Hi had lumpectomy and sentinal node op on 22nd of dec just starting to get over it when 2 days ago was told the lymph node was positive n would hav t hav further surgery on 18th jan to remove th rest of th lymph nodes (so much 4 th new sentinal node biopsy not helpd me).plus hav got to hav chemo only good news no more op on breast!!! totally shocked was initially told nodes looked clear n was grade 1 now been told im grade 3 SCARED just starting to feel arm less uncomfortable n was thinking about gettin bac to work n gona have to go through it again with drains this time. the chemo i think scares me th most im a hairdresser n my hair like the rest of you is so important already hate every1 saying “itl grow back”. despite it all im strong and determind as we hav no choice n love th saying i mite have cancer but cancer dusnt hav me!!!
hi rozita, i to had surgery for right brt mastectomy and sentinal nodig on 21 dec but had pos nodes so i am bookedin for node clearance this mon 11 jan ! was really upset but will have to be brave .like you they thought nodes were ok but i suppose nothing is 100% until removed and checked. they have not told me what treatment for def but bc nurses seem to think chemo route which im quite nervous about!!! like yourself.but if it means beating this then so be it .hope everything goes well keepin touch xxx.
rozita
The sentinel node biopsy equipment tests part of the node but the rest is sent to the lab to be tested after surgery. If that is not found to be clear, then further surgery is required, to remove the rest of the nodes, as you have found out.
At the time I had mine, I was told the part tested during the op was clear and I was elated, until I discovered that the rest still had to be tested. I then had to wait for the results, along with the other results from the lumpectomy. I was so upset. Fortunately, mine did turn out to be clear. I am so sorry it was not the same for you.
Good luck to you both.
Ann x
I was told from the start that if the sentinel node contained cancer, then the rest would have to be removed so didn’t come as a shock. I had no lumps or bumps under the arm, but until nodes are looked at under a microscope, nothing is definite.
When I see the surgeon, I have a breast nurse in the room too who writes what the surgeon says on paper for me to look at afterward. Just as well, as it’s a lot to take in, plus the fact the surgeon has a strong foreign accent!
I see some people have the sentinel nodes tested whilst still in theatre? Not offered at my hosp. Would save going in for a 2nd op though.
Steph
Fortunately, my hospital has the special equipment to test the part of the sentinel node during the lumpectomy (WLE) surgery. The rest is tested after surgery to double check. I have just finished radiotherapy and had to buy my own creams. However, I would rather the hospital spent their budget on equipment, rather than creams which cost little to the patient.
Ann x
hi i was the same as you was originally told just have to have mas and i was thinking only off work 6-8 weeks when results came back from node biopsy 12 out of 22 effected so got to have chemo.that was the worse moment for me not only does it make your treatment longer but you can lose your hair.only had one chemo and i had no side effects,wore the c…old cap but frightened to do anything with hair incase it falls out;but at least iv still got .i need to talk to my cons again about my results as i dont think i took it in,im sure he told me i was still a grade 1-is that possible if nodes are effected had all the body scans and it hasnt spread’take care jackie x
ps.the drains are a pain but not having them is worse as you swell up i just put mine in my dressing gown pocket or f i went out down the waistband of my jeans x
hiya
had WLE and SNB 29th May, completed 8 cycles of chemo and had remaining lymph nodes removed 18th Dec. My sentinel node showed signs of cancer and 3 others. Also HER2+ so better for me to get straight onto the chemo. Good news is that the remaining nodes removed 3 weeks ago were all clear, but like you, it is a pain having to have 2 ops. I believe some hospitals can test the sentinel node there are then and if infected remove the lot in one foul swoop, unfortunatly don’t have kit at my hospital (and costs £60k). My drain stayed in for 10 days (3 days in a bottle) and then it was swapped for a bag. Had it all over xmas and to be honest I got used to it. Arm is sore, but persevering with the exercises! Hope you go on ok, and PM if I can help in any way
x
finn353 - The Grade of cancer is how quickly it grows, Grade 1 is slowest. The Stage is, generally speaking, how big it is and whether it has spread. So you could be Grade 1, but it could have spread.
Jayney - My hospital has the SNB kit, but they make patients pay for creams, etc during radiotherapy. I am happy with that!
Good luck with your treatment, ladies.
Ann x
anne thank you i should have known that about the grade 1 but i do feel i didnt take all my diagnosis in and sometimes the more you read the more confused you get and also i think i might be a bit naive as the more you know the more you have to worry about thank you jackie x
Cor Ann, would much prefer to have it your way as aqueous cream is only £2 a pot! I think the equipment is fairly new and only bigger hospitals have it? Have seen surgeon today for follow up and he really pleased with scar, healing etc and the results were good anyway (which is the biggest relief). Afterall, my remaining nodes could have been clear all along, but just not worth taking that risk.
J
Jayney - The hospital I attend has just had a big extension and been made a central one with services being moved in from others. I imagine they would not have had this equipment prior to that, so I was fortunate in my timing! Also, they moved the radiotherapy unit there recently and I only live about 12 miles away. Have to look on the bright side:)
Ann x
our unit also does SNB during surgery and if affected will remove them at the same time… they also use radioactivity and a geiger counter to detect it… my consultant is one of only two in the country authorised to have a license.
some units also seem to inject the blue dye for the snb seperately like the day before surgery but its all done when your under the GA at the unit here.
we dont get cream either but then we are told not to use it anyway… for those are recommended it in england and wales or with a prepayment certificate in scotland you should be able to get it on prescription anyway as its part of your treatment.
anyway good luck with your ops girls
Lxx
Lulu - They used the radioactivity on the morning of my surgery and injected the blue dye whilst I was under GA. If your consultant is only one of two to have a licence, is mine the other one, or do we have the same one? 
Ann x
although my consultant has the license it means its allows other docs at his unit to use it aswell… im at the wgh in edin, so if your not there then one of the docs at your hosp must have the other license… unless of course the prof was just pulling my leg.
Planning session for rads tomorrow for me, but don’t get the cream on script, have to buy it, but it won’t break the bank will it???
Blue dye for SNB is injected under GA at my hospital too.
My journey time for rads is probably an hour door to door, so a bit of pain really 
J
hi thank you all 4 ur messages. Its so good to know im not on my own in all this, feeling more like my old self so trying to get things done b4 going back in on monday got my haed around it now, no choice we just have to take whatever they throw at us and bounce back. read some tips on chemo about a hot water bottle when using the ice cap found a microwaveable 1 in TK MAX in lavender sying I AM A WOMAN I AM INVINCIBLE I AM TIRED made me smile im ready!!!xx
Lulu - No, I’m in Hampshire! Maybe he was
Good luck Jayney and Rozita - love the hot water bottle!
Ann x
My gp gave me as much cream on prescription as i needed E45 and another really good one and the hospital where i had my chemo gave me cream too (aqueous, but your right it wouldn’t break the bank for that one and it is really good).
Reneexx
hi i had the radioactive injection the day b4 n th blue dye during surgery but oh i wish they could hav tested it during surgery it would hav saved th second op thought it was only america that did that! i live in york.xxxx