Hi, 2 days ago I had a lumpectomy of 3 lumps and a sentinel node. The lumps were found 2 weeks ago. I went to the GP with some mild sensitivity under my arm. It was very subtle, but it hurt a bit if I pressed into the skin. Neither of us could feel any lumps but she sent me for a contrast mammo and u/s to check. Took a month to get in for the tests. Since then it’s been a whirlwind of unpleasant pokings and proddings. Biopsy showed ER and PR positive, HER negative. 1 lump invasive ductal, 1 lump invasive ductal mucinous and 1 lump not able to be biopsied. They could see it on mri but not on ultrasound. Lymph node lump benign.all lumps between 1.5 and 4cm dimensions.Surgery was day, did not stay overnight because of no beds because of backlog due to lockdowns.So I’m at home, pain isn’t too bad and I can walk around with my breast cushion under my arm. I’m taking antibiotics and Panadol every 6 hours. I have taken one oxycodone but it gave me a massive headache. Monday I find out whether they got clear margins or not. Fingers crossed.

@Halla Yes, ring your surgeon. When you read those reports, its easy to misinterpret things & fear the worse. The jargon they use is hard to understand at first so please dont jump to conclusions. Like @Afraser said, clear margins is a good sign. We all worry about remaining cancer cells that dont get picked up or are left behind after surgery. Its natural but please be guided be your surgeon & medical team & trust their advice. Having said that, if you are worried, speak to your GP or a breast care nurse, as a second opinion doesnt hurt. Its your body & sometimes we do have to take charge! I found my McGrath breast care nurse invaluable. I asked her every question that came into my head & she was wonderful. Good luck & let us know how you get on. love & strength xx

Hi @Halla just wondering how you went with your decision? I have had two lumpectomies and am considering a mastectomy. I had one small 0.8mm tumor and a 6cm of DCIS in my left boob. Right boob is clear currently. It’s all such a whirlwind!!

Hello @Halla 🙂. Sorry you’re here, but happy the surgery is done and the node is clear 🎉. Really hoping the margins are clear so you don’t need more surgery 🤞. I also had three lumps, two were biopsied and third one was also too small. But I had another in the other breast too. Largest was 1.5cm, same type as yours. The MRI showed a lot more changes so I had a nipple sparing DMX with expanders inserted for further reconstruction. Skipped chemo, did radiation. Hope you don’t need further treatment. This is mentally and emotionally very draining as well, so keep in touch here if you need support in any way ♥️

Youch that sounds like a big surgery FLclover! When did you have that? Have you recovered yet? Have you had your reconstruction yet? Yes I’m really hoping I don’t have to have more surgery too, but time will tell...at this stage my right breast is clear on the MRI

Hi @Halla Fingers crossed you have clear margins, I stayed overnight at the hospital after the lumpectomy but did not have much pain afterwards. Good luck with your treatment.

Hi everyone from Halla, my story so far

Halla
Member
4 years ago
I had a referral from the surgeon but I’m not sure whether you need one.
Newymum
Member
4 years ago
@Halla yes going back tomorrow to chat to basically everyone! Just want everything on the table.... I really want to avoid future surgery, would rather get it all sorted now. But understand that isn’t always the best way.

Did you need a referral for the genetic testing?
Halla
Member
4 years ago
@Newymum - I know , such a whirlwind!! And until yesterday I felt quite set adrift not knowing who to ask what. But yesterday I saw the nurse and she suggested I make another appointment with surgeon, so I will see her on Friday.

I had 5 tumours over 3 different locations in the same quadrant of my left breast, 25mm max, and 9 patches of DCIS, max 4.2mm, right breast clear in mri. The sheer number worries me, so the surgeon suggested genetic testing to help me make a decision. I spoke to the genetics people today and that takes about 3 weeks.

I don’t really want a mastectomy, because it may not come back, and if it does I can have more surgery then. But I am worried there are other cancers in there they can’t see from the outside. Have you talked it over with your surgeon? What do they say?
Newymum
Member
4 years ago
Hi @Halla
just wondering how you went with your decision?
I have had two lumpectomies and am considering a mastectomy. I had one small 0.8mm tumor and a 6cm of DCIS in my left boob. Right boob is clear currently.

It’s all such a whirlwind!!
FLClover
Member
4 years ago
@Halla maybe I have a higher pain tolerance than I think 🤔...🤷🏼‍♀️. I don’t like taking too many pills though, so only took Panadol if I really needed it, mostly at night cos I could feel it more and so i could sleep better. I still have more than half a packet of Endone left.
So lucky your surgeon found them all and got them out! 👌🏻👌🏻 Thankfully you’ve got yourself a good one 😀
Halla
Member
4 years ago
Wow, that sounds pretty good, i still need painkillers from my lumpectomy 8 days ago! So if you work, how long did you need to take off?

No I don’t think the DCIS were picked up with the MRI. They were never mentioned anyway. I had a biopsy pre surgery when they put in the clips and took tissue samples, but they identified 2 tumours only. From the MRI they thought there was one more, but they couldn’t see it with the ultrasound to put clips in it. The surgeon still got it out though, with a bit of luck and guesswork.
FLClover
Member
4 years ago
@Halla so it didn’t pick up any of the DCISs at all?? Cos that would be a bit concerning. It doesn’t mean your right breast isn’t clear, but just monitor it.
It didn’t take me long to recover. I didn’t really need painkillers about 3-4 days post surgery, and once the drains were out I could move about more freely. I did all the exercises the physio in the hospital gave me, and I walked a lot every day. The expanders felt tight for about 6 weeks, then after that I couldn’t really feel them. But i was able to move my arms properly after about 3 weeks. Tbh I didn’t have any problems and didn’t feel like my recovery took long.
Halla
Member
4 years ago
Yes I had an mri before the surgery. But I don’t think it picked up the DCISs or two out of five of the lumps. I think they were all quite close and on top of each other. According to the MRI my right breast was OK. How long was your recovery after the mastectomies? @FLClover
FLClover
Member
4 years ago
@Halla they are supposed to be the same in terms of survival. I was also going to get lumpectomies, but surgeon changed his mind cos off all the changes. He said it wouldn’t be worth it as too much tissue would have to be taken out anyway. Im fine with having had the mastectomies. I had expanders inserted for later recon with implants. Usually if you have a mast you won’t need radiation. But do talk to your surgeon about it and ask what he/she thinks. I’m surprised so much was picked up in only a lumpectomy. But clear margins means they’re happy with what they got. They don’t suspect more is in there. But that could be just that quadrant. Did you do an MRI?
Halla
Member
4 years ago
Thank you @FLClover, that’s interesting info. I’m wondering if I should have had mastectomies too. I had a lumpectomy as the doc said outcomes are the same in terms of survival. I haven’t started rads yet so I’m still trying to figure out if I should be asking for more surgery instead.