Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

LovesToFly

sloan have a wonderful trip.

Sandy I hope you are right. I'm dreading the thought of have to go to the hospital every day, so the shorter period of time I have to do that for the better! As long as it is as effective

Sheryl I also think you might want to speak to the hospital social worker, there might be some thing they can connect you with?

Molly50

Sloan!! Have a wonderful, wonderful trip to France!! I hope you don't think about BC even once! I would love to see anytime we can pull it off. Glad your hubby got a good report. He is a good guy. Welcome Sheryl. I agree with the advice the ladies gave about talking to your hospital social worker and American Cancer Society.

PontiacPeggy

SherylB3733, Welcome! We're glad you're here because this is the best resource for combating BC. We're warm, comforting, informative and funny. The ladies have made good suggestions for resources. BTW, please help us help you by filling out your profile with everything you know including your location and make it public. That way it appears after everything you post. We have a hard time remembering the pertinent information for everyone and it helps people with similar statuses answer your questions.

HUGS!

Grazy

Bon voyage, Sloan!

ChiSandy

Sloan, 5 WEEKS in France? How big is your suitcase and is there room in there for.....me? Bon voyage, and take advantage of every marvelous opportunity there. (Everything, even the simplest of salads, tastes better there because they just grow better stuff).

PontiacPeggy

Sloan, I think I would be paying a fortune for too many suitcases for 5 weeks. I'm congenitally unable to pack lightly. I need the kitchen sink. Only once have I packed economically and that's when we went to Wales with the kids when they were 2 & 5. I still marvel at how I managed. I'm better off driving Heck I had a hard time packing for 4 days in Spokane when I house hunted. Now I know March in Spokane is RAIN. Just need jeans, sweatshirts, parka and underwear I think Sandy is right though - better grown stuff to fill the belly.

HUGS!

mustlovepoodles

We took the two younger kids on a 2 month, 6000-mile RV trip back in 2007. Each person was allowed to bring ONE duffle bag full of clothing. Each kid was allowed to bring ONE backpack with toys, books, etc. We had to conserve space for all Christian's diapers and supplies, plus the food we needed. Sure, we had to wash clothes often, partly because Christian wet the bed several times a week, but we all managed to get through the trip with about 5 outfits apiece (well, Christian had a lot more clothing, due to his incontinence.)

I'm down a big suitcase since my San Diego trip, so I guess from now on I'll just be using my carry-on bag and my train case/CPAP bag. Can't carry too much in either--good thing it's summer, so I don't need to carry heavy sweaters or jeans!

PontiacPeggy

Poodles, It must have been challenging travelling with Christian's incontinence. When we went to Wales, Chris was still in diapers. Disposables were just starting out and they were terrible in the UK. Invested in 1 dozen terrycloth diapers (which I still have some) and used the laundromat a lot.

I have found I can't carry my biggest suitcase (29" maybe or 27" - can't remember) down the stairs when I've loaded it. So I used the 25" one (which I can carry) and checked it plus my carry-on and matching tote (which weigh a ton with my 15" laptop and tablet in it). Only one more time of lugging heavy stuff down the stairs - when I pack the car to go West!

HUGS!

Katzpjays

Moondust - wishing you well as you start AI. You and I are the same age with the same diagnosis. I know AI is in my future as well, only question is when I start. Oh, I'm from the San Joaquin Valley too. Born in Corcoran and my family lives in Fresno.

614

Dear Katzplay:  I am wishing you a low oncotype score.

Dear Moondust:  I hope that you love your 2nd opinion doctors.  I am still angry about your situation.  You seem to be handling it well.  Keep the positive attitude going.

Dear Sheryl:   If you belong to a church or a temple or other religious organization, maybe they can help you.  I have heard that the American Cancer Society helps.  I would also go to a breast cancer support group.  You will learn a lot and get great information from the members of the group.  You can network and find agencies that can help you.  Check with your nurse navigator or social worker too.

Dear TBalding:  I'm sorry that you have to have a 2nd surgery.  Good luck.

Dear Grazy:  I laughed when you said that you always have to edit to check your post.  I do the same thing.  I thought that I was the only one who does that. 

Dear Sloan:  Enjoy France!  Have lots of fun.

Dear Sandy:  You are funny.

