Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

gypsyjo

Mairew - I just caught up from the last weeks post and wanted to mention my flying experience post lx and snb. I flew for an emergency trip about 2-3 weeks post my surgery. My flight was about 4 hours and I felt fine. I did notice toward the end of the flight that a large portion of my top was very wet near the incision. It seems that the scar was oozing a considerable amount. Over the next couple days it slowed then stopped until I flew back a week later. I did put a large amount of gauze over the incisions before my flight back. Sure enough, the scars oozed again, but it definitely did ooze. It slowed the overall healing of my scar. You might want to pack a box of gauze and monitor when you fly. Have a wonderful trip and continued recovery.

Sloan15

Nash - I explained it earlier in this thread, but essentially I was 6 weeks post surgery (on the cusp of when chemo is most effective before week 8) and I changed MO's because the first one didn't order the oncotest as I asked for. He did order another test, but sat on results for 3 weeks without saying anything. So, I worried for weeks for nothing. I was so angry. So I changed to my mom's MO. My mom died last year of a very very aggressive ovarian cancer, and the doc said to me "we can wait for oncotest, but you have a gene mutation that we don't know what it does. You have a very high ki67. We could do no chemo or prophylactic chemo. If you have bad SE, we can stop because you have that option. These are the risks and stats with chemo, these are the risks ans stats with no chemo. You need to feel that you made the best decision with no regrets." I asked what he would do, and he said he was biased because of how my moms cancer spread so fast. I figured I have my mom's genes, so I went with chemo. My oncotest score came back intermediate, but still luminal B (aggressive). I don't have any regrets. I did stop chemo early because of SE, but the MO was comfortable with that.

PontiacPeggy

Sloan, don't you wonder why those docs think it's acceptable to sit on vital test results for weeks on end? How would they feel if it was their loved one or themselves. Bet they wouldn't be happy either. You certainly did the right thing ditching that MO!

HUGS!

Nash54

Thanks Sloan....it's amazes me how different all our treatments are. I was just wondering because your stats look similar to mine...except I was a grade 3. My oncotest came back intermediate too but "we" went with no chemo. Hope you are doing well with your recovery.

myajames

Thanks for all the positive vibes! Surgery went well, and in now resting at home. Hope all the other ladies who had surgery today, had no issues and have speedy recover.

PontiacPeggy

MyaJames, so glad to hear that! Take care and rest and rest some more! Take pain pills or Tylenol.

HUGS!!!

Nash54

Myajames....so glad things went well!!!  Take care and take it easy.  You've been thru a lot !!   

mustlovepoodles

You know, I was explaining to my mother a few days ago how breast cancer is really a different disease for every person. There are so many factors involved--family history, genetics, hormone status, size, stage, type, aggressiveness. She's 81 and has been a nurse for a very long time (not an onco nurse, however.) What she "knows" about breast cancer is derived largely from her sister's experience 40 years ago and some friends' experiences 10-15 years ago. Mother is sharp as a tack, but she can't quite wrap her mind around the concept that breast cancer isn't just one disease and that there are many, many treatment paths. Complicating her understanding is that my sister had DCIS 3 years ago and her course of treatment was so mild that now Mother is totally confused. How come one daughter barely had any treatment (LX and radiation, plus AI) and the other one is having all this chemo and major surgeries to treat her breast cancer? It has left her feeling unsure and unsteady. I have to be very careful how I share things with her, because she is just sure something bad is going to happen any moment.

LoveMyVizsla

I was wrong(mark that down and date it), my surgeon does want me using ice. I'm home now and need to go to bed soon. I can feel myself crashing.

We did spend last night at a hotel and I did manage to get some decent sleep.

More tomorrow.

Molly50

Get lots of rest Myajames.

PontiacPeggy

Poodles, it must be very hard for your mother. I can understand her confusion. I was talking with a friend who used to live next door. Her sister died at age 30 from breast cancer. This was close to 40 years ago. My friend was mentioning how different treatments are now than back then. And if you read what is posted here, every doctor has their own way of treating it. Even for the same Dx there doesn't seem to be a concensus.

Vizsla, everyone is entitled to one mistake in a lifetime. You just used yours

All our ladies who had surgery this week, rest and let yourself be pampered, have clear margins and enjoy the holidays.

HUGS!

HappyHammer

Myajames-and others who had surgery this week- so glad you are at home and doing well. Peggy is right- rest, rest and more rest along with ice and fluids. Staying ahead of any pain is great, too.

I am also a firm believer in taking whatever your doc suggests in the info packet for digestive issues after surgery-like Colace- for the first several days or at least as long as yo are taking pain meds. They can really mess with your body! just my opinion.

octogirl

Good point HappyHammer: my BS's staff encouraged me to take an OTC stool softener because even OTC pain pills do a number on my digestive system (constipation). It really helped!

