Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

MLP3 for my MRI they put goggles on me. I had them put the goggles on before they moved me into the machine, and I sent my mind away to plan vacations so I never knew when the machine slid over me. So that way I didn't tense up or anything. Best of luck to you, and send your mind away somewhere pleasant during the test. For me since I was face down, the worst part was that my sinuses blocked up and my nose got stuffy

yes, some kind of goggles that were opaque. It was totally the way to go. And daydreaming about something pleasant helps so much. I did that for my pet and bone scans, and I actually fell asleep, go figure

Dear Gemma:

I had my first Zoladex injection and I started Arimidex/Anastrazole on my 50th birthday.  I figured that being medically induced into menopause was just the 50th birthday present that I desired! lol.   I'm sure that you felt the same way about your biopsy on your 50th birthday.

RLM, my radiation was on my left side. My RO said they have come a long way in their ability to mitigate damage to heart and lungs although it's still a risk. Some women can get their treatment facing down so only the breast gets the Radiation. I had a mastectomy and needed a large area of nodes covered so not an option for me. Talk to your RO and if you are not satisfied get a second opinion.

Hi, I'm new and this is my first post. What I'm looking for is sorta basic but I'm having trouble finding this anywhere online. Please forgive me if these answers are in a million places that I missed and if these are too repetitive questions. My lumpectomy is scheduled for January 27 with IORT and hormone treatment for er+ afterward.

Anyway what I'm looking for is info about aftercare right after surgery --- like how long do women generally take off work after this combination, can you lift your arm (can I wear t-shirts or should I buy some open down the front shirts), are women generally sick (should I lay in special foods and keep a bucket by my bed), I'm an otherwise healthy widow and live alone with my pets - I'd rather go home after but would I really be better off spending a day or two at my daughter's house (& why if so). You know, stuff like that.

Thanks a bunch

Shamisen, Welcome! You've come to the right place for answers. We're kind, warm, comforting and informative. Before I answer your questions, please take the time to fill out your profile and make it public. Put everything you know now - even if it changes. We'd like to know where you are, too, since protocols for differ by country, it seems. And besides, there may be breastcancer.org member near you!

I think that two weeks off work is idea. You shouldn't lift more than a gallon of milk with your "bad" side. And your body is working very hard to heal from major surgery - which this is. So you need to rest. I think you would be smart to stay with your daughter for a couple days, or have someone come stay with you. It's hard to say how you will react to the anesthesia and how good you'll feel. I felt good. Others have felt really lousy. Best to have someone around. Let yourself be pampered!

You will probably have lymph nodes removed and you will be much more comfortable with button front/zip front tops. You'll need a support bra - like a sports bra or Genie bra. Something soft - no underwires. You step into the Genie bras, BTW. You'll want ice. If they give you a prescription for pain, fill it. You may need it or perhaps regularTylenol will do the trick. But whatever you do, take something right away if you are hurting. Don't let pain get ahead of you.

I did not have the type of radiation you are having so can't speak to that.

If you are post-menopausal, you will likely take an Aromatase Inhibitor, usually Arimidex is the first choice. Most of us take the generic version, anastrozole. Some women have trouble with the fillers from some manufacturers and find that the ones made by Teva cause few problems. Others must use the brand name.

There are many excellent articles here on breastcancer.org. Start at the beginning and read. Also, Dr Susan Love's BreastBook, is a wonderful resource. She discusses everything and more that you need to know. Look for the version that came out in Sept/October 2015 - it's the most up-to-date.

Keep asking your questions and we'll try to answer you.

HUGS!

Thanks that was fast. I love my daughter, son-in-law, and grandson very much but I have a dog, 2 cats, an aviary with 6 budgies at home to cuddle and watch.They are reasons why I'd rather come home, but since I have no real idea about this, I don't wanna be stupid.

I've put somethings in my profile, what I know so far, anyway.

hi shamisen,

I had my surgery on November 27. Physically I didn't have much trouble, but I had a hard time with the anesthesia, it took about six days for me to be able to stay awake for more than about an hour! That said, when it was done it was done, I went back to work after one week but I had arranged for two weeks off and I do not regret making that arrangement, because I could've needed it.

