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Hello im new, 49F BC

Shanie
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Hello 

Recently diagnosed just before Xmas with stage 1 Breast Cancer. Dr said I would need a lumpectomy and radiotherapy for 3 weeks.

Im not sure how the radiotherapy works, do you start it straight away after the operation, or do you wait a while.

I have my operation this week on Weds 3rd Jan.

They said it was a accidental find, I just had a sore side boob but didnt feel any lump or anything unusual. But woop there it was.

Any advice on external radiotherapy or recovery would be helpful.

S

X 

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    I could be wrong here, because we're talking around 2 years ago now, and everything was just a blur, but pretty sure my wife had to wait for the breast to heal before getting radiotherapy. It damages the tissue, so if I'm recalling correctly, it makes sense to let it heal.

    Hold all that, just asked her. She said 6 weeks. Not only for it to heal, but so she could move her arm above her head too

  • Offline in reply to ProfBaw

    Hi there, thanks for the reply. Yes that makes a lot of sense. Things are still quite blurry at the minute, its hard to remember what questions to ask as it all seems to be happening very quickly at the minute x 

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    HI Shanie,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    I hope that all goes well for you tomorrow. The surgery for a lumpectomy is very straightforward. You will usually be left for about 6 weeks after this, to allow your skin to heal. It may not seem so at the moment, but you were fortunate that this was found by chance, and that it is at an early stage. Do you know what type of breast cancer it is?

    I have had 2 bouts of stage 1 mucinous breast cancer, but that was 14 years ago now and I still lead a busy and fulfilling life. I'm sure that you will too.

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

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Hi Jolamine, 

    Thankyou for the information, its great to know that you have had a positive outcome.

    I dont know what sort, my Dr just said grade 1 and it wasnt so much a lump, I have got to go and have a wire popped in before my op tomorrow at another hospital anx then travel to my hospital for the op itself.

    He mentioned something about a dye too and I cant remember if I have the dye before the op or if they do that while im having the op.

    I feel like I have developed memory loss in the last few weeks with all the information I have been given but not absorbed x 

  • Offline in reply to Shanie

    Hi Shania,

    Most of us forget about 90% of what we're told before we leave the hospital gates. However, make sure to ask, as some cancers are more aggressive than others. The wire is placed as guide to where the tumour is, so that they know where to operate. The dye helps to show up the lymph nodes and makes them easier for the surgeon to find.

    There is a lot of medical jargon to take in within a very short time, but if there's anything that you don't understand, just ask. You will find that your named nurse is a good contact, if you have any questions. You usually have to leave a message, but she'll get back to you as soon as she can.

    I shall be thinking of you tomorrow and I'm sure that all will go well.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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