Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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I just wanted to put it out there that I'm on anastrozole and have had no negative side effects. Granted--I've only been on it for 10 days, but that's 10 days of starving that stupid tumor, and I'm good with that! One side effect has been (sorry for tmi) looser stools, which is actually a plus for me. Other than that--nada, and the psychological boost from knowing that I'm starving that monster while waiting for surgery is priceless.
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Alice, being 58 and still not in menopause is probably a primary reason for getting ER+ bc. Early menarche (before 12), no or only 1 kid, and never breastfeeding all keep the estrogen coursing through your body. The GYN-onc probably wasn't thinking about future breast cancer, because most women who go through hysterectomy for endometrial cancer don't get breast cancer. No need for hormone blockers unless you are at high risk (ADH) or already diagnosed and need to prevent recurrence (or at least forestall it for decades). Anyway, to combat osteoporosis (and maybe reverse it to osteopenia), you can take bone strengthening drugs like bisphosphonates (oral or infused) or Prolia shots (which I do), calcium/magnesium/D3/K2 supplements, and do weightbearing exercise (preferably ballistic if your orthopod allows it after a THR--it's a no-no after TKRs, which I had). Walking, lots of walking--some cycling (bike or stationary), but not swimming--swimming burns calories but doesn't "load" the long bones, which is necessary for building & preserving bone.
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macmomma,
Glad you put your comments out there. I just started taking Anastrozole nine days ago, and except for some flushed cheeks for the first two days, no other symptoms I can point to. Had my tumor removed in March, so know that nothing new should be coming back right now. So glad there is a product to take
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I've been taking anastrozole for nearly 4 years. Not much in the way of SEs. Maybe losing my hair a bit more than prior to BC. I do take generic Fosamax. I also take a regular Claritin daily - that helps me move better in the morning (which also was a problem before BC). My PC said that I can continue to take Benedryl since Claritin, for me, is totally useless for my allergies
HUGS!
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Hmm, you've all given me a lot to think about. I'll have a long talk with my MO when I see her later in the month. I have a lot of arthritis issues, including a knee that's in horrible shape, so anything that could make my joints hurt worse than they do now is certainly not appealing, and limits weight-bearing exercise options. And the other blockers can have an affect on circulation, if I understood the MO correctly at my initial visit, which also scares me because I have venous insufficiency. Like I said, it will be a matter of balancing side effects vs. recurrence odds, which I won't know until after surgery. All my previous surgeries were a matter of "go home, you're fixed" so long-term treatments are not something with which I'm familiar - or comfortable.
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AliceBastable, there seems to be a lot associated with breast cancer that is challenging. We wind up balancing the good vs the bad and make our decisions. Also keep in mind that because one person (or even a lot of people) have a side effect from a medication, doesn't mean you will. Not saying that the SEs can't be bad but they may not be for you. They aren't for me. I also know that there are 3 AI's and they can effect you differently. So when the time comes, get all the information, talk to us here, talk with your doctors, weigh the pros and cons and make your decision how you will proceed. Many of us decide that the side effects are bearable in light of the good they do. But we are all different. And what works for me, may not for you. Isn't this all terribly helpful?
HUGS!
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Thank you, PontiacPeggy. At least I don't have to decide right away. Surgery first, then post-op talks with the BS and MO. And I still will have the time during rads to make my final decision. At least the rads don't scare me; my Mom went through a lumpectomy and rads when she was 85. She already had a bad right shoulder, so the rads wrecked it permanently -- but it didn't slow her down, she just used her left hand to lift her right arm when eating or doing anything else. You should have seen her start her car -- she'd stick her left hand through the steering wheel to turn the ignition key! She did everything for herself, including driving, until she passed away this January at the age of 97. So I have quite an example to follow!
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Thank you, PontiacPeggy. At least I don't have to decide right away. Surgery first, then post-op talks with the BS and MO. And I still will have the time during rads to make my final decision. At least the rads don't scare me; my Mom went through a lumpectomy and rads when she was 85. She already had a bad right shoulder, so the rads wrecked it permanently -- but it didn't slow her down, she just used her left hand to lift her right arm when eating or doing anything else. You should have seen her start her car -- she'd stick her left hand through the steering wheel to turn the ignition key! She did everything for herself, including driving, until she passed away this January at the age of 97. So I have quite an example to follow!
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Very true. And most of the time you do have the time to make a considered decision. Your mother sounds like she was one helluva a woman. I agree. She is quite the role model.
HUGS!
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Alice, I’m 68, had hysterectomy at age 50, menopause at age 45 - completely stopped at that age. Did not take estrogen after hysterectomy, and was only on it about two years after age 45. I too wondered why my estrogen stayed so high enough to have caused this form of breast cancer. Maybe estrogen didn’t cause it, but what little was in my system must have fed the dang disease. I had ovaries removed also. Breast fed my baby years ago - go figure. No breast cancer ever in family. Tells me it’s a crap shoot!
