💗 January 2026 Surgery Crew—You’re Not Doing This Alone 💗
Are you scheduled for a lumpectomy or mastectomy this January? This space is for you. Come gather with others who truly get it as we prepare for surgery together—sharing questions, nerves, fears, tips, and hard-won honesty. This is a place for real talk, reassurance, and mutual encouragement before and after the big day.
If you’ve already been there, we need you too. Your firsthand experience—what helped, what surprised you, what recovery was really like—can be a lifeline for someone who’s counting down the days. Your voice matters more than you know.
✨ How to jump in:
- Share your surgery date so we can rally around you and cheer you on
- Let us know the type of surgery you’re having
- Come back after surgery to tell us how you’re doing—your story helps others feel less afraid and more prepared
As you get ready, don’t miss our Shopping / Packing / To-Do List for Surgery & Recovery, and check out the Surgery section of our site for clear, practical info on:
- Types of surgery
- Questions to ask your care team
- Choosing between lumpectomy and mastectomy
- What to expect during surgery and recovery
If you’re craving even more connection, our Virtual Support Groups are here for those in treatment—and beyond.
You are held here. We’re cheering for you, walking with you, and right there in your pocket on surgery day and through recovery. 💪💞
— The Mods
Comments
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I'll find out my surgery date on 12/31/25. I'm not sure my options yet. I didn't speak to anyone besides my doctors and family. I do not know what to pack for the hospital but I am hoping I will find out on the 31st.
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Welcome @ccie_063! Did you find out your surgery date yet? We're here to support you!
Also, check out this post:
And, this resource:
What to Expect With Any Surgery
We hope this helps!
—The Mods
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I’m having surgery on 22/1/26. It’s hopefully a lumpectomy. People keep asking me how I feel. Is it wrong that I just don’t feel anything right now. I think I’m in denial about it all still. Trying to be strong for my adult children.
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@salbertros,
I just wanted to stop in and say hi.
I had a left-side mastectomy + SNB in 2008 (plus chemo, plus AI); and in Nov. 2025 I was diagnosed with a new primary on the right side. I have a consult with a surgeon scheduled for Jan. 13th, so I might end up being official member of this January Surgery group. The preliminary diagnosis based on the biopsy last month was high-grade DCIS, but I was warned it might be up-staged after the results are back from surgery.
In my experience, it's okay for you to not feel anything at this point. In fact, I think there are advantages to being in denial during the days leading up to a major stressful event like cancer surgery. You're calm and distracted, which is far better than being super-anxious and unable to function. I don't especially like being characterized as "strong", as in, "Oh, you're so STRONG!!!". What choice do we have with this, other than to take one day at a time? I'd rather be called "resilient" than "strong". 😊1 -
Hi @salbertros , and welcome to Breastcancer.org. We’re sorry you’re going through this, but glad you found us.
Feeling numb or in denial after diagnosis or before surgery is a normal response, and there’s nothing wrong with it. Everyone processes this in their own way, and you don’t have to feel anything in particular right now.
We’re glad you’re here and hope you’ll find support from others who truly understand. Please reach out anytime, we're here to help!
Best,
The Mods
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hi all. New to this group. I was diagnosed right before Christmas with invasive ductal carcinoma. I’m having lumpectomy and lymph nodes removed this Friday January 9th. I’m a solo Mama of 2 amazing kiddos. Their Dad passed away almost 10 years ago. Dealing with this diagnosis and having to give my kids this news has been very difficult for me. I’ve been having annual mammograms since I was 38, I’m now 45 and had a clean mammogram but my doctor ordered an mri since it had been a while and that where they found this tumor. Does anyone know how long it generally takes after surgery to know if anything shows in the lymph nodes? Sending prayers and good thoughts to each of you and trying my best to not be anxious but man it’s hard
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@mamalulubare I have found each step of waiting to be really hard. I had a lumpectomy on 12/19 and my surgeon called me on 12/24 with news that it wasn’t in the lymph nodes and clean margins. I thought that was pretty quick and great holiday news. She sent the oncotype that day (12/24) and results for it were in my chart on 1/2. I had been told 2 weeks for the oncotype so I was happy to get it so fast especially during a holiday week. I hope it all goes well for you!
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Hi! My bilateral mastectomy to expanders is scheduled for 1/15. This is a recurrence/metachronous cancer for me, and I had a lumpectomy 10 years ago. That was a good experience - much easier than I expected.
