Lumpectomy-- Any advice?
Thanks!
Angie
Comments
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lumpectomy
When I had mine, I went in at 6am and was home by 2 pm. One question is ask where your incision will be. Mine was on the edge of the aureola but I've heard of other places. The surgery was pretty straight forward and no problems afterward. I lost a lot of sensation to the nipple but I'm not sure if that was the surgery or the radiation.
Maureen0 -
I had the wire guided
I had the wire guided lumpectomy so that my breast surgeon knew exactly where my tumor was. I had the wire put in first, and, I got numbed for that. I didn't feel anything except the first little prick of the numbing stuff. It looked strange with that wire coming out of my body. lol I don't remember how long the actual lumpectomy surgery was. I didn't have any drains as some do. I pretty much slept once I got home and took pain pills, Vicodin, for a couple of days. I am not sure I needed too, but, I didn't want any pain. ( i am a big baby ) And, if you take Vicodin or any pain pills for longer than a day, be sure and take a laxative as they constipate a lot of us and you don't want that. I just laid around and watched movies. My incision was pretty small, as, my tumor was small. I slept on the opposite side, but, probably could have slept on the side of my lumpectomy. I just wanted to be careful. I started rads about 6 weeks after my surgery when I was healed up.
Take a notebook to write everything down your surgeon tells you and take someone with you to hear it all too. For me, I was still so upset from just plain having bc, that I missed a lot that was told to me by any of my doctors.
That's all I can think of for now. Good luck tomorrow and ask your surgeon anything!
Hugs, Megan0 -
My lumpectomy was much
My lumpectomy was much better then I EXPECTEd...not much pain or discomfort~! The only thing I did not really have much info on with the wire locator. IN hind sight I wish they told me about it-I asked to make me loopy prior and they said THEY COULD NOT. IT was not bad or painful-just not what I was expecting. I AM NOT sure what I expected to be honest but I went in clue-less.
IF they are even doing wire locator with you...maybe not..
I"LL be thinking of you..
Denise0 -
Angle....Megan M said:I had the wire guided
I had the wire guided lumpectomy so that my breast surgeon knew exactly where my tumor was. I had the wire put in first, and, I got numbed for that. I didn't feel anything except the first little prick of the numbing stuff. It looked strange with that wire coming out of my body. lol I don't remember how long the actual lumpectomy surgery was. I didn't have any drains as some do. I pretty much slept once I got home and took pain pills, Vicodin, for a couple of days. I am not sure I needed too, but, I didn't want any pain. ( i am a big baby ) And, if you take Vicodin or any pain pills for longer than a day, be sure and take a laxative as they constipate a lot of us and you don't want that. I just laid around and watched movies. My incision was pretty small, as, my tumor was small. I slept on the opposite side, but, probably could have slept on the side of my lumpectomy. I just wanted to be careful. I started rads about 6 weeks after my surgery when I was healed up.
Take a notebook to write everything down your surgeon tells you and take someone with you to hear it all too. For me, I was still so upset from just plain having bc, that I missed a lot that was told to me by any of my doctors.
That's all I can think of for now. Good luck tomorrow and ask your surgeon anything!
Hugs, Megan
I've had quite a few major surgeries in my life and the lumpectomy was by far the easiest! I, too, had the wire localization first....I was horrified of it and it was easier than the core needle biopsy...they then did a mammo to make sure it was in the correct place...this is so the surgeon can locate the tumor.....I went onto surgery at 1:00...was awake in recovery at 2:30 and home on the couch by 4:15....I did have 4 injections around the nipple of a radioactive dye...they sprayed a numbing spray before each one...this is to light up the lymph nodes...I had 3 removed....I was superglued with both incisions....no sutures to remove...it just wears away...as for pain, yes in the recovery room at first it was a 5 on the 1-10 scale...within minutes they had it a 3 ....and I went to a step down recovery...they removed my IV, let my SIL and husband come back I got dressed and went home....I took my PJ's and wore them ...didn't want to have to change again, once home..make sure whatever you take that it buttons down the front...I took Vicadin the rest of that day and the next....don't let any pain get out of control..mine was more discomfort than pain...the node incision bothered me far more than the lumpectomy incision...it's just a sensitive area...my incision is above my nipple, about 1 1/2 inches long...healed fine...
