Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

PontiacPeggy

As always, Molly, you give good advice!

HUGS!

HappyHammer

Thinking of you all as we celebrate Thanksgiving. Am SO very fortunate to have DH, sister and BIL this week as we celebrated T'giving and am getting ready for rads. Am also SO very thankful for aLl of YOU. I appreciate all that you share and know that we have more in common than we have not...and, knowing there are others out there sharing the journey....is SO very helpful and such a blessing!

Martini

Thank you Pontiac Pegg for the advice. Never heard of warm gowns just the blankets . I'm always freezing in surgeries, probably a combination of fear and the cold operating room. I will be asking for sure about one. Also gravel or dramamine as I do get sick from the anesthetic.

Marilyn

Martini

Thanks for the welcome molly50. Note to self on pull on pants and button up shirts! Where would the drains be from, nodes or lumpectomy site? And do I just ice the general area?

Learning the lingo but there are so many variables it sure doesn't look like "one treatment plan fits all". Curious if you don't mind me asking, you had a lumpectomy and then had a mastectomy, why? And even with the mastectomy you had radiation? Will you be having chemo? Sounds like you are still in the thick of things....hope you are doing well and the hard part of this nasty "C" world will be behind you soon.

Marilyn

PontiacPeggy

Martini, I'd never heard of the heated gowns before either. When I'm nervous I tend to get REALLY cold so it was lovely. My DH had surgery at the attached hospital a couple months later (mine was at the cancer center) and he got a heated gown too.

Put ice wherever it hurts - the whole general area.

Front close clothing definitely a plus for awhile. You won't want to reach over your head or behind your back for a few days. And I found (and still find) that I am more comfortable with tops that have larger armholes. I am slender but some of my tops rubbed that SLNB incision (and still do). It doesn't exactly hurt but it is annoying.

HUGS!!!

Molly50

I had a long reply disappear last night. Marilyn, yes I had an Lx first and my BS couldn't get clean margins without taking too much tissue. It turned out that I had extensive lymph vascular invasion which meant my breast vascular system was full of invasive cancer. I ended up needing a mastectomy but since I had the LVI plus two positive nodes I still needed radiation. I lucked out of chemo because early results of a study of the oncotype Dx came out just as my oncotype results came in. The recommendation was against chemo since my results were on the low end of moderate risk of recurrence.

You may want to do a search on this site to explain oncotype Dx test. Most likely you will have one unless you end up grade 3 or HER2 positive.

Martini

Thanks again Molly, I have read about the on oncotye dx assay and will definitely be talking to my B'S before my surgery Tuesday. From the biopsy they were able to determine grade 2 (6/9). Er and pr positive. Her2 eqivocable so waiting for that result and of course the rest that cones from pathology after Tuesday.

Thanks again, knowledge can be power.

Nash54

Welcome to the lounge Martini!   I will be thinking of you on Dec 1st snd praying for uneventful LX and clean margins.  

ChiSandy

Hi, Martini! My advice is don’t overbuy the button-front tops & pjs, elastic-waist pants, front-close bras or support camis--maybe one or two of each. Kohl’s had a sale on button-front shorty pjs ($8!) so I bought one in every color. Turns out my lumpectomy & SNB incisions were located such that I had no problem putting on & pulling off blouses & pjs over my head, as well as being able to reach around back and fasten a bra. You should have bras that are comfy for sleep, as you will need 24/7 support for awhile. (I still sleep in mine or in shelf-bra camis). I was glad to have bought the front-close leisure bras for sleep (Leading Lady, available from HerRoom.com and FullBeauty.com) because they are relatively cheap and machine-washable (they did get sort of goopy after lubing up at bedtime during my radiation treatments). But the front-close sports bras were unnecessary and harder to put on than either the stretchy leisure bras or rear-close soft-cup bras.

One thing you will want to buy are non-scratchy bras (and unlike me, most women can’t tolerate underwires after surgery or during radiation). Pay attention to the lining of the cups--are there seams or darts with possibly irritating stitching in “critical areas?” Lace edging? Those “magic-lift” nonwoven (kind of like iron-on interfacing) fabric slings that support in lieu of underwires? Sharp-edged strap ends that need to be tucked under? If you’re like me, these can annoy you no end!

I found Amoena shelf-bra camis to hold me in adequately for leisure (especially under a slightly-too-tight T-shirt) and quite comfy. They are rather expensive, though, and run at least 2 sizes smaller than your regular blouse size. (They go up to 24; I am normally a 16 blouse but had to buy them in size 20).

mustlovepoodles

Martini, I had a lumpectomy in Aug and re-excision to get clean margins in Sep. With the first surgery I had some moderate pain, largely due to the huge hematoma I had. But I really didn't have all that much pain with the second surgery, other than a seroma that develeped. I didn't have drains with either surgery, however I did develop an infection after the second one and I had to have a drain placed in the office (numbed up, not a big deal at all.) I had the drain in for about 2 weeks and it wasn't very difficult to deal with.

