Lumpectomy/SNB done!

jampus:  I'm so glad you felt better the next day.  I'm sorry the size of your lump was larger than expected.  I know I'm blessed to be in a position where, so far, results have been good and even better than we expected.  I will keep you in my thoughts.

I feel awful today, but this evening is a little better.  I'm amazed at how much everything hurts - tho I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, since there are several incisions on my breast.

The tracer injection was like having burning oil injected into my breast.  That's all I can think of to describe it.  The tech told me it would "burn" and it did, but like nothing I've ever felt before.  And it's a tender spot, too, right above the areola, so I'm sure that didn't help.  My surgeon said on several occasions it was a good thing we didn't use the lidocaine, since my lymph nodes are super-small and he feels they wouldn't have picked up the tracer otherwise.  I'm nothing but trouble, apparently.    Just glad it's over with, now on to waiting for the SNB test results!

I received my path report today from Monday's SNB.  Good news - looks like all four nodes are clear!  I am feeling so much better, as though every step forward is a positive step in this journey.

Stupid cancer.

But anyway, I have a question (when do I not have a question?) pertaining to the path report.  The doctor says it's "all clear and good," and I believe him.  But the report says this about the first two nodes:  "the cut section...no gross lesion is identified here.  Multiple in one, no gross."

The other two nodes, the report says, "no gross lesion is identified here.  One in one, no gross."

My fear is micromets, but I'm still not educated enough to completely understand that.

Even with clear nodes, chemo has still not yet been ruled out.  My surgeon is sending the report over to the hematology oncologist, who will then decide if I need to make an appointment.  I am 48, Stage 1 Grade 2, 1.3 cm lesion, ER+ and HER2-.  He mentioned the Oncotype test a couple of weeks ago but hasn't said anything since then, so I don't know if he will send it out, if the oncologist will send it out, or if he doesn't think it needs to be done?  I don't know...just confused.

But happy-confused, because at least my nodes appear clear, and my margins are clean.  

AND I reached back to grab my seatbelt today, forgetting Monday's impressive surgery, and felt a really sharp stabbing in my chest.  So now I'm sore again.  And have a final paper to write for class tomorrow.  So I throw my question to the goddesses here for their wisdom and insight.  Thank you!

Thanks for the input, Sandi.  I appreciate your insight.  Congratulations on such a low score, and I'm so glad for you not having to have chemo.

I really like my surgeon, but sometimes I think he just doesn't tell me everything.  He alludes to things, like, "Well, since you're so young, and your lesion was over 1 cm, and you're ER positive, we might be looking at chemo..."  I know the oncologist will make that determination.  I just hope that, almost three weeks later, there's something left of my tumor to send out for oncotyping!

Likeachickadee:

I'm so sorry you're going through this, but there's also a comfort in finding someone else "like me" out there, if that doesn't sound too awful.  

We're meeting with the surgeon one last time (I hope!) tomorrow morning, and will be getting references to the radiation and chemo oncologists.  The waiting is the hardest part, and so I'll be sending good and loving thoughts your way over the next couple of weeks as you prepare for your surgery.  Ask your doctor ahead of time to use lidocaine with the SNB, if possible.  PM me if you want to talk more; I'm always around!

Take care and good luck,

Nancy

Char,

I had been so hesitant to talk about the lack of lidocaine with the SNB, but so many others here are experiencing the same thing, and I do not understand why.  Every report I've read says the lidocaine does not inhibit uptake, so I feel like doing it without doesn't make it any better.  Of course, I want to do everything I can to get rid of this stupid stuff in my boob, so if someone tells me there's an iota of a chance it'll make a difference (one way or another) I'm going with it.  I just wish they'd make up their minds.