Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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hi, in everyone's experience... removing a 1.5 cm mass on a b cup, will there be deformity? Lump is in the sub aerorlar region at 9:00.
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Hi there, Mlwkq2! In my experience, I suspect you will see a difference. My tumor was 3 cm, but at the time of surgery (I had chemo first), I was told is shrunk to .5 mm. I noticed a flat spot right away, but nothing too significant. I already have implants that put me to a C. Now that I'm 7 months post lumpectomy, and 4 months post radiation, the difference is more noticeable. Since the radiation had some effect on the scar tissue (both from the implant and the lumpectomy, I assume), that breast is higher, smaller and firmer than the left. I'm planning on having implant replacement, and maybe a small lift on the left to even things out...In clothes, the difference is probably not noticeable to anyone but me.
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Mlwkq2- my tumor was 1.5 cm at 12 oclock, and if I push it I would say I'm a B cup but truly more an A. I have what I would describe as a "divit" left where the lumpectomy was done. My breast is perkier since rads, so I know its there but truly don't care. Small dent to remind me its been removed. Best of luck to you!
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Mlwkq2, I'm an A. I had a 9mm tumor but the surgeon, to be on the safe side, removed a 5 x 3 x 2 cm chunk. My tumor was at 6 o'clock. She put me back together in such a way that on top, I'm full not dented. It wouldn't have mattered if I were because I wasn't and still am not interested in further surgery for cosmetic purposes. Don't be in a hurry to decide what you will do. Wait till things settle down after surgery and radiation. Then see how you look. I was 69 at the time of my surgery and I know that had a great influence on me. Younger gals might feel differently.
BTW, please fill out your profile AND make each and every item PUBLIC (via the Settings tab) so we can see it. It will show up at the end of your post. Keep adding information as you get it. Thanks!
HUGS!
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what can I do about hard heavy breasts after lumpectomy 2 weeks ago
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Mine was 1.3cm, at 10 o'clock on the R breast (in baseball parlance, high & outside). My surgeon removed a golf-ball-sized chunk (about 9 cm). Radiation swelled the seroma to 20cm, and by now it's back down to 9cm.
kmscott, talk to your surgeon. Hardness could be scar tissue, heaviness almost surely a seroma--the fluid that fills in the tumor cavity weighs more than the fat that was taken out along with the tumor. Depending on how many nodes you had removed, you might also want to rule out lymphedema, though it usually takes longer than that to develop.
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Hi. Wanted to get some input regarding lumpectomy and axillary node dissection. How long did u stay in hospital and were u able to care for urself or did u need help when u got home. Lol. Is it do able solo?? I've got tons of support and am sure they wld be here if I need them, so I figured I wld ask so I can plan ahead.
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Undrago I did not stay overnight it was a outpatient surgery. I needed to have my drains checked to see how they were draining. I did need help with that. You can't really do a whole lot with that arm so you're kind of at the mercy of others to help you get stuff done. I iced a lot and took painkillers.
My personal opinion is if you had someone that can be there for at least the first couple of days to a week do it.
It will help alleviate a lot of the stress of trying to take care of yourself.
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Mine was outpatient. Lumpectomy of 2.7 cmtumor and sentinel node removed.
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Thanks Life😁 and Joe, I will plan to have others with me during the first few days to a week. Is there anything else I should be aware of thank I might not be thinking of? As I get closer to surgery, I'm doing more research.
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make sure you have some of your favorite comfort foods and by all means have those comfy clothes to help you feel better. I was lucky. I didn't need drains but I had more stitches than I expected. I'm sure they'll give you postop directives. My team was great in making sure I had ALL the info I needed to feel confident and only needed my pain meds for two days but don't be afraid to take them the first days. Be sure to keep us in your loop.0
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Get a GrubHub and Peapod (or Amazon Prime) acct. for meal & grocery delivery. And load up your Netflix queue or have friends over (let 'em wait on you hand & foot).
I had a 1.3cm tumor (9 cm divot) and 4 nodes removed. Went in for the seed implantation at 7 am, surgery was delayed till 1pm due to a backlog in the OR; and I got sprung by 4:30. No drains. Not even given a painkiller Rx to fill. Home by 5. Ate in (Bob went around the corner to bring back Chinese food). Slept downstairs and wore button-front pj's--but was able to pull them on overhead. My sis flew in from VA next day to help "take care" of me--but I didn't need help, just her companionship. Even slept upstairs and wore a regular nightgown from the second night onward. Never had the "profound fatigue" my surgeon's NP warned me about.
Your mileage may vary, of course.
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Chisandy, thxs for the info. For me, I already know lymph nodes are postive for cancer also. And she said. She wld be going up to level 3 nodes to check them that's my collor bone. It wld be good if I didnt need drains. I'm all about more netflix, during chemo I watched Grace and frankie, also Longmire. Do you have any Netflix suggestions ?
Joe, absolutely I will. How are you doing? I read your profile are u still going thru chemo or radiation? Next step after surgery radation. I'm guessing I will know a lot more about my life plan when I get my results back from surgery.
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urdrago71- my node removal, in lower part of armpit, hurt way more than the breast lumpectomy. Get your pain med script filled even if you only need it for a day. You've already been through a lot, take care of yourself and don't overdo.
