refused lymph node removal?

diplomom08

Thanks to everyone who responded!  I was out of the loop for a while after surgery on 11/11/2010. I allowed for the SNB with the possibility of axillary dissection.  I was NOT thrilled by this idea, but the surgeon would not have it any other way. 

I ended having not having any positive nodes.  She had to take 4 sentinel nodes as they were all clumped together, but I have had no residual effects.  I am not able to lift my arm above my head, but movement is improving.  I was on strict instructions from both my BS and PS to not try to lift above my head prior to drains being out.

I am extremely grateful that I did not have to have the axillary dissection, but not sure how I would feel had it been done and I ended up with lymphedema (that was my primary concern).  I feel for those who have had any issues with this and am working personally each day to reduce my risk, as I know even the mast. and SNB put me at risk.

 Again, thanks to each and every one of you for giving me food for thought! Happy Thanksgiving!

KristinaM

I had a sentinel node biopsy, they took out 3. 2 Nodes sucked up the radioactive stuff, and one came out sort of by accident. The main node was found to have a 2mm metastasis. 

The Sloane-Kettering calculator said I have a 22% chance that cancer is in the other nodes.

So I decided to leave the nodes in.

I had a lumpectomy, but refused radiation and chemo. I was stage IIB.

At the moment I am healthy. (It has been 9 months).

My Doc feels my lymph nodes every 3 months.

If you leave them in, you can have them ultrasounded and felt by the Doctor regularly, if anything is found you can revisit the decision.

Kristina

DX 18 March 2010 Grade 3 IDC 4.5cm 1/3 nodes LVI, Lumpectomy 14 April 2010, no further treatment.