Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
Comments
-
did you have general anesthesia? Thanks so much for offering up answers!!!
Leawoodgal
0 -
I don't really know and didn't think to ask at the time. I think it was general, and I do think they said there would be a short tube - but did not have any throat symptoms afterwards. All I know is I was asleep and woke up and it was over. No issues at all. I expect you will be just fine!
0 -
Try some CBD—will calm & focus you w/o a high or “dopey" feeling. Oils & gummies are available now at most health food stores.
Scar tissue is usually sclerosed connective tissue. Fat necrosis is just what it sounds like: dead fat cells, that can clump & harden. Both are annoying but harmless, and can sometimes be broken up by massage. (Make sure that's all it is—you obviously don't want to massage a tumor).
After my lx, I had a scratchy throat from the tube (I requested a “pediatric airway” to avoid messing with my vocal cords); and sore upper body muscles from the powerful muscle relaxant (succinylcholine) they sometimes administer after the anesthesia kicks in so that the patient lies perfectly still during surgery. Just before the succinylcholine relaxes the muscles, they contract very forcefully for a millisecond. It’s called “scoline syndrome” but doesn’t always happen. Feels like after your first day at the gym.Goes away by the fourth post-op day.
0 -
Had my mamo and US today for the lump in my lumpectomy site and it was just scar tissue....big sign of relief. Appreciate the encouragement and I'm glad to know what it is. Was worried all through the weekend. Very tired now.
Leawoodgal - when you're up to it, please let us know how you made out today. Sending good thoughts.
0 -
Good news Mickey! Glad to hear it, any changes are so worrisome and having good test results is such a relief.
Yez, leawoodgal, please let us know how you are doing when you can.
0 -
Leawoodgal underwent lumpectomy and sentinel lobe biopsy yesterday and I survived the general anesthesia!!! Doing great today my diagnosis was invasive Ductal carcinoma stage 1 grade 2 less than 1cm. Several ultrasounds showed nothing in auxiliary lymph nodes do praying for clear nodes and clean margins!!!!
Leawoidga
0 -
hi Mickey
Did great with the surgery yesterday! Came thru anesthesia with no problems. Hoping for clear margins and clear sentinel nodes!!! Looks like we have the same diagnosis!!!
Thanks for reaching out
leawoodgal
0 -
Leawoodgal, congrats—sounds like my diagnosis too (though my tumor was 1.3cm. BTW, it’s “axillary,” not “auxiliary” lymph nodes—because the armpit is called the axilla). Hoping your sentinel nodes & margins are both clean!
0 -
Thanks!!!!
0 -
I had 2 lumpectomies on my left breast 20 plus yrs ago. The surgeries were 2 days apart. I was 40. After 1st surgery, came home and next day went into Chicago for a big day of shopping. Never felt anything. Big bandage for protection. I got a call from surgeon about margins and went back in following day for more surgery. Again no pain, bleeding etc. I refused radiation and chemo both recommended back then. Life went on for 20 plus yrs. 2018 diagnosed with IDC grade 3. I had a mastectomy and lymph node dissection. I have absolutely no scarring from lumpectomies. Excellent surgeon. I now realize that many general surgeons have areas of expertise. I mean they may know little about breast cancer. Sorry to be so blunt. BTW, I was put under General for all 3 operations with serious difficulties waking up. Surgery at 3. Waking up eventually around 10 pm. I hate general. I notice I have significantly increased spider veins after surgery. I took no medication for pain for any of these surgeries.
0 -
Yes, Leawoodgal, we have a similar dx. Will keep the prayers coming. Hoping you get the all clear soon!
0 -
Lumpectomy tomorrow - first time under general anesthesia since I was 2, so hoping for a smooth operation and minimal nausea/pain after I wake up. Also my surgery isn't until 6:00 PM tomorrow (urgh), and they said I can't eat past 6:00am, so I'm waking myself up early to eat and then going back to sleep if I can haha
Also, have any of you been sick right before your surgery? I think I have the flu (woke up today with a sore throat, minor body aches, and a low grade fever). Would they postpone the surgery for something like this? I hope not because I've been waiting for what seems like forever to get it over with but I also kind of feel like crap, so I guess we'll see!
Thanks for all of your wisdom on these posts...reading these and knowing so many of you have done it makes me feel a lot better
0 -
Welcome, SarBar. I wasn't sick before my lumpectomy, but I did have a chest cold just before my orthopedic arm/hand/wrist surgery this past July. My primary put me on prednisone and guaifenesin-codeine cough syrup; and to avoid setting off an asthma attack, instead of having gas anesthesia which would have required intubation, I had propofol.
