Hi Joanne,

Everyone is different and heals differently.  Your surgeon is the best person to ask your question of. 
I can tell you that I had a lumpectomy and two lymph nodes removed on April 15th, and was off work for a month.  I was kept in overnight at the day surgery unit, and didn't really feel much pain or discomfort right after the surgery, and didn't require any pain killers other than a couple doses of morphine by IV right after the surgery.  However, i had some discomfort which peaked a couple of weeks after the surgery, from a build up of fluid where the tissue was excised in the breast, and it took a couple of weeks to subside a bit.  Not so much pain, as feeling like I had a tennis ball in the breast.  But I'm also diabetic, so I tend to heal a bit slower, and am prone to infection, which was a major concern.  You need to give yourself time to heal, so don't push yourself.  You'll likely be limited in your activities for a while afterwards to try and prevent lymphedema, depending on how many lymph nodes they take.
Hope everything goes well for you.

Thanks bookworm for your response -- I know we are all different and of course until the day of the surgery I won't know anything -- I am trying to gauge things for work and what they can expect -- and try and line up someone to cover my job (or part of). 
It never occurred to me that I would need that amount of time however -- I am or was expecting more later on depending on the treatment and yes I know  I need to take it slow and take care of myself.  This discussion group is so helpful -- I am really glad I found it ---
Thanks again for your help.  Take care.
Joanne

Hi Joanne. I've been asking that same question all week and getting different answers so I finally decided I should just call the specialist's office to find out what they said. Here I was thinking ok surgery Friday, weekend to rest and then back to work on Monday, then treatment after work when I got to that part. I was told by the doctor's office that I can expect to be off anywhere from 2 weeks to indefinitely. Apparently there are a lot of if's with this so I am taking two weeks off at a time. One question I was told to ask my work was would there be a problem if I showed up for work in a sports bra or even no bra at all? That didn't go over too well at all as I deal with taxpayers all day long and they are worried that someone will complain. Hey, if guys can do it why can't we? It's not like I was going to be coming in without a shirt.

I just wish everything was black and white. Here is what we are going to do, here is exactly what is going to happen at each step, here is how long it will take, here is when it will be all gone and we can get back to enjoying the rest of our lives. A friend of mine's 7 year old told me I need a crystal ball like Harry Potter so now that's what I've told them at work to do. Consult their crystal ball and let me know cause I would like to know too.

Take care of #1 first, you are more important.

Thanks for the update -- I was thinking 1 week but realistically 2 weeks -- maybe I will call on Monday to my surgeon.  Where do you live?  I am in Hamilton.  I have read a few things about bras and there were a couple of suggestions about camisoles or something similar to tube tops.  I think that Ricki's actually sells the tubes (they are worn like a cammie).  How would they know if you had a sports bra on?  I tried on a bra in the states that was a back closure but similar to a sports bra and it is made by Bali - I am sure it is available at The Bay and maybe even Zellers. I am very fortunate and work in a school so I can dress casually so that is the least of my concerns -- a cammie (with a shelf bra) will be what I wear.  The next thing to research is deoderant -- aluminum free during radiation treatments ... so much to figure out or even know that you should be asking .... take care --- keep me posted.  We have surgery the same day.  My pre-op is the 13th, surgery at 10 on the 20th -- 6:30 at the hospital, surgeon meets me at 7:30 to inject the dye into my breast for the sentinel node biopsy ... one step closurer ... xoxox 

Joanne, it's funny how different regions deal differently with the surgeries.  I had the sentinel node mapping done the afternoon before my surgery... had to come home from work and put the numbing cream on, thne off to the hospital for the dye injection, and wait 2 hours for the pictures to be taken and to get marked with "x's" with permanent marker.  Then to one hospital for 7:30 the next morn for needle localization (the absolute worst part of the whole experience) then straight down the road to the other hospital where I was basically taken directly to day surgery and wheeled to the OR for surgery at 10.  By 2 in the afternoon I was wheeling my IV stand down the hall to the bathroom, and buzzing down the hall off and on for the rest of the day.  In between laying in bed with ice packs against the breast, and listening to my roomies in the day surgery with various other problems (broken bones, etc) who seemed to be doing much worse than I was.  At one point one of the nurses said that I looked too well to be there.  So, for me, the actual surgery and initial recovery was easy.  It was after, when the fluid started building up that I had the most discomfort.  I'm a D cup, so going braless was not an option, and I was told that I needed support in order to help heal.  I found the most comfortable was a type of yoga top from Walmart, with a racer style back, and the shelf spandex insert.
Back to work full time a month later, then started radiation the later part of July, worked mornings for the first week and a half, then was off full time until September because the fatigue and burn was tough to get over, and was back working half days for 2 months.  Here they wait for at least 6 weeks after the incision is totally healed before they even start considering scheduling for radiation.

