Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
Comments
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Psalm, what a thoughtful way to take what could be perceived as negatives and turn them into positives. In the case of the nodes, I'm just not sure that I can transfer to that thinking. It just seems unjust to have to spend a lifetime being vigilant about cuts, scrapes, bug bites, sun burns and so on. Again, I know it's shallow and selfish given what many people with cancer have to deal with. So, I've got emotional work to do on that front for sure. I'm not an angry person by nature. I'm sure I'll get there...
Poppy, thank you for your suggestion and thoughtful response. I think I'm not fully explaining myself clearly. It would be so nice if we could sit around a room and chat - it would save on all the typing and trying to find just the right words. Wouldn't it be so much fun to meet each other?
Anyway, the standard of care according to ASCO and the BS governing body is exactly what the BS is suggesting - ALND. I was lucky to get neo-adjuvant to get access to Perjeta, but that meant that it opens up uncertainty in the nodes. The way I understood it, and have found in research, it's not so much that she is trying to stage at this point - to your point it's kind of irrelevant. What they hope to achieve is to clear any possibility of residual, (microscopic or otherwise) cancer in the nodes. Neo-adjuvant people have a much higher rate of false negative with SLND (false sense of peace of mind) and the burden is too high right now for it to be a standard of care to have SLND. Part of the false negative comes from the way the nodes respond to the chemo. I'm not a MO, but I think that there's a certain way that it can make the node look healthy when it really isn't, thus the false negative.There are clinical trials going on, and in 5 years or so, we possibly will see the recommendation shift from ALND to SLND - we are just not there yet since neo-adjuvant seems to be a relatively new phenomenon. I can choose SLND and she will do it, but I have to be prepared to accept that she may get 1 or 2 clear nodes and then others will lurk despite that.
I trust the surgeon's skills - she's a 20 plus year veteran (I go to Dana Farber) and it's more that I wonder how my body will react to this new landscape, more than I fear she will do damage and create problems for my lymph system. I think my fear is compounded by the fact that I've managed to live almost 50 years without ANY medical problems - never had a bloody nose, no broken bones, no stitches, no hospital stays, no aches, no pains. I've had 2 sinus infections, an ingrown toenail, and a sty in one eye. Seriously, those are the highlights of my medical history besides BC and a recent dx with low Vitamin D right before BC dx. So, I've never had to deal with accepting body limitations or changes. Again, feels whiney, but my reality.
Thank you all for your support and guidance. It means a lot to me!
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Linda...I know I have pm'd you but I want you to know that although my rads gave me a problem, I healed beautifully a week after I stopped!! Not even a month out of rads, 2 weeks into tamoxifen and 2 full weeks back to teaching kindergarten, I am probably 85% back to my pre- bc self! And I am so relaxed and happy!! The 15% lacking is that my legs are tired and so am I at the end of the day and need a 2 hour rest!! Lol
Peace of mind is so important and honestly, after a few sessions with good pt, my chording issues from surgery were fixed! She also taught me about the lymphatic system and things to do IF you saw signs of lymphedema...I have not had a problem with it and surgery was back in January...I know it will always be a concern but as long as you learn what to look out for and what may aggravate it, that will help. I only ordered a sleeve if I am going to do repetitive motion things...like kayaking, or pushing heavy furniture like when I was setting up my classroom....so I am being proactive but have not had issues...learn techniques to move fluid and it's really very simple but reading about it all out once can be overwhelming...remember it's not a given that you will get lymphedema....if you have faith in your surgeon 100% then go with it....If not a second opinion could be given...peace of mind is so important!! Xo
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Happy Monday Lumpies!
What an amazing lump y'all are! Been MIA with hubby, but playing catch up. So thanks for the prayers and good vibes...he's better, but not out of the woods...darn infections...at least we aren't at the ER and hospital...
Psalm - Happy Dance! Clicking my heels for clear margins...Ooo who:) fingers&toes crossed for MO appt 9/22!
