Positive lymph node diagnosis following wide local excision, sentinel lymph node biopsy and bilateral therapeutic mammoplasty

Hi I had the same procedure as you I week ago.  My healing is going well I am awaiting my results.  My tumour was 11mm. My lymph nodes looked fine on ultrasound and I also had a contrast mri and they looked fine on there.  What tests did you have on your lymph nodes before hand.  Its good they got clear margins for you, so at least no more surgery.  I think the test is called and oncotype test.  I have chatted to afew people on here who have had this and I sure they will be along shortly to answer any questions they can. I wish you well with your healing and the rest of your treatment xx  

Hi Shaz52, thank you so much for your reply. I am pleased that all is going well for you. Your tumour is small and that is good. I did not have a MRI scan, just ultrasound, so the opinion you were given sounds more reassuring. Since posting I did more research and I believe you are correct that the test is an oncotype test, which I think identifies how fast growing the cancer is. My tumour was close to the nipple and so I might have lost it. It looked risky for about two weeks. It has survived and I am very grateful for the skills of my surgeon. It sounds so petty when so many here face much worse but it made a difference psychologically. It has been a bit of blow that there might be a further hurdle and having to wait again for the news but I remain positive. i hope you continue to recover quickly xx

Hi BA1950

Welcome to forum and sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with breast cancer. I’m glad to hear that your healing is going well. Just take things one day at a time and cry when you need to. Hopefully you won’t need chemo but if if you do while I won’t say it is easy it is doable. Your medical team will do everything in their power to make sure that you stay well during treatment.

Wishing you all the best with whatever treatment your medical team puts you on.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Hi I have a telephone call arranged for my results next week, have you had any results as of yet xx

Hi Shaz52

I waited 3 weeks for the result of the Oncotype DX test, received two days ago. It was 13/100 which is really good news as it means I do not have to have chemotherapy.I cried with relief to be honest. The waiting at each stage seems to add to the worry. I was told that I would be referred to an oncologist to discuss having axilla clearance (all lymph nodes removed) or targeted radiotherapy of the breast and lymph nodes. I have researched and believe that trials have shown radiotherapy alone produces similar results to clearance, so I think I will opt for that, I do not really want to risk lymphodema and if there is no greater advantage would prefer not to have to undergo more surgery and recovery time. (I would be most grateful if anyone can give me their views.).

I received a letter yesterday giving me an appointment on 12 October, a further 6 week wait just to discuss the options. I contacted my designated breast nurse, who is lovely, who told me she was not.happy with the delay and had already emailed to ask for an earlier appointment. They are understandably behind with treatments. My operation was seven weeks ago and although I have healed well, the knowledge that the cancer had spread to a lymph node has made me anxious about that increased risk. She telephoned this morning to tell me she has successfully brought the appointment forward to only a 2 week wait. I remain positive and very grateful for the expert and kind treatment I have received. I do hope that you receive similar news although I believe that had chemotherapy been inevitable I would have eventually come to terms with it. I know how hard the waiting is and send my very best wishes. xxx

Thank you for your kind words.

Thank you I will be afew days short of 6 weeks post op by the time I receive my results next week, I was originally told I was on last week's mdt meeting but  now I am on next week's. I am keeping fingers crossed that I would of been discussed earlier if deemed necessary knowing they have my results. Best wishes for the rest of your treatment  xxx

Hi BA1950 and also Shaz52 I’ve had a few days out of the chats as been healing.  It was a relief to see that you both have similar to me and have come through so much.  The waiting has been the hardest of all things to cope with and whilst i know we are living in a COVID world its very frustrating.  I had my original surgery date put back because of surgeons holiday plans only for them then to cancel on date of operation due to surgeons having to isolate. Finally had my surgery on 24th August exactly the same procedure on my right breast 25mm removed plus the lovely blue dye for the lymph nodes! I think I’ve had such a relief at just getting to the surgery has been a weight lifted! Hopefully now my results will come through quickly but like you say its all dependant on those nodes being clear.  I’m interested in how things progress for you both as you seem to be a few weeks in front of me and helpful tips would be great! What i can say if anyone had told me the side effect of co-codomol was the constipation i would have take the laxido so much earlier! Anyway you live and learn….. good luck to both of you xx