Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

Natty, my wire insertion was done seated and they used the mammogram machine. It was just a little pinch. Didn't find it painful. My MRI and biopsy was done as you describe, lying flat with my boob drooped through a hole. It was quite challenging for the techs to get me into a good position because I'm small breasted. Glad they were women techs because there was lots of tugging and pulling, lol!

Natty, I had my wire insertion done sitting. I was also given lots of Lidocaine. The only thing I've had done prone are MRIs. It wasn't difficult either.

HUGS!

~natty~

Like tbalding & PontiacPeggy my wire guides were done in a seated position using the mammogram machine. I, too, had lots of Lidocaine and felt nothing. My biopsies were done in the prone position and so was my radiation.

Thank you so much to all of you for your responses!

!I This is so much easier for me when I know what to expect- I can handle just about when I'm well-informed. Your responses and compassion are really appreciated!

Natty, I had the wire done lying down tilted to the left. I had an anesthetic, but nevertheless, I felt a pinch when the wire was inserted. It was not much different from the core needle biopsy, except that it was gentler. I have heard of people lying face down with their boob hanging down, but it sounds uncomfortable both for the woman and the doc who has to get underneath or else lift the woman like on a hydraulic lift and work by craning their neck. (?) (I really don't know -- I saw a drawn picture of it, but it wasn't very clear!)

(replying to Naty's post on disclosing to family on her birthday) (I'm still learning the forum. I thought if I hit reply button on a particular post it would reference to it??)

I'm pretty much on the same path that you are with lumpectomy. No surgery date as of yet. Surgeon wants a MRI, which is scheduled this Wed. and then I am sure I will get my surgery date.

I appreciate you commenting about when you shared the news about your cancer. I've really wondered about that myself. I shared news with my Dad as we share everything. He is 92 and 1000 miles away. My close distant family has been kept up to date.

However, although I have taken off a lot at work, no one knows why. I have two close friends that I've shared info and spoke with two other friends that have had cancer.

I wondered when to share to others (family, coworkers, my customers, my boss, etc).

I liked your thinking that you wanted all your results in and a good idea in your head the treatment plan. That certainly would reduce the follow up questions from well meaning people to inquire more.

My closest and oldest friend has been diagnosed with lung cancer and so we have the unfiltered conversations as we progress through our medical needs. And sometimes we just agree to not have a cancer day, so to speak. We just agree to put medical talk off for another day so we can step away from it. I do appreciate that ability a bunch.

i.e. this forum allows me to learn about others, ask questions, share and at the same time I can turn my computer off whenever I want.

So I'm thinking its a control issue with me. I am sure down the road I will be much more open, but for now . .. not ready.

I was off work for 13 weeks-from two days before surgery to the Monday after radiation. I could have continued to work, but the person who handles the sick leave where I worked suggested I stay out for as long as possible. I am glad I took her advice. I worked in a Children's department of my county's library system and it can get chaotic. There is no light-duty in our system. Everybody pushes a cart, shelves books, lifts bins, etc., as necessary (although a supervisor can assign desk duty at his or her discretion. I worked a lot of desk hours when I finally did go back to work because I still had a lot of discomfort & still tired easily). I had never taken any sick leave in the the 13 years I worked for the County, so I had a lot of hours available and I belonged to a sick pool as well. I was able to get full pay for the entire time I was out.

I began keeping a diary as soon as I was told I’d need a biopsy, and kept it up during those two weeks on the road in NOLA, PA and an exurban folk festival. (Getting all the crazy thoughts and fears running around in my brain organized and in writing—even if the writing was virtual rather than in ink—did help keep me calmer and more centered). As soon as I got my diagnosis, and before I discovered BCO, I set up a CaringBridge account, as other friends of mine who had cancer did. It’s a private, password-protected site, and only those you want to know about your journey can access it. You can post links to it on Facebook or in e-mails, too.

Guess I don't feel so bad about wanting to control my medical info. Glad to know others have that same concern. My good friend advised I should consider thinking of a set of standard answers for those that I don't really want to give much information. Still down the road for me, but certainly a consideration.

ChiSandy the CaringBridge is a neat concept. I don't have much contact with others via internet and/facebook. But I have a very good friend that is more like a daughter to me that was just diagnosed with ALS and this may be something she could use and appreciate. Thanks for sharing.

Also had a good chuckle today as my friend and I discussed my upcoming MRI. I told her they asked about my thoughts of lying on my stomach (which is how I sleep most of the time) and of course my thoughts of being in a confined space. I told her that they will place me on my stomach and put my breasts in holes to hang without compression. I am a large breasted woman. We both chuckled that the MRI slot is going to have to be a big one. We both have had MRI's for other issues in the past and both remember the spacing for ones body is very limited. I will need a dose of humility that day and a chuckle definitely helps.

SJI, studies have shown that not only do our BC treatments (all of them) cause fatigue but just having BC causes it. Likely to last about a year. So you are entirely normal. However, it won't hurt to check with your PCP. I think it partly depression, mild though it maybe, caused by a cancer diagnosis. Often anti-depressants are helpful, so please ask for them if you think this might be you.

HUGS!

Thanks for the info. I've been on anti-depressants forever. It's good to know the profound fatigue is not unusual. I was feeling fine the first 10 days after the lumpectomy so I was really surprised when the fatigue set in. I'll stop worrying about it and just prioritize my activities. Thanks again.

Hi,

Breast MRI: Techs told me I would feel less confined than in a regular MRI (have had many of different parts of body). Since I'd be face down, I wouldn't be as aware of the confined area. That worked. The lying on stomach felt uncomfortable but improved greatly when the techs added a layer of cushioning.

Caring Bridge: Have had many, many good experiences with friends and colleagues who have used this for different situations. It helps those going through the health crisis and their loved ones as well as those well-meaning folks who want to know what's happening and who want to be able to express concern and support without overloading those directly involved.

Fatigue: Very helpful to hear others' experiences and the range of factors that might be bring out the fatigue. On weekends and evenings I'm sleeping so much. I feel like I'm doing something wrong. Colleagues, friends, family think it's all over because it's now 3 weeks past LX/SNB. There are months ahead. Having trouble getting breast reduction scheduled, which could push radiation start until mid-July. Concerned about potential SE's of hormone therapy. Before LX, I was focused on logistics; having biopsies; arranging things at work. Now the longer-term issues are sinking it. So helpful to know others going through similar issues.

Appreciate the sharing. Sending good wishes.

natty, I'm also extremely claustrophobic. I had a really hard time in the MRI. They told me to stay still and breathe normally but I hyperventilated so badly that my feet and hands went to sleep. I thought it was a really awful experience. Worse than the biopsy

Mustlovepoodles- I am so sorry to hear that Maybe the xanax helped me more than I thought-- when they told me I had to have an MRI I did not think I could do it. I'm certain if I had been face up, it would have been a no-go. I did, however, completely freak out at my biopsy, though!

It's amazing how fear has this Bruce Banner / Incredible Hulk effect on me. Sorry to hear your experience was so horrible.

I found that the icing was something I really welcomed after lumpectomies. It did a better job of relieving discomfort than any pill. It's very soothing - you will WANT to ice!

I recommend getting a few gel ice packs with fabric covers. These are in every drugstore. These don't get all stiff and hard; they bend and mold to your body, and hold the cool for a nice long time. When one gets warm, throw it back in the freezer and grab another one. Maybe get three and rotate them. Mine were rectangular shaped; maybe 4"x10" or so.