Breast cancer

Hi.  I think we've all been there; waiting is indeed brutal.  I found/find it a very isolating experience, but you're in the right place for support.

I agree waiting is one of the hardest parts and, no matter how supportive family are, they don’t really understand just how challenging it is. Try not to second guess results but concentrate of getting back your strength. I’ve found going for walks and doing the exercises helpful to get through the waiting time. Also this is an excellent place to talk with others - nothing is too small or silly to put on and there’s usually other people either been through or going through what you are. I had lumpectomy in July and lymph node biopsy in July, follow up 3 weeks later, nodes clear but no clear margin on one side so back in for another op last week. 

So you are about a month ahead of me. I hope this time around they’ve manage to get it all !! It’s one of the things I’m really hoping isn’t going to happen to me! Although to be fair it’s more my armpit that’s causing me more pain. X

Yes my armpit was much worse. Easier this time as no armpit involved. Stay positive

Hi, I know exactly how you feel! I had lumpectomy and  lymph nodes biopsy on the 8th of August and I don’t have the results yet and not knowing drives me crazy…! I hope you will get your results sooner x

Positiva  good morning.

I am sorry you are feeling so anxious as you wait further results. I know this is the point after the lumpectomy and node biopsy that your body feels the most battered too. Your arm is probably feeling very stiff and heavy. The exercises do help. I'm sure you're doing them. My surgeon told me about six weeks is normal for the discomfort and for me that was about right. He also told me that the analysis after the lumpectomy usually takes 15 to 20 days as the cultures need time to develop so less mistakes are made with final diagnosis. This was the point at which a treatment plan could be put in place. The decisions, as I'm sure you know, are made by a team. I was lucky. I only had to wait two weeks because the team met the previous afternoon and my results had arrived and were included. The results from this analysis changed everything. ...my cancer was now found to be TNBC. The early biopsy hadn't shown that detail and all plans changed. 

You will probably only have to wait a few days now. Holidays won't have helped. Hopefully you have an appointment date for discussion. The lumpectomy will have probably removed the BC. Most ops get clear margins. Even if you need more nodes removed this doesn't mean the cancer has spread. The job of the nodes is to ' catch' the cancer. I know several people who had full node clearance many years ago. 

On the Awake thread. ..as I can see you were awake and worrying.....you will find people who are new like yourself but many whose cancer treatment was several years ago. You will find support for the your concerns, empathy and understanding, a place you can rant if you need too , a place where you can include the normality of a trip to the shops or a morning gardening and somewhere to laugh too.

We totally understand the anxiety of waiting. And the waits can continue as treatment progresses. We hope the news will be good.....clear margins, clear nodes, progress as plans.....but there is always someone around who will understand and support you. 

Take care and keep in touch as soon as you hear.

Love Karen

Good morning, 

Thank you so much for your kind words and support, This is the first time I posted here and it is lovely, extremely helpful  and comforting and I needed it more than I know. I hope you are doing well, love x

Hi, I’m new here. I had the same procedure on the 19th of August. My follow up appointment is on the 7th of September so “just” 8 more days to wait, but it feels like 8 years! 
I too feel really down and alone, and a different person all together.
physically I’m actually not too bad. I have full movement of my arm and shoulder and apart from the “superglue” being super itchy everything is healing up nicely. 
It’s the waiting that is the worst. I go for long walks and do my exercises but as soon as I sit down my brain starts working overtime. 

I had mine on the 17th August and just had a letter with an appointment for 13th September!!! So much waiting! My breast surgery seems fine but my armpit is still quite painful. I keep getting a slight swelling but by the morning it has gone down. 
Glad you are healing well and I hope you’re follow up appointment is good ( as good as it can be) xx

Have you got a follow up appointment yet ? Fingers crossed you have xx