Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

JerseyRenee01

LoveMyVizsla:

Now that is something I never heard of & don't see on my pathology nor has it been mentioned to me.

mustlovepoodles

JerseyRenee, I think your decision to have LX is reasonable. They will send the tissue for pathology and sometimes they find something different from the biopsy. Mine was and it changed my treatment plan.

Unfortunately, I was later diagnosed with two rare gene mutations which raised my risk to 45+%--yowza! And now my oncologist wants me to have a BMX after I get done with chemo. As she said, "Your breasts are gonna try to kill you!" So now I'm looking at BMX sometime end of Jan. She also wants me to have my ovaries removed, and possibly a full hysterectomy, due to my sister and grandmother having had uterine cancer. I see the GYN in early Jan.

I am not unhappy that it unfolded this way. The LX was relatively easy recovery, even though I had some complications. Had I not had the gene mutations I would be going on to rads next. Instead, I'll have the BMX and skip the rads, so it's not a completely terrible situation.

Brutersmom

I think the Ki67 score is only in IDC.

mustlovepoodles

Just wanted to report to you ladies that I went to see a plastic surgeon today. I had an appt with my BS for a pre-op consult for a BMX in late Jan and I told her that I was not interested in any reconstruction. I have researched the various types and none of them appeal to me. I just don't want to have all the surgeries that reconstruction requires. Plus, I had a lot of complications with my LX, including excessive bleeding and infection, so the idea of having a complicated recon...no... just no...

Well, the BS didn't try to talk me out of it, but she suggested that I see a PS just to talk about options. There is a PS here in Atlanta, Dr. Grace Ma, who developed something called "goldilocks reconstruction." It's a 1-step recon, done at the time of the BMX, that uses the leftover skin and breast fat to form mounds that look like small breasts. It's not too much, not too little, it's juuust right...Women with larger breasts are the best candidates. Dr. Ma feels that I'm a good candidate for this surgery. She also said that if at a later date I'm not happy with the results, I can have an outpatient breast augmentation to put a small implant in there--no TEs, no exchanges! So, I said, "Yes, please!"

PontiacPeggy

JerseyRenee, I'm so glad you were able to do dinner for your friend. Poor gal. She HAS had a rough time. That was nice of you.

HUGS!

PontiacPeggy

Poodles, that's wonderful. That Goldilocks reconstruction should do nicely for you. I don't blame you for not wanting to do surgery and more surgery forever. You sound so excited and upbeat! I'm awfully glad for you.

HUGS!!

LoveMyVizsla

Ki67 test

Geez, how long does it take for the swelling to stop? I feel like it is worse at the end of the day. Granted, I'm not really taking it easy at all. Icing it down now.

Melclarity

LMV

I feel for you, I remember it taking quite awhile, though has it flared up from over doing? First 4 weeks I found so slow then started to come good. Trying to think I started chemo 5 weeks after lumpectomy. And I think at that point I was feeling a lot better surgery wise. Just try to go slow, I know easier said than done, we are women, there is no go slow or 1 thing at a time. Hope it settles soon.

Musosgirl

My swelling isn't going down quickly either. I have days like today, my side of the family was over for Christmas, where I WAY over do it, days I try to take it easy, and days like yesterday when I sleep the entire day. I was in a lot of pain this afternoon, but sitting through dinner and presents (we go one at a time--so nice long break) helped and I was just sore by the time I could take more meds. I am supposed to travel to in-law houses the next two days. I'm not sure how that will go...

marijen

Brutersmom - thanks for that little tidbit on the Ki67. I have IDC, they just can't find it. CUP. So that's why I didn't get that score.

LoveMyVizsla

My day was: coffee with friends, grocery store, 30 minute hike with husband and dog, hand wash some dishes, sit for a while, cook dinner and sit down to ice down the cancer boob. Made a pound cake too. Having chocolate fondue for dessert on Christmas.

Molly50

Merry Christmas to my lumpy friends. I have been staying away a bit to take my mind off breast cancer for a while. Jersey, enjoy Christmas and keep in mind you can always take more after a lumpectomy but you can't get your breast back once it's gone. Reconstruction can be complicated so wait to see the results of your full biopsy after your lumpectomy. Also keep in mind that recurrence can happen even after BMX. There's no guarantees. I like the idea of being conservative in decisions.

Peggy, you are on my heart. I know this is your first Christmas without your DH. Sending love your way.

zinny

Merry Christmas to you all, and wishing everyone a much better 2016! Gentle virtual hugs to you all for the support and camaraderie and laughter.

