Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

Katzpjays

Poodles-anxiously awaiting pics of the cabd's. I too am twisted. In our family we have a creepy "disco Santa" that likes to appear in inappropriate places during the holiday season

Sloan15

Octogirl -You're going to love this!

Plum Crumble

2 cups flour (I used 1 whole wheat, 1 reg)

3/4 cup finely chopped walnuts

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 sticks butter, softened

1 egg yolk

Sliced fresh plums (you can also add berries)

Combine flour, walnuts, brown sugar. Cut in butter until crumbly. Cut in egg yolk.

Use 2 small pie pans or 1 large pie pan.

Press most of mixture into bottom of pan.

Arrange sliced plums skin side down.

Saving one handfull of mix, top plums with rest of mixture and press on top. Sprinkle on last handful.

Bake 400 degrees, 40 minutes for large pie, 30 for small. After 15 min of baking you can top with foil to prevent over browning.

Top with fresh hand-whipped cream!

muh

I'm so scared out about left-side radiation. Hi All, this is my first post here (I put the same post on the "spring radiation" forum but I hope it's ok to post here too). I am thankful to have found this forum to get some real stories and not just read studies on the internet! I am American, but living in Europe and I really wish I had been in the US when I got my diagnosis, at least that is my current feeling. I am trying to find the best way through this and any support or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

When I was first diagnosed I asked about mastectomy, even a double, no reconstruction, but was told "We don't do that. It's not necessary and it doesn't minimize risk unless you have a genetic mutation". So I went with it. I later learned that my "basic" insurance doesn't even cover a mastectomy unless I have a genetic mutation, which I don't (thankfully, I will add), but was told that my treatment has nothing to do with my coverage, that this is the standard proposed treatment for everyone with my cancer constellation. I understand there is a small chance that even with mastectomy I might have needed radiation because though my cancer is small it is really close to the chest wall. (I am trying to believe all of this is happening for this reason...) I really wanted to avoid radiation, in particular because the cancer is on the left and I read a recent study that for every Gray of radiation the heart receives the risk of heart disease goes up 7.4% starting 5 years after treatment and increasing thereafter (I'm now 49), not to mention increased risk of lung or other cancers from radiation (I am doing 25 whole breast photon (X-Ray) radiations over 5 weeks, 2 Gy per session, with another 5 boost treatments to the tumor area (2 Gy each of electron radiation). I'm doing the breath-hold technique, but on my back. My breasts are small and my chest is bony, and due to tumor location, no way to avoid a bit of the lung.

The radiologist at the hospital is less than sympathetic. When I mentioned my concerns and wondered if mastectomy wasn't safer her response was only "I can stop the treatment if you want. There are risks. I can't take that away" I said I would continue because my choices were radiation and tamoxifen or only tamoxifen and I want to minimize risk of recurrence. Never a discussion of "maybe mastectomy is better for you". I really wish I had been in the US.

To make matters more complicated, or possibly worse, after such negative experiences and then beginning the treatment and learning my insurance did not pay for mastectomy, I asked my gynecologist if she had ever heard of such a thing. She said if I wanted to have a mastectomy she is sure the insurance would pay, the insurance company just needs a letter with justification, it will not be a problem, etc.

Unfortunately I have now completed 2 weeks of radiation and it makes that answer hard to hear. I am so sad and wish I had known sooner I had an option (part of being a foreigner I think). My skin is starting to burn and swell (the radiologist said whether one is sensitive to the sun has nothing to do with how bad a reaction one has....I think otherwise!) I will speak with my gynecologist again on Monday, but at this point I think my skin would need to heal before I could even have a surgery and maybe a break in treatment is not the best thing to do. I mean who knows what might happen during the weeks before having the surgery.

If anyone has any feedback, left-side radiation info, etc, I would appreciate it. Thank you for "listening" and thank you for the forum!

ChiSandy

Poodles, I think I’m gonna be seeing those dolls in my nightmares! HH, congrats on needing a haircut! Peggy, one of the reasons I stopped doing closings was the sea of red tape was getting deeper and deeper and there were more and more illogical hurdles erected each time--banks and title companies are getting really “c.s.” about things that never used to hold up the works. But if there’s gonna be a delay, better it’s as the seller, since you at least have a house to move into. Worst comes to worst, there’s always a “bridge loan” but I don’t think it’ll come to that.

ORknitter

Muh, I had radiation on the left, finished almost 10 months ago and haven't noticed any problems so far. I think today's machines are able to be aimed pretty well. As to skin reactions, I burn extremely easily but had only mild pinkness from rads. I was really surprised by that as I was prepared for the worst.

Can you fill in your info and make it "public"? These conversations can move so fast it's hard to keep up and remsometimes.

PontiacPeggy

Muh, Welcome. You've come to the right place with your questions. I had 33 radiation treatments. I didn't burn or have any side effects except maybe a tad of fatigue. Radiation has come a long way. Of course, there is always a small possibility that radiation can cause problems down the road but weigh that with the chance of cancer returning without it.