Puffin - sorry about reactions...ugh chemoland
glad you are almost done...take a no c vacation before rads...you will rock laser tag 
Peggy - ah, those girlie pics...mine were on iPhone, iPad had to be so careful when show go pics...ooops hee hee! Oh, our DHs the challenge of their care and taking good care of ourselves! Hang in there GF!
Mripp - ouch Mari! Glad your RO is giving the girl a break to heal...soon this will be behind you...breathe and goop up the girl!
Panthrah - hee hee the mystery allergic reaction...I broke out with hives...2 one on each side ugh...mystery...yeah, crossed over lx land...and doing well:) fingers&toes crossed for clear margins&nodes!
PoppyK - yippee out of chemoland
breathe. Give yourself a c vacation break! Well done.Roseride - ouch, the accelerated burn reaction
(( speedy healing now Tami!Sue - hee hee didn't shave underarm for a long period...and then with electric...but no shave during rads...so a mouse lived under my arm...or at least part...rads cooked some hair follicles
Nancy yippee US all good! Whew take a twirl:)
Pat - happy dance 1 yr anniversary
)) so much better in the rear window you did good!Coral rose - fingers&toes crossed for B9 news...and a great BC team so you are informed and feel comfortable with your plan
)) we will be in your pocket. Kerensal75 - ah, that 1st peek! I dimmed the lights and stripped oh so carefully to look
)) for me a genie bra 2X larger and a few soft boob socks under girl and under the strap to ease rubbing or touching of the SND ...ah tender is right!Sassyseven - you will rock rads...doesn't hurt it's all mental...just showing up and jumping on that table day after day...hydrate, moisturize, and extra protein!
Linzer - Linda...ah that grey are
vent scream yes it does €###. But peace of mind and beating BC the best you can is what each of us wants! Kick fight ...I look at my scars and say I'm not defended by this I define my life...it's part of what makes me ME! In your pocket! Just ask all about LE and demand that your team provides LE care!Shout out to all...sorry I know I've got more catching up...have a great week Lumpies,
(((Hugs)))
Cindy
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hey all: I had my double lumpectomy and port placement on Thursday. Nervous because the surgeon had trouble finding my sentinel nodes and only found one (thought 3-4 was the norm). Apparently the radioactive dye failed for some reason. Had my 2 drains taken out today (hooray!). For those yet to go, be careful re reaction to pain meds-I had to stay overnight because I was so sick-tossing my guts from Percocet. Then they shot me up with morphine which made me itchy all over! Praying for clean margins on Friday-the surgeon did such a nice job I would hate to have to go back in again and have it ruined! And don't be scared re dye injections or wire placement- the hardest part for me was the mammogram machine placement because the one tumor is at 5:30 and it was hard for them to get a picture of it.
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April8 - breathe! We are in your pocket and welcome to the lounge ....you did it! Fingers&toes crossed for clear margins&node. Yippee drains are out:) yikers it's hard to know if you are allergic until you are allergic. I asked for anti nausea meds....gosh I hate to throw up...sorry the dye didn't work...ugh
Yippee! You Did It Speedy healing and good path results...you got this!
(((Hugs)))
Cindy
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first day back at work and I only got hit once! yay!! Id like to Thank roller derby for their design on the Turtle Shell bra. (sports bra with hard plastic inserts to cover the boobs.. and since incision was thru the nipple.. the plastic didnt bother me) *whew* Ill be wearing this every day at work til things are better. Now off to derby practice to help coach and not get hit
Happy Monday?. well hope everyone had a tolerable monday RMlulu- thanks
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Hi all!
I had my lumpectomy on Aug 11, no real problems.
I just had a shower and noticed the skin from the scar to my nipple looks tanned?
I am very white, so it is pretty noticeable.
Anyone know what this might be??
