That’s Great news that you have your surgery date and so soon!
I would definitely recommend staying away for a few nights to recover. Are they planning on taking the lump and some lymph nodes too? It’s the armpit that hurts the most especially when you start using your arm more. I’m now 1 week post surgery and I feel like it’s healing well but quite sore and a bit swollen (you certainly wouldn’t want a child jumping on you!)
I have been back at work since Wednesday but I am a PA so my work is not very strenuous!
I really hope all goes well for you on 16th. Let me know how you are. Xx
I really did realise how much I may need the youngest around me tonight after she was bouncing all over me and my bruised boobs from the biopsies the youngest is going to go and stay with my mother in law for a couple of days, my eldest is 5 so she’s fairly sensible and at school most of the day!
Yes I’ll be having some nodes removed too to double check them. Thank you for the heads up!
I’ve got a party hire business and typically December is one of my busiest months but I’ve roped everybody into helping do all the lifting for me!
How are you feeling mentally/emotionally now surgery is all done?
I’ll definitely keep you posted! I had a call today to ask me to come in for the early morning surgery which seems better to get it over and done with rather than waiting until the afternoon x
Just a quick update as promised! Had my lumpectomy yesterday morning, all went well and am at home recovering. My youngest has gone to my mother in laws for a couple of days so just my eldest here and my husband to get her ready etc. So I’m having 2 or 3 lazy days just watching movies and gentle walking around the house/doing my exercises!!
Ah I’m glad to hear from you and I hope you are recovering well. How are you feeling now that a couple of days have passed? Did they take any lymph nodes too? I doing ok thank you, I’m still at work and dealing with the kids and chaos of Christmas!! It’s a lot. But I’m having my wound checked at hospital tomorrow as I have a bit of a lump under my armpit in the scar where they took a few lymph nodes.
They were concerned it might be a seroma or could be or get infected which I don’t want to have to deal with around Christmas so it’s good they are looking at it tomorrow.
I hope you are getting some rest. I felt quite tired a few days after my surgery. I’m not sure if that is normal or whether I just did too much too soon. But make sure you rest as much as possible
Hey @holliet91 so sorry i completely forgot to reply in the chaos of Christmas!! I’m recovering well thank you, went back to work fairly quickly after 4 days which mentally helped me as I was going stir crazy in the house no heavy lifting though!! I have also rested alot and my husband took over most pf the care fpr the girls/house etc and I’m feeling pretty good! We had a lovely christmas but i did get abit down the day after boxing day once the chaos had calmed down but back to feeling positive now!
Hows everything going with your recovery? Have you had your results back yet?
Hope you had a lovely christmas Happy New Year I hope its a positive one for us all
Happy new year . I hope you had a lovely Christmas with your family. I’m pleased to hear from you and that you recovered from surgery so well and got back to work quickly. It’s important to carry on as much as normal and working and cracking on with life just takes your mind off it all!
I know what you mean with the down feeling after the hype of Christmas. I think that happens to me anyway but having this diagnoses just elevated that feeling this year.
So I got the results of my surgery which was good news, they got a clear margin and no cancer in lymph nodes. However, they are sending a biopsy off to be analysed by a company in America called oncotype. It will score how beneficial chemotherapy might be for me as it assesses the risk of the cancer returning and takes in other factors such as age, type of cancer etc. It’s a bit of a scary thought as I wasn’t preparing myself for the possibility of chemotherapy. But in a way this test will show whether I need it or not and at the end of the day that will give me a better prognosis for future if it is what I have to do then I’ll do it for my family and especially my kids.
So I’ve been feeling a bit of a mix of emotions at the moment and I have to wait 3 weeks for the results of that test. It all feels like a very long road.
Have you heard back from the hospital on how your surgery results? What’s the next steps for you.?
Hey @holliet91 I did thank you!! The distractions certainly helped, I’m the same I really love the buzz of December and Christmas and always feel flat 27th through to new year but it was definitely heightened this year, understandable I suppose with everything we’re going through!!
That is absolutely amazing news, so happy for you!! It’s so hard though isn’t it as fabulous as the news is it just feels like we’re always waiting for the next result but fingers crossed after the oncotype result thats it!!
Ahhh so I knew about the onco type test but naively just assumed every lump is tested so I had my op on 16th and assumed it was probably in the lab being tested over Christmas and thought I’d get that result along with pathology results the 1st week of Jan, but the BC nurse explained to me a couple of days ago that not every lump needs the oncotype test so that was abit of a downer knowing I’ll have to wait longer to find out about chemo!! But I’ve waited this long I supose whats another 3 weeks!! I think my pathology results are due to be discussed at MDT on 6th or 8th Jan so I’ll know more about the results of surgery/if I need the onco type test then.
