Hello ladies,
I’m new to the forum (but have made my introduction). I have IDC Grade 3, blood and x-ray tests came back clear. Ultra Sound on nodes were clear also. Oh it is also hormonce receptive level 5!
I am booked in for a lumpectomy on 3rd May. They are going to remove the lump (which is a little under 3 cm) and although the nodes appeared clear, they are going to remove the bottom ones for testing. I’ve also been told that I will go in in the morning and out by the evening.
I’ve read on the forum about drains etc is this something which I will get? I’m a little confused. The onc said that he would remove the tumor and some good cells and then shuffle the remaining tissue around so that it just looks like a little dimple lol
I will then wait 12 days for the results however, what other results can they give me. I know I already have an IDC Grade 3 with no node involvement (according to the ultra sound) and that it is hormone receptive…Is there anything else that they can tell me? Am I missing something?
I have been advised that I will receive RAD and tablets. My BCN also said that because it is a grade 3 there may also be discussions around chemo - I’m not bothered about chemo at the moment as I’ll worry about that when it’s needed.
I’m hoping that someone can offer some advise.
Thank you and lots of soft hugs xx
Hi there 
Not sure if you will have a drain for a lumpectomy and sentinel nodes, but when I had mine they found cancer in one of the sentinel nodes (unexpected), so when I awoke I found they had proceeded to axillary node clearance and I did in fact have a drain. I went home next morning.
So that’s one thing that you should fund out after surgery: confirmed staging, and also they have another look at the pathology and histology, so they can confirm the grade also. You should also find out your her_2 receptor status, as that will have a bearing on your treatment plan as well.
Good luck, and do let us know how it goes! xxx
Hi Martha,i had this done on Monday pretty straight forward.I went in at 8am operated at 11am home for 4pm no drains involved I was actually surprised how well I could move my arm that evening.I get my results on Wednesday this gives them an exact picture of what is going on,sometimes if they don’t get clear margins they will do it again a couple of weeks later.try not to worry and take care meggy x
Hi Morweena
Thank you - I am hoping that the nodes will be clear as indicated in the ultra sound, but you can never be 100%. Thanks for letting me know what other results I will get. That’s what was getting to me
Meggy-moo - That’s reasurring that you were in and out in the same day (like I will be). I’m going to tell my onc on the day that if he is any doubt about whether or not he is cutting enough out, then to air on the side of caution and take more lol. Good luck with your results and let me know how you get on.
I’m going out this weekend to get a nice post-op bra 
Take care
Martha xx
The ultrasound can only give them a rough idea - until they do the surgery, and the pathology, nothing is absolutely certain.
I had invasive ductal cancer, grade 2 - they thought the lump was 1.4 cm, with no node involvement, and told me I would only need radiotherapy, no chemo.
After the operation I found out the lump was 2.8cm, and there was a micrometastasis in my sentinel lymph node, so I did have to have chemo, after all. Beforehand, I didn’t realise there was still this much uncertainty in ther outcome, so it was a bit of a shock. They cannot say definitively 'no node involvement ’ until they have done the pathology - micromets can only be seen in the lab.
The other thing they don’t know until after they do the op is whether the margins around the tumour will be clear. If they’re not, they may have to do another op.
Hopefully you will be lucky and not have any more bad news to come, but it’s important to realise it’s a possibility. The doctors don’t always make this entirely clear.
Good luck!
Oh, forgot to say, I didn’t need a drain.
Hi Cybele
The sonographer measured the lump to be just a little under 3cm - In all honesty, I can’t see it getting much bigger in a couple of weeks.
Thanks for the warning about micrometastasis - That was something that I hadn’t considered and will now be prepared for.
I’m going to tell my onc that if he has the thought of “have I got engough” then he probaby hasn’t and to take more good tissue just to be certain. I don’t care if I have a deformed boob, just as long as the margins are clear!
I’m already preped for RADS etc and because I’ve already been told that there may be discussions around chemo, I’m kind of getting prepared for that also
Thank you for the advise ladies.
