My surgeon told me that there wasn’t a great deal of difference in outcome between lumpectomy and mastectomy so long as you get clear margins from the surgery i.e. mastectomy did reduce the risk, but not massively enough for him to recommend it. I went for lumpectomy and got clear margins, roughly the lower quarter of my left breast is now caved in but dressed you can’t tell I’ve had an op at all.
See what your surgeon’s view on the matter is. Everyone’s case is individual.
Hi all
I am new to the site, diagnosed with breast cancer just over 3 weeks ago and had lumpectomy last Friday (with 4 nodes also being removed for sampling). I get my results on Monday at 10.30am (just had a call this afternoon). I am relieved that the appt is nearly here, but very scared! I have been given no guarantees of anything from the consultant. At 37, this is a complete bolt out of the blue with no familty history and I am fit and healthy! Not sure how to prepared myself for Monday - has anyone got any advice to get me through the weekend?
Thanks
Jayney
Hi Jayney, sorry you’ve had to join our club, but you’re very welcome and you’ll find lots of support and advice here. My advice would be to a) take someone with you, it’s good for support and also they’ll remember things that you might not, and b) write a list of any questions you have. You’ll probably be given a treatment plan and that can be overwhelming and hard to take in. And if you’re not clear about anything, get them to clarify. I found that once I had my results and treatment plan it helped me focus on what was gonna happen next, which was a positive for me that I needed. The waiting is just the worst and there’s no point in saying try not to worry. However if you can distract yourself by doing something nice it might help you feel a bit better. Monday will come round soon enough. I wish you all the best and hope you get good results. All the best Pat x
Hi Jayney, I am in almost exactly the same situation as you. I’m 44, no history of BC in family, had lumpectomy and 4 or 5 lymph nodes removed a coupkle of weeks ago, and also get my results on Monday! I have sent you a PM to your inbox by the way. The waiting is scary and is one of the hardest bits (well so far anyway). I’m just trying to keep busy and do everything I normally do at the weekend. Not easy, and I know how you feel.
Scottiedog
I am waiting with my wife (42), for results of a biopsy. The wait is killing me and my wife is very private about the whole thing. I feel for you all, we have two young girls and I just feel on the edge of meltdown all the time. I would rather know bad news and move on than no news. We don’t even have an appointment to go back (is that normal biopsy last monday today is saturday). Too all of you waiting out there god bless and cyber hugs, reading your messages makes me feel very humble about what you are all going through.
Morning all…Hi Janey and Scottie dog…the waiting is the hardest and nobody can do that for you. As stated above, keeping busy, going off for the day. cinema etc to help time pass by. It will still feel an age to wait, but before you know it you’ll be in the office receiving results. Taking someone in as suggested and a list of questions are good ideas. Try to take it a step at a time and you will get through it. No matter what the outcome…knowing what is happening to your body and how its going to be treated, is strangely…a relief.
Fingers crossed for the best scenario for both of you.
Helenxx
Thanks to Cass, Nell, Scottiedog and nervous wreck for replying to me.
I think as you all suggest trying to keep myself busy is the answer! I just keep imagining the worst and keep trying to prepare myself for the worst! When I was told I had BC nothing could have prepared me and I think Monday morning will be horrendous. I feel so out of control!
Nervous Wreck - you are so brave - I wish my husband would talk to someone about all of this - I am sure it would help him comes to terms with it. In terms of your wait - I didn’t have a biopsy, fluid was drawn from the lump and tested there and then with the results coming back 15 minutes later. I think all hospitals do it differently. I am now waiting on the results of the lumpectomy and the lymph node sampling. I would give them a call on Monday to see if they can give you an idea as to when you the results will be ready. Keeping everything crossed for you!
Thanks for all your messages of support. I will let you know how I get on.
Keep everything crossed.
Jayney
x
Hi Janey
Just wondering how your results were… I believe you were getting them back today…? Hopefully it was good news for you! I’ve just had an MRI this morning and will get the results back on Friday. The waiting is just the worst, isn’t it.
Let us know how you got on.
Caro x
Hi Janey and Scottie dog…hope the results were all they needed to be! Fingers and everything crossed…although you should have them by now!{{hugs}}
Caro…good luck with your MRI results on Friday…all crossed too!!!
