MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

Good Morning Ladies, I have yet another question.. I am flying to visit my sister next week. My Rad onco wants me fitted for a sleeve for when I start rads, I was wondering if anyone has flown without? I do not have any issues with LE so far, but the my onco stated she wants to be sure I do not have any issues.

Dianarose,

Hi there. I'm new to this group, but your posting jumped out at me. By the way - your fear is not childish at all. Before I had my lumpectomies I tried to see if there was some way I could avoid being put to sleep. (There wasn't). I can handle pain, I can live with being bald, but I absolutely couldn't handle the idea of being put under. It just doesn't make any sense to me, and no amount of Xanax or red wine could make me feel otherwise. But I read somewhere on these discussion boards about Guided Meditation CD's that could lead to a more successful surgery. I was skeptical, but desperate. In the operating room I was a blubbering mess, and I woke up in the recovery room still panicked and frightened. 

I ordered 'Successful Surgery' by Belleruth Naparstek. For two weeks I listened to it in the morning, and before I went to sleep. I'm not a great candidate for meditation because I have a very short attention span, and even in yoga class, I'm always thinking about chicken, or cheese, or where I may go on vacation. But I made myself listen to these CDs and learned some good lessons. Ultimately I learned to stay calmer. And to trust. And to feel supported rather than lonely when entering the operating room. 

On Wednesday I had a second (smaller) operation and there was a big difference. I still took an Atavin,( because who wouldn't?) And I was still nervous. But I wasn't panicked, and didn't resist being put under like the first time. I was more able to go with it, and I woke up feeling relatively calm.  For me, it was a gigantic step.

If this interests you, you can google Belleruth and listen to samples of her meditation. There are also other CDs available by other Doctors and helath practitioners with the intention of a calm and relaxing surgery. Please feel free to contact me if you'd like suggestions.  

 Janet 

Janet-thanks for the info. My doctor too gave me some Atavin to take prior too. I was thinking about it today and for me I think it's feeling a lack of control. I keep thinking about possibly going to visit my daughter and granddaughters in NC afterwards. She is pregant or she would come here. She just found out she is having another girl. That will make 5 granddaughters. No boys yet.

 Elimar- I was awake for my 1st lumpectomy and it didn't bother me at all. I had a male nurse who talked to me the whole time. The doc never said a word, just did his thing. I was only in recovery for about an hour and went home. I think the doctors are more comfortable if we aren't awake.

All I did was eat at work today. The chef made some wonderful things and I thought I should try a little of everything before we sold it to the public. Must be PMS on it's way.

PMS- Pretty Mean Shi*.

could they be doing a sentinel biopsy? before your pbmx

they inject a nuclear tracer prior to surgery so the node lights up, so that could be why you are going to nuc med the day before.  

Lisamarie - I agree with Juliet - it sounds like you will have the tracer dye injected the day before.  I had that done the morning of surgery.  You are going to do great.  Better wear something with lots of pockets - I believe there will be one heck of a pocket party that day.

Lisamarie, I had the nuclear dye injected the day before, just like you. Takes hardly any time at all and then you're on your way.

Dianarose, I have 3 grandSONS and am waiting for a pink one!!! Funny, that we want to experience the other sex, but I had a boy then a girl and it was perfect!

Sue, funny it mentions the bad taste of potassium. In my previous post, I mentioned how the nurses gathered around my bed in the ICU to watch me swallow the dose they gave me. Wasn't that bad, but I didn't get a chaser of orange juice!!

Janet, I actually like going under. Every single person in that room is looking after me. I feel very, very safe. You did great with your CD!! I bet every time it will get easier as you build trust.

Janis, and other ladies who get sleeves: I asked my LE PT if I got a sleeve, wouldn't I need the hand cover too (gauntlet?) as wouldn't the sleeve push fluid into my arm? She said yes, but hadn't offered it in the beginning....made me wary. I didn't get any wraps. And I did fly successfully. My LE is truncal and managed by massage techniques that I learned from my PT.

Flying with or without sleeve - my LE therapist explained to me (long after I was dx'd with LE) that if you are showing no symptoms or high risk, the sleeve alone should be fine for precautionary care when flying because your lymphatic system is working okay, and the sleeve just helps keep it that way. Once dx'd or showing symptoms or at high risk of LE, very very bad to wear only sleeve because yes, it will tend to "pocket" in the hand if no gauntlet is present.

