Forum Discussion
Histopathology Report
After my mastectomy just before xmas, I found out at the post op visit that I'd have to have more surgery.
So on Jan 31 I went back into hospital for an axillary node dissection.
After the mastectomy I had 2 drains and a pump and didn't really lose that much fluid. The drains came out in less than a week.
So going home with only the one drain and no pump after the node operation seemed easy.
But the bag was filling up every day. I didn't know where all that stuff was coming from.
By day 7 it's leaking at the point of entry as well as thru the tube into the bag.
I had no more bags and it's the weekend. I wasn't game to leave the house for a second.
The community nurse arrived in the nick of time on the Monday, thank God.
I used face washers taped to my side. I went thru about 5 every day on top of what was going into the bag.
My clothes line looked like the old days when women washed their menstrual pads, lol.
I lost litres of fluids and only yesterday, after 13 days, did I lose that horrible leaking drain.
Today I saw my breast surgeon for the post op visit.
What could she possibly have to say this time round?
I've had the 5 months of chemo, 2 operations, I've always known I'd be hit with the heaviest dose of radiation (6 weeks) and will see the radiologist this Friday.
Everyone seemed cheery. Her assistant was there (nurse), my assistant was there (sister) and she said her job was over.
I should see her again in 6 months.
I was given an appointment to see the radiologist in 2 days (Friday). I know I have 6 weeks of radiology ahead of me.
Just as we were about to leave I asked for a copy of my report.
She said I'm printing it out as we speak.
It's a good thing she didn't print it out before we spoke otherwise I might have kept her there somewhat longer.
When I get home I remember I should look at the report but the dog was begging for a walk.
I'd been feeling pretty good knowing that I was moving into Stage III of my treatment with the chemo and operations behind me.
I ran for the first time since last June today, with the dog pulling me along (huge staffie) but I was running, probably just jogging, for a few metres.
We go home, I feed him and then calmly sit down to read a Histopathology Report - mine.
I've never read one before but I can clearly see that Levels I thru to III are Metastatic Carcinoma.
The numbers look even worse. 11 of 13 nodes in Level I and II, 3 of 3 nodes in Level III.
Even my scar tissue from the mastectomy has invasive carcinoma.
I will go to my GP tomorrow morning to find out what it all means.
Que sera sera...
So on Jan 31 I went back into hospital for an axillary node dissection.
After the mastectomy I had 2 drains and a pump and didn't really lose that much fluid. The drains came out in less than a week.
So going home with only the one drain and no pump after the node operation seemed easy.
But the bag was filling up every day. I didn't know where all that stuff was coming from.
By day 7 it's leaking at the point of entry as well as thru the tube into the bag.
I had no more bags and it's the weekend. I wasn't game to leave the house for a second.
The community nurse arrived in the nick of time on the Monday, thank God.
I used face washers taped to my side. I went thru about 5 every day on top of what was going into the bag.
My clothes line looked like the old days when women washed their menstrual pads, lol.
I lost litres of fluids and only yesterday, after 13 days, did I lose that horrible leaking drain.
Today I saw my breast surgeon for the post op visit.
What could she possibly have to say this time round?
I've had the 5 months of chemo, 2 operations, I've always known I'd be hit with the heaviest dose of radiation (6 weeks) and will see the radiologist this Friday.
Everyone seemed cheery. Her assistant was there (nurse), my assistant was there (sister) and she said her job was over.
I should see her again in 6 months.
I was given an appointment to see the radiologist in 2 days (Friday). I know I have 6 weeks of radiology ahead of me.
Just as we were about to leave I asked for a copy of my report.
She said I'm printing it out as we speak.
It's a good thing she didn't print it out before we spoke otherwise I might have kept her there somewhat longer.
When I get home I remember I should look at the report but the dog was begging for a walk.
I'd been feeling pretty good knowing that I was moving into Stage III of my treatment with the chemo and operations behind me.
I ran for the first time since last June today, with the dog pulling me along (huge staffie) but I was running, probably just jogging, for a few metres.
We go home, I feed him and then calmly sit down to read a Histopathology Report - mine.
I've never read one before but I can clearly see that Levels I thru to III are Metastatic Carcinoma.
The numbers look even worse. 11 of 13 nodes in Level I and II, 3 of 3 nodes in Level III.
Even my scar tissue from the mastectomy has invasive carcinoma.
I will go to my GP tomorrow morning to find out what it all means.
Que sera sera...
20 Replies
- @Brenda5
The swelling is not painful, mainly uncomfortable cause of it being in my armpit, the most movable of all joints in your body.
I'm wearing a sport type bra that seems to act as a compression bandage and nothing is getting any bigger. The idea of anyone going anywhere near my armpit is out of the question atm, lol. - Hi @PatsyN,
Great to hear about your GP dropping by to explain your pathology report, what a huge relief for you. I agree, the terminology can be quite difficult to understand. If you have further questions dont hesitate to call our helpline on
1800 500 258 - If that lymph swelling is driving you crazy go to the emergency dept of the hospital and get it drained. I did on a New Years eve once and it was just heaven to get rid of it. The relief is instant.
- @PatsyN Good on you for reaching out here and to your GP for help with the path report. I'm sitting here feeling absolutely furious with your surgeon . WTH was she thinking! But I'm glad you're getting the answers from elsewhere that she should have taken you through.
- Knowledge can be helpful but frightening. However know there are ladies here many many years on with stage IIIC. Know you are fighting with all guns blazing...dose dense...full clearance now rads.
- @primek
After reading both the links that you gave me I now know I've got stage IIIC.
I thought all along that it must be bad, the chemo came fast and furious, unlike anyone else I've seen before.
But no one ever actually knew my stage until the node dissection.
And now I know it too.
Such good links.
Soon I'll be working out the different grades of cells and how they affect me.
The pdf file downloaded easily.
Thanks again - @PatsyN, yep pain is def something we shouldn't have to deal with! I'm thinking you'll be resting well in that Valium haze! :) xx
- Can but try. It's not at all pleasant when the body you trust branches out doing uncomfortable or just plain weird stuff. I found a lump under my arm when I was almost through chemo - not fluid but a collection of Schwann cells. Never knew there was such a thing but there it is nestled in the nerve sheath of my upper arm. It's still there, utterly benign and I need someone rummaging about in my non- lymphoedemic arm like I need a hole in the head. Hope dissipation strikes!!
- @Mollygirl
Pre breast cancer I was a chronic insomniac who had learnt to live with it. Never more than 2 hours sleep in a row and only twice a night. But I was happy to lie there in the twilight zone I had created for myself.
That vanished at the start of chemo and now I take 2 valium every night. I sleep for 8 hours most nights waking once or twice for the toilet (according to the fitbit I got for xmas). It's taken away all my anxiety about sleeping and I hope I'm addicted and have to be given them forever, haha.
To get me moving in the morning cause my joints are still painful I take an Endone. That keeps me going all day.
When I was in hospital for the node operation they swapped my meds around and said I should be taking the valium in the morning and the endone in the evening.
So that is what they gave me.
I was awake all night with the endone and lay in bed crying all day with the morning valium for 3 days until they discharged me.
As soon as I got home I returned to my own routine and have been fine ever since! - @Afraser
I'm very small in the bust and the rest of my body. I'm 42 kilos atm, usually 45kgs.
The extra 3 kilos makes a big difference so it looks like I've got a tit growing out the side of me, lol. I can't put my arm by my side but I'm thinking if I sleep on it with my arm up it will dissipate gently thru the night. (that is my preferred position pre-cancer). I'll wait and see what it feels like when I lie down. I don't do pain of any description, lol.
