Calling All with Tumors 6 cm +

I have been worried on and off about the quality of my path report. I feel like it is not very detailed. It just says IDC so I am assuming 9.7 x 9.2 x 4.5 cm is ALL IDC? Does anyone know about vascular invasion? My report does not say anything about it. I am assuming that it means "vascular invasion = negative". Does omission mean its is negative?

shelly the path report I received from my onc was more detailed (and the final path) than I got from my BS. Maybe just ask for the final path… explaining that the one you have isn't very detailed

I had 2 separate path reports... biopsy did say LVI - Negative... but after mast report said LVI - positive... so, I think they put it either way... maybe what Lago said that it'll be on the final path report. 

Hey thanks for your replies about path reports. I have two, one from my biopsy, and one following surgery. I think it is the "final" one. I'm going to assume that no mention of LVI means they didn't see any evidence of it. I think it just freaked me out (it still does) having such a large tumor.

My mom said the BS came out after surgery and told them the tumor was "encapsulated" and that was "good" but I can't really find anything about encapsulated tumors in the journal literature either. I guess that i am desperate to put the best face on an ugly situation!

Welcome Ann in Florida! I am in the town of LegoLand!

Anneflorida, did you have any chemo? Did you have a masectomy or reconstruction surgery?

I am thinking I belong here because witih multifocal involvement the entire area affected is 9 cm. I can hardly grasp it but I'm trying. Made the choice to do bmx.Trying for calm but today was rough!

Thanks I sure need it.  I have been able to cope OK until today.  Not just the reality of surgery sinking in (I didn't know before today if I'd have surgery or chemo first).  I hate being laid up, ugh, but I keep coming back to the idea that I don't want to regret not taking care of it now before something else happens.... And like I posted elsewhere, my hubby is having a hard time with the idea, but I am standing my ground.  Not that it is easy....

So sorry, Vicki. I hate being part of this sisterhood.... But I LOVE the sisters here. I wish you didn't have to go through this crap. I am so glad they think your nodes are clean. That is awesome.



We are here in your corner. Ask anything. Whine, bitch and moan. Be happy, be depressed. Be optimistic or pessimistic. Cry or scream or laugh til it hurts. We have all been there, we have all done that and we get it. It is frightening and confusing and anxiety ridden and just plain NOT FAIR.

IndigoMom the beginning is the worst. I had to wait 6 weeks post biopsy to get that thing out. I did the bmx, and yes it was scary but I was so relieved after it was done. Like a big weight was lifted. Cancer was removed. You won't be a laid out as you think. I had my surgery done late Tuesday. I think they finished at 8 or 9pm! I went home Thursday.

Friday people were calling and shocked that I was the one answering the phone and sounding like me. My sister can in that Friday, again shocked to see me dressed and looking normal. 1 week post BMX I went to the  hair dresser to get my hair washed. My stylish who has known me for 13 years asked me if I had surgery yet.

I know it's hard to believe but it's really a relief to get the surgery and the cancer out.

BTW I'm all done now. Life is good. You will get there too.

Hi all, I can't tell you how much your feedback means to me.  I can't believe it but somehow I did actually sleep last night, and early this a.m. hubby and I held each other and cried and talked for awhile.  I think we're working on it.  Poor guy. 

Btw - at the risk of sounding like I'm stealing someone's quote - the Hope quote in my signature line is from author Vickie Gerard, from her book There's No Place Like Hope.  I couldn't figure out how to italicize her name - but she deserves the credit (and if you haven't read the book, you'd probably like it).  Anyway, my real name is Dianne - but Indigo is a long preferred screen name.  Either one works for me!!

Iago, were you a fit person before your surgery?  I'm not a smoker or drinker and my health looks like it's perfect except for the cancer, go figure.  However, after losing 30 pounds in 2004, I did what I *said* I would not do and gained 25 pounds back.  My big plan for this year was to work on improved fitness.  The bunion surgery derailed me a little bit but I'm back to taking good walks.  I just hope I'm fit enough to heal like you!  If the bunion surgery was any indication, the first week after that was the hardest too, and I ended up having to wait to take a full shower until the stitches were out in 2 weeks. 

Ossa - I remember the 1980s band Chilliwack!  Are they still around at all?

Doing it for you, not to you... I can remember that!!  I'm just trying to convince hubby.

IndigoMont11 Yes I was in good health. When my onc gave me the sheet that showed all the statistics for doing chemo at the top it had my name and  "heath= Excellent" I had to laugh… excellent except for cancer.

I had been working out including some strength training although I was not by any means muscle bound. My pecs were starting to show and I was about 7lbs thinner than I am now. I just put on 7lbs since January. Happens every winter. Should start to come off in April. The last 10 are so hard to lose. I'm working out again my my arm are not as strong because of LE. I have to work slowly. Lower body is doing well. I started up again in February.

I have always power walked except for the last month or so of chemo.

Having strong stomach muscles really helped me. I had nodes removed on both sides so I couldn't use either arm to help me up for a while.

What scare on silicone implants? Are you talking about possible complications if you have radiation?

This is not my PS but she has a good explanation of all the procedures available except for the one type that is done at the Miami Breast Center.

Types of reconstruction: linky
Miami Breast Center: linky 

Indigo and hope, sorry you are here.  It stinks, especially in the beginning when there are so many unknowns.  You will feel better and it will not be as overwhelming as you begin your treatment.  Who knew there was so much to learn? 

One of the families I work with gave me a poem about how we live our life around plan A.  This is plan B.  We just have to change things for a while! 

I am so grateful to everyone on these forums.  I have learned so much from them.  There is so much you don't get from the Drs and nurses and the ladies here are a wonderful source of support. 

Ana

Did any of you feel pain from your cancer before surgery?  I read on some of Cool Breeze's posts that she said she felt a burning pain in hers.  Mine is more little sharp flashes of pain that come and go.  It isn't new either... but now that I've been diagnosed I'm aware of it.  It is in the area where the cancer is and I suspect hormones have something to do with it.  My periods are starting to come a little farther apart, and both sides are getting more tender.  I guess the end to it is definitely in sight.  I'd wanted to post something about the pain before, but I hate to scare anyone half to death who isn't diagnosed and doesn't actually have cancer.  We all know what that frightmare is like, too.