OK. I just got back from the surgeon’s office and the family Dr. We were hoping for an all clear margins and lymph. Well, I got half of my wish. The margins, the area around the original tumor, were clear, so that’s good news. I get to keep my breast. Also the the tumor is estrogen and progesterone positive which is also good news. That means the cancer will respond to treatment by something like tamoxifen.
Short version of the bad news though is that one of the 3 sentinel lymph nodes shows positive for metastatic cancer. There are two small tiny spots, like about the size of a pencil dot on a paper, 1.0mm and 0.5mm, so very tiny. Which means I have to go back for more surgery and have to have all lymph nodes taken out of right axilla. (should cut down on amount of deodorant I have to use lol)
Anyways second surgery is already booked for Feb 1st. We’re not sure of the time yet, but probably another all day affair. I’ll type up the whole pathology report and send it when I finish letting people know the news.
I will see cancer clinic four weeks post op, and that is when radiation will also start apparently. Family Dr feels I will most likely have to have chemo but that’s up to the Cancer Clinic. Radiation, which I will have to have no matter what, should start around first of March or so. I am off until Feb 21st. Then, when I do go back, it will be for eight hour nights only if and until I’m feeling better. I see my Family Dr on Feb 10th and she and I will assess how I am doing and if I feel I can go back to work by Feb 21st .
It is OK to share this news if anyone asks. I am doing OK. I consider this just another hoop to jump through in this fight to get the cancer out of me. Maurice has been my rock and came with me to the Dr’s office. He had a few tears in the surgeon’s office and car. It’s hard to be brave when you don’t know what it is exactly we have to face yet, but for the most part we are doing OK. At this point, I remain positive and still hopeful.
So not the greatest news; not out of the woods yet. Thanks for thinking of me. 🙂 Thank you everyone for the posts, emails and calls.
If anyone is interested in what the pathology report says, send me an email and I’ll send you it to read.
…Pam…
Related Posts
January 12, 2011 Breast Cancer post op – update
April 22, 2011 Post Radiation – April 22nd
December 26, 2010 Breast Cancer diagnosis- February 16, 2011 Cancer Agency Visit Feb 16th 2011
Hi Amy,
Thx for stopping by. I’m doing alright. I’ll do another post as I just had my pre op assessment at hospital done today from 0745 -12:15 so I’m ready for next surgery.
…Pam…
Hi, Pam…Just stopped by to see if there was any news about how you’re feeling, and figure while I’m in the neighborhood, I’ll say “hi,” and let you know I’m thinking of you and wishing you well.
I’m planning to start visualizing again– a former practice of mine, on the theory that, hey, can’t hurt, might help (and some eerie things that happened while I was doing it seemed to suggest it does…kind of a “More things on heaven and earth, Horatio” kind of stance is what I take toward the whole thing)– and will for sure include your health, comfort and full recovery in my visualizations.
Thinking of you, Amy (I don’t expect you to write back– I figure you need to conserve your energy!)
Still thinking of you Pam (((((hugs)))))
Thanks Amy,
I do agree. I am one lucky woman, and I count my blessings to have such a great bunch of family and friends. Lucky indeed. 🙂
…Pam…
Hi, Pam–
Just wanted to say thank you for keeping us all posted, and although I am sorry to hear about those pesky pencil tips, once you have them cut out, sounds like although the trip is going to be rough, with the extra surgery and the chemo, the destination is going to be success, health, and getting back to a happy, fulfilling, love-filled life. You are SO fortunate to have such a great support system, with such a wonderful husband heading the list… Thinking of you and wishing you strength and lots of happy experiences to help sustain you as you go through this. –Amy
Thanks Linda. I am hopeful all will be well. 🙂 We are taking it step by step, and next step is to heal up from first surgery, get strong for second surgery and then away we go.. 🙂
…Pam…
Thinking of you Pam and sending Positive Vibes… you will get thru this I know you will and come out the other side even stronger.
(((((hugs))))) for you both
Thanks 🙂 I hope it is just a small blip. I’ll know more once I get to the cancer agency and find out what will happen after the second surgery. I always operate better when I have a sense of what the plan is. For now, I’m just focusing on what the next step is.. and for me, that’s getting through the second surgery on Feb 1st.
talk to you soon
…Pam…
Dear Pam
we are happy that you shared this news with us. It sounds positive for you with only a small blimp on the horizon. We will be thinking of you and say prayers for you, and will include Maurice in them also.
Will look for up dates.
Much to you both
Love Mom and Dad O