I bought 2 button-down shirts prior to my first surgery and I think I wore them for the first two weeks, off and on. I had no trouble wearing large T-shirts most of the time. I did have to buy some new bras--I bought some Bali bras that come in sizes Small-XXLarge, no underwire. They have been wonderful! I wear them day and night, something I never did before (I have large breasts and I've been wearing underwire since I was a teenager.)

mustlovepoodles

I have been having terrible knee pain for weeks, but it became extreme over the past week, to the point that I was crawling up the stairs on my hands and knees, and taking Percocet for the pain. And then today my back has been killing me. I have severe osteoarthritis in my left knee and moderate-severe in the right knee, plus psoriatic arthritis in my feet, hands and lower back. The only thing that really helps is Prednisone and Voltaren (an NSAID). Unfortunately, my MO has taken me off both drugs. Tylenol doesn't help at all. I utterly live for those chemo days--3 days of steroids. Heaven! then the remaining 18 days are hell on earth. Finally, the MO gave me a prescription for Mobic. Soaking in a tub of water as hot as I can stand helps about as much. But at least I'm off the Percocet and I'm going up the stairs almost normally today.

I'm just hoping this will last, at least until Monday when I get to take the steroid again.

Molly50

Oh mlp, I'm sorry. I hope you feel better soon.

PontiacPeggy

Poodles, That's awful. I can't imagine how you are coping. Sad when you look forward to chemo because of the steroids. Is the pain from the chemo do you think? Why did your MO take you off the Voltaren? I can understand the Prednisone I guess since you are getting stuff with your chemo. Never heard of the Voltaren or Mobic. I'm impressed that you are moving decently today. Have you figured out anything that helps or makes things worse? You need a bunch of hugs and here they are: HUG HUG HUG HUG HUG HUG HUG and a lot of love. Damn, I wish I could think of something that would help you.

HUGS!

octogirl

MLP, I am SOO Sorry...that sounds just awful! In a small way, though, I can relate: I have osteoarthritis in both knees and while it hasn't been nearly that bad, I did have a flareup during chemo... and the steroids were wonderful to zap the pain. About the only good thing I can say about the steroids!

I hope you feel better very soon. Hugs...

Octogirl

ChiSandy

Mobic & Voltaren are NSAIDs. Volataren, generic name diclofenac, comes in pill, gel and patch (Flector) form. Maybe your MO will let you use one of the two topical versions? If you use Flector patches, you can cut them to size and reseal the ziploc packet--they’re pretty pricey.

Italychick

Martini, I had no issues with my lumpectomy (8x8x4 cm of tissue removed) other than developing a 13 cm seroma that sloshed like a water bottle. The seroma resolved on its own. The surgeon sent me home wrapped in a chest ace bandage with a Velcro closure, and that thing was awesome. I didn't buy any special bras or clothes. She did tell me to wear the wrap or my regular bra 24/7 at first.

The sentinel node incision was the most annoying part because everything rubs there, so maybe discuss where the incision is made with your surgeon. My surgeon made it where there was a natural crease in my skin, but it can be a pain when tank tops rub it, even 11 months later. Not real pain, just irritating. Like I take my bra off as soon as I get in the car after work.

Never had any issues with pullover shirts. I spent a lot of time with my arm in the air, doing wrist twirls to keep the fluid moving. And went back and rode my street bike less than a week from surgery. No pain meds, just used Advil once or twice.

Best of luck!

mustlovepoodles

The MO definitely pooh-poohed all other NSAIDS. I'm not sure why she agreed to the Mobic; it doesn't work nearly as well as the Voltaren, unfortunately. The only other things that work are getting into a tub as hot as I can stand it, almost to the point of taking my breath away, and lying or sitting with a heating pad to my back, again, as hot as I can stand it. I also sleep under an electric blanket, which helps with the arthritis, in general.

I definitely think the arthritis pain has been worse with the chemo. My MO warned me about bone and joint pain, but I had no idea it would be so bad. I guess I'm use to being able to take the Prednisone--that stuff is like nectar of the gods! I've been getting cortisone injections in my knees about every 4-6 weeks for the last year. My sister just gave me an essential oil called Panaway. She has rheumatoid arthritis pretty bad and she swears by it, for pain.

I swear, if I weren't going through this breast cancer business, I'd have a knee replacement. As it is, I'll have to put it off until at least next October. Gotta get through the BMX first, which will suck up all my sick leave and most of my vacation time for this year. I get more vacation and sick leave Oct 1, so maybe I can do the knee replacement then. Not so looking forward to that, but...no, I really am looking forward to that!

ChiSandy

Have you tried Arnica gel or Bio-Freez roll-on? (the latter is basically menthol). Both worked on my knees when I was recovering from first meniscus and then knee replacement surgeries. The Bio-Freez has the added benefit of clearing your sinuses.

I’d be very careful about hot tubs--my bs’ nurse warned me to stay away from them and saunas lest they aggravate a tendency toward lymphedema. (Really nervous about that, as my cats both have all their claws, won’t let me trim them, and the younger one loves to paw-knead, especially on my right side--I have to warn him to “stay off the boobie with the boo-boo").

