Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

PontiacPeggy

HH, that has to be exceptionally hard. But it appears you have found out what works for you. But that doesn't make it easier, does it?

That get together would be fun. I'm not going anywhere this year what with getting a new house and moving. My entertainment this summer will likely be going to all the Spokane Indians' baseball games - I really do enjoy the games (went to 5 when I visited last summer).

We SE Michigan BCO'ers are working on getting together pretty soon. We meet in Jackson at a winery. If anyone would like to be included in the group, let me know and I'll add you to the mailing list. You do not have to live in Michigan, just be willing to travel to Jackson.

HUGS!!!

mustlovepoodles

Well, we got good news and bad news today. The good news is that my 29yo son doesn't have my gene mutations (PALB2 and Chek2), which cause breast, colon, pancreatic, thyroid, and other cancers. The bad news is that my lovely 22yo daughter has BOTH. DH and I are devastated, as is she! This means she will need ongoing surveillance for the rest of her life. Which sucks because she has terrible insurance with a very high deductible, all of which I am paying because she can't afford to.

We have 2 aunts who had BC before age 50, and one was only 24~! My sister had BC when she was 53, technically not an early cancer, but she was still pre-menopausal. And there are others who had BC after 50, including me. But not only does DD need to be concerned about breast cancer, but these gene mutations are strongly associated with colon cancer, which my family is riddled with.

Sheesh. I guess I'll need to call my breast surgeon and get DD in there so they can come up with a plan of care.

HappyHammer

oh, Peggy- you really do get it. Yes, George's accident was in 2000 and our family has been able to adjust and , and, and.......not easy but doable as you would say.

PontiacPeggy

Oh, Poodles, how awful. You are doing all you can for DD. I think it's better that she knows and can be vigilant. Sucks! Group Hug

HH, Hugs

HUGS!

HappyHammer

Dammit, Poodles.....BUT so glad you got the testing and know what DD is facing. Give yourself a BIG hug and take a deep breath...treatment is changing every day and you guys are ahead of it so breathe and sleep tonight...tomorrow is a new day with a new fight.

HappyHammer

Reader...we have all (mostly) agreed....we can talk about anything here....that is the thing about this amazing thread and group. Have a good night.

Sloan15

jclc83 - Always post the information, the app or the research! I should have been more clear that I'm the one not ready for recurrence rate stats yet. I have an appt with my MO on Feb 16, and I just want to get through this first episode without thinking of recurrence right now. But that's me. I WORRY, so I have to put it out of my mind until I can drill my doc for information. I was walking today --yep, getting in my Fitbit steps-- and thinking, "Dwelling on recurrence right now is like saying 'If I ever go to Venezuela, I hope my plane doesn't crash' when I don't even know if I'm ever going to go to Venezuela!" I just need to get through my first bc trip before I start thinking about recurrence. I think information is important and needs to be shared, and I need to make sure I am ready and prepared to receive it so I don't fall apart. Keep on sharing the science!

Reader - No worries! I understand the need to not be 'just' another statistic.

1step - Thanks. Yeah, our fighting spirits have to rest up!

Molly and Happy Hammer-- HUGS. Just HUGS for both of you.

Mel - Hugs for you, too.

...and Hugs for Poodle's daughter.

What the hell, hugs for the rest of you, too! GROUP HUG! Night all.

ChiSandy

Poodles, keeping your daughter in all of our pockets right now--hoping that the surveillance turns out to be no more than periodic vigilance. She’s still more likely to not get any of those cancers--and as time goes by, perhaps our nation’s healthcare system will become more affordable for all; or she may end up with a job or in some union or professional association that offers better group coverage. We’re paying for individual policies for both our son and our housekeeper--their deductibles & copays are high and the premiums not all that low. We figure that perhaps what we’re saving by both of us being on Medicare now can fill in the gaps.

Sloan, my Fitbit is driving me crazy--I can’t pull up any of the data from previous days, and the dang thing keeps turning over at midnight so I can’t review, either. It’s Bluetoothed to my iPad, but that doesn’t seem to help. All it seems to be doing right now is sitting on my wrist like a big funky 1970s digital watch and reminding me when I do check it what a sedentary slug I am!

Ayr, your upper GI endoscopy dx is exactly the same as my first one, hiatal hernia and all. I expected it, since I’ve had reflux for over 20 yrs. A year later, after some unexplained anemia, they did another one and found some esophageal inflammation and a gastric “ulcerette” of “probable chemical origin.” (So much for ever being able to take NSAIDs again). Were you “out” or conscious? I had “milk of amnesia” (propofol) for my first one, which was done at the same time as my colonoscopy; but completely awake on I.V. Versed for the second one. Ugh. Not only did I feel everything, but the doctor insisted I look at the screen while he pointed out the problem areas. Thank goodness I’d been NPO since midnight.

