Have just found this site despite looking at various websites for the last two weeks as newly diagnosed with oestrogen receptive breast cancer )DCIS .  I am having a lumpectomy next Tuesday (28th) but the day before they are inserting the wire to inject dye so the surgeon can see the tumour when he operates.  I believe they will do the sentinel node removal at the same time as the lumpectomy. But if the cancer has spread I will have to go back and have the Sentinel node removal after I see the oncologist pending on the results of the nodes they remove next Tuesday.  Sorry, I am not as clear describing it all as it is still relatively new to me.  I was not aware that the injection is radioactive.  This was not conveyed to me when I saw the doctor after the confirmation of the diagnosis.  What you have written has helped me a lot as I am preparing mself that I more than likely will have to have the second procedure done - knowing my luck.  How did you feel after the lumpectomy.  x ps. I am Stage 1A, Grade 2.

Hi Bernieb. I am sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with early stage cancer. The good news is that at this point your cancer is diagnosed as DCIS which means it is contained within the breast ducts and does not appear to have spread further. I had exactly the same diagnosis as you at the end of May. When I had my lumpectomy I did not have the Sentinal nodes removed at that point because they felt it was unlikely that the cancer had spread any further but after the lump was removed and they did further analysis they found a small strip of invasive cancer cells that had broken through the duct and were sat outside the duct . I imagine it as a straw (the duct) with a pea sat inside it -this would be DCIS. The difference for me is that mIne now looks like a straw with a small hole in it where the pea has pushed through. When I was diagnosed with DCIS I did not register that this diagnosis might change after they had done the post operative analysis so it came as a bit of a shock, so be aware of that. If you do have DCIS then celebrate because you have the best type of breast cancer- if there is such a thing! Survival rates are great . The other thing to be aware of is that when they take the lump they take a margin around it, they will look at that too to see they have got all the lump. They refer to this as clear margins, if the margins are not clear they are likely to go back in again and take out a big more to ensure that they have all of the tumour. So back to your questions. What you are describing is dye to identify where ther Sentinal nodes are, so it sounds as you are having the nodes removed at the same time as your lumpectomy. I believe from what I have read that it is more common to have both done at the same time. I didn't have this procedure at the time of my lumpectomy I had it several weeks later when I had my separate sentinel node op. For me the blue dye was injected when I was in surgery , what I am referring to is another seperate procedure also used to identify the node which is an additional injection of radioactive ion. . So 2 different procedures but for the same purpose to identify the nodes. It seems that some hospitals use both methods in combination others just use one. . So I didn't have the wire procedure when I was conscious but the lady in the next bed to me did have and she didn't seem to have anything awful to say about it.. You describe having to go back and have a second node clearance, if they find that any cancer cells have spread to the nodes it is possible that you will have to go back and have what they refer to as an axciliary clearance this is when they take all or most of the nodes. This does depend though on how many of the original nodes they remove contain cancer cells. This is the point I am at now. I am waiting for the results of the analysis of my Sentinal nodes. I get the results on aug 11th. Then the course of treatment will be decided depending on whether it has spread or not. My invasive cells are classed as grade 2 (out a 1-3 staging where 3 is the most active) and my DCIS bit is classed as intermediate ( DCIS is described slightly differently either low , intermediate or high, which refers to the likeihood of them becoming invasive).. As this post Is long I will do another one about how I felt post lumpectomy. Whereabouts is your lump? 