PontiacPeggy

Poodles, looks like you've gotten some good suggestions. I favor the electric blanket (however, I use an electric mattress pad - nearly year round 'cause it feels so good).

ChiSandy, Way back when I was 13 (now I'm 70), I had some terrible combination of a bug, reactions, perhaps an allergic reaction. Besides hives that were totally awesome and itched like hell, I had joint pain so bad I literally couldn't walk without help. I sat on a bed and read and played solitaire (and it hurt to shuffle the cards). One thing the doctor prescribed was a wintergreen liniment of some sort for the pain. I am sure it didn't help but to this day I absolutely cannot stand ANYTHING wintergreen. BTW, my kitty has no claws but the devil likes to bite! I had to get antibiotics for one bite and she was quarantined (at home) for 10 days. That was before BC. Now I'm very careful and only pet her with my good hand when there's a chance she might be feeling pissy. I've never had a cat bite before but then I've never had a cat without claws (she came to me that way - I wouldn't have had her declawed). I never have problems with getting clawed for getting infections. She also likes to walk on my bad boobie when I'm in bed - why is it so much more attractive than the good one???

HUGS!!

ChiSandy

Could be that the operated breast is warmer! A few years back, there was a cat named Oscar who was a therapy animal at a nursing home. He was allowed to roam the halls freely, and staff and patients would pet him. But the staff gradually noticed that the patients into whose beds he'd leap passed away within a day or two. They began to nickname him the “death kitty" and whenever he would snuggle up in a patient's bed, they would call the family and advise they visit ASAP. They couldn't figure out how he knew, positing that it was some sort of feline sixth sense. He became so famous (especially after a New England Journal of Medicine article) that the medical drama “House" based an episode on him. During the episode, the staff at Princeton Plainsboro was similarly stumped, until one day Dr. House found the kitty purring atop his MacBook. He deduced that mammals tend to be heat-seekers, and at that hospital, patients in extremis either were feverish or chilly--in the latter case, given warmed blankets. Mystery solved. (And I got a good song out of it).

PontiacPeggy

I recall that, ChiSandy. Fascinating. I don't think that one girl is warmer than the other and usually I'm under covers when she is pacing the bed (and me) trying to get me up because she is STARVING. Do you hear me? STARVING!!

HUGS!

mustlovepoodles

Haven't tried the Bio-freeze. I'll have to get some of that. My massage therapist uses that on my back (going to see her tomorrow, matter of fact!) I'm not using a hot tub, just my bathtub, so I'm not immersing my arm or breasts, just my lower body from the lower ribs down.

brithael

MLP - I hear you on the knee pain. Right before I was diagnosed, my left knee was giving me all kinds of problems (my right was replaced in 2013.) I could barely move around. I had already had a series of Synvisc shots starting back in 2010 or 11, until they no longer worked for me, then had the right knee replacement. When I went to the ortho Doc about my left knee, he recommended a new kind of injection called Euflexxa supposedly better than the Synvisc. I was skeptical, but willing to try anything and it worked! My left knee has been great which is a wonderful thing, since right after that, I was diagnosed with BC. You might check into that.

ChiSandy

Brit, I’m gonna suggest to DH that he try Euflexxa for his knee before considering a TKR. I’d had “Supartz” (same stuff as Synvisc, different mfr) and it didn’t work, but if this is different it might do the trick for him.

Jclc83

Well I've finally joined the neuropathy club. Sigh. I just bought shoes a half a size bigger and couldn't figure out why my toes were suddenly hurting. I thought they were growing lol. Then it dawned on me. Since they were still hurting when I was barefoot. I'm not dumb just a little slowwwww

PontiacPeggy

JCLC, dang, that's not good. I can see why neuropathy wouldn't just jump to the forefront of your choices. Hope it goes away.

HUGS!

mustlovepoodles

I will have to explore Euflexxa. So far, Synvisv and Supartx have been failures.

bluedog

Peggy, you brute! Feed that poor, starving kitty immediately!

ABass

Hello. I'm a year out of treatment for breast cancer. The solenoid biopsy didn't result in any lymphnodes so I had to have a dissection. This procedure resulted in the testing of 21 nodes - all negative. WONDERFUL NEWS! No chemo - only 6 weeks of radiation. Within months of my radiation being completed I was diagnosed with Lymphedema. Frankenboob - my nickname for the right side - was a cup larger then the other side because of fluid. The fluid is not in the arm but in the armpit and boob. So - not a lot of compression clothing works well. Fast forward a year...... I'm seeing a herbalist who practices chinese massage. He helps immensely. But I'm very frustrated. Its been over a year - I still feel like I'm swollen, but it doesnt show. I have numbness from the surgery damaging nerves in my armpit. I have throbbing, tinkling and just usually don't feel right on the right side. My docs say I'm doing wonderful - why don't I feel like it......?????? Thought I would try this forum to connect with others with similar issues.

Anna

marijen

If the doctor told you you weren't doing wonderful, you might blame him, right? He's not going to say that.