Topic: December 2020 Surgery Group

Jan 2, 2021 01:54AM Positivelyhalffull wrote:

Bennette - You're going through a lot, you have every right to feel emotional! Do you know yet when you'll begin radiation? My oncologist told me that I shouldn't be going anywhere even though I've already had covid and I got a flu shot, so I've been ordering things online and doing grocery pickup and I've found that I really love it and don't miss shopping at all.

Jan 2, 2021 05:35AM Positivelyhalffull wrote:

Hopeful - I'm so sorry that you've had this recurrence. You are fortunate for having caught it early both times. Congratulations on the negative nodes! Do I understand correctly that your skin still bothers you from the radiation you had five years ago? I see that you chose mastectomy this time instead of doing another lumpectomy. Sometimes I wonder if I made the right choice to have lumpectomy instead of mastectomy. It's hard to know.

Jan 2, 2021 02:05PM Twinkle-09 wrote:

I had a lumpectomy on Dec 30, and everything is going well so far. My scar is incredibly ugly - is this normal? For those that have jobs, when did you go back to work?

Jan 2, 2021 05:47PM Twinkle-09 wrote:

positivelyhalffull - my incision has clear strips over it, so that's why I can see it. I didn't have any lymph nodes removed, so I believe my recovery is easier. I have 2 wks off, but I don't know if I'll need all of that time. I want to save my sick/vacation days for when I'll have radiation. I know it'll be tough going everyday.

Jan 2, 2021 10:57PM - edited Jan 2, 2021 10:59PM by Bennette

Positivelyhalffull I have my post op appointment on Monday and from what the surgeon told me, that's when I will be referred to radiation and medical oncology. So those appointments, and treatments, are still pending.

I wasn't told to do or not do anything. Other than not lift anything, but I've been doing some of that. Not meaning to, but it happens. I wasn't even given clear instructions about the meds; my husband picked up 6 which included oxycodone, tylenol and ibuprofen along with stool softeners. If I felt like it could be managed, I'd have my husband shop. I will have to see what happens after the appointments. I may not be able to be out. The virus is nuts here. thanks for responding.

Jan 3, 2021 02:57PM StaceyG6368 wrote:

twinkle- very normal to have ugly scars, at this point. I cried for days after my lumpectomy two years ago. But they healed nicely.. now I’m 2 weeks post op on my mastectomy and yes I cried again looking at those scares. As my children told me, “Mom you have to trust the process” ... it looks better every day... I was back to work pretty quickly for my lumpectomy but it depends on what you do for work. I’m taking extra time off this time.

Does anyone have terrible swelling in the shoulder blade? Swollen and numbness.. that’s what’s bothering me the most .

Jan 3, 2021 08:35PM Twinkle-09 wrote:

Thank you for the well wishes! I hope you continue to feel good

Jan 4, 2021 04:58AM typhoon wrote:

hopeful23 - Five days ago I was still extremely uncomfortable - everything still felt tender and sore, with the burning skin sensation and implants that felt like heavy, sharp-edged wooden blocks on my chest. Every day since then, though, I've felt incrementally less uncomfortable. The wooden block feeling is gone and the burning sensation is significantly reduced (though now I've got some phantom itches - totally manageable, though). There were several long stretches of time yesterday when I didn't even think at all about what was going on in my chest!

Based on what everyone else has been experiencing, it looks like this is all part of the normal healing process. That doesn't make it any easier to bear while you are going through it, of course, but it will pass. I certainly felt exactly the same way as you are feeling - both extremely uncomfortable, and disappointed in myself for not being tougher when I, too, have so much to be thankful for. Here's the thing, though: you ARE toughing it out; you ARE putting one foot in front of the other, and moving forward despite significant physical distress; and, you ARE dealing with all of this in a strong and appropriate manner not only by sharing your experience with other people who are going through the same thing, but by also consistently supporting everyone else in the process.

I hope you are feeling better soon!

.

Jan 4, 2021 05:11PM hopeful23 wrote:

typhoon, thank you for your encouraging and caring post. It was much needed. Today has been a better day 😊I’m so glad you are doing well!

Twinkle, I have added your surgery to the list. Wonderful news that there is no infection! I hope you continue to feel better!

Jan 4, 2021 06:04PM Twinkle-09 wrote:

I’m very interested in finding out about your radiation experience

Jan 5, 2021 12:09PM rmh2744 wrote:

So happy for you! Been lurking on the site for a few weeks now. I had bilateral mastectomy on 12/18 and just got my drains out today. Found out my margins were clear as were my lymph nodes (sentinel). Plus oncotype came back as 7 so no chemo or radiation. Now just waiting to talk to oncologist about estrogen blockers but since I have no uterus or ovaries, I may not even need that. Best part is I can take a shower tomorrow!!

Jan 5, 2021 06:58PM Twinkle-09 wrote:

I’m having pain in my breast after lumpectomy. It’s not horrible but it definitely warrants taking ibuprofen. A lot of articles I’ve been reading have said there isn’t too much pain after 2-3 days. What have you experienced

Jan 6, 2021 06:30AM Iamloved wrote:

mtspacekace...I have my radiation simulation scheduled for January 21 and radiation will begin Jan 25. I decided to go to Mayo for it so I will be staying there for almost a month. My radiation oncologist is going to do the hypofractionated radiation which is done in 3 week with 4 boosts. So rather than 6 weeks there I will stay 4 weeks. My wonderful friend will come and stay with me for some of the time, my sister in law will come for a few days and Hubby plans to come the weekend of his birthday and then will fly down to drive me home when I am done. It is a 7 hours one way trip so thankful for his help. I was able to get an apartment style rental through the Mayo clinic for $65 a night. There was a property management company that had a beautiful 2 bedroom condo for $2800 but the cancellation policy was too rigid. In our world of covid I did not want to be stuck with that bill in the event I could not do my radiation at that time. And yes our winters can change quickly. The apartment has an on demand shuttle service that will take me wherever I want or need to go so I shouldn't have to drive anywhere if I don't want.

Jan 6, 2021 07:27AM hopeful23 wrote:

mtspacekace, so happy for you! If radiation is needed, I have no doubts you will do great. It would be challenging to drive 2 hours each way for appointments, especially with the possibility of wintry weather. They do not want you to miss any appointments. I hope your appt with radiation oncology goes well! I'm a beginner crocheter and an avid golfer. Thanks for the info about taking it slowly.

rmh2744, what a great report for you! And congrats on getting the drains out! Enjoy your shower!

Twinkle, hopefully others with recent lumpectomy will be able to tell you their experience. I had lumpectomy five years ago, and although I don't recall much discomfort it's been a while and I think we tend to forget. I hope you are feeling better today. Please don't hesitate to reach out to your doctor.

Iamloved, you have a terrific plan and wonderful support. Please be sure to update us on how you are doing.

My radiation experience: I had whole breast radiation five years ago. Hypofractionated for 3 weeks with 4 boosts. Left breast done in the prone position. I did not do the “breathe and hold" done sometimes for left breast because my simulation indicated my heart and lung were not going to be affected. I remember having a CT scan and having several sharpie marks on my back/sidewith tape placed over the marks. You live with these the duration of radiation. Although it seems they would be annoying, they really didn't bother me. I think some people get tattoos, but that was not offered and the sharpie did the trick. I could shower, and they would re-sharpie as marks faded. The hospital where I had my radiation was very accommodating and made these daily visits as easy as possible. They had parking reserved for radiation patients right by the door. At your appt, they would call you back and you would undress waist up and put on a gown, and then wait in a room by the dressing rooms for your treatment. For treatment, you go into the room with the machine and they get you in the perfect position for the radiation. I was prone with my breast basically in a hole in the table and my neck turned to the side. Although the treatment was fairly quick, I learned to make sure I had my neck in a comfy position before they had me all set up and asked me not to move. I did great with radiation. I don't recall fatigue although that is certainly a common complaint. They gave me cream to use. My favorite was “Geritrex Hydrocerin Moisturizing Cream for Dry Skin.” It is basically a heavy cream. I would go into the bathroom after treatment to get dressed and put the cream on liberally. Don’t wait until you get home if possible. The cream “cooled” my skin and I think the immediate application really helped. After the first few days (and before I learned to put the cream on right after treatments), my breast was getting pink and I was concerned. My radiation oncologist gave me a prescription for mometasone furoate cream. I don’t recall how often I used it, but I believe it was morning and evening. This cream was amazing and I had no skin issues whatsoever. You can look up studies for the use of this cream during radiation treatment. It has been shown to be a significant help for those who need it. Don’t hesitate to see your radiation oncologist during treatment with any concerns or questions. You want to stay ahead of any concerns you might have.

Jan 6, 2021 10:36AM Positivelyhalffull wrote:

hopeful - Thank you so much for all the radiation info!

I'm really struggling with when to return to work. My surgeon wants me to be off for two weeks, but will release me to do desk work sooner if I think I'm ready. We are very busy at work and I began hearing from coworkers about upcoming deadlines on my projects four days after my surgery. I don't think they're trying to pressure me to return, just keeping me updated. I feel generally good. My sentinel node incision is sore and I occasionally have shooting pains along my shoulder and arm, but it seems manageable. I have enough paid sick leave to cover the full two weeks and to be honest, I think I just want the time off to relax and feel sorry for myself for having cancer, but maybe that's a bad idea. I went to work many days during chemo when I really didn't feel well and I think that was a bad idea too.