Lumpectomy on Feb 1st - Looking for a "Cancer Buddy"

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  • jigadake
    jigadake Member Posts: 31
    edited February 2012


    I just got a call from the surgeon regarding my pathology report. He said the three places that he took as a precaution were all clear of anything and just need to heal. The DCIS area
    came back with a negative margin. The next step is an appointment with him on Tuesday to ultrasound the cavity where he took the DCIS to see the size left and also determine how close
    it is to the surface. I will then go to an appointment he sets up with an
    oncology radiologist who will talk over the options for radiation and the doctor
    at this point feels I am a candidate for the balloon radiology that lasts only 5
    days but he said he had to leave that up to the oncologist.

    I've felt pretty good except for an upset stomach due to the meds and that feels to be behind me now so after this report I'm feeling much better.  I did go out last night for the first time on my own. I take a tap class each week and went to watch.  When I told my doctor I went he got sort of quiet so I told him I just watched didn't participate and he laughed and said oh ok...but he felt I could participate next week...so that's good! 

    I do have a question for those who know.  The 5 day radiology has been called by several different names on this forum SAVI, balloon and one called Mammosite-5 Day, are these all the same thing?



     
    So I have an appointment at 11 a.m. on Valentine's Day to start this
    process.

    Gail

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  • scrappylady
    scrappylady Member Posts: 43
    edited February 2012

    Sounds like things are going in the right direction. A relief for you I'm sure that pathology showed clear margins. I feel that is my next hurdle to go over which will be Monday afternoon when I go for my postop visit.

    Well I made it one full 5 hour shift @ work and came home & took a nap. Today I was really, really nauseous after lunch (only on ibuprofen for pain) so called it a day and left an hour early.

    I'll be interested to hear what others say about the SAVI, etc., I had seen it on the site but wasn't sure what all it involved. 5 days definitely sounds better than 6-8 weeks. Keep us posted.

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  • jigadake
    jigadake Member Posts: 31
    edited February 2012

    This is the type my doctor is talking about.  You have treatments 2 times a day for 5 days. 

    http://breastcancer.about.com/od/radiationtherapy/a/mammosite-brachytherapy.htm

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  • scrappylady
    scrappylady Member Posts: 43
    edited February 2012

    Thanks for that link...lots of information and I'll definitely be anxious to see if the oncologist brings this option up. Feeling really, really tired & nauseous yesterday and today; not sure why but hoping it passes. I guess I overdid it going back to work too soon? So not used to having to take it easy, but guess I am learning how to listen to my body.

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  • SallyGal
    SallyGal Member Posts: 15
    edited February 2012

    Hi Everyone - Here's what I know about the 5 day treatment - It's called brachytherapy which is accelerated breast radiation treatment.   There are a few different versions, including Mammosite, which came out in 2002 and SAVI, which came out in 2006.  My doctor has done them all, most recently SAVI which is his favorite (maybe b/c it's the newest and most improved).  Obviously, there are no long term studies on them, but they seem to work well.  There have been side effects with Mammosite with cysts developing after 2 years.  Right now, I'm a candidate for SAVI, which will be determined after my re-excision in 10 days.

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  • onvacation
    onvacation Member Posts: 1,344
    edited February 2012

    Hi there - I had my surgery on the 30th of January.  Not much pain from the surgery, but 2 weeks later feeling a bit of pain "inside" and my breast is a bit red and warm.  I met with my surgeon a week after surgery, but really didn't get much info.  I have the pathology report and I am doing a body scan on Monday.  I don't have an oncologist yet, I guess that comes after the scan results are in.  I read from my report that I am a grade 3 with node involvement but LVI was present.  Also appears that I am triple negative which is a bit daunting!

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  • SallyGal
    SallyGal Member Posts: 15
    edited February 2012

    Hi OnVacation - Welcome to the link.  I think the pain you're feeling is the breast healing and is normal.  Will you be doing radiation?   Ask your doctor about finding a medical oncologist and a radiation oncologist. What is the body scan all about?  Let us know your results.

