January 2017 Surgery Group
Comments
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I would also be in for a private FB page.
Best of luck and prayers to all having surgery today and speedy recovery for all those who are recent "grads".
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FightinGirl - to clarify, the 25% I mentioned is an "overall" risk - not compared to mastectomy. Compared to mastectomy, the increased risk with lumpectomy (this only applied to women under 45) was found to be 10-15% higher. Although there is a risk of recurrence with mastectomy as well, my surgeon said it is far more rare. That being said...there is always contradictory research...you just have to read, research and go with your gut.
I'll include the links to 2 articles in case you are curious.
http://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/best-sur...
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/04/1604...
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Thank you DsMom! I sure wish I had seen these 2 articles prior to making my decision and they are 2 of the sites I have researched for various things since DX so I can't believe I had not seen them prior to now. As I said before...yikes! I am 43 so this very well applies to me. I have done my lumpectomy and I hope and pray with all my might this is not something I ever have to deal with again but this is very good information to read for all the people still trying to make that tough decision. I appreciate you posting them!
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Hi Fightingirl:
Regarding the Breastcancer.org summary linked above and entitled, "Best Surgery for Early-Stage Disease May Depend on Age", the underlying document was a meeting abstract, which may be preliminary in nature. Therefore, I searched for a full-length, peer-reviewed paper (using the abstract title and first author as search queries), in case the final analysis, with additional details, caveats, limitations, and a discussion of other studies, is available. In this case, there is such a paper:
Laurberg (2016): "Age-dependent outcome in breast cancer - Long-term age-dependent failure pattern after breast-conserving therapy or mastectomy among Danish lymph-node-negative breast cancer patients"
Main Page: http://www.thegreenjournal.com/article/S0167-8140(16)31109-4/abstract
PDF version: http://www.thegreenjournal.com/article/S0167-8140(16)31109-4/pdf
Patients were all "lymph-node-negative patients in Denmark . . . who received local treatment only". More details regarding the study population and treatment are available:
"Study population and treatment
The study cohort included 813 lymph-node-negative patients with tumor size <5 cm and no previous cancer. Included were all histological tumor types except invasive ductal carcinoma grade II/III. All patients had given informed consent to be enrolled in the DBCG-89a-protocol [24–25] administered by the Danish Breast Cancer Group (DBCG). Data were collected prospectively. All patients received partial axillary dissection and were advised to receive mastectomy (with no other treatment) or lumpectomy and whole-breast RT of the residual breast (48 Gy in 24 fractions+ boost of 10–16 Gy in 5–8 fractions) [26]. No patients received adjuvant systemic treatment.
The study cohort had a balanced proportion of patients within each 5-year age group. Geographical inclusion criteria were used to secure an unbiased cohort (Sup. Fig. 1): Young patients were included nationwide; old patients from a particular region of Denmark. Patients with known BRCA mutations were excluded (N = 10)."
This is quite a specifically drawn subset of patients. The BC.org summary mentions that the patients did not receive "chemotherapy"; however, the full-length paper refers to patients receiving no "adjuvant systemic treatment", a much broader term, which by its plain language could include endocrine therapy (for hormone receptor-positive disease) and HER2-targeted therapy (for HER2-positive disease) in the appropriate cases as well. As noted in the Discussion:
"Almost all of the patients in our study would have received adjuvant anti-hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, and/or Trastuzumab [HERCEPTIN] if they had been treated according to present-day guidelines. This evidently affects the generalizability of our findings to today's clinical practice. Systemic treatment reduces LR [14,22,46–47] and may improve survival, especially in young patients who undergo BCT [12]. However, LR rates have decreased over the past decades, and a 10-year LR risk at 2–3% has been published [48–50]; however, long-term data from this period are lacking. The low 5–10-year LR rate seen today would likely reduce the observed survival difference between young patient receiving BCT and mastectomy in the present study."
To ensure proper understanding of this research, please ask your breast surgeon about the treatments received by these patients, how they might differ from your likely treatment plan (to the extent known at this time), and the implications of that.
