Lumpectomy

[Gingerapple]

Hi everyone,

I hope you're all doing well. I haven't heard about my lung CT yet but have to also have a Lumpectomy at the end of February.

When they operate they want to remove a couple of lymph nodes. Can anyone give me their experience of their operation, as explained to me by a nurse, that it's only a 10% chance of getting Lymphedema. I am distrustful and don't need this extra problem, as I'm already suffering from loads of physical sicknesses. Can anyone give me some advice please. Thanks so much for any response

Have a great Saturday🤗🌹🌹☕

Love Bev💐

[Jack2019]

I had 3 lymph nodes removed last year, I have a small scar but no lymphedema at all, also had one removed in 2018 with no issue.

[Gingerapple in reply to Jack2019]

May I ask in which area you live, with a thought to what hospital that was? I'm in Manchester area, Wythenshawe. Thank you for responding

[Jack2019 in reply to Gingerapple]

I found this site when I was searching for blogs when first diagnosed in 2018. I found it the best blog site on the internet, so use it for info, just like yourself. That being said, I live in Canada.

[Gingerapple in reply to Jack2019]

Thank you. I've been using this site for about 4 or 5 years, on the lung site, the other nasty cancer site, but as you live in Canada that doesn't help my 'hospital area' question with regard to a good hospital or surgeon 😁But thank you so much for your response, maybe I'll receive other responses later.I hope you're well now. Be safe

[Knapweed in reply to Gingerapple]

Good hospital. I had lumpectomy and two nodes removed in Harrogate - day surgery and no issues at all. The surgery has been the least of it to be honest

[Gingerapple in reply to Knapweed]

Hi Knapweed, So nice to get your message, that has made me feel better, a bit😉🙂

Was that a long time ago? They say Lymphedema can develop after a few years🤔Did you have radiotherapy after? Bev🌹

[Knapweed in reply to Gingerapple]

Hi - it was 18 months ago and yes I had 25 radiation sessions afterwards. They were fine but fatigue is an issue. It has taken over a year for my brain to function properly again and even now a full day can be exhausting. No lymphoedema yet - I tell myself it won't happen! I exercise as much as possible, especially in lockdown. I am nearly 64 so retiring next month.

[Gingerapple in reply to Knapweed]

Hi Knapweed,Thank you for that. Yes, I just had radiotherapy on my lung, I kn ou w how tired, fatigued you are. I'd drop off to sleep on the couch a couple of hours later! I exercise too. I had telephone appointment with my doctor yesterday, so I think I'll just wait until I see him myself. I hope you feel great now and thank you so much for your response! Stay safe!! 🥰🙂💐

[AirIsUnderrated]

Hi Bev,

I'm sorry I can't answer your question because I'm also awaiting a mastectomy and removal of at least 4 lymph nodes, but no date yet. I haven't heard about lymphedema but I'm absolutely going to find out now! I'm near Bristol.

I read one of your posts on the "other side" and I do have an oncologist surgeon but I'm right at the beginning of my journey: lumps found before Christmas, had breast biopsies (diagnosis grade 2 invasive ductal cancer, 2 tumours in same breast, no way of saving breast), then had lymph biopsies and and MRI on Thursday, results 11/2. They will determine whether I have chemo first or after surgery. I'm kind of surprised that you haven't got an allocated surgeon. Have you contacted Macmillan?

xx

[Gingerapple in reply to AirIsUnderrated]

Hi there 'AirIsUnderrated'

Thank you very much for your response🙂

I'm so sorry to hear about your situation, truly, I've had a lot of cancer and you know I'm still here👍🏾🌹I have to go to Wythenshawe in about 14 days, there I shall have blood drawn, ultrasound etc etc, I shall then meet with more doctors, so that's why really I don't know much yet, but I will keep you updated if you keep me updated, will you do that?🙂👍🏾

Don't forget to check the Lymphedema problem.....😔🤔

I had been very busy before hand with lung cancer and radiotherapy, and now I'm getting to the other problem. I have been called for the 'vaccine ' next Wednesday and also worried about that. We have zero control of our lives....

I will be thinking of you. I'm very glad you replied.

Have a lovely evening, I'm enjoying some 🍷

Hugs Bev🤗🙂❤🌹

[AirIsUnderrated in reply to Gingerapple]

You’re on! Give Macmillan a call too. They have been so helpful for me. X

[lucydina42]

I had breast cancer last year. 1A, slow growth. The medical team thought because it was caught early it was most likely contained where it grew and would only need a lumpectomy and radiation. Had the lumpectomy and the sentinel lymph node removed. The node was greatly enlarged and they knew then that it would be cancerous stemming from the original tumor. And they were correct. So that added chemo before radiation.

