Dr. Smith asked me how was feeling, etc. Then shared that "some of the information we got back from the pathology report was not as good as we had hoped."
1. The tumor in my right breast - which according to ultra sounds, mammo, and all the other tests - was thought to be 3.5 cm. It was actually 5 cm. Now, he got it all out, got good margins (which means there is no sign of any cancer in the tissue/skin that was left), but when a tumor hits the 5 cm mark, it is of concern that maybe some of the cancer cells have moved (through the lymph system or through blood) - I'm pretty sure I'm explaining that correctly, but I'm very tired and I haven't read a whole lot more about it yet.
2. The pathology on my sentinel lymphnode went well during surgery, continued to go well under the microscope, continued to go well when it was chopped, diced and sliced, then when there was a contrast used a couple of miniscule spots showed up. The good news about that is that it was not enough to go in and remove any lymphnodes - which I was very happy about!! BUT... it MAY mean they will want me to have radiation for the next 4 to 6 weeks, which would then put off the DIEP reconstruction surgery until later in the fall. The rationale for having the radiation is that even though the tumor was removed and the tissue is clear, there might still be some cancer cells in the lymph fluid floating around in there.
So, what all this means is I won't know anything until tomorrow afternoon or Thursday morning, after the radiation oncologist, Dr. Bucholz, looks at the report in detail and talks to Dr. Smith. Then they will all confer on the case Thursday morning, too.
I have so many more thoughts I want to get down, but I need some sleep.
much love,
monique
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