Hi -- yes you are right -- I have to be at the hospital at 6:30 the day of my surgery and the doctor will meet me at 7:30 to inject my breast --- the surgery itself is at 10.  I was told that the treatment would start 6 to 8 weeks after the surgery.  If all goes well, I will be home that night in my own bed --- thanks for sharing and keep in touch.

Bookworm & Joanne, thanks for another question I will be adding to my growing list on things I need to know. I have no clue when they are injecting the dye but then again I also don't have a confirmed time for my surgery yet but that is because the surgeon was on vacation last week. Will find that out in the next few days once his surgeries for tha day are confirmed. Also not sure how they do it at York Central Hospital in Richmond Hill. Even finding local groups etc is difficult unless I want to go into Toronto for them. (Note here that as I am going through this I am also pushing for more local support and info from my local doctors and municipality so others who follow have what they need to get through this and not feel alone)
Why does it feel like I've gone back to school but missed the first few months and have a lot of catching up to do? Is there a check list I should be following that explains these things that I should already know?
Bone scan on Monday (wow that's tomorrow), Pre-op on Wednesday, then the following Tuesday is Ultrasound with Surgery on Friday.
Bookworm, I had read that we wouldn't be able to put our arms over our head to get a yoga type top on, can we? If so then I'm all set and won't worry as I have many of them already, some worn out enough that they are a bit loose too. Thank you for explaining the timeline you went through so we have an idea of what to expect. Yes we are all different in this but yours is the first I have found that gives us a breakdown of it all. The fear and uncertainty of being off for an average of 36 weeks, without income for part of it, has been very stressful. Now that I know that it is possible to work during part or all of it after recovery has just taken a giant load off my mind. Fingers crossed that it works out ok.
I have two weeks sick time already, 20 more days if needed but am still waiting for word on if I qualify for it and if they will let me have that (if I broke my leg I would get it right away but with Cancer they think the odds of me being able to work it back are slim to none, Cancer still = death to some people), plus almost 3 weeks vacation that I can use before having to use the medical EI. We do have Long Term Disability coverage which will kick in after 119 days but that is only if I am unable to work at all. I'm a fighter and finally have less than 10 years till I can retire with full pension so even Cancer is not going to get in the way of that.

Tammy,
I was searching for something and came across this -- not sure if it is close or not but figured it was a start -- Joanne

York Region/Markham

Connecting Rainbows Breast Cancer Support Group

Contact: Donna 905.477.8636

Hi Tammy,

While I was healing from the surgery, I was wearing just a regular bra.  I didn't have stitches, just the steri strips and a dressing. 
I started radiation on July 18th, and managed fine working half days for the first week.  I'd go to work for the morning, and take the bus to the hospital for the treatment, then the bus home afterwards.  For the radiation you have to lie on the table with your arms above your head for 15 minutes or so while the machine does it's thing.  Then once I got home, I had to strip topless and lay again with my arm above my head, to help let the heat from the radiation dissapate.  I could probably have managed to continue half days for another week but the combination of early mornings, and the bus commutes in addition to the accumulated affect of the radiation started getting to me, and I had the support at work to take the time off, so I did.  In hindsight I went back to work a bit early, so that delayed me being able to go full time by about a month.  But again, I'm diabetic, so I heal slower.  It was while I was off during radiation that I was wearing the yoga tops, to help prevent chaffing on the tender burned skin, and it was cooler for me since it was summer time.  By then I was healed from the surgery, because they wouldn't do the radiation if the incision wasn't healed.
As far as support groups, you'll probably find that you make some connections while you're waiting for your daily radiation.  I saw the same faces almost every day in the waiting room, and if you're not shy you'll be able to strike up conversations with others who are going through the same thing.  I also did one of the Look good feel better workshops, where I met other women, some who were further along in treatments, some who had done chemo already and were going to do radiation.  It was inspiring to interact with these women and see them still laughing and happy, and able to enjoy life.  While I was waiting for CT simulation appt, where they do the radiation tattoos in preparation for starting treatment, I met a woman who was at the same point of the journey as I was, and we've kept in touch through the whole process and are still in touch.  That was most helpful because for me, I didn't know anyone who had dealt with breast cancer.  I have no close women friends, and my teenage daughter distanced herself from me emotionally and physically during the whole process because she couldn't deal with it, so it was nice to have someone to talk to who was going through the same things as i was.

