April 2020 Surgery group

dscrane55

I was just diagnosed with lobular carcinoma 3/4/2020. The mammogram showed one spot, right breast, the ultrasound and MRI showed 3 spots, I had a double mastectomy 4/6/2020 because I just don't want to do this again. The pathology report showed 8 spots. My surgeon said with lobular that is not a surprise. Having a complete mastectomy was the best thing for me.

Moderators

Hi, dscrane55! Thank you for joining us here, and for sharing your story. We're so glad you're happy with your decision, and we hope you're recovering well!

The Mods

cm2020

dscrane55 I hope that your recovery is going well and you are feeling stronger each day. I had my lumpectomy on the 6th. Will you have any follow up treatments?

rosecal954

Hello to everyone and thanks to all that replied to my posts. I wanted to give an update from my mastectomy on 4/7. Had my post-op visit Monday and had the drain removed - oh happy day! I received the pathology report and it came back as no invasive cancer, just the same grade 3 comedo-necrosis DCIS 1.9 cm., clear margins and no lymph node involvement. I'm happy with the good report and relieved. My surgeon said I will most likely not need any additional treatment but will be referred to an oncologist to go over things more. I see her Monday, 4/27. As far as recovery, I continue to heal and have more energy. I still get burning sensations on my chest, am sore below my armpit and am beginning to be able to raise my arm above my head, but not all the way. I am doing my arm exercises as tolerable and enjoy taking walks in our warm weather here in So. Calif. It's a huge relief to be past the surgery and have the results of the pathology report. Feel like I've turned a corner on this temporary detour. Being this is my second time around I did have anxiety but feel much better now. I wish you the best in your journey and I am very grateful for these forums. I would have very much wanted to attend a breast cancer support group, but these forums are the next best thing. It is very strange to be flat on my right side but am adjusting day by day. The best thing is that I'm alive and life will go on.

danalev

hi everyone - been lurking on these boards since my 4/1 DCIS diagnosis. Hearing this news on April fool's day was shocking and sadly no joke. Fortunately was able to get into a great BS quickly and had a lumpectomy on 4/10. What was imaged and biopsied to be no more than 12 mm turned out to be at least 33 mm with positive margins on all sides, but still all grade 2 DCIS. With the amount that would be removed to try for clear margins in a second surgery, MX was recommended instead. At 41, and now not trusting imaging with my dense breast tissue, i opted for a BMX with immediate reconstruction / TE and a sentinel node biopsy.

i am beyond lucky to have been able to move so quickly with my doctors and am scheduled for surgery this monday, 4/27. at this point, I know I am making the right decision, but i'm just sad that this is happening and scared that there is more hidden cancer and/or in my lymph nodes (even though i rationally know that DCIS is non-invasive, I have a major fear that there is IBC hiding).

my husband has been amazing through all of this and is prepared to take good care of me through recovery. I have lots of love and support from family and friends, but I have to say that with the coronavirus and social distancing rules it is hard not to feel doubly isolated when going through this at the same time. So while this is my first time posting, i appreciate this forum so much in helping me feel not so alone.

Nana2-8

Welcome danaley: Wow....you were diagnosed 4/1 and having surgery 4/27! You've been through a whirlwind month. I applaud your decision and am glad to hear you have support ready and willing. Yes, being in isolation seems a double whammy right now, but you will do just fine. I sort of envy you that you will have this all behind you by Monday....and on the road to recovery. I found out my diagnosis on Feb 21.......scheduled for surgery, the virus broke out in spots of the nation, surgery moved to the following month, states in lock-down, and just last week I found out that my surgery has been pushed.....again.....now into "sometime" in June. I would much rather have had this all behind me by now. ~ Good thoughts going out to you for Monday and please try to report back when you feel up to it,

cm2020

danalev Good Luck with your surgery tomorrow. You have had quite a month. My time-line wasn't far off from yours. Including finding out on April Fool's Day that a second mass was found on the MRI and going in and having it biopsied(on April Fool's Day). Though it wasn't confirmed as a second cancer until the 2nd. My lumpectomy was the 6th. I'm so glad your surgeon is able to get in back in so quickly and this part of the journey will soon be behind you. Take care of yourself and let us know how you are doing when you can.

Nana2-8 Ugh, I am very sorry your surgery has been postponed again. That is really frustrating and I can imagine scary too. I am thinking about you and hope that it happens in June as they say it will. This stupid virus has just messed with so much, it is frustrating.

danalev

Nana2-8 - thank you for your support and I am so sorry that your surgery got moved out. I can't imagine how frustrating that must be when you are at the mercy of scheduling around covid. fingers crossed for you that sometime in June is sooner rather than later.

cm2020 - omg; another April Fool's victim - i am so sorry that you are you going through a second cancer, but glad that you were able to move quickly through the process and have surgery so quickly.

hoping to avoid an overnight stay at the hospital, so surgery is first thing on Monday with a 4:30 arrival time - will post again with a status as soon as i can.

thank you both for your support!!

lifeb4me

Hi Everyone,

I'm having surgery on Tuesday, the 28th. I'm really worried. This is a recurrence only at my inter pectoral nodes. It's outside the mammo field so I only found the lump when it was already large enough to feel. I've had neo adjuvant chemo but although the tumor shrank a lot, about 50%, part of it is leaning on the subclavian vein and the radiologist said she cannot say the extension of the contact. My BS said if it's a small extent, even if there is a lesion while resecting the tumor, she can put in a stich and all is good, but if the extent of the contact is too long and there is a large lesion, she would have to clip the vein and I would have paralysis of the arm. So now we are off protocol, navigating uncharted waters. My BS thinks he can get it all, but will stop if the risk of a lesion to the vein gets too high without resecting the whole tumor. That would mean systemic therapy the rest of my life although it's a regional recurrence only. So, please, pray for me (I'd that's your thing) or send positive energy that they can get it all out

ijl

danalev : It is good that you are able to get the surgery so soon. I am still waiting for mine to be scheduled in the next few weeks. I wish youa speedy recovery.

ijl

lifeb4me: I am so sorry to hear this. Sounds like you have a very competent BS who is ready to deal with this situaiton. I will pray for you and hope that it will all go well and you will come back here and will let us know.

{{{{{{{{{ Hugs }}}}}}}}

cm2020

lifeb4me....I am really sorry about what you are going through. I can only imagine how scary it is, especially with the unknowns headed into surgery. Your surgeon sounds smart and very competent. I will be praying for you and can't wait to hear that this is behind you and went well. Many many hugs and good wishes and prayers as you head into surgery Tuesday.

danalev...Thank you. How awesome you may be able to avoid an overnight stay! My surgeon told me that a mastectomy was an automatic overnight stay. I hope surgery is super early and you are home and recovering before bedtime. I will be thinking of you.

7of9

Lifeb4me - hey my surgeon did what I was told "an AMAZING" surgery getting rid of extra capusular contracture (cancer breaking out of the lymph node in the axilla) that was wrapped around a vein. 4 yrs later, radiation, taxoterrible, some mild lymphedema but NED! Will pray the gift of steady hands is with your surgeon this week!

Nana2-8

lifeb4me: My profound prayers are with you through tomorrow....and beyond. Can't wait to hear this is all behind you and that your surgeon did a fabulous job. We are here to hold your hand.....hang on tight! Check in when you can.

Jennsills

Hi! Did you ever get TUG flap surgery and how did it turn out? I am having to make the same decision soon and would appreciate any feedback!!! Scared of huge surgeries, but want to get back to normal. I am 42 yrs old and have had breast cancer twice. The 1st time Hers Positive and the 2nd time Triple Negative.

Thank you