Newbie

Hi Mrs Maggot and welcome to the forum . I am so very sorry to hear what has been happening for you.

Having clear borders is indeed  a good thing and the whole area of the lump can  be seen on imaging so that is good news. It may not feel like that but it is. They will remove the lump and take the sentinel lymph node to see if it tests positive if it does they will take more lymph nodes to get clear tests for lymph  nodes. They will send all this off to pathology and only when these results come back will you know exactly what it is you are dealing with.

Sadly whats happening  for you  can happen even at your young age but I completely get it that this is devastating for you. Chemo may or may not be required they will not know anything for certain until the lump and lymph nodes are out. They will then put together a plan specific to you for ongoing treatment whatever that may be.

There is absolutely no reason to expect that you will not have a very long life and die a very old lady peacefully in your bed. I understand it is scarey right now but I would implore you to STAY OFF GOOGLE it is very generalistic and not specific enough because believe it or not every single case of Breast Cancer is different.

Your treatment team would not tell you anything if thee did not think it was going to be ok as that's not how they operate if its bad you will be told and if its good you will also be told so you will not be left in limbo. 

Sending you very best wishes for the surgery and please keep in touch and let us know how you get on as we will will be thinking of you.

xxxx

Thank you so much for your very kind response. I had a bit of a battle getting seen by the clinic in the first place - they wanted to leave me until October! And I have cancer!! So Im very grateful I pushed to get seen and I’m getting surgery so quickly. I’m vacillating between being very positive and brave and the next minute depressed and angry and guilty. I guess it’s normal! Thank you for the info and I’m trying to stay off google but it’s VERY hard. I find reading the posts here very helpful so I will keep in touch.  Xx

......As Grannylara has told you, there is a lot of very sucessful treatment these days and you have a lot of positives although it will take the tumour and sentinel node analysis before you know exactly what you are dealing with. However, should it be triple negative, that is the same result as I had. Like you, an early lumpectomy meant the cancer didn't have time to spread and my surgeon always told me the day of the operation was the day I stopped having cancer. Everything else is a precaution against it reoccurring . Some of the treatment may not have been pleasant but it passes and here I am still clear of cancer nearly five years later. I am not unusual. There are a number of other people who post who have a similar experience and several who have been clear from their cancer for many years more.

I wish you well with your upcoming operation. It will be the beginning of your recovery.

Love Karen

Hiya, 

This site is open for anybody to post! We are quite a friendly lot.

Being dx at 36 is really shit, I had my dx at 43. nearly 4 years ago. Treatment was nowhere near as bad as I expected it to be.  I had 2 types of chemo, one I was absolutely fine on, and the other was just like really bad flu, aching all over. But it is doable. Radiotherapy is also ok, the hardest thing is keeping really still - you always worry you are going to get an itch on your nose etc!!! There are things that they can do to minimise side effects - so try not to worry. And yes as others have said, do not search Dr google - he is out of date!!!!

Cwtches, 

Gay xxx

That is unbelievably reassuring. I have to admit I got quite emotional reading that you are five years cancer free - it must feel amazing. It really helps to read other people’s experiences so thank you for sharing. I’m finding reading back through the forum so helpful. Thank you so much again, B xx

That’s helpful to know re treatment - I’ve always just heard absolute horror stories about cancer treatment and doable? Well unpleasant but doable I can face into. It’s good to hear from someone else diagnosed young too - I’ve always thought that breast cancer was an over 50s disease but since my own diagnosis I’m hearing about more and more of us that are much younger - I’m FAR from the youngest like! 

thank you so much xx

Hi Hoping this will be 3rd time lucky! I hope that all goes well for your operation on Friday.I was advised to have front opening top for nightwear,but as this was just before lockdown my choice was resticted. In the end I used an old soft cotton blouse with pyjama bottoms (already had these but all the tops were like close fitting t shirts! )If you think ease of movement you will be on the right track. I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node removal and post op. prescibed Paracetemol and some stronger painkillers which I never needed to use.The staff at the hospital will explain everything to you and in my experience were so kind and understanding answering all my questions.You will probably only be in hospital for the day or if late on the list overnight.Ask any questions you have on here and hopefully someone will be along to answer them.In the meantime take a look at some of the other threads on here -I especially like the Awake thread-to give you an idea we are known as Fruit loops !  but are kind and supportive as required. Sending you big virtual hugs xxKwissy

hi, definitely hard on you with everything going on!! Listen to your treatment team. Google such a useful tool in so much of life, but Doctor Google is a bit scary. But I know it’s difficult not to research ... I’ve no nuggets of wisdom. I try to think don’t worry until you need to worry, but that’s not easy either . My lumpectomy was so neat and has healed well. If your team think it’s clear borders hopefully your sentinel nodes are clear. Side effects they can combat with medication. 
take care

H&K

K xx 

I didn’t even THINK of what to bring for surgery! I do have a button open, very soft pyjama top which I depressingly have from my wedding (so I could wear while getting my hair done without having to pull off over my head). Good to know that the pain isn’t too bad - they said i won’t stay overnight and can go back to my regular activities fairly soon.

how are you doing yourself now? Thanks so much for the advice - I will check out the awake thread xx

Thanks so much - I did a PhD a few years ago and I think I’m half trained to take a question and just PLOUGH into researching it which is really unhelpful at the moment! I have everything crossed for the sentinel nodes too - I think I’m misinterpreting every twinge in my body. I’ve always got a sore neck when I’m stressed and now it’s stiff and sore (because I’m stressed!) and I’m having to have serious conversations with myself to talk myself down. I was concerned about my boob looking awful after surgery - I’m glad you’re has healed well - I hope my surgeon is a tidy lady! Thanks again - ye are all so lovely xx