Took my new Mediven sleeve to my LE PT session today, and the therapist confirms the fitter mis-measured me. Problem is not with the length, but that the upper band is too tight and she should have ordered the Extra-Wide top. Have to call Luna Medical in the morning and find out whether to take it back to them (good luck parking there in Lakeview) and then wait for them to ship it back to Mediven and Mediven ship the right one to me, or whether to communicate directly with Mediven. Meanwhile, I called LympheDivas and they will exchange the Music City glove for a matching gauntlet and a credit to my account. Now to try to find a donning aid. My therapist will probably give me one when I see her for the last time Tuesday--today she gave me a silicone-bead-filled bra pad to try to break up some of the radiation fibrosis. A lot of the fluid seems to have drained from around the tumor cavity but the seroma’s still there--and it still sticks out the side of my camis and sleep bras.

Off to swallow my nightly shot-glass-o-pills (Rx and minerals), perhaps washed down with some low-carb milk to neutralize the wine still gurgling in my gullet.

MLP3

So sorry poodles. At least she will have early detection with all of the check ups. And chisandy is right... Technology and treatments are improving by the day. Just a very tough pill for her to swallow at such a young age I'm sure.

Interesting about Carly Fiorina.

Still no news on my lx and snb and it's starting to get to me. Packing the car up in a few, wrangling the dogs and heading to NH for a change of scenery. I need a walk in the woods and wine by the fire😉

Molly50

HH, big hugs again. My heart breaks for you. I am glad your DS is a happy guy. It must be very hard to keep those boundaries. Reader, it's all good. We all process in different ways. Poodles, oh my goodness! I am sorry about your DD. Not one but both? I'm waiting for the results of my DD's genetic testing. It will be a few weeks. Her genetic doctor said if she's positive it will mean yearly MRI for breast cancer monitoring. She doesn't feel the colon cancer is a big risk with no known family history but my sisters geneticist said every 5 instead of 10 years. My son's insurance hasn't approved the test yet . ( my oldest son) It's crazy, DD's doctor said that we should have youngest tested for gene. I don't see the point since he is so ill and won't live very long life. Now working on getting my brother to take this seriously. I had an uncle who had BC in his 40's.

ChiSandy, I hope you get the whole sleeve mess worked out. I am intrigued by the bead insert for your radiation fibrosis. Can you explain more?

LovesToFly

so sorry poodles. Of course it's better for her to know but...hard to live with

Have a good day mlp, waiting is so hard.

I'm feeling better today it's only 8am but by this time yesterday I was already a weepy mess

Molly50

MLP3, still nothing? Ugh that's too long. Hopefully no news is good news. Enjoy your change of scenery.

Jclc83

MLP3 waiting is the hardest part. Doesn't hurt to call your BS since its been a week. Glad you are feeling better LT FLy.

Poodles with knowing she has both genes she will get close monitoring. Not knowing would mean at best regular monitoring (age 45?). I think close monitoring is much better.

We all have things we deal with It's exceptionally harder to know some of my friends here have really difficult lives. Makes me sad More hugs

LaNena

Hello - I'm new to the Forum and was hoping to find FitBit pals that would keep me motivated. I had my lumpectomy on 12/10/15 and am currently waiting for the Oncotype results to see if I need chemo or if I can just go directly to my radiation planning and treatment. I've been trying to stay active with my newly acquired FitBit, in preparation for the "possible" chemo and the 'for sure' radiation treatment.

To all the ladies that have yet to go through surgery, HANG IN THERE!

Peachy2

You all are my superheroes!

LovesToFly

lanena feel free to search for me on fit bit, I am zozosmamma@gmail.com

Bing fit and active hrough my treatment is very important to me, and fitbit has has definitely helped me!

It also makes me sad to see that so many of you have had such difficult lives before breast cancer. Although I can see that you're such a strong woman! I feel quite blessed, even though I'm certainly had some difficult times ( dad's cancer, brothers mental health issues, marital ups and downs, stresses of being a social worker in child protection), I've still basically had a life full of joy and minimal in tragedy.

((((((Hugs))))))

PontiacPeggy

LaNena, Welcome to the best place you don't want to be. Sounds like you've discovered that we are warm, welcoming, comforting and a bit "off"! So darned hard waiting for the Oncotype results and you seem to be waiting an awfully long time - UGH! I'm not a FitBit person but many here are!

HUGS!

MLP3

Peachy- great post!!

LTF- here's to a happy day today! Raising my coffee mug☕️

Welcome LaNena!

My bs said 7-10 days and surgery was last Friday mid-day. I'll call this afternoon if I don't hear anything this am. I hate being a slave to checking my patient portal!

DH is driving and I can see the mountains ahead! Ahhhhh.... Check out my boys below...

Peachy2

Aww, sweet boys MLP3!

LovesToFly

aww love them

LaNena

I already feel welcome by all of you!! Thanks to all.

LovesToFly: I just added your name to my 'Workweek Hustle'' challenge. Any other takers out there? Not trying to put pressure or anything

MLP3: My results came back 7 days after surgery, so hang in there. Your doggies are adorable!

octogirl

Aww....such cute boys MLP! and sorry for the wait...and welcome to LaNena!

