Waiting For Pathology Report
Second biopsy completed today, 12/30/02, with no
complications.
As expected, Ann had a second stereotactic core
needle biopsy on Monday (12/30/02) morning at Glenbrook Hospital. There were no
complications and she rested well the remainder of the day. Today she is back
at work. We do not expect a pathology report until Thursday (1/2/03) or Friday
(1/3/03).
This biopsy was ordered by
Ann's surgeon to examine additional calcifications which appear less threatening
than those from the first biopsy. Ann's surgeon wants to know whether any of
these additional sites are also malignant before recommending a treatment plan.
The sites for this biopsy are more
dispersed than those for the first biopsy and consequently they were harder to
locate and sample. This biopsy was harder on Ann than the first because more
tissue was taken and the procedure lasted
longer.
We expect a longer wait for this
pathology report for several reasons. First, there is more tissue to examine
and this tissue has fewer calcifications so they may be harder to find. Second,
staffing levels may be down due to the New Year's holiday
tomorrow.
We are optimistic that the
pathologists will find no cancer in this biopsy. The radiologist did not
consider these sites threatening in themselves; this biopsy is just to make sure
there is no problem. The vast majority of calcifications are benign. At least
that is what we will hope for this evening as we bring in the New
Year.
Love,
Ann and Nello
Posted: Tue - December
31, 2002 at 12:00 AM