Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

mustlovepoodles

Okay, ladies. I saw my orthopedist yesterday and took my husband with me. We all made the mutual decision that total knee replacement is an order now. I've limped along for over three years with cortisone shots and lubrication shots and nothing is working at this point. Surgery is scheduled for April 28th. I go on Monday for the pre-op and a knee joint post-op class.

In the meantime, my husband is frantic. Indeed, he is probably manic. He just started Topamax for migraines. he is irritable, agitated, anxious, and not sleeping well. He stays up late and gets up early. He's worried about my job instability, money, fixing up the house to sell, my surgery, and the amount of time I've had to go down and take care of my mother. He's just generally unhappy all the way around. Which is so not him. he has a history of depression and anxiety, but but he is not bipolar. However, my 30yo son and I are bipolar and I can spot mania a mile away. Time to call the doctor.

Molly50

Welcome 4748, I would have the excision. The thing is that mammograms, ultrasound and MRI are not perfect. If your BS is suggesting removal I think you should. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

PontiacPeggy

Steph, glad you have a plan and are comfortable with it! Indecision is terrible.

4748, Welcome! We're glad you found us. I can't answer your questions - sorry. But I know someone will be able to. Meantime, would you please help us help you by filling out your profile and making EACH and EVERY thing PUBLIC? Then it will appear under each of your posts. We find it difficult to remember each person's journey with BC. We'd also like to know where you live since that can make a difference on treatment options. BTW, I think if it were me, I'd have that thing out. But each of us is different. You have to decide what is best for you.

Poodles, YES! I'm glad you are getting that knee done. Do you think the Topamax is making DH worse? It is understandable that he is frantic but I agree it does sound like he is manic. Definitely toss him in the car and get it under control.

HUGS!

mellang

Congrats MJ, the moment I received my surgical report was the moment I could breath again and know that I would beat this terrible thing!

mellang

Poodles, my dad had his knee replaced and swore he would never have the other done. A friend at work had both of her done at the same time and did very good; both of hers was in real bad shape. Glad you are getting yours done, you will feel much better after rehab.

4748

there is no doubt I am having it out however not with excision. I am going to insist on Sugeons suggestion 18 months ago - vacuum aspiration

4748

I have tried adding my history but have not been successful.

My question is whether other women have experienced hard lumps appearing shortly after surgery

PontiacPeggy

4748, I assume you've added everything to your profile. Now click on the SETTINGS tab and that is where you make things public. It is rather convoluted I still have no answer for you. I'm sorry.

HUGS!

mustlovepoodles

oh, holy hell! The social worker just walked into my mother's room and told her that they were going to discharge her to her home on Monday. Now my mother is crying because she knows that she cannot take care of herself, can't cook for herself, cannot care for the animals, do the laundry or shop for groceries.

The social worker is now contacting Assisted Living facilities. I don't think my mother is even going two qualify for that. She says a CNA has to help her with 90% of her bathing and 100% of wiping her bottom after a BM. She can't walk to the bathroom. And she's not eating at all.

VelvetPoppy

~Ladies~

Does anyone know of some good breast massage techniques? I have scar tissue between the two sites of my lumpectomies. I have tried massaging the lump/bump myself, but don't really know how. All of my docs want me to soften the tissue so it will be reabsorbed back into the breast? Am I getting this right? I have looked into physical therapists who do massage therapy, but my insurance won't pay for it and I'm not sure how much it would cost and how long I would have to do it. I also thought about licensed massage therapists, but again...cost & length of time.

Molly50

Poodles, wait WHAT??? How? You need to talk to someone pronto. They cannot discharge someone who can't take care of herself. My guess is she exceeded her medicare time limit for the type of setting she is in. I am surprised your hubby is manic on Topamax. My friends always called it "dopamax" because the kids on it would be sleepy and out of it.

PontiacPeggy

WTF, Poodles!!! What kind of idiot is that social worker? And on a Friday giving you so much time to find another place for her. Of course she can't go home. She needs to be in a nursing home. She can't have exhausted her Medicare days - at least I wouldn't think so. I'm in your pocket while you try to cope with this latest disaster. Sh*t!

HUGS!!!

mustlovepoodles

Mother has not exhausted her Medicare days, but she has apparently met her PT, OT, and Speech goals (which have to be pretty low.) Three weeks ago Mother walked herself into the ER. She was able to make coffee, make phone calls, , take care of thr pets, and perform 100% of her self-care. She can do none of that now.

Caligirl55

4748.... I have had good size lump just below my Incision that they have been keeping an eye on for any growth for the past few weeks. Have you thought of a second opinion?

Lexicoe

4748, I have also had something hard in my breast since the first lumpectomy in February--it is in the same place and about the same size as the original "lump," which is a good 2 inches from my incision. I asked the BS and RO about it and was told it was just part of healing.

An MRI confirmed a seroma in that location last week, but because of suspicious cells near it, I had a re-excision this past Tuesday. I had always read about seromas being squishy--but mine definitely is not.

I just felt it when I saw your question and it is still there but the tissue around it is softer now, in the wake of the second surgery.

Bottom line (and sorry for all the rambling!), I would get a second opinion before I agreed to the excision.

mellang

Well I went to the therapist yesterday for my "cording" issue; I now have pink kinesio tape covering almost every inch of my boob (wish I could show you all) it is a sight to see! The therapist did some massage and stretches; it seems that I have quite a bit of fluid still hanging out in the breast since surgery that is causing the pain. So I guess now the left side will be even smaller than it already is; it is already noticeably smaller than the other since finishing radiation. It took me forever to find a bra that would fit comfortably after surgery, now what??? UGH, the struggle is real! Hopefully with the exercises and massage that she taught me I can "move" the fluid out and away. I told her I had to get this resolved because in June I have my first mamo and I am terrified!

Poodles you are in my prayers!

mustlovepoodles

Lexicoe, my seroma was not squishy at all. In fact it was a the size of a Coke can. It broke open several times and just drenched me with ick. And then it got infected!

Update on my mom-- the social worker came to her senses with a little help from my very bossy sister. My mother is willing to go to Assisted Living and the social worker brought in someone from an assisted living nearby to evaluate her. Apparently she qualifies, so that's a good thing. She has felt really bad the last two days and has been unable to eat it all. But today she woke up perky and PT helped her get into the shower and perform her own shower with no help at all. Makes me wonder why they haven't been practicing this all along. The plan now is to have a family meeting on Monday with the intention of discharge no sooner than Wednesday.

PontiacPeggy

Poodles, OMG! What a roller coaster your mom's care has been. Glad your bossy sister pulled up her big girl pants and straightened out that social worker. Good grief. It does sound like maybe you have a plan forming. Good luck! And much love.

HUGS!

mustlovepoodles

Thanks, Peggy. I can always count on this particular sister to shake things up when needed.

PontiacPeggy

Poodles, your mama raised damned strong women!

HUGS!

4748

thanks for your post. I want it out, have wanted it out from the start. 2 annual mammograms have not shown anything sinister so it must be as a result of surgery and treatment. What I want Ian to have it son el via exicional aspiration which leaves no scar.

mustlovepoodles

And there's 4 of us, Peggy. Together we are a force of nature, not to be trifled with.

PontiacPeggy

Poodles, I had no doubt about that!

HUGS!

Jiffrig

stephi, you don't have to do radiation before your surgery? I had one lymph node and I had to do rads first to avoid messing up new breasts. I have an expander in now, just finished rads, DIEP surgery in july

IHGJAnn49

Poodles, I had knee replacement on both knees, 6 months apart.. I've known some who had both done at the same time.. I think that's an individual choice.. They have you up walking right away and I don't remember having any restrictions.. you'll have plenty of PT and exercises

Lexicoe

poodles--so glad the sister got the social worker straightened out! And a seroma the size of a Coke can--wow! Sorry it broke open several times--that does not sound like fun. I was actually hoping the surgeon would drain it this week while she was in there, but she didn't.

natsera

Started on anastrozole (Arimidex) the day before yesterday. I'm curious: if "menopausal" side effects are going to happen, how long would it take them to manifest themselves? So far, I haven't had anything, but it may be too early to heave a sigh of relief?

The MO gave me orders for a DEXA scan and I'm glad because I already have osteopenia. 

She also said there's a tendency toward weight gain and that worries me because I have diabetes and that would mess with my blood sugar and insulin dose.

I've also read that there's an increased risk of heart disease? I do have a cardiologist and so far so good, and they will follow me.

So I would appreciate any insights that you lovely ladies can give me! Thanks.

natsera

Started on anastrozole (Arimidex) the day before yesterday. I'm curious: if "menopausal" side effects are going to happen, how long would it take them to manifest themselves? So far, I haven't had anything, but it may be too early to heave a sigh of relief?

The MO gave me orders for a DEXA scan and I'm glad because I already have osteopenia. 

She also said there's a tendency toward weight gain and that worries me because I have diabetes and that would mess with my blood sugar and insulin dose.

I've also read that there's an increased risk of heart disease? I do have a cardiologist and so far so good, and they will follow me.

So I would appreciate any insights that you lovely ladies can give me! Thanks.

mustlovepoodles

Well, I got a weird letter from Cigna today. It declined some "Musculo-skelatal reconstruction procedure" (I assume this is the DIEP) but they are MORE than happy to pay for implants (which I don't want~!)  I've got to call them on Monday and figure out what this is.  Not that I'm going to be having recon any time soon, not with the knee replacement. But I'm glad I didn't already by plane tickets to NOLA before I got this letter

Today was my volunteer Sat--I work with a group that provides supplies for the homeless, school uniforms and birthday presents for indigent children, household goods for battered women, and various toiletries for people in need. My job today was directing college students at our warehouse. Then off to a home visit with a foster kid.  Then to Walmart for last minute stuff. Then home to start cooking at 5pm--double ugh!  And I cleaned my whole house. My feet and knees are so swollen and painful now. I don't know if I'm going to be able to walk without my cane tomorrow and I definitely will not be able to process down the aisle with the choir (I'm hoping that I can do the standing and sitting required in the choir loft!)  I am utterly exhausted.   It doesn't help that I am not sleeping well these days.  I just hurt all over.

PontiacPeggy

Natsera, It would not be unusual to have hot flashes, e.g., once you start Anastrozole. I was nearly 25 years past menopause and did not. But then I also had very few hot flashes at the time, so that may have made a difference. You might inquire if Fosamax would be appropriate for you since you have osteopenia. I started it at the same time as the anastrozole. Sometimes Prolia is a better fit depending on your medical conditions. I haven't gained weight but weight has never been an issue with me (luckily). But I would definitely inquire about Fosamax and take the conversation from there - to protect your bones. Good luck!

HUGS!