Recurrence results

Hi,

Thanks to Bep, Tracy and Sandy for your replies.  I now have further results from pathology after the lumpectomy.  The doctor has told me it is Recurrent Solid Papillary Carcinoma and has been assessed as Invasive.  It is small at 6mm and clear margins because the surgeon wanted to be sure to have taken it all.  The first phone call from him about this result was to tell me what the report said but also that he wanted to discuss it further with the pathologist as the usual next treatment was mastectomy and he wanted to be sure it was warranted.

I had another call yesterday from the doctor to say that the pathologist said there is no doubt that it is Invasive.  So when I asked him his recommendation he said - Mastectomy - either on it's own or with a Reconstruction.  Before we go any further though he wants a PET Scan just to make sure that the cancer has not already spread anywhere else.  If it has - then the treatment plan may change. 

After 9 nine years - it is quite a bit to take onboard.  I am 59 years old (60 in March) and the prospect of the size of the surgery if I have reconstruction as well is quite daunting.  I have already been doing some research on it all since the biopsy two weeks ago and had previously read some things on it as well.  I am uncertain whether to just have the mastectomy and not the reconstruction but will be finding out as much information as I can and will weigh up advantages and disadvantages.  I am an average framed size women and although not a huge busted not small either.  So of course all of the thoughts of being so unbalanced lead me to think of Mastectomy on the left and reduction on the right side regardless of whether I have a reconstruction.

For now, one foot in front of the other, the next step is PET Scan and see where to from there.  I am quite a logical thinking person and have been swaying from the analytical organised decision making person to a fall in a heap and have a weak moment person.  All very normal I think.

I will read some more stories and blogs on this site and do other research.  Of course any further input here is invaluable as well.

Hearing your stories helps to put some more pieces of the maze together. Thank you again - much appreciated.

Cheers, Pauline