Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

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  • MLP3
    MLP3 Member Posts: 534
    edited February 2016

    1step- congrats on a positive post op appt and back to more exercise!

    Poodles- ugh you poor thing! ((Hugs))

    Sloan- glad to hear about the second opinion

    Blamoms- hopefully you had an uneventful first chemo!

    The nurse thinks it's some esophageal gastric blah blah blah issue from the steroids. I've actually had some relief... THANK GOD... From Tums and Prilosec, as prescribed by the nurse. I've never had an issue like this before. No gallstones, no heartburn, acid reflux... Nothing! I stopped the decadron and I'm taking just the as needed nausea pills. Still queasy and nauseated but thankfully a touch better than earlier. I feel so useless and I don't like it😡


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

    MLP- glad you at least have some relief...do you have Ativan and Zofran for nausea?


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  • MLP3
    MLP3 Member Posts: 534
    edited February 2016

    I have 2 small pills for nausea and forget the name. Not Ativan or zofran though.

    My husband made it back up to NH and picked up some vegan Thai stir fry and brown rice for me. It tasted wonderful! Hopefully it won't bother me too much. I haven't seen him in a couple of days and I feel bad but... I just want to go to bed;)

    How's froggie doing post op

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

    Seriously, MLP- Zofran was my very good friend evening of day 3 til ? Took it as prescribed at the hint of nausea after treatments. Maybe you are over the worst of it...DH is there and you have had a dinner you liked....AND, he is there- you can relax and really rest! Stay strong sisterfriend...and do what you need to do to get through this. AND, this is your "first time"....doesn't mean it has to be like this every time....right? Hugs!

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  • blamoms
    blamoms Member Posts: 113
    edited February 2016

    I did my first chemo today. It went great. I had a great nurse who has a great sense of humour. I renamed the red devil drug Tahiti treat anyone remember that drink and when the next IV bag came I asked if it was tequila. I'm not much of a drinker. I'm feeling pretty good. I have talked all my anti nausea meds and have drank lots of water. The volunteers there knit blankets and hats for all cancer patients. I am going to do this just a little way to give back

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  • ayr1016
    ayr1016 Member Posts: 228
    edited February 2016

    blamoms: Glad the 1st chemo is out of the way and it went well. I love that you are going to give back by knitting blankets.

    MLP: As much as I dislike taking any form of medication, I have been accepting (so far) to anything that will help any of my symptoms. Hope your anti-nausea meds work.

    Poodles: {{{{hugs}}}}

    I feel that some of the effects of the Lupron/Tamoxifen are kicking in. I feel like a 90 year old lady. My knees hurt, my back hurts, my whole body hurts while walking.....and I just got a frigging fitbit. I am trying to push through it. Don't they say more exercise helps? I have to get help (from someone or whatever object is around me) if I squat or bend down with my knees. I am normally a really flexible, limber person so this is freaking me out a bit. Come on body...get with the program! I also got my cycles 17 days after my last cycle (super early to have another cycle). I guess it takes a few months of Lupron to take my cycles away? *wishful thinking*

    On the upside, it is FRIDAY!!! and that makes me a very happy woman. Happy Friday ladies. I know I missed a bunch of replying.

    ~Angela


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  • Peachy2
    Peachy2 Member Posts: 350
    edited February 2016

    blamoms, so glad that #1 went well and you had a great nurse.

    poodles, I admire your sense of humor. Even with the awfulness you've endured, you still manage to write about it in a way that makes me smile.

    MLP3, lordy what a time you are having! So sorry that it's making you feel so awful.

    Have you all seen the Neulasta TV commercial? I probably would not have noticed it had I not had the stuff myself. It's two sisters, with the healthy sister narrating about how her sister has cancer. This just bugs me so much by how it portrays the poor cancer sister. Healthy sister is vibrant, brown haired and bubbly, while cancer sister is grey and glum. This is not the message that people without cancer need to be sent! We are not sad, sick and in need of pity. We just had cancer, and we're kicking its butt with style and grace.

    image

    By comparison, this is a perfectly awesome TV commercial that a college friend in the advertising business wrote and produced. He sent it with the message "I didn't know you were fighting that fight... but I wrote this in admiration of people who are." I told him that he really nailed it!

    https://www.facebook.com/LewisCommunications/video...


