Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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My IORT was October 2. Late today I got a call about the lab report -- clean margins and clean sentinel node!
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Good news, CherokeeLady! Breathe a big sigh of relief.
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Awesome news CherokeeLady!
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Yay, Cherokee Lady!!!
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Congrats CherokeeLady!
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Hello loungers,
I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy on September 18th. I have small seroma since day after surgery and I have been doing my post surgery exercises religiously, but swelling and pain still there. Does anyone want to share experience or time table for swelling reduction. I get pathology report tomorrow, so nerves a little frayed
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Hi ChaClarey- I developed a seroma at my SNB incision site about two weeks after my lumpectomy and SNB. I had 8 nodes taken out but not sure if that was part of the problem because others have had more taken and didn't develop a seroma. Mine got to be the size of a lemon. My BS drained I think once but it came back immediately.
I did stretching and massage of the site. My lymphadema therapist even used kinesiology tape to help pull the fluid away from the area. It started really going down about 4 months after my surgery and now about 20 weeks from surgery it is about the size of a chickpea. Sorry to use food analogies but I'm bad when it comes number measurements.
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I had a lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy almost 2 weeks ago. The whole area is still very tender like a badsunburn. The incision in my armpit feels like it has a small lump under it. Should I be concerned about it? I go back for my follow up appointment in 4 days. Thanks!
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Mention it when you have that follow up appointment, but don't be surprised if it's swelling from the surgeries. As my surgeon said, he did a lot of tunneling around in my breast and armpit so everything got good and riled up (and swollen). TBH my breast is still swollen today, five months and one day after surgery.
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That armpit swelling is almost certainly a seroma (when internal tissue is surgically removed, the body tries to fill in the space with fluid). At 3-1/2 weeks, mine was the size of a tangerine and then burst, but only because it had been Steri-Stripped & glued instead of sutured, and the weight of my large breast pulled it open. My BS' partner sutured it closed; 2 wks later the sutures were removed and the incision held. Took a few months to get it down to the size of a large grape, then a marble, then nothing.
My seroma was how I discovered BCO--I Googled "exploding seroma" and came across a post titled "M-M-M-My Seroma" (pun on that Knack song), so I had to check it out.
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This is my first post. Is there a dictionary of cancer acronyms? I'm gathering information for my sister who has Stage 2 breast cancer, but I'm already lost because so many of you (necessarily) use acronyms in your discussions.
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Hi Libel, and welcome to Breastcancer.org,
You may find it helpful to read this Abbreviation Dictionary. Also, you can always feel free to ask and someone will happily explain terms -- we know it can be confusing and overwhelming at first, and we're all here to help!
Please let us know how else we can assist you and your sister!
--The Mods
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Haha...I actually found such a dictionary at cancer (dot) gov! Thanks for the additional link.
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My lumpectomy (IORT) was last week. Initial path report showed clear margins and no lymph node involvement. Today was my post-op, where I learned additional pathology shows EIC (Extensive Intraductal Component). Standard of Care recommendation is whole breast radiation for multiple weeks (meaning that's what the Medical Team recommended and future appointments have been set up for me to discuss rads with radiologist and oncologist).
This new report was quite a blow, as I'd been informed the initial labs showed clear margins and no lymph node involvement.
Question: Has this happened to anyone else and, if so, what did you do?
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Hey there, your dx looks a lot like mine (although no IORT for me) and I did have whole breast radiation, 20 zaps of which 5 were boosts. That was on the table from the beginning though.
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Hello wonderful ladies!
I have read and learned so much for all the posts. This is a fantastic resource and I can't thank you all enough for sharing your experiences.
Here is my story - not bad considering some of the heartbreaking posts I've read but it's still upsetting!
On September 26th I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Mammograms and stereotactic biopsy showed ALH right breast / DCIS with possible microinvasion in left breast.
I met with the breast surgeon last week and she is recommending lumpectomy for ALH in the right breast as well as in the left for DCIS and microinvasion. Radiation, and medication would follow though I haven't met with the radiologist associated with the first surgeon to know what the recommendation would be but I'm guessing 4 weeks (20 rounds). Surgery is scheduled for October 30...2 weeks away.
I decided to get a second opinion at one of the well known hospitals in the area. They recommend the same including 20 rounds of radiation and possibly Tomaxifen even though I'm post-menopausal. I need to have a bone density scan and the Oncologist believed that there is a chance that being very small bone that I could have osteopina(?). Interestingly, the second hospital noticed calcifications on the right that the first surgeon never made mention of - they are requesting another mammogram...I'm a little skeptical so I have a call in with surgeon #1.
