brining a turkey

• Question:-Can someone tell me how to brine a turkey?
  I got responses for a previous question telling me that brining turkeys makes them tender. How do I do it? And doesn't it make the turkey extra salty?
  
  Answer:-This is Alton Brown's roat turkey recipe that incorporates a brine. I've used it before and have gotten rave reviews -though i did my aromatics a bit differently, as i didn't have some of those things. Not salty at all, just good.
  
  1 (14 to 16 pound) frozen young turkey
  For the brine:
  1 cup kosher salt
  1/2 cup light brown sugar
  1 gallon vegetable stock
  1 tablespoon black peppercorns
  1/2 tablespoon allspice berries
  1/2 tablespoon candied ginger
  1 gallon iced water
  For the aromatics:
  1 red apple, sliced
  1/2 onion, sliced
  1 cinnamon stick
  1 cup water
  4 sprigs rosemary
  6 leaves sage
  Canola oil
  
  Combine all brine ingredients, except ice water, in a stockpot, and bring to a boil. Stir to dissolve solids, then remove from heat, cool to room temperature, and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.
  Early on the day of cooking, (or late the night before) combine the brine and ice water in a clean 5-gallon bucket. Place thawed turkey breast side down in brine, cover, and refrigerate or set in cool area (like a basement) for 6 hours. Turn turkey over once, half way through brining.
  
  A few minutes before roasting, heat oven to 500 degrees. Combine the apple, onion, cinnamon stick, and cup of water in a microwave safe dish and microwave on high for 5 minutes.
  
  Remove bird from brine and rinse inside and out with cold water. Discard brine.
  
  Place bird on roasting rack inside wide, low pan and pat dry with paper towels. Add steeped aromatics to cavity along with rosemary and sage. Tuck back wings and coat whole bird liberally with canola (or other neutral) oil.
  
  Roast on lowest level of the oven at 500 degrees F. for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and cover breast with double layer of aluminum foil, insert probe thermometer into thickest part of the breast and return to oven, reducing temperature to 350 degrees F. Set thermometer alarm (if available) to 161 degrees. A 14 to 16 pound bird should require a total of 2 to 2 1/2 hours of roasting. Let turkey rest, loosely covered for 15 minutes before carving
• Question:-Are any of you brining your turkey?
  I brine chickens frequently and find it makes for a moister bird. I have not tried brining my thanksgiving turkey yet. It's an 18lb bird. Has anybody had success with brining turkeys?
  
  Answer:-I am brining my turkey this year. We usually have a kosher turkey (they are brined) but this year we are brining it ourselves. I suggest going to this link
  
  http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/et_hd_thanksgiving/0,1972,FOOD_9845,00.html
  
  and watching Alton Brown's video on brining turkey's. It is very helpful and informative and I am using his technique. Contrary to the one answer, brining does not dry out a turkey but actually moistens it.
  
  Oh, and don't use one of those turkey's that has been injected with all those flavorings like you find in the grocery store this time of year. You have to use one that is just plain ol' turkey which can be found at a place like Whole Foods or ask the butcher.
• Question:-Does brining a turkey shorten cooking time?
  I've read numerous places that brined turkey cooks faster. I'm brining for the first time. Can anyone give me a guideline on what to expect for cooking time for a roasted brined turkey? Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!
  
  Answer:-
• Question:-Questions on brining a "Shady Brook" brand turkey breast?
  It says it has 60mg of sodium per serving, but doesn't say it has been injected with a salt solution. Would you recommend brining it anyway, or will that make it too salty?
  
  I haven't brined turkey breast before. How much water and how much salt do you recommend? It is nearly 7 pounds. Is brining as simple as salt + water + turkey in pot overnight?
  
  Answer:-If it has that much sodium per serving then it is already brined. Most sellers to the public do it now to make the turkey better.
• Question:-Another brining turkey question?
  If I bought a mass produced turkey from a grocery store e.g Jennie-O or Butterball, and there's already a 7 or 8% solution injected, would I still able to brine it? If so, would I need to cut back on the salt?
  
