New diagnosis

Hi

I've just had second lumpectomy. One lump per boob. And this time just a few nodes. They took all of them last time. 

The lumpectomy and nodes is done under General anaesthetic. I stayed in overnight but usually it's a day surgery. Both times it's the node site which has been most sore.

Last time I had radiotherapy. It's a good 45 minute drive but I drove myself every day. Skin was sore and split a bit but it was easily do able. But everyone's different and I didn't have to work. Full pay for 6 months.

I'm expecting it to be the same again.

I'm awake now because I've a fluid build up in the go on, surgery 2 weeks ago, and its rather sore.

As for healing, last time I got an infection so it took a while. I'm hoping this time it will be quicker. 

I hope that helps but remember every one is different. Add in different surgeons and different treatment policies and the variables are huge.

Just keep asking questions, it's the only way.

Hi , as says each case is different. My lumpectomy and node sampling was done through the same long incision because my lump was in the upper left quadrant. So I do have a much bigger scar than I was expecting (the length of my index finger included the knuckle) but it healed well. I had an impressive haematoma afterwards but they monitored it and it resolved itself, no draining needed. I had the op late afternoon (last on the list) and got out early evening. I’m a weird person who likes the effects of the anaesthetic and have had many minor ops for other lumps, polyps etc so wasn’t too anxious about that aspect. Pain wise I was lucky and only took a few doses of paracetamol, nothing after first day.

Re radiotherapy, I drove myself for most of it but accepted offers of lifts for the last week or so as I was getting a bit tender and it’s the left side so I was conscious of the seat belt. But I could have driven if I needed to. I wasn’t too tired but I was able not to work. I made myself walk every day as I wanted to keep active. I really think you just have to listen to your body and do what feels right for you. I’ve had some post rads skin issues but nothing too dramatic. 

Glad you’ll know more tomorrow, keep us posted! 

Hugs, HFxx

Thank you Silverberg sorry you were awake & sore. And lumps in both boobs is a real blow. One is enough wouldn't you say?  I presume some fluid build up is normal? What did you mean to put....fluid build up in the ? (I know it's just the darned spell check!) 

That was quite a trek for the radiotherapy, I have no idea where they do radiotherapy here, thinking about it. Mmm I may have to go to Worthing....which is a pretty busy journey....another thing to find out.  How long does it take to actually have it? And how long did you do that for? How long ago was your first op & are you fully recovered from that now? Obviously, infection must have really held you back & been painful & added to your general level of discomfort.  (My crohns ops took about 4-6 weeks, but I felt much better by week 3,  except the last one when I was readmitted very unwell ? possibly blocked or twisted bowel, which fortunately resolved itself). Completely different tho'. 

Oh dear, what an un-fun time for us all....sigh!

Thank you for kindly supporting me whilst you are struggling with your own recovery atm. Makes me feel humble.xx

Hello Happy feet ....no idea why we can use our own names lol....I'm Tricia. (Not that you need to follow suit!)     That's  very interesting & useful....I know we're all different, but it's nice to have a rough idea & these replies are really putting me in the picture. I mean, I didn't even know radiotherapy was every day til I was told on Saturday lol, so I am growing my knowledge!

You sound very stoic (well everyone does). That's really positive about pain etc. I feel reassured....it is sooo good to have this  page.  ..thank you.xx

Some hospitals offer TARGIT IORT, which is done during surgery as a one-off. You could ask about that. It's marginally more effective and without the red boob effect!

https://www.targit.org.uk/

Wow this is fascinating....I will ask my surgeon tomorrow if this is available to me (& if not why not!). Maybe I could even go to the nearest hospital that does?   Thank you for posting

Hi

The radiotherapy and surgery together a lady called WhatHappened had that sort of treatment but I know it was done privately not nhs.

I'm a nurse and had a lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy and I had the radiotherapy Mon to Friday and worked at the weekend. But I was knackered by the end of it.

I had three weeks off work for the surgery and I drove the car about a week or ten days after surgery, and was digging the garden before I went back to work.

The hormone suppressing tablets Tamoxifen or Letrozole have some rotten side effects but I'm still working part time.

Good luck with the treatment xxx

Hello Cupcake,

I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node removed in nov 2015. It was done with a general anesthetic and a radioactive dye to pinpoint the sentinel node. Obviously what happens next depends on the analysis of the tumour.When the result came back, I unexpectedly had to throw chemo into the mix but I completed my treatment with radiotherapy. 

The recovery from the lumpectomy wasn't too difficult. I think most people find the actual operation is relatively pain free. I didn't even need a nurse to change the dressings as it was a neat, straight forward wound. I did have to visit a nurse to have the stitches removed. Fortunately, my nodes were clear and I didn't need to have anymore removed so no more surgery. My surgeon was very conscientious. He has done the neatest work you can imagine. But his follow up appointments were amazing too. He wanted me to have a balanced cleavage so that I could feel comfortable in myself. He was very happy with the look he had achieved. I hope all surgeons care as much.

I didn't have to drive to either chemo or radiotherapy as I live in an area where taxis are provided. It was still tiring but things have improved, even in three years, as I had to have 33 sessions of radiotherapy so you won't have to go so many times if you are driving. I was actually told by my oncologist not to drive during treatment but I appreciate that isn't always a possibility. I do live an hour from the hospital. I did however have fantastic advice to help prevent burning and pain during the treatment. I was given hyaluronique acid cream on prescription. I was told to use it every day from Day 1, after each session putting it on thickly and washing it off with non perfumed soap so the skin was clean and oil free for the next radio. I was also told to use as much cream as I needed as I could have as many prescriptions as required. I was told ' never wait until you have sore skin.' I didn't know anything about hyaluronique acid in 2016 but since then it has become very popular in the beauty industry as a product that holds in moisture. So now using it for radiotherapy makes sense....and it worked. No one in my unit was burning when I asked them and I certainly didn't. This was a relief because I had had no end of problems with the chemo!

So, I hope your planning for your treatment goes as you hope. Be kind to yourself.......I understand your financial worries but make sure you talk to the advice line on this site and never ignore your health needs..........treatment for bc is so good nowadays if diagnosed early. It may not be pleasant( although you may be lucky) but it will pass. I have been clear four years......and whilst it may return, I don't have cancer today. Soon, you will be able to tell someone newly diagnosed how to avoid some of the pitfalls and how they will come out at the other end of the tunnel......

Take care. Love Karen

Oh thanks for your reply Helen....sounds like a great option but I don't think it's available down where I am. I wondered if they would refer me elsewhere due to the fact that I'm already immuno compromised on Azathioprine for crohns. I somehow doubt it. I think I face a long journey for the radiotherapy. Buy...thinking positive, it's only say a month roughly, so I will just get on with it. Oh I didn't really know about side effects of Tamoxifen etc as I've always seen people who've been on it ages. Another thing to look up!

Thank you again.

Hey! I wanted to comment on your cancer songs! It’s weird there have been several occasions now that when I have been having treatment - waiting for scans, during scans - that I have heard songs that are important to me....I know we seek reassurance in what we can but it really helped me. One of the songs was my first dance with hubbie at wedding, another was a song from my favourite film, and more recently an anthem that my uni friends and I used to love and dance to. Whilst I had tears in my eyes when I heard them I have seen them as little positive signs that everything will be okay....xxx