Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

Sloan15

I want to tell an amazing story about how technology and medicine changes in just a couple years. Ten years ago, my co-worker was HER+, diagnosed at 35ish, stage IV, multiple met sites lung, liver, etc. She's done more than 80 chemos, yep, 80. A couple years ago she was in the trials for the HER+ medicine.... And now she is in remission!! So much of what people know about cancer is out-dated, so if you are a HER+ gal, remember to get your facts from your doc and not from your neighbors!! (Yay, go science).

Sloan15

I think it's time to post this picture I took 2 nights ago of Neil DeGrasse Tyson and Bill Nye the Science Guy. We've learned so much that we can even use science as a verb now! Haha

Shamisen

Thank you so much! You are all so comforting and inspiring.

LovesToFly

I wish this forum had "likes" or "hugs"!

PontiacPeggy

LovesToFly, me too!

HUGS!

614

I missed one day. I will just say hello, feel well, and good luck with surgery/chemo/SE's to everyone, because I cannot possibly respond now.  Also, good luck with the waiting and not knowing.  That is sssooooo hard. I have to get up in 6 hours for work.  It would take to long to respond and be obsolete by the time I finish.  I have worked a ridiculous number of hours so far this week plus my very long commute.  I'm exhausted.  However, thinking about the "porn position" and "mine is bigger than yours" makes me laugh and gives me something to look forward to this weekend.  However, I am glad that my boyfriend's is bigger.  lol.  Just saying.  Girls just want to have fun!

I do not get offended by anything.  I love to laugh and to make others laugh.

I wear 2 medic alert bracelets.  One is the lymphedema alert (I do not have lymphedema and I probably won't get it because they only removed 2 nodes. However, I never want to get lymphedema so I wear the bracelet) and the other lists my sulfa allergy, my severe allergy to adhesives on bandages, my allergy to neoprene, and my allergy to factive (an antibiotic that no doctor knows anything about).  I figure that if I wear the bracelets that I will never need them.  If I don't wear the bracelets then something may happen and I will wish that I had them on.  Murphy's Law.

Brit - I like the third wig the best but they all look great and natural.

I love the fact that we are all in each other's pocket.  Thanks to all of you for being so wonderful.  I look forward to reading what you post.  I just wish that I had more time in my day.

 

614

I just posted a bunch of stuff but I wanted to add something and the whole post was deleted and caused me to go back one page.  I'm exhausted.  I had an extremely long work week so far and I must get up in 5 & 1/2 hours for work.  Sorry, but I can't retype what I posted.  I will just say - hugs and best wishes to all of you having surgery/chemo/waiting for results/appointments.

I'm laughing at mine is bigger than yours and the porno position.  All I can say is, I'm glad that my boyfriend's is bigger.  lol.  Just saying.  Girls just want to have fun.

I do not get offended by anything.  I like to laught and to make others laugh.

I wear 2 medic alert bracelets.  One has the lymphedema warning even though I will probably never get lymphedema - only 2 nodes removed.  I don't want to take the chance.  The other lists my allergies.  I may have a new allergy now to amoxycillin (I'm not sure) but I am not getting another bracelet.

Thanks to all of you for "being in my pocket."  You are all the best.  I am in your pocket(s) too.

Molly50

Jonsey, no exercise yet. I was told not to raise my arm until my surgeon cleared me. Congratulations on getting through the lx. Can you call and ask for your pathology report sooner? Shamisen good news about the second mass. There's a triple positive thread you should check out. The good news is Herceptin and perjeta are miracle drugs for HER2 positive and you can use anti hormonal drugs. Peggy, you have such an amazing outlook. I am sure your son will be blessed by having you nearby.

Anyone I missed, I am sending hugs. I am tired and watching DGS.

ivy2

Jonesy- I'm in Australia and the PT had me doing things like pretending to rock a baby and letting my arm hang gently and swinging back and forth the morning after surgery. After 4 days I was allowed to go above shoulder height with stretching and excercises. I think each country differs but certainly keep to your limits and be gentle with yourself above all.

Sloan- Wouldn't that be a cool thing to see! But the thing I like about this forum is that our experiences are cumulative and multiply the good instead of cancelling each other out. My son gave me a tshirt that said "if it doesn't matter- does it anti-matter?" I wear it constantly.

