Hi
I was diagnosed on 13/12 officially, the week before had the Biopsy and they said then was cancer, I have had MRI done and now have meeting with surgeon on Tuesday, been advised on phone Lumpectomy and radiation then tablets for 5 years. I am not sleeping and anxiety really bad. I have some questions which will ask surgeon but inpatient. When I have the surgery do they remove lympth node to test? Do I need to go and get a supportive bra? How long will I not be able to work for, I have option to work from home. My lump is 1.5cm and said grade 2 and is edge of my right breast by armpit, what will my breast be like afterwards. Sorry loads of questions but so stressed and single person so struggling. Assume will not know stage until after operation? x
Hi, sorry to hear that you’ve joined the club. While I will try to answer some questions it is different for everyone so difficult to predict how you will react. I had WLE for stage 2 24mm in Oct having opted for mamoplasty round block technique. I was really stressing about making the decision about which surgery option but breast nurse really helped with this. I believe that sentinel nodes are taken out routinely. For me, other than tiredness I felt fine physically 2 weeks after surgery but found the waiting for results really hard. Keeping busy helped a little.
Good luck with your surgery and treatment
Hi Becki,
Sorry you are going through this over Christmas, it definitely sucks! As everyone is different I can only tell you my experience but hopefully it is of some help to you.
I´m 49 and was diagnosed on 1st December with ILC after a routine annual check, Her2 negative, ER+ PR+ 2.3mm (was actually 1.9mm when they took it out) and Grade 2. I had my lumpectomy on 13th December and honestly found it all a lot easier than I had expected. My lump was under my nipple so I had an incision around my nipple to remove this and also an incision under my armpit to take the first sentinel node for biopsy. I think it is normal to only take 1-3 unless your ultrasound showed swollen lymph nodes and then they may be taking more but I think you would have been told this already if they thought it was necessary. As your lump is close to your armpit you might be lucky and maybe they will only need to do one incision! I had tape and stitches removed on Thursday and can hardly even tell the difference in my breast so try not to worry to much about this. Your lump is not too big so they shouldn´t have to remove to much tissue and hopefully it won´t even be noticeable once everything heals.
You definitely need to buy some post-operative support bras, I got mine from M&S, they were so helpful and I opted for front fastening to use for the first week and back fastening once I had a bit more movement. I would also recommend some front fastening pyjamas and a nice warm dressing gown. I felt very good after my op but it is still a good idea to take it easy for a week and let your body recover. I thought I was fine to drive after 4 days but this was a mistake and I regretted this and waited another 8 days before doing that again! I have been for walks every day for an hour from day 3 and I definitely recommend doing this if you can and just keeping your arm as mobile as possible without overstretching anything or making yourself uncomfortable.
I am not sure if you are in the UK but if you are I would recommend getting some over the counter sleeping tablets, Boots have ones called Sleepeze that are just a type of antihistamine but they helped me no end when I was going through the hell of waiting for test results and your sleep is so important, it will help your body heal quicker and will also help you feel less stressed. I also used Rescue Remedy drops and Calm tablets when I was feeling really anxious. If you are feeling really bad you can ask your doctor to prescribe you something stronger, this is completely normal and I was prescribed some strong valium type tablets but ended up not needing to use them, it was just reassuring to know they were there if things got too much.
I am sure you will feel a lot better once you meet with your surgeon on Tuesday and have a lot more clarity on what will happen and you will start to feel a lot more in control of the situation and less anxiety. I promise it does get easier, the first couple of weeks are absolute hell and I thought I was going to lose my mind but once you have a date for surgery you will be once step closer to being rid of this and putting it all behind you xxxxx
sorry you find yourself here get a little notebook and write all your questions down and their answers, do ask your surgeon about any supplements or anything that you might need to come off before surgery button front short sleeve pyjamas, pair of slides and dressing gown, hand cream, lip balm as hospital can dry you out a bit, also have some senokot and anosol and baby wipes ready for post op, the meds for op can block you up, sorry if tmi but wanted you to know. I had zip front racer style sports bra from M&S post op and was comfortable, did go up a size to accommodate any post op swelling ask away on here and do look at the someone like me option too if you want everyone’s here so ask away as much or as little as you need BCN is here 
Shi xx
Hi Becki1
Sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis and not the best time of year to be diagnosed either.
I echo what everyone else has said, but I note you also asked about work.
I had a wide local excision and therapeutic mammoplasty to remove 2 tumours ca 25mm each. Then reduction in the other breast to get symmetry. Evening surgery then home in the morning. They also took 7 lymph node as part of sentinel biopsy (they were all in one branch).
I felt quite queasy first day after surgery, tired and was careful not to do too much. I was home on the Wednesday morning and went back to work the following Monday. I have a desk based job and work from home. Took it easy but managed fine. I had the Thursday to Monday booked off already and then after that pretty much back full time. I would suggest you just see how you feel, for me it was important to get back as work felt normal at a time when restricted physically and lot of things to think about. With hindsight would probably have taken a full week off but no harm done.
I had radiotherapy, fortunately didn’t need chemo and I am also on endocrine tablets and monthly Zoladex to make sure ovaries not producing estrogen (I am 51). Few ups and downs but not as bad as expected. 6 months in and got some joint pain (especially in the morning) which started about a month ago, but manageable. Just telling you as caught me by suprise!
