Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

Nash54

Shirley....I am so sorry you are having such a terrible time. It should not be this bad! Only 4 more days to go!!

Octo...I know how sad you must feel. I have 3 sisters and I prayed that none of them would have to go thru this. I know it's especially hard since it's your younger sister. We want to protect them. I hope she will join us in the lounge for support. The first part is the hardest .

Waterstreet

No they have to chart our times in and out and I already have copies of all the original appointments. I will get copies of the times in and out of therapy and then I will make as big a stink as I can over there. I'm not the fool they are for picking the wrong person to do this too. I searhed the internet about the six hour intervals between treatments have not found anything yet but I will eventually. God bless you, be healthy.

PontiacPeggy

Waterstreet, they picked the wrong woman to PO!! Good for you. Hope you feel better. Without the pain pills maybe a glass of wine would be in order???

HUGS!!!

Waterstreet

PontiacPeggy

Sounds like a winner to me. Take care and God bless.

PontiacPeggy

"Clink" go the glasses

HUGS!

Sloan15

Octogirl - Oh, I am so saddened to hear your sister has been diagnosed with cancer. What a shock for all of you. Hugs for both of you.

Molly50

Shirley, I can't believe the outrageous behavior of your radiation team. I am glad you're going to tell them you won't be treated like that.

Octogirl, hugs and prayers for your sister. I am so sorry, you must be heartbroken.

keepwalking

Hello all,

Meme - It sounds like we are in the same boat - waiting for Oncotype results. I am with you on the - I'll do anything necessary to get rid of this and have a better chance of it not coming back - but, of course, I am hoping that chemo will not be necessary for either of us. I am glad that you like your MO, and also that she is suggesting that you not have more lymph nodes removed. That is also what my surgeon had said before my surgery - that even if the node(s) were positive he would not go back and take more.
I was a bit bummed out yesterday because I just "felt" that the odds were more against me from the responses of my surgeon, but my husband didn't read it that way. I hope he is right. I did my usual coping mechanism - learn all I can about the odds, considering my specific diagnosis. I read a lot of research papers. Today I am back to the normal, fighting and optimistic, but realistic mode.

Molly and Sloan - Thanks for the well wishes. Sloan, thanks for the encouragement that chemo is doable, if it comes to that. You are an inspiration with your positive attitude and sweet spirit through your chemo and other treatments.

Brutersmom - Glad your RO had an answer for what the redness and tightness might be and that he is aware of it and can follow-up. I hope that it resolves quickly and that you do not develop LE. I think that the possibility of LE that will always hover around us is more annoying than the scars - sort of like a lifetime reminder that we have not only been stricken with this, but that we can never be fully done with it and just let down our guard.

Waterstreet - Oh, what you have been through! With all that you are dealing with already, for you to be kept waiting way past your appointment and then consequently to have the second treatment early is just too much! I hope things go much better the second day. I am glad that you only have to do this a few times! Rest up. The wine sounds like a very good idea. Praying that things get better for you.

Octogirl - So sorry that your sister has to go through this as well. It must be terrible for you and for her, but so helpful that you can guide her through it. I hope that she takes you up on joining us and is able to get that additional support and encouragement. We welcome her with open arms, but sad that she has earned membership in the club.

HUGS to all, and best wishes for a good day.

PontiacPeggy

Rina, I think we all have those days where we "feel" things are against us. Glad your optimism won out. Finding out all you can about your diagnoses is helpful - at least it was for me. Fingers crossed for good Oncotype!

HUGS!!!

keepwalking

Thanks Peggy!

I put a pic of me as a new Avatar image. Just in case anyone is wondering... as a married Orthodox Jewish woman, I always wear a scarf hair-covering. At least THAT won't be an issue if I need chemo

PontiacPeggy

Rina, I wondered if that were the case. I like it! And you're right about already being used to wearing scarves if chemo is necessary, that could help. Excuse my ignorance but do you wear your scarf even at home? If it is to cover your hair, could you go out and about without it if you lost hair due to chemo? My Jewish friends are Reformed so not all that familiar with observant Orthodox practices.

HUGS!

keepwalking

Peggy - I generally wear a scarf at home, just in case someone comes to the door unexpectedly or I want to run out to the balcony, etc. Some wear a more comfortable covering to bed, but I don't wear any. While recovering from surgery I would sometimes go a whole day at home without it. I figured I wouldn't answer the door anyway

What a great question concerning if I had no hair! I never thought about that. You have me curious, so I will have to ask.

PontiacPeggy

Rina, I'm surprised I stumped you Let me know. Now I am REALLY curious. Thanks for sharing. BTW, before you and DH moved to Israel were you wearing scarves here in the US? I guess the only place I would expect to see that would be New York City. The little I know comes from Faye Kellerman's books.

HUGS!

keepwalking

Peggy - Actually, we were married in Israel after I moved here. Before that I was alone for many years and was not that observant in my prior marriage. But, there are many Orthodox communities outside of NY, and women do cover their hair, however, most often with very natural-looking wigs, so no one would necessarily know.

PontiacPeggy

Rina, Oh, I *did* know that but had forgotten. I love learning new things. And there's plenty to learn from the wonderful group, isn't there?

HUGS!

keepwalking

Peggy - I have certainly learned a lot, and I am so thrilled to have found all of you wonderful people to help get through this with sanity intact, albeit, not without some missing parts

HUGS

PontiacPeggy

Rina, sanity is not a requirement here (I know mine has flown away!).

HUGS!

Molly50

Rina, how nice to see your lovely face! Thanks for the education on Orthodox Jewish hair covering. I never knew that.

