Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

Just checking in to send hugs and good thoughts to all...I've read all of these posts and just wish I could respond to them all...Peggy, good luck with finalizing the hunt and with the move!

Krissibee, I would also call the doc on call if possible...there are special surgical bandages that may help, but it isn't unheard of to have to go back in...

Hugs to all!

Octogirl

MLP3, I am planning on going with the house that speaks to me. Very scary. It seems very strange to be making such a big decision and not having DH's input and I'm missing it. I'm comfortable with my decision and that's all that matters in the end, isn't it? MLP3 glad you bought the right house for you. I think that most of the time we find and buy the home that speaks to us. I know we did with where I am now. Chuck and I looked at each other and said we could grow old and die in that house. Almost did! We saw all the possibilities for right then and the ability to add-on, which we did twice. No adding on to the new house

HUGS!

Hi All,

So my pre- surgical physical had a blip (literally too!!!!) ---- abnormal EKG and I have to go to cardiologist before I can get the surgery. I just

want to finally get my lumpectomy over with. So far thhe cardiologist only has time two days pre- op schedule so I will keep calling next week to see if I can get in sooner. I have two theories anyway (trying to think it is not a "serious" heart issues..

1. that I have actually been "Broken-hearted" in some ways since the diagnosis, for reasons (other than just plain old getting cancer) such as reactions of some folks around me (family nearby not participating, not asking etc. Perhaps just expectations of others that I would best to not have ...

I have had strangers and acquaintances show more concern than some people I know or are related to

2. The tech at the hospital was REALLY fast in doing my EKG! And she complained as I was walking in about what a long day it was. I

had instinct to ask for someone else to do it...she was rushed and not nice. Anyway, I am usually good about speaking up for myself Next time I know to call my doctor the very next day so there is no delay, as the Primary never indicated in five days they had the test that there was an issue and I could have had it taken care of soon.

All this advocating is really a lot of work - self advocating - and I must stay resolute to keep on doing it !

Best, Ellie -

Dear Ellie:  Sorry that you have to advocate for yourself when you have a bc dx on your mind.  I hope that the heart issue is nothing serious and that you can have your lx quickly.

Dear Kriss:  Good luck.  I have heard of second surgeries.  I would contact your doctor asap.  Good luck.

Dear Blamoms and 1Step:  I am sorry that I did not include both of you when I was wishing LTF and MLP good luck with chemo.  I wish all 4 of you luck, no SE's, and that all of you feel well.  Same goes to anyone else that I missed.

Dear Peggy:  I hope that they accept your offer on the house that "speaks to you".  Good luck.  We missed you here but take all the time you need to sell your house and to buy a new one.  We all wish you the best.  It is hard making the decisions without the input of your DH.

Dear Melclarity:  I don't know about the residual effects of chemo.  However, I do know that many people have severe bone and joint pain from Arimidex/Anastrazole.  You may want to speak with your doctor about switching medications to a different AI.  That may help mitigate your pain.  Good luck.  I'm glad that your man surprised you.  Good for you.

Dear ItalyChick:  I laughed with your response to me.  Thanks.

Dear ChiSandy:  Thanks for your response to me.

The ridiculous part about the recommendation was that it was just a phone call.  The advisor had already written a letter of recommendation for my daughter.  All the advisor had to say was that my daughter is a good student and that she recommends her.  That would have taken less time then to say that the advisor wasn't going to give a recommendation.  After that, the advisor could have contacted my daughter to tell my daughter to speak with the advisor in advance before using her name for a reference.  Needless to say, my daughter will never list her as a reference ever again.  Luckily, she had also listed 2 other people as references.  Unfortunately, my daughter is only 20 years old and does not have a lot of work experience yet because she is a full time college student.

Dear HH:  Sorry about your losses.

Dear Moondust:  Enjoy the time off from rads.

Dear Molly:  Good luck wherever you and your DH decide to settle for your retirement.  You are such a sweet and caring person.

Dear Peachy:  I am glad that you were selected for the Clinical Trials.  It is very noble of you to participate.  You will be helping many people.  A friend of mine is on Ibrance now and so is a friend of my cousin's.

Dear Octogirl:  I totally understand about how hard it is to catch up on this board and to respond.

Dear Poodles:  Enjoy camping.  It sounds like just what you need to help you recover and to feel better.

Dear Everyone Else:  Hi and hugs.  Sorry if I missed responding to you.

Dear Andy:

I would definitely meet with a genetic counselor and have genetic testing done before you make any decisions regarding surgery.  Genetic tests take time to run.  Therefore, it will take time to obtain the results of genetic tests.  However, if you have a genetic mutation, then you may opt for a BMX.  If there is no mutation, then a LX would most likely, be fine.  If you have a LX, then you can always have a BMX later.  However, once you have a BMX, you cannot have a "do-over" because your breasts will be gone forever.  Most doctors would not recommend mastectomy for a pre-cancerous diagnosis.  That would be extreme surgery for a benign condition.  Do you know the name of your pre-cancerous dx?  (i.e. - Do you have an atypia (ADH, ALH, FEA, PASH, or any other type of atypia?)  Do you have LCIS or Lobular Hyperplasia?)  It is very scary and stressful to be diagnosed. You also have a strong family history of BC which may increase your risk.  However, since you were diagnosed with precancer, that would mean that you have a benign finding.  That means that you do not have to rush with your tx decision.  You don't want to wait a long time but you have more time than if your were dx with an invasive cancer.  Therefore, if I were you, I would meet with a MO (Medical Oncologist) and ask for options for tx.  I would also meet with a BS (Breast Surgeon) and ask for options for surgery.  Go for a second opinion.  This is very anxiety provoking and although your head may be screaming, "Get the (pre)cancer out of my body" by having surgery immediately, it is better to speak with doctors and get facts.  BC takes time to develop so you actually do have time before you rush to have surgery.  You may also want to go to a support group for people living with breast cancer.  Good luck and let us know.  Welcome and hugs to you.

