How long to get your diagnosis?

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Footballnut
Footballnut Member Posts: 742
edited June 2014 in Just Diagnosed

On feb 27 I was told that there are cancer cells in my lymph nodes. This was based on an unites sound biopsy completed the week before. I had surgery on  March 17 bit must admit that I am somewhat confused as to why some women seem to know more about their cancer before surgery than I do now

My follow up appt is on April 2 so am hoping for the best but can't help but expect the worst

What bothers me most is that prior to surgery I was told that all lymph nodes would be removed. I was then told that 10-15 nodes would be removed

After surgery my husband was told that he looked for certain points and that he couldn't or wouldn't say how many he took. 

I understand that I won't know my stage or additional details until my follow up appt but just wonder how this has worked for other women

My challenge is that I'm always thinking 10 steps ahead which can be a strength and weakness so I'm always trying to read more than what was said. In think it's also know as second guessing

I look forward to hearing from others

Many thanks!!

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  • TB90
    TB90 Member Posts: 992
    edited March 2014

    Footballnut:  The waiting is so difficult.  I was told that I had to wait three weeks post surgery for my final pathology results.  That meant waiting over the Christmas holidays.  My BS advised me that if she received the results sooner than that, she would call me, and that she did at about 5am one morning early January.  Check with your dr if they can call you if they receive the results sooner. In the meantime, try to do anything but google and guess at what your final dx may be.  My BS left following my surgery before even speaking with us, so that left me without any info.  Knowing more pre-surgery is not much help as that info can change and often does in the final pathology report.  So try to keep yourself busy and as distracted as possible.  I won't even try to tell you not to worry :)

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2014

    Each stage of my diagnosis took about 2 weeks or so. After a "bad" mammogram, it took about 2 weeks to see the surgeon, then 2 weeks for the biopsy. (Results of the biopsy only took about 3 or 4 days - the surgeon called me.) Second surgery took another two weeks, for final staging. 

    My surgeon did not remove all lymph nodes. He performed what is called a "sentinel node biopsy." Dye was injected before surgery, that would show the lymph nodes nearest to the breast during surgery. These sentinel nodes are first in line to any further on, so if they are clear, there is no cancer further up the chain.Those sentinel nodes were examined by the pathologist during surgery & looked OK on first exam. If they are all clear, no further surgery is necessary. But in my case, further examination by the pathologist (after the original quick look during surgery) showed cancer in four out of the five sentinel nodes. So, I had to have a later surgery for my surgeon to remove more lymph nodes further up the chain. I had a total of 21 lymph nodes removed with cancer in 5 of them. 

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited March 2014

    football - axillary nodes occur in levels - I, II, and III. The levels correspond to locations pertinent to the pectoralis muscle. It is possible that your surgeon did not take all three levels based on his observations during surgery. Also, lymph nodes are usually encased in a fat pad -  the number of nodes varies from level to level and person to person. The fatty tissue is submitted to the pathologist and he or she will indicate on the path report how many nodes are contained. The surgeon may not actually know for sure how many were removed until the report is issued.

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  • Footballnut
    Footballnut Member Posts: 742
    edited March 2014

    many thanks for the responses!  It makes me feel better and confident that nothing is being "kept" from me. Funny how I've started to think as I start this journey!!

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  • vbishop
    vbishop Member Posts: 616
    edited March 2014

    I received all of my results sooner than everyone is posting.  A lot of that has to do with my oncologist's office manager and her tenacity in tracking down results.  Every cancer patient needs a Stephanie in their life!!

    I had my diagnostic mammogram on Thursday, 9/5.  Results to my doctor Friday am.  Biopsy scheduled for 9/13; results the following Monday.  I had an appointment with my surgeon on Thursday, 9/19, meeting with the oncologist on 9/24, sentinel lymph node biopsy on 9/25, PET scan on 9/26, results for both on 9/27.  Meeting with Plastic Surgeon on 9/30, bilateral mastectomy on 10/8.  The only time I had to wait any length of time was for the onconotype test - that took 2-1/2 weeks.

    I am blessed to have an amazing medical team that, even at the 6-month mark, continue to chat and keep each other in the loop on every aspect of my care.  During my reconstruction, I asked my PS to feel a lump under my arm to see if I should be concerned.  He told me to check with my surgeon the following week.  When I called to schedule the appointment, my surgeon's nurse already knew why I was calling.  And my Stephanie called me (the oncologist's right hand "man") to ask me to let her know what we find.  Turned out it was just a pocket of fluid.  I was amazed how well my medical team kept in touch with each other.


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