As I mentioned in the previous post, the next step was to visit with a plastic surgeon because it was felt that the "next" surgery would require some reconstruction. I visited with her with my daughter on facetime. The plastic surgeon began to review some of my MRI images. She came upon the one that clearly showed the cancer from the breast tumor had invaded the chest wall. The radiologist had determined that "Enhancement posterior to this mass, anterior to the right pectoralis musculature corresponds with a vascular structure without invasion of the right pectoralis musculature identified."
In layman's terms, this means that he felt the MRI showed a vascular stucture (blood vessel) and that there had been no invasion of the chest muscle by the mucinous carcinoma. During the original surgery, the skeletal muscle has extensive invasion of the skeletal muscle, as stated in the previous blog post.
She suggested that we request a second review of the MRI results by radiology. Following that review, I got a phone call from my cancer surgeon who said that, in addition to the invasion of the chest wall muscle with the carcinoma, there may also have been an invasion of the underlying rib and/or sternum. They referred me to a thoracic surgeon. I will meet with him on July 28th.
So I am told that all three surgeons will participate in the actual surgery. I was also told, just like the last time, they really won't know how extensive the surgery will be until they actually get into the breast and determine the extent of the invasion. It all sounds a bit elaborate to me.
In light of the above, my husband and I decided to get away for a few days before the doctor appointments started up again. I'll discuss that in my next post.
Kathy, take your time and come to peace. Maybe a nice rural winery or something.
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