I am glad to hear that your operation is on Monday and that you don't have much longer to wait. You will get your grading after surgery. I hope that it turns out that you don't need chemo afterwards.
Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.
Having a little breakdown at the moment, went for my results from my lumpectomy and sentinel node operation last week, the margins are all good and clear but the node that they have removed has a small amount of the cancer in it, so I am back in on the 24th May for the sentinel node dissection which will then be sent to California for testing as the oncologist has requested this, but I am so scared right now and can't get my head around any of it.
I am delighted to hear that your margins were clear, but I am so sorry to hear there was a small amount of spread to your lymph node. Are you planning to have just another level of nodes removed or to have a total clearance of your lymph nodes? Fortunately, you only have another week to wait before these are removed and, I'm sure that you'll be glad that it's no longer hanging over you. It is only natural to be scared - we nearly all are. Crying is a great release valve, so please don't worry about this. You will feel much better once this is all behind you.
It is normal to send your tissue to California for testing, so this is nothing to worry about, you'll be glad to hear.
I shall be thinking of you on 24th and, feel sure that all will go well. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you - on good days and bad.
I was told that they plan on removing 3/4 of the upper lymph nodes, but have warned me of lympodema as she said there is a 20% chance and that this operation is more intrusive than the sentinel node I had with my lumpectomy, so I'm really scared as I am still suffering with the area that they were removed from last time.
Lymphoedema can occur at any time. When I was first diagnosed 11 years ago, I had a level one clearance, with 6 lymph nodes being removed. The following year I discovered a second bout and had a double mastectomy, where no lymph nodes were removed. I have been attending the Lymphoedema clinic twice a week for 2 weeks out of every 12 weeks, as I have it in both arms - lucky white heather, as most people just have one arm affected.
It is still early days for you to recover from your first surgery, so the area won't be fully healed yet and is still likely to be sore. I still find my right underarm tender after all this time, whereas the other side hasn't had any nodes removed and feels much better.
It is important that you get your nodes checked out, as you want to ensure that there is no further spread. I sincerely hope that this turns out to be the case and that nothing shows up in the other nodes. It is only natural to be worried, but this should be easier than last time. Just think - this time next week it will all be over!
Lymphoedema can occur at any time. I had 6 lymph nodes used after my first surgery 11 years ago. When I had a second bout of cancer the following year, I had a double mastectomy and although the surgeon tried to remove one or two nodes on the other side, he only suceeded in removing some fatty tissue. I developed bilateral lymphoedema after this and have to attend the lymphoedema clinic twice a week for 2 weeks out of every 12. I am still more tender on the side where the 6 nodes were removed.
Unfortunately, it is necessary to check out more nodes to make sure that it hasn't spread any further. Just think, this time next week your surgery will be behind you!
