Grade 2 Cancer operation to remove

Hi Isyscoven,

My goodness. You really have been through a lot so far. It must be so scary going through it again.

I’m not sure I’m the best person to answer as my cancer is stage 3 so I’m having chemo to shrink the tumour and, hopefully, eliminate the cancer in my lymph nodes before surgery.

I think checking the lymph nodes during surgery is pretty standard. Hopefully yours will be clear. I think it’s only at the point of surgery that they will actually know.

Wishing you all the best.

Bluebell xx

• Hi, so sorry that you are going through this again.  I was Grade 2 also, had a lumpectomy and sentinel node removal on Christmas Eve last year.  I also had the dye the day before. After the op the sorest area was my armpit where they removed the lymph node, but managed ok with painkillers, would recommend you get a little pillow to put under your arm while sleeping to be more comfortable. Also some soft T-shirt bras and easy tops to put on helped.  I then had 4 weeks of radiotherapy and also now need to take Tamoxifen for the next 5 years.  Hope this info helps x

Thanks for your info. My head is all over the place just now so I'm grateful for chat with others going thru same or similar. Good luck with your chemo, I hope it does the trick. Be nice to keep in touch on our journey. Isy xxx 

Hi Sarah, thanks for your info. I'm freaking out over this so it's good to chat with someone going thru the same thing. 

How many lymph nodes did you have taken out? Everyone I've spoken to so far that has had them removed have had some problems, pain, arm swelling etc. One of the nurses said it may depend on how many are taken out. I've been told I'll be getting the same as you, radiotherapy and Tamoxifen afterwards but will be discussed with the consultant after the op.  How did you get on with the radiotherapy, were you sick etc? And how are you getting on now with the pill?  We are told everyone experiences different effects, but your situation is exactly the same as mine. I'm so sorry for so many questions.  I find not knowing is worse than knowing.  Please let's keep in touch on our journey. 

Best wishes, Isy xx   

Hi Isy.

Ask as many questions as you like I don’t mind .  The radioactive dye the day before the operation is just a quick injection, like a bee sting, but over very quickly and no side effects.  I had a wire put in before my surgery as well to help the surgeon locate the tumour as they couldn’t feel it and they use blue dye to find the sentinel node, I had just one out which was clear (they thought from my ultrasound that my nodes were clear). My armpit was quite sore, and my arm and hand were a bit tingly for a few days. I sleep on my side so that was the most uncomfortable part for me, lots of pillows helped. They give you exercises to do, start them a day or 2 after your op.

I had 3 weeks of whole breast radiotherapy and a 5 day boost because of my age (47). It was quite easy, can make your shoulders ache a bit as you have to lie with arms outstretched but it’s over really quickly.  I did get really itchy skin and a rash so used Aveeno moisturiser, I think some hospitals supply cream. I still have some breast pain now but it’s minor.

The only side effects I’ve had from Tamoxifen (taken it for nearly 4 months now) very minor hot flushes and leg cramps in the first week or 2, but nothing since.  I have read that some people get side effects but I’ve been ok so far.  

The thing I have done throughout is exercised,  I’ve tried to go for a decent walk every day (just short ones at the beginning). I only had a little bit of tiredness throughout radiotherapy and the radiotherapy team said that it was probably because I was getting out for walks, it helps you recover quicker. Do you have a date for your op yet? The worst part is the beginning and the waiting but it gets easier, and goes by quickly.

Best wishes to you xx

Hi Sarah, you have no idea how glad I am to hear from you, this info has helped me so much.  My nurse phoned me yesterday to say my op was 2nd June (day before to go in for Dye thing). The 1st is my birthday I'll be 71 yrs and I plan to celebrate and get totally pissed, so she said she will try and get it for following week. I'm a young 71 and like  socializing, we've had lots of parties and bbq's at our place (our neighbours are fantastic) so plan the same this year, weather permitting, Lovely MacMillan nurses welcome too, so are you if you live near Farnborough. Must remember to send Consultant invite so he can see what a rebel he is taking on, not that I think he will come tho... LOL.  

After my lung cancer op, months of lung drainage and loads of morphine for pain, after 3 years I feel nearly back to normal and not on any medication for months now. It just scares the life out of me going thru it all again. I'm adamant not to take chemo, so hopefully catching this tumor early and getting it removed will be the end of it, that's why your info on how you felt with radiation and treatment is so important to me. I told the consultant and nurse I'd rather not have any treatment than live a life with horrendous side effects and if I got to 80 without treatment I'd be happy. So thank you for calming me down.   

Keep in touch, as I will you.

Isabel xx

Hiya Isy,

Your lung cancer treatment sounds really hard so hopefully you will find this much easier.  I’m sure I read somewhere that if you’re older you can have less sessions of radiotherapy so maybe you’ll be offered that.   

I’m about 2 hours drive from Farnborough so a bit far for me lol, but hope you have a brilliant birthday and hope the weather is good for you. 

Let me know how you get on xx

Hi Isy,

How are you feeling? It’s great you have a date for surgery. At least it’s something concrete. Good that you can celebrate your birthday too!

I’m getting there after my 4th chemo. Only 2 to go. Seeing my grandson today, he’s 3, so that will be great.

I’m seeing my breast surgeon on Friday. No idea what she’s going to say regarding what surgery I might need. I know she’ll be doing a lymph node ultrasound at some point though.

All the best.

Bluebell xx

Hi Bluebell

Hope you enjoyed seeing your grandson today and not to exhausted running about playing footie, haha. Fingers crossed for good news on Friday when you see the breast surgeon. As the sun was shining I went out for a long walk, relaxing now and getting my breath back. I really need to do this every day to get fit again before op. Amazing how stiff the old joints get after winter. I spend a lot of time in the garden tho and up to date with planting, even got my hanging baskets up woohoo!!  Are you into gardening?

Tata for now, take care.

Isy xx

I had grade 1 and grade 2 tumours and was lucky that I was called for random mammogram for over 70's.

Surgeon said lumpectomy was best option and had 5 lymph nodes removed as lump right in armpit but all clear in

lymph nodes. Very sore for a while but quite bearable, use a cushion under your arm with paracetamol for as long as it takes. Due to age,(71) radiotherapy was not recommended as it would not improve chance of recurrence.

Managing with Letrozole and feeling lucky they found it so quickly.

Stay positive! Good luck in your journey. Any questions, I am happy to answer if I can.