Good luck with your journeys also xx
hi martha i also have grade 3 invasive ductal bc, just wanted to agree with morwenna and cybele i was told no node involvement so was floored when i came back for the results to be told there were micromets in 3 of the 4 nodes taken .so im having chemo first then back for complete node clearance and further breast surgery as they didnt get clear margin in an area of it either .
Sorry dont want to appear to be delivering bad news just i really was confident because of what i was told that ultrasound was clear ,dont think you will have a drain i ended up staying overnight as didnt go down until 5pm and bp a bit low after but you will be surprised how quickly you recover take care hope it goes well lots of love caz xx
Hi Caz
Thank you, and your not delivering bad news. I’m hoping all will be ok but I will prepare for the worse.
I’m also preparing for chemo (mentally) but I know it will come as a shock when they deliver the final news. I keep feeling under my arm pit and it is now a little tender but I don’t know if that’s because there is an abnormality or because I’m prodding
Because my op is in 2 weeks time we did ask the question about the chances of it spreading in that time frame, but were told no. So this is why I’m being hopeful.
Take care xx
Hi martha,it probably is just you having a bit of a rummage around in there i know i was poking and prodding around in the 2 wks before surgery lots of love to you will be thinking about you xx caz
Haha thanks Caz - I’ll keep you guys updated.
Love & hugs
martha xx
Hi Martha
I delayed my surgery by just under 2 weeks to allow for an expander recon to be done at the same time and was told it wouldn’t affect the growth as cancer doesn’t grow that quickly so what was there would more or less be the same as was there 2 weeks later…I was direct with my questions to the surgeon about it and he was very confident that the delay wouldn’t affect the outcome.
Good luck
Kate
x
Hi Kate
When I was first dx I didn’t ask any questions because I was in such shock and I was by myself. When I went for my ultra sound, my oh came with me and we were better prepared and like you asked more direct questions however, there are a few more I wished I had asked. I may call my bcn on Monday sand ask her.
take care
martha xx
Hi Martha ,feeling quite down today ,I never got clear margins so will get another op on the 6th May.On the scan tumour looked about 1cm but when it was removed it was 3.5cm so now looking at chemotherapy.trying to focus on the positive lymph nodes were clear but the dark cloud is back.Noticed from one of your other posts you are a scottish lady so am I .take care meggy x
Hey Meggy-moo
Bless you sweetie - I’ve read on the forums that some people have even had 3 ops to get clear margins. I’m sure you will do great on the 6th.
You have to stay focussed on the positive - Clear nodes is great news
Even although I haven’t had my op yet or even rads, I’m actually already thinking about chemo - Yes it is a scary thought, but I’m just mentally preparing myself. There are some amazing chemo threads on here and the ladies are wonderful and so up beat.
Try not to stress too much sweetie and stick with your positive nodes. THAT’S GOOD NEWS
Ah yes, I am Scottish indeed. I’m live just outside of Edinburgh. Where are you now?
Take care & big (soft) hugs,
Martha xx
Hi Martha ,I’m over in sunny Fife,well. It’s raining actually but I would like it to be sunny makes us all feel a bit brighter if the sun is out.I will be going to Edinburgh for my rads. Take care muggy
I had 2 ops as well. After the first I didn’t have drains but after the second op which was done to get clear margins and a full node clearance, as I had 2 affected node. I did have a drain - more of a nuisance than anything - attached it to a belt so I could walk around hands free. You may find this link from the Royal College of Surgeons useful as it gives you an idea of what to expect after surgery. rcseng.ac.uk/patients/get-well-soon/lumpectomy/
I was fine walking the short distance to the local shops 3 days after each op. Just take it one step at a time. Good luck with everything.
Nora
Hi Meggy-moo
I’m in Livingston. I’ll be going to Edinburgh also - Hey you never know, we might mee up at the rad clinic lol. My cousin told me the coffee is rubbish there so we may have to meet up and venture out after our session
Hi Nora - Thanks for dropping by, I’ll certainly take a look at the link.
Take care,
Martha xx