I have osteoporosis in both hips. Tamoxifen supposedly is less hard on osteoporosis or bones, but I couldn’t take it due to it causing vertigo. So now I’m on Femara or letrozole along with taking Foximax once a week. I just started this about a month ago and so far no side effects. So, just letting you know I’m right there with you. It’s frustrating, butI’m not going to worry over it - at this age I’m slowing down regardless what I do.
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Blaire 2, it really does seem so random who gets BC, doesn't it? I think part of my iffy-ness on going on any long-term treatment is that in spite of my arthritis and a few other things, I'd been feeling better than I had in years. After two surgeries in 2016 that took care of problems I'd procrastinated on (partly due to insurance shifts and gaps), I had sworn "No more surgery!". Now here I am again, and feeling like my poor hubby got the short end of the "for better or for worse" stick. The only time he's ever had surgery was because of a bad injury he got at MY place of work, so I do feel rather cursed where he's concerned. I think part of my fear of side effects is how they would affect his life, too. I never had the usual menopause problems, before or after the hysterectomy, so it seems awfully late in the game to go through that.
Sigh. I just want control over my body. We all do, and I guess that's why we're here, to help each other get that control back.
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I am just a little over 3 weeks out from my lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy and am having a great deal of pain in my breast. The pain I had initially was just post-op pain, but I actually felt really good. This amount of pain this far out is very concerning for me. I, too, have to lift my breast up and apply pressure against it to make it feel better. It is so odd and actually hurts all the time. I meet with my medical oncologist on Monday and my radiation oncologist on Tuesday. I'm not sure if they will be able to help answer any of my questions or if I should get in touch with my surgeon.
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jamikay 1969- I had shooting pains, or fast zaps, that would make me cry out, but by the time I reacted it would be gone. I never had constant pain.
If I were you I'd call to get in to the BS. The pocket left from removing breast tissue fills with fluid. It might need to be drained.
Best wishes to you to get this pain behind you.
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Jamikay--Ditto what CindyNY said. I still have the occasional "zap" nearly 6 months post lumpectomy. However your description does not sound like that. In your shoes, I would call the BS. Best wishes for improvement quickly.
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Your surgeon is the one who can assess the issue and determine how best to get rid of that annoyance; please do call him. If your oncologist appointment is this Monday, perhaps if you call early, you can see both of them on the same day.
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Im not sure if there is a post for this already, if so I apologize. My lumpectomy with "lift" is a week from tomorrow. I bought a couple zipper-front bras, button-up tops and pj's. I know to have pain reliever, stool softener and of course pain meds ready. Any suggestions on what else will come in handy?
Thanks, Cindy
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Reusable ice packs (including little ones to put in your bra), prunes, Miralax (in case the stool softener doesn't work), a cushion for between your seatbelt & breast, a cushion (with a shoulder strap) to keep between your arm & armpit--that sentinel node biopsy incision usually hurts more than the lumpectomy incision; takeout menus or access to a site like GrubHub; a Peapod, Instacart or AmazonPrime account for grocery shopping; and a good full Netflix queue.
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Thank you Sandy!
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cindymb - if I am ever banished to a far away place (tropicAl island preferably😊) I would want you to help me pack!! BTW my sister in law said I'll be cold after surgery and she gave me a soft blanket for the ride home. She lives in texas, so it's not exactly cold there! (I love in northeast us) she's a 2x bc survivor. Strong woman.
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Cindymb, you are smart to be prepared! Let me secondSandy's list and emphasize the ice pack. I got one of the gel packs with a suede like side to it and it lost its cold after about 20 minutes, which is the maximum time you want to expose your breast to an ice pack. Also, have some pillows in different sizes that you can experiment with to get comfortable so you can sleep.
You have come to the right place for support. Keep us posted on how you are doing and feeling about everything
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Will I need a larger ice pack than the one I was given after the biopsy? It's a flat round one that's about two and a half inches across - it fits perfectly on the lid of a pint of ice cream, which is where I've kept it. 😀
Thanks.
I finally told friends & family, which I'd been avoiding. That was the worst thing so far, but I took a somewhat humorous approach and it seems to have been the right way to do it.
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So 5 months & a day ago I had a lumpectomy & every once & awhile I get pain. It this normal??? I'm really worried & my boyfriend is saying I should maybe get ahold of my doctor about it...
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Alice, get at least one more if you need to ice the SNB and lumpectomy incisions simultaneously. The one they give you for your core-needle biopsy isn't infinitely reusable--but you can get ones online that are.
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ChiSandy, the BS said she's doing just one incision, I think for the tumor and one sentinal node. Mine is on the outer part of the left breast, which I guess makes it simpler. Her plan when I met with her was to get the tumor and I think a sentinal node. It depends on what the MRI showed as a "maybe" area behind the original tumor. But I might need a few larger ice packs, I guess. One more thing to do tomorrow. Sigh.
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hi everyone.
