Pathology Report

Kind of a discouraging end to the day. While we don't have all the details yet, it appears that we need to take some time and regroup -- probably get 2nd opinions, at this point.

The day started with an 8am appointment for the CT Scan at the radiological oncologist's office to check the location of the mammosite balloon and everything looked good there. She told us the pathology report hadn't been received and that she would call us when it came in. At 11:30, her office called to say the report probably wouldn't be received until tomorrow.

At 4:30, the surgeon's office assistant called thinking that the oncologist had talked with us about the pathology report, which hadn't happened. The surgeon got on the phone and explained that a small "hot" area (an area to which the nuclear medicine was draining) had showed up unexpectedly during the surgery. After the surgery, he told me he thought it might just have been some residual from the nuclear medicine needle poke. However, the pathology report indicated that it was another tumor about 2mm in size. He also said that it probably shouldn't be treated with the localized radiation and that he might even advise having a mastectomy.

So, we'll get an appointment tomorrow with the oncologist (the surgeon is in the OR all day tomorrow). One big question is why this wasn't caught by the MRI, which is supposed to be the most sensitive test we could get and presumably should have caught this other tumor. One thing I never like to hear is the word "suprise" when it comes to a surgeon discussing a surgery (particularly when it involves my wife).

Our faith is strong, but we are a bit deflated. Everything seemed to be falling into place fairly neatly for a quick resolution to this issue, but it looks like that won't happen. Not sure yet whether the longer course of radiation is a possibility, but I guess we'll get more answers tomorrow. The surgeon suggested getting a late morning appointment with oncologist so that they would have a chance to talk prior to our appointment.

Please continue to pray that we'll gain an understanding of what the medical issues are at this point and that we'll have the wisdom to make the best decisions.