Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Dyannah, one thing I didn’t anticipate was not being able to swallow after my lumpectomy due to being intubated and cotton mouth from the anesthesia. My husband went out and bought me Popsicles and soup so I’d recommend stocking up on nourishing liquids.
Definitely have a little pillow to keep under your arm on the ride home and then for a couple of weeks at home.
M
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I have recently noticed that my surgery side at the bottom of my bra line on my side is quite a bit larger then my nontreated side. There is a projection there that sticks out. I developed pain there during radiation that has not completely gone away. Feels like a bruise. It’s much better now though. My bra has always felt really uncomfortable in that area. I can see why because of the projection. I’m wondering if it could be trunkal Lymphedema. Has anyone experienced this? I’m going to make an appointment and my doctor may tell me I’m just fat on one side!
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ShockedAt48...I’m experiencing exactly what you’re describing! I kind of had it when I had my 3 mo. follow up with my RO but it was of no concern to him. I think I’ll ask my MO tomorrow at my appointment.
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ShockedAt48...I’m experiencing exactly what you’re describing! I kind of had it when I had my 3 mo. follow up with my RO but it was of no concern to him. I think I’ll ask my MO tomorrow at my appointment.
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mjb1018: Let me know what they say
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Hey there Shockedat48...I just returned from my MO appointment. He wasn't concerned. He said it feels like fluid and is normal after radiation that the breast doesn't drain as normal. He said it will resolve, no worries.
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mjb1018: Thanks. I’m going to make an appointment with my oncology nurse to have it checked out.
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I would think it is more likely a seroma--a collection of fluid--than lymphedema, but I am not a doctor! I'd get it seen. All the best,
EdithMary
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I had a lumpectomy on Friday and I’m just wondering if what I’m experiencing is normal. The pain was much worse than expected although today it is manageable. My breast was crazy swollen. And half of it is black and purple. The swelling has gone down some today. It is the black and purple covering half my breast that I’m wondering about. I see my surgeon next Monday. Thank you for your responses
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Hello puzzled1. I wonder if you got a hematoma? It almost sounds like it. Although everyones situation and experience is different, my excision (which I think is similar if not the same as a lumpectomy) was not very painful and my breast was never very swollen. I would check in with the surgeon before next Monday just to be on the safe side.
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Hello everyone...I had lumpectomy surgery 9/19. 1.4CM mass/2.5 CM with margins and 3 lymphnodes removed on right side underarm area. The incision site looked GREAT week one and two after surgery. I had my first chemo treatment on 10/16. My incision began causing me trouble after chemo. I purchased Crystal Mineral Salt deodorant and had been using it faithfully until one Saturday I decided to use my Dove. I anticipated a busy day and did not want to perspire. The Crystal deodorant does not irritate me and does control odor, but I still sweat like crazy. I regret not sticking to the Crystal, as Dove (my favorite) caused irritation that led to my skin breaking, weeping, bleeding, and pus😣 I saw my surgeon today for my 2nd post op and was prescribed an keflex. My incision site looks worse today than it did one week after surgery. Keeping this area dry seems to be impossible. My surgeon said that this is not my fault (he's so sweet) and that chemo weakening my immune system is to blame. Sooo, round 2 chemo and now antibiotics starts tomorrow.
Also, I noticed after my biopsy on 8/23 that I had a swollen vein from biopsy site down through my breast and abdomen. I could see the vein under my skin and the area was very tender. I googled and suspected Mondor's, but was told that it was not. I now have a swollen hardened vein under my arm that I can follow down my arm to my wrist. Soooo, I'm going to have an unltrasound soon to be sure that it is not a blood clot.
I am thankful for my onc and surgeon. Initially, I was worried about my port and possible infection. This whole underarm thing is frustrating. IT WAS HEALING SO WELL😭
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thank you, MastectomySister. It may be a hematoma but it sure is a big one. I guess I will find out soon. I was not expecting this to be quite as difficult as it has been.
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Puzzled1: I am so sorry. It isn't fun stuff at all. Hang in there. You'll get some answers soon.
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puzzled1,
Bruising and swelling are not uncommon during the early days after surgery and how long they last varies from person to person. Some of us have more bruising than others and it takes a good while for it all to disappear -- your past experience with how long bruises lasted could provide some indication of how rapidly yours go away (mine like to hang around so the surgical site was colorful for a long time). Are you using any ice or cold packs to help with the swelling? I personally did not need ice packs but I know of many people who did. Bottom lines are that, although there are many commonalities, this experience is also unique for each of us and feel comfortable calling your doctor with concerns/ "surprises" -- my breast surgeon was great about calling back, usually the same day even if it was a surgery day.I
Hoping you continue to feel better each day. Keep in touch.