Congratulations on being smoke free.

Dear Chipsy and LTF:  I hope you feel better. Glad that the surgery/chemo is finished.

Dear MLP:  I love the "this rads is the new black."  I hope that you are feeling well. I love your dog nurses.  That is classic.

Happy Passover to those of you who celebrate.

 

Katzpjays

Taking advantage of good weather and an opportunity to keep busy. Spent the day planting containers, so sending everyone flowers. Wishing a peaceful, restful night to all!

tbalding

Thanks for the encouragement everyone! You all are such an inspiration on how to deal with bc. My 2nd surgery isn't until May 17, so planning to continue with my life & not let this set me back.

Going to a work conference in Detroit next week where I agreed to speak at one of the workshops. (Agreed last fall before bc) Don't know what I was thinking, public speaking isn't my thing When I get back I hope I can get back to exercising (not very big on top so hopefully can strap them down in a sports bra so won't be too sore). Try to get back to normal before I start over with surgery in May.

Safe travels & have fun to those of you traveling.

Prayers to those of you with surgeries or treatments.

Poodles - prayers of strength & good news for you and your husband.

Hugs, Trish

ChiSandy

Bob & I walked to B’way Cellars and split an apple salad. He had duck sausage linguine and I had meatloaf and green beans (of which I took half plus all the mashed potatoes home). But mostly we were watching the Cubs game.....Arrieta threw a 15-0 no-hitter. (Afraid to tune in to the Blackhawks game--down 3 games to 1 as of face-off, the forecast is not good, thanks to Andrew Shaw--the John Rocker* of hockey--uttering a cringeworthy homophobic slur last night and getting suspended).

*Rocker was a notoriously bigoted baseball player.

I don’t pack any clothing I can’t roll up tightly w/o wrinkling (thank you, Chico’s & Target), so I can fit a couple of weeks’ worth of clothing and underwear into a 29” suitcase before I have to resort to washing it. I sometimes check a smaller suitcase (if I’m on SW or in business class) or carry on a rollaboard with shoes, toiletries, jewelry & prescriptions. All my suitcases (ultralight polycarbonate Rimowa Salsa Air) are 4-wheel spinners that I can glide upright with just a finger. I get them downstairs by yelling “FORE!!!”, letting go and watching them tumble down. Even the 29-incher is less than 7 lbs. when empty, lighter than any softsider I’ve owned. The Salsa Air line is barebones (no pockets or exterior accessory bag strap) except for the wheels, telescoping handle, and dual mesh zippered covers for both halves of the case opened like a book. (No other mfr. offers that, and Rimowa’s pricier models have one zippered side and one secured by just elastic straps). I like that because if I don’t have enough room to open the case flat and don’t want to unpack, I can put it on the luggage rack with one side up and nothing falling out. Each piece has a lifetime warranty, is fully modular, and every repair is free (and for me, local even though the line is based in Cologne).

froggie

Welcome pvsue, MelancolynlnNC, bobbin2, TennisPink

Thanks to everyone who chimed in on tats vs. marker for marking rads fields.

Poodles and Sandy thanks for chiming in on Femara.

brithael and SunnyOne22, congrats on finishing rads.

MLP and LTF, congratulations on finishing chemo! Hope you are both feeling better soon.

Dorothy, fingers and toes crossed you will have a low oncotype score. I'll be in your pocket on Monday.

froggie

Moondust, so sorry your MO let you down. It was her job to pass her message directly to you and not flub it off on the RO to deliver instead. On the bright side, you will be getting a second opinion at one of the top 10 cancer centers in the country. Hopefully, they will be able to answer all of your questions, offer a sound opinion based on the latest research and take into consideration what you need for your own personal comfort level.

Stella, I'm sorry you also had issues with your team. There's no excuse for that for. I hope the AI will do its job for you.

During the early stages of getting diagnosed, I had issues with one of the diagnostic radiologists. The BS ordered a MRI before surgery on the right side and a mass showed up on the left side that was not detected by 3D mammogram or ultrasound. The radiologist couldn't be bothered to call and let me know there was a problem. I had to hear it from the scheduler who called to set up a MRI guided biopsy. The day I showed up for that biopsy, a different radiologist sat down to explain the procedure. When she asked me if I had any questions,I looked her straight in the eye and asked her if she would have the stomach to call and let me know if the news was bad or if she planned on passing the buck onto a nurse or secretary? She sat there gobsmacked and asked why I would ask such a thing. She wasn't real thrilled to hear that's exactly what her colleague did.

