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Post surgery (lumpectomy) - what to look out for?

Posted by whyme2023 @whyme2023, Jun 6, 2023

I had my lumpectomy yesterday. I slept really well and woke up feeling great. Luckily only a little pain at the surgery site. Haven’t had to use any pain meds. Super thankful for that 🙏

Outside of watching the incision site and swelling of my arm, are there other things to pay attention to?

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crteelect | @crteelect | Jun 7, 2023

I had my lumpectomy in December. I used the binder 24-7 until my post op with my surgeon. I felt really good following surgery. I needed to remind myself, and be reminded, to not take off like rocket (read attempt to do everything I did before surgery). Your body is healing from major surgery. Take time to rest and recuperate. What is the rest of your treatment plan? Praying for speedy and complete recovery.

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1 reply
whyme2023 | @whyme2023 | Jun 11, 2023
In reply to @crteelect "I had my lumpectomy in December. I used the binder 24-7 until my post op with..." + (show)
@crteelect

I had my lumpectomy in December. I used the binder 24-7 until my post op with my surgeon. I felt really good following surgery. I needed to remind myself, and be reminded, to not take off like rocket (read attempt to do everything I did before surgery). Your body is healing from major surgery. Take time to rest and recuperate. What is the rest of your treatment plan? Praying for speedy and complete recovery.

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I wanted to give a quick update. I'm recovering well - still no pain and I feel really good.

I got the pathology report back and the doctor called to discuss it with me. The removal of the cancer was a larger mass than expected. She’s wondering why the MRI didn’t pick up the larger size of the DCIS. There were 4 lymph nodes removed that tested negative for cancer 🙏

The surgeon was unable to get clear margins, so I'll need another surgery for that ☹️ I'll have more news in a few weeks and in the meantime I will be referred to the oncologist.

Outside of this news, I'm fine, just hating that a 2nd surgery is needed.

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 13, 2023
In reply to @whyme2023 "I wanted to give a quick update. I'm recovering well - still no pain and I..." + (show)
@whyme2023

I wanted to give a quick update. I'm recovering well - still no pain and I feel really good.

I got the pathology report back and the doctor called to discuss it with me. The removal of the cancer was a larger mass than expected. She’s wondering why the MRI didn’t pick up the larger size of the DCIS. There were 4 lymph nodes removed that tested negative for cancer 🙏

The surgeon was unable to get clear margins, so I'll need another surgery for that ☹️ I'll have more news in a few weeks and in the meantime I will be referred to the oncologist.

Outside of this news, I'm fine, just hating that a 2nd surgery is needed.

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Oh @whyme2023, I'm sorry to hear that you have to have another surgery. Somehow that hits harder than the first doesn't it? But you know that your surgeon wants to make sure they get it all.

When will you have the second surgery? Do you have instructions on post surgery exercises?

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1 reply
whyme2023 | @whyme2023 | Jun 14, 2023
In reply to @colleenyoung "Oh @whyme2023, I'm sorry to hear that you have to have another surgery. Somehow that hits..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Oh @whyme2023, I'm sorry to hear that you have to have another surgery. Somehow that hits harder than the first doesn't it? But you know that your surgeon wants to make sure they get it all.

When will you have the second surgery? Do you have instructions on post surgery exercises?

Jump to this post

Yes @colleenyoung its hard to know I’ve got to do another surgery. I have no date yet but go for post op on 6/19 and I guess I’ll find out then. I meet the oncologist 6/28.
The exercises aren’t supposed to start until a month after surgery. First appointment is 7/5 with the occupational therapist.
Thanks for checking in. I’ll post another update next week.

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