Forum Discussion
- Hi there
The waiting is the hardest part.
I didn’t find out about my pathology report until 2 weeks after the mastectomy as my case had to be discussed with the hospital multi disciplinary team.
I had no cancer in my lymph nodes but the lump was 5.5 centimetres so my treatment plan was radiotherapy , hormone therapy ( Letrazole) as I was ER positive , and I was advised chemotherapy not required.
Everyone’s case is different but
once you have the treatment plan you will feel a lot less anxious.
All the best.
🌺 - Thanks! I think COVID has slowed pathology down a lot. The doctor said he might call me at the end of next week or the week after if there are some results by then. I’m planning to walk in the gardens today, which is one of my favourite things to do. My apartment doesn’t have a balcony and I’m craving fresh air.
- Great to hear you are ok @Annette77. Having that cancer out is a relief. February seems a long time to wait for pathology. I had mine the next morning after surgery as they did a sentinels node and second node biopsy during surgery to provide results immediately. Waiting is hard but try to keep a bit busy somehow post surgery depending on what you can do. Fingers crossed on those results for you.
- Good to hear you are going well, @Annette77 - that feeling of being tired can also be caused from the anaesthetic .... just make sure you keep taking those pain meds ..... it is easier to 'keep on top of it' than to start from scratch again with deep pain, if you haven't been taking them.
Terrific that you've got lots of support around you xx. As you are 'able', get back to doing the things that you love or even think of taking up a new hobby too .....
Do the exercises that have been suggested .... and all the best with your pathology results - make sure you have a buddy with you & even consider recording the ongoing meetings re your game plan .....
take care - I had my surgery last Thursday. I felt really good on Friday, so relieved it was over and the lump is out! Feeling a bit more pain and very tired yesterday and today. The pain meds I had during surgery must have worn off. Trying to avoid thinking about the pathology results and the wait until 2 February to find out. I’ve had so much support from family and friends and the wonderful women on this website. The silver lining to a dark cloud! Thanks, everyone.
- That's a Bummer about the bigger size @Annette77 - but good that you've got a surgery date. Try & keep yourself really busy between now & then, doing things you love doing .... and stay away from Dr Google xx
Not long now & it will be gone xx take care & all the best xx - Well, I got the results yesterday after chasing up the doctor through the breast care nurse and my GP. The contrast mammogram didn’t find any more lumps but the lump is bigger than they told me from the earlier mammograms and ultrasound. 3cm rather than 2cm. I’m having surgery next week, then wait until 2 February to get the results and treatment plan. I’m feeling much better now I have a surgery date and know there doesn’t seem to be other lumps but a bit scared that it’s larger than they told me. The lump is still sore but that’s probably from the infection. The antibiotics have helped a lot.
- Thanks @Annette77 for letting us know. The waiting is so hard especially when it's all written up and it's the doctor you need to communicate with you.
Re the sore breast, do you have one of those boomerang pillows. I found this comfortable when I had surgery. I hope the infection settles quickly for you now you have antibiotics. Hang in there. - Still waiting for results. My GP followed up and was told the report has been written and the doctor will tell me the results in a few days. In the meantime, I have developed an infection in the biopsy site and have started antibiotics and stronger painkillers. I’m having a lot of trouble sleeping, partly because my breast has been so sore. Thanks, everyone, for your messages of support. They make me feel less alone.
- Hi Annette
The waiting is the worst part.
I worked myself into a frenzy after every scan and test including MRI, bone scan, brain scan, abdominal scan and to top it all off, PET scan.
Once I was being wheeled into surgery for a mastectomy ( 6 weeks from initial diagnosis) I entered a temporary “ zen like” state and felt far much more in control after waking up from the operation.
I had no spread to my lymph nodes so didn’t have chemo but did have 28 sessions of radiotherapy mainly because of the size of my tumour (5.5cm).
I ended up having the other breast removed and double DIEP flap surgery and am now on Letrazole for at least 5 years.
I found this website invaluable and there is an amazing amount of useful material on here.
There are a few private groups on this forum too that might be worth joining , I joined the breast reconstruction one.
All the best and remember you can post anything on here, no question is to silly as we have all been there in one way or another.
🌺