Thank you so much for answering Tammy's question -- this helps me so much also.  My surgery is January 20th and I did not have the answer to this.  I am ok now and will be prepared.  Thanks again for sharing.  Joanne

Thank you for explaining all of this to me. I'm in the same boat you were in so this site has been very helpful putting my mind at ease. Thanks to Joanne I now have a contact for a support group and while viewing info on the hospital I will be going to discovered they also have a support group and a Tim Horton's.
I normally come home from work, get rid of the dreaded bra and put on a sports bra under my comfy sweatshirts or tshirts so the added support of yoga tops will be a blessing. Plus working in a community centre I can get away with wearing sports type tops to work if I need to.
I am also doing the travelling by bus, two buses from work/home to hospital. Did you wish you had someone to drive you back and forth (and lose the independance we've worked so hard to get) or was it just tiring and sore? Hopefully that made sense but I'm trying to figure out if I should ask for help when I get to that part. I like having everything in black and white and this is tough no knowing what lies ahead. I have low B12 and already tire very easy. Everything I've read always has this giant support team in the wings to help with everything but most of my support team live further north or will be assisting on the weekends. They are keeping my spirits up and keeping me in humour. Laughter is the best medicine.
While searching my local Walmart for sports bras that fasten at the front I met two wonderful ladies who are survivors and also staff in that section of the store. I am not shy at all, thanks to working with the public for many years and have found myself asking questions and making suggestions lately. My local clothing stores (many outlet type stores nearby) will now be thinking about having more items that button up or do up at the front, aren't designed to show off max cleavage and are comfy and supportive. No way will I wear men's clothing to get through this (a salesperson suggested I wear a men's tank top type undershirt when I asked for ladies undershirts and they don't carry them) or have to order nice bras without underwire and are cotton online from the states.
Tammy

Well I had a bit of a surprise today when the surgeon's office called and have rescheduled my surgery from January 20th to January 11th - that is this Wednesday -- put my day into a bit of a spin since I had thought I had 2 weeks to tidy up and get things lined up however I just said "it is just a job" so I have my pre-op tomorrow morning and have the rest of the day to try to line things up, make good notes and I am gone for about 3 weeks.  WOW ... it is starting to come together -- thanks everyone for all your answers, support ... it has been wonderful.

Oh Joanne, if it's not one thing it's another with this. You are #1 in it so take care of you first. Just remember that we are all here for you.
I don't know if I could handle that happening to me. Every time they call I panic.
Good luck and keep me informed, when you get a chance that is.
Tammy

Well I had my pre-op today and it went well so now have to go to the hospital tomorrow morning for 7:30 and then go have my breast injected with the dye for the biopsy and onto Day surgery.  I was advised that not only does your urine and stool look blueish green for a couple of days, your skin also goes slightly gray after the injection -- great.  I can see me now ... in the hospital gown and my robe, slippers, walking down the corridor in the hospital to the Day surgery ward ... with a grayish blue face ... now that will be scarey.  I am anxious, scared, nervous but also very confident -- thanks all for your thoughts.  Joanne

Joanne, things will come together at work, and I'm sure they'll understand that the timing is out of your hands.  Let us know how you're doing when you feel like it. 

Hi Tammy,

Actually, for me using the bus made the most sense.  I was perfectly capable of physically of doing it, and the bus ride home gave me a chance to read my book and mellow a bit.  Although there was a bit of a walk from the bus stop to home, which was usually nice if there wasn't a thunderstorm to deal with  :)  I had the option, thanks to the Cancer Society volunteers, of arranging for a volunteer driver to get me to and from the hospital, but I decided that someone else was probably in greater need of that service than I was.  Once I was off full time, I drove myself, but then had to deal with the parking fees.  I was usually able to time it so I paid the minimum fee, but there was one time when one of the other radiation units (there were 10) was down, so those patients were being spread out amongst the other units so the appt was about an hour late.  I would have felt awful about having a volunteer being tied up for that long, so it was just as well I was driving myself by then.
As for bras, try your local Sears as well.  I found the staff at a couple of different Sears were quite familiar with what bras breast cancer patients were in need of.

Thanks for that thought Joanne. I have always liked to wear blue and gray but not as my skin. My pre-op is in the morning then I'm off to the specialist in the afternoon so he can answer all the questions that I'm finally ready to ask. My thoughts and prayers will be with you all day.
Tammy

Thank you. I find the bus very relaxing, well unless I think I'm going to be late, and will be ok with it. My work support team has even said that they would drive me up to were I only need to  take one bus to get to treatment when I reach that step. They know I don't want to lose my independance. I feel the same way about the volunteers, there are many people who need it more than I do.
I totally forgot about Sears, but will check there on my way back from appts tomorrow. I don't care what it looks like, but want something that I won't have to ask my son to do up, or to help with when I get it stuck over my head.

My next question is:  I had the lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy 2 weeks ago tomorrow --- I have been doing great with pain meds, however have had a bit of swelling in the breast - minimal.  Last night I had pain in my breast and armpit -- I believe this is tied with the lymph node biopsy -- I had to take more pain meds last night and again today -- I have been icing -- 10 minutes max at a time.  I will call my Oncologist/Surgeon's office tomorrow to find out about this but don't want to alarm myself unnecessarily.  Can anyone shed some light on this?  The armpit pain feels like bruising although there are not bruises --
Thanks Joanne