lumpectomy 26th May

I had upper left breast on left side.  Only 11mm of DCIS though so you can barely see dent in my G cup .  

Hello gina62,

Welcome to the Group that none of us want to join.... but so glad we found it.

I had lumpectomy to my left boob with combined internal radiotherapy, the treatment I had is called Targit Iort.

I would imagine the operation/lumpectomy will be similar, therefore what can I say.....

If all goes to plan, it will be a straight forward operation most are carried out as a 'day patient' however, depending on the time of your operation you could stay in overnight.  

Hopefully, you will have very little pain after the operation, my experience was that the area where the sentinel node was taken from was more 'uncomfortable' - that was a strange sensation, it didn't really hurt it was more of a sore feeling.

I am certain I had an area inside removed of 75mm (approx. 3") .... you don't really notice this at first, as time goes on you will start to see a 'dent' where the area was removed, however, this said, over the course of the past two years my body has filled the area in, so can't really notice it.  

Scar wise, along the length of the scar the skin inside feels very hard and may cause you concern, however, this hardness is normal 'scar tissue' most will break down overtime (if you gently massage the area this will help it break down quicker).  The actual scar will fade to over time.

I am sure you will have lots of nerves, but what I can say, I was so focused on the wanting 'it' out - I didn't seem to think about anything else.  

You will get through this.

If you have any questions or concerns, no matter what, you post them here and I am sure one of the many lovely Fruit Loops (as we are known) will try our best to help you.

If you start to have the sleepless with the 'what is happening' fears - there is a thread called 'Awake' - many of us drop in and out of there both night and day, so feel free to post in there too.

Thinking of you x

gina62

I am 15 days post op. after lumpectomy and sentinal node removal. scar is around my nipple and I've had only very mild discomfort there. The node site "pulls" a bit at odd times but can't really call it a pain .You will be given a range of exercises to do from day 1 post op. and it is important to do these as soon as you are able.Don't be hard on yourself ,there is a lot to get used to and it takes time to adjust,not least to the diagnosis.Allow others to cosset you a little , you deserve it and it makes them feel better too! Have a look at the awake thread on here ,it has made me laugh so much (yes ,really) and speaking to others who have been there and bought the t shirt is a great help believe me. I wish you all the best in your treatment . xx

Thank you for your reply x

Thank you x

Thank you x

Hi Gina, I had a partial left breast mastectomy on 18th March. I am retired so wasn’t worried about getting back to work, but had the restrictions not been put in place soon afterwards here in Ireland, I would have been back to normal life pretty quick. Our hobby is dancing and I would have been able for it after about three weeks. I’m also a regular gym goer and although the gym is closed, I was able to put together a gentle routine for myself at home pretty quickly - I was not given any exercises to do. As has been said, the underarm area is the most uncomfortable, but it can be lived with.

I did not sleep well my first few nights at home because I could not get comfortable, but experimenting with different cushions found one that helped, and after that, I had no problems sleeping.  I was careful with lifting things with my left arm for the first five or six weeks. Also I still get odd darts or twinges, presumably as nerves heal. I start radiotherapy next Wednesday, thankfully no chemo was needed. Good luck, I’m sure you will be fine.

Hi Gina62

I am also 57 just .

I had Upper right lumpectomy 9.4.2020.I stayed in over night but this was mainly due to operation not being started till about 2in the afternoon. I was up to the toilet on own by late evening passing some very funny colour pee !

The scar is about 7cm long and healing well.The only pain relief needed was Paracetemol I took this regularly for the first few days but didn’t always need it

This followed routine Mammogram,could not feel lump!

I luckily had no node involvement so will not need Chemotherapy ,Radiotherapy to start early June.

The physical recovery has been uneventful apart from exhaustion but I also have other medical issues. Pernicious anemia and had Total Thyroidectomy ️ 4years ago.

I am on own so emotionally ,can at times be difficult..I thankfully have good family and friends giving virtual support

You will be Ok.