After a routine mammogram at the end of January I was card to screening centre in Cardiff. Today I have had confirmation for lumpectomy next Friday. Have to attend hospital on the Third day at 11am for pre operation check, 2pm it’s radiography for dye injection then 4pm ultrasound fir a wire to be put in. After all that is done I can return home but refrain from food and drink after 12 and return 7:30 next morning and hopefully out that night. It is all starting to feel real now but keeping my fingers crossed that it will only be radio therapy after. 12 years ago I had thyroid cancer and dealt with that well but seem to be all over the place with this. I had genetic counselling some years age due to my dad having breast cancer. Since then my younger since had breast cancer we are hoping mine is not the same type. There is no brad gene.
Welcome to the forum, there is plenty of support here from those who are going through similar stages, as well as those of us further down the road.
The feelings you describe are or were common to most of us in the early days of diagnosis & waiting for treatment. It does get better as diagnosis & treatment plans are confirmed & you know where you’re going, as ever, it is the uncertainty which makes it such an anxious time.
Do look at the other threads, such as ‘going through treatment’ for support & advice as needed.
Hi Lynda,there is so much to get your head around in the beginning ,so many procedures and appointments ,very hard to take it all in .It really does leave your head in a spin.Like Ann says it does settle down and become less overwhelming and once you start treatment to get rid of the ****** you do feel better .Lots of support here from people who understand .
I had a WLE and sentinel node biopsy on Monday. I had the dye and wire in the morning and the op at 4.30. Was home to a cooked meal at 8pm. I’ve had virtually no pain either. I’ve done my exercises and walked loads. Back to work on Monday.
It was all really simple and straightforward.
the hardest part was the waiting for the surgery. I read about 10 magazines!
like Kezzar, I had the same procedures as you will be having,and was surpised at how OK I felt after- think the painkillers helped! - and went down the pub with neighbours the day after the op (water only of course!) though I think going back to work a week later would have been a bit much for me, (though didn’t need to as retired) and they told me to avoid driving for 2 weeks after the op which I obeyed though felt OK actually. My cognitive functioning though was not up to par for a week or so after the op, possibly due to anaesthetic or possibly due to having to process so much new information - I knew nothing about BC and had to learn a lot of new words, (especially Bu*g&r, S**t, and the like
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The wire thing is not as horrible as the biopsies strangely enough, though I took a precautionary paracetamol in advance just in case. (take nothing with aspirin in though) I hope you are radiotherapy only too. Good luck for Friday. xxxx
Good luck A,you will feel much better this time tomorrow .Did you have radioactive dye injected ,I had it day before and guide wire on morning of op.Didnt get any info on the guide wire beforehand just told I would be having it.
Hope this is the correct place to contribute - my first time.
Following dodgy mammogram results on Jan 17th I’m at last having my lumpectomy tomorrow! I’ve just been to Nuclear Medicine and had my injection. The procedure was painless but now my breast is throbbing. Is that normal?
Welcome Soobee,I think my boob was throbbing after injection too,bet you will be glad to get the ******* out after such a long wait .Remember to take slippers and dressing gown ,I had to walk down to surgery in my black Clarkes shoes and socks (looked v odd) and make sure you have a pillow for the return journey as seatbelt can go right across op site ,depending on which side is being operated on.Hope all goes to plan for you tomorrow and you don’t have to wait too long .Let us know how you get on.Jill.
Well I survived my wire guided localisation and wide local excision! It wasn’t anywhere near as bad as I expected and 24 hours in I’m not feeling too bad at all. Now comes the long two week wait for biopsy results.
The soft pillow tip was ace. I slept with it like cuddling a teddy bear and had a really good sleep!
Hi Welshlady ,welcome to the forum ,it’s very hard trying to hold it together and be strong for those around you when you are bloody scared isn’t it !!Lots of people here who understand and who you can share your fears with .Jill.
Hi Lin ,welcome to the forum.I think it comes in waves you have calm times and then days when you are gripped by fear and it seems impossible to deal with .Lack of sleep doesn’t help does it .Do you have a date for your op ?
The waiting for things to happen is the pits and then there’s always more waiting after that to find out what they’ve found .By the way it’s usually your boob that goes blue and if you are really lucky you will have blue wee and green poo to cheer you up after the op !!!I felt cheated cos I didn’t have the blue dye ,think I was radioactive enough !!!
I too was disappointed that I didn’t have colourful wee and poo! I was devastated that my boob didn’t glow at night either. My scar currently looks like a shark bite. Two days down now and I’m feeling ok. No pain. Just discomfort. It’s the waiting… still haven’t got a date for follow up appointment!
We should both ask for a refund Soobee,it’s just not on,I didn’t glow in the dark either !!Yes ,I’m afraid anxious waiting is the name of the game with cancer …
I haven’t cried at all since they broke the news! Why am I feeling so emotional now? I’ve had the lumpectomy! It should be gone! Can I blame the anaesthetic? Or should I blame the brave face?
