I have breast cancer

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ZondaR

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I am getting a lumpectomy on Wednesday. It is a day procedure. Then I will have weeks of radiotherapy. I'm not too worried about it as the cancer has been caught at the early stages. Has anyone been through this procedure?

What I would like to know is how will all this affect my riding? How long will the pain and discomfort from the lumpectomy last, a few days or a week? Some nodes from under my arm will be taken out too, how long can I expect movement of my arm to be effected? I'm told the radiotherapy can make me very fatigued, will I have the energy for riding? Should I forget about riding altogether for a few weeks or a month?

Thanks all.
 
I don't have any info on the procedure, but just wanted to give some love *big hug*

My dad has alternate courses of radiotherapy and chemotherapy and he's usually tired for a few days after each but perks up quickly after that- just has to be careful not to over do it otherwise he's in bed for days

Ax
 
Sorry to hear your news but also pleased it has been caught so early.

Can't help with your questions but perhaps play it by ear? If you have the energy for riding etc then go for it otherwise your horse will probably enjoy a holiday until you are able to ride again.


Good luck
 
I've no personal experience but treated many people with it- and the answer is 'it depends' if it's a simple lumpectomy you won't be out of action long but I'm afraid the radiotherapyknocks the stuffing out of most people a lot more than the surgery ... Good luck with everything I'll keep my toes crossed for you
 
Thanks for the good wishes. Honestly, I'd be more upset if I had a broken leg because I would not be able to ride for months. I'm hoping I won't be out of the saddle for too long.
 
Good luck for Wednesday. Why not take each day as it comes? We all heal at different rates and our response to radiotherapy etc can vary. I've been fortunate not to have been affected by breast cancer but have several friends who have come through treatment and each have had different experiences. Take this time for yourself, listen to your body, rest when you need to and don't put pressure on yourself. you'll know when you are ready to ride better than anyone.
 
Well, I should like to say that my Mum went through exactly what you have described. She recovered very well and went on driving me barmy until she was well into her eighties!! (bless her), We lost her to a completely unrelated illness.

Going along with what others have described to me, I think you can expect to get very tired - I hope you'll be able to ride - its really good for your head at stressful times. I wish you the very best, please let us know how you're getting on!
 
I'm afraid I can't offer you any advice as I have no experience but really just want to wish you the best of luck. Admire your very matter of fact attitude as though it is one of life's small inconveniences. Good luck with the surgery and radiotherapy and I look forward to reading a thread from you saying it's all in the past xx
 
Firstly, all the best with your treatment. I know several people who have gone through it and all are now fine.

I had a sarcoma taken off my guts 5 years ago. Luckily just needed a big op and no further treatment. My lump was big but not very malignant but even so it took me and oh through the wringer emotionally. Just be aware it can mess with your head and have good friends on call if you need to talk. Helped me loads
 
ZondaR said:
I am getting a lumpectomy on Wednesday. It is a day procedure. Then I will have weeks of radiotherapy. I'm not too worried about it as the cancer has been caught at the early stages. Has anyone been through this procedure?

What I would like to know is how will all this affect my riding? How long will the pain and discomfort from the lumpectomy last, a few days or a week? Some nodes from under my arm will be taken out too, how long can I expect movement of my arm to be effected? I'm told the radiotherapy can make me very fatigued, will I have the energy for riding? Should I forget about riding altogether for a few weeks or a month?

Thanks all.
Click to expand...

Hello ZondaR

One year ago this week I was in surgery having a lumpectomy. I was diagnosed on 27th Feb and my world fell apart. Are you having chemotherapy before or after the radiation ?
 
Hi, sorry to hear your news. I had WLE (twice)! last summer and also had lymph nodes removed. Everything was very sore and I stopped riding for the summer. When I got back on I started in walk and gradually built up speed and duration. Mounting from the ground was difficult as arm was sore and numb at the same time. 8 months on almost pain free. Not sure if people who don't lug bales of shavings round heal any faster. Good luck.
 
I want to add my good wishes for next week.

I have no personal experience, but I think a lady who posts in Competition Riders may have had same as you and she got back to competing - can't remember her name right now but others might know.
 
i had a lumpectomy this time last year , i found it wasn't as bad as i'd thought it was going to be
i was operated on about 11am and was home for about 3 , i was sore for a few days although i found the painkillers made me feel strange so after the first day i did without them
i felt fine sitting about the house although very board , a friend took me out two or three days later and i had to tell her to take me home after 3 hours standing about because i got very sore being on my feet that long

so expect to take it easy for at least 3 days feet up etc
i was back to work (hairdressing) after a week and back on the horse after 10 days ,mucking out after 4 days but getting someone else to carry water buckets,
so as long as your careful you'll not miss to much horse time with the lumpectomy
but i was incredibly lucky and didn't need radiotherapy as my tumor was benign so i can't advice about that but i would imagine it will knock the stuffing out of you as someone else has already said

good luck i hope everything goes smoothly for you
 
AdorableAlice said:
Hello ZondaR

One year ago this week I was in surgery having a lumpectomy. I was diagnosed on 27th Feb and my world fell apart. Are you having chemotherapy before or after the radiation ?
Click to expand...

The surgeon is hoping that there will be no chemo. Nothing before and only radiotherapy and hormone treatment after.
 
First of all Bless You - you are facing so many unknowns and that must be so daunting. Cancer and the treatment affects people in so many different ways - people here will have great anecdotal advice for you, but you should certainly talk to your oncologist/surgeon/occupational and physical therapists to find out what's contraindicated, etc. in terms of riding - but if being on the yard and with your horse(s) makes you feel good in yourself - go for it.

