Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

HappyHammer

LTFly- Sorry you're feeling yucky today. Hoping meds and rest will help. Took Neulasta day after each treatment plus, generic Claritan and an Aleve each morning starting first day of each treatment for 4-6 or 7 days by last treatment. Did not have pain!

LovesToFly

thank you happy hammer! I been taking the Claritin and i will add an Aleve, they said I shouldn't overuse it but it's fine for the few days after Neulasta.

Just did a grocery order, I ordered a few boxes of my favorite frozen vegan gluten free mac & cheese. I hope I found it comforting

MJS1266

LovetoFly: Ask your MO if there is something you can take to prevent nausea vice take once you feel nauseous. I had a schedule to prevent nausea the night before, day of, and for a few days after chemo infusion consisting of primarily zofran and compazein. I could add ativan if I needed which I did occasionally to sleep better. I never had nausea following this schedule. Hope you find the right mix, MJ

LovesToFly

Will definitely do so, though I think I realize what I did wrong. This morning I took my steroid and antinauseant (emend), before sitting down to breakfast. Then things got kind of crazy with the kids and I missed breakfast. I realize that but after the fact that that was probably what was making me so shaky and queasy, having all those meds on an empty stomach! I feel much better now! May even take a little trip to the mall with my best friend who is visiting later.

I have definitely had another lesson learned, to make sure to eat breakfast before I take the steroid!

Tomorrow is my last day on the steroids, they told me to expect a bit of a down afterwards. What will that be like?

Gemma12

My surgeon called with the very good news that she was able to get clean margins and that all my lymph nodes were cancer-free! Yay!! Tumor was 2.5cm, so that makes me stage II, but it hasn't spread outside my breast. I am so relieved!!! My next steps will be with a medical oncologist and radiation oncologist. They will determine my treatment protocol. I feel like I'm walking on air! So unbelievable happy!!

Amy

PontiacPeggy

Gemma, That is FANTASTIC news! Now you can breathe and enjoy the weekend. Whew.

HUGS!

LovesToFly

Amy I am so happy to read your news! That's wonderful congratulations!!

Molly50

Amy, wonderful news!

mustlovepoodles

LovesToFly--I always feel worse days 3-7 after chemo. I do get Neulasta the day after the infusion and it seems to help. Other than the first chemo, my numbers have been decent (the first time I became septic and ended up in the hospital for 4 days.) As for bone pain, only once did it become unbearable, and again, it was after the first chemo. My bone pain since then has consisted of headaches and pain in the bones of my face and my lower jaw. In fact, at one point I was afraid I had a real toothache, but then it started moving around so I knew it was just the Neulasta.

Gemma--congratulations on clean margins. That has to be such a relief.

So, ladies, I have a date for my BMX: Feb 4. Which is good, because I have a TON of home visits to catch up on before then. My Jan calendar is full of doctor appts, so I'll have to fit the home visits around all that. At least most of them are within 100 miles of my house. I do home visits in Savannah (GA) twice a year, which is GREAT because it's a nice little city with superb seafood. I got all that out of the way the week before I started chemo, so that trip won't be due until about April. By then I should be well healed. In the meantime, DH has been driving me to many of the farther home visits because I still get pretty tired.

LovesToFly

thank you MLP, very helpful!

Sounds like you've got a good plan in place, I don't really know exactly how you got to this point, but I'm sure everything will work out for you. What Kind of work do you do? I am a social worker with kids in foster care, so it sounds like I have similar schedule. I'm currently doing a contract in information technology though, it's kind of a long story how that happened, but definitely a blessing considering my current medical situation.

Kids pick out a wig for me on eBay, it came today, I think I will be buzzing soon. ( I do have some nice or weeks for every day, if they are comfortable enough to wear every day)

AMaree08

1. Hi everyone, my name is Amber I am 26 from New Zealand.

End of October last year we (my partner and I) found a lump and I remember if feeling quite big (I say that now cause after about 3 weeks it had gone down to the size of a pea.

