A Shocking Diagnosis and Decisions To Be Made

March 25, 2003

I am scheduled for more mammogram films after my routine mammogram the week before.  I am not concerned in any way because there is no breast cancer in my family.  I do not have risk factors.  I am often asked to return, it is no big deal.  By the end of what was to be a 15 minute appointment and turned out to be a 3 hour ordeal I know that I have a suspicious lump and a suspicious lymph node to keep it company.  In noticeable steps the staff went from courteous to sympathetic to consoling.  Still, I'm hopeful and think the path report will come back negative.  (For more insight into my perceptions of this appointment link to the May 2003 newsletter.)

An appointment is made with a surgeon.  They ask if I have a preference.  How could I?  I get on the phone and call several people who, I think, would know who would be a good fit for me.  I have an appointment scheduled for 2 days later. 

The path report comes back with just the results that the pathologist had expected:  "Stage I-II infiltrating mammary duct carcinoma, combined grade II/III, involving approximately 70% of the specimen, up to 1.2 cm in length, with perineural invasion and areas suspicious for angiolymphatic invasion."  The report also indicates that the lymph node is highly suspicious. 

What a drag.  I am still not worried, just put out.  This is not the time to interfere with my life.  Then, when is?  I had just begun a yoga business with a partner last year.  We are doing well, but we need both of us, and a third teacher we acquired, to be at our best.  It looks like my best may not be as good as it was this time last year. 

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