0 -
SarBar22 - call the surgical center and ask about the flu. When I had my excisional biopsy, two people got turned away because they ate breakfast when they weren't supposed to - the anesthesiology team wasn't messing around. My guess is the anesthesia is the riskiest part of the surgery.
(And good luck with your surgery! :-)
0 -
SarBar,
I ended up having sedation, which I didn't realize is actually different (medically) from general anesthesia. You don't need a tube in your throat, for one.
Honestly I loved that part. I had it again for an endoscopy last weekend. I've never been good at falling asleep, staying asleep, or having restful sleep. It felt kind of like a mini miracle that they start dripping things into me and all of a sudden I am in deep blissful restful sleep, and then I wake up in a different room!
Good luck!!
0 -
I had three EGDs (upper endoscopies): 2011 (along with my first colonoscopy), 2013, and again in 2017. First one was under sedation--I woke up as they were withdrawing the scope. Second one was with just Versed--and the GI doc insisted I watch the monitor so he could show me the "ulcerette." Third one was propofol again--one push into the I.V., the thought "ouch, that burns!" and then seemingly instantly hearing the doc say, "All done--everything looks great."
Salamandra, where in Brooklyn are you? I grew up first in Brownsville and then East Flatbush (Tilden HS '67); Bob & I met in Brooklyn College (when we ran against each other for seats in student gov't and both won) and married 3 wks after graduation--then moved to Seattle the next day. Been in Chicago >40 yrs. now.
0 -
ChiSandy: That's such a sweet story!
I'm on the edge of Crown Heights, by the park, but I teach right next to Brooklyn College and walk by it many days. I came to Brooklyn over 10 years ago now and I keep falling more in love with it. (Having a rent stabilized apartment helps a LOT). I do hear wonderful things about Chicago, though my first experience with the pizza wasn't great I look forward to some day trying (many) more specimens
0 -
I'm trying to make plans with work in terms of my absence due to the Lumpectomy. How long were you out of work? A whole week? 4 days?
Thank you!
0 -
Euphonious, Please plan at least a week. Even though it is outpatient surgery, it is still MAJOR surgery. Your body needs time to recuperate and heal. If you can take off 2 weeks, that's even better. I felt good immediately but you have to watch your stitches. If you are in a sedentary job, maybe a week. But I was not allowed to lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk with my "bad" arm for several weeks. Good luck!
0 -
I was out about 4 days and t seemed enough. I preferred keeping my mind busy while waiting for test results, though I have a desk job and s it as easy. Depends on your line of work, stress level at work and what your MD tells you based on the extent of surgery. Good luck!
0 -
I was out about 4 days and it seemed enough. I preferred keeping my mind busy while waiting for test results, though I have a desk job and it was easy. Depends on your line of work, stress level at work and what your MD tells you based on the extent of surgery. Good luck!
0 -
Thanks for the well wishes everyone! The surgery went really well, and I agree, finally getting a good few hours of sleep was so nice! Just a little pain and nausea but overall not bad at all. Hope everyone else has good surgeries for those of yours coming up soon!
ChiSandy & Salamandra - I’m in Brooklyn, too! Downtown near Jay St, just moved into a studio there from the UES. And I love it!! I can now walk to work instead of commuting 40+ mins on the subway
Love Brooklyn!! 0 -
Hmmm...next time I visit NYC maybe a Brooklyn meetup would be in order! My mom, before she moved to SE FL for her last decade or so, lived in Midwood just down the street from DiFara's pizzeria.
0 -
So nice to read the Brooklyn stories, and even the neighborhood names! My high school was Fort Hamilton. Went back for a reunion a couple of years ago. Back in the 60's, football was banned in City schools, but now there are a football team, a marching band, a pool, ROTC, and even classes with the Joffrey ballet. As for Brooklyn College, one morning, all the seniors were corralled in the cafeteria and walked through the application. The guidance counselor, however, pushed SUNY Oswego, so seven of us wound up there. Girls then (1962) were expected to be either teachers, nurses, or secretaries. then get married and stay home, so little focus was placed on matching the student to the school.
Sandy, did you have any choice about which sedation you received for your endoscopies? I just had one and they gave me versed and fentanyl. I absolutely hate waking up all woozy and wonder if there is an easier way.
