Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

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  • Melclarity
    Melclarity Member Posts: 388
    edited January 2016

    Sloan - That was so much information, it really was amazing what you posted, I sat and read right through it all, you don't realize how involved it is. Tamoxifen is absolutely effective has a high success rate...thats why my BS was shocked I had a recurrence after 4yrs on it and rads. He still doesnt believe how incredibly unlucky I was. I was pulled off Tamoxifen at Lumpectomy pending results and well rest is history.

    I now have an appt with my Oncologist 25th January, to put me on another hormone pill, I am nervous eventhough Ive done Chemo and a pending new pill, because of the recurrence I admit its scary, but like everyone this will not define me, and so Im focusing on recovery and step at a time. Im feeling better and better its wonderful! I just bought a spin bike to use in the home, can't wait!

    This is a shout out to anyone who can advise...I was pre menopausal pre Chemo...now Ive been thrown into Menopause. They did say symptoms are more severe because of this. I'm struggling with sudden onset of flush and chronic night sweats. Can anyone tell me what would be effective in managing this??? THANKS!!!!

  • Gemma12
    Gemma12 Member Posts: 137
    edited January 2016

    Melclarity - did you have a breast MRI when you were first dx with DCIS? I'm curious because my IDC and DCIS was found via mammogram and then u/s, but the subsequent MRI found LCIS, which they tell me would have become invasive breast cancer down the road. I hated the MRI-guided biopsy, but am thankful that I had it and my BS was able to remove both the active cancer, and the pre-cancer. I'm wondering if you had one and if it was clear.

    Amy

  • blamoms
    blamoms Member Posts: 113
    edited January 2016

    They took 4 lymph nodes out. I am pre menopause although my periods the last 2 years have definately changed. I went 8 months without one which at the time we were putting the house up for sale and moving. I have 2 boys that are 13 and 14 that are developmentally delayed and have autism so it's been hard telling them. My husband and I have always been honest with them but we are not sure how much they really understand. We have talked to a social worker and she recommends always being honest with them and keeping the lines of communication open.


    My husband got packaged off in sept from his job and is getting a reg paycheck til sept 2016. It has been nice having him home but he has a job interview on Thursday. I hope he gets the job but in a selfish way I hope he doesn't.

    How many of you continued to work while doing chemo or radiation? I'm not sure what I am going to do. I'm going to wait and see how I feel I think.

  • Sloan15
    Sloan15 Member Posts: 896
    edited January 2016

    Good Morning from CA! I'm on my way to see a play in LA and meet Molly50. So excited to meet a bc sister!

    Still on 40mg of Tamoxifen, but no SE yet. I'm still walking everyday, and I think my full energy is back after radiation and the holiday. I think 2016 will be a much better year. THIS is more like how retirement should be!

    Melclarity - I hope it wasn't too much info! When you're the unlucky one, you look around and go, "Seriously? Me? What the heck!?" I'm glad your doc is being aggressive.

  • PontiacPeggy
    PontiacPeggy Member Posts: 6,778
    edited January 2016

    Sloan, be sure to post photos from your get together! I've sure enjoyed the ones I've had. It's so nice to talk to someone who "gets", whom you don't have to explain anything to. Plus really nice people!

    HUGS!

  • Sloan15
    Sloan15 Member Posts: 896
    edited January 2016

    Peggy - Ok! Look for a pic on Tuesday!

  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited January 2016

    Melclarity some women have posted that they seem to have less night sweats by taking magnesium, so that might be something to investigate

  • Sloan15
    Sloan15 Member Posts: 896
    edited January 2016

    Oh, what will I do with my hair! Haha

  • PontiacPeggy
    PontiacPeggy Member Posts: 6,778
    edited January 2016

    Sloan, whatever you do with it, I guarantee you'll look cute!

    HUGS!

  • LovesToFly
    LovesToFly Member Posts: 1,133
    edited January 2016

    blamoms,

    I am just on my first cycle now, so I don't know how things will work, but my plan is to take off my chemo weeks and then work two weeks. I am feeling confident about going back to work tomorrow. When I had my infusion I met somebody who did the same regimen asme, and worked on the same schedule, she found it quite doable. She also was able to work through radiation.

    Good luck with your husband's job interview, I hope that if he does get the job he is still able to be home a lot and help a lot. I am thankful that my husband has employed, but works close to home and not a lot of crazy hours or traveling. It is certainly helping a lot because we have two kids, age 7 and 12.

  • Brightsocks
    Brightsocks Member Posts: 159
    edited January 2016

    I removed my air bag packing yesterday. All looks good from what I can tell so far. No infection just glue and red marks from where the tape pulled the skin a bit. I hope a long shower will get the last of the glue off. I kept the pad packing which was helpful to use when sleeping under my sport bra

  • CyndiNic
    CyndiNic Member Posts: 59
    edited January 2016

    Blamoms - I am working full time (although able to work some from home) as of now. Surgery is behind me - I have completed 5 of my 12 Taxol with radiation to follow. My kids are 10 & 13 and very active. I definitely don't have my normal level of energy and have been more vocal about asking for help with rides etc. My ex has the kids 1/2 the time so I do get a break but financially there is nobody to pick up the slack if I don't work so my plan is to continue all the way thru (plus like many of us the cancer has brought a ton of unanticipated medical bills). My employer has been very flexible and supportive - for that I am very grateful!!

