Had my post op results today after 1cm lumpectomy and full auxiliary clearance on 9th Jan.
Sat there bewildered as told they removed 18 nodes 4 where cancerous, and they didn’t get a full clearance on my lumpectomy, my surgeon said it was a hard operation as the lump was very deep.
HE scared me to death as he said i going to have a hard 6 months slog of treatment, then after that back for another lumpectomy in 6 months.
Grades were not mentioned, how do i figure it out?
i’m sure there were things i should have asked but my brain can not cope with all this information since my 1st appointment on the 23 Dec,
Hello SuperSue,
So sorry you have had to join our club and that your consultant’s news has been so shocking and devastating.
You ask how you can figure out the grade - the answer is you can’t, that’s something they find out when they check the cells under a microscope (or however they look at them these days). You would have to ask for that or, if you have your pathology report (it seems most English hospitals give these to patients) it should tell you. Why don’t you phone your Breast Nurse (BCN) if you have one or even your GP who will have a copy of the results.
Because you have node involvement, I think it would be standard to have chemo even if it had been a ‘text book’ operation. This can be done for two main reasons, one, as a precaution to mop up any stray cells that may have sneaked through your lymph system and be trying to grow elsewhere (the main reason for chemo after surgery); two, to shrink a tumour before surgery which might otherwise be too big or too risky. People with high grade cancer sometimes are offered chemo even if they have no nodes involved. You may or may not be offered radiotherapy too, but frankly after everything else, that’s a stroll in the park for most people.
I know it sounds trite, but try not to worry too much, the treatment is copable and many people get through with relatively few unpleasant side effects (don’t forget people are more likely to post their worries/fears/bad experiences here than the bits that are OK). I had a large grade 3 tumour and 3 nodes involved, so had ‘the book thrown at it’… I am now through all that and living life to the full.
In the meantime, you could call the helpline (number at the top of the screen) or check the main BCC website which has a usefulleaflet on ‘understanding your pathology report’
Hope all goes well for you in the coming months, take care.
I am posting a couple of links which you may find useful, also as Revcat has mentioned the helpliners are here to offer you further support and information on 0808 800 6000, the lines are open Mon-Fri 9-5 and Sat 9-2
Thank you Revcat & Lucy,
Think i have read every page and publication on this site in the last 2 weeks, its a comfort and great place to be right now to receive and give support.
I going to be here a while, i can ramble too so beware lol
I had much the same situation in feb last year & thought my world had ended. I was originally told rads only after WLE?SNB & when i went for results it was chemo & rads. I know it is very difficult now but you will get through it. Just keep in touch here and everyone will help you through.
I had rads at the Christie Salford & the staff were amazing.
I found out the grade and type of cancer when I had my 1st appointment with the oncologist to discuss my treatment after my mx. It is only when the tumour is removed and analysed that they really know exactly what they are dealing with so that is probably why you haven’t been told anything yet. Once you find out what your treatment plan is I daresay you will be able to have your questions answered then.
My oncologist gave me a written account of everything that she told me at my 1st appointment with her, although I wasn’t given a copy of the pathology report as very often these are not in layman’s terms whereas the oncologist’s account to me was.
Just remember that whatever your cancer type is you will be given the very best treatment for YOU so don’t even worry yourself about what anybody else has had or hasn’t had. We are all individuals and we will all receive our treatment as such.
Things will become clearer in time so try and remain calm and remember that everything will be in your best interests whatever your treatment plan is.