I now have IDC on the original side and DCIS on the contralateral side, so now everything must go. I'll be having it at the day surgery center, staying over one night.
I'm anxious but feel mostly ready. I've been minimalist about buying things to prep because I don't want to get a bunch of stuff I don't need and I'm maybe in a bit of denial about how bad I'll feel for how long.
My biggest worries are healing issues from previous radiation 10 years ago, waiting on pathology to find out if chemo will be needed, and a surprise kidney neoplasm found during a scan to check for metastasis. Unless something unexpected happens at biopsy, I'm having a partial nephrectomy on 2/19. I am stressing about 2 fairly big surgeries back-to-back like that, with the possibility of chemo somewhere in there AND the looming reconstruction at some point. But I am trying to not think too far ahead lest I get overwhelmed.
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"Oh, you're so STRONG!!!". What choice do we have with this, other than to take one day at a time?
So true! This also annoys me, along with any warrior language. I know it's people trying to cope with their own fears and be reassuring. What would I prefer instead? I don't know! Maybe I just want to be annoyed with people who don't have cancer. 🤣
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Okay, so it looks like I'm officially a member of this January surgery group.
I met with my surgeon for the first time this morning, and as a result, my surgery (Rt mastectomy + SNB, with no recon) is scheduled for … oh, my gosh!: January 21st. That's just a week from tomorrow!
mamalulubare — How did your lumpectomy go? It was last Friday (the 9th), correct? A quick recovery, I hope….
Oh, and you were wondering how long it takes to find out whether there are cancer cells in those lymph nodes. You might have been told the results already. At some surgery centers, they can check the lymph nodes for malignant cells while you're still under anesthesia in surgery. I think that's considered a preliminary result that has to be verified with traditional (routine) histologic testing afterward. As for the traditional/routine testing, the timeline depends on where the tissue is being examined. It can take as little as a couple of days if the testing is being done locally, or as long as a week or more if the samples have to be sent away to a distant pathology lab.
furiosa — I was part of the gang that created the original, pages-long list of things to bring for surgery. Now that I'm facing surgery again, I'm going to scale way back and bring only what I absolutely need for my overnight stay. I no longer live 2 hours away from the hospital where I'm being treated. That distance made it unrealistic for someone to run home to fetch something I'd forgotten. Instead, I'm just 3 miles away, so hopefully I can convince a friend to grab that forgotten eyeglass case or charger cord. On the other hand, I do find myself making my own lists so that I don't overlook something important. On the other other hand, I, too, am in denial, I suspect. (Maybe if I don't think about it, it won't happen?)Dang. An incidental finding of a mass on/in your kidney? I hate when that happens. No, wait… maybe that's an incredibly lucky thing. I do hope it's not malignant (do you know that, yet?), even though you're looking at losing a chunk of your kidney anyway.
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Hi All,
Sending out the best and highest Energy and Light for our healing this month and beyond from our procedures. One thing that I wanted to post is about the JP drains that I have post DMX. They definitely take some getting used to!!!! There are 2 things I have found helpful. One, is that the drain maintenance can be a bit challenging in the beginning when there is a lot of fluid filling the bulbs. I also had some thicker drainage collect on one side (which my advice nurse called fibrin and says it is what the body produces when it is trying to heal itself). It was very difficult to get it out of the bulb when emptying. I found it very helpful to heat up the bulb in a bowl of super warm/hot water before milking the tubes and emptying. I then tried to break up as much of it as possible with my hands before opening the plug… and that was very helpful. I was told that if I couldn't empty it over time and it prevented me from clearing the drains that I would have to go back to have the bulb replaced etc. I am thankful this worked and has actually been very effective!! Also, I have found it very very helpful to use hand sanitizer (after washing my hands thoroughly etc.) on the drain tubes to help milk them fully and get everything into the bulb before emptying. I hope this might be able to help someone….. these tips have really made a big difference for me.
Also, one of my openings where the drain exits my skin has been placed near the middle of my rib cage and is extremely sensitive and uncomfortable. The other one is hidden under my compression bra and doesn't have any sensation at all. I found that if I can pull my compression bra down over the exit site on the tender side it is less painful and I am able to breathe better and move about more comfortably.
Huge hugs to all, and best wishes for putting all of this in our rear view mirrors as we heal!!!!!
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Otter,
Sending you the best and most Vibrant Light for your procedure on 1/21. I found the waiting and the time leading up to the surgery was one of the hardest parts. Envision your best outcome and the best care from your surgeons … and be sure to see yourself thriving after the surgery…. It really helped me manage some of the anxiety.