Everybody told me to get button-down shirts, but I think button-down shirts. What I did instead was worth stretchy tank top I could step into, with cardigans over them. That way I didn't have to worry about anything over the head. I also bought an expensive lightweight sports bras with stretchy's straps, so that I could step into them. I wore them all the time even sleeping for the first two weeks or so. that I was able to return to my regular clothing and even my underwire bras, I did have to wear my old stretched out ones for a while though, due to swelling

Dear MLP3:

The MRI is face down and you enter feet first.  If you are very nervous then you can ask your doctor for an anti-anxiety medication to make the MRI easier.  Good luck.

Shamisen, you have to make your profile (each item) PUBLIC for us to see it at the bottom of each of our posts. I can understand why you don't want to leave your pets. But do be prepared and know you cannot do much lifting and it is a real problem if you do.

HUGS!

Dear RLM:

Yes, you can have radiation to your left side.  My bc was on my left side and I had whole breast radiation to my left side.  My RO created a tx plan that would radiate the entire breast tissue w/o radiating the heart or lungs.  My situation was unique because I apparently, had extra breast tissue that wrapped around my sides and part of my back.  My RO had to be even more careful to avoid radiating my lungs too.  I held my breath while the radiation beam was on. I wore goggles that were designed so that the rad techs could see that my lungs had expanded the correct amount.  This helped to keep the radiation away from my heart.  It was a specialized radiation machine.  Your RO will know how to radiate your left breast to keep the beam away from your heart.  That being said, I would ask your RO many questions.  Good luck.

MLP3 - I was face down, feet first for my MRI, and face down, head first for the MRI guided biopsy. They were done on different machines, so I'm not sure if it was the machine difference or procedure difference that dictated head vs. feet first. I suspect it was a machine thing. The first one was a more powerful and newer machine. I actually fell asleep during the Non-biopsy MRI. The MRI machine is loud, but I had noise reducing earplugs in and I knew what to expect. It was nice to lay on my stomach and having my breasts not smooshed. I joked with my husband that I needed to retrofit our bed with somewhere for my breasts to go when I lay down.

614 - I know... What a 50th b-day present! When my pathology report came in that the cancer had not spread to my lymph nodes my sister said I can now go and celebrate my 50th. Since the first biopsy all my focus has been on cancer and I never really celebrated the milestone. Too bad I didn't win that powerball last night... that would have been a good way to celebrate

Gemma12 - When I was diagnosed in 2011, I had been in the system for about 6yrs doing mammograms and ultrasounds because my Mum had BC at 40 so Ive always been well ahead of the game. I had every test you can imagine back then, guided biopsy actually said BENIGN, my BS pushed for lumpectomy THANK GOD! it was DCIS - and that is only pre-cancer, the best case scenario anyone could want as its super early before it even bursts into Cancer. My treatment was aggressive he said for DCIS with rads and tamoxifen..thing was it came back in the EXACT same spot 4yrs later and I had huge clear margins and with this dx clear lymph nodes, so its contained. So BS said honestly?? the liklihood of this happening is such small percentage...so just unlucky. So there was definitely nothing there at the dx of DCIS 2011 and I was on yearly full checks, my 2014 checkup I was fine, so its happened after July that checkup and June 2015. Uuuugh!!! Sucks!!! I think this is the thing that has flawed me, I did everything I should have done and it just showed its unpredictability.

So I say to everyone, stay in the moment, deal with what you have at hand, step at a time...and then just live, live live and enjoy!

Sloan - Yes LOL I did look around thinking What the??? huh?? me??? really??? I went into shock as I did all my appointments alone. I was devastated, but not nearly as devastated as after my meeting with Oncologist.

Ladies Ive learned, its NOT what happens to us all...its how we choose to deal with it...that makes the difference

MLP3, I was face down for the MRI and went in head first. They talked to me through headphones, the machine is quite loud. I won't lie to you, it was not very comfortable, so make sure you as comfortable as possible at the start. It is very hard to stay still and was rough on my back. The initial MRI while uncomfortable was doable. I also had an MRI guided biopsy which was horrible and they won't get me to do it again without serious Valium. Good Luck, MJ

Italychic! - Thanks for the tip of magnesium, will look into it!