You to have a lovely evening and don’t be a stranger,I found the lumpectomy fine and all the tests leading up to it,so many but all are fine xx

Thank you, yes sounds like it wont be anything like I've already gone through but I'm not naive in knowing it will probably have it's own challenges.  Yes I believe that sounds like the procedure, I'm sorry still processing conversation and waiting for letters to come then I'll be able to make more sense, theres something called wide incision as well is that for the lymph glands? I do know she said they put a wire in which guides her to remove the little monster and take a margin.  Oh it's just a lot to try understand I'm best waiting for the letters to read and digest properly.  Did you have biopsies? I have normally a high pain threshold but wow I literally had tears rolling, the pain was excruciating albeit it only seemed to last a few seconds.

Thanks for welcoming me

JBee x

Feeling better about it already, just the tamoxifen is my worry.  I guess I'll cross that bridge when I get there.  

Good night both thanks again and have a great evening xx

Yes I had what they called a wide local incision and they took 2 lymph nodes while I was having the operation and when I came round they told me immediately that they where clear!!

I had a mag seed put in prior to the operation and didn’t feel it all.... then day before operation I had radioactive injection,sat around for an hour then had images taken with the CT scan,,,

Best of all was I had blue dye put in whilst in theatre and I woke up looking like Mama Smurf lol

Yes did have biopsies after given a local and it was fine .

Rest and relax tonight xxx

Hi JBee

You will either go in the day before the op or on the day itself to have an iodine injection into the breast so that the surgeon can locate and remove lymph node(s)

the day of your op you will be taken to the mammogram suite to have your wires put in - they inject a local anaesthetic first so you don’t feel any pain

wide area incisions are lumpectomies but you will also have a small incision underarm to remove lymph node.

they put an anesthic block into you breast while under so that when you awake you won’t be in pain. 

The dressings have to be on for 7-9 days, you can’t get them wet - bit of a pain plus you’ll feel numb under your arm for a couple of weeks/months

youll be given arm exercises to do so your arm doesn’t seize up, I did my shopping instead, reaching up to get things from upper shelves :)

I thought the biopsies at the breast clinic were worse than anything I went through afterwards, I had no pain in relation to the rest of the procedures I had to go through - including the operation itself. In fact I woke up thinking what the fuss was all about. I had to have another surgery as my margins weren’t clear but then I did have DCIS as well as invasive, DCIS is impossible for the surgeon to see so not surprised to hear margins weren’t clear. 

Do come back if you have any question/need support x

Good morning

that was such a useful read, thank you so much for taking the time to put it into something I understand :) haha I love that idea for an exercise.... shopping!! Who doesn't like to do that.  I hope beyond hope that nothing has to be repeated, that would be very nice. 

You right though in what you say about post op, even the two previous ops I have had I thought it was even designed for sissies LOL I did bounce back quickly too, so that is a positive as I am sure this will be no different, the arm cut sounds very uncomfortable... not looking forward to that.  I will be used to the numbing as had it with my bowel and liver surgery and still have patches that are numb to this day.

Glad it is not just me re the pain of the biopsies, I really thought I was being a baby!! I wondered if it had something to do with the size of my breasts (mine are not big) or possibly how deep they may have had to go??  Anyway at least that part is done.

I will be back to check on both your updates and hope all goes well.  Working from home today so chilling and doing things at my pace, plus don't have to repeat my story to anyone at work.... exhausting even if its great colleagues show support and care.

Have a great day :) xx

Morning,

So pleased you’re finding things helpful,my lymph nodes removal wasn’t under my arm it was to the right and below...won’t lie it was a bit sore worse than the bigger incision...but I only took paracetamols.

You will need some nice soft bras,I bought sports bras as I’ve had to wear them 24/7.

Take care xxx

Hello there I have been through this process too but had two separate operations. First was a lumpectomy then had to have lymph node biopsies as invasive cells found in the lumpectomy tissue. The two ops were only 5 weeks apart. Both went well and I have recovered well from them both. I found a good comfy bra helped me. Got a zip front one from M & S which was good. I only took paracetamols in the first few days. Getting comfy in bed was a bit difficult but I was given a heart shaped cushion which I used all the time to support me when on the settee or in bed. I wouldn’t say either of the ops were painful, just a bit uncomfortable at times. Make sure you do the arm exercises for the lymph gland biopsies as it’s important to keep the arm movement going. I am four weeks post the lymph node biopsies now and feel great, especially as I got my results yesterday which show there is no spread into the lymph glands. Will start on Anastrazole next week for 5 years and have 15 sessions of radiotherapy to start. All in all feel so very lucky that this was found on just a routine mammogram as had no idea at all.

Have been for a walk on the beach this morning and feel so very lucky. I now have a plan and can move forward.

Good luck on your journey JBee

Love Mary xx

Hi

thats great news, I am so happy for you and also comforted by your information.  Strangely enough I am not scared of the surgery just the treatment.  I am 50 had total hysterectomy at age 45 prior to that never had a period for 27yrs due to taking deprovera (contraceptive injection) - since the hysterectomy I have never had a sign of menopause.... so I am wondering why I would need it if my body is not doing the natural thing?? 

But I will face this head on as I have always done and keep checking on everyones progress etc as it really is a big help. 

Thanks again and great news for you too :) xx