Pathology

My pathology report came back today, but my Primary Care Doctor didn't tell me much. She did say it was "invasive carcinoma" which I knew because there were 3 lumps that were biopsied. Invasive only means it has left the milk ducts and is in the breast tissue.

I asked about grade and it is grade 2, which is encouraging! That means it is moderately differentiated from the normal cells. Grade 2 cancer cells do not look like normal and they grow and divide somewhat faster than normal, BUT, it's not the disorganized and irregular, fast-growing grade 3.

Since my Radiology Oncologist scanned carefully under my armpits, she assured me it does not appear to be in my lymph nodes. Of course, they won't know for certain until surgery and they test one or two of them. I also cannot be given "stage" yet, but we think I am stage 1 which has a lump less than 2 cm and has not spread to lymph nodes. It is possible I could be at stage 2, but that's still not too advanced. See? There's always a bright side and it could always be worse!

I have my first appointment with the surgeon, that my Primary Care Doctor chose for me, on Friday. She said he is very good and she used him for her mother. She assures me that he will spend a lot of time with me explaining everything and that her mother's scars were very nicely done. We will see if our personalities jive!

At this point, I'm actually excited that I finally have this much information and that I have an appointment in 3 days! It makes me feel like I'm moving forward in the right direction. I want to get this battle started and behind me! Cancer sucks!