Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

Nash54

Sweetmammaj...love the cat scan!!  thanks for sharing. 

😜

Tresjoli2

chilling in the infusion chair with 1mg of Ativan in me. Tick tock, Abraxane in about 15 minutes.

Sweetmamaj

Tresjoli (major hand holding and soft hugs)!!!! You are probably still in the chair? Let us know how you are doing, if you can. HUGS! And lots of love

Xoxox

PontiacPeggy

Octogirl, I also seem to have issues with mouse etc. And I find that right now I need my wireless keyboard rather than the laptop one. I hate the flat keys anyway. You'd think after 3 years I be used to it. But no. If you can stand it, try a wrist rest. I do okay for a couple days then hate it. Glad you got a new computer. A new mouse can do things. Maybe you could get your old one back! Or buy one that YOU like.

Have fun in Reno!

Tresjoli, I'm holding your hand with my arm around you. Hoping all goes well today for you. Keep your eye on the goal of KILLING CANCER. That can help you get through all this.

HUGS!!!!

Sweetmamaj

ps Tresjoli, thank goodness for ativan, right?

Nash-glad you liked the pic! I got a hug and then a scan! So soft-unlike the mammograms.

PontiacPeggy

SweetMamaJ, love the kitty picture. My calico is busily licking all her fur off. She doesn't tolerate Benadryl which does help her Poor baby.

HUGS!

Sweetmamaj

peggy, my black cat went from fuffy to hairless on his tail and backside in the past week &1/2. Summer skin crud and stress. . Although he would not leave me alone before my Lx and was so attentive!! I believe cats somehow intuitively know when there is illness. Now it's my turn to get him help; Im taking him to the vet in 20 min...

Hugs to you!

PontiacPeggy

SweetMamaJ, this has been a 2 year long problem. She got steroid shots and developed diabetes (which now is in remission). She's an indoor kitty so that eliminates a lot of allergens. Have to take her back to the vet. She isn't tolerating the antibiotics to help with the sore spots. Good luck with your kitty today!!!

HUGS!

Molly50

what a sweet kitty! In case I didn't update I am scheduled for my MRI on Monday. The imaging place was booked but when I explained that this is to decide if I need bmx vs umx she enlisted her supervisor to get me booked right away.

Sweetmamaj

Awesome Molly, way to go! Prime example of why there are times when we really need to be our own patient advocate! I'm relieved for you that you will not have to wait much longer. My MRI was relatively easy, but it was pre-Lx. Hope they are very gentle with your incisional sites, and give you headphones! I requested one of my favorite artists and they played him from Pandora---when I heard the music, I melted and relaxed so much more. If your MRI is with contrast, it will be given via IV with does not hurt any more than a simple blood draw. And thanks for thinking my calico is sweet love ya!

Peggy, glad your kitty's blood sugar is under control! HUGS! One of the many problems with steroids. Today, my black cat was given an antibiotic injection as well as steroid and had a full chem panel. Sadly, this skin thing is an annual occurrence with him--last August they thought he had lymphocytic leukemia because his lymphocyte count was so high and he ended up seeing a vet oncologist, vet dermatologist, had flow cytometry, etc. Yes, I know non-animal lovers shake their heads at what we do, but the benefits we reap from our pets is priceless. Animal therapy is recognized as positive adjuvant therapy by the CDC, and so many hospitals have "therapy dogs" visiting the pediatric wards as well as cancer wards. I think we've all seen dogs and other animals "volunteering" at hospitals.

Sorry y'all if I sound defensive. Just emotional, tired, and unsettled. My 3rd sendoff for Her2 finally came back as negative (FISh). (1st was indeterminate, 2nd was 2+ equivocal by ICH). Good news right? So now it's the wait several weeks for oncotype, and my stupid worry is that the tumor/tissue has been so over-processes and manipulated that by the time Oncotype DX evaluates it, I won't have strong confidence in the magic number. My DH and I got in a argument last night about my concern, and he thinks if I get a second opinion re MO treatment options, that the standard of care for me will decrease, because of wary providers thinking I'm high maintenance. "Whatever", I told him. Obviously not universally true. I woke up this morning, and realized that he is just as stressed as I am, and wants to view a clear and easy path to my recovery without my "what if" commentaries. So it must be 5pm somewhere, right? Because I could use an adult beverage.