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Puzzled That sounds like a hematoma and yes they hurt like crazy. Ice packs for 3 days then heat to help your body absorb it. Mine is just now going away, but the bottom of my incision broke open and it drained of its own accord...
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Thank you everyone! I did talk to my doctor Saturday. I am icing it and the swelling is almost gone. The pain is better. The bruises are just horrible looking but guess they will get better. Wonder when I can stop sleeping in this bra. Not yet I know because there is still pain. Thank you again, everyone
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Kancermenot, those aren't swollen veins but rather lymph channels, especially the one from your armpit down your arm--called "axillary web syndrome," more commonly known as "cording." Nobody knows why they happen, but they're commoner in slender women (I had one but I'm by no stretch of the imagination "slender"). Talk to your surgeon about a referral to an occupational therapist who specializes in lymphedema--she can do massages to help that cord "pop." When it pops you'll feel it (a momentary mild sting and then release of tension) and there'll be a small temporary bruise.
Puzzled, it's probably a hematoma and is more painful than harmful. Ice & heat alternately. I had seromas in my breast and armpit, without bruising. The one in my armpit popped the SNB incision open, but it was sutured closed and healed on its own. It was absorbed much faster than the one in my breast, which swelled during and for a couple months after radiation and then shrank down below the size of the tumor cavity.
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Puzzled. I slept in a bra for 2 weeks to help "contain" the hematoma. I'm still using a heating pad a few times a day to help me absorb what's left of it, but my entire breast was swollen to 3X its normal size. A LOT of old blood came out of it btw.
I'm sorry this is happening to you! 0 -
I saw my oncology nurse practitioner today. She didn’t think I had lymphedema thank goodness. Just my body is asymmetrical.
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That's great news, and I think most people are asymmetrical, LOL.
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My R breast is almost 2 cup sizes smaller than my L, which I might have reduced for symmetry and posture.
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Does anyone know how soon after a lx you can travel by air? I had my lx & snb on 17th October and had a reexision today, hoping I can travel in a week or two.
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Hey Raysal,
I did things kind of backwards. I had my lumpectomy on Oct 18th, then flew about two weeks later, and then retrospectively asked my doctors office if it was ok. They said no worries.
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ShockedAt48...Yay, no lymphodema! I just wanted to pop back on and say that I saw my plastic surgeon today and she has a whole different take than my MO, who said he thought it was fluid...She detected no fluid and was convinced that my complaint is nerve damage caused by the radiation. That area on me is firm, a bit raised and very tender...as is under my breast. None of those areas were touched with surgery. At any rate, I went to see her about possible reconstruction now that I'm pretty asymmetrical. I've had implants for over 15 years as is and I thought this would be a good time to swap out and get everything back in order.
Turns out it won't be as straightforward as I had hoped. **Sigh** 0 -
mjb2018: Where is your swelling located?
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At my appointment yesterday I asked about my hair thinning because of the Tamoxifen and she said that was very common. I asked her if my hair would return to normal after I stopped taking it and she wasn’t sure. Said that Tamoxifen has a tendency to destroy the hair follicle. That’s great, they want me to do ten years of hormone therapy. Anyone else experiencing hair thinning? At least I haven’t gained weight. She said most women gain weight while taking Tamoxifen
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Whoa--didn't know that about Tamoxifen. Aromatase inhibitors indirectly cause hair thinning due to suppressing estrogen production (as does menopause), but I'd always thought that because Tamoxifen works by clogging tumor cells' estrogen receptors that hair thinning wasn't a side effect of it. Do hair follicle cells also have estrogen receptors?
Weight gain is a common side effect of both Tamoxifen & AIs. Congrats on beating at least those odds.
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My doctor said that she notices more hair loss on Tamoxifen then the aroma tase inhibitors.
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Shocked...My swollen area is below my armpit next to the breast...where the bra cup ends and the band begins. It's also very tender there. I can follow it along under my breast, too. It's uncomfortable to lay on that side.
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Mine was like that too for a short while, but I bought some cloth "nursing pads" (for breastfeeding moms' sore nipples) and padded the area around the side boning and top of the band. There are also quilted velour pads called Swell Spots, made in various shapes & sizes, to be worn inside a bra to help cushion swollen breasts, and encourage resorption of seromas and breaking-up of scar tissue. Lymphedema OTs have them.
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