Lumpectomy Surgery Ahead

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Boston6
Boston6 Member Posts: 4
edited January 2018 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

Hi, I just joined this group seconds ago. I hope I am doing this right :). I was diagnosed on Dec. 7, 2017 with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. MRI currently shows no node involvement, Genetic Tests Negative and chest xray clear. I am trying to stay positive, but have no idea what to expect ahead. I have a lumpectomy scheduled for Monday the 15th, tumor is 2.5 centimeters. I've done as much reading and researching and asking as I can I suppose, I guess I just wanted to hear what other's experiences have been like. I know no two experiences are the same, but I certainly know they are relatable. Also, noticed I am extremely tired and nothing has even began yet so that has me a bit concerned as well. My mind wanders. Thank you for letting me join, I am happy to be here.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2018

    Hi Boston and welcome to Breastcancer.org!

    We're so sorry to hear of your diagnosis, but we're really glad you found us -- and you're doing great so far!

    You're sure to find our Community an extremely helpful source of advice, support, and encouragement. Our members are very knowledgeable and always willing to help.

    One thread you should introduce yourself on is the January 2018 Surgery thread, where others who are facing surgeries this month discuss fears, experiences, and encourage each other. For some advice from members who have been through surgeries recently, the December 2017 thread should be helpful, too!

    We hope this helps and we look forward to hearing more from you soon!

    --The Mods

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  • HollyDollyD
    HollyDollyD Member Posts: 77
    edited January 2018

    Hi Boston6,

    Welcome to the sisterhood. I'm sorry you had to join. You'll find some amazing support, lots of information and help and guidance here.

    I'm having my surgery 1/25 - but I'll be thinking of you on the 15th. My Mom had a lumpectomy about 10 years ago. She stayed overnight at the hospital and came home with a drain, which had to be emptied a few times a day. The first 3 days were basically pain meds and sleeping. After that she improved, and by 2 weeks was back to a normal schedule - except for lifting etc.

    I created my survival team over the winter break. There's a post on what and how here: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/26/topics...

    Sending you hugs,

    Holly

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  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited January 2018

    I had a lumpectomy & sentinel lymph node biopsy on Dec 12. No drains, & it was a day surgery.

    I was sent home with just a few steristrips covering the incision. I got pain meds in the hospital iv and then only took 1 dose of Rx pain meds at home and then switched to regular advil and acetaminophen. I used soft gel ice packs for additional comfort. Make sure you have several soft comfy bras with no wires. Even though I'm small breasted I found having a bra on was more comfortable as every move seemed to pull the incisions at first.

    I mostly slept the first 24h after but after that was feeling much better, and just needing some naps but able to go walk and get some fresh air. I had a handout of important arm and hand exercises and stretches to start right away. I had pretty much full range of motion in about 10 days.

    Surgical and anesthesia techniques are constantly improving and I find that the recovery is generally much easier than it was in the past. Hope you sail through as easily as I did


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  • Piamaria
    Piamaria Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2018

    Boston6 we could be twins, though I hope you sail right through w/o any problem.  I had this surgery today.  Yes, today.  Left breast including sentinel node biopsy.  Surgery as OP started 8 AM and I was out of hospital by 10.  Everything fine until about 5PM when I started swelling under armpit; huge swell and hard.  Spoke to doc, sent her photo, have appt. tomorrow 9 am.  She said it has to be drained; does not want to wait for it to resorb.  Probably full of blood.  I've read this is not unusual.  Sorry if I scared you.


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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2018

    Hi Piamaria - Welcome to Breastcancer.org and thank you for posting, and right after surgery, wow!

    We're wishing you a quick recovery and hope that swelling will resolve on their own. Please let us know what doctor says tomorrow, we're thinking of you!

    Best,

    The Mods


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  • Piamaria
    Piamaria Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2018

    Swelling resolved itself almost completely overnight.  Doc happy; I'm happy.  Nothing to do at this point other than keep ace and/or coban dressing on after shower.  Hooray!  I can shower tonight.

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  • Boston6
    Boston6 Member Posts: 4
    edited January 2018

    Thank you everyone for your posts and kind words of support! Sorry I did not respond earlier, I spent some time before surgery getting things organized and prepared for surgery and finally feel a little normal again, (for now). I had surgery Jan 15th with SN removed as well. All in all everything went well, in recovery surgeon told me the centimeter margin was clear from first path result, but obviously that can change. I feel almost embarrassed after reading other's posts about recovery because I'm still not feeling super great. First few nights I couldn't sleep, then had horrible constipation, and I am feeling better, but two things that are bothering me still, first the breast binder, oh goodness is this uncomfortable. I try going without it for a while but the gravity pulling my breast hurts, but I have worn it faithfully around the clock as I'm told to do. I feel alot of uncomfortability under my arm, stinging, chafing, etc from the SN. I realize this is all "normal" but does anyone have any suggestions for a little relief. I was a little bummed yesterday, I was showered and ready to head out to get out of the house and get moving and some fresh air yesterday and in the shower I almost passed out, got so dizzy and nauseau's and then a bad case of diarhea (sorry). It lasted the entire day which bummed me out because it felt like a stupid set back. I have a SIL who is a nurse and she informed me it could be due to me stop taking the pain meds, which i barely took, point being it all made me so nervous something else is going on. Today i remove the steri strips which panics me even more that there will be more uncomfortability with the damn breast binder rubbing it. Anyways, sorry for rambling and i do realize this is normal post surgery stuff, just feeling blah wishing i was one of those people who "resumed activities after 24 hours" certainly wasn't the case here. I hate sitting around, have 3 kids and have watched hubby do everything, i'm pretty much ready to climb the walls. Thank you for listening! I hope everyone is doing ok as well. I would love to hear from you all not just for me but how everyone else is doing as well. Thanks again :)

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