I had chemo after the lumpectomy, so 2 weeks after chemo I started radiation...I was totally healed....
I wish you the very best...And a speedy recovery..
Hugs, Nancy0 -
Hi Angie!
Everyone has said it well. The one thing I would have liked to know more about was the wire localization. I was numbed locally but I felt it pretty much. I was scared more than have pain. I would recommend getting more info about that. The injection for the lymph nodes was ok - just new to me. My incision is on the chest side of my right nipple - horizontally situated. I had steri-stips on both the breast and in the underarm. The hospital experience post-op was pretty much like others have said. I had surgery in the morning and I went home in the afternoon. I took pain meds through the next day - I felt sore after that. All in all, it was alot easier than other surgeries I have had. I did have to repeat the whole thing a couple of weeks later to extend the margins - there was no wire localization needed for the second time and it went even more smoothly. I guess practice makes perfect. My lymph nodes and margins were clear. I started chemo 3 weeks later than 3 weeks after completion of chemo I started radiation.
I hope we've all helped you some. I wish the best for you and I'll keep you in my prayers.
Hugs!
Karen0 -
Angieksf56 said:Hi Angie!
Everyone has said it well. The one thing I would have liked to know more about was the wire localization. I was numbed locally but I felt it pretty much. I was scared more than have pain. I would recommend getting more info about that. The injection for the lymph nodes was ok - just new to me. My incision is on the chest side of my right nipple - horizontally situated. I had steri-stips on both the breast and in the underarm. The hospital experience post-op was pretty much like others have said. I had surgery in the morning and I went home in the afternoon. I took pain meds through the next day - I felt sore after that. All in all, it was alot easier than other surgeries I have had. I did have to repeat the whole thing a couple of weeks later to extend the margins - there was no wire localization needed for the second time and it went even more smoothly. I guess practice makes perfect. My lymph nodes and margins were clear. I started chemo 3 weeks later than 3 weeks after completion of chemo I started radiation.
I hope we've all helped you some. I wish the best for you and I'll keep you in my prayers.
Hugs!
Karen
Make sure when the time comes to do the exercises, you do them. Make sure you move your shoulder and arm.
Take a baggy very loose button up shirt to wear after surgery. You won't be able to lift your arms to put a t-shirt on. I wore my husbands light weight button up shirts.0 -
Hi Angie,
I am listening in on this advise too since after my 8 chemos (if I don't jump off a bridge first) I have to have a lumpectomy to remove 3 tumors in one breast then radiation. I am having a hard time getting through the chemos...can't imagine anything worse right now.0 -
You'll do great!!
I had that wire put into my breast right before surgery. They make you take two showers with a special soap you get at the pharmacy, the night before and the morning of (if they don't ask!). It's important to kill all bacteria around the breast area and other parts of the body. The surgery for me wasn't bad, but the drugs made me feel too emotional. I got there at 6:30AM and got home around 4PM, but this was because they had to wait until I was fully awake from the anesthesia. There is some uncomfortableness after surgery so you don't have that much flexibility with your arm, and don't worry if breast is swollen. Mine got almost twice its size, but it slowly went down. They make you do some exercises to stretch your arms so you gain back flexibility and movement. You must do those. Don't try too hard, but try doing them everyday. It makes a big difference. In terms of pains, I didn't really have much pain. I had some pinching pains here and there, but it was very tolerable. When the skin starts healing inside, you start getting those more often (pinching pains). And with the radiation, it can take up to a year for the breast to heal, but everyone is different! your recovery may be a lot faster.
I think you will do super great! This surgery was overall an easy one for me.
Prayers for a fast recovery. Blessings!
p.s. avoid carrying heavy things!0 -
lumpectomyLoveBabyJesus said:You'll do great!!
