Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

brithael

I received the Playtex Zip Zip Hooray Wirefree sports bra today from Amazon. I was concerned about the size, but reviews said it ran large, so I got the XL for the DD's. I find it to be quite comfortable so far, and I haven't noticed any of the zipper problems that were mentioned in the reviews. At just over $20, it's a good deal. I'm going to wear it a couple of days to make sure,and if everything stays OK, I'll order some more. Of course, not knowing where that axillary dissection incision is going to be could make a difference in the feel.

ChiSandy - how was your first radiation treatment?

PontiacPeggy

Brithael, that is definitely the $64,000 question. I find that I have tops that fit and used to be comfy no longer are - the armholes rub that damned site. STILL. After 15 months. Mind you it doesn't hurt exactly, just annoying and uncomfortable. I have many bras that don't work a lot of the time now too. Very discouraging since they are all the "pretty" ones. However, I think most women don't have an issue after everything is healed - I'm just lucky.

HUGS!

Vicks1960

Waterstreet. I too had the Contura Balloon Brachytherapy (October 2. 2011. I had no problem with it, Nice to get it overwith. We live 70+ miles from the Cancer Center, so we took our motorhome and stayed in it. My RO happened to be on the team that developed this method when he was at Baylor University. I had no Chemo. but am still on Letrozole. Some SEs but have lived with it. Only 12 months to go and I will be over it. Glad to have had the great team caring for me through this journey.

Vickie

Nash54

Vicks1960....so glad to hear how well you are doing. Are you doing Letrozole for 5 years? Just wondering as there has been lots of talk about extending it to possibly 10 years. I've been on it for one year with minimal SE's but would love to come off it in 5 years.

Waterstreet

I have read two books on cancer and am reading the Mayo Clinic's Breast Cancer Book now for the second time. I bought "Cancer 50 Essential Things To Do" by Greg Anderson, to read next. It has a new holistic approach to cancer. (May need that with my Doctors.) I finially got an answer from SO's nurse about the test results, she said if I keep my foods down and drink plenty of water I will be fine. In the Medical Group I am in they are not allowed to respond to test results requested by another doctor. I went there first thing this morning and that is what I was told. My responce was that I don't agree with the policy and feel I need to contact Medicare to let them know how they are wasting money. Why do they have a computer system that supposedly lets doctors see your information if they can't react to ongoing illness or symptoms. I ask about the pathology report and got the run around, I ask is there a policy in Texas preventing the release of the pathology report to the patient, her answer was she really did not know. I ask her to give me the phone number for someone who can answer that question and she gave me one but I kept getting put on hold and then cut off. I have prayed about this and I am going to continue asking till I get an answer. My college degree is for Psycology so why not use it to my advantage, I have another in Business Law so I am researching my options then I will put together a plan of action. I am not giving up. They may be sorry they ever met me in the end.

I put you and all of our friends on this site in my prayers today. God bless and ease all pain.

Waterstreet

Vicks1960 I am hoping that is their plan for me. I signed the form for it when I met the RO for it. But still awaiting the phone call to get set up to get started. My BS I was told will open the incision again to place the bag with catheters. But at my post-op they didn't know if that was still an option for me. So everything is up in the air at this point. They told me the invasive cancer was totally removed along with one involved lymph node, and a good margin. Then they said they found a noninvasive in situ that they also removed. So I am back in the waiting game. I have a thirty mile drive twice a day to get it done once they let me know it is still an option. They use Mammosite. Nice to meet you and hope to talk again. God bless you.

Waterstreet

PontiacPeggy Here is what I found for the state of Texas.

PATIENT ACCESS TO MEDICAL RECORDS FROM INDIVIDUAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS

Do Patients Have Access to Their Medical Records?

Yes. The law requires a health care provider, except in limited circumstances, to supply a patient, upon request, complete and current information the provider has about the patient's diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. The provider must also notify a patient of any test results in his possession or requested by the provider for purposes of diagnosis, treatment, or prognosis. (CGS § 20-7c(b)).

A patient may obtain copies of his or her medical records by asking the provider in writing. The patient's attorney or authorized representative can also make such a request from a health care provider. Such records include bills, x-rays, copies of lab report results, prescriptions, contact lens specifications under certain conditions, and other technical information used to assess the patient's health condition. (CGS § 20-7c(c)).

The provider must supply the health record within 30 days of the request. (CGS § 20-7c(c)).

When Can a Provider Withhold This Information?

By law, a provider can withhold medical information from a patient if he reasonably determines that the information would be detrimental to the patient's physical or mental health or would likely cause the patient to harm himself or someone else. In such a case, the provider can supply the information to an appropriate third party or another provider who can release it to the patient. (CGS § 20-7c(d)).

So now I know what the law is here.

PontiacPeggy

Shirley, good for you! Sometimes it is very difficult to stand up for what we want, need and what is rightfully ours - you did great! Your degrees put in you in a perfect place to make life hell if they don't wise up and tell you what you want to know when you want to know it. Keep at it!

BTW, I found Dr Susan Love's "Breast Book" to be very helpful, too.

Good luck!

HUGS!!

PontiacPeggy

You go, Girl!!! You've nailed it! High Five!

HUGS!!!

Waterstreet

Peggy - yes I have also read that one twice and am using it as a reference too.

Sloan15

Waterstreet - yeah!! AND they work for you!

