Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

HappyHammer

Molly- thinking of you and praying. Please keep us posted..we are with you all the way!

Musosgirl

I had gone in and updated my surgery info but forgot to make it public. It also has the wrong date but this site in known for that... I had a LX with SNB and oncoplasty reduction. The reduction incisions are the ones bothering me the most right now, although I can tell where the SNB incision is and how that will give me grief later. Just looking down a little the breast seems so much smaller and is a different shape. There is this prevaling feeling of "what have I done?!". Along with "I have to do this again?!" on the left side after rads.

When DH changed my dressing my breast was firm, not soft like the other side. Is that normal? No redness, bruising, or pain other than the incision sites. I did run a low grade fever today--went back on the Percocet to get some good rest and feel better.

My IV for the surgery was in my right foot (lidocaine and meds administered there HURT) and they gave me a Pneumonia shot in my right buttock, so basically I hurt all the way down my right side. Need to feel better by Thursday--Herceptin infusion and my first post-op that day--post-op with BS on Friday--most importantly DS's birthday party on Saturday.

Sloan15

Molly - I don't like ready dark place we all go sometimes so I'm glad you're turning the liight on! Here are more hugs for you, too. I'm glad you had that MRI in Sept and will call the surgeon just in case.

mapagail

Meme2006, I have small breasts so what the doctors removed, was quite a bit, and so far its looking kinda funky. A friend who went through cancer told me to wait until I'm healed and after Radiation before making any decisions about reconstruction. My lumpectomy was at inner upper breast. The scar is right next to a scar I had years ago for the removal of a fibroadenoma. So, all together, I'll have a 2 1/2" scar. I'm a Old West re enactor and I'm probably not going look the same in a corset. If it's not too bad, I'll probably just get a tattoo so the scar doesn't show. I posted a few days ago about drainage. I went to the hospital on Friday and got antibiotics. Now, the incision finally looks like it's closing. Thanks to all who post on these boards, everyone is honest, and so encouraging!

PontiacPeggy

MusosGirl, your IV was in your foot? Can I ask why? That seems really really strange. Pneumonia shot in the butt sounds unappealing too. I'd call on that fever right away. Even tonight! If it turns out to be an infection, you want to get on top of it right away. Give yourself time to heal before deciding if you like or hate what has been done. It seems to take quite awhile for everything to find its place. You might even like the new you!

HUGS!!

PontiacPeggy

MaPaGail, it does take several months for your breast to figure out what it wants to be. Very glad you are finally healing. Getting a tattoo might do the trick if your scars are really visible - they may not be after awhile. Use a concealer maybe until you decide what to do.

HUGS!

queenmomcat

Musosgirl: I was surprised that my reduction incisions are bothering me much more now than even my second and more extensive lumpectomy. Go figure. In my case, the reduction incisions are longer, which makes a difference. In any case, for all three surgeries, my treated breast did feel stiffer for a time---I think that's the swelling in reaction to the trauma of surgery?

mustlovepoodles

Musogirl, it's pretty normal for the breast to feel firmer and just "different" after surgery. Breast tissue is very delicate, somewhat similar to the skin around your mouth, nose, and eyes. Like those tissues, breast tissue tends to overreact when it's messed with. That's the reason that seromas are so common after breast surgery--think of it as your breast tissue throwing a tantrum.

I had lumpectomy in Aug 2015, followed by re-execision in Sep 2015. My BS made one large incision, rather than doing a second one for the SNB. So I have about a 4" scar under my arm, right where the natural crease is. I doubt anyone would even notice it, unless I raised my arm and was sleeveless. It has been 3 months since the re-excision and my breast has gone back to its normal softness, except for the incision line which is firm and lumpy.