Thinking of you x

P
 
Just want to wish you the best of luck ,and a speedy recovery. People react differently to radiotherapy . Keep positive. If you feel like riding ride if not have a rest . Be kind to yourself .Keep us updated .XX
 
Hi ZondaR,
My mum has just had a clear mammogram yesterday following the same procedure last year.
She was sore for about a week after the surgery, but found the radiotherapy had more of an impact. It took until about a month after stopping it before she could get through the day without needing a nap.
If you can, I'd make sure you have someone to help you until at least a week after finishing radiation. That way you can do the enjoyable bits of horse ownership without ever feeling you have to push yourself too hard.
All the best for the treatment- and if you must go looking it up online (which is generally a horrible idea!) please remember that you're getting the least possible treatment, which means you're the earliest stage with the best prognosis- most of the scary statistics are miles off what yours is. Xxx
 
I hope all goes well and wish you a very speedy recovery, as for riding I guess your body is the best judge of when you will be ready, if you feel ok then as someone else has said it does us good to spend time with them, they're great for the soul and help to keep us sane. Take care xx
 
i am so sorry to hear this. three friends were diagnosed together for me, luckily all are in remission now. i really hope everything proves minor and treatable for you.
 
My mum had Breast cancer twenty five years ago she still going strong now at 79 .
In her case to it was caught early and she had the same treatment as you .
Good luck she worked through out her treatment .
But I think she should have rested more .
Have a hug .
 
Im glad youre being so positive, my friend was diagnosed and went through exactly the same as you are describing, 15yrs later she is in a top job and as fit as a fiddle. good luck with the treatment
 
ZondaR said:
The surgeon is hoping that there will be no chemo. Nothing before and only radiotherapy and hormone treatment after.
Click to expand...

The type of treatment will be based on the grade of the tumour. I was grade 3 and aggressive but found early I have an excellent prognosis but I did have the whole kit and carboodle thrown at me.

The biopsy will be looked at and they will have a good idea of what grade you have before the op, but once removed the tumour and sentinel node will be analysed and the treatment may change. Your surgeon will explain all this to you. I strongly advise you to have a partner or trusted friend with you when you attend your appointments, ask them to jot notes down because I promise you when you leave the appointment your head will be in a different county.

What you will be able to do after the surgery is very individual and dependant on where the op site is. For me the tumour was very deep in my chest, it only just showed on the mammogram, and the wound was on my rib cage across diagonally to the centre of the breast well under the nipple. It was only around 6 inches across but very sore for the first 7 days. The hospital will put a waterproof dressing on, it is very like the melonin we use on the horses. You can shower in it and unless you fear the wound is going bad you will leave the dressing in place until you see the surgeon again at 10 days after the op. The nurses will change the dressing for you. I was given extra dressings but I did not need them.

It is vital you wear a bra at all times to support the wound. Normal bra's will give you pain, I found a maternity bra very useful it has no seams or wire and has a deep band underneath which is comfortable. When I started to heal I found Sainsbury soft crop top bra's fabulous, they are £4, super soft and comfy. You will need to sleep in a bra for some time. When the dressing is off use simple soap or sanex and don't bother with deodorants.

You will be given exercises, in fact you should be given a folder with endless info in it and a CD of exercises. If you are not, let me know and I will post mine to you. Do the exercises without fail.

Moving onto the horses, I found I was very aware of being around them, the last thing you want is a smack in the chest by a well meaning horse wanting a cuddle ! I could not reach up to put head collars on, I am right handed and the op was on the right, so the whole sore site was 'exposed' as I reached up. I basically just did as much as I felt comfortable doing. I rode after 4 weeks and returned to work on week 5. I started chemo 10 weeks after surgery.

There is one bit of advice I would like to pass on. You are likely to come home the same day, I didn't because my blood pressure plummeted. The car journey home will be very painful, those bumps in the road that you never noticed will be craters. Have a pillow in the car that you can hold to your chest. No one told me and it is a journey I will never forget.

Radiation will take place when you are fully healed. You will attend a planning meeting with the staff. It is not the most dignified procedure but what the heck, they are saving your life. You will have 3 tiny tatoo's put on and you will be measured and drawn on to ensure the machine is programmed for your needs.

Treatment will be 5 days a week for how ever many sessions you have to have. I had 15 plus 8 boost sessions. 15 did the whole breast and 8 boosts were done on the tumour site. By session 10 I was tired, but I had endured 6 months of chemo before rads. If you are travelling a long way to hospital you will get tired anyway, both mentally and physically. By session 12 I was burnt. You will be told to moisturise with E45 or doublebase cream. I am very fair skinned and sadly got badly burnt. You are not allowed to use anything on the skin to help with the burns until the rads are over. Flamazine and special burns dressings where given to me and I healed well.

I hope you get through it well and please don't hesitate to pm me if you want to.
 
My mum was diagnosed towards the end of last year and had a lumpectomy, lymph nodes tested followed by radio therapy and now is taking hormone tablets. Whilst I can not offer any insight into caring for horses (my mum scared stiff by them) she was fine throughout all her treatment, tho her arm was very sore and stiff after lymph node test, she was very weepy, tired and run down once all the treatments were finished with so take care and try to rest as much as possible as I think my mum did too much too soon. Good luck xx
 
I too had a lumpectomy and radiotherapy so I know where you are at right now. The op site was right by the nipple and wasn't particularly sore but I did wear a maternity bra 24/7 as AA has said which made a massive difference. I would be worried about riding if your wound is at the more mobile end of your breast (if you see what I mean!) I couldn't ride as it was just too uncomfortable. With regards to the radiotherapy, I got progressively more tired as the sessions went on and found actually I had little energy for doing much other than mooching about the stables on foot. Good luck for your op and make sure you look after yourself - don't be afraid to ask for help. Better to get help rather than delay your healing.
 
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