Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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This is the procedure they are doing tomorrow. This replaces wire guides. I thought someone might like to read on it.
http://www.womenandinfants.org/news/localizer-for-breast-surgery.cfm
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I couldn't have the savi marker. I'm allergic to nickel so be aware if you are too. You'll have to have the wire insertion which in my case was done the morning of my lumpectomy.
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take the Valium ...it takes stress away
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Tranqs are great personally I prefer sublingual ativan works fast and didn't make me stupid.
Edj3 - I didn't know about the nickel allergy - interesting and I am sure inconvenient at times.
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I am so grateful for all of you, the tips and tidbits we learn from each other and the support.
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Ah, the wire insertion. No, I was spared that--got the radioactive seed implanted instead, and a small shot of lidocaine made it painless. Now, the isotope injection to "light up" the sentinel nodes was a bear--they went in right at the base of the nipple and it was brutal...but for only 10 seconds. Truthfully, having to massage my armpit for 15 min. after that to get it to migrate up the lymph channel was more of a hassle but at least they played a nice Americana mixtape to alleviate the boredom.
My friend who had the BMX had the wire location--but they applied Emla cream 30 min. beforehand and she said she didn't feel a thing.
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I had a wire insertion after I swore I would never have another. Had one about 10 years before and it was a nightmare. This one was almost nothing. I had loads of lidocaine and that helped immensely. For the dye injection, my BS actually did it and injected lidocaine before the dye. I felt nothing!
Reminder: Your SNLB site is likely going to be much more bothersome than the LX site. It seems to be the gift that keeps on giving. The annoying pain and subsequent numbness lasted 13 months and then all was normal. My BS had said whatever state it is in after 12 months is what you're stuck with. I was glad she was wrong.
HUGS!
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I had no lump that could be felt, so I needed the wire insertion the morning of my surgery. I don't remember what they used to numb the area, but it was really no big deal at all and I felt no pain.
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I had no lump either. My 20th annual routine mammogram found a “focal asymmetry,” I had further imaging, a core biopsy, and kaboom!
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I was supposed to get a wire but the BS didn't need it after the MRI.
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I had the wire insertion procedureyesterday prior to my lumpectomy. No problems and the lidocaine worked well. The most discomfort was from the mammogram they did right after the insertion to make sure they had hit the biopsy marker. Lumpectomy went well. A little soreness around the surgery site, but not too bad. I did not have any SNLB so no problems there.
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JCS. EXCELLENT on no SNLB. All of my issues post surgery were because of that node biopsy. SO happy you were spared that!! Hope you have an easy recovery!
All the best.
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I am scheduled for lumpectomy on the 29th. My situation is a little different as I have implants. Have already had 4 rounds of chemo. Ended up in hospital with C diff. So oncologist stopped chemo and I don’t have to finish it! Praise God! While in hospital had chest X-ray and the tumor is gone! During lumpectomy PS is taking implants out. Said I would have drains. Ugg! Has anyone else been in this situation
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loghome55, I have implants, too. Mine are under the muscle. I did not remove them...I had chemo, then lumpectomy, then radiation and more chemo. I had considered taking them out pre radiation, but breast surgeon, RO and PS said I didn't need to. Now, I'm a little over a year out from radiation. The treated breast is higher, tighter, smaller and dented.
I'm glad I left them in. Radiation does a number on the tissue, and having implants complicates it as there is a high likelihood of capsular contracture (which is worsening for me now). This can happen if you have your implants replaced after radiation, too. It is usually suggested to wait a year post radiation and even then, flap reconstruction is recommended due to the challenges of radiated tissue and implants. Unfortunately, for me, I don't have enough native tissue for that. Now, I'm researching what I can do...I hope to clean up the scar tissue and replace my implants. 0 -
I had no lump either and I had had 29 annual mammograms. My breast was tender in a totally different spot. Never figured that out but accidentally found my BC.
HUGS!
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Let me start by saying if any of you out there are struggling with severe burning pain on the back of your arm following removal of lymph nodes, be informed that it is a form of RSD, aka CRPS. It will get better but make them give you enough opioid pain medication - they can be so stingy - and consider adding gabapentin to your regimen until the nerve endings heal. This is an awful type of pain, and I hope none of you get it, but I've heard it is quite common following lymph node removal. It really argues for moving towards fine-needle aspiration biopsies of the lymph nodes
Just had my second breast surgery 10 days ago. After the initial lumpectomy (and removal of 4 negative lymph nodes), I was told "clear margins" but when I read the pathology report, there were remnants of the DCIS in one of the margins. I thought little of it, but when I brought it up, BAM! - they decided to go back in. Rats! My breast looked great after the 1st surgery but, for some reason, the surgeon took nearly as much tissue out the 2nd time as he did the first, and now the breast looks awful. And their reasons behind going back in keeps changing.
Shouldn't complain, since I am Stage 1, strongly estrogen positive, negative lymph nodes. Still, this has been tough and continues to be tough. I'm not getting the straight story from anyone. Medical Oncology strongly recommends tamoxifen - can't take AI's due to osteoporosis. However, I tried quitting my estrogen/progesterone therapy when the tumor was discovered and went into a deep depression marked by confusion, fugue, memory loss, and fatigue. I became suicidal, and my psychiatrist told me the heck with it for now, go back on the HRT for now, which immediately reversed the depression symptoms. If I can't tolerate going off HRT, how can I possibly tolerate tamoxifen? I can't get any information from them on the survival rate of a 67-year-old woman who undergoes lumpectomy but doesn't do tamoxifen or radiation. They assume I will just come around and do things there way. But quality of life is important to me, more important than longevity.
Surely I am not the only breast cancer survivor in the universe who cannot give up her HRT? Or maybe I am. Anyway, thanks to all of you for sharing your stories and I wish everyone on this forum the very best!
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Welcome,DonnaLeeNC, We're glad you found us. Until someone can answer your questions, I recommend that you go to your Profile, fill in everything you know, and then go to SETTINGS and make it public. That puts the information that is vital for us to know to help you in every post you make. It isn't always easy to go back and search for your first post that gives this information. See my info below as to what it will look like.
HUGS!
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I haven't been active on this thread lately, but I wanted to let you guys know about truncal lymphedema. I started experiencing pain on my rib cage right after I started radiation and questioned my radiation oncologist, but he said it was nothing. The pain seemed to come and go and after a year from my treatment I noticed a definite bulge on the treated side below my bra line on my side. The pain still came and went. It felt like a large bruise, very tender to pressure but nothing agonizing. I went to my oncology check up and asked if this could be lymphedema and she said no, it was just fat. I felt embarrassed and dismissed it but still felt like something was wrong. The area in question seemed to grow in size and the skin was discolored with redness. I went to the nurse practitioner oncologist and showed her and told her I thought it was lymphedema, but she said it was not. Just my body being asymmetrical. I asked if I could have a consultation with a LE therapist and she said no. I then went to my primary care physician and she said there was a tenderness between the lining of my ribs and took X-rays. Luckily nothing showed up on the X-rays. I then had another appoint for my regular checkup with my oncologist and again showed her. She said it was nothing. Perhaps the redness was from an allergic reaction. I said no to her recommendation of Benadryl and other medicines. She looked again and said, "Yeah. I guess I can see what you are talking about. I'll give you a referral to the LE therapist." At last! Well I just had my appointment and the LE therapist said that I most likely have Stage 2 lymphedema! It could possibly be stage 1 but she will have to see how I respond to therapy. Stage 2 does not reduce in size but Stage 1 can possibly. There are 4 stages (0, 1, 2, 3). I am so angry that my doctors did not listen to me for an entire year. I knew there was something wrong but because I am overweight, they did not listen to me and insisted that it was fat. Each time I talked about it I was so embarrassed because they disregarded my concerns and basically told me that I was lopsidedly fat. Time is of the essence to treat lymphedema before it progresses. I could have potentially not been as advanced in my stage of lymphedema if they had listened to me. I just want other women out there to push for their referral if they have similar symptoms. I will be talking to them at my next appointment about the difficulty in diagnosing truncal lymphedema and that they need to listen to their patients. I believe that they are at fault for my advanced stage of lymphedema. It is completely unacceptable to be dismissed. I have my compression garments on order and hopefully things will go down.
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donnaleeNC- I had what felt like rug burn up the back of my arm, elbow to shoulder. I kept holding it & rubbing it. Probably 3+ months later I noticed it wasn't as bad, the area was getting smaller. Then one day I noticed I had stopped holding it, it was gone. I never needed pain meds for it. I think it is common, nerves cut and try to regenerate.
My reexcision took a lot more tissue as well. Before it my BS said she might have to do a MX; she didn't. But she went down to my pectoral muscle, prescribed muscle relaxer in case I had spasms; luckily I didn't get any. I'm ok with my divot, cancer is gone. You can get reconstruction if you're not ok with how your breast looks.
As for HRT, I was never on any, and I hope someone chimes in to help you. Best wishes to you.
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ShockedAt48 so glad you were finally heard and that's terrible you were ignored for so long. I'm (personally) very glad you shared b/c I've got swelling below my armpit and on the left side of my back. Thankfully I'm already seeing an OT who's LE certified and she sees it too.
I hope you're in stage 1 not 2 and that you get some relief and answers and accountability from the rest of your medical team. They really let you down.
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My LE therapist thinks I might be developing LE in the lumpectomy breast. Surgery was May 17th and there was some swelling and firm areas in the breast at my last visit. She taped me up once to help resolve the seroma (which is ping pong ball sized now) and did it again last visit to try and help the breast.
Similar to Shocked - my NP didn't feel like there was a problem. Sorry Shocked that you had to go through all of that to get some help. It's a shame thatmedical people don't take the patient's understanding of their own body into consideration.
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Hi Everyone,
Quick question. Did anyone ever have any peeling of the skin on the breast after their lumpectomy? My lumpectomy was on July a little over two weeks ago. I just noticed lately that the skin is peeling atop of my blue stain above the nipple and on the outside of the breast toward where my incision was (but not on the incision). I am panicking thinking about skin mets as I was just diagnosed two days ago with Stage IIIA, Grade 3, 4/4 positive lymph nodes, ER/PR+, HER2-, lymphvascular invasion although no extanodal extension was identified, breast cancer. I am supposed to get a bone scan and ct-scan this week. I am terrified this could be more bad news. I went from having a small cancer probably at stage I and II to this.
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Sportymom - I had wicked peeling just below my lumpectomy incision and under the edge of my breast. Saw my BS and he said he was a reaction to the bandages. it kept up for over a month but it did pass. Have you seen your BS about it yet.
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I should add that I kept the area fully wrapped in a tensor bandage atop of my sports bra for the full days post-op if that matters.
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My skin always, always peels and degrades from the adhesives in bandages. My BS used the surgical glue so I was spared that this time. I agree w/ GiddyupGirl, ask your BS to make sure.
Oh and just remembered that for the first few weeks, I would have sworn I had two incisions for the sentinel node surgery but it was all the goop and dye in a perfect line about a half inch away from the actual incision.
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I do react to the bandages something awful as well but did not overlap the area atop the nipple where the blue dye stain still remains. I "think" they might have been where the sterile bandage was at the side of my breast but I took that off five days post-op. Could it only begin peeling now?
I think I am going crazy with all of the worry. Still soooooooo very scared all of the time. I wish I had a lower stage of BC
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I wish you did too, sweetie, truly I wish you did.
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BTW - when I got my diagnosis on Friday I forgot to as the BS about anything else, I was too deeply in shock and grief-stricken.
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Here's what helped me keep track of my questions--I used an app on my android phone (know Apple has something too) and had categories in there for drug questions, stage/score questions, just everything I could think of. I shared those categories w/ my husband so he could access them and add his own questions there.
It was really helpful when my brain didn't feel like it was tracking as well as usual. If you use Android, it's Google Keep but like I said I'm sure apple has something similar.
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Sporty - I am so sorry I really wish you did too. Do you have anyone to talk to. I know its scary but sometimes if you take a deep breath and slow your mind down it can be a microdot easier. Find a hug have a good solid cry. Know that you will find lots of support here. I did.
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