As always, if this research influences anyone's thinking about surgical choice, be certain to discuss the findings and your thinking about them with your surgeon, to ensure accurate understanding and applicability to your specific case.
BarredOwl
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The recurrence rate for a mastectomy is statistically the same as a lumpectomy + radiation. I was not thrilled with my Dr's insistence on doing a lumpectomy for many reasons, but if I had a 25% chance of recurrence, I would not have allowed it. I also did a boob selfie and when I went to find a pic they popped (haha!) up and I quickly sent an email to myself and deleted them from my phone.... just..... in.... case!
Welcome newbies!
Steph - I had chemo first and was blessed to have a complete pathological response, therefore the surgeon didn't have to take too much breast tissue to remove all of the effected tissue and get good margins. I had my lumpectomy on the 6th and I can't yet tell you what my breast will ultimately look like as it is still swollen (he only made one incision and removed tissue and lymph nodes through it), but I have complete feeling and no worries about losing skin. That said, I did originally want a BMX, but trusted (reluctantly) my Drs opinions that the lumpectomy would ultimately have a better outcome (the outcome weighed heavily on my decision). Remember that if you choose a mastectomy and go with implants, they will have to be replaced every 10-15 years. For me, my breast size factored heavily and the PS said they would not be able to match my current size and that nipple/skin sparring would probably not be an option. Make sure you speak with both your BS & PS about the outcome and possibilities. I truly trusted my Drs otherwise I would have been much more adamant about the BMX.
Bevmomduck - Sorry to hear that Hubby had a hard time. I think having a wife with BC is so hard for most men as they want to be able to DO something and there is so little that they can do that they feel has a direct impact. They have to often sit back and watch their wives suffer and it is extremely hard. I know that having to be strong for others can be draining, but we are all here to help you be strong!
DCIsinAZ - I first saw that pic on my phone and thought you posted an actual boob pic! It took me a minute for it to register!
Fightingirl - I am amazed at how I have lost my inhibitions through all of this. I barely let the Dr walk out of the room before I whip off my shirt & bra! In regards to surgery...Are you still really swollen? I feel like I have a boob and a half on my surgery side! Other than that, healing is great - no pain, incision looks good. Just currently the owner of 2 1/2 boobs. :-)
I would vote for a private FB page too!!
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Hi ladies - a little update from me. I've been healing from my lumpectomy of last Thursday (5 days ago) very nicely - had virtually no seepage or bleeding of any kind. Even taught two TKD classes last night (mostly verbally, but hey...). Pretty much full range of motion with my affected side arm. Even the SNB incision isn't too big of a deal. Biggest deal is minor/partial numbness down the underside of my arm - I can still feel things but not 100%. Surgeon says that will resolve itself. I have found everything to be more comfortable inside my bra- regular bra, not the sports bra. Same size as always.
Funny story, when I was in the "nuclear medicine" room (great name!), the gentleman attending to me asked if I had my wires yet and I said "nope, no wires" ... he did a double take. Then looked on the computer. When we rolled out of the room after the totally painless injections he said "you are seeing Doctor XYZ. Very good. Very experienced". However, in my brain I was going "omg omg they forgot the wires!!!". So when Doctor XYZ visited just before surgery to say hi I asked her if that was an oversight and she told me "nah, I don't need the wires. Easy enough to see yours with the ultrasound." I told her I was pleased because it seemed a little late to get that done. Thankfully, she was right! So, no wire whiskers for my breast.
The verbal results from the pathology (they haven't actually released the formal, written report yet) was that the margins are clear and the lymph nodes (3 were taken) were clear. The tumor ended up being 1.2 cm (radiology reports varied from 1.2 to 1.4).
All that said, they asked if I wanted to start the SAVI brachytherapy radiation treatments Monday! I postponed a week so we can set up coverage at work and due to house guests that leave Monday morning. They will implant the catheter device early Monday, I will drive to the radiation treatment facility and start treatments immediately. Two per day, then after Friday's treatment return to the Surgeon to have the device pulled out. No weekends with attachments.
