Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

octogirl

I know, Peggy, I had the same reaction. Valet parking was free at my hospital for lx. not needed at chemo infusion with free parking just steps from the door. Life in a small(ish) town.

ayr1016

in your pocket MLP!!!

MLP3

Thanks Molly!

To echo Peggy.... My husband filled my meds while I was In recovery. Less stressful than stopping and it was nice to pop a Vicodin when I got home so I could go right to sleep.

MLP3

Thanks Ayr!

Gosh! I'm more nervous about starting chemo than I was before surgery😳

Melclarity

Peachy and Molly - I too first lx didnt require anything different in terms of bras, tops or shirts. 2nd lx last year, my Breast Care nurse provided a pack and fit you with a surgical berlei bra OMG, incredible!! I only wore that for about a week or two then back into my normal bra. I too had a surgical drain so til that came out no bra, no probs thereafter either. I have large scars, from nodes removed in my armpit and a massive one about 2 inches across my breast. Battle scars, none of it has worried me at all. Everything heals up quickly from a lx. As everyone else has said too re: arm movement, you have to move it, definitely not restrict movement

HH - I loooove my job, I cant move today am laughing, you need a psychologist degree I realized on top of everything else working with these exceptional children. Demanding on every level, but grounds me like nothing else.

Creativevintage- I totally get you saying that about your link with your painting and Breast Cancer....I actually believe the opposite is true. I believe that this is perhaps one of the most enlightening and happiest things in your life, something that brings you tremendous joy and pride...but above all else?? this is something that you do that is just for YOU! I believe when we are honoring ourselves that we actually thrive. Look how amazing you were doing?? maybe its about now seeing just how much you love it?? Just some thoughts! Dont give up on the one thing that feels to me to be such a creative personal outlet for you.. x

MLP3

I have a visitor!

Melclarity

MLP - Go girl!!! YOu'll do great, and I think once you start it alleviates alot of anxiety, I was beside myself...but thank goodness the infusions are quite uneventful and no problems at all. Then you just manage day to day as you go, just be gentle with yourself, you'll be ok!!

PontiacPeggy

MLP3, what a pretty visitor! The only visitors I want to photograph are the bunnies (in hiding) and the mallards (being snow birds I assume). No one wants to see the damn woodchucks - including me. They bring out the terrier in my rat terrier and she goes nose-to-nose with them. Freaks me out. Nor do I want to photograph the skunks. So glad I live in the city - can't imagine what critters I'd have if I lived in a less urban area.

HUGS!!!

HappyHammer

Mel- Completely understand how you feel about your job. Over 30 years ago, I worked with special needs kids-loved it but had always wanted to be a counselor. Then, got a master's Degree in Elementary School Counseling. After 28 years, retired and then, took a position with elementary aged students in a short term b-mod setting with strong parenting support. Even though it was challenging- it was so rewarding and FUN! Had to resign after BC diagnosis due to the fact that the kids were sometimes very aggressive and the job was physically challenging. Damn BC! I had really found a niche and loved the children, work and staff! After a combined 10 months of chemo, lx and rads am happy to report that I will be going back part-time in the next week or so and back at it in full force in the fall. Love those little challenging guys and really love it when we are able to help them get back to their home schools and be successful- or, get them in a setting where they can be successful if it's not back in the regular class. So excited to get back!

HappyHammer

MLP- What a cool thing to see and photograph. It's like she is looking right at you- it's going to be OK! The waiting and wondering is the hardest part. Like Mel said- you've got this.

Chemo- another step in kicking cancer- HARD- to the curb. Give it the eviction notice and warrior on sister!!

LovesToFly

I will be thinking about you tomorrow MLP, I am going on Wednesday for my 3rd! I was so nervous for my first chemo, but I'm now through two of them and not really nervous. It's not always easy, but it's not as bad as I thought it would be!

Melclarity

HH WOW!!! yes you get it exactly how I feel!!! I too worry if I can maintain this job due to aggressive behaviour so we will see!!! Sooo glad youre going back part time yay!!!! Wonderful!!!!