Lumpectomies are usually the preferred method of getting rid of BC. Even the gals here who wound up having to get a mastectomy usually do not regret having an Lx first.

As ORKnitter said, please complete your profile and make it public. That way not only are we reminded of your dx and treatments but ladies who have had similar ones can answer your questions. Also, we ARE international so do tell us where you live.

Try to breathe and remember your doctors want what's best for you. It is hard when you aren't in your home country but we're here for you.

HUGS!

PontiacPeggy

Sandy, yeah, things are much more complicated selling a house than they used to be (I'm told). I don't need a bridge loan. What I do need is to find out if FHA is going to require any repairs before they will approve the loan. It would be much easier if I were still here. And I'm sure my realtor would be happier having me handle it than him

HUGS!

Grazy

Hi Molly - No bell at our center. A committee of former cancer patients -- I think it was when our newly renovated treatment center opened in 2008 -- elected to have a big gong for patients to ring instead of a bell. The gong was placed in the lobby of the building, not too far from the main registration area. On my first visit to the center, while standing in line, this big boom of a gong and the resulting vibration just about knocked me off my feet. The receptionist, with a very pained look on her face, told me the story of how the gong came to be and the ringing of it signified a patient's end of treatment, but she said it scared the daylights out of people every time it was hit, including the receptionists. They were not loving the gong. Apparently a few days before, an 80 year old lady just about had a heart attack when someone whacked it and she and her family were so furious and complained (they were not the only ones apparently). My last week of radiation comes along and I decide to go to the area where the gong sits to have a good look at it and no gong!! Where's the gong, I ask? Well, it had been relegated to the radiation department, waaaaay down at the end of the hall as far away as humanly as possible. Anyway, long story short, my husband and two daughters (17 and 20) came along to my last appointment, got a tour of the room, saw how the machine worked (well a description of it anyway) and got a laser show After my final boost, we walked to the end of the hall so that I could celebrate the end of my treatment - I was really excited. I hit the gong, being careful not to full-on whack it because there were patients in the area and what did I hear? A very disappointing THUD. We all laughed hysterically - what a letdown after all that anticipation leading up to this celebratory moment! Bubble wrap had been adhered to the back of the gong to muffle the sound - haha!. Poor little gong. Anyway, people still heard it and all I could hear were cheers and applause coming from the closest waiting room. THAT part was thrilling and I had some really happy tears as I left the center.

Here's my "silenced" gong

PontiacPeggy

Grazy, that's quite the tale! You look so pretty! No bell or gong at my center. But I cried when my rads were done. DH was critically ill (didn't think he was going to make it) and in hospital while I was doing my rads. The staff were so supportive and that was a huge help. Sanity was retained because of them. Anyway, glad you are done!!

HUGS!

mustlovepoodles

Doll babies in the trash now. DH was about to have a meltdown so they had to go. Bye-bye babies!

tsoebbin

OMG... those dolls are on right place!!

PontiacPeggy

Poodles, I'm glad the dolls are in the trash. We've all gotten laughs and OMG's from them. Now poor DH can open the fridge again!

HUGS!

HappyHammer

Molly- yay for your child graduating with honors- in EE at that.  Wow!

Peggy- so sorry you haven't gotten the all clear about the house.  Crossing fingers and toes that it happens first of the week!

Sloan- those crumbles looks delish- now, if you could just "overnight" some to our friend Alice.

Completed my 3rd 5K in 3 weeks this morning.  Weather was hot and humid even at 8 am- it was brutal, my time stinks but I am happy and proud of myself.  Peggy- except for some swelling in my feet off and on and a twinge of joint pain/heaviness - I DO feel good!  Exercising at the Y 5-6 days a week for past 3 weeks and the 5k's must be helping, right?

Poodles- those damn babydolls are wicked and scary!

HappyHammer

Grazy- YAY! You finished rads.  Your gong story is priceless. And, you checked in just in time for Poodles' dolls- ha. Think the trash is a good place for them.

ChiSandy

Yay for the end of rads, Grazy! Love the gong story. No bell, gong or certificate at my rads center--but they did give me a handful of Hershey miniatures and more Aquaphor samples.

Poodles, wish you could have shot a horror video with those dolls. (Maybe having them murdering “Chucky”)?

HH, good on ya for that 5K. Gotta work my way up to walking a mile nonstop (other than when sightseeing). Weather nice today--may try after voice lesson.

muh

thank you so much for your reply! It means a lot to me! I hope my info now shows at the bottom. I did make all the diagnosis items public.

Thank you again. It's late over here and I'm going to bed..hopefully I will sleep tonight. It's good to feel supported.

PontiacPeggy

Muh, you got it perfectly! Now we know what you've done for treatments and your dx. Where are you located? As mentioned we are all over the world. Welcome again and sleep well!

HUGS!

muh

Switzerland. Thank You!!

PontiacPeggy

Fantastic! Off-hand I don't know anyone in Switzerland but we have several here in the lumpy lounge who visit regularly. If you put your city and country in your profile and make it public, maybe you'll have visitors and we're the best!

HUGS!

muh

thank you Peggy!!

PontiacPeggy

Muh, you're very welcome!

HUGS!

mustlovepoodles

Mary Mallette? Three 5Ks in 3 weeks sounds like torture to me! The only way I'm running a 5K is if a bear is chasing me. And even then, I only need to run faster than the slowest guy.

Well, foo! We were given tickets to the Braves vs. Cubs game tomorrow and we're not going to be able to go. When we were given the tickets, the weather was so nice and we were really excited to go--this is the Braves' last season at Turner Field. But the weather is soooo hot and stifling this weekend, not a breath of air moving. It's 94 at my house, going to be hotter tomorrow. Neither of us tolerates heat well now and DH is already struggling with his breathing some today. We've been under code orange or red air quality alerts for the last 2 days, unhealthy for sensitive groups--orange--and unhealthy for everyone--red. It's going to be worse tomorrow.

DH and I just sat down, talked about it, and came to the decision that it probably would be in our best interest to stay indoors tomorrow and do something else. We went to the grocery store and bought the fixings for a nice cookout and invited the kids to come over tomorrow afternoon. We'll see who shows up--maybe just us, maybe some of them, maybe some of their friends. I never know until they cross the doorstep. At any rate, it won't hurt anything to grill up some brats, burgers, and chicken and stick it in the freezer for later meals.

Meanwhile, my central A/C is set to a cool 72 degrees...

ChiSandy

muh, with a tumor smaller than a cm and no node involvement, aren’t you Stage 1A and not B? Staging considers only tumor size and node status. Perhaps you’re confusing the “b” in your path report classifying your tumor as “t1b” (5-9 mm) with the “B” of Stage 1B? My tumor was a t1c (1.3 cm) and I was still Stage 1A.

I also sunburn at the drop of a hat--and the only skin issues I had from rads were some slight reddening of the skin in the radiated field (I had 16 double-strength partial-breast treatments) and tanning over the tumor bed. No pain, no irritation, no skin breakdown. Don’t assume you will “burn."

Lovinggrouches

Uhhhh! Home today FINALLY from total abdominal hysterectomy. I'm sitting here wondering how the check I thought it was a good idea. The few inches of bikini cut he showed me he was going to make and the actual cut he made (from one hip to the other, all the way across) is miserable. I haven't had a bm since the day before (poor results from 2 enemas) are all I've done. Gas , painful gas. Can barely get in and out of chair or bed. Hubby got bored and left and went home both nights I was in hospital and spent the last night either walking up and down halls slowly or perched on chair in room because I couldn't get in and out of bed by myself. I think he feels bad about it now. Can't wait on me enough now that I'm home. I'm trying not to be angry with him. He said he didn't see anything that looked cancerous, but they sent everything for biopsy anyway. Couldn't see the actual cut until I got home, so I now want to know why he had to cut me all the way across? Sorry haven't caught up with everyone. I was loopy between the morphine and hydrocodone for so long. I did get to see the dolls. So creepy lol!! Thanks for all your support and being in my pocket!

Molly50

Gee, I am almost sad the dolls are in the trash. Good job, HH with your running!! Welcome muh. Grazy, thank you for sharing the gong story. You are very pretty Btw.

LG, take stool softeners twice per day and eat plenty of fiber rich foods. Water helps too. Get up and walk frequently. Did you get a belly binder?

Lovinggrouches

Molly, no binder but I've been using small pillow if I need to cough or anything. Took 2 docusate stool softeners this morning and one this evening. Hope they work! I'm definitely walking a lot. 😁

Molly50

LG, use the stool softeners for several weeks. The potential for constipation lasts a while. I recommend a binder if you can pick one up. Even a pregnancy binder from Target would help with abdominal pain. If you've never had a abdominal cut before the sensitivity and pain lasts far beyond the obvious healing period.

ChiSandy

LG, I’m surprised they kicked you out so soon--the usual protocol is not to discharge until a patient can fart & poop w/o mechanical assistance (e.g., enemas, manual disimpaction). Once you begin to be able to wean off opioids, your constipation should ease dramatically. A stool softener (generic store brand docusate sodium) and lots of water, plus fiber, should help a lot. Can you get a visiting nurse, or even a temporary home healthcare aide, to “wait on you?"

PontiacPeggy

LG, Ugh! I'm glad you're home but I'm sorry you feel crappy (and wish you could). That's rotten that your incision turned out to be not a bikini line. I'd want to know why too. I hope you'll feel better soon.

HUGS!!!

Italychick

LG, have you taken any magnesium? That makes me poop when nothing else will.

Hugs, and will be interested to find out why the doctor cut you from hip to hip when you were told otherwise