DX

kymmber

Another qiuck question How long before I will be able to wear  prosthesis the fiber puffs work ok but I am limited to what I can wear because of the cost of these camis and layering shirts this time of the year is torture.

kymmber

Got my last drain removed today I feel sooooooo FREE

I also had a pedicure and did some shopping for myself today. I found some really nice bras at Kmart (I dont recall the name) but they were padded and said "Increase by 1 cup size" while these looked very pretty in both satin and cotton they were molded and padded looked to be very comfortable but the band size only went to 38".

Any sugestions on a similar bra while I await approval on prothesis from insurance

kymmber

I got the results from my scans yesterday: MUGA came back good heart is in good health, MRI(brain) no signs of mets, althought doctor says PET scan shows lit up areas on left breast area which was the cancer side, he said it probably just scar tissue. Another spot was detected on the sternum ( I experienced pain in that area ONLY post surgery for the first week or so no discomfort in the past 3 weeks)

Can scar tissue cause these findings, is it possible they missed something?

I am scheduled for a MRI of the chest, and a bone scan next week.........ugh more waiting.

clariceak

kymmber - after my masectomy I went to a special shop and they suggested using a swim form since it was light.  My insurance covers one set a year and I used them for 6 months.  There is a special forum on breast forms on the board and they have loads of information.

Arthritis and old injuries can cause the scan to light up.  Of course it's no fun waiting for confirmation that everything is clear.

AnacortesGirl

I know it may be hard to do but try not to spend any time worrying about the PET results.  I had 5 of those buggers in the last year (4 were part of a study I was one).  Each one of them would light up a new spot somewhere other than the breast/lymph node area.  They are very sensitive and they are very prone to false positives. 

My last study PET was back on April 7 which showed two spots in the chest.  We waited until after my surgery which was on April 26.  Then I finally had another PET/CT on 5/28 which showed nothing in the chest wall but a spot lit up in my bowels.  So had colonoscopy on 6/29 which was clear.  The other PETs showed things that weren't on consecutive scans. I felt like a human scavenger hunt.  The good news is that it taught me not to have fear and worry during the wait.  Instead my attitude was looking forward to getting to the final test that was going to show that I'm NED (no evidence of disease).  I can't tell you how happy I was to finally get there after the colonoscopy!!!  You'll get there -- those last test will do it for you!

Since it's cool in this area the camis worked great for me until I was told I could wear my forms.  I was told by the surgeon not to wear forms until 6-8 weeks post surgery.  That there is still too much fluid that needs to be absorbed and the mast bras (which are snug) would interfer.  As soon as I hit that 6 week mark I started wearing them and I just love putting on my bumps in the morning.  I got the amoena light weights, size 36C and they weigh about 2 pounds.  I know this because on Wednesdays when I go to the cancer center I get weighed on the rad side for their weekly check and then I go over to the onc side and get another weigh-in.  I thought their scales were off until I finally realized that I had my boobs on when I go to see the onc!

kymmber

Seen the surgeon again today for check up, BC breast is a little red and weepy he told me apply Polysporin Powder 2xday. Still having some swelling under this arm as well feels like a softball under my arm some days not all the time occasionally warm, not sure what is causing this he didnt say infection but, Could it in fact be? he just ask if I had been over doing it this week.

I dont feel that I am over doing it, not doing much of anything, lying down seems to help with the swelling. Moving around makes swelling worse. Doing all my arm excerises as directed.

So ladies what is your take on this?

clariceak

kymmber -  I had the same symptoms as you post surgery.  The occasional warmness and swelling.  I was eventually dxed with mild lymphedema.  There is a specific topic thread on lymphedema on the board that has a wealth of information.  It is an area where the patient needs to be proactive because it doesn't get the attention it deserves.

kymmber

Thanks for all the information ladies

I had my port inserted today, in quite a bit of pain right now, it hurts to turn my head to that side,and when i get up from the sofa. Discharge instruction were to resume normal activities and take pain meds... should I be doing some sort of excerises or etc... Any tips on releiving some of this pain?????????????

AnacortesGirl

See if you can get a script from the doc to go see a physical therapist.  One who specializes in lymphedema.  You can use the following website to find one closest to you who is certified:

http://www.apta.org/

Just specify the Expertise dropdown with Lymphedema.

Seems like surgeons tend to be more agressive in the stretches and exercises.  My PT mostly does massages and has done a great job working out the excess fluid away from the scars, the cording that kept me from raising my arm above my head and working on my lymphedema in my upper arm.  She's great!  Has a gently firm technique and doesn't want me over extending anything which would take me backwards.