  Answer:-You can brine it, but it's unlikely to have any positive effect. The injected solutions are optimized to put as much liquid filler into the bird as it can hold.
  
  If you can't find an unprocessed bird locally, and have to go with the Butterball, etc, save your time and energy for marinading or otherwise treating the bird for additional flavor. A brine will not do anything for you.
  
  Happy cooking!
• Question:-need help brining turkey wings only?
  can i season the turkey wings and is there a brine recipe for turkey wings?
  i only have about 10 turkey wings
  
  Answer:-It's the same for turkeys and turkey wings.
  
  6 quarts hot water
  1 pound kosher salt
  1 pound dark brown sugar
  5 pounds ice
  1 (13 to 14-pound) turkey, with giblets removed
  
  http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_35148,00.html?rsrc=search
• Question:-I started brining my turkey with the giblets inside, is the turkey now contaminated?
  I'm soaking my turkey in a brine in preparation for tomorrow, but I didn't take out the giblets prior to soaking the turkey. Is the turkey brine now contaminated? I have since removed the giblets and put the turkey back into the brine.
  
  Answer:-no it is not contaminated.......biologist and chef:)
• Question:-Have you ever used a turkey brining bag?
  I am going to brine 2 turkeys for Thanksgiving and this seems like the easiest and most convenient way but... I am wondering if anyone has had any experience with these as I would prefer not to have a mess in my fridge. Thank you!
  I would love to put it outside but I live in South Florida! :(
  
  Answer:-I have used different brine's in the past in the restaurant and what we have done that works out very well and does not use any room in refrigerator. Around the holidays business always ramps up and sometimes refrigeration becomes like looking for prime real estate, It is hard to find. So what we have done is washed and sanitize your ice chest or cooler and make up your brine and let it cool back down ,then put the brine in your cooler and put 4 or 5 pounds of ice in there and then put our turkeys in there and let them set.We were able to get 2 turkeys to an ice chest. Just remember that you need to cut back on the amount of water when making your brine,because of the ice that you will add so it does not weaken your brine.Just keep ice in there until time to cook those turkeys and still have room in the refrigerator.
• Question:-Does brining a turkey really make a difference?
  And does it make it taste salty? I'm cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year and have heard so much about brining. How exactly do you do it? And what does it do to the turkey?
  
  Answer:-Alll brining does is add moisture to the turkey so when you cook it, it stays moister than without brining.
  
  The salt washes off and will not change the taste.
  
  A better trick (and quicker) is to use butter (or oil) and add hebs, like Rosemary... and garlic if you like and mix it into a paste. Rub this paste 'under' the skin, as far as you can reach. It imparts amazing flavor, keeps the moisture in and crisps up the skin even more. You will not be disappointed - believe me! Your guests will ask you how you made a turket look/taste sooooo good!
  
  Steve
• Question:-brining turkey?
  I know you can brine a turkey before cooking it, but can I brine turkey pieces? Do I brine them just as long?
  
  Answer:-You can brine just about anything! If your turkey has been butchered into parts you do not need to brine them as long as you would a whole turkey. I would brine a whole bird for 24 hours. If you're brining all of the turkey parts I'd do them for 8 to 10 hours.

how to cook a turkey

• Question:-how to cook really good turkey breast with only the basics?
  I'm not so handy in a kitchen, but I want to cook turkey breasts for Thanksgiving. The problem is I live overseas and only have basics--a baking pan, aluminium foil, baking paper, butter, salt, pepper. I don't have meat thermometer. I don't have those baking bags either.
  
  The turkey breasts each are 2 lbs./ 900 grams. I want to do 2 at the same time. How long should I bake them? Do I need to baste them? There's very little fat, and no skin, on the only turkey I could find where I'm living. Any tips on how to do this so it comes out nice?
  
  Answer:-season turkey. wrap in foil. bake at 350 degrees for 1hour per 4 lbs. remove the foil the last 30 minutes so it will brown.
• Question:-How Do you cook a turkey (serious answers)?
  Well my parents suck at cooking turkey and thats wat they bought for thanksgiving. Can anyone send me a recipe on how to cook a turkey?
  
