Recovery after lumpectomy

[#1Disfann]

Hi all. I hope this is the right place to post. I'm looking for some reassurance for a friend. There is a group of us girls going to Las Vegas in June. One of the girls just found out she needs to have a lumpectomy 6 days before we are supposed to fly out . Her doctor has told her there should be no reason why she still could not go but she is feeling down about it. She had a mastectomy with reconstruction 4 years agon so of course she is concerned. Her doctor said he thinks its just "needed cleanup" that may have been missed (her layman terms) and said to get a good sports bra and go have a good time in Vegas. I just wondered if anyone here could tell me how they felt afterwards. Also, since thankfully no one I know (other than her) has been affected by breast cancer, is this an outpatient thing or are you hospitalized? Thanks for any info.

 

[Christine]

Well, I have not had breast cancer, but over the past 2 years, I have had two excisional biopsies that were pretty darn close to what I would call a lumpectomy.

Now, I know everyone is different but I know that *I* would not have done well on a trip. I wasn't in any real pain, but I just did not feel that well after the surgery. I found it all very stressful and I was "itching" from the bandaging and I was just uncomfortable.

But I know people who have done very well. So, it really all depends on her and she feels.

 

[SillyMe]

Hi all. I hope this is the right place to post. I'm looking for some reassurance for a friend. There is a group of us girls going to Las Vegas in June. One of the girls just found out she needs to have a lumpectomy 6 days before we are supposed to fly out . Her doctor has told her there should be no reason why she still could not go but she is feeling down about it. She had a mastectomy with reconstruction 4 years agon so of course she is concerned. Her doctor said he thinks its just "needed cleanup" that may have been missed (her layman terms) and said to get a good sports bra and go have a good time in Vegas. I just wondered if anyone here could tell me how they felt afterwards. Also, since thankfully no one I know (other than her) has been affected by breast cancer, is this an outpatient thing or are you hospitalized? Thanks for any info.

My mom had a lumpectomy and it was an outpatient procedure. She recovered pretty quickly. Prayers and best wishes for your friend.

 

[#1Disfann]

She is really looking forward to this trip so I know she will try to make the best of it. We do an annual girl trip which she has not been on for the past 2 years as she was in Germany with her DH and 2 sons. Her DH works for Chrysler and they were there for his job. She will know all of the details June 1st which is when she goes in front of the tumor board and the lumpectomy is set for June 13th and we fly out on the 19th. Please keep her in your prayers and we are all hoping she will still be able to join us! I mean its no trip to Disney , but Vegas with the girls is not all bad either!

 

[padisneyfan]

I had a lumpectomy 4 years ago for breast cancer and was back to work on day 6. The first couple of days was tired more from the anesthesia effect and only took Tylenol for pain. So I would say go for it. Another option may be to wait until after the trip to have the surgery. I waited 2 weeks after my diagnosis with my surgeons blessings to go on my Disney cruise before having the surgery.

Prayers and Pixie dust to your friend.

Nancy

 

[Amy]

I had a lumpectomy back in March 2002, and the first couple of days were the worst. I think a lot depends on location of the tumor and how deep it is, and whether or not they'll remove some lymph nodes. My surgery was on either a Wednesday or Thursday, I stayed overnight in the hospital, went home with a drain inserted (this was the worst part) and the dr. removed the drain on Monday. I was back at work Wednesday, a week after the procedure.

As with all medical procedures, everybody's different. If your friend's dr. thinks she'll be ok to go to Vegas, then he should know what's best for her.

Have a great trip!

 

[Amy]

Hi there padisneyfan! Looks like we're both from PA and both 4 years out from breast cancer! Have you been posting/reading the breast cancer thread here on the DIS? I pop in occasionally.

Take care, and stay healthy!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

she is feeling down about it. She had a mastectomy with reconstruction 4 years agon so of course she is concerned. Her doctor said he thinks its just "needed cleanup" that may have been missed

I have had a lumpectomy and was up and about the next day.

