Pathology Report & Treatment

My pathology report came back this morning, so I was finally able to have my follow up appointment with my surgeon this afternoon.  If you're unfamiliar with my story, click HERE

to learn about my journey.

Upon my follow up exam, I learned that I have a large seroma, which is a buildup of clear fluid inside my breast.  It is uncomfortable since it is very hard and is in a place that makes it difficult to maneuver around.  Typing has become a challenge due to its location!  You would almost think it was another mass, it's so large and hard!  I was told that it could take months for this to go away.  I just have to keep my eye on it to watch for any infection.  

The surgeon originally thought my mass was about 3.5 centimeters.  It was actually 4 centimeters.  It has NOT metastasized, so the cancer hasn't spread to other parts of my body, which is FANTASTIC.  I was told that the concept of "levels" with cancer have changed.  It's not just a number 1 - 4 like it has been for many decades.  To make life easy, my prognostic stage is a 1A, which would be the equivalent to a stage 1.  I am not concerned about this cancer taking my life.  It was caught very early, and that is a great blessing.

I was under the impression that I would learn what my treatment would be once my pathology report came back.  Nope.  All I learned is that this cancer process continues to just get dumber and dumber.  My results now have to be sent off to receive an Oncotype DX test.  This test can predict how likely it is for my cancer to return, even though I thought that's what the GENETIC TEST WAS FOR!  It can also tell the doctor if I will benefit from having chemotherapy along with radiation therapy.  It will take 5 - 10 BUSINESS DAYS...basically 2 more weeks, to get the results.  Here's what I don't understand:  WHY WASN'T THE ONCOTYPE TEST DONE WHEN MY MASS WAS SENT TO PATHOLOGY ON MARCH 10TH??  This is a common test.  I was supposed to have my pathology report  LAST Thursday and I had to wait until Tuesday.  Now I have to wait ANOTHER 2 WEEKS to find out my treatment?  I'm a pretty patient person, but this is RIDICULOUS!  I really do have a life.  It's getting busier with Brandon in baseball, and I really need to know how treatment is going to effect my job and my life!  Doctor's need to rethink this process.  We shouldn't have to wait, just to wait again, only to have to wait AGAIN!  Heaven only knows what else I'll have to wait for!

So there's my update.  I won't know my treatment until April 5th.  At this rate, I'm guessing the treatment won't start until May.  Not only do I have to wait to heal before treatment can begin, but who knows how many other issues will come up before I even get to treatment!  The biggest thing I've learned so far is this entire cancer process is stupid.  Test after test, just to wait, and wait, and wait.  Absolutely ridiculous.