I also want to encourage everyone to ask your medical team about management of lymphedema and resources available to help you during this process. It is something that showed up months later after my SNB and my 2nd lumpectomy for me. It was such a surprise, and I wish I had known more about it so I could help myself along the way a bit differently.
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So I had TRIPLE POSITIVE INVASIVE DUCTAL CARCINOMA in left breast and opted to do a double mastectomy so I dont get it in the right breast down the road. So when they did the surgery, they also checked the lymph nodes. Surgeon did not think I had any cancer in lymph nodes but during surgery she found 3 positive cancererous lymph nodes at left armpit. She just removed them all during the mastectomy. Then I had a PET scan done to check for any other cancer anywhere.
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I am so sorry to hear how much this is impacting you and your family. You are clearly a strong mama and you are getting things done! I admire your tenacity and I will pray for you and your family to be blessed and for God to provide for your needs right when you need them! I understand the struggle a little. My husband and I are both out of work right now as he is due for back surgery in a few weeks. He poured concrete his whole life and his body is starting to show it. We have a great church support and I have been applying to lots of grants for cancer patients. They assist with financial hardships like rent, mortgage, electric bills, gas cards. If you need any tips send me a private message. I am new to this support group format!
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Hello! I am new to this group, I was diagnosed with IDC on January 23rd. I have been scheduled for a lumpectomy, on February 24th. I am at a stage 1 grade 2 (+ + -) my breast surgeon told me I had the best case scenario with a tough diagnosis. At this point we are waiting for the oncotype report to come back to determine length on radiation treatments and endocrine therapy medication type. Is there anything I can do until my surgery to prepare myself for what is to come?
Sending strength and courage out to everyone on this site!
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@mamalulubare and @dnanab, welcome to Breastcancer.org. We're glad you found this amazing group, even though no one wants to be here under these circumstances.
@dnanab, when you’re ready, this page from our main site may help you understand more about lumpectomy surgery and what to expect before, during, and after the procedure:
Hope this helps. Sending strength and courage to you and everyone else on this thread.
The Mods
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Hello to all the Goddesses who had surgery in January…. Just touching bases to see how everyone is healing and feeling? I had my DMX on 1/15 and it has definitely been a journey. It's one thing for the body to be healing and experiencing all the layers of that… it's another thing I am finding out for the mind and spirit to be healing. Anyone else feeling this???
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Hello everyone- this is my first time posting. I had a lumpectomy on Jan 2,2026. My diagnosis is Stage 1A invasive lobular carcinoma, tumor grade 2, ER/PR +, HER 2- At first I was told my tumor was 10mm but the surgeon found the tumor size to be larger, 1.9 cm. At my post op appointment, I was told that I needed a second lumpectomy because, although the margins were clear, some small microscopic cells near the edge of one margin needed to be removed since they weren’t completely sure they were benign.
I was taken by surprise at this because, to be honest, I was minimizing the seriousness of this diagnosis since it was Stage 1 and no lymph node involvement. Now I’m worried about what else could be found during this second surgery. I am scheduled for the surgery Feb 4,2026.
The lumpectomy procedure wasn’t terrible- I felt ok afterward and didn’t need to take anything for pain. I haven’t gotten the oncotype results yet. After this second lumpectomy, they are recommending radiation and Anastrozole.
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Hi @libraryloves and @lifewell2! Welcome to the January Surgery Crew. We’re sorry you’re going through this, but glad you found the group.
Please keep checking in everyone, sharing updates, and leaning on each other as you move through recovery and next steps. We’re thinking of all of you!
—The Mods
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I had a re-excision procedure on Feb 4, 2026. This time there was a bit more pain afterwards, just short “bursts” and taking Tylenol and Advil helped. The pathology report for this procedure showed no residual tumor- good news! I met with the radiation oncologist who recommended 19 sessions. I’m going this week for the simulation. The following week I’ll meet with the medical oncologist and see what they recommend. My oncotype score is 12.
Feeling nervous about everything but I’m taking it one day at a time.
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Looks like you've received very good news!
With a tumor that's 1.9 cm (really not much different from 10 mm = 1.0 cm) and negative nodes, you're still Stage 1, right? And, that oncotype score of 12 represents a low risk of "distant recurrence." Your medical oncologist will give you the official recommendation, but I'll bet his/her advice will be good news, too.
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