Surgery today

FormerMember over 4 years ago

4 replies
472 subscribers
523 views

Hi everyone I'm due to have my breast conserving surgery today and the butterflies are starting. I didn't find a lump I noticed that one of my nipples had flattened and started to pull inwards I did think it maybe my age things going South or even hormonal changes so pleased I went to see about it had my mammogram on the 4th December and ultrasound with biopsey I knew at that point something was not quite right after I was asked to go into a room where my consulta t and breast nurse told me that a suspicious area had shown and from what they could see they were 95% sure it would be cancerous. I broke down and the first thing I asked was am I going to die my consultant said definitely not this is treatable and remember it isn't terminal which I keep telling myself also my lymphnodes looked OK which was a big positive I was booked in on the 11th December my birthday for an mri which showed another area roll on to the 17th of December when I was to see my consultant for the findings she confirmed that what showed up on the original mammogram was cancerous as we suspected and it was estrogen positive, prostregon negative and Her2 negative the area was two small spots measuring 1.9mm and the other being 1.3mm and that I would have breast conserving surgery followed by radiotherapy and would be on tamoxifen for 5 years I am 46. Not sure yet if I am to have chemo until after my op. My consultant then said that there was a further area showed up on the MRI thank goodness for the Mri but it did not look like it was anything to worry about but still wanted me to have a further biopsey and further markers put in. I had my second biopsy and it was confirmed that this was benign thank goodness. So IAm now praying that when I have my surgery tomorrow and the area is removed and my lymphnodes are checked I will hear them say they got clear margins and confirm no lymphnodes are involved it feels like I have been in limbo for ages now but initially my first appointment was the 4th of December so not as long as it feels like it has been. I know it is ductal and not lobular but havbt a clue want stage or grade it is just the size. Reading other women's stories have really helped so thank you to everyone of you strong ladies who have shared their journeys xx

GodWilling over 4 years ago

Hi Aiiya,

Sorry that you find yourself in this position and I wish you lots of luck tomorrow. If you read this before your surgery then don't worry about the surgery it isn't bad and recovery is quite quick if you are having a lumpectomy which I assume you are.

I was diagnosed 18th December with ductal grade 2 hormone positive (oestrogen positive and not sure about progesterone) and had my surgery 16th Jan. I will be having radiotherapy and on one of the meds for don't know how many years - you can read my bio.

My surgeon was fully expecting my biopsies to be benign but when they called me in for a face to face follow up instead of over the phone (which they said they might do) and when they asked if I wanted to take a friend I knew what they were going to say. I was calm when they told me because I knew but I asked what you did - can this kill me? My surgeon wasn't so definitive in his answer and that just seems to be the way he is (he's been the same with everything I've asked) which made the waiting more stressful. My radiologist was more open and from what he could see he felt my nodes were clear, and they were, so if your surgeon seemed to think your nodes were clear then chances are good that they are.

Even if your nodes are not clear it is still all very treatable as your surgeon told you and even if you need chemo that too is better than it was and is very doable apparently with meds available to deal with any side effects.

Get your self a postoperative bra if you don't already have one and make sure you do the exercises you get given every day. I found doing them twice or more a day made the next day less painful - but don't overdo it, we are all different so listen to your body.

Really hope it goes well tomorrow and you get clear margins and clear nodes.

Sending you a big virtual hug xx

FormerMember over 4 years ago in reply to GodWilling

Thank you for your reply and the virtual hugs I needed those ill keep you posted I am yes having a lumpectomy so if all goes to plan I will be home the same day too. I'll have a look at the post surgery bras thank you iv been wearing sports bras since I had my first biopsey as I did used to wear under wire ones the thought of wearing one of those now makes me cringe lol comfort all the way from now on. I was worried about the op itself and how painful after it would be and how long it would be restricted you have put my mind at rest xx

FormerMember over 4 years ago in reply to GodWilling

I have also been told I will at a later stave have a reduction and uplift on my good side I was hoping I would get them both done at the same time but at the moment I'm just thankful that the nasty is getting evicted. X

GodWilling over 4 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Of course it would be ideal to have both done at the same time but as you say so long as they get they evict the unwanted guest then that's what matters. Doing one side at a time has it's benefits - only one drain inserted (it's painless and also painless when they remove it) and you can do more because you don't have to avoid lifting things with both arms - I would check this.

You will probably have to sleep on your back for a bit and a V shaped pillow helps. I can sleep on my side now but I still use my v shaped pillow.

You should go to bed and try and get some rest which is what I will be doing.

Hope you have a restful night xx

More from this forum

Surgery today