Wednesday, June 08, 2011

She's a believer

Carolyn says that if she wasn't a believer before, she is one now - a believer, that is, in having annual mammograms if you are in a moderate to high risk group.  Catching cancer early can make all the difference in the world.

The surgeon just called with the pathology report on the tissue taken during Carolyn's surgery last week.  As you will recall, the surgeon not only removed both breasts in a bilateral mastectomy, she also removed a tumor that had been identified as cancerous.  The tumor was 1.7 cm in length with "activity beginning in the surrounding tissues."  As previously noted the tumor had characteristics of lobular (branches that lead to the milk ducts) and ductal carcinoma.  The surgeon removed 8 lymph nodes - none of which showed evidence of cancer.

Official diagnosis: Breast Cancer, stage 1-B

What is next? Carolyn will meet with the medical oncologist to discuss whether hormone therapy (the tumor  is estrogen sensitive), chemo therapy or something else is most appropriate.

Oh, the unknown.

2 comments:

  1. Glad to hear that it was caught at a good time. Looking forward to seeing you next month.

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  2. Does that mean you are coming down for the baptism? So glad to hear that Gma has good doctors and that she uses them in the right way.

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