How long is it ok to wait for breast cancer surgery?

[Bellel]

ops...my apology its for bellybel 😊I

Regards,

Belle

[Bellel]

Hi Lunatic my apology for a very late response.I live outside UK am glad I found these group of wonderful people like you.I am coping well thanks god.I'm starting my treatment lucrin injection while waiting my mamaprint trial.I hope I don't need a chemo.Take care and god bless.

Regards,

Belll

[billybell]

Hi lunitic21

i am doing ok start my radiotherapy Tuesday 😱 having it over 5 days then meds for 5 year 

glad you have your date for operation yes I no what you mean about feeling anxious I was terrified but once I got to the surgery  lounge and met all he lovely team they put me at ease  they surgeon will visit you and also the anaesthetic and they were so nice 

ask all the questions that you are worried about and they will ease you mind 

are you having radiotherapy? 
❤️

[Lunatic21]

hi Billybell,

how are you doing after surgery. 

I have my date through at last, 21st April starting to feel anxious so very glad its coming out soon!

[billybell]

Last message for brsally🤦‍♂️

[billybell]

Hiya Hope all goes well with ct planning today 

I got mine tomorrow and my radiotherapy starts on the 23/3 I have been booked in for 5 session but I was told it could change at ct planning when oncologist looks at the scans 

so it could be 3 weeks worth my oncologist said they liked to book 5 sessions and if needed they can add more 

good luck today❤️

[Lunatic21]

Thank you all for taking the time to reply.  

 After my telephone consolation on Monday confirming only 1 breast have cancer I yesterday received information on the post about the lumpectomy and lymph node removal but have no date yet.  

A little anxious to hear that some of you need extra surgery when they don't have the clear margins.  

My lump its right above the nipple so the consultant hopes he can hide my scar around the nipple but I'm concerned about the hollow breast after... it's going to look very odd!

Glad you are recovering  x

[bcrsally]

Billbell

The 5 day course is the same dose as the normal 15 days but given over a shorter   of time, I believe they started doing it in the last lockdown to reduce the visits to the hospital and have seen no change in the outcomes.Strange how different people get different information isn’t it?

The lady who had her op the same day as me at our local hospital has still not had a decision on whether she needs chemo even though her letter to her Gp says “probably not” and I have already got my CT/planning/ preassessment and radiotherapy days all booked in. I consider myself to have been fortunate to get things moving forward so quickly.

[Bellel]

hi Lunatic how are today?I just want to ask information from if uou don't mine.Seems like we have the same ca invasive DC her2-er/pr+ grade 2.My calcifecation was 26mm.When I visit my oncologist I ask her about adjuvenant treatment she said is not applicable to my case.Do you think because of my ovarian  fibroids?I just got home fr.my 2nd op.for clean margin while writing this message.Hoping for good pathology result so that I can start my treatment.I need my mamograph in 2 weeks time too.You take care and god bless.

Bellel 

[billybell]

Hi nrcsally

thank for getting back to me am so confused what is happening 

can’t wait for next week to speak to doc 

my breast surgeon told me radiotherapy could be any up to 15 sessions mon to Friday rest at week end 

it good you I got to have 5  I hope that’s all I need 

trying to get some normality been tidy my garden today ready for spring as I don’t surprise I will be going anywhere 

so pleased lunitic1 is ok it so worrying when these thing happen ❤️

[bcrsally]

Billy bell 

lunatic21 originally thought she had BC in both breast s but one side showed up as a benign calcification, so that was good news.

When I had my post op appt with the Consultant on the telephone he told me I would get an appt in the post for radiotherapy pre assessment, Ct planning and radiotherap. On the tel. Preassessment the Doc told me a 5 day course and I got the whole plan in the post for Ct and planning March 8th and Radio therapy treatments X5 March 24th (Wed,Thirs and Fri) then 29th/30th(Mon and Tues)I was concerned coz I had a Seroma( fluid collection) at the time but thankfully it has now dispersed👍

[billybell]

Forgot to say so glad you tumor shrank 

letrozole is a great drug for b-c  sorry yo bombard you with questions how did you no how much radiotherapy you was having ? BE ct radiotherapy planning I have no appointments booked yet 🙁

[billybell]

Hi bcrsslly 

glad you are recovering well 

I was ment to have my radiotherapy appointment with the oncologist 2 weeks ago weeks ago bit cancelled to 8o now 8th March 

