I was originally on a 2WW But thanks to a really kind mother in law, I’ve gone down the private route.
Had my appointment last week and went back today for all the results and it’s Invasive Lobular Cancer stage 1a
I’m so thankful it’s early and easily treatable, the plan is to do a lumpectomy and a short course of Radiation, possibly with hormone treatment after but they need to see.
Just a couple of questions which are whirring round my mind with it all.
-how did you find recovery for a lumpectomy
-Is there a particular favoured bra for after?
-How did radiotherapy make you feel?
As it’s private I’m guessing it’ll be quickly but I’m aiming for October to be in the clear.
Sorry that you find yourself here but yes it is good news that it’s been caught early - you may appreciate this more in retrospect than you do now.
It took me about a week to get over the tiredness and probably a second week to feel completely myself . I had no complications - someone should explain what these things are to you so that you can look out for signs afterwards. It’s really important to wear a good supportive well - fitting bra - I got various post - surgery ones from M+S and still wearing them / buy them years down the line though i no longer need to . The other really important thing is to the post- operative arm exercises several times a day and to keep doing them until 3 months after radiotherapy .
I completed my radiotherapy 8 weeks after surgery - some people have waited longer than that on the NHS . There needs to be at least 4 weeks I think between surgery and radiotherapy to allow for you to heal properly . It then took me another two and a half months to recover from the effects of radiotherapy and starting hormone . When you’re an NHS patient you have access to a Breast Cancer Nurse for 5 years - even though you’re a private patient they should be able to refer you so that you can approach them for support and advice if needed. Hope everything goes well for you xx
Hi @jenp99 welcome to the forum, you’ll find lots of support here. I had a lumpectomy in September 2022 albeit to remove a ductal carcinoma as opposed to lobular. I found the recovery quite straightforward actually. They sent me home with a load of painkillers and I didn’t need to take one single one. Was quite dozy for a few days afterwards and stayed with family for five nights “just in case”. The most important thing is to do the exercises that they give you, absolutely crucial in order to keep mobility in your arm and shoulder. As for bras, as I wore one night and day (not the same one obviously) until the results appointment three weeks later, I opted to go for soft rather than underwired and just got some from M&S. I had 5sessions of rads, had some redness but no skin breakdown, moisturised with Aveeno regularly and drank a lot of water. The fatigue hit about three months later and lasted around 6 weeks. I am retired so it didn’t impact me too much, despite it being crushingly boring. I am now halfway through five years on Letrozole and tolerate it reasonably well. I had all of my treatment from the NHS and, because it wasn’t long after a Covid, was moved around to six different hospitals for various elements. A year later, my cousin, to whom I am very close, had her BC treatment privately via her husband’s occupational health insurance. We compared notes a lot and I’d say that the clinical care was pretty indistinguishable but the facilities and personal care was infinitely superior privately. I’m sure you’ll have as good an experience as the circumstances allow and get out the other side to a full recovery. Others will be along shortly to give their testimony but worth remembering that each cancer journey is unique and personal to the individual.
Yeah my heads a bit of a mess at the moment, said to my husband in some way I feel like a fraud as it’s so early and so easily treatable and when I tell people close to me it’s cancer I feel terrible cos it could be a lot lot worse, but then it guts me at the same time as it’ll live in the back of my mind.
Yeah I’ve an appointment with a nurse later this week to go over all the ins and outs. Bras are the one thing that blow my mind, always favoured underwired but lately been sticking to non wired as underwired was too painful due to the swelling.
I looked at the post surgery by M&S but wasn’t sure as it was for mastectomy?
It’s been pre arranged I’ll have some physio via the private hospital and some check ups but hopefully will be discharged back to my GP after.
I had a lumpectomy for IDC last year. Like others who have already replied I recovered quite quickly and it was all much more straightforward than I feared. By about two weeks I was pretty much back to normal and by the time I went for results four weeks later felt almost like it had never happened, (back to all my usual exercise and even went to the appointment in an underwire bra!). I had some swelling which was drained (painless) and some antibiotics, but overall no major issues and my surgeon did a great job cosmetically.
