Lumpectomy and Lymph Node Dissection Tomorrow

MariaTeresaG
MariaTeresaG Member Posts: 38
edited May 2015 in ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)

Hello All:

Since first learning that I have ILC in my left breast in March, today is the first that I am deep in thought about it. My husband was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in December, so that was a roller-coaster ride. Followed by my discovery on March 7.

What should I expect tomorrow and days that follow? I know I will have radiation therapy and hormone supression treatment. The jury is still out on chemotherapy.

Also, there is a discrepancy regarding the size of the cancer. The ultrasound sized the cancer at 1.7x.7 cm. The MRI sized the cancer at 3x4 cm. The surgeon told me the cancer may have been swollen from the biopsy on the day of the MRI. The oncologist told me MRI makes things appear larger than reality. Any ideas about that are appreciated.

Thanks a bunch, MariaTeresa

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Comments

  • kar123
    kar123 Member Posts: 273
    edited May 2015

    Good luck tomorrow Maria! Sending you healing thoughts! Unfortunately with ILC imaging doesn't always tell the whole story. Your doctor won't know until he/she is in there and even then it may just come down to if they get clear margins. Just in case be prepared for things to possibly change. Not sure if you have kids or not but kind of like when you go into labor with a plan and next thing you know your getting a c-section. Keep your eye on the goal of getting better.

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  • MariaTeresaG
    MariaTeresaG Member Posts: 38
    edited May 2015

    Thanks for the encouragement kar123. I'm 6 days out from surgery. There were complications when my bronchials went into spasms at 2 different points during surgery. After surgery my oxygen level and bp were both low, so they kept me overnight. When I returned home I experienced severe muscle pain throughout my body.

    The MRI showed a 3x4 cm mass, so surgeon removed that plus allowed for margins. That incision is @ 4/5 inches. The nodes incision is @ 3 inches. That one is painful. I haven't heard about the pathology from the surgery.

    I do appreciate your heads up re expecting the unexpected.

    Maria

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  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited May 2015

    Wow MT, that's quite a story! I have never heard of a cancer swelling due to biopsy or MRI magnification of tumor size. Are your doctors breast specialists?

    I hope your recovery is much less eventful and that the pathology report comes back quickly after this long holiday weekend. Be sure to get a copy and consider where you would go for a second opinion if more surgery is suggested...

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  • MariaTeresaG
    MariaTeresaG Member Posts: 38
    edited May 2015


    Hello vlnprh...I now have the results of the lymph nodes biopies. 5 were removed. 4 tested positive for cancer. My port is being installed on Monday, 6/1.

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