So had my partial mastectomy and sentinel node removal 3 weeks ago. Margins were clear by 2mm (so close) and cancer found in one of the 2 nodes. That's all I know. No call from cancer clinic yet for even an appt. No stage given yet. No clue on treatment. Don't even know the name of my oncologist.
My question...when is the oncotype test/result given? I still have zero clue if I will need chemo. Is it something I should be ready for? I'm starting to get frustrated and anxious again from all this waiting again. I was starting to feel better after surgery but now feel like everything on hold again.
And Cindy & Jamikay...here in BC Canada, we are told to wear an abdominal binder around our breast for 6 weeks. It apparently helps with fluid build up. I feel great when wearing it, very sore when I take it off for showers etc. I highly recommend one. Keeps you very supported and in place :
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Krysm7- if I were you I'd call the clinic. Ask them for a pathology report, and ask when and who you need to see next. I met with my BS and she gave me path report. Prior to surgery she gave me the numbers to call for appointments with an RO & a MO.
It was my MO who ordered the Oncotype DX testing. Your pathology report will give information that the MO can use to see if Oncotype testing is right for your tumor.
Best of luck to you.
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thanks Cindy!!
Finally got a call from cancer clinic to see oncologist on Friday...Friday the 13th..good luck maybe?? Lol. I do have pathology report from surgery, it mostly talks about lymph nodes and margins...a few things I do t fully understand.
I'm actually currently sitting in my family physicians office while typing this, so will have to ask her a few more wuedtions
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Weird experience at hospital today. I arrived at 6:00 a.m. as instructed and promptly was escorted to a room. Shortly after, someone showed up to get the co-payment. Then after an HOUR, an NA came to take my vitals. Finally about 8:15, my BS showed up. I asked her what and when things would happen, and explained that no nurse had shown up. She said, "Well, that's not right!" and went scurrying off. She returned in a few minutes and started explaining things and answering questions. It had been a month since the office visit with her, so I needed it all gone over again. She said she'd probably be doing two incisions after all, but would decide for sure after seeing inside. And I'd go to nuclear medicine for the dye shots, but she'd have the wires inserted after I was conked out. The nurse finally came while this was going on, so I was listening and asking questions and getting the IV all at the same time. Wait wait wait scurry scurry scurry.
Hurt like hell when I woke up in recovery, got pain stuff through IV, then slept another hour and woke up feeling tolerable. Finally back to room about 12:45. When it was time to go, afternoon nurse sent Hubby to get car and said she'd take me to main entrance in a few minutes. She left and disappeared for quite a while, then FINALLY came back and wheeled me to lobby, where we found Hubby wandering around, anxiously looking for me. They must be seriously short staffed. At least everyone was nice when they finally showed up.
BS told Hubby everything looks good at this point. At-home instructions are light food today, then whatever I want. Return to regular activity when I feel ready (!). Can shower anytime since outer skin is glued. Wear world's ugliest support bra 48 hours. No instructions for exercises or lifting or movement restrictions. Odd.
Nipple is hurting, I guess from nuke med shots. Too chicken to look at anything else yet.
At least this part is done.
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Those radioactive tracer shots are a bear, aren't they? I didn't get the blue dye, so no scary pee. Instead of wires, I went in first for ultrasound-guided radioactive tracer insertion; then the tracer shots into (yee-OW) my nipple & areola (since that's where the lymph vessels and milk ducts start); then the surgery itself (for which I was out cold, general anesthesia). Came to in pain in the recovery room, got a bolus of Fentanyl in my I.V., and then just 2 regular-strength Tylenol before going home. Ordered out for Chinese food. By the next day I was going out for dinner, and by day 4 I could even walk to dinner & the beach. Drove the next day. By contrast, for yesterday's orthopedic hand/wrist/arm surgery, they gave me a nerve block & Propofol—they feared an endotracheal tube might set off a bronchospasm, what with the asthma & allergy flares I was experiencing. Woke up with no pain (that nerve block lasted 14 hrs) and utterly ravenous. Even generic apple juice & animal crackers tasted good. Dinner was tacos al pastor (mild) which I handled well.
Since you had a general, though, don’t panic if you start feeling upper body soreness by tomorrow. You are given the powerful muscle relaxant succinylcholine (aka “scoline”) just after you go under so that you are perfectly still during surgery. But before your muscles relax, they contract extremely powerfully for an instant. The soreness is a delayed reaction, exactly as you’d feel a day or two starting at the gym as a newbie with the Nautilus machines set to highest resistance. By day 4 the soreness should be gone.
2mm is a clean, not too close margin. In fact UCLA has revised its definition of clean as “no tumor on ink.” With one positive node your MO will likely order OncotypeDX, the results of which take about 5-10 days. Assuming you are over 50, any score below 25 means chemo wouldn’t confer enough benefit to be worth the risks; if you’re under 50, a score of 16 or higher would confer enough benefit. Either way, that’s assuming you also take endocrine therapy
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I had surgery (Lumpectomy) 5 days ago.....when can I expect the path report to be in?
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