham crackers. A little bit cold so I was glad to have a lightweight jacket with me (but I'm sure there were blankets available had I not). And once I peed (blue) and said I was ready to go, we went.
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this is a stupid question, what is cording? My surgery is tomorrow morning and I’m scared. Reading these blogs help calm me but I never heard of cordin
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Hi Micahmom, no question is stupid, we learn as we go! Cancer....now that’s stupid!
Here ya’ go: http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/aws
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thank you for the link I appreciate your help! Your right cancer is stupid! God bless you
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I had a major breast reduction with 5 lymph nodes removed, but didn’t have any problems with any cording. I was a triple D size, now I’m 36 C/D size. It was nice to get rid of the excess weight. The swelling and stitches around my nipples were the worst of it (one was completely removed and relocated), but the swelling was expected. Took no pain pills - have heart disease and didn’t want to take them anyway. I think I took a couple of Tylenols at most. I wasn’t miserable with pain much. The side stitches where lymph node removal was done was the most painful because my sports bras laid or came across on top of them, so I used maxi pads to cushion the irritation. Good luck!
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@shocked did you use a box of tissues??? I probably would have. It's so great to see them succeed. I hope you had the most awesome happy tear streaked day !!
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micahmom hope you are doing ok
shocked what a beautiful moment, cry and smile...so when are you going for the checkup?
blair2 i thought i came up with this gr8 idea, i did the same thing with the pads!! it helped somewhat, not even totally in the beginning. gosh i was hurting for weeks and weeks. definitely bra with support. at least for those with larger breasts, the support made me feel better. It's 8 months, i'm still sensitive with the seat belt. Not a lot, but i can't forget. And yes, i had to go back to drain the Seroma.
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Hey!!! I can't believe it and I'm pretty happy that I forgot. Today is the or should I say was the since by the time I'm done typing it will be the 9th, the third anniversary of my lumpectomy. I think I'm just gonna move on from here. I know I have a couple of more years of tamoxifen left but I'm ready to get on with it. What will be all be. Love to all! Nikki
Yes. I'm pretty tired. It's been a long week. :-).0 -
Here's my lovely daughter!
Momallthetime: It was a lovely graduation ceremony. I actually didn't cry at the graduation ceremony, probably because I could barely see her. I did cry that morning slightly when we were shopping at Macy's for a necklace. The sales lady told me, "I'm sure you must be so proud of your daughter." That instantly brought tears to my eyes!
I have an appointment for my mammogram on June 15th. I talked to my oncologist about my questions and she suggested that I come in to speak with her.
Molliefish: Yesterday was the anniversary of my diagnosis. June 22nd is the anniversary for my lumpectomy. Hard to believe it's been a year already.
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Congratulations on your daughter's graduation, Shocked. She is a lovely young woman (she looks a lot like you!). Events like this remind us why we fight so hard, don't they? Every day is precious.
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I second exactly what JKL said. What a lovely young woman. You have a lot to be proud of! Good luck on your appointment.
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Shocked - your daughter is gorgeous! I hope all the best for her.
OK, this seroma thing. It is tender+ and seems to be getting bigger and harder, and it's already pretty big. I had my lumpectomy on March 5th of this year, and the seroma didn't become noticeable until I was done with radiation on May 15th.
This is normal, right? (no fever, chills or other signs of infection)
Should I just expect if to continue to bother for me for up to a year and put it out of my mind?
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Robin, they taped my wire down, took me to mammogram, then to nuclear medicine for the dye to isolate the sentinal node, and from there to preop. I wasn't at all interested in looking at the wire. I didn't want to move it! As far as a catheter, I don't think so. I guess I was in a lot of pain initially coming out of anesthesia, so they gave me a shot of demerol and knocked me out again. I have no memory of that. I do remember very vivid dreams of desperately trying to find a bathroom, and waking up to discover I had wet the bed...I was mortified. Since I went to the bathroom in preop, and had nothing by mouth, just IV fluid, I would assume that had I been catheterized my bladder would have been empty. The nurses assured me that I was not the first to have that happen, and that it is one of the main reasons patients don't wear underwear during surgery...
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