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Have re-excision Wed. Wish me luck! The bad part is surgery isnt until 330pm. Ugg. Oh well.. April I am glad you got your drains out! That was the worst part for me. It should be a lot easier now. Hang in there.
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ncollett.. you are going to do fine, just be bored waiting !! The second time is a lot easier cause there is no wire marking, no nulear med injection, no SNB.. for me second time discomfort was less too.. main prob first time was SNB site tender.
lori.. scar tissue can look a little different sometimes, and will prob change more as you heal.. main thing is to be sure it doesnt look infected (redness, drainage, opening, or increase in tenderness or fever to touch). Have you already had your postop checkup with surgeon? Just remember if you are concerned, it never hurts to call MD... never hesitate to ask if you are unsure of anything!
april, as I understand it, the norm is usually one sentinel node, but may have few more. The whole idea in SNB is that the nuclear med or dye goes to the first lymph node that drains from the breast, which is where cancer would show up first, if spreading thru lymphatic system, so if none there, then should be able to safely say it isnt in lymphatic system. I dont think it is bad or good if there is more than one sentinel node.
linzer.. listen to Rosie.. she has been there, done that. She is giving you good advice with experience to back up her advice!! See if this site may help with your fears..
http://www.medicinenet.com/lymphedema/page5.htm#ca...
note that what you will be learning about is secondary lymphedema.. not primary.
Hope this helps!
I do have one question.. has anyone else had "sloshing" sound post lumpectomy? My surgeon told me a seroma would develop and then the fluid would decrease. I saw swelling and then decrease after my first lump.. but this second time.. it is a lot more and I can hear it, sounds like water sloshing and has been this way now for several days and I'm thinking there is not going to be much change!! I didnt hear anything after the first one.
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Psalms,
I developed a large seroma when I had my surgery. Had to have it aspirated 2 different times, about 11ccs each time.
As to the SNB. I believe the node closest to the tumor area is the SNB the others are considered Axillary nodes. I had the SNB and 4 Axillary nodes removed at my surgery...
Vickie
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Vicks.. sounds like I have 25-50 cc in here! Did they do an ultrasound or anything, and what made the MD aspirate it? I don't have any signs of infection, I am just suprised at how much fluid it sounds like is in there, and the fact that the breast appearance hasnt really changed much since last surgery 8/29. During the 2 weeks between first and second surgery, there were several changes "she" went through in appearance, but this time, she looks about the same.. slight decrease of tissue more noticeable near underarm region.
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I had a large seroma as well but my nurse told me not to worry about it. It ended up bursting in bed one night and I ended up in hospital several days later with cellulitis and on an IV drip. My seroma was about the size of a golf ball and it would come up during the day and decrease at night.
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Elaborate fizz on "burst".. I can't see mine per say... I just hear it slosh and notice that this breast hasn't gotten smaller as I would have thought, yet. Was your seroma firm? (re: golf ball). I dont really notice any change from day to night in appearance.. just noticing more tenderness as day wears on.. wondering if I would be better off to not wear bra.. seems as day goes on bra adds to discomfort.
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words like "burts" associated with the word(s) "boob" makes my tummy do funny things. *shutters*
ncollett- ask for a xanax? I lost track of all sorts of time while waiting for my lx. I had the wire loc done.. they said its take 45 min.. felt like 10-15 min.. noope . my surgery was for noon, check in at 8am and since the phone was charged I sent people "drugged" texts
after my first full day (work and derby-didnt skate) and unable to ice anything. I swear my boob feels like it doubled in size (im little so not too much visual difference) so im icing it and will prolly bring an ice pack to try to use at work while some kids are at PE. it doesnt hurt at all.. I jsut actually feel my boob grazing my inner arm.. totally a new feelig for me
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It was the cut where they took out my lymph nodes, I don't think they ever sewed it up properly in the first place because it leaked really badly immediately after my lumpectomy. Lymphatic fluid would drip down my body. Over the period of a few days it started swelling underneath the scar. By this time it had healed somewhat. I was concerned enough to phone my breast care nurse twice, both times she reassured me it was fine. On the Saturday night I woke up and my nightdress and sheets were wet because the lump under my scar burst and fluid had drained out of it, i.e. the scar had opened up and drained naturally. Had I been looked after properly the nurse would have drained it!!! I applied padding to it and just went to work as per normal. On the Tuesday I met with my Oncology team to see how I was going and they took one look at it and put me straight into hospital because I had developed Cellulitis.
