Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

PontiacPeggy

HH, what an awful time. Nothing worse than losing a pet. And you doing your back in? Add your mother breaking her ankle - yikes. That's more than enough for anyone. I think you need a ton of hugs. So HUG HUG HUG HUG HUG

Sandy, bummer about your elbow. Who'd have thought it would turn out to be such a pain? Glad your tea turned out so lovely. My mother had Wedgewood china (white with blue). It was lovely. Have a smooth trip to Switzerland and antibiotic cream.

HUGS!!

Sloan15

chisandy - Great pictures! I love having high tea, but having it in a lovely setting makes it so special!

HH - Awww, I'm sorry about your furry baby. It's always the closing of another chapter when a pet passes. Hugs

Does anyone ever get burning on a patch of skin on the arm? I have a burning patch on the back of my affected arm. I'm not sure if it's lymphedema -but I have no swelling- or nerves or from my meds. I read that some people get burning when they have a cold virus, too. But, this is new too me. I read that skin pain could be a symptom of anastrozole, so I'll post in that link, too. I'm just wondering if this is something anyone else experienced.

I also got a letter in the mail yesterday saying that my mammogram after my biopsy (to show the pin placement) picked up another mass that needs a biopsy. Geez, this is never ending. The letter said it's "probably benign" so I'm not as freaked out as usual, but still.... I also go in for my blood tests tomorrow and get the results with doc April 4. It would sure be nice if my doc said, "Hey, the meds must be working because your tumor marker is in the normal range now!" So, it's been a rough week. I'm seriously considering anti anxiety medication!

PontiacPeggy

Geez, Sloan, you can't buy a break. That's awful. More pokes and prods and tenderness and most especially worry. I think you ought to think about anti-anxiety meds. They can't hurt and perhaps they will help on the roller coaster you've landed on. I'm certainly praying for you and great test results!!

HUGS and more HUGS!

Sloan15

Thanks Peggy.

Lovinggrouches

Sloan 15, why did you have to have chemo with such a small tumor? I'm just confused because my oncologist talks like mine is so small at 9mmx13mm, that unless my oncotype score is high, I won't need chemo, yet I see so many people on this site with small ones that haven't spread to the nodes, that have had chemo and even recurrences. I don't know if I'm freaking out for nothing, or if I have a legitimate worry, especially after just having second lumpectomy and work rut ing about another positive margin.

LovesToFly

sorry sloan that sux!! (((Hugs)))

LovesToFly

loving grouches my tumour was the exact same size as yours almost. 8 mm x 12 mm. I did chemotherapy because I had one positive lymph node, however I was told that even without the lymph node it could be an option, because it was grade 2 which is not the most aggressive, but not the least either. As far as I know they don't do oncotype here.

Sloan15

Ha! Just read that stress and anxiety can give you that skin burning sensation. Yeah, that would explain it!

Lovinggrouches - My dad asked me last night if I am still glad I went with the chemo... Well, if my blood test shows leukemia from chemo then I'll regret it. If my new biopsy shows the cancer is back then I'll regret I quit chemo. So, who knows what the right answer is! Make list of all the + and - , and ask if you'd have any regrets with your decision. I asked everyone's opinion and thought about their reasoning. My mom died of a very aggressive cancer the year before my diagnosis, I had a gene of "unknown significance" on my BRCA test, my ki67 was high, and my oncotest results wouldn't be back until after the optimal time too stay chemo. So my reasoning was to go with chemo and if it got really bad I could quit. Then, my onvotest came back a 12, and I stopped after my 3rd chemo. My advice is to get the oncotest, and make that list of + and -, and get a second opinion.

Moondust

HH, really sorry to hear about your kitty friend. We lost a young cat to intestinal cancer. It's never easy to lose them, no matter how many you have. I hope you'll be okay after your fall. And your mom, too!