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Orange is the New Black (new season just started); Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt; catch up on House of Cards before the new season starts; I've never seen Mad Men or Breaking Bad, so I plan to watch those too. First I need to go through stuff on my DVR, though (some documentaries, the final season of The Blacklist and a couple of concerts).
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just be patient! I am 4 week’s post lumpectomy and my girls are still very firm. Warm compresses help some (I use a pair of hot water bottles while I’m Netflixing in the recliner). From my reading, it can take 3 months for them to soften
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my tumor was only 4.5mm, but surgeon took a larger chunk to ensure clear margins since I was having breast reduction also. The lumpectomy side is definitely more sore and occasionally shows a dent or divot, but then it will plump back out. I’m only 4 week’s post-op, so expect more changes as time progresses. I slept in a recliner for the first 10 days or so....just wasn’t comfortable lying flat. No drains 🎉. Took pain meds first 3 days then switched to 800mg ibuprofen. I had some nerve damage (tingling, shooting pains) on the underside of my arm near SNB site, but that has now resolved. Was much easier than I expected, but I was glad that 2 girlfriends waited on me for those first few days
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I'm between A and B cup, and because I have very dense breasts, and the tumor was in the left breast, at 2:00, I was told by my surgeon that there could be some level of deformity, so we would have a plastic surgeon teaming up during the surgery, to reshape the breast. The surgeon extracted a 10 x 5 x 5 mm piece, trough the areola.
Just before radiation started (about 7 weeks later), both breasts were very, very similar (op'ed was perkier) and i could barely notice the lumpectomy scar. They really did an awesome work.0 -
I'm almost 8 months post surgery, and I'm having quite a bit of pain now. I had my appt with my surgeon last month, and he said it was from radiation. It's pretty intense, and is worse at night. I did the accelerated radiation, that was twice a day for 5 days, in March. Has anybody else been having issues with this? I take Anastrozole.
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Where's the pain, and what is its nature (e.g., burning, stabbing, aching, spasms, waves, etc.)? Surface or deep? My accelerated partial breast radiation was daily, 16 sessions, M-F plus an extra Monday. You might want to see a lymphedema specialist or at least a certified LE therapist (how close are you to Fayetteville and/or UA Hosp.?)--even though you had only one node removed, the radiation might have impacted some of your nodes and most likely caused any tumor-cavity seroma to swell. My seroma was 10cm post-op, swelled to 20cm by six months after radiation, then began shrinking. It's back down to 9cm now--the size of the tumor cavity. But when swollen, it was rather sore. No pain now. I started letrozole 6 weeks after finishing rads--only reason I waited was that I was going on a Mediterranean cruise which I didn't want to ruin with side effects.
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Sandy, it's a deep ache with sharp stabbing pain when I lay down, roll over, and sit up from laying down. It goes from my armpit and wraps the entire outside of the left breast. I feel it in my rib, even. I have PCP appt today, and MO appt tomorrow...hopefully they'll figure it out! I just know it hurts.
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Might be truncal lymphedema--or a just really bad muscle strain. Good luck.
My MO doesn't want to do tumor markers on Thurs. as part of my pre-Prolia blood draw (metabolic & CBC). She wants to examine my back first to see if it's just musculoskeletal; and discuss imaging after (either X-ray &/or MRI to confirm a herniated disc or PET or nuclear bone scan if heaven forbid it might be worse).
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dlj140 and ChiSandy, Thinking of you both as you seek answers. Please keep us posted--hoping for good answers for both of you.
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I had a lumpectomy yesterday. Today I am sore and woozy. Soon I will start chemo, then radiation, more chemo and pills. I will find out about margins and lymph nodes tomorrow or Friday. I am still in shock. I've been retired for four months and has such plans for the fall. This changes everything.
This site has helped so much.
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Annie60 Sorry your starting down this road. It is truly a shocker when your given the news. Getting involved on a chat board with those that are going through it as well is, I think, one of the best moves you can for make for your self. My group of ladies and gent on my group site Starting Chemo April 2018 has been a God send!
Best of luck on your surgery results. Remeber your not alone!
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Urdrago, I'm doing well considering. After metastatic diagnosis I had 10 rounds of radiation to my back for pain and to kill tumors. Letrozole and kisqali are my daily dose and monthly zometo infusions. Disease is in reduction. Fingers crossed. Hope all is better for you. J
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please see my post. I'm devestated after my lupectomy turned into a double partial mastectomy. went from a D cup to a small B cup...
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Any suggestions for trying to sleep with drains? I would really like to get out of the recliner.
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I hope everyone here is doing well, or at least coping well.
I had Sidney the Cancerous Kidney removed Tuesday. Ugh, various sizes of incisions all over my left side. Between that and this summer's lumpectomy on the same side, I look like I came out on the losing end of a knife fight! And this sucker really hurts. Once it's healed up, I can refocus on the boob situation and radiation. Oh joy.
Screw 2018.
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Alice - yes indeed, screw 2018! You've been through the ringer and then some. Take some pain meds and rest up while you heal. Best wishes & gentle HUGS to you.
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