Hugs to all who are resting up from surgery.

Octogirl

Catfurr

HappyHammer- having never had to use Colace before, I was pleasantly surprised at how well it works. After months of Imodium, I was pretty nervous about it😳

Poodles- I lost my mom 3 years ago and I miss her so very much, but I'm also glad she's not going thru this again. My sister was diagnosed at my same age, almost to the day. She's doing great, but it was hard on my mom.

Visula--certainly stay ahead of the pain and rest, rest, REST!!

Myajames--So glad you're doing well👍

I'm almost 4 wks post op, 7 wks post chemo and was admitted last night because of fever😒 WTH? Been fighting it since Monday, Clindamycin since Tuesday and now 3 more iv antibiotics added. They think it's coming from the damn SNB. Sending someone in later to consult on draining it. Glad I brought a full tube of Emla😏 This was not on my schedule!! I was able to restart Herceptin yesterday that was delayed after ejection dropped to 40%. Radiation is scheduled to start next week. Wondering if this will delay it? Staff on the oncology floor is awesome, btw. Nice to be remembered from previous stays, but really don't want to be a frequent flier

Molly50

Healing hugs and prayers for you, Catfurr

Creativevintage

Checking in to say my radiation is going well. After my initial mini-meltdown, I have been fine and I bounced back energy wise after a few days. I just finished up my second week (9 of 25) and have no skin changes at all. I am a little irritated where the underwire of my bra rubs on the underside of the breast, but today I cushioned that with some cotton gauze and put some aloe on right after treatment. I got my labs done yesterday before my Herceptin and was so delighted to find that my anemia has resolved. Less than 3 months post final chemo! YAY!!! I feel like I have won a major battle with that, as I was concerned that I was not recovering fast enough. I did have a bit of a scare though starting about a week ago. I had a Zometa infusion about a month ago with what seemed like no ill effects or side effects. About a week ago I began having some serious hip and upper thigh pain. I got very scared, going of course to that dark place we go, began thinking that I had bone mets. My bone scan and x-rays came back yesterday as all clear. I do have some narrowing in both hip joints, and I do have osteoporosis in both hips. My MO says that the pain is indicative of bursitis in the hip and the Zometa had caused additional inflammation in that area. I could not be more relieved. I got the news this morning, on my birthday of all days. What a wonderful birthday present.

Molly50

Happy birthday creative vintage! What a relief for you!

brithael

Just got back from a fabulous trip to Vegas (47th anniversary) and am trying to catch up on all my LL peeps postings. Did not wear a compression sleeve, and arm seems to be fine. I will be seeing my lymphedema therapist on Monday for re-measuring, and additional exercises, then on to Oncology! Hoping maybe not to start infusion until after Christmas, but we'll see what the MO says. Will try to update my blog as soon as possible for those who are keeping up.

PontiacPeggy

CatFur, Damn! Sorry you had to be admitted. What a bummer, screwing up all the schedule - aside from just having to be in the hospital where you definitely don't want to be. Hope they get you sorted out quickly and you come home well and happy. HUGS!!!

CreativeVintage, Thank heavens for good news! Now you can breathe. Glad that everything is going well. I went braless for my rads. I'm small breasted so that was an option. Underwires still aren't all-day comfortable for me.

HUGS!!!

PontiacPeggy

Brithael, Las Vegas is such fun and what a special way to spend your 47th! Hope you won a bit of money Glad that nothing interfered.

HUGS!

brithael

Hugs to all those who had surgery while I was offline, and love and support to those who are coming up.

Today I am 4 weeks post surgery, and I feel remarkably well. As so many have said, the node dissection is the worst part of it. Still dealing with numbness in my upper arm and arm pit. So weird to put on deodorant and have to use the mirror since I can't feel anything there. Also how strange it is to have so much numbness and yet the skin is so sensitive on my arm. Seems like a dichotomy, doesn't it?

My breast swelling has gone down from surgery, and now I can definitely tell a difference in the size of my breasts. I have a small divot since my lump was about one o'clock. Might have lost a cup size, not too sure. Biggest difference is the surgery breast has the nipple upright and perky; the other's looking down. We'll see what radiation has in store for further changes.

Before I left for Vegas I had my last mani/pedi and got my hair cut short in anticipation of losing it altogether. I still have to remind my self NOT to put my purse on my left shoulder, but most off the time I remember about not lifting etc.

