Done with my Lumpectomy!

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Sagita
Sagita Member Posts: 30
edited June 2014 in Stage I Breast Cancer

Hello sisters!

Had my lumpectomy done. Still on my recup stage.... the good news is my lymp nodes turn out negative. In ten days i'll see my doctor to find out about the findings on my tumor. I'm hoping for more good news.... so much relief after i had my lumpectomy. Been worrying in the last three months while waiting my referral then doctor's visit, all the test needed to do & the BRCA1 BRCA2 test - thank God that this turned out negative as well. I wanna get this over so i can continue with my life. So far the doctor told me to do Radiation theraphy & tamoxifen but it may change depends on the findings of my tumor.

How is it dealing with the treatment after surgery? Any help or tips that u can share?

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  • mommarch
    mommarch Member Posts: 584
    edited May 2011

    I had my lupectomy on April 6th with mammosite radiation from April 19th thru April 25th.  High Dose Radiation twice a day for 5 days.  Have had alot of fatigue, worse some days than others.  They have sent my tumor for a oncotype DX test do not have results yet.  They took out 23 nodes and they were all clean.  It will depend on the oncotype test as to wether I have just hormone therapy or chem every 3 week for 6 months.  What is a BRCA test.  My stage is 2A ERplus.

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  • Snoopy73
    Snoopy73 Member Posts: 287
    edited May 2011

    Its exactly 1 week since i had my lumpectomy on May 24th 2011. The pain is much better today, i have even started working from home today and i drove for the first time since i had surgery today. I had the BRCA 1 & 2 tests and it came back negative; I had the Oncotype test and i was told by the med onco that i will not need chemo. Now the waiting is on the pathology result to determine the exact treatment plan. My Med Onco told me that looks like it'll be radiation then tamoxifen. At this point, I have somehow passed the worrying and I actually feel much much better after removing the tumor. I am ready for whatever treatment plan and I am ready to fight this cancer and get back to my life. I consciously refuse to let it bring my spirits down; I am praying alot and I thank God for the great family & friends that i have.I am curious to know how radiation feels.

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  • Maybe484
    Maybe484 Member Posts: 170
    edited May 2011

    I am praying for all of my sisters as well.  I had my re-excisional lumpectomy and SNB on 5/17 and am still having quite a bit of pain in my arm.  I am attributing this to the fact that my tumor was in my armpit and so I had more extensive surgery there than just the SNB--plus, this was a second surgery, as the first surgeon didn't think I had cancer and so didn't obtain clean margins.  The re-excision obtained clear margins and the SNs were clear, so I am awaiting Oncotype results to find out whether I'll have chemo in addition to radiation and hormone therapy.  I see my surgeon for a follow-up on 6/2.  Best wishes to all!  I cannot properly thank everyone on this site for all of the invaluable information and support I've received.

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  • juviben
    juviben Member Posts: 29
    edited May 2011

    I had mine on May 16th.  Feeling pretty well.  I have fluid buildup in the breast but other than that, am pretty much pain free.  They got all my cancer out, no nodes were involved and my margins were totally clean.  I'm soooo relieved.  I need to start radiation and chemo, though, so that will be kind of a battle.  I'm pretty scared about the chemo, obviously.  I wish all you ladies the very best, though.  We'll get through this, right??? :-)

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  • Maybe484
    Maybe484 Member Posts: 170
    edited May 2011

    The support on this site is amazing.  We'll help each other through, right?

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  • ktab96
    ktab96 Member Posts: 126
    edited June 2011

    I am considering the SAVI 5 day radiation treatment provided my pathology reports after surgery are good.  I meet with the surgeon next week.  I met with an oncologist and radiologist oncologist last week.  I elected not to have the Brac blood tests.  I think I am more afraid of the after surgery treatment than the actual surgery.  I am afraid of the side effects of medications and radiation harming other organs in my body (heart, lungs, thyroid etc).  Sometimes I wonder if I should just have an MX instead.

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  • lindaonthelake
    lindaonthelake Member Posts: 8
    edited June 2011

    I only see how to reply.....but, I have a new question.  Has anyone had much trouble finding out info from the doctors.  They do not want to talk to me so I got a copy of my path report and "gleening" info from that.  I had 2 cancer spots and they did a lumpectomy (good size wedge); one was IDC and one was DCIS (but this one is Mod/high grade)....so I don't really have my diagnosis.  However, the oncologist said recurrance for me was very low.  Hmmmm.  Margins were clear (but close); and no lymphs;  I am trying to become informed on the AI's....many posts seem to indicate that the side effects may not be worth the risk.  Have any of you had problems with getting info from the doctors and are you being "heard" regarding your concerns?  I have only seen her once (for 5 minutes).  Is that normal.  I began radiation 2 weeks ago.
     