It's like a big bang support group.

Melclarity

Ivy - I'm in Australia too, whereabouts are you? I'm the same as you in terms of exercising after surgery. I do think things are done differently in different Countries. Love the t-shirt!

april25

Shamisen -- Not sure if it'll be the same for you, but I'm HER2+ and that meant a year of Herceptin infusions every 3 weeks... the first part was with chemotherapy. As others have said, the good thing by being triple positive (there's a thread just for triple positives), is that all three, ER+, PR+ and HER2+, have different treatments, and having ways to treat something is good. HER2+ probably means a bit more treatment, than if you were ER+PR+ only.

Jonsey22 -- That's a bit of a wait for your Path. Sometimes they tend to tell you the longer times to get reports back... I'd check with them before that, or at least ask them to tell you when they get the report, instead of waiting 4 weeks. They might get the report back before expected, but might not tell you right away if you don't ask.

I got my Path Report 4 or 5 days after my LX (most of it by the 4th day, a remainder on the 5th). But the time it takes seems to vary, depending on where you are, how busy it is, etc.

As others have said, you'll still be within acceptable time periods. It's mostly a case of you not wanting to wait around too long to know what the Path says! Waiting can be tough for most people, but others don't mind as much. If you don't want to wait, I think it's acceptable for you to keep after them to tell you as soon as they can! The first place I was treated was fairly fast with their tests, but they still got reports a LOT faster than they actually got around to passing on the information. I had to ask them if they'd gotten results back-- they usually wouldn't call up and tell me on their own. I changed doctors and they were better--VERY quick--but I still had to sort of keep after them, since they were busy. It's just the way it sometimes goes. But anyway--good luck in getting them to get you the info sooner rather than later!!!

Blue dye injection -- Lots of people seem to find it painful. I was lucky. My BS put me under before I got that shot! I had the wire thingies (not painful), then waited a bit and got taken into the OR and was totally out! I don't remember a thing! I heard later that the injection could be painful. I wonder why most people get it when they are still awake and I didn't? Hmmm. Anyway, I'm definitely not going to complain!

The bright blue pee was something to experience, though!

Definitely take it easy. Rest as much as you can the first few days. After that you should be fine to move around and do what you want, but still take it easy on that side, don't lift anything heavy, don't do lots of really strenuous activity, etc.

Brightsocks -- Most likely your tumor wasn't getting bigger. They are usually slow-growing. Even the faster-growing ones usually won't change much in a few months. The change in size is mostly that it's hard for them to get an exact size using most scans. They usually don't know for sure until surgery and they can examine the thing closely.

Sloan -- Hopefully we can get together at some point! I'll try and be in touch!

--

Chemo-- I think it was true for me that the cycles were pretty much the same... although there is a cumulative effect... Things got slightly worse as they went along, but not drastically. I could pretty much predict how I'd feel, anyway. So if you're doing OK after the first infusion (which is the loading one--more of everything), you should be OK for the rest. Still need to watch for low WBC and all that, of course. Fatigue could get worse by the end.

I'm terrible at keeping records! I tried keeping a hard-copy journal, but didn't keep it up. I mostly had a big huge datebook/calendar that I hauled around with me all year for appointments and notes and contact info, etc. I was very good for a while, but I just screwed up (after a year) and missed an appointment yesterday! Non-crucial, just followup with a dermatologist, but I feel bad. Somehow I didn't write it down. I think I put it in my phone and didn't check my phone! bleh.

I should wear a medic-alert bracelet for Type 2 diabetes and my one antibiotic allergy (not a severe one), and probably add the new stuff to it... but I don't! I don't tend to get low blood sugar (as never in 10 years).