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

    Peachy- YES...we have seen that commercial....and, have hated it. Yep, your friend "nailed it"...brought tear to my eyes...thank you for sharing@

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited February 2016

    Peachy and HappyHammer, I always feel irked when that commercial comes on. The non-cancer sister seems to be talking about her sister like she's not even there. And when the cancer sister interjects she just comes off like kind of a jerk. And then the non-cancer sister speaks up and won't let her talk. I just want the cancer sister to say "Shut up and stop hanging all over me. This is my story to tell as I see fit. You do not get to take it over for your own damn self." And then she should take off her shoe and smack her across the head with it.

    Just my opinion, of course.


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  • Moondust
    Moondust Member Posts: 510
    edited February 2016

    Poodles, I love your remake of the Neulasta commercial. It made me laugh! You've certainly had a rough ride with all this recent stuff. All I can say is I hope all the necrotic tissue gets removed soon and you start healing properly! I hope you get some answers about the numbness soon, too. I wish there were simple answers to all these problems. Hugs!!!

    MLP3, I am glad to hear you feeling a little better and able to enjoy something to eat. I hope you continue to improve!

    1step, hooray for being cleared for more exercise! Yes, step by step, day by day, that's how I'm approaching things too. Tomorrow I'm going to the gym for the first time since surgery and doing some exercises with very light weights.

    Blamoms, so happy to hear your chemo went okay. I hope you continue to feel good.

    Angela, those side effects sound really annoying and uncomfortable. They might get better over time, so I guess just keep pushing through like you are doing. I'll be starting AI after rads and I'm worried about SEs.

    HH, you sound like you are in a better mood today. I was in a good mood until I realized I needed to go to bed 30 minutes ago. Now I need to rush around.

    Jill, are you still feeling pretty good? Hope so!!

    Sloan, don't worry - I didn't hear anything about a waffle :) Hope you are having a good time.

    I got a call from the radiation dept. I'll have my first treatment on Tuesday. Oh joy. But I'll be done by the first week in April, then start the AI pills. What a rollercoaster ride we all are on.

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  • Praline
    Praline Member Posts: 115
    edited February 2016

    My second chemo treatment today was pretty uneventful like the first one last week. I was lightheaded and shaky again. The nurse said that it was the Benadryl and steroids. All of a sudden this evening after I had dinner I felt so sleepy. I sat in my recliner and slept for 3 hours. Now I am wide awake like it was the middle of the day. A good thing my Kindle is loaded.


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  • ChiSandy
    ChiSandy Member Posts: 12,133
    edited February 2016

    When I see that Neulasta commercial, I imagine the tall, gray-haired cancer patient thinking, “I’m older. wiser, taller and stronger than you and you’re damn lucky I don’t snap you like a twig, you smug little twit.” Then I feel much better.

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  • Praline
    Praline Member Posts: 115
    edited February 2016

    MLP3- The anti nausea meds the MO prescribed are tablets you put in your mouth to dissolve. They came in a shrink pack. They are Ondansetron.

    Poodles- I sure hope you feel better and your problems are soon solved.

    Sloan- Sandy- 1step- h-How do you use your fitbits? Do you have a watch? I know I can connect it to my IPhone or my blood pressure cuff.

    Blamoms- I like you renaming the red devil Tahiti. Thursday, February 18, was National Drink Wine Day. I should rename my Taxol Lacrema for my favorite chardonnay.

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  • ChiSandy
    ChiSandy Member Posts: 12,133
    edited February 2016

    Praline, I have the Fitbit Surge--it’s a watch. Three things I don’t like about it are that its watch face lacks a sweep-second hand, it has to be recharged (off-wrist) every three days or so, and it resets at midnight--and unless you constantly sync it to a device, you can't retrieve the data to see how well you did that day. It also is wildly inaccurate as to counting stairs--there are days it definitely under-reports, and there are others when it reads arm movements as stairs (making espresso by manually pumping and grinding beans by hand gave a reading of 21 flights climbed...before 3pm)! It’s also big & clunky--can’t wear any bracelets on that arm, and it leaves marks (it’s my healthy arm)..

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

    MoonDust, Don't anticipate that you'll have SEs from AIs (or rads for that matter). I've been on Arimidex for 16 months with no problems. Many of us have no or only minor SEs. The women on the Arimidex thread mostly have problems and are looking for help - totally understandable. Those of us without SEs tend not to post. Just keep that in mind. I also had only minor redness from my rads - hope you're the same!

    HUGS!

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

    Praline, glad you're doing so good!! Plenty of books is a good thing!

    I also find that Neulasta ad quite condescending. Nice to know I'm not alone!

    HUGS!

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

    blamoms, I'm glad things went well! I'm still feeling pretty good for days passed my third infusion.

    I haven't seen the new Neulasta commercial, but I love the one that you could link to on Facebook!


    I think I'm getting a bit of a cold, usually I would use oil of oregano. Is itOK on chemo?

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  • Peachy2
    Peachy2 Member Posts: 350
    edited February 2016

    Poodles, this just about made me spit my coffee onto the keyboard! You hit the nail right on the head. So glad it's not just me who thinks that cancer sister is portrayed as being mentally deficient. I just want the cancer sister to say "Shut up and stop hanging all over me. This is my story to tell as I see fit. You do not get to take it over for your own damn self." And then she should take off her shoe and smack her across the head with it. Just my opinion, of course.

    Moondust, you are going to rock rads! When you hear the machine hum, just think "Take that, cancer!"

    Praline, glad to hear you are doing well. Your idea of naming chemo after our favorite adult beverages is brilliant!

    Sandy, if grinding coffee beans counts as steps, I'm getting a FitBit and joining the challenge. Wonder if a Sonicare toothbrush has the same effect?

    LovesToFly, I am also a fan of oil of oregano for dealing with sinus ick. I've never really though of why it's used, so just did a quick google: "It's produced from the perennial herb oregano and loaded with free-radical-crushing antioxidants." So, I would say avoid it during chemo because it's an antioxidant. Boo.


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

    blah.

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  • brithael
    brithael Member Posts: 224
    edited February 2016

    I hate that Neulasta commercial as well, but then, I hate all Pharma commercials and print ads and billboards etc. Do you have any idea how much those things cost? The TV ones usually show during the news hour which is the highest buy all day. The print ads are usually done on heavier quality paper as well as several pages long. Think about how they could lower the cost of the pharmaceuticals if they weren't paying so much in advertising.

    We did have huge winds in Chicagoland yesterday. Luckily, our power stayed on, but they just replaced all our outside wires with stronger ones, so maybe not so many power outages in the future. I stayed inside - no worry about flipping my wig.

    I am waiting with bated breath for my appt. with my LE therapist on Tuesday. This latest hospitalization really exacerbated it. I have a feeling compression sleeves are in my future.

    Poodles, can't believe all the stuff you have gone through - thinking good thoughts for the future.

    MLP - is it Compazine that you have for nausea? I was supposed to take it for breakthrough since I took Zofran, but I only wound up taking it once, and that was the day I wound up in the hospital the last time. It did work though.

    Sandy - how has your hand healed?


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  • MLP3
    MLP3 Member Posts: 534
    edited February 2016

    I think the tums and Prilosec have helped with the sore tummy! But I had a reaction to the anti nausea meds... I think. Woke up with itching, burning arms and lower legs. Still woozy feeling but today is my best day. Made a yummy bowl of oatmeal with almonds, walnuts and diced green apples;) The meds are Prochloperazine and I'm supposed to take 2 tabs(5mg each) every 6 hours as needed.

    HH- thanks for your happy thoughts!

    Aye- I hate meds too... And look at where we are! My mo says to push through this with exercise too. I might force myself for a walk today!

    Blamoms- congrats on your first treatment! The Tahitian drink reference is classic! I think of my next one and the color and it makes me nauseated... I think I'll use your spin on it;)

    Peachy- I haven't seen that commercial yet. But I totally agree... How unfair to paint the poor cancer sister as this gray, unhealthy host of a thing. People look at me and they would NEVER have guessed. A young and vibrant sister with cancer would have been more affective in my opinion. Cancer has no bias or prejudice. It can strike anyone.

    Chisandy n poodles- a remake of your versions would be a great SNL skit.

    Thanks Moondust;)

    Praline- my schedule is out of whack too. Love the LaCrema reference:)

    LTF- no oregano oil:(

    And ladies... Did you know that lavender oil speeds up the production of estrogen?? Grapefruit too.

    We got 6" here in mid-northern NH and there's a car stuck up over a rock at the end of our driveway. Poor couple isn't going skiing today after all. But... They shouldn't have taken the corner so fast in there small suv going down hill😜

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  • Peachy2
    Peachy2 Member Posts: 350
    edited February 2016

    MLP, THANK YOU for the lavender oil info! Just bought lavender and chamomile tea last weekend, so now will be donating it to the break room at work. Glad that today is looking a bit better for you.

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  • rosierosie
    rosierosie Member Posts: 71
    edited February 2016

    I am having surgery on March 4 2016 I am having a lumpectomy and SNB I am terrified after reading all the post about how painful the SNB is done and the wire they put in your breast. My surgeon said he will not numb me for the injections, will he do the biopsy when I am under? or is that done with the injections? He said the wire is done first do I get numbed. I am beyond scared please please explain this to me. thank you in advance

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

    I didn't know about lavender oil, however I don't usually use it. I know I'm not supposed to have grapefruit while I m on chemo, that's no problem for me because I hate grapefruit. I do use grapfruit scented body wash though, I hope it's OK!

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

    hi Rosie. First of all I think they will numb you for the biopsy, I've never heard of them not doing that and they did it for me. Actually when it started to hurt during the biopsy I mentioned it was hurting, and they shot somebody came right into the biopsy needle which really helped.

    I did not have a wire, I had a localization seen implanted in my tumor two days before my surgery. I do think the Y or something unpleasant, but the ladies can tell you more about it and I'm sure it is manageable

    Lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy was my first ever surgery. I was absolutely terrified of the pain. I must say I was pleasantly surprised. The lump incision barely hurt at all. The sentinel node biopsy was a bit irritable, I had to be careful to wear things that did not rub it. That said, it was by no means horrible. When it did get a bit irritable I put Neosporin with lidocaine on it, and it really helped.

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

    Prochloperazine is my anti nauseant. My dosage is 10 mg at the first sign of queasiness, and I can take another dose 4 hours later however I rarely (I think never) needed 2 doses. I usually need one in the late afternoon on infusion days 1-3. I'm on day 4 now, lower steroids so I'm feeling a bit low and woozy, I'm sure I will be asleep by eight! Looking forward to Monday or Tuesday, when I know I will start feeling more like myself again

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  • Peachy2
    Peachy2 Member Posts: 350
    edited February 2016

    Hi rosierosie - as bizarre as it might seem to have a wire stuck in the side of your breast and hanging out for a couple of hours prior to surgery, it really wasn't painful. Though you will read about a lot of issues with SNB recovery and incisions, I didn't have any trouble and hope that you won't either. Like LovestoFly, my lumpectomy was my first ever surgery. Unless you count having wisdom teeth out, and it really was not that much more difficult.

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  • rosierosie
    rosierosie Member Posts: 71
    edited February 2016

    thank you I am just wondering are you awake for the SNB I know you did not have that I wondering if anyone else did


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

    Mornin' Glories!

    Poodles- hahahaha! I literally was laughing aloud at the "take her shoe off..." comment. It's really a stupid commercial.

    Ok- don't use lavender oil so no worries abt that for me but love pink grapefruit. Was really looking forward to having some after finishing Herceptin. Oh well :(

    Praline- About the FitBit- I have the smallest version- can't think of the name. I do wear other bracelets with it as it's fairly slim. There is the issue of recharging and synching.

    And, it is depressing when I don't make my goal and the others are kickin' my ass with it- but it IS making me more motivated to get off the kicked ass and move. :)

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

    Welcome rosierosie,

    Wire locators for me wasn't too bad except for the uncomfortableness of being squished really hard in the mammogram machine. The snb I had a radioactive injection to light it up. The snb incision was more uncomfortable than the lumpectomy but still manageable. Ice is your friend post op.

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