I had that wire put into my breast right before surgery. They make you take two showers with a special soap you get at the pharmacy, the night before and the morning of (if they don't ask!). It's important to kill all bacteria around the breast area and other parts of the body. The surgery for me wasn't bad, but the drugs made me feel too emotional. I got there at 6:30AM and got home around 4PM, but this was because they had to wait until I was fully awake from the anesthesia. There is some uncomfortableness after surgery so you don't have that much flexibility with your arm, and don't worry if breast is swollen. Mine got almost twice its size, but it slowly went down. They make you do some exercises to stretch your arms so you gain back flexibility and movement. You must do those. Don't try too hard, but try doing them everyday. It makes a big difference. In terms of pains, I didn't really have much pain. I had some pinching pains here and there, but it was very tolerable. When the skin starts healing inside, you start getting those more often (pinching pains). And with the radiation, it can take up to a year for the breast to heal, but everyone is different! your recovery may be a lot faster.
I think you will do super great! This surgery was overall an easy one for me.
Prayers for a fast recovery. Blessings!
p.s. avoid carrying heavy things!
My lumpectomy was pretty quick -- took just about 15 min. I had the wire loc, but felt nothing after the numbing shot; I was actually glad that they were locating the exact place to remove the cancer cells. For a few days afterward, I slept wedged on the couch, with pillows behind me, so that I would not roll over on it. Recovery was rapid--I stayed homw a couple of days, then resumed normal activities--grocery, church, etc.
The advice given above was very good. My nurse called a couple of days after the surgery to see how I was doing. She mentioned possible constipation, but I was already drinking prune juice daily to keep everything regular.
I started rads quickly, since I was a teacher & it was in the summer--they wanted to get it started ASAP before school started.
Good luck!0 -
WowTux said:lumpectomy
My lumpectomy was pretty quick -- took just about 15 min. I had the wire loc, but felt nothing after the numbing shot; I was actually glad that they were locating the exact place to remove the cancer cells. For a few days afterward, I slept wedged on the couch, with pillows behind me, so that I would not roll over on it. Recovery was rapid--I stayed homw a couple of days, then resumed normal activities--grocery, church, etc.
The advice given above was very good. My nurse called a couple of days after the surgery to see how I was doing. She mentioned possible constipation, but I was already drinking prune juice daily to keep everything regular.
I started rads quickly, since I was a teacher & it was in the summer--they wanted to get it started ASAP before school started.
Good luck!
I'm reading about "wire location" and shaking my head because I did not have a wire. After reading the posts, I think I'm glad I didn't. It might not have been an option for me because of the size of my tumor (3cm)
Like the other ladies, the procedure went smooth. 8AM surgery, recovery by 10AM and out the door by 1PM. I didn't have any pain really. There was some discomfort when I went to bed at night. I just kept tons of pillows around me. To this day (9 months out) I keep a pillow under my arm when I sleep. I really didn't have problems moving my arm .... maybe because I've been through 3 surgeries to my shoulder and I knew what to do after the lumpectomy. MOVE IT.
Everyone is different. My incision is to the right of my nipple and extends about 2 inches. There is another 2 inch long incision under my arm pit. That's where the lymph nodes were excised. I had stitches that dissolved along with steri strips. You will have a huge amount of gauze under surgical tape. It's like wearing a football shoulder pad. Where an oversized button down shirt. You'll be glad you did. Also pull on pants. It's hard to pull up zippers for about a week.
Good Luck with the surgery. I am sure you will do fine.
xoxo
Mary0 -
one more thingmom2012 said:lumpy ectomy
A little humor in the subject line. I think the lumpectomy was so much easier than any of the other stuff chemo, rad ports
The area of the lumpectomy might be painful--when pressure is placed on that area-- for quite a while--2 years, or more, maybe. When I complained at the onc office, they said that many people have discomfort for up to 3 years. I have 4 cats that are constantly jumping onto my chest. And you can see by my avatar that my cats are BIG!0 -
I think the wire is forMsGebby said:Wow
I'm reading about "wire location" and shaking my head because I did not have a wire. After reading the posts, I think I'm glad I didn't. It might not have been an option for me because of the size of my tumor (3cm)
Like the other ladies, the procedure went smooth. 8AM surgery, recovery by 10AM and out the door by 1PM. I didn't have any pain really. There was some discomfort when I went to bed at night. I just kept tons of pillows around me. To this day (9 months out) I keep a pillow under my arm when I sleep. I really didn't have problems moving my arm .... maybe because I've been through 3 surgeries to my shoulder and I knew what to do after the lumpectomy. MOVE IT.
