2004-09-02 (Carla Paras-Sison)
The Full Story

In late May 2004, Norman discovered a hard mass on wife Carla’s left breast.

In the two months following, Carla consulted two general practitioners and three surgeons. There was no pain and the mass was non-movable and measured at 5 cms. on June 15.

All three surgeons recommended the same procedure, a “double set-up” or “frozen section biopsy.” A fine needle aspiration biopsy could not be done because the mass was hard as bone.

Under the recommended procedure, a portion of the mass was to be surgically removed, frozen and examined by a pathologist. If it turned out benign, the lump would be removed and if turned out malignant, the entire left breast and associated lymph nodes in the left armpit were to be removed.

In early August, Carla disclosed to her children, Gino, 9 and Dana, 5 that she was preparing for an operation would soon need to be confined in the hospital for a few days. Both children cried, saying they would miss her terribly. They asked for how long she would be in the hospital and it would be at least four days if the operation was going to be extensive.

In preparation for surgery, Carla underwent tests (blood chemistry, liver ultrasound, chest x-ray and mammography of the right breast) on August 14. The liver, lungs and right breast turned up clear (no lesions). On that day, the mass on the left breast measured 6 cms. by 3 cms.

On August 19, after the results of pre-operative tests, including blood chemistry, were considered by a pulmonologist, Carla received a cardio-pulmo clearance declaring she was fit for major surgery.

Carla was admitted into hospital at 9 a.m. of August 30. Surgery was at 5:30 on the same day. The mass on the left breast measured 7cms. by 4 cms. The frozen section biopsy indicated malignancy and a radical mastectomy was performed on her left breast.

The histo-pathological report later showed cancer at Stage III B, with 22 out of 24 lymph nodes removed positive for malignancy. A bone scan was requested to determine if the cancer has reached bone.

Extensive chemotherapy was recommended, plus radiotherapy. Another examination of the removed breast and lymph nodes is being done to determine if Carla’s condition will respond to hormonal therapy.