Hi everyone. I was just wondering how long everyone had to wait for surgery . I'm having a double mastectomy on Wednesday and that will be three weeks after my diagnosis and four weeks since my ultrasound and biopsy. I have a grade three aggresive cancer that is triple negative. I'm trying to be positive but I keep just thinking that this time I am waiting might be the difference whether the cancer spreads or not. At the ultrasound the tumor was up to 9mm but I just think by wednesday it will be much bigger and will have gone to my lymph nodes. Has anyone waited up to four weeks for surgery and things hadn't really changed. I'm trying to relax and tell my self it still will be early breast cancer but I just can't seem to convince myself. I'm just a wreck with all of this. Xxxxxxxxd

I waited about 2 weeks for surgery with my first bout of bc (2003)-my lump was 2cms and surprisingly,not in any lymph nodes.I waited 3 weeks from core biopsy (or 4 from mammogram) for the next bc surgery(2010) lump was 3cms. It was still classed as early bc and the same tumour.Which just goes to show that those few lingering bc cells were happy to stay put in my breast for 7 years! I had body and bone scans and they were clear.Now I know my pathology was different to yours but I just want you to read a positive story.I know the waiting is terrible- keep busy,also do things that calm you like a warm bath?glass of red?meditate and deep breathe telling your body to contain those little buggers in your breast.Basically just do what works for you.The unknown and not having control are the hardest parts - so anything you can do to help yourself be proactive with your health or treatments can make you feel more in control.Good luck for Wednesday-it will be here before you know it. Tonya xx

I have not posted on this website before but have looked and gained comfort many times. I just wanted to say hope all goes well on wed. I agree the wait is the hard part. I can remember waiting for my bilateral mastectomy and worrying (I only had to wait a week, so sorry I don't really fit your brief). I had two cancers 2.2 and 2.9 cm, both grade 3 triple negative and ER positive respectively ( my breasts were having an eachway bet). My nodes were negative and 15+ months post diagnosis no sign of recurrence (cross fingers). My point is that thankfully your cancer is sounding much smaller which means hopefully good news on the lymph node front. All the best. While waiting these things may be useful to do ( helped me):- Try getting a great collection of uplifting songs on your ipod (my daughter did mine, I hope legally) Borrow a computer chair with arms for when you get home (my neck and shoulders got tired without support) V shaped pillow was a godsend-Target has cheapies. Also one of those travel pillows for your neck-blow up one from chemist cost$7. Get some cups and plates down from high cupboards ready for when you get back (not meant to raise arms above 90degrees and you will want a cup of tea when you are home alone). I have many other tips that I am happy to share but I am sure they are covered elsewhere in this website. Also delegate jobs if no time-people want to help. Hope all goes well, Mares

Thank you so much to everyone who has taken the time to reply . They give me such comfort and hope . This waiting is like a form of torture but I guess it's just getting me strong for the things ahead . I have this terrible ache under and down my arm on the same side the breast cancer is . It just feels like it must have spread . The breast care nurse says its normal to feel these things . Well it's less than 72 hours and this horrible thing will be out and then I can move on to destroying any other cancer cells . Thanks again girls . My friends and family are trying their best but unless you have been in this position there is just no way to comprehend it . X x x x

The ache may be referred pain from the biopsy. I know I felt similar. It could be an unrelated reason. Eg referred from neck It is unusual for early cancer to cause pain ( I know there is never a never in these types of things). There is chemo to mop up any stray cells if it was to be related to that. For me Chemo wasn't too bad at all. Hope that helps Hurry up Wednesday. Maresx

A week feels like forever - but it will pass and you will be on the other side soon enough wondering where the year went. Anxiety and stress can cause pain, wondering what' going on inside your body. Push it away. Focus on the positives, moving forward, BEAITNG IT. No-one else can understand how we feel, that's why this site is so valuable - because WE all do. But let them help you, use their love and support to keep you UP. I am a firm believer in the power of positive thinking. Take special care of yourself magicmum

Waiting for surgery | BCNA Online Network

19 Replies

EstherR
Member
14 years ago
Hi Sharon, Thinking of you and hoping the surgery went well. Esther
hb
Member
14 years ago
Hi Sharon,

first of all, sorry I didn't see your message sooner -- I hope everything's okay and that you're recovering well. But I just wanted to say that I was diagnosed on 11Jan11 (memorable date, that) and didn't have surgery until March -- so about seven weeks on. My surgeon assured me that there would be no difference in waiting up to 8 weeks, even though we already knew (from biopsy) that I had lymph node involvement. The tumour was big, 6.5cm (yep that's cm not mm), and aggressive (grade 3). Like you I was really nervous about the long wait between diagnosis and surgery, but in the end I was grateful for those extra weeks -- I got organised, got my team organised, and went on a quick holiday with my partner.

