Lumpectomy and lymph node clearance under arm

Of course you must carry on your treatment. I had lumpectomy and two out of three lymph nodes were cancerous  I was offered operation to clear lymph nodes or have radiotherapy to kill the cancer. The doctors advised that the outcome for both treatments was the same so I opted for radiotherapy as easier than an operation. Maybe you could ask if you can have this xxx 

Thank you I think I just had a really bad wobble when I got the news and appreciate the advice. The surgeon told me that all the axilary lymph nodes need to be removed at the same time as the lumpectomy even though the cancer had only shown to be present in one and I will then have to have 15 sessions of radiotherapy 

Of course we are all different    I had five days radiotherapy as the oncologist said that was just as good as 15 more intense I would think   What hospital are you being treated at. All hospitals must have different protocol on treatment xx. I would go with what your doctors recommend.   E eryone has a wobble.  I had one today and I finished radiotherapy three weeks ago xx take care xx 

It's nearly 1 year since I discovered my breast cancer. I had grade 1 DCIS but discovered it was invasive as it was found in my Sentinel node. I opted for wide loop excision, but it was found on the margins so I needed a 2nd surgery to remove more breast tissue and opted for a full lymph node clearance. However my histology revealed that there was no more found in the extracted nodes. So I know exactly how you ladies feel having been through this myself.

However I'm still here and life is improving. Also there's no current sign of lymphoedema. I too had 5 sessions of radiotherapy and I now take daily Letrozole and I have a 6 monthly Zometa infusion to protect my bones.

Tomorrow I face my 1st yearly mammogram and feel quite confident that I've gone through the worse...so you ALL can do this...just like me.

Good luck to you ALL x

Hi there, yes, lymphoedema is a risk but it might never happen and if it does it might not be for years. I would rather take the risk and be around to see my grandchildren growing up. The hospital will give you exercises to do to get the arm mobilised and help reduce the risk too.

I have literally just had the lumpectomy and lymph node clearance. I am right handed and the operation was on the right side with a drain tucked right in my arm pit. I am on blood thinners so they kept me in hospital for one night to monitor my blood loss but I came home on on Wednesday morning. I was worried about pain but apart from the painkillers they gave me in hospital I haven't needed any since and am carrying on with pretty much everything except housework, which is no loss! The drain is a nuisance as you have to carry it everywhere with you in a bag but it should be out next Tuesday and as you can see am already sitting at my computer doing stuff.

I have had many a wobble since I was first diagnosed last September, the chemo made me so ill they had to drop the last session. I had all the side effects known to man and  then I developed blood clots after my Covid jab so the surgery was delayed by 3 months. apart from that it has been an easy ride! Seriously though as Dory says, just keep swimming and you will get through it

Good luck