Hi Maggie,
My treatment plan was similar to yours, including mri scan.
As ever, the prospect is worse than the reality. I had a wide local excision for a small 7mm bc. It was all quite straightforward & not painful, but sore more than anything & paracetamol was ok for any discomfort.
Just focus on the next stage of treatment & try not to look too far ahead, we all do get through it.
Thankfully, it’s been picked up & will now be treated.
There’s loads of support here, so do come & chat whenever you need to.
ann x
Hello Maggie ,welcome .The thought of an op is very daunting but compared to other operations I have had this was by far the easiest to recover from with surprisingly little pain - on the day I was just so happy to be getting the cancer out of me that I was actually quite relieved to be there .Most people are only in as a day case as long as you recover well from the anaesthetic.
Good luck with your MRI - I think Ann has had one and can fill you in if you want information .Jill xx
Hi Maggie and Caroline xxxx As ever, welcome to the club none of us wanted to join!!!
I was diagnosed in April and have been on the rollercoster ride that is hospital appointments and waiting for results ever since, but my radiotherapy treatment finished 3 weeks ago and Im now looking forward to getting back on track.
For a fair while after diagnoses I couldn’t bring myself to look at websites, publications or even the BCC folder that my BC nurse gave me at my diagnosis appointment. I needed to get my head round it in my own time. But in the end my head worked!!!
This forum has been amazing. Its where I’ve found out how to cope and also to know that none of us are alone and there is always some here who will offer advice and support. I only really joined just before my radiotherapy started, as that was the part of my treatment i was worried about the most.
I was fine with the lumpectomy as i just wanted the bugger out! I was 3 weeks from diagnosis to surgery and it couldnt come soon enought!!!
So basically, use this forum as your lifeline as it will get you through.
Make sure you have access to your BC nurse at the hospital, get as much help and support as you can from MacMillan and if they run a “Look Good, Feel Better” workshop at your unit, get yourselves on it. I went this week and got the most amazing bag of makeup goodies! Prob the only time in my life that I’ll own a Chanel lipstick or a Dolce and Gabbana eyeliner!!!-Gotta have some perks after what we are going through ???
Take care lovelies xxxx
Hi Ann and Jo,
Thank you for replying and your kind words of reassurance. I’m due to get a WLE and a breast reduction on both breasts. I do feel positive about it all and I feel so blessed I caught it early.
Ann…when you got your MRI was this any different to the original diagnosis?
Thanks Xxx
Hi Lilacmoon,
Thank you so much for your message, I’m having a lovely positive day today and reading all these lovely messages are making a horrible situation a little bit better.
I am anxious incase my diagnosis changes after I get my MRI. I really don’t want to have chemotherapy.
Xxx
As it turned out, nothing changed, Maggie. My initial biopsy showed a mixed ductal/lobular. As well as dense breasts, those with a lobular bc diagnosis usually have an mri as it can be seen better & the treatment plan can be adjusted as necessary.
I did find the mri part stressful, but in the end I felt reassured that it was done.
ann x
Hi Maggie,
I got a very similar diagnosis just a couple of weeks ago (stage 1 or 2, ER+, HER-) and will have a lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy on Wednesday. I’m 31 and the shock seems to be getting worse as the days go on, but now I’m really looking forward to getting the little bugger out of me!! When’s your op? From what I’ve read in this forum and elsewhere there’s really very little to worry about 
Caroline xx
Hi Caroline ?
That is a very similar diagnosis. I’ve got to go for an MRI on Tuesday and if all goes well with that i’ll be in for surgery on the 8th - just a week behind you. As I have mentioned I’m worried about the MRI. I feel very positive with everything at the moment and the more I read on here my anxiety eases. I’ve never been very good with pain but then I’ve never had an operation either so I’m mind has been in overdrive!
I’m looking forward to getting the little brut out too…I don’t know the exact size as my Mammogram and scan reported different sizes.
I went to see a fertility consultant today regarding freezing my eggs but my age might go against me. I’ve always wanted children which now I think will never happen but I’m not thinking about that right now. I’ve got to take it one day at a time.
How are you feeling about surgery?
Maggie xxxxx
Hi Caroline,
Thank you…got my positive pants on this week. Just want Friday to be over so I have a better idea what’s happening.
I really hope there is something that could be done regarding my fertility. I’m not thinking about that this week. I’m seeing one of the councillor’s on the 6th which is a good date…hopefully I should have my treatment plan in place and confirmed date for surgery. Did you say you’re getting surgery on Wednesday? Please let me know how you get on. I’ll be thinking of you xxx I’m still feeling very anxious about it. I’ve been buying post op bras…that’s a minefield in its self! ??.
Like you I lead a very active lifestyle - I go to a PT twice a week and do 3 classes a week. I am hoping to be able to be out walking ASAP after surgery. Nothing too much just a little walk. I’m going to look into going to PT who has experience in training recovering breast cancer patients, also going to look into Yoga and Pilates again for recovering breast cancer patients. ??.
Summer…I have been lucky with some of my days off meaning I can meet friends for dinner and vino, I don’t drink that much anyway.
Let me know how you get on lovey.
Maggie xxxxx
Hi Maggie thought I’d jump in on this thread I’ve had my lumpectomy today. I’ve got 2 drains and I’m stopping in overnight. Just to reassure you please don’t get too anxious.i know its easier said than done! Im a really nervous person and get very anxious but you will get through it. The staff are lovely and will put you at ease. Im a bit sore but its doable. Like yourself i work out and eat healthy and I’m sure that will help with recovery. Hope Mri goes well. Sending lots of love and support.xxx
Hope you have a peaceful night JWD and the Nurses look after you well.
Thank you jill1998.
At least you get breakfast in bed in the morning eh ?!!
Thank you JWD, how you feeling this evening? I hope you’re ok.
Thank you for the reassurance, I definitely don’t feel as worried as I did…not sure i’ll be saying the same on surgery day. Mums coming to stay for a few weeks, which I’m so lucky for.
If you could let me know how you get on this week that would be wonderful.
Lots of hugs
Maggie xxxx
Thanks Maggie. I’m ok thanks just had some more pain killers. Im taking co codamol but hope to switch to paracetamol tomorrow save getting constipated.??♀️ It’s not as bad as you think thpugh you will be fine. I can hear some ladies screaming and shouting though but im not far from the maternity ward? take care maggie and ill keep you posted. Let me know how your scans go. Xxx
Thank you jo… My name’s jo too? well went through 3 Labour’s last night?which were very vocal and loud but it was lovely hearing the babies cry after. It’s gone quiet now.
I’m going home today and having 1 drain removed which will be good. Just a bit sore but nothing to bad. Thanks again and you take care. Jo xxx
Hi Maggie (and everyone!)
I had my op yesterday (wide local excision and two lymph nodes removed) and was let home in the evening. Everything went really smoothly in hospital. The radioactive injection to find lymph nodes was no worse than an insect sting, and general anaesthetic was awesome, I woke up away with the fairies and had my appetite back almost immediately.
I am pretty sore though, particularly under my arm, so I’ll be taking it very easy. Also, they didn’t put in a drain and one of my dressings was soaked by the end of the night and started leaking (ewww!) so I guess I’ll need to go get that changed today.
All things considered though, it’s really not worth worrying about the procedure. Spend energy recovering and eating chocolate instead!
Fingers crossed for clear nodes now…
Caroline xx
Glad you are safely out the other side Caroline.Do you have a number to ring re dressing ?
The ward was closed when I called last night so I guess I’ll call the nurses at the breast cancer centre today to ask for advice. I don’t think I can keep the dressing on for a week now it’s saturated and leaking?
No sounds like it needs changing - is it still leaking ? Ring the BC Nurses or the ward when it opens for advice see what they say .