Wish you all the very best for your op and future treatment.
Hi there. Virtually same diagnosis on 18th December. I dont know what to expect either regarding surgery so reading the posts above was helpful. My surgery is on 23rd Jan. I’m nervous. I didnt get an mri but everyone else seems to have had one. Wondering why i didnt have one. They said no lymph node involvement so no chemo, but i know this might change. Good luck… I am sure you will be fine x
I had my lumpectomy on the 14th December. My tumor ended up being 12 mm -so similar to yours. It was also on the side of my right breast relatively close to my arm pit. During the procedure they removed my sentinel node. I actually found that I felt better than I thought I would after the surgery. I was a bit bruised and I found it a hard to raise my arm ( I think due to the sentinel node scar). I bought a couple of comfortable sports bras that fasten at the front and I actually wore them at night as well as during the day. The day after surgery I rested but I was up and about on the second day ( I actually took my son to a birthday party). The main thing to avoid is any heavy lifting or stretching .The nurse gave me a leaflet with some simple exercises to do that I think helped. Two weeks on my breast does still look a bit bruised and I can obviously see the scar. The area they removed the lump from looks a bumpy and there is a bit of an indentation. I obviously need to wait for it to settle down but I am not worried how it looks as it is to the side and I am just glad to have the lump out.
This sounds same as my diagnosis… I got a couple of bras from M&s … Just for comfort for first couple of weeks … lymph nodes are tested and results given after op. I’ve now had radiotherapy and taking tamoxifen. I get some discomfort especially under my arm from lymph nodes removal and it all looks and feels different but all has gone according to plan… All removed …It’s a lot to think about and I know how lucky I am to be surrounded by support from family friends and work colleagues. Make sure you write questions down … because in the moment you forget. I didn’t take anyone with me but in hindsight I should have with my follow up … so they could prompt me to ask more
Write down all your questions and take someone with you as it can be very overwhelming
Absolutely try M&S for bras, the ladies there are lovely and will help you fit right, and a front fastening one if you can but Asda do some lovely ones too and an extra large zip up fleece for the snuggle days ( shein do loads) i donated mine after recovery to another breast patient
Remember to do the arm exercises post surgery, they do help with stiffness and moisturise as soon as you can. I used bio oil and aloe vera and my heart cushion every day and at night to support my armpit and surgery scar
Remember to rest, not easy but you will recover quicker if you rest
I took 2 weeks off with my surgeon supplying a sick note and then phased my hours as it was difficult to use my laptop and keyboard so employer made adjustments ( had hand and finger tingles)
Its going to be uncomfortable, if you have pain tell your team
Eat well drink water every day watch some movies
Good luck
Hi, i understand your anxiety and questions.
I had a nuclear injection into my breast the day before my surgery, this enables them to remove lymphnodes attached to the lump(they took 2 and tested them).
I did buy 2 bra, wore all the quick washed.
I had 2 ops, lumpectomy and re incision of margins and both times i was really able afterwards, of course i was careful not to over do it, but i felt well enough that my husband went back to work eailer and i was alright with my newborn and 3yo and i came off pain meds very quickly, however everyone is different. I found that biopsy before being diagnosed more painful to recover from
Hi Beck, I had lumpectomy and my breast is relatively good with a side scar. It might be worth going to m&s as they do some good post surgery supportive cami tops and bras. They will perhaps take some lumph nodes to test the cancer hadn’t gone any further. I had this along with chemo and radiotherapy. I am pleased to say I am doing well, but it does take time for everything to settle down, even after 18 months. You are doing great. Try to take each step and day one at a time, so you don’t end ip too overwhelmed by it all. I am also on bone tablets for 3 years. Everyone is different, I went back to working from home 10 days after surgery, but took plenty of breaks and some shorter days. If your employer can support this, it will be good for you.
I had this injection too. It help them to work out which lymph nodes are being hit for drainage from your boob so they can take samples for testing. I wush you all happy new year and all the luck in the world getting through your stuff the best way you can. It’s just a short few weeks, then you’ll come out the other side. Go girls!!
Dear becki1
So sorry to hear what you are going through. Agree with most writers on this forum that M&S is one of the best options for getting a supportive bra. They also do a selection of bra tops which I found helpful to sleep in at the time of my diagnosis and operation. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is normally done when they do the lumpectomy. One thing to be wary of is not going back to work too soon, even if you have an option of working from home. Your body goes through a lot at this time, make sure you get reasonable adjustments to help you manage everything and work when you feel you are able and definitely do not do what I did which was to try and work during the start of my radiotherapy sessions as I ended up getting diagnosed with cancer fatigue.
Primark have also got a good range out now too and have donated to BCN as one of their charities so also worth a look they really are trying to help if you need anything to help level you up post op and you are not given something that’s sufficient from your trust do look at evenly bra balancers, Kate Taylor has posted on here and I can vouch for her product it is great. Also trulife in Sheffield do a good product too. Don’t know if you are near Nottingham but the lady who is at Nottingham city hospital is great for post op bra service, not all trusts have this facility sadly but you could see if you can go there post op maybe, she is very very good and will look after you Shi xx