Is there hope for Lymph Node involvment?

Tabb2000

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in early January.  I have a tumor that is 2.5 cms.  The doctors did a biopsy of a random lymph node and it tested positive.  They decided to do chemo first, then surgery (bil-m).  Im down to the last two chemos and have handled chemo very well with minimal side effects.  It's always really ,really bothered me knowing that I have at least one lymph node that is positive.  I read through these forums almost daily and try to find positive success stories of women whose nodes tested postive.  Im just so worried that since it spread to the nodes, that I have no chance of being a long term survivor.  Im so young (31) with two small children and cant seem to plan for the furture.  Are there any of you out there with lymph node involvment feeling the same way?  Or are there any success stories of node positive women who beat this and have happily moved on with their lives?

idaho

I bet they are out there, But as I have found out that most of the women who have beat this are not on these boards, they are out living their lives.  It is beatable though... don't lose hope, fight with all you have.  Tami

maryannecb

I am glad to report that there are many many longterm node positive survivors, myself included. It takes time to get comfortable with your health again but it does happen. My life is pretty much the same as before with a little uncertainty thrown in....

The stage three board is well-populated with NED, node positive women...check it out.

TenderIsOurMight

Hi Tabb and Idaho,

 

I am nearing the eighth year anniversary of my node positive diagnosis. My tumor was 1+ cm, multifocal, ER+, grade II, and involved a good portion of a sentinel node. I had a mastectomy, chemotherapy and elected to add radiation. I mention the latter because it is in my opinion, at least worth thinking about. I posted recently on this:

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/96/topic/732309?page=1#idx_7

 

It helps tremendously to know women and men are presently successful in their treatments. How to fully conquer the breast cancer beast lays ahead in our knowledge path as yet. I do feel, based on my bc readings, that the knowledge of what is called the "molecular biology" of breast cancer (the genetic underpinnings and programmed molecular cell responses and reactions of breast cancer and normal cells) is being unraveled at a tremendous pace and will greatly taylor individual treatment. From this expansive and new knowledge, there is a good chance a change to a chronic disease state will replace our current unknowns. Clinical trials remain vital, as this is where group numbers help sift a positive result from a negative.

 

There are many long term survivors now with breast cancer. Perhaps others will offer the numbers which defy my brain just now. With ER + disease, hormonal treatment with Tamoxifen or the aromatase inhibitors (arimidex, femara, aromasin, falsodex), all also known as SERMS (selective estrogen receptor modulators) have increased survival substantially.

 

I wish you and all the very best on this journey. I understand the fear, the highs and the lows, and the need for hope and joint support to put one foot in front of the other each day.

 

My best to you,

Tender 

Gez052

My heart aches for you Tabb. A diagnosis of cancer is terrifying and it's hard to see a positive future. I also have lymph node involvement and so far have yet to see my oncologist. I was operated on in mid March.

I took heart from the knowledge that my surgeon chose to remove all axillary nodes and that only 2 were involved. To me this is a positive.  I fully intend to outlive the disease and i know that most patients do better with low numbers of lymph nodes affected (up to 3 is considered low). So try not to despair. There are many women out there doing very well despite lymph node involvement. It is most certainly NOT a death sentence. And yes, there IS definite hope for lymph node involvement.

Hugs xxx

Curlylocks

Hi Tabb,

YES THERE IS GREAT HOPE FOR POSITIVE LYMPH NODE INVOLVEMENT!!!

I had a 4cm tumour, IDC, grade III and 3 positive lymph nodes in 2005 at age 41 (will be 45 next month)...will be 4 years clear this October.  Treatment was agressive, tough but I am proof that there are lots of positive lymph node stories.

Hugs to you and your small children, you will do this and see them grow up.....

 Love

Michele

Tabb2000

Thank you ladies for your response!  Please keep em coming!  1 more chemo left for me, then Im off to surgery and it looks like my path matches pretty close to Curlylocks and Gez052. 

deb6563

I too am  node positive.  After a visit to my onc this week and spending over an hour with her discussing things.  I am POSITIVE that there is hope.  Did your oncologist do a computer program with you that shows your chances of recurrance?  Mine did.  Without chemo and radiation there is a 50% chance that mine will recur within the next 10 years.  With chemo and radiation it drops to less than 25% chance of recurrance within the next 10 years.

There is always hope.  With the prayers of my family, friends, and church family, I know that I will see my grandchildren grow up, and I don't even have grandchildren yet (that is a hint to my son and daughter in law by the way)

Texgirl

Just had my 4 year check up yesterday...and as far as we know still NED..I was stage IIIc and dx. with 22/22+ nodes...I, too, had a mastectomy , axillary node dissection,,chemo and rads...doing great on Aromasin....

My onc. said that I was not uncommon ....amazing.That would not have been my opinion over 4 yrs ago....so keep positive !

