Just diagnosed

mumito

In Ontario its only 1 week wait for pahology. Ladies check out our Canadian thread as well.

YoYo44

Hi,

I am also in the Mtl area. For my intital bipsy it took 6 or 7 working days.  Not sure if that would be different from an excisional biopsy process or prioritisation.  It was painful waiting although I was already certain of what I would hear.  The only surpirse I go was that it was ILC and not IDC.

If you are downtown it might be faster I would hope.  I was out in the burbs for the intial testing but am now being treated downtown.

mfa

This is not really a reply--I am trying to figure out how to use the site.

What thoughts do you all have about the core needle biopsy contributing to invasive cancer? Seems to me that if you have DCIS, that needle poking through duct and surrounding tissue can't be good. Then waiting 5 1/2 weeks to remove the lump--is that enough time for cancer cells to spread?

YoYo44

Sorry, don't have any real info for you.  The only comment I would make would be that grade could factor in.  Good luck.  The waiting is hell.

Newbie21

Hi,

yoyo and coverantou : where are you being treated in Mtl? My momwas treated at the General.

Giulia Hugs to all my Canadian friends!

covertanjou

Hi everyone,

I had my excisional biopsy last Friday.  It went very well.  I went to the Breast Center at 8 am at the Jewish General Hospital to have the wire put in first.  That part took about 40 minutes.  I felt that I was  in a horror movie!  I had a plastic tube with a wire inside it sticking out of my breast.  It didn't hurt, but I had to be care for my hospital gown not to move it.  I was then asked to sit in a wheelchair as they wheeled me to the Surgery floor.  I found it really difficult to be wheeled past a room full of women who were waiting to get their mammos done.  I almost started crying.  I saw the looks of pity and fear on their faces, and I just didn't want them to look at me.  

This was one of the most difficult things that day.  Odd isn't it?  I asked the BC nurse at the center how long it would take to get my results.  She told me 4 weeks??!!  I decided to put this out of my mind and just concentrate on the surgery.

My DH was with me, but he was asked to leave when I got to the Surgery floor.  This was around 9:15.

I was then put in a bed and was given some medication to make me relax (This was about 9:30-45).  An IV was put into my left arm, and I was wheeled into surgery.  The doctor and anesthesiologists were there.  The doctor wanted to speak to me before surgery, but I was too out of it to do so.

I woke up in recovery about 1:15.  I woke up crying.  They gave me more painkillers, but I couldn't stop crying, and they had topped the painkillers, so they gave me a Demerol.  I saw my DH come to the recovery room, but they wouldn't let him see me.  About 2:00pm I asked to go to the washroom.  I walked there with a nurse's help.  I don't remember speaking to the doctor after the surgery.  I probably did, but I don't remember.

I left the hospital around 3 pm.  I was given a prescription for painkillers and told to take them every 4 hours for the next 24 hours. I did.  I found I was never in excruciating pain.  The medication made me sleepy, but I think that was a good thing.  I did have some pain, but I found icing my breast and the medication helped me tremendously.   

On Tuesday I went back to the Breast Center to change my dressing.  I was looking forward to asking my doctor some questions like how much tissue did you remove?  Do you think it is cancer? how long before I get the results?  He couldn't/wouldn't (?) answer any of the questions. He said the pathologist would weigh the tissue and tell him and me how much tissue was removed.  He couldn't tell me if he thought it was cancer, etc.  I was disappointed, but decided what can I do?  My DH asked if the doctor couldn't or didn't want to give me any info (he told me after my last biopsy that he was sure it was a fibroadenoma).  I have no idea.  I think that this is tissue and not a mass, I don't think he can really tell.

The dressing was changed and I was able to see the cut for the first time.  I expected it to be quite long because I felt the stitches with my fingers.  I have a combination of staples and sutures.  The cut is about 2.5 inches long and is about 1 inch above my nipple.

It has now been a week since the surgery.  Apart from occasional dizziness, I am feeling pretty good.  I feel a bit of pinching, itching and stabbing pains occasionally, but I am no longer on any painkillers.  I was told that the dizziness is due to the anesthesia.

I have to wait to Sept 1st for my results.  My doctor is away on vacation, and I have to wait till he gets back to get the results.  I am resigned to this.  I do feel that it is TOO long to wait, but I figure that their is nothing to do, so I have accepted it.

I am feeling pretty confident that he took everything out (I have ADH/LCIS).  I am staying positive.  My DH, my kids and family have been great in making sure I rest.  I know they are worried, but I the fact that I am feeling really good and being very positive is putting them at ease.

I haven't been able to write this before now.  I almost didn't want to post.  I didn't want to see my words on the screen and relive my feelings.  I haven't cried since I woke up in post-op.  Writing this down, I had to stop myself from crying.  Odd isn't it?   

As for why it is taking so long to get my results, I am at a loss.  I was told that they have to take hundreds of slides of my tissue, and that this takes time.  I guess it being summer doesn't help?  Maybe a lot of the pathologists are on holiday?   Whatever the reasons, I will wait (what choice do I have?)  I am confident that all will be ok.

I am so grateful that I can post this here.  It feels good to "talk" to other women who have gone through all the emotions that I am going through.  

Thanks,

Mary 

Anonymous

covertanjou--I had my results back in about 7 or 8 days after my biopsies. Praying you have nothing else found besides the LCIS. Let us know how it goes.

Anne

covertanjou

Thank you, Anne.  I will keep you posted.

YoYo44

Hi Mary,

There is so much sadness and stress and waiting and fear in this whole thing.  I think the waiting has to be the hardest part.  Seeing it in print is tough too. When I found out I had cancer I grieved and was very emotional but at least I knew. It is such an emotional thing this whole bc thing.  I really never fully or even partially understood. I am, so sorry you have to wait so long.  Hopefully it won't be bc, you can still live in hope.  I am glad you are hanging in well and your family is so supportive.  Try and keep busy and keep your thoughts off the scary and the sad.  It's so hard to come back from it. 

I went to the Jewish last week for my first chemo.  I am starting with 12 weeks of taxol but I am still being staged so we shall see.  I feel not too bad but am tired and I am still working but I consider myself lucky compared to many ladies and will just try to keep thinking that regardless.

Hugs and best wishes to you.  Hope you have a busy and distracting and wonderful weekend!