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  • jigadake
    jigadake Member Posts: 31
    edited February 2012

    Things seem to be healing pretty good so far.  Nothing is hurting right now and all the places seem to be healing as they should. I was even able to wear a regular bra for a while yesterday but got uncomfortable in late afternoon so went back to the sports bra.  Not sleeping very good at night...going to bed and just laying there...I think I'm thinking about things too much...but once I do fall asleep I sleep pretty good.  I just want to get all this stuff behind me and move on to the way things were before.  My husband kept asking me what I wanted for Valentines and I just couldn't think...usually I could come up with all kinds of things!!LOL  We  finally decided to wait until I'm over everything and then go away somewhere for a few days.

     Scrappylady...good luck on your meeting today!

     SallyGal - thanks for the info on the balloon procedures.  Hopefully it will work for me and won't be too uncomfortable during the time it is in place.

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  • jigadake
    jigadake Member Posts: 31
    edited February 2012

    SallyGal, when do you go back for your second surgery or have you already gone?  If so, how did it go? Feeling ok?

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  • scrappylady
    scrappylady Member Posts: 43
    edited February 2012

    Hi All...quick update on my postop appt. today. All clear margins and the surgeon seemed exstatic (sp!?) literally almost bouncing off the walls (perhaps too much caffeine..lol) to tell me. She is thinking the oncologist will suggest tamoxifen and maybe NO radiation...which makes me happy yet nervous...if that makes sense? Anyway, from surgeon's end, I go back in 6 months for another mammogram and see her after that. I realized on the drive home maybe she gets so excited and happy when she can tell patients GOOD news because she obviously has to tell others bad news. Anyway, anxiously awaiting the Thursday appt. with oncologist & will report back.

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  • onvacation
    onvacation Member Posts: 1,344
    edited February 2012

    Good evening ladies!  Had my CT and bone scan today and they appear to be clear!  WOOHOO!  Still having a little pain in my breast with some oozing, so hope it isn't infected!  I go to my surgeon tomorrow and he will go over all the results and set me up with an oncologist.  Things are moving along and thankful I haven't had to wait too long in between appts.

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  • jigadake
    jigadake Member Posts: 31
    edited February 2012

    Scrappylady and onvacation, it sounds like you both had good news.  That's great!!

     I went to my surgeon today and he did an ultrasound of the cavity left after removing the DCIS and he said it looked great and the size and location lends itself to the 5 day ballon type radiation.  I have an appointment with the oncologist next Tuesday to definitely decide which way is best as the decision is ultimately up to me and the oncologist I'm told.  If I can and do go with the 5 day type then I come back to the surgeon on the folowing Friday 2/24 and have it inserted.  Then on that Monday, I go in and start treatments.  Cross your fingers the oncologist does feel the ballon type works.  This waiting is the worst part but seems I may be heading into the last part of everything that started on 12/9. 

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  • onvacation
    onvacation Member Posts: 1,344
    edited February 2012

    Jigadake - never heard of the balloon thing but sounds interesting!  Fingers crossed that it works for you!

     Met with my surgeion and he wants me to wait a couple weeks before contacting the Oncologist, to make sure I'm totally healed.  I figure it will take a couple weeks to get in, so I will make some calls this week to see what I can find out. 

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  • scrappylady
    scrappylady Member Posts: 43
    edited February 2012

    My hubby & I met w/oncologist yesterday. It was pretty good news all around. We still have to meet with the radiology oncologist (so many doctors/subspecialties!) next Friday, but medical oncologist feels that since we caught bc so early and all was removed, clear margins, no nodes, etc., that I may get by with only tamoxifen and NO radiation!!! Definitely good news since I also have muscular dystrophy and was concerned the fatigue from radiation might be too much on top of my already fatigued MD self. Will have a surgical f/u mammo on the left at the end of this month and they took 4 vials of blood to check thyroid and estrogen levels (still have 1 ovary so I think checking to see if I am pre/post menopausal?), so waiting to hear back on that as well. Such a long appt. but a great doctor who very patiently explained things. Again, so thankful my hubby was there as well, as way too much information to try to retain and retell to him :)

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  • onvacation
    onvacation Member Posts: 1,344
    edited February 2012

    Sounds like you had some great news!