ChiSandy

I had followed the Susan Love & Elisa Port books’ instructions about gentle “wall-walks” post-op, but my BS’ nurse hit the ceiling and told me that could cause cording and seromas. Point became moot when my axillary seroma went Vesuvius on me 3 wks post-op; when the sutures came out, the nurse said I could resume those exercises and very gentle stretches--but to use a reacher and use the left arm for any really high reaches. (So much for the old “Reach to Recovery” program--guess that was for mx). Got some mild cording (could feel the pull & soreness but not see anything beneath the skin) anyway. Saw the LE doc last week, and despite what was in the NLN handouts he gave me, he said that the nurse had been overly cautious and I should have kept up the gentle gradual stretches. (By measurements, I don't have LE, but by that "pre-cording" and some of the symptoms I got in-flight and at high altitude, I was diagnosed with "subclinical" or Stage 0 LE anyway (probably for Medicare reimbursement purposes). My LE therapist agrees with him that those wall-walks are what I should have been doing from the outset. This morning I awoke with forearm tightness in a new spot, upon extension & rotation, so even though it abated somewhat during the day, the therapist has decided we need to add massage to break up what are probably sclerosed or clogged lymph vessels. She did MLD, and I’ve been told to do it daily for my breast seroma and several times a week for the arm, whenever I notice any symptoms.

Because I discovered my penicillin allergy as a kid, I began wearing a plastic Medic-Alert “dog tag” on a chain when I was in law school, but I stopped because it made me feel like a hypochondriac. Over the years I became allergic as well to sulfa antibiotics (but not the sulfa-analog drugs like celecoxib and hydrocholorthiazide) and Cipro, and had been toying with the idea of getting a medical-ID bracelet with that engraved. Never acted on it until I was given that ugly pink plastic wristband when I was discharged home after my lumpy/SNB--I figured if I had to wear something to warn about LE risk, I might as well incorporate my antibiotic allergies too. The Cipro allergy heart-shaped charm was from MedicAlert, which came with a year’s membership, so I filled out an online profile and carry the card with me. My bracelet’s from an outfit called MyIDDr, which has a 3-line/18-characters-per limit for its ID plate; so rather than waste space engraving my name and a contact # for someone who may or may not answer, I had my MedicAlert # engraved instead--EMTs are familiar with that, and know whom to call or what site to visit. Fortunately, the only metal sensitivity I have is a slight one to sterling (I have to wear 14K or surgical steel backs with sterling earrings), but only on my ear-piercing holes. Might get a vermeil bracelet (or dress the current steel one up with some meaningful--and small--Pandora charms).

LovesToFly

I was given a sheet with exercises and told to start them the day after surgery to make sure I didn't lose mobility in that arm. So different!

Sloan yeah for running!!!

PontiacPeggy

Ivy, Welcome to our group! Please fill out your profile and make it public. That helps us when you do ask questions. As MelClarity asked, include your location. You never know when you might find someone close by. And BCO'ers are the best friends!

HUGS!

PontiacPeggy

Sloan, my MedicAlert bracelet is actually from MedicAlert.org. I always wear it. My contact information is in my phone under ICE (In Case of Emergency).

BTW, don't you love Dr Susan Love's book? Between it and everyone here, I have had a very smooth journey. It helps you know what questions to ask. That is hard when you don't know a thing and have no clue what to ask, what you need to know.

HUGS!

Creativevintage

Finished rads! I had redness and itching, like a Superbad sunburn and I had to cover some areas with mepelex dressings to avoid irritation from my clothes, but that all started to clear almost as soon as I finished the regular treatments. The boosts went fine. I do tire easily, but the RO signed me out from work until First week of February. She said that for the next two weeks the fatigue could get worse, but after that I should start to see a return of my energy. I start on AI next week when i see MO before herceptin infusion. I also go for another echo next week. all in all, everything is going well and I just look forward to just getting on with my normal activities.

brithael

Today the hair goes completely. I have an appointment with my hairdresser at 1:30, so will get a pic and post.

I'm tired of molting all over the house, so I think it'll be a relief. I find that the "chemo sobby" part of chemo makes me very emotional, so I may cry, but I'm really not too worried about it. It is what it is. I also hope to get wig#1 trimmed a little better. I didn't really like the picture of it that I posted, yet it's the most fun looking wig of the three - redder and very casual. Have had some good days leading into chemo#2 - just have some food problems as to what tastes good or not.

See you later when Bald is Beautiful!

JerseyRenee01

It's OVER!!!

