Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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I have to say, I was thinking about this thread last night after posting and realized how comforting it was to share with you guys and have some of you chime in to say that you too have had similar issues with your pec and underarm and all that.
In the grand scheme of my overall health, this is a (painful) nuisance but it's also discouraging. And when my medical team acts blase about all of it, then I feel like gosh I'm just being a big baby. But I'm not, and it's good to know I'm not the only one.
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I'm having a bunch of discomfort and swelling on my affected breast, too. I thought maybe it was from the Kadcyla, but now I'm thinking it's just from the rads. The discomfort started to abate for a while, then about 2 weeks ago it really started back up. Although, both breast feel swollen and heavy - like pms boobs, though I haven't had a period since March. I'm going to see my MO next week for my Kadcyla infusion, so I'll see what she thinks. Cripes! I can't wait to be done with this shit too! lol
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Tightness
I'm not sure where I read it but someone said the rads on the breast causes scar tissue. Hence the tightness in/under/through the breast. I'm not sure if it's true, but it makes sense.
Working out, 2 years after surgery and 22 months out from rads, my pec area is still tight. Flat on my back with my arms outstretched flat, when my legs are dropped to the right side, many of times I'm grabbing my left breast. It's tight & painful. I think my trainer is used to seeing me do it. LOL
It sounds like the old joke - if it hurts when you do it, then stop doing it. Best wishes to all!
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Hey, folks. New here, and tried to work out an earlier technical posting problem, so let's see if this works -- though my question has changed since then.
I can't figure out how to search just this currently 923-page forum for previous questions about this... also, "ink" seems to have a different meaning in conjunction with lumpectomies than the one I intend, so I can't even Google this. Apologies if anyone else has asked this (once, or 50 times). This forum is so huge! ...Something for which I'll no doubt eventually be thankful. Anyway...
Had a lumpectomy and then a repeat for better margins. Last surgery was 5 weeks ago. A wound from the SNB looks pretty normal, as far as I can tell (distance from mirror + eyesight = issues, lol). My onc said (today, in fact) that the lumpectomy wound looks fine to her, no infection, healing nicely.
But aside from its pain/inconvenience issues: it's BLUE. A dirty navy blue, in an ugly smile right under my nipple, and it bugs me. No doubt the ink used at surgery. I hate looking at it. It contributes to the whole Frankenboob thing, y'know? My onc said basically my body would eventually absorb the ink -- and here I was thinking maybe it was, IDK, remaining surgical adhesive that trapped some ink and it would all drop off like a scab sooner rather than later. Guess not. (I was thinking I'd been too hesitant with washing the site, 'cuz I barely touch it during showers or bird-baths.)
Did any of you guys have this post-lumpectomy or any other surgery, and do you remember how long the blue took to go away?
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My lumpectomy incision wasn't blue but I had a parallel dirty navy blue line to my sentinel node incision. For about three days I figured that for some reason my surgeon had done two incisions until I got a magnafying mirror up in my armpit to really see. That thing took a couple of weeks to go away.
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Welcome Mimikyu!
I also had blueish staining that lasted for a good several weeks after my surgeries. I had some bruising too, and the bruising and staining kind of meshed together to make for one odd-looking, blue-green colored breast, but it did eventually get reabsorbed. I think it was several weeks, if not a month, before it was gone.
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I have a lumpectomy and removal of some nodes on 2nd December and with radiotherapy afterwards. I’m absolutely dreading it and I know I should ask these questions at my pre op assessment on the 21st November (and I will) but using others experiences for information is valuable .
My main concerns are the actual surgery, recovery time and cosmetic appearance.
I have never had any surgery before and I am very anxious. Having biopsies taken was painful despite having local anaesthetic. I’m so worried about being in pain during. I was told the surgery will take approx 90 minutes. Petrified.
My job is manual, I work with vulnerable older adults who need assistance moving, toileting, washing etc etc and sometimes have unpredictable violent behaviour. I don’t want to miss a lot of work due to money loss but also I want to be safe and pain free.
The way my breast could look afterwards didn’t even occur to me until today. I just wanted the cancer OUT but now I’m finding myself worried I’ll really dislike my own body. But also I’m grateful for having the procedure. Idk.
Everything is happening so fast, it’s overwhelm
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Welcome PinkBean! I found my surgery rather pain free. The node removal site was a royal pain but not terribly painful - really annoying. I took regular Tylenol for any discomfort.