Moondust

Katzpjays, you'll never believe where I live -- Alpaugh!! Maybe you can drive over when the San Joaquin Valley contingent (and Molly if she can make it) does the road trip to visit Peggy in WA! Thanks for the flowers. They are lovely

614, if you start a new career as a patient advocate, to help with insurance companies and doctor snafus, I will hire you immediately! You always amaze me with the energy you have, and I'm a fairly energetic person myself.

Grazy, good luck at your radiation setup. I'll repeat my advice to make sure your arm position is comfortable, not just tolerable, because it will become less tolerable quickly and they won't change it for you once you start treatments.

LTF, I hope your SE's don't last long!

Peggy, when I travel by car I take way too much, but I'm too cheap to pay for checked baggage so I fly light.

Froggie, thanks for your encouraging words about my second opinion! I am actually looking forward to seeing the doctor at San Francisco. We all seem to encounter a few less-than-ideal health care providers on our journey through cancer land, don't we.

froggie

brandford, so sorry one of your nodes was positive. No one wants to do chemo, but if that's what you have to do to fight the cancer

TennisPink, my experience was similar to Grazy's. It was a long day but I survived it. I had the wire localization in the breast center. Afterwards,someone walked me over to nuclear medicine. My BS actually came down and injected the radioactive isotope himself. About 15 min before he showed up, one of the nuclear med RNs rubbed a liberal amount of lidocaine on the area where the injection would be. I didn't feel a thing. Many say the isotope burns for 15 sec or so when it first hits but I didn't feel a thing, the lidocaine did the trick. From there I went to the pre-op area and was prepped and it was over before I knew it. I was nauseous afterwards from the anesthesia but they gave me meds for that. They should sent you home with pain killer too. LXs was an easy recovery as was the left SNB. The right SNB gave me hissy fits but in the long run that was very doable too.

The BS recommended LX but I had a consult with a PS and a RO before making a final decision. I wanted as much info as possible and I wanted to know in detail what I could expect with MX and what all the reonstruction options were. I also wanted feedback from the RO since I was bilateral and was putting both lungs as well as my heart at risk. When all was done and said, with the info provided from the PS and RO consults, I felt comfortable having LXs.

Katzpjays, fingers and toes crossed you will have a low oncotype score.

Poodles, have fingers and toes crossed that your DH's bone scan will be negative. You are both in my prayers.

Thanks, DisneyGirl16. The left side is all marked up in green and the left side has been allmarked up withblue. waterproof stickies were put all over the lines and Xs so I now have a ton of those too. The rads tech said, they would replace any that get loose or if they start to itch. They are covering a lot of area that will not get miaderm as a result, so not happy about that.

tbalding, sorry your margins weren't clean and that you will need another surgery. There really is no bright side but you came out on the other side after the first surgery and you will too after this next one. I think having the SNB is a wise decision. Hope your margins will be negative with the second surgery and you can move on to the next phase of TX.

Chipsy, that's great. Nicotine addiction is a hard to overcome. Congrats on having the determination to tackle it and persevere.

Sloan, safe journey. I can't think of any thing better than 5 wks in France. Hope you enjoy beautiful sights, meet great folks, eat delicious food and make wonderful memories.

froggie

I have run into my first glitch with rads. I'm supposed to have boosts but the RO informed me today that it may not be possible as the LX bed is large and deep on both sides.She doesn't feel that radiating that large of an area and hitting other tissues (lungs & heart) makes the 2-3% percent I will gain from boosts worthwhile. She is still studying the original scans and if she can overcome those obstacles, I will have boosts and if not, then I won't.

I am also doing the Canadian protocol. I will be having 15 rads on each side. I have had 4 on the lt side and 2 on the rt side so far. The skin is already pink on both and the nurse informed me today that doesn't bode well. So far I have not had any nausea or dizziness. I am already experiencing some fatigue. I was naturally lopsided before any surgery and with the seromas, it's hard to say with certainty but the left breast may be a bit swollen. I'll keep a close eye on it and if it gets worse, I will asked for a referral for therapy.

