Diagnosed on Friday

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Louanne
Louanne Member Posts: 101
edited June 2014 in Just Diagnosed

Hello, this is my first post. So far what I know is IDC 1cm. Going for a lumpectomy and lymph node dissection 4/3/2014.  I have a few questions. Will there definitely be drains, even if there isn't any affected? Also, I see so many lumpectomies that went onto mastectomies, is the percentage high on that? Haven't received the tumor markers yet. The lump was removed with vacuum-assisted core biopsy. The margins will be cleared. What percentage of women have to go back for a second time?

Thanks in advance!

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  • noonrider
    noonrider Member Posts: 464
    edited March 2014

    Hi there,

    I was just diagnosed a week ago Friday. I have DCIS and IDC, 2 cm and having lumpectomy and SNB on the 2nd. I can't wait to get this out of me, but also very nervous about getting the node results back. 

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  • Louanne
    Louanne Member Posts: 101
    edited March 2014

    Your blog is great. I'm very nervous about the nodes also. Good luck. 

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  • SallyS70
    SallyS70 Member Posts: 947
    edited April 2014

    Louanne, I had a lumpectomy and SNB.  I had no drains.

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  • LizzieK
    LizzieK Member Posts: 67
    edited April 2014

    hi 

    Drains are only needed if you have more than a couple of lymph nodes removed or a mastectomy.  They will take one to three nodes out when you have the lumpectomy and see if there is any cancer in the nodes.  If not, the lumpectomy is it.  I had mine the beginning of Dec and it was not bad at all.  Radiation treatment went smoothly in February and now I'm done except for taking Tamoxifen for a couple of years and then an other anti-estrogen medication for another couple of years.  If it's Stage 1 with no lymph node spread there is no need to consider a mastectomy unless you have the BRAC gene.   I remember my oncologist telling me most woman today are early stage because of all the screening.  Ask for an oncotype test if your tumor is ER positive.  It determines whether you would benefit from chemo or not.  Waiting for test results in the worst part the rest falls into place once you have all the info.   Hang in there.

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  • noonrider
    noonrider Member Posts: 464
    edited April 2014

    I had a tummy tuck 5 years ago and had drains in. They didn't bother me at all and were painless since the nerve endings had been cut. What bothered me was having them removed. Didn't hurt, just…odd….

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  • vbishop
    vbishop Member Posts: 616
    edited April 2014

    Careful LizzieK......

    There are many of us Stage 1 ladies that had to have not only a mastectomy, but bilateral mastectomies.  I don't want anyone reading this thread to think that mastectomy is not in their future if caught early.  There are so many factors that determine treatment and surgical options.  Sometimes mastectomy is a choice; many times it is not a choice but a necessity, as it was in my case.

    For the record, I am not unhappy about having a bilateral mastectomy or reconstruction.  My prognosis is good and the new girls are amazing.

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  • MJHJAN1014
    MJHJAN1014 Member Posts: 708
    edited April 2014

    Drains will not be needed with sentinel node dissection. My breast surgeon has a 6% rate of second surgeries for unclear margins, which is low. If the tumor is spiculated, or star shaped, sometimes the margins can be less defined. It is very tough waiting for the test results to come in. If you don't get results when expected, be the squeaky wheel. Once you get the info, it will be easier, because you'll know what direction you're going in, and the decisions will be clear. I did not have drains, but did have a catheter in the tumor cavity for two weeks for targeted radiation therapy. It was not horrible, and I tolerated it very well. Thinking of you. Good luck tomorrow.

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  • MJHJAN1014
    MJHJAN1014 Member Posts: 708
    edited April 2014

    I found it very difficult waiting for the node results. I was just so vexed at not having all of the pieces of the puzzle. You should hear from your surgeon in about five days. Once you get the info, the next step will be made clear, and you'll just put your head down and charge!

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  • Louanne
    Louanne Member Posts: 101
    edited April 2014

    Thank you Sally for letting me know. 

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  • Louanne
    Louanne Member Posts: 101
    edited April 2014

    Thanks Kay, those statistics give me hope! And, I'll take those odds for sure!! 

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  • Louanne
    Louanne Member Posts: 101
    edited April 2014

    Thanks Lizzie! Is the oncotype test done with the tumor markers? Or is this a separate test?  Thanks so much for the positive reply. I'm trying not to think about it too much right now. I'm self employed and work out of my home. I'm trying to keep busy.

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  • Louanne
    Louanne Member Posts: 101
    edited April 2014

    Good to know lespring, thanks. 

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  • Louanne
    Louanne Member Posts: 101
    edited April 2014

    Thanks MJHJAN1014. The tumor was spiculated, irregular margins with blood flow. The mammogram stated spiculated at 9mm. The ultrasound said 7 x 7 x 4mm. Now the pathology reports is saying 1cm. Ultra sound also says irregular margins and blood flow. 

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  • Louanne
    Louanne Member Posts: 101
    edited April 2014

    That is what I intend to do MJHJAN1014! Thank you for the encourgement!

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  • Mompv
    Mompv Member Posts: 110
    edited April 2014

    I was diagnosed on March 31 officially with IDC stage 2 grade 3. My dr. has decided to do chemo first to shrink the tumor. I do have an MRI scheduled on the 10th and an appt with her on the 14th. If the MRI comes back that it has not spread then we will go forward with just chemo for 6 months then a lumpectomy after that. If it has spread I am not sure what will happen. 

    Still in shock and am feeling depressed. I just keep thinking "I can't do this!" It is exhausting, all these emotions.

    I guess I need to just accept it and move forward.

    Good luck to all of you!!!

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  • Louanne
    Louanne Member Posts: 101
    edited April 2014

    Mompv, sorry about your diagnosis. I'm only less than a week in with my diagnosis. Having a lumpectomy tomorrow, and sentinel lymph node biopsy. I know what you mean about the emotions. Everyone is different, but, I have learned in the past few days not to stay doing any one thing for very long. If I do I feel the anxiety build up I try to do something that makes me concentrate, like following a recipe and baking. I work at home, and even after being on the computer too long, I start to feel anxious, nervous, and sad. I finally called my Dr. and asked for anti-anxiety meds, they are helping. I wish you much luck also.     

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  • Curlylocks
    Curlylocks Member Posts: 1,060
    edited April 2014

    I am an 8.5 year two time survivor of bc.  I was diagnosed at age 41 in 2005 with a 4 cm tumour, 3 positive nodes.  My first bc was IDC, er/pr+, her2-.  I had a left breast lumpectomy with clear margins, 6 months of chemo - 4 treatments each of a/c and taxol, 5.5 weeks of radiation, ovary suppression for 1.5 years with Zoladex, Armidex and then ovaries permanently removed at age 44.  I was doing well for 8+ years.

    Two of my sisters were diagnosed in 2010 and 2013.  It was enough to scare me into having a prophylactic masectomy with DIEP reconstruction in Dec 2013.  My pathology results from my surgery revealed a new Primary BC in my same breast as my first bc.  This time it is Triple Negative.  

    If you have a full auxiliary dissection (more than the sentinel node removed) you will have a drain.  I had mine for 10 days.

    I am sharing this story because you asked.  I do know women that had a lumpectomy and never had to have a 2nd surgery.  This is a very personal decision and one that you have to feel comfortable with!

    I only wish I had that masectomy the first time!

    Michele

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