Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

bluedog

Thanks, Peggy. Helps me feel less like a nut job. I do yoga, so hopefully that keeps the lymph flowing.

LoveMyVizsla

Mya, you're on! We are on the way to Seattle now for my lymphoscinthigraphy. Ha! Did I spell that right? I've been having some slight pain around the tumor today, so I'm going to take some Tylenol.

I read last night that the cold caps don't work as well for AC as they do other chemos, for what that is worth.

JerseyRenee01

myajames & Lovemyvizsla:

I will be thinking & praying for you! Best of luck!

JerseyRenee01

Ladies,

I just got home & my Gene Tests were NEGATIVE!

I had some choice words with them today! This was my final appt there. I will now go forward with Penn!!

I def was my own advocate today. I let them know. I looked on paper & saw they had my gene tests since Nov 19!! The only reason i even had appt today was again i initiated & contacted them to schedule me! I let them know that too. I said their communication with cancer patients is unacceptable! Worse yet they had my results on nov19th & day after they were calling me set up my bilateral for tomorrow, Dec 10. You would think knowing those results they would been encouraging lumpectomy.

They were speechless, said sorry & wished me luck.

PontiacPeggy

Renee, did you cancel the bilateral and re-schedule for an lx? I'd be so pissed, I'd have been spitting nails. Makes you hope they get paid back for such shabby treatment sometime when it REALLY MATTERS, doesn't it? HUGS. Glad the gene tests were negative!

HUGS!!!

PontiacPeggy

BlueDog, we are all nut cases. Not necessarily having the same things driving us crazy but each of us has her own thing that scares us shitless. Maybe not all the time. That's why this site is so good. When my fear crops up someone else will remind me that while my fear is valid, it isn't nearly as bad as I think it is. Yoga is good but make sure you are reach above your head towards the ceiling. I think that works best (or maybe it's all in my mind!).

HUGS!

ChiSandy

It’s not numbness & tingling, and couldn’t possibly be nerves regenerating--since it’s the forearm that’s affected. In the shower, I noticed that the tender spot is over both a muscle and where tendons emerge from the upper end of the carpal tunnel. Maybe I strained it carrying & reaching? I never carry any more than 5 lbs. with that arm, but you never know.

CyndiNic

Etnasgrl - you shouldn't have a problem writing; I am left handed and had all of my surgery on my left side. Good luck with everything!

Sloan15

Bluedog - I'm sick of worrying about SE, too. I'm consumed with this LE. When I say reversible, I still have it, but the swelling goes down completely as long as I'm diligent about using the sleeve. I'm so thankful I want in early. I can go days without it, but if it aches or swells I put the sleeve on. I'm getting used to it, but I'm still consumed with it. It's good you are aware of it so u can catch it early if it happens. But, you don't have it now, and that's a GREAT sign!!

Chisandy - just be in the look out for swelling. I had the "weird" feeling in my forearm, and the muscle felt sore even though I didn't lift anything. Those were symptoms of my LE. I'm so thankful I caught it early. Get a measuring tape with mm, or have your doc office get baseline measures. That's how I tell if I have to wear my sleeve (swelling, tingling, burning, soreness, achy for no obvious reason). Measure once or twice a month at the same time of day ans compare each arm and compare with baseline measures. Otherwise, 2, 3,4,5 cm creep up on you and you don't realize the tissue is swelling. I just say better safe than sorry. If you can't get in to a PT, just go when you get back.

I was freaked out wondering if I was going to wake up one morning and have it be really swollen. But, the PT reassured me that it's a slow progression. If a person has a flare (sudden swelling) where it swells big and fast, it's usually because they burned themselves or over did some activity. My PT told me one of her clients broke her affected arm and they swelling was extra bad and they couldn't cast it for a long time. So, those are unusual circumstances, and it could eventually be controlled. It stinks, but it's doable.

LoveMyVizsla

Thanks Renee! So glad your tests were negative. Good for you for standing up for yourself. Hang in there.

LoveMyVizsla

Oh, and I just finished my radioactive tracer injection. Not as bad as I was anticipating.

Brutersmom

ChiSandy Speaking of pain in the Sentinel node/radiation area. I have been spending a lot of time outside the past few days. Temps are in the 40's and low 50's. I have a bad habit of leaving my coat open. Getting in and out of the car the coat just gets in the way. One thing I have learned is my breast and sentinel node area are super sensitive to the cold. Zapping, zingers, and pain follow cold exposure and it is not pleasant. I am trying to break the habit but it is hard.

Jclc83

They measured both my arms in six different places before I had surgery. That was my baseline and the measurements are part of my record. I'm not just 38-24-36 anymore lol.

Shopgal2

for anyone facing chemo it is tough but can be done. I had my last chemo today. I almost wasn't going to do the last dose due to neuropathy but my mo again cut the dose dense amount to 50% so it was like a regular weekly dose. We had also cut the previous dose. Now onto rads in Jan.

