Surgery done and have questions!

Beach
Beach Member Posts: 127
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

On Feb. 5, 2009, I was given the diagnosis of IDC and DCIS.  All I was told at that point was that the tumor was approx. 2cm, therefore I was considered to be in stage 1 if no lymph nodes were affected.  The IDC was noted as "no special type", but the DCIS was noted as "nuclear grade III/III".  I realize that the pathology report after the surgery will be the most accurate but if anyone can break this down further for me, I would appreciate it.

Last Wed. Feb. 18/09, I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy where only 2 nodes were removed.....no drains, thank you God!!  Now I wait until Mar. 5th for the results and treatment plan.  Since the surgery I have been experiencing a very strange, and sometimes painful, sensation in my armpit, as well as tingling in my finger tips, but there does not seem to be any swelling.  I was under the impression that symptoms similar to this would occur if some axillary nodes were removed, but didn't expect this if they were not.  Is this normal and does this get better with time and the exercises?

I know I'm a newbie here but have found these message boards to be quite helpful so far.....knowledge is power!!  Any info/insight would be greatly appreciated!!

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Comments

  • TenderIsOurMight
    TenderIsOurMight Member Posts: 4,493
    edited February 2009

    No special type when referencing IDC suggests it is has no special, identifying feature characteristic of the more unusual or rarer IDC types. Some call this garden variety IDC, but I dislike this term, feeling it suggests nothing special about breast cancer. Yea, nothing special, but involves YOU.

    DCIS can be sometimes characterized with special features such as necrosis present, amongst other. The nuclear grade is broken into I, II or III, depending on the atypia seen under the microscope in the nucleus.

    Sentinel node biopsies can be associated with pain, tingling (neuropathic features), even lymphedema (swelling of soft tissue of hand, arm); as with all surgical procedures, it too has been associated with adverse reactions. Best to alert your surgical team if this persists.

    Your surgeon and/or oncologist will review your full path report in depth and make their treatment recommendations.

    I wish you well, Beach. Please do post on how you're doing/feeling. Someone is almost always online for support.

    My best to you,

    Tender 

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  • Beach
    Beach Member Posts: 127
    edited February 2009

    Tender,

    Thanks for the information and kind words.  This is a scary time, (especially the waiting!!), but this forum has already helped to both educate me and validate many of the feelings and thoughts going on inside of me.  By the way the pain/strange sensation in my armpit seems to have subsided a little today.....more movement and less wincing, so I guess it was just the healing process hard at work.

    Kind thoughts and best wishes to you,

    Beach 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2009

    Beach,

    I had that too after surgery and yes it does get better...I still have minor numbness in my arm pit, but all the docs say it is normal as the biospy causes damage to the nerves....they said sometime it goes away entirely but not always...so I guess Im in the not always group.....its not bothersome anymore but it does take time.

    Best wishes

    Jule

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  • Beach
    Beach Member Posts: 127
    edited February 2009

    Jule,

    Although I wish it wasn't so for you, it's comforting to hear that this is somewhat "normal".....funny what "normal" now means!!??  Life truly can change just like that!! 

    Thx for your feedback and all the best to you...

    Beach

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  • emerald1773
    emerald1773 Member Posts: 8
    edited February 2009

    I had similar feelings in the arm and trouble raising it, especially for radiation. They suggested gently "climbing the wall" with my fingertips to stretch it slowly and gently. Now, 2 mos. later, that problem is gone. Different problems from radiation but they're not bad and healing about like one would expect.

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited March 2009

    I'm 2 1/2 months out and still get twinges... 

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  • Beach
    Beach Member Posts: 127
    edited March 2009

    Everybody, thank you for your input.....I guess it's different for everybody.  It will be 2 weeks this Wed. since my surgery and I have much more movement now, with less pain.....the exercises are definitely helping.  Still can't drive yet but hoping to be able to by the end of the week. 

    In the mean time I am anxiously awaiting my full pathology report and treatment plan which I will receive this Thursday.  The waiting is tough and as it gets closer, it consumes me more and more........a poor insurance telemarketer who called at the wrong time can atest to that!!!  (I think he probably quit after I finished with him)  Sealed.....Better him, I guess, than a family member or friend who is trying to help!!

    Best wishes to you all,

    Beach 

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