Molly50

GO SHIRLEY!!!

meme2006

Just completed my lumpectomy and sentinel nodes biopsy yesterday. So glad to get that over with! What is the normal time frame others have had to receive their pathology report? I'm hoping I get to see the oncologist before I go back to work next week so I can find out my treatment plan. I know I will have radiation, but not sure yet about chemo, my surgeon said I may need it because I was still premenopausal. Also any advice on the best way to get comfortable to rest? My right side is way sore, to be expected. But I also had a soft tissue mass removed from the side of my left neck. Any advice would be appreciated!!

meme2006

Just completed my lumpectomy and sentinel nodes biopsy yesterday. So glad to get that over with! What is the normal time frame others have had to receive their pathology report? I'm hoping I get to see the oncologist before I go back to work next week, so I can find out my treatment plan. I know I will have radiation, but not sure yet about chemo, my surgeon said I may need it because I was still premenopausal. Also any advice on the best way to get comfortable to rest? My right side is way sore,as to be expected. But I also had a soft tissue mass removed from the side of my left neck. Any advice would be appreciated!!

Molly50

meme2006, I had my surgery on Wednesday and my pathology report on Tuesday. My BS only gives information in person. She told me that upfront. She does NOT like to give news over the phone. I hope you are icing up your incisions. I found it to be the only thing that helped with discomfort.

PontiacPeggy

Meme2006, I had my surgery on a Wednesday and Friday evening about 6PM my BS called with my path report. So at least I knew my margins were clear and no node involvement. I was so pleased that I didn't have to wait longer.

HUGS!

mustlovepoodles

Well, Ladies, my hair took leave today. I woke up to it falling all around me, like a tree shedding its leaves. I went to Great Clips and had it buzzed off, then later to the wig shop to have the wig shaped up. I don't like to look at my head and I'm keeping it covered all the time. Only my husband and the wig lady have seen it. I don't think my 29yo son has even noticed, LOL. DH wanted to shave his head, but I forbid it. I don't want any of my family shaving their heads~ it would only be a constant visual reminder to me that I have BC. DH was disappointed, but he'll just have to find some other way to support me (like taking me to appts--that's tremendouslyl supportive and I'm grateful that he does it.)

brithael

Sorry about your hair MLP - something all of us face who are in line for chemo, I guess. I've already told my hairdresser that I will come in for her to buzz mine when it begins to fall. Took you about two weeks from first chemo, right? I don't have first chemo date yet, since my surgery is not til the 13th, but expecting it to be sometime after Dec. 10th. BECAUSE DEC. 7-10 - I'M IN LAS VEGAS!

PontiacPeggy

Poodles, damn! I mean, yes, you knew it was going to go but I would guess the reality is overwhelming. Sounds like you have a good wig! Take care and feel good!

HUGS!

PontiacPeggy

Brithael, I LOVE Las Vegas! Nice that you can wait to start chemo after that fantastic trip. Put a quarter in the slots for me!

HUGS!

Molly50

Sorry about your hair, MLP

octogirl

MLP, losing my hair was awful, I am not going to lie. But it gets better and I am ok with it now....and it is starting to grow little wisps back even before chemo is done.

and by the way, last Chemo is Monday!!! Party time! :-)

Octogirl

Nash54

Octogirl....congrats on last chemo!!!!!

queenmomcat

Octo: definitely party time for you, finishing your chemo. Your choice of forums!

Molly50

For octogirl !

PontiacPeggy

Way to go, Octogirl!!! You have to be doing happy dances all over the place!

HUGS!

mustlovepoodles

5 hours ago brithael wrote: Sorry about your hair MLP - something all of us face who are in line for chemo, I guess. I've already told my hairdresser that I will come in for her to buzz mine when it begins to fall. Took you about two weeks from first chemo, right? I don't have first chemo date yet, since my surgery is not til the 13th, but expecting it to be sometime after Dec. 10th. BECAUSE DEC. 7-10 - I'M IN LAS VEGAS!

Yes, my chemo #1 was 10/20/15, so I'm on day 17. My hair has been fragile for about 4 days, but it didn't really "take off" until today. I mean it was falling all in my cereal, all over the sink and kitchen counters. It was like somebody let a golden retriever loose in here!

I went to a big function at church tonight. Two of the ladies who know what's going on asked me if this was a "new look"--code for "Is this the wig you told us about?" I told them it was and another lady overheard part of the conversation. She came over and asked if she had heard right: Is that a wig? So I told her it was. She couldn't believe it! She wanted to touch it to be sure, and even then she just couldn't believe it. It was a little disconcerting, but kinda funny too. I do not plan to share my wiggy-ness with people I don't know, but in this case it's a lady who sometimes come to Sunday School with us, so sooner or later she was bound to figure it out.

PontiacPeggy

Poodles, you really DID find a great wig. That's quite the imagine though comparing your hair coming out to a golden retriever (and I can visualize it with no problem).

HUGS!

keepwalking

Shirley - Way to go!! Sounds like you are ready for doing business! Great that your background prepares you well to meet this challenge head on and also prepare the way for others after you to be able to get their information! All the best!

Meme - Just to give you an outlier on the time scale - my pathology report is supposed to take about 4 weeks! Commiserating with you here in the "waiting room" and hoping you will be able to keep distracted instead of being driven to distraction

MLP - Sorry to hear that your hair has gone South , but glad you have such a great wig! It is certainly a change that will take some getting used to, and it must have been a shock (even though anticipated) to see yourself shedding all over. Hugs to you as you get used to yet another of these unwelcome changes - but at least this one is temporary!

Octogirl - Woo hoo!! A great milestone to be doing the last chemo!! Congratulations!!!!

HUGS to all!

Nash54

MLP.....now that I have one, I totally get it!