Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Toria1212 you are not alone. Thinking of you tomorrow. My experience was similar to what others noted. Blue pee was funny to me as I was not warned 🙂🙏
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toria1212 - hopefully you are feeling much better this morning and on the road to recovery. Ice is your best friend! Try to use it as much as possible to keep swelling down. My MO actually ordered a Mammaprint for me instead of Oncotype. It is just what she prefers. Mine took about two weeks for results to find out that chemo was not considered beneficial. Take good care and rest - don't overdo it. Thinking of you and sending you a virtual hug.
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Talked to Bob's medical partner last night--she started radiation (the same targeted 16-treatment hypofractionated protocol I had) and was already having discomfort reaching up, that she hadn't felt until last night. I asked a few questions and we deduced it was muscular--from the bizarre way you have to stretch your arms overhead and behind you to hold the handles. What she had was Stage IA Luminal A IDC like me--but her Oncotype was only 6! She's gonna do fine. Next up: an A.I.
Oh, and Bob is finally getting a haircut, of sorts: at the office tomorrow she will be giving him a bang trim so he needn't wear a sweatband.
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LOL re the haircut. I’m due for another bang trim this weekend. Yay me and my mirror. I just realized a few minutes ago that tomorrow marks 5 years since diagnosis for me. The time certainly has gone by faster that I ever imagined Though somehow knew it would. I am so grateful that I was so deep into PanAm planning that I didn’t really have time to dwell on breast cancer. It was a lot of hurry up and let me know, I have to plan for coverage and who is going to take my place and what will my role be..... and I kept it a secret from everyone I could until I had to book off for chemo. Wow... I had what a mammogram on Monday past and will visit my oncologist on the 21st. Will this be the last of my visits? Will anyone follow me after 5 years? My family doctor died 2 years ago this past January and hasn’t been replaced. Who can I get to follow me, check on my concerns? Tell me I’m over reacting or say yes, let’s be safe and order the follow up? I’m not afraid to say I worry about this. That said in the bigger picture it’s going to be a while before anything seems normal again. Love to all.. keep on keepin’ on.
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Mollie, about 18 months ago my MO told me that I really did need to find a PCP that I liked. I had one who was nice but just not very good. So I found an NP whom I adore. She has really taken charge of everything. I see my MO once more next month for the last time. It'll have been 6 years. I wish I had this MO when I started my journey but I was in Michigan then, not Spokane. My NP will definitely stay on top of things. And I know I can always call my MO if I have concerns. A really great oncology practice. I hope you find a PCP whom you have confidence in, you really like and click with. Hooray for 5 years!
HUGS!
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Molliefish, you're not overreacting. There's a distinct possibility I may lose both my PCP and his PA. If by dint of miracle my PCP survives, he will almost certainly retire. I will need to find a new family doc, probably from the health system that's been treating my breast cancer. (Might just make my GYN my primary if she's amenable to it). I'm supposed to see my ENT on June 22 to investigate my unilateral pulsatile tinnitus, but I'd be shocked if she didn't postpone yet again.
I suspect it might be blood-pressure-related: right after feeding the cats and taking my antibiotic this morning I got the news about my PCP & PA by phone call from their office nurse, and I was so distraught that I didn't take my morning meds, including my ARB/HCTZ, until I finally ate brunch at nearly 1:30pm. All that time, I actually felt and heard that "whomp-whomp-whomp" in my ear, which almost never comes on till I lie down to sleep at night. Maybe I need to start taking Lasix again, even though I don't have edema and don't want to have to get up during the night to pee.
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Toria1212, I hope you are doing well and feeling better now that it has been a few days since surgery.
It has taken me forever to find a good primary dr! It is NOT easy. I had been avoiding mine because she was, well awful in every single way, and stupid as hell on top of that. I knew with this cancer and being on hormone suppression, I desperately needed a good primary to help keep an eye on possible side effects (cholesterol, bone density, etc), plus I was overdue for a physical. I had heard this guy was good and decided it was time to try. Finally success! He is so kind and seems like he will be on top of things. I almost cried in the office I was so relieved.
It should NOT be so hard to find a decent primary dr. It is also incredibly stressful, especially if you have had bad experiences with one. Mine is probably in his early 60s, I sure hope he doesn't decide to retire any time soon.
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My GYN says she no longer does primary care, but will give me some referrals for a PCP (FP, GP, internist or geriatrician) in the N.Shore system. My PCP & his PA are both part of the Amita system, which I find inferior; he will likely retire if he survives; and if she recovers, I don't feel comfy with a provider who's neither an MD nor DO (she is a "DNP," so she can legally be called "Dr.") and who will be surving under an MD I don't necessarily trust (the guy on-call Saturday who prescribed my abx for a cat bite and has a thick Indian accent--he didn't understand me at first and assumed I had a dog bite, which unless deep & brutal--or the dog is rabid--is actually less infectious than a cat bite).
My houskeeeper's DH re-tested negative again! So she's coming back to work on Mon. Whew!
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Hi lumpectomy ladies. I haven't been on in awhile. My lumpectomy, lift/reduction was March 30. Started radiation yesterday and everything good so far. I hear all your issues about finding PCP's. I needed a new one a few years ago and found the best here in Cincinnati. She is on the ball about everything. Called me after my surgery to see how I was. She is on top of my needs to get dexa scan, cholesterol checked etc. I have my appointment for a haircut and color in 10 days. I can;t wait. I feel like a homeless person with straggly hair and 2 inch roots.
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Quinnie, glad you are doing well! I color my hair at home. About time to lose the gray roots. But I need a trim and it seems my hair is shedding. Not sure what's going on if anything. I'm done with Arimidex (7 months). Do have hereditary receding hairline
At least I'm well and so is the family. That's all that matters these days.HUGS!
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What a day, I had my first mammogram since my diagnoses in August 2018 and everything was fine. I was anxious all week, but felt it would be OK. Just having the peace of mind is calming. My appointment was rescheduled from April due to Covid closing all clinics in my area. I also saw my BS and she was very positive & supportive of my choice to have fat grafting as my final phase of reconstruction. May 14th was my last day of my 42 yr teaching career, retirement here I come! So far it’s the same as being on summer break, so I’ll have to see how it is in August when school resumes. Hope everyone is safe and healthy
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I got a call today my in person visit has been changed to a phone conference. I’m thinking that is positive as my mommo results would be in by now and if there were a problem he or they would have an in person or at least a call before today. Yay me 5 years down. I’m going to stop the tam when this last bottle is done. 30 tabs every other day splitin half 120:days I think. Love to all
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molliefish- congrats on being 5 years out! I wish the the best for you.
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Mazel tov, molliefish!
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a little setback. I notice a spot on the posterior chest wall, north of the right breast 2-3 cm from the axillary crease. Virtual visit with the doc, he suspects basal cell carcinoma. Hoping to have an excision and biopsy tomorrow am. No news for a week he thinks. Grrrrr
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Basal is indolent and treatable. Take a deep breath--you'll be okay.
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thanks Sandy, this is a local urgent care clinic and they don’t have the appropriate equipment to do the biopsy. I’ve elected with the docs blessing, to be referred to my normal dermatologist. I haven’t seen her for a couple of years but she’s usually pretty good. Hopefully I can see her in the next few weeks. Like you and he said, basal is pretty non invasive... I really just want to know it’s not skin Mets. Ttys, nikk
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As hoped I got a call from the dermatologist this am. Biopsy on Monday. Told you she’s usually pretty good. I also had my 6 month check in by teleconference today. All is well, mammogram was unremarkable as in nothing concerning noted, I’ll continue on tamoxifen for 6 more months and see him in December for our last face to face visit. Should I be happy or sad? Happy me thinks. I’ll let you know about the skin biopsy. He seemed unconcerned so I am determined to be unconcerned. Love to all. Nikk
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Molliefish, I see my MO for the last time next week. I will be sorry since I adore him and am so glad I found him when I moved to Spokane. Everyone should have a doctor like him. He was kind enough to keep me on for an extra year. Now I'm ready to move on and have a terrific nurse practitioner as my primary.
Good luck to you!!
HUGS!
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Nikk, "in your pocket" for the skin biopsy. May it--and the result--be uneventful.
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super big hugs to all, better and good times ahead !?!?!! Me thinks yes, with the cautious optimism I have adopted over the years. Love to all as always N
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Hi all, I had partial mastectomy (lumpectomy) Feb. 13, 2020 with reconstruction and reduction of the other breast to have matching girls. Surgery went very smoothly, except where I had sentinal nodes removed I had a seroma that had to be drained 3 times. Now healing nicely. I had 6 months of chemo before surgery and tumor was gone. surgery, finished up 6 weeks radiation a month ago. Doing well. I tired easily, my right breast where tumor was once house has a dimple from radiation. Plastic surgeon stated he could fix it, but it really doesn't bother me. I have had axilla pain on and off since surgery. I tried playing tennis the other day, OUCH. I do my daily exercises including weights to kept lymphadema at bay. I'm triple neg breast cancer, on a trial med called atezolizumab IV every 3 weeks, until August.I try to keep busy, walking, hiking. Tried to play tennis the other day but my right arm was painful under armpit. Being with triple neg cancer, I don't know what is next. No further chemo at this point. Just trial med. My hair is coming back in very thick and very white. I had light brown hair. I'm trying to keep upbeat but am always thinking when is cancer going to come back and where. How will I know? My original cancer was picked up on CT for appendcitis. I had large breasts and it showed up after a normal mammo 8 months prior. I have frequent follow up appts with onocologist blood work every 6 weeks due to trial med. I'm trying to keep upbeat. Only good thing, and I mean only good thing about all of this is the breast reduction I have always wanted but to chicken to have it done. Just got fitted with new bras, I can buy off the rack now. Scars bearly visible. Have a great weekend all. Hopefully will get my kayak in water today. I was robbed of using it last year do to Port, and chemo. .