Agree with Moondust. For those who will be doing sims for rads soon, make sure your arms are in a comfortable position if they make you a torso mold. The techs that made my mold were very accommodating. Even though my arms felt like they were in a comfortable position when my mold was made, they still get tired from being up for the Tx.

Sloan15

Sandy - Would you believe I only take a 21 inch suitcase and a small backpack? One thing we learned from taking Rick Steve's tours is to learn to pack light! I woke up at 2 am last night dreaming of my stuffed suitcase and tiok out 3 things. You're right though about Chico's : Zynergy packs small, light and comfy!

Peggy and Poodles - Your packing stories reminded me of a friend who went with 3 other women to Ireland. The cars are so small in Ireland and they had to carry suitcases on their laps!

Moondust - My winter rads group joked how their RO's IT's always said, "It's not the radiation." Funny how we meet all these other women in rads who DO have nausea, shoulder problems, tiny red dots on the skin, dizziness, etc.

Hang in there with those rads FROggie! Just because you're already pink does not mean the skin will break down. Keep putting the lotion on and keep that breast cool (no skin-skin contact under the breast!) You can do it!

And good luck Grazy with the rads, too!

Molly - My poor son dropped us off at the hotel and headed back at 5:30 pm. Oh, the traffic! On another note, the play (A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder was terrific!)

Tbalding - I didn't see the post that the margins weren't clear. Darn. Okay, this time they'll take nice wide margins. Don't think of this as a set back. It's a good thing that the pathology told the surgeon to go back and get it all.

ChiSandy

Wish before bc I could have taken a Rick Steves tour--my knees couldn’t handle the stairs in the hill towns and small hotels and my back can barely deal with backpacks. One of my goals after getting new knees was to try one--but then Bob had his surgical emergencies and then...well, we all know the rest because it happened to all of us. My last few European trips required looking professional and dressy (the study trips were with other lawyers, most far wealthier than I, with some formal restaurants; the Mediterranean cruise was a cruise, also with some formality); and being on the obese side makes it tough to make certain clothes do double and even triple duty. When I have to perform, I do need to pack outfits that are less casual than what I wear during the day--and for conferences where I do several showcases I have to mix it up a bit, since many people will see me more than once. But we might try packing lighter for the Italy trip this summer--we will be spending 3 days in a villa in a very small rural Tuscan town and any meals we don’t cook ourselves will doubtless be casual; and we will be spending more time in museums and little trattorias in Rome this time. I’m a fan of both the Zenergy and Travelers’ lines at Chico’s--the Travelers’ stuff helps me carry off some more professional looks. Because nobody’s going to be seeing me twice, I can get away with wearing outfits several times.

Grazy

Moondust and froggie, thank you both for your advice regarding a comfortable arm position when I go for my radiation planning in a few hours. I injured my right shoulder many, many years ago and I do find having my arm above my head for any great length of time can be a bit uncomfortable - not always, but on occasion it gets stiff - so I will have to do my best to find a position that will work best me. Froggie, I'm sorry you've hit a bit of a roadblock with your rads regarding boosts - there's always something tripping us up.

Tbalding, so disappointing that you have to go back in for surgery, but on the flip side, I'm glad that you will have the peace of mind that they are being careful and doing everything necessary for your health. Still, another surgery is disappointing news, for sure.

Reading about everyone's packing habits made me chuckle - I pack and pack, and then edit and edit (I like options!!) while my husband takes about 90 seconds to fire stuff into his bag. He travels every week all year long and has for 15 years, so I guess he's a pro.... and I am not.

PontiacPeggy

TBalding, where in Detroit will you be? If you're relatively near me (think northern suburbs) and you have time maybe we can get together! That would be fun.

Moondust, I can't wait for the BCO road trip to come visit. It will make my summer! I have been flying Southwest so no baggage fees. Like Sandy, I have spinner luggage that just takes a tap to get moving. However, I do not let my big suitcase topple down the stairs - gotta keep things in good shape for selling the house.

I love hearing how every packs - light or not. Sloan, I can't imagine doing a backpack - good for you. That's funny about big suitcases, small car. Do have a ball.

