I have just joined only to find I am in the same situation as you except that in addition I have to the margins shaved. I also had a breast reduction at the dame due to the size of the lump. Chemo was not mentioned until my 2 week check up and was told about the oncotype test. It has really shaken me up whereas before I was quite calm about it. Goood luck with your result

Thank you for your reply. It’s all quite confusing. My tumour was upgraded to Grade 2 but it’s all been taken out plus margins. I’m not sure why I would need chemo. What would the benefit be as I’m down to have radiotherapy and hormone medication as well

My tumour is grade 2 and they said surgery and radiotherapy too. But I need to wait for my receptors back and a MRI. I only found this out yesterday. Xx

Hi all - I’m new to this thread. Thank you for all the information. I’m one week post-lumpectomy operation and feeling very sorry for myself. This is a tough journey and it’s reassuring to hear the same questions and concerns from so many of you. 

Hi MellyN,

A very warm welcome to the forum. I am sorry that you already know, that you need at least a lumpectomy, before you get your biopsy results back. Breaking the news to family, especially, elderly parents, or children, is always a daunting task. How they take the news, depends a lot on how you break it to them. You will find that the more positive you can be about the outcome, the better they will deal with it. With a stage one breast cancer, your chances are good. 80% of breast cancers are cured these days and the earlier you catch it, the better you are likely to fare.

I have had both procedures and both were very straightforward, although strangely, I found the mastectomies easier to deal with post-operatively, than the lumpectomy. Unfortunately, I wasn't a suitable candidate for reconstruction, due to previous non-cancer related surgery, but I manage well with a selection of breast prostheses for different activities. You will find out after your surgery, what your treatment will be. All treatments can be pretty tiring, unfortunately, but they are all "perfectly doable".

Try not to worry about what you cannot change - almost impossible, I know! Place your faith in your care team, ask all the questions you need to. You'll find it helpful to write these down and take them to your consultations, as they change from one appointment to the next. If you can bring someone with you to your appointments, please do, especially for any results appointments.

You are going through one of the worst stages of a cancer journey just now. Waiting for results is always hard. There are so many unknowns and our over-active imaginations don't help, especially in the early hours of the morning. Irrespective of the outcome, you will feel better once you know exactly what you have to deal with.

I do hope that your results come through soon. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi there I had my lumpectomy 3rd December. First week was hard and I felt fragile. But it didn’t take long to start to recover. I was able to drive by the 16th albeit I had to use a cushion or wear my coat to stop the seatbelt pressing on my wound area. I went back to work last week. I am still tired a lot but I think that’s also part of being out of work routine and probably the Christmas food diet. Be kind to yourself you have been through a lot. Also the weather hasn’t helped with its dreary days. Keep going 

Hi - I have grade 2 stage 1 I think! I had two lumps removed. The operation site is still very sore. I took off the plasters yesterday- that was an experience! Struggling to find a comfortable sleeping position and now I’m into the second level of exercises, it’s quite sore. Thanks for the moral support. It’s hard telling family as they just don’t know what to say and I feel awful adding to their burden. 

I’m glad you’re feeling able to go back to work. I feel I want to stay home - I just can’t face work and I’m so tired all of the time. For me it’s early days but I think not being able to drive has made me feel quite isolated - even with plenty of family and friends around to come and see me. Maybe it’s a control thing? Good luck with your recovery and please let me know how going back to work is. Do you have the kind of job where you can take it easy a bit?

That’s the point of this page. I have found it useful to chat with people on same timeline. I had a heart shaped cushion which helped take the weight of the duvet or making a gap between my arm and my boob. I will put it on my sofa to remind me of how far I have come. It is also a reminder of self care and not being hard on yourself-i have always said I don’t need people to be horrible to me as I’m an expert of doing to myself!! I said to my husband we needed to have a weekly check in with conversation of how we are doing rather than the “how are you” “I’m fine” when that’s not what we really mean. Feel free to keep messaging I’ll reply