I was struggling myself and finalized prepare to "receive" Chemo, I was told a new issue after visiting the Doctor today. A thorough meeting with the Surgeon doctor, Pathologist and Onco, they suggest me to have another surgery which to take up the whole block of Lymph Node on my right arm. Also, get more tissue margin from my right breast, which they cut the cancer cell already. Another surgery.................another discussion.............. a bit confusing.............. Some more tissue.................. Dr Abbas, and Susan, the BC nurse discussed with me very long and explained in very detail of all my questions and concern (I in fact not sure of myself what sort of concern, why concern.....idk) The cell was 15mm, and stage 3, is it not early breast cancer, in fact was stage 3... ...is it a matter......Mmmmmmm

Hi Rosanna I have had a similiar experience. I had a right mastectomy on Decemeber 18th and 3 sentinel nodes removed. Thnking chemo was my next step (and lets just get on with it) I was told that I now have to have further surgery to remove the lymph nodes on my right hand side. The cancer was present in all 3 nodes. It does set you back on your thinking but after a few days of rethinking ( I liken it to rebooting the computer!), talking to the bc nurse and great advice from the ladies on this blog I am back on top again; lets just do it and get on with the next phase. For me its the waiting but I have now booked myself up for coffees with gfs and stuff with my family so I am not just sitting and waiting for 29 January to come around! I am sure others will have great advice for you which will be invaluable. Take great care of yourself and lots of love going your way. Tanya xo

Thanks Tannie...........your prompt feedback, thanks for letting me feel, I am not alone (sorry to say that), you are right, a feeling of bounce back and rethink all over again. You were good to back on feet immediately with good friends and family to support, how I wish I could to be one of them to join in as well :) ... The doctor let me think for 1 week and back to them by 16th, I probably will go for it, as what you've said. (even though I am in Chinese background, I have to confident to give up the surgery but simply go for Chinese Herbal doctor) Let's cheer up and face it. Xoxo

Sorry to hear your news.This sometimes happens when the surgeon doesn't cut a clear enough margin around the cancer.If you have any cancer cells in the first few lymph nodes then the surgeon will want to take the rest. This is the safest option,although it is a pain to have more surgery.I've had all my lymph nodes out(18) and I'm ok.I've gone through breast cancer twice- 2003 and then in 2010. It's hard to go through all the treatments but worth it to get your health back and enjoy life.Good luck with your bc journey, Tonya xx

What a shock to hear that Rosanna,but as Tonya says,it is the safest option,and you want to get your health back and get on with your life.I think we have to trust the medical experts.They are the ones that know best.You are definitely not alone Rosanna,as there are many ladies on here that you can talk to if you have worries and need help ,advice or just a chat.Sending you happy thoughts:). xoxoxo Love Robyn.

Report - another surgery is proposed

16 Replies

Rosanna
Member
12 years ago
Thanks so much Wendy, keep in touch
WendyS
Member
12 years ago
Hi Rosanna, they said that 2 weeks should be fine for recovery in fact they were going to start chemo a week after surgery but I put them off as I am going away for the weekend and they agreed to start after that. They didnt want to delay chemo much more as it will be 8 wks since my first surgery (12/12/13) and they like to get it started sooner than later.Not sure if i ever will be prepared for chemo but have to told to take it one cycle at a time!!!

I am dreading the hair loss and I will more than likely get it shaved when I feel the first clumps falling out or if it starts to get itchy so I am assuming at some stage during the first cycle I will start losing it. I have shortish hair anyway but that still doesnt make it any easier to loss it all.

Good luck with your surgery, keep in touch with how you are going ok..and no I certainly dont think you are rude asking all these questions, you are like me I expect and would like to know everything and anything!!! Take care xx
Rosanna
Member
12 years ago
Yes Wendy, I met the doctor again on 16JAN but turn out they proposed NOT to take off the whole log of lymph nodes from me, but just get more tissue around the breast/tumur area.

Your schedule is so clear, but I didn't know when will start Chemo.

I prepared another surgery on 28JAN for further tissue taken out, I wonder will that be even worse and a mastectomy will take place for the 3rd surgery (don't know....)

Hormorne control is a definite together with Chemo treatment, since my HER2 is positive.

maybe I didn't ask the doctor so that's why, your surgery will take place 20JAN, and 3FEB will start the Chemo treatment, do u think you phyically recover? and be prepare? will u shave your hair first to ready?

Sorry so many question mark, (I hope I not mean to be rude).........

Pray for you....Xoxo
WendyS
Member
12 years ago
Hi Rosanne, yes all my medical team is in agreeance with the full axilla clearance for my lymph nodes so surgery is booked for this Monday 20th jan. Met my Oncologists for the first time on Thursday, they are both ladies, young and are so lovely so I am pleased. My chemo starts on 3rd Feb now. How are things going with you? Take care, Wendy
Rosanna
Member
12 years ago
Thank you Robyn...

Xoxo
Rosanna
Member
12 years ago
OK
WendyS
Member
12 years ago
Yes Rosanna, going through Public here but I cant complain about the care I have received, its been fantastic. My tumour also had .4mm of DCIS around it as well but he did say that I had clear margins so dont think the surgery is for that, more the oncologist wants more lymph nodes taken. so I will get the verdict on Monday. I will keep in touch and let you know what the outcome is. Take care xx
Rosanna
Member
12 years ago
Hi Wendy, thanks for sharing the feeling with me, are u at Public hospital too?

They advised me for a further surgery of lymph nodes, and after saying goodbye, the BC nurse remind the doctor I should have a bit more tissue to cut from the breast, due to the tumer found DCIS cell, they wanted to get more tissue to have more confident to said, clear in cell....

I wonder I might have a 3rd surgery if they found clue of further DCIS at the near around the tissue, the breast have to be taken............Mmmmm

Take care u2...

Xoxo
WendyS
Member
12 years ago
Hi Rosanna, wow, your story could be mine!!! I finally got a call for an Oncology appointment for next week. I have already had a lumpectomy on 12th Dec, results came back as 25mm tumour, Grade 2, triple neg but they found 0.6mm of micromet in one of the 2 nodes taken. Surgeon said that he didnt think I would need anymore taken as chemo would take care of any stray cells and would see me in 6 months. Just 5 mins after getting the call for ONC appt, the hospital rang and said the surgeon wanted to see me this Monday for another appt - told them it was a mistake and he didnt need to see me but they then rang back and said No Mistake !!! They obviously had a meeting and decided on more surgery and just when I am feeling great from previous surgery, I had already prepared myself for chemo and now more surgery. Oh well, they obviously have my best interest at heart and I have to have faith in their decision. Thinking of you, Take care Wendy
Rosanna
Member
12 years ago
Thanks Hazel.......unexpected, really, the only thing seems to keep moving on, right,

Cheers......Xoxo