Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

Sloan15

Ha! To add on:

...while trying to clarify your phone bill....

.....wearing an uncomfortable bra.....

queenmomcat

Also chafing bra....

pennsygal

...while leaking pee for G-d knows what reason...

Sweetmamaj

..and not batting an eye if you suddenly need to grab your breast in public

april25

I had absolutely no pain when they did the wire-locater thingies, and I think I had 4 of those. Well--the numbing shots are never fun, but it's more of a sting, and I'm guessing it would be worse not to have the shots, so I just deal. (Pain from shots--I got over it in college when I had a tooth die on me and I was over in another country where the dentists didn't have a clue, although, gotta say, my sister just had that happen to her recently and she goes to top-rate dentists!--anyway, I would have done anything for some relief for that. Ever since then, I just remember how bad NOT having anything for pain could be and now worship at the altar of pain shots, no matter how uncomfortable they may be!)

I got the dye injected while I was out, so I missed that fun! ... BUT, I would have liked seeing the nodes on a screen! I'm not THAT into the gorey details, but some things do have me curious enough to want to see! I have no idea about the whole dye-SNB thing! I just got the wire-locators, then was wheeled off to the OR and was out! Woke up. Felt a twitch or two of pain (OK, it was sort of more like having been kicked in the chest, but I was still a bit groggy so wasn't as freaked), asked for some more pain meds, and otherwise was feeling fine. (I'm lucky and don't get bad SEs from anesthetic or pain meds.)

The bright blue pee was amusing for the next few days! It was just surprising how blue it was! Apparently some people get blue skin all around their breast and some up to their chin, the nurses told me. I don't think anyone has reported that here... I only had some discoloration to my breast from some deep bruising. Barely visible.

Divots... Do you see these right after surgery? Or how long after? I had a big chunk (2.5cm tumor plus some calcifications and margins) taken out of small breasts (A at that time, after chemo, but usually . But I haven't seen a divot yet. First it was swollen, and then fluids filled it. I still have hard lumps there (4 months out). I keep expecting the lumps to get absorbed at some point... maybe a divot will form then???

Does anyone else have some feeling of weakness in the SNB/lymph removal arm? I don't have numbness or pain, and never have. I can lift things OK, but sometimes when I try and lift a coffee cup (must be the angle or something?), I can do it, but it almost feels like it is an effort and I want to use both hands, even if the one will do it. It's a bit disconcerting, since, really, lifting a coffee cup shouldn't be an issue!

LE... I'm still not clear what symptoms to look for. There's just so many things to think about with all this that I think my brain filled past capacity a long while back!

Oncotype --I never had one. I think it's not good for my combo of bc? Anyway, I went right to chemo as my first treatment, so that, also, negated it's usefulness. I guess that means I was automatically in the high risk group... *sigh* Chemo was no fun at all. I'm still recovering from it, 5 months after... (thankfully, RT was a cakewalk. I actually sort of enjoyed it, if you can believe it. I liked all the nurses and techs and didn't mind lying in a low-lit room with music for a few minutes each day... red skin, not so much fun of course, but it went away quickly after treatment stopped.)

Peggy -- You said in a few words what I rambled on forever about! Love, you girl. Hugs back atcha!

Anyway, good to hear that people seem to be coping and that those who were having very tough times seem to be moving past the worst!

Keys-Plez

Good ones. Good ones. I don't think twice about grabbing my boob in public....and talking to it.

Molly50

I had just started to see a divot forming when I had my umx. I had a large seroma so I looked pretty full even after she removed a lot of tissue.

mustlovepoodles

April25 said, " Does anyone else have some feeling of weakness in the SNB/lymph removal arm? I don't have numbness or pain, and never have. I can lift things OK, but sometimes when I try and lift a coffee cup (must be the angle or something?), I can do it, but it almost feels like it is an effort and I want to use both hands, even if the one will do it. It's a bit disconcerting, since, really, lifting a coffee cup shouldn't be an issue!"

According to my BS, this is not an uncommon occurrence. In fact, after I told her about having those weird feelings, itching, and weakness, she sent me to see a lymphedema therapist. Although LE is not so common afIer most SNBs, in my particular case she feels that my risk is somewhat higher (I have had one complication after another--my poor traumatized breast!) The LE therapist has shown me some exercises to increase my range of motion in the shoulder and improved strength, as well as some manual lymph drainage that I do at home and she performs on me in her office.