Dear Ayr:  I am glad that you were able to buy the house of your dreams and that it all worked out prior to your bc dx.  That is wonderful timing.  Congrats on your house.  I totally understand about wanting to have surgery rather than waiting for the tumor to shrink from the neoadjuvant hormone therapy.  However, if that is what your MO thinks is best than it is the correct tx decision.  Good luck to you.

Dear Ellie:  Good luck.

Jill- That sounds great- 2 more to go! Glad you are feeling better. When you are up to it you may want to put some things in the freezer that can be easily reheated or cooked for the next 2 times. Or, if anyone offers to bring food- accept it for the DH and kids. Not to be Nelly Negative, but I found the SE's to be cumulative and had a bit more difficulty getting back to myself with each one. Your chemo is different from mine and you were in much better shape, too so it may not be the same for you.

Happy Hammer - Im actually so HAPPY! as I now only take Panadol-osteo 2 in themorning nothing else, it at least helps me get moving. Mornings are the worst,but exercising doesnt help just makes it worse, so really need to talk to MO of what I can do. Yes Im interested in seeing how the Yoga works, there are people also trained with Breast Cancer Patients here, so am investigating. Being proactive Hope you are well..

Peggy - trust your intuition and your gut...you will make the absolute right choice AND I feel DH is with you and guiding you to the right house

HappyHammer, once Herceptin is over, you will get back to "normal" faster than you think. Right now, I mainly have watery eyes and nose some, and that's about it. My final Herceptin was 2 or 3 weeks ago. The only thing I feel now is some anxiety that active treatment is done. It was like a safety net that got taken away and now I'm on the tight rope with no net.

Awww, Italy- I know about the damn anxiety. I have the runny nose, some joint pain and off and on- the big D- but am really looking forward to seeing what my body is going to do once off all of the meds...except the AI. Again- sorry you are worrying but am hoping we will all be able to let some of that go with each clean mammo that we have...hugs to you!

PINK- Sounds like you are doing well....BUT, have you thought about your symptoms being Lymphadema? Does your group have an LE specialist or do they refer out for that? Might be worth getting an eval. I did not have LE so hope others who have will chime in but, it might be worth looking in to! Hugs.

HH and 614, I have a breast MRI scheduled to Friday to check to make sure nothing grew during treatment. Had a brain MRI last week which came back normal, related to some pressure I had in the left side of my head (cancer side) behind my eye radiating down to my ear. I am on an aggressive watch program because I couldn't do radiation due to prior radiation. So if anything grows back, off to mastectomy I go

Pinki, I think it may be a bit too early to call it lymphedema yet, but it’s smart to learn about how to take precautions and do self-MLD. There’s no rushing the reduction of swelling--it happens on its own time. Ask which range of motion exercises are permissible. When hospitals have LE specialists, they’re usually part of the Physical/Rehab Medicine dept. You can go online to lana.org to find a LANA-certified LE therapist in your area. (My LE doc, Joseph Feldman, is a pioneer in the field and a founder of LANA).

I learned about Puffin’s husband’s catastrophic fall and death over on the “Older Women” thread. Wish she didn’t have the added burden of having to be the personal rep. of Lew’s estate, and could let others be strong for her instead. We have strictly circumscribed mourning requirements in Judaism for the loss of a spouse, parent, child or sibling: a 7-day “shiva” period beginning upon return from the cemetery and lasting (except for the Sabbath) a week. During that time, we are not to cook, bathe or groom (we even have to cover mirrors), seek entertainment, or leave the house--others must bring us food and do our chores. The most observant rend part of their clothing (these days, symbolized by pinning a torn black ribbon to our blouses or shirts), go shoeless, and sit on low uncomfortable benches. We Reform Jews don’t go that far--we sit normally, wash as necessary, and shiva usually lasts 3 days. For the death of a parent or spouse, there is an additional 30 days during which we don’t seek entertainment--but most importantly, are forbidden to make major life decisions such as large purchases, renting, buying or selling a home, moving, changing careers, retirement, etc. Sounds draconian but it’s really designed to help us mourn rather than suppress grief, delineate transition, and to allow others to help. I wonder how people manage to go back to work the day after burying a parent or spouse--the concept is totally alien to me.

Peggy, our house felt like “the one,” even though it was bigger and older than we’d planned to buy and needed lots of repairs (29 yrs. later, still a work in progress). It just spoke to us. Maybe it was the huge kitchen, the deck, the magnolia out back in full bloom, or the arborvitae and big leaf maple out front--or perhaps the garage as well as easy access to transit and shopping w/in walking distance. My only caveat is to consider how you will take care of your shopping and other needed amenities if there comes a time when you can’t drive.