Everyone is different. My incision is to the right of my nipple and extends about 2 inches. There is another 2 inch long incision under my arm pit. That's where the lymph nodes were excised. I had stitches that dissolved along with steri strips. You will have a huge amount of gauze under surgical tape. It's like wearing a football shoulder pad. Where an oversized button down shirt. You'll be glad you did. Also pull on pants. It's hard to pull up zippers for about a week.
Good Luck with the surgery. I am sure you will do fine.
xoxo
Mary
I think the wire is for small tumors and for tumors that are visible by the eye? I was glad as I wanted my breast surgeon to only get the tumor with the first try and not have to go back in to get clear margins again.0 -
Thank you all so much forTux said:one more thing
The area of the lumpectomy might be painful--when pressure is placed on that area-- for quite a while--2 years, or more, maybe. When I complained at the onc office, they said that many people have discomfort for up to 3 years. I have 4 cats that are constantly jumping onto my chest. And you can see by my avatar that my cats are BIG!
Thank you all so much for the tips, encouraging words, and good wishes. My surgeon did explain the wire insertion. He will be using a radioactive solution for the sentinel node biopsy and only use the dye if he has to.
He didn't mention anything about what to wear, so I'm glad to know a large button front shirt and pull on pants will be just right.
It seems like most all of you have felt like this was one of the easier steps in the whole treatment plan. Love hearing that! Now I'm just hoping there won't be a phone call to go back for a repeat after they get the final pathology report.
Thanks!!
Angie0 -
Don't be surprised if yourAngieD said:Thank you all so much for
Thank you all so much for the tips, encouraging words, and good wishes. My surgeon did explain the wire insertion. He will be using a radioactive solution for the sentinel node biopsy and only use the dye if he has to.
He didn't mention anything about what to wear, so I'm glad to know a large button front shirt and pull on pants will be just right.
It seems like most all of you have felt like this was one of the easier steps in the whole treatment plan. Love hearing that! Now I'm just hoping there won't be a phone call to go back for a repeat after they get the final pathology report.
Thanks!!
Angie
Don't be surprised if your breast turns blue from the dye ... mine did for a few days .... I called a friend who had something similar ... her dr called it the "Smurf" stage! Also they gave me a tight tube top thing with Velcro to wear for a few days after surgery to prevent swelling under the arm ...... I bought some extra large bras with front close and wore those for up to a month afterwards .... yes, the advice others have mentioned about button front shirts is great ........ I wore the same three or four for about 3 to 4 weeks ...hope all goes well! MY only pain was the wire but glad they did it ..... Take the pain meds at home the first few days and stock up on movies! Sue D Really was not that bad!0 -
I had 2 sites positive and
I had 2 sites positive and one that wasn't tested, opted for the masectomy with 2 positive sites which was best for me since after surgery the breast was fully involved with the milk ducts as dcis. But it pretty much showed in the mammogram that it was fully involved. If just in one site then lumpectomy is great.0 -
Good luck tomorrow Angie. IAngieD said:Thank you all so much for
Thank you all so much for the tips, encouraging words, and good wishes. My surgeon did explain the wire insertion. He will be using a radioactive solution for the sentinel node biopsy and only use the dye if he has to.
He didn't mention anything about what to wear, so I'm glad to know a large button front shirt and pull on pants will be just right.
It seems like most all of you have felt like this was one of the easier steps in the whole treatment plan. Love hearing that! Now I'm just hoping there won't be a phone call to go back for a repeat after they get the final pathology report.
Thanks!!
Angie
Good luck tomorrow Angie. I am going to get the pink bus ready for you!
Hugs, Leeza0
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