Tresjoli, HUGS and still sending you positive thoughts! Hope the Abraxane was well tolerated! Please let us know when you feel like it.

PontiacPeggy

Molly, glad you shouted and got your MRI scheduled Monday! Good luck.

SweetMamaJ, I understand your concerns. I suspect they'll have enough for the oncotype and it takes about 2 weeks. Take a deep breath. You and DH are understandably so stressed out. Hug each other. And remind yourselves that you both want the same thing, your goals are the same. If you do not trust your MO, then definitely get a second opinion. You have to trust him. Good luck with your decisions.

Glad black kitty is doing okay.

HUGS!!!

Tresjoli2

hooray for abraxane! No reaction...but off to sleep...hugs ladies.

Sweetmama so glad you can move on to your next step. Even though waiting is hard. Her2+ doesn't have an oncotype. I hope those results come soon and give you clarity.

Molly and plumster how are you feeling today?

Sweetmamaj

Peggy, good advice as always. See why you're up there in my book? ...except, you didn't mention happy hour (lol). Hugs to you.

Tresjoli, soooo glad it went well. Sweet dreams tonight. keep hydrated and know that we are with you! Hugs.

Plumster, have you been able embraced your kids yet? Hope the trek to Colorado is/was smooth! Such a nice image of parent's weekend. Hugs!

Octogirl: Same as well to you in Reno! Enjoy your kids, and grandkids, and reconnect with family. Hugs!

Ringelle, thinking of you girl! Hope all is well. Hugs!

PontiacPeggy

Tresjoli, Thank God! You can relax now that you know you are okay with abraxane. Sleep good!

SweetMamaJ, Happy Hour even needs to be mentioned???? Isn't it a given? Glad the advice resonated with you. I know sometimes I need somebody to give me a kick and get me going where I do know I need to be. We get lost in that forest of trees.

HUGS!

Nash54

Tresjoli2....happy weekend.  I hope you are resting well. 

Sweetmammaj....congrats on the her2 negative results!!  Praying you get a clear answer on your oncotype...

Hope everyone else has a wonderful, restful weekend. 

Sweetmamaj

Peggy, hahaha!

Nash: thank you! I've realized that the "Waiting Room" is really a twilight zone episode of endless connecting rooms. I was diagnosed exacted 1 month ago, and that is my biggest epiphany to date about this process.

PontiacPeggy

Sweet, You've had such a whirlwind this past month. You haven't had a chance to process everything. I had more time between dx and lx and I appreciate that I did. See if you can't let the brain absorb everything. In other words, many happy hours will be helpful!

HUGS!

Molly50

Sweetmamaj,

Congratulations on the negative HER2! I hope you get clear direction from your oncotype.

As for the MRI, I am nervous about it hurting but really need an answer. I have some family telling me to just do the BMX. I really don't want that big of a recovery if I can avoid it. I think I will take ibuprofen right before.

Molly50

Tresjolie2,, so glad you are doing better! Happy restful weekend ladies. I return to work on Monday.

meezers3

I didn't use my mouse today, instead I placed the lap top in my lap. I am not in as much pain today. Looks like it's time to stop using the mouse. With the lap top on my lap I can keep my right arm at my side instead of lifting it and reaching out.

PontiacPeggy

Glad it worked for you Meezers3! My hand wears out using the touchpad on the laptop. I must use it funny. Perhaps you'll figure out alternatives as time goes on. At least you have one that works now!

HUGS!

meezers3

Thanks Peggy!

plumster1

Trejolie- I hope you are resting comfortably . You are in my thoughts! Sweetamaj, congrats on the her2 ... Looks like you are in the holding pattern with all us oncotype dxers. Ugh! Today DH and I hiked a peak in the rocky mountain national park. It was over 10, 000 ft and about 6 miles round trip. I was really proud of myself. I wasn't sure what I would be like post Lx but I was very determined to not let BC slow me down. I had all of you with me because I know we all have That determination to not let this change or limit who we are are. The view from the top was amazing. Tomorrow is the big day?. Can't wait to hug my children. Xoxo plumster

PontiacPeggy

Plumster, I'm impressed! Glad you did so well - especially since it's just been 2 weeks since your Lx! Have a great time with the kids!!!

HUGS!

Nash54

Plumster...way to go!!!   Did you have radiation at the tumor site during surgery???  Just wondering. Can't remember all the conversations. 

octogirl

wow, plumster, I am impressed also! Did the altitude cause you any problems? FWIW, I did get evaluated for LE risk, and one piece of advice from the therapist who did the evaluation was to wear a compression sleeve when above 10,000 feet...and trejolie I am glad it went well...also congrats to sweetmamaj on the test results! Hugs to all!

as for me, since I promised hubby I'd take it easy this trip to Reno/Tahoe: I am resting on the couch in my hotel room while checking in with you all. May even take a little nap before the rehearsal dinner tonight, when I see all the relatives that are converging on town. There are some folks here I haven't seen in years...

This am my son and his GF and I did a short (mile or miles and a half maybe?) hike up at Tahoe, had a picnic, enjoyed just spending some time together. Son lives on the East Coast so I only see him a few times a year, so it was nice to hang out. Daughter, Son and grandkids just got into town (they do live closer to me, in LA)...so, after my nap will meet up with them, go to the rehearsal dinner, start the celebrations! So nice to be out of town while I play the waiting game on tests results....so far, it's a blast to be here!

Octogirl

mustlovepoodles

Here I am, sticking my toe into the waters...I have lumpectomy scheduled for Aug 20, assuming the genetics comes back okay. The MRI looked good, according to the BS, but I am still a little nervous about what she will find when she gets in there. My biopsy showed grade 2 IDC with some grade 3 DCIS (comedo type). My BS has been reassuring, so I'm not falling apart or anything. I'm a pretty pragmatic person. Been an RN for 38 years. Cancer is not my specialty but I know how to research and I can understand medical journals and analysis, so it's actually helped me to remain calm.

This is certainly a strange little trip I'm on...

PontiacPeggy

Welcome, MustLovePoodles! You're in the right place. Sorry you had to find us. Re: what the BS finds when she's "in there." My BS said you don't want to SEE anything when I asked if she could tell what was cancer and what wasn't. That means clear margins (hopefully). Glad your BS is reassuring.

A couple things to keep in mind for your post-lumpectomy recovery. One you'll want a soft bra (or none) - no underwires. Many women like sports bras maybe in a larger size than usual; I'm small and used Genie bras. You won't want to be lifting much on the lx side for awhile. Make sure you find out what exercises your BS wants you to do post-lx if you are having a SLNB done. Most of us find that incision is the most annoying thing going. Doesn't necessarily hurt, just always in the way - things rub on it. Even now, over a year later, I find that mine will remind me I had an incision there if I get really sweaty.

If you are offered a Valium on your day of surgery, take it. It won't make you loopy, just takes the edge off. My center also asked if I wanted Dramamine to prevent nausea from the anesthesia and that worked like a charm. I also took the pain pill offered in recovery but didn't take anything other than Tylenol after that. I think my experience was not usual for the pain pills.

If you don't mind, fill out your dx, lx and other profiles and make them public. It helps us answer your questions.

Stay positive - it helps on this unexpected journey.

HUGS!!!

Nash54

mustlovepoodles....sorry you had to join our group but welcome.  Hoping you have an uneventful lx and recovery.  The waiting can be really hard.  It sure helps to talk with women who are further along this path...

Octogirl so glad you are enjoying your trip.  Helps to give the mind a rest and realize life does go on after BC. 

plumster1

Hi all-
Must love poodles, welcome, I think the waiting is the hardest part. Is anything else there? Did I have clean margins? What's my oncotype? Etc... Stay busy and postive. That helped me.

Nash, I did have radiation during my surgery. (IORT). I think that saved me from some of the traditional side effects.

Octogirl, never heard that about the LE and above 10,000 feet. But, it makes sense to me. No signs yet for me. I guess I'll keep my fingers crossed about that one. It also seems to be a great time with all your loved ones. Enjoy it!!

Saw my children today. It was glorious!!! Tomorrow is another big parent visit day and I take them home for good Monday. Can't wait!