Freaking out about skin mets

waytooanxiousmommy

I just had my lumpectomy which went great. I have no pain and not taking meds. While I was still woozy after the surgery and GA the doctor came by and said that the tumor had been close to my skin so she took some samples to make sure it had not spread to my skin. I am freaking out because that would mean stage 4 cancer. I think I am just scared of the pathology report in general. Just reaching out in case anyone knows anything about skin spread.

wallycat

I would talk to your doctor when you're not still woozy.

I do not think a regional/local recurrence is considered stage 4.

Feeling scared about the pathology...sadly, normal. I wish it were easier and less stress involved. If there is, I haven't figured it out.

Best to you!

GreenEyes81

I just had a 2nd dx, some additional spots were found close to my skin which they removed with the new tumor (that was not in the skin) at the same time. This was 10 months after my first dx....they were looking for mets for me.

waytooanxiousmommy - I get it....I'm waiting on the onco dx right now just praying I don't have to do chemo...the waiting is the worst as I am sure you know. Did you have a biopsy with prior pathology details? If you can add/share your details to your "signature" line that helps everyone jump in when they are familar with your situation.

On a positive note, all of my "concerning" spots were nothing. One was actually just a small lymph node that did not have any cancer cells in it.

waytooanxiousmommy

Thanks GreenEyes81 and Wallycat. I talked to my doctor and she said she meant she just took extra tissue close to my skin to get good margins. Looks like my fear is really out of control because I heard that as meaning that it had spread to my skin. So hard waiting for post surgery pathology! Really praying for good margins and no spread.

GreenEyes81 glad your concerning spots were nothing!

GreenEyes81

That is great news! Safe than sorry is always worth it. Let us know how the pathology comes out.

waytooanxiousmommy

I will get pathology on Thursday and will certainly post here when I do. Thanks so much

buttonsmachine

Hey waytooanxiousmommy - As wallycat mentioned, skin involvement does not necessarily mean stage IV. I was one of the "lucky" ones to have skin metastasis, but in my case it was local and still curable. No evidence of distant mets at this point. Wishing you the best as you wait for your pathology results, hang in there. :-)

waytooanxiousmommy

Thanks @buttonsmachine. Glad you are cleared of skin issues and no stage IV!