Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Acucindy, swelling only 3 weeks post-op? More than likely either a seroma or hematoma. Nature abhors a vaccum (so do my cats), so whenever internal tissue is surgically removed, the body rushes to fill the void with fluid (lymph &/or blood). Happens with other organ surgeries too--abdominal, hernia, etc. It should resorb over time, but if you are concerned and it's painful, you might inquire about getting it drained---which you'd likely have to do several times as it refills, each time a bit less. I think it's a bit too soon for lymphedema, which is not an accumulation of fluid in the tumor cavity, but rather a backup of lymph fluid in the lymph vessels due to the "chain" being interrupted. It's more likely to occur further away (arm, trunk) in the same quadrant that nodes were removed. It wouldn't occur so quickly.
kec1972, I still get random pains in both breasts almost 4 yrs out (even though only my R breast was involved). Surgeon and radiologist say they're not due to new or residual tumors. I sometimes get rib pain after a bout of coughing (bronchitis or asthma), but that was diagnosed as "costochondritis," an inflammation of the soft tissue anchoring the rib cage.
prehistoricmom, every post-op discharge instruction I've gotten has advised icing. Maybe your surgeon thought it was self-evident? Ice, ice, baby!
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Oh thank you ChiSandy, I haven't had Vanilla Ice in my head in maybe an hour or so 🤣
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kec1972 I'm 8 months post OP and I'm still sore across my upper chest from just above my armpit to my breast bone. I was actually really tight too and started seeing a physical therapist who specializes in working with breast cancer patients in May and things have gotten better with daily stretching and exercise. My PT told me radiation can shrink your tissue for up to a year.
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Hi MyMomsGirl, It has been 6 months since I finished radiation, 9 months since surgery. I'm still somewhat swollen under my left armpit and also have the tightness to my breastbone. I'm trying to do the exercises. Not looking forward to my mammogram next week...but also hoping for the best. I will see the radiation oncologist for follow up in October. How long do you usually have to see the radiologist for follow ups?
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flashlight, I had one follow-up visit with my RO. Others have indicated longer term RO follow-ups. So, like everything else, it varies!!
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Flashlight, I am still swollen a bit too almost 4 months out from radiation and 6 months out from surgery. I had my first mammo since radiation this week, and it wasn't bad. I thought it would be much more painful, but it really wasn't, even with the lingering swelling and a lovely seroma. It was a nerve wracking day though, and I didn't realize how nervous I really was until I was actually dressed in the gown waiting for the tech to call me back. I had my first post-radiation follow up with my RO a few weeks ago (3 months after completing therapy), and I will have another one in January or February.
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Flashlight I saw my RO 3 months after radiation and am not supposed to see him for a year, but that is only because he works closely with my MO and am seeing her more frequently right now. He told me if I need anything just call him or send an email. My mammogram isn't until October which will be 10 months post op, but I think some of that is because I had reconstruction on both sides during my surgery, therefore she wanted to give me more time to heal. And I'm sure when the time comes I'll be nervous but I think it might be more around how uncomfortable is it going to be. Only time will tell.
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I saw my RO for about a year or so after I finished radiation. Perhaps I'd have seen him more if he hadn't got a rare cancer and I hadn't moved from Michigan.
My first post-surgery mammogram at 9 months. It was a breeze. The 2nd one a year later was absolutely miserable. I was sore for a week or more. I was not happy and I did complain. Subsequent mammos have been here in Spokane with no issues.
When I moved to Spokane, I found a new MO (who is wonderful!). Didn't need a BS or RO. But I did find a BS I would use if I ever need her. I was discussing new test (abbreviated MRI) and my MO had me meet with her. She was not a fan of that test. We had a nice long talk and she is wonderful. How lucky am I to find such great doctors?? Very!
HUGS!
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PontiacPeggy, Just out of curiosity, did your MO let you know why she is not a fan of the abbreviated MRI? I asked about adding MRI to my follow up screenings, and my surgeon said he would write the referral for either the abbreviated one or the regular one. The abbreviated one is a self-pay at around $250, but the regular one, while covered under insurance, has more out of pocket expense due to the deductible cost. (My insurance cycle just started over, so I have met $0 of my deductible so far.) I would be fine paying the deductible to have the regular MRI if that would be a better test. I have seen a few articles recently about the use of the fast MRI being "almost" as good as the regular MRI but at a much less expensive cost. I'd appreciate any information to help me decide which MRI to schedule. I do know either test can result in false positives. Thanks!
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My MO is not in favor of the abbreviated MRI. He is not a dedicated breast oncologist and that is why he asked me to meet with the breast surgeon. She is an expert. She isn't keen on any MRIs because they seem to give many false positives. I can attest to that. After my biopsy, an MRI was done. I had a lot of clotting and crap in my breast. The BS said that there was only the one location of cancer. After the Lx, another MRI. And this one the MO thought chemo was necessary. My BS again said NO, this is just clotting etc. My oncotype came back at 13. The RO agreed with the BS. This surgeon here said that 3D mammograms are just fine. If something shows up and more testing is needed, then an MRI is a good option. But it should not be used to replace the 3D mammogram. Do the mammogram. Skip the MRI. At least that's what a surgeon, whom I greatly respect, says.
HUGS!
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Hello everyone. I am having a Lumpectomy Tuesday at 930am. No lymph node removal or anything. Just a lumpectomy with possible oncoplastic closure (not 100% sure what that means or why they would have to) my high risk Papilloma is directly under (kinda feels inside) my nipple. You can feel it when feeling my nipple its self. I’m hoping and praying everything comes back fine from the pathologist after surgery. A little nervous, but keeping myself busy, so I won’t make myself crazy
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Thanks for the info PontiacPeggy! I am still debating on whether I want the MRI or not. I did have the 3D mammogram this week, which of course showed my dense tissue as well as the big seroma. My breast surgeon, like yours, also feels the 3D mammograms are pretty thorough but said if I wanted more because of the dense tissue and the big seroma (which looks like a huge solid mass of dense tissue on the x-ray) I could have the MRI. It would be supplemental to the mammo. Since I had the mammogram, I don't need to decide right away. You have given me some good thoughts to consider. Maybe I'll just keep the screening I've had all along, even prior to my diagnosis, which was the 3D mammo and ultrasound.
Sharon, keeping busy is a good idea! Waiting is so difficult. Hoping everything goes well with your procedure and that your results are all good news!
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Sharon - oncoplastic usually means they move some breast tissue around after the removal of the lump to give you a better cosmetic outcome. Try not to worry too much it should be pretty quick and recovery is usually fairly quick too. Best of luck.
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Sharon: I had an oncoplastic lumpectomy; my tumor was near the nipple and when they removed the tumor the BS had to reposition the nipple and as GiddupGirl said he also moved some breast tissue around. Recovery was very easy, I was back at work the next day and the most amazing thing was that I had no pain at all and did not need any pain killers. The breast did not feel comfortable for a while, I still get some discomfort, but there was no pain. Don't worry too much about your surgery, hopefully your recovery will be as easy as mine was.
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ugh. The recommendation to not use MRI as part of follow up screening is so confusing to me. My BS and MO have told me a 3D mamo yearly is the best plan for me going forward but I have very dense breast tissue and an MRI not mammogram is what found my cancer. I'd rather have false positives than missanother tumor. It's tough to know when to let go and trust your team and when to push and advocate for yourself.
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Yeah that recommendation doesn't line up with what my BS recommends for me. I have very dense tissue and the 3D mammogram showed . . . something. The diagnostic mammogram didn't show anything, the ultrasound did find my cancer. The MRI confirmed everything. So my BS said I'll probably alternate between the mammogram and MRI.
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I had an MRI prior to the lumpectomy to determine the size of the tumor. And whether it would be chemo or surgery first. Apparently there were no false positives that worried anyone. But the report did note a possible fibroid in the other breast. Like SUPer I have a sizable seroma in the armpit. I wonder what if anything will be done with that after I get through with treatment
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I'm not knocking MRIs. Just sharing what my cancer team told me. As we quickly find out - NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING is standard about BC. Perhaps for YOU an MRI is the best tool. I also have dense breasts. Gather all the information from what you read here and from your medical team and decide what is best for YOU. What you are comfortable with. Then go for it.
