Re-exiscion

Going through breast cancer treatment Surgery
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Hi :wave: I will have a 2nd surgery this Thursday to get clearer margins on a tumour found during 1st surgery (wide local, 6 lymph nodes removed & chest wall perf flap). Just wondering if anyone has been through this, how you have managed & how different post op was from the primary surgery? Many thanks :slightly_smiling_face:

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Hi I’m also having a re-exiscion when I’ve finished chemo so I’m interested in the replies you get. I’m assuming it might be a bit easier because it was the armpit area I found painful last time where they took the lymph nodes.

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Hi

I found the second op a bit easier, as they didn’t need to go back into the armpit for lymph nodes. The scar wasn’t as good the second time, but it’s healed fine.

The down side is starting the healing process again and it delays radiotherapy.

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Hi, that’s a good point re. Lymph nodes - is also my pain ‘hot spot’. I think they’re going back in through original wound but further down. Best wishes for your surgery :pray::muscle:

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Hi, yes the delay to next steps is also weighing on my mind. It’s also likely I might need an oncotype test which will delay for a further 3 weeks. I thought I was doing so well after 1st surgery & ‘on track’… very naive of me as it turns out… still could be a lot worse. Thanks for sharing :+1:

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I had to have a second surgery to get cleaner margins. I was lucky that it was just a week after my initial lumpectomy so I was still in recovery mode. I found it a lot easier the second time around. I knew exactly what to expect. I had a much better anesthesiologist.

My only mistake was that I should have taken longer to go back to work. I really needed two weeks but I went back after just one. It was hard, emotionally and physically. Best of luck to you. :hibiscus:

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Hi @gardenista I’m just wondering how you got on with your re-excision? How did you find the recovery? I have mine on 4th Dec.

Hope you are healing well and any further treatments are going smoothly x

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Hi @twinks77 I’m recovering well from the 2nd surgery & it has been less difficult than the 1st one (thanks for asking :blush:). My surgeon went in below the armpit so I guess having a smaller opening helped… I think knowing what to expect & having a set up for post surgery also helped. Eg. My ‘nest’ pillow arrangement was sorted for bed & sofa! I did have a small seroma but that has now resolved. I really hope your 2nd surgery goes as well & I’m sending good wishes your way​:blush:

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Thanks for replying. Glad to hear it felt easier 2nd time around. That’s reassuring. Yes having an understanding of what to expect and having everything in place at home already makes it a bit less stressful I think :slightly_smiling_face:

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Hi there, how did your re-exiscion go? Hopefully you’re back to a good recovery & not quite as bad 2nd time round…? Sending good wishes to you :folded_hands:

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Hello @gardenista thanks for thinking of me. Yes I came home yesterday afternoon and I feel surprisingly well. Paracetamol managing the pain well. So much easier the first time around! Hope you are doing ok too .

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