Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

I just got a shocking e-mail, and am still trying to process it: Carol, the kind, knowledgeable and generous oncology nurse who headed the LIFE cancer survivorship program for the NorthShore Health System and facilitated our breast cancer support group at NorthShore Evanston Hospital, passed away last week, after what was termed "a brief battle with cancer." I met her only three times--the first two support group meetings I attended in Feb. & March, and a lymphedema education lecture in Feb. I knew her only as petite and energetic, a walking advertisement for healthy living--I didn't recognize the photo of her in her obit, ostensibly taken before her initial diagnosis, when she had a more substantial physique. I had no idea she'd ever had cancer--and neither did the other newer members of our group. May her memory be for a blessing, as was her life.

BrutersMom, Thanks. I do have fine, very straight hair but I also color it and I know that makes a difference.

Sandy, how shocking! At least you are left with some wonderful memories of her. I can understand how stunning it was. My RO was diagnosed with myelofibrosis (a rare bone cancer) early this year and is getting a bone marrow transplant this month (though my BS hadn't heard if he'd had it). I had hoped to see him before I leave but that won't be possible. The same irony: those helping us cope with our cancers having cancer.

HUGS!

ugh. Just noticed a bumpy bruised feeling spot 1/2 inch from lumpectomy (6 months ago) scar that seems to radiate to the ribs belo. Seeing my MO in 2 weeks so I'll tell/show her...but I'm feeling scared even thought it seems unlikely that it's cancer considering I just finished chemo.

Anybody have similar spots near thier lumpectomies. It's never given me any trouble except a bit of fluid after surgery that reabsorbed on its own months ago.

yes, I had that appear for about a week two months ago, so a year after surgery. It went away, I think it was Mondors cording. I had an MRI after it popped up so I know it wasn't cancer spread.

Hang in there.

As I prepare to head into surgery on May 11, I have a few questions. Do you have to request something to get an oncotype or oncoscore? I see many of you referring to this -but none of my providers have mentioned it. Also, any tips or pointers? I'm having a lumpectomy to remove a 2.6cm mass along with a smaller mass directly behind it on my left breast. They will also do a sentinel node biopsy using a blue dye that assists in mapping. Y'all seem much more knowledgeable than me at all this stuff! I'm navigating this on my own and want to be prepared.

On a bright note, my employer has been over the top supportive! In order to get hubby on the same page I had to minimize much of the process. In some ways I feel cheated (just venting) because I am trying to maneuver this alone. In other ways thankful, I didn't think Id ever get him to agree that surgery was ok.

Today I'm shopping for new pj's or a zip up jogger to wear while recovering. What other things should I consider beforehand?

PontiacPeggy -thanks for the info. My surgeon recommended a "block" in then muscles behind the breast/armpit area as well to help stay ahead of the pain. Did you experience this?

thanks everybody. My head tells me that it's really unlikely to be cancer considering I just finished chemo, but I can't help but worry. It's righ between the scar on my breast (10 o'clock) and the snub scar, so I am assuming it's from the scar or lymph node. I will research cording.

Created, my MO automatically ordered my oncotype testing after receiving my biopsy results from my surgery. It wont hurt to ask to be on the safe side. There isn't much of a way to minimalize much when it comes to breast cancer. You have to do what you have to do. You could possibly need chemo AND radiation. I sure wish you well and will keep you in my prayers. I was digging holes and planting tomatoes 3 days after my second surgery and no severe pain after the first 12 hours or so. Remind us before you go in and keep us updated on how you are doing! We will be in your pocket!

thanks all.

I'm 11 days PFC I'm not completely over the side effects yet, I still don't have my full energy back, and I'm still having some taste and mouth issues. I don't feel too bad though, the previous five cycles I always felt great by day 14, so I'm hoping that will happen again!

Ack! I've been off the board for almost a week while I was on a business trip and I'm so far behind I think I'm ahead! Please forgive me if I just take up right here.

LTF, I am 4 months PFC and I still have symptoms, mainly chemo brain. It's maddening. I will be talking about something and suddenly I lose my train of thought. Or I lose the word I want to say and it takes me a moment to recover it. Sometimes the word is just gone and I try to describe what I wanted to say. Like, if I want to say "I went out on a boat", I might have to say, "You know that thing you ride in on the water that has a sail." Ugh. I used to be a whiz at Jeopardy, except for the advanced math stuff, but now? It feels like I had dementia, I swear.