However, what we are talking about here is a cancer recurrence as I read it, and it's the psychological part which is way more difficult to deal with than the physical part. She beat it once and had to have her breast removed. In a perfect world, that should have been the end of it. Now the cancer is back, and she is once again facing surgery for cancer. And being told something was "missed" to boot. Not good. No doubt she is very worried for her future, particularly being a Mom of 2 children.

Perhaps the reason she is hesitating to go is that she feels she cannot be open about her worries and fears with your group. Not to be harsh, but it seems like you're more worried about the trip than you are being supportive to her. Being in this situation is like living a nightmare. It is hard for others to understand what that really means. If she decides not to go, please accept it as what she needs to do right now.

 

[padisneyfan]

Hi there padisneyfan! Looks like we're both from PA and both 4 years out from breast cancer! Have you been posting/reading the breast cancer thread here on the DIS? I pop in occasionally.

Take care, and stay healthy!

Hi Amy. I have spent the past 4 years driving back and forth from your area as my DS#2 went to California U of Pa. I hope I made my last trip that way for awhile as he graduated 5/13.

I seldom read breast cancer thread. Once all my TV shows are finished for this season, I will not be on the community board very much.

Take care and enjoy life.

Nancy

 

[#1Disfann]

Perhaps the reason she is hesitating to go is that she feels she cannot be open about her worries and fears with your group. Not to be harsh, but it seems like you're more worried about the trip than you are being supportive to her. Being in this situation is like living a nightmare. It is hard for others to understand what that really means. If she decides not to go, please accept it as what she needs to do right now.

Trust me, that is not the case. Some of us, myself included, went thru this with her during her original diagnosis and treatment and she is well aware that we are all there for her and her family, as we were before. And no, I'm not worried about the trip at all....there are many of us going and we hope she will feel up to going because we know how badly she wants to go....but we will be going (with her wishes) regardless. I know you did not mean to be harsh, but you are making assumptions about personal relationships that you haven't a clue about . My original post was in regards to how one would feel physically after the lumpectomy to give her some idea how she may really feel based on others experiences. Of course the choice to go or not go is hers and none of us would ever think to question her decision and afterall , there are other trips to be had.

 

[Jpgirl]

I think everyone is different in their recovery. I think she should judge herself by how quickly or slowly she recovered from the masectomy. I know from my excisional biopsy I was ready to go that afternoon, and I was up and walking the halls as soon as the spinal wore off from both of my c-sections-but I have a high tolerance to pain. Now about that sports bra. The doc is so right about that. When I had the biopsy I put it on and left it on-I'm very large breasted and I was afraid of the weight of my breast tearing the stitches. The best bra by far in my opinion is the JogBra. You can't buy them at the stores and I know of only one place that you can order them here in the states. PM me if you want the place. I wish your friend the best

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Wow. Reading this has me scared.

In about six weeks, I'll probably have to have a lumpectomy. I still have my fingers crossed that it'll be another cyst, but it's not looking good.

I thought it was a shorter recovery time. I can't afford to miss that much work, and the company that I work for has been known to fire people for less.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

you are making assumptions about personal relationships that you haven't a clue about

I said "perhaps" so as to give you some food for thought about it. I have been in the place of only "thinking" I had a recurrence and I was completely devastated. Having done support work with many BC survivors, it's a common feeling we have that we need to be "strong" for others when we're really falling apart inside. Just trying to point out the possibility that this could be the case with your friend. I really hope she is the type of person that can go on the trip and have a good time.

BTW, is her lumpectomy on the same side as the previous mastectomy, or is it on the other breast? This could make a difference in her physical recovery as well.

 

[Christine]

Wow. Reading this has me scared.

In about six weeks, I'll probably have to have a lumpectomy. I still have my fingers crossed that it'll be another cyst, but it's not looking good.

I thought it was a shorter recovery time. I can't afford to miss that much work, and the company that I work for has been known to fire people for less.