I went and saw my local GP and he arranged for me to have a fine needle aspiration. Results from that came back abnormal

I was then referred to the breast clinic. After 2 1/2 weeks I got my appointment. I had an ultra sound on the breast where I could see this black circle as they scanned over (didn't think or know much of it at this point other then that's why I was there) I had a mammogram and then saw the surgeon who when he sat down said "you don't want to be sitting in front of me at 26" I remember thinking to myself "who are you" at this point in the process I hadn't really thought it would be cancer I was trying to stay positive that because of my age it would be a cyst or if it was a tumor that it would be benign. He did the inspection and then did a core biopsy. I also went to this whole appointment by myself thinking that I would have answers to leave with instead he said to me "might be a good idea for you to bring someone with you next week just in case we are dealing with something we don't want to" looking back I reckon he knew it was cancer just needed the tests to confirm.

I was to go back a week later for the results. However the day before the appointment I get a phone call from the hospital reception arranging for me to go in for a ultra sound guided biopsy. I knew at that moment that he hadn't got what he needed and I had to wait another week before I knew what the rest results were. So I went back with my very bruised boob for round two. Using the ultra sound to guide the needle into the tumor was quite amazing. As I was now familiar with the core biopsy process i felt a bit more confident. I also had my nana there holding my hand through it

I asked the surgeon who did this procedure at the end "based on what we are looking at (pointing to the ultrasound screen) could this be cancer" understanding that they have to be careful with their answers etc. his reply was "yes, if you look at the surface of the circle it's uneven also the calcification (white dots) inside suggest it could be, however we do not know for sure until we get the tests back".

A week later, back at the breast clinic, on 2nd December 2015 I was told it was stage 1 grade 2 breast cancer, infiltrating duct carcinoma. He explained my options and we opted for a partial mastectomy at this point in time. He advised he had just had a cancellation that morning and within less then a week i had my surgery and was on my way home.

It took a month to recover from it, mainly from where they took the lymph node out to be tested which came back clear. I am pleased I listened to my body and made the time to see professionals. I am so grateful to the staff who have taken care of me.

I am now waiting for a phone call to book an appointment for the genetics test which based on throw results will establish any further surgery or what treatment path to go down be it radiation chemo etc. I am also going to see the fertility clinic once those results are in to establish if I need to freeze some eggs etc

I am open to anyone's comment, thoughts, stories who are in a similar position. I am in the unknown now waiting for more tests and specialists. In the mean time I'm just trying to get life back to normal

Love what this site is about and really looking forward to talking to you all X

ChiSandy

Amber, welcome to the sorority none of us wanted to join. Guess we’re your “big sisters” now. Keeping fingers crossed that your tumor profile (hormone receptor/HER2 status) will be favorable, your genetics test negative and your OncotypeDX score (should that be standard-of-care in NZ) low enough to contraindicate chemo. We’re here to answer your questions as best we can, and know that we’re "in your pocket" for whatever you’ll undergo.

Jill, red hair definitely works for you!

Amy, great news on the clean margins & neg. nodes. Will you be getting the OncotypeDX test? Despite the size of your tumor, a low score might exempt you from chemo.

My friend is in from New Orleans (she has shows tomorrow night and Sun. aft.). We had fun hanging out and boot-shopping yesterday: today will be a bit more utilitarian, as it's sorta cool up in the guest room and will be getting downright polar after tomorrow night, and I'm running low on gas--so we're making a Costco run today to fill the tank and get a space heater. If it isn't raining too hard, we'll walk over to B'way Cellars (last night's dinner was matzo ball soup from the pharmacy-deli, which she'd never had before--Jewish penicillin for both of us). They've upped the snow forecast to between 3-6" tomorrow night; and the gig tomorrow night being in the western suburbs, the drive will be interesting--as in “may you live in interesting times." We'll get to see just what my AWD can do in deep snow! (I wouldn't be surprised if Bob stayed down at the Oak Lawn Hilton tomorrow night, as he's working this weekend down on the far S.W. Side).

Gemma12

ChiSandy - Where are you performing tomorrow night? And where have I been... haven't seen the news that we are getting snow! We were in FL when the last ice storm hit and my driveway is still a mess. It's been irking me all day that I can't just go scrape the ice off with this warmer/rainy day, but the surgeon said to take it easy and shoveling probably wouldn't fall into that category

mustlovepoodles

LovesToFly--I love, love, LOVE your wig!