To anyone already wearing garments, I wear a great combo sleeve/gauntlet, one piece, that is so much more comfortable than separate sleeve and gauntlet. My LE is not lower arm/hand ... so I don't need major compression around the wrist area. If anyone interested, just PM me and I'll give more info.

Again, I'm so many pages back that I just read the current page. If I missed any major news, please pardon me for not commenting. Know that I'm in every pocket when needed, even if I didn't know I was needed   I have a routine I say each morning when saying some prayers on the train which includes asking God to put me in the pockets of my BCO sisters who need it.

Love and hugs

YaYa, that's how we all felt hon...confused on top of confused. Having even one node taken puts you at risk of LE. No symptoms are good, wonderful Talk to your ONC and ask for a recommendation to an LE therapist. Not any therapist, an LE therapist. Then ask her/him about their thoughts on flying without or without a sleeve. More than likely, you'll be measured for a sleeve to wear as a precautionary measure while flying. I'd be happy to give lots more info about LE and possible precautionary measures if you're intersted. Just PM me

Welcome Seasiren, the ladies here are all wonderful, I think you will really enjoy the group and they have a bunch of knowledge and Love ..

Hugs  

Thanks, everybody!  I just realized that your profile has a biography section on it...I put my story together, and I look forward to reading some of yours!  Best wishes

  Hi you young middies you,  Now that I am "in" my 60's I truly feel that way.   Anyway, I am just stopping by to tell you that your fearless leader, Elimar, is fine and well, but having computer problems.   The problem is the router and a new one is supposed to arrive this week.  She also put me in charge of the mystery pic!!!   No, I am just kidding about that one, but it's always been my dream to win it sometime.

I read the posts on this page and will comment on a few.:

  I also think the scariest part of surgery is being put to sleep.....not so much that I am afraid on not waking up because I always have, but I don't know knowing I am there, but totally gone and have no control over what is being done to me.  It is really difficult to stop smoking LisaMarie and you are doing a great job of it.....I smoked for years, look back now and wonder why, but I did and I quit many times.....then one day I just decided OK this is it, and it was.  I had to stop coffee for awhile, going to the bars and having a drink, anything I associated my habit with and then one day I realized the craving was gone and TaDah, I was no longer a smoker.   I am thankful I am not one of those people who lecture everyone else when I quit and I still have a  few friends who smoke, but I am very glad I quit.   Not only is is asking for another problem (that's what my onco told me I was doing), it is very expensive. 

When I took lasix, I took potattium with it.   Once mine was too high and an onco nurse yelled at me when I told her I was taking it and I told her it was a RX I got from my GP and only took it when I was doing lasix. 

I wear a lymphedema sleeve that I was fitted for whenever I fly,.... wear it when I am doing yard work or other physical activity that exercises my arm and I have never had any problems with it.  I have the hand gauntlet, but normally do not wear that.  Once in a pinch when I could not find my sleeve, I wore a rubber stocking on my arm with the foot cut out.  I think any sort of compression works.   All, I know is that I don't want to get it because I know it can be painful.

Like  your name Seasiren.....is there a story behind that?  You will like this thread....many of my favorite people are on here. 

Well, I am going to move on now, just did not want you to wonder where Elimar is.  My neighborhood is so quiet this morning, that I am wondering if everyone forgot to move their clocks forward.    Have a good one.    Marybe 

Marybe thanks for letting us know about Elimar.  I was beginning to wonder about her and thought gee whe must have a really good book she is reading.

Marybe- I have a friend who had her sugery 8 yrs ago and they were still taking all of the nodes then, well at least here in Maine. My lumpectomy is scheduled for Thursday. I really wanted to go to NY and have my surgery by a doc who uses laser, but just found out he doesn't take my insurance and it could be 2-8k for the surgery and I don't have the money to pay up front. I am so bummed out.

After surgery I am going to have my dam ovaries surpressed. At 51 I still get my period every 23 days and it's time to shut them down. My MO wants me to take tamoxifen, but I am still reserved about it.