Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

Su-CQ51.  I've just ordered the equivalent of two twin bed size protectors that I think I'll put on top of the sheets.  

Fingers crossed that it goes well!

As mentioned, I had my sons in for a total of 3 weeks.  They did not clean house (I'm not much into that anyway) but they cleaned up the dishes, and primarily cared for DH who needs a great deal of assistance. 

Nancy, don't vacuum.  My BS said no lifting for 3 weeks.  That was impossible for me to do when it took 2 of us to help DH but I did adhere to that 99% of the time.  House cleaning can wait.  Your healing is vastly more important.  

Thanks I was just reading over my instructions again and it does say no lifting pushing pulling for 4-6 weeks. Ugg. Ok I will maybe see if I can get someone at the church to come in and help me with somethings that my hubby just doesnt see (if you ladies know what I mean lol) 

Thanks Peggy I will 

Yes Maam just dont know how much is too much when you have some family members non who live with me who tell me I am over reacting and just asking for handouts. That I just have stage 1 cancer and its not that bad and I dont have any lymph nodes involved or any mets and my tumor was only 2 cm so its not even that big and having another surgery isnt a big deal because its just one margin and thats easy to get and no problem. Sorry for venting 

Not sure how much I had taken out but I am going to ask. It was my sister. No my brother told me it was time to go back to the ta ta man and get it fixed and while I was there to have him tighten the bad girls up a bit. He said he was trying to make me laugh but I told him he was being inappropriate. I am not real sure whats wrong with my sister because we are close but she is just not being very supportive right now.

Ya I figured that after thinking about it. It just hurts that I cant talk to them about what I am going through without some sort of comment but deep down I know they love me and are scared. I do have another brother that I can and did talk to this weekend and that helped a lot.

kitko, I urge you to speak up for your care and treatment and you should be provided a MO (medical oncologist), breast surgeon (BS) and radiation oncologist (RO). I have all 3 and each also has a team for more support. They are wonderful. I asked tons of questions and have a journal I wrote them in with the answers plus some that I typed, copied, pasted from things I read here and on internet. Get a 2nd opinion iif that's what it takes to get a better doctor. Don't just accept their complacency on DCIS! Be your own advocate and take someone with you that can speak up for you if you aren't up to it yourself.

SU-CQ51, Welcome to our lumpie group. We are here to support and discuss anything!

My latest, I just did 15 od 33 rad treatment and skin is very good, some tiredness by end of each week. The daily trip to my rad seems to be as exhausting as working, which I am doing 1/2 days. I try to get to bed a little earlier and sleep more weekends. No real fatigue as others have posted, yet. Keeping fingers crossed!! My RO is going on 2 week vacation next week so I'll see his associate. Kind of bums me but I know it'll be fine. I really like my RO and he is full of info and always spends as much time answering my questions and care as needed.

sloyd66...I had lumpectomy in January...my range was always pretty good but I started pt back in July due to chording ....that has really helped the chording as well as exercises to strengthen upper back and shoulders.. I stopped a few weeks ago and with radiation chording is really annoying and pulling so I am going again.  For me it's the chording and massage does help.  Make sure you go to a certified lymph edema specialist.  Good luck ..Rosie 

I had my surgery nearly 6 months ago and finished rads about 3 months ago. I've been doing really well but in the past week noticed soreness under my arm. I also have the feeling like a major vein is being pulled right down the whole length of my arm. My Radiotherapy Doctor told me about 6 weeks ago that lumpiness around my scar feels normal. But I'm worried because surely it shouldn't have a sore spot this long after surgery. Also why is my whole underarm tender this long after. Is it late after effects of the rads? I think I can feel some lumps too, maybe swollen glands. It's horrible having such an overactive imagination and always looking for the worst. Did anyone else have these symptoms so long after surgery?

fizzdon52....the major vein down the length of your arm sounds like how my chording felt...it's more a thick looking ligament when you lift your arm up and after radiation mine got worse and went down the length of my arm.  PT has helped with massaging it and stretching.  Not sure if that's what your issue is but it's uncomfortable and I even had a stinging pain at the top of my wrist. Rosie

Just an encouraging word for the day

Hi Everyone!   Sorry to hear that some of you are having such painful arm issues.  Thanks Peggy, hugs to you too!  I have a few relatives lined up for first little while.  I will also contact the Home Support in our area to see what my options are for his care if needed longer.   Were you all able to drive yourselves to rads treatment?   Take care!

Su-CQ51, I have been driving to my rad appointments (16 so far of 33) with no trouble, but I usually have someone go with me on Wednesdays when I have rad and see doctor weekly too. And Fridays as I hit rush hour on the way home, so we can use HOV lane. 

Well some changes to rad area this week. Some red rash looking stuff on side / underarm area. Doc said it is hair folicles starting to react to the rad. No itching yet, but prescribed hydrocortisone cream 3x day and uped Miaderm to 4x day.

Take care!

ncollett...just went back to pt and asked my gal how we would know if it's lymphedema. ..  If you feel your bracelets getting tighter or short sleeve feel tighter, that's a sign...don't lift heavy things with that arm or over use it as it can aggravate it.  I thought my wrist looked swollen  and asked her...are you going to pt?  It's worth it to get a referral.  Rosie