I am a community health RN for a social service agency. We provide host homes for people with developmental disabilities and therapeutic foster care. My job is to oversee the medical care of those individuals--see that they are receiving the services that their doctors ordered, train caregivers and staff on various health topics that they need to understand to care for the clients, write healthcare protocols, and sometimes I attend doctor visits and advocate for clients when I see that they are in need of some kind of therapy, specialists, tests, or medications. I sometimes have to go head-to-head with CPS and the Dept of Justice, too.

I just love going into the homes and meeting with the clients and their caregivers--I learn a lot from just seeing their living situation and caregivers are often more relaxed and forthcoming with information there. Unfortunately, my laptop gear and nurse bag weigh a LOT more than 5-lbs, so I will be unable to take that stuff on home visits for at least 4 weeks following surgery (and I NEED my stuff!)

AMaree08

Thank you Chisandy that really means a lot. I think it will help a lot talking to others who have had something similar.... It's just so scary how many other people go through it.

Peachy2

Gemma12 - Great news on clear margins!

Lovestofly - When I described the feeling of "having an out of body experience" to the nurse practitioner after the first couple of infusions, she suggested cutting back the steroid to two days post-treatment so that coming off of it wouldn't be as difficult. I felt foggy-headed and not able to focus the day after taking it.

mustlovepoodles

Peachy, I can relate to that "out of body experience." I live for chemo week *because* I GET to take the steroids. It's about the only thing that relieves my severe arthritis. BUT, it makes me feel like I'm flying around the ceiling! I can't sleep those days, so I have to take a strong sleeping pill. I already take several meds for depression, so the combination gives me hallucinations. Thankfully, they are nice hallucinations--I often see bubbles and when I reach out to touch them, they move as if in water. LOL. The things we put up with!

PontiacPeggy

Amber, welcome to the best place you don't want to visit. We are warm, comforting and very informative as you have probably found out. I think you are our youngest member right now. Please help us by filling out your profile as complete as you can and make it all public. That is a great help to us, especially when your original post has moved back several pages and we don't remember all you've gone through. Be sure to make your location public, too!

It seems that you have things quite under control and have a good support system. Both are so important. That underarm incision is a bugger. Most of us find it a real annoyance.

Keep asking questions and we'll be glad to answer!

HUGS!

PontiacPeggy

LovesToFly, I love that wig, too! Wow!

HUGS!

Jclc83

Gemma good news that your lymph nodes are negative. We celebrate with you!

LovestoFly after the steroids wear off you'll feel like you have a really bad case of the flu. Queasy, achy, icky. After day 7. You'll start to feel human again. It's different for everyone though so who knows?

You remind me of the girl from Taxi. I cant remember her name. Looks like a fun wig.

Welcome Amber. I always wanted a little sister lol. My parents never cooperated.( Actually, I was active in Big Brothers, Big Susters for a while).

Sloan15

I got my 1/2 inch of hair trimmed yesterday; the neck fuzz was driving me crazy. I think I'm going to start going without a wig.

Gemma - Great news!

LTFly - Red gives us the "I got this!" feeling. Wear it when you're feeling sassy or surly!

AMaree - Welcome! You are young. We're here for you. In the past they would have done chemo just because of your age, but now there are all these tests that ChiSandy talked about that help guide the docs on that decision. The waiting is hard, and you'll feel more relaxed after you have a plan. Ask everyone their opinions so you have lots of different perspectives when you make your decision on what to do. This group has a lot of diversity in what we've been through, too. Ask tons of questions!

zinny

Love you ladies! Happy New Year. Doing the chemo thing the last few days, so glad to do a quick catch up and see the "out of body experience" comment because I can really relate to that right now.

Thinking of you all, but expect my posts will be minimal in the next bit.

Here is a picture that makes me happy - my birthday candle blow out in December:) the best chocolate quinoa cake, too.

Melclarity

Loves to fly - Its the Steroids that make you shaky and I found I was allergic to the anti nausea it made me worse. So after 2nd infusion we found Ativan was the best! I took continued Ativan all the way through, I found it the best over everything. The girls are all right! the shakiness will stop and it will settle into like a flu for however many days. Everyone is different, hopefully it will just be a couple of days for you! I found I was off the radar for 8 days then was GREAT! for like 1.5 weeks before the next hit. Youre doing all the right things! Stay on it! and most important listen to your body as there will be times you will have to stop take a breather. LOOOOOVE the WIG!!! I'd be lost without my wigs Ive loved them!

