Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation | Breast Cancer

Left lumpectomy and axillary node dissection followed by
radiation therapy
Age 38 at diagnosis (1994)
Age 41 in photo (1997)

I had an excisional biopsy of my left breast followed by a lumpectomy and axillary lymph node dissection. I then had chemotherapy (Cytoxan and Adriamycin), radiation, and Tamoxifen.

I chose a lumpectomy because I was a good candidate for this type of surgery and because survival rates are the same for lumpectomy and mastectomy. After surgery I felt fine about my body and breasts. My feelings have not changed since my surgery.

When they first tell you that you have cancer your first reaction might be, "I'm gonna die." That's a normal first reaction. It takes several weeks--or months--to muster up the positive attitude you'll read so much about. Don't be so hard on yourself if you don't have a positive attitude right away...it takes time.

Get copies of all your reports and tests from your radiologist, surgeon, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, and the hospital. If you don't understand something ask your doctor to explain. Consider having a second pathologist look at your slides to get his opinion. Your treatment is based on the pathologist's findings.

If you have a lumpectomy with lymph node dissection the nurse will probably tell you that you can take your bandages off that night before going to bed. Please do so. You won't look as bad as you imagine, and you'll feel better with all that tape and gauze off. (I had a wad of gauze the size of a baseball taped under my armpit.)

Consider having your hair "buzzed off" (Susan Powter style) the day it starts to fall out. It is stylish, and it will look nice until all your hair falls out. And you won't have the hassle of cleaning all that hair up all over the house, and you won't experience the trauma of watching your hair fall out day after day.

Before you spend several hundred dollars on a wig, make sure you are a "wig person." I spent $310 on two wigs and I never wore them once, and I did not get reimbursed by my insurance company for them. I wore baseball caps, turbans and scarves.

Your hair should start to grow in about six weeks after your last treatment. Nine weeks after my last treatment I had enough hair to justify a professional dye job. Even if you have only a little grey (or blonde) hair, having it colored will make it look like you have a LOT more hair.

If you get the anti-nausea drug Zofran administered prior to your chemo be aware that Zofran causes blurred or double vision. And, if you're like me, seeing double will make you nauseous. So you might want to keep your eyes shut during treatment--until the blurred vision passes--so you don't see double and get sick.

The chemo drug Adriamycin may cause severe nausea, but not necessarily so. Don't expect to get sick. I was nauseous for two days, beginning two days after my treatment, but I never threw up.

The anti-nausea drug Tigan works better than Compazine.

Odors really bothered me for about three days after chemo. Food, perfume, a musty house, etc., made me nauseous. Make the family take the microwave out on the porch or to the garage to re-heat food, thus avoiding food odors.

During radiation, instead of wearing a regular bra, buy one of those little tops the girls wear to work out in. They are soft, knit material and have no clasps, wires, or hooks. They are really comfortable. I got mine in the workout wear department at Wal-Mart.

I can't think of anything to say that will prepare you for a "hot flash." They are wild and wickedly hot beyond belief. All I can say is, mine only lasted for two months.

Continue doing your breast self exams, and encourage others to do so. Take your vitamins. Say your prayers. Attend a support group.

Deborah: Left lumpectomy and axillary node dissection followed by radiation therapy