Stage II w/Lymph Node Involvement

ProudMom_Wife

Congrats Soccermom!!!

Criss

Congratulations Soccermom ! For us you are a fighter !

Diagnosis: 6/17/2009, ILC, 2cm, Grade 2, 2/10 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-

libraylil

Soccer Mom congrats.  We have similar diagnosis and I've had neoadjuvant chemo.  Am obsessing about the lymph nodes until surgery Jan 4.  Seeing you are her2 positive and 6 years out (gotta love it).  Hope everyday my results are as good.  Have agreat holiday.  Beth in NC

libraylil

Warrior thanks for the positives about lymphie involvement.  That is what has me totally freaked out.  My oncologist has told me basically not to worry.  He's had patients with many positive nodes with good results.  So far I know one is positive, but the lumpectomy in Jan will tell the tale.  Hoping that's the only one. Bizarre how some of us with teeny tumors have lymph involvement and larger tumors with none.  I know exactly what you mean...when you say Lymph nodes you get the sad eyes. Beth  in NC

mumito

Congrats Soccermom.

Lisa I was Dx in 08.This year my neck and ribs were really bothering me so my Onc order both bone and cat scans.After that he ordered a Liver ultrasound.Everything seems okay but now I have been put on a 3month bloodwork schedule.I personally think after a few years hve passed the scans are a good idea.

Lee7

Hi all,

I'm reading and finding many similar experiences here.  I really could use your input. 

I had my yearly mammo this summer and it all was OK. I still was worried about what I thought was a cyst (I am prone to them) so I fussed about getting an ultrasound to make sure.  When they redid the mammo and the ultrasound, I had a biposy, then lumpectomy, and 5 nodes taken out. It  turned out to be a 1.5 cm invasive cancer, with a positive (2mm) node.   Looking back at earlier mammo's(2008, 20009), it was probably there for while. Now I am about to have additional surgery, full axillary dissection in case there are more nodes positive, and have a port put in for chemo.  

I also recently got a PET scan, but I had to ask for it. Honestly I panicked with the news of a positive node and really needed to know I didn't have a huge tumor growing elsewhere already.  The PET Scan didn't give any accurate info about having more positive nodes, but I don't think it can right now because of the surgery I had there. Same is true for where the lump came out.  At least that is what I am told. Still I'm glad I had it done now.

My Onco score came back 20, in the "grey area" whether chemo will help much but they are considering giving me CMF x6  now instead of their earlier recommendation of  dose denseAC, then..T.    BUT I think that's only because I said I didn't want to have the Adriamycin.    (My mom had bad reaction to it many years ago)   I'm 90% ER+, and 30-60% PR+ but am HER neg. 

Here are my questions, I could really use the advice....

The chemo....Why did your onc recommend your regimen? Should I consider other combinations? Who else has had CMF and how did you do?   I'm still wondering if I even should do chemo because I'm such a nervous wreck over it and the benefit seems to be so small (2-4% maybe).   How do you make this decision? 

I'm also considering having BMX in the future because I now don't want the the radiation tx after chemo since my lump was left side, right over my heart.  That and I think I will worry everyday there is another lump hiding that the mammograms won't pick up again.  Have any of you opted to do a BMX after just trying to go with a lumpectomy?

Mandy1313

Hi Lee.

I just sent you a private message.

Best.

Mandy

navigatinglife

Great to read all your experiences with your diagnoses.  I was diagnosed Stage2 BC (no tumor found in breast) but large 4cm lymph node.  Had 17 lymph nodes removed

but only 1 was positive!  Did all the chemo, surg, rad and am now struggling with taking AL's.  Tried Arimidex first, couldn't, now on Aromasin. 

dianemoe

j1214nanna......Not the kind of thread we like to say yeah glad your here,but nice place to vent. Trust me I have done it and I'm sure my DH is glad it's not at him. Really he has been great he takes care of both my Mom and I in two different houses at same location. I wish I could do more, maybe in a day on two. I just had tx Monday and neulasta shot yesterday. With all the meds they give you to prevent SE I feel all I have time for is pill popping. Was your dx found in mammo or did you feel it. Mine was found in yearly screening. Makes you wonder why it wasn't picked up before. Best to you,keep me or us informed.....Diane

nora_az

You have no idea how good it is to hear about long term survivors with lymph node involvement. My surgeon was not expecting any lymph node involvement and I had one bad lymph node and something in the lymph node channel which I still don't understand and want more info on.

