Got my pathology results back from my second surgery. Now, I have medical knowledge, been a nurse for a long time and consider myself fairly intelligent person. I have difficulty understanding the pathology report that get released to my healthcare app. It’s both a blessing and not so much, to have this information available when it is released. I like to know this information as soon as possible for my own processing. That being said, I find myself going down many rabbit hole with the information that I don’t understand. So, this post could definitely be one of those rabbit holes. I see the surgeon this week and will get information and my questions answered than. But for now, “I wonder how many miles I’ve fallen by this time? I must be getting somewhere near the center of the earth”. – Alice in wonderland.

From my second surgery, there were two specimens taken. The first one had two lymph nodes contained within it. The report states that the magnetic bead was not associated with a lymph node. It might have been placed between the lymph nodes to give direction during the surgery. Not sure, but I will ask at my appointment. The most important piece of this whole thing is that NO CANER was found in either of the two lymph nodes. That is cause for a grand celebration in itself. The second specimen was labeled as “axillary contents.” So again, this is all my interpretation, I think that maybe the surgeon thought it could be another lymph node and sent it. It was not a lymph node. It contained fatty tissue and skeletal muscle. My biggest question is, why do my lymph nodes look or don’t look like anyone else’s lymph nodes? I enjoy being unique and weird in my own way. But this is a little extreme. In the first surgery, the two specimens that were sent were thought to be lymph nodes by everyone in the OR. Multiple ways determined that they should have been lymph nodes, and they were not. At my preop appointment for my second surgery, they tested my lymphatic system to have a starting point to keep an eye on lymphoedema. If they hadn’t done that, I would think I had no lymphatic system. I know, dramatic. But this is where my brain goes at times. Realistic or not. The other thing that makes me go, hmmm, is that the incision for my second surgery is on the outer lateral part of my breast. It’s not even in my armpit, where lymph nodes are usually clustered. Me and my nonlymph system, Franken boob, will be on tour with the other medical freak show contestants this summer. Again, dramatic much? I am grateful to have surgeons and doctors who don’t consider me a medical mystery and leave it at that. I know I’m getting great care even with all these weirdo things. I am incredibly grateful to have not needed a total mastectomy and will love my Franken boob till the end. I often wonder about other women with breast cancer. If this is where my mind goes, having knowledge and experience, where do their minds go? Ultimately, no matter where my mind wanders, I write down my questions to ask the doctors, no matter how crazy they seem, and get the answers needed to come back to the surface of reality.