LovestoFly, I agree, it does sounds like so many of you have complicated lives even without bc..as if bc wasn't enough! I had crazy stuff going on when I was younger, but for me, bc hit just when my life seemed to settling into a pleasant, happy bit of a rut. Sigh. (I am a homebody at heart even though I work and travel a fair amount). Seems like another group hug (((((hug to all)))) is in order!

Octogirl

LovesToFly

octogirl me too. This was supposed to be my good time! My dad was a year past his cancer and doing well, my client had died which was tragic but I was able to start getting some closure and moving on after two years, my brother got out of the psych ward and was doing well, my marriage and kids were doing really well, and I was starting a six-month contract at a new position at work that I was really excited for! l literally found a lump the day before I started my new position. I couldn't believe it! After everything I have gone through to get to such a good place in my life, breast cancer. (As soon as I found my lamp I knew it was). That said, even though obviously it sucks, I still have been able to enjoy all those things. My parents have been around more, my brother is still doing well, I am still working two out of every three weeks and do love my new job. But still, it was rather unbelievable timing. At the same time, as much as it sucks that it happens during what was supposed to be my good time, it would've been worse if it was during one of those bad times, when I was overwhelmed enough.

justmaximom15

Happy Friday to all and thanks for the very warm welcome!

Poodles (hope I can call you that) I'm so sorry about your daughter's test results.

MLP - love those labs. Left one looks like my granddoggy.

Not sure what anyone else's plans are for the weekend but it's supposed to be in the 60's here and I had thought about opening the windows and doing some housecleaning but since radiation has my skin pretty bad right now, that's probably not happening. My son is at his Dad's for the weekend and SO is working tomorrow so I think I'll just sit around topless and braless letting the fan cool off the hot spots.

KarenR0618

I'm getting a bit nervous. I went for my pre-op yesterday. Surgery is on Monday. I am trying to get everything in order at work. Everything is fine but I feel like I just want to sit and cry but there just isn't time.

MLP3

lol maxmom!!

My bs secretary... Peter, very feminine and I love him... Just put an urgent memo into pathology. He said 7 business days and hopefully my bs will b calling me first thing Monday.

Just got to the house, turned heat and hot water on and the dogs are having a blast running through the woods. We don't have lots of land in my town like we do up here. Heading to my favorite farmy/vegan lunch spot for an organic juice and a vegan soup. And then I might go treat myself to a mani/pedi;)

And while we know that maxmom will be cooling off the girls in front of a fan... What's everyone elseup to this weekend?

MLP3

Karen- my surgery was supposed to be this past tues the 26th but they called in the middle of last week and said Friday the 22nd! So I completely understand but at least you have the weekend to prepare mentally and physically... Laundry, food shopping, etc...

One thing that I was happy to prepare for was the armpit odor from my lx side... 😷 I bought wipes and spray. It's funny because I never have it but happy I was prepared. Even baby wipes to clean that area are great.

I was gone all day and didn't get home until 9pm. I was happy to have someone drop off food that day in a cooler we left outside. I wasn't overly hungry but it was great to get something in my stomach that night that was mild(vegan veggie rice casserole). It helps with pain meds and anesthesia.

Another thing that I did was drink a TON of water leading up to surgery. Helps with anesthesia and BP post op.

Keep busy and if needed, have a good cry from being overwhelmed. Then wipe the tears and say "let's do this."

You got this Karen and we are all here for you and in your pocket on Monday... Psst... Ask for pants with big pockets at the hospital because this group loves to climb aboard. 😊

PontiacPeggy

Karen0618, Welcome to the best place you don't want to be. We're warm, informative, comforting and a bit crazy. Don't worry about crying. We all do. A BC diagnosis is really hard to accept and cope with. Keep in mind that you are now doing something (your Lx) to get rid of your cancer - the first step! Usually radiation and anti-hormonals follow surgery. A couple things: you might want to wear front opening garments to your surgery. If you are having a SLNB you may not want to raise that arm to put on over-the-head clothing. Make sure to fill your prescription for pain meds. You may not need them. However, if you do, take them. Don't let pain take over. Tylenol may do the trick (that's all I needed). I felt good afterwards. Some of us do, some of us don't. If friends/family offer food-take it. Be sure to rest - your body needs that so it can heal from the major surgery you've just had. Don't push to do things. Not the time for spring cleaning. Follow the instructions from your surgery team. Ice is good for both incisions. The underarm incision will cause more annoyance, most likely, than the one on the breast (weird).

Ask away - we're here to help! You might consider putting your location in your profile and making it public. You might find someone close to you who is here! And yes, I'll be bouncing around in your pocket Monday!

HUGS!

Krista21

does anyone know what this means, I had a lumpectomy and the pathology report says ilc extends to the inked anterior margin focally, what does focally mean

ladyhumps

Hi, ladies! First time posting here but have been reading for a couple days. It's so nice to see all the encouragement and experiences you all share. Hope everyone's doing well today and looking forward to a great weekend.