My question is how long after surgery does radiation usually start? Anything anyone would care to share...I'm happy to take any and all advice, thoughts, prayers.
Thanks!
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Hi there--I had surgery May 6. My radiology oncologist wanted a month between surgery and the start of radiation (for better healing). So I started radiation June 3, 20 treatments of which 5 were boosts.
Like you, my medical oncologist preferred that I take tamoxifen because I broke my pelvis last year running and turns out I do have osteoporosis. You may end up getting referred to an endocrinologist to see how your bones are doing. I was referred and I'm now on Prolia (and still running).
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Massgirl I had my radiation about 5 weeks after surgery, 15 rounds. I also had a round during surgery.
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Massgirl55-
Reexcision on 11/17; started rads on 12/26. So about 6 weeks for me, they also wanted to make sure I was fully healed. Best wishes to you going forward!
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MassGirl55, I had surgery on July 23 and started rads on like Sept 3rd. I had 33 that included 5 boosts. My radiologist also wanted me completely healed. Good luck!
HUGS!
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They want you completely healed but no more than 12 weeks out. I had lumpectomy on 7/11/2018, re-excision on 8/8, then an unrelated larger surgery on 9/18. I was getting calls from the RO's office all through October that I needed to get the set-up done and treatments started. I finally did the set-up about a month after the non-breast surgery, and started rads on 10/29. The first few weeks were miserable because my body wasn't ready to be stretched out like that, but it got better as I healed more.
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Massgirl I had surgery on Oct 28 then rads began Jan 2. Probably the max length I've seen here but they wanted me completely healed, as some have noted. Best wishes to you starting this road.
I had my mammogram today and have been on the 6 month schedule due to developing fat necrosis on my scar. Finally today got the recommendation I've waited for: ANNUAL mammograms! I get scan anxiety so of course I cried happy tears when she gave me the news.
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massgirl, Lumpectomy on March 20, started radiation on May 28. So-called Canadian protocol of 16 sessions. All the luck. Slather, slather, slather with lotion three times a day starting a week beforehand. Buy cheap comfy bras and then throw them all away afterwards! I took the lotion with me and applied after each session. Lots of info here to get you through.
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MassGirl - I had the lumpectomy on May 17th and radiation started September 23rd. I had chemo in between. So far my breast has pinked a bit and the nipple is sensitive but no other SE. good luck
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Thanks ladies - I was so hoping to be able to complete radiation before the end of this year. As of yesterday the plan is 4 weeks and with surgery on October 30 it might be tight. Fingers crossed I heal quickly...I really don't want to have pay another $2K towards my deductible. I suppose being completely healed is more important than the money!
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I am wondering what type of bra to wear after a double lumpectomy. I've very small busted so support isn't an issue but thinking jiggling might be painful? Would a sports bra be too tight?
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I got a sports bra that zipped up the front, it worked really well.
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My lumpectomy was on Oct. 2 -- surgical incisions almost in left armpit and on far left side of the left breast. Both my surgeon (a woman) and the nurse (also a woman) advised me to wear my "most supportive regular bra" for 24/7 post-op. At my Oct. 10 checkup they said my sites are "healing well" but I should continue to wear the most supportive regular bra(s) 24/7 -- except for wound care and bathing, of course. I could take a shower 24 hrs. after surgery, but no baths until more than a week had passed. I also must avoid public pools (including hot tubs) until further notice. On a more personal note, my surgical sites hurt now -- 15 days post-op -- as soon as I take off my bra.
One more thing: one week post-op I was able to move my left arm normally (extend fully to the left, raise it over my head and extend it as far as normal, and reach behind myself to fasten my bra). The local Cancer Services gave me a front-zip bra but, for me, it was harder to maneuver than my regular bras. I tried a front-zip sports bra and discovered it was not as supportive as my regular bra.
Hope this helps.
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My lumpectomy was on September 18th and I also used a zip front bras and am small breasted. I wore it 24/7 after surgery and continue to do so as when it is off I feel slight pain in my breast. My oncology nurse said it should be tight fitting. Hope this helps.
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Thanks for the info ChaClarey, CherokeeLady, and edj3. Wishing you all an easy recovery!
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