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  • jigadake
    jigadake Member Posts: 31
    edited February 2012

    Wow that's great news scrappylady!

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  • jigadake
    jigadake Member Posts: 31
    edited February 2012

    I've just gotten back from the oncology radiologist and she and the surgeon have now decided it is in my best interest to go back into surgery and have a bit more tissue taken. After rechecking and both looking they can see a little bit of an area with some cells still there so I'll be having surgery next week on February 29th and then if all goes ok radiation following that. I do qualify for the 5 day radiation so did talk to her about that a bit and she tells me that the only difference in the radiation itself is this one only treats that one spot rather than the whole breast but in my case that's all I need.  This is definitely something I didn't expect today and has set me back a bit ...just disappointed but I'll make it!!

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  • Tigerg64
    Tigerg64 Member Posts: 54
    edited February 2012

    jigadake,

    I am sorry to hear about your setback, but it is always better to be safe than sorry later on. I am scheduled to have a bi-lat mastectomy March 27th with immediate reconstruction. I just got my genetic test results back today and I am BRCA1 positive. I meet with my oncologist again this Friday to discuss this test result as well as the ER/PR & HER2 test results. I will be thinking of you on the 29th that everything goes well and then the radiation will take care of everything else.

    Gigi

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  • CLP821
    CLP821 Member Posts: 21
    edited February 2012

    Hi Jigadake,

    Sorry to hear that you have to have another surgery!  I, too, am going back to have more tissue taken out on the 29th due to dirty margins.  It's my third surgery since November.  I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that we both get good news after and can start on radiation.  I wish I could have the five day radiation - 33 sessions seems like an eternity! 

    Christine

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  • scrappylady
    scrappylady Member Posts: 43
    edited February 2012

    Jigadake & CLP821...sorry you are both having to go back for more surgery, but you will be both having it on the same day (like me & jigadake did on 2/6!)...hoping all goes well for both of you. Sending good vibes your way. 2 more days for me till appt. w/radiation oncologist to hear if he concurs w/oncologist regarding no need for radiation. going to get my tamoxifen prescription filled today...kind of an odd feeling, a "committment" of sorts knowing I'll be taking a pill everyday for the next five years.

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  • CLP821
    CLP821 Member Posts: 21
    edited February 2012

    Scrappylady,

    Thanks for the kind words.  Sending out good vibes for you too!  I hope the RO concurs with the oncologist about no need for radiation.  I haven't met with an oncologist yet but have been told that I need to since Tamoxifen was also recommended.  I don't love the idea of taking a pill for the next 5 years, but will if the benefits outweigh the risks.  **Sigh**  I've always been a bit of a commitmentphobe, just ask my DH - thanks to me we were engaged for almost 10 years before finally getting married! :)

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  • jigadake
    jigadake Member Posts: 31
    edited February 2012

    CLP821...I'm so sorry..I know how you feel...and this is your third trip to surgery..wow.  I'll be thinking of you on the 29th and hoping it is the last surgery for both of us for a while!  I have been told I don't need Tamoxifen but do need the radiation.  I'm not looking forward to any kind of radiation but do what I need to do to get rid of this stuff!!!  Scrappylady, let us know what the radiation oncologist says.

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  • CLP821
    CLP821 Member Posts: 21
    edited February 2012

    Jigadake...I'll be thinking of you on the 29th too.  What time is your surgery?  Mine is at 9:00 a.m.  This is my third surgery because there was a major screw up on my first surgery, a wire localized excisional biopsy.  The radiologist accidently pierced my lung with the needle because the calcifications were close to my chest wall and a few days later I wound up in the ER with a partially collapsed lung (on Christmas, of all days!).  When she'd placed the needle, I told her and the tech that it REALLY hurt, asked if that was normal, and told them that it REALLY hurt when I breathed in.  I have a pretty high pain tolerance so I was concerned.  They told me this was normal.  About a minute later I started feeling lightheaded, told them about it...they didn't stop what they were doing...and I passed out.  Nobody thought to check my breathing afterwards, they just assumed that I had either panicked or that my blood pressure was low from not eating, despite the fact that I said it still hurt when I breathed in.  I went into surgery and because the wire was not in the right place, the surgeon wasn't able to get the more suspicious of the two areas of calcifications that were supposed to be biopsied.  Needless to say, I found another breast center right away.  I love my new surgeon, but I am still leery of surgery.  I'm really hoping that after this one there will be no more for a while...or ever!!  At least this surgery will be simpler..no wires this time..I can't wait until it's over!!! 

