After a Lumpectomy?

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matsui23
matsui23 Member Posts: 1
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer

Hi,

I'm not sure if this is the place to put this topic but I wanted to know the mental/physical challenges to overcome after a lumpectomy.

My mother just had her surgery today and they say that they are 99% sure that it will not come back. The news will come in about a week so hopefully it's good news!

But back to my question, I'm very concerned about about the challenges she will face- first getting back to normal every day life and second overcoming the scar that will develop from this. I've never been in this type of situation and I'm just lost on what to do.

If anyone can help me with any guidance at all, it would be very much appreciated.

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited August 2010

    It will take her awhile to recover both emotionally and physically.  A support group of some kind (formal or informal) can be very helpful for the emotional healing. As far as the physical, it can take up to a year for the fat to shift around in the breast and fill in the 'dents'. If she isn't happy with her physical  appearance right now, I would tell her to give it awhile and she may eventually be quite pleased with the results. I think that exercise is really, really important for both the emotional AND physical health. Best of luck to her, and you too. Ruth

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  • msmpatty
    msmpatty Member Posts: 818
    edited August 2010

    I've had three surgical lumpectomies in my life at ages 18, 22 and 56.  The initial scars look like you've had surgery but nothing totally hideous.  All my scars (including the last one done a year ago) have completely faded.   Your mom may be a little lop-sided for a while but as Ruth says, you eventually fill in and look fine.   The recovery period isn't bad.  I've had bruising and discomfort after surgery...but nothing that keeps you down for very long.

    I think if you are just "there" for your Mom and supporting her no matter how she feels about things, she'll do just fine.   You've made a great start by checking in on BCO.

    Patty

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited August 2010

    You did not mention whether your mom would have radiation, but almost all women having a lumpectomy end up getting it as a kind of package deal.  If she does get it, it will most likely be for 6-7 weeks, five days a week.  Some women have trouble with blistering and the skin breaking down, some don't; it is hard to predict who will or won't.  There are cremes and lotions that help.  The radiation makes almost all women feel fatigued.  Anything you are able to do for your mom during that time will save her energy, let her rest and heal.

    I agree with what the others have said about the scar.  It takes a while (maybe even a few years) but usually fades to almost invisible.

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