Ahe said she don’t no how much radio I will have until breast planning done by ct 

lids your oncologist tell you how much radiotherapy you would have b4 you ct planning mine is ringing me on the 3rd to discuss so wondering if she will tell me then 

also read on lunitic post you said cancer in one breast 

they suspect both ? Hope you ok 

at the moment I am up and down but getting through the days just want my radiotherapy to start so I can get on with my life sending hugs ❤️❤️

[bcrsally]

Lunatic 21

not sure what happened to my reply. Good news only Ca in one breast and not both, hope you are doing ok.Whilst waiting for my op and now waiting for radiotherapy I found it useful to concentrate on getting more exercise and eating well. Also started yoga and realisation which I have found really helpful.Sally

[bcrsally]

Good luck with your second surgery, hope you make a speedy recovery.

[Bellel]

Hi Bcsally,how are you I just feel that I need to join your conversation.I was diagnose IDC grade 2 it all started during my first Mammograph last Sept.due to corona all my test was being delayed I only got Op last 20th Jan.You are right it so stressful to wait I understand you because I was into that same situation.But as I learn from my experienced the oncologist and surgeon knows if your in risk.Like if your cancer is aggresive or not, in this point they will take you into consideraton for urgent call.It is best to ask  your oncologist and surgeon about  it,for me analizing/understanding the cancer is very important because it's a pity that you will bring yourself into a very stressful situation for without enough reason stress can add more health problems so do your best.My lumpectomy was't successfull I didn't have clean margin. Today is my 2nd op excision I hope & pray that  I can make it this time so that I can start my treatment.I did not recieve letrozole come what may I am fully feed up of informations about different treatment.It is confusing but yes!I believe I can make it.I wish you good luck and for myself too.🙏🙏

Virtual hug

Bellel

[bcrsally]

Billybell

I am doing ok. Keeping up with the post op exercises helped a lot. I had a collection of fluid that has now dispersed. All histology from the breast lump( which was 5cm on ultrasound but had shrunk with Letrozole pre op to 3.5cm) was as expected(grade 2 lobular Ca oestrogen +ve/ Her2 -ve)and x3 lymph nodes and all surrounding tissue was negative. I have CT and planning March 8th and a X5 course of radiotherapy starting March 24th. Hope you are doing ok too❤️

[Lunatic21]

BcrSally and Billybell, 

Thanks for sharing your journeys..I have read with interest as I an on the waiting list for lumpectomy and 4 lymph node removal surgery.  After 2 seperate biopsies, core and vacuum,  across 2 weeks on both breasts I have been diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Cancer grade 2, 25mm HER neg Est. positive in only 1! Started on tamoxifen 3 wks ago. Woohoo. The other was a benign calcification lump.  

But now the wait..... the consultant is really honest but says he has no idea on timescales at the moment as I am not high on the list ( which is good!) But he is hoping that the hospital can increase capacity soon.  The waiting is crazy.......

How did you guys cope with waiting? 

How are you after the surgery? Are you now 6 weeks until radiotherapy?

Thanks.  

[billybell]

Hi brcsally

hope you have recovered well

did you get you surgery results ? 
abd planning for radiotherapy? 
I have had mine result and just need radiotherapy and letrozole Don’t no how much radiotherapy yet have a consultant appointment on 3rd March  followed by a planning for radiotherapy ct scan 

as the 17th feb was cancelled 🤷‍♀️ Please let us no how you are doing ❤️

[Seabreeze]

BcrSally,

One day at a time. Good that you are doing the exercises. Just continue doing what you're doing. The relaxation sounds good too! Totally normal to have better and not so good days so soon after your op and so soon in your journey. 

Before you remove/change your dressing....you will most likely still have quite a bit of swelling and the scar may still look quite red. Please remember the swelling will gradually go with time (it can take awhile before it goes completely), the scar will fade and any bruising will go.

Do come back and let us know how you are doing and/or if you need to vent or need any support.

X Seabreeze 

[bcrsally]

Billybel, good to hear you are on the road to recovery. I have to take my dressings off myself on Wed and then have a telephone appointment with the consultant on Thurs. Was expecting a 2 week appointment but this is more like 10 days. I will be disappointed if he hasn’t got all the results and a plan going forward re radiotherapy.Sally

[bcrsally]

Sea breeze No not too much information, very useful. Bit battered and bruised, good days and tough days but resting and recovering. Doing post op exercises helps and started some gentle neck and shoulder yoga today for 10 mins and 20mins of relaxation after.Sally

[Seabreeze]

Hi BcrSally,

I hope your recovery from your op is going well. Plus hope that I didn't say too much in my response to you the other day.

Sending a gentle hug,

Seabreeze   

[Seabreeze]

That's good to hear Billybell,

Continue to do a combo of rest, gentle exercise and healthy eating. Plus keep doing the post op exercises since they really do help get everything moving again, even if you feel a bit stiff the first few days. And something you enjoy to help you process everything.

X Seabreeze

[billybell]

Hi all

just letting you no I had my surgery on the 27th 

they checked 1st nymph noad and it was clear 😃 been a bit sore nurse came today and changed my dressing and said wound was healing nicely 

got a follow up on the 10th feb 

hope you recovering well bcrsally when is your follow up ? Xx

[Sandpiper]

Hi Sally,

Yes I had 15 sessions of radiotherapy which started about two months after surgery and got through it all okay, no major side effects though, but tiredness and a mild skin reaction. 

Hope the time passes quickly for you to get your results and they are good. 

Rest up and take care of yourself.

Sandpiper

x

[Evie-S]

Seabreeze - I’m impressed at anyone who can lay a patio etc, at any time - I’m rubbish at practical things. It must be much more satisfying to see the result when you have done it yourself. Xx

[Seabreeze]

Evie

It wasn't the day after my op! I wouldn't want to give anyone that idea! The patio was 3 years after diagnosis, and about 4 months after the second reduction op (nowhere near as invasive as the op to remove bc). Designed around the weight/size of sandstone paver I could lift...one at a time...gently... bit like recovery in that respect! And cobbles helped avoiding having to cut slabs! 

X Seabreeze

[Evie-S]

Seabreeze - I’m very impressed at you laying a patio, cobbles and fixing a fence! Even more so after BC surgery - but I do agree with your point about wanting to achieve certain things as a marker after surgery.

Sally (bcrsally) - glad to hear your op is done and not too painful now. I’m sure you are not imagining that your tumour has shrunk. I was sure mine had during chemo, and I was right.

Evie xx

[Seabreeze]

Hi Borsally,

Good that you are doing the exercises - I remember trying to do the one which is a bit like flapping pigeon wings with your elbows out from your neck/head....and thinking if I was a pigeon right now I'd be going in circles! Or would have crashed to the ground!  

I'm 6.5 years on and doing ok - primarily post to give back to the forum.

Had lumpectomy, SNB (3 nodes removed all negative) radio, borderline chemo but not recommended, 5 years of Tamoxifen which got upped to 10 years (with a line from my onc to weigh up pro's / con's re benefits of an extra 5 years re decision). Plus 2 reductions on the non-bc side to rebalance a tad since impacted on my back, and one scare which thankfully turned out to be fractured ribs.  Think I may have aggravated an old back/rib injury (which I never realised I had) when laying a patio, cobbles, and fixing a fence - which I wanted to do since a/ it needed doing, b/ I thought I'd do a nicer/better job than a typical builder, c/ I couldn't afford a builder, and d/ it felt really important to me, as some kind of marker after the bc : )  

The line be kind and compassionate to yourself is really worth remembering through your journey.

Rest, eat well and heal. Post if you have any updates or wobbles...

X Seabreeze 

[bcrsally]

Sandpiper. Interesting that your tumours and Billbell too said that. I am certain that my 5cm tumour felt considerably smaller preop having been on Letrozole only 4 weeks. Need to ask the surgeon what he thought when I see him for histology results in 2 weeks time. Did you go on to have radiotherapy post surgery?Sally

[bcrsally]

Sea breeze Thankyou and good advice, I have been doing gentle arm and shoulder exercises they do help to loosen things up. Where in your cancer journey are you at? Sally

[Seabreeze]

Billybell and Borsal,

I so agree with Borsal...

I remember waiting listening to builders playing music on a nearby rooftop. Then started visualisation to calm myself and relaxed myself so much I then had to fight to keep myself awake, for fear of dropping off and waking up panicked!

