Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

zinny

Outrunning and Molly, we will be radical at the same time - I go 29-Dec 8 Since I haven't had chemo yet, I can't wait to start firing at all those places to make sure we get those sneaky little cells!!

I peaked and freaked at the rad boards too. Not going there til I need to and hoping for the best.

On the deodorant front, went to Lush and bought a deodorant bar that I love! Lemongrass scented, with blue cornflowers. Highly recommended. I have some of that LaVanille stuff too, but it seems to be more of a perfume than an antiperspirant!

marion55

i cant beleive it nearly a week since my op but i feel quite well plenty of movement in arm a little pain from lymph node area of op but painkillers help

PontiacPeggy

Zinny, I just went without deodorant on my radiation side. And I used Dove Sensitive soap. Remember, too, that many people post on that board looking for help (where else can you go?), so they do have problems that are very challenging. I had no problems with my rads at all. Hope you won't either.

Marion55, just to be a wet blanket, I found that lymph node incision to be a real pain in the you-know-what. It didn't really hurt but it was annoying. Everything seemed to irritate it. It still can be sensitive after 15 months! Luckily I had no real pain from it or my Lx incision. Glad you're doing well. BTW, it is really helpful if you make your profile public - then we know all the pertinent information when answering your questions.

HUGS!

Molly50

Zinny, we will get through together then! Marion, I felt pretty good by the second week and went back to work week 3. I did develop a pretty large seroma but I think my BS took my drain out too soon. I still get irritation in the alnd site.

octogirl

I will be starting rads right after Thanksgiving if all goes well, and yes, peeking at the boards isn't exactly comforting...

On a positive note, just wanted to report that bs finally gave me the all clear that my lx and related wounds that took forever to heal are finally all healed! although I was quite taken aback and more than a little distressed when she said I didn't need to follow up with her any more...I loved her and her staff and will miss that place, which is a very strange thing to say! Almost started crying in her waiting room, but oh well, she is right across the street from the MO, so I can always pop in a say hi! I am sure I will get used to being healed soon.... (although yes, the lymph node incision, which healed right from the start and was never a problem, still does hurt for me too sometimes!)

HUGS to all

Octogirl

BAT

Thanks to PontiacPeggy, octogirl, and Molly50.I just read an article that said chemo/radiation related fatigue can last anywhere from 3 months to a year (after treatment).

kvgross

Hi everyone, just joined the group and appreciate all the tips and information everyone has shared.

Was just wondering why some of you who had lumpectomies did/are/will be undergoing chemo (after surgery) as well? Why did your MO recommend that, besides rads?

Thank you!

PontiacPeggy

KVGross, Welcome to the best place you don't want to be. You already know that we are caring, supportive, informative and loving (and a bit nuts, too). Glad you found us!

Often your Oncotype score is used to determine the need for chemo. Of course there are other criteria used, too. My various oncologists met weekly and discussed each case and treatment. My BS and RO said no chemo needed. My MO felt it would be helpful but didn't push for it. With my low Oncotype score and the small benefit from chemo, I said no. If the score had been higher, I would have gone through with it.

Keep asking your questions. We'll be glad to answer them (keeping in mind that we are NOT doctors).

HUGS!

Molly50

Welcome KVGross! Did you have your surgery yet?

Keys-Plez

KVGross....I had a lumpectomy with intrabeam radiation during surgery. That was supposed to be it, but the post op pathology report found invasive lobular. So I had radiation too. My nodes were clear, so no chemo needed.

I was one of the lucky ones for rads. I had periods of discomfort, but I worked everyday through rads and within 10 days of post-rads, I was back into my normal bra. No ushie, gushie stuff. I posted my picture somewhere on the threads. You can hardly tell which boob was radiated.

kvgross

Thank you for the quick replies!

Haven't had surgery yet as the right breast MRI came back with a couple of areas that needed to be checked by ultrasound and biopsy if necessary. Just had those done today. Not sure how long it'll take to get those results back.

Waiting isn't fun

MJS1266

kvgroos, In my case (everyone's cancer is different), I had neo adjuvant chemo (chemo first). There were several reasons: I had an aggressive grade 3 tumor, I had two lymph nodes biopsied with cancer, I wanted to have reconstructive surgery at the same time, and I was having genetic testing done. Everyone agreed that it was best not to wait as chemo would be definitely recommended due to the lymph nodes. Fortunately, the chemo really kicked cancers butt and surgery removed the tumor bed and nodes which were all negative.

Waiting isn't fun, I had an MRI which showed the lymph nodes and another spot. Lymph node turned out to be positive and the second spot was benign but was also removed in surgery. Treatment is tough but you can do it.

Molly50

I had two positive lymph nodes and LVI but my oncotype dx was only 13 so no chemo for me. kvgross, sorry about the right side biopsy. You must be very anxious!

Nash54

Welcome kvgross!   Yes waiting is definitely the hardest part.  

mustlovepoodles

KVGross, I had really hoped to not have chemo, since my tumor was small and mid-grade. But then I turned up positive for PALB2 & Chek2 genes, the tumor went from ER+/PR+ to ER+/PR-, and my oncotype was 23. The first thing my MO said to me was, "Well, you need chemo" followed by "Why have you not had a BMX?" The gene mutation alone give me about a 45% risk of breast cancer. So, chemo it is. I'm just hoping that I don't have to do radiation. I guess that will depend on when I can manage to have the BMX. I've already had 6 weeks on sick leave this year. My company is understanding, but I don't want to push my luck, you know?

Rosiesride

Outrunning...I thought my rads would be a breeze because I have that 'Italian" tough skin tone and not too many problems with burning and such...NOT...so...I am telling you this to say it is in the genetics whether you have a reaction to the radiation...just because you have skin issues, or are "fair" skinned doesn't necessarily mean you will have a bad reaction from it...that is what the doc explained when I had a problem after 10 rounds...I just had to take a week off then was able to finish...hope things go well!

