Hello all,
Well I get my results for my lymph test and find out whether just lumpectomy or other op.
Hopefully will find out more tomorrow and having my preop first and then meeting bcn after so I’m a bit nervous but still doesn’t sound like I’m talking about me!
Anyway we’ll see what happens.
Love to you all
Fran xx
Hi Fran
Best of luck with the results tomorrow. I had cancer cells in my lymph nodes so I had full clearance of the nodes under my arm with a mastectomy followed by chemo and rt.
I was diagnosed in 2008 and am still going strong. Had a reconstruction in 2010 and all is well.
Telling you this because it’s not the end of the world if the results are not what you are hoping for.
Sue xxx
Good luck Fran - thinking of you.
L x
hey Fran… thinking of you x
Hello
Well I got my results today and said auxillary nodes clear, which is really good, I think.
I spoke to bcn who told me this but wasn’t sure about the date for the op then said she will ring me thur or friday as I’ve got to sort out childcare and could do with the op sooner rather than later. so I left the hosp not really knowing much.
I got home and the drs second rang me said Op was 28th and am having snb with a lumpectomy. I have to go to one hosp at 945 and then over to the private hosp for 11. I’m confused, they have to put a blue dye in me and then I have to get over to the private one. I didn’t ask how long the op takes, will there be enough time to get from one place to another. I just said ok fine. I didn’t ask about what type of bras are ok after? Clothes nothing!
So I might ring tom to conf all this.
If anyone can help with advice that would be good
Love fran xx
Hi Fran,
The blue dye is used to assist the surgeon in finding the sentinel node and your lump. It is a very quick procedure, over and done in seconds.
Are you having your op at the Nuffield? It sounds like it, the Nuffield is just round the corner from LGI, but because of the one way system it will take about 5mins by car. So you’ll have plenty of time.
I’m pleased they have acted so quickly, my experience of Leeds Breast Clinic has been wonderful.
You will need the most comfortable bra’s, eg not underwired, soft bra’s, M&S do post surgery bra’s, but there are other suppliers too - look online.
Good luck with your op, and let us know how it all goes.
Take care, and make the most of Christmas if you can.
Libby x
hi there fran only just seen your new thread had been looking on your original thread for update.
glad you have a few things clearer now and a date for your op.
i had the snb and same time as op. but i went day before the op in the afternoon for it doing. it doesnt take long about 30/40 minutes but maybe it might be less for you. they just give you this little injection near to nipple area but not into it with radioactive substance or something. its a tiny scratch thats all. then you just lay still while this machine thing takes photos/images of breast - thats the bit that takes longest. then thats it. they put the actually dye in during op i think which must do sumat with radioactive stuff and then they know which is sentinal node plus they normally take another 1 or 2 others i think.
your boob will be a bit blue in places after op because of the dye - think it can take few months to fade/go. plus when you pee it will be blue, will look like one them blue tiolet dissinfectant tablets you put down loo!! - its gone by day after though.
i got some buttom down pj’s (splashed out and got them from m&S!) and got a crop stretchy top from m&S as well. pack of 2 for £12 one white/one black. assistant in marks was very good i went walsing into changing room with some post op bra hadnt a clue what to get and she asked me i had bought one before, so said no and about op i was having and off she went to get a few different options - and stretchy crop top was really good - still using these now. just had to get bigger size (got large) i am only a small though size 8 but didnt want it maga tight on me. got a medium since to give me bit more support. noticed this week primark have started doing some similar including some soft non underwired sport bras. you might not need PJ’s if your a day case anyway, but they will be good once your home so your not trying to get stuff over your head if its a painful/uncomfortable.
got it all from meadowhell fran, but you have got a big m&s and primarni at leeds have’nt you so they should have them in. have them in asda/matalan too.
hope this all helps - flippin eck don’t i waffle! ha ha
big hugs
TTM xxx
is your op 28th dec then or january fran?
Hi ttm and libsue,
The op is on the 28th dec so next week, wednesday…
I have to go to lgi in town then over to roundhay to the spire.
Thanks for all the advice I thought my just use one of my OH shirts for a few days cos I don’t like pjs and no point buying one.
My friend will get me a bra, she sells them at her dads hoisery shop so that’s all sorted.
Today I had to go over to otley for more blood tests because they did them wrong in the lgi, it was a lovley hosp and such lovely scenary so I didn’t mind going plus didn’t cost a fortune with the car park.
I’m still not sure If I’m staying in the night or not sounds like a day thing but no one has said anything.
How long does the op take ? I tried to ring today but the secretary has gone for the holidays.