HUGS!
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A possible alternative to MRI would be MBI (Molecular Breast Imaging). Most places won't even mention it since it's only available in a few places. It was made for people with dense breasts. The SO or surgeon can be the one to order it if it is available in your area.
P.S. In my case, I had to have a tomo/mammo before the MBI as a base. Last fall, I went to a seminar (hosted by my SO and RO talking about MBI and even though I was closer to a 2 or B on the scale of 1 to 4 or A to D, she got me in for it.
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I was wondering if you could share how long after your lumpectomy that you started radiation. I have read between 4-6 weeks and I have read 8-10 weeks. My RO said it should be completed within 3 months of your surgery. Mine is scheduled to start at 8 weeks post op and is only 16 treatments so that puts me within that timeframe. Hopefully that is not waiting too long. I did have oncoplastic reduction as part of my surgery so in some ways I think the extra healing time is probably good. Just curious about others' timeframes.
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Sharon, I had my lumpectomy with oncoplasty and had no pain, just discomfort and tender. I took a week off of work and had no issues when I returned. Keeping busy these days prior to is a key, idle time causes worry and more anxiety which doesn't help. You will do well with the procedures! Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers!
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Polkadot1, My lumpetomy(s) were on 1/4/18 and my first day of rads was on 02/21/18 (48 days) and I had 33 treatments, 5 of which included boosts and 2 were delayed by at least a day due to malfunctions. I was still in the window according to the HCPs even though the delays made it six days past the 3 months. Also, part of the delay of treatment is that I went for a second opinion. The first place I was supposed to go to assumed that after being "fit" for the device, I was going through with it (with them). I didn't feel comfortable going to the first place due to the consult and the following "fitting" appointment.That was a task getting the first place to cancel all of the appointments (their third strike was to not show me my schedule before locking it in).
The second consult with a different hospital went wonderfully and they were able to start me up fairly quickly and accommodate my work schedule. I don't know if you work, but that was a big factor for me.
Oops! P.S. I had to go back to my Surgeon to have her drain some fluid (seroma) before starting the radiation. My fluid wasn't "rapid", so there wasn't an issue. I've heard that if the fluid keeps coming, it can be another story.
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I am having my lumpectomy surgery tomorrow. My doctor had mentioned putting in a little round thing that looks like a Spring. She said that most of it would be dissolved into my breast over time but not all. Has anyone else had this? Mine is very small, smaller than a small pea. Thank you for any advice you have and prayers for my surgery tomorrow. It is called biozorb or something like that.
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It is Biozorb. Mine appears to be finally absorbing more than 18 months post surgery. It was originally marketed to absorb in a year but experience is showing, essentially like everything else about BC, the amount of time it takes varies from one person to the next. What stays behind are tiny markers that will indicate the location of the tumor bed.
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Thank you all for the encouragement and information!! If anyone is looking for a comfortable bra following the lumpectomy/during radiation this one worked for me.
https://www.shapewearusa.com/products/clearpoint-m...
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Jcscbrown hope your surgery went ok today! Sending good vibes your way! 🌈☀️
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I didn't have an RO followup after my final session, but he said I can call him whenever. I started radiation 6 weeks post-op.
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flashlight,
Thanks so much for the link to a comfy bar. Will definitely be purchasing this
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Ladies, I had my lumpectomy and sentinel node surgery on May 6--very normal recovery, no issues. I finished radiation at the end of June; my skin did fine, nothing more than red and cranky and it's fine now.
However, the lower part of my lumpectomy incision (which is on the edge of my nipple, just over halfway) is scabbing again. It's not the surgical glue, it doesn't hurt but it's definitely there. I wear good supportive bras, so nothing's rubbing. Frankly I'm puzzled.
Anyone else had this happen?
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edj3 about 3 months after my surgery I had what appeared to be a blister form on one my scars. I called the doctor and they said put neosporin on it and cover it with a bandage. When I was getting ready to go to bed I took a look and a bump seemed to form. I wiped it with a Kleenex and some fluid gushed out of it. I had what appeared to be a small piece of gauze that must have worked it's way to the surface. The nurse said that can happen.
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