MLP3

There were two deer and definitely young because they had these puppy faces and just stared at me as I spoke to them. I could never shoot one. They are just so sweet and vulnerable. And yes... Maybe they came by for a reason as I was leaving to head back to Mass!

So ladies... You'll have a couple deer in my pocket too tomorrow😜

Peachy2

HH and Mel, I so admire what you do and your passion for it. You are both angels.

Peggy and Octo, Parking and valet at the suburban hospital where I had rads was free, but there's really nowhere in Boston that you don't have to pay to park. My son sees a specialist at Boston Children's and not only do you have to pay to park but the garage is across the street and usually very full! I much prefer when we can get an appointment at one of their suburban facilities with a free garage.

MLP3, what a great photo!

PontiacPeggy

Peachy, those huge parking fees have to be discouraging. I'd go to the suburban locations too.

HUGS!

ChiSandy

MLP, seeing as how you had 6 nodes removed and Boston-Florida is a long flight (abt. 4 hrs) I’d definitely get a sleeve and either a gauntlet or glove. (My LE doc prefers a glove to prevent finger swelling). You can get it w/o a prescription, so long as you get accurately measured, but your insurance won’t cover it--if at all--without one. Call ahead to stores in your area to find out if they’ll accept your insurance. You can order another set online once you have measurements--you should have two, since they have to be washed and machine-dried after every day’s worth of use lest they become too loose--but reimbursement can be trickier. I like the shop (Second Act) where I bought mine, because it carries only breast-cancer-patient supplies and is on my side of town, but it didn’t take United Healthcare, which I had before Medicare. Regardless of how many nodes you had out, you need arm & hand compression for upper body exercise involving weights or resistance.

I like Juzo’s and LympheDivas’ sleeves because they come in a short length with silicone gripper band. For gauntlets, I like LympheDivas; for gloves, Juzo’s has shorter finger stubs should you need to type or use a trackpad but Mediven’s Harmony glove is more comfortable. If you have long fingers, LympheDivas gloves are great--but I have teeny little cocktail-weenie fingers. (Amazing how I manage to play guitar).

mustlovepoodles

Oh, Katja! I'm so glad you had that checked out! You don't want infection setting up in there.

So, I didn't get to see my PS today but I'm going in tomorrow. I had a really rough night last night. I had taken some Tylenol and a sleeping pill prior to bedtime, but I was just wakeful and miserable. I finally got up at 2:30 and realized that I was in a lot of pain. I took a Percocet and that fixed me right up. I still woke up ever 2 hours but it more like, open my eyes, reposition things, go back to sleep. I'm kinda surprised that I still need a narcotic just about every night, but I guess that's what they're there for.

The trip to the ENT went better than expected. Although my hearing is decreasing in the high regions, it's actually pretty good in conversational tones. The worsening tinnitus is probably due to the chemo and may or may not get better. Also, my mother has Meniere's disease, which causes tinnitus, vertigo, and hearing loss, so this could be something hereditary. Anyway, there's not much to be done for it but keep some level of ambient noise going so that the tinnitus isn't so bothersome.

After all that DH took me to my favorite Bistro for a great salad and French Onion Soup. It's so raw here today. I know a lot of you have been dealing with REAL winter, but here in north Georgia we are winter wimps. Any time the temp goes below 45, we're ready to call in the National Guard. Today it was 32 degrees, gray and windy. Brrr! My bald head was so cold, even with my wig and a hat on! I came home, put on my flannel jammies, and jumped into my bed with the electric blanket on HI~! And somehow I actually SLEPT for 2 hours!

PontiacPeggy

Poodles, I guess I'm not terribly surprised that you're still miserable. I wonder if maybe a little of it is that you're a tad depressed? That would make your pain worse, I'd think. But definitely good that you are seeing the PS tomorrow. You'll feel better whatever he says. Glad you were reassured by the ENT.

Is there anything better than an electric blanket? (I have an electric mattress pad and I much prefer that to a blanket). I got into the habit in college - really helped when I had cramps. Of course, that isn't an issue now but the aches, pains and sore muscles are. Glad you were able to sleep.

