Second surgery

Hi Rene,

My heart goes out to you. I have my fingers crossed for you. Your experiences are bringing back memories of being on the conveyer belt going round and round in circles of multiple surgeries. I really felt like I was getting no where.  unfortunately I was in the same boat back in April May this year.  My second  re excision of the lumpectomy still showed DCIS in the tissue margins.  The original lump proved to be bigger than appeared on biopsy as it was mucinous (jelly like). I was quite small breasted and knew there was no guarantee that the surgeon could get clear margins in a third surgery so I opted for the mastectomy.  It proved to be the best decision in my case as there was a second mucinous tumour hiding.

Since then, I've recovered doing pilates, yoga, walking and just completed 4 cycles of chemo.  I'm about to start radiotherapy this Thursday. I feel like I'm getting somewhere , there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I have a very very good outcome.  Hormone therapy and reconstruction in the future.

My worst experience I think was waiting in drs surgeries, waiting for pathology results, & making those decisions. The early days are such a scary time. Just take things one step at a time. Be kind to yourself. Stay in touch,. All the best for path results on Wednesday.

Karen xx

HI Rene

Yes I had 3 procedures, including my original lumpectomy. They found some DCIS cells in the lump, even though the margins were clear so back in I went for another wide local excision. The test results were that the tissue was clear but there were DCIS cells in the margins. At this stage the breast cancer team was recommending a mastectomy, purely from a cosmetic and not a medical point of view. Even so, it was my decision to make and they said that if it was my choice they would be willing to do one more excision but if there were more cancer cells in the tissue, I would need to have a mastectomy regardless. 

I was prepared to take a gamble if it meant saving my breast (and I figured half a boob was better than no boob at all) and fortunately the third one came back clear. And the surgeon did a marvellous job and I still have plenty of boob left, albeit a bit distorted.  Who cares? I'am alive!! 

Yes, it is very hard when you're in and out of hospital and waiting for test results is the worst thing!  I will keep my fingers crossed for you! 

Hi Rene,

i know I regretted going home rather than stay in overnight... Hopefully the results will be good.

i have had eight surgeries in total, however I have had recon as due to the size of my WLE and no clear margin I was advised to have a mastectomy.

it can be very scary and there is so much wait time between steps that your mind imagines the worst and flip flops all over the place.  

Unfortunately that is the sucky part of this road trip and it is really hard to stay positive and focussed on what you know. It is perfectly normal to feel scared and unsure - we all have, so we understand perfectly where you are at. As hard as it is you need to try and stay busy and just try to take one day at a time. Deal with what you know and try not to let your imagination run away with what you don't know. 

Post here often, ask questions and hopefully the wait time will pass quickly for you.

Sending hugs

Chris xx

OMG Rene, what an awful experience ! You must have had a reaction to the anaesthetic. You should request to stay overnight if there is a next time, as you said. I really feel for you. Here's hoping that your results are good for you. Rest up and heal, Trace ????