I really thought this was over-kill when BS first suggested that I go to the LE therapist, but that woman has worked a wonder. I have regained all the range of motion and I am very close to having equal strength in each arm.

I am having a weird sensation under my arm, where the SNB is. I can "feel" moisture dripping down, but when I put my hand there all is dry. This happens several times a day. At first I really was having wetness under the arm, due to this huge seroma draining. But that has been taken care of now, so no more wetness under the arm. I just have the sensation of wetness. Also, the back of my right arm is rather numb, and when I scratch it I get no...satisfaction, maybe? It doesn't feel better like I think it will. So disconcerting.

PontiacPeggy

My BS made what amounts to a tuck on the underside of my breast where the cancer was. She removed a rather big chunk but from the top you cannot tell. In fact I *look* fuller on top on the bad girl than the good one. Good one is a bit of a ski slope. I've never been full on top so a new sensation (along with several others I could manage without ).

HUGS!!!

mustlovepoodles

I've been out of town this weekend, so forgive me for being a bit behind on the postings. My dear husband took me away for a weekend in the mountains. We have a camper up there and several of our friends brought their campers up, too. Even though it rained a good bit, we were able to enjoy our visit. The campground had a small gazebo just big enough for two picnic tables--one table for food, the other table for people. So we were able to get out of the rain while eating our potluck dinner and catching up with friends. The weather cleared yesterday afternoon and we were able to go on a hayride.

Tomorrow is the big day--I see my oncologist tomorrow and the RO on Tues. I am just ready to get this over with. The waiting has been the hardest thing. I'm just ready to have a plan, execute that plan, and get off the dime. I don't even care if it means chemo or just radiation. I just want to get a plan in place and MOVE ON.

PontiacPeggy

Poodles, I am so glad that you had a great weekend! good for DH!! I don't blame you. I hate indecision too. Just give me something! Let us know what is decided. I'm jumping around in your pocket (remember, no tight jeans so I can move!).

HUGS!

Molly50

I get that wet dripping sensation too! It started with my Lx on the side under my arm and after my mx it is straight down the front of my breast. I also get phantom nipple sensations.

Sweetmamaj

All--total lunar eclipse of the blood moon.tonight! Started 10 min ago on the east coast

mustlovepoodles

sweetmamaj, we are sitting here totally jealous of you. Our skies are overcast so that we can't see anything!

octogirl

overcast here in the Great Central Valley too...with some smoke from the fires mixed in... :-(

PontiacPeggy

We cleared off for it. Here's the eclipse almost complete.

I've never taken such good night photos before.

HUGS!

PontiacPeggy

Octogirl, all that smoke must make you want to stay inside. I know how bad the air quality was in Spokane where #2DS lives in August.

HUGS!

Molly50

Great picture, Peggy. We saw it. It's slightly cloudy here.

PontiacPeggy

Thanks, Molly. #1 son in San Diego says it's cloudy where he is so can't see it.

Italychick

I see it here in Carlsbad, northern part of San Diego. Kind of crummy pic and doesn't show the red

Sloan15

great picture!

PoppyK

From my back yard, it looks just like Peggy's photo!

Nash54

😩 too cloudy in TN

Sweetmamaj

Sorry to those who didn't get to see it. It was cool! We should have planned a mass Lx ____?____ in the moonlight. ;

PontiacPeggy

We could have donned white robes and danced to celebrate being alive and the super moon. Dang! We missed our chance. But it was wonderful.

HUGS!

PontiacPeggy

I'm not sure what new ground this study, so far, covers, but it is a strong indicator for the value of the Oncotype Test. Perhaps the big news will come from the intermediate risk group and whether chemo is necessary.

Oncotype Study Nice to know that those of us in the low risk tier actually did have a lower risk!

HUGS!!

plumster1

I looked at the TAILORX stuff too this morning. I saw they termed the low risk 0-10. But i have not seen anything 10 -17...which I think was termed by the oncotype test low risk but for the clinical study 11-25 was randomized for treatment.. Very curious

Molly50

Here's what confuses me, I look on the website of the company who created oncotype Dx and they say it's for early stage l and Il without node involvement. I had two positive nodes and LVI so why did my oncologist run the test? I'm not wanting chemo but this is why I am getting a second opinion.

Molly50

Plumster1 my understanding is that they don't have enough results in the next category to publish results. The study is ongoing.

PontiacPeggy

Molly, I'm confused, too. A second opinion is definitely a good idea.

HUGS!