When I woke up I remember the first thing I asked was, "Was it in the lymph nodes?" and when I found out it was even though I was all drugged up my heart sunk.

I've been dwelling on this a bit too much the past month or so but your post really helped me.

Thanks!

Tabbymom

Lee, I PM'd you...

MaxineO

Hi all-

It's great to find this thread; I share so many of the feelings and thoughts that have been expressed. I am newly diagnosed (Dec. 1 2010) and am awaiting a second breast biopsy. They actually found the bc first in my lymph nodes (multiple enlarged lymph nodes followed by node biopsy) and then determined the origin (I think they were thinking lymphoma). I don't know how many nodes yet, but I will be having an axillary dissection because there are multiple. PET and bone scans came back with no visible spread.

I have read all of your thoughtful posts and am learning so much. My second breast biopsy is to determine lumpectomy vs. mastectomy. Has anyone had a lumpectomy with axillary dissection, or are the two generally incompatible?

Great to meet such positive people!

M

What I know:

Stage II, lymph node involvement, ER+, PR+, HER2-, grade 1

Recommended: surgery, chemo, radiation, hormone therapy...2011 will be an adventure!

rachel5738

Maxine--your information looks similar to mine. I had lumpectomy with axillary dissection and sentinel node removal. They were able to get clear margins therefore, they did not want to do mastectomy. I had 6 X chemo (FEC-T) and now will be heading into 25 +5 radiation. I already started Tamoxifen before christmas and so far--not too bad. I had rad hyst back in May so was already getting hot flashes.

You will find lots of help here on BCO-once you know your treatment plan--join the treatment area and you will get lots of support. I joined the August 2010 chemo thread and it was and still is invaluable to me for information and just to know that you are not alone in this!

MaxineO

Thanks, Rachel. I hope to have a treatment plan in place in the next week or so. I had thought that lymph node involvement would mean automatic mastectomy, but it seems that's not the case. I suppose the chemo and total breast radiation are supposed to take care of any potentially remaining cells?

You're right, I have had more help on these boards than anywhere else. Knowing I am NOT alone is a huge boost.

Fearless_One

Maxine, no....many women have some positive nodes at stage II and don't require Mx.   I had 2 nodes positive, and didn't need one (although I have since opted for a prophylactic one).

InTwoPlaces

Maxine,

I had 7 positive lymph nodes and I had lumpectomy, my BS told me that I was an excellent candidate for it and with radiation my risk would be pretty much the same as for mastectomy.

LadyinBama

Maxine: Ditto. I had one positive node, but was given choice of lump or mast. chose BMX, better safe than sorry and it fit with where I'm at in life, etc. It's a personal choice, so do what is best for you based on what the docs say. Welcome aboard this yucky ship. We manage to keep our heads above water most days!

libraylil

Maxine   I just came home today from lumpectomy and axillary dissection.  We knew from biopsy one node was positive.  I have chemo before to shrink the tumor etc.  Like two places I was told with chemo, and rads my stats would be about the same as a mastectomy.  Libray lil

MaxineO

It's good to hear there are more options than I had thought. I figured with chemo AND radiation, it would kill most everything (hopefully). My surgeon said that regardless of whether I had lumpectomy or mastectomy I would still have both chemo and total breast radiation.

Library lil, I hope you're feeling okay after today.

Thanks for all your insight. I feel hopeful finding so many with lymph node involvement...it often feels like a conversation stopper...even in the bc world.

M

libraylil

Maxine  lymph nodes definitely earn you the "sad look".  I have asked my oncologist about this several times.  He told me he had a lady with 22 positive nodes and no recurrence.  The chemo should treat anything that might have escaped (if anything did) from the lymph nodes. It is just scary.  I feel fine, just a little sore.  Haven't even needed pain meds.  libray lil

Fearless_One

Maxine, I had lumpectomy and ax. node dissection and had no problems whatsoever (2/16 positve).   I have only opted for a BLMX for peace of mind.   So whatever route you take, you will be okay. 

