Ask a Patch Panel: Breast Cancer

Derrick Williams (Editor) October 18, 2012 at 01:09 pm

I'm not one to generally kick off these discussions, but Linda, how did you first discover you had cancer, and what was the moment like for you?

Linda Swanson October 18, 2012 at 01:23 pm

As crazy as it sounds, I discovered the lump myself as a spot that was just a little sensitive. I had no idea what I had found. I had always had my annual check ups, so I was totally surprised. When someone uses the "C" word and your name in the same sentence, your whole world changes.

Barbara Gentling October 18, 2012 at 05:39 pm

Would you always recommend a second opinion on "treatment options"? Or are care protocols similar everywhere? Also, is the DNA test on the tumor origin being done at only certain clinics/hospital or mostly every clinic? Thank you. I'll await your response.

Linda Swanson October 18, 2012 at 06:08 pm

I discovered a lump because it was slightly sensitive. Needless to say, it took me totally by surprise. I had annual check ups and mamograms as suggested. I cannot stress the importance of self exam in addition to other monitoring.

Shawn Hogendorf (Editor) October 18, 2012 at 07:52 pm

What can a patient expect from a care counseling appointment? And also, are there good resources available for friends and family to talk to little children about what their mother, grandmother, aunt or family friend is experiencing?

Clare Kennedy (Editor) October 18, 2012 at 08:28 pm

This one if for Jan. What are some considerations when fitting prosthetics to the body (and what actually happens to the body after a mastectomy)?

Patti Rhode October 19, 2012 at 01:54 am

This is for Linda. Linda did you do a nutrition study at the U for Breast Cancer surviors. If yes, this is Patti from the class. And I was wondering how you are doing. The nutrition study was wonderful for me it really helped. I have lost 140 pounds over the past two years. An have been feeling good.
Maybe someone would like to let people know about overweight issues in regards to breast cancer and reaccurance of the cancer.

Patti Rhode October 19, 2012 at 02:06 am

Please discuss reconstructive surgery options.

Ashley Umbreit October 19, 2012 at 10:36 am

If people are questioning a second opinion, I tell them to know what they are going there for (presonality conflict, looking for different answers than what you are getting). Some people get second opinions and others dont. As long as you are comfortable with what is happening, I dont think there is a NEED for a second opinion. Surgeons and oncologists go by a set of standards that have proven to be the best at the time. I think there are slight variations in how one presents the information but overall, it is very similar.

Ashley Umbreit October 19, 2012 at 10:43 am

My initial care consult with a newly diagnosed person and their family consists of quite a bit of education. I give them all the information on surgery options (which is usually but not always the first treatment choice for patients), also start the conversation about radiation, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy, all which may or may not be needed. I answer many questions that families have. This is a time to help people through that initial shock factor and start the process of "where do I need to go next to start getting rid of this cancer." I am a go to person throughout the course of their treatment.

Ashley Umbreit October 19, 2012 at 11:16 am

I am not an expert in this area but I do know what options there are. Plastic surgeons do not always recommend all three to every patient. It all depends on what other types of surgery a person may have had in the past that would hinder blood supply for some of the options.
1. Belly fat that would be moved from the abdomen up to your breast. This is a very extensive surgery lasting many hours. It is the longest post-op recovery time as well, at 10 weeks. Some people have to retrain their abdominal muscles for instance to sit up again. 2. Back fat and muscle moved forward to your breast. This is a bit shorter surgery and post-op recovery time, at about 8 weeks. 3. Tissue Expander breast implants. This consists of a surgery either at the time of the mastectomy or at a later date. This is personal preference. Most people like to do it at the same time as the mastectomy since they are already in surgery. This consists of a plastic surgeon putting a temporary expander in place at the time of the mastectomy. This goes under the chest wall muscle. You would go into the plastic surgeon office every week and have fluid added to these until you have the size you want. After you get the size you want, you then have to wait 2-3 months before you have a final surgery. At this time you get the final saline or silicone implant placed.

Jan Beeson October 19, 2012 at 02:32 pm

Hi Clare. One of the main considerations is the length of time post-surgery. Women must be completely healed to have a bra and prosthetic fitted. It is important to be at least 6 weeks post-surgery. At Lily, we work with women when all incisions are healed and the drain tubes have been removed. We measure for the bra and the prosthetic, allowing for post-surgical swelling. We fit the bra and prosthetic at the first appointment and make sure the fit is perfect when the client picks up her items. It is very important to have a certified and trained prosthetic fitter work with you. Proper fit is important in order to avoid neck, shoulder and muscle issues later on. I will defer to Ashley on what happens to the body after a mastectom as I see the healed patients.

Ashley Umbreit October 19, 2012 at 08:34 pm

With a mastectomy, the post-op period of time is about 4 weeks. By 2 weeks you will feel better and the area is pretty well healed. Sometimes by this time the steri-strips are starting to come off and you are able to actually see the incision. At 4 weeks I feel like patients are feeling more comfortable with the entire idea and are very well healed. We tell people to wait until 6 weeks to get fitted for a prosthetic.

Sue Baldwin October 21, 2012 at 10:44 am

I have had an appointment with Ashley for a post-surgery issue related to cancer and surgery and I found her very approchable and willing to help in any way she could. I think we are lucky to have her at SMG here in Stillwater and my suggestion about appointments related to cancer --take a friend or family member as a second set of ears. The information can be overwhelming, and having someone else hear the same thing that you are, can be a benefit.

eyemhear October 21, 2012 at 03:53 pm

You should view the documentary movie, "Pink Ribbons" about the massive exploitation of breast cancer by the corporations and other institutions. And, let's face it: there is a whole cancer industry.

Patti Rhode October 23, 2012 at 12:11 am

I wish Ashley would have been there when I went through treatment. I think it would have helped a lot. There where certain things I didn't know about for example lymphodema. Lymphodema is not explained much prior to treatment
But I would differ from Ashley on the second opinion. I had a second opinion and the doctor I went to see couldn't believe that lake view was not certain i had breast cancer from my mammogram. And had to have a MRI, car scan and lumpectomy to be certain. The doctor I saw fort second opionoin could spot the cancer right away on my mammogram Also there are some differences in testing and treatment options. Some surgeons believe in surgery first and then chemotherapy and radiation. Some surgeons believe on chemotherapy first, then surgery followed be radiation. It is best to check your options and then decide what is best for you personally. Pleas forgive the typing doing this on my phone.