Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

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

    Rosie, different hospitals do different things. My surgeon sent my snb to pathology during surgery, got word back that two were positive so she took level 1 and 2 lymph nodes. You will be fine. Just make sure whoever is waiting for you takes notes when the surgeon talks to them because you won't remember anything. Also ask the anesthesiologist for anti nausea meds if you have any kind of motion sickness or a sensitive stomach.

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  • froggie
    froggie Member Posts: 92
    edited February 2016

    MLP, I don't have finally pathology yet. Biopsies from both sides were described as well differentiated IDC but I don't know if that will hold for the whole tumors on finally pathology.

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  • froggie
    froggie Member Posts: 92
    edited February 2016

    Peggy, nothing has changed since the day I was discharged in terms of appearance and swelling. I was told to watch for the bruising to start turning colors as that is an indication that active bleeding has stopped and that is occurring. I check my temp twice a day as ordered and it has been normal. I asked the resident about the right side soreness and limited range of motion and swelling before I was discharged and she wasn't surprised considering how deep BS had to go for that SN on the right side. I have fibromyalgia and had a significant right shoulder injury in 2009. It took almost 4 months of PT before I could get the right arm raised over my head and so I am antsy about how that shoulder is doing knowing that RO wants to start rads in 4-6 wk assuming I don't need chemo. I was told not to force motion in rt arm and shoulder and I am not.

    For those who had full node dissections, how long did it take to for your affected arm to come back on line?

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

    Peggy, regular Earl Grey tea does not have lavender. It gets its distinctive flavor from oil of bergamot, an essential oil that comes from the skin of the bergamot orange. Traditionally, Earl Grey tea is made with black tea, but you can get it in green tea blends, too.

    I hope you all don't mind me just skating along in here. I'm just about able to get some simple things done here at the house, with maybe a trip to the store for something before I have to crash. I don't think I've ever been so tired in my life. I guess all this healing takes a lot of energy. It's hard for me to concentrate for very long.

    Speaking of concentration, or lack thereof, I got my textbook today for the upcoming nursing conference in San Diego, beginning April 1. It's about 433 pages, oh my! But then I took a closer look and discovered that it is written not in paragraph form, but in outline form. Exactly the way I take notes for a class! Thank you, Jesus! The textbook has 27 chapters; each chapter is about 14-25 pages. I think I can easily read that much in a day, especially right now when I can't work or do much. And thankfully, it's a topic that's near and dear to my heart--specializing in care of persons with developmental disabilities. So far this afternoon, I'm flying through it. So interesting!

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  • MLP3
    MLP3 Member Posts: 534
    edited February 2016

    Rosie- They injected the radioactive dye when I had my radio active seed implant. Exactly as Chisandy described. I had to massage mine as well because it wasn't lighting up as bright as they wanted it too. I watched the whole procedure and it was kinda cool. Plus, two cute young guys in my face... Lol!!! Had to add some humor here😬 Then I went back for ER prep and wheeled into the OR, my bs was in my face holding my hand and saying the nicest things with Coldplay on her Bose;) and then I was out! I guess they weren't happy with the radioactive dye as they had to add the blue dye. This is all done while you're under. You don't feel anything, know anything. You wake up later in recovery. Everything that has to do with node removal and tumor removal is done under general anesthesia.

    No horror stories here. Just real life situations that all make us unique in this journey that binds us together😊

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  • Jclc83
    Jclc83 Member Posts: 246
    edited February 2016

    I'm glad you're feeling better MLP.

    Poodles what an unusual experience. Hoping your debridement heals quickly

    Hi Rosie. The report you posted earlier of your stereotactic biopsy is what is called the gross description of the specimen. In other words what is seen with the naked eye. It isn't the final microscopic pathology report.

    Froggie, well differentiated is definitely better. That would mean grade 1. I'm hoping the final report says the same thing.

    Have had two rounds of rads so far. And other than a few sore muscles from the odd positioning, it's been a breeze. I'm a little pink but those parts don't see much daylight especially lately lol.

