Surgery scheduled for December 2025? Join the surgery waiting room for support!
Are you scheduled to have a lumpectomy or mastectomy in the month of November? Join us here where we support each other as we prepare for our surgeries, ask questions about what to expect, share reservations and fears, and support one another through preparation and recovery. And, we encourage others who've "been there" to answer questions about what to expect with surgery and recovery.
Share your surgery date so we can cheer you on, the type of surgery you'll be having, and let us know how you do after it's done so others know what to expect first-hand.
While you get ready, check out the Shopping/Packing/To-Do List for Surgery and Recovery. For more information, check out the Surgery section on our site for info about what types of surgery, questions to ask, choosing between lumpectomy and mastectomy, and what to expect with surgery and recovery.
If you need more support, consider joining our Virtual Support Groups for those going through treatment — and beyond!
We're all here for you and we're in your pocket for surgery day and beyond!
—The Mods
Comments
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Having a lumpectomy this morning at 7 a.m. hoping it goes smoothly.
Surgery went well. Didn't have much pain yesterday but today I am starting to feel a bit uncomfortable. Assume the meds from Surgery are starting to wear off. Follow up with Surgeon in 2 weeks.
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I've been on my pre-decision part of this since August 6 annual mammogram found suspicious mass. After ultrasound guided biopsy on left breast, MRI, chest CT, MRI guided biopsy on right breast, I've decided on a DBX, yet to be scheduled, pending appointment 12/12 with plastic.
I have: mixed IDC/ILC with LCIS (all in the left breast), right breast biopsy showed fibroepithelial lesion, 'probably' benign but surgeon said it should be excised. The chest CT showed that my heart is mildly enlarge and there is a thickening of the pericardium. I will follow up with cardio on this but I was already stressed about needing radiation, on the left side, if I had decided on lumpectomy vs mastectomy.
8 mm (original) with additional 4 mm (found with MRI) in left. ER/PR+ HER2-, 63 yo.
Any pointers on what I should be thinking of right now?
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Hi @greeneyedlady22 , welcome. We’re really glad you found our community. Wishing you the very best with your lumpectomy today and hoping everything goes smoothly. Please let us know how you’re doing when you’re able. We’re here for you and cheering you on.
And welcome to the surgery group, @sastip. We hope connecting here brings some clarity and support as you move forward. Let us know if we can help.
The Mods
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I'm having a right MX with a tissue expander on December 15. I was initially diagnosed with Grade 3 DCIS, 3 cm the end of September through a routine mammogram. In October, an MRI found two additional suspicious masses (7mm and 3mm) making the total involved area 5.5 cm which is partially why I opted for the MX. If I don't need radiation or chemo, the plan is for reconstructive surgery, probably in late January. If I need treatment, reconstruction will likely be sometime in the spring. The whole situation feels slightly surreal, since except for feeling tired (probably because I'm not sleeping well) I feel totally fine. The worst part is all of the waiting for results, surgery, and then the pathology. Just glad it was caught early.
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@bhtravelgal. I hope everything goes well for you. The waiting and tests and more waiting have been a struggle for me as well, and then it is decision time….surreal indeed.
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I’m having a lumpectomy on 12/19. I have a 1cm tumor, IDC, DCIS, probably stage 1. I’ve been so worked up with all of the testing and waiting for results that I haven’t really thought about the surgery much. I’ m just ready to get it over with.
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@cosun10, I am in day 3 of recovery from a lumpectomy also with 2 lymph nodes removed. Surgery was outpatient and went smoothly. I am not in any pain, more just uncomfortable. For me the surgery is the easy part, its deciding on whether or not I want to do the radiation and hormone treatment afterwards. Good luck to you and I hope your surgery goes as well as mine has.
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@sastip -thank you! The decision making is challenging for sure. For me, once I did my research and decided what I thought was best, I just stuck with my choice without second guessing. Since we just don’t have all of the facts in advance (has it spread, will it come back) I just went with what felt right and stuck with that. It was a little easier for me with the large size of involvement, but I was initially hoping to save the breast, so it wasn’t easy to go with the MX, but I do believe it was the right choice for my situation. Good luck, and know that whatever you decide will be right for you!
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@bhtravelgal Thanks for sharing your story, and we’re glad your screening caught things early. It’s completely understandable that everything feels surreal right now—the waiting for surgery, results, and next steps can be one of the hardest parts. We’re here with you as you move toward the 15th and hope everything goes smoothly. 💗
@sastip The waiting and decision-making can feel incredibly heavy, especially when everything is so new. You’re not alone in finding this part difficult. We hope you’re able to get the clarity and support you need as you move forward. 💕
@cosun10 The lead-up—tests, scans, and waiting for answers—can take so much out of you. Many here understand that feeling of just wanting the surgery to be behind you. We hope the 12/19 lumpectomy goes smoothly and brings you some relief from the uncertainty. 💗
@greeneyedlady22 Thank you for sharing your experience so soon after surgery—it can be so reassuring for others to hear. We’re glad to know your recovery is going smoothly, and we hope the conversations about next steps feel manageable and well supported. 💕
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My pathology report was posted to my patient portal last night. There is macrometastatic carcinoma in 2 of the 4 Sentinel lymph nodes with extranodal extension. Not the news I was hoping for and am starting to freak out a bit. I haven't heard from my oncologist yet and my confidants are telling me not to get ahead of myself and wait to hear from her, but hearing from her won't change the fact that its spread. I really thought I'd have the lumpectomy and radiation and that would be that....
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Hi @greeneyedlady22 , we’re really sorry the pathology report brought news you weren’t expecting. While you wait for your oncologist appointment, here are some resources from our main site that may help you understand more about lymph node involvement and treatment planning:
What happens if a sentinel node biopsy is positive?
Understanding Your Pathology Report
We hope this helps a bit. Please keep us posted when you’re able, we're thinking of you!
The Mods
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@greeneyedlady22 I am so sorry to hear your news. I hope you are able to talk to your oncologist soon. The waiting for answers about results that you read is so scary. I’m hoping for the best for you!
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@cosun10 thank you. I will post an update next week after my appointment. Best of luck with your surgery next week.
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Hi,
Met with my surgeon yesterday. Even though the lymph nodes were positive and I have extensive LVI, my onco type is 7 so no chemo. Over the moon about that and now my pending treatment seems much more palatable. Thank God for small blessings.
Will meet with the oncologist and radiation oncologist in January. Will post updates.
Happy Holidays.
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Wonderful news, @greeneyedlady22!
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