Sloan, I can't believe you need to go back again! You are turning into a pincushion! I am sorry to hear that. You get your blood test results the same day I finish rads. If your tests look good we should do something to celebrate!

Sandy, I hope you can get some attention for your elbow if it is not scabbing up yet. The flowers are so pretty!

Easter was very peaceful and the weather was perfect. Not looking forward to rads tomorrow, but it will be my last whole breast treatment, and only 5 more after that.

I wish everyone a good week!!

iammags

Grazy- I didn't have much pain from the lumpectomy at all. My armpit feels kind of numb and the inside of my upper arm hurts. That happens a lot when you have nodes removed, I guess. And like 614 I can't feel my armpit when I shave.

Heathnet- on Friday I get the results of my oncotype test. I'm sure that you've read up on it by now so you know that it is predicts the chances of cancer returning in early stage BC patients. They test the tumor for something like 21 gene mutations. I don't remember it exactly. But from what I've read, the test is pretty accurate. The results range from 0 to 100 and that helps the MO decide whether or not chemo will help at all. Or if the risks of the chemo are just not worth it. I hope that my numbers are low.

Violethope- congrats on finishing rads! I'm not looking forward to them at all.

As for me, I'm itching like hell. My infected drain site is still red and itchy. Guess I'm allergic to the glue on the bandage. (did I already mention that?) And, I've found two more "missed" staples(?) in my boob that are driving me crazy. I have to wear a maxi pad in my bra so they don't catch on the bra fabric. I'm soooo over it. Tomorrow my PS is taking them out. I cannot wait. I'm getting so grumpy.

HappyHammer

Annie- looks like you and I have almost same dx except I am also ER+. The chemo was hard but doable (as Peggy would say) for me, hardly any SE's from the Herceptin only infusions. I do them every 3 weeks so infusion is usually about 2 hours. Only 2 more to go. yay. When will you start chemo?

LTF- that day sounds terrible!!

Thanks, Molly! How is your son doing?

Iammags- itching is the pits- not like nausea or pain where your body develops a tolerance for it- so sorry! Can you take benedryl?

HappyHammer

Sloan- cannot believe you have more of this to deal with- ugh!! Anti-anxiety meds may not be a bad idea for the short term. I take Ativan every once in awhile- almost like I have PTSD just not all of the time.

Ok- so am going in for a job interview. Decided I need a little bit of "sun" on my legs- hate to blind the interview team right off the bat- so I was looking up sunless products.... ummm, didn't have too much luck until I realized- had typed in- wait for it-
"skinless tanning products"

Nope, there weren't any of those...haha!

PontiacPeggy

HH, I laughed my head off. Do you not want skin? Most of us do, you know Anyway, good luck with the job interview.

Iammags, you sure have had rotten luck with those staples. Ugh.

Sloan, you made your decision to have chemo based on all the information you had. Don't second guess yourself. You know that's the quick way to the loony bin. Fingers and toes crossed that all tests are perfect!

Moondust, nice that this is your last week of rads!

HUGS!!

ORknitter

Well, I think I'm on my way to the looney bin! I went to the MO for my 6 month checkup and complained (only really mentioned it) that I am sore in my boob where the biopsy needle and wire locator went in, kind of on the side of the breast closest to my arm. I did not have any nodes taken so I can't say that's where it hurts/aches. Well, she "thinks" she feels scar tissue there. I am due for my yearly mammo anyway so she is making it a "diagnostic mammogram" instead of a "routine mammogram." It's scheduled for next Monday. Jeeze, the gift that keeps giving has struck. I have no idea the difference between the 2 types of mammograms, any one out there know?

Sorry I haven't been better with responses to everyone. Please know that I am "in your pocket" as you go through your challenges.

PontiacPeggy

ORKnitter, I think that "diagnostic" means it will be covered by your insurance. It's too soon for a "routine" one (which you can have only once every 12 months). Like you, all of us would be quite happy to have this so-called gift not keep on giving! Good Luck! I'll be with you.

