The path report says it's invasive breast carcinoma, and so far, that's all I know. The mass is about 2.5 centimeters, and it's very high up, almost off the breast. I had what turned out to be a lipoma removed many years ago and a micro-calcification removed some years back, both on that breast. This lump felt different, and from the beginning, I had a hunch something was really wrong this time.
The pathologist is going to do further testing to determine if it's estrogen-receptive, etc. I have an appointment with the surgeon Tuesday, and they said they'd get me in to see the oncologist--whom the surgeon has already been in contact with--ASAP after that.
I told my sister, a Stage I in situ ductal carcinoma survivor, tonight, and she cried. I felt so bad for her. Tomorrow I have to tell my kids, and I DON'T want to fall apart. They're both grown, but my daughter is very empathetic and close to me, and even with my upbeat spiel, it's going to be very hard on her. Ny son lives only an hour away, but my daughter lives 6 hours away, and my siblings live a thousand to 2 thousand miles away. I have friends but nobody who really understands.
I think that the mass is large enough that it's going to be a Stage II at best. Other than that, I don't know what to think. Even though I suspected something was wrong, to go from "I don't have cancer" to "I have cancer" is quite a drop.
Has anyone hear had a mass they discovered when it was that size or larger? If it's invasive, does that mean a lumpectomy is out? I'd appreciate any and all insights, advice, or personal stories you care to share.
Thank you so much!
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