Mixed Feelings from Surgeon Review
I had an appointment with my surgeon yesterday - the first since finishing active treatment. I went in knowing it was just a review and I had my usual list of questions with me. I'm not really sure how I feel, now.
Earlier in the year, he didn't really want to discuss too much with me about reconstruction and he seemed to be dismissive (the word sounds too harsh so probably isn't the right one) of the possible need to consider taking the other breast. My concern, as I talked to him yesterday, is that it was almost impossible to see on the mammogram and on the CT Scan, and it was much bigger than had been thought and had spread to the nodes when it didn't appear to have from the scans. He told me that that type of mammogram I will be having (in November) is much more powerful than what I had at Breastscreen. But he also said that he could understand my anxiety and that he would be happy to take the other if it got too much for me (he actually said something along the lines of knowing that stats are just stats in the end and if he was in my place, how hard it would be). He said that an ideal time would be during reconstruction. Now, I'm still unsure about reconstruction but one of the reasons is cost. However, he reckons his gap is about $500 which surprised me. Although if I go ahead, it will be a flap procedure and he will bring in a plastic surgeon. That's still down the track to consider.
The other thing I found out yesterday is that Letrozole should provide about 70-75% protection to the other breast for the time that I am on it. Maybe I was told that before but I certainly don't remember it (definitely possible).
What has really sent me reeling is that during discussions, the surgeon pointed out a word on my path report that I had not taken in - pleomorphic. I was fairly happy with my Grade 2, Ki 67 <10 result. I didn't pick up that pleomorphic means that it was a fast growing cancer. It was probably only there for 12 months, maybe 2 years at the most. I remember the onc saying something along those lines but it was brief and didn't really register. That scares me even more as the tumour got to 4.5cm and started spreading within the time frame of usual scanning and it was barely visible. I think I'm in a slight state of shock - more than I usually am.
Apart from all of that, the surgeon is really happy with my progress and he also wants the port out as soon as possible so I'm going in on Saturday morning to have it removed - Yay!
As I said, really mixed feelings about this review.
Earlier in the year, he didn't really want to discuss too much with me about reconstruction and he seemed to be dismissive (the word sounds too harsh so probably isn't the right one) of the possible need to consider taking the other breast. My concern, as I talked to him yesterday, is that it was almost impossible to see on the mammogram and on the CT Scan, and it was much bigger than had been thought and had spread to the nodes when it didn't appear to have from the scans. He told me that that type of mammogram I will be having (in November) is much more powerful than what I had at Breastscreen. But he also said that he could understand my anxiety and that he would be happy to take the other if it got too much for me (he actually said something along the lines of knowing that stats are just stats in the end and if he was in my place, how hard it would be). He said that an ideal time would be during reconstruction. Now, I'm still unsure about reconstruction but one of the reasons is cost. However, he reckons his gap is about $500 which surprised me. Although if I go ahead, it will be a flap procedure and he will bring in a plastic surgeon. That's still down the track to consider.
The other thing I found out yesterday is that Letrozole should provide about 70-75% protection to the other breast for the time that I am on it. Maybe I was told that before but I certainly don't remember it (definitely possible).
What has really sent me reeling is that during discussions, the surgeon pointed out a word on my path report that I had not taken in - pleomorphic. I was fairly happy with my Grade 2, Ki 67 <10 result. I didn't pick up that pleomorphic means that it was a fast growing cancer. It was probably only there for 12 months, maybe 2 years at the most. I remember the onc saying something along those lines but it was brief and didn't really register. That scares me even more as the tumour got to 4.5cm and started spreading within the time frame of usual scanning and it was barely visible. I think I'm in a slight state of shock - more than I usually am.
Apart from all of that, the surgeon is really happy with my progress and he also wants the port out as soon as possible so I'm going in on Saturday morning to have it removed - Yay!
As I said, really mixed feelings about this review.
