Hi
Started browsing this site after I was recalled after a mamogram. Visited the clinic last friday (4th July) for second mamogram, ultrasound and 2 biopsies. The person who did the biopsies told me that I would probably need surgery - lumpectomy as it was only 6mm - so when I returned this morning for the results I was expecting the diagnosis. Having read all the info on this site over the last week I felt that I was reasonably well informed when I attended the clinic, even down to the insertion of a guidewire prior to surgery! My pre op is booked for monday and I go in for my lumpectomy or Wide Local Excision as they call it on the 28th. As I live nearly an hour away from the hospital and am on the afternoon list I may have to stay in overnight.
Will let you know how I get on!
Hi Kharga
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Love
Bridie
Hi Kharga
Your situation sounds identical to mine - also recalled after mammogram - my first. I too was told that I would probably need surgery - whether it was malignant or benign. In this way we were well-prepared. I had WLE with guide wire and SNB last week. I have appointment to go on Monday for results.
I am just so pleased to have it picked up on a mammogram when it was not papable at all. Despite it seeming to be early-stage it is still worrying but being well-informed has really helped me to understand and given me time to come to terms with all the issues we have to consider. I still have the odd blip though when the emotions just take over but on the whole remain very positive.
I’m sorry that you have had to join us but hope you will come back and share your experiences with us. We are all here for each other.
Best of luck on 28th. Btw I had my op at lunch-time and didn’t get back from theatre till 3.30 - I was quite glad to stay in overnight, but was absolutely fine by next morning. Are you having SNB too?
All the best! Looby
Hi Looby
What’s SNB?
Kharga
Sentinel Node Biopsy - where they just take the main nodes to sample them for cancer involvement.
Don’t worry you’ll get used to the jargon, just keep asking the questions…
love Pauline
I think that they are having a look at one lymph node, at least that was on the pre op form that I took to book in with! I will know more on monday after I have had my pre-op assessment.
Hi Kharga - With Sentinel Lymph node Biopsy they work out which of the lymph nodes are first in line from the breast (by using radioactive tracer, scans and blue dye) and take out one, two or three of the closest or ‘hot’ nodes to biopsy. These are the ones that will have signs of cancer first if it has spread from the breast. Clever stuff. This avoids taking out lots of lymph nodes to check as the removal of lymph nodes can cause problems with drainage in your arm. I had two nodes taken out to biopsy when they removed my ‘lump’.
If you are unsure, ask lots of questions - we are all treated as individuals and what works for one is not always appropriate for someone else, so don’t be alarmed if you have different treatment from someone else.
Looby
Heya kharga
Do stay in touch, this place can be such a help. I found this to be especially true in those first few weeks. You’ve just got on a rollercoaster that I expect you didn’t expect (few of us did) but they go up as well as down so talk to people here and your breast care nurse (BCN) and you’ll move onwards.
4 months ago I had an afternoon op and was in overnight. I found the recovery from surgery much faster than I thought.
But anyway do tell us about you, there’s a lot of lovely people here of all ages and different walks of life (and not all in the UK).
Hi Kharga
Welcome to the Breast Cancer Care forums. I am sure you will continue to get lots of help and advice from the many informed users of this site.
You may find BCC’s resource pack helpful, it has been designed for those newly diagnosed. The pack is free of charge as are all our publications. If you would like a copy just follow the link below:
breastcancercare.org.uk//content.php?page_id=7514
I hope you find this helpful.
Best wishes
Lucy
I have just sent off for the resource pack. Thanks for the info.
I am based in the High Peak in Derbyshire - anyone else out there from my neck of the woods?
I thought that I saw someone at clinic last friday that I recognised from work years ago!
Kharga
Hi kharga
Sorry you have had to join us here, but glad that you have found the site useful. Good luck with op on 28th. I had WLE and node sampling in late Jan 2008, followed by 29 rads and now on tamoxifen for 5 years. Am still on monthly checkups with oncology cos there are a couple of bits and bobs that they are not entirely happy with - active ovaries being the main one - they say if I start to behave myself they will shunt me to 3 monthly checks. For me it’s kind of all over bar the shouting but others have a much longer and harder battle. Whatever your question on here someone will have an answer, feel free to rant too - it usually helps.
Once again good luck and let us know how you are getting on.
Went for my pre-op yesterday and to see the surgeon. I am having WLE and node sampling on 28th then back in 10 days for the results. It is a slow growing cancer so hopefully aftre my radiotherapy I should be OK - fingers crossed.
I had a lovely suprise yesterday when I returned from the hospital - my cyber canoing friends on Song of the Paddle had sent me a beautiful basket of flowers, balloon and a box of chocolates! I disolved in floods of tears!!
Sounds like you have much as such as I had. Good luck with the surgery and fingers crossed for a good nodes result.
the gifts from your friend sound lovely.
Fingers and everything else crossed for surgery and results. Keep us all informed will you please
Love and hugs
Bridie
Hi
Came home from work at lunch time today as I was nearly falling asleep at lunchtime - for someone who usually has 8 hrs solid sleep, waking up all through the night is not doing me any good ! We are off in our small motorhome this weekend so hopefully walking up Dove Dale may make me sleep better.
The hospital have decided that they want me in at 9.00 am on the 28th, as opposed to 11.00 that I was first given, so I am pleased that we are stopping the night before on a campsite only 5 miles from the hospital as we live 35 miles away!
Will let you know how I get on.
Angela
Angela
sorry to see you on this site …there is loads of surpport here…
i hope all go’s well with your opp …you will be fine …and rest yourself when you get home from hospital
sal x
wheres dove dale Angela. It sounds lovely
Bridie
Dove Dale is in then Derbyshire Peak District. It s geology is limestone so the rivers have cut deep valleys and left spires of limestone. As is a tourist spot there are several pubs that do food as well! this web site shows some pictures. snapthepeaks.co.uk/Walks/Thorpe/thorpe.htm
Angela
Oh Wow. SOunds just the spot will go to website
cheers
enjoy
Bridie
Just been for my last paddle of the season - or at least until October if all goes to plan following monday’s surgery! Unless I can get my OH to let me be a non-paddling passenger when my wounds have healed!