Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

1452453455457458947

Comments

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

    MLP3 that food looks amazing!!

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

    Thanks, y'all. I don't know what I would do without this support group. My siblings, other than the sister who had BC three years ago, don't want to know anything about this. And I don't have any close friends. I'm afraid my Sunday School friends would be completely grossed out if I told them the details (and maybe I've grossed out everyone on this board. If so, I'm sorry. I just don't really have anyone other than DH to process all this with.)

    I sure hope I can attend our get-together in May...

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

    614, thank you!

    LTF & HH, it never occurred to me you'd lose nose hair along with all the other hair with chemo. I mean it makes sense but I never think about nose hair (unless it looks gross). Ugh.

    HUGS!!!


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

    Poodles, you did not gross me out. And that's what we're here for - to listen, let you cry, scream, and bitch. I'm just glad they are able to come up with something to help you heal. My shoulders are strong, so feel free to lean on them. And my arms are wrapped around you.

    HUGS!

  • MLP3
    MLP3 Member Posts: 534
    edited February 2016

    I wasn't grossed out either poodles.

    We are all here for you! Now pour yourself a glass of wine and pass that pie😉🍷

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

    Oh Poodles...not grossing me out, either. I can just imagine that if YOU are grossed out...well, then, it's just GROSS! :) SO glad for wound vacs and such!

    Glad to be here for you...you gals have sure been there for me !

    Are you thinking you may come to NC for ChiSandy;s concert and shenanigans in May? That would be awesome if so! Very excited about that!!!

  • Reader425
    Reader425 Member Posts: 653
    edited February 2016

    Poodles, I have a friend who did the wound vac thing and it turned the corner for her. That and finding out a piece of a dressing had been left in the wound, preventing healing which the removed.

    You didn't gross me out either. That's what we're here for.

    BIG hugs to you.

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

    Poodles, you didn’t gross me out. But now you have me obsessing over pie, coffee, chocolates and wine!

  • 1step
    1step Member Posts: 110
    edited February 2016

    Poodles- no gross out issues here, just glad to hear they are happy with your progress. I hope the vac gets you all cleared out for your SD trip.

    LTFly- ugh, no nose hairs?!? As if being sick isn't bad enough. That is something I didn't think about either. That should make allergies so much more fun. I hope you continue feeling better. I need to remember that Neosporin pain idea.

    MLP glad to hear you're also feeling better.

    Hearts and hugs to you all

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

    Okay, I'm gonna make y'all laugh, then go to bed. I've been sitting here surfing the web and watching TV whilst my wound vac bubbles away. All of a sudden I really listened to it and oh my! It sounds like I'm pooting! ACK! Poot, poot, poooooooot...poot...

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

    Poodles - I did laugh. That's hysterical. So nice to have travelling with you

    HUGS!

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

    Ha ha ha that's funny!

  • Moondust
    Moondust Member Posts: 510
    edited February 2016

    There must be differing studies on turmeric. A recent one says that it may actually make tamoxifen more effective. It says there is evidence that it "sensitizes cancer cells to chemotherapy and targeted therapy in breast cancer."

    Peggy, thanks so much for addressing my fears about radation and AI. It helps to hear that you did well. I did well with the surgery, and I can put up with a fair amount of discomfort before it gets me down, so I should quit thinking negative thoughts.

    Poodles, hang in! Maybe a wound vac would be a big hit at your convention! Only kidding, I hope you are done with it by then. You don't want to be pooting in the middle of a convention :) Thank goodness for chocolate cake when everything else is a bummer. You haven't grossed me out at all. I find the gory details interesting.

    MLP, I should have looked at your dinner earlier when I wasn't hungry :) I'm trying to not give in to evening snacks like I've done the past two nights. Could you message me the recipe for the avocado alfredo? I try to eat a little avocado every day.

    Brightsocks, I'll be starting rads tomorrow and we can compare notes as I progress.

    614, I used to have a schedule like yours. Now I wonder how I did it for so many years. Hugs to you just for what you endure as your daily routine.

    ChiSandy, I cut my finger tonight and thought of you :) Thankfully it was on my non-risk side. I can function without it for a few days. I've got it taped up good.

    I hope everyone is doing okay and keeping spirits up. It's hard. I seem to be more nervous than I used to be, and it's harder to focus on planning things out. Hopefully I will improve at this!

  • Sloan15
    Sloan15 Member Posts: 896
    edited February 2016

    MLP - Yum! Now you have to share the recipe with us! I love avocados.

    I wasn't able to meet Marie and ayr in Texas this time, but I'm sure I will the next time I head that way. Marie, how did rads go? It's only scary because you don't know what to expect, right? Hope your lil guy is feeling better, too.

    Has anyone had the cea marker test? What were your results (if 0-5 is normal)? I think 613 said hers is a 3. I'm still stressing out about it. But, I scheduled a 2nd opinion for Feb 29.

    I'm glad to be back home in my own bed tonight.

  • Melclarity
    Melclarity Member Posts: 388
    edited February 2016

    LTF - Oh gosh! you know I remembered my MO said at my consult before Chemo that it does cause stuffy nose, and yes I do recall now I had like a constant cold I think until taxol and it may have changed a little. So it never turns into a cold. Check with your Staff next time you go, when do you take steroids?? I had to take them only twice, day after infusion and one tablet the day after that. Steroids absolutely made me jittery and really out of sorts. Hang in there.

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

    You might want to ask your MO about a topical steroid nasal spray such as Nasacort or Flonase--both available OTC--or Rx-only Nasonex to deal with a stuffy nose and possibly dry up the drips. (When on chemo or rads, never self-medicate without first asking the MO or RO in charge of your care). Ayr makes a soothing saline-aloe nasal gel to help soothe irritated nasal surfaces.

  • blamoms
    blamoms Member Posts: 113
    edited February 2016

    Day 4 after chemo and I am feeling zapped. It feels like the flu achy,nausea at times. I had 2 naps yesterday and was in bed at 7:30. The downside is it is now 4am and I'm wide awake lol. I keep telling myself one step at a time. Don't overdo it. No mouth sores but I do get a pastey mouth. I feel better after brushing. Ok enough whining from me how is everyone doing

  • Melclarity
    Melclarity Member Posts: 388
    edited February 2016

    Blamoms - The Chemo is so different for everyone, sounds like youre doing ok! Is this your first chemo infusion?

  • blamoms
    blamoms Member Posts: 113
    edited February 2016

    melclarity. Yes it's my first one. I'm feeling better now just can't get over how tired I am

  • Gemma12
    Gemma12 Member Posts: 137
    edited February 2016

    Hi Everyone, I haven't posted a while. I have logged on and tried to keep up with reading the posts. This board moves so fast that I kind of gave up and just became a lurker ;) I have my rad simulation today and get my tattoos. Active treatment starts tomorrow. I'm nervous, but happy to finally be starting.. one step closer to the finish date (4/8).

    I flew to FL for relaxing w/e with my sister in advance of treatment. It wasn't overly warm or sunny, but I totally replenished my laughter reserves and a windburn kind of looks like a sunburn, LOL. I ended getting a sleeve and gauntlet for the flights as my left arm felt a little tight in my dress coat when I wore it one day. I have a referral for PT. I've heard rads can make LE worse, so I'm ready to take it on early if it comes to that.

    Before my simulation today, I have my yearly physical, which was schedule before my dx. My primary care dr. went through a bc dx last summer and finished rads last fall. She's on tamoxifen now. I'm sorry that she had to go through it too, but am happy to have a dr. that can relate, on an intimate level, to what I'm dealing with.

    Sending positive vibes to all. :)

    Amy




  • MLP3
    MLP3 Member Posts: 534
    edited February 2016

    blamoms- I wasn't hungry the first 4-5 days bit forced myself to eat. But 3 meals was too much on my stomach. Once I switched to 5 small meals, it made a big difference in my energy levels. And I was so full at dinner.... But finished it all because it was soooo good!

    Here's the Avocado "Alfredo" recipe.This is serves 2 with boxed pasta or "zoodles"(zucchini noodles). I use 1 med-large zucchini per person.

    1 ripe avocado

    1T fresh lemon juice

    2 whole garlic cloves

    1/2 C. fresh basil

    This must be made just before serving. A food processor works best. A handheld blade mixer might work too. You can also mash it all together. The avocado mixture needs to be creamy and smooth. I added more basil and garlic to my liking. A dash of sea salt might be nice too. If using pasta, pour the avocado over the hot pasta and serve immediately. If using zoodles, warm them up a bit in a pan with a little water and lightly steam to get warm. Drain and pat dry. I served itwith sautéed portobello mushrooms and halved grape tomatoes and I tripled it to serve 4, with seconds. It was fabulous!

  • MLP3
    MLP3 Member Posts: 534
    edited February 2016

    Amy- Thats nice to know that your mo can relate better to everything that you're going through. Must give you a better connection too.

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

    Gemma, glad you had such a restorative weekend with your sister. Wonderful. You'll do fine with your rads. And if something crops up, they have great meds to help. You are very lucky to have a PCP who totally understands BC. Good luck today!

    HUGS!

  • MLP3
    MLP3 Member Posts: 534
    edited February 2016
  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,773
    edited February 2016

    Best wishes to those of you starting rads. Somebody asked about my experience at 3 weeks (Sorry no time to go back) . I just started getting really pink at that point and the exhaustion started though not bad. I really did well until week 5 when my skin started to get painful and peeling in the axillary area.

  • Sloan15
    Sloan15 Member Posts: 896
    edited February 2016

    MLP - I think I'll make that tonight! Sounds great, esp with the Portobello mushrooms! I don't know what zoodles are (zucchini noodles), so I'll look up how to cut them. While I was in Texas, I bought a cookbook called Meatless in Cowtown. I liked how there was a little polenta star in my veg dishes, too, and I figured I needed some variety from my grilled California-style veggies. Thank you!

    Gemma - I think you mentioned this was your first chemo. Can you update the type in your profile? If it's TC for 4 cycles, I rinsed my mouth several times a day with salt water, and I didn't have and mouth problems. I made a water bottle of it each day, and took a swig to swish around 6-8 times a day.Good luck.

    For those of you starting rads, my RO gave me 2 great pieces of advice: 1) put the Miaderm on 4 times a day and in the middle of the night if you wake up, and 2) NEVER have skin to skin contact. So, roll up a little piece of an old t-shirt and put it under your breast or between your breasts even when you sleep or are in the waiting room with your gown on. Keep skin off skin. He couldn't emphasize that enough. Good luck!

  • 614
    614 Member Posts: 851
    edited February 2016

    Dear Moondust and Gemma: I sailed through rads easily. I had some radiation burns at the end but nothing bad. The cream worked and the burns were not painful. My skin healed and it looks totally normal now. I did not suffer from fatigue. I am wishing you both "smooth sailing" as well.

    Dear Sloan: My MO does blood work every time that I see her. She tests for about 25-30 different things. My numbers go up and down but nothing has ever been a source of concern to my MO so I do not remember any specific numbers, levels, or tests. Sometimes my #'s are in the "red" but my MO has never been concerned. I will google the levels when they are in the red. My MO has everything listed in the portal and there is a chart that shows the range of normal levels for each blood level. It is interesting. I hope that you are ok with your CEA levels.

    Dear MLP: Thanks for the recipe.

    Dear Moondust: The work day is exhausting and stressful. However, I love my job and my students so it is all worthwhile. I just wish that I did not have so many medical bills and that I earned more money. Thanks for letting me know about your work.

    Dear Poodles: You have an amazing positive attitude.

    Somehow, I missed a lot of posts yesterday. I don't know how but I am caught up now. Sorry if I did not respond to all.

    Have a great day everyone and feel well.

  • blamoms
    blamoms Member Posts: 113
    edited February 2016

    mlp3 I loved that article. Thanks for the recipe too.

  • mairew
    mairew Member Posts: 84
    edited February 2016

    sloan, glad you got home ok. So sad I didnt get to see you. Now my son is home sick with strep today. My first rads treatment went fine. Uneventful, and quick. Looking forward to 32 more! Not.

    How much Miaderm did you need? That shiz is expensive.
  • iammags
    iammags Member Posts: 216
    edited February 2016

    I'm sorry, this is totally off topic. Has anyone bought a bathing suit since having a lumpectomy? If so, what kind of top did you buy? I'm having an area of about 2" -3" taken out at the 12 o'clock position, if that makes a difference. Radiation will follow.

    I'm hoping that I'll be able to go to Mexico in June and I'm starting to look now because I usually hate all the bathing suits that I try on. It takes me ages to find something

    Thank you!

Categories