    No problems after a week or so on Arimidex either. I'm just glad to continue marching along and getting through this. Getting my old self back after 4 weeks off PFC. Still waiting for my hair.

    Happy weekend all.

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  • MLP3
    MLP3 Member Posts: 534
    edited February 2016

    Glad to hear that you're feeling your old self again Jan;)

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  • Sloan15
    Sloan15 Member Posts: 896
    edited February 2016

    Hi Y'all. (Note my new Texas accent!) The wedding was great, and my baby brother is finally married. Yay.

    Hopefully I can meet a few of you while I'm here. I think I messaged y'all. I just love that phrase. It's so down-home and friendly here!

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  • Sloan15
    Sloan15 Member Posts: 896
    edited February 2016

    Badges? We don't need no stinking badges!

    (Lol for all you movie buffs out there. Also, note my long locks!!!)

    image

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

    Sloan- glad the wedding went well! In the deep south- South Carolina- we even say, "All y'all." haha!

    Poodles- great news about that textbook!

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  • Melclarity
    Melclarity Member Posts: 388
    edited February 2016

    MLP - YES!!! I concur everything you described I had, they ended up prescribin Nexium for me for indigestion/heartburn and reflux which I have NEVER suffered from before. All chemo induced. Sorry xx

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

    Poodles, that sounds interesting. I have lived the care of a developmentally disabled son. Jan, glad you feel better. Sloan, your hair looks great.

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

    Sloan, you’re rocking that pixie cut--it’s long enough to have some fun with too (spikes, perhaps?).

    The loose Earl Grey I used to buy (Bigelow or Twining, I forget) had both oil of bergamot and lavender buds. I’ll try to look for some with only bergamot. Herbes de Provence is a blend of rosemary, oregano, thyme, marjoram (I think) and lavender--the buds are easy to remove before crushing the mix and adding it to the pan. In Provence, they sometimes even throw lavender branches on the grill when cooking fish outdoors.

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

    Froggie, with your fibromyalgia and shoulder issues, it isn't as surprising that you are miserable :( I had full range of motion within days. I also didn't find it difficult to hold my arms above my head for my rads. They started about 6-7 weeks post Lx. You may not be as comfortable. The RO does want you to be comfortable while doing rads so it is possible that if you can't hold your arms above your head and be comfy, they might delay a week or two. My BS did a great job. I did have nerve issues. As in no feeling around the incision. I was very careful shaving with my safety razor. My BS had said that whatever feeling I had at a year was all I would likely have. Turned out that in my case she was wrong. I think there is still a tad of difference in feeling between both sides but essentially my underarm is back to normal.

    Hope the path report is excellent!

    HUGS!

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

    Poodles, you are entitled to skate along. You definitely need to rest from your major surgery. Write when you feel like it.

    I'm relieved that there's no lavender in my Earl Grey. I really don't like lavender at all so that thought was distressing. I'm a black tea gal - no green or any other color.

    That's wonderful about your textbook! I'm so envious that you're off to San Diego soon. Wave at #1 son who lives there for me!

    Take care of yourself!

    HUGS!

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

    JCLC, so glad that you're doing so darned well with your rads and Arimidex. I must say that my girls never saw the sun either (though MOST of the rest of me sure has). Make sure you slather on whatever stuff they gave you to protect your breast. I was past 19 rads before anything showed up. Even then it was the NP who noticed it, not me. Isn't nice to actually feel good?

    HUGS!

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  • MLP3
    MLP3 Member Posts: 534
    edited February 2016

    Thanks Mel! I'm going to tell my mo that something needs to be adjusted because that was awful. When I even think about my next infusion... I get nauseous!

    Sloan- you're working that "y'all" like a champ! And your hair is looking great! I agree with chisandy... Maybe a little Halle Berry subtle spike to mix things up;)


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

    so glad things are going well Jan

    Today is day five for me, always my worst day because it is my first day off steroids. I get so tired and feel like Im made of lead! To make it worse I'm getting a cold and cannot use what I usually would, oil of oregano. In bright news it is nice out so hopefully I'll be able to go for a little walk.

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  • Peachy2
    Peachy2 Member Posts: 350
    edited February 2016

    LovestoFly - I had that problem with steroid crash too. The nurse practitioner suggested tapering off them sooner and it really helped. Maybe ask about that before your next infusion?

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  • MLP3
    MLP3 Member Posts: 534
    edited February 2016

    LTF- great advice from Peachy. I actually weaned myself off of the Decadron on day two after my treatment. I took the am pill, but not the pm and subbed in the Prochlorperazin in its place. Last night I didn't take the prochlor at all and I think that it all worked. I'm still woozy feeling but much better than I was. And I had the best nights sleep last night without that garbage in my system.

    Question... I'm heading to Florida for my daughters lax tournament 6 days after my second treatment. No sun at all?? And high spf? What about a spray tan? I am looking forward to sitting by the pool under a palm tree, but also don't want to be that sick looking, ghost white, bald chic in the lounger chair either! Lol

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

    I actually wean myself off at as well. Instead of taking two pills for three days, I take two pills for two days and one pill for one day and skip the last pill. The pharmacist told me it was OK to do that, I'm sure it makes it better than going from two pills to non, but I still find my first day without steroids to be hard.

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

    I was on one pill yesterday and didn't need any anti-nauseant, so that's good.

    I also feel depressed my first no steroid day. Ugh.

    This happened yesterday. I still cannot get over it: https://fancypansy.wordpress.com/2016/02/21/trying-a-wig-againfailure/

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  • MLP3
    MLP3 Member Posts: 534
    edited February 2016

    In feeling it today too since I've been off of them for two "cycles".

    I found the homeopathic treatment for rads... Calendula ointment and chamomile. Cool Chamomile tea bags applied to the breast after rads sounds wonderful!

    I also found something on Cypress oil to boost WBC. There's actually a topic on essential oils on this site that's informative.

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  • Peachy2
    Peachy2 Member Posts: 350
    edited February 2016

    MLP, in our winter rads group someone also added that her RO recommended using washed cabbage leaves right out the refrigerator, which was very effective! Calendula is one of the ingredients in this product that I used, My Girls cream, and found to be fabulous: http://mygirlscream.com/ (The company is in Wellesley, MA :) )

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

    Oh Jill- read your blog. Cannot believe someone would say something like that - how rude and insensitive. I know it crushed you and am so sorry. Sending hugs to you. For what it's worth, I think you look GREAT in that long, luxurious wig and extra cute with it in the hat.

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  • blamoms
    blamoms Member Posts: 113
    edited February 2016

    LTF. I'm sorry to hear that happened to you. People can be rude sometimes. Good for you for saying that to her. Keep your head up high. You look great Wonder Woman.


    I finished my 3 day anti nausea pills. I. am nervous about how tomorrow will be. My hubby leaves for England for 10 days. He planned this trip before this silly cancer happened. I know I will be fine while he is gone. I have family and friends I can call if I need help. I went for a walk with hubby and dog it was nice to get som fresh air and exercise

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

    thank you guys it was really heartbreaking.


    I think you will be OK blahmoms. I have never needed an anti-nausea after my third day. Do you have one as required just in case though? Perhaps some ginger candies to suck on?

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  • MLP3
    MLP3 Member Posts: 534
    edited February 2016

    We were headed home back to Mass after vacation and I was too nauseous to drive! So we left DH's car and he's driving miss daisy! A windy road just got to me so I popped my emergency nausea meds. I'm 6 days out from treatment.

    Blamoms- I got out and got fresh air too today. Amazing how we forget the little things sometimes;)

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

    I went for a long walk outside today, even though I felt so sleepy and didn't really want to, it did make me feel a lot better

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

    Gee, I wish I could help all of you have chemo-related problems. So I'll just send a boatload of hugs!

    HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS

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