Okay, I guess I need to update here--

Good news: My wounds are completely healed. Yay! Today I went to get a massage and she did myo-fasciael release on my right pec and ribs. I have been so tight under my arm, but she did some magic and I have NO PAIN or tightness now. I'll see her again in 2 weeks for a fresh up.

Bad news: DH needs surgery for his prostate cancer. He's a Gleason 8, which is very aggressive cancer. We med with the surgeon and the RO yesterday. I was very surprised to hear the RO recommend surgery--most of the time doctors want to recommend their specialty. In DHs case, the RO believes that radiation would be high risk for many complications and would reduce his quality of life. So, surgery it is. I'm hoping we can put it off until after June 5--we have several things going on this month, including our meet-up with the Lumpectomy crew in NC and a camping trip Memorial Day weekend. I have a "daughter by another mother" getting married at the beach in early June and I don't want to miss it. If the surgeon feels strongly that he needs to do surgery before all that, we'll have to cancel everything else. They have to take the whole thing, plus a piece of the urethra and a bit of the bladder. The big SE of prostate surgery is incontinence, up to a year or more. There is no way DH will have any real semblance of continence before 3 months and I will not leave him at home for several weeks, at least. I suspect he will be very depressed after the surgery--who wants to be dribbling on themselves constantly? His best friend has stage 4 prostate cancer and is terminal, so DH feels like he's looking down the barrel of things to come. I think this cancer probably is small and contained, at least I hope it is. If so, DH has a very good chance of complete cure (or as much cure as you can have when you had cancer.)

Poodles, I'm so sorry to hear of your husbands cancer. Prostate cancer can be such a "demasculinizing" experience for men. My husband had a similar surgery, with similar Gleason score, many years ago, recovery was faster than expected and other than the usual impotence he is great. Please feel free to private message me if you have any questions, with all you have going on I'm sure the unknowns of this is adding stress.

Poodles, hooray for good healing!!! And I'm so happy to hear that the massage gave you some pain relief. That's wonderful! One of our friends had prostate surgery and incontinence, but he dealt with it very well. He was out playing golf in no time. He let his buddies know of his problem and they were all very supportive and accomodating. Hopefully your DH will keep his spirits up and come to realize he has lots of good life left to live! I have chemo brain without even having had chemo.

Created, I'm another one very happy to learn you will soon have surgery! I recommend a McDonalds ice cream cone on your drive home My Onco test was not ordered until I met with my MO after surgery, but I wish it had been ordered right away after surgery, so you can try requesting that. There was no problem with my insurance paying for it. I think it is considered a standard test now.

LovingGrouches, I think we all have the same thoughts about how a distant recurrence would be noticed. I have enough aches and pains to complain about that they will probably order a scan if I complain loudly enough. That is my tentative plan A positive margin does not necessarily mean they left cancer cells, it just means they were "too close for comfort" to be sure. So it is certainly possible to find nothing on the second surgery.

Jill and MLP, I am SO happy that you ladies are done with chemo!!

Sandy, thanks for the advice to find out about meds and supplements that might be affecting my calcium status. I will ask at my next appointment. I don't take any meds except now the arimidex (which will not help), but I do take some supplements such as SAM-e and curcumin extract.

Update on my upcoming second opinion for chemo: the first paperwork seems to have been lost, but my MO's office got right on it and faxed the paperwork to UCSF again. After my hike yesterday (no cell phone signal), I had a voicemail from UCSF saying to call them now that they had everything. I'll call first thing Monday. I guess all this nonsense cost me a week in getting the opinion, but it seems to be back on track now.

moon dust, good luck with second opinion!' Hope all goes well. Poodles, I will keep dh in my prayers! So glad you are well!!

TwinEagleMom, Welcome! I can't answer your questions but wanted to let you know we're here for you and someone(s) will have answers to your questions. That's wonderful how well you responded to chemo!

HUGS!

Now, I'm off for to spend the weekend with my 21yo DS. He is severely mentally handicapped and autistic, very sweet and just a delight. We're going to go pick him up from his host home and take him to a nice hotel where he can swim in their indoor heated pool. DH will have to get in there with him, as I have not been cleared yet to get into a pool or hot tub. And when he gets done with that, we can take him for a long walk. Hotels are so much better for him than our home, because everything is flat and handicapped accessible. I know Christian will have a great ole time.