JerseyRenee glad to hear you are going with Penn. Good for you for being your own patient advocate. Stick with the boards here and you will get the best advice. And congrats on negative genetic results. And I also went with my second bs who didn't push the doom and gloom on me. It should be shared decision making and I'm sure you will get that at penn. if you need you anything just reach out.

PontiacPeggy

LoveMyVizsla, Whew. So glad!!!

HUGS!

Shopgal2

love cool avatar. Big tigger fan here; it almost was going to be my screen name but I went with my go to for stress relief, shopping. I figure every time I post it would bring stress relief and not make me think about cancer. I do want to wish you luck tomorrow and clean margins. Give yourself time to heal. And as I posted above chemo for TN is doable and responds very well to chemo (lucky us because it's the most important shot we have to prevent reoccurrence). Focus on one step at a time and all will be good.

LoveMyVizsla

They measured my arms and range of motion at my first appointment too.

I'm so tired all of a sudden. Didn't sleep well last night with a big wind and rain storm. I'm sure I will be awake tonight too, just from the nerves.

PontiacPeggy

LoveMyVizsla, It IS hard to sleep the night before. I hate the "not knowing" and assume you do too. It will be over shortly and then you can rest. You have had rotten weather. I'm in your pocket, dancing (rather poorly, too)!

HUGS!

Nash54

LoveMyVizsla.....will be thinking of you tomorrow and sending positive vibes.  Remember to take it easy and keep the area iced and bound.  This will all be behind you before you know it.  If you have Xanax it sure helps.  (((Hugs)))

queenmomcat

LoveMyVizla: in your pocket right now. Never mind tomorrow while you're actually undergoing the procedure, although we'll be with you then as well. Right now, while you're sweating out the dreads. My fifth surgery in eighteen months--the least of the five--and my stomach is totally up in my face yet again about having NOT NOT NOT agreed to this.

HappyHammer

MyaJames and LMVizsula: Thinking about you both for your surgery tomorrow! Kicking cancer to the curb one step at a time!

HappyHammer

Agree about keeping things iced, bound AND to taking Ativan or something to take the edge off....the edge is not a good place to be.

mairew

---

Hi everyone

Had my Lx and SLNB today. Everything went fine. Woke up great with no nausea. I was crying hysterically apparently but I only remember crying for a minute. I was having a lovely dream that I was sleeping soundly with my two kids (7 and 9) and then woke up and realized I was in the hospital bed I was so sad in that moment.

Anyway, my BS said no ice. Which I was very surprise because I put ice packs on everything. My kids think I am crazy with my ice packs. My arm is a bit achy but I hope it's from having my arm over my head during surgery.

Best wishes to those having procedures tmrw.

PontiacPeggy

Fantastic, MaireW! That's great news. Your arm will likely be achy for a bit. Remember loose tops (the armholes, I mean). I'm surprised at the no ice. But every surgeon is different. Take whatever pain pills you need when you need them. Don't let pain get ahead of you. You may want something strong or Tylenol may be just fine (that's all I had). REST!!! And REST some more!!!

HUGS!

mustlovepoodles

So happy to hear your genetic tests came back negative! Doing the happy dance here. And kudos to you for advocating for yourself. I cannot imagine what their motivation is for NOT contacting you when they have had your results for 21 days! That's completely unacceptable. I hope you fired their ass!

Nash54

MarieW...so glad that's begins you.  Rest well 

meme2006

Had my re-excision today, all went well. I am much more sore this time, I assume its because the incision is much wider and as I had stated earlier my nipple is gone Hoping I don't stress out seeing it when these bandages come off. Of course my main conern is that all the cancer is gone ... clean margins!! Thanks everyone for all the encouragement. I have an appointment Monday with the RO, I will have her check my cording. Ready to get all this started!

LoveMyVizsla as Molly50 stated definitely ask for the scolpamine patch. I have to have it every time or I am throwing up all over the place. My anesthesiologist said they would give my nausea medicine in my IV during surgery also.

Catfurr I took Clindamycin after my first surgery because my SNB seroma, it made the incision get infected. Within two days of taking the redness started going away and feeling much better! Hope you heal fast

octogirl

Maire and Meme...glad it went well today! Get some rest....and Hugs!

Octogirl

PontiacPeggy

Meme, glad your re-excision is over. I'm sorry that you're sore. It probably will be hard seeing your breast without the nipple but if the cancer's is gone then it should be worth it. We can mourn our losses while still rejoicing in ridding ourselves of the cancer. Please rest (as I'm sure you will). Good idea to check with the RO on the cording. Take a couple Tylenol. (I only had a Dramamine prior to my surgery and that worked for me although I don't usually have trouble with anesthesia - at least that I recall).

HUGS!!!

Molly50

Maire and meme, glad you both checked in. Get some rest. Meme, losing my nipple, in fact losing my breast, was pretty hard until the incision healed and I got used to seeing it that way. I was nervous about my DH seeing me but he took it in stride which really helped.