Idc with positive lymph node

CatsRus

4Pink101, I was postmenopausal at time of diagnosis (I'm 61) hence going on Femara. I opted for a MX instead of LX, and as I had clear margins and the cancer in the one lymph node was fully encapsulated within it, the radiologist was categoric that I did not require radiation. He felt the surgery had more more than likely taken care of things and that the chemo I had agreed to was added insurance. It was great to hear at the time, but not altogether convinced he wasn't just a bit too optimistic, I enjoyed it in the moment though, it boosted my spirits for a while. I still worry about it coming back, but it doesn't dominate my life. It gets better when decisions are made and you can get on with it. Good luck.

shaz101

hello, and welcome, I'm sorry that you're here. I too had a pos node. I'm just starting radiation. The outlook is very positive, its been a hard slog, but well worth the fight. Just take it day by day, hour by hour or minute by minute if you need too. You will get through this. These forums are great. Thinking of you and wishing you all the best.

badger

Mab60, thanks for the update, thinking of you and sending positive energy your way.

4pink101, I had bilateral mastectomy with no reconstruction and six rounds of TC chemo (taxotere & cytoxan). No radiation due to tumor location (close to front of breast) and surgeon got wide clean margins so it wasn't recommended. Did five years of tamoxifen as was in peri-menopause at diagnosis, now on anastrozole (generic for Arimidex) for another five.

welcome newbies to breastcancer.org, this is a great place for information & support. ((hugs))

tazbear89

Hello everyone!. I've been lurking more than posting. I'm 43 and am two weeks post op for a bmx with recon and with ALND. They took 12 nodes and 4 were positive. I will start AC&T Aug 13 and rads after all chemo is done. I am set to go back to work on the 24th, but not sure how that will work since I do a lot of lifting.

Still dealing with some pain, but I will be be seeing PT on Monday, not sure if I am looking forward to that or not. Well it is late here and I really should try to get to sleep. Have a great day everyone

4pink101

Badger- thx for your reply. How did you handle the chemo? Did it take a long time for your hair to grow back? I'm just terrified

Mab60- I too had a BMX with 1 positive node- 9 weeks out starting more treatment soon... Scared

live_deliciously

hi ladies. It's been a long journey for me since biopsy last Dec. I know many roads on this cancer journey are scary as hell. It helped me to be in these forums and hear from others who have been through the phases. I was scared to death of chemo but I made it. The chemo forums saved my mind and were there for me. Chemo isnt as bad as I thought would be, however I know everyone is different. If your scores come back questionable personally I would do chemo because who wants this to progress or reoccur? I didn't have a choice based on my diagnosis but before surgery they didn't think I had positive nodes based on biopsy and wasn't scheduled for chemo. Surgery showed that plan needed to change. You too will get thru this. It's definitely changed me in many ways. I'd like to think I'm a better person. A better wife. A better mom. A better friend. A better boss. Best wishes to all of you as you make your decisions

vogliodipiu

IDC, that is me! i just got done with 4 months of chemo and am now trying to look forward to my lumpectomy on the 28th, after herceptin and perjeta and all that chemo my surgeon and oncologist say the tumor is gone and there is no more sign of cancer and everybody is congratulating me but i still got no hair, my lashes and brows are falling out at the moment and my perfect boobs will get de-faced to say the least, i keep forgetting about the lymphnodes they will take out and the pathology test after. then radiation..will this ever end? plus, the surgeon mentioned a big needle before the surgery that is going in my boob to find the marker they put into my boob when i had the biopsy. can somebody tell me a little more about that and how scary it is? i thought they would just put me out and go and that big needle business is freaking me out..big time.

ksusan

I had IDC with BMX and one positive node. I had chemo April-June and am in my last 2 weeks of radiation.

When you know your treatment plan, search for that treatment plus the month or quarter you're starting it ("April chemo," "summer rads") for great information and support.

badger

pink, I handled chemo OK, hope same for you. Have you started yet? ((hugs))

I had final infusion in June and by Labor Day had enough hair on my head to call it hair not fuzz.

vogliodipiu, I had a wire-guided biopsy, could that be what you're getting on Fri? If so, it wasn't too bad. Rads numbed my breast then put me in a mammo machine to find that little marker clip and insert a thin wire to guide the surgeon to the spot where the lump is to be taken. If you're having sentinel node mapping, that's a different process involving large needles that you can prepare for at home with Emla numbing cream and Saran Wrap.