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Psalm34-4
The first aspiration the Dr. did in his office. the 2nd time, he was having trouble getting it so had me go over to our little hospital in town and have the radiologist drain it via US assist.
Much of the time these Seromas are absorbed by the body, but mine was quite uncomfortable. Also, before the seroma problem, just a few days after the original surgery, I developed a hematoma that made the boob swell and turn purple. Went to BS he put me in the hospital and opened it up and removed over 1000 ccs. Sure did feel better after that!!!!.
Vickie
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Hi,
I was diagnosed with BC with in 2010, at the time was 26 so decided to do lumpectomy with radiation. Everything was fine but a year later there started to be a divit from radiation. Had 2 fat grafting procedures last year and results were very good, PS just told me if I want to get implants its definately a possibilty along with more fat grafting. After reading all the posts I am now worried about creating more harm than good. They look ok now, but could look better.. But is it worth it.
Has anyone had implants put in after having a Lumpectomy and radiation.
Thanks
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Thanks for the info Vicks.. It seems I feel more tender each day instead of better as I would think... breast cancer is just a rollercoaster ride all the way around huh!0 -
Hi I had a seroma drained about a month after I was done with internal radiation. I told my NP how much it hurt and she had me go have an ultra sound guided aspiration and it felt so much better after that. I now have another one which is starting to ache(I knew it was there but the MRI confirmed it). My oncologist didn't want me to do anything with it but if it continues( I have a scheduled ultrasound to check for a cyst next month) I will get it drained again if I can find someone who will let me again. I do not quite understand doctors when they think they know our bodies better than they do.0 -
Nancy, in your pocket for tomorrow. I agree, waiting all that time is awful. But you'll manage. Know it will go well and you'll do fantastic! HUGS!!!!!!
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Thanks Peggy I know you will all be with me.
Psalm that just sounds ouchy and a little gross. Lol. I hope you find out what it is.
It will be a long day tomorrow I will just have to play on my Ipad
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That sounds like a great idea, Nancy!
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Nancy - pocket party! Breathe we will all be there helping you pass the wait and cheering you on
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thinking about you ncollett! Wishing you clear margins and speedy recovery!
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Nancy,
Hope all went well for you today and that you are finally free of the big C.
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Good morning everyone. Had a very rough day yesterday. After my re-excision while in recovery I had some really bad seizures. They had to give me 5mg Versed twice, Ativan and Topamax to get it under control according to my DH. I was surprised they didnt keep me after that. Then on the way home I had to have my DH pull over because I got sick.. not fun period but even worse in the rain. This am I am pretty sore still.
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Nancy, so sorry for your terrible day, I'm surprised too that they sent you home afterwards. Prayers that today goes better for you.
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Damn, Nancy! That's terrible. Aside from hurting from the surgery, how are you feeling this morning? I'm surprised they didn't keep you, too. Did they say why they think you had the seizures? Very scary. HUGS HUGS HUGS!!!!
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Peggy I was rear ended by a drunk driver 2 years ago Oct 7 2012 and received a concussion from that with MTBI which is what causes my seizures. I have them with any kind of stress to my body. I knew I would have one but not one that bad and do wish they would have asked the doc to keep me. They told me that I seized for 10 min
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Oh my, Nancy. Surgery certainly is a stressor. I can't believe that anyone would even have to think about keeping you. Jerks. Are you going to ask the doc why he didn't keep you? That's a long time to seize I would think. Are you doing okay now?
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