  Answer:-http://www.globalgourmet.com/food/egg/egg1197/perfturk.htmlhttp://www.epicurious.com/recipes/recipe_views/views/236409
  http://www.epicurious.com/bonappetit/cooking_class/turkey_school
  http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/turkey/techniques.html
  http://www.eatturkey.com/consumer/thanks.html
• Question:-How long is the minimum time to cook turkey in a crock pot?
  I do not have a whole turkey, but pieces - two legs, breast and thighs. I only have 4 hours to cook the turkey and want to make sure it will be done in that amount of time. Obviously, I will need to cook it on high, but I'm just not sure if that's enough time to cook all the pieces. I plan to cook it with potatoes, carrots, and celery. Anyone have any experience with this? Thanks!
  
  Answer:-Make sure you keep it covered. Then check the internal temperature if you have any doubts. As long as the meat is not frozen I think you should be all right, it sounds like it will be very good when it is done. Good luck.
• Question:-how to Cook turkey breast in a pressure cooker?
  I am making 3 boneless turkey breast in my electirc pressure cooker. The recipe is to cook for 20 minutes on high pressure . I f I have more than 1 turkey breast wil I have to increse the time that it cooks?
  
  Answer:-Cooking Turkey in a Pressure Cooker
  The availability of turkey parts such as breasts, legs, and thighs makes it possible to cook turkey in an old favorite, the pressure cooker. Used since the 1930's, a pressure cooker is a quick cooking, stove-top metal pot with a tight fitting lid bearing a dial or weighted gauge to verify the pressure.
  
  When heated, the liquid converts to steam that, under pressure, can reach as high as 240 °F—hotter than the boiling point. As a result, food cooks in about a third or less time than conventional cooking methods. Because pressure cookers are made by various manufacturers and timing varies at altitudes above 1,000 feet, it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions. The pressure specified must be kept constant for the recommended time, and the lid must not be removed until the pressure lowers and the pot cools.
  
  Times vary by altitude.
  
  Turkey, breast, boneless......20 minutes
  Turkey, breast, whole, with bone in........20 to 30 minutes
• Question:-How to cook Boneless Turkey breasts?
  I'm using turkey breasts for a recipe that I'm making for Thanksgiving and I'm trying to figure out if I need to cook it in the oven or on the stove? If I need to cook it in the oven then what temperature should I cook it on and for how long? When it comes to cooking turkey I don't know a lot about it.
  
  Answer:-Try a crock pot. That way you won't run the risk of drying out the meat.
  
  Crock Pot Turkey Breast
  3-3 1/2 lbs boneless turkey breast
  2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
  3 (14 ounce) cans chicken broth
  2 tablespoons butter
  
  Remove turkey from wrapper and set gravy packet in refrigerator for the time being. Leave netting on turkey breast and keep the turkey in one piece; rub turkey down on both sides with poultry seasoning and set in crock pot. Add 2 cans of chicken broth to the crock pot, set to low, and cook for 8-10 hours. At about the 5-6 hour mark, turn the turkey over, and add one more can of broth to the crock pot.
  At the end of the cooking time, remove turkey from the pot and place in a shallow baking pan, remove the netting, rub the top with butter, and set under a broiler in the oven to crisp up a bit. Allow the turkey to sit 15 minutes before cutting.
  If you wish, use a portion of the pan juices to pour over some of your dressing/stuffing if you made some to give it extra flavor. Use the remaining pan juices mixed with the gravy packet in a saucepan on the stove, heated with some cornstarch or flour to make a gravy for the meat.
  
  Happy Holidays!!!
• Question:-How long do I slow cook turkey legs?
  I have a crock pot and my husband wants me to slow cook turkey legs and I have no idea for how long. I would appreciate anyone who knows the answer. Thanks!
  Nunya i wasn't asking for smart ass remarks okay i simply ask how many hours i should cook my food in my crock pot. So if you don't have the answer to my question don't bother to put down anything thank you!
  
  Thanks everyone that nicely gave me the answers i was looking for. There very helpful thanks guys.
  
