Who to ask about pathology details?

Hi MintyChicken​   

Wishing you all the best for your surgery x x 

My surgeon explained it all to me on my first meeting with him after my surgery.  I encouraged him to write notes on the paper copy he gave me of the results.  (Ask for a paper copy - so he or YOU can add notes as he speaks!)  Also record the whole thing too!  From now on, make sure you take a trusted friend or relative with you to your meetings & definitely consider recording them too, on your phone xx. It is almost impossible to remember everything that is said & this way you can go back over it in the quiet of your home & take notes. xx. Do you have a Breast Cancer Nurse assigned to you yet?  They would also be able to explain your pathology to you. (If you don't have one yet, go to this site & click your town & see if there is someone you can contact. )

https://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/get-support/find-a-nurse/

I was ILC (Invasive Lobular Cancer) too ... it is generally considered a slower growing one ... 

I am So sorry to see you joining our select little group  …. everyone remembers the shock of hearing the ‘diagnosis:  “You've got breast cancer” ..... It can cause sadness, distress and even anger.  It can really muck with your brain too, sometimes even more than your body!  It can be stressful & upsetting in the early days of diagnosis - so if you ever feel a bit overwhelmed by it all, give our Helpline a bell on 1800 500 258 for a calming chat xx.

Also, Consider listening to Charlotte Tottman's Podcasts on her own experience with BC - as she explains it all very well xx  She is a specialist breast cancer Counsellor who had a double mastectomy following her own diagnosis, choosing to stay flat.  She was surprised at her own reaction to the news/surgery/treatment, as she'd been counseling others for many years & thought she 'knew it all'!   She has done 2 ‘podcast seasons' ... check out the 1st season, right from her diagnosis onwards and how she coped, and then move on to the 2nd season. She is very easy to listen to & you'll probably recognise some of your own reactions in many of the podcasts.
http://www.drcharlottetottman.com.au/my-podcast.html

Check out this thread too - there is a lot of info on the forum  - even 'tick sheets' that you can fill in to take with you to your appointments on your mental & physical health .... this info has been gleaned from many of our members over the years ... I hope it helps you xx
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-new-online-network-members#latest

take care & all the best

Hi MintyChicken​ and welcome.

It’s completely okay to want more detail, you haven’t missed anything. The best people to ask are your surgeon or medical oncologist, as they have your full pathology (Your Breast Care Nurse may also have this information on-hand as well). You can ask about stage, grade, hormone status and how fast-growing it may be.

It’s really normal to need to prompt these conversations BCNA encourages open communication with your treating team (Read more Communication with your treating team )and it’s okay to ask for a copy of your pathology report or to go through it together.

In the meantime, our Breast cancer pathology factsheet can help explain these terms in plain language and make those chats easier.

You’re doing all the right things 😊

P.S Based on the information you 'do' know, please check out our private Group: Invasive Lobular Cancer (ILC) | BCNA Online Network