How quick should I have surgery

lumpynurse80

I had my first abnormal mammogram in September and finally was diagnosed on November 22. I’m opting for a double mastectomy but trying to find the best time in my school schedule to do it. I’m 6 months from graduating with my master’s degree and I can’t quit now. I’m not sure how much time I can wait any thoughts??

Yogatyme

lumpynurse, have you discussed this with your team? My niece and I have had BMX. She was 38 yo and felt good enough to resume most of her activities in about 2 weeks. I was 68 and felt like I was knocked in the dirt for about 5 weeks. I am assuming the differences in recovery were due to age. Neither of us had radiation or chemo, so I’m not sure how that affects things. I used to teach in a graduate program and we tried to work with students w medical issues, so that is another avenue to explore. Ultimately, talking with your team will help you make the most informed decision. Best wishes for you.

Scrafgal

If you are wondering whether you could wait six months, I would doubt whether that is advisable, regardless of the stage, grade, or type of cancer. I teach in higher ed--graduate school--and most schools and professors would make accommodations for you. You need to ask and be prepared to get a doctor's note. You don't have to reveal your diagnosis. You just need a note from a doctor that explains why you need an accommodation and for how long.

MinusTwo

I had a double mastectomy at 69 with TE's placed under the muscle. I was up and moving in 24 hours and back to my all my normal activities after 3 weeks. Granted the TEs were a royal pain. My PS believes in waiting 6 months before exchanging for implant. The second reconstruction surgery I was only out a week.

I don't know your age, but I expect you'll be fine to study or do on line classes by week #2.

Lumpy - I have sort of been following you. It's usually better to continue with your previous thread so we can all relate. Otherwise when you get a minute - at least go to My Profile and fill in your diagnosis & specs.

Yogatyme

MinusTwo, you rock!!

Beesie

If you are concerned about the recovery time after the BMX - and it really does vary by individual so there s no telling whether you'll feel fine quickly or if it will take weeks - would it be an option to have a lumpectomy and SNB first? That's an easier surgery with a quicker recovery, and then you could schedule the BMX for after your graduation.

Whether this is feasible depends on the size of your tumor and, of course, the agreement of your surgeon. You would probably want to consult with a Medical Oncologist as well, just to be sure that there would be no concern about not moving ahead with radiation, but waiting several months after the lumpectomy before the BMX surgery.

Something to consider.

lumpynurse80

I’m new to this and sort of technology challenged sometimes 😂. I’m not planning to wait 6 months but if I can push it to the first of February it would be better. With the holidays coming up I’m not sure if I can get it done before the end of the year. Deductible resets in January so financially it would be better to do it before the end of the year. So many decisions to make that sometimes it’s hard to really figure it out. My HER2 was negative and my final pathology came back for the biopsy and it’s rated as intermediate so I’m not sure what that means. I have genetic testing scheduled for Wednesday morning. My Estrogen on the final path was 99% so I’ll definitely be on some sort of hormone blocking therapy. Cancer feels like a whirlwind sometimes. The breast cancer center sent me this really great book to help guide me and answer questions. I see the plastic surgeon tomorrow. My best friend is going with me and it should be good. She and I have been through a lot together and she gets me like no one else does. She will keep me sane

lumpynurse80

I haven’t gotten all of my specs back. Final pathology says Intermediate Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma Estrogen + at 99% and Progesterone positive at 35% HER2 negative. I see the plastic surgeon tomorrow and have genetic testing on Wednesday. They will schedule my surgery after tomorrow as they have to coordinate 2 surgeons for the mastectomy and reconstruction.

Beaverntx

lumpynurse, as a retired professor of nusing, I echo the advice to put scheduling your surgery first and then make arrangements with your faculty to complete the work on your master's once you know your schedule. You are in a time of great uncertainty just now but timing should be clearer after your upcoming appointments.