Bra wise I found a Nike high support zip front bra that I already had to be perfect. Snug enough to feel protective and because of what it is designed for holds everything in place. Invisible crop tops were great too which I stepped into (which was also great for having radiotherapy as I pushed it around my waist when having treatment and could pull it up again before getting off the table thing).
Radiotherapy wise I had 5 days. Very slight pinkness, no soreness. I used Aveeno. Two weeks after treatment I had a weekend when I was exhausted so rested a lot and that soon passed.
Best of luck with everything and if you have any questions ask away! x
It certainly is a lot to take in and it really messes with your head - I was grade 1 stage 1 very early as well and on the one hand from what the Drs. were saying and the way they were saying it it was like it was almost nothing but then at the same time it’s was imperative to get rid of it and have treatments that in themselves are not risk free. So on the one hand you have cancer - which is THAT word that everyone dreads to hear and it’s scary and takes a lot of coming to terms with but then on the other hand in the scheme of things it sounds like not very much . It doesn’t compute at all - you feel devastated but then guilty because it could be worse . Many of us have been there believe me and there’s always someone worse off than yourself but that doesn’t mean that what you are going through is nothing and that you’re aren’t entitled to feel upset , angry devastated head all over the place - given the circumstances you are doing just fine.
The post - surgery bras are for lumpectomy as well , designed to give extra support help prevent complications and not to have seams / scratchy material that might rub tender skin. You don’t have to use the prosthesis pockets but I put pads in mine now as my operated breast ( though still a good shape ) is a bit smaller than my other one. Post- surgery bras are classed as a surgical appliance which is why you don’t pay VAT on them . Some hospitals supply them - mine didn’t it might be a good idea to try a couple before your surgery though actually I wore a crop top with a support vest over the top for the first two days afterwards.
Some people have used their sports bras instead. You could talk it through with the Nurse you have been referred to as well xx
Thank you, it’s reassuring hearing that. I think it’s properly hit me this morning.
Silly as it sounds I’m upset over having to take my acrylic nails off! Apparently can’t have them on for radiotherapy or the MRI Scan they want to do or surgery so I’m looking at a few weeks without them. I know it’s so so trivial but they’re a big part of me.
I know it’s not forever, and my goal is to get them back on in October, but it feels like I’m losing part of me for a few months.
Bra wise I went to M&S today for a fitting and explained everything and they were super lovely. Tried on a few bras including some post surgery and got a few so I feel a bit more prepared now.
I know I’ll get there but also learning to be kind to myself and let myself feel upset if I need to x
It’s not silly at all to be sad about your nails. I remember being so upset having to cut off a leather ankle bracelet for the MRI because it had metal on it. I was absolutely devastated and cried my eyes out over a little thing which cost a couple of quid. But, the point was it was my little thing, it didn’t matter that it wasn’t worth anything, I had had it on for years and didn’t want to take it off but I had to. Being sad about having no choice about something isn’t silly at all. x
I can see you have had some excellent advise, so I’m going to say well done for being so brave, good luck with your surgery and radiotherapy I feel sure all will go to plan.
Wishing you health and happiness going forward, keep posting to let us know how you’re getting on.
It’s been a lot today. Boss gave me the day off as it was all getting a bit much, and at first I fully fought against it, but now see I needed a day just to sit, cry, and look after myself a bit.
So took myself off to the shops, made a nice lunch, watched Netflix and slept.
I know it’ll be fine, it’s just been a really rough week or so, but this forum has been so helpful. Will definitely keep you updated xxx
I was Stage 1 but didnt go the private route for one very good reason. My cancer was suitable for IORT what that means is surgery and radiation done at the same time. It took about 3hrs and not having to do radiation afterwards was fantastic. It can only be done in certain hospitals as it requires specialist equipment and my private hospitals didnt have it. My surgeon put me on Letrozole before the op so I could go in the holiday of a life time and I had the surgery when I got back.
