Hi,

Totally with you on this. Having a 4th lumpectomy on 28th. Never spoken to an oncologist. No idea if I need chemo or not. One person (BC nusre) says yes, other person (surgeon) says no. So, no clearer on what is going to happen than I was back in February when I was first told it was cancer. My surgeon was on holiday a few weeks ago when I went for my 3rd lumpectomy results. Had a registrar and BC nurse tell me I needed a mastectomy (my case had been discussed by 'the board'). Last week, I had a meeting with my surgeon, I thought to discuss it further. She disagrees with 'the board' and is doing another lumpectomy. My brain hurts!

Although my husband thinks this is great news, I'm now facing another 5-6 week wait to see if margins are clear. I feel sick constantly and having pretty bad mood swings. Like you, I'm also worried with each day that passes. Is it spreading? Getting worse?

Have you had any body scans? I haven't.

Nicky

I had a Breast MRI which showed nothing. But it didn't show the DCIS that is there and was around the invasive cancer. So it doesn't give me any assurance there is no more DCIS in there that we can't see, even if they were to get a clear margin on a third lumpectomy. I am contacting the PALS patient liaison service to put my case to see if that helps. 

I really feel for you, keep pushing for more information xx

Good idea contacting PALS. I am worried about not having an mri or anything. Might do the same.

I'm based in Surrey. Where are you? Different areas seem to do things differently.

I am in Surrey. All the best x

Hi all

so sorry I've not been up to speed with you all. I've had teeth extracted and all sorts of other crap going wrong with my defective body.

[@Clarky15]‍ so you're having a fourth lumpectomy soon . How are you feeling about that? Did you have a choice? I was told that after the third lumpectomy if no clear margin was achieved then it would be a mastectomy. Sounds like you were told something similar. There's no way I'll have a fourth, I'll have it completely removed regardless . I dont know about you others but I was diagnosed on 2nd Feb but didn't start my sick leave til the actual day of my 1st op on 28th Feb. Unfortunately my SSP runs out mid sept and then I'll be £100 a week down.  I won't qualify for benefits etc so the upshot is I can't delay and have more lumpectomies- each round of operation and recovery and results takes 8 weeks. I need to get back to work basically. Grim but true. 

Update here if you feel able, I've hated being in the 3rd lumpectomy club but having some coministion with others on a similar boat has been so helpful. I'm almost 3 weeks after 3rd op. Feel ok though the scar site is rubbish - to be expected after 3 incisions. 
 

i hope everyone is getting through the days and have a plan they feel comfortable with. Sounds like some of you aren't getting the information you need to make informed decisions , which must be frustrating. Like it's not hard enough as it it. 
 

thinking of you all xx

Hi 

Yep, 4th lumpectomy. I was told that it would be mastectomy after the 3rd but surgeon changed her mind. I wasn't happy about another lumpectomy if I'm honest, I've had enough, but surgeon and hubby talked me into one more try with lumpectomy. Don't think my husband quite understands my thinking. He's so happy I'm not having a mastectomy and is in denial that this next op might not work and I'll still end up having one. He even told the few friends we told about it - got a load of 'congratulations'  messages like I was suddenly cured. 

I was diagnosed 8th Feb, 1st op on 28th Feb, 2nd 7th April, 3rd 31st May, next one 28th July. Quite similar timing to you. I have been lucky that work have been paying me my full pay so far but this will stop in November. 

So, op next Thursday then the dreaded wait for results, again! Not doing it again. If this fails, mastectomy it is. I need to be stronger and not let them convince me otherwise. Just hope I don't have to...

Hi Caltaj,

I've sent a friend request. Not allowed to mention hospital names directly on the forum. 

How are you doing? 

Nx

I would also recommend getting your GP to refer you for a second opinion. I was told in no uncertain terms at my second opinion to go straight to chemo and not have a third lumpectomy. If it's non-invasive DCIS they are still chasing, it's not worth compromising the effectiveness of chemo by a further delay. I've refused the third lumpectomy and I'm trying to get chemo started ASAP