Hi, I had a lumpectomy last week. Today I found out that the margins were not clear and I am going back for a second surgery. My lump nodes were negative though- so that’s good. I’m just looking for other people who have had similar experiences. I have IDC, HR positive and HERS negative. I’m also curious if anyone had chemo bs radiation due to this? As of now they are thinking radiation, the doctor said this won’t change that… but I’m a little nervous. Also, I didn’t know radiation would shrink my boob!! I feel like it’s always something new.
Hi @krissymlit
I’m so sorry to hear of your diagnosis and find yourself here. I had a bilateral lumpectomy and my margins and lymph nodes were clear but it is not unusual to hear of others who needed further surgery. I was warned it was a possibility by my surgeon.
I had chemotherapy with Herceptin as I was ER+ PR- and HER2+, followed by radiotherapy. I was warned that my boobs would probably shrink after but it’s now 7 months on and they haven’t shrunk. From reading this forum and talking with other ladies on the Moving Forward course many had surgery and radiotherapy with no need for chemotherapy, some people have smaller boob following radiotherapy others do not. Like everything with a cancer diagnosis it’s a very individual thing.
Take care 
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Hi I had ILBC I had a lumpectomy but my margins were clear I had 15 radiotherapy sessions it was absolutely fine although I was scared and very nervous about it the nurses were lovely the shrinkage won’t happen straight away so I have been told it could be a few years before that happens I have large breasts (34 G) Hope all goes well for you xx
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I had my first surgery on 20 June and my second on 30 July as they didn’t get clear margins the first time. I then found out one of my nodes was positive so I will be having chemo followed by radiotherapy and tamoxifen.
I have two friends who had BC who also both had to have two surgeries, but as neither of them had node involvement they didn’t have to have chemo and went straight to radiotherapy. I think the two surgeries thing is quite common?
Good luck with your next surgery xx
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Hi, I had a 31 mm lump, a lumpectomy & 4 lymph nodes removed for biopsy. My cancer is the same as yours, was told before the lumpectomy I may need chemo, but I didn’t. The lymph nodes were clear, but my margins weren’t, so this was followed by an excision, which resulted in clear margins. Neither surgeries caused me any problems & I recovered really quickly. I have had 5 radiotherapy sessions, side effects were an itchy rash & a burn shaped like an iron. I have been prescribed Tamoxifen, which I am not taking. Being on this website has made me appreciate what a relatively easy time I’ve had so far. I am suffering with anxiety now worrying about secondary cancer.
Thank you for all your replies! It helps just reading them! I feel like some days I am terrified and sad… other days I feel hopeful. I appreciate all of you!
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