ChiSandy

First flight post-op (Chi-Amsterdam-Rome), and I wore my sleeve & gauntlet by the book. Took them off at the hotel. No swelling at all (in fact, ring on that finger is loosest it's been in days. But the fit left something to be desired: could just about get the top of the cuff to my axilla (not just upper arm like the fitter showed me), but the bottom was still past the wrist to the bottom of the hand, so there was overlap between it & the gauntlet. (Double compression is not supposed to be good). And when I adjusted the gauntlet to cover my first (lowest) knuckles, it gapped at the palm. Time to buy a "donning glove" to pull it nice and tight to where it belongs. Think I'll have to bite the bullet and get re-measured by an LE therapist (I think what I'm feeling is mild forearm cording) and get a custom sleeve & glove set (maybe a one-piecer?). My insurance didn't pay for this first off-the-rack set because Second Act didn't take UHC, but maybe they do take BCBS Medicare, which I start in a couple of weeks.

(Actually have free, fast wi-fi here at the hotel in Rome; cruise ship will be a different story--not even cell signal until in port).

Musosgirl

On the IV in the foot: my understanding is the BS does not want patients confused coming out surgery knowing an IV should not be in a specific arm and try to pull it out. My guess is that has happened a time or two for her to have a standing policy like that.

PontiacPeggy

ChiSandy, glad your body survived the flights in good shape. I can't quite visualize your sleeve etc. Most places take BCBS Medicare. Do you have a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medigap? I have a Blue Care Network (part of BCBS) Medigap plan and it seems to cover everything! (Except prescriptions). Now have fun on your cruise! (I'd hate to be out of touch - I'm so into being connected).

HUGS!

HappyHammer

Sloan- wish there was a "like" button to agree with what someone says here like on FB.

PontiacPeggy

MusosGirl, Okay. I had no IV when I came out of surgery. Had one when I went in and it was a non-issue. I'm glad mine wasn't in my foot. Just different.

HUGS!

brithael

ChiSandy- I talked to the LE sleeve person at UofC and she said Medicare didn't cover sleeves. I wound up not having to get one - yet, but haven't checked with my supplement to see if they pick up that slack. So far, my supplement has paid every cent that Medicare did not, so that's great!

Glad to hear you had a great flight - that cruise is one that my husband and I have talked about doing. In fact, we were talking about doing it next year until BC reared its ugly head. I've always dreamed of cruising the Mediterranean. Maybe after all the chemo and rads, we can get back on track with travel. (He has promised to take me to NYC as soon as I'm able.) Enjoy the cruise and forget BC (for a while anyway.)

marijen

Yes the LE therapist I went to see said the same, there is a movement to get it covered. Don't know the name.

HappyHammer

ChiSandy- glad the flights went well and that you are doing well in the hotel. Enjoy the cruise...what a great way to really get away for a bit!

Sloan15

Happyhammer - Ha! I was thinking the same thing about a like button the other day!

Nash54

ChiSandy....hope you will post some pics!  Rome....how exciting !!!  

keepwalking

Molly - I am so sorry that you are having to go through this worry and unknown. As others have said, it is probably nothing (especially with your clean MRI! yay!), but the worry and doubt are the same nonetheless. Hoping you see the doctor very soon to alleviate your fears! I am thinking of you and praying for you!

HUGS and double, triple HUGS!

Musosgirl - I also had oncoplastic lumpectomy (but not a reduction). I can say that I felt dissapointed with the way it looked at first. There was a rock hard ugly ridge above where the lump had been that went almost all the way across the breast, and by comparison the area beneath that looked sunken in. I tried not to think about it and was just happy I had a breast at all! But now (7 weeks later), after the hard swelling has mostly resolved, I am amazed at how wonderful the breast looks! It is only slightly smaller than the other even though an area larger than a tennis ball was taken from a C/D cup size, and the shape is only slightly different and almost unnoticeable. So I would say don't make a conclusion about how it will look as yet. I know that is even harder to do when you ache all over, but that won't last long. Hang in there! HUGS!

keepwalking

ChiSandy - Glad to hear the sleeve worked so well for you on the flight! even though it was not a great fit. Enjoy your cruise!