Omg what a day!! So arrive 7:25. Took me for my mri & mammo like 8 ish. After put me back in patient room & sat until 1:00 until surgery!!! So 4 hours to wait!! With wire in boob & iv. Hadnt had food/drink in over 14 hrs at that point!

Well surgery was 2 hrs. All went well. Everyone was great! I was out within 5 min in OR.

I got home, so sleepy. Not hungry & looks like I found out I get sick from Anesthesia! Threw up twice! Icing my breasts & on percocet. My left breast (cancer one) hurts just to walk around so i will just sit with ice all day! This compression bra on my chest is so tight, I can hardly breathe & cant come off til tomorrow. I just ate a banana & didnt get sick. Yay

LovesToFly

Glad you are through Renee, Yeah for that banana. I hope your recovery goes easily! Don't be afraid to take pain medication

HappyHammer

Awwwm JcLc, thanks! Being on this thread with you guys is so helpful!

HappyHammer

JerseyR- glad you are home...long day! Sorry about getting sick- that stinks! Agree with LTFly- take whatever pain meds or OTC nsaids and stay ahead of it. Also, suggest Colace or something like it so you don't have pain meds related stomach issues. Sitting with ice all day, resting and napping seems to be the perfect plan! Do you have someone there with you today? Hugs!

HappyHammer

Brithael....thinking of you today. Can't wait to see the new pic and the cute reddish wig trimmed up!

JerseyRenee01

HappyHammer:

Thank you! My back is killing me from laying around!

My husband home with me. 😊

Thank you LovesToFly! 😘

octogirl

Sloan, I love it! That pic expresses exactly what I really liked about 'The Martian'. These days, science needs all the attention it can get! I also love that you see yourself as the 'anti-archivist'...that is me too! :-)

JerseyRenee, glad surgery is done! Creative Vintage, yay for being done!

This thread moves so fast I can't keep up...I am doing ok a week post rads but still having lots of tiredness and some skin problems (rawness, peeling). It looks much worse than it feels.

Sending HUGS to all!

Octogirl

Jclc83

It's great that you're done with surgery JerseyRenee . We were thinking about you yesterday. Now mend quickly

I was wondering if anyone had skin discoloration during chemo

.

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JerseyRenee01

Jclc83:

Thank you so much! Means alot!

Any suggestions on a better ice pack? I just using the ones from hospital which dont stay cold long.

Peachy2

JerseyRenee, glad it went well! Yay for eating that banana and keeping it down! (It's the small stuff. )

Jclc83, my skin was a bit darker with and chemo. After using my summer foundation color through Christmas, I just switched to a lighter color because it is now going back its usual pallor.

Jonsey22

I have another question. Lymphedema and seromas. Are these something I should be watching for/worried about following a lumpectomy? My doctors never said anything about either of these things following my lumpectomy 2 days ago.

I tried changing my city and country but it won't save to my profile. Has anyone else had this problem?

PontiacPeggy

Jonesy, you have to make each item PUBLIC. While I think it's great to be able to pick and choose what you make public, if you want everything public, it's inconvenient. Anyway, see if that helps.

CreativeVintage, glad your rads are over!

JerseyRenee, So glad you got through yesterday. Bummer that you were sick from the anesthesia but it sounds like you are better on that front. You shouldn't keep ice on everything continuously. Give your breast and underarm a break. You don't want to freeze the area (well, maybe you do, but you shouldn't) I used ziplocs with ice wrapped in a linen towel.

HUGS!

MLP3

yay Jersey... That part is behind you!

Sloane- that is probably my most favorite quote in a movie. And it was delivered perfectly by the adorable Mr Damon;)

I had someone just say to me that I am "so lucky" that I'm "only having a lx and snb"... And not a mx like her. Said lx wasn't major surgery. I COULD have a mx... Double at that! It's my choice to take baby steps and figure out this thing when they take it out.

Not only does my town look at me when I'm out enjoying a great dinner and a glass of wine like they are seeing a ghost(small town)... But I now have to look forward to women one-upping me with their stages and surgeries and chemo or no chemo...?

Cancer is cancer as far as I'm concerned and I'm just damn lucky that I caught it early. And my choice of an lx vs mx is that I'm going to "science the shit out of this".

👊🏻