waiting to hear about the nodes

CHB87 · November 2018

Hi all,

I had my lumpectomy/reduction/node biopsy done on Tuesday the 13th. Made it through surgery and I am healing nicely. During the node biopsy two nodes were identified as the gatekeepers and taken out. A frozen section biopsy was done and then sent off to the lab. I am glad that only two were taken, as that tells me nothing was apparent in the lymph nodes HOWEVER I am super anxious about micromets showing up in the pathology.

Waiting is the hardest part for sure. I keep reminding myself that

1) Micromets doesn't always have mean chemo

2) Micromets doesn't always have to mean more surgery

3) Micromets is treatable

I just want answers. I foolishly thought my mind would be at ease after the surgery but here I am, still anxious, still waiting.

Salamandra · November 2018

The waiting games! I also did not see it coming after the lumpectomy, but it makes sense. That's when they get the clinical staging and it matters a lot. That was my time when I caved and ended up getting new meds for anxiety.

If it helps, my breast surgeon didn't think there would be cancer in the nodes and she was right. Your tumor is smaller than mine.

On the other hand, after that, then they sent it out for an oncotype test and I had another wait to hear back about chemo. That wait wasn't as bad, though. Maybe partly due to the new meds...

What a ride.

(Also it felt like forever for the pathology results to come back after my surgery - from October 18th (surgery date) until October 30th).

GreenHarbor · November 2018

The waiting is sooooo hard!! My results took a week. When my surgeon called and said stage 1, I heard very little else of what she said. I asked her to review them with me again at my first post op appointment. She did, and gave me a printed copy of the pathology report. I felt much better once I knew what the plan was. Good luck

CHB87 · November 2018

Salamandra,

mine did not think there was involvement either. she thinks this is a case of early detection based on what she saw in the original pathology. I'm JUST under you. it measured in at 9mm pre surgery. no idea what the final measurement is. I have a post op with my BS on Wednesday but I'm starting to realize, I probably won't have the full pathology by then.

I still have trazadone for sleep so I'm hoping to get by on that until I know what's what. coming here to vent and talk to others def helps.

Salamandra · November 2018

CHB87,

You're actually well under me I'm not sure why, but this forum shows 1cm for anything between 1cm and 2cm. My tumor actually came out to 1.8cm, so in a way just under the line for technically stage 2.

Yeah, I didn't get my pathology results until the day before my post op. It was brutal. Maybe there are zen master level women who could manage not to worry but I definitely wasn't one of them! Riding my bike helped, eating helped, reading this forum and about breast cancer in general actually helped. Also, I found there are some organizations with social workers that you can talk to for free. They have been some great listeners for me. They have some experience with women going through this, even if they are not medical, they know what questions to ask, and they're good for letting me talk through things without endlessly annoying my friends.

For me - my union had one, and there is a Jewish organization called Sharsheret in case that applies to you, and my hospital had one (though I had to look a lot harder than I ought to have to find her). If your hospital doesn't have one, maybe they can help you find one. Or you can look online (and maybe ask for help here, for googling).

Wednesday - do you mean tomorrow? You are so close!

CHB87 · November 2018

yeah I noticed the forum does categorizes lt in a strange way.

I've been trying to use my zen master ways to keep calm. yesterday was rough. reading the books "When things fall apart" has been helpful. I am a social worker myself so that probably helps. I thought about contacting the social workers if things get real bad. using a lot of mindfulness right now.

and yes, tomorrow! I don't know if I'll get the full pathology tomorrow (something tells me I wont) but I'm hoping to hear something

Lucy55 · November 2018

CHB87...Thinking of you ..the waiting is awful ☹️..I think you will get your full report tomorrow..Hoping for great news for you !

CHB87 · November 2018

Nodes are clear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

tumor was a bit bigger than they thought. 1.8 cm

margins are clear. just waiting on the oncotype Dx to make sure I can skip chemo.

for now, i have relief

DeeBB · November 2018

CHB87,

Great news! I'll keep you in my thoughts for low numbers on the DX test as well.

Wigging2000 · November 2018

wonderful news!!!!!! Happy Thanksgiving!

Salamandra · November 2018

Yay! And looks like we're tumor sisters

I have found each wait to be a little easier than the previous one. On the other hand, I feel worn down over time.

Did they say when you should hear about the oncotype?

Lucy55 · November 2018

CHB87...great news !!!!

CHB87 · November 2018

Not sure when I will hear about my oncotype. I am keeping my fingers crossed for a low score. I meet with the oncologist on the 6th so we should def have it by then. Oddly enough, I am not as anxious about that...same with the BRCA test. i wasn't anxious about that either....i knew it was going to be negative for some reason...I almost feel like my score is going to be low but I don't want to get my hopes up because I know there are folks who thought that and ended up with a higher score.

waiting to hear about the nodes

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