Surgery August 2019

Going through breast cancer treatment Surgery
1

My surgery dated is on Wednesday 21st at 12.30pm, I have to attend hospital at 10 am for starters.  The paperworks says I can have breakfast before 7.30am and can drink / sip coffee, tea or water up to 10 am (I have diabetes type 2)

 

My initial diagnosis was DCIS then the tissue was looked at further and it was found some invasive cancer cells but my understanding was they had not become active yet. :smileyindifferent:

 

The consultant told me that I have DCIS and invasive cancer, but the nurse said they won’t know for sure until they have removed the lump and taken some lymph nodes to analyze after that the best course of treatment will be advised.  

 

Apparently I am having wire inserted die to link tumour to lymph and seeing anaethetist before op time.

 

Just wanting to hook up with anyone who is having surgery this month.

 

My surgery is in Salisbury hospital.

if I have to have the radiotherapy afterward I will have to travel to southampton hospital travel time of 1hr 40 mins for me.  But I am really hoping I don’t have to have radiotherapy.

 

I am worried of course but trying to keep calm.

 

Dealing with the anaesthetic is one thing the wound healing is another, then there is the following diagnosis and treatment.

 

I am going to take arnica tablets starting today, it says can only take up to 7 days, so hopefully the tablets will help with the healing, bruising, any swelling.

 

I am 66 and the abnormality was picked up on mammogram in July, it was a shock as it wasn’t there 3 years ago on the last mammogram and I had not felt any lump, discomfort or breast puckering etc and felt well.

 

Any tips and encouragement also gratefully received.

 

Best wishes to all.

2

Hi Astra. I was also diagnosed recently. I originally went to the GP after noticing some inversion and dryness on my nipple. I was referred to the breast clinic under the 2WW and both ultrasound and mammogram showed nothing but invasive breast cancer was diagnosed after a biopsy. An MRI confirmed a 22mm tumour so I underwent a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy on Friday and now have to wait for the results of this before we can get a firm plan in place going forward. The surgeon said he removed 4 nodes.  

I’m not feeling too bad today, just a bit tired and everything seems to take much more effort but pain wise it’s ok. The nurses advised keeping on top of pain meds and not to wait until I was in discomfort before taking. 

 

I actually slept more last night than I have for weeks due to the anxiety of waiting for test results ect. I’m sure the anxiety will kick in again when it gets closer to result time but for now the pain meds are doing their job.  

 

Its only 4 weeks since I originally went to the GP so its been a pretty stressful few weeks! The hardest part is definitely the waiting in between tests for results. 

 

 I’m 48 so wouldn’t have been called for a mammogram for another couple of years. 

 

 

 

3

Your diagnosis sounds very similar to mine, and we are the same age. I had my surgery in May, and my only problem was feeling sick after the general anaesthetic. You are bound to be anxious in advance, but once you get there the hospital routine takes over and I’m sure you’ll be well looked after. I was told before I was discharged that my lymph nodes were clear. I recovered really quickly with very little bruising. At the follow up appointment the surgeon was pleased with the outcome and was fairly confident all the cancerous cells had been removed. My pathology report was good with clear margins. However, he still recommended a course of 15 sessions of radiotherapy as a precaution. This seems to be automatic after breast surgery in Sheffield, but may differ at other hospitals. It does seem a wise course of action, so please don’t worry about facing this. It is better to be safe.
Do make sure that the hospital staff looking after you while you wait for your op know that you have diabetes. From past experience with my husband, who has Type 2, people with diabetes get priority if there is any delay. Don’t forget to take any medication you may need with you. I presume you’ve checked with the medical people that it’s OK to take arnica. Even herbal remedies can interact with other medication.
As for the radiotherapy, it is by no means unpleasant. I’ve only 3 more sessions to go and the only side effect is a reddening of the skin in the fold below my breast. I’m lucky in that the hospital is only a 20 minute bus ride for me, but I’ve been taking crossword puzzles to do on the bus and in the waiting area.
Best wishes for Wednesday.

4

Hi Astra, 

 

I’ve not had the same surgery as you’re having (I’m 3 days post-surgery after bilateral mastectomies - risk reducing - I don’t have breast cancer, I have a genetic mutation of the PALB2 gene which increases my risk of developing it, so due to a multitude of complicating factors I opted for mastectomy), but I just wanted to wish you good luck for your op. 

 

If your hospital’s anything like the breast care team at my local hospital, who’ve been fantastic, I’m sure they’ll look after you well.

 

I found the hardest thing on the day was waiting to go to theatre, which really seemed to drag. I was half asleep because I’d had to get up at 5.30am so I could get myself organised and have my medication no later than 6.30am with the last water I was allowed (I have a number of long-term health problems and I’m on loads of medication for different things), and had to be at the hospital for 7.30am. I don’t do two 7.30’s in a day!!! :slight_smile: I had plenty of visitors while I was waiting though - my surgeon and her registrar, anaesthetist, pharmacist to log all my medication, and one of the specialist breast care nurses. 

 

I should have been first on the theatre list, but got bumped to 2nd place because they didn’t want to take me to theatre until they knew where they’d got a bed for me for afterwards (because of my medical history my surgeon wanted me to stay overnight), but I went off to theatre around 10.30am. 

 

All the staff couldn’t have been more caring and professional. The anaesthetist decided that in addition to the general anaesthetic (and my surgeon said she always uses plenty of local anaesthetic as well to make you comfortable when you come round) she was going to do a nerve block as well because she was a bit worried about pain control for me afterwards because I’m already on painkillers. I’ve had surprisingly little pain though, and I’m surprised how well I’m feeling after just 3 days (although I’ve quickly discovered I need to rest and can’t keep trying to do bits around the house just yet!!)

 

Anyway, best wishes for Wednesday. I hope it goes well. :slight_smile: xx

5

Here I go… scheduled op time 12.30pm today.

Catch up when I can xox  Love n Hugs to all.  :heart::heart:

6

Hi Astra

 

I had my surgery yesterday so just about in August.?

 

Diagnosed with invasive ductual carcenoma in July two weeks before my son’s wedding ?

Tumour was highly hormone receptive so was given the choice to start hormone therapy (letrozole) and delay surgery.

 

so yesterday I finally had the little critter removed aswell as therapeutic mammoplasty ( breast reduction)!

 

it all went well and today I feel great! Little pain and my boob looks so much better than I expected!

 

Question: have I been lucky or is this a post op “high” with potential of big crash coming?

 

Wishing all you ladies a speedy recovery ???