I found a lump in September diagnosed 30th October early stage, 2 wide incisions, lymph node removal, and 3 weeks ago mastectomy and reconstruction. Yesterday I had results thank goodness that’s it cancer gone, we will see you in a year! From all that care and pamphlets to see you in 12 months! I will be having physio at a local health centre, and see the plastic surgeon in 3 months. Very mixed emotions obviously over the moon the cancer is gone, still recovering, tired, and sore, started tamoxifen and I hope this doesn’t sound weird but actually worried because I haven’t had chemo or radio therapy - not that I wanted it just want to be sure it’s all gone. Has anyone else felt like this?
Hi Arfur, there are a lot of ladies on here this has happened to. Each person’ s cancer is different in its make up so treatments vary. I had a rare cancer , had two wide excisions to get the tumour out plus one lymph node. As the lymph node was clear I did not need chemotherapy but had 15 radiotherapy sessions. The type of tumour I had tends to stay more localised so radiotherapy was the best treatment. I am also on Anastrozole as it was a oestrogen hungry cancer and this drug stops oestrogen production in my body.
Did you ask for your pathology report?. I suggest you call your Consultant’s secretary and ask for it. Again this is quite acceptable and I got mine and other ladies on this site have also. At least you will be clear what exactly was your type of cancer. I think also a call to your breast care nurse might help or the nurses on this site who cn talk you through your concerns.
I felt odd when I was technically discharged from the Oncology clinic but since have had support from my GP and this web site sharing with others who have or who are recovering from cancer surgery and treatment.
I had my first mammogram in January and until then I was worried there still could be some cancer left but the good news it has gone . I know I shall be closely watched as I shall have mammogram for next six years .
The trauma of it all takes awhile to settle. I was diagnosed December 2012 and I am only just getting to the stage where I have days I dont think about it or what I have been through. Everyone of us is different and we all have different ways of coping and your feelings at the moment sound normal to me. Take care, hopefully some of the other ladies on this site will respond with their experiences and feelings to. Katy.
Hi Arfur
I am in exactly the same boat as you. I was diagnosed on 28th October, 2 WLEs and sentinel node biopsy. The cancer hadn’t spread to my nodes but they couldn’t get clear margins, so I had a mastectomy and immediate diep reconstruction 4 weeks ago. I got my results 2 weeks ago to say there was more cancer but it they removed it. I don’t need radiotherapy or chemo (thank goodness!), and have started Tamoxifen. But I also wondered how do they know they didn’t leave a tiny bit behind!! and although I didn’t want rads or chemo, would that have put my mind at ease? I know its silly, because they are experts and know what they are doing. I’m not worried enough to ring my breast care nurse, but it does cross my mind. I can only assume these feelings are normal (unless we’re not normal!). And I am hoping that they eventually pass. Good luck with your recovery.
Jane xx
Hi Arfur,
I was diagnosed with DCIS in 2010, I had a lumpectomy and then diagnosed with cancer. I was offered another lumpectomy or mastectomy which i opted for and they also took the senital node (no spread) . They said they had got all the cancer so did not need chemo or radiotherapy (PHEW) and they would see me in 6 months for a follow up. I felt abandoned as my breast nurse also retired around the same time. I was given tamoxifen and then changed to Aromasin.
I am coming up to the 4 year mark and still worry that the cancer will come back, I worry when i get any aches and pains but now wait a week or so before contacting doctor. I now have a new Breast nurse and can contact her if i am really worried.
Im sure a phone call to your breast nurse may reassure you a bit.
Take care Jennifer