The most important thing is your PET came back clean.....     Also, you are grade 1.   You are going to be fine (if I had to predict)....

LadyinBama

Maxine: be sure to meet with a medical oncologist as well as a radiation oncologist. I didn't have to do radiation. It depends on margins and where the tumor is and a whole bunch of stuff. A rad onc can make that call.

LadyinBama

Maxine: PS, to be clear, I didn't have to do radiation with mastectomy. It's a given with lumpectomy.

Fearless_One

Yes, lumpectomy with no rads has 40% chance of recurrance (according to my docs).

evergreen9

I also have had regular mammograms (age 65) annually and had a clean bill of health with the mammogram of Feb 2010.  Then in Nov 2010, I found the lump (turned out to be 3.5cm).  A mammogram taken then was not indicative of anything; it was the ultrasound that showed strong suspicions, and then the biopsy confirmed it.  My advice to folks with dense breasts?  Get an ultrasound each year, even if you have to pay for it!! As one author said, "Looking for a tumour in a dense breast is like looking for a polar bear in a snowstorm!.

ami

Hi Maxine,

I had the lumpectomy, SN removal, then axillary because one node was positive.  I decided not to do mx.  My surgeon was great; removed two areas of surgery and you can hardly see disfiguration.  I'm 47 and not ready to lose the breasts if I don't have to; I can always do that later if necessary and was told that lumpectomy + rads are as effective as mx.  Reconstruction can cause all kinds of problems.  I've had NO problems post surgery- wore a strapless dress at a holiday party two weeks after the lymph node removal.

Second chemo tomorrow (TC). 

 ami

Warrior517

Hi Girls,

I just needed to pop in and say hello. I started this thread so long ago and was thrilled to see it being so active still.  Monday, Jan 10th, will mark my Caniversary....the day I was diagnosed three years ago. I think its important to share that I am doing GREAT...healthy and cancer free!! My DH and I are taking my three great kids to a fun dinner at Benihana on Monday.  So many of you are just starting your journey and it seems so overwhelming. I know. I have been there. Don't look at the whole pic, just one day at a time. When it gets overwhelming, take a breath and look how far you have come thus far. My prayers are with each of you Warriors.  If you have any questions, please ask. I have been pretty much thru it all...chemo, rads, herceptin, dbl mx, two different reconstructions (failed implants and successful DIEP flaps)  Stay Strong and remember..there is sometimes only one thing you can control during this time and that is YOUR THOUGHTS. YOU choose to be positive or negative...its up to you.  XOXo 

3jaysmom

thanks for this thread, warrior.. ive been bouncing around on others, but have dx of IIb.. size of tumor not great.. smaller than they thought after surgery.. there were 2 smaller sized tumors 1 cm not one at 2cm.. didn't change my dx. cancer was incredibly aggresive. while doing testing one went from less tha .05 to 1!! 11 nodes removed, 2 pos.  left masect.. no nodes..

   thats' all i know. path reports confuse me.. im 60 this year, and glad to say out from surgery almost 2 yrs. chemo is a yr... ned; but testing for some mets. poss. as we speak...

 cannot tolerate ALS; so am doing alteratives..

   all that said; i really loved your poem. copied it down, edited cause i didn't do all you di; THEN i saw the end, and laughed... glad i found this thread.. love to all...   3jaysmom

MaxineO

Thank you for posting, Rachel. I need that today.

In my second opinion visits and additional 'suspicious area' biopsy, they have found another location with bc. Two areas in the breast, plus lymph nodes. Is this common? Have others had multiple sites? I am now going to have another MRI to re-check both breasts. Could I be headed for stage 3?

I am feeling REALLY low today, like I've been thrust backwards in my treatment, prognosis, and resolve to beat this sucker. It helps to read through the boards and not feel so alone.

Thanks for all your wonderful support.

M

libraylil

Maxine, my ILC was multifocal.....two areas.  Libray lil