Lots of love fran xx
The Spire in roundhay is about a 15min drive from LGI providing you know your way, if you don’t I’d suggest a test run. Do a google map route plan. It’s a lovely Hospital, Fran, and you should be in good hands. I agree about Otley Hospital, I was there on Monday.
Good to hear you’ve got bra’s sorted as you must be comfortable.
Fran, are you having chemo? If so I assume that it will be at Bexley Wing St James, as you hinted car parking at LGI is expensive, the good news is you get free parking at St James on treatment days and Clinic days, you ask the secretaries on the info desks for a free parking pass. The only times you pay for parking are when having MRI scans, and if you have blood tests on a different day to your clinic appointment.
If I can help with anything please ask.
Take care.
Libby
Hi Libby,
I actually only live about 10 mins from the spire, I’m in moortown so just was a bit peeved to go into town and then back again to near home. However I’m so pleased about the spire feel like I’m going to a hotel.
I am having chemo 6 sessions but depends about surgery as to whether I need radiotherapy. Also with the hols results might take longer.
I heard parking was bexley was free thank god cos we are skint. I’m the one who works and my OH is a househusband, he was hoping to get work in jan when our youngest starts nursery but now this has all happened he might not be able to!
So just looking forward to xmas now and then seeing friends and then the op. So that’s not too bad.
Love Fran
Xx
Fran, thinking ahead, due to your financial constraints I’d ensure your Clinic appointments are no more then two days before your treatment days, as that way you can have your blood test on Clinic day which won’t incur parking fees, bloods have to be taken no more than two days before treatment. My experience of Bexley Wing is they bend over backwards to please, so speak to your allocated Breast Cancer Nurse and she should be able to arrange this for you. All the chemo nurses I’ve dealt with have been very kind, and my Breast Cancer Nurse is wonderful. I hope you have the same experience.
Enjoy Christmas, and the best of luck for 28th Dec - you’ll be fine, the fear of the unkown can be scary, but believe me it won’t be half as bad as you imagine, and you will be in good hands. Do you have an understanding employer? As that is a big help.
Look after yourself.
Libby x
hi fran,
i think lumpectomy and snb takes about 1hr 30 mins or something - thats what i remember mentioned to me.
are you having treatment through nhs or private?
good your sorted with your bras and pj needs.
TTM xxx
Hi libsue
You sound so knowledgable about it all. I’m a newbie .
I’ve got a lovely bcn but she is based at lgi so I said that as yet I’ve no questions about anything else just yet because I thought I know I’m having chemo but it all depends on when because of the surgery.
So I’m hoping for just the one op and then chemo but who knows!
Ttm well the actual process is with nhs but because I’m young and don’t have any medical issues they said they are sending me to have the op through the private hosp.
Thanks for taking time to reply really appreciate it.
Fran
Xxx
Hi Fran,
The Lgi will eventually introduce you to your Breast Cancer Nurse, she’ll talk you through chemo, and the cold cap etc and you’ll have the chance to raise any concerns you may have. Then next you’ll meet her at Jimmy’s, like your Breast Care Nurse Breast Cancer Nurse will give you her tel no for you to be able to ring her direct if you have any problems or things you’d like to discuss. My Breast Care Nurse also kept in touch with me, just to see how I was getting on with chemo, which was most kind of her as once you’ve had your op you are then under the care of the Chemo Unit and Cancer Nurse.
My case is different to yours. I had a SNB and lymph nodes removed which were thankfully negative, next chemo (my last is 12th Jan) I then have either a mastectomy, partial mastectomy or lumpectomy whichever is necessary. My treatment plan was arranged in this way so as to try and shrink my tumour before surgery as it was quite big at 5cms, and the hopeful outcome was to shrink it sufficiently to save my breast, however following a recent MRI scan my lump hadn’t shrunk very much, I had an appointment on Monday this week with my Onc who told me the lump had shrunk to 3.8 cms. I’m hoping the chemo I had today and my last one will do the trick and shrink it to the size of a pea…we’ll see! I have an appointment on 3rd of Jan with my Breast Surgeon who will be telling me whether he recommends MX, partial MX or lumpectomy. I then have to make a decision, but I have a lot of trust in my Breast Surgeon so will probably go along with his recommendation, but my BCN will be involved and give me her valued opinion.
Libby x
Hello again,
I’ve met my bcn she is really lovely.
I think my lump is 4cm but thats all i know really.
I had a few question about my lumpectomy and tried to ring the spire but with it being xmas people are on holiday.
I just wondered how you know if you are staying in for the night or just the day? What things do you take with you.
I know i have to ake a different bra and other bits but really not sure what to take.
I think they want it to be a daycare op and out the same day but just not sure.
Anyway off to buy some xmas booze now.
Thanks again
love fran
xxx