Please help - lymph nodes were clear and now they aren't

Brenda123

Hi,

I was diagnosed with bc in Feb of 2008 with my lymph nodes clear.  I did 3rd generation chemo that was dose dense  4 treatments of ac every two weeks then 4 treatments of taxol.  I just finished up about a month ago.  I was getting ready for radiation when I felt a lump under my arm that I had the cancer on.  I had a pet scan, chest ct and bone scan.  My doctors believe it is cancer in my lymph nodes.  I just found out today and am awaiting a call from the surgeon to get a lymph node dissection.   Has this happened to anyone else?  I"m in shock.  Does anyone have some positive advise for me?  My doctors thought my sentinel reading from February may have been a false negative.

Thank you in advance.

Brenda 

BethNY

Brenda there is the chance that the sentinal was a false negative.  Because chemo didn't get it, after they do the node dissection, they may recommend radiation.  I know this is a set back, but your docs are on top of it, and you will have a plan of action soon.

Please keep us posted.  We're here for you.

TenderIsOurMight

 

Very sorry you are in this situation. I can only imagine your frustration. Thankfully your doctors are as Beth said, right on top of it.

 

May I suggest you request comparison of your first surgery hormone markers (ER and PR) and HER2 marker, and the same markers done on the new, to-be-removed lymph node(s) to see they agree with each other? Perhaps there is some discordance which may explain your situation and shed light on treatment(s). Such a repeat is routinely done, and the pathologist may add molecular studies too.

 

I did have lymph node involvement, so elected to have radiation. I'm doing well seven years out. There is much available for you, so try not to despair.

 

Glad you have found us. Please let us know how you do. If you get scared, well, just post again as someone is here pretty much all the time.

 

My best to you,

Tender 

 

Brenda123

Thank you Tender and Beth.  I appreciate the feed back.  I've already spoken with the radiation doctor and we plan on radiation after the surgery.  My surgeon is on vacation for 11 days, but I've got an appointment on the day she gets back. Of course, I keep hoping this is a terrible mistake, and I would wake up from this dream.

 Tender, thank you for sharing that you had lmyph node involvement and I am thrilled you are doing great!! 

God bless you

LittleFlower

Brenda, sorry that you have to deal with this... just when you thought you were done!

If it is of any consolation, A friend of mine had the same experience.  She was node negative on original dx a few years back, and just a few months ago found a swollen node that was cancerous.  she had a dissection, and chemo, and rads... so far so good.  only difference is that her node involvement was a couple years out from her original dx.  So that's probably where the extra chemo came into play.  You just finished so i don't know how the whole chemo route plays for you now.  Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. 

As far as lymph node involvement.. it's not the answer to the puzzle.  Yes it is SO SCARY.  I'm sure we all wish we had less involvement with our cancers. you'll realize that this is not 'the end'.  just get rid of that nasty cancer so you can start healing and living again!!! Hugs and prayers.

LittleFlower