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 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

How are you and how was your scan? I really hope all went well last week.  Op last Wedensday was okay - longer recovery over the following days. Energy was zapped and I felt so tired.  This week much better.  Going back on the 4th September to see oncologist for treatment plan.  They originally said radio would start 4-6 weeks after op last week.  Surgeon said she was sure all of it was out now and there are four titanium markers in place for the radiotherapy.  Scar is slightly different and fluid build up is slowly dispersing which is good.  I am glad the operations are over now.  I feel positive but have moments of weakness and dread that the thought of going through operations again if it came back - I think this would be even worse than being diagnosed first time round. Do you know what I mean?  Hope you are okay though and please let me know that all is well with you.  Prayers to you and everyone on this forum.

Hi, welcome back! So glad to hear all went well. Really glad to hear they have got if all now. I was off work for 4 weeks after my lumpectomy and then another 4 weeks after my Sentinal node surgery so don't be too hard on yourself! I had thought I would be back to work after a week off ha ha! Seems crazy that I even thought it now? Just take it easy, do you have a partner to help out with the children? I do know what you mean about the fear of it coming back but I just try to focus on the now otherwise you can just torment yourself . Bone scan was fine nothing to worry about if a little claustrophobic for a minutes at the start! now waiting again for results and also for a gene recurrence test which takes 10-15 days to come through. We have ended up paying for this ourselves as they don't do it in my hospital trust. It will enable me to make the most informed decision about chemotherapy or not. Not that I want it of course ! Should see oncologist around the 10th to decide treatment plan. There is a 4-5 week wait here for radiotherapy if that is the route we go down. Did I tell you how helpful cold cabbage leaves were to me to ease discomfort! Take care stay positive - we are survivors! 

I just wrote a long reply giving a update and its just deleted!  Not my day at all.  Went back to see surgeon today - going in for another op next week - margins showing cells which too close, so need to take more out.  Told her to go mad and take out 20mm and not just 10mm.  She has to follow strict guidelines so guess not an option.  Sorry, I wrote so much and now I have to retype! Feeling a bit peed off as there know there are a few dots and the ultrasound or mammogram will not pick it up so cannot use that as a guide.  Anyway, have to be pragmatic and get on with it I guess, but having a bit of a wobble about it all.  They are hoping to get all this third time - dont want to have a fourth time so said you can take the boob off, don't want the uncertainty.  How are you doing??  I really hope all goes well with treatment plan next week.  Asked today about the Oncotype DX test - I do not qualifiy as tumour was small and not a higher grade.  Very expensive to get carried out by NHS. Something they may do in the future with cancer patients but at moment, not happening.  I am signing off now, need to go to bed.  Will let you know how Tuesday goes next week.  Body can cope with the ops, treatments etc, but the mind is not as strong - especially after today.  But I know I am fortunate and its going to be okay, but the doubt that things will not be straightforward and it will be just my luck for it to be complicated! x

Don't know if allowed to swear on this forum but that's what I feel like doing-a lot ! What **** news! can't believe they have to go in again **** no wonder you feel miserable don't blame you at all. It is really devastating. It is so hard to keep picking yourself up and being positive isn't it. Third time lucky! Lets hope they get all the lurking ******* cells. Was it a serious "take the boob" conversation and are they going to? I will have everything crossed for you, I so hope this is the last op. How is the after pain at present ? Keep remembering that your nodes are clear so this is all about removing the mass that is contained in the breast and it is such good news that the type of cancer is not invasive and not a higher grade. So once it is gone you will be cancer free. That is the hard bit to get your head around, my tumour was taken out on June 4th and ever since it has been more surgery and more tests so i forget that once the tumour was gone I was actually cancer free (if bone scan is clear!) I won't say stay strong, stay positive you must be sick of hearing people say that! I will say we WILL BEAT THE ***,(probably get banned from the forum for bad language now!) take care xxxx

