Hello, 

The ultrasound results came back. The enhanced area is benign. The cancer is stage 1 and there is no evidence that it has spread to lymph nodes. However, the consultant plans to remove 3 nearest lymph nodes. I will meet him tomorrow to discuss the treatment plan in details. Are there anything that I should be aware of? Or any questions that I should ask? Many thanks x

Hi,

I am so glad to hear that the enhanced area is benign. It is normal to remove a few lymph nodes at the time of surgery, just to be certain that there has been no spread. Although you don't feel very lucky at present, you were fortunate that your routine mammogram picked this up. Stage one cancer is very treatable. Most of the questions for your care team will come once you know what treatment they have planned for you. Don't be afraid to ask about anything that you don't understand. No question is too silly, and all of this is much easier to deal with once you know and fully understand what is going to be done and why.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on tomorrow. Remember that we are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you so much for always being here for us. The surgery will take place on March 7th. Although the MRI doesn’t show abnormal lymph nodes, two lymph nodes will still be removed for biopsy. The consultant said 1 in 5 patients who have lumpectomy come back for re excision. The specialist nurse also explained the impact of lymphoedema. I have started exercising 30 mins a day, to get my body ready for the surgery and recovery. I have changed my diet and spent more time with people who have positive outlook in life.  Thank you again for your support x

Hi,

It sounds as if you are doing all the right things. I exercised regularly after both of my surgeries, but still ended up with Lymphoedema. I wear compression sleeves and bras to try and keep the swelling down and I have attended the Lymphoedema clinic for the last 12 years. I am fortunate in that the swelling goes up in one area and down in another from time to time, but not significantly. However wearing the support sleeves on both arms and hands can be a nuisance at times and can hamper some every day activities. I understand that this doesn't happen so often now, due to being able to identify the lymph nodes by inserting dye. I had my operations 13 and 14 years ago, before these advances were available.

Spending time with positive people makes a huge difference. This has been a long wait for you to get this far. I am sure that you are now anxious to get on with surgery and treatment. I am glad to hear that you have got a date and I sincerely hope that it all goes well.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. Remember that we are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hello,

I have told that the cancer treatment is tough. I don’t have physical symptoms at the moment and can comfortably manage my full time job. I just wonder when will this is likely to change, after the lumpectomy, radiotherapy or when I start taking tamoxifen? I need to discuss work adjustment with my line manager and I wonder if anyone can share their experience. Many thanks x

Hi Xxlzzyxx,

I am not a doctor, but from what I have read and heard in the past 14 years, I believe that how tough your cancer treatment is, depends upon the treatment you have, how it affects you as an individual and the type of work that you do. It is impossible to predict this until you start it, as some lucky people have no symptoms at all. The very fact that radiotherapy is now mostly a 5 day course, is tiring, when it takes a chunk out of every day that week. The radiotherapy can leave you feeling very tired and this can last for some months after treatment finishes. It can also leave you feeling stiff and your skin sore or itchy. 

Doing the exercises you are given post-surgery, along with moisturising regularly should help. Your care team will recommend what you should use for this, as not all moisturisers are suitable. Any of the hormone therapies can leave you feeling very fatigued, as can the surgery itself. If you look up Tamoxifen side-effects, you will see that there are a number of them. You are unlikely to get all of them. Tiredness, night sweats, insomnia, nausea and depression, are amongst the most likely, but there are products to help with some of these.

I was working full-time after I had my first surgery. Fortunately, I was self-employed and was able to have a nap at lunch time, which I certainly needed. I didn't have radiotherapy. However, I did have a lot of the side effects with Tamoxifen and eventually took some time off due to sheer exhaustion, as I felt that I had to give my body the chance to heal. Just as I thought that I was getting on top of things, I was diagnosed with a second cancer and started with Letrozole, which I also had a lot of side-effects with, but I stayed on this for 6 and a half years. The side-effects of the hormone therapy drugs are all pretty similar, but there are a few differences, for example, Letrozole causes more joint pain. Despite the challenges I had with this treatment, I would happily go through it all again, if I thought that it was going to buy me another 14 years.

I forgot to mention in response to your earlier post, that it is routine for your surgeon to remove a few lymph nodes at the same time as your surgery. This ensures that nothing is missed by your earlier tests. I had 6 removed, but fortunately they were all clear.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

I am sure that you are counting down the days to your operation, but at least it is in sight now.

Dear Jolamine,

I had a lumpectomy and sentinel nodes biopsy yesterday. No complication. I was sent home with Codine but discovered that I don’t need them as I hardly feel any pain, just a bit uncomfortable and little soreness that you can get by without painkillers. I have an appointment with the nurse at my local GP next week to check the wounds. I am also waiting for the pathologist’s results and surgeon’s appointment in 3-4 weeks. I am doing the exercises as recommended. Is there anything else you would recommend me to do besides resting? Thank you so much xxx

Hi xxIzzyxx,

I am glad to hear that you've had your lumpectomy and that all went well. It's great to hear that you don't need any painkillers. The main things are to listen to your body and rest when you need to, do your exercises routinely and don't lift anything heavy. Wear a soft supportive bra day and night for 2 weeks and don't use deodorant near the wound. 

Don't be too proud, take any help that is offered. If family or friends offer to make some meals let them. Any help with household duties will also be much appreciated, especially hoovering or laundry. Either get your shopping online, or let someone else do it for you. You will find that you really appreciate the smallest acts of kindness. It is also nice to see these people popping in for a chat.

The main problem I had post lumpectomy was driving over speed humps. I found whatever movement this, caused triggered pain in my breast. I  used a padded seat belt cover to protect my breast when driving - I bought a pair for toddlers in their car seat and used both on the one belt.

I am sure that you feel relieved to have your surgery behind you now, although you'll naturally be anxious until you get the pathology results. I sincerely hope that you get clear margins and that there will be no need for re excision.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. As you know, we are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Dear Jolamine, thank you so much for your advice. My sister and niece flew in and help me with cooking. My husband does most of housework anyway. I have developed cording under my left arm all the way to below my elbow. I do stretching regularly but what helps me the most is a daily deep massage that my sister gives me. She will go back home next week and I will continue massaging myself. My arm is just a little tight when I lift it above my head but there is no pain anymore. The result from pathologist has just come in but my consultant is on leave so I can’t see him until April 23rd. Is that because it is bad news the reason they cannot give the results by post or over the phone? Thank you for listening xxx

Hi Xxlzzyxx,

I am glad to hear that your sister and niece have been helping you out, along with your husband. It sounds as if your pain has subsided and that you will be able to take over the cooking, when your sister returns home next week.

It is good to hear that your pathology results are back, but unfortunate that you still have to wait until April 23rd, to find out what they are. I know that some of the busy clinics give both good and bad news over the phone, but the majority of surgeons prefer to give all news in person. It sounds as if your surgeon is in this category and you cannot read anything about the outcome, because of the delay for your consultant to finish his holiday.

I am keeping my fingers crossed for good news.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. As you know, we are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx