Lumpectomy on Monday

Hi

DCIS grade 3 (5cm) none Invasive. I've had 3 day surgeries last one was yesterday. Other than a bit discomfort I'm fine only need paracetamol. A nice comfy bra is a must, but today I've put the washing out, had a nice short walk and my son took me food shopping

Hope all goes well and let us know how you get on x 

Hi Ruby, after chemo a walk in the park, I had no pain, bit sore, the exercises are vital, the op is to take out the site of the cancer so they can check it is all dead, you can't bath for a couple of days but other than that you should be fine.  You can do this Ruby.

Hi Red Ruby

I had the same as you are to have. I was nervous too, but compared to chemo easy peasy. The anaesthetist said beforehand that he would give some long acting local anaesthetic into the chest wall during the op. so that I would not have pain afterwards. He was correct, no pain at all. I did not need any pain relief at all afterwards. The wounds had nice dressings on them which I was told not to remove - hospital removed them a week later. Node wound was a little puffy round and about for a few days but the exercises helped. I did them several times a day. I was allowed bath or shower, but told not to get dressings wet. 

I was back to doing everything as normal within a day or so, thanks to the exercises. I was told that I had a complete pathological clearance afterwards, when I got the pathology results. I was the same as you going in. To hear that there is no cancer left is just the best or the best feelings and I wish this for you with all my heart.

I had magnaseeds put in a couple of days before surgery to mark the areas to be removed. Not sore, done with local anaesthetic, just like the biopsies. On the morning of surgery I got a wee injection of radioactive marker into the side of the boob. Not sore, just a wee tingle. I think some folk here got the blue dye to show up the sentinel nodes while awake. I didnt get this until I was asleep for the operation.

If you are like me you will feel such a relief when you wake up with it all behind you and you will wonder why you were worried beforehand.

Wishing you all the best

Wallydug

Thanks so much everyone, that’s all really helpful and WallyDug thank you for taking the time to write - it’s really helped. 

Im nearly packed and sorted - early morning for me as I have to be at the hospital fir 7.45am. How long did you all have to stay after your surgery? 

I am longing to hear that they have removed all the cancer, but trying hard not to get my hopes up in case there are problems. I know they will be using the dye, so I’ll be coming home with a green boob tomorrow! 

Thanks again for your help, I really appreciate it - I’ll let you know how it goes.

Ruby xx

Hi there, I had my lumpectomy and one lymph node removed 3 weeks ago. Like you, I also had the magic poison first and I have had the best possible outcome, no active cancer left.

I have a few blog posts on surgery and results, feel free to check these out https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/one-life-live-it/posts/surgery

I removed the dressing myself after 12 days, the wound is healing fine, but uncomfortable to sleep on even still now.  I was up and about the day after surergy and walked my usual 10,000 steps 2 days later. You have to be very careful about using the arm in question, not lifting etc, but the pain was completely manageable.  Good luck x

Whoever picks you up from the hospital get them to bring a couple of pillows to use in the car on the way home. It just makes the journey more comfortable.

I also found sleeping with a pillow under my arm gave me some comfort during the night.

Im 4 weeks post op and feeling good. My boob is still a bit hard where the tumour was and areas are still numb.I had 3 lymph nodes removed, all clear. 

I have my chemo next. 

Good luck x

Best of luck with your operation tomorrow Ruby. Xx

Good luck. Click my name to read my story. Its been nearly 12 weeks. I'm well endowed for my frame a 34 ff and only 5ft so I found i had to sleep with bra on and wear one 24/7. Managing to wean myself off it in past week as I've started radiotherapy. No chemo needed. Feels like a pulling sensation. Exercises a must but start about 2 days after. You can shower 72 hrs after but aim jets at back. No soaking boob. Regular pain meds even if you don't need it for a couple of days helped me. Dull aches for a few weeks but am coping ok. Yes comfy bra a must. 

Keep going...one day at a time xx

Thanks so much everyone, your advice really helped me get through today. I’m now home and in bed - very sleepy and a little sore but glad the day is done. 

I wasn’t given any exercises - they weren’t even mentioned! So if anyone has a link to anything I can read or somewhere to see what I should be doing I’d be really grateful. 

Ruby xx

Hi Ruby, glad it went well today. I had my op on Friday and haven’t felt too bad since. I wasn’t given specific exercises, just told to use the Breast Cancer Now advice sheet - which I have been without any problems.

https://breastcancernow.org/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/bcc6_exercises_booklet_2019_web.pdf

I’m taking paracetamol every 4 hours so try and time it so I do exercises shortly after. 

Best wishes for your recovery xx