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Dear Dr. Farella,
I am writing to tell you of the outcome of my recent tests. After the alarming news that I had breast cancer, I brought the slides to another pathologist at New York Medical Center, secretly hoping he would have different findings. Needless to say, he had the same diagnosis: infiltrating lobular cancer. He, like you, thought I was fortunate to have found it in such an early stage, agreeing that a tumor of less than 5mm is rarely found. He confirmed that it probably would not have shown up on a mammogram. I view it as some sort of divine intervention.
With the confirmation of diagnosis, I went to a breast surgeon. We waited six weeks from the breast reduction surgery to have an MRI of the breasts. The only unusual element was an enlarged mammary lymph node. It was checked out by means of an ultrasound. I was told not to worry about it. After three months, I had a mammogram that showed nothing.
After meeting with a medical oncologist, we decided that a sentinel node biopsy should be done. It was done last week. Today I found out that the nodes removed showed no signs of cancer.
I sit here five months after surgery believing what you first told me: this was a lucky finding. Most professionals I consulted with were surprised to learn that a tumor this small was found during a routine examination of expected-healthy tissue from a breast reduction. It is a great credit to the pathologist.
I will never forget your face when you told me of the finding. You were more upset than I was. In the end, your research into what I should do next is the option before me today. I will, in all likelihood, have to take Tamoxifen and have radiation treatment on the breast.
You have been such a good friend to me, I can never thank you enough for your support during this trying time. I will always be grateful.
-Anne N. |