You definitely will not want (nor be allowed most likely) to do any heavy lifting for 2-3 weeks. I understand about not wanting to lose money because you can't work, but believe me, it is much better than having problems with the surgical site. I was told to not lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk for about a month. I had the 24/7 care of my husband who needed a lot of physical effort on my part and that was not good. Talk with your employer and see if you can do something less demanding for a few weeks.
None of us know what our breasts will look like until we are done with surgery and radiation. Mine looks pretty good. My incision was just below the nipple straight down. My nipple is now downward facing. But all seems to be ok after 5-1/2 years. I am small busted. If you are well-endowed you may have a different experience and others will chime in.
We ALL just WANT IT OUT! You're normal. It is scary. It seems to happen so fast. Keep reading all the excellent articles here. And ask away - we're here to help you!
HUGS!
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Pinkbean, you'll be knocked out for the actual surgery, not awake like for the biopsy. I didn't hurt much afterward. The hospital I used has very snug surgical bras that they put on while the patient is unconscious, and I was told to wear it for two days. Then it could be removed and showering was allowed. But at that point I switched to a snug, zip-front sports bra that I wore 24/7 for 2-3 weeks except for showering. I also used a rolled baby sock tucked in to press against the main incision, and another to cushion the node incision, since those tend to be much more uncomfortable. My surgeon was very pleased with how little swelling I had. I think I took a pain pill before going to bed the first few days, and if I went anywhere for the same amount of time - seat belts and potholes are a real bitch!
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PinkBean, ditto to above. I wanted IT OUT too and was lucky to have surgery only 6 days after diagnosis due to a cancellation on my BS's surgery schedule. You will be asleep for the surgery. The post surgical bra appears to be variable. I did not have one but many others who post on BCO did.
I had weight lifting restrictions until after rads-- the gallon of milk description for me too.
The appearance of your post op breast will depend on a lot of things including where the incision is, how much tissue is removed, etc. It may change up to at least a year after completion of rads. For me, my right breast was smaller to begin with and my incision is near the base of my breast (the tumor was at 5o'clock) so general appearance is only slightly different than before. The size difference is just more apparent, without clothing, but not so when dressed.
I second PontiacPeggy's suggestion that you have a discussion with your employer before your surgery (and congratulations to you for working with the elderly). Also, at your pre op appointment ask about what your restrictions are likely to be.
Best wishes to you. Please keep in touch.
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PinkBean, my surgery and sentinal node biopsy went really well. Looking back, one thing I could have done several days before surgery would have been to drink lots of water and also to have done so after surgery. Just a little tip. Good luck.
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thanks for everyone for the replies and sharing your experiences. It’s giving me much anxiety but Reading your replies has calmed by head down a bit.
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I had a mammogram on my left breast and ultrasound since my doctor and I were concerned about the pain I was feeling. Due to scar tissue it hurt so bad. I saw the doctor after and she said everything looked okay. I no longer had fluid but just scar tissue. It hurts but something I will have to live with.
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I'm scheduled for a mammogram on my right (no cancer) breast and an ultrasound on my left breast because between the scarring and damage from rads, there's no way that breast is getting squished between two plates of glass. That breast hurts all the time and every time I roll over at night, I wake up. MO, RO and BS all agree that some of us take more damage from rads than others and lucky me.
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edj. I think I'm going to ask for that as well. My affected breast hurts all the time; there's no way I can endure a mammo on that breast.
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Is it possible to see calcifications with MRI; especially with dense breasts? I would love to not have to endure another mammo...the squishing is barbaric and it hurts.
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MassGirl55 - not sure about MRI seeing calcification. But I know my insurance isn't going to pay for an MRI over the 3D mammo & ultrasound.
The first 3D mammo after my surgery hurt like hell. The tech asked me if I had been massaging my breast. I had not, never recalled anyone telling me to (may have but I don't remember). So I started lotioning & massaging that breast. By 2nd mammo 1 year out, much less pain, more the normal uncomfortable feeling of a mammo.