I haven't yet talked to my MO regarding chemo; and I already know tamoxifen is in my immediate and long term future due to the highly ER/PR positive tumor.
As an addon to the lumpectomy vs masectomy decision - for my case, which is still assumed to be Stage 1A, I was told that there is no difference between the two treatments - except for lumpectomy comes with required radiation and masectomy "might" not need radiation afterwards. Recurrence and survivability were stated to be the same. I do notice that at least one of the studies linked above talked about stage II and III disease. I do like BarredOwl's further review of the paper and advice to take that information to your doctors. Mine have been very willing to discuss whatever I brought to them, and I hope and expect everyones doctors to be the same.
I do have to admit, that reading all of these pamphlets they keep giving me that are supposed to be encouraging is starting to freak me out. They keep quoting chances at 10 year survival. I definitely plan on being around way longer than 10 years, I am only 46. I might just stop reading the pamphlets! Like I need more things breaking down my courage. Sheesh.
edit to add - DCISinAZ - that picture was HILARIOUS! Thanks for sharing
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Hi ladies - my head is in a whirl just catching up with the posts. Took my daughter (she's twelve) to the movies last night to have a no BC BS night and it was nice. She did admit she's fearful of what I'm going through and asked if I was going to die. Yeah - I nearly lost it. She has high-functioning autism so no playing around - very black and white - which can be good sometimes. So I was honest and explained that all the surgery and treatment is to keep me alive and healthy. Explained it in terms she could understand but admitted that I am afraid. She can tell I'm down and not my normal self so no sense sugar-coating. I promised to always be honest and that she can ask me anything. that helped.
My surgery is finally scheduled - I'm a January girl it looks like - as I suspected. It's January 30 - BMX with reconstruction. So I'll add that to my tag line and ask to have that updated on the list. I cannot tell you how much it helps to hear from those who have tread the path ahead of me. Really appreciate your candor and insight. I'm feeling a little more at ease now that I have the date. Scared but ready to get this cancer out of my body. it's like an exorcism or something. I keep thinking of the little lady at the end of Poltergeist "This house...is clean" That's what I want to say about my body after surgery..."This body...is clean."
I've put a call into my pmd for anti-anxiety rx. I really am having some severe mood swings and feel like I need it to get through the next two weeks.
I'm very on board with the private FB page. There are a few out there and they have way to many members. I can't keep up. So yes, I'd love to be included.
That's it for now - gotta get some work done. Thank you all for the posts - i'm going to go back and read a little closer, particularly anything to do with research. I have a call into my PS regarding the pre-pectoral TE's so hoping to have time to understand whether that's an option for me. I would not have known about it if it hadn't been for this group - so thank you!
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BarredOwl...thanks for the additional links. I had seen them before but didn't have the time to find them earlier. You're right...everyone's situation is different and can be greatly affected by small differences and new treatment options. There are also inherent challenges to longitudinal studies (as the paper pointed out) - treatments are better and different now, so that needs to be considered as well. My surgeon initially said I was a good candidate for lumpectomy, but he also assumed that breast preservation would be high on my priority list based on my age, (43) which it wasn't. Once we began talking about mastectomy vs lumpectomy, I was very clear that any advantage whatsoever that could be gained by mastectomy was very important to me. Even if the risk is smaller than the above studies discuss, (my diagnosis is almost exactly in line with the parameters) when you're young, and hopefully have another 40 years or more on this earth, part of what swayed me is the fact that there is just that much more time for recurrence to happen. There has been a lot of death in my family...my mother at age 56, her sister at age 40 and her mother at age 52 (all different cancers) which I know adds to my fear of the future. In addition, I am a "late" Mom, having had my son at age 39, and I have always had an intense fear of leaving him early. All this to say, if it turns out mastectomy didn't actually give me any added benefits, I'm fine with that...like everyone, I did what I felt was best. I'm certain everyone here has an amazing team behind them guiding their treatments/decisions and no 2 situations are idenitical so don't second guess yourself...no one made their decision lightly or without being informed.