I am filled with the dread of anticipation about chemo and I will be glad to just get a schedule on Monday.

myajames

Holy swollen boob batman! I think the swelling is coming from the sentinel node biopsy. It's definitely good reminder to ice... And ice some more.

Thanks for the advice about staying on top of the paid meds. I even set my alarm so I wouldn't miss a dose. I'm going to try to switch to regular Tylenol next dose and see how I feel.

Thanks everyone for your well wishes, definitely makes this journey easier

PontiacPeggy

MyaJames, yikes! It seems that often there's fluid sloshing around just looking for a spot to land and it chose your SLNB site. Aren't you lucky? Keep icing. Watch that it doesn't seem red, warmish, or really painful indicating an infection. Do try regular Tylenol. If you're comfy it should do the trick. I took it at night "just because" Hope your swelling goes down!

HUGS!

Musosgirl

I am home. BS took out 3 nodes, but she didn't find any cancer there. Didn't ask how much tissue she took out. PS kept me overnight but told me this morning he is very happy with the shape and how I am healing. His incisions hurt the most right now but they are the biggest. I have the biggest bandage over just the right side! Can't get it into a bra yet, but I am supposed to change the wrappings daily, use Maxi-pads which I think will be less bulky and used a loose sportsbra. Hahaha! I bought the largest size I could and it is still tight. But it's all I got besides underwires--biggest incision is under there--so it will have to do. I still haven't looked. Too chicken. I have Percocet for when I need it, can barely keep my eyes open... Sponge baths only till I see PS next Thursday.

mustlovepoodles

I think it must be very hard for our mothers. I know if my daughter were to develop BC I would be beside myself. My mother has two daughters who have now had BC. She doesn't talk about her fear, but I can hear it in her voice, in the questions she doesn't ask. Even so, she refuses to get a mammogram herself. I believe it's because she just doesn't want to know. Mother hasn't had a mammo in at least 15 years. Maybe at her age (81) it's just as well. I don't know if she has the gene mutations that I have and she doesn't want to know. She has lots of other chronic conditions that will probably kill her sooner than BC would anyway(a-fib, diabetes, high cholesterol--she's already had 3 TIAs).

I'm taking my two older kids to see a genetics counselor on Monday, Dec 14, for testing. I don't know if they are anxious, but I certainly am. I will be devastated if they carry the same gene mutations, especially for my 22yo daughter. We have BC on both sides, including a male BC, and three pre-menopausal BCs at ages 24, 47, and 50. Plus 2 BC at age 59. These are all within sisters, aunts, and 1st cousins on both sides of the family~! And that doesn't even take into account the many colon cancers in the family, at least 7. Heck, we could be our own research study~

PontiacPeggy

MusosGirl, glad you're home. Great that the nodes came back negative. Underwires do tend to bother everything, especially where the nodes were removed. Ice and pain meds should help. Take care!

Poodles, it IS hard for parents. We try so hard to protect our kids. I can understand your mom but it would help to know, wouldn't it, if she carries those genes? Brave of you and the kids to get genetic counseling (and testing?). They probably should study your family. That's some history!

HUGS!

Musosgirl

I forgot to mention here that the wire placement was A nightmare. The process was uncomfortable but doable. He had to reset once in the beginning, then we had to do a couple of mammograms that pinched a bit, only for him to decide he didn't like the placement. So back on the table--awkward, even more umfortable, and the lidocaine was wearing off. Plus he wanted to set it deeper. That sucker hurt and we had to do more mammograms--buy that point I was in tears. And once the dam broke I couldn't stop. My anethesiologists were a little taken aback I think since they were the next to consult with me. I was so happy to get the happy drugs!

Haha! Then in recovery it took longer than expected to wake me. I was out of surgery at 1:00 but not awake till 4:30. My poor DH had no idea what was taking so long for him to get to see me.

queenmomcat

Apropos of the discussion a number of pages back about how we put on back-hook bras: Just got back from the "24-hour followup' visit with PS (cosmetic tweaking, not lumpectomy) But i'm posting here because the junior doctor in the practice suggested getting front-hook bras because I'd probably have difficulty reaching around to hook bras in the back. Weren't we split approximately evenly between 'reach around to the back' and 'hook in front, then turn the bra around'? But I didn't laugh in the poor little dear's face.

PontiacPeggy

MusosGirl, ugh. I'm sorry. Too bad they didn't give you more lidocaine. The breakdown is totally understandable.

QueenMomCat, I think we were pretty evenly split. Obviously you don't need front hook since you're put 'em on in front gal

HUGS!

mustlovepoodles

Peggy--the cancers I listed aren't even the half of it. There are 32 cancers in my family just within 1st & 2nd generation relatives. Five within my own family of origin. Yikes! We really could be a case study for someone.