Pathology Results - Mixed Emotions
Had my post surgery follow up yesterday
The news was mostly positive regarding the pathology of this new primary invasive cancer tumour: low grade, stage 1, clear margins, Hormone +, lymph nodes clear - hooray!!!
The down side was the pathology also showed high grade DCIS throughout the whole specimen - which means more surgery. I'm only small breasted so the prospect of losing more breast tissue from that breast will no doubt mean a change in cup size!
Surgeon said given the extent, chances of clear margins for re-excision of the DCIS is 50%. Must admit this statistic scares me as it means there's only a 50% chance I will be able to keep my breast this time.
Hindsight can be so frustrating sometimes. Had I known this would happen 13mths ago when I was going through breast cancer treatment for Invasive cancer in my other breast (lumpectomy & Radiation) I would have opted for a double mastectomy rather than breast conserving surgery.
The timing also just sucks - we've sold our house & are packing up to move from East Maitland to Port Macquarie in a couple of weeks. So I'm trying to squeeze this latest surgery in just before the move.
The stress of our impending move alone has also already had a big impact on my husband & 2 teens. My husband is displaying symptoms of anxiety & or depression (he lives & works in Port Macquarie during the week & comes home on weekends) & my daughters chronic mental health issues have resurfaced (she self harms - is under the care of child & adolescent mental health service). My son & daughter are also not looking forward to changing schools & making new friends.
Still, I guess all I can do is take one step at a time & just hope this new surgery is successful.
The news was mostly positive regarding the pathology of this new primary invasive cancer tumour: low grade, stage 1, clear margins, Hormone +, lymph nodes clear - hooray!!!
The down side was the pathology also showed high grade DCIS throughout the whole specimen - which means more surgery. I'm only small breasted so the prospect of losing more breast tissue from that breast will no doubt mean a change in cup size!
Surgeon said given the extent, chances of clear margins for re-excision of the DCIS is 50%. Must admit this statistic scares me as it means there's only a 50% chance I will be able to keep my breast this time.
Hindsight can be so frustrating sometimes. Had I known this would happen 13mths ago when I was going through breast cancer treatment for Invasive cancer in my other breast (lumpectomy & Radiation) I would have opted for a double mastectomy rather than breast conserving surgery.
The timing also just sucks - we've sold our house & are packing up to move from East Maitland to Port Macquarie in a couple of weeks. So I'm trying to squeeze this latest surgery in just before the move.
The stress of our impending move alone has also already had a big impact on my husband & 2 teens. My husband is displaying symptoms of anxiety & or depression (he lives & works in Port Macquarie during the week & comes home on weekends) & my daughters chronic mental health issues have resurfaced (she self harms - is under the care of child & adolescent mental health service). My son & daughter are also not looking forward to changing schools & making new friends.
Still, I guess all I can do is take one step at a time & just hope this new surgery is successful.