Hi Bernienb. Forgot to say I am also oestrogen positive. I will definitely be having radiotherapy which is standard practice here after a lumpectomy and because I am oestrogen positive I will most likely have Tamoxifen to suppress oestrogen production. I am pre menopasal so have been told it would Tamoxifen up to menopause and something different after. But chemotherapy could be added into the mix after the results of the Sentinal op. It is such a long wait for results- I had the op on 13 th July. I am a bit of a fatalist I would rather prepare for the worst than hope for the best!  After my lumpectomy I felt exhausted- I had planned to go back to work after 1-2 weeks. In fact I went back for a staggered mornings only return after 4 weeks. My breast was sore and very tender to touch and I had various stabbing, shooting pains. I wasn't in agony and I took cocodamol and paracetamol which made a huge difference. The worst thing was the rock hard feeling of my breast, I didn't like to touch it! I went back to my breast cancer nurse for her to take the dressing off as I was nervous about doing it. By about week 3 the shooting pain had stopped, I did a lot of walking around holding my boob! Cold cabbage leaves helped! And also a cream called ouch. Once everything was healed I spent a lot of time moisturising my boob and gently massaging the hard areas. I am now 7 weeks after the lumpectomy , I have no pain at all, the nipple area is tender to touch but not irritated by my bra. Most of the hardness has gone just a small area where the lump actually was, I don't sit here totally aware of my boob any more as I was before. I am now able to drive over speed bumps and pot holes and not feel the need to cup my boob to support it. The best thing anyone bought me was a cushtie, a very soft sausage shape cushion which I used to support my boob in bed. Made a big difference. Think that's all for now please don't hesitate to ask if anything is unclear or I can help with anything else. Good luck with your op next week.

Hi Kallisunshine. I hope you are doing okay and keeping well. Thank you so so much for your replies - this is the first time I have logged on since writing on this forum last week.  Had the radioactive injection on Monday last week then x-rays and then an ultrasound where the wire was inserted.  All went okay and was not too painful and just a few seconds when injection goes in - all fine.  Went in on Tuesday and had the lumpectomy.  Blue dye inserted and they removed three nodes.  Surgeon came round afterwards and said she thinks she has removed all of the mass - it did not show up on xray or mamogram during the op.  She said they have marked the mass so they will know exactly where to remove more tissue if the safety margins are too close to the edge.  From what I can gather reading my notes, 3 nodes removed - one negative, one neither hot nor blue, but one hot and blue - which reading between lines, means positive for cancer.  I go back on the 14th August so a bit of a wait, but am anticipating the worst, meaning chemo as well as radiotherapy and tamoxifin (I am 45).  It is also oestrogen receptive.  The lump was at 9 o'clock - if you are looking at my boob face on - and marked as a clock.  Do you know where I mean?  I am going to remove the dressing myself tomorrow as it has not come away.  I am a bit sore and it feels a bit strange as though I have pulled a muscle etc.  But I am trying to carry on as normal and not restrict movement in my arm.  Just a bit more worried as I can feel a very small lump in my collar bone and obviously mind going into overdrive, thinking the worst, but will telephoe cancer care nurse tomorrow and tell her my concerns.  My cousin rang me this evening - she has been in nursing for years and said to try and get a timeline for when radio and poss chemo would start.  She said it would help you plan for the weeks ahead, especially with the boys still off school etc.  I thought this was a really good idea.  I also want to say, thank you so much for your posts- they are just so helpful - you have no idea how much. Thank you and God Bless and I really hope you get on well at your next appointment.  xxx

Just following on - I spoke to the cancer care nurse this morning.  She said hot and blue would not denote cancer in the nodes, but just the position and whether the blue dye and radioactive injection has done what it is supposed to do.  She said it can be a bit hit and miss sometimes and that is why they removed three nodes.  I also told her about the small lump in collar bone.  She advised me to call into the drop in clinic on Thursday morning. They would do an ultrasound and if felt suspicious, do a biopsy.  Lovely, something to look forward too.  Also removed the dressings today - all looks fine and much neater than I envisaged so it is a small price to pay having scars etc.  I hope you are well.

Just following on - I spoke to the cancer care nurse this morning.  She said hot and blue would not denote cancer in the nodes, but just the position and whether the blue dye and radioactive injection has done what it is supposed to do.  She said it can be a bit hit and miss sometimes and that is why they removed three nodes.  I also told her about the small lump in collar bone.  She advised me to call into the drop in clinic on Thursday morning. They would do an ultrasound and if felt suspicious, do a biopsy.  Lovely, something to look forward too.  Also removed the dressings today - all looks fine and much neater than I envisaged so it is a small price to pay having scars etc.  I hope you are well.