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I wanted to post a follow-up to my posts from a week or two ago when some of us were commiserating about the lingering side effects of radiation and surgery. Maybe I am imagining this, but I truly think my swelling has FINALLY started to go down just within the last few days!!! I still have a seroma (which I also think maybe is finally getting just a touch smaller), but the overall fluid retention in my breast is better and it doesn't feel quite so hard. It's been ten months since my first surgery, nine since my second surgery, and almost seven since completing radiation, so it's been a long road that has tried my patience, (and there's still quite a ways to go), but I am finally seeing some improvement. Don't give up hope, Ladies!
Also, even though I am still experiencing pain, which I hope gets better as the swelling continues to go down, I do have to say that my mammogram back in August did not feel any different than my mammograms pre-diagnosis. I was very worried about that between my swelling, pain, and large seroma, but somehow that mammogram was pain free. My tiny 8 lb cat who wants to head butt and walk across me causes pain; getting a hug from someone causes pain; getting squished between two mammogram plates was oddly painless. Go figure.
Hoping this is some encouragement for some of you! (And hoping I didn't just jinx myself lol!)
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Thanks to you and edj3. (I had the when-will-this-ugly-blue-line-go-away question.) Been awhile since I've been able to get back here, sorry.
My ugly blue line's been with me for 2+ months now, so I guess it'll just be a thing for awhile.0 -
Hi Everyone - just dropping in to celebrate my third anniversary. If you are scheduled for just had a lumpectomy, you are among the lucky ones who had good early diagnosis and your prognosis should be great. Some loops to just get through - not all of them fun - but for me the waiting was some of the worse.
Cancer taught me to try to love every day and value my real friends and family. And to say "NO" to demands and people who had unreasonable expectations of me. Don't be afraid to ask for help or admit you are having a bad day - or a bad week.
Taco
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Congrats, Taco!
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Lumpectomy Lounge Ladies, this one's for us:
Want a bra that fits? Go Polish.
Everything I've been railing about for 10+ years concerning American bras is borne out by this NYTimes article: I'm not a "freak" for wearing 36H (by a Euro-influenced maker, ThirdLove--which now offers up to an I cup in limited styles), but actually just a hair bigger than average. The reason most U.S. makers and stores stop at DD or at best DDD cups is that bra mfrs. are too stingy to make a wide variety of cup sizes--and the reason most American women are steered towards too big a band size is so that they can find a large enough DD or DDD cup--the cup volume of a given letter designation increases with band size, so a 36H=38G=40F=42DD=44DDD. I was most recently in 38G, but when I lost more weight--and "back fat"--my band size went down and cup went up. Because I'm "asymmetrical," ideally I'd be in a 36-band bra with an I or even J cup on the left and H on the right, but who can afford a bespoke bra? (Especially when my weight is fluctuating--downward, I hope--and I plan to get lefty, aka "Thelma," reduced to match "Louise," which had the lumpectomy). I could try a 36 I or J to accommodate Thelma, but I'd have to put a pound of pads in the bottom of the right cup just to raise Louise up to match. So I put up (for now) with a cockeyed cleavage.
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I read that article too! I've read the subreddit mentioned there (a bra that fits) for a few years and it was very helpful before I got breast cancer and then after, when I could not find a bra that didn't hurt my scars. I would love to go to Poland for many reasons, and new bras are now one of them.
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So I Googled "Polish bras Chicago" and got Bras Galore in Lakeview, which carries Ewa Michalak--but only in sizes K through M, and larger (42+) bands, because they've found plenty of pretty (and cheaper) options in cups up to J and bands up to 40. I got properly fitted as per the NYT article's protocol, and discovered I am actually a 36I or even 34J--the sewn, lacy soft-fabric multi-part cup bras are much more forgiving of my asymmetry than Third Love's seamless foam or single-dart underwire minimizers. I decided to "konmari" (Marie Kondo) my bra drawer, purging it of 38 & 40s. (I did stash my Third Love 38G plunge and 40F strapless in a footlocker by my bed, in case special occasion clothes dictate those styles). I then went into said footlocker and removed the 38s, 40s, the Genies & Coobies that I could never squeeze into, plus the old 36s with too-large cups (K & M!), and the 42DDD and 44DDs I wore prior to my first proper fitting in 2008, back when Rigby & Peller was Intimacy Boutique. (Yup--this little pack rat kept 12 yrs. worth of bras). Bras Galore, like Rigby & Peller, accepts donated used bras for Free the Girls, an organization for victims of human trafficking & domestic violence. Thursday they're getting a couple of trashbags full of assorted sizes & colors, many of them European, all in good condition because I never wear the same bra two days in a row and I wash them after every third wearing. I don't think I'll go any lower in the band than 34 or 36, since I wore 34 well into my mid-20s and then 36 even when I weighed 125.
I recall that when I was pregnant and finally began to show, the maternity clothing store fitted me in 36 F & G--and I was flabbergasted that they made cups larger than DD! In 2008 I saw the "Oprah" show on which Intimacy's founder explained most women were wearing the wrong size bra--I immediately made an appointment, as until then I couldn't understand why even 44DDD bras gaped at the center (and I thought all I had to do was bend the wires)! I walked out of the shop with a couple of Prima Donnas in 40G and a Panache in 38HH. Eventually, when I wanted bras to match clothes (as well as a sports bra and swimsuits that fit me better than the unconstructed size 20 Speedos my BIL's pro swim shop sells), I discovered BareNecessities, FigLeaves.com (and .uk) and HerRoom.com. Fast forward to 2015, when I walked into the clinic for that fateful mammogram, wearing a python-print Goddess 38I with matching undies, and the tech complimented me on my bra and assured me (incorrectly) that everything "looked good" and I'd get a letter or postcard within the week (as per usual for the past 19 years).
We all know what happened next: the very next morning, my patient portal inbox alerted me to the "focal asymmetry," followed by a phone call from my GYN advising me to get diagnostic imaging. After the positive biopsy, when I set the surgery date, on the advice of my surgeon's NP I went to buy some wire-free bras to wear in the weeks & months post-op. I went to a very well-known "foundations & swimwear" shop up in north Skokie called Schwartz' (closed in 2016 when the owners retired). The fitters (the owner & her sister) were quite elderly, well up into their 80s. One took a look at that 38I underwire bra I was wearing and snorted, "I bet you got fitted at Intimacy--they always put you in bands that are too small and cups too big." She brought out a couple of wire-free Wacoals and an Elila jacquard...42DDD. (Natch, DDD was the largest cup they stocked). The Wacoals smushed me together, the Elila's non-stretch cup felt like an iron lung--when I complained that the gores on either bra didn't sit flat against my sternum, she said "you young ones" (I was 64) "all want to look like Madonna." (!!!). By the time I started radiation, I was able to get back into my underwires, but a month later I had to go up a cup and band size because of "Louise's" radiation-swollen seroma. (At one point I was in a 40J, and a 38K sports bra)! When I began the "Invisalign phase" of my diet at 211 lbs., I was in a 40H from ThirdLove.
The brands that seem to fit me best now are Sculptresse by Panache, Elomi, Rosa Faia, Anita and "Fitfully Yours" (a Canadian brand). The foam in Third Love is semi-rigid and the top edge doesn't lay flat against my R breast ("Louise"). The fitter said that unless & until I get "Thelma" reduced (and perhaps part of her fat transferred into the top of Louise) I will always have to deal with asymmetry and get a larger cup size to accommodate Thelma; and perhaps (for low cut necklines) put a silicone "cookie" underneath Louise. Oddly, my band size has gotten smaller but the girls are staying big (albeit bottom-heavy).
Once I've reached my goal weight and maintained it for 6 months, I'm seriously considering a visit to Poland (half my dad's side of the family was from Krakow).
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More follow-up, more than a month later: Most of the blue garbage around the front surgical wound is gone, near the end of 20 rad zaps. It WAS a scab, despite my med onc saying it was just something my body would reabsorb (how did she not realize we were talking about a scab?). The drier everything got during rad, and the more Miaderm I used (that stuff is magic), the more the scab loosened and started to come off in chunks. Gross. But good. (And nonstick gauze is the Best. Thing. Ever.)
The scab pieces showed a kind of lime-green underlayer as they separated. Initially scary, since green usually = infection. My rad onc said it looked okay to him, but to use hydrogen peroxide on it. There was no foaming. So no infection. It was just ink... I assume a component of the dark ink used during surgery.
Back to Life Post-Lumpectomy: Damn. My 2nd op, to get clear margins, was in mid-October. It's 2.5 months later, and I know radiation has aggravated my skin, but I STILL feel significant discomfort inside, whenever that breast sways or when I have to bend over or lift it to medicate underneath. (It was originally an F cup; I'm becoming surer that breast size makes a difference in recovery.) And the whole armpit, after the SNB, is still really cranky, though it has improved some. I'm wondering... does that discomfort, that awareness of what feels like a vulnerable wound, ever go away? It's been less than 5 months since my diagnosis so I know this is rushing it, but DAMMIT, I'm so ready to feel reasonably intact again!
