Recall back 2nd operation how to cope

Hi

welcome to the cumunity nobody wants to join but are glad to find it . ..for the support it offers.

feel free to read my story on profile .

First of all Breathe !

The waiting is the worst place to be in once go get to treatment plan it does feel better because you can move forward and take control .

Youve had lumpectomy what are they going to do for second op ? I was lucky in as much as I found masectomy easier than expected .

With regards how you cope whilst you waiting we all differ . What helped me was a combination of distraction and been busy busy busy .

I almost became OCD with cleaning cupboards etc Cooking meals and freezing for when I would be not well enough to cook .

After op results and treatment plan we went away for a break before chemo started . Nothing will make it all go away but honestly you can distract yourself for short periods of time There are good threads on here have a browse you'll get a lot of info .

The main thing to remember is take a breath and then one step at a time don't let your brain race ahead it won't change anything just screw your brain up ! Try not to google it's usually out of date ask any questions on here . Also write down questions for your next app. Perhaps more info on minuscule cell in lymph node

im sure others will be along shortly 

take care .

Margaret x

Hi northerner

My 2nd op is more of the area removed and thank you for your thoughts. I think because of the sudden call back it gave me a wobble as I was set in my head for next appointment a few weeks down the line.

I am on sick from work so I turning to do crafts as a passing of time hopefully get back onto that tomorrow.

Thanks tina x

Hi ........it's  such a nuisance you've got to start over with surgery just as the first op is healing but........what a good thing that the analysis has shown you still have rogue cells which need removing and which will soon be gone. The sudden call back was actually a good thing wasn't  it ? .....Once you have time to get over the shock, you too will see this is actually something positive.Whilst it will delay your future treatment plan, it will ensure no cancer has been left behind. I was lucky that I had clear margins but I can remember  my surgeon saying exactly that.....' good news we don't have to go back into theatre.' I think the second op must be more common than we care to think. As for the sentinel node......I think there are times when we just have to trust the doctors  experience. I am sure he would remove the nodes if he thought it necessary but by not doing , he will be saving you a lot of extra pain and discomfort.

I hope all goes well for the second op. Do you have a date?

Love Karen

Hi Lacomtekp

Thank you and yes got my date today as well 5th dec so not to long to wait, I trust my surgeon and his team in making right choice.

Thank u

Hi

If you read my profile you can see what happened with me- apparently 20 % of lumpectomy’s need further ops to get clear margins , I was devastated at the time , particularly when the second and then the third op still got no clear margins - but one thing I realised was that there is no point trying to second guess anything , everything about my diagnosis turned on it’s head for some reason or another , but just try and concentrate on the next procedure etc - in reality the surgery is the key treatment for most of us , everything else generally is to ensure that we have the best chance of making sure it doesn’t come back in the future. 

I am now three years since diagnosis and wish I could have had a crystal ball to see how I am now , but unfortunately that is outside of the NHS treatment plan !

Best wishes , you will get there 

jo x

Hi tuliprose,

I had a mastectomy last year and they didn't get a clear Inferior margin, I was told there was no more breast tissue to take as I'd had the Mastectomy, in addition, I had micromets in 2 out of 4 nodes and I asked for a node clearance, my Surgeon refused as he said the NICE Guidelines did not recommend a clearance for micromets, the cancer has to be above 2mm in the nodes to be of concern, I was so stressed out about it, so I can quite understand how you feel. None of this journey is easy, it certainly tests you to the limit and beyond.

If they are suggesting a Mastectomy, it isn't as bad as I had imagined, before I had my op I thought it would be very painful, I was assured by my Surgeon I would be surprised and he was right, the node sampling area was and still is the area of most discomfort. 

Best Wishes and please keep us posted. 

Hi you can read my profile but just to say I felt rubbish after my first op but after the next two I felt fine.... and the post op toast didn’t taste like cardboard. I had an allergic reaction after the initial one and it took me a while to feel ok...probably the anaesthetic too. I had micromets  <0.5 mm in SNB and that is classed as negative. I have great confidence in my surgeon, knew she was in my corner, so to speak. I had long waits for results so started a diary, did meditation,  got some jigsaws etc just to do something to focus and calm my mind as the anxiety, the not knowing,  can be overwhelming.... I had a few major meltdowns. I  learned not to look ahead, just deal with one thing at a time as things can change. I had lots of support on this group and BCC and I used the Ask a Nurse facility and Someone Like Me.

I hope your re excision goes well, you recover well and get good results

hugs xx

Took them 3 goes to get Ian ( tumours name)

and his gang! Read my profile. A defining moment was when I yelled at a poor registrar to cut the bleep thing off. Then my consultant gently told me he was in the job of saving my breast and my life . Good point me thinks

But here I am 2 years on and 2 clear mammos. It’s crappity at the time but ... doable with all the support 

Leolady56