Hi there, I'm sorry you are in this situation, but wanted to reassure you about the issue with margins.  I had 3 surgeries to get clear margins at the start of last year. Stayed in hospital overnight after the first, but same day return home after the next two. It was very doable, and I recovered very quickly from the actual surgeries. I found the worst effect was having three general anaesthetics in a short space of time, which left me very tired and with muddled thinking. However, I returned to work within a week after each surgery.  I found the best thing was to do the arm exercises regularly, go for lots of short walks, and sleep whenever I felt like it, no matter what time of day.  All the best, hopefully you will have clear margins now, but if not, remember - you can do this!

Black cat 

thank you for your positive answer and reinforcing that we can manage all these steps when they r broken down   It’s just mad having all these surgeries tis a  bit scary  I’m also running out of things to tell my girls why I need another operation  another cyst !! They r 11 and 13 

Hi swiperbaby

sorry to hear what you going through. As you know I had node clearance but only on Monday. I have pain in my arm and totally numb under the armpit. I too am doing the exercises given  but finding it hard. I too am a runner or rather a slow plodder and I can’t wait to get back to it for my own headspace. At moment as I have drain in as they leaving it a few more days they have suggested short walks. I totally get your need to run. 

I cant speak about margins hun as I had a masectomy and haven’t had results yet. Get mine in over a week. 

Thinking of you and feel free to rant anytime. Ladies on here are lovely and supportive even when they are they having their own struggles. 

Take care x

Hi mejules. Great name by the way 

I asked for mastectomy after first lumpectomy and surgeon said not yet wait and see how this goes  so fingers crossed it’s good 

I overdid it yesterday I went for a walk through fields with kids and had to climb gates and roll under electric wires and I paid for it last night I was all sore in my shoulder blades and arm 

my lady run was before first lumpectomy and boy do I miss it  I’m not ready yet for walks but Chen this drain is out and I’m not stronger I’ll walk the roads  before the next hurdle maybe radiotherapy or chemo I’ve yet to b told 

mine is invasive lobular stage 2 oes pos her2 neg   So I’ll b on tamoxifen as well at some stage  

take care and mind yourself plenty ibuprofen I find these good with gapapentin for nerve pain. 

Take care all 

Hi Swiperbaby,

You are really going through the mill aren't you? If it's of any consolation to you, I found my double mastectomy easier to cope with than my lumpectomy. You don't always need radiotherapy after a mastectomy (I didn't), but if your boob is that 'busy', your oncologist may decide to do a belt and braces job just to be absolutely sure. Your should draw up a list of questions for your next visit, as your oncologist will know what was decided at the MDT meeting. I still do this for every appointment, even after attending the clinic for 10 years.

I have mucinous cancer and that doesn't always show up on mammogram or ultrasound. My routine mammogram missed my lump, although it did show up on mammogram and ultrasound at the breast clinic. I paid privately for a thermoscan, just to reassure myself.

You are probably best to tell the kids as soon as you can. They are old enough to be aware that something is amiss and, you don't want then finding out by overhearing something that they shouldn't. A cancer diagnosis affects the whole family and, you are best to approach this with a positive attitude, where you can all fight it together.

So, you have another wait until 10th June. Let's hope that this is a case of third time lucky. I don't envy you the wait. Do your best to keep as busy as you can to distract yourself.

I shall be thinking of you on 10th and hope that all goes well.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine, 

thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. I’ve decided I’m going to take your and WL advice and have it shaved off as you said I will feel more in control of it then . 

Had second AC yesterday v long day in hospital was there at 9.30 didn’t get out till 4.30 was v busy . Felt grand yesterday just tired . Fell grand again this morning taking all anti sickness tablets so far so good . 

Can I run something by you ladies ???

my friend also recently diagnosed with BC , she’s a few weeks behind me starting treatment she’s the same type as I have . She was offered clinical trial along with her treatment. 

I met her at the hospital yesterday she’s in great form and I’m very happy for her . 

She kinda got me a bit depressed yesterday, I I was talking to her about my meeting with the oncologist and how mine went , I told her he told me mine was curable. My husband also was there too so I wasn’t dreaming it !! 

She said he would never say that because people would be suing the hospital if that was the case . We are both under same oncologist. 

I just felt v down after she said this to me . I don’t think she meant it in a bad way but it just got to me . 

Sorry to rant on . 

Take care 

j xxxx

Hi BigJean,

Shaving your hair sounds like a good idea. As you say, it puts you back in the driving seat.

I'm so glad to hear that you feel better this time around. I see where your friend is coming from, but I'm not sure that she is right. I know that we live in a litigous world, but both of my surgeons assured me that my cancer was curable too. I also had my hubby with me, so he heard this as well.

With the way that a cancer diagnosis wrecks our emotions, oncologists are happy to give us any good news they can. We know that there is no guarantee and, I think that it might be difficult to sue on this basis.

Try not to let this get you down. You are feeling very fragile at the moment and it is very easy to upset you as a result. There are many people on here who have had the same reassurance and, are still with us many years down the line.

We are here any time you want to rant.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jean. 

If it makes you feel a bit better, my breast surgeon says he never says curable, only treatable.