Sloan15

Rosiesride - oh, no. I was secretly hoping my Italian-tough-skin would help me out... LOL

I start rads on Monday, so I'll be done by Thanksgiving!

I know some of you are getting waaaay too much rain, but we've been in a really bad dry spell here in California. Here is a picture of the thunderstorm overwhelming my rain gutters. It is absolutely pouring here! Yay rain! I didn't quite get the California palm trees in the picture, but I wanted to make sure you could see the downpour. Hopefully I won't be posting pictures of flooding in 24 hours!

PontiacPeggy

Sloan, what a pretty backyard! Looks serene - when you aren't getting downpours. Not really the kind of rain you need. I'm sure that nice steady rain would be better. I don't know what makes one person's skin react poorly to radiation and another's not. I never burn and I am a sun-worshiper. And I didn't have any trouble with my rads. I was pinkish by the time I was done and itchy but that was nothing in my book. Hope you're the same. Just slather your RO's preferred lotion on all the time. Fingers crossed!

HUGS!

molliefish

Congratulations on the rainfall Sloan, we love California, and spent another week this year just north of San Deigo. We discussed the drought extensively. Beautiful yard!

Nash54

Sloan...lovin' your backyard and the rain!

octogirl

wow Sloan! No rain here.... at least not yet. I just heard they closed the Grapevine (the main route from the Great Central Valley where Sloan and I are, to LA, for those who aren't that familiar with CA geography...) due to massive mud slides! Yikes! ...(not sure how I feel about the possibility of so much rain. It is lovely. But I am worried that we will see more mud slides and such after so many years of drought...)

octogirl

and yes, what a beautiful back yard!

Octogirl

Reader425

For rads care, I used calendula lotion twice during the day and aquafor at night. This was per the oncologist's recommendation. I am medium- fair skinned and got pink, a little itchy, but otherwise did ok.

Hope this helps the rads starters and also those in the thick of things!

Creativevintage

Just home from surgery about a half hour ago. No cancer left in lymph my node. The surgeon took out four more nodes just to be sure. Pathologist said it looks. Like no cancer left in tumor sire, just necrotic cells and scar tissue, but final pathology will be available next week. They used a para vertebral block along with general anesthesia and I woke up feeling good. My best friend brought me home and made me a light dinner and had cleaned the house a bit when she came over earlier this evening to let the dog out! What a thoughtful friend. I am using Tylenol for some mild soreness at the incision site in the breast that had the tumor. I have a tiny incision on the other breast where they removed the FEA? My surgeon is an artist. You can barely tell he did anything. Incisions are in the lower part of breast on the outside and they look like they may now be a D cup rather than a DD, Yay!

PontiacPeggy

Creative, Yippee! That's great news. Make sure you are icing as well as Tylenol. Bet you're glad it's over. Good response from your chemo. Very nice that you woke up feeling good. Now take it easy. You've got a great friend!

HUGS!

molliefish

Good evening All.
I was wondering how soon after lumpectomy you all returned to self exams? I'm still trying to get used to the new landscape and not finding it all the easy. I'm sure I'm feeling new lumps all the time. I know it will be different for a while. Can any of you feel your ducts now? My lump was left at 3 o'clock about .25 inch from the nipple.

keepwalking

Good morning all (or night, as your case may be )

I have been trying to stay busy with other things and not think about BC while I wait for results (I did say TRY, haha). Anyway, I wanted to share the news that the 3rd biopsy was also negative !! And they are mailing me my results from the current rounds of imaging and biopsies, which seems to indicate that they are finally satisfied with the additional investigations. So, it looks like the original tumor is the only concern. Yay! I am hoping to get a call from the surgeon's office at the start of the week and get things moving finally.

Molly50 - So sorry to hear about your mother. As others have said, we are never really prepared for saying goodbye even after a prolonged illness. Thinking of you.

Sloan - Glad you are done with chemo! But sorry that it is because of neuropathy. I hope that it resolves very soon and I am so glad you were proactive in trying to head off further complications. Beautiful backyard! I'm with you on celebrating the rain. We just had our first rain of the season last week and it was great to wash off the dust and water the parched ground (we don't get rain here during the summer).

Outrunning - So happy for your assistant that her biopsy was negative!

Outrunning, Molly50, Zinny, Octogirl - Congrats on starting rads. I hope all goes well for you!

KVGross - Welcome to the group. This is a great place to be. I can certainly understand the difficulty in waiting. After my initial diagnosis the surgeon kept wanting to check out other suspicious areas before surgery. I just got the results of my third biopsy! Keep hanging in there! Waiting (and the unknown) is hard!

CreativeVintage - Glad you are doing well after surgery - great news that you had a positive response from chemo and your nodes seem to be clear!

HUGS to all!

Nash54

Creative....I know you are so relieved to have your surgery over and done with!    Glad you are feeling good.  Take it easy and rest well.

Keepwalking....great news!   

PontiacPeggy

KeepWalking, that's great news! Now you can breathe a little easier. I hope you can get your surgery done soon. We all know waiting is terrible. Your poor girl must be rather worn out, black and blue, and sore from all those biopsies. Glad you got some rain.

HUGS!

kvgross

MJS1266, Molly50, it's amazing how these tumors all act differently in different women And how it seemed to change from before to after surgery, mustlovepoodles.

Creative, happy to hear you're feeling good after surgery.

KeepWalking, my biopsy came back negative too! And so eager to keep moving along. Need to feel like I'm doing something about this, rather than just waiting...

Have a good weekend, everyone!