Hello! Since my my diagnosis in Feb this year I have read through online discussions but never had the confidence to join in. After being up all night looking up websites etc I have decided my time would be better spent seeking support rather than looking up scary statistics (I know! Everyone tells me to stop looking up things but sometimes it actually reassures me). Anyway a week after diagnosis I started neo adjuvant chemo which was hard but I did really well. Surgery was performed just over a week ago and whilst I am healing really well I'm devastated that I need to go into surgery again next week as my margins weren't clear. As I am very small (A cup) they have said I will now need a mastectomy as they can't remove anymore tissue without it looking terrible. I'm actually okay with this (or in a bit of shock) but what is really worrying me is that they now want to do more scans. The oncologist said they wouldn't redo scans unless there was a reason but now the surgeon says they need to be done to restage the cancer? My tumour did shrink with the chemo but it was still there and nodes were also positive. I'm so scared they are redoing scans because they think it has spread. The nurse said it was routine? I feel like I'm back at the start again - waiting, worrying....... Hopefully I get a bit of sleep tonight! C x

Hi There. Hello. I was also diagnosed in Feb had neoadjuvant chemo, surgery and just started radio. I have found this forum to be very helpful and supportive. Sorry you have had to go back for more surgery. I won't say not to worry cos I know that doesn't help me. Trying to figure out what the surgeon/oncologist/radiation oncologist is thinking has also taken up a lot of my time but at the end of the day I know they have my best interests at heart. If your surgeon has said it is for restaging and the nurse said it was routine I would go with that. Enjoy a good sleep - it helps. xx

I would be stressing too. It's normal to worry. I guess though as there has been a lumpectomy previously the breast size and shape is different from your original scans. I had a skin sparing mastectomy and they needed to be sure of the tumor location to ensure enough clearance from the skin etc and muscle wall....and the location to any potential nodes. I like to think of the surgeon as being thorough and ensuring not only are you cancer free after but have the best cosmetic outcome too. Hope all goes well. Kath x

Hello,it is a very worrying time especially having to face it all again. My situation is different because I had my surgery first and then chemo. I was given the option of lumpectomy or mastectomy. I chose masectomy as I wanted to be sure that everything was taken the first time. Every person is different and every treatment is individual. I'm sure your medical team has your best interest at heart and need to reassess your situation before recommending further treatment. Talk to your breast nurse for reassurance. All the the best for your future journey.love and hugs Bev

oh Shirley I hear your pain and stress, it is very hard when we have to reface surgery But I would like to agree with the other posters and say your team have your health at the front of their focus when deciding what to do next. Ask questions here and we will always support you point you the direction of good information and laugh and cry with you if need be. I would like to encourage you that you have been strong and gotten through the Bl**dy journey so far ... rest assured your team are working in your best interests. There are so many advances in the treatment that what was proposed even in Feb this year can be changed as they find better options for allowing us to survive and get back to life... a different life but still life.... I am 4 years down the track and I can say I am happy with the choices i made back then Double mastectomy and chemo and rads.... I am grateful to be alive and here with my kids 4 years later .... Always come and share your fears and worries we are happy to chat hugs and energy to deal with this bump in the journey Soldier Crab xoxox

Thank you everyone, I feel so much better tonight after having read your supportive comments. I have held it together for a long time and just needed a moment to let myself cry (without upsetting my kids). Going to go and try to get a good nights sleep. xxx

Just need someone to talk to.....

Shirleyt67
Member
9 years ago
Thank you everyone, I feel so much better tonight after having read your supportive comments. I have held it together for a long time and just needed a moment to let myself cry (without upsetting my kids). Going to go and try to get a good nights sleep. xxx
SoldierCrab
Member
9 years ago
oh Shirley I hear your pain and stress, it is very hard when we have to reface surgery But I would like to agree with the other posters and say your team have your health at the front of their focus when deciding what to do next. Ask questions here and we will always support you point you the direction of good information and laugh and cry with you if need be.
I would like to encourage you that you have been strong and gotten through the Bl**dy journey so far ... rest assured your team are working in your best interests.
There are so many advances in the treatment that what was proposed even in Feb this year can be changed as they find better options for allowing us to survive and get back to life... a different life but still life.... I am 4 years down the track and I can say I am happy with the choices i made back then Double mastectomy and chemo and rads.... I am grateful to be alive and here with my kids 4 years later ....
Always come and share your fears and worries we are happy to chat
hugs and energy to deal with this bump in the journey
Soldier Crab xoxox
Bevkk
Member
9 years ago
Hello,
it is a very worrying time especially having to face it all again. My situation is different because I had my surgery first and then chemo. I was given the option of lumpectomy or mastectomy. I chose masectomy as I wanted to be sure that everything was taken the first time. Every person is different and every treatment is individual. I'm sure your medical team has your best interest at heart and need to reassess your situation before recommending further treatment. Talk to your breast nurse for reassurance.

All the the best for your future journey.
love and hugs Bev
primek
Member
9 years ago
I would be stressing too. It's normal to worry. I guess though as there has been a lumpectomy previously the breast size and shape is different from your original scans. I had a skin sparing mastectomy and they needed to be sure of the tumor location to ensure enough clearance from the skin etc and muscle wall....and the location to any potential nodes. I like to think of the surgeon as being thorough and ensuring not only are you cancer free after but have the best cosmetic outcome too. Hope all goes well. Kath x
WavingNotDrowni
Member
9 years ago
Hi There. Hello. I was also diagnosed in Feb had neoadjuvant chemo, surgery and just started radio. I have found this forum to be very helpful and supportive. Sorry you have had to go back for more surgery. I won't say not to worry cos I know that doesn't help me. Trying to figure out what the surgeon/oncologist/radiation oncologist is thinking has also taken up a lot of my time but at the end of the day I know they have my best interests at heart. If your surgeon has said it is for restaging and the nurse said it was routine I would go with that. Enjoy a good sleep - it helps. xx

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