I’m shocked, results show cancer not in lymph nodes (whew!) but is in breast tissue, another op. needed. How easy medics make this sound and I act very pragmatic. Then I’m home. I wonder if this will be the end of it. I will never be positive about anything again.
Worried about my 3 pooches if I peg it.
Sheila
thats great news about the nodes!!! means it hasnt spread through your lymph glands and round the body. Did he mean you have not got clear margins?? is that why they are taking a bit more out. That happens quite a lot. They take the lump out and a bit of breast tissue round it. There are usually a few cancer cells in this breast tissue near the lump, but they like there to be non on the bits furthur away from the lump, and just to make sure they go in and take a bit more breast tissue to make sure they have got all of it.
Very annoying to have more surgery but they quite often get it all the second time. You have to be really unlucky for them to have to do it a third time.
Obviously its worrying and dissapointing that you cant move on to the next stage of treatment just yet. Have they given you a date for the second op?? What did they have to tell you about the sort of cancer they found in there??
I was told when I had my WLE that around 20% of all people don’t get clear margins (as OAL explained), so it’s not unusual, just rather unlucky, for them to have to go in again. I had a re-excision and they got clear margins that time, so I could then move on to the next stage of treatment.
If you’re feeling a bit shell-shocked by it, I suggest you give the helpline a ring to talk it over with a human voice. They’re really very good, and being experts in breast cancer they’re very knowledgeable.
CM
x
Thanks very much for your quick replies. I simply didn’t ask anything, not like me I’m usually quite gabby! Was so sure all would be ok, I had been more worried about poxy seroma under armpit and now on scar tissue, I asked absolutely nothing - idiot!
I will re-read your replies and think hard so that I can make a note of questions I need to ask. Yes, have been told 5th Sept. Trying to make arrangements for friends to help with my beloved pooches for that day & night.
Is there a reason they don’t just suggest an mx, not that I want that? Maybe it’s because I’ve got small boobs!
Sheila
yes it is all a bit of a shock in the appointment and its amazing what your forget to ask. you could ring your BC nurse and ask her to got through it. but it is not essential for you to know.
there are several sorts of people when it comes to this. None of them are wrong, just all different
those that dont want to know all the details, just want the doctors to make the decisions and look after them and get on with it.
those that want to know every little detail of their illness, want to know all the possible options for treatment and to be an active part in deciding what their treatment will be
and then those that want all the details but still want to leave it to the experts to decide what is best.
As to your question about a mastectomy, that is a whole new ball game. Even a second or third lumpectomy can leave you with a good cosmetic result and is not that long to recover from. Removing your breast with reconstruction can look good, but is lots of surgery and recovery time. I think its good that it is not even being suggested, means they think your lump is going to be easy to get out and sorted.
Hi Sheila,
I’m one of the 20% who had a 2nd WLE due to margins.
If it’s any consolation, my 2nd op went through the original scar which at the time was lumpy & bumpy; 2nd time around it is lovely & neat! Also, I’m now two weeks post 2nd op and the swelling is going down and, to me & OH, there isn’t a vast difference in loss to the boob!
Easier said than done, but try to focus on the positive that there’s no node involvement and that the second op is just an inconvenience that can be overcome!!
Hugs to you and your pooches!
Ax
I’ve phoned bcn this am, left message that I need to know the type, etc. of cancer. Will let you know.
Hugs to you all.
Sheila
i didnt get clear margins so was told i needed another op, thet suggested a MX to me as I did have small boobs. I am/was only a 34 A/B. told i could have a 2nd WLE but would leave more of a dent and that with MX i could go for recon in future. As far as the op for MX was concerned it wasnt much diff than for WLE other than being in hos for 2 days longer the recovery was much the same!
good luck x
I spoke to my GP, he was marvellous, sympathetic without fussing, v.supportive. He gave me info from letter he’d received from hospital but says, if I want to know all detail about my b/c, I need to ask for pathology report (he’ll go through it with me if nec.)and copies of all correspondence hospital send to him. He instantly provided sick note and prescription for painkillers. Phoned BCN,she will post path report but didn’t seem to understand why I would want it. I find her very difficult to speak with. I just know that at some stage I will say "Oh, you’ve had breast cancer too, have you?'!!! Of course, there’s always the chance she has, that will shut me up!
Still have seroma in armpit and on boob scar, not as painful as originally. Mentally, I feel better. It is a great relief being able to put my feelings into b&w on this website. Otherwise I’d be bottling them up as I try not to worry my friends. I am aware I’m fortunate compared to many others but it is still happening to me.
Hugs.
Sheila
Have been told via GP that I need immediate mx, this is a farce. I need to calm down before I see Consultant or I’ll take something of his off! I’ve lost confidence, leaving decision for a while. Don’t know if further treatment will be suggested, that’ll probably be wrong too.
Yes, I am angry.
S.