Hi,lovely to hear from you. Your cancer nurse beat me to it ! I was going to reassure you that the 'hot' referred to the Sentinal node that had picked up most of the radioactivity and the 'blue' was just the node that had picked up the blue dye, so definitely nothing to be concerned about, and not anything to do with a diagnosis. I understand that the Sentinal node analysis takes  anything up to 3 weeks to get the results back. They cannot tell at the operation stage what they have or haven't got in terms of cancer cells in the nodes. I had 2 taken. The wait is the worst thing really!  My boob has changed shape a lot since the first few weeks, it was really hard to begin with and difficult to tell what the final shape would be. Now 8 weeks on from the lumpectomy it is fairly soft and normal feeling all over with just a small hard area where I guess the lump actually came from. I had my nipple re centralised (as they call it!) to stop it from drooping because of the tissue removed from below it (6 0clock for me) Once the soluble stitches were all gone and I felt confident it was healed I started to massage bio -oil on every day. It is supposed to help scars heal, they recommend twice daily for 3 months. I will have to stop once radiotherapy starts but in the mean time it is part of my daily routine.  Did you see my other post about pain after lumpectomy ? Where I mention buying a cushtie- best get well gift I was given. ,

Hi - its really great to hear from you too! Thank you for replying.  Yes, I really jumped the gun and presumed incorrectly that blue meant positive.  But like you, I always try and prepare for worst case scenario and then anything that isn't as bad as I thought, is a bonus!  Although I know you probably feel as I do, just wish we were not going through it.  As if life is not hard enough with other rubbish to deal with, now this?  I am interested in the cushtie - where did your friend get it?  Today I removed the dressing.  All seems to be healing - I have a semi-circle cut around the edge of the nipple - right breast - face on it would be from 6pm up to 12 on the face of a clock.  I guess that is where the mass was removed.  I have another incision nearer to my armpit where they removed nodes.  This feels bumpy but maybe stitches inside.  My boob is still bruised in colour and my nipple is pale blue now. Nice!  It is still sore but I am not using painkillers although I did consider today as removing the dressing seemed to make pain noticeable. Still swollen but fluid inside filling the void of the mass.  Should disperse over next few weeks so feels quite heavy and noticeably bigger than left boo.  The shape is okay - I cannot notice a dip yet as I was warned I would but I am sure that is yet to come. Cousin who is the nurse said keep the arm mobile and don't let it seize up but if painful when moving, take painkillers. She said really important to keep mobility in area especially with radio coming up at some stage.  I will try the bio-oil.  Have started to tell a few more friends.  So lovely to know that they are praying and lighting candles. It means so much.  Two of them are into healthy eating and sending me links about things that I should start taking. I will do so and I can forward you any info they send me.  I will let you know what happens on Thursday re: small lump behind collar bone.  Oh God, I probably had it there for years and just happened to notice it last week - why I didn't mention to doctor on Tuesday I don't know.  My brain is not in gear with it all.  How are you feeling about things? Can I ask you how old you are and how did you find the lump?  Do you have children?  I have three boys - 11, 10 and nearly 3.  My biggest fear is not being here for them.  I can cope with a lot of things, but the dark thoughts like that make my heart start beating so fast. 

I hope all is good with you.  Are you going back tomorrow 11th? for results? If so, I will be wishing you hear good news and all is okay with you.  Good luck and I really hope you get on well tomorrow.  I am okay. Going back on Thursday this week for results of surgical removal and state of nodes whether clear or not.  Am not dwelling on it too much - just got to face whatever happens, but hoping good news like yourself.  xx

Apologies for delay in replying life just ran away with me! Thinking about you today as I know it is results day for you. Had my surgeon appointment on Tuesday who confirmed no spread to the Sentinal nodes so that is really good news for me. I am now going to have a bone scan (next Thursday) to check that there is no spread to bones. As my sentinel nodes are clear it is more likely that there will not be any spread however I have had a lot of random shoulder and arm pain since about May this year so I think the surgeon is erring on the side of caution. I am happy with that - belt and braces approach!  Haven't yet got an appointment with an oncologist to discuss treatment so waiting for that as well.   I am 53, no children so in a different position than you, I can only imagine how frightening it must all feel when you have children to consider. Just keep telling yourself that there are far more breast cancer survivors these days than ever before- let's be two of the survivors!  