Hi - yes, I feel like swearing too!!! Am okay today. Had surgery yesterday and feel much better today.  I wonder is recovery dependent on whether you have am or pm surgery?  First and Third time - pm and I felt much better day after.  Second time - am - felt rubbish for 3 days.  Or is it to do with amount of anaesthetic? Anyway, over yesterday and just a bit tired today so no problem.  I go back on 25th Sept for results.  If DCIS still there, I am requesting mastectomy - I have had enough now.  What if I go back fourth, fifth time and margins still too close and then all thats left is mastectomy.  Might as well cut my losses now and get the bloody thing off.  Maybe it's God's way of giving me the certainty that take it away and there wont be any spots left.  How can I ever be sure they got it all out if it is dotted about and not one big clump as it usually is with DCIS?  I also asked about Oncotype DX - I do not qualify - it needs to be a higher grade and bigger and very rare for hospitals to adminster this test.  She said one day they may well do but at present, no.  How are you doing with everything? When are you getting results?  Were they quite willing to give you a bone scan?  I asked how often I would be monitored. She said next June you will have mamogram and ultrasound.  But I can go to the drop in clinic anytime I would like too.  But should I ask for blood tests or further checks?  I guess I don't as it is has not gone to lymph nodes.  Surgeon also said that in Holland, they are leaving lymph nodes in and just removing the mass.  No one else in Europe will do this and she said Holland are doing lots of tests and this may happen eventually.  Hope you are feeling good.  I am really find now and if I expect bad news on 25th and margins too close, I know I have made my decision about how I move forward and I'm not interested in reconstruction - I just want them to take breast off and then I can think about it next year or maybe never! xxx

Hi, really good to hear from you so soon after the op. Glad that you are feeling better this time than last. I have everything crossed for 25th for you. I understand about needing to think about the worst case scenario I have done that all the way along as I just needed to think about what I would do in each situation. I hope this time the results are good

Today was my results day and it is a GOOD day! My bone scan is clear and my Oncotype score is 6. Low risk is 1-18, so I only have a 5% risk of my invasive cancer moving to my brain, bones or liver in the next 10 years. Therefore chemotherapy is not recommended. I am ecstatic!  I have a prescription for Tamoxifen and have to wait for radiotherapy appointment next. I will do 3 weeks 5 days mon-fri. The test does not give guidance on the any likelihood of breast cancer returning but just not going to worry about that for now. We have a holiday to scotland booked for 20th and it has been hanging in the balance for weeks but now we know we can go! I can wait to start Tamoxifen till I get back from the holiday- I have read quite a big about side effects. Tonight I have an overwhelming sense of relief. 

P.s I asked for the bone scan because I was worried about a persistent pain in my shoulder that I had had for a couple of months and I think that was what swayed my surgeon into agreeing the bone scan. I did ask about blood tests to monitor me moving on but my surgeon didn't seem to think they would offer helpful info. I think the Oncotest will become more widely available with time, some counties are paying for it now. My surgeon said I could be referred to another trust to see if they would pay for it but it could have been anywhere and I wanted to continue my treatment in my own home county. The test has a set of criteria for eligibility I just happened to tick them all node clear, invasive cancer, stage 2 ER positive HER2 negative. I think the decision about leaving the nodes in or not depends on where you are. They originally thought my lump was just DCIS and that was why they left nodes-that's what they do here. They only operated and took the nodes when it turned out I had some invasive cancer as well .  Need to sleep now exhausted , take care be kind to yourself x

This is the best news - I am truly delighted for you getting the positive results.  You must have felt weak with relief when they told you.  Thank God the bone scan was clear.  When will you start Radiotherapy?  Do you start taking the Tamoxifin at the same time or does that come afterwards.  I haven't read much about side-effects but I can imagine there is but hopefully your body adapts.  My friend who has had breast cancer three times over the past 20 years and is still going strong in her 60's, said she actually felt better taking the Tamoxifin and felt as though she had more energy and was stronger for it.  I am hoping that I feel like that too!!  I will keep you posted re 25th.  Am hoping margins are clear now and have just been reading other posts with similar situation.  It is a big step to have a mastectomy but do you keep going with re-incision just in case they clear it all.  I felt I had made my mind up that I would go for a mastectomy, but now I think I have recovered quite quickly this week after Tuesday and if they feel the appearance will be okay, if margins not clear, maybe give it one more go.  I don't know - feeling unsure about it all.  I am small on top so doubtful that anyone would ever know I had only one boob.  Will have to keep researching.  Take care and so glad all is well with you. Please stay in touch.xxx

Hi , just a quick hello to say good luck with your results on 25th. Off to Scotland on 20th so look forward to hearing your news on my return. Have a date for my first radiotherapy appointment on 29th September to have all treatment outlined. Will also start Tamoxifen on that day . Already having some hot flushes so bit worried that they will get worse, have read they can do! Oh happy day!   Have everything crossed for you x

Hi , just a quick hello to say good luck with your results on 25th. Off to Scotland on 20th so look forward to hearing your news on my return. Have a date for my first radiotherapy appointment on 29th September to have all treatment outlined. Will also start Tamoxifen on that day . Already having some hot flushes so bit worried that they will get worse, have read they can do! Oh happy day!   Have everything crossed for you x