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MartaJ, have you thought of having physical therapy by a therapist who specializes in breast cancer patients for your axilla pain? I had it this winter - 5-1/2 years after my Lx!! I felt everything had been "re-organized" and not put back properly. I can't figure out why I waited. The back/shoulder/side/chest pain is gone. No signs of lymphedema. My primary, a NP, suggested it and I'm so glad she did. I'll bet it could help you. That underarm pain is most annoying. Mine stayed with me for a year, including numbness. Even now if I wear a top that is tight around the armhole I can get notice from my underarm that it is not happy.
You are still early in your recovery and you had a lot done during your surgery. I'm not surprised that you are not healed yet. It takes a long for all those various muscles to find their new normal.
BTW, it would be very helpful if you would fill out your profile and make your DX, TX etc PUBLIC - you have to do it for every single item. Most of us have a hard time remembering each member's particulars and it does matter when we are discussing what might be helpful for you.
Hope you can kayak comfortably.
HUGS!
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Hi all, this is Dara (DaraB). I'm now 4 years out and doing super! It's nice to see the familiar names... Sandy, Peggy, Molliefish! I can't believe it's been 4 years, and I also can't thank you all for getting me through such a difficult time. You were all so encouraging and supportive. All has gone fairly well. I'm still on Femara and find my bone density is low because of it. I have a few back issues anyway, but know all the meds and radiation probably didn't help
Molliefish, I'm sure the dermatologist will take care of everything. I've had several squamous cell spots removed. We don't like to hear anything associated with cancer, but you've got this one!
Hope you're all surviving this pandemic. I've basically just stayed home so other than being quite bored, have done really well. Hope you all are well and safe, nice to hear what is going on with everyone. Take care, love, Dara
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Looking great, Dara, and I'm glad you're doing well. Prolia kept letrozole from turning my pre-existing osteopenia into osteoporosis. I'm done with the 3-yr/6-shot series, but not with the A.I. till at least Jan. 1, 2021. We shall see--I'm not due for another DEXAScan till Mar. 2022.
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My (left side) lumpectomy was October 2, so 8 months ago. Doctors agree both sentinel node incision and surgical incision are healing well. I want to ask about post-op pain that occurs months after surgery.
About a week ago I started noticing some discomfort/mild pain in my left breast. No pain/tenderness at either surgical site; no visible issue; no lump (self-exam). I can only describe the location is "inside" maybe an inch or two "behind" the main incision. On Monday, during a telephone consult (regular appointment every 3 months), I mentioned the new pain to my oncologist. She asked a couple of questions but that was all.
Question: Have others experienced something like I've described? The pain is not constant, but it is frequent. I would compare the sensation to the mild to moderate throb of a headache or a muscle ache in my back. Excedrin didn't seem to help, nor Ibuprofen (taken at night to help allay distraction of pain when trying to go to sleep). Could it be nerves rejuvenating?
Should I try to get an in-office appointment? (My husband and I are social distancing due to Covid-19, which is why I had a telephone consult this week rather than an in-office visit for my 3-month followup.)
Please share your experiences and/or knowledge about post-op pain months after the event.
Thank you.
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Could be nerves re-connecting, but those usually feel like very sharp "zaps," like being tased. Could also be the tumor cavity seroma's surrounding scar tissue being irritated. Mine was enlarged and tender for nearly a year after radiation before it began to resorb.
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Thanks, ChiSandy. I had radiation during the lumpectomy (for 10 minutes), but none after.Back in October my BS did say sometimes it takes a year for everything to heal. I just wondered what others' experiences have been, and if/how the pain/discomfort I'm experiencing now is similar.
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CherokeeLady, I'm nearly 6 years post-Lx. My muscles on my left "bad" side all felt like they weren't put together right. Back, side, shoulder, chest, even into my arm. Nothing awful, just achy and annoying usually. I mentioned this to my NP in January and she immediately prescribed 4 sessions of PT for me with a therapist specializing in BC patients. I couldn't imagine what that would do but why not? Well, it did wonders. All those aches are gone! No more wondering "am I having a heart attack or is it my re-organized muscles?" moments. She had me doing all sorts of exercises (which I'm not real good about doing) and did a deep massage that was wonderful. I cannot believe the difference. I thought that since I didn't have lymphedema that PT wouldn't help. I was wrong. I'm sorry I waited so long to make an issue of what I was feeling.
My underarms nerves finally fell into line 13 months after my Lx. The zapping had long gone but I didn't have much feeling there. Now, as near as I can tell, I have full feeling there.So there is hope. I would wait until this fall before requesting PT if you decide to go that route. Let everything settle into whatever your new normal is. But don't hesitate to ask!
HUGS!
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Six years post-DX, I am done seeing my oncologist! While I really like him and I think he is terrific, it is nice to be through all vestiges of treatment. And I hope I never see him or any oncologist again. Mammogram is tomorrow.
HUGS!
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