I have Cancer

Options
2»

Comments

  • Hockyparnt
    Hockyparnt Member Posts: 17
    edited May 2016

    I had a lumpectomy 1 week ago and today they called and said I need to have more surgery as the margins are not clear and they found a second tumor. How do I know that there aren't anymore tumors hiding in there. The first one was also larger than they thought. This is all very frightening and frustrating. I am just starting to feel better from the first surgery and now another one! Not sure how his is goi g to feel no

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Smurfette26
    Smurfette26 Member Posts: 730
    edited May 2016

    So sorry you have to undergo more surgery Hockyparnt. Hugs.

    What type of cancer do you have? Lobular?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mara51506
    mara51506 Member Posts: 5,088
    edited May 2016

    So sorry Hockeyparnt. The idea of another surgery must be frightening for sure. Please know there are many good treatments and your medical team will help guide you through every step. I know how you must feel hearing that there is more than they thought at first. I experienced similar when at first I had DCIS (meant no chemo/rads, just mastectomy/reconstruction and I would be done.) This was not to be, I had to face chemo/rads/Herceptin for a year. I was super scared, sometimes still am. I use this site, family and counselors I got through the social worker at my cancer clinic. Ask you MO for help with this when you start seeing them. It can help a lot. I am just on the Herceptin and feeling more confident as time goes on. It takes a LONG time. Give yourself a break while you are learning. Lean on anybody you can. Support means so much whether it be family, friends, people through your cancer clinic. Much luck and kindness to you.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hockyparnt
    Hockyparnt Member Posts: 17
    edited May 2016

    it is invasive ducal so not horrible should be very treatable but I just started healing from first surgery and now I need to start all over again, that is what is bothering me the most. I have a great deal of swelling under arm that they do not feel is from tumor or surgery, they feel most is coming from shoulder surgery last year so to start again with all that does not sound appealing right now. Thanks for your suppor

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited May 2016

    It's not unusual to have a second surgery to even the margins. I did. Apparently it happens a lot according to my BS.

    IDC is treatable. I have it Stage 1a, Grade 1. I am months away from 5 years out.

    Good luck!

    Diane

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • herb
    herb Member Posts: 51
    edited May 2016

    Look for a local Cancer Group. These ladies have been there. Some ladies will be willing to give you rides so your hubby can work. check out you local treatment center. Find your patient navigator once you select one. I used this time to figure out what cancer center I wanted to go to. You will not see an Oncologist until after Surgeon is done, so It gives you time to keep moving forward. It also takes your mind of things. o

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hockyparnt
    Hockyparnt Member Posts: 17
    edited May 2016

    thanks Diane I appr cite your information

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hockyparnt
    Hockyparnt Member Posts: 17
    edited May 2016

    thanks herb I am doing that currently. I think it could help

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MaggieMae123
    MaggieMae123 Member Posts: 38
    edited May 2016

    My prayers are with you. I was so upset when I found out I had breast cancer that I had to get an anti anxiety prescription. It did help a lot. It does get a lot easier once you start your battle. I have gone through chemo and radiation and scary as it sounded, it was easier than I thought. I still get Herceptin every three weeks until August and then am taking Arimidex for 5 years. My daughter told me to quit googling because I would get so upset. She told me to just watch funny cat videos or shop on ebay:) Best advise I ever got. I think you will be fine and I am wishing you all the best!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hockyparnt
    Hockyparnt Member Posts: 17
    edited May 2016

    thanks Maggie I'm not so much scared as I frustrated due to the fact that I just started healing and now I will be cut again. My biggest problem right now is all the swelling and pain in my underarm down to my elbow. They do not believe it is lymphodena so I'm guessing I just have to deal with it again.

    The best to you

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hockyparnt
    Hockyparnt Member Posts: 17
    edited May 2016

    thank you all for your support. The second surgery is over and I feel so much better. They drained a lot of fluid from breast and now most of the swelling is gone and I actually feel better than before I went in. The doctor wants to watch for fluid build up again, but as of now it is better than where I was after th first surgery. Here's praying that the margins come back clear this time. Apparently they were close to clear but not far enough away so I am feeling hopeful. The best day wishes to all of you this site has been very helpful and I feel as if you are all angels sent to help heal me

    Thanks again to all of you

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Smurfette26
    Smurfette26 Member Posts: 730
    edited May 2016

    So glad you are feeling better Hockyparnt. Rest up and regain your strength. Hugs.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hockyparnt
    Hockyparnt Member Posts: 17
    edited May 2016

    the second biopsy came back and I s not good. They found pr cancerous cells too close to the cancerous cells so now I need either a third lumpectomy or a mastectomy. I can not keep doing surgeries. Imthink I am leaning toward the mastectomy. I still need to get more information on all of this. so frustrating

