Hi and I totally understand how you feel.  I had my lumpectomy on 5th August, was scared and apprehensive, but the staff were superb and very reassuring.  I felt so much calmer once the operation was over, felt like something positive had taken place as part of the treatment.  The time between diagnosis and lumpectomy is very tricky, and I was in a dark place for that period, lots of tears but I feel I have turned a corner now the operation is behind me.  Still need confirmation of whether there are clear margins and will find out next week.  I hope you will be in a better place once you have had the .operation and I wish you well.  All the best Sue

Thanks for your support it means a lot and hopefully I’ll feel the same next week.
How’s the recovery going 

take care

Hi. Lumpectomy done and one lymph node removed. More sore than painful now due to tightness especially under my arm but hopefully exercises will help.  Won’t be seeing consultant till 11th so trying to take it easy till then but I’m not one to sit still so finding it hard.  At least i still have two boobs even if one is wonky!!

hope your recovery is still going well Do you know when you’re starting any more treatment yet?  Good luck with it all 

Hello and so good to hear that all went well.  Yes a wonky boob goes with the territory!  The exercises definitely help together with lots of walking.  Like you, I cannot sit in a heap and need to be out and about.  My results came back; lymph node clear but clear margin not enough so further surgery required after chemotherapy.  My nipple will be pointing to my armpit!  My boob did swell and almost twice the size of the other one but that has now gone.  It is lumpy as is the under arm area but apparently that should reduce.

I have chased oncology and hope to discuss treatment plan next week but waiting for phone call to confirm.  

Please provide updates as it is very reassuring to hear from someone at the same stage as me.  All the best Sue

Hi

So sorry to hear that you need further surgery.  I heard today that my lymph nodes and margins are clear 

I now need to wait for oncotype test result to confirm if it’s just radiotherapy to follow or chemotherapy which was a curve ball as I was assuming it would be radiotherapy only

looks like we’re both still playing the waiting game but I can’t fault the Breast care Team I've had.

Stay positive and please stay in touch

Ruth

Oh well done Ruth that all is clear! Very pleased for you.  Heard today appointment for next Wednesday with oncology team to discuss treatment plan.  Will let you know the outcome.  Fingers crossed for your treatment plan.

Do you mind me asking how you discovered your breast cancer?  Don’t tell me if you would rather not.  Mine was through weight loss and I felt a mass.  Told initially it was benign but the biopsy said otherwise.  A horrible shock and tricky to come to terms with but somehow you just do! Will be back in touch when I know more.  Sue

Hi

Mine was found via mammogram but there was nothing visible or that I felt

I was initially told it was 1.5cm but today told it was stage 2, 2cm.

Must have been awful to be mis diagnosed initially and well done you for coping with this all. It’s been really helpful talking to you especially as you have been at a similar time scale.  Hope your treatment goes well

Ruth

Hi Sue and Ruth,

I'm glad to hear that you have both had your surgery and are now moving forward from there.

I thought that it might be helpful for you both to hear from someone, who is further along the line. I had a lumpectomy 14 years ago, but found another lump in the same breast, less than a year later. This time I had a double mastectomy. After the first bout, I took Tamoxifen for a year, but after that, I changed to Letrozole, which I took for 6½ years. My scarring was puckered and red to start with. I had some myofascial release from a nurse at a Maggie's centre and this improved the puckering. It now looks so much better and the scarring has paled down considerably.

I still lead a busy and fulfilling life and, I'm sure that you will both do so too, once you get your treatment out of the way. I hope that this goes well for both of you.

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

Kins regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi

thanks for your message- it’s good to hear from someone who is further along their treatment 

Still waiting for my oncotype results so don’t know what follow up treatment will be coming up.  It’s been 5 weeks since lumpectomy so will phone next week if results are still not sent through 

Can I ask if you did anything to ease hard scar tissue around operation site as still have some discomfort 

Again thanks for messaging 

Ruth

Hi Ruth,

It can take quite some time for the Oncotype DX results to come back, as they are sent to America for processing. However, it won't do any harm to phone your consultant's secretary to see if they are back yet.

My scarring was a mess, particularly after I had my second surgery. I was attending a Maggie's centre at the time and one of the nurses there ran a course of Myofascial Release. I also had a nasty keloid scar from breast to groin, following a previous Cholecystectomy, which I had a couple of years previously. She very kindly worked on both scars at the same time and this made a significant difference to my comfort and to the appearance.

It is still early days for you and it takes the best part of a year, for your scarring to fully settle. I would advise you to let nature take it's course first, as it could cause more discomfort, if you start massaging the area too soon.

I hope that you get your results back soon and that it's good news. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. Remember that we are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Good morning Ruth and Jolamine and good to read your messages.  It is very reassuring to read Jolamine that you are back to leading a busy life.  My oncologist visit went well.  He was very chilled and calming.  Have preassessment on 11th, first chemotherapy on 16th.  I have been given a wig voucher so off to choose one on Thursday.  My lumpectomy area has healed very but the area is still very lumpy and hard.  Hopefully that will disperse eventually.

Thank you for sharing about how you were diagnosed Ruth and hope you have dates soon.  I did have to chase for details of dates by making lots of phone calls as I needed to plan.  I am having 6 cycles at 3 week intervals, followed by further surgery and then a week of radiotherapy.  Please stay in touch both of you and I shall certainly do the same.  Mind chatter in the small hours is my biggest challenge at the moment!  All the best Sue x

Hi Sue,

I am glad to hear that your visit to the oncologist went well and that you now have your chemo,   radiotherapy and surgery all planned. Don't worry about how hard and lumpy you feel after your lumpectomy. It is still early days for the tissues to heal and it will take some time, before the area settles down.

I hope that this next stage of treatment goes well and I'll certainly keep in touch.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Sue,

I am glad to hear that your visit to the oncologist went well and that you now have your chemo,   radiotherapy and surgery all planned. Don't worry about how hard and lumpy you feel after your lumpectomy. It is still early days for the tissues to heal and it will take some time, before the area settles down.

I hope that this next stage of treatment goes well and I'll certainly keep in touch.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx