July 2017 Surgery

Shelabela, I am lopsided myself and maybe that should have been a clue. Your massage was almost two months after your node removal? I'll have to check that out. Do you think you'll want to expand more?

Right now I have a massive bruise under my arm so hope it diesn't take long to disappear. I guess I won't know what Stage I am until these results come back but am hoping for Stage 2 or 3. I don't jnow if the TN status will imoact that or not. I do believe that trying to be positive will make a difference. There have been tears and anger, but with just one node taken out, the outlook seems brighter. Hiwever, I do realize if it has even a teeny bit of cancer, they may want to take more. I hope not. Would rather go straight to chemo. Have a great day. Hugs

kae, yes I have the lumpy armpits too. I think it's the expanders because the lumps move around if I poke them.

I did something really stupid- I burnt my right arm on the steam escaping from my teapot. This is the cancer side where lymph node was removed. I'm so worried because it's not healing. I started chemo on Friday and The burn isn't healing. I'm so worried about lymphedema. Does anyone know how to tell how lymphedema starts?

toughcookie,

my PT said that infection/ injury/ inflammatory process can cause lymphedema. it starts as s slow process with swelling.call your onc also maybe youneed something. i would ask to be referred to a lymphedema certified PT if swelling does not subside.

If you are done with treatment, or within 2 years I think, there is a health education clinical trial at UCSF you might be interested in

hi,this is my 1st post since joining this group at the reccomendation of a friend. I am getting a double masectomy on october 25th after testing positive for the braca 2 gene in may...my hysterectomy is this Thursday. I feel I am in good hands at university of penn,but am still reeling from my diagnosis...and 5 days ago found a lump between my right breast and my underarm. Really freaking out now....don't know what questions to ask...am being seen by my doctor oct 3rd to see if I have enough thigh fat for reconstruction...I am a c cup,have been for 45 years,(now 59) and am hoping they can get enough fat from me to get me a b cup...otherwise I am going with the implant and stretchers...just very scared (actually,terrified) of my future and where this will land me...good luck to you,hope you are healing well...please tell me how you are doing....

I know, with TNBC, that I will have to have chemo and I know what the long term side effects can be. Would some of you be willing to share what you experienced between chemo sessions, i.e., if you had one a month for several months, were the side effects long lasting or short term? Thanks very much in advance. I have no idea how long I will have to wait

my last chemo was June 27 I have herceptin every 3 weeks so I am having fatigue bones pain

During chemo I had nausea and vomiting ( only the first treatment) , diarrhea all the time , neuropathy , bones pain , lack of appetite, bad taste

Thank you! Its the lump I am freaking about....I don't know if I beat the clock with a cancer diagnosis....It's disheartining and scary...

adam2003, sorry you have such a long wait for your surgery; please know that everyone has you in their thoughts and please keep in touch if you just need to vent.

Shelabela, thanks so much for sharing. I sure hope radiation will go better for you. How many treatments will you have? Much luck to you with hugs. I am more worried about chemo than radiation because I know chemo will affect my sugar control. And yes, Adam2003, the waiting is very hard. I, too, have been making freezer meals.and walking every day helps. This is a wonderful support option for us, and we know we are not alone. we can help each other so much just by being an encouragement. Hugs.

SeeSwee6. Nice to hear from someone my age; I will be 64 in December! I am pretty much resigned to chemo. I have wondered a bit aboutwhat has been happening in my left breast in the last five months. The thought that something could have started there makes me realize that Chemo is the only way to deal with the whole body, when radiation targets only the area where cancer was found. I will be so glad when I finally know what my Stage is! Thank you for sharing. Good luck in your journey.

Gigi sorry to hear that. Hope you did not end in surgery again.

Hi all, the burn on my arm is finally healing. It taking a really long time to heal completely! I guess the chemo makes it hard for your body to heal quickly. I didn't notice any swelling in my arm but I ended up calling the MO office early this week because I was so worried about lymphedema. The nurse practitioner at my MO office took measurements of my right arm so that I will know if lymphedema starts. I'm going to be super careful with that arm to prevent it.

I am finally feeling better from the first chemo session. Just in time for the second one next week. I still have diarrhea every day but the accompanying stomach pains are better.

Gigilala, I hope the antibiotics are working and you don't have to get another surgery!

53Nancy, have you found out when chemo will start? Waiting is the worst!

Shelabela, how is the radiation going? I read sessions are taking longer than you expected. Are you still able to work? I know you had said you went back in August after surgery. Did you work during chemo? Hope you don't mind me asking! I went back to work last week. My employer said would allow me to work from home most days until the hard chemo is over. It made my decision to return to work so much easier.

toughcookie-21. I think it will be a while before I find out about chemo. I have another three weeks before I get results on SNB, then will have to meet with those in charge before I get set up with a treatment team, though maybe that will happen at the same time. I am eight days post-op. Remived steri-strips yesterday. There is quite a hard lump under my armpit. Called clinic yesterday, and cannot get an appointment until Monday, so will just have to be patient. Incision looked okay this morning. Meanwhile I am opening/closing my fist and bending arm so that I don't develop lymphaedema