I have 2 more rad treatments left, the last 2 of 4 boosts. The mere fact of not having to go there 5 days/week (I'm retired) and not having to wash moisturizers off before treatments feels like HEAVEN. And I got to skip chemo! Screw New Year: I'm living for Jan. 3.
But Happy New Year to the rest of you. I'm watching a Vincent Price movie marathon and trying to pacify one of my dogs, who is terrified of fireworks. This bra discussion is starting to get interesting. I've lost probably a cup size on the one, which was always the smaller one, so all my bras pucker like crazy on that side. Oddly, my ancient, stretched-out, ignored-for-years Cacique bras have been my best friends during this. I've tried sleeping w/o a bra maybe 3 times since my first lumpectomy, and it was always not pleasant. The too-small cups of the old Caciques, coupled with a band extender because I got fatter in 15 years, have proven perfect for this experience. They don't encroach on the SNB scar, they're soft, and ink stains are no big deal.
But I'm gonna need an insert of some sort on one side when everything's sufficiently healed, and don't really know how to judge what size I need.
Sorry to have written a book.
Also, my HUSBAND has an appointment this week with MY surgeon, because he's had a slow-growing lumpish thing on one nipple for a long time and it's starting to bother him, so now I'm freaking out at the prospect of HIM having cancer/a lumpectomy/etc.0 -
Mimikyu, I’m 5 years from my lumpectomy. The awareness does go away. Sometimes my breast and armpit feel a bit achy and bruised...but rarely. Mammos hurts but besides that...it’s all good!!
It’ll take a while to know what you need to fill your bra as the swelling will go down a lot. I use a cotton roll from amazon. I tuck it under my smaller breast for a little lift. It’s no longer available but:
Happy new year!!!
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Mimikyu I'm a little further out and have some of the same issues you face. My BS told me whatever state things are in at about the 1 year mark is probably permanent.
I used the Miaderm too, love that stuff and I do think it helped a lot. My sentinal lymph node incision is a faint white line six months out, although I still have a lot of discomfort in my armpit itself. I believe that's from the radiation as I also have a lot of issues with my pec. Both my RO and BS said that some scar worse from radiation than others and I look to be one of those.
The internal scar tissue from the actual lumpectomy is quite uncomfortable. I still wake up just from rolling over as things shift. I finally stopped wearing a bra 24x7 about 6 weeks ago although when things get agitated (for example, after upping the weights I lift), I go back to wearing one at night.
My left breast is unnaturally full and perky and I hate that. My BS and RO had said things would shrink from radiation but so far that hasn't happened. To my eyes, I'm lopsided and it's been a challenge to feel OK about how I look in clothing. I'm sure no one else is noticing the way I do but that doesn't matter. I notice, I care and I'm bothered.
So for what it's worth, you're not the only one with these issues.
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Mimikyu, After close to 5-1/2 years out and my damned SLNB site still bothers me off and on, especially if I wear a top with what used to be generous armholes that now bind (sure thinned my wardrobe because of that). I did get full feeling there after about 13 or 14 months.
Good luck with the bra issue. I'm small and haven't had any problems in that department but I know my more well-endowed friends have had huge challenges. Do read ChiSandy's post above about some solutions.
Praying that your hubby's spot turns out to be nothing.
HUGS!
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For Dog MomRunner, Hi, I had a diagnosis very similar to yours and I am curious as to why you had chemotherapy. Was it because you had Grade 3? I keep thinking that I should have had chemo because my mammaprint report said I would benefit from chemo, but my oncologist did not think I needed to subject myself to it. I constantly worry about not having had chemo because I had a grade 3 tumor and a “bad” mammaprint finding. My family tells me to forget about it, but I can’t.
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Mimikyu - you're on the money, 1/3 is your celebration day! Get those rads behind you.
I'm 2 years out from LX and the nodes scar has bothered me more than the breast scar from day one. Like PontiacPeggy said, some days it still bothers me. Workout top, bathing suit, shirt - anything that hits near the scar will give me a reminder that its there.
Best of luck with your husband. Hoping it's not cancer.
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