Surgery results this morning

Hi RuthyNorthEast

Sorry to hear that you were given news you didn't want to hear at your appointment.  It's not unusual for things to change after an operation.  When I had my lumpectomy last year they discovered cancer in my sentinel node which I wasn't expecting.  I then had to have a further operation to remove the rest of the nodes in my arm which thankfully turned out ok.  Like you I wasn't give a stage for my cancer just the grade which was Grade 2.

While the thoughts of chemo is frightening though not easy it is doable.  I had four cycles of chemo over about 3 months and while I did have a few side effects they didn't impact me too much. Everyone reacts differently to treatment.

Wishing you the best of luck with your oncologist's appointment and with whatever treatment your oncologist puts you on.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Hi I know exactly how you feel and it’s not nice. I got my diagnosis and opted for a lumpectomy, I had the surgery a few weeks ago and was confident going back for the results and I got quite a shock too. I still had the cancer around the margins plus 2 other tumours that they didn’t know what type of cancer it was. Same as you one of the lymph nodes had cancer!  Back for more surgery and more results but I’m having a hard time believing them, I don’t feel like it’s gone.

starting chemo on 16th and then radiation and hormone therapy. You’re not on your own but I can’t give you any advice because I don’t know any more than you.

keep your chin up and just keep asking questions xx

Thanks for replying Daisy and Ruth.

I’m concerned they’re not scheduling more surgery to remove any more lymph nodes, which just frightens me - as in my head it might’ve gone further?

My consultant explained that the cells were contained in the lymph node, which is why I don’t need any more removing, but my head is jumping to wild conclusions. 

And, as we all know, more awful waiting now. 

Did they give you your Oncotype score? I had micro mets in my sentinel node, 12mm tumour. Came back as grade 3 but my Oncotype score was 13 so chemo was not required. 15 radiotherapy treatments and 5yrs hormone treatment. 

The waiting in between appointments is awful…. I don’t really understand much about the lymph nodes except I had 3 removed and one was cancerous. Daisy53  it’s nice to hear something positive about chemo, that is doable thank you.

I’m joining you if that’s ok

lumpectomy and snb last week

surgeon just called to tell me margin not clear so I have to go back for another operation next week and 1/4 node had cancer so now possible chemo st oncotype score which I have to wait three weeks for.

feel like I’m back at square one. And freaking out a bit. Now just assuming the worst but very much hoping for positive stories ! 

No, there hasn’t been any mention of Oncotype score - which is another thing! Been wondering about this as so many people are mentioning it!

I’m so sorry we’re all in this rubbishy club, together xx

Also ruthy just to say I know exactly how you are feeling. It’s like someone has moved the goal posts. 

That‘s exactly how I felt - you conquer one hurdle and another one comes up. I stayed busy and tried not to think about it too much and carried on with life! Sometimes they prepare you for the worst - in my case chemo, but now I only need radiotherapy - see them next week to find out how many sessions. 
I find keeping a positive mindset is helpful. Will try acupuncture (someone suggested here) anf extra exercise next and take this diagnosis as a turning point to look and feel better - but it is not always easy!!