Looking forward to the magic of the next day, dinner with great friends, and then a ski trip, with fantastic snow after 2 years of being skunked. Seizing every ounce of joy!!!

I had my port put in a few days ago (not very nice!) and will start chemo Jan 4. Hoping for smooth sailing. Weird to be doing this all "backwards."

let the Christmas madness begin.

PontiacPeggy

Molly, Thank you. I don't know how I would have managed this past year without you and all my friends here. Breast cancer was a problem but the support you all gave me with my DH made it all less awful. I'm still having moments where the missing is overwhelming but, for the most part, I'm doing okay. Thank you all again for walking beside me and giving me love and hugs along the way.

HUGS!

octogirl

Peggy, you and all on this thread made a huge difference for me this year. Thanks so much for the support and wishing you all a very very Happy New Year!

HUGS!

Octogirl

PontiacPeggy

Octogirl, thank you! You've been very supportive and I really appreciate it!

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

HUGS!

614

Dear Musogirl:

The scars will fade and so will the pain. Hang in there. Sorry that I did not respond but I have not had a chance to go online in almost a week.

Dear Etnasgirl:

The radiation caused the redness from my scars to fade. The scars on my radiation breast look better than the other breast.

Dear Brutersmom:

Ki67 scores are found in all types of invasive bc as far as I know. I don't know about DCIS or LCIS. I was diagnosed with ILC and I have a Ki67 score. Ask your MO about this.

To everyone else:

You are such a source of support for me. Thanks. Good luck.

JerseyRenee01

Merry Christmas to all of you! I am enjoying my Santa Hat Martini! 🍸🎅🏻

Hugs to all of you!!!

PontiacPeggy

JerseyRenee, Boy is that ever pretty! I'm not a martini fan but it is very tempting! Merry Christmas to you!

HUGS!

mustlovepoodles

Merry Christmas to everyone in the Lumpectomy Lounge. God bless us, every one!

Nash54

JerseyRenee....Yum!!!

Merry Christmas to everyone!!! What a wonderful group of women we have here. So thankful to be a part of this group.

(((hugs)))

keepwalking

A very happy holiday to all of you wonderful gals!!!

I don't know how I would have gotten through the last 4 months without the support, friendship, caring, virtual hand-holding and hugs from all of you. Thank you soooooo much!

A topsy-turvy time for me here. We were supposed to be hosting lots of family from the States, Europe and Israel right now, but plans changed when my husbands dear mother of 88 years passed away suddenly on Monday. My husband and son flew to NYC, but daughter-in-law and baby stayed here along with me, since I am finally starting the rads process and am already past the optimal time after surgery (currently almost 9 weeks). I had first meeting with RO, and simulation is scheduled for Wed.

Love you all! Enjoy your day! Rina

Reader425

I've been more of a lurker than a participant on this board of late, but I wanted to say reading u your posts encourages me. Thank you all!

Merry Christmas to all who observe the holiday.

Nash54

Rina...so sorry to hear about you mother-in-laws passing.  

Jclc83

Happy,Healthy Holidays to you all

PontiacPeggy

Rina, I'm so sorry about your MIL. It has to be hard for all of you with her so far away. Keeping you and the family in my thoughts and prayers.

HUGS!!!

octogirl

Rina, I am also very sorry to read about your Mother in Law, and very sorry bc treatment kept you from traveling with your husband, but that is our reality. My deep condolences for your loss. Keeping you in my thoughts. Hugs!

I share your gratitude to the lovely women on this thread who made a huge difference this year for me.

Octogirl

MJS1266

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! Hoping you all have a wonderful day!

ChiSandy

Rina, so sad to hear about your m-i-l. May her memory be for a blessing.

mapagail

etnasgrl, I'm 6 weeks post lumpectomy and still have a small "bullet hole" that just does not seem to want to close up! I went to the emergency room because two weeks ago, on a Friday, as I was getting ready to go home, I changed my dressing and did not like what I saw. I was given antibiotics and sent home. I see the RO on Tuesday and I'm hoping I can start radiation because the sooner I start, the sooner it will be over. I too am wondering if they will start the radiation if I'm not completely closed up, yet. My son is in the Navy and I haven't seen him since 2012. He will be just 8 hours from me in January and I planned on going to see him, but I start rads in January, so I probably won't be able to go see him.