Bilateral mastectomy

[rousson]

Hi I just had a bilateral mastectomy on the 21st of May and they kept me only two days. They removed my drains and the doctor told me nothing except my pathology reports will take two weeks to find out anything is this common, he also removed two nodes from the left breast he did the sentinal node dye and on the right he said he just took a node because he saw one. Is this common to not know anything.

[Katlee58]

I hope you have a few answers by now about your pathology report.  I would suggest that you also get a good book on breast cancer to help you understand some of the report when you get it.  Be sure and ask for a copy.  Even though one of your doctors will surely explain it, until you have had a chance to see the report, you may not even know what questions to ask.

I had a radical mastectomy in November and just took my last chemo treatment last week, so I would love to hear about your progress and lend " a shoulder to cry on" if you need one on this journey we face.

Please keep in touch.

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

The processing of tissues and issuing pathology reports vary from center to center.  The physical appearance of the lesions found during mastectomy does not conclude to anything and the pathologist evaluation will determine the nature of the findings.  For now, I suggest you talk with your doctor regarding the side effects or complications to watch out for after the surgery.  Some complications would include edema, or fluid accumulation underneath the skin area.  There could also be some form of pain and discomfort.  I hope everything will turn out fine.

Regards and God bless.