The lumpectomy was very easy. I opted for a local anesthetic instead a general one and I'm glad I did. I felt woozy after the operation, but otherwise fine. My two friends who came with me took me back to their house for lunch. No problems and then I slept the rest of the day. The next day I was a bit sore from the two incisions but I didn't need any pain killers. I took a Tylenol just in case and that was it. I recovered very quickly, following all medical directions. I had no range of movement challenges and no lymphedema. I finished my chemo a year ago this month and immediately started radiation for 6 weeks. I'm all clear now, knock on wood. I feel good and continue my regimen of stretching and massaging the lymph node incision area. It is still possible to develop lymphedema for the next four years (darn it) but I'm staying optimistic and keeping physically active with my upper body. Raking, sweeping, etc. My best advice - stay positive and keep an outlook with a sense of humor. That does wonders for me. Stay informed, ask lots of questions.

I hope your lung CT is completely clear so you can check that off your list and focus on the lumpectomy. All my best to you,

Arlene

[Gingerapple in reply to lucydina42]

Hi Arlene🌹Thank you so much for your message. I wanted to reply earlier but I'm a bit tired today. I'm glad you're doing ok still. I have a lot to think about, can't have radiation therapy because I had it with my lung cancer. So I just need to have a lot of patience and hope. Thanks for telling me about your experience, I appreciate that very much. Have a lovely evening and stay safe🙂💐🌹Bev

[Adele_Julia]

Hi Bev ! Let me be an encouragement. I first had a lumpectomy in 2019 with 4 lymph nodes removed under my right armpit near the lumpectomy area. Absolutely NO issues. I'm 56 and sailed through it and then proceeded to head into 4 months of chemo, another full lymph node removal followed by 2 months of Radiation. The radiation was the worst for me - lol. Fried my right "girl".

[luv2walk2]

I am stage1A, .7mm mass clean margins, lumpectomy with sentinel node removal which was no lymph node involvement. I am told I may need chemo, radiation and a pill. Why so much treatment?

[Jack2019 in reply to luv2walk2]

It might be because of your HER status? If you are Hormone positive and HER negative then I would question why chemo is on the table.

[meadowseed]

Hi. I’m sorry you’re going through so much. I don’t know how they determine how many to remove. I was told they’d take only one, but my surgeon said she felt it was necessary to take three. I have not experienced any lymphedema since my surgery in October 2020.

[Gingerapple in reply to meadowseed]

Thank you meadowseed.I am hoping to head up to Manchester in about 10 days so I will hear m ou re about the proposed surgery. Thank you for your support👍🏾🙂💐

[meadowseed in reply to Gingerapple]

Good luck with the appointment. Hope you get all the answers you need.

[Gingerapple in reply to meadowseed]

Thank you meadowseed🤗🤗👍🏾🥰🌹

[Mmnyc]

Hi, I had a mastectomy in June 2019 and had 3 lymph nodes removed. Honestly after the mastectomy I felt like I was hit by a truck. My chest hurt, you really can’t raise your arms but as days went by I got better. I will say that I was surprised by how fast my body recovered. I did not experience lymphedema. I will say that my right side still feels ‘weird’ like I can’t explain it but it feels strange. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Also last September I did feel a ‘bump’ under my right arm and an ultra sound revealed ‘inflammation’ of one of my lymph nodes. Didn’t know that was possible 🤯 had another one in December and that was fine. Now I’m getting another one on one of my scar tissue on the right side🤯🤯 im so tired of all this.

[Gingerapple in reply to Mmnyc]

Hi there, I know how you feel. It's a wonder we've all not gone insane🤪😬🤯I didn't know you can see inflammation on an ultrasound 🤔but they say you can see inflammation on a scan, ...or lymph nodes...sometimes my brain explodes, too🤯Keep your chin up, let me know what the doc says. I go next week for some tests and pre-OP things, also🤯🤯We could catch up next week?

Are you in NYC? I know nyc pretty good. Love as and hugs to you, Bev🤗🥰🌹

[Mmnyc in reply to Gingerapple]

Honestly I didn’t know either. At that ultra sound my breast surgeon was present plus the doctor who interprets the results, plus the lady who does the sonogram🤯 it made me feel like I had three heads😔 after that I had a pet scan and that also revealed inflammation under both armpits but not cancer. So my oncologist wants me to repeat it in April.

I’ve been feeling so low this week because my mom felt a lump on her breast and I had to call the hospital to get her an emergency sonogram. Luckily they scheduled it today and thank god they didn’t find any cancer. I get so scared. About her cancer returning and now my cancer returning as well. I feel like a sitting duck. I get angry because I don’t want my mom to suffer or go through what I went through. I have no control over this and that is hard for me to accept.

Good luck next week with your exams. Do you get nervous before them also? Or is only me? Lol 😆

Are you in NYC? yes, I live in NYC, how did you guess? 😁😛