Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

Ayr- so sorry you had such a bad experience with the eye doc's office...I just do not get why they do things like that before actually talking with the patient. Hugs to you and hoping for a better night and tomorrow!

Peggy, here’s some virtual chicken soup, honey drops, and a steam vaporizer! Colds suck.

Poodles, you're gonna need a few more pockets! Good luck tomorrow, and don't be tempted to go home too soon if you don't feel up to it and they let you stay an extra day or two--every day in-hospital is a day you have others helping you (whose job it is to do so).

Amy, congrats on not needing chemo! (With a 16, I might have considered it IF I'd been 10-15 yrs. younger and pre-or-perimenopausal--recurrence at 15 yrs later would have happened in my early 70s or late 60s, whereas as it actually stands I'm statistically likely to be nearly 80 before that'd theoretically happen).

MLP3, bummer about the LVI and grade 3. We're hoping you & the MO can agree on a treatment plan you can live with, whatever you decide. Same wishes for you too, Lanena.

1step, good luck with chemo. Can you wear mask & gloves when handling animals?

Alice, welcome to the sorority nobody wants to pledge. We promise to be the best big sisters you'll ever have.

Brightsocks, my rads were shorter, more focused and twice as intense. I saw fine flaking and slight pinkness after the 2nd treatment, but that's about as bad as my skin got--never had any fatigue, irritation or pain. Drove myself to & from my sessions. I was given little tubes of Aquaphor, and I slathered some on after each session before I put my bra back on. At night I started with Jason's Aloe lotion (too perfumey), then calendula cream, and finally found Fruit of the Earth 100% aloe gel--no fragrance or alcohol and DIRT CHEAP. From then on, instead of following up at night with Aquaphor I first applied the aloe and then calendula cream. I still use Curel Itch Relief (LE therapist's recommendation) on the radiated area and CeraVe lotion on the rest of me. (Plus SPF 30-50 on any exposed skin if I'm going out before 4pm). Never needed to ditch the underwires, though sometimes I wore inner support-sling wirefree Glamorises because I had them. At night, on advice of the LE therapist, I continue to wear smooth-lined soft bras (Leading Lady front-close leisure, Royce and Cacique rear-close and Freya front-close sports bras, or Amoena Valetta shelf-bra camis for sleep), with a Swell Spot pad in the right cup to try to break up fibrosis).

I think I'll pass on that cleanse--the no-caffeine thing is the dealbreaker for me (especially since coffee keeps my lungs open). I've decided to modify my low-carb by also watching calories. (I did cheat last night with a single-serve bag of SkinnyPop). I finally started logging my food into my Fitbit app (their db has just about EVERY brand of everything!) and still have well over half my daily calories to eat. (1500 to maintain, 1300 to lose slowly, before factoring in carbs).

The Mediven glove did bring my finger edema down to normal--so my routine now is do MLD, put on sleeve & gauntlet, do the stretches & resistance stuff, then stationary bike, and switch to glove when my ring gets tight. (Gauntlet for guitar playing, though). Then doff the stuff, wash it and put it out on a Sham-Wow to dry overnight. The Mediven sleeve with the X-Wide top band came today, so I have two sets; and the LympheDivas set is coming Sat.

I see my MO tomorrow--we'll discuss my LE & whether I should have a 6-mo followup with my BS, not just wait till my scheduled 1-yr followup appt & mammo. I assume she'll probably order a lipid panel, glucose & a1c, to see if letrozole raised either of them. If so, we may need to discuss metformin &/or statin. Will definitely ask about Prolia, regardless. I refuse to take a bisphosphonate--I'm already treating GERD, have a hiatal hernia, and have a history of esophagitis. I have a dental cleaning coming up next week, so I'll take the Prolia shot after that.

For those of you in the Chicago-Milwaukee area who can't make it to NC this May, my singing partner & I are doing a house concert in Wauconda, IL (far NW 'burbs) on Sat. 2/13. PM me for details. You'll get to see me rock my Music City tattoo-pattern sleeve & gauntlet!

Great news, Gemma/Amy!

Brightsocks, I had six weeks of radiation, and didn't start to experience skin irritation until I was more than half way through. I used Aveeno for the first two weeks, then Aquafor and a product that a co-worker shared with me, My Girls cream. Here's the website, and it is also available at Amazon: http://mygirlscream.com/

Thank you for all the well wishes! I'm really very tired of this cold. It has knocked me out. I'm mad that I've lost 2 days of decluttering. I've been reading all the posts so have kept up with everyone. I'm sorry that I won't be able to answer each one.

Moondust, welcome. As you know by now we are warm, welcoming, informative and a bit crazy. You're in the best place you don't want to be.

Brightsocks, I didn't even realize I was having a reaction to my rads until the PA said something. I was slightly red. Not even sore. I used Aquaphor only. I'm allergic to so many things But the Aquaphor did the trick. I had 33 rads.

Good luck to those of you having surgery tomorrow and seeing MOs or other docs.

ChiSandy, thanks for the virtual chicken soup! I also have issues with GERD but my Fosamax doesn't seem to make it worse.

HUGS!!!!!

froggie, they sent me home wrapped in a big ace compression bandage with a Velcro closure, and I loved that thing! Ask if you can get a couple, it was way better than any bra because bras rubbed the sentinel node site. Honestly that site was the worst of the two. The lumpectomy site did get a 10 cm seroma, but it resolved on its own over time. I just sounded like I had a can of water sloshing in my boob. Compression worked better for me than anything. Even now, one year out, if I can avoid wearing a bra I do, but really because of the sentinel node site more than anything.

I'm a side sleeper, and I just piled up lots of pillows to elevate my head and surgery site, and to not create pressure on the sentinel node site.

Also, the surgeon drew my sentinel node incision line before surgery. Knowing what I know now, I would have worn a tank top there and focused harder on where the incision was made because I wear these tank tops from old navy that have Lycra in them, and some of them rub right where my sentinel node scar is. So ask about and discuss the placement of the incision line if you can.

I never used ice, compression was the ticket for me. DD boobs, honestly no bra fits me that well. The compression wrap was fine under a top, I think it made it look like I was wearing a sports bra. So I wore the compression wrap, a top over it with Lycra, and then a button up boyfriend style shirt to kind of camouflage what was going on, like a flannel shirt with a long tail type of thing.

Best of luck!

froggie I'm guessing you'll have drains placed? I did. My after-care papers said no sleeping on the affected side. I'm a side sleeper too, and I flip over during the night. But I didn't have both sides affected. I managed sleeping on my back some though. I used a pillow under my knees and after the drain was removed I had my affected arm elevated with pillows to help with drainage. I thought several times I was going to have to move to the recliner to get comfortable enough to sleep but I never did. My biggest issue was the stitches pulling and hurting even though I had a bra on.

Icing-- my drive home from the hospital was the same as yours. They gave me an ice pack that was long enough for both the incisions I had. Ask for them if they don't give them to you. I had a couple at home ready and switched as soon as I got there. It was fine. They also gave me a pain pill since it was a long ride.

I was told to get a couple of good support, front-close bras. No underwire. Button up shirts.You don't want to be raising your arms over your head for several days. Get wipes to use when you go to the bathroom, I think it'll be easier on you. I know I wished for a bidet for about 2 weeks. I was really sore in the armpit area. After the drain was out I put on a t-shirt under my bras with the seams out to keep from rubbing the incision under my armpit.

Feeling for you gals as you try to make the best decisions for you and..then...DO NOT LOOK BACK!!

I'm heading to RO for first and last followup- and am dealing with some PTSD from rads. Taking phone and headphones to listen to Pandora while awaiting doc....and THRILLED not to have to ever go back there (crossing fingers that is really the case). They are awesome docs and techs but I HATED rads for a variety of reasons. Looking forward to being comepletely DONE with them.

Froggie, I am a side sleeper as well. With both surgeries I had to sleep on my back. I used one of those lounge pillows with arms that let you sit on the bed, put a pillow over it and had full size pillows under each arm to prevent rolling over. I also had someone make small pillows for under my arm which really protected my axillary incision.

