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JessicaV's avatar
JessicaV
Member
12 years ago

Pathology results: Good, bad and ugly

Just got my pathology results from my surgeon, at the same time as having 400ml of fluid drained from my seroma as the drain failed on Monday night after I got tangled with it in my sleep. And it has gone all red with an infection.

The nurse said not to worry as I would see the doctor today but the doctor said I should have begun antibiotics asap.

Results:

  • Left sentinal node neg for malignancy
  • Left mastectomy: IDC nos, G3, 22mm, ER-, PR- Cerb-B2 (2+) in high nuclear grade DCIS field up to 60mm.
  • Invasive carninoma excised withclosest margindeep 5mm,
  • DCIS margins have closest deep (.2mm) and superomedial (2mm) margins.
  • Deep margin clearance of .2ml on DCIS
  • Deep margin clearance of 5mm on IDC

They are doing an ISH test to determine my HER2 status.

Anyone know what  Cerb-B2 (2+) means?

He said Chemo will decrease my chance of recurrence from about 50% in 5 yrs to something somewhat more acceptable.

So it is what I expected in a way cos my surgeon did say he thought Chemo very likely. But I still feel like i've been run into by a ten-ton truck. Not broken but a bit bruised.

The margins seem awfully close. .2 ml on the DCIS. but he seemed confident that meant clear so I must stop worrying about that.

Chemo is a different thing when it is a certainty rather than a possibility. Now I have to put my business on ice, and go to plan B.

So Ladies, I am about to join you in the next stage of this journey. and having your company and support is the most wonderful thing in the world.

chemotherapy

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  • Janey235's avatar
    Janey235
    Member
    12 years ago

    I was like you in that the DCIS was the problem. The two tumours were successfully removed by the lumpectomy but DCIS was abutting all the margins. I had chemo and mastectomy to decrease recurrence too. I found it extremely difficult to read and understand my path report and had to get my BC nurse to explain it. To be honest I still don't quite get it.

    I'm sorry to hear that you have been having problems with your drain. Hope it's all under control though and you are resting comfortably.

    Even when you are prepared for chemo, it's still a scary thing as nobody can tell you how it's going to effect you. But in reading many of our Pink Sisters' accounts of their first time, it's not as bad as you imagine and that's what I found. You just have to take things one step at a time and you'll find your 'routine'. I imagined the first week was the steep climb up the hill pushing the peddles, the second was at the summit resting and the third week was the downhill coasting with your feet off the peddles ready to climb the next hill. Guess that why it's called a roller coaster :)

    Sending you a hug.

    Love Janey xxx

     

     

  • Janey235's avatar
    Janey235
    Member
    12 years ago

    I was like you in that the DCIS was the problem. The two tumours were successfully removed by the lumpectomy but DCIS was abutting all the margins. I had chemo and mastectomy to decrease recurrence too. I found it extremely difficult to read and understand my path report and had to get my BC nurse to explain it. To be honest I still don't quite get it.

    I'm sorry to hear that you have been having problems with your drain. Hope it's all under control though and you are resting comfortably.

    Even when you are prepared for chemo, it's still a scary thing as nobody can tell you how it's going to effect you. But in reading many of our Pink Sisters' accounts of their first time, it's not as bad as you imagine and that's what I found. You just have to take things one step at a time and you'll find your 'routine'. I imagined the first week was the steep climb up the hill pushing the peddles, the second was at the summit resting and the third week was the downhill coasting with your feet off the peddles ready to climb the next hill. Guess that why it's called a roller coaster :)

    Sending you a hug.

    Love Janey xxx

     

     

  • Robyn_W's avatar
    Robyn_W
    Member
    12 years ago
    You are right Jessica it is different when it is a certainty.But do you know what,you will get through it,and in no time at all,you will be here on the blog,reassuring new ladies,that are anxious as you are now! :) Let us know your plan,and remember to stay in touch on here.Cheers.xoxo Robyn