MRI after lumpectomy

{{Easdla}} So sorry you've gotten this conflicting information.  It's so great the SLN was clear, but certainly it's a concern having that lymph node found among the breast tissue.  I've heard this can happen as lymph nodes like other body parts don't always take anatomy class and mind their manners and get in their assigned spots.  Little humor to lighten your load, sorry if you don't find the humor in it.   Just try to lighten you day.

Have they said they would do further testing on that lymph node that was found to have suspicious cell activity? Was the entire node removed, or a section of it?  Perhaps the MRI is to figure out if there are more lymph nodes in that area, or something similar?  Did you or can you ask before teh MRI what they are looking for exactly?  What their expectations are at this point?  If this has ever been seen by them before?  I'm sure there are many thoughts going through your mind in this regards.  Have you considered perhaps a mastecomy to insure there aren't more nodes contained in the breast tissue? Just some thoughts I had.

Will keep you in good thoughts and prayers that this all turns out to be nothing, but I'm sure you are sitting on pins and needles worried, we all would be.  Please try to eat and stay hydrated and remember to get your rest so you can move forward with treatment regardless of where that lies.  Hang in there!  When is you MRI sceduled?

I remember that hurry up and wait time.  Mine all started sept 21 of last year with a mammo, and oct 25 was my mast.  Chemo started dec 5th.  That was the day I signed on here finally to become a part of the best group of women I've known in my lifetime.  They are here, supportive and helpful, cry and laugh and just lift each other up at any of the day or night.  It's the best support any woman can find and I surely wish there were more opportunities for more women to know about them all.  I hope you find a year from that you feel the same way

As for that numb feeling....I'm a year out as they say and have an appt with new onco in 2 days. I'm nervous as heck b/c the first and last one (same guy) was not good at understanding my questions and thus those I did remember, or find the wherewithall to ask, went unanswered.  Now, I'm seeing his superior and while I'm very much looking forward to meeting him and getting answers, I'm afraid too, that I'll forget half of the questions on my list. 

If you don't have someone to go with you, I and others will suggest you do.  Write down you questions and if possible, have the person with you write the answers as they are given, so you can concentrate on your list of said ?'s.  I'll be interested to hear what they say for you in regards to this all.  Very interesting.  Stay strong...we're here and will extend that hand/arm to support you through it!

eadsla,  The MRI didn't lead to reexcision. I knew I'd have to do that because there weren't clear margins.  We did the MRI to try to get an idea of how extensive it is and whether it was even worth a try to reexcise. But it also showed another area that didn't show on the mammogram which also has to be biopsied. Praying now for either for something that doesn't have to be removed or more DCIS rather than numerous other alternatives.

Eadsla, Mammo, Ultrasounds and MRi's are all good in their perspective at finding different things at different times.  For instance MRI's can sometimes find a mass that is only 5 mm (1/2 cm) whereas a mammo might find one at 1cm or 10mm.  Also, the type of mass and/or calcification's, and other things can be seen differently on each.  Ultrasounds are also good at deciding when something is actually a cyst as opposed to a cancerous mass.  The bx regardless is the ONLY to know for certain.  ILC is sometimes not seen as early on mammo or U/s because it forms sheets almost, rather than a lump/mass oftentimes.

And yes, I had a mammo which saw the primary tumor (IDC w/DCIS), then and U/S confirmed and he did a bx at that time. We scheduled a lump for the following week with a pre-op MRI to make sure nothing else was present.  IN that MRI, the 2nd primary(ILC w/ LCIS) was seen so the surgery was canceled and an MRI Bx was done instead that next week.  That confirmed the 2nd cancer so a mast was needed as they were in separate quadrants. 

If you feel your uncomfortable with confined spaces, you can ask for something to take before hand.  My BS gave me a script for xanax, others have had other scripts which worked for them.  It just calms you enough to stay put in that thing and not want to run for you life!   J/K, it's emotional, very loud and is quite a while, but the more still you lay, the quicker it goes.

Good Luck, have you gotten your date yet as to when they will be doing it?

Well, not really.  Chemo doesn't knock you out, just wishes you were again:)  The only that really knocks you out, would be the anesthesia in surgery   Seriously though, you'll be amazed at how quickly the time goes. I can NOT believe it's been a year dec 5th, that I started chemo!  amazing really.  I'm so very thankful it's all over, but...would NOT wish the last year/15 months on any soul, for any reason!  It's so emotioally draining, even today can be with follow ups, but, that's over sooner too

Day by day, and you'll do great, I'm sure.  And this time next year, you'll be here, helping someone else through the maze and wondering the same things we are!   Hang in there Eadsla