Recovery was easy as it was all done in a day. I just used a bra I bought on Amazon and the got some soft ones from M&S. Because I had the radiation done with the surgery I didnt feel anything.
I know you may want to get it over with but I decided not to rush and look at the long term. The irony is that I always said if I got cancer I would go private but I didnt need it!!
Please think positive i read so many posts worrying about if it will come back, well why wprry about something when it may never happen.
Hi
I was stage 1A , 2cm lobular . Lumpectomy and 5 sessions of rads .
I did have my treatment privately .
I was diagnosed NHS 8/3/24. Op was 22/3 , 2 weeks later . Same surgeon .
MRI was Monday . Marker put in Thursday , op Friday as a day patient .
I bought m and s post surgery bras.
Physio is a godsend . She came to see me before discharge , gave me the exercises and I saw her 3 weeks later and several sessions until 6 months post op .
She helped me get mobility for rads .
She picked up cording and edema in my breast .
My rads were 8 weeks post op , delayed as I had a skin reaction to dressing .
Hearing so many positive outcomes is really helping.
I’ve been here before for treatment for cancer but for cervical which is a lot different (partial hysterectomy 6 years ago) and several rounds of chemo so I’m thankful this time round I won’t have chemo.
Seen my team this morning who’ve booked me in for 4 weeks as they did an MRI which they want to repeat as it wasn’t clear enough and their concerned for another mass that they think has been picked up by the MRI but they think is possibly just a beneign cyst.
The M&S Cami Bra is a godsend at the moment, my boob is really swollen and it’s soft enough to cope with it, although I do look on the wonk given the other one is a lot smaller!
Did anyone experience swelling as a symptom and after the op? Did you find the size difference doesn’t really go away?
I can cope with it, but don’t know if it’ll change back? Xx
I was also diagnosed early - just a 6mm lump, invasive ductal cancer. My lumoectomy was a very straightforward day case, and i luckily didn’t have much pain. I wasn’t allowed to do any housework for 6 weeks, which i found difficult as i felt so well! I was given a free bra via Breast Cancer Now, which was lovely and soft, but very supportive. I also bought one from M&S (with a discount as a cancer patient). Rhis wasn’t as goid, as the fastenings were difficult to manage easily due to having a wound! I also had 5 days of radiotherapy, which I found no problem - I used E45 and apart from a very slight colour change at tge topnof my breast, near my collar bone (I didn’t go far enough up with the E45!). I haven’t had any tiredness yet, but undersand it can come later. I’m on Anastrozole and have had no issues.
So, all in all, I feel very fortunate that I’ve had such an easy time, and hope you do the same…x
Thank you! Really appreciate the feedback on your experience
I think that’s always the hardest part of having to slow down a bit after any operation, especially when you feel ok!
I work for a print and embroidery company which also doubles as a school uniform shop and the time I’ll be having my op will be right in our busy period so that’ll be interesting!
Of course I’ll take some time off but can’t take too long off, plus it’ll drive me mad being at home. Thankfully I’m the manager so will just have to get everyone doing any lifting etc.
To be fair, the Cami post surgery bra I got from M&S is a godsend, helping with the bruising and swelling I have from the past few weeks, but will see how it is once I’ve had the op!
Yeah I’ve heard to moisturise loads while having radiotherapy
I feel so fortunate that I went as soon as I noticed an issue. Dread to think what could have happened had I left it longer x
You need to make yourself a priority work-wise - they’ll manage for a while without you… I’m retired, so it wasn’t an issue for me. My period of not being able to do housework ended on Christmas day! Not sure if that was lucky or not!
I had my mammogram a year early - they were ‘in the area’, so got ladies in before we were due. My tiny lump would probably have grown by the time I was due to be seen, so I consider myself to be very fortunate.
Anyway, it’s onwards and upwards from now on…
x