Welcome Kathy. Ayr1016 is going to do neoadjuvant hormonal therapy and I know there's a couple ladies on other threads who are as well. 4cm is pretty big and you need clean margins around it. Your PS could do some fixing if you aren't happy with it after you heal. Are you doing rads?

Thanks Italychick. I'll ask the navigator about an ace bandage tomorrow. None of my bras are cotton and they all have underwires. The one that I did wear 24/7 after the biopsies was comfortable and cut really low under the arm so I thought those might avoid the SNB incision. Assuming I'm not all doped up before the BS makes an appearance and I can still think clearly, I'll ask about incision placement. I'm thinking more and more that the recline rmay be my best bet. I was going to pick up one of those half donut pillows to cradle my neck and a lumbar support pillow and try the recliner. I know they don't want be lifting anything over 10lbs but I don't see how I can sleep on my side or back for that matter and manuever myself up without putting a lot of weight on my arms to shove off.

ladyhumps, the navigator said the BS doesn't place drains for LX or SNB and with that and $1.50 you can buy a cup of awful coffee (at least where I am). I'll put that on the list to ask about. I was told that BS uses tissue glue to close the incision and they want it opened to air so no bandage or dressing on it. While I'm out, it sounds like I will need more pillows and perhaps one of those bolster ones for under my knees if I try to sleep on my back. I kept all of the ice packs they gave me the days I had biopsies and have been keeping them in the freezer. Hopefully, I can get 4 out of them for the drive home.

mustlovepoodles, first and most importantly, good luck with your surgery tomorrow. Wishing you a speedy and uneventful recovery. I have one paternal aunt who had breast cancer and nothing in her daughters. My mother is one of 14 kids and neither she or any of her sisters had breast cancer. Cancer does exist in my family tree but there isn't tons of it. I am being pressured to do testing by the BS because I am bilateral. I have been over to the bilateral board and they were all told to have it too and most did not have any mutations. It is looking like my insurance will not cover it. I have heard about the cost by many. I will pay out of pocket for the basic test but I will not incur thousands of dollars of debt to do extended testing - I don't have that kind of money lying around and I was already told in writing from the center where I was sent they want payment up front. I sent the forms in and am waiting to hear about an appointment and will see what they have to say.

Thanks for the welcome MLP3.

Hello y'all... Well here it goes. I am scheduled to start chemo Friday, February 12. MO wanted to start Monday, February 8 but could not fit me in. Being in New Orleans, Tuesday is Mardi Gras which is a bigger holiday than Christmas here. So patients from Tuesday had to be scheduled Monday and Wednesday.

I have butterfly in my stomach almost constantly. It seems like it is always there in the back of my mind, no matter what I am doing. I am just scared I guess.

Thanks to all. Got my big-pocket pants on ( for now, that is.) On my way to the hospital.

Praline, of course you're nervous! The fear of the unknown. You'll do fine - partly because that's what we do as women - just plow on. And keep in mind that your chemo is KILLING CANCER.

Poodles, I'm in your pocket with a mask on so I don't give my cooties to everyone! Good luck!

HUGS!!

Good luck today poodles and froggie! In your pockets;)

Froggie- I'm almost 2 weeks out from my SNB and lx and ice the first two days was a big help with very minimal swelling. If you get this before you head in, ask for bras post op. They gave me two and ice on the way home! Every 20 mins. Stop and grab some frozen peas with a long drive;) or pharmacy packs that you can break.

I hope you're feeling better today Peggy:)

Sloan- what was the deciding factor for your chemo?

Welcome back praline!

Heading into Boston for my post op soon and appt with mo...

Amy - wow...your numbers match mine incredibly close. Thanks for sharing all that info and your ultimate decision. It will definitely help me with mine.

Thanks to all others who have weighed in with your opinions ~ I value all of them!!

(HUGS)

MLP3, Hooray for the good visit with the BS' nurse. I agree with you on chemo. None of us want this crap to come back and will do whatever it takes to keep that from occurring.

HUGS!