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Smurfette26
    Smurfette26 Member Posts: 730
    edited May 2016

    Oh crap Hockyparnt. Sorry to hear you are needing further surgery. Don't think I could physically, emotionally or mentally cope with that. Thinking of you and sending hugs. Donna.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gammaw55
    gammaw55 Member Posts: 16
    edited July 2016

    So glad I have found this site. Had mammo done April 2016, advised further evaluation. I have a history of two prior lumpectomies, (1987 and 2001). Went for Stereotactic Bx 6-14-2016 thinking all was ok. Had a return appt. 6-24-2016 and told I have DCIS, stage 0, nuclear grade 1/2. Don't have the ER PR results. Had an appt with BS 7-1-2016 and it was cancelled. Set up now for appt Thursday 7-24-2016 with Medical Onc, Radiology Onc and BS all three in the same day. Of course this is all I am thinking of. The waiting is terrible. As of now I'm opting for BMX. What I am afraid of is that after surgery they will find it to be a different or worse diagnosis. Wanting to get this over with. I live in WV and I am going to Joan C Edwards Cancer Center, about 2 hours drive in Huntington, WV. Not sure what questions to ask etc. Sorry I am ranting so much. I have been reading alot of posts here to pass the time and learn all that I can. It is so helpful. I really like reading everybodys stories.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hockyparnt
    Hockyparnt Member Posts: 17
    edited July 2016

    gammaaw55

    I had two,lumpectomies that started April 2016 when the second margin came back not clear I opt d for the bmx. Turns out it was by far the best decision I have ever made. They for undo and their tumor in ththe breast with the original tumor and in the other side they called it a "busy breast" lost going on in there and one thing could have been potentially cancerous. Be comfortable with your decision ther is no right or wrong decision. It is how you feel about it. Best of luck to you. Don't be afraid to ask any question you can think of it doesn't matter how nonsensical it may seem if you don't understand it it is better asked. My doctors gave me so much information at the time of consult. There was little left to ask can veered don't most questions before I could ask.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gammaw55
    gammaw55 Member Posts: 16
    edited July 2016

    Thanks for your response Hockeyparnt. I had my first visit today with med. oncologist, rad. oncologist and my surgical oncologist. Found out today that I was ER + 80 %. I have opted for bmx. med onc said that was fine as did the rad onc. I have been scheduled July 27th for the surgery. Also scheduled for SNB the day before. Is that very painful to have done. Scary thought for me. BS said I would go home day after bmx if no problems. Very long day today 9am to 6pm to see all doctors plus surgical pre registration and pre admission testing. These posts are so informative. Will continue to read to pass time and learn all I can before surgery. HUGZ to all

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ChiSandy
    ChiSandy Member Posts: 12,133
    edited July 2016

    Ask for an anesthetic cream (like EMLA) to apply about 1/2 hr. before the tracer is injected. I didn’t know about it and even the lidocaine shot into the areola stung like angry bees...but then subsided after 30 sec. or so. My friend, who had BMX at a different hospital, was given EMLA by the nurses and she didn’t feel the injections at all! As for the SNB itself, it is done while you are under anesthesia, before the breasts are removed (or in women getting lumpectomies, before the lump is removed). You won’t be awake for it. And if you’re getting BMX, you probably won’t get seromas at the SNB site (because it very likely will have been on the breast itself. Unfortunately, my SNB site was near the armpit). I didn’t have MX, but rather LX+R.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gammaw55
    gammaw55 Member Posts: 16
    edited July 2016

    Thank you so much for your response ChiSandy. I have heard of that before. Hope it works.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hockyparnt
    Hockyparnt Member Posts: 17
    edited July 2016

    gamma I had the injection of radioactive material and dye done before my 1st lumpectomy and yes the injection did sting some but it is not unbearable as it is over with pretty quickly. I used the breathing techniques that I learned for childbirth and it did seem to help. So sorry you are dealing with this. If I can help with any questions or concerns please feel free to ask. I am still at home recovering from my bmx and I am quite surprised that I feel as well as I do. Just take it one day and one step at a time. Best to yi

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gammaw55
    gammaw55 Member Posts: 16
    edited July 2016

    Thank you Hockyparnt for the info. These posts have helped me and reduce my stress so much. Glad you are feeling better after your BMX. I just want to get this done and over with. Im glad I caught it in the early stage but still stressing about the final bx report. Thanks again. HUGZ

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories