Lumpectomy 3 days ago

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dogsandjogs
dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Hi Everyone:  I had a lumpectomy 3 days ago and I'm happy to say I feel pretty good. At the hospital the only instructions I was given was to shower on the second day and remove bandages on the third day. Nothing about exercises!!  I called the doctor and asked if I could do some and his office left a message saying OK, but nothing further. I found some exercises on the Internet and am doing them throughout the day. So far so good., I would like to know when I can jog though.  I jog daily and really miss it. Up to now I've been doing some fast walking with my dogs which helps keep me limber. The scars I have are quite long, but look like they are healing ok. I'm waiting for the result on the sentinel node.

Any ideas/suggestions about what I can do to heal as quickly as possible?  I see the doctor in two weeks for the post-op check-up. 

 My cancer was 8mm so hopefully has not spread to the nodes.

 I am looking forward to learning from you guys and am so glad I found this site.

PS I had my first cancer 28 years ago!  Really thought I was home free---At that time they removed 17 nodes and since none were involved I had no chemo or radiation. Things were a lot simpler then, but due to the 17 node removal I have been numb from my elbow, thru the armpit and down to my waist on the cancer side ever since. I  also had reconstruction done.

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  • toni30
    toni30 Member Posts: 252
    edited February 2011

    Hi SR - They told me to take it easy for about a week, so the scar would not open up.  I didn't do exercises, but I did stretch in the morning - I would lay on my back and opened my arms out to the side. It took months for me to be able to get my surgery side to really get comfortable opening but I finally did and I healed really well.  It will take longer than you think, but don't push it. Goo luck!

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  • pejkug3
    pejkug3 Member Posts: 902
    edited February 2011

    Sounds like you're doing well!

     I had my lumpectomy on 1/27, developed a seroma and still have a leaking wound.  :(

    But I walk on my treadmill anyhow.  :)

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  • MinstrelMM3
    MinstrelMM3 Member Posts: 5
    edited February 2011

    My doctor group was very specific about exercise. I had lumpectomy and removal of 6 lymph nodes on Jan. 27, over 2 weeks ago.   *    They told me to do SLOWLY, 3 times per day, quite an array of exercises that stretch both arms forward, upward, outward, and backward; and stretch rib-cage to each side and twisting, with hands overhead. It's really, really helped.   *    One I rather like, for shoulder stretch, is standing in a corner, facing corner, with arms bent and hands-to-elbows touching wall, elbows at shoulder height. Start at very comfortable position, and gently lean in toward the corner. I did this before surgery, to learn what my comfortable position was then and have a goal for recovery; going well.   *    NO arm-pumping exercise for six weeks. It's greatly snowy here, but I am limited to snow-shoeing for now, not cross-country skiing.   *  My main problem is extremely painful large lump in armpit, where lymph fluid is pooling. They have needle-drained it twice, which gave half-day relief; and there was blood as well as lymph fluid then.  I sleep with that side up, and it helps; but I yearn to sleep on either side.  *   Best wishes!

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  • pejkug3
    pejkug3 Member Posts: 902
    edited February 2011

    Oh, dear - I feel for you!  My incision broke open in a little spot so the fluid can drain.  R-E-L-I-E-F!

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  • anniedd
    anniedd Member Posts: 38
    edited February 2011

    I had lumpectomy and snb tues with absolutely no instructions re exercise ?? I am upset

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  • anniedd
    anniedd Member Posts: 38
    edited February 2011

    no idea about tumour size but nodes neg surgeon did not even talk to me after have appt in 2 weeks...feeling frustrated

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  • anniedd
    anniedd Member Posts: 38
    edited February 2011

    can someone help me understand???

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  • pejkug3
    pejkug3 Member Posts: 902
    edited February 2011

    Hmmm...two weeks for a follow up seems long.  My surgeon wanted to see me the next week. 

    I was never given exercise instructions either.  I did some stretches right when everything was returning to "life" and it seemed to help with the achiness.

    I had tissue excised about the size of a tennis ball.  At first, I couldn't tell at all.  But now that my seroma is consistently draining, I can tell than my underarm area has been rooted out (by both tumor removal and axillary dissection). 

    Call your surgeon's office if you're feeling concerned.  Mine was more than willing to talk me through things.  Information is power and security.  This is a scary journey and you need BOTH!

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  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited February 2011

    Thanks so much everyone!  Especially thanks for the exercise suggestions. I can't wait to find out if the doctor took any nodes.. The armpit looks the same, just a little swollen and there is a nicely-healing scar plus some bruising. The breast is still swollen and bruised, but that scar also looks pretty good.  There is still some thin stuff covering both scars - not steri strips, but something similar - don't see any stitches. 

    I am lucky, no draining.  After my mastectomy 28 years ago I had a drain pinned to my vest for 3 weeks - had to measure the fluid every day and keep a diary --what a nuisance that was. Of  course it was necessary due to the 17 nodes they took out. To this day I have no surface sensation from the elbow, along the side and all the way to my waist on that side! 

     When they did the MRI for this cancer they said my implant had a small tear in it, but it was way inside so isn't leaking into any surrounding tissues.  This time I thought of having a mastectomy again and an implant and then at the same time getting a new implant for the other breast, but decided to just go with the lumpectomy.   

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  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited February 2011

    What does Ki-67 13% mean?  This was written on my Treatment Record on the day of diagnosis, but I was too flustered that day to ask.

     hanks in advance for any responses!

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  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited February 2011

    How are you doing with your seroma?

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