Invasive Lobular Breast Csncer

Hi Alexa welcome to the forum and sorry to hear about what has been happening for you. Like you I was diagnosed over 5 years ago  now with Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer.. I had  an MRI as well but they do that purely to see what's going on with Lobular as it looks very different on a Mammogram and tends to form like a starfish with tentacles which you cant always see, as opposed o definite lump if that makes sense, so the MRi picks that up better.

Hi

Thanks for your reply - did you have a lumpectomy and is it routine to have radiotherapy afterwards? 

Hi Alexa, Sorry to hear you have been diagnosed with this. I was diagnosed in February with ILC stage 2. Had my surgery in April, with 5 rounds of RT which I completed 8 weeks after that. I found the surgery, lumpectomy with rotational mammoplasty, suprisingly straight forward and most of my pain/discomfort came from Node removal site. Came home same day with no drain.  Had some seroma from lymph node removal which settled over time without needing draining. Physio was fantastic and really helpful keeping full arm movement. RT was straight forward but I had lot of fatigue for couple of weeks after and slightly red skin that bio oil works wonders on.   I found this forum the best way of finding out what so many of us have and continue to go through. Its nice to know you’re not alone and this site is a fantastic place to get real feedback.

R.

Hi

Thank you for your reply - what is rotational mammoplasty and also what is seroma? 
Is it usual to have radiotherapy? How soon did that treatment start following the operation? 

I believe its where breast tissue/fat is taken from elsewhere in the breast and rotated into the area where the lump was removed to give a  good breast shape (I was fortunate to have enough tissue to spare as cancer side was my bigger boob so Ive evened up)

A seroma is a pocket of pale straw coloured fluid (blood plasma)  part of the bodys natural response to surgery

I was told by consultant that RT is very commonly given after surgery to mop up any stray cancer cells that may be lurking . I had mine 8 weeks after surgery when I had healed. 

Hi Alexa I had a Lumpectomy, Radiotherapy and was on hormone tablets and follow ups for 5 years where you have a mammogram every year after your surgery.

As far as i am aware Radiotherapy is routine after Lumpectomy for this type of Breast Cancer.  How are you feeling about it all? Stupid question I know, but thought I would ask anyway!!!! xxxx

Hi …. I’m not really sure how I feel at the moment … still waiting for results of the MRI. I didn’t realise that so much treatment was given or that radiotherapy was given daily.

my Mumford with breast cancer and although I know treatment has come on leaps and bounds I’m still terrified.

my main problem at the moment is sleeping … I tend to wake in the middle of the night and then can’t go back to sleep xx

Hi Alexa its quite normal not to get much sleep unfortunately as our minds go into overdrive an especially in the wee small hours when it is quiet.

Yeah  they tend to throw everything at us and as I understand it the dosage of Radiotherapy can be increased and given over 5 days rather a longer spell. Mine was over a 4 week period every day and you will be tired with it. 

Its ok to be scared Alexa bit you ill be ok and you will get through this as we are here for you when you need us so keep in touch and keep talking.

xxxx

Thank you xx

Hi - how mobile is your arm in the few days after surgery ….. to get dressed, put on your bra etc? xx