0 -
Hi Freebee,
I had a largish Hematoma (not Seroma) after my lumpectomy and it was the worst part of the ordeal. I called it The Egg. It was just above my nipple and hurt like a son of a gun. Surgeon drained it three times. It was such a relief for a few hours, then came back. They did not delay rads. And could not drain after rads began. It slowly dissolved and was gone in a few months.
But you have my sincere acknowledgment that it SUCKS!!!!
I have wondered what my post op experience would have been without The Egg.
It's been almost two years for me. You'll get through this. But it's okay to complain about pain and frustration. This is a great place to find solidarity and support.
0 -
Hey ChiSandy,
Wanted to let you know my Onc agreed to taking a three week break from Anastrozole, to see if it was the cause of my mental state of confusion, and other less scary side effects like insomnia and joint pain etc etc.
After three weeks, I did not see a big difference. So we talked with my regular MD and looked at all of my meds. And every darn one of them can produce the same issues. So, I’m staying off Anastrozole while I wean off my other meds. Clonazepam for sleep, Livalo for cholesterol, and Wellbutrin to alleviate other symptoms. So... we’ll reevaluate in a few weeks. I’ll likely go on Tomoxifin after all i said and done.
0 -
Yay, Sarbar, welcome to this side of the East River!
I noticed that my SNB is still not right, almost 4 months after surgery. It feels a little swollen and kind of nerve-y. My lumpectomy scare is healing perfectly and is a little itchy sometimes and that's it. For now I'm planning to just wait and bring it up at my follow up in May, do you all think it sounds normal for this far out?
0 -
Robin, if you decide to go on Tamoxifen, know that Wellbutrin is contraindicated with it--so if you need an antidepressant, it'll have to be a different SSRI or SNRI (I think Pristiq, Effexor or sertraline may be ok--run it by your MO and your shrink). I've found that a combo of melatonin (5mg) and CBD (25-30mg.) plus occasionally a 2.5 mg. microdose of Indica THC (Sativa makes me too "aware" of every sensation, incl. pain) gets me to sleep w/o the "couch lock" from CBN. (Of course, if you don't live in a recreational MJ state, nor a MMJ state w/o a permit ID card, you can't do any kind of THC).
When I was in HS ('64-7), Tilden had a pretty good football team. (My mom was PTA Pres., and frequently "locked horns" with the Football Parents' Assn.). But so did its rival Jefferson (my dad's alma mater). In '65, when the Tilden-Jeff game was at Tilden, and Jeff lost, the horse-drawn hayride wagons (no kidding--in Brooklyn!) on which their cheerleaders rode had their revenge...the horses did what horses dooo...eeuw (walking to school was a temporary adventure for the next few days). But IIRC, CUNY banned tackle football after one of its college's chancellor's son was badly injured from a concussion after making a tackle. Intercollegiate football didn't return to CUNY till the late 90s--and Brooklyn's team, the Bulldogs (used to be Kingsmen) made it to the NCAA Div. III "Coco Bowl" in San Juan, PR several times before the team was banned from all San Juan hotels for trashing their rooms.
0 -
Hi All,
I had a lumpectomy two days ago. Don’t currently remember a thing my surgeon said to me after surgery (!) so I’m just waiting until my post-op appointment on the 21st. I’ve had minimal pain, mostly just continue to feel a bit woozy and exhausted, appetite is not great. Finally took a shower today and that was delightful.
I don’t see any signs of infection - no heat or redness - but my breast is definitely somewhat distended and swollen, and thick and lumpy not right on the incision (edge of the areola) but in the area surrounding. My discharge instructions say swelling is normal but of course that’s all it says so I’m wondering if my experience is typical
0 -
Welcome aboard, di. Your experience is textbook-typical. That distention and thick lumpy swelling are both seromas (newly-empty areas filled with serous--blood & lymph--fluid). The distension in your breast is a mammary seroma, and that other one off to the side is the sentinel-node seroma.
Does your hospital have an online patient portal? If so, have you signed up for it? There might be post-op notes & follow-up instructions ("after-visit summary") in your Inbox by now. (My surgeon also gave me links to online "Emmi" videos to watch, about lumpectomy & radiation. (I also watched Emmis before my knee replacement surgeries). You need an access code, but you could call the surgeon's office to get one.
Take it slow for now--at least a week to get your strength and alertness back. Ice might help reduce the seroma swellings.
Chances are with a DCIS tumor that small, they might do a special version of OncotypeDX on it to see if you can skip radiation. (With DCIS, you will not get chemo). If so, since your tumor was ER+, it's straight to endocrine therapy--a daily pill of either Tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor.
0