  Answer:-slow cooked means over a long period of time, so, now you know.
• Question:-What is the best way to cook turkey breast in the oven?
  I am not the greatest cook, but wanted make a meal for two for Thanksgiving. I bought turkey breast instead of a whole turkey to cook this year, since that's really the best part in my opinion. Just wanted to know how to prepare and season it just right?
  
  Thanks. =)
  
  Answer:-http://www.razzledazzlerecipes.com/thanksgiving/turkey-recipes/turkey.htm
  
  
  CHECK OUT THIS SITE. MANY MANY DIFFERENT WAYS TO SEASON AND COOK.
• Question:-How do you cook a 2 pound turkey breast?
  I've never cooked a turkey breast before and we had a frozen one in our freezer that I thought I'd unthaw and make for dinner so I'm looking just for a quick simple way to cook turkey breast? Thanx!!
  
  Answer:-look on food network
• Question:-How do I cook turkey wings in the oven or in a pan?
  I want to cook turkey wings in the oven - I don't want to deep fry my food - how should I cook them?
  
  I have three packages of turkey wings and a family to feed for dinner tonight. I would love to have a dinner that they are just blown away by and cannot make any ugly comments about...
  
  ?!Help!?
  
  Answer:-I'd roast them in a pan in the oven. Just season or marinade, at try 400 degrees for about 40 minutes. They come out crispy without all the grease.
  
  When I roast chicken or turkey, I usually brush the skins with melted butter or olive oil, then sprinkle on some salt, pepper and some Italian seasoning to get some dried herbs on them.
• Question:-How to cook Turkey Breast Roast on George Foreman Grill?
  Hi,
  
  I have the stand up indoor full size George Foreman grill. There are instructions in the manual explain how to cook a whole chicken but there is no recipe for a Turkey Breast Roast. Can someone please give me a recipe for a Turkey Breast Roast on the George Foreman Grill?
  
  Thanks!
  
  Answer:-Compare the weight of your turkey breast to the weight of the chicken in the instructions. Adjust accordingly. If your turkey breast is boneless, it will take even less time than the adjusted time from the step above. A meat thermometer is always a good idea, but the above adjustment should get you close.
  
  If not comfortable with that, I bet there is a customer service number in your instructions somewhere.

lumpectomy

• Question:-Lumpectomy?
  My girlfriend and I recently had a baby. She's exercising, loosing weight, and looks like a completely different person. She's looking great. But from her pass pregnancy she wasn't able to breastfeed because of complications with the child. So her milk ducts swelled up.Now she has small zagging bags underneath her armpits. We want to get rid of them. Someone told us what she needs done is a lumpectomy. Is this correct? Which is the correct procedure and how much is it? Wherein Chicago,IL can it be done the cheapest?
  
  Answer:-Lumpectomy is the most common form of breast cancer surgery today. The surgeon removes only the part of your breast containing the tumor (the "lump") and some of the normal tissue that surrounds it.
  
  http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/lumpectomy/
  
  ...as opposed to a mastectomy where they remove the entire breast.
  Cost will depend on the Dr....it is a cosmetic procedure
• Question:-How soon after a lumpectomy does chemotherapy start?
  How soon after a lumpectomy should or does chemotherapy start?
  
  Answer:-Most clinical trials start chemotherapy within 42-60 days; some older studies went out as far as 84 days. The importance of using a clinical trial as a standard measure is that the experts are the ones coming up with these criteria.
  
  I typically start 3-4 weeks, depending on patient status and disease characteristics, but no problem waiting couple more weeks if needed. I personally don't like going beyond 6 weeks.
  
  God bless, best wishes
• Question:-How uncomfortable was your first mammogram after your lumpectomy?
  I had a lumpectomy(with sentinal node removal) over 7 months ago. I had to be drained several times at the breast incision site and the node site, during the first few weeks after surgery. I still have fluid and at times, a lot of discomfort at both sites. The thought of being compressed in less than a month is stressing me out.
  
  Answer:-Don't panic!
  
  I have done hundreds of mammograms soon after surgery. We know you are in pain (but remind us, OK?). We will only compress enough to stop motion and (in the case of the side pic) to hold the breast up.
  
  Most of my post op patients say it isn't as bad as they thought it would be.
  
  Good Luck! :)
• Question:-I am having lumpectomy surgery and need advice?
  I am having lumpectomy surgery on thursday and would like to hear tips, thoughts, or advice from those who have had this before or are familiar with the proceedures. Anything would help. Thanks.
  
  Answer:- I have been thru a bunch of breast issues. First of all I recommend for you to take an ativan before the procedure. I took 2 before I went in and I wasn't so scared. You will be fine !! They have come a long way with breast cancer and all the procedures. Early detection is the key. It saved my life. If they want to do anything drastic ,then get a 2nd opinion. Good luck to you...
• Question:-What is the normal recovery time for a lumpectomy?
  I'm having a lumpectomy done tomorrow on my left boob. My question is, how long should I expect to be down? I have 4 young boys to take care of and am wondering how long I'll need help. Any insight on your personal recovery time and issues would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and Have a Great Day!
  
  Answer:-I had a lumpectomy about three years ago. Afterwards my surgeon asked that I wait a week to drive and return to work (after having stitches removed), and a month or so before doing any lifting. I remember having a great deal of sensitivity in the area (still do at times) but never a lot of pain. I don't recall even taking pain meds, just over the counter stuff. My husband stayed with me a day or two because I have a harder than normal time recovering from anesthesia. If not for that I would have been fine staying alone the day after surgery.
• Question:-If given the choice of biopsy or lumpectomy, which one would you choose?
  I am 26. My doctor wants to do a lumpectomy. Mainly because my mom passed from breast cancer.
  I already had an ultrasound done.
  
  Answer:-I would choose a core biopsy for myself before a more invasive surgery (lumpectomy). If it is cancerous, there's plenty of time to go back in, either before or after chemo.
  
  But the odds of any lump being cancer are low.
• Question:-what does a call to go back to the surgeon mean after a lumpectomy?
  My mom was just diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a lumpectomy and a lymph node drained on Monday. The said they will have results in 5 days. They called her today wanting to see her. She is so bummed, do you think they will make her wait that long for results?
  Well when we get a pap smear, they call us to say its normal. We want to know if there is more cancer
  
  Answer:-they can't tell her anything over the phone, due to laws regarding patient privacy... she needs to go see the doctor.
• Question:-Should I get a tattoo on the wrist of my lumpectomy arm?
  I am a 7yr breast cancer survivor. This year for my birthday I want to get a tattoo about the size of a nickel on my wrist of my lumpectomy arm. I know that I need to be careful with this arm and cant even get my blood pressure taken on it. But I really want it there. Is it to big of a risk? What do u'all think??
  
  Answer:-Clearly, since you have been warned about taking care of that arm, you had lymph node removal and are at risk of lymphoedema.
  
  You'll have been warned against having injections in that arm and warned to avoid any small injury such as burns, cuts, scratches and sunburn.
  
  So you're well aware of the risks involved in getting a tattoo. It's your choice, and I'm not going to lecture you on it (well, I'll try not to, but once a schoolteacher...).
  
  But I can tell you that lymphoedema is a lifetime risk, is currently irreversible (though manageable if it's mild) and - and this one's from experience - is no fun at all.
  
  I developed lymphoedema over 2 years after breast cancer surgery and axillary node clearance. I don't know what particular injury or risk factor triggered it - I was unaware of whatever it was, which shows how easily it can be triggered. I just looked down one day to see that my affected arm and hand were noticeably larger than the other arm and hand. And so they've remained.
  
  I've also had cellulitis on my lymphoedema arm, which can occur where the skin has previously been broken - including by needles. It was horrible, really revolting.
  
  So - while obviously it's your choice, I'd simply urge that you bear the risks in mind.
• Question:-I had breast cancer,in my left breast, treated with a lumpectomy and radiation and sent home.?
  I was not given Tamoxifin or any preventative drug. 6 months later I got cancer ,a more aggressive cancer in my left breast. My doc acted shocked. I had a lumpectomy, radiation and chemo. Then I was given Femara. Did my doc follow procedures?
  
