recently diagnosed

jag51

Hello, all, I hope I am doing this correctly!

I have been diagnosed with a relatively rare breast cancer called mucinous carcinoma. I am 51, just starting to go through menopause. I had a lumpectomy on January 11, and the surgeon called to tell me it was cancer. He needs to back in an get a clear margin and take out some lymph nodes. I went to a local breast cancer center, and they were very nice an welcoming, but no one seemed to be familiar with my particular type of cancer! So I am feeling kind of alone...has anyone else been diagnosed with mutinous carcinoma??

Catsme

Hi jag51,

Welcome to BCO, and sorry you're going through this, but this site is so supportive!

There is a thread for Mucinous Carcinoma : https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/137/topic...

I'm sure the wonderful folks there could provide great help.

Moderators

Hi jag51, and welcome to our community at Breastcancer.org.

Yes, great advice from Catsme/ Check out the one topic: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/137/topic...

Here is also a page that you may want to start with on reading: https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/types/mucino...

We're here for you!

msphil

hello sweetie we are here for you. msphil idc stage2 0/3 nodes 3mo chemo before and after Lmast got married was planning our 2nd marriages. Then 7wks rads and 5yrs on Tamoxifen. This yr will be a 25yr Survivor was diagnosed at 42. Praise God Hope and Positive thinking that I would get thru this helped me pray this gives you Inspiration. msphil

jag51

Hi all, I forgot where I had put my password that's why I wasn't online LOL.

My 2nd surgery is scheduled for March 1. The surgeon will basically do the same operation and in addition he will take some sentinel lymph nodes. Not sure what the recovery process is like? I hope I won't have use up my vacation time. Thanks for being here!

GreenHarbor

jag51, I’m guessing that your second recovery will be much like your first. I had 2 lymph nodes removed, and the incision is about 1/3 the size of my lumpectomy incision. You may find moving the arm on that side pulls on the lymph node incision. Putting a small pillow or folded towel between your arm and your torso will help. Good luck!

jag51

GreenHarbor, did you have general anesthesia? I am anxious about that. I had something called "twilight" anesthesia, or MAC. I didn't have to breathe any gas. It was a combination of versed and fentanyl that he gave me, and it worked, b/c I had no pain and no memory of the lumpectomy.

Georgia1

Hi Jag51 and welcome. I did not have mucinous breast cancer, but I can tell you that most of us who had a lumpectomy + SNB had general anesthesia. Must anesthesiologists are really, really good and can talk you through any anxiety you may have. Let us know how we can help, and best wishes.

GreenHarbor

I did have general anesthesia. I didn’t have a tube all the way down my throat, but did have something smaller “just in case”. I did get Versed before they started to wheel me to the OR. I think I made it 20 feet down the hall before it kicked in! I have had episodes of vertigo before, so the anesthetist gave me Zofran (anti nausea) and a steroid in my IV. It worked! The next day I did feel mildly hungover, but not bad at all.

thecargirl

Hi jag51

I had a pure 7mm mucinous tumor, mucinous breast cancer has a better prognosis than most other cancers, but it still is cancer. This kind of cancer is rare and is rarely in the lymph, usually strong ER and PR positivie, low grade and stage. There is a site specifically… about mucinous breast cancer, just type the name in the search column, there is great information there. You will find out if yours is mixed or pure mucinous, treatment may be different. If they suggest an Oncotype Dx be aware, there is controversy whether mucinous tumors should be tested at all because of the low numbers represented. The Magee Equations is a good way help to help determine how aggressive your tumor may be.

Susan

jag51

Hi all, thanks for your input! I had a good anesthesiologist and hope he will be my anesthesiologist this time around too. My tumor was 1.2 centimeters, which is small, but since the surgeon did not get a clear margin the first time, he has to go back in. He wants to biopsy my sentinel lymph node this time, too. This will happen March 1. I am nervous about general b/c I hate the idea of anything being put down my throat or over my nose and mouth. Wonder if anyone else has that fear. I'm told I am ER/PR positive and HER2 negative.

My family is supportive, but they have their own issues to deal with and sometimes I feel like a burden to them, what with all my appointments and stuff, which they have been taking me to. (I don't drive.) My mother is in the process of moving out of the house she's lived in for over 30 years, so that is emotionally stressful for her.

voraciousreader

jag....come join us on our mucinous breast cancer thread. Like me, you have EXCELLENTprognostics and will have good treatment choices.

jag51

Hello all:

Just had a re-excision and a lymph node removal/biopsy. I was fine until the nerve block wore off and now it is pretty painful. Anyone else in my position?? Jen

jag51

I am told that I did have general but I don't remember it! I wonder that is why I am having a feeling like there is a ball of mucous in my throat that I am trying to swallow. Also I had a sore throat afterwards. I am hoping and praying the lymph nodes came out cancer-free. I am taking a prescription opioid-based drug called Norco (sp?) the works pretty well for the pain.

Salamandra

Aw jag51, sorry it's been painful. I bet the general is why your throat feels funny now. I hope the pain passes soon!

jag51

Not much pain anymore! My surgeon took out 4 lymph nodes. Those of you who have had this operation, about how long did it take for you to do exercises painlessly?

Elephant

I also had that feeling in my throat after the general anesthesia, but it did not last for too long although it was very uncomfortable. I had 2 lymph nodes taken out and was told not to raise my arm above shoulder level for the first two weeks. When I saw my BS two weeks later, he encouraged me to exercise regardless of any pain as he said it would break down the scar tissue.

Salamandra

The pain lasted maybe a month and a bit, and I think it was mainly related to nerves that were impacted by the operation. It was never got very painful, more like, ouch, I didn't expect reaching up for my shampoo to feel like that.

It still doesn't feel normal. The doctor told me it can take a really long time for nerves to heal. But i there's no pain anymore, just a kind of mild and weird numbness.

CaliKelly

My doctors had me stretching right away, I had 20 nodes removed, got really tight cord development from armpit to wrist, but with constant stretches and, eventually, weight training, got back to my former Super hero self. Probably 2 weeks of pain, like others said, nerves regrowing feels weird, ticklish pain. Stretch gently at first, then as you heal ,stretch more, 👍❤

jag51

I should probably start a new thread!

I had surgery #2 on March 1. Surgeon called today to say that there is STILL some cancer in my ductal area and will need to back in AGAIN. I'm not sure why it is so hard to find cancer cells?? I know I sound like an ignoramus, sorry. I am trying to keep a strong front, but I am getting bit nervous....any women out there have had 3 surgeries before a clear begin is found??