I was diagnosed in February with stage 1 grade 2 breast cancer in my right breast, one invasive ductal the other invasive lobular carcinoma with no lymph node involvement. i started 4 ac chemos in march followed by 12 taxols. I had a lumpectomy, snb and breast lift on both breasts 2 weeks ago. Went to surgeon for pathology results and they couldn't get clear margins on the ilc so have to go back in and have a mastectomy. I am scared that the cancer will spread and angry that the chemo didn't work well with that one. Is this a common thing to happen? I haven't been scared this whole time until now

Hey. I don't know much about your current experience. I do know though, that there will be some lovely ladies pop in here to share with you and encourage you. Keep smiling. I will keep you in my prayers often. ??????

Sorry you've got no replies. Sometimes people miss your post or don't go on for a few days, week etc. I will recommend it, so you hopefully get responses. Cheers, Karen ??

That sounds really disappointing and hard :( I would think the chemo still worked though? It would have been targeting any cells floating around? I think quite a few ladies have had masectomy after lumpectomy so I hope they reply Also no nodes involved sounds great Hang in there Thinking of you

Hi, I can't really comment much on your experience because I don't why you had chemo first or whether you had scans along the way to check the chemo's effectiveness.But I feel for you and I'd be disappointed and scared too.However, maybe my story will help eleviate the scary?I had a lumpectomy for 2cm invasive cancer and full node clearance, then radiation in 2003- no chemo. 7 yrs later bc came back in the same spot. It grew to 3cms in a year- pesky little buggers to survive all that.So I had a mastectomy then chemo,then Tamoxifen. That was 5 yrs ago and I'm fine now.My nodes had been clear and so were my margins.I like to think that my poor old boob did a good job of containing the cancer twice.You've gone through a lot and now the goal post have been moved on you- not fair but it happens a lot with this crap journey.Clear nodes are a good sign that the bc stayed put in your boob so hang on to that positive. Blog back for support or info on mastectomies.big hug,Tonya xx

Lumpectomy without clear margins | BCNA Online Network

18 Replies

Leasamtay
Member
10 years ago
Thanku ??

When are u booked in for mastectomy?
kezzza4
Member
10 years ago
Goodluck for Tuesday xx
kezzza4
Member
10 years ago
Leasamtay
Member
10 years ago
It's so daunting isn't it!

i hope when I go back to my surgeon on Tuesday she has been able to tee something up but I'm ok with having a delayed recon now, I just want to be rid of any cancer.

I understand your roller coaster of emotions. I'm so up and down. I'm usually a very up person.
kezzza4
Member
10 years ago
I feel for you Leasamtay esp after doing chemo & all, quite disappointing. I'm so glad it wasn't forced or recommended for me in my situation, I'm not really pro chemo. I've had a good chat to my support breast care nurse today, and the head breast care nurse yesterday at the hospital I'm booked in for the mastectomy. It's highly doubtful they will be doing anything at all other than the mastectomy. My GP on the other hand has not given up & would like to know if I can at least have nipple sparing surgery & the tissue expander. I'm not sure how we will go. Since I'm probably going to have the other breast removed after this experience, no wanting to go through all of these shocks and ops again, they will most likely do both reconstructions at the same time with a better result.

I won't know exactly where I'm at either until this mastectomy is performed and my pathology is back. We have got a shock each time, but I'm hoping this one will be different. On the bright side, at least my lymph nodes have been clear from the outset.

Goodluck with it all. I know I've gone from a pretty optimistic & positive outlook to a pretty dismal one this week, but I'm feeling a bit better now. It's one helluva ride that's for sure.

Big hugs xx
Leasamtay
Member
10 years ago
I am in the same boat, I spoke to my breast care nurse today and I'm still up in the air.

My surgeon can't tee up a date with the plastic surgeon to do immediate recon so I will probably have to do the mastectomy with delayed recon.

Depending on what comes back from pathology I may have to have more chemo. I was so strong before this and now I'm lost and don't know what to do
kezzza4
Member
10 years ago
Hi Leasamtay

Yes I am thinking about reconstruction. I asked at the time they said I needed to have a mastectomy and they said they would discuss it after I'd had surgery.

I've now done some reading and I think they have been harsh on me not giving me any options to have some things done immediately at the time of the mastectomy. I'm not happy and I'm not sure now what I want to do at all.

I feel like I'm just a sheep, one of many..........

xx
Leasamtay
Member
10 years ago
Hi kezza4,

i hope all goes well with you too.

Are you going to get reconstruction?
Leasamtay
Member
10 years ago
Thank you Sharon, having this site for support is so good.

Nobody really understands how you feel unless they have been or are going through it xx
Leasamtay
Member
10 years ago
Hi tonyam,

They gave me chemo first in to shrink the cancer for a lumpectomy. I was told I would have scans along the way but only had 1 for the clips to be put in.

I now have to decide what recon I want, I was leaning toward tram flap but worried with everything that can go wrong but if I have an implant it won't look anything like my other breast