    Cyndi
  • PontiacPeggy
    PontiacPeggy Member Posts: 6,778
    edited January 2016

    Boy, I don't know how you all cope with young children while doing chemo and everything else. I found it hard enough caring for DH who could do very little for himself. I had about 5 weeks where I was alone with him after my surgery, during my rads, before he went into the hospital for surgery. He got pneumonia and degraded even more so I just couldn't care for him at home like I had been doing for 4 years. He went into a nursing home. Nothing is easy when you throw in BC.

    HUGS!

  • HappyHammer
    HappyHammer Member Posts: 1,247
    edited January 2016

    Peggy- Taking care of an ill DH, coping with children and all of their needs....I admire all of you who have done that during treatment. BC makes it all more complicated!

  • MLP3
    MLP3 Member Posts: 534
    edited January 2016

    LTF... The pixie is adorable on you!

    Brit- Here's to recovering quickly😊

    Blamoms- I'm in the throes of testing and waiting and it's like holding your breath. Sucks.

    I have my breast MRI tomorrow... I know it's face down, but do you enter head first? Feet first? I've had an mri before for my neck and even though the top of my head was out a bit, I still had to tell myself to stop any anxieties that I started to feel. Maybe I should take something? Any natural remedies out there? Glass of red wine in the parking lot maybe...;

  • RLM
    RLM Member Posts: 22
    edited January 2016

    Has anyone had Mammosite 5 day radiation therapy after lumpectomy? If so would you recommend it over 33 treatments of whole breast therapy?

  • LovesToFly
    LovesToFly Member Posts: 1,133
    edited January 2016

    Rlm I am doing chemo first, but when I do get a radiation oncologist, I do intend to ask about it.

  • RLM
    RLM Member Posts: 22
    edited January 2016

    Thanks LovesToFly

    Greetings from the US, hope you are feeling better.


  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited January 2016

    I checked it out....


    Am I a candidate for MammoSite 5-Day Targeted Radiation Therapy?

    Four medical societies have created guidelines to help doctors select patients who can benefit from MammoSite 5-Day Targeted Radiation Therapy.

    Professional Medical Society Consensus Guidelines:
    Patient Selection Criteria for Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation
    ABS1ASBS2ACRO3ASTRO4
    SuitableCautionary
    Age≥50≥45≥45≥6050-59
    DiagnosisUnifocal, invasive ductal carcinomaInvasive ductal carcinoma or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)Invasive ductal carcinoma or DCISInvasive ductal or other favorable subtypes (ie: mucinous, tubular, colloid)Pure DCIS ≤3cm EIC ≤3cm
    Tumor Size≤3cm≤3cm≤3cm≤2cm2.1-3.0cm
    Surgical MarginsNegative microscopic margins of excisionNegative microscopic surgical margins of excisionNegative microscopic surgical margins of excisionNegative by at least 2mmClose (<2mm)
    Nodal StatusNØ (i-,i+)
    http://www.mammosite.com/breast-mastectomy/mammosite-right-me.cfm
  • HappyHammer
    HappyHammer Member Posts: 1,247
    edited January 2016

    image

    Ok, so this is my little friend, Flossie Mae Jones- "Flossie". She decided to get comfy on my lap.. So funny, she is usually very standoff-ish. Not today. :)

  • PontiacPeggy
    PontiacPeggy Member Posts: 6,778
    edited January 2016

    MLP3, NO! No wine! You can't move for 45 minutes! You're face is down in a holder. Make sure your back is comfortable. Take a couple Tylenol or Advil. Valium if you're not driving. You can almost move a teeny bit for the first 30 minutes. The last 15 after they inject the dye - NO MOVEMENT AT ALL! Or they have to quit and re-schedule. By then I'm so ready to pee. It's doable. They played music for me. Have fun (she says sarcastically).

    HUGS!

  • PontiacPeggy
    PontiacPeggy Member Posts: 6,778
    edited January 2016

    HappyHammer - nothing more soothing than a furbaby - especially a kitty one. Enjoy her comfort.

    HUGS!

  • CyndiNic
    CyndiNic Member Posts: 59
    edited January 2016

    MLP3 - I was face down, feet first for my MRI.

    Cyndi

  • RLM
    RLM Member Posts: 22
    edited January 2016

    Thanks Marijen. I noticed you are on Femara, how is that going?

  • HappyHammer
    HappyHammer Member Posts: 1,247
    edited January 2016

    MLP3- No drinking in the parking lot, haha. Maybe ask for something for anxiety if you aren't driving? I have done that for several tests and it really helped! Hugs to you!

  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited January 2016

    Letrozole is going pretty good, I had a good response, it shrunk my lymph node and DCIS before surgery. My IDC primary is not found.

  • HappyHammer
    HappyHammer Member Posts: 1,247
    edited January 2016

    Marijen- that is wonderful!

  • LovesToFly
    LovesToFly Member Posts: 1,133
    edited January 2016

    I love flossy!!

  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,773
    edited January 2016

    What a talkative bunch! Sloan, I am so excited!! Brit, I am sorry you are back in the hospital. I have a friend who reacted so badly to chemo they decided she will be inpatient for all of her infusions. Poodles, sorry about your camper. It sounds like you have wonderful memories to hold onto. Blasmom, welcome to the best group on BCO in my opinion. Once you have more information and a plan in place it does get easier. Mlp, my MRI was in an open MRI machine. Head first, face down and the contrast just felt warm. Pipped in music and very good staff. I was post lumpectomy so I was worried about pain but I didn't have any problems. You will be fine. My MO appointment is tomorrow. I have been Journaling my SE's so let's see what he says. Hopefully my blood work is back in time. He ordered cbc with differential, metabolic panel and estradiol level.

  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,773
    edited January 2016

    Oh and LTFly what a great look for you and your DD is adorable.

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