HUGS!

MLP3

iammags- you poor thing with these staples!

Bluedog- I had the same mindset about not striking the same location twice... But then they raided that apt in Paris last week where they found evidence for another attack. We will decide by the end of this week.

Heathet- ask if they can send out for the oncotype after lx. It usually takes 2 weeks for results.

Poodles- sounds like you had a rocking good time!

Moondust- adorable goats and now baby chicks running around... You're killing me I'm so jealous!!

Nancy- I tried so hard to leave everything on for fear of infection. My SNB and lx waterproof bandages fell off and I put new ones on, which was a mistake. At my follow up, the sites were just starting to get infected and were a bit yellow and oozy and smelled! Air would have done them some good.

Sandy- lovely Easter! And I love the spout on the tea pot.

HH- so sorry to hear about your cat and a bit of a rough weekend. ((Hugs))

Sloan/ .... Really? Another biopsy. Do you ever get to the point when you are thinking mx...? Hoping for positive results.

Sooo.... Had a great weekend with my dd in NY watching her play lax. But it took a toll on me and I was exhausted last night at my parents house for Easter dinner. I poked fun at my sister and mimicked her stretching her tight jeans with my foot up on a wing backed chair... The chair slipped on the hardwood and I fell hard. I smashed my knee on the hardwood floor and cannot put any pressure on it today. It's so painful. My oldest dd is taking me to the orthopedist soon to get an X-ray as I didn't want to go to the ER and sit for hours in germ city.

And of course I have chemo number 3 tomorrow. Ugh.

bluedog

I think with a diagnostic mammo the radiologist looks at it while you're still there, so they can take take more pictures or do an ultrasound if they need more info. So, be prepared to be there for a while.

Annie, I echo what HH said about Herceptin. Not a big deal. I think I might have had a little diarrhea after the first couple of infusions, but I started taking a daily probiotic and have been fine since then. They will give you the first infusion over 90 minutes to see if you have a reaction, but if you don't, they can speed it up to 30 minutes. But of course there's the time waiting and getting hooked up, etc. I've kept my infusions at 90 minutes as I read that that helps minimize SEs. Good luck with chemo!!

ChicagoReader

Hello everyone! This thread is so active that it's been hard for me to keep up, but I read a few pages when I can, keep all of you in my thoughts, and try to chime in when I have information to contribute.

ORKnitter, I've been told that at most places, a diagnostic mammogram differs from a screening mammogram in that they take more images and the radiologist reads it right then and there, rather than waiting till later. That way, they can schedule an ultrasound or further tests if needed. At some places, they can even do those tests the same day. Here's some more info: http://www.cancer.org/treatment/understandingyourdiagnosis/examsandtestdescriptions/mammogramsandotherbreastimagingprocedures/mammograms-and-other-breast-imaging-procedures-types-of-mammograms

I had a diagnostic mammo one month after my surgery. They saw 2 suspicious areas in the nonsurgical breast and immediately sent me for an ultrasound. On ultrasound, one area was judged to be "probably benign" and the other looked like a cyst, so they decided I should come back again for another diagnostic mammo in 6 months. I just did that a few weeks ago. The "probably benign" area had not grown and the potential cyst was smaller, so I'll see the BS in another 6 months and have my next mammo in 12 months.

Good luck to you!

bluedog

MLP3, ouch!!! Your poor knee! Hope it's just bruised.

I completely understand trepidation about traveling to Europe. I'm not sure I would send my child. Just wanted to offer another perspective. I just heard from a former teacher of mine who lives in Brussels that her partner was on the way to the airport that morning for a flight to the US. If she had been 45 minutes earlier, she would have been there at the time of the explosion. So scary.

