New and Confused

Hi CJMP45

Sorry that you find yourself here, it is a super helpful place for support and advice. I don’t come on here much now but I found it so useful when I was going through treatment in 2019 that I try and pop back now and then to try and help others if I can

I will try and answer what I can …..

Grade 3 means that the cells are significantly changed/different to how they should be and yes considered more aggressive - I was grade 3 and it’s very common there are lots of factors involved so don’t overthink it too much ( easier said than done I know!)

Ive not heard of reconstructive surgery following a lumpectomy, as far as I know that is only offered after a mastectomy.

If you have been booked in for a lumpectomy I would presume that is what they will carry out. A mastectomy is carried out if their are multiple tumours or if it is over a certain size -I think it was over 2cm when I was treated. This would certainly be discussed with you! 

I had a lumpectomy, I found recovery to be pretty good. They use nerve blockers inside at the time of surgery now so I needed very little extra pain relief. You do need to rest and take it easy but you must do the exercises they give you religiously, they really help with the healing and ensuring you regain full movement. 

As far as I’m aware there are many factors to life expectancy following breast cancer it is not just based on the grade. Everyone’s case is so individual it really is almost impossible to say. The treatment now is so good and if they can they aim to cure!There are lots of women on here that were treated many years ago! 

Regarding the lymph nodes they will want to make sure so will test the nodes they take to ensure they are clear- they will take the nodes nearest the tumour site. Treatment may be different if any nodes are positive so they do have to make sure, the fact that they look clear now is good - mine looked clear and remained clear.

I’m not sure about travel insurance - sorry.

I hope this has helped in some way, happy to answer any other questions you may have.

Take care lovely 

Hi CJMP45 welcome to the forum. lets see if we can help with some of those questions. There are some we cant answer as you will need to wait until the next Lumpectomy results to determine the proposed plan of treatment  for you. Eg is the grade 3 aggressive? until they know the grade and stage they cant give a definitive answer to that as yet.

2) Reconstructive surgery may be offered if they have to take a large area of the breast away, but it is not commonplace for this to be offered.

3) often a Mastectomy is offered or recommended when a large area of the breast is affected.

4) If you type in travel Insurance on this site it will take you to the thread which is well populated with various suggestions for travel insurance. 

5) Its difficult to say with any certainty at this time as so much of what may be needed for you is uncertain if thta makes sense. 

6) You will be followed up for 5 years with Yearly Mammograms and if you need meds like Hormone blockers then you will be followed up for 5 years. It used to be 10years  but has changed in the last 2 years so now 5 years follow up.

7) If they have determined that one of the areas is a grade 3 then they will need to take lymph nodes to have these tested. 

Hope some of that is of some use for you and best wishes for the rest of the treatment. xxxx

Thank you so much for your reply. 
My Grade 3 is 7.6, Grade 2 is 4.2 and the third one 3. 
My brain was playing catch up with what was being said after the grades and size and I only heard certain words after lumpectomy like the mastectomy and reconstruction only reason they stayed in my brain was because we discussed a close family member being offered them. 
Apart from expecting my first appointment to be results about my left side (previous issues with cysts) then being told it was my right side which was a curve ball and shocked me I feel nothing - no tears no anger just don’t know what to think or feel. 

Hi Gail Thank you for the welcome and response. 

My Grade 3 is 7.6, Grade 2 is 4.2 and the third one 3. 
My brain was playing catch up with what was being said after the grades and size and I only heard certain words after lumpectomy like the mastectomy and reconstruction only reason they stayed in my brain was because we discussed a close family member being offered them.

Not sure if it’s shock but since my appointment 3 weeks ago I feel nothing, had no tears no stress nothing. 

Chris x 

Hi CJMP45

i can see you have had some replies. I just wanted to say that I had MICAP reconstruction following lumpectomy. This was because of position of lump and breast size. They were able to do this by taking some tissue from where bottom curve of breast joins my chest/thoracic area, and tuck it into gap where lump was. Very clever procedure and you would never know I had anything done apart from rapidly fading scar line. Best wishes on your treatment and it will fly by honestly xx

Hi many thanks for your reply. That’s amazing how clever they are. Congratulations on your recovery. 
Xx

It’s always tough waiting for the plan and trying to fully comprehend the results they give you. Once you have a plan I’m sure you will feel much better. It’s all a bit numbing to begin with isn’t it!

It’s not a walk in the park but it is doable and you will be out the other side before you know it.

Look after yourself, just shout if you have anymore questions or just want a rant x 

Thank you so much - you have been more than kind. 

I decided when I had the recall mammogram that whatever happened I would take it one appointment at a time. Bite size pieces easier to digest. Just had to cancel my holiday for next week which was 3.5 years waiting for due to Covid I really needed that holiday but travel insurance cost just makes it impossible.... Onwards and Upwards. 

Take care x 

Hi CJMP45

Sorry you had to cancel your holiday!

How are you doing? 

xx

Hi 

I’ve been a very busy girl arranged a workman to do some painting for me and hang a wall mirror. Sorted out a load of clothes I’ve not worn and sold them on eBay (will buy bulbs and plants for outside with the money) went to the theatre to see Joseph and the amazing dreamcoat and had dinner at the Ivy Clifton after. Today I’ve done not a lot finished my book and started s new one now watching the Duchess on Amazon Prime. 
Missed a call yesterday from my doctor - fell asleep in my chair she rang me today and we had a good chat about What’s been happening and I feel better now I’ve spoken about my concerns. Have a friend who is going to come and check up on me, had a lovely message from her son telling me if I need anything to let him know. All in all just plodding along until the operation date süte I will be less calm  then. 
Thank you do much for checking on me - you are all so kind and helpful xx