Then came round in the recovery room to, "6 o'clock already I was just in the middle of a dream", Just Another Manic Monday, by the Bangles! Very bizarre looking back on it!

XXX

Seabreeze

[bcrsally]

Billy bell waiting is the pits isn’t it. Soon be done and you can relax and recover. Speak to you again soon Best wishes❤️Sally

[Seabreeze]

Billybell + Borsall,

Beaming you both good post op (and op) recovery vibes.

Rest, eat well (and lots of protein for cell repair), do the exercises provided and be kind to yourselves.

One day at a time,

Sending very gentle hugs to you both,

Seabreeze x  

[Evie-S]

Billybell - thinking of you and sending hugs. Do come back when you feel up to it. Evie xx

[billybell]

Bcrsall glad all went well 

I am actually in the pre op lounge waiting for mine

xc

[bcrsally]

Sorry to hear you have to wait a little longer. I used the waiting time to get some exercise and started some on line simple yoga and relaxation free on you tube which I found really helpful to settle the crazy things goin round in my head. 
I must have been on a high yesterday, felt so much better than I expected, today having a shower has wiped me out, not concerned just goin to sleep it off on the sofa. All looking good wound wise and no more painful than before👍

[Mavis]

Pleased to hear you had your op and are not in too much pain.

I was meant to have my op today but it has now been moved to 3rd Feb.

I was diagnosed with stage 1, grade 2 on 29th December 

Good luck with your recovery xx

[bcrsally]

Came home last night, not as painful as I expected, even today it is mostly uncomfortable.Soon worked out that wearing a stretchy sports bra helps with supporting my boob from dragging down on the painful bit.Now to rest and recover, results in 2 weeks and decisions to make about radiotherapy.

[Evie-S]

Billybell - and all the very best wishes to you too for Wednesday. Sending big hugs - do come back and let us know how you are when you feel up to it. Evie xx

[billybell]

Yay bcrsally

good luck thinking of you 

❤️ Mine is Wednesday xx

[Sandpiper]

Dear Billybell,

Very good news that the cancer has responded so quickly to letrozole. Good luck for Wednesday surgery - hope all goes well for you after all the worry you've had.

Look after yourself and rest up afterwards.

Sandpiper

x

[Sandpiper]

Dear Bcrsally,

Just saw your message saying you were having surgery today and not 27th. Wishing you well and have a smooth recovery after all the delays. Take it easy afterwards and don't do too much.

Sandpiper

x

[Evie-S]

Bcrsally - great news that you are having your op today! All the very best for a speedy recovery. We are all here if you have any questions. Hugs, Evie xx

[bcrsally]

Since my original post I am pleased to say that my Op date has been brought forward to TODAY🎉Mon 25th. All ready to go and get this done, left side wide excision grade 2 oestrogen positive lobular cancer, let’s do this. Good luck and speedy return to good health to you lovely ladies booked for 27th. Speak to you all very soon❤️

[billybell]

Hi Charys 

yes that is reassuring from diagnosis to my op on weds 27th it will be 2months but I was ment to have surgery on the 4/1 my cancer was 15mm on mammogram and 12mm on ultrasound . Was put on letrozole to 

when I went Monday to have the the breast marker fitted by ultrasound I asked what was the size he said 10mm  so the letrozole is doing it’s job 

thank you for coming back on here and reassuring us ❤️

so

[Charys]

I'm really sorry that you ladies are having surgery delayed due to the NHS Covid pressure, it must be adding horrible worry to an already difficult time. If it helps you to know, my surgery was 5 weeks after diagnosis, this was a few years ago, and there were no NHS pressures then. I recall asking my surgeon at the time 'how long would it be before you were worried that the outcome would change' and she told me 'maximum 2 months before I would be becoming concerned', I was a grade 3 cancer (highest), so for lower grades it would be longer. I don't know if this helps or not, but BC cancers are generally slow growing.

[billybell]

Hi sandpiper 

what fantastic news that it’s all gone 

letrozole seems to be a amazing tablet it’s worked  so well for many people 

my surgery is 27/1  yay. But also scared 

thank for letting us no your recovery update it really helps to hear this  xx💕

[billybell]

Hi bcrsally

i now have my operation date on the 27th January a day before you they rang me Wednesday so looks like operations are starting again so I doubt very much yours will be cancelled 🙏 I am so happy but scared at the same time 
sending you hugs 💕