A year on, and I'm good as gold -- fighting fit, feeling great.

Hope you can find ways of dealing with the worry and everything else, it sure isn't easy.

Go well,
Heather
hb
Member
14 years ago
Hi Sharon,

first of all, sorry I didn't see your message sooner -- I hope everything's okay and that you're recovering well. But I just wanted to say that I was diagnosed on 11Jan11 (memorable date, that) and didn't have surgery until March -- so about seven weeks on. My surgeon assured me that there would be no difference in waiting up to 8 weeks, even though we already knew (from biopsy) that I had lymph node involvement. The tumour was big, 6.5cm (yep that's cm not mm), and aggressive (grade 3). Like you I was really nervous about the long wait between diagnosis and surgery, but in the end I was grateful for those extra weeks -- I got organised, got my team organised, and went on a quick holiday with my partner.

A year on, and I'm good as gold -- fighting fit, feeling great.

Hope you can find ways of dealing with the worry and everything else, it sure isn't easy.

Go well,
Heather
coco
Member
14 years ago
Hi Sharon I waited almost 8weeks from initial diagnosis to surgery and in that time my diagnosis changed from being insitu in one breast to being invasive in both, mainly because it didn't show up on mammograms or ultrasounds. I finally had my surgery last thursday (bilateral masectomy) and I am home now. Feeling stronger every day. See my doctor and team next Monday for the results from surgery and then onto the next step. Wishing you a speedy recovery from your surgery, amazing how resilient we become. Hugs to you a short time ago I was in your position, it is just a step on this long road.
chipmunk
Member
14 years ago
Hi Sharon

Hope all goes well with your surgery. We all will be thinking of you.

I also have Grade 3 but not triple negative. Keep positive and try not to think too much of the worst.

You will fight this and you will find the end of the tunnel.

After surgery, just take is easy and don't do too much. Let others do things for you and don't feel guilty. You need to recover and get better.

Let us know how you went with your surgery. And we will all keep our fingers crossed and know that all will go well.

Love and hugs Julie XX
Tanya
Member
14 years ago
Hi Sharon Lots of great advice here! I too liked to have those great songs on my iPod ready for when the stress got too much. Those great ones like Helen Reddy's "I am woman", and Miley Cyrus "the Climb". Waiting is the worst, but it is not long to go now. I was diagnosed nearly five years ago and I had a big tumor and it is something that I now have to pinch my self and go "did that happen to me", so there really is life after cancer . Good luck, take care and big hugs from all of us. Tan xx
Tanya
Member
14 years ago
Hi Sharon Lots of great advice here! I too liked to have those great songs on my iPod ready for when the stress got too much. Those great ones like Helen Reddy's "I am woman", and Miley Cyrus "the Climb". Waiting is the worst, but it is not long to go now. I was diagnosed nearly five years ago and I had a big tumor and it is something that I now have to pinch my self and go "did that happen to me", so there really is life after cancer . Good luck, take care and big hugs from all of us. Tan xx
Deeay
Member
14 years ago
Sharon, I waited the same time as you from mammogram to surgery. Again, the surgeon said that weeks make no difference at all to outcome. I found the waiting the hardest thing in my life! I also imagined pain in my left armpit and tingles in my breast during this time and thought the cancer was spreading. It wasn't! It's all in our heads I think! Unfortunately-because our surgeons are so popular we have to wait our turn! Good luck tomorrow. You will find relief knowing the cancer is out of you. I was also triple negative and found the triple negative foundation in the US a huge support-full of info and a forum you can join. Lots of helpful ladies there too who can answer any questions you have. www.tnbcfoundation.org All the best, Let us know how you go! Diane
Chris
Member
14 years ago
Hi Sharon, will be thinking of you tomorrow. Hope everything goes really well. Love Chris xx
mares107
Member
14 years ago

Sharon, I hope this works, just typed an email and some sort of glitch deleted it all ( I hope deleted as not edited).

I find this link helpful when statistics about triple negative too depressing. http:/community.breastcancer.org/blog/you-can-survive-triple-negative/

The tnbc website also has a booklet that you can download for free about triple negative. Sorry don't have link.

Nearly Wednesday. MaresX