Hopeful82014

lumpynurse80 - I'm sorry you're facing this. Have you discussed the possibility of neoadjuvant endocrine therapy with your surgeon and/or MO? It's not used as much in the US as in Europe and the UK (unfortunately) but can offer an excellent option if your tumor is responsive to it and can buy you some time before dealing with surgery.

That doesn't address the issue of your deductible resetting, unfortunately. Isn't it insane that we have to time surgeries and procedures around an arbitrarily imposed calendar?

MinusTwo

Lumpy - that was my thought. If the MO recommends chemo, would it be possible to do that before surgery (neoadjuvant)? I don't think that's often done when the cancer is HER2 negative, but I don't know.

Don't give up on your masters. Hopefully your classes are mostly on line. However if you are the point of having to do a practicum, maybe you could postpone that until summer.

lumpynurse80

I think that the financial impact is going to be worse than the procedure itself. I’m worried about that more than anything else. As a travel nurse I don’t have short term disability so I will be without pay for whatever time frame I’m out

Yogatyme

lumpynurse, it really sucks that your biggest worry is financial, but I certainly get where you are coming from. I was self employed and was forever concerned about having something medical happen that would keep me out of work for any period of time. It also sucks that I feel grateful for Medicare & supplement.....I personally feel we are long overdue for some kind of universal health care in this country. Far too many people have to file bankruptcy b/c of medical bills. That kind of stress certainly doesn’t help w the disease/treatment process

lumpynurse80

I just saw the plastic surgeon and my surgery is going to be January 9th so here we go full steam ahead. I’m ready and I’m gonna be as positive and happy as I can be this holiday season because cancer sucks but it’s not gonna suck the happiness out of me

Yogatyme

Fingers crossed for a decent holiday and for a good surgery ( is that an oxymoron?). Hope your recovery goes well. Talk to your graduate program ASAP so you can have things settled before surgery. It will be one less thing to worry with. Sending good thoughts your way

lumpynurse80

I’m feeling run down tonight and I’ve been sneezing a good bit. Should I be concerned about infection and viruses now or later or both. As a nurse I get exposed to a lot. I’ve had my flu shot and my pneumonia 13 vaccines

MinusTwo

lumpy - you're a nurse. Of course you should be concerned. The goal is to stay healthy for the January 9th surgery, but that is still a month away.

If it were me, I'd start chugging vitimin C - maybe 500mg BID. Consider something like Airborne that has extra zinc. Add a multivitamin if you aren't already taking one. Try to get extra sleep. Stay away from crowds and children as much as you can. And of course wash your hands every time you turn around. If you think people around you have colds or you're in crowds, start wearing a mask. You can always tell them you don't want to pass along your germs. Tell everyone who wants something extra from you "NO" - sorry not this month. Go take a nap instead. It's time to take care of YOU.

Maybe even start taking a Claritin every day. Not the "D", just the original. It can't hurt.

And if it progresses, since there is lots of bronchitis around right now, talk to your PCP about Mucinex or Robitussin or.... You must have your favorite remedies. Neil Med sinus rinse. Hot tea with honey or bourbon. Extra orange juice. Hibernating.

Fingers crossed

lumpynurse80

It’s easy as a nurse to ignore your own body’s aches and signs of sickness when you’re working. I’m thinking I’ve picked up a virus or something. I’m gonna chug the water and take my vitamins and hope it’s just a fluke. But definitely will be calling the doctor Monday morning if I’m not any better. It came on fast so I’m hoping it’s just a quick virus or cold

Scrafgal

Glad you got the surgery scheduled, lumpy...since you've been under a lot of stress, you likely have not been sleeping or eating well...take care of youself for the next month. You do want to go into the surgery strong!

