D4 post lumpectomy itching
Hi everyone, I was diagnosed with ILC R) breast hormone +ve, HER2-ve at the start of April. I'm D4 post op lumpectomy and sentinel node bx. I have a follow up appointment next Monday. Pain has been manageable, but today I've noticed my breast is so itchy and I had some shooting pain. I can't see a rash but honestly it's hard to tell with the bruising. Did anyone else get this? Did anything help? Im curious if it's the nerves trying to heal. I'll need radiotherapy, so also keen for any tips to prepare for that. Thanks xoxAnother Re-Excision or Mastectomy?
Well, here I go again. I was diagnosed with DCIS in December. It has been a long path, but I eventually had a double lumpectomy on my right breast on 26 March 2026. A week later I was told that although they got clear margins, three of the margins on my largest lesion (4 cm) were less than 1mm. So, I had a re-excision on 15 April to get wider margins. I saw the surgeon this morning, who told me they found more disease and the new margins are still less than 1mm in two places. I have to have more surgery next Wednesday but have to decide (by Friday) whether to have another re-excision (and my breast will be starting to look a bit sad after that) or go straight to a mastectomy. She said it was quite feasible to try a re-excision again, to preserve the breast if I want to, but if they still find disease or don't get good clearances, then I have no choice but to have a mastectomy. If I have the re-excision, I have to have radiation treatment for 3 weeks, 5 days a week afterwards. If I have a mastectomy, then it's all done. No radiation and no lymph node involvement. Does anyone have any advice on what I should do / or want to share your story if you've had a similar experience? I know it's my decision, but your advice is appreciated, thank you.
Feeling overwhelmed
Hi thereAll I am 59, happily married, have two adult children. One grandson and baby no 2 due anyday now... Had surgery last week for lumpectomy and Sentinel node biopsy. Everything went well Saw surgeron yesterday . Lymph nodes are clear. Margins good. My issues is I am SO overwhelmed. Smiling for family. Smiling for friends. Little background. I had **bleep** cancer 10 years ago, back in 2016. Chemo and radiation. It was brutal. The burns were horrible. The exhaustion was the worst. Everyone is saying.... your so lucky you caught it early. You've done this before... you'll be right. Support is encouraging and I am lucky to be surrounded by lots of love. I am to be a grandmother again in two weeks and have a lively gorgeous 2 year old grandson. Timing suck.... I am overwhelmed with sadness I am overwhelmed With discourage, feeling of resentment. Feeling very isolated. **bleep** THIS CANCER... so sorry for language but it express how I feel. I want to shout. Cry. Hit something and hide under the covers and not deal with this. I know that I should be grateful. I am sick and exhausting from smiling on the outside, but paddling like hell of the inside. Hiding my emotions. I still work. Love the job. I work for a Toy library as assistant. Its not a stresing job. Only 3 days a week. They have been wonderful. How has everyone else cope. I know what I am going through is normal. Can anyone suggest a good cancer support group. I live in Victoria on the Mornington peninsula. Love and support to everyone going on this same journey Let's kick ass . Cancer sucks. XxxxxxNew grade 1 diagnosis
Hello. I’ve just been diagnosed: left breast invasive ductal, grade 1, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative. GP summary is that this is a low-grade hormone-positive breast cancer that can be successfully treated usually with lumpectomy then radiotherapy. I’m seeing a surgeon next week and feel relieved that this has been caught early. That said, I’m not looking forward to the next few months and am wondered if there is anyone else at a similar starting point - or people who’ve been down a similar road and can share advice and support. I’m 59, live in Sydney, work full time in a high pressure job, and am a single mum with a teenager at home. Thank you🩺Lumpectomy or mastectomy? Understanding the options
Hi everyone, we wanted to share a helpful resource about a decision many people face after a breast cancer diagnosis, choosing between a lumpectomy and a mastectomy. For many people, both lumpectomy and mastectomy are safe and effective options, with similar long term survival outcomes in early stage breast cancer. A lumpectomy removes the cancer while keeping most of the breast and is usually followed by radiation. A mastectomy removes all breast tissue and may be recommended based on medical factors such as tumour size, multiple tumours or genetic risk, or chosen based on personal preference and peace of mind. Importantly, the article highlights that this decision is not just medical. Feelings about body image, anxiety, future follow up, recovery and quality of life all matter. There is no single right choice, only the choice that is right for you 💙 If you are facing this decision, taking time to ask questions, understand your options and talk openly with your care team can help you feel more confident moving forward. If you feel comfortable, you are welcome to share what helped you make your decision or a question you found important to ask. You are not alone, and this community is here to support you. 🌱 This information is derived from an article written by Melbourne breast surgeon Dr George Chou, published on the Melbourne Breast Cancer Surgery website. You can read the full article here if you would like more detail: 💬 Questions you might want to ask your care team Many people find it helpful to write down questions before appointments. Some that may support your decision making include: Are both options medically appropriate for me? What additional treatments would follow each option? How might each choice affect my recovery and daily life? What are the long term follow up needs? How might reconstruction or going flat fit into this decision? There is no rush to have all the answers at once. It is okay to take time, reflect, and seek support. Don't forget our Helpline is here to chat through anything that might help make this easier for you - call us on 1800 500 258.Radiation Therapy
It's all been very quick diagnosed with stage 1, grade 1 invasive breast cancer, ER+ then appointment with surgeon 2 days later, lumpectomy and removal of two lymph nodes 4 days after seeing surgeon. Currently day 3 after surgery, home recovering. Get results on lymph nodes and margins next week. I'm trying not to think too far ahead, but ... I worry about radiation (been told 5 days a week for 4 weeks) and how it will affect me as I work full-time. Any advise on what I can do to make the next stage of treatment easier and what to expect ☺️Working while waiting for surgery
Hi all, was diagnosed 3 weeks ago today with early stage and was told I’d be having surgery pretty quickly. Ended up having to have more tests to eliminate issues in the other side and thankfully that all seems to be clear. But that has meant I still don’t have a date for surgery (I should find out tomorrow hopefully). My question is about how you’ve all kept sane during this ‘limbo’ period. My emotions and anxiety are all over the place, I can’t really focus or concentrate so I’ve taken a fair few days off work. I’m lucky enough that I can work from home (when I’m up to it) and my boss is awesome but I weirdly feel guilty about taking time off as though I should be managing this better. I’m conscious my surgery might not be for another few weeks so feel I need to work out better ways to handle this. Any inputs welcome! Thanks.
lumpectomy
Hi all, I'm a 17 year old with a large breast tumour, I've had ultrasounds and a biopsy however they still don't know what exactly it is. I've got my lumpectomy surgery booked in for next week but all this waiting (and while trying to do year 12 and whatnot) has really made my thoughts spiral. All this uncertainty and the big scary surgery info booklet has been quite overwhelming and it feels like such a unique experience and somewhat isolating, especially with my young age. I think I just need some reassurance or similar experiences to keep me going till next week. thank you!!
Can't stop thinking about bad outcomes
Newly diagnosed ++- and scheduled for lumpectomy in 2 weeks followed by radiation if all goes to plan. I'm having intrusive obsessive thoughts about death, particularly dying during the surgery and what my funeral will be like. It's non stop and exhausting and I'm neglecting everything else. I've put together an 'instruction manual' for my husband so he knows how to look after our autistic son properly. Are these thoughts premonitions or just underlying fear? I want it all to stop!
