not sure how to proceed

jaggirl61 · February 2012

I was diagnosed with BC after biopsy on Jan.3 2012. Path at that time said high grade DCIS with IDC .7 cm and no lymphatic space invasion , nottingham score 6. I had a lumpectomy with 2 nodes removed (1 coming back with 1.1mm microinvasion) on Feb.3 2012. My surgeon did not get clear margins on one side....I have been told all IDC was removed but DCIS component was the side without clear margin. Also, path said tumor is 1.5 cm, Lymphatic space invasion is present and nottingham score is now 7. My surgeon cannot get me back to remove rest via lumpectomy until first of March. I am concerned that this is too long and maybe I should have a masectomy instead. I have consulted another surgeon ( somewhat on the fence regarding him taking over) that said I really needed to get this done sooner. I am not opposed to a 3rd opinion but don't know when it becomes too much. I have an appointment with a med oncologist on Thursday and he has ordered the ocutype test but as of Friday the lab that does the test has not received it. Is there anyone out there that has had the same sort of thing happen to them and what did you decide to do. Thanks.

bgail84 · February 2012

I would want it done sooner than later. If you are comfortable with the second surgeon think about going ahead. Does the first surgeon feel you can wait? I think I would consider the masectomy. I have said if I have a recurrence I will take both off. Had a lumpectomy in November, 2011. It is so hard trying to make the right decision. Talk to the MO and ask their opinion also. Good luck!

PLJ · February 2012

Hugs,

PLJ

jaggirl61 · February 2012

Thank you for the posts. Just spoke with my surgeons scheduler and they are going to talk about trying to get me in the last week in the month but don't know because his OR schedule is booked.....Don't understand why can't do it sooner as I am a patient that needs to get back in (that timing will be almost a month since original surgery). With that said, I have scheduled a 3rd opinion for tomorrow. Originally when the biopsy came back positive I wanted a mastectomy and only changed my mind when I outweighed the side effects (this is when I thought it was .7, noLIV and no node involvement.) Now I am not sure and my current surgeon seems very nonchalant about the whole thing. I am a person that has to have a plan in everything I do and maybe that is what is driving me crazy. I know cancer is not black or white but every question I have seems to be met with the comment "that is a gray area".

edwards750 · February 2012

I think we all want the procedures done asap; the waiting is almost as painful as the procedure. In my case I had a lumpectomy. The Path report came back that I needed another surgery to even the margins...just like you. Actually I did wait a month and not because of the BS. I had had something important scheduled for that Monday - which is the day he does his surgeries and he said it was no big deal to wait another week so honestly even though you want to get it done sooner I dont think it is harmful to you to wait. I dont think for a second if they thought waiting was detrimental that they would wait. I have a family member who was DX and was having a MX; it was going to be a month from the time she had all her scans done to the actual surgery date and she wondered the same thing. Her ONC assured her she would be okay having it done in a month. As luck would have it the BS got a cancellation so she had it a week early. Try not to worry...hard to do but you are as of now at the mercy of your BS' schedule. Good luck..

not sure how to proceed

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