Sandy, You DO have challenges especially when performing packing light. I can't imagine you having clothing problems - you looked stellar at our BCO get together in Jackson. It is hard when you have to look professional for an entire trip. Easier when you can throw on a denim skirt or shorts or jean everyday and just change t-shirts.

A bittersweet day for me. It would have been DH's and my 50th anniversary. We didn't make it. But we WERE together for 50 years. Many wonderful memories but missing him.

HUGS!

Grazy

Peggy, thinking of you today on what would have been your 50th anniversary. Very emotional, I'm sure.

PontiacPeggy

Grazy, thank you. It is emotional. While I wouldn't have wanted DH to continue on like he was, I still miss the man who shone through and was my companion for all those years in those last months. Neither set of parents made 40 years so we didn't expect to even make that milestone. DH figured he wouldn't make his 50th birthday (he died one month to the day shy of his 70th birthday) since none of the men in his family had. So we had many more years than we ever hoped for. And they were happy years. Not necessarily easy for the last few, but happy.

HUGS!

brandford37

Thank you so much Froggie I'm going to fight the Cancer I'm just nervous about the Chemo and Radiation read so many bad stuff about it I'm so scared I'm not going to make it true it but by the help of god I'm going to I have to think positive.

MJS1266

So hard to keep up with you ladies, I have been lurking but haven't posted for a while because I am always days behind. Sending good thoughts to everyone having surgery and other challenges.

I think I'm not too late to contribute to the Reduction questions of Husker and Bobbin. I had @1.7cm tumor when it all started, also had a benign similarly sized papiloma about 2 inches from tumor. I was a 42 DDD and the nurse navigator told me if I wanted I could have a reduction with oncoplasty at surgery time. I did some investigating and decided I liked the idea. I met with the PS and he said I was a good candidate for oncoplasty, reduction, and lift. I had it done at the same time as the lumpectomy. I'm not sure I would have had a second surgery. My insurance company requested additional information from PS before paying but his office did this, so I didn't have too much anxiety over it. By law they have to pay. When I had surgery I no longer had an actual tumor because I had neoadjuvant chemo but they took out the same amount of material and took 4 lymph nodes which were negative although two had been positive at the start hence the early chemo. I had radiation following this 28 days, no boosts because I had no actual tumor bed due to chemo. I had some mild tissue breakdown and a lot of redness but nothing that stopped he radiation or that was too painful. About half way through I stopped wearing a bra and used camis which were more comfortable. I stopped working out for a few weeks but was able to go back a few weeks after rads when I could wear a sports bra.

Recovery with the lift and reduction is a little bit longer and a little more uncomfortable than just the lumpectomy. The girls are very perky now. I've lost a lot of weight and am down to a 38/40 D. The radiated breast is a bit firmer than the non-one and I still have a bit of a "tan". I don't regret having gone this route.

Best of luck to everyone.

Molly50

Peggy, I am sorry you are celebrating such a milestone alone. Tears sprang to my eyes when I read your post. I am glad you had a long, happy marriage but that doesn't always take the hurt away.

DisneyGirl16

brandford - sorry to hear you had a positive node. Not what anyone wants to hear.

tbalding - sorry you didn't get clean margins and need another surgery.

chipsy - congrats on giving up smoking! That's wonderful!

sloan - enjoy France!

katzpjays - your planters are beautiful. Motivates me to get out and dig in some dirt. :-)

Peggy - hugs for your anniversary.

PontiacPeggy

Molly, thank you. This should be the last of the "first without him" milestones to get through. I think I had known for a couple of years that we wouldn't make 50 years. Chuck was declining visibly. My son and DIL wanted to throw an anniversary party for us and I wouldn't let them do much planning at all because I wasn't sure Chuck would be here or, if he was, he'd be up to it. Here is our wedding photo - we were 20, oh so young.

And then last year at our 49th.

HUGS!

Heathet

hello everyone - I'm at home recovering and the pain is getting a little less everyday. 4 drains but hopefully they come out Monday. The surgery took about 7 hours - had BMX. The anesthesia is still working its way out of my system. We did find out the cancer is in my lymph nodes - don't know how many yet - hopefully all the test results will be in by next Friday. Feeling a little devasted by the news - just trying to hold it together and heal so I can start the next phase of my journey. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers.