Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

ChiSandy

Poodles, my condolences and consoling wishes to you and Carol’s family. May her memory be for a blessing.

Just learned PBS’ Gwen Ifill passed today of (unspecified) cancer at 61.

mustlovepoodles

Thank you for your condolences. As you might imagine, this has got us a little hard. There is a heightened sense of emotion at my house aand I can tell that DH is upset. I've had to reassure him that I am not going to die, too.

I'm a lighter note, I just got off the phone with NOLA .They congratulated me on having great insurance, LOL . So now all imthats left us to schedule the DIEP .

PontiacPeggy

Poodles, I understand where DH is coming from. But we know you're going to be here FOREVER! And great insurance, huh? Well, until they try to screw you. I assume that you finally have all that straightened out now.

HUGS!

Caligirl55

Poodles....so sorry about your cousin. Since I have TNBC it scares me. Did they not find it till later? Will keep the family all in prayer.

tsoebbin

So very sorry poodles.

ElizabethAM

My condolences, Poodles

tbalding

Poodles, so sorry for your loss. Sending prayers of comfort to you and your family.

IHGJAnn49

Poodles, Sorry for your loss, Praying for you and your family...

Italychick

Poodles, so sorry, hugs coming your way.

Sandy, ew and ick. Definitely sounds like something you wouldn't want to repeat.

Dad still in hospital and arm still swollen, but nurse said things look a tiny bit better. I've got him drinking tons of ensure, milk and jello. Said he can't eat solid food, too nauseated. I said just keep drinking the ensure, that's what it is for. I have no experience with cellulitis outside of breast cancer and lymph node removal other than getting an infected finger tip once. I wonder if at some point they wrap it like they do with breast cancer patients, does anybody know?

Liniment cake, no way in hades lol

PontiacPeggy

ItalyChick, glad there's a glimmer of improvement for your dad. I've no experience with it so can't comment. Just hope he gets better ASAP!!!

HUGS!

Miko

tyty kb needless to say i am scared out of my mind, but cannot wait to get it done and over with........ what can i say one more day

Miko

Omg sorry to hear about your cousins passing. Thinking of you - keep strong

DaraB

Poodles, just so very sorry for the death of your cousin. My thoughts and prayers go to you and all your family.

mustlovepoodles

Caligirl, I believe that my cousin was Stage 4 right out of the gate. 

Italychick, your dad's reaction to food is not at all unusual.  Many seniors find that hospitalization alone makes them lose their appetite. Infection can cause loss of appetite all on it's own;the antibiotics they use to get the cellulitis under control often cause nausea and changes in taste, as well.  Hopefully, your dad will be able to drink some of the Ensure to get the calories in.  Can he eat ice cream or popsicles?  Sometimes really cold stuff is more palatable than anything else. 

Peggy, unfortunately I am still on the insurance merry-go-round. I called them today, in fact.  They did get 2 out of the 8 bills paid--$1800 down, $90,000 to go!  Before I have anymore surgery I want to get the approval in writing. I was unable to finish the call today; after 45 min, we still had not addressed 5 of the major bills and I had home visits to do.  I'll call them again tomorrow and see if I can get some movement on those 5 bills. I'm so tired of dealing with this. DH suggests that we need to bump it up to the GA insurance commissioner now, so I will spend some time tomorrow putting together a timeline of my calls and what was said to me each time. Luckily, I keep extensive notes of every bill and every call.

PontiacPeggy

Poodles, I think DH has the right idea. If you're going to drink it's better to want to rather than being driven to it by a damn insurance company that is playing fast and loose with its coverage. Good luck. Like you, I keep good notes too. Invaluable, isn't it?

HUGS!

Grazy

Poodles, so very sorry about your cousin's passing. I'm thinking you and your family.

Leslie2016

I'm so sorry Poodles. You and your family are in my thoughts.

Leslie2016

Ok ladies, question time.

My lumpectomy was Oct 7. No real problems.

Sunday I noticed that the nipple on my "bad" breast isn't acting properly..like, not reacting to cold like the "good" one. Monday I noticed a lump just under the very edge of where the incision around my nipple ends. It's hard to the touch and you can actually see the bump under the skin visually. Today, it's still raised and red. Hurts a little to touch.

I know this is about where they said the DCIS is that we didn't know about until after the surgery. Yes, I put a call into my oncology nurse and said in my message (they weren't in yesterday) that I was coming in on Wed anyway for blood work for my port, so I suspect she will call me back today at some point and see me tomorrow.

Any clues though? I know sometimes lumps can form from the surgery, but over a month later? That doesn't seem right.

mustlovepoodles

Leslie, call your doctor. It sounds like you may have a little area of infection in there. The lump is probably swelling and a little scar tissue. But you don't want to sit on this in case it may be infection.

Leslie2016

I left the message yesterday poodles. If I think it's getting worse, I will call back today, or go to emerg if it's after hours. If not I'll ask when I go in for my bloodwork tomorrow. The red today makes me think it's an infection too. Sigh.

mustlovepoodles

Leslie, call them back now and remind them that you called yesterday. Do not sit on this. They should have already called you back. Breasts don't like to be messed with and the risk of infection is moderately high.

Samanthavt7091

Poodles, I'm so very sorry for your loss. May the Lord see you and your family through this tough time.

Samanthavt7091

May be TMI but - I had my lumpectomy on 10/26. My incision and nipple still feel sore to the touch and kinda achy, I'm also still a little swollen. How long before my boob can feel like a regular boob at least before I start that radiation?

Leslie2016

I don't have an answer for you Samantha, sorry.

Poodle, they phoned me back and definitely want to check it out but we agreed together (because I was comfortable with it, and I was out for the day with my best friend, who is a nurse when they called) that it can wait until tomorrow. If my anxiety had been overly high, or it was really painful, I would have gone today. My best friend peeked and it wasn't as red as when I got out of the shower, I checked my temp, no fever.

If things change during the night, I'll go to emerg/call the number for the night nurse. Other than that, I'm confident that they will be checking it for me tomorrow when I go and we will figure out what is up.

mustlovepoodles

Good job, Leslie. Hopefully, this is something they can knock out quickl

mustlovepoodles

And now for a bit of good news...NOLA called me today with a date for my DIEP--Feb 1, almost exactly one year from my BMX.  I need to call them tomorrow and talk to the lady who does travel coordination.  They say I'll need to be down there for 10 days.  I have been saving up my money for the trip, so far $2,200.  They partner with some hotels to give discounted rates, so I'll get that info. And there is a type of hostel nearby, like the Ronald McDonald house, which is free.  We'll see if that works out.

Leslie2016

I'm glad you got some good news Poodle!!!!

Molly50

Samantha , I had a seroma after my lumpectomy and was tender until I had my mastectomy a few weeks left . I would call your surgeon if you are concerned .

PontiacPeggy

Poodles, I'm so happy for you! That's the best news. Hotel does sound nice but a hostel might be good too. Hard decisions.

HUGS!!

ChiSandy

Poodles, yay! Hope you get to partake of some of NOLA’s cuisine & culture beforehand. (Or after, if you feel up to it).