My first port was very tender.  And if I moved my head wrong I could feel the pain run down my arm or where it connected into the vein.  After a week it felt much, much better.   Had to get that port removed and a new one put in.  They were able to use the original tubing that went in to the vien and just place the port and it's tube in a new spot.  Two days after it was done it felt great.  I think my sensitivity was the body getting used to the main tube.  A PT should be helpful if there are exercises that could alleviate the pain. 

sandiddstn

kymmber---I know what you are going through.  They told me this would be a cake walk...WRONG.

My port still hurts and it will 6 weeks Monday.  Just don't push it to much and do what you can.  I think they don't want to tell you about this or in my case the nurse has not had one put in.  Hang ing there it will get better.  Oh and by the way ask for some cream to put on it before you have chemo.  It is called Lidocaine and Prilocaine, really hepls.  I can't feel the needle going in or out.  They may have already gave it to you but just in case...  We have to stick together here...:)

God Bless and happy chemo with no SE's...

sandiddstn

Oh and kymmber my port feels so much better now... it just took it a long time...

kymmber

Port is feeling much better today still sore but much less pain.

 My incision on the BC side has two places that look somewhat infected my surgeon keeps saying to wash with soap and water and apply polysporin to area 2 times a day been doing this for 7 days now. Areas dont seem to be as red now and are not hot to the touch but, this morning at 4am I had a moderate size wet place on my shirt due to draining, so I cleaned the area and applied a dry gauge to help protect clothing and went back to bed it is now 9:30 am and the bandage is ready to change again.

The draining seems to be releasing the swelling under my arm????

I am not scheduled to see the surgeon for 3 weeks should i reschedule to see Dr. or keep applying meds and bandage and wait it out???

kymmber

Back to the doctor today to see about my incision I was dx with cellulitis....ugh

He gave me two types of antibotics and told me to follow up with him on wednesday.

Can anyone tell me what to expect and about how long this might take to clear up?

KerryMac

I've had cellulitis and it was horrible, I felt worse than when I was on Chemo. I am sorry you are dealing with this as well.

For me, it took a couple of days for the antibiotics to kick in, I would say probably a good two days. My Dr said if I noticed the inflamed area expanding in size at all, to go straight to the ER. So, keep an eye on it, and if it gets worse, don't wait to go in.They can give you IV antibiotics.

As an aside, I got a terrible headache from the antibiotics, so don't worry if that happens. 

Hope you feel better soon. 

kymmber

Had my first chemo this morning I was really nervous, but things went smoothly. I felt ok afterwards

just a little foggy headed seem to be sneezing alot. But after a short nap when I got home I feel ok but still sneezing?.  I am due back in the  am

for an injection that helps with building blood?? not sure what the med is called. Then back at day 10 to check  counts to make sure I am up to par  for 2nd dose.....I feel ok, will it get worse tomorrow?????

flopsy

kymmber,  No two people have the same reaction to chemo and you will not have the exact same SE's each time.  Hopefully, it will get better each time and more tolerable because you will know more what to expect.  My best advice is never wait to contact your onc or nurse about anything you think might be a problem.  They are the professionals and that is what they are there for.  The boards are a tremendous help but we can't examine you or give you meds.  What you have described so far is very much the norm.  I had light-headedness, headache, constipation from all the anti-nauseau meds, weakness, fatigue, digestive distress(gas and bloating), some eerie feeling of being out of body, and the list goes on but with all of that I can say I have survived 3 rounds of chemo with AC with nothing life threatening.  Mostly just a lot of discomfort.  Do the best you can with what you are given.  Keep a vey close watch on those scar areas and make sure they are clean and healing well because I would think that would be your critical thing at this time.  If you can get Senna tablets for stool softening start taking  2 tabs the day of chemo to get ahead of the constipation because it can get awful right away to the point of bowel impaction.  You don't want to go there.  The main thing is find some fluid you can tolerate and drink about 100ml a day.  Sounds like a lot but if you do not do this the SE's last a lot longer.  You are flushing the toxins out by doing this.  If you can not drink at least 64ml a day your woozy headache will get worse from.  My biggest problem is getting enough fluid because it all makes me gag more so than solid food.  You can request that you give you IV fluid if it becomes too much of a problem.  The 2nd day shot is Neulasta for blood count.  I have not had any problem at all with it but some people have reported some SE's of bone pain and aches.  Each person is different.  I am saying a prayer for you and will be there as much as possible to help you on this journey that we did not want to take.  You breast cancer sister in survival, LOL,gin2ca