Fearless1956

Feeling kind of down today. I went for my post-op appointment this morning after last Tuesday's lumpectomy. My incision is healing without problems, but the path report wasn't what I wanted to hear. More cancer cells were found in the margins. The estimated size of what was examined is at least 10mm with DCIS present in multiple blocks of tissue. My surgeon said there could be spotty areas of DCIS in other parts of the breast. So now I am scheduled for additional surgery on Dec. 2. In addition, my surgeon also wants to keep a close watch on the benign tumor (PASH) that she excised from the other breast. It is now showing signs of "atypia" (atypical lobular hyperplasia) and there are micro-calcifications within that tissue. She says that can be a pre-cursor and can increase my risk of cancer in that breast by 15-20% (when the average is 2%). We can't make any further treatment decisions until after this next additional lumpectomy.

I was so ready to move on with seeing MO about radiation and hormone therapy but now I've met another road-block. However, to God, it's not a road-block, because He doesn't make mistakes. I know that God has this in His ultimate control, even if I don't understand the "why" of it. My faith in God and trust in Him is what will get me through the next steps.

PontiacPeggy

Fearless, what discouraging news. Better that they found the "iffy" stuff now and can take care of it. Did you have an Oncotype test done? I have had micro-calcifications in my right ("good") breast for years. 15 years ago some were even removed. There were never any in my "bad" breast. Go figure. Glad you are healing well. Should mean that you'll do the same next time around. Just so sorry you need more surgery. You're strong. Keep thinking positively!

HUGS!!

Fearless1956

Thanks for your encouraging words, Peggy. I have not had any oncotype testing completed -- at least, I don't see that on my path report. Is that automatic or something I have to request? Can it be done on already submitted tissue or could I request it with next surgery? I keep learning more and more and want to get all the answers I can. My surgeon also told me this morning that I could talk to genetic counseling, so I have an appt tomorrow morning.

ChiSandy

Rina, I guess because you usually wear a scarf, if you get chemo you won’t necessarily be buying a “sheitel:” if you were suddenly to start rocking a pretty wig, people would be wondering why you were showing hair after all this time!

PontiacPeggy

Fearless, You can request that it be done, it seems to take about 2 weeks after the sample is submitted. That might help determine if chemo will be beneficial. Probably would be best to have it done on the original tissue. Genetic testing sounds like a good idea, too. Keep reading and learning! Knowledge is your ally.

HUGS!

Molly50

Hugs, Fearless. Have you considered just getting a BMX and getting it over with? When my BS could not get clean margins during my lumpy she said we have to go back in for a umx next. Now I have decided to get the other side done. That adds at least another surgery to this for me but I don't want to fret about being monitored when my chances of a new cancer is up to 30% thanks to a genetic mutation.

Fearless1956

Molly: That crossed my mind this morning and I mentioned it to my BS as a future option. I will see what this next lumpectomy shows as far as getting the margins. If the next path report also shows cancer cells, BMX could more likely be an option for me. I'm also going to ask BS about oncotype testing (which has not been done yet as far as I know). That would help me in making decisions about treatment. Step by step process. I wish I could blink my eyes and it all be behind me!

Carriek30

Hi. Haven't been on this site in a long time. I went for my 6 month post rads mammo last week. Right breast is fine. Well, now there is concern in my left breast. Ugh! Digital Mammo scheduled for next week. Prayers needed for everything to be ok. If it is anything, can I possible do radiation again? I'm trying not to get worried, but I am. Thanks for listening.

Carrie

Musosgirl

I met with the PS today. I was very comfortable with him and can see how he fits well with my BS. I also feel like I need him there for a better looking result--until this morning I was really unsure about having another doctor and another surgery (the left side won't be done til March or April), but an extra set of eyes and someone to make the breast look right, not just cancer free, actually makes sense. If insurance covers him it really is logical.

So I guess I am moving forward with breast reduction. We are letting the lumpectomy determine cup size. Just a lift alone puts me at a D/DD cup he thinks and with the lumpectomy he thinks I'll end up a C/D.

I ordered a zip front sports bra--waiting for it to come in before I order any more. Now to get button up shirts--I haven't been able to wear those since middle school because they pull too much in the bust area. This may change my entire wardrobe...

I do have a question. My sister really wants to plan a family trip for the week after Christmas--mom/dad/brother, her family of 4, and my family of 4. We looked into the Great Wolf Lodge but that is too expensive right now. She found a groupon for a place in Branson that is great on price. It's a 3-4 hour drive for us. That will be 3 weeks post surgery and my PS said it should be fine as long as I am not driving. But realistically, from all you ladies who know, is 3 weeks a fair amount of time to recover before a short get-away? I know things coud happen: seroma, infection, oozing, pain, etc. But assuming I have a basic "normal" recovery, could I travel? The place has a pool (may not be cleared for water submersion, I know), mini-golf (I could see how I do left-handed), and other kid-friendly activities. The Groupon includes a show, but we would mostly just be hanging out at the hotel.

PontiacPeggy

Carrie, yes you can do radiation on the breast that hasn't had radiation. Just can't do it again on the same side. Of course you're worried! It is all so scary and you've been there. Hopefully, it is nothing. I'll keep you in my thoughts.

HUGS!

PontiacPeggy

Musogirl, I can't think of any reason for you not to go and enjoy your vacation 3 weeks out from surgery, assuming normal everything. Your SLNB may still be annoying (in fact, count on it) but your breast should be pretty comfortable. You won't want to do much lifting. You may even be able to swim if you are well-healed - that's a check with your BS thing. Miniature golf should be just fine. Go have a good time - you deserve it!

HUGS!

Molly50

Carriek30, I am sorry you find yourself here again. Yes, you can do radiation on the other side. I will be praying for good results from your mammo!