Hi there @Peri ... its so nice to see you again. I know things have been pretty difficult for you lately, and I do apologise for not getting back to your own thread. I've been meaning to, and will definitely do so when I can.
Just to clarify for you. Grade 3, not Stage 3. I do not know what Stage I am yet, but the biopsy indicated that the cancer was a Grade 3.
There are two things that they base Prognosis on. A staging level, which is based on whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. I do not know that yet. I guess I will find out after sentinal node biopsys are done prior to surgery. And maybe chest xrays, blood tests or MRIs if they think its needed.
But they do know the Grading of the particular cancer I have. Mine is a Grade 3 tumour, which is of a high grade and the cells look very different from normal cells, and are fast growing. They can tell this from the Core biopsy that they took from the lump and which pathology analysed. From the information I have been given in this booklet .. there are only 3 grades, of which mine (at a Grade 3) is the highest.
The size of the tumour is only small, 12mm ... around the size that can be felt. Mind you I never felt a thing until they told me there was something there. But now ... yep, I can certainly feel it.
Oh dear, I am sorry you had the issues with scarring, seromas and lymphodema. I believe lymphodema is a common issue for many. Yes I think there is a lot to be said for still having 2 boobs! I am no fashion model and nor am I particularly vain, but I would like to look as normal as possible. I imagine it would be hard to buy any clothes which looked half reasonable with only one breast. So I am definitely hoping to go for the breast conservation surgery too. I dont know at this stage whether I'm going to need extensive lymph node removal, or not. Further tests will no doubt determine that. I'm glad your physio is able to treat lymphodema. Is it something which comes and goes, ie never really goes away?
I dont know if breastcare nurses are all over Australia .. I thought they were. But perhaps there arent enough to go around in some states. Or perhaps you need to be referred to one, and nobody did that for you?
No, chemo has not been mentioned for me. Something to do with the type of cancer ... if it is Hormone Receptor status of ER+ or PR+ (as mine is) then surgey, radiation and hormone therapy is the most effective. If, on the other hand, the cancer was HER2+ then chemo is often the best course to take. My cancer is HER2-, so chemo is not indicated. All these are determined from the tests on the breast tissue analysed from the core biopsy of the tumour. Nothing to do with the Grading. As I said, I do not know what Stage I am, because they havent determined if the cancer has spread to nodes or elsewhere yet.
Gosh it sounds like you had the triple whammy Peri ... you poor thing. Radiation therapy and chemo and then the hormone suppression therapy. Yuk. Looks like I will only need the radiation and the hormone suppression, after surgery of course.
Thanks for the explanation with the hook wire, I hadnt been able to find out anything about that.
Yes, I think I do need more information, but I think I need a referral to a surgeon or specialist first. Then they can do further tests to see if the cancer has spread to nodes or other organs. That will then give them a Staging level, and will determine the extent of any surgery I may need.
I dont want to tell my family, I really dont. I see no reason to tell them. Yes .. one thing at a time. Thank you so much for your very helpful information and for trusting me with some quite pesonal experiences. I very much appreciate it Peri.
Peri ... how is your Son doing, and your little grand daughter?
Emelia