614 - Gosh! You too are a single parent and have it super hard with traveling to work and long hours, how on earth do you do it? My first time round 4yrs ago, I had a lumpectomy and radiation. I worked 5 days a week with Autistic children, I worked the way through had no time off and juggled my kids with no support, they were 12 and 14 at the time. My Radiologist by the end demanded I take time off to recover I did take 2 weeks thank God! I needed it plus had severe burn. This time round, my kids are 16 and 18 were so frightened to be here again with me as it is just US. 614 I am sooo glad you have your Mum and I know not everyone has a great relationship with their Mum, but if you do you know what a hole it is when they're gone. Been so hard without her, I have had some great people this time round step up and help, and Ive needed it. What I found though, my biggest lesson in this is I had to put me first even above my kids, which killed me. I wasnt able to work alot and I got shafted by the school I had transferred too, in the midst of Chemo they put me through a gruelling interview process and didnt renew my contract..the irony is my feedback was my interview, application were faultless and I was asked to be on an Elite Behavioural team...and I didnt get it?? I believe as Im a liability so Im going back to my original school for now where Im contracted. Ohhh 20 something hahahaha!! oh absolutely!!! I'm proud to be 47 and I own all of it, the BF is 52 too funny, but he's from Cook Islands so beautiful 6ft 3 dark caramel skin ha! beautiful soul.

HappyHammer

LovestoFly- think some kind of breakfast is a GREAT idea before meds. (That is why the shake was so good for me as I couldn't really think about "food" early in the morning). Hope the mac and cheese works well for you..great idea!

Will mention that there are things that worked after treatments and I was so happy about it. Then, next treatment or so, I couldn't even think of that particular food without feeling green..so be careful not to order too many of something until you can see if it will still be appealing later on. There are some things I used to really enjoy hat may never pass thru these lips again haha...though they were great at the time I needed them!

Sloan15

ok, here's my 1/2 inch haircut (shape). No more wig for me! I'm 14weeks PF*ingC --inside joke to those of you on the website a few days ago when LTFly renamed it!

Musosgirl

I got my drain out today! After my sudden surgery Tuesday to drain the hematoma I have had hardly any drainage. 18 cc Wednesday, 10 cc Thursday, and not even enough to measure this morning. The drain was pulling terribly and hurt so bad! I had called yesterday but the PS wanted me to wait--SO glad he agreed to it today and I didn't have to wait through the weekend.

Now to recover properly and move on to radiation. Hopefully no more surprise surgeries!

Melclarity

Amber - Welcome, these ladies are so wonderful and so supportive, definitely a great place to come and talk. You are so young, and Im sorry you are here at all talking. I love that youve been so proactive and taken each step at a time. Have you got your pathology results back yet? So its Oestrogen receptive I see in your profile? So you'd most likely be placed on Tamoxifen. You said youre having genetic testing? is there history in your family? my Oncologist wouldnt do a genetic test for me as I have only my Mum who had BC and no other history of Cancer at all plus other criteria which I didnt meet, so he was very doubtful I would be positive. I guess they'll do that then yes that will determine cause of action. You seem very ahead of things even with looking into freezing eggs, very together and level headed young lady! We will certainly all try help as much as possible, let us all know how you go..

Melclarity

Happy hammer - I totally agree with you! I could never plan any sort of food or meal as it changed all the time and I just couldnt tolerate alot, so Loves to Fly you'll work it out as you go.

Musogirl - Great!!! the drain is out, OMG I can remember having that too, honestly it was the most painful part of the lumpectomy, damn it hurt getting out, but once out what relief and able to start to heal. Hope all goes well with healing.

Sloan - OMG you look AMAZING!!! I actually teared up, because I know this journey and getting to where you are is wonderful...I am sooo looking forward to having my hair like you too!!! I'm 3 weeks PF*ingC LOL and barely have a little stubble awww sooo want to ditch my wig but imagine still a ways off yet!!

LovesToFly

thank you all for your suggestions! They said that if I have a hard time coming up steroids, I can take a half dose for the last two days instead of a full dose so maybe I will look into out got the pending how this time goes. I finished my steroids tomorrow, and then go back to work Monday, so hopefully one day will be long enough to feel like crap but well see.

Sloa I love your hair, it looks great!

queenmomcat

Sloan: that looks stunning on you. Absolutely stunning.