On to lighter moments....I had a shower - wow does that feel good! I haven't gone that long without being properly clean since my last Army field course in 2005 lol. That first shower is always the best feeling ever!
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Hi DsMom:
The first shower is indeed a wonderful thing.
I hope you did not feel that I was second-guessing your decision or the basis for it! Lumpectomy plus radiation is an excellent treatment option in the appropriate case, with the very significant benefit of breast conservation. However, as your own thinking illustrates, many other factors are considered, individuals may place different values on the various pros and cons, and must choose what is right for them personally.
By the way, regarding the subsequent discussion, it is my layperson understanding that when doctors and various guidelines state that in general, lumpectomy plus radiation is as effective as mastectomy, they are speaking in terms of overall survival. When looking at overall survival, patients who survive (with or without a recurrence) are included.
BarredOwl
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DsMom, yay for showers!! It totally is such a personal decision and we do have to do what is best for us! I'm glad we went through all that above because it still lands a newer person into knowing they have to go with their own gut and doctors advice...all the research is very good in helping you make an informed decision but ultimately and painstakingly as it is, we have to decide for ourselves. Thanks to all who contributed links and info.
Shellybeans, Love the poltergeist reference but you can also say booby is clean!
Pyrrh, I'm so glad to hear you are doing so well!
Beachbaby, oh yes! Lefty is quite a bit bigger than righty! I actually had a second incision for lymph node removal and that is where I am still having pain. I never had any pain where they removed lump at all. My armpit is very tender and a little swollen...Not unmanagable but it's definitely not happy in there!
Hope all our having a great day and that our 17's are sipping cocktails near the bungalows right now! Much love my sisters!
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I really don't think there is a 'right' or 'wrong' answer re: lumpectomy vs mastectomy. We are all different. The important thing is to have a well versed team supporting you, so they can analyze your situation and the available data and help you make the choice best suited to your life, age, genetics, tumor characteristics, .... If it was black and white, we wouldn't need this board where we agonize over decisions and search for those with similarities to see what they have done and how they have faired. I wish all of us successful navigation through this journey.
As for a fb page, I'm out. For me, fb is light - friends babies, animals, travels, pretty positive stuff. I had belonged to a bc page and I didn't like my happy time disrupted with reminders of this battle. I guess I'm a compartmentalizer, so if I can keep bc in this tiny little box, separate from friends and family, then I'm preventing it from becoming 'invasive'. But that's just me. I fully support a fb page for others, but I'm staying right here in my cabana.
All my warmest welcome to the new girls!
Congrats Shelly on finally getting an op date!!
Good luck for the follow up appts today, and surgeries this week. May bandages come off, nipples(where present) be pink, drains pulled, and baths and showers be had by all!!
Xx
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BarredOwl....no I didn't think you were second guessing me at all. Sometimes it is so challenging here to "present" (in writing) why you made the decision you did without sounding like you are trying to influence someone either way. I've seen it take me a half hour to write a paragraph lol. I loved hearing all the various reasons why you all chose the path you did, which is why I offered my perspective, but ultimately it is too important a decision to be influenced by others if that makes sense. I will say though, others here said it would be a huge relief once the decision is made and I can say that is very true.
My credit card is telling me I really need to get back to work ASAP lol. There is a wonderful site here in Canada called "Beyond the Rack" which is a member's only site which offers limited offerings on designer clothes, accessories and household items. I have scored some incredible deals and definitely my nicest dresses etc have been bought from this site. The "offerings" change every few days and sometimes sizes are limited so if you don't act fast they can sell out or the offering ends. I've placed 3 orders this week! lol. Oops!! I love flowy, romantic dresses so I bought this one; I hope it fits! Why does shopping improve my mood? lol.
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DsMom, shopping does cure so much!!! I know what you mean...feeling a little sad...buy something new! Got an event coming up...buy something new for it! I spent enough time doing that while I was off work last week too...it's too bad we can't cure cancer with shopping because between the 2 of us we made a good dent! I love that dress!! I know what you mean about trying to word things the right way without trying to be influential...I think everybody here is amazing and we can't get too caught up in the "words"...we share so much more than those. Don't even sweat it my friend!
Annoyingboob, once again I laughed out loud with your last line there! You always crack me smile.
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Hi everyone! I guess there is a positive to everything...even being high risk...never even considered a lumpectomy with my genes & family history! BMX was the only decision so far which was easy for me. Can you imagine wading through all this without the internet? there's so much info to process & it's great we have easy access to it! One of the things my BS said about this which was helpful to me was if you're the kind of person that will have major anxiety every time you have screenings in the future, you need to take that quality of life issue into consideration when thinking about a lumpectomy. I guess it didn't take her long to figure me out LOL.
If you choose lumpectomy & you have dense breasts, I encourage you to make sure MRIs are part of your future screening protocol (perhaps they are as a matter of course...). I was very dense, lumpy & bumpy & my tumor wasn't felt & didn't show up on recent mammos or ultrasounds. If I didn't have an MRI, I still wouldn't know about it!
Great news! My PS took out all four of my drains today! No more drains!!! I almost got up & did a happy dance right there in the office!! All the tape & bandaging is gone and he put more air in my pre-pectoral TEs! I'm past the teenage puberty foob phase & I might be done as far as how much I get filled up (I didn't even know I have the new kind that takes air instead of liquid) Still have wear the surgical bra, no exercise yet but I get to shower tomorrow! Can start driving by the end of the week but I think I'll wait until Monday anyway. We're going on a cruise in late May & he said I'll have my implants by then! It was so much excitement for me I had to come home & take a nap! Lol
Fightingirl: I ended up not having to work from home yesterday bc it was MLK day & today was PS day, so I'll start tomorrow...no motivation, however. I feel like retiring but I'll just go to the cabana & dream about that! Lol
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super duper news pugsmama!! free at last, free at last, thank god almighty, you are free at last!! so antibiotics 1 week, drains were in for 2 weeks, back to work at 2.5 and driving at 3? when does exercise or pt start? thats nice progression - you so deserve your cruise in may - send us pics!! what did he say about chemo? or i guess thats your onc apt, not ps.
what about all you other mastectomy queens? it seems like if you can tolerate the first few weeks with drains, thats the hardest part (as long as no infection or other complication), and then the te inflation is another owwie. curious - if you just wanted like a 'b' cup, would that be 1 or 2 expansions? im taking notes from you girls!! i still haven't made up my mind re: xrt/tam vs mastectomy. i just read an article about the increased of infection in the acellular dermal matrix, so that has me scared. http://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Abstract/201... 9% infection rate is high!
i meet with the oncs later this week and next. i go back and forth everyday. i need on 'off switch' to stop mulling over options when i don't yet have all the info.
my ps f/u is saturday. my leftie got a little swollen. it seems to inflate and deflate depending on how i sleep, plus i went on a 5 mile hike yesterday in the hills. the rest of my body was grateful, but leftie is having a moment of rebellion. down, girl.
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I agree that everyone has their own story as to why they're choosing what they're choosing. I like hearing all the different options but, like someone said, it really all comes down to your personal story and your own personal risk tolerance/risk aversion.
PugsMama - yay for drain removal! My PS told me somewhere between one and three weeks. REALLLLLLY hoping for one week. Another friend who had this last year said the less you do activity-wise with your arms the better chance of getting them out on the sooner side. I am planning to be a complete couch potato with the exception of meandering to and from the bathroom.
Exciting to see you ladies who are already up and back to work/life. I know that life will never quite be the same, but I am hopeful to get to a point where I don't think about this every.single.day.
Has anyone heard about taking Vitamin D to help with BC prevention? I have never been a routine pill taker, but I am definitely adding that to my daily arsenal. Anything that can help. I am even adding it to my daughter's daily intake (she's supposed to be taking it any way for her Celiac disease - but now I am going to really push it).
Hugs, thoughts, and prayers to everyone who is making treatment decisions. I guess all we can do is make the best decision we can make with the information we have and pray that research continues to improve outcomes.
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yay pugsmama!! I'd happy dance with you but I can't jiggle the boobies just yet!! That's a pretty fantastic day and you got a nap in too!! So very happy for you! Virtual cheers with the glass of prosseco I just poured!
DCISinAZ, I have been seeing tons of stuff about vitamin D. I am going to talk to the oncologist tomorrow and get his take as well as see if they can test if I'm low. I'll try to remember to let you know what he says.
Pyrrh, you and I are doing same radiation...well that's what I'm leaning towards. Already had my consult and I'm hopeful to be as lucky as you and not have the catheter over weekends. They called me yesterday to schedule but I wanted to meet with my onc first so will schedule later this week. Please do keep in touch with me here or private message...it realty would be great to see how it goes for you as it looks like I'll be getting the treatment early February and you will be all done by then!
I'm starting to wonder if I've got something going on from my lymph node removal...lump and swollen and pain has increased rather than decreasing. Going to call the BS tomorrow. I'm afraid she'll suggest sticking a needle in it or something to drain fluid. Crazy that as many needles as I've had and will still have coming to my boobs, I'm afraid of that!
Tomorrow is oncologist appt...ready to figure out if I can just forge ahead with radiation and tamoxifen or if he will suggest chemo.
Speaking of chemo...does anyone know at what point they do oncotype testing? I don't know if my BS ordered that when she sent off my tumor or if they keep it somewhere and the oncologist orders? My BS did tell me from the beginning that due to my age, the onc would likely recommend chemo and that they had this oncotype test but that's about it.
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I just noticed... the bungalows have no visitors from tomorrow thru the 23rd unless someone isn't on the list yet? I guess that's good...already far too many of us in just one single month. Frightening!
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I noticed that too - hopefully it will give everyone a chance to checkin - lots of mx girls from last week have yet to say they are doing ok. keep sending good thoughts their way!!
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Annoyingboob: Recent articles show that patients who smoke, are obese, are over 65 & have other health issues suffer a higher rate of infection from implants which reassured me when making my reconstruction decision: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5012596/
Of course there's always a risk with foreign objects in your body, but I'm pretty healthy (except for the cancer...) so I was comfortable taking the risk...
I had a little bit of air pumped in during the surgery & today he filled both sides to 400cc. So technically my second fill including the day of surgery. No pain at all...Probably a "B cup" right now if I had to guess. He said I might not even get filled more than that which would be ok with me. Even with the scars, the foobs are starting to look pretty good!
I'm seeing my BS next wed., if the MammaPrint results are back, I guess we'll have "that dreaded conversation" re: chemo & start meeting with an oncologist. Thanks Iraystar for your reassurance....I watched both of my parents go thru it....have to trust that it's not that bad anymore & they've made progress with that along with everything else...
I see the PS again next Tues, we'll see if I can start exercising then. He never mentioned anything about PT & he's pretty good about telling me everything coming up.... my range of motion is fine so I don't expect to need it. Like DCISinAZ, I'm taking my no exercise prescription very seriously! Exercise does increase drain output. He doesn't want a whole lot of movement of / strain on my upper arms so the acellular dermal matrix "sets" & integrates with my skin & tissue flaps. So far so good!
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PugsMama - happy to hear you had a good day! I think I'm the only one here without drains. I was initially nervous about that...only because drains seems more standard, but now hearing the stories I'm happy to avoid them! My surgeon believes it's better for the body to reabsorb the fluid itself. I had some initial fluid retention around my abdomen and a day or 2 where I found I was peeing a lot, but other than that uneventful so I'm happy that worked out. I'm pretty sore under my arm and was wondering about that earlier....I forgot about the SNB - that must be why I'm sore there! My skin under the arm is also fairly numb...very similar to the area around the incision when I had a c-section.
Annoyingboob - the post-op book I have has me doing exercises as of day 1 post surgery. The exercises are very simple and not stressing, but they are exercises nevertheless. They increase quite a bit as soon as drains are out, or in my case with no drains, about 1-1.5 weeks post-op. The nurses stressed and stressed to take the meds so that you can so the exercises without discomfort and recover quicker.
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thanks ladies - my encyclopedia boobica!
I read about vit d and also turmeric being helpful.
fighter - im worried about your axilla - I would def checkin with someone. I didn't have any axillary intervention but my boobs are not painful at all anymore, just leftie getting weirdly swollen now and again. maybe its just an adjacent lymph node which is inflamed? or seroma or hematoma - I bet they could just do a quick ultrasound to figure it out and you may not need a needle unless there is something to drain.
pugs - im like you, and since im so sensitive to adhesives and tape, etc.. in the back of my mind I worry I might react against the implants. silly and unrelated, and I have a plate in my leg with no problem. since its prophylactic for me, it would be a huge bummer to do bmx and then reject the implants like I reject steristrips. I like your staying still to let that matrix stick - makes sense.
ds - sounds like you are so lucky to not have the drains! and sounds like you have avoided any seromas so far - did they have you wrapped tight like a mummy too? that dress is beautiful.
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Fightingirl: hoping everything is ok with your armpit & that all goes well at the oncologist. It may be that s/he will already have the results of your Oncotype test...
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Fightingirl- my armpit is sore. It hurts a little (not a lot) when I put on deodorant in the morning. There was one point that I would have lived if they had lived if they had sucked out some of the fluid. I had obvious pockets of liquid, now it feels harder, different. I'm not sure they could do it now.
I tried to make an appt with the RO today... they will call me back. Have you decided which type of radiation you are going to do? I'm not sure if I'll have an option, but I've started reading up on brachytherapy just in case... gotta be fully informed!
Btw, my swollen boob is the right, so we would have a matched set! 😊
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Checking in ladies! Lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy went fine. BS told DH that there was 1 suspicious node and he removed 3 more. Sentinel lymph node injections were tolerable. I worried too much about it. My appt with doctor isn't until 1/25 😡 Will try calling his office earlier for results.
Thank you all for the support and best wishes. I really do not know what I would do without this site!
17 surgery sisters - praying you will post as soon as you are up to it. I think I'm on a second wind and waiting for the real pain to kick in.
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checking in - surgery went well, clean nodes from the OR. Will check in more when I'm less groggy!! Hugs!!
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BeachBabyK, at the moment I'm leaning toward the brachytherapy because I have implants. Less chance of that boob hardening up on me. I still haven't thrown out the more widely used whole breast radiation though. I'm going to speak with the oncologist tomorrow and see if he can help guide me and what other fun treatments he might have in store for me! We had our surgeries on the same day so thanks for the armpit info! I'll see how it is when I wake up tomorrow and call the BS if needed. It's not super swollen but can definitely tell it is and I'm pretty certain there is fluid and kind of a lump...maybe it's all very normal and I'm just a little behind in my healing process. Yay for our matchin set! I was just saying today that I didn't realize how much more difficult it would have been if my right boob was the bad guy since I'm right handed! The first couple days would have been tougher at least.
Pugsmama, would be great if onc has the oncotype results...nobody told me one had been ordered and I'm not certain that is standard practice so I'd be happy not to have to do any more waiting on yet another test!
Annoyingboob, like you I had to get the glue due to steristrip sensitivity but I've had my implants for 17 years without any problems. I did worry back in 2002 though that maybe my body was somehow rejecting them...I had shingles and ended up being sick for nearly two years! They tested me for everything under the sun and finally dumped me in the fibromyalgia bucket when nothing turned up. Suddenly I got better and I guess I'll never know what my body was doing at that time but I do not have fibromyalgia and maybe the shingles just sent my nerves and my immune system into a major tailspin. I've been very healthy since then...well until this BC crap!
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i made it to the bar. Will type more tomorrow. Good night all.
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GT1965: so great to hear from you! Rest up & take your pain meds if you need them
Jinmo: you made it!
Did-not-see: clear nodes! Whoo hoo
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yes! Several of the 17s checked in! So glad to hear from you! Rest well! ❤️️
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