HUGS!!!

mustlovepoodles

You know, I was always skittish of an electric blanket, probably because the old ones were so dangerous. We got this one when we went camping one weekend. The temps got down pretty low and we had left the heavy-duty low-temp sleeping bags at home. A trip to Walmart fixed us right up. Toast-roasty under our blanket!

PontiacPeggy

Poodles, that the best way to be! I detest being cold. (Yeah, I know. Living in Michigan and moving to eastern Washington - definitely not warm in winter).

HUGS!

LovesToFly

poodles sorry you are still in pain. French onion soup sounds heavenly though!!

MLP3

Thanks chisandy! I'll ask for a prescription tomorrow from my mo.

Sorry that you're not feeling well poodles.

The valet is expensive but here's why... Dana Farber and Brigham and Women's... And MGH and Beth Israel are all soooo busy. There are at least 15 valet at the main entrance. They deal with patients so nicely... Wheel chairs, grabbing post op bags, helping patients in and out of cars, holding doors... All while other patients and visitors are pulling in. Their patience is amazing. The place is an absolute zoo and these guys are all smiles. I don't see how they could do it for free AND pay these guys. My dad was in there for 17 months living at Brigham and women's with AML and the valet became like family;) I was in every day 2x/day.

And I'll pull up tomorrow at 6:45 am looking all lovely in slippers n sweats and they will make me feel like a princess👸🏽👑😁

Night night ladies! Good luck to the surgery twins tomorrow!!

HappyHammer

Poodles- where in GA are you? We will be in Hilton Head for a long weekend end of the month...we usually go see our cousins in Port Wentworth- a bit south of Savannah when we get down that way....if you are anywhere close would love to meet for coffee or tea or?

HappyHammer

A dear friend gave me an electric blanket "throw" when she found out how cold I was during chemo and beyond...I now have it on our bed between sheet and comforter...turn it on high about 30 mins before going to bed....so nice that bed is all warmed up on my side but precious hubby doesn't have to deal with that as he is a hotbody!

PontiacPeggy

MLP3, When DH was in the hospital a year ago and I was doing my rads, I'd come visit about 7AM (hoping to catch the docs), at 8 I'd get my car from the valet and drive the half mile over to the rad center, come back and valet the car again. Then at lunch the same. (We live 10 minutes from the hospital). The valets also became family and were wonderful. I tipped every time since I had a handicap tag. They can sure make a bad situation much more bearable.

HH, it IS heavenly getting into a nice warm bed!

Night everyone!

HUGS!

1step

It's been awhile since I've posted, but I've been reading, enjoying photos, cheering everyone on, jumping in pockets, and sending prayers and support. I am so grateful that this group is always near.

This LE is really kicking my @**. I can't even find out whether my insurance company has any specialists in network. Luckily, a client from my clinic recommended me to a therapist who will work with me now, while I work on finding someone in network. I'll see her Thursday for a full evaluation, and meanwhile she's told me to wear the sleeve all day and the sports bra around the clock until then. I'm already feeling better, which makes everything easier.

I was supposed to get a baseline ECG tomorrow, but they called tonight to cancel because they didn't have a referral. I didn't think I needed on for a test ordered by my MO, so I'll have to call first thing in the morning to work that out. I'm supposed to start chemo next week, but that might need to be pushed back to wait on insurance.

Molly50

((Poodles)) I hope time and fills will be what's needed to feel better. Do you still have drains? What is your schedule for fills? Best wishes to our surgery gals and to Mlp3 tomorrow. You all better have huge pockets.

anniekaja11

Hi everyone,

So enjoy reading all the posts and supports, it just beautiful! Well, I am off tomorrow morning for my lumpectomy and sentinel node removal. I'm all organized, my daughter is here which was like a breath of fresh air! Please keep me in your prayers.

A

ChiSandy

Will do, anniekaja! Relax and post again when you feel up to it. You've got this!

Melclarity

Anniekaja - All the best for your surgery tomorrow!!! hugs