Were you not pre-warned about potentially needing chemo? At my initial diagnosis appointment they said for me definitely radiotherapy and hormone blockers and dependent on results chemo (not likely but can’t say for certain until they get full pathology results), I’ve always had it in my mind its a possibility but I’ve got everything crossed that we don’t need it you’re right though if that’s the last bit of treatment that will protect our future we will get through it for our families
We’ve got this far and I don’t know about you but mentally I’m alot stronger now than I was in that 1st initial week after diagnosis I could barely function!! We can do whatever our next steps are to put an end to all this
The breast care team said similar to me when I first found out I had the cancer, definitely surgery then hormone blockers and radiotherapy. They didn’t mention the possibility of chemo but then I didn’t ask… So I suppose chemo has always been a possibility but maybe part of me wanted to push that thought to the back of my mind. So it shocked me when they said it was being sent off to oncotype, as I hadn’t heard of that. I understand that it’s the best way forward to fully understand whether chemo is necessary or not. It’s taken me a week to get my head around it all but I’m as prepared as I can be for that news now if it is what I have to do.
I have been researching more now and have been in touch with the holistic needs person at the hospital and possibly need a bit of counselling to keep my head on my shoulders. I have times where I just lose it a bit and feel like everything is so out of control. Last week was a bad week for me, almost as bad as when I first heard about the cancer. It’s a weird rollercoaster and I just want to gain some control back so I’ve been watching podcasts and looking into how I can manage my diet now with this diagnosis to be as healthy as possible.. I suppose I just want to try and gain some control back in my life.
I shall let you know what the outcome is of my appointment with the oncologist in a couple of weeks.
please let me know how you get on with your results too, I have everything crossed for you and sending love your way
Hey @holliet91 when I think back to the conversation I actually think I was the one that asked about chemo! Maybe they don’t mention it as its all the unknown until they have official results back possibly?
Sorry you’ve had a bad week, it really is such an emotional roller-coaster!! Which podcasts have you been listening to? I’m trying to get as healthy as possible too physically and mentally!! How are you feeling today?
I had a call today with my results, they were back in time for today’s MDT meeting and was mainly good news! They got clear margins and no spread to lymph nodes and it was 4mm smaller than they initially though so it was 13mm once removed. It was initially thought it was grade 2 but turned out to be grade 3 so slightly faster growing but she said try not to focus on that as it was small/no spread etc. Then I asked about oncotype test and she said it had been discussed but they all felt because of my age I would benefit from chemo as a preventative measure, so I won’t be having the onco type test but she said the oncologist will discuss the benefits with me at the appointment, but like you’ve said before if it gives me a better outcome for it not returning I’ll do it for my family. Hopefully it’s not too many sessions!!
I was over the moon with the results until chemo was mentioned and I spiralled abit but I need to focus on the results!
Hi all. I’m brand new to this forum and I can’t figure out how to start a new post so I thought I’d post here. I’m sorry to hear about your DX Katie as I’m in the same boat.
I was recently diagnosed with IDC Grade 2 Hormone Positive, Her2 Negative with 1 confirmed positive lymph node from biopsy. Ki score is in the 20s. I’m also premenopausal. I’ve seen two doctors and one recommended surgery first followed by chemo and the other recommended chemo first followed by surgery. Anyone have the same or similar DX and what did you choose?
Hey @suz2 sorry you find yourself here but welcome!! When I was diagnosed I was just told surgery first (lumpectomy) and then once the lump had been tested I would have a confirmed treatment plan but it was always radiotherapy and hormone blockers with potential chemo too (results cane back today and they think chemo would benefit me).
Did they give you pros/cons to each way of doing it? I hate when they don’t decide for us!!
I’m sure somebody will be along who has been in your position with some advice soon! When were you diagnosed? How are you doing xx
@katie91 I’m waiting results Monday and so hoping. No chemo. I’m 53. Diagnosed from 1st ever mammogram Had surgery. All I no is lump was similar to a dot and was less than 1 mm. I know radiation is a definite Anyone no if chemo is also needed Ty. Hope everyone is doing ok It’s not easy.
I was really hoping to not have to go through chemo too and although I always knew it was a possibility it was a real shock when they told me today, I cried! But now I’ve processed it I’m ready to take it on!
Hopefully as yours is so small you won’t need it. Have you had the onco type test done? Sending lots of love x
I get results on Monday about nymp nodes which 4 were tested. Was told all clear on ultra but one never knows getting % recurrence also and then treatment plan I’ll cope with anything but not chemo. I’m too vain . Am I the only one. Reading other posts here ppl seem fine with treatments. I’m traumatized
Ah I’m so sorry that it is chemotherapy. Sending you a really big hug as that is a hard one to hear… but taking a positive view point it will be for the best and you will get through it. It’s amazing though how much support there is in term of holistic needs (counselling, massage, hypnotherapy, support groups, look good feel better etc ) make sure you take everything you can. The more support the better.
Im really preparing myself now for the news. Im feeling better about it all at the moment but im scared for the meeting with the oncologist .
How are you feeling today? I hope you are doing ok.
I watched some of the podcasts that Amy Dowden has and also some that are more general in terms of cancer diagnoses with Deborah James. The more information the better. Knowledge is power and having all of this before the oncology appointment is the best place to be in.
let me know how your appointment goes with oncologist when you have it.
I am in a Similar place to you, just waiting on results to see if I need chemo or not after having surgery with clear margins, no lymph node involved. I was shocked that I still possibly faced chemo despite having a good surgical outcome. I am scared of that, I think most people are! I’m so scared about possible hair loss and all the other stuff that comes with it. I have 2 young children who totally rely on me to be ok so that’s also terrifying. But there is a lot of support out there and also thank god for family and friends. They see you through so much.
So In my case they have sent a biopsy off to oncotype (is USA) who analyse the risk of reoccurrence and various other factors such as age, size of tumour etc… it takes doctors opinions out of the equation and I suppose is just based on science. My appointment should be in two weeks time. The waiting is painful. But we are all here together supporting each other. This forum has really helped me feel like I am not alone in dark times.
Wishing you all the best for your meeting. Sending love
Hi @holliet91 Hope everything goes well for u I’m also waiting on USA report and treatment plan My appointment is Monday. The wait was torture my anxiety is thru the roof. I’m terrified I’ll need chemo. ( I’m so vain ). Mine was less than 1 mm when detected from 1st mammogram. But I have not got surgery results She say it went well no surprises. So hopefully. My op was Dec 19 th and the whole lot (shock ) thinking the worst ruined my xmas and trying to keep it all together and smiling Im like. Why the hell me. .. anyway. Hopefully nymp nodes b clear etc. I’ll let ye know Monday if I’m not traumatized. lol
Hey @holliet91 thank you I was really gutted when she told me, it pretty much took over all of the really positive news she told me but now I’ve processed it (and found some really nice and natural looking wigs/hair pieces) I honestly feel so much better! I’m a real get on with it type of person and although I know it will be tough I’m ready for it! I also thought if they hadn’t offered me chemo I would most likely complain its the NHS cutting corners and send myself into a panic that no chemo might mean it will spread so tbh they couldn’t win no matter what they said to me
I’ve been offered holistic therapies and talking therapies I’ve got a couple of sessions booked I think it’s reiki and massage and I’m just waiting a call from talking therapies with an appointment date. I’ll give those podcasts a watch too!
If you’re trust is like mine they may offer it you because of your age, I’m hoping given its a pre-cautionary measure they’ll give me a milder version but we shall see!!
I’ve still only told 3 people so I was really hoping to not have to tell everybody but I’ll have to see how I react to the chemo and how I look physically if I can hide it for any longer the whole reason I didn’t want to tell people is that I feel like they look at you differently as soon as you mention the C word so apart from the 3 people that know everybody has just been normal thinking nothing is going on.
Oh I really feel your pain the waiting is so hard, I just kept telling myself no matter what whether I have to have it or not it is what’s best for me for the best outcome. When I found out though it was still a shock but 1 or 2 days later I felt so much better and I know once I’ve sat down with the oncologist and know the full plan I’ll be ready for it! Do you know when your results will be back?
Hi again @holliet91 just thought I’d keep you posted I had another little curveball today! My BCN said they had discussed chemo at the MDT and deemed it beneficial without oncotype testing but I’ve just got the results “officially” from the consultant who said hes run my results through again and its come up as 4.6% benefit which puts me in the grey area so he thinks its best to let the oncotype test decide!! So back to the waiting room I go
the youngest is going to go and stay with my mother in law for a couple of days, my eldest is 5 so she’s fairly sensible and at school most of the day!
no heavy lifting though!! I have also rested alot and my husband took over most pf the care fpr the girls/house etc and I’m feeling pretty good! We had a lovely christmas but i did get abit down the day after boxing day once the chaos had calmed down but back to feeling positive now!
Happy New Year 
I hope its a positive one for us all 
. I hope you had a lovely Christmas with your family. I’m pleased to hear from you and that you recovered from surgery so well and got back to work quickly. It’s important to carry on as much as normal and working and cracking on with life just takes your mind off it all!
and I spiralled abit but I need to focus on the results!
