Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

Sportymom, you certainly were blind-sided by the new diagnosis. We understand why you are worrying about everything new that crops up. I would, too. I have no experience with peeling like you are doing so can't help you there. But please get an appointment quickly with your favorite oncologist to discuss your new Dx. Write all your questions down. I suggest paper mostly because it's easy to add answers and tick them off as you go along. Keep a running list.

Also, please fill out your Profile as completely as you can. Then go to SETTINGS and make it all PUBLIC so we can see what's going on and remember when we read your posts. Note how mine are listed below.

Sending you hugs and positive thoughts. Fingers crossed for good results on your tests this week.

HUGS!

Hi, CindyNY. Yes, my skin felt sunburnt, but I had a bad case of nerve pain. I could not even lean over slightly or make small positional changes without activating the nerve pain, which would start as a quick searing pain - like an electrical shock - in the back of my left arm. This pain was so sudden and severe, that I would cry out in pain - startling my daughter, who knows I have a high pain threshold. The "shock" sensation lasted only a few seconds, but it was followed by a throbbing, aching pain that radiated to my underarm, breast, upper back, and chest. This throbbing pain lasted for several hours. This is a worst case scenario and typically does not happen in this severe a form. Gabapentin helped calm down the angry nerves. But I also needed 10 mg oxycodone whenever I "activated" the pain by a change in position.

DonnaleeNC- my "rug burn" was nothing compared to what you went through.

SportyMom- you are tougher than you know. I kept a note book - my questions, all their answers; plus any research I did on my own. Best wishes to you, we've got your back.

Relax. The current standard for "clear margins" according to both ASCO and the SABCS (the annual BC meeting in San Antonio) is "no tumor on ink." (For both DCIS and IDC). Docs who insist on a 2mm margin are being overly cautious--and subjecting women to the risks of a second surgery--including seromas, hematomas, granulation tissue, infection & lymphedema.

And radiation will follow anyway--even partial-breast to the tumor bed (what I had) treats a larger area than tumor plus >2mm.

Today I am celebrating my FIVE YEAR NED anniversary.

I want to give another shoutout to BCO for being there for me when I needed it most. Without the support of the great women here, my journey would have been vastly more difficult. My friends here are definitely "bosom buddies."

Thank you to each one of you who helped me survive and keep my sanity (when it was in short supply).

What a special group this is!

HUGS!

Catob1969 , I'm so glad you're home and feeling pretty good (if a bit blue and orange).

PontiacPeggy, I'm celebrating your NEDiversary! And I agree with you, these boards and actually the entire site have been a lifeline for me as I looked for good, scientific information about what I had, what was coming, what all of this meant.

Thank you everyone!

HUGS!

Peggy, so very happy for you! It's LIFE. Since I'm just at the beginning of all this, NED for 5 years, seems like, and is, the hugest accomplishment. Congratulations. If I achieve it- I' ll be 90.

Congratulations, PontiacPeggy! You have been one the anchors on this site who have guided me through this adventure. I have so appreciated your advice and your wisdom. Go out and celebrate!

MJ

ChiSandy, I wish I had read your post about the margins. I was told mine were negative, but I questioned whether it was significant that the pathology report showed remnants of DCIS (the original tumor) on one of the margins. They pushed me into a 2nd surgery. The results were not good. I'm beginning to catch on that I can say "no." Great post!

Peggy, I don't post often on this thread anymore, but had to come say, yay, yay, YAY for your NED anniversary!! you helped me so much, along with so many others, that it is very nice to celebrate this milestone with you! Have some cake, or wine or whatever...

I'm just a year behind you...

Octogirl

Peggy Congratulations! 5 years is a great milestone, here's to 5 more.

Peggy, I love having (step) family connections to you. And we WILL meet in real life one of these days!

Enjoy that wine. My clear mammo was today, and I am having a margarita!

Octogirl - congrats on the clear mammo. it is always great to hear good news. May you have only clear mammos from here on in.

Mazel tov, Octo & Peggy! (No wine for me--still gotta watch the carb calories, had a wine pairing dinner last week; and a big lunch & dinner out Fri. with Bob's high school friend & his wife, in from CO).