Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

candi07

Hello, I got my results from my MRI guided biopsy of 2 enhancements. Yahoo...they are both benign. Doc said they are sclerosis capillary lesions / atypical. Suggested I get a wire needle localization / excisional biopsy. Is that the same as a lumpectomy?

PontiacPeggy

Candi, no it is not the same as a lumpectomy. This article may be helpful Excisional biopsy. I don't know what they call what I had done about 12 years ago (either excisional or incisional), they did the wire locator, then knocked me out. They removed the suspicious cells - it wasn't even a lump - and checked them out. Benign. A lumpectomy is a bigger procedure as you know, and usually they do the SLNB too.

This time they did a core needle biopsy to determine if I had BC. A chip was implanted. But they still did the wire locator prior to my LX.

Hope this doesn't confuse things even more. Fingers and toes crossed that all is good!

Tracy, Have you landed yet? All go well? Have fun!

Poodles et al, gee, I haven't been to Leavenworth yet. Probably next year. Lots to see here in Washington!

HUGS!

Michelle_in_cornland

Hi, girls, I went to a volleyball game and am now out with my two nieces. They are fun. Ages 29 and 30. About time I got out of the house.

PontiacPeggy

Michelle, nice to get out, isn't it?

HUGS!

tsoebbin

Peggy... Landed!!! Whoo hoo!

mustlovepoodles

Yes, I'm in Leavenworth at the Enzian. We did some shopping today, bought purses and hats, had some pretzels and bratwurst, and some gingerbread cookies. Then, we sorta fell into a Friends of the Library book sale. Fill a grocery bag for $5, so now we have more books to read. We thought about going down to the hot tub, but we are both so tired and our feet and legs hurt, so we decided to just lie down for awhile.

PontiacPeggy

Traci, where are you at?

Poodles, you have had a fantastic day and to get a bag of books? Priceless!

Both of you have fun!!!

HUGS!

tsoebbin

orange county airport. Southern California.

PontiacPeggy

Traci, NICE! Wave at #1 son in San Diego and all my hubby's nieces and nephews in LA for me! I'm so envious. <sigh>

HUGS!

Katzpjays

Poodles - that picture looks like it was taken in Leavenworth, WA. Is that where you were at? Looks like you hit beautiful weather! Happy belated birthday, by the way.

Notimefordespair - Yay on no chemo! So sorry your RO is a dud.

Katzpjays

Poodles-geez...obviously missed some posts before I guessed Leavenworth. You should see it in the snow...it's awesome

mustlovepoodles

We ate sausages in a beer garten tonight. They had a 5 piece oompa band--so much fun. Then back to the hotel for a long soak in the hot tub. Aaahhh, just what my knees are crying for.

Michelle_in_cornland

Start radiation on 10/6 and finish 11/2. Want to get it over with and move on.

PontiacPeggy

Michelle, we all get that!

HUGS!

Charlene1

Hi everyone, I bit the bullet so to speak and had my hair chopped off yesterday, it is a very short pixie cut and I really like it sad it will not last long but might keep the style after it comes back.

I was planning on working through the Chemo but my company said No way and as of next Wednesday I am off on medical leave of absence. I just got back to work in July so I am not crazy about all this time I will have on my hands...guess I will be hanging here alot..LOL

Oh and strange thing is my Chemo starts Oct 6th, which was the very same day I was diagnosed with throat cancer last year hope it is a good omen.

have a great weekend everyone

Molly50

Charlene, maybe you can take up a hobby while out on leave.

Blinkie

ndgrrl - You mentioned being short of breath when on Arimidex. About a month after the end of radiation, I started anastozole. 18 days later I began having shortness of breath. I'm also completely and totally exhausted.

I stopped taking it (MO said that was okay while we searched for the cause of the problem.) My primary care provider has been helping me figure out if it is something other than the drug causing it. So far all the tests show nothing that would explain it. I've had blood work, echocardiogram, & chest X-ray. Evidently it could also be caused by GERD, which since taking the meds has been horrible. I have had GERD before, when menopause began, but this time it is much worse. Did you have GERD on the drug?

I have not had a lung function test. Thanks for mentioning that. I've been offered a prescription for an inhaler and may try it next. I still have to call oncology and have a discussion about the problem being a side effect of the anastrozole. Was anyone able to explain to you the biology of how the drug could affect breathing? I am hoping the Radiation Oncologist will shed light on this.

Your experiences on your Alaska trip made me think of that song that has a line "If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all." Lately (rough couple of months for me) that seems like my theme song.

Sending comfort to you . . .

Michelle_in_cornland

I think a lot of gals on this forum have found success with hormone therapy. I will work with MO to get the right combination.

Michelle_in_cornland

What is everyone doing this weekend? Going to dinner at our club with friends tonight. Making my own radiation tops today. Found a suggestion somewhere else as a time saving method.

DaraB

Michelle, what tops are you making for rads? Are they simply soft cotton open in the front? I've looked at a couple of "healing shirts" but it seems like a large t-shirt could work just as well.

Charlene, since my lx, Ive found I could take some classes and explore interests and hobbies that I've had for a while. I understand about having been out recently. I had to take a number of medical leaves from my job, but found I did quite a bit from home on the computer. (and even though I was on medical leave, but spending time everyday answering emails and solving issues, I was still docked sick leave.) Luckily, I had plenty and didn't have to worry about that. And I'm sure your start date is a good omen!

Poodles, your trip sounds delicious!

And Trish, hope you're enjoying the warm weather here.

Heading into my good week before my LAST chemo! I find I'm almost giddy thinking about finishing! I'm really looking forward to being done with everything by Christmas!! Then will be able to start AIs and hopefully more forward with a normal life! Hope all have a nice Saturday.

IHGJAnn49

Hi everyone... still waiting... come on monday... want to get this over before Christmas..

ElizabethAM

Charlene -- I did the same thing... I didn't want long hair in everything... I am newly retired, so I know what you mean about having time on your hands. I worked in my garden and did a big clean on the house. I live in an Adult Community so they have a number of activities... maybe check out the Y and see what you could do. Maybe check out the libraries if there might be a Reading Group. Also check out the Canadian Cancer web site and see what they might have to do.. I taught myself to crochet and that was fun... just know that you can change the colours on the patterns... LOL

Binkie -- I hope you find an answer to you problem shortly. I have asthma and know what it feels like to have trouble breathing.

So my last session of AC seemed to go well. My BFF made me lunch and then I drove home. I went to sleep and slept till my hubby came home and fixed supper. By 9pm I was in bed again. I had the sweats every time I slept so 3 more t shirts for the laundry. My WHC usually drops on Friday so we will see how this goes.

Michelle_in_cornland

Dara, cotton tops cut up back and tied can be used for radiation gown instead of changing into hospital garb. I am making some this weekend from long sleeve ts.

PontiacPeggy

Michelle, this weekend looks to be fun! But first I have to clean, clean and clean some more (I had a lot of electrical work done and it was messy). Then grocery shop. THEN the fun begins! BCO sisters Sloan, Moondust and Katzpjays coming in from SoCal and western Washington. Plus IHGJAnn and a non-BCO'er and maybe tsoebbins coming here Sunday. Some wine and goodies. Dinner out. Breakfast together on Monday. And then who knows. I cannot wait. It is always such fun to meet BCO'ers in person. Today is perfect weather for cleaning and errands: cool and rainy. Now to get to it.

I didn't wear anything special for rads. Just a sweatshirt and went braless.

Dara, enjoy your good week!

Judy, fingers, toes, eyes crossed that your score comes out really low! Looking forward to seeing you Sunday!

HUGS!

mustlovepoodles

Home again, home again jiggety-jog...we left behind all the bratwurst, sauerkraut, schnitzel, and spatzel yesterday evening and came home. I am thoroughly tired from all the walking we did.

Today I'm going to do some catch-up work, then go into town for quilting supplies. My sister is going to help me with a t-shirt quilt for my mother. We were planning to go to her medieval re-enactment, but we are both very sore in the feet and knees, so that may not happen.

PontiacPeggy

Michelle, you might want to check and see if you are able to substitute your own garb for the hospital gown.

Poodles, glad you had a great time in Leavenworth. Your quilt for your mom should be wonderful. Take care of the poor body!

HUGS!

Leslie2016

Hi all. I'm new here. If I should be posting somewhere else first, please point me in the right direction.

Found a lump Mid August. Saw GP, next week had mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy all in the same day. On Sept 6, I was diagnosed. I don't have all the proper info or pathology yet, but I know it's invasive ductal carcinoma with focal lobular features. What's the right acronym for that?

I saw the surgeon, I have an MRI on Monday and my surgery for lumpectomy is scheduled for next Friday, Oct 7.

I caught it early, it's still under 2cm. No other lumps found. I'm having the MRI because even the day of my biopsy, the mammogram came back clear, no different than last year. That's a little scary.

After the surgery I know we are planning radiation, but I have no clue on hormone receptors or anything else yet. At the moment, I'm just happy everything has gone along relatively smoothly, and that I'm not waiting too much longer for the surgery. Time to get this started.

I look forward to meeting you all.

Molly50

Welcome Leslie, if your biopsy was on the 6th of September then you should have a copy of your pathology report. If you don't have it get one from the place that did the biopsy.

PontiacPeggy

Leslie, Welcome! You've come to the right place. We have several Ontario gals so any differences between the US and Canada can be explained. As Molly said, do get a copy of your pathology report. You want to make sure you have a copy of every single thing to do with your breast cancer. That pathology report (from your biopsy) should tell you a lot of the things you need to know, including hormone receptors. Right now I'd recommend you read Dr Susan Love's Breast Book. It tells you everything you wanted to know about breast cancer (and probably more). I find it invaluable. I'm glad that you are having your surgery soon. Have you met with your breast surgeon? If not, you definitely should prior to surgery to make sure you both agree on your treatment path. If you are having a lumpectomy you will most likely have radiation. But that won't happen until your ER/PR/Her2 statuses are known (i.e., if chemo would be needed). Assuming you are ER+/PR+/Her2-, you will probably progress to radiation after recovering from your surgery 4-6 weeks (most often) and then on to Tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor (if you are post-menopausal). That's the usual progression. You will probably find out quickly that "usual" is a very loose term - every BS has his own protocol.

When you do get your pathology report, please fill out your profile and make it public. You do have some information already, which is good. But more is better

Ask us any questions, we'll be glad to answer.

HUGS!

mustlovepoodles

I woke up at least 5-6 times last night with pain on my rt chest in my scar. There is a lump there, about the size of my thumb, very tender to touch but does not have the appearance of infection. It's not reddened any more than usual (my scars are still pretty red.) This is just the weirdest thing. Of course, it would have to be in my zombie breast. I don't know if wearing my mastectomy bra has irritated it or what. I've been wearing bras since last June, at least 4-5 days a week for anywhere from 2hrs to 12hrs and never had this problem. Of course, in the back of my mind is you-know-what.

If it's still there when I get back to Atlanta next week, I'll call my BS for a look-see. In the meantime, I'll try to refrain from touching it, as much as I can.