How To Decide Next Steps After Lumpectomy.

Posted by ngguil4d @ngguil4d, Jul 26, 2021

I am 66 years old and I had a lumpectomy and oncoplastic breast reduction on June 23 after being diagnosed with IDC IA, pT1a, pN0(sn), grade 1, ER+, PR+, HER 2- breast cancer in my right breast. My breast surgeon removed 100 grams of tissue down to the chest wall from my right breast along with one sentinel lymph node. The plastic surgeon removed another 100 grams of tissue from my right breast along with skin, Then 200 grams of tissue along with skin from my left breast. The pathology on all tissue and skin from both breasts along with the sentinel lymph node came back negative.

I have seen a radiation oncologist and she did not push radiation therapy. My husband and I both felt that she thought endocrine therapy would be better. Then she told me that if I decided to do radiation she would recommend 3 weeks/5days a week of full breast radiation.

I have my appointment with a medical oncologist this Thursday and I have been trying to do some research but the more I read the more confused I get. How does one figure out what is best?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

I'm working on my feet with supplements. I already take gabapentin. I think the feet are improving.

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I take gabapentin as well. But they still hum and burn. Peppermint essential oil, in an Argan oil lotion cools enough for rest. What supplements are you taking? How long have you been taking them?

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@auntieoakley

I take gabapentin as well. But they still hum and burn. Peppermint essential oil, in an Argan oil lotion cools enough for rest. What supplements are you taking? How long have you been taking them?

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I started Vit D3 and K2 not long ago. That was recommended by my chemo nurse. Before that I started Alpha Lipoic acid at the suggestion of my radiologist. I also tried L-carnitine but it made me vomit.

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@raebaby

I'm working on my feet with supplements. I already take gabapentin. I think the feet are improving.

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@raebaby. I’m happy you are doing well. I would be interested in the supplements you are taking for your neuropathy. My husband has trouble with his feet. Thanks & again so happy you are doing well. Keep On Keeping On.

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@sequoia

@raebaby. I’m happy you are doing well. I would be interested in the supplements you are taking for your neuropathy. My husband has trouble with his feet. Thanks & again so happy you are doing well. Keep On Keeping On.

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I also use a TENS that I bought on Amazon. It is a little portable devise the size of a small cell phone that electronically delivers little shocks to the area you want to stimulate. I think it helps. It sells for around $60. There are cheaper ones but I tried another and it quit working right away.

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@auntieoakley

Time will heal the burns, the skin may kind of thicken but that doesn’t always happen either. Your energy levels will come back in time. Do you have the luxury of being able to take it easy for now?

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Yes - I am semi-retired and work from home. I managed to keep walking 3 miles every morning through it all.

Just noticed yesterday afternoon that I have developed some cords that run down from my breast to my abdomen. I am guessing they are Mondor's cords. I thought they usually develop sooner after surgery - it has been three months since mine. They are a bit sensitive. I don't go back to my plastic surgeon until the end of October but will contact his office tomorrow to let them know. It is amazing how everyone's journey can be so similar yet so different.

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@raebaby

I also use a TENS that I bought on Amazon. It is a little portable devise the size of a small cell phone that electronically delivers little shocks to the area you want to stimulate. I think it helps. It sells for around $60. There are cheaper ones but I tried another and it quit working right away.

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I slipped on ice in January 2016. Ruptured my patellar tendon and broke my knee cap into multiple pieces. The TENS device really helped me get complete range of motion back in my knee. I use it sometimes on my hip when my bursitis acts up. I hope it continues to help your feet!

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@raebaby

I also use a TENS that I bought on Amazon. It is a little portable devise the size of a small cell phone that electronically delivers little shocks to the area you want to stimulate. I think it helps. It sells for around $60. There are cheaper ones but I tried another and it quit working right away.

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Thank you. I have a TENS unit. I used several years ago for my back. Actually I had forgotten about. I’ll have to pull it out.
I would be interested in the supplements too. I take Turmeric morning & night. It helps hip & back.

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I believe we all have more in common that our differences. I am grateful for connect for giving us a positive place to come together. Thank you all, for the stories and tips you give each other and myself. I am just really happy you are here. 😘

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I find this group really helpful! It's so nice to have others say, "A TENS unit helped me too." On some sites people would just say, "ah, i don't need to give that a try." When my feet feel really numb I put a TENS pad under my toes and one under the arch, I've found that works best to calm them down.

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