lumpynurse80

I started on a multivitamin, a B complex, and a calcium with vitamin D. Any other vitamins y’all would recommend

lumpynurse80

Trying to stay super positive but definitely had a mini meltdown and an argument with Jeff yesterday. I do great most days but very once in a while I just feel overwhelmed with everything that’s going on. I don’t want to be sad and I don’t want to be angry but it’s not easy. I don’t think that Jeff really understands what I’m going through. I told him the HER2 was negative and for whatever reason he thought that meant that I don’t have cancer. It’s a lonely feeling sometimes because I don’t know how to explain to them how it feels. And I don’t think that they can ever understand. I feel better now but who knows when my emotions will boil over again.

rbreny

Lumpy, Did the doctors advise you to get a mastectomy? Your stats are very similar to mine and it never came up in conversations with my breast surgeon oncologist. Perhaps you could just get a lumpectomy which has very little down time and after the final pathology you can make a decision and then make your decision. I wish you well in whatever you choose.

lumpynurse80

The doctor said I could do a lumpectomy but I’m opting for a double mastectomy because I have large dense breasts and I don’t want to end up with another more aggressive breast cancer later that I also don’t feel. I’m 39 so as I get older the risk goes up and I don’t want to do this a second time. I talked at great length with the surgeon about it and I strongly feel that this is what’s right for me.

Kiwigirl333

I opted for double masectomy as well as one cancer in left breast was detected by I had very small breasrs that were full of cysts and dense so made screening challenging. When I got histology back they found a second higher grade cancer of different type in my left breast that even MRI jadnt detected so I am so pleased I pushed for bilateral masectomy and not just WLE or lumpectomy! Hope your surgery goes well 4 weeks ago for me and feeling much better.

lumpynurse80

My surgery is in 4 weeks. I’m just ready to get it done. I’m glad you’re doing well. Was the surgery rough??

Moderators

Dear Kiwigirl333,

Welcome to our community. We are very grateful to you for sharing your story for our members. We are glad that you are feeling better and hoping for your continued recovery. Let us know if there is anything we can do to help you to stay active and connected here.

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lumpynurse80

I had my blood drawn yesterday for genetic testing. Maybe it will give some insight into why I developed breast cancer at 39. The genetic counselor said I was the poster child for early screening. My OBGYN is now even more adamant about early screenings for his patients. If my story can help even one person it will be worth it. My youngest daughter has her Christmas play tonight and she has a solo. I’m so excited to see her. I’m trying to enjoy this holiday season because once it’s over the reality of surgery and treatment will hit hard

ScatteredEnergy

Good luck in your surgery.

lumpynurse80

Thank you. I’m not really nervous yet but I’m sure after the holiday when things slow down I will be. I think I’m more worried about the financial burden. As a travel nurse I don’t have short term disability so I won’t get paid while I am out. That scares me more than anything. But I’m sure it will be fine. I hope to only be out 4 weeks, but I won’t know until after the surgery and how I fee then

ChiSandy

Glad you're getting this done w/in 2 mos. of dx, so that there's a better chance of it still being Stage I (and hopefully, IA). In my case, at age 64 with a small tumor located in a "convenient" part of a large fatty breast, I did not hesitate to opt for lumpectomy, I was out of action only a few days, no drains. Surgical path confirmed Stage IA, grade 2. I also got genetic testing and am negative for BRCA and Chek2 mutations, and have absolutely no family history of breast or reproductive cancer. If I had breasts so dense that MRI couldn't visualize tumors, or a positive BRCA-1 or 2 mutation, I might have gone the BMX route. My BFF, at age 70 with DCIS, went for BMX because hers was Grade 3, multifocal in a very small breast--she hadn't worn a bra in 30 years. But hers was also ER-, and DCIS doesn't get chemo, so with BMX there was no radiation and with ER- no endocrine therapy--so surgery essentially (acc. to her oncologists) "cured" her.

lumpynurse80

Surgery is 17 days away....I think I'm starting to feel a little nervous. I've had severe nausea the last 2 days and I think it is related to being nervous. I'm also having some pains in my left breast that come and go, not really sure what that's about. I can't believe that Christmas Eve is tomorrow. I feel like it has snuck up on me. I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Michelle