KarenR0618

Lisa, Those baby eagles are so darn cute. I love seeing them.

queenmomcat

Diagnostic/screening mammograms, from American Cancer Society (Just the live link for what ORKnitter posted above)

Molly50

Sloan, what? Really? Argh, I am frustrated for you. Prayers for it being NOTHING. MLP, ouch! I hope it's not fractured. HH, thanks for the chuckle! Good luck with the job interview. mags, I hope you stop itching soon. Yikes two more staples? Moondust, you are nearly there! I found the boosts to be really easy after the WBR.

Sloan, probably time for both of us to stop looking backwards and wondering if we made the right decisions. I told myself to stop researching and accept whatever is to come from the decision to not do chemo.

ChicagoReader

Thanks, QueenMomCat, for supplying the live link. I was posting in a rush on a small laptop earlier today and didn't get it right. And Bluedog already supplied the essential info; I must have been posting at the same time and didn't see it.

ORKnitter, if it's any comfort, I found that the techs who do the diagnostic mammos where I go take special care to be as gentle as possible. They still have to do the compression, but they know you've been through a lot already.

iammags

Hi all! First I'll clarify myself by saying that I guess I'm a "spitter". No I don't loogey on people. Yuck. All the "staples" in my breasts turned out to be stitches that were supposed to be absorbed but my body was having none of that. That is why I'm called a "spitter". My body is spitting out those stitches. The infected drain site has a fungal infection. What?? Dang, I'm not lucky in the healing department lately.

And I wanted to ask a question to everyone. If all of cancer was removed during surgery do you tell people you "have cancer". Or do you tell people you "had cancer"? Do you have something else you say? My MO says you're not a "survivor" until 5 years out but there is no actual cancer in you. Maybe a "survivor in training"? What do you say?

Oh, and Happy Monday, BCO peeps

PontiacPeggy

Iammags, a spitter, huh? Well, okay. I'm sure you could have done without knowing that. Your other question is a hard one. For me, I "had" cancer but am cancer-free since my surgery. I have not asked any of my oncs that question since I suspect everyone has a different answer. I like mine. You choose what works for you. I'm cancer-free until I'm not or dead (then who cares?).

HUGS!

ORknitter

Thanks everyone for the prompt replies. I think I'm also exhausted after 9 days of company (6 kids 14 and down as well as an extra 5 adults, I swear every horizontal surface had a body sleeping on it.)

Chicago, Where I go they have always been gentle, but after the last routine mammo when I had what I suppose is a diagnostic one they were especially kind. And the radiologist was right there to look at the films and give an opinion (which of course sent me to a biopsy and so the ride began.

Bluedog, Good advice on planning a longer visit. Fortunately I was able to schedule on a day off work so I can just hang out all day (haha, hang out!)

Peggy, Thanks for being "with" me. I can't explain how the support you give is welcomed.

Iammags, I would be grumpy too! Hope this gets resolved soon.

queenmomcat

ChiReader (sheepishly) Right....the link that YOU'd posted earlier.

bluedog

Iammags, I just say I "had" cancer. I think your MO is full of it -- I understood that you could call yourself a "cancer survivor" from the minute you were diagnosed. Personally, I don't care to identify that way, but I think many people find it empowering.

blamoms

wow I have been away a few days and trying to catch up.

LTF- You will make the right decision. Go with what your gut tells you.

I'm enjoying these last few days before chemo on Friday my last AC chemo . Then I start doing weekly tactol chemo I really hope it's not that bad. I'm finding right now whenever I go outside my nose constantly runs I brink Kleenex everywhere.

Welcome to all the new members. This place has been awesome for info and support. If you have any questions just ask

Heathet

thanks everyone for the advise on the oncotype test. I am going to talk to my BS about testing . I go the 19th for my bilateral mastectomy. The MRI shows my right side looks great - no suspicious areas and lymph nodes look good - good news! Right side is reconstructive surgery. We knew the cancer was in the left breast so that was no surprise but one of the left nodes looks a little suspicious. My doctor told me not to worry because there could be lots of factors causing that. My husband reminds not to get a head of myself. That can be hard to do sometimes!