Sloan - My MO wanted me to start the tamoxifen right away, before radiation gets going (I am finding that getting each step started is sort of at the pace of an arthritic old man getting out of bed ) I popped the first pill yesterday. My husband and I were rolling on the floor laughing as I read the list of possible side effects... and kept reading.... and kept reading... and kept reading... and kept reading..... I couldn't even get to the last 3 paragraphs as we were laughing so hard. Funny thing is it didn't list insomnia - except for being up a couple of hours in the night I have felt no ill effects so far. (Of course I am not immune to that anyway, so it might not even be connected.)

It seems to be just a manner of preference between breast centers as to the timing of hormonal therapy. It appears to me that the majority in the U.S. wait until after rads, but here (at least at my hospital) it is standard procedure to take concurrently with rads.

Nash54

keepwalking....nice to see you again and to hear that you are doing well!!

myajames

Holy itchy nipple and boob! But I can't scratch cause it hurts... 😳😕

I'm gently rubbing over my sports bra... Can't tell if it's helping or making it worse... But I do know I look like a total pervert 😂😂😂😂

Don't mind me... Just over here rubbing my nipple.

queenmomcat

Myajames: (laughing) Don't worry, I'm over here gently rubbing at my sports bra, noping I'm not maing my reduction worse. (followup corrective surgery for lumpectomies on the left)

PontiacPeggy

MyaJames, I'm laughing too. It's awful when you have an itch that you really shouldn't scratch or rub. Healing can be a bitch.

HUGS!

LoveMyVizsla

Oh no, Mya! I didn't notice my swelling until you said you were swollen. I guess itching is up next on the healing agenda? Don't scratch too hard. I wonder if they frown on using an anti-itch remedy on it? Probably.

Molly50

You might ask your doctor if you can you hydrocortisone cream on your itchy areas! Otherwise maybe some ice?

HappyHammer

Mya glad you can keep your sense of hunor! Also that you and LMVizsla can commiserate together. 😁🙀

Melclarity

Hello Everyone!

I'm a newbie from Downunder and came across this thread, which is sooo lovely!!! Just be so helpful to talk to others in the same position as Im wanting peoples opinions and experiences, thoughts..

Ok here goes, when I was 43 I had already been in the system for 9 years of mammograms, ultrasounds due to my Mum having BC at 40. I had DCIS, and had a lumpectomy in my Left Breast followed by Radiation and was on Tamoxifen. I am now 47 and it has been 4yrs ONLY, and in June my results came back with...I had a tumor that had recurred in the same breast, in the same spot 2.5cm inspite of what my Surgeon said was aggressive treatment 4yrs ago. I had a lumpectomy with WIDE CLEAR MARGINS, lymph nodes out ALL CLEAR. I completed 12 treatments of Chemotherapy yesterday YAY!!!!! OMG it was tough!!!

My question is...I saw my Oncologist and he said that I need to consider a Mastectomy??? at end of January he is placing me on a hormone pill not Tamoxifen, another one post menopause as Chemo has now thrown me into menopause. I understand the reasoning of because it was a recurrence..but my Surgeon told me at the time, a very reputable one who I trust, that the Lumpectomy is as effective as Mastectomy and in this case there is no benefit. The Oncologist is now saying get rid of it or both and never worry again..I honestly cannot face anything at this point been a hard year! Having done Chemo and going onto a different hormone surely thats enough to keep it away THIS time?? Dont know what to do...anyone had something similiar??

Appreciate any thoughts..thanks a bunch

Melinda

Jclc83

Melclarity: There is nothing that is 100%. There are no guarantees. We don't know what type of tumor you had or what stage and grade you are. So it's really hard to comment. And there may be some difference in treatment between Australia and the US. And every doctor has different regimes. So it's a hard question to answer

But My MO and BS said there was no difference in outcome between the two for early stage prognosis. Of course, mine isn't early stage anymore I don't regret having a lumpectomy so far Once you have a mastectomy you can't go back

You just have to weigh the pros and cons and make up your own mind

queenmomcat

MelClarity: did your oncologist give a medical reason why mastectomy might be advisable? (how did you respond to chemotherapy? are you at high risk of another recurrance?) Or was it for your peace of mind?