You will probably be fine. Mine were very deep. I was not in much pain (breast-wise). I just didn't feel well after the surgery for about a week. Part of that was emotional as I was terrified I had breast cancer and I had to wait about 8 days for the biopsy results. I think it all just took it's toll on me. I had the surgery the day before Thanksgiving and returned to work the following Monday. No way would I have been going to Las Vegas though. Again, that was more emotional that physical. I just didn't handle it well.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

You will probably be fine. Mine were very deep. I was not in much pain (breast-wise). I just didn't feel well after the surgery for about a week. Part of that was emotional as I was terrified I had breast cancer and I had to wait about 8 days for the biopsy results. I think it all just took it's toll on me. I had the surgery the day before Thanksgiving and returned to work the following Monday. No way would I have been going to Las Vegas though. Again, that was more emotional that physical. I just didn't handle it well.

I believe I have a pretty high pain tolerance, having had two children by natural childbirth. BUT - I've never had surgery before, so I have no idea what general anethesia is like. That alone, scares me.

My mom had a lumpectomy in the exact same spot and her lump was suspicious for the exact same reasons. Everything my mom has, I end up getting. It's the strangest thing.

This lump, is right next to my 2" cyst. The cyst is bothering me. It's "pinging" me with pain right now. I'm wondering if I should have it drained at the same time as the (possible) lumpectomy? When I was on my period, that whole side of me was so tender.

 

[snappy]

I agree with Christine, waiting for results is very "painful." No lumpectomy here but it is the psychological effects of going through a breast cancer diagnosis is hardest. From the conversations I have had on the subject, a recurrence is even more devastating. I am wondering if your friend has undergone tests to determine if this is so far a local recurrence (breast only).
It also matters greatly if her cancer for both diagnoses was DCIS (non-invasive) or invasive cancer. Even if it is "just" cleanup of DCIS, knowing cancer is still growing in you is very traumatic. She will most likely be facing radiation afterwards.

For me anticipating trips is very healing. That said, my post treatment trips were quite a bit after I felt better physically and psychologically.

I think if your friend does want to go on the trip she should ask her doctor. He may be more than willing to reschedule it afterwards or give her the go ahead to make the trip 6 days post surgery. He really should be in the equation big time, IMHO.

 

[#1Disfann]

her ears must have been burning.

Pea-N-me, it is on the same side as before. I told her how my posts were going and she was amused and we actually got a much needed laugh so thanks for that. She spoke again with the doctor and is feeling much better today and is totally assuring herself that she is NOT missing the trip. I hope all goes well for her and that she can join us...because if I can be a bit selfish( ) I will say that I will miss her greatly if she can't make it. Thanks much for everyones replies, prayers and pixie dust!

 

[#1Disfann]

I think if your friend does want to go on the trip she should ask her doctor. He may be more than willing to reschedule it afterwards or give her the go ahead to make the trip 6 days post surgery. He really should be in the equation big time, IMHO.

At this point her doctor has told her that she should be able to go...he told her to buy a good sports bra and go have a great time. Of course anything can change so we will wait and see. She has a MRI tomorrow and a petscan on Friday and then goes before the tumor board on June 1st. She really is looking forward to the trip so I hope she's up to it...for her sake!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

it is on the same side as before.

This will in all likelihood make it a more difficult surgery than a standard lumpectomy, because most or all of the breast tissue has already been removed. That would make the tumor very near or even part of the muscle and they would still need to get clean margins, hence a deeper cut, pain issues, and/or drains that would need to be dealt with (probably not too pleasant while on vacation).

There is one poster on the BC Survivor's thread that I know of who has had surgery for recurrence after mastectomy. She reported difficulties with healing of deep wounds post surgery. If you would like her name I'd be happy to give it to you if you or your friend want to PM her with questions.

Hope this is helpful. Having all these tests (where they are checking for distant metastasis) and going in front of a board to decide on the best course of treatment from here (which may be more complicated than the first time around), has to be difficult. I just don't think it is possible to separate the physical part of treatment from the emotional. They go together hand in hand, though admittedly some people find it a bit easier to cope than others do. Best of luck to her, she'll be in my prayers.