I am a NERVOUS NELLY!

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Tabatha00
Tabatha00 Member Posts: 133
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

I am having bilateral mastectomies on Monday (gulp) and I have a question.

I had chemo first.   4 A/C treatments and 12 Abraxane treatments.   I finished chemo on January 22.   Before I started chemo I had a biopsy on 1 of my lymph nodes that showed up on ultrasound.  It had microscopic cancer cells.   The radiologist said the lymph node was a completely NORMAL looking lymph node and that chemo would get the microscopic cells.   I met with my surgeon last week and he said that most times when a woman has chemo before surgery that the chemo will kill any cancer cells within the lymph nodes.   I guess I am afraid they are going to find active cancer cells after surgery.   My dr said that only 1/4 of the patients still have cancer cells after chemo/surgery.   I don't want to be in that 1/4.     Does anyone have any advice or personal story you can tell me?  
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  • Lisa1962
    Lisa1962 Member Posts: 1,187
    edited February 2010

    Tabatha00, I know that many others will be along to offer advice, etc.  I just wanted to let you know that I'll be thinking of you & praying for you on Monday for your surgery.  Please keep us posted to let us know how you are doing.  Sending only good thoughts & prayers....Lisa

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  • fightinhrd123
    fightinhrd123 Member Posts: 633
    edited February 2010

    I was the same as you, chemo b4 surgery, 1 pos node by biopsy, and i had no cancer cells left when i was done.  My friend who did chemo w me had the exact same treatment had five nodes pos still!  They just removed them and she is doing fine, we were diagnosed 2008.  The desire is to have no cancer left at surgery, im not so sure about you oncs stats though? With the newer chemos however, my dr told me they are seeing a complete response more and more..:)

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  • angelsabove
    angelsabove Member Posts: 363
    edited February 2010

    Well....I just want to offer prayers and support. I had surgery first. It all happened so fast. I just know that whenever I would say is the chemo working....My Oncologist would say that is the HOPE...but as far as it seems (YOU ARE CANCER FREE)  because the surgeon cut it all out.......Just kicks my butt....Dont get it.....some live long lives with positive nodes, then you have some that start out as stage I and have freaken recurrences.....WE ARE ALL JUST INDIVIDUALS......The thing that I fear other than it coming back is the fact that IT HAPPENED AT ALL!!!!!!!!! Girl I just finished treatments three weeks ago......I am now stepping into the new WORLD.....as sick as it sounds I felt at least in control during Surgery, Chemo, and Rads....at least I felt like I was DOING something about it......

    I WANNA PILL TO TAKE!!!!!   :(

    Good Luck to ya Tabatha..........May God Bless Us All 

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  • cwrightrn
    cwrightrn Member Posts: 242
    edited February 2010

    I have IBC and had a 6+cm tumor pop up literally overnight and 4 + nodes at diagnosis which made me stage III.  To top it off I am TN.  I did ACT as neoadjuvant and was clinically and radiographically NED before surgery BUT at the time of surgery they found 2 more positive nodes (that were too small to show up on the scan) and the path report showed cancer in the the lymph channels.

    I agree with Angelsabove---this whole thing is very individualized!  Just because I had this experience does not mean that someone else will have it too even if they have the same diagnosis.  A lot of IBC'ers start out at stage IV because it is caught late.  I am just thankful every day that I have a great family, a great support system and great doctors!

    I just posted on another thread that this is a huge mind game to me.....I read once that if you allow the "what if's of tomorrow to consume your thoughts then you are being robbed of the joys of today.  So enjoy today!

    Hang in there!  Hugs and blessings

    Carole 

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