Lumpectomy done - margins question

Hi @laurie123
I can relate to how you are feeling even though my situation was a little different.
The size of my tumour (5.5cm) and the fact it was lobular ( much harder to get clear margins) led to a recommendation for a mastectomy which I duly had.
I was extremely anxious about everything to do with my diagnosis and treatment ( mastectomy , radiotherapy , reconstruction and now at least 5 years of hormone tablets) - thinking the worst might happen.
In the end I decided I just had to trust my team who were all very experienced and had been recommended by my fabulous GP.
I know some ladies seek a second opinion but it’s hard to know when is the appropriate circumstance to do that.
So this is probably no help to you just to say no one said this stuff was easy.
take care 🌺

Thank you @Julez1958 - thank you for your reply.  Mine is lobular also, 8mm, caught early by sheer luck as it wasn't on the mammogram. A very sneaky scary cancer.  I know I am so fortunate how they caught it, and they say clear margins, (it's just teeny tiny clear margin to me, wish it was 5mm all around!!) I really hope you are doing well now, thank you again for your reply  <3

Hi @laurie123
I am more  than 2 years on from my initial breast cancer diagnosis and mastectomy and 14 months on from my DIEP reconstruction.
As time goes by I adjust to my “ new normal” and try and enjoy the good things about my life and not sweat the unimportant stuff.
People tell me I “look well” which I take to be a positive.
Take care 🌺

@laurie123 Hi, I had a very similar surgery to you! I was diagnosed with DCIS & had a lumpectomy nearly 5 years ago. I had no node involvement either. I have just checked my surgery/pathology results & my report said " lesion measure 8.5mm in extent & appears clear of all excision margins with 1mm clearance from the closest margin which is the deep margin". So looks like mine reads similar to yours. My DCIS was caught early but was aggressive. I remember my surgeon saying to me before the operation that they will check & make sure all is clear before they sew me back up again!! They checked my lesion once removed & were obviously happy that all was clear before finishing the surgery. It does sound so small when you read the margins but I guess when they are dealing with microscopic measurements, 1mm must be fine. They obviously dont want to cut out more than necessary so we just have to trust in their knowledge. I have had no problems at all since & am due to have my final mammo with my surgeon in December & then, if all is good, I will be fending for myself & just getting yearly mammos from the regional mobile bus. Good luck with your recovery & if you are at all concerned, please discuss with your medical team. love & hugs xx

@Anne65 thank you for your reply and sharing your experience.  I will put trust in my surgeon and go with it...otherwise I am worrying myself sick.  I read my path report again and now in the supp section there is a ki-67 figure, which I googled, and am now a bit panicky (it says ki-67 approx 20). Dr Google has stressed me out a bit, I feel like one bit worry wort, my husband says to stop googling but I cannot help being informed & learning about stuff but it is a bit to my worrying detriment, so my new worry - is I hope ki-67 of "approx 20" is ok.....I see my surgeon on Tuesday so I might ask...I don't have my 1st appointment with my oncologist for another 2.5 weeks unfortunately. I hope everyone is having a good weekend xx

Please try and keep away from Dr Google 
Use the BCNA website for up to date information 

https://www.bcna.org.au/resource/fact-sheet-breast-cancer-pathology/

@laurie123 I am glad you are seeing your surgeon on Tuesday as they should be able to answer all your questions. Make a list now of things you are concerned about & NO question is a dumb question! We are not supposed to know what all these terms mean!! It is a whole other world trying to navigate the terms, symptoms, diagnosis, descriptions of all the different forms of cancer there are. I read many posts on this forum & dont know what they are talking about half the time!! i used to ask my BC nurse a lot of questions too as they are trained & if ever I forgot to ask my surgeon something, I knew she was only a call/email away & I could ask her anything. I am not familiar with the term k-67 but like any of us, we have all used Dr Google to try & find the answers. One thing i was told early on is to NEVER use Dr Google as it would only confuse us more & although we all do it, it is true. ALWAYS ask someone on your medical team & your surgeon will be able to answer your questions on Tuesday. So take a breath, write some notes & try not to worry (yeah, its hard) but you can only "control the things you can" so try & enjoy the rest of the weekend as the stress isnt doing your body any good. I have been one of the lucky ones, coming out of this with only one surgery,15 rad doses & Im on no medication. I truly hope you have the same. Hugs xx <3

Thank you @iserbrown for the link, very good advice.
Also thank you to @Anne65 - I used the dreaded Dr google earlier today and looks like the ki-67 is something measured which may be used to indicate chemo vs no chemo on the cells growth rate.  I was to be most likely no chemo (hormone treatment and radiation only) so it got me thinking/ (worrying), but yes i am being my own worst enemy so will stay off the google sites and ask my surgeon when I see him as to his thoughts.  I will also ring my breast care nurse and make contact.  thank you so much again ladies for your wonderful advice I truly appreciate it, don;t feel quite so alone in this awful journey xx

Take care and post here when you think of something as between us all we can hopefully instill confidence.   It's all daunting and as Anne said terminologies we've never heard of!  Once you know your treatment plan you can concentrate on that rather than the worry
Best wishes 

@laurie123 Great to hear you have a BC Nurse. Use her instead of Dr Google, that is what they are there for & you can contact them anytime by phone/email.  Be guided by your surgeon & medical team & Im sure all your questions will be answered on Tuesday. Take care xx <3