  Answer:-Tamoxifen is only given for hormone-positive cancers. So your pathology report probably indicated hormone-receptor negative cancer.
  
  If so, this is often considered a more aggressive cancer, and recurrence rates are somewhat higher. So it wouldn't be unheard of for you to get a recurrence.
  
  Do you have a copy of the original pathology report? If not, ask your oncologist for a copy. That would be an important clue.
  
  It sounds as if Femara is given for hormone positive cancers. So if the current incident is hormone-positive, it is either a) a new cancer, or b) someone messed up on your original pathology or treatment plan.
• Question:-what is the recovery period for having a lumpectomy?
  How much time have people taken off from work after having a breast lumpectomy?
  
  Answer:-I lost two days from work...the day I had the lumpectomy and the day after (because I wasn't allowed to drive for 24 hours due to anesthesia).
  
  This will vary from person to person and surgeon to surgeon though. You will have to ask your surgeon how long he wants you to be off work. My surgeon would have given me more time but I always bounce back very quickly.

lumpectomy

• Question:-Lumpectomy?
  My girlfriend and I recently had a baby. She's exercising, loosing weight, and looks like a completely different person. She's looking great. But from her pass pregnancy she wasn't able to breastfeed because of complications with the child. So her milk ducts swelled up.Now she has small zagging bags underneath her armpits. We want to get rid of them. Someone told us what she needs done is a lumpectomy. Is this correct? Which is the correct procedure and how much is it? Wherein Chicago,IL can it be done the cheapest?
  
  Answer:-Lumpectomy is the most common form of breast cancer surgery today. The surgeon removes only the part of your breast containing the tumor (the "lump") and some of the normal tissue that surrounds it.
  
  http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/lumpectomy/
  
  ...as opposed to a mastectomy where they remove the entire breast.
  Cost will depend on the Dr....it is a cosmetic procedure
• Question:-How soon after a lumpectomy does chemotherapy start?
  How soon after a lumpectomy should or does chemotherapy start?
  
  Answer:-Most clinical trials start chemotherapy within 42-60 days; some older studies went out as far as 84 days. The importance of using a clinical trial as a standard measure is that the experts are the ones coming up with these criteria.
  
  I typically start 3-4 weeks, depending on patient status and disease characteristics, but no problem waiting couple more weeks if needed. I personally don't like going beyond 6 weeks.
  
  God bless, best wishes
• Question:-How uncomfortable was your first mammogram after your lumpectomy?
  I had a lumpectomy(with sentinal node removal) over 7 months ago. I had to be drained several times at the breast incision site and the node site, during the first few weeks after surgery. I still have fluid and at times, a lot of discomfort at both sites. The thought of being compressed in less than a month is stressing me out.
  
  Answer:-Don't panic!
  
  I have done hundreds of mammograms soon after surgery. We know you are in pain (but remind us, OK?). We will only compress enough to stop motion and (in the case of the side pic) to hold the breast up.
  
  Most of my post op patients say it isn't as bad as they thought it would be.
  
  Good Luck! :)
• Question:-I am having lumpectomy surgery and need advice?
  I am having lumpectomy surgery on thursday and would like to hear tips, thoughts, or advice from those who have had this before or are familiar with the proceedures. Anything would help. Thanks.
  
  Answer:- I have been thru a bunch of breast issues. First of all I recommend for you to take an ativan before the procedure. I took 2 before I went in and I wasn't so scared. You will be fine !! They have come a long way with breast cancer and all the procedures. Early detection is the key. It saved my life. If they want to do anything drastic ,then get a 2nd opinion. Good luck to you...
• Question:-What is the normal recovery time for a lumpectomy?
  I'm having a lumpectomy done tomorrow on my left boob. My question is, how long should I expect to be down? I have 4 young boys to take care of and am wondering how long I'll need help. Any insight on your personal recovery time and issues would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and Have a Great Day!
  