KerryMac

Texgirl - that is great news! An inspiration for us lot going through Chemo right now and worried...!

fightinhrd123

Well ive only been out of chemo since September, but i had lymph nodes involved, and chemo first, and when i had my surgery not one cancer cell was left anywhere.  I'm feeling much better, you will get your life back

Laura

gardenbird

Hi Tabb,

Just to let you know I was diagnosed with 2.5cm IDC (ER/PR+) and 22 lymph nodes positive in Feb 2007 (IIIC) and was absolutely terrified, as I have 2 children just 6 and 11 then.  I did 35 rads and 6 x TAC and am now on Tamoxifen.  I was treated here in the Netherlands. I am feeling great now, full of energy, swimming twice a week, cycling, taking care with my diet (with some slip ups!) etc.  I know at the beginning this seems so daunting, but you will be heartened by the positive stories here as I have been.  I love the threads where I read about node positive ladies living to be old and grey.  I know I don't know the future, but I have tried to set the fear on the side for now and really enjoy my life, my family and my health.  You will get through this and enjoy your life again.  

lkc

Hi !

I had 12 out of 14 pos nodes May 05. Coming up on 4 years and perfectly fine now.

you will be too!

jude14

Hi Tabb 2000.....my sister in law had breast cancer 25 years ago with 3 or 4 lymph nodes involved and she is still here and doing fine today.  Never had a recurrence after her lumpectomy and preventive chemo (her chemo was only given as an injection and not the drip because it was just for prevention and back then they did things different.)  and rads....She did not do any pills either!!!!!!!!!!!   jude14

smerf

One of my doctors is about 15 years out, with positive nodes. She is doing great, and there are many more stories like that. Most of them are not posting on these boards, as they are too busy with life!

Best to you through your treatment.

reen

I have a question about node involvement.  I had 2/44 nodes.  I asked about radiation of the node area and my doctor said it was only necessary to do radiate the breast area.  If the cancer spread to the nodes, wouldn't you think that area should get treatment as well?  I did have chemo.

lexislove

reen,

Best to ask for a second opinion or a third. Some doctors say yes...and some will say "you are in that grey area". I hate that phrase, it basically means YOU can decide if you want it or not. There has been a lot of threads about this topic. You will here lots of womans theories, yay and nay.

All I can say is get as much info as you can and make the right decision for YOU! After all your the one that has to live the rest of your life with your decisions. I have my opinion, but I'm sure other woman would disagree.

Maybe post this question on the Radiation board....so you won't get missed and it can get answered!

reen

Thanks, I'll go check it out.

Jellydonut

7 years here!!  Diagnosed in 2002, 1.9 cm with a nodule and 3 positive nodes.  When I heard positive nodes, I thought I was as good as dead.....well, as my friends say....not so fast...

Best to you,

Jelly 

Alyson

There are a lot of us out there. I had 23/24 nodes positive 2+ years ago and I am determined to be around for a long time yet. Take all the treatment you can, it might seem daunting at present but it's doable.

Reen I would definitely ask for a second opinion but it is your decision.

Alyson

nelia48

It has been so inspiring and encouraging to read all this!  I get scared, too, sometimes and wonder what's ahead for me.  I waited years and years after finding the lump because I just didn't have the money and no insurance, and the tumor was so big it had broken through the skin.  No one had to tell me lymph nodes were involved ---- it felt like bees stinging me all the time under my arm.  But the chemo did what it was supposed to do, and by the time I got to surgery, my oncologist could no longer feel the tumor or lymph nodes.  I'm not ready to build a pine box either!

apple

none of us are

kimf

I had 15 out of 23 come back positive and am a 4 year survivor and counting!

reen

Wow Kim!  That's great and really encouraging.

jrgolomb

I am so glad for this post.  Thank you . 

Jayne_in_UK

I love this thread! All you inspiring node positive women have really given me hope for the future. I know I will have positive nodes, just not sure how many yet. I will be having a mastectomy and axillary clearance on May 11.

In a way I should be grateful for my positive node(s) because it was noticing changes in my armpit area that made me go to my GP and get it checked out. I could not see or feel anything in my breast. I know now that I have microcalcifications that are too small to be felt.

sallyk

I was dx with 33 postive nodes and that was after I had chemo. It will be 4 years this coming July.It does get better with time.

Sallyk

GOGOT1

I HAD ONE POS NODE OUT OF 14. I'M ALMOST 3 YEARS CANCER FREE!

I UNDERSTAND HOW YOU FEEL BUT BE STRONG EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE!!!!

GOGOT1

Rainenz

I had 6/14 pos nodes on left side 12 yrs ago and am nearly 3 yrs from 29/34 pos nodes on the right side, so far travelling with NED.

My take on pos nodes is that they were doing their job and stopping the B$^#$rs from going else where, that what I like to think anyway.

Raine 

reen

I like the way you look at it Raine.  I always thought that having positive nodes had the worst prognosis.

Sally, you're an inspiration too.

Celtic_Spirit

My boyfriend's aunt had a large tumor and numerous positive nodes. That was back in the early 1970s when she was in her late 40s. She only had a mastectomy...no chemo, no radiation, no tamoxifen or AIs, no special diets or alternative treatments. She's in her early 80s now and hasn't had a recurrence.