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tigerlover

Full Name: Michelle
I Am A: Patient
Birthdate: Aug 24
Location: Belvidere, Illinois

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post lumpectomy

on 4/11/2008 at 7:46 am in Treatment

Here I am-one week post lumpectomy and I have been amazed at how easy recovery has been! I feel good and with exception of occasional ache under my arm from the sentinel node biopsy I have no pain. Of course the fact that my whole breast feels like it's been shot up with novicaine (spelling?) might be a factor in that! I'm hoping I regain sensation at some point. So-physically I am good, emotionally, well here's that roller coaster I'm learning to deal with. Pathology reports showed that all of my lymph nodes came back negative--so that is AWESOME. However---my margins were not clear so we are probably looking at more surgery. I keep thinking-did I waste my time with lumpectomy? I should have just gone all the way for mastectomy from day one and been done! But at the time that idea scared me. Now I feel like I made a stupid decision, and it was a TOUGH one to make. I knew going into it that there would be a chance the margins would not be clear and I would have to go back in, but I guess I just hoped that "wouldn't be me". Well, I will see my surgeon next week and we will discuss the next steps. I hate not knowing what my full plan is--so I can't wait to get to the stage that I am meeting with the oncologists and planning out a course of treatment. As laid back and spontaneous as I can be--that is not the case with all of this. I am definitely learning that i am the type that needs to have it ALL mapped out in front of me. So as much as I feel like it has been a whirlwind since March 3rd(diagnosis day), I also feel like it has been very drawn out and I just want to move on to the next step! Did I mention the word roller coaster already? lol
Well, enough for today--I vented

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I was in your shoes a few months ago, had to go back a second time for clear margins but no node involement. So far I am glad I choose the lumpectomy. They did do an mri on the good breast and all is clear. I went aggressively with chemo and radiation after. I am her2+ so I am on herception for 1 year. I also just went for the bra1 test to see if my breast cancer was inherited. Wow what a roller coaster you are right!. But now I am back to work and you will be back to yourself soon. Positive thoughts!
Love and support...

by catsvette on 4/11/2008 at 6:53 pm

I thank you for your post. I am glad I read it. This is my very first time to this site and I am driving myself crazy trying to make the best decision. It is all happening pretty fast. This is what I know I to have been diagnosed with Invasive Ductile Carsenoma it is 1.8 I went for a MRI yesterday they just called me to go for a needle biopsy because a little node showed something. I thought yesterday I would just do the lumpectomy and radiation but tonight I am really thinking I just might have the mastectomy.

by Carla22 on 4/11/2008 at 6:14 pm

Congrats on your good news!!!! I was dx 3years ago, Feb 18 found "bump" in my scar--had surgery to remove, path report stated microscopic residue, had another surgery-- all clear. I will take radiation this time (just 8 rounds of chemo before). Should I have taken radiation 3 years ago? IDK- but everyday is more of a blessing and the scent of each flower is overwhelming!!!

by HappyGirl on 4/11/2008 at 3:22 pm

First, congrats that your nodes came back negative. That's really important, so try to focus on that positive aspect, as disappointing as the margin issue is. And, yeah, try not to second guess yourself. You could be me writing this. I, too, chose lumpectomy and feel exactly the same way about the tough decisions and the AGONIZING waiting to meet with the next set of docs and figure out "the plan of action". I had my lumpectomy on Tuesday and am feeling good, too. I go back to the surgeon on Monday to find out about my margins. If they're clear, wonderful, but if not, I won't regret trying a less-is-more approach first.

by A&R'sMommy on 4/11/2008 at 1:35 pm

I am happy for you too, I'm happy and all your nodes came back neg, I agree and think you made a good decision. I completely understand and I think we all do about the emotional roller coaster. It sure is a bumpy ride, but we must stay on and hold on tight.

Love and support:)

by Adriana on 4/11/2008 at 12:06 pm

I am glad you are doing so well from the surgery and super glad all nodes very neg!!!!!!!!!!!!You go girl. If you had decided to have the mastectomy to begin with and got clear margins and neg nodes....wouldn't you second guess yourself and wonder if a lumpectomy would have been all you needed??????? That's what I hate about this whole thing.....the not knowing, wondering, and making these huge decisions. I think you did the right thing. I'm glad you are doing good, but do not over do it. Keep us informed!!!!!!!!! bj

by BJ SPEED on 4/11/2008 at 8:33 am

I think all of us that made the decision for lumpectomy and then did not get clear margins feel like you are feeling. But why waste the energy second guessing yourself. The surgeon would not have agreed to the lumpectomy if they knew in advance margins would not be clear. My mass was just 1.2 cm in size and yet microscopic cells certainly spread themselves around and I too ended up needing a mastectomy after the lumpectomy. If nothing else in this experience with breast cancer, I have decided nothing is ever an absolute given and that I just have to go with the flow making the best decision I can at the time but knowing things can change and require new decisions. Not good, not bad, just the way it is. I wish you peace and healing of mind and spirit.

by Marti on 4/11/2008 at 8:15 am

National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.

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