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  • onvacation
    onvacation Member Posts: 1,344
    edited February 2012

    Ladies, good luck on your surgeries on the 29th!

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  • jigadake
    jigadake Member Posts: 31
    edited February 2012

    I thought I had responded, CLP821...sorry.  My surgery is at 7:30 a.m. and I have to be there at 6 a.m.  I'm not a morning person either!!  I can't believe all that you went through and that the people doing the wire didn't listen to you!  I'll be thinking of you on the 29th.

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  • jigadake
    jigadake Member Posts: 31
    edited March 2012


    CLP821 hope all went well with you. 

    I got home about 10:30 a.m. and was a bit loopie but as the day has gone on it is wearing off. This time there was a bit more pain for some reason. Could be they didn't give me as strong of a pain killer when I came out of surgery or the fact it was closer to my chest. But all in all not bad. I have an appointment next Wednesday with the surgeon for another ultrasound to check out the cavity and healing so after that and the pathology report I can move on to radiation...hopefully!
     

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  • CLP821
    CLP821 Member Posts: 21
    edited March 2012

    Hi Jigadake,

    Sorry for the delay in responding.  I haven't been on my computer for a few days. 

    I also had more pain this time, not sure why.  Last time I went to work the next day; this time I took the day after off.  Like yours, mine is close to the chest wall, so maybe that is a factor.  I won't get my results until the 14th, unless the surgeon has a cancellation and can see me sooner.  I hate the waiting part!

    If I have to have another surgery, my husband is going to have to knock me over the head and drag me to the hospital.  I am so done!   I'm hoping we both get good news!!

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  • jigadake
    jigadake Member Posts: 31
    edited March 2012

    Feeling better today...evidently the anesthesia causes me to become constipated...happened both times now and dealing with that a couple days after surgery both times has been worse than the surgery.  Anyone else have that problem? It was awful this time but feeling past it this morning.  I did get a call back with the pathology report and all looks good they say so I have an appointment with the surgeon on Thursday at 10 and the radiology oncologist at 11 so get to find out all in one day...so that's great.  I know how you feel about the waiting CLP821...can't stand it and if anyone says surgery to me again for a long while I may have to use your technic!!

    Good luck on the 14th! 

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  • jigadake
    jigadake Member Posts: 31
    edited March 2012

    Just got back from the surgeon and oncologist visits.  They tell me the cavity looks good and I'm still good for the balloon radiation treatment. I go Tuesday morning to have it inserted and then to the radiologist to be sure it is fitting well.  I then start treatments on Wednesday through the following Tuesday (not Saturday and Sunday).  So hopefully it won't be long before I'm on my way to feeling normal again!! 

    How about CLP821 and Scrappylady...how are you doing?

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  • Mereseas
    Mereseas Member Posts: 5
    edited March 2012

    Hi, This is my first post so hope I am doing this right.  Just told recently that I have DCIS, stage 0, Grade 3.  I am going to have surgery on the 21st of this month.  My doctor called it a partial mastectomy, she said its what they use to call lumpectomy but since I don't have an actual lump she calls it a pm.  Any way, I was wondering on the recovery time.  Since my surgery is on a Wednesday, I figured I would take Thursday and Friday off from work and plan to be back at work on Monday.  Does that sound realistic?

    Also, I have been told I will probably need about 5 to 6 weeks of radiation but they will know more after they get the pathology report from my surgery.  Was just wondering what to expect from radiation.  I heard it was really quick and at first I probably won't have any side effects but towards the end I might feel tired?  Thanks.

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