  Answer:-I had a lumpectomy about three years ago. Afterwards my surgeon asked that I wait a week to drive and return to work (after having stitches removed), and a month or so before doing any lifting. I remember having a great deal of sensitivity in the area (still do at times) but never a lot of pain. I don't recall even taking pain meds, just over the counter stuff. My husband stayed with me a day or two because I have a harder than normal time recovering from anesthesia. If not for that I would have been fine staying alone the day after surgery.
• Question:-If given the choice of biopsy or lumpectomy, which one would you choose?
  I am 26. My doctor wants to do a lumpectomy. Mainly because my mom passed from breast cancer.
  I already had an ultrasound done.
  
  Answer:-I would choose a core biopsy for myself before a more invasive surgery (lumpectomy). If it is cancerous, there's plenty of time to go back in, either before or after chemo.
  
  But the odds of any lump being cancer are low.
• Question:-what does a call to go back to the surgeon mean after a lumpectomy?
  My mom was just diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a lumpectomy and a lymph node drained on Monday. The said they will have results in 5 days. They called her today wanting to see her. She is so bummed, do you think they will make her wait that long for results?
  Well when we get a pap smear, they call us to say its normal. We want to know if there is more cancer
  
  Answer:-they can't tell her anything over the phone, due to laws regarding patient privacy... she needs to go see the doctor.
• Question:-Should I get a tattoo on the wrist of my lumpectomy arm?
  I am a 7yr breast cancer survivor. This year for my birthday I want to get a tattoo about the size of a nickel on my wrist of my lumpectomy arm. I know that I need to be careful with this arm and cant even get my blood pressure taken on it. But I really want it there. Is it to big of a risk? What do u'all think??
  
  Answer:-Clearly, since you have been warned about taking care of that arm, you had lymph node removal and are at risk of lymphoedema.
  
  You'll have been warned against having injections in that arm and warned to avoid any small injury such as burns, cuts, scratches and sunburn.
  
  So you're well aware of the risks involved in getting a tattoo. It's your choice, and I'm not going to lecture you on it (well, I'll try not to, but once a schoolteacher...).
  
  But I can tell you that lymphoedema is a lifetime risk, is currently irreversible (though manageable if it's mild) and - and this one's from experience - is no fun at all.
  
  I developed lymphoedema over 2 years after breast cancer surgery and axillary node clearance. I don't know what particular injury or risk factor triggered it - I was unaware of whatever it was, which shows how easily it can be triggered. I just looked down one day to see that my affected arm and hand were noticeably larger than the other arm and hand. And so they've remained.
  
  I've also had cellulitis on my lymphoedema arm, which can occur where the skin has previously been broken - including by needles. It was horrible, really revolting.
  
  So - while obviously it's your choice, I'd simply urge that you bear the risks in mind.
• Question:-I had breast cancer,in my left breast, treated with a lumpectomy and radiation and sent home.?
  I was not given Tamoxifin or any preventative drug. 6 months later I got cancer ,a more aggressive cancer in my left breast. My doc acted shocked. I had a lumpectomy, radiation and chemo. Then I was given Femara. Did my doc follow procedures?
  
  Answer:-Tamoxifen is only given for hormone-positive cancers. So your pathology report probably indicated hormone-receptor negative cancer.
  
  If so, this is often considered a more aggressive cancer, and recurrence rates are somewhat higher. So it wouldn't be unheard of for you to get a recurrence.
  
  Do you have a copy of the original pathology report? If not, ask your oncologist for a copy. That would be an important clue.
  
  It sounds as if Femara is given for hormone positive cancers. So if the current incident is hormone-positive, it is either a) a new cancer, or b) someone messed up on your original pathology or treatment plan.
• Question:-what is the recovery period for having a lumpectomy?
  How much time have people taken off from work after having a breast lumpectomy?
  
  Answer:-I lost two days from work...the day I had the lumpectomy and the day after (because I wasn't allowed to drive for 24 hours due to anesthesia).
  
  This will vary from person to person and surgeon to surgeon though. You will have to ask your surgeon how long he wants you to be off work. My surgeon would have given me more time but I always bounce back very quickly.