That's fantastic news for you - I am so glad.  Best of luck with the bone scan - maybe pain is due to tension and stress.  We do not realise how much stress we hold in our bodies especially at times like this.  I will be thinking of you and do let me know how you get on.  I am glad they are taking you seriously though and putting your mind at rest.  I went today.  No spread to the three nodes - they are clear.  So pleased.  They have to open me up again at the front to take more of the mass out - less than a centimeter as there are some pre-invasive cells that were left behind. I don't mind though - rather that then go through under my arm again which still hurts when moving - just feels tight etc and goes through to my forearm but am using arm as normal and as much as I can.  They said I am HER2 Negative and Er and Pr positive.  Trying to get my head around it though. But pleased nodes are clear.  Radio in about 6 weeks time for 3 and half weeks and then Tamoxifin for 5 or more years I guess.  Its good news, regardless of going back in for surgery next week.  They said today is a really good day for you so try not to worry, but that's another story.  Thank you for letting me know - take care and praying for you for the scan next week, but am sure you will be really fine.  When the nodes are clear - I asked today - they said it is highly unlikely it has gone anywhere else. I said are you sure another lump could not pop up somewhere else and they said no. xx  

Hi , I am so very pleased to read that you are node negative. I was almost nervous to write as it seemed that it would be too good to hope that we would both be node negative. So great news for us both. I am glad that they have the technology to know that they have missed a bit and although it must seem awful to have more surgery try to think of it positively that they will then have got it all. Even better is the news that it is confirmed as pre-invasive cells, thinking back to my analogy of the pea in the straw that's what you have got - all still contained within the duct , none of the little blighters escaped and become invasive. Also being oestrogen positive and HER2 negative gives them more treatment options (same as me)  It's about the best possible scenario and I am really pleased for you. Keep moving and stretching your arm!  Today is a very good day xx

When is your next surgery? P.s if you google original cushtie you will see it on Amazon. I found it so supportive and comfortable to rest my surgery side on in bed. Just somehow very comforting and supportive. Have only just stopped using it in bed. I am now 10 weeks after my lumpectomy and 5 weeks after  Sentinal node. Everything is very comfortable now and I don't spend all day thinking about my boob and my armpit! 

That's good to hear after those weeks that you are not thinking about your boob and armpit!  Thank you so much for your good wishes.  Yes I know what you mean. It seems almost too good to be true, but thank God we are very fortunate.  Surgery next Wednesday morning early which is great. Just get it over and done with..  Then start thinking about next stage.  When is your treatment going to start?xxx

Hi Bernienb, just to say I am thinking of you and sending you my best wishes for Wednesday. When you are up to it let me know how you are. I have bone scan on Thursday - another radioactive ion injection in my arm this time not my boob so has to be better! Then a 3 hour wait until the radioactivity has spread around my body before they do the X-rays. Don't know how long the results will be. My surgeon has just sent her letter to the oncology team so expecting an appointment fairly soon? Maybe after bone results?  I don't know about you but I asked to be copied into all the letters sent any where about me I.e surgeon to my GP etc, I find it useful to read what they say. Anyway all the best for Wednesday, take care xx

Hi Kalisunshine. Thanks so much for your good wishes.  I am sure all will be fine after tomorrow - just want to get it over and done with now.  Bit fed up with getting my boobs out to the world and his wife!  Never thought I would be doing that when I was 45 and sober!  I will let you know how it goes and what they say.  That is a really good idea re: cc'ing on the letters. I will definitely request this as otherwise you sometimes feel out of the loop.  Best of luck with the bone scan on Thursday.  Please let me know how you get on and I am really sure all will be well, but it is very good to get this done so you no longer have to worry.  I keep thinking what if another lump comes in the other boob - is this a possibility. They said no way.  Not now.  But that worry comes into my head- usually in the middle of the night!  Thanks again for your kind words.  I will keep you updated, and thank you..xxx