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Dan and I saw Dr. Sanchez this morning, and she reviewed the pathology with us.
The good news:
The tumor was removed in it's entirety, and the margins are clear.
The sentinal node was positive for cancer cells, which we knew and was why she went on to do an axillary dissection.
The axillary nodes, 18 in all, were ALL CLEAR!!!
Woo Hoo!! Praise The Lord!!
HOWEVER--
The margin for the ductal cell carcinoma was only 1.1 mm, and the margin for the infiltrating/invasive cell carcinoma was only 2.2 mm. I had to get out the measurer to see the sizes. It's not much. Dr. wants to re-excise the margins of the defect (take more healthy tissue from around where the tumor was removed), to get appproximately 3 cm of healthy tissue. Her description was that the milk ducts are like tree branches going from the nipple (trunk) through to the back of the breast (branches). Because the amount of clear ductal tissue was so small, she wants to take more tissue to make sure those pesky ductal cancer cells haven't taken up residence further out in the branches.
So, I am scheduled for a Re-excision of Left Lumpectomy, tomorrow, Friday, at 11:15.
For those who may be interested, here are the specifics of the pathology.
Sentinal node specimen=1.8 x 1.5 x 1 cm
-Metastatic ductal carcinoma
Left breast lumpectomy=1.5 x 1 x 1.5 cm
-Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), grade 2
-Closest margin to DCIS is 1.1 mm. (lateral)
-Infiltrating ductal carcinoma, grade II, 1.4 cm in greatest dimension
-Closest margin for infiltrating carcinoma is 2.2 mm (posterior)
-Lymphatic invasion
-Previous hormonal studies-estrogen and progesterone receptors are positive; Her-2-neu is
2+, but negative by FISH
-Pathologic staging - pT1c N1 Mx
Axillary contents left=7 x 5 x 1.5 cm
-Eighteen lymph nodes negative for metastic carcinoma
-Including specimen A, one of nineteen lymph nodes is positive for metastatic carcinoma
So, that's that. Surgery, tomorrow, 11:15. Again.
Thanks for checking in on me/us, and thanks ahead of time for all the prayer activity and positive energies being sent our way.
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Kathy you will be in my thoughts and prayers in the days to come. I just learned of all of this in the last few days at work, in that time I've been following your story and praying for you to come out healthy and strong. Lord knows your a strong women, and we love you!
ReplyDeleteJessica Graves
YIPPEE ~ YAY ~ WAHOO ~
ReplyDeleteoh that IS great news. Ok, so one more invasion & a few more days of recovery....I'd say you've kicked some cancer butt! So, no radiation?! No chemo?! Looks like your journey to the cancer planet was just a "3-day pass"...you didn't sign up for the "sightseeing" package-thank God. Now then, once you've landed back on planet health - you'll need to make reservations for your next journey. How about planet joy, planet peace & relaxation or planet o'money--I hear that one's nice this time of year! :)
Seriously tho ~ that's great news, tomorrow will be easy-shmeasy....no nausea cuz ya know which drugs don't like you, no surprises, no waiting for results....in & out & HOME!
Still sending you lots of healing light & energy. Still no hugs tho, your huge boob may poke me!!! Only smooches thru cyber space for an easy day tomorrow.
Love ya ~
Yippeeee! Good, no GREAT news! I've heard that you may still need radiation and/or chemo. Please let us know.
ReplyDeleteYou are on your way back to earth. Thank goodness you do not have to orbit planet cancer much longer.
Tomorrow will be a breeze, cuz we're all thinking of you and sending all the positive, healing energy we can muster your way.
Go Aunt Kathy!!!!
Lots and lots of e-hugs and kisses.
Love you,
Cari