Nervous wreck…I had to wait 2 weeks for my results because it was christmas hols. Think you should be getting them any time soon. But think it is a good idea to ring them up. Did they give your wife a breast care nurse (bcn)…to ring up in case you had any questions? Try them if they did.
You are right when you say…knowing is the best way forward, its the not knowing and the waiting that is the worst. Suggest that your wife takes it a step at a time…don’t look too far forward, that can be scarier. You sound a very understanding and supportive husband, and she will need all of that, no matter how strong or private a person she is. I had great support from friends and family and feel so lucky that I did, and continue to do.{{hugs}} right back at ya both. Take care…hope the news is as good as it can be!!
Helenx
Hi all
As for today - it has been a rollercoaster! I saw the consultant first at 10.30am and it’s good news and bad news. The tumour they removed was 1.7cm and the surrounding tissue was clear which is good. It is grade 3 which is fast growing, and most women under 40 have grade 2 or 3. The not so good news is that 3 out of the 4 nodes removed are showing signs of cancer. I then went onto to see the Oncologist at 12 noon (he managed to see me today which was good). So, I have to have chemo first (8 treatments every 3 weeks),which will take 6 months, followed by more surgery to do a complete removal of the lymph glands under the left arm, radiotherapy to the affected area, coupled with hormone therapy (tomoxifen) as the cancer is oestrogen postive. So they are throwing the kitchen sink at me as it were! The consultant did say that this is what they would probably do, but to hear it is another story. I was really hoping that I could get by without chemo, but it is not to be 
The Oncologist is phoning tomorrow and my first treatment will probably be 22nd June! This throws our holiday plans - we were planning to go on 3rd July. He has advised not to travel abroad after first cycle as they are not sure how I will take it and if I have any nasty side effects. I sound very controlled don’t I??? I am not. Can’t believe that I going to have to have chemo! Just don’t know what to expect.
Wigs/scarves it ais all so scary … and something I never thought I would have to think about. So any tips on what to expect and how to handle this next part of my journey???
Jayney
x
Hi Jayney
I’m Gina and i got my SNB reults last thursday and sine then i have avoided this forum (i don’t know why i just have). My tumour was smaller than first thought also 1.7mm grade 3 and all 6 nodes tested were cancerous, i was so shocked still am.
I am to have bone scan and ct first then see surgeon again for results then full node clearence then finally see oncologist near the end of july the surgeon thinks. I too have a holiday planned in august which the breast care nurse said i wouldn’t make but the surgeon said not to cancel it yet. I have decided though that i am going to go on my hols and if needed postpone the chemo as it will only be 2-3 weeks at the most. I feel as a family (3 kids)we need a holiday to recharge before the next round especially as my husband nearly died in february.
Anyway hope your ok (as much as you can be)
Talk soon
Gina xx
Hi Gina
I am in total shock too - but a part of me just wants to get on with it. I agree that you need to have your holiday if you can and if they think that postponing treatment for 2-3 is not an issue you must go.
Keep your chin up and talk soon.
Jayney
x
Hi Janey…yep it looks like they are throwing the kitchen sink at you…and I, like you would want to get on with it. Having said that…if you do choose to have a holiday you will only be several weeks behind schedule, and in the big scheme of things, thats not so long!!!I’m lucky that I didn’t have to have chemo…3 ops instead. But there are lots of ladies on this site that have gone through or are going through the same as you will be doing. I’m sure you have already looked at different threads regarding chemo…take it a step at a time…thats the key. Good luck and keep posting Janey!!
Hi Gina…I think that taking the children and yourself on holiday is the right thing…as above 3 weeks is not very long to wait extra…it feels like it to be truthful, but you go for it! Take your mind off things, it will all still be here when you get back!! Mean that in a positive way!Nice to see you on the stormriders thread!!
How goes it with you Scottie Dog?
take care all have a good day
Helenxx
Hi ladies,
Sorry to hear you are now on the chemo gravy train. You will hear it said quite a lot but it really is true that you just take each cycle as it comes. Don’t try to look too far ahead.
Janey, I have exactly the same treatment regime as you so I understand how you must be feeling. I’ve just had my 3rd FEC session and I’ve got Taxotere and herceptin coming up next with full mastectomy and radiotherapy to follow. I’ve lost my hair and have most of the other side effects to one degree or another but so far I still think the worst part was waiting for the results of all the tests. Most of the other stuff i have found bearable. People have been really kind and never remark on my hair loss other than to tell me I look great in my wig.
Gina, get away for your holiday if you can. I managed a few days with my husband and pooch in a beautiful country hotel just before my treatment and the energy it gave me really helped through the next few weeks.
best wishes for both of you.
JanB
Just wanted to send hugs to Gina and Janey… I went through 6 months of chemo last summer and the best thing is to just take each stage as it comes… One of the weird things i used to find is i would feel nauseaus etc for a few days after the treatment - but when that cleared it really was like a light switch - and an hour later it was hard to believe i had felt sick… So hopefully it won’t be a case of 6 months feeling ill non-stop…
theresa x
hi all, just wanted to update you on my progress. My results from surgery show clear margins and no spread to lymph nodes, so that has been a massive relief. Don’t think I’ve ever been so nervous in my life as i was sitting waiting to hear my fate, and my heart goes out to those on this thread who have just done that too and now need to face further surgery. It will be worth it in the end (stupid thing to say I know) but we will all emerge out the other end stronger from facing these hurdles (mountains) that we’ve faced head on. I was certain that my BC would have spread, so still feel tearful and strange about it all. Due to start 6 cycles of chemotherapy soon (don’t know what type it is yet), followed by a month off then a month of radiotherapy. That will take me pretty much up to Christmas. (oh and tamoxifen for 5 years after). However I’m pretty scared at the thought of chemo and now need to foucs on this next step. Going to get my hair cut really short on Friday so I don’t notice it disappear so badly. Currently it’s shoulder length and wavy (and sometimes dyed bright red to counteract any feelings of being middle-aged I’ve been denying). Because I’m tall I’ve a feeling I’m going to look like some kind of demented emu when it’s cut (and then gone). If there’s a photo section on this forum I might post a before and after pic so you can have a laugh at my expense. Love to everyone else. Even though I’m not posting to this forum quite so much, I’m reading how everyone is, and sending everyone my love. Big hugs and kisses
scottiedog x
Thats fantastic news Scottiedog So so pleased for you.
Hugs Ginax
to all of the women on this thread thank you. I am at work almost too scared to phone my wife. You are all inspirational and you seem to face this with such dignity. I will let you know what the results show when they finally arrive. Meantime you are all in my thoughts and tears
god bless (I’m not even religous) you all
thanks for that Gina. Nervouswreck, have you got word of an appointment for your wife to go back for her results yet? Hoe long ago was her biopsy taken? if you haven’t got a hospotal appointment you might be able to find out through your GP. Mine had acces to my hospital records via their PC system. If your wife finds it hard to talk about at home then this makes it hard for you, but I’m sure just you being there for her (and trying not to focus on anything negative, or coming across as very worried) will help. You need to be a rock for her no matter how hard this waiting game is. I felt sorry for my poor OH - it didn’t matter what he said or did, I was so frightened inside, that whatever he did it never was the ‘right thing’. I knew he cared, but he played the whole thing down, and with hindsight for me that was the right way, as it saved me from spiralling into a panic. Perhaps your wife is doing her best to keep this in perspective and put it to the back of her mind. That is a good strategy at this stage, because you have no bad news. I know the waiting is terrible. Let us know how things go. Fingers crossed for you both.
Scottiedog x
Good news Scottie dog…chemo and rads…but no spread…and thats the positive thing about it all. You sound like you have it sorted, at least for the next step. We can all be ‘ready’ for the next step and be nervous or scared at the same time…natural!!
Chemo isn’t pleasant … not by own experience…but listened to many others…but its doable…with its ups and downs. So good luck to you love with this next big step…all geared to get rid of the ‘beast’!!
Nervous wreck…I really hope you find out soon. I was calm before and after my DX. Tried not to worry about anything until there was something to worry about…so only my hubby, sister and myself knew.
Hubby appeared more upset to all intents and purposes…but in the long run I know he found it easier to cope…knowing that I was. Its not easy is it…but the discussion about what will happen, can be chatted about when you know something. Try not to worry just yet…but make sure you don’t wait too long before you ring up and find out the date of your wifes appointment .
helenx