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  • lindaonthelake
    lindaonthelake Member Posts: 8
    edited June 2011

    I only see how to reply.....but, I have a new question.  Has anyone had much trouble finding out info from the doctors.  They do not want to talk to me so I got a copy of my path report and "gleening" info from that.  I had 2 cancer spots and they did a lumpectomy (good size wedge); one was IDC and one was DCIS (but this one is Mod/high grade)....so I don't really have my diagnosis.  However, the oncologist said recurrance for me was very low.  Hmmmm.  Margins were clear (but close); and no lymphs;  I am trying to become informed on the AI's....many posts seem to indicate that the side effects may not be worth the risk.  Have any of you had problems with getting info from the doctors and are you being "heard" regarding your concerns?  I have only seen her once (for 5 minutes).  Is that normal.  I began radiation 2 weeks ago.
     
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  • lindaku
    lindaku Member Posts: 13
    edited June 2011

    I agree.  That is not normal and not acceptable.  My oncologist spent more than an hour with me. 

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  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited June 2011

    Linda - 5 minutes is not normal if you have questions for her. My ONC asked me if I had any questions and was very thorough. Okay she should be but apparently a lot of drs are not. My BS was very chatty and confident. Needs to work on his bedside manner a bit but a very good doctor who addressed my husband and my questions. Again, he should after all he is my doctor. I would call your doctors office and make an appt. Tell the nurse you have questions and need answers. I saw my ONC right before I started my RADS. Also, my BS's nurse was very informative and helpful. I knew there were things I would need to know that only he could answer but for the most part she was very helpful. I am concerned about SE too when I start taking Arimidex. Make no mistake I will address those concerns with my ONC after my RADS are done. Keep us posted. diane

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  • Newone
    Newone Member Posts: 2
    edited June 2011

    I am curios how your rads has been and will they treat you with tamox?

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  • Sagita
    Sagita Member Posts: 30
    edited June 2011

    Newone - Not sure if your comment is for me.. but i'll go ahead and update myself here. I did went on a unexpected route when i met my doctor after my lumpectormy. I still have positive margins. The tumor turned out to be 3.9 cm comparing what they saw in my ultrasound as 1 cm only & indicate as Stage 1. As my tissue is dense they did'nt get a clear vision with my tumor before my lumpectomy. I jumped to Stage II. They did a oncotypedx test which turned out negative. Thank God for that! Chemo was out of my way. They discussed to me that i have to go back for another surgery again to make sure all margins is clear. This time i chose mastectomy, get rid of my right breast so i don't need to worry again. I'm not for sure if still i need a radiation after masectomy. I will meet my doctor on 6th July and meet my surgeon to do the immediate recons. My mastectomy surgery will be on July 11th. My oncologist already gave me a prescription with my tamoxifen pills. Have to start taking pills at least four weeks after my surgery.

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  • lindaku
    lindaku Member Posts: 13
    edited June 2011

    Newone:  Here is my experience...I started rads and am 7 days in.  So far it has been quite easy.  First day you have to lay on the table with your arms up for quite a while as they set things up.  Since then it is a 5 minute deal, they line you up with your new little tatoos (they are smaller then a pen tip, I have one on either side of my body and one between the boobs) and the radiation takes a couple of minutes and looks like you are getting an x-ray.  You don't feel anything or see anything.  No skin problems or burning yet.  I guess they start looking for that in another week.  I have 33 sessions all together, every day, Monday-Friday.  I will be on Tamoxifin after I am done.

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  • lesleye
    lesleye Member Posts: 38
    edited June 2011

    Lumpectomy March 23, and I am 2 weeks post radiation (33 sessions).  My breast is actually starting to look like my breast again.  The skin is healing, my nipple skin is coming back, and the swelling is going down.  I started Tamoxifen 2 days ago... really happy with the results so far.  Better than alternative.  I am very grateful for the radiologist who said... "I think you should get a biopsy, not sure but just in case".  She really had good eyes, and now, months later, I feel good.

    Good luck with the healing.  During radiation, enjoy the naps.

    Lesley 

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  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited June 2011

    I thought I wouldn't need radiation if I had a MX. That is usually the case but for me it looks like it may not be. I decided to have RADs instead of ALND(positive node issure) in one breast. In my other breast it is being considered for vascular/lymphatic invasion. I had bilateral disease & BMX. Not sure when my "treatment plan" will be clear. I think I've read of others recieving radiation for close or not clear margins.

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  • bannar
    bannar Member Posts: 1
    edited July 2011

    I am two weeks post lumpectomy. The node scar is really sore. Last night I felt a burning bump--like an ingrown hair--I picked at it (yes, I know I shouldn't have) and something came away--could it be an undisolved suture?

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  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited July 2011

    Bannar